Be not silent, O God of my praise (Psalm 109:1a).  Sometimes I just wish God would tell me what to do.  Do you ever feel that way?  In the midst of whatever situation is occurring, and wanting a verbal direction giving a direction?  Those with experience encourage us to seek God’s face (Psalm 27:8), to inquire of God (Judges 18:5), to ask for wisdom (James 1:5).  The pursuit of God in our lives is often tied to the pursuit of his written word (Acts 17:11).  This pursuit provides the basis for our faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  

So consider the following verses in a slightly different format.  Call and response is a musical device in which two unique phrases are constructed so that the second phrase responds to or offers commentary on the first.  Applying this to scripture produces the following result.  The call is from Psalm 61:1-5 & 8.  The response is a variety of verses from different books.  Enjoy as you hear God speak to you.

Call:  Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer;

Response:  Be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:6a)

Call:  From the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint.  Lead me to the rock that is higher than I,

Response:  Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you.  Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. (Joshua 1:7)

Call:  for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.

Response:  The Lord is a refuge to his people (Joel 3:16)

Call:  Let me dwell in your tent forever!  Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings!

Response:  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold the dwelling place of God is with man.  He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. (Revelation 22:3)

Call:  For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

Response:  In Christ Jesus you are all sons (and daughters) of God, through faith.  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.  (Galatians 3:26 & 28-29)

Call:  So will I ever sing praises to your name as I perform my vows day after day.

Response:  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.  (Philippians 4:23)

There are no changes in our weekly services and you can enjoy a live service responsibly both on Sundays (9 and 10:30am) and Wednesdays (6:30pm).  I thank you for being gracious as we honor requests that have been made regarding social distancing and PPE.  

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I miss you, 

John