Sound Theology by Colleen Butcher

The Spirit of Christ filled the place, and the disciples were changed forever. 

We all want to be filled like that.  We all want that mountain shaking power. We are given that power; sometimes it is in just saying thank you to the barista, sometimes it is in holding the door open for someone, sometimes it is in doing something that may cost us our lives.  Regardless of how the Spirit works in our Lives… The Spirit is working. 

So many look to peoples strengths to find a miracle. Many see that weakness is a hindrance to miracles.  But miracles are formed out of weakness.  He is our strength.  He is the power to do miracles.  That thing in us that seems so overwhelming weak is the very thing that God will use.  

The Apostles were in an upper room. They were called, but they were afraid.  They felt weak, and indeed, they were weak. They had denied him; they had run away; they had hidden in shame. Yet Jesus commanded them to go into all the world.  They must have asked themselves, “how could God use them when they were so weak”?  When the Holy Spirit came on them, they did not become supermen.  God indwelled their weaknesses.

You see, where the world sees weakness, God sees strength. 

Ascension Sunday

With His ascension, Jesus called us to be His incarnation to the world. That’s a large responsibility. If it were not for Jesus promise of Pentecost, the disciples would have been left with the authority to “Go into all of the worlds” without the power to go.  Yet Jesus, in His Ascension, promised the power was on its way.  Without the power of the Holy Spirit indwelling them, the disciples must have felt scared and alone. The disciples felt like a kite with no wind. Looking at Peter specifically, even Jesus had restored Peter, Peter, just like all of us, must have looked back at all his failures and wondered, “how will I be able to?”  The answer from Jesus seems to be “der child, stop relying on your own power.”  God is the one who covers.

In preparation for Ascension Sunday, God’s promise of covering us rings ever true. In his song “He Covers Me,” Steve Camp sings from a heart of knowing that though we man not now see Him in person, God’s covering is all we need.

Everyone goes through hard times. It seems that when we are in the deepest valleys, that we are alone. We are not. Psalm 23 is very familiar to so many, yet sometimes we read it so robotically that we miss what is being said. The verse is read at so many funerals, yet sadly is read as if it were obligatory. Being in a valley of despair and yet knowing that God is there is where faith meets circumstances. When we are at rock bottom, when we cannot raise ourselves up, He is still with us. When we can not hold on, He holds on to us. Many have heard the phrase “God will never give you more than you can handle.” Well yes, yes, He can, and does. Not to overload us, but for us to load onto Him all our cares and concerns. In the song “Always Here with Me,” Tony Melendez brings the truth of the Psalm to life. It reminds us that it is God who leads us and lifts us up. It is God who protects us and leads us through the Valley of death. https://youtu.be/XM9frSPkZoU

This week, we are going to take a trip through a few different genres of music.  This week includes Classical, Pop, Celtic, and Southern Gospel.

As you listen to each song, what story do you hear? What does you heart say? Listen to each song as if they were written just for you. God’s word is a love letter to us.

Let each of the songs prepare your heart to be healed, encouraged, and restored. Let them bring a spirit of praise to you lips and gladness to your soul!

Psalm  148

“Magnify the LORD”- Luke Garrett  – https://youtu.be/HKKqzN9JjDw

Acts 11:18

Ceili Rain – CEILI RAIN – https://youtu.be/equHWxmRjac

John 13:31-35

“Lazarus Come Forth” – Carman – https://youtu.be/XvAqvr8_TP8

Revelation 21:1-6

“Alpha and Omega” – The Gaither Vocal Band – https://youtu.be/UjrivXWczGU List Table

Acts 9:36-43

Tabitha (Dorcas) had died.  She was one who had done so much for so many.  For someone who was so full of life to be an empty shell was devastating to those around her.

You see, the name Tabitha (Dorcas) means Gazelle.  Not only was Gazelle her name, but it was also most likely how Tabitha lived. 

A gazelle is a beautiful animal who can run exceedingly fast and leap in quick bursts.  The gazelle is seen as an animal of beauty and grace. Many times, you will find beautiful people compared to gazelles.

Even more enlightening is that she lived in the town of Joppa which means beauty. Here you have a beautiful woman who lived a beautiful life, spreading love and life to those around her, living in a town called beauty.

But she now she is dead…

Her friends called Peter to come and help.  Peter was in a nearby town… a town called Lydda. Ironically (or maybe not) means strife.  Peter travels to Joppa and goes up to the room where Tabitha’s is laid.  Peter clears the room, then prays. After he prayed, he turns to Tabitha and says “Tabitha, get up.”   Life again flows into her, and she gets up! Not only was Tabitha resurrected, but her because of her life renewed, many around her came to Christ.

Here is the rest of the story… Tabitha was most likely a seamstress. She spent her life making clothes for. She was also always ministering to others.  She was probably burnt out. This is what happens to so many people who serve others. Yet there is healing that comes out of strife (Lydda).

Peter prayed for Tabitha; Peter asked Tabitha to stand, then Peter helped Tabitha to stand.

There are many people who are hurting, there as so many who are dead inside. Ours is to call them back to the beauty they were created to be. Maybe we are them…so…Stand up and Run.

We were created not just to live, but to be alive.  But sometimes we find ourselves burnt-out, defeated and living a life which leads to death.  Yet Restoration comes from Christ.  Renewal is in Christ. Revival is found in Christ; resurrection is found in Christ.  As he was resurrected, we too can be resurrected. As we celebrate the 4^th Sunday of Easter, Like Tabitha, let us get up!

In the song “Resurrection Power” by Chris Tomlin, we are reminded that because of Christ, we can be resurrected, we can be restored, we can be restored. https://youtu.be/AxH8Q8ue65o ffffffffffff