It's More Than Just a Symbol

It’s more than just a symbol,

For it frees lost souls from sin;

The cross on old Mount Calvary

Gives peace, from God, within.

It’s more than just a symbol,

For a symbol cannot save;

It surely is reality

That Christ his life, free, gave.

It’s more than just a symbol,

For it fills the law for us;

It frees us from the curse of sin

And raiseth us from dust.

It’s more than just a symbol,

For the curse was borne for me:

My Saviour at that place of shame

Was hanged upon a tree.

It’s more than just a symbol,

For adoption came by One

Who hung upon a cursed tree:

The Father’s only Son.

It’s more than just a symbol,

It’s salvation full and free;

Reality of Jesus’ blood

Has paid the debt for me.

~LSC~ 9/5/10

From message by Brother Mike Bird

the same morning.

Text: Mark 15:25

Because of Unbelief

by Leah S. Carpenter

“And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” Mt. 13:58

Is it so in our lives? Troubles surround us and we are not delivered. Sickness is present, and we are not healed. Loved ones are lost, and Christ is not calling them. Dear ones are backsliding, and they have not returned. We grieve and we cry, but God does not work: where are the miracles? Is it because of our unbelief? Is our lack of faith limiting God? He will allow us to limit him by our lack of faith, you know. If we ask in unbelief, we are not genuinely asking and God will not bless. Not worth asking means not worth having. Let us ask in faith, not wavering, that our Father may freely give us all things, as he desires. He stands ready, waiting, eager to give what we ask, to reveal what we seek, to open when we knock according to his will, even as a father who waits for his child to ask for help. Trust him, try him, and he will perform miracles for you. Ask in faith, begging for crumbs (*) of God’s power even when it seems he is denying you, until he says “be it unto thee even as thou wilt.” (Mt. 15:22-28). Let it not be said of our lives that God did not many mighty works because of our unbelief.

Just Crumbs

Just crumbs was all she asked that day

When she a miracle sought;

The truth of His mercy and who He was

She had firmly caught.

A dog she knew herself to be,

Unworthy before Him to come,

Yet she knew the miracle to Him

Was nothing more than crumbs.

She came to Christ in simple faith,

Believing all He had done,

And what she asked was to His power

Nothing more than crumbs.

Have I faith enough to ask

For nothing more than crumbs,

Just as the Gentile woman asked

Believing on the Son?

Give me faith, O Lord, I pray

That in faith I may come

Humbly asking, as this woman did,

For nothing more than crumbs.

Matthew 15:21-28

Still He Doth Work

We know not His way, but still He doth work;
Let not in your heart a doubt of it lurk.
For He needeth not that thou have seeing eyes,

And He’ll show thee His working by and by.

The Lord often works while hidden from view;
This testing you’ll find your strength will renew.
Just rest in Him fully and trust in His Word
For He careth for thee more than His birds.

Our Lord still doth work thought we may not see;
The outcome you’ll find to be best for thee,
And know that He worked when you thought Him not there;
Simply trust in His kindness, love and care.

We know not His way and need not to know;
His all-seeing eye doth goodness bestow,
Without any help or assistance from thee,
And He’ll give what is best though thou canst not see.
~LSC~ 4/11/10

No Other Book Like This Book

No other book like this Book, for it’s written by God’s hand.
No other book like this Book: forever it shall stand.
No other book like this Book, for its’ transforming power;
No other book like this Book – it’s needful every hour.

No other book like this Book to guide me all the way;
No other book like this Book, for it’s good for every day.
No other book like this Book; no error can be found;
No other book like this Book, each jot and tittle sound.

No other book like this Book; do you visit or explore?
No other book like this Book; we should love it more and more.
No other book like this Book – let’s spread excitement round.
No other book like this Book: Be often in it found.
~LSC~ 10/10/10
From sermon by Bro. Tyler Austin
Text: II Chronicles 34:14-33

Earth's Love Cannot Compare

Earth’s sweetest love can ne’er compare

To the love with Him that we may share
No love down here can equal His
Nor fill us with this heavenly bliss.

Earth’s dearest love, as sweet can be,
Though held close and treasured now by me,
Can’t satisfy my soul’s deep need
Nor all my joys or sorrows heed.

Yet Love Divine gives me my joys
And it heals my pains, eases annoys;
When I abide in Him, complete,
This Love my every need doth meet.

Earth’s sweetest love, though sweet indeed,
Is yet not the love my soul doth need;
But fairer love, and sweeter still –
The love, of God – my heart doth fill.
~LSC~ 3/12 & 4/4/10

Unanswered Prayers

“Unanswered prayer”: How oft it doth seem
That He to Whom our burden we bring
Doth ne’er take note of our request;
We’re spurned as uninvited guest.

“Unanswered prayer”: Yet worship Him still
For His loved voice shall faithful souls thrill.
Plead on and make your case to Him,
And worship, though with eyes tear-dimmed

“Unanswered prayer”: Yet surely He works,
Though out of sight. Let doubt never lurk.
Believe and trust; leave in His hands
Thy problem – He’ll loose its’ bands.

“Unanswered prayer”: But ask it again;
Let Him not go till blessing He sends,
Believing fully in His pow’r
To yet deliver in this hour.

“Unanswered prayer”: In His love now rest
For He shall do for thee what is best,
And He doth love thee far too true
For ought but good to give to you.
~Leah S. Carpenter March 12, 2010
from message by Bro. Hansard.
Text: Mt. 15:21-28

One Thing Is Needful

One thing is needful,
What will you choose:
A prize forever yours
Or what you will lose?

One thing is needful
To give you sweet life;
If too busy serving
There will be some strife.

One thing is needful—
Not rushing about,
Not being so busy
That His presence you’ll doubt.

One thing is needful:
To hear His sweet Word
And dwell in the Spirit
In peaceful accord.

One thing is needful:
Sit at His feet
And listen to His words
As with you He doth meet.
~Copyright 2009 by Leah S. Carpenter~
From Luke 10:38-42

Leave the "What Ifs" With Jesus

Leave the "what ifs" with Jesus and walk in his way

Look not behind, but at each step of the way

Look not thou forward, nor worry, nor fear;

Leave "what ifs" with The Planner, for He holds you dear.

Leave the "what ifs" with Jesus and walk in his might.

'Tis not for his child to walk in such fright,

Or live in regret, ever in the post;

Leave the "what ifs" with Jesus that his peace may last.

Leave the "what ifs" with Jesus--'tis vain to regret

Or hurry or worry or spend strength to fret.

Look not on thy way, but follow thou his;

Leave the "what ifs" with Jesus, he can handle this.

No Grace Held In Store

No grace for tomorrow, no grace for today,
No grace for the next little step of the way;
No grace for the future, no grace held in store,
Just grace for this moment, for we need no more.

No grace treasured up, no measure more given,
But grace enough for the moment in which you are living.
Humbly take the grace that for the moment He gives;
In His abundant grace victoriously live.

No grace held in store, but more than enough
To carry you through each moment, though rough.
Our Jesus gives fully the grace that we need
When through His blood His promise we plead.

~Leah S. Carpenter~

He's Everything I Need

He's everything I need--nay, more.
Of joy and peace He is my store.
Forgiveness and cleansing He giveth to me;
How beautiful life, with Him, proves to be.

He's everything I need--Before
I ask He always offers more,
And every need He so ably fills
My heart He so sweetly, fully doth thrill.
(3/27/09)