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Daily Devotion May 27th

WEDNESDAY 27th

As we continue the theme of the name of Jesus today, we will consider five short points.

We GATHER in his name.

In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul is having to deal with an individual who has sinned, but the context is not so important for now, but a statement he makes in v4 is, ‘When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus . . .’ From this we can deduct that when the Church gathers together it must always be in the name of Jesus, or because of the name of Jesus, or to put it in another way, in our coming together, Jesus should always be at the centre and the purpose for which we have come together. In Matthew 18:20 Jesus says, ‘For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.’ If we want to know the presence of Jesus among us when we come together, we must gather in his name. It is not about you or me, it is all about Jesus and to lead us to the second point, when we come together:

We GLORIFY his name.

 In our coming together we should seek to glorify his name. Sadly today we are living in an age of celebrity, the world is full of celebrities, and sadly it is a culture that is creeping in, or has crept into the life of the Church, we have made celebrities out of leaders, pastors, worship leaders etc. The one who should be the centre of our attention when we gather together is the one who’s name is above every other name, he alone is the one we celebrate and worship, he alone is the one who deserves all the glory and honour, he alone is the one we should be exalting. Thank God for leaders, pastors, and worship leaders who God has raised into places of leadership and authority, but never ever should they become the focus of our attention, if they do not point us to a place of glorifying God, then we should remove ourselves from them, and if they themselves become the centre of our attention, then we reposition ourselves into a new place where the Lord is being glorified.

We GO in his name.

It wasn’t until I was putting yesterday’s devotion together and reading the verse from 3 John 1:7 that I put two and two together and realised that an old hymn we used to sing years ago was probably based upon this actual verse of Scripture. I have sung the hymn many times, not realising its source. The Scripture says, 3 John 1:7 ‘For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.’ The hymn we sang was ‘For my sake and the gospel’s, go and tell redemption’s story.’

It is for the sake of the name of Jesus that many have left the shores of the United Kingdom to share the gospel around the nations of the world. As a result, many have given up homes, families and even their lives for the name of Jesus and the sake of the gospel. They have reckoned that because of his name it was worth it, they realised that putting Jesus first, putting him at the centre meant that nothing else mattered but redemptions story. And as Paul testified about himself, they went willing to suffer for his name, some even imprisoned because of his name and some even faced death because of his name.

To lead to our next point, this verse in 3 John is followed with verse 8 which says, ‘Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.’

We GIVE of our resources in his name.

Thank God for those who are willing to go, but we are not all called to leave the UK to serve God on foreign soil, but we can all play our part. First in praying for them, and prayer for mission or prayer for mission organizations should always feature in our prayers, but secondly, we can give, we can give financially to support the work of worldwide mission. And as we give, we give in his name, for the furtherance of the gospel story so that it will lead to many more coming and calling upon the name of the Lord and being saved. Colossians 3:17 ‘and whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.’ This includes our giving!

Finally

We GIVE thanks in the name of Jesus.

Ephesians 5:20 ‘Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.’

We have come into His house

Gathered in His name to worship Him,

We have come into His house

Gathered in His name to worship Him,

We have come into His house

Gathered in His name to worship Christ, the Lord

Worship Him, Jesus Christ, the Lord.

Let’s forget about ourselves

Concentrate on Him and worship Him,

Let’s forget about ourselves

Concentrate on Him and worship Him,

Let’s forget about ourselves

Concentrate on Him and worship Christ, the Lord

Worship Him, Jesus Christ, the Lord.

Let us lift up holy hands

Magnify His Name and worship Him,

Let us lift up holy hands

Magnify His Name and worship Him,

Let us lift up holy hands

Magnify His Name and worship Christ, the Lord

Worship Him, Jesus Christ, the Lord.

He is all my righteousness

I stand complete in Him and worship Him,

He is all my righteousness

I stand complete in Him and worship Him,

He is all my righteousness

I stand complete in Him and worship Christ, the Lord

Worship Him, Jesus Christ, the Lord.

Bruce Ballinger CCLI788682

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Daily Devotion May 26th

TUESDAY 26th

Reading – Philippians 2

Today we will move into the letters of the New Testament and discover some of the verses that mention the ‘name’ about the Lord Jesus Christ. Again, I will add a summary of references here which you can view if you wish to find the context in which they are written.

‘for the sake of his name among all the nations’ (Romans 1:5), ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’ (Romans 10:13), ‘call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ’ (1 Corinthians 1:2), ‘by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ’ (1 Corinthians 1:10), ‘assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus’ (1 Corinthians 5:4), ‘justified in the name of the Lord Jesus’ (1 Corinthians 6:11), ‘in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ’ (Ephesians 5:20), ‘bestowed on him the name which is above every name’ (Philippians 2:9), ‘at the name of Jesus every knee should bow’ (Philippians 2:10), ‘do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus’ Colossians 3:17), ‘so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you’ (2 Thessalonians 1:12), ‘we command you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ’ (2 Thessalonians 3:6), ‘who names the name of the Lord’ (2 Timothy 2:19), ‘as the name he has inherited’ (Hebrews 1:4), ‘blaspheming the honourable name by which you were called’ (James 2:7), ‘anointing with oil in the name of the Lord’ (James 5:14, ‘if you are insulted for the name of Christ’ (1 Peter 4:14), ‘glorify God in that name’ (1 Peter 4:16), ‘your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake’ (1 John 2:12), ‘we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ’ (1 John 3:23), ‘who believe in the name of the Son of God’ (1 John 5:13), ‘for they have gone out for the sake of the name’ 3 John 1:7), ‘bearing up for my name’s sake’ (Revelation 2:3), ‘you hold fast my name’ (Revelation 2:13), ‘and have not denied my name’ (Revelation 3:8), ‘who had his name’ (Revelation 14:1), See also Revelation 19:11-16, 22:4.

As we have looked over this subject for the last three days, we have seen or read so much concerning his name.

When I was a child, I attended a little Church in Madley, Herefordshire and the national Church, used to produce every year for the national Convention what we called a chorus sheet. It would be used to introduce new songs or choruses which would be used during the convention week. Following on from the convention, these sheets would be used in the local Church. I do not remember which year but possibly the late 60’s or early 70’s one of the choruses became my favourite for a long time and it was lethal for whoever was leading to ask for a choice as I would ask for the same one all the time. The words are: (if I have remembered them correctly)

His name, is the best name, is the best name of them all,

Jesus, precious Saviour, at his pierced feet I fall,

Healer, Sanctifier, on the living Christ I gladly call,

For his name is the best name is the best name of them all.

And it is, it is the best name and the highest name that heaven and earth proclaim, it is the only name by which we can call on and be saved.

In our Scripture reading for today, we are re-reading what we looked at earlier in the week, 2:9-11 ‘Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’

There are two things stated in these verses relating to mankind’s response to Jesus being highly exalted, and his being given the name that is above every name. 1) Is that at the name of Jesus EVERY knee should bow 2) Every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

We are living in a time when men and women, and society in general are either rejecting God, or denying God. There are those who would be very definite in their atheistic view, there is no God, there are others who don’t care whether or not there is a God, why should it matter, they would say, each to his or her own. The reality is that God has revealed himself in so many ways, the very design of the universe and the intricate detail in everything that exists points clearly to a designer or architect who must at least be bigger, better and more powerful than everything we see around us. The sadder reality is that the day is coming when there will be no such thing as an unbeliever or an atheist because every knee in heaven, on earth or under the earth is going to have to bow the knee and confess the Lordship of Jesus Christ. But for those who refuse to believe now, in time, when that moment in eternity comes when they will have to bow and confess, it will be too late, spending an eternity languishing with regret, ‘if only’.

Thank God, that we have come to the place where we are already willingly bowing the knee and confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord. We have come to know him as Saviour, and as Lord, and as the best friend that anyone could wish for in this life.

All hail the power of Jesus’ name!

Let angels prostrate fall;

bring forth the royal diadem,

and crown him Lord of all.

Bring forth the royal diadem,

and crown him Lord of all.

Ye chosen seed of Israel’s race,

ye ransomed from the fall,

hail him who saves you by his grace,

and crown him Lord of all.

Hail him who saves you by his grace,

and crown him Lord of all.

Sinners, whose love can ne’er forget

the wormwood and the gall,

go spread your trophies at his feet,

and crown him Lord of all.

Go spread your trophies at his feet,

and crown him Lord of all.

Let every kindred, every tribe

on this terrestrial ball,

to him all majesty ascribe,

and crown him Lord of all.

To him all majesty ascribe,

and crown him Lord of all.

Crown him, ye martyrs of your God,

who from his altar call;

extol the Stem of Jesse’s Rod,

and crown him Lord of all.

Extol the Stem of Jesse’s Rod,

and crown him Lord of all.

O that with yonder sacred throng

we at his feet may fall!

We’ll join the everlasting song,

and crown him Lord of all.

We’ll join the everlasting song,

and crown him Lord of all.

Edward Perronet CCLI788682

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Devotions

Daily Devotion May 25th

MONDAY 25th

Reading – Acts 4:13-31

We will continue today on the theme of the name of Jesus, but today from the book of Acts. As I did yesterday, I will give an overview of the verses that have reference to his ‘name’, you will need to turn to them if you want to find the context. ‘who calls upon his name’ (2:21), ‘every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ’ (2:38), ‘In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth’ (3:6), ‘And his name – by faith in his name’ (3:16), ‘or by what name’ (4:7), ‘that by the name of Jesus Christ’ (4:10), ‘there is no other name’ (4:12), ‘to anyone in this name’ (4:17), ‘teach at all in the name of Jesus’ (4:18), ‘through the name of your holy servant Jesus’ (4:30), ‘not to teach in this name’ (5:28), ‘not to speak in the name’ (5:40), ‘worthy to suffer dishonour for the name’ (5:41), ‘and the name of Jesus Christ’ (8:12), baptised in the name’ (8:16), ‘who call on your name’ (9:14), ‘to carry my name’ (9:15), ‘for the sake of my name’ (9:16), ‘who called upon his name’ (9:21), preached boldly in the name of Jesus’ (9:27), ‘preaching boldly in the name of Jesus’ (9:28), ‘forgiveness of sins through his name’ (10:43), ‘baptised in the name of Jesus’ (10:48), ‘risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ’ (15:26), ‘I command you in the name of Jesus Christ’ (16:8), ‘baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus’ (19:5), ‘invoke the name of’ (19:13), ‘and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled’ (19:17), ‘die in Jerusalem for the name’ (21:13), ‘calling on his name’ (22:16), ‘opposing the name’ (26:9).

In our reading for today we discover that it was not long after the day of Pentecost when the authorities began to be concerned about the ‘name’. Even though they had seen tremendous evidence of the power that is to be found in the name of Jesus, they sought to ban any activity based around his name, verses 17-18 ‘But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name. So, they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.’ But what did the disciples do? They prayed for boldness, and after being filled again with the power of the Holy Spirit they went out and continued to speak the word of God boldly. (4:31) But it got them in trouble again, in Acts 5:28 ‘We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching . . .’ The apostles replied we must obey God rather than men.

The disciples had come to know the tremendous power and authority that was involved in the name of Jesus. Power and authority that was present in the name and through the name because of who Jesus was, the obedient and conquering Saviour, the one who God had declared to be Lord over all. And Jesus had commissioned the disciples or sent them to ‘go in his name’, this means that they had been given authority to exercise authority in the name of Jesus.

To attempt to use an illustration, a poor one I know, in themselves the disciples could do absolutely nothing, they would be like you or I going as a civilian and attempting to enter a property to do a search. It just would not happen. What we would need is a warrant, a document that gives us authority to go and to enter and search. And when Jesus gave the disciples authority to use his name it is as if he issued them a warrant, a document ‘his name’ that gave them the authority.  If we look at the period of time between Acts 4:18 when the disciples were charged not to teach or speak in the name of Jesus and the second time in Acts 5:28 ‘We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, we will see verses 12-16 in which we see how they exercised that authority. ‘Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.’ Wow what amazing results. Brothers and sisters, we need to collect our warrant!

As I have gone through these various Scriptures, there are many things that have been highlighted to me, things we know about and readily proclaim, the power in the name to save, the power that is in the name to heal, and the power in the name to deliver and set free.

In Acts 9, we find that Saul who later became Paul was going about with authority (a warrant) to bind those who call on the name, (verses 1-2 and 13-14) and yet as he who hated the name of Jesus was intent on causing suffering toward those who loved the name of Jesus, God was at work with a plan that in turn meant that Saul himself would end up suffering for the sake of the name. The name hater, the name despiser, the one who wanted to obliterate the name would himself become a carrier of that name, he would hold a better warrant, not a warrant that would lead to death for the believers, but a warrant ‘the name of Jesus’ that would lead to life for the unbelievers. (9:15-16) What an amazing evidence of the power in the name of Jesus to save and to transform a life. So much so, that he came to love the name of Jesus so dearly that we hear Paul saying many years later that he was willing himself to be imprisoned or even to die for the name. (21:13)

We are living in relatively safe times in the UK to be a believer in the name, sadly there are many nations where this is not so. We can so easily sing or say that we love the name of Jesus, that Jesus is the name we honour, Jesus is the name we trust because at this moment in time there is no risk involved in saying so. But what if? What if we were told that we were not to teach or preach the name? What if the authorities had warrants to arrest those who follow the name? What if our believing in the name means we would have to suffer many trials, or be imprisoned or be put to death? A lot of ‘what ifs’, but the challenge is for the now, we can believe freely on his name, we can declare freely about his name, maybe, the person God keeps placing into your heart and mind is someone who needs to know about the name, and you are to be the one who is to carry the name to them.

The name of Jesus is so sweet,

I love its music to repeat;

It makes my joys full and complete,

The precious name of Jesus.

Jesus! oh, how sweet the name,

Jesus! every day the same;

Jesus! let all saints proclaim

 Its worthy praise forever.

I love the name of Him whose heart

Knows all my griefs and bears a part;

Who bids all anxious fears depart,

I love the name of Jesus.

That name I fondly love to hear,

It never fails my heart to cheer,

Its music dries the falling tear;

Exalt the name of Jesus.

No word of man can ever tell

How sweet the name I love so well,

Oh, let its praises ever swell,

Oh, praise the name of Jesus.

W C Martin CCLI788682

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Devotions

Daily Devotion May 24th

SUNDAY 24th

Reading – John 14

When I was preparing the devotions for last week, at the same time I was also reading through the books of John and Acts, and toward the end of John and into Acts what kept getting my attention were verses that had reference in some way to the ‘name.’ (referring to Jesus)

In the beginning of John’s gospel we have, ‘believing in his name’ (1:12), ‘believed in his name’ (2:23), ‘not believed in the name’ (3:18), Then in particular within the dialogue Jesus is having with his disciples prior to his going to Calvary we have, ‘ask in my name’ (14:13) ‘ask me anything in my name’ (14:14), ‘the Father will send in my name’ (14:26), ‘ask the Father in my name’ (15:16), ‘on account of my name’ (15:21), ‘ask of the Father in my name’ (16:23), ‘you have asked nothing in my name’ (16:24, ‘ask in my name’ (16:26), ‘by believing you may have life in his name’ (20:31).

Now I have only given a highlight from each of the reference, you need to read the surrounding verses to find the context for each of them, but what I want to draw from this short list is the conclusion that they reveal to us that there is and must be something unique and special about ‘his name’. There is little point in me suggesting today that you should believe in my name, or ask anything in my name, nor any point in me suggesting that the Father will send anything in my name. My name is just a normal (or maybe odd, unusual) name that has absolutely nothing significant attached to using it. But when we come to this name it is a uniquely and particularly special and important name because it is the name of Jesus. Now, the name Jesus in itself is not unique, it is still used as a popular Christian name in some parts of the world, but with regard to the Lord Jesus Christ it is uniquely special because it is the name that God has given to his eternal Son. Luke 1:31 ‘And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.’  Luke 2:21 ‘And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.’

The name ‘Jesus’ (Gk Iesous) is the equivalent to the Hebrew ‘Joshua’ (Heb Yehoshua) and means ‘The Lord is salvation’ and this baby born in Bethlehem and given the name Jesus was to be the Saviour, the ONLY Saviour, who would bring redemption for mankind. He would be the only person in the history of the world named either Joshua or Jesus who would literally be what his name declares about him. In Luke 2:11 as the angel came to make the announcement to the shepherds about the birth of Jesus we read ‘For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.’ Most translations have ‘a Saviour’ The NLT puts it this way, ‘The Saviour—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!’ The NET translation, ‘Today your Saviour is born in the city of David, he is Christ the Lord.’ Jesus is ‘THE SAVIOUR’, Christ the Lord.

Now why is this name when given to Jesus different to when it is given to any other? Why does it contain power and authority, why can we ask through it, why should we believe on it etc.? Well, as I’ve already mentioned, because it is the name his Father gave him, but Philippians 2:9-11 enlarges the answer for us, ‘Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ (See also Ephesians 1:20-22)

He was given the name Jesus by God the Father at his birth, and because of his obedience in accomplishing what God the Father had sent him to do, that was to live a sinless life, to die a sacrificial death and to be spectacularly raised from the dead, God has exalted him, and bestowed on him a name which is above every name. The name bestowed upon him was Lord. By exalting his name, God is declaring the one born as Jesus, to be Lord. Therefore, we declare that Jesus is Lord. Remember what Joshua means ‘The Lord is salvation’ and in the person of Jesus, in his name as Jesus he truly is Lord. It is a name that has power, it is a name that has authority, and Jesus prior to his ascension, declared to his disciples ‘All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me.’ There is a song made more popular by the Gaither’s which has the line, ‘Mary called him Jesus, but I call him Lord.’ What we can declare is this, Jesus is Lord, or our Lord is Jesus!

Another reason why the name is unique when given to this Jesus is found in Acts 4:12 ‘And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.’  It is only in this one who is called Jesus, the one who has become Lord, that salvation can be found.

There are some lovely songs that are composed around the name of Jesus, and I will mention just a few of them here, I love to sing about Jesus, I love to sing about his blood, I love to sing about his name, for it is the highest name that heaven and earth affords.

We will continue the theme on the name of Jesus tomorrow from the book of Acts.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

There’s just something about that name

Master, Saviour, Jesus

Like the fragrance after the rain

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

Let all Heaven and earth proclaim

Kings and kingdoms will all pass away

But there’s something about that name

Gaithers CCLI788682

Just the mention of Your name

Causes me to fall before You,

Tears flow as I adore You,

At the mention of Your name,

Just the mention of Your name.

Just the mention of Your name,

Reaffirms the love that holds me,

Speaks once more of love that knows me

At the mention of Your name,

Just the mention of Your name.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

At the mention of your name,

I worship.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

At the mention of your name,

I worship.

Chris Bowater CCLI788682

Jesus, at your name we bow the knee,

Jesus, at your name we bow the knee,

Jesus, at your name we bow the knee,

and acknowledge you as Lord.

You are the Christ

You are the Lord

Through Your Spirit in our lives

We know who You are

Chris Bowater CCLI788682

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Daily Devotion May 23rd

Saturday 23rd

We return today to from where we left off on Wednesday to consider the word riches.

Ephesians 2:7 ‘So that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.’

Romans 2:4 ‘Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?’

I did a quick search on the internet to find out who the world’s richest people are. The search gave me this result:

1st Jeff Bezos (Amazon) worth 143 billion dollars 2nd Bill Gates (Microsoft founder) worth 106 billion dollars 3rd Bernard Arnault & family worth 92 billion dollars. The interesting thing is that the site where I got these statistics from showed the gains or losses the individual had made over a 24-hour period, and Bill Gates had lost 10 million dollars the Arnault family had lost 572 million dollars!

This is a statement on the ‘Forbes’ list of the worlds’ wealthiest, ‘The richest people on Earth are not immune to the coronavirus. As the pandemic tightened its grip on Europe and America, global equity markets imploded, tanking many fortunes. As of March 18, when we finalized this list, Forbes counted 2,095 billionaires, 58 fewer than a year ago and 226 fewer than just 12 days earlier, when we initially calculated these net worths. Of the billionaires who remain, 51% are poorer than they were last year. In raw terms, the world’s billionaires are worth $8 trillion, down $700 billion from 2019.’ That was on March 18th, it would be interesting to see the figures two months later in May!

The good news today is that in the last 24 hours God is still as rich as we was yesterday, as rich as he was last week, as rich as he was last month, as rich as he was last year and as rich as he ever has been! And the good news is the riches of God become available to us through Christ. We have touched over the last few days upon the riches of our God, here is a reminder:

Ephesians 2:4 Rich in mercy – his mercy is still available

Ephesians 2:7 Rich in grace – his grace is still available

Ephesians 3:16 Riches of glory – they are still available

Ephesians 3:18 Riches in Christ – they are still available

In our Scripture today Romans 2:4 we see the ‘riches of his kindness’ and thank God the riches of his kindness are still available. In the context of this Scripture we learn that we cannot depend upon the kindness of God by thinking that God is kind and think to ourselves as some do that in the end God will be gracious to all, and will save all (Universalism) rather it is showing us that we can only depend upon the kindness of God by accepting it as it has been revealed through the Lord Jesus Christ leading us to a place of repentance.

When Paul says in Ephesians 2:7 about the riches of God’s grace, he continues to show us how the grace is given to us ‘that . . . he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace IN KINDNESS toward us in Christ Jesus.’ Grace is God’s kindness towards us, we get what we do not deserve. We also read in Titus 3:4 ‘But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.’ (notice the word richly again)

I think it would be fair and honest to say that when it comes to showing kindness we can be quite fickle, we possibly find it easier to show kindness or to do acts of kindness towards some more than we would perhaps for others. We are willing to show kindness but more toward some than toward others. It depends upon the kind of relationship we have toward the other person.

God is rich in his kindness, which he brings to us through the Lord Jesus Christ, and the wonder is this that he does not show more kindness toward me than he does toward you and vice-versa. He loves us the same, he provides for us the same, he cares for us the same, he expresses his kindness towards us in Christ Jesus the same.

The kindness of God is incredible, because it means that we are continually, daily receiving all that God has made available for us; his love, his provision, his blessing, regardless, to use this phrase carefully, whether or not we deserve it. By this I mean that even though I may be unfaithful in my relationship to God in some way today, he will not withhold his kindness from me! Remember the Children of Israel as they were travelling through the wilderness after leaving Egypt, Scripture tells us that they were rebellious (Deuteronomy 9:7 ‘From the day you came out of the land of Egypt until you came to this place, you have been rebellious against the LORD’) and yet God in his kindness toward them still made provision for them. He provided water, manna, protection, and direction out of his unfailing kindness toward them.

A few weeks back we considered the ‘Fruit of the Spirit’ and one of the proofs of the outworking of the Spirit in our lives should be kindness. Galatians 5:22-23 ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.’

As God has been rich in his kindness toward us may we also be rich in our kindness toward others.

Micah 6:8 ‘He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?’

Zechariah 7:9 ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another.’

Acts 28:2 ‘The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold.’

Colossians 3:12 ‘Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.’

Proverbs 21:21 ‘Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honour.’

Open up the skies of mercy

And rain down the cleansing flood

Healing waters rise around us

Hear our cries Lord let them rise

It’s Your kindness Lord

That leads us to repentance

Your favor, Lord, is our desire

It’s Your beauty, Lord

That makes us stand in silence

Your love

Your love

Is better than life

We can feel

Your mercy falling

You are turning our hearts back again

Hear our praises rise to heaven

Draw us near Lord

Meet us here

CCLI788682

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Devotions

Daily Devotion May 22nd

FRIDAY 22nd – Hebrews 2:5-18

We continue with the subject of the Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ. Yesterday we looked at several Scriptures that pointed to Jesus being seated at the right hand of God. I deliberately left one out to use today because it brings us to our third point concerning the ascension.

  1. It led to the High Priestly Ministry of Jesus. Hebrews 8:1 ‘Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven.’

The whole of the redemption story should enthral us, the word enthral could be replaced with excite, capture, or captivate. It is such an amazing story but more important is the reality of its application in our hearts and in our lives. To be ‘saved’ means that we know this man Jesus as our Redeemer, Saviour. It means we belong to him and are found to be in him, Paul often uses the phrase ‘In Christ’, what a blessed position. But, knowing Jesus as our Saviour also means that he is also our Great High Priest. As our Great High Priest, he acts as an advocate in the presence of God on our behalf, he intercedes on our behalf. John, in his gospel tells us that ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.’ (John 1:1-2,14) God became a man in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ and he lived as a man, he died as a man, he was raised as a man, he ascended as a man and he intercedes for us as a man. Paul reminds us in his letter to Timothy, ‘For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus’ (1 Timothy 2:5) and what a great High Priest he is, he has presented himself to God as a sacrifice for our sin, he pleads in the presence of God on our behalf and he is a perfect intercessor because he has been where we are (yet without sin) and he is permanently sufficient for our eternal redemption. Hebrews 2:17-18 ‘Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.’

4. It means that Jesus can come again! Jesus promised his disciples in his final week with them that he was going to prepare a place for them and that he would come again and receive them so that they could be where he was. (John 14:1-3) On the day of his ascension, after Jesus was taken up, and while the disciples looked up into heaven the Scripture tells us ‘Two men stood by them in white robes, and said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.’ (Acts 1:10-11)

For Jesus to be able to fulfil his promise to the disciples about coming again, he would have to go or leave them, and on Ascension Day, that is what he did – he went, and where to? Up into heaven, into the presence of his Father. And because he has gone, it means not only can he come again, but that he will come again, first to the clouds to receive those who are ‘in Christ’, that is both the living and the dead, to take into his presence (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) but also to stand once again on the mount of Olives from where he will establish his millennial kingdom upon the earth. (Zechariah 14:4)

There is a man in the glory, he has been given a name which is above every name, he is crowned with glory and honour, he is seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high, he is interceding on our behalf and one day he will come and call us into his presence.

The Ascension is so important, it VERIFIES what Christ has done, for as he ascends the Father receives him back into his presence with a resounding ‘well done.’ It VINDICATES what he has done, for his victory is a permanent once for all-time victory, it VOUCHES for the future, we have a hope that is steadfast and sure.

Jesus is king and I will extol him

Give Him the glory, and honour His name

He reigns on high, enthroned in the heavens

Word of the Father, exalted for us

We have a hope that is steadfast and certain

Gone through the curtain and touching the throne

We have a Priest who is there interceding

Pouring His grace on our lives day by day

We come to Him, our Priest and Apostle

Clothed in His glory and bearing His name

Laying our lives with gladness before Him

Filled with His Spirit we worship the King

O Holy One, our hearts do adore You

Thrilled with Your goodness we give You our praise

Angels in light with worship surround Him

Jesus, our Saviour, forever the same

Wendy Churchill ©1981 Springtide/Word Music/ CopyCare CCLI788682

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Devotions

Daily Devotion May 21st

THURSDAY 21st – Mark 16:19, Luke 24:50-51, Acts 1:9-11

Today, Thursday 21st is known as Ascension Day in the Church calendar, as we can see from the readings, it is the day we recall when Jesus ascended back into heaven. He had come to provide redemption for mankind, his mission had been accomplished and he was returning to his Father.

Before lockdown, I mentioned while speaking on one occasion that I would look at the subject of the ascension when the time came, well, it has arrived and so I will put the thoughts down here in a simple study with Scriptures over two days for you to explore further.

We get used to remembering and celebrating Christmas, Easter and Pentecost every year, but non – conformist Churches (that is those who don’t conform to the Anglican or Roman Catholic tradition) can easily forget the important dates within the Church calendar because we don’t follow a set liturgy or lexicon.

Ascension Day is one of those days often overlooked or quickly passed over, but it is important within the context of the life, ministry, and work of the Lord Jesus Christ and his provision of salvation for lost humanity.

If he descended to be born as a babe in Bethlehem, and to die as a sacrifice for the sin of the world, and if he accomplished the sacrifice by being buried and  raised from the dead then the moment he ascended back into his Fathers presence is important. I have used the word ‘if’ at the beginning of the last statement but we know that he did, he did descend, he did die, he did rise again from the dead, he did accomplish his Fathers will and as we see from our texts he did ascend back into heaven. This is all good news. When Jesus cried on the cross ‘it is finished’ he knew that he had accomplished all that was necessary to reconcile man back to God.

Here I will give some reasons why the ascension is important.

  1. It led to his exaltation and his being glorified.

Acts 2:32-33a ‘This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God . . .’

Philippians 2:9-11 ‘Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’

Because of his obedience he has received what is rightfully his, the exalted position with a name which is above every other name and as the King of kings and the Lord of Lords.

David portrays the exaltation or the arrival of Jesus back into heaven in Psalm 24:7-10 ‘Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle! Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory!’

The ascension is good news, it means the sacrifice Christ made on our behalf has been accepted, it means that the grave is empty, and the throne has become occupied! The following Scriptures remind us where Christ has been exalted to:

Ephesians 1:20 ‘That he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places.’

Colossians 3:1 ‘If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.’

Hebrews 1:3-4 ‘He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.’

Hebrews 10:12 ‘But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.’

Hebrews 12:2 ‘Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.’

1 Peter 3:21-22 . . . through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.’  

  • It led to the sending of the promised Holy Spirit.

Act2:33b ‘Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.’

In John 7 when Jesus had gone up to the Festival of Tabernacles it says that ‘on the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, ‘If anyone thirsts let him come to me and drink . . . Now this he said about the Spirit . . . for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.’ (vv37-39) Jesus needed to ascend and to be glorified before the Holy Spirit could be sent to the waiting believers in the upper room.

In John 14 in conversation with his disciples, Jesus said, ‘I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Comforter / Helper, even the Spirit of truth . . .’ (John 14:16-17) Once he had ascended, and been exalted and glorified, he asked his Father and there on the Day of Pentecost, the Spirit arrived. (See also John 16:7 ‘Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.’)

Tomorrow we will look at some more reasons for the importance of the Ascension, it means we have a Great High Priest acting on our behalf in heaven and if he has returned to the Father, then it means that according to his promise, he will come again!

He is exalted

The King is exalted on high

I will praise Him

He is exalted, forever exalted

And I will praise His name

He is the Lord

Forever His truth shall reign

Heaven and earth

Rejoice in His holy name

He is exalted

The King is exalted on high

Twila Paris CCLI788682

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Devotions

Daily Devotion May 18th

MONDAY 18th – Ephesians 2:11-22

We continue from yesterday and will go to the second ‘but’ in this chapter, in verse 13 ‘But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.’ A similar portion of Scripture is found in Paul’s letter to the Colossians, ‘For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him’

In Ephesians 2 Paul makes a statement about the Gentile, that is the non–Jewish people, that they (which also includes us) were separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth (or family) of Israel, not included in the covenants of God and we were without hope and without God in the world. It is a sweeping statement that sums up that until that time, everything that God seemed to do and be doing was for and involving Israel. They were his special people, they had been given the law, they had been given the covenants or promises. It was an ‘us and ‘you’ kind of programme of events, but thank God again for the ‘but’ found here in verse 13, it all changed at Calvary, for Paul says ‘BUT NOW in Christ you who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.’ The cross now meant that God was working not just with the Jew in mind, but also for the Gentile. When Christ died on the cross he was dying for the whosoever, when he became a substitute, dying as the Passover Lamb, he was atoning for the sins of the world and as a result we all, that is Jew and Gentile as we come to believe have access in one Spirit to the Father.

The but in verse 13 leads to a complete change in the situation. There is reconciliation in two ways, first between the Jew and Gentile, the division between both is taken away, so there is no longer an ‘us’ and ‘them’ but through the cross we enjoy the same benefits, the same means of salvation, the same results of salvation and the same blessings that spring from salvation. Instead of the Jew and the Gentile, the cross led to the creation of one new man, that is one new united group or body which is the Church. The second reconciliation is found in verse 16, ‘reconciled us both (Jew and Gentile) to God’. This is good news for in contrast to verses 11-12, verse 19 says that we (the Gentiles) are no longer strangers and aliens but are fellow citizens with or as the saints and members of the household of God.

Yesterday we looked at Gods abundant mercy, great love, and amazing grace. The whole of Ephesians chapter 2 also reminds us of Gods incredible plan. Yes, as Paul puts it in the chapter, it seemed as if everything God was doing up until that point was all toward and for Israel the Jew, but in reality, he had a plan that was purposed even before the foundation of the world, Ephesians 1:9 says ‘making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose which he set forth in Christ’ This purpose he put into effect immediately after the fall when he pronounced to the serpent, ‘I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head and you shall bruise his heel.’ (Genesis 3:15) And time rolled on, various events and characters in the Old Testament pointed toward a coming Saviour, who finally arrived at the God appointed moment (Galatians 4:4 ) and that which had been foreordained happened as he, the one born to be the Saviour, surrendered his life as a substitute at Calvary so that we who were dead in our trespasses and sins might be made alive. Ephesians 1:4 says ‘even as he (God) chose us in him (Jesus) before the foundation of the world,’ our inclusion into the family of God, our becoming members of the family of God, our being fellow citizens in the household of God, our being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit wasn’t an after-thought God had thousands of years after he had been dealing with the Jew, it was decided, purposed and planned even before the foundation of the world.

We will let the apostle Peter have the final word today: 1 Peter 2:9-10 ‘But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.’

Wonderful grace

That gives what I don’t deserve

Pays me what Christ has earned

And lets me go free

Wonderful grace

That gives me the time to change

Washes away the stain

That once covered me

And all that I have

I lay at the feet

Of the Wonderful Saviour who loves me

Wonderful love

That held in the face of death

Breathed, in it’s final breath

Forgiveness for me

Wonderful love

Who’s power can break every chain

Giving us life again

Setting us free

John Pantry ©Harper Collins CCLI788682

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Devotions

Daily Devotion May 15th

FRIDAY 15th

Reading – Romans 8

The Lockdown or the restrictions we have had over the last eight weeks will have affected us all, some have been almost like prisoners in their own homes, others will have had a little more freedom and been able to go for a walk each day or out to do a shop, while others have had to continue to go out to work because they have been classed as essential or key workers, then there are those who either themselves or family members will have suffered the virus and had their lives affected in ways unimaginable just a few months ago. At this point I want to add my personal thanks and appreciation to everyone who has kept going, working on the front line as an essential worker, the farmers and production workers along with the shop workers keeping shops stocked for our daily provision, the Government and the team working with the Government who have had to and will yet have to make tough, difficult decisions to anticipate us pulling through this pandemic, and the NHS and associate workers who have risked all to bring the healthcare needed during this time.

We have gone out on the doorstep each Thursday evening to clap them  and the appreciation needs to be continued afterward. We also thank God for the way he has undertaken for us as a Church family, we have prayed, and God has heard our prayers and will continue to do so.

For us personally, the restrictions have meant that our house has been delayed, our belongings will remain in storage in North Wales for longer than anticipated, our holiday to Australia that should have started on May 13th has had to be postponed, and it will be longer before we can finally settle down properly to the new life up here in the North East of England that commenced in mid-February. To be honest it certainly was not how we had planned it to work out when we put the ball in motion to relocate last year. BUT and it is a big BUT, God has not been caught out! He knew exactly what was going to happen. When I thought we would be in Perth, God knew we would still be in Middlesbrough, when I thought we would have had the keys to our new house and the furniture in, God knew it would still be in storage and the keys not ready to hand over. And why can I say this? And why do I believe it? To put simply because I believe in the sovereignty of God. I believe that as we have surrendered our lives over to him, God is control of our every situation. For us and for you that are reading this.

In the book of Jonah, we see how God had control over Jonah’s circumstances. Jonah was asked to go to Tarshish, but he ran away, it was God who provided the storm! (Jonah 1:4) As a result of the storm Jonah was thrown overboard, it was God who provided the big fish, (1:17) Jonah was spewed out on the dry land, it was God that manoeuvred the big fish from the depths of the sea to the shore line, (2:10) Jonah obeyed the second time, and preached and the people repented, it was God’s right to not do what he said he would do to the people of Nineveh, (3:10) Jonah got angry with God and sulked, it was God who provided a plant to grow and give Jonah shade (4:6) and the next day it was God who caused the plant to shrivel up and die, (4:7) and to cap it all it was God who declared to Jonah, you pity the plant, should I not show pity to Nineveh, (4:10-11) and why? because God is sovereign, he is in control of every situation.

We cannot always understand the way we have to take, but we trust God. With the world-wide pandemic, humanly speaking we do not understand and may ask a thousand plus questions, but God knows, and in and through it all God is working out his divine will and purpose.

This has been a shorter than normal devotion, but it’s purpose is to give us all hope, in the midst of everything all around us God is in control, as he was there every step of the way in Jonah’s circumstance, so he is with ours. And hey, be grateful that during the lock down we are in our own homes – Jonah spent his in the belly of the fish!

A couple of closing verses:

From our reading today Romans 8:28 ‘And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.’

1 Corinthians 7:17 ‘Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.’

Job 42:1-2 ‘Then Job answered the LORD and said: I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.’

Psalm 42:5 ‘Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation.’

And we know that all things work together

Yes we know that all things work together

For those who are called

Those who love God

Those who are called

Called to Your purpose

All things work together

All things work together

All things work together

Work together for good

So we lift up our hearts

Lift up our hands

Lift up our hope in You

Though we may not yet understand

We know it’s true

Twila Paris CCLI788682

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Devotions

Daily Devotion May 14th

THURSDAY 14th

Reading – John 4:1-54

In our devotion on Monday, we looked at the parable of the Good Samaritan, I mentioned a verse from our reading today (v9) that says that the Jews do not associate with Samaritans. In this chapter today, we discover that Jesus practised what he preached in that he was willing to associate with those who his kinsmen would refuse to associate with.

We probably know the story well, having just read it, I don’t need to recount it all but what we will have discovered is that as a result of Jesus being willing to associate with this woman, it led to many more Samaritans coming to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. (verses 39-42)

Now this woman was not just a Samaritan, but she was an adulterer, a serial adulterer, that is why she had to come alone to the well, she shouldn’t even associate with her own people, let alone a man who was a Jew! But in God’s plan she had a divine appointment, that would take place, regardless of the protocol or prejudice of the time. It wasn’t by chance that Jesus had to go through Samaria, it wasn’t by chance he sat at the well at the time when this woman would come, it wasn’t by chance that the disciples were not around, it wasn’t even by chance that Jesus was weary, thus needing at that moment to stop and rest. It was all because of a divine timetable. The woman did not know it at the time when she arrived at the well, but she soon discovered that this was a moment that was going to change her life forever. An encounter with Jesus. She went to the well to get her daily supply of natural water, but got far more than she had bargained for, she came away with living and eternal water.

Thinking back to the parable of the good Samaritan, we saw how the Samaritan, who according to the culture of the time, should have walked past the beaten up Jew, but he threw protocol or prejudice out of the window and went to his aid and actually went above and beyond. (Luke 10:34-35) Continually through the life and ministry of Jesus, we read that he also did the same, he was willing to associate with the publicans and sinners, he went to the outcast, he reached out to the helpless and hopeless, he listened to the cry of the beggar, he answered the call of those who were of the upper strands of society or the lower strands, he was willing to go to anyone who called out to him for his help.

Another Scripture we used on Monday, was from the book of James, which reminded us that we should show evidence of our faith by our works, in this same letter James also says that we shouldn’t show prejudice toward anyone, in the ESV I use, the heading is ‘the sin of partiality’ the NIV heading is ‘favouritism forbidden’ the text is James 2:1-9 ‘My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,”  have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonoured the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honourable name by which you were called? If you really fulfil the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.’

We are living in a multi-cultural society and we are living in a depraved society, and although we would not accept so much that comes from other cultures, such as religion and practise etc, and we would not accept the lifestyle of many in society, and although there is so much going on around us that we as the redeemed of the Lord do not like and cannot embrace, we should never be prejudice against individuals, the gospel is for the whosoever, Jesus loves the whosoever, Jesus came to die for the whosoever, and he wants us who are born again, to be the conduits of his love and the demonstrators of his compassion in the world around us to day. It doesn’t mean we should overlook the sin, Jesus didn’t, remember he told the woman taken in adultery, to go and sin no more, but we should seek to love them, and pray for them and look for opportunities in sharing God’s love and compassion, to point them to Jesus, the only One who can enable them to know their lives turned around and to bring their lifestyle in harmony to what the Word of God reveals.

The days are long gone where we could think that we are all chips off the same block.  There is so much variance amongst us in our communities, lifestyle, religion, race, culture, behaviour, but there is still only One true and Living God, there is still only one way to eternal life, there is only one source for eternal hope, and it is found in the Lord Jesus Christ. And we who know him, need to reveal Jesus to the people around us that together, as they come to believe we will become one in Christ Jesus.

As I close this devotion, we will look at Revelation 5:9-10 as you read it, imagine how different it would read if Jesus had been prejudiced to any who were not a Jew! ‘And they sang a new song, saying, Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.’

Thank God, he found me despite who or what I may have been and that he is no respecter of persons. Thank God he found you and thank God he is still finding. We who are saved know a Man who is the answer to the communities around us, his name is Jesus. Acts 10:34-35 ‘So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.’ In the KJV ‘Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons.’

I can’t take a heart that’s broken

Make it over again

But I know a man who can

I can’t take a soul that’s sin sick

Wash it white as the snow

But I know a man who can

Some call him Saviour, the Redeemer of all men

I call him Jesus, for he’s my dearest friend

When you feel no one can help you

And your life is out of hand

I know a man who can

I can’t walk upon the water

Calm the dark and raging sea

But I know a man who can

I can’t cause blind eyes to open

Or make the lame to walk again

But I know a man who can

CCLI788682