Encouragement Post - Coronavirus Distancing Day 9 (Tuesday)

Encouragement Post #9: (Tuesday) Finding myself THANKFUL today… for music. This is not unique to this particular situation, as DAILY I find myself thankful for the music that brings me such joy. In fact, for those of you who know me well, you know that I am pretty much constantly listening to it. In high school, I was always the one bringing the “boom box” to everything so that there would be music. I am pretty sure I drove my college roommates crazy playing my faves. My kids make fun of me because I have more music on my phone than they do (and because I have a song ready with a lyric to fit nearly every life situation). Isn’t it wonderful with new technology to be able to find almost any piece of music you want right at your fingertips? (My teenage self would have been crazy over the moon about that!!)

Music truly does permeate our soul… as you probably know, it is a most effective method for learning words, phrases, and things you need to know. Try to memorize something from rote and it can be a challenge, but set it to music and it's a piece of cake after a little rehearsing (thank you, School House Rock!!) Which makes it all the more important WHAT we are basically “cementing” into our minds. I can remember nearly every lyric to all those amazing pop songs from the 70s and 80s all these years later! It’s powerful. And these past days I have seen people posting all kinds of music, not a lot of secular music really, but mostly hymns and worship songs. It’s interesting to me… I love hymns so much because they are rich in truth about our God, but I also love the new hymns and worship music being written every day. As I have grown in my walk with the Lord, though, the most important part of any song is the lyric. I want to have an arsenal in my head, so that if I should ever not have the electronic means to listen I will have them at the ready. Did you know that for most dementia and Alzheimer’s patients, when they cannot remember anything else they can remember music. Amazing!

So, that’s why on each of my encouragement posts I have been including a song. It’s a command in scripture, right? “…speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:19) Today I am sharing one that is newer, but it is SO unique (a question and answer format) and SO filled with truth straight from God’s word. I am not sure there could be a MORE fitting song for this time.


Is He worthy?
by Andrew Peterson

Do you feel the world is broken? (We do)
Do you feel the shadows deepen? (We do)
But do you know that all the dark won't stop the light from getting through? (We do)
Do you wish that you could see it all made new? (We do)

Is all creation groaning? (It is)
Is a new creation coming? (It is)
Is the glory of the Lord to be the light within our midst? (It is)
Is it good that we remind ourselves of this? (It is)

Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David's root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave

Is He worthy? Is He worthy
Of all blessing and honor and glory?
Is He worthy of this?
He is

Does the Father truly love us? (He does)
Does the Spirit move among us? (He does)
And does Jesus, our Messiah, hold forever those He loves? (He does)
Does our God intend to dwell again with us? (He does)

Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David's root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave

From every people and tribe (People and tribe)
Every nation and tongue (Every nation and tongue)
He has made us a kingdom and priests to God
To reign with the Son

Is He worthy? Is He worthy
Of all blessing and honor and glory?
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
Is He worthy of this?

He is, He is
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
He is, He is
He is worthy, He is worthy
He is

Encouragement Post - Coronavirus Distancing Day 7 (Sunday)

Encouragement Post #7: (Sunday) How encouraging that even through all the forced separation, the church is finding creative ways to "assemble together" as we are commanded in Hebrews 10. I have seen so many today who gathered together, virtually. I pray that you are finding ways to stay connected to your spiritual family in the quarantine. This virus has not surprised our Lord, and he has gone before us. Deuteronomy 31:8 says, "The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." How wonderful is it that we have the gift of technology to keep us connected during this present trial? He knows exactly what we need.

Lord, we acknowledge our need for You… for Your forgiveness for our sin, for Your mercy in our stumbling, for Your love to soothe the wounded places in our souls, for Your provision in our inadequacy, for Your protection over us as Your children. Thank You for being Immanuel, the God who is with us!

Matthew 1:23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which translated means, "God with us."
Romans 8:25 & 27 "Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ... But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us."

Immanuel
by Mike Card

A sign shall be given
A virgin will conceive
A human baby bearing undiminished Deity
The glory of the nations
A light for all to see
And hope for all who will embrace
His warm reality

Chorus
Immanuel, Our God is with us
And if God is with us
Who could stand against us
Our God is with us, Immanuel

For all those who live in the shadow of death
A glorious light has dawned
For all those who stumble in the darkness
Behold, your light has come

Chorus

So what shall be your answer
Oh will you here the call
Of Him who did not spare His Son
But gave Him for us all
On earth there is no power
There is no depth or height
That could ever separate us
From the love of God in Christ

Repeat Chorus

A Blessing for You

So, because my last post was a little on the negative side, I am posting something encouraging today.  Here is a scripture we memorized in our ladies group a while back, when we were making our way through the book of Ephesians.  I am posting it here as encouragement for you.  Always remember that you are uniquely special and dearly loved by the One who created you!  There really is no way to truly comprehend His love... and feel free to copy and use this graphic if you'd like to.  We used it to help us memorize, but use it however you'd like.

Stop, Look, & Listen... True Freedom

DeeperStill - Atlanta from Rich Kalonick on Vimeo.