by J. Randal Matheny
Copyright © 2004

So why work hard to get results?
Won't toil alone suffice?
God makes things happen; man exults
in fruits of sacrifice,
and much the more before the Cross
where Christ surrendered all.
What none could do, he did by loss,
to lift us from the Fall.
So man will not be satisfied
with empty efforts made,
while Jesus serves as power and guide,
with sin at Calvary paid.
No wasted pains leave me content
in my success-pursuit.
I'll trod the way that Jesus went,
to bear eternal fruit.

Father, put us on our knees, that we may indeed be people who pray, and not merely people who talk or study about prayer. May we not take lightly this privilege and responsibility to appear before you. You are the God who hears and answers prayer. There is none other like you, who looks down from your throne to consider the needy. How we need you, Lord! And the Cross makes us realize how deep that need really is and how useless are our own feeble efforts to return to your presence. Praise to you for the matchless, marvelous gift of salvation! Only in Christ, Amen.

Our Father in Heaven, another week has begun. May we pratice on Monday the life of the Lord we praised on Sunday. And may Monday's practice carry through until Saturday. By his death and life, Amen.

Lord, you speak and things happen. Through your words, we are saved, and we see your love and power.

Human words are different. They often hide rather than reveal. But may we, as Christ's followers, say what we mean and mean what we say.

And today may we look behind and beyond the words of others to see their fears, concerns, and frailties. May we judge kindly, not only by what is said, but what is left unsaid. May we hear the words of others in order to understand, show compassion, establish rappor, and share your words of transformation.

By the eternal Word, Amen.

What is necessary to begin a new congregation of the Lord's people?

(I'm asking it anew, since we are to begin a new work in the city of Taubaté March 7.)

Perhaps before that, one might ask, what is a church?

Care to venture an answer?