The Gospel Song

Holy God, in love, became
Perfect Man to bear my blame
On the cross He took my sin
By His death I live again

Just Like Peter and John

Note: To set this up you must know that Peter and John are being questioned for healing a man. The high priests (and others) were basically putting Peter and John on trial for what they had done. I will refer to the high priests as the "council."

[John and Peter have been placed in the center of the room and have had many questions thrown at them...]

But...

[Finding no fault with the two men the council began to confer with themselves...]

Council: "What shall we do with these two men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it...

Council: "But so that it will not spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man in His name...

[The council then summoned John and Peter back into their presence.]

[They commanded John and Peter to not speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus...]

John and Peter: "Whether it is right in the sight of God to obey you rather than God, you be the judge...

John and Peter: "for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard."

--

That is amazing to me. I love that line, "for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard." That is how we should be as well. Lord, let us be in awe of who you are... They weren't afraid of the council (or the "world") but rather realized that the council wasn't who they were supposed to be giving honor and glory too. They were able to stay strong in that test because they knew that the glory should be going to God. Help us to realize that, Father. Let us not get trapped with the ways and rules of the world... But, like John and Peter, let us be so obsessed with You and what you have done so that we cannot stop speaking about it, Lord.

I Grip Your Shield

And now I want to come into Your house;
by the grace of Your lovingkindness
at Your holy temple I will kneel and bow in reverence for You
Lead me, oh Lord, on this path in spite of troubles
Make this path straight, and the map clear
For out of the world's mouth comes nothing of honor
Their whole being is destruction itself
Their mouth is an awaiting grave for me
They flatter with their tongue
They are rising up against You
But let those who seek You be made joyful
Let unceasing voices join together singing songs of joy forever
And create a shelter for them
Let those who love Your name exult in You
For You are the only one who blesses the righteous man
You will surround him with favor;
and let his hand grip Your shield
[selections:paraphrases:psalmsfive]

The River

Note: I've been thinking/stressing over many issues recently.

I delight in You, Oh Lord
And I rest within Your plan
So won't you plant me by the river
and let the water flow
Because I trust in You, Oh Lord
[june.05]

You are a shield around me, O LORD;
You bestow glory on me and lift up my head.
To the LORD I cry aloud,
and he answers me from his holy hill.
I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.

Your Voice

You speak with [thunder] and [lightning]
     Your voice shakes the mountains
  foundations of the earth

make me that man

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.
The wicked are not so,
But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the wicked will perish.