Advent Instrumental – by Don Coppo
The with-God life
Second week of Advent
Sunday Day 8
“See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” Is 40:10-11
Thought: The One who saves, heals and delivers
This last week we looked at the story of our life, did some celebrating and confessing of our sins. We must do both. If we looked at our with-God story including our sin story without the knowledge of God’s mercy, we would be destroyed. When we allow the truth that “I am a loved sinner” to live in our hearts, we see the God who comes in power ruling with his mighty arm and then gathering us up, holding us close to His heart and gently leading His young. (Is 40:10-11)
Practices: Today, Let’s allow the image form Isaiah 40:11 to stay with us. Spend time with God allowing Him to love you. Let the image above gather you up into the arms of God. Receive God’s embrace. Below is a prayer of praise that Mary sang when she discovered she was living the with-God life… discovered she was carrying the One who saves, heals and delivers. You can use Mary’s song to celebrate God’s mercy for you. Mary lists about 17 attributes of God… how many can you list? The second prayer is a poem that offers us a way to walk in the freedom of mercy. Maybe you can write it out or re-write it with the way you have experienced God’s Freedom.
Worship: Join us in church today LIVE or online @ccmonline.org and continue hearing this message about of the One who saves, heals and delivers.
Prayers:
Mary’s Song~ “With all my heart I praise the Lord, and I am glad because of God my Savior. God cares for me, his humble servant. From now on, all people will say God has blessed me. God All-Powerful has done great things for me, and his name is holy. He always shows mercy to everyone who worships him. The Lord has used his powerful arm to scatter those who are proud. God drags strong rulers from their thrones and puts humble people in places of power. God gives the hungry good things to eat, and sends the rich away with nothing. God helps his servant Israel and is always merciful to his people. The Lord made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his family forever!” Luke 1:46-55 CEV
Unlock the door of my heart
“Your sins are forgiven;
rise and walk.”
Forgiveness is an unlocked door
to walk through
into a wide-whoopee-open world.
Forgiveness is a seed
to water with new dreams and wild risks
until it bears unexpected fruit.
Forgiveness is an enemy-friend
to be born out of,
a quietness beneath the clamor.
Forgiveness is a flower to smell,
a wind at my back,
a gull to scream with,
a pain to laugh beneath,
a burden that carries me.
It is becoming We
becoming Yours.
Forgiveness is a song to sing.
O Lord, unlock the door of my heart.
Ted Loder, Guerrillas of Grace
©csloughrige2011
©Advent Music 2011-by Don Coppo
©Jesus and the Lamb sketch-by Helen Glover