Faithful to Me

At a church that I have visited at twice now the pastor is doing a series on 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 (mercy), and to walk humbly with your God?"

You might be wondering how somehow can take one verse and make a series out of it well I'll tell you how ... he's a Southern Baptist preacher and he's preaching in a expository way right now! :) He has taken a Sunday to preach on the justice of God and how as believers in Christ we are justified by the shedding of His blood for our sins. God looks on His children and sees us as justified (Just as if I'd never sinned). I'm guessing last week was in regards to mercy and this week's sermon was titled "Walk this Way." When we walk humbly with the Lord, He offers us Rest, He Refreshes/Revives us and is our Refuge. We then ended the service with the Lord's Supper. That's one thing I think that's important about visiting other churches is seeing how they approach the Lord's Supper. Having attending a Christian Church/Church of Christ university they take the Lord's Supper much more seriously than many Southern Baptist churches. They observe it at every service or at least every Sunday worship service. While I wondered out loud once it if they struggled to keep it from becoming ritualistic those that were with me were quick to assure that it was a sacred part of their worship. So I can appreciate how seriously they observe it ... I believe, we Southern Baptists are often too lax in our approach of it. Therefore, yesterday was a good opportunity to see how this church would approach it. The pastor explained from the beginning that this would be done differently today. There were tables spread all throughout the sanctuary and we were invited to serve ourselves the elements when we were ready. We were encouraged to pray by ourselves, with others, to seek people out to tell them we love them or have a time of reconciliation with another brother or sister if it was needed and then we would eat of the bread and drink the juice together at the end. Instead of it being a quiet time where the only noises were muffled coughs and the clanking of the trays as they passed through the pews you heard soft conversations and the sound of hugging all throughout the sanctuary. It was a time of celebration, it was joyous and it was just as reverent as any other time I have taken the Lord's Supper. It was a beautiful time.

Yesterday has stayed with me ... I mean I get that it's only Monday but you know how certain things just burn their way into your souls? It's hard looking for a church ... and I think in some ways it may even be harder when you have grown up in the ministry. At least for me, I have certain expectations of how things should be done but I have to lay those aside because every person handles ministry differently ... so that's an easy fix. Nowadays, I have to consider their theology and their interpretation of scripture. I never imagined I would live in a day of such biblical compromise in Southern Baptist churches. But that's the case ... I had to ask some hard questions when I joined my last church and I'm asking hard questions now before I continue to visit further at this church. When I see a vibrant ministry it's hard for me to not want to join in and get involved however I need to see where the pastor's heart is on a few Biblical issues that are important to me because what I really want to do is go back to being a 10 year old little girl who's pastor was her father and she was safe under mantle of protection and never had to worry about his spiritual authority over her life. However, I'm now 30 years old, on my own, under the mantle of the Holy Spirit's protection and at His direction I am asking the uncomfortable questions. I think that is something everyone should do!

So after the message yesterday, I had a snippet of a song running through my mind that I sang years ago. It took some searching but I finally found it and I will leave you with the lyrics as I wrestle with what it is that the Lord is speaking to my heart about ... just know that I pray that the lyrics of this song will be my testimony before the Lord ...

Faithful to Me

You have told me, Lord what pleases You

To act justly and love mercy and walk humbly too

I’m reminded of the things

You’ve always said were in Your heart

I know that I have yet to go that far

I want to live my life in glory to You, Lord

That each and every day I’ll love You more

I pray I’ll die for You, the one that I adore

That someday I may hear the words I hold so dear

"Well done, my child, you have believed

You have been faithful to me"

There are words of truth You long to say

There is healing that may never come unless I pray

There are works of love and courage

That Lord only You can do

I’m willing, oh I yearn to be like You

I want to live my life in glory to You, Lord

That each and every day I’ll love You more

I pray I’ll die for You, the One that I adore

That someday I may hear the words I hold so dear

"Well done, my child, you have believed

You have been faithful to me"

I know that one day I will look at You

And I long to see the pleasure in Your eyes

I pray I’ll die for You the one that I adore

That someday I may hear the words I hold so dear

"Well done, my child, you have believed

You have been faithful to me"

You have been faithful to me"

 

 

I love you all!

 

Blessings ...

 

- Melody Faith