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Greetings and welcome to 2024! It is hard to believe another year has gone by… am I the only one that thinks they seem to go by quicker now? My prayer, for all of those who read this, is that you find a renewed spirit for worshiping our Lord and Savior this new year. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing verses, quotes and passages from articles that I am reading, as I look to #worshipmorein24.

“Many things about tomorrow, I don’t seem to understand. But I know who holds tomorrow and I know who holds my hand.” Lyrics from: I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

 

Allison and I have had many conversations of late about what it means to “be the church”. Not where we go, what denomination we are affiliated with…but being and acting like followers of Christ in the community in which we live. The goal is to live out the truths and words we sing and pray about on Sundays, in and to the people we are in contact with every day. I’ll admit, she does a much better job of that than I do. It’s not a matter of trying or wanting to, most of the time my actions or reactions are driven by circumstances. When that happens, the result is based on the nature of the situation…positive…negative...et.

 

The song below is one of my favorite hymns (even though it’s no longer in the hymnal…it is a hymn). I grew up hearing it and singing it as a child and it has stuck with me through the years. The lyrics allow me to think of a future time, whenever that day may be, that our Lord will call me home. I also find encouragement and peace for my time “now” and “tomorrow”. No matter the circumstance or trials, the lyrics below, speak truth into our lives.

I don't know about tomorrow, I just live for day to day.
I don't borrow from the sunshine, for its skies may turn to gray.

I don't worry o'er the future, for I know what Jesus said
And today I'll walk beside Him, for He knows what lies ahead

Many things about tomorrow I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow and I know who holds my hand

 

In Mark chapter 13, Jesus tells us to “watch, be alert and stay vigilant” because we do not know when He will return.  So, how should we act…how should we respond…how should we be the light in the dark world we live in? Should our responses be dictated by someone else’s “bad day”? How should we “be the church”? To “be” the church, we must take action… Pray for ALL the Lord’s people (Eph 6:18), serve one another (1 Peter 4:10), and we should care for the needy (James 2:14-17). My prayer is that as you worship more this year, that worship becomes alive in your day-to-day activities and we are able to be the church to all of those around us.