REFLECTIONS (WORSHIP SERVICE 1/11/15)

REFLECTIONS (WORSHIP SERVICE 1/11/15)

HYMN TIME
A really good worship service today. I chose three hymns.
1. Thy Word Have I Hid In My Heart
2. Are You Washed (In The Blood)
3. The Comforter Has Come.
Our children sing these songs too. They don't know any better. They think we are suppose to sing the Hymns of the Church. They like fun songs, simple songs, clapping and motions songs, but they also choose the old Hymns. Sadly I encounter people (of all ages) from other churches who do not know the hymns.

THE BLOOD
I wish you could have been here. It was encouraging to watch the children as I spoke about the meaning of these three songs and focused on the efficacy of the Blood of Christ. I explained what it means to be, "Washed In The Blood." I recounted the details of the sufferings of Christ, when He was beaten, whipped, crucified, and pierced with the spear. They listened intently as I explained the horrors and the significance of hanging on the cross by the driven nails in His "hands;" and the meaning of the thieve's broken legs and Christ's riven side. They were listening with their hearts as I spoke of His sacrifice of love.

DISCIPLESHIP
I also explained the cost of discipleship. I told them how blessed we are to live in the safety of America, but that there are little children in other parts of the world that had to decide recently if they would live as Muslims or die violently as Christians. I told them that a lot of children chose to die for Christ rather than live without Him. I explained that they made their choice because they love Jesus, and that God wants us to love Jesus more than we love our own lives.

THE COMFORTER
I also explained Who the Comforter is, how we need His comfort, and how He provides us with meaning and fulfillment, courage and strength, love and joy. I asked them what had helped the children in the Muslim world choose Christ. They told me it was the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. I was blessed to know that they understood. One of the great blessings to me is to hear these children ask and answer questions about the Bible, theology and practical Christian living.

MY PRAYER
God help me to prepare them for a life of love and service to You and to other people.
God help me to accomplish my pastoral mission, in both the young and the old in my church.

MY PASTORAL MISSION
Colossians 1:25-29
(25) Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
(26) Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
(27) To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
(28) Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
(29) Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

Anything less is unworthy of the pastor's calling.