May 09 2016
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Devos

“All that Thrills My Soul is Jesus!”

Anyone who knows me, knows I love and appreciate contemporary worship music. I thrill that the present generation has articulated their love and worship for the Lord in such heartfelt and profound ways… But I gotta tell you, we’ll be impoverished if we don’t preserve and use the great legacy of worship music of generations past. This morning I was reminded of one such “heritage song” that we dare not lose! I posted the lyrics for you and a beautiful instrumental rendition by the Burchfield brothers for your reflection and worship… Anyone…ANYONE who is a devoted follower of Jesus will identify with this song! You will want to take the time to enjoy this and WORSHIP!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gO7YceMhLxE

“Who can cheer the heart like Jesus
By His presence all divine
True and tender, pure and precious
O, how blest to call Him mine

Chorus
“All that thrills my soul is Jesus
He is more than life to me
And the fairest of ten thousand
In my blessed Lord I see

“Love of Christ so freely given
Grace of God beyond degree
Mercy higher than the heavens
Deeper than the deepest sea

“What a wonderful redemption
Never can a mortal know
Ho my sin, though red like crimson
Can be whiter than the snow

“Every need His hand supplying
Every good in Him I see
On His strength divine relying
He is all in all to me

“By the crystal flowing river
With the ransomed I will sing
And forever and forever
Praise and glorify the King”
Thoro Harris – 1874-1955

May 08 2016
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Devos

Oh the privilege of investing in young leaders!

One of the most gratifying things that can happen to a leader is to invest time, prayer, counsel and confidence in a young leader and see them develop, grow, gain confidence and fulfill all that their God-given potential! I’ve had that privilege to see that happen over the years! Believe me, it is a satisfying experience… an exquisite delight! I love investing in young leaders!
 
Paul expressed it so well about Titus, who was a protégé he had the privilege of mentoring. He said, “Thanks be to God, who put it into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you! … He is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit.” (2 Corinthians 8:16 & 23)
 
As I reflected on those words this morning during “coffee with the Lord” a multitude of faces and names flashed through my memory – each one bringing a gratifying sense of fulfillment! Believe me it pays to invest in others! It pays to invest in emerging young leaders! It pays to invest in the next generation!
 
If you’re doing that today… investing in a young leader, God bless you! If someone is investing in your life and leadership… Thank God for them… and thank them personally! Do your best to replicate what best in their leadership for the glory of God! It will mean the world to them!
May 05 2016
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Devos

“Godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation!”

DCF 1.0

Summoned by my parents, I stood there ashamed! I had been caught! I was guilty! And oh, the scolding I took! They were disappointed! They were angry (and they had every right to be)! I had fouled up big time! Grounded! Restitution required! “Make it right!” they said. I felt so guilty! I blurted out my apologies! I asked for forgiveness! I assured them I would do what was right – What was required! To my relief, they assured me of their love, their forgiveness, their confidence that I would follow through…

 
Sound like anything you’ve ever experienced? I hope so! Grief over personal failures and sin can be redemptive! It was for me! It was for the Corinthian believers…
 
We are not sure what their sin – their failure – was… But it was bad enough that it caused Apostle Paul to make a personal visit to the church followed up by a “severe letter,” dealing with the situation (2 Corinthians 2:1-11)…
 
Here is what he said about their response… “Even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it – though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting! For you felt a godly grief… Godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation, whereas worldly grief produces death. See what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you! What eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal!” (from 2 Corinthians 7:8-11)
 
Perhaps God has been dealing with you about something! Perhaps a caring Christian friend has confronted you about an issue in your life… And you know you are guilty! It hurts! Of course it hurts! And you’re ashamed… You’re tempted to defend yourself, but you know you’re wrong! May I be one voice urging you to turn your shame into “godly grief” and see the failure become a redemptive opportunity! God will honor you with His forgiveness and grace (and I believe others will as well)! How do I know? I’ve experienced it!
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