Dear Brothers and Sisters, Prayer will be held at the Brown Barn

The secret to the condition of our souls is revealed by who and what we are working for – for our own glory or for the glory of God. Our scripture study this week is Isaiah 22:15-25. In this chapter so far, Isaiah has been explaining how the people of Judah could not and would not mourn for their sin and were saying, “Let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die.” They cannot mourn for sin, but rather are laughing their way through life. Isaiah now turns to give two examples of this. He has explained what self sufficiency looks like on a national level. Now he narrows it down to what it looks like in the lives of two contrasting individuals who lived in the valley of vision – Shebna and Eliakim. Shebna is marked by self serving. But Eliakim replaces him with the spirit of servanthood. It is a story of loss for the self serving man and gain for the servant. This loss and gain hinges on one question – What are you working for? – your own glory of the glory of God. It boils down th this: who are you trying to glorify? Whose legacy are you concerned about? Whose reputation are you trying to glorify? Both of these men were charged to guard the house of God from spiritual harm. Both were to be God’s representatives. Shebna represented himself which demonstrates the corrupting influence of power for those who are in leadership Bottom line: If you seek to make a name for yourself, God will bring you down.

The songs are below:

O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing
O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise
The glories of my God and King
The triumphs of His grace

Jesus! the name that charms our fears
That bids our sorrows cease
‘Tis music in the sinner’s ears
‘Tis life and health and peace

He breaks the pow’r of cancelled sin
He sets the prisoner free
His blood can make the foulest clean
His blood availed for me

Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb
Your loosened tongues employ
Ye blind, behold your Savior come
And leap, ye lame, for joy

My gracious Master and my God
Assist me to proclaim
To spread thro’ all the earth abroad
The honors of Thy name

Psalm 119:129-136
Thy testimonies I observe,
For they are wondrous in my eyes.
The op’ning of Thy words gives light
And makes the simple­hearted wise.

I open wide my mouth and pant;
I long for all commands of Thine.
Turn Thou to me; the mercy shown
To those who love Thy name be mine.

My steps establish in Thy word,
And let no sin o’er me have sway.
Redeem me from the power of man,
And I Thy precepts will obey.

Thy face make on Thy servant shine;
Teach me Thy statutes; for I weep;
The tears in streams flow from my eyes,
Because Thy law they do not keep.

O Great God
O great God of highest heaven
Occupy my lowly heart
Own it all and reign supreme
Conquer every rebel power
Let no vice or sin remain
That resists Your holy war
You have loved and purchased me
Make me Yours forevermore

I was blinded by my sin
Had no ears to hear Your voice
Did not know Your love within
Had no taste for heaven’s joys
Then Your Spirit gave me life
Opened up Your Word to me
Through the gospel of Your Son
Gave me endless hope and peace

Help me now to live a life
That’s dependent on Your grace
Keep my heart and guard my soul
From the evils that I face
You are worthy to be praised
With my every thought and deed
O great God of highest heaven
Glorify Your Name through me

Speak O Lord
Speak, O Lord, as we come to You
To receive the food of Your Holy Word.
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us;
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness,
That the light of Christ might be seen today
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith.
Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us
All Your purposes for Your glory.

Teach us, Lord, full obedience,
Holy reverence, true humility;
Test our thoughts and our attitudes
In the radiance of Your purity.
Cause our faith to rise; cause our eyes to see
Your majestic love and authority.
Words of pow’r that can never fail –
Let their truth prevail over unbelief.

Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds;
Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us –
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time
That will echo down through eternity.
And by grace we’ll stand on Your promises,
And by faith we’ll walk as You walk with us.
Speak, O Lord, till Your church is built
And the earth is filled with Your glory.

Arise, My Soul, Arise (listen here)
Arise, my soul, arise,
Shake off thy guilty fears:
The bleeding Sacrifice
In my behalf appears:
Before the Throne my Surety stands,
Before the Throne my Surety stands,
My name is written on his hands.

He ever lives above,
For me to intercede,
His all-redeeming love,
His precious blood to plead;
His blood atoned for ev’ry race,
His blood atoned for ev’ry race,
And sprinkles now the throne of grace.

Five bleeding wounds he bears,
Received on Calvary;
They pour effectual prayers,
They strongly plead for me;
Forgive him, O forgive, they cry,
Forgive him, O forgive, they cry,
Nor let that ransomed sinner die!

My God is reconciled;
His pard’ning voice I hear;
He owns me for his child,
I can no longer fear;
With confidence I now draw nigh,
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And “Father, Abba, Father!” cry.