Set list
Hosanna (Hillsong United version)
Desert Song
I Exalt Thee
Hungry
There were a ton of highlights to this service for me this week. I just can’t seem to get enough of Brooke Fraser’s music lately so I included Hosanna and Desert Song. Desert Song is still somewhat new to the church but I think it’s a keeper. I especially love declaring that bridge. “All of my life, in every season, You are still God, I have a reason to sing, I have a reason to worship!” I’ve known this song for a couple of years but it has meant even more to our family over the last year. I appreciate that God gifts songwriters with such poetic ways of communicating His truth. The prayer time was powerful as we lifted up the needs of the church after singing Hungry. Pastor Jim led the extended prayer time which felt so right for our church at that point in the service.
The other highlight for me was the sermon. The last time I led, it was awesome to see the connection between the worship and the sermon. This week I felt the connection between the sermon and what God has been showing me in my own life. I am currently reading The Renewed Mind by Larry Christenson. Did I ever need this book!! As Christians we spend so much of our time and energy trying to be good and trying to live by the law. The first chapter talks about the battle we ALL go through between the Spirit and the flesh. He quotes Galations 5:16 “Walk by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh”. He makes two amazing points. The FIRST thing we are to do is walk by the Spirit! Then it will be easier not to “gratify the desires of the flesh”. This is such a parallel to Brent’s message where he talked about loving God first and then it will be so much easier to obey His commands. Trusting Him, seeking Him, loving Him, including Him in our daily lives are the key to making the Christian life SO much easier. For example, when I am in the word and studying and praying, I find a big difference in my patience towards my kids. If I let my relationship with the Lord slip, I find myself struggling so much more with things like this.
He also points out that the scripture doesn’t say not to have the desires, but instead not to gratify them. In other words, if someone hurts or wrongs you, of course you will feel hurt or wronged! But what is your response. My mom used to always say “It’s not what you feel but what you do with what you feel that counts”.
We don’t have to be overwhelmed by the law. As we “seek first the Kingdom”, we will become more and more like Him! It’s a constant daily walk with Him that strengthens us and keeps us on the road to being holy. I just started reading this book about a week ago and then Brent preached pretty much the same message on Sunday. I think God is trying to tell me something!
It was also such an encouragement to see tons of new faces at KVWC. I’m looking forward to connecting with some new families over the coming weeks.
My prayer for our church is that we love God above all else. Then things like patience, kindness, and forgiveness will be a way of life inside and outside of our doors.
Peace!
Kelly
