On the one hand, I don't want to see any of you get hurt. I know there are many of you that would have no problems getting here and getting home safely. I also know there are many who would feel obligated to try, and probably should not. I don't want you to slip and fall. I don't want you to end up stranded on the side of the road.
On the other hand, I don't want to see us make an idol out of our personal safety. The language of "better safe than sorry" and "safety first" coming from the mouth of a Christian is like nails on the chalkboard to me. The more I read the Bible, the more I learn about our bothers and sisters who are being persecuted, the more I communicate with workers who are taking the Gospel to unengaged and unreached people groups, the more I am coming to see that safety CANNOT be our first priority. In fact, the mission that God has called us to often requires that we put ourselves directly into explicitly unsafe places and circumstances. We must be willing to do this because it is worth it. HE is worth it.
In the course of this struggle today, here is what I have decided: We are NOT going to meet together at FBC Harrisburg tonight, but we ARE going to prioritize worship. The weather and our concern for personal safety must not keep us from worshiping! So, I want you to gather your family (whatever that looks like at your house) and spend some time worshiping by following this simple guide: Read, Sing, Pray. Below are some more details.
- READ
- Jonah
- All of it
- It won't take as long as you think
- Remember, we have been studying this book on Wednesday nights to look for applications regarding missions.
- SING
- You can choose your own adventure here
- These songs work well at our house
- They communicate deep truths
- The kids love to sing along
- This Is The Day
- This is the day, this is the day.
That the Lord has made, that the Lord has made.
We will rejoice, we will rejoice,
And be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day that the Lord has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
This is the day, this is the day
That the Lord has made. - Nothing But The Blood
- What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain
Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain
This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain
Now by this I’ll overcome—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
Now by this I’ll reach my home—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain
Glory! Glory! This I sing—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
All my praise for this I bring—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain - The Solid Rock
- My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.
Refrain
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
Refrain
His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
Refrain
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.
Refrain - PRAY
- For Workers (Missionaries)
- Do not ONLY pray for their safety
- Pray for usefulness, encouragement, endurance, patience
- For Persecuted Brothers and Sisters
- Do not ONLY pray for their safety
- Pray for usefulness, encouragement, endurance, patience
- For FBC Harrisburg
- That we will not let safety become an idol
- That we will rightly prioritize worship and the mission
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