415 -- Cheer Up Ye Saints of God! Listen to Him
March 17 (3/17) in Godsfield -- Matthew 3:17, St. Patrick's Day
(For Better or Verse: Each day in 2025 I will begin this Godsfield e-mail with a Bible verse that corresponds with the month (chapter 1-12) and day (verse 1-31) it is sent. This month features a lot of third chapters! Those with eyes and ears, let them see and hear.)
Cheer up ye saints of God
There's nothing to worry about
Nothing to make you feel afraid
Nothing to make you doubt
Remember Jesus never fails
So why not trust Him and shout
You'll be sorry you worried at all
Tomorrow morning
Matthew 3:17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
I was always happy whenever my Father spoke proudly of me, lovingly of me, perceptively of me, protectively of me.
No doubt, Jesus was, too, when he heard these words from His Father; and yet the words were much more. They were a commissioning.
This is My Son -- beloved -- Listen to Him, pay close attention, lean into every word, do as He says, follow Him.
Today is St. Patrick's Day. Many will observe this day for the green beer they want to get after work, or the green water flowing through such cities at Chicago, Illinois, and Ashland, Ohio.
But the holiday is about a Saint. Patrick, a 5th century Roman Brit who was kidnapped and enslaved in (on?) Pagan Ireland, whom God found and helped him escape, who became a priest and then returned with Jesus to give the whole Emerald Island the Gospel. Because he followed the words of our Heavenly Father at Jesus' baptism -- Listen to Him.
On this St. Patrick's Day, when we also visit Jesus' Baptism, by virtue of a chapter and verse, let God offer the same advice about Jesus, His Beloved Son -- Listen to Him.
It's not hard -- just pull out your Bible and look for the red letters. You'll hear him.
(Oh, my, do I have to explain the really cool Bible I got as a kid, in which all the words of Jesus were printed in red? In each of the four gospels -- and three pages straight in Matthew with the Sermon on the Mount; and then a couple of surprise places, in the first chapter of Acts, and in Revelation. So great. And have you ever hear Crowder's song?)
Cheer up ye saints of God
There's nothing to worry about
Nothing to make you feel afraid
Nothing to make you doubt
Remember Jesus never fails
So why not trust Him and shout
You'll be sorry you worried at all
Tomorrow morning
Our March of Prayer reached the middle last night, our 16th night, at Kingdom Grace Fellowship. Fifteen days prior, fifteen days following. It goes quickly; come and see that it is not a sacrifice to go; resist the temptation to say "I'm too tired; it's been a long day, I'll just rest." Pull yourself to the host's service and be rested in the Lord, be rejuvenated in the faith, be reminded of what matters, be encouraged by those around, be aware of what nourishment is the opportunity to pray with and for others, to hear the musical and spoken words of the Lord settling in your ears, to lift up your voice, your heart, your presence to the presence of the Lord.
To speak and hear and praise the name of Jesus.
Kingdom Grace offered a time of praying for 10 topics as people walked along the walls, blessings from represented congregations, intentional prayer for leaders, youth and protectors, a worship songs featured psalm verses, particularly the 23rd psalm.
And brownies afterward!
Kingdom Grace has joined with First English and Holy Trinity Lutheran churches the last two summers for a combined Vacation Bible School, and God put all three churches in a row in the March of Prayer -- First English tonight, and Holy Trinity tomorrow night. Go to Journey Life Center Wednesday, and The ARC Empowerment Center Thursday, and then to Open Bible Church Friday, featuring Glory Way.
Saturday (note the 10:30 a.m. worship time) we will be hosted by Sar Shalom and a guest speaker from Israel, and Sunday we go to Linden Road. See you on the journey, so sing with me:
Cheer up ye saints of God
There's nothing to worry about
Nothing to make you feel afraid
Nothing to make you doubt
Remember Jesus never fails
So why not trust Him and shout
You'll be sorry you worried at all
Tomorrow morning
Love ya!