ON THANKSGIVING, MY THANKS GO TO GOD

Without a doubt, I have so much to be thankful for. It seems that God has blessed me and then He has blessed me again. Dead in my sins and trespasses, by His grace and mercy He made me alive in Christ. He brought a young woman into my life who has now been my wife for more than thirty years. He gave me a daughter and a son whom I love dearly and I am so proud of them both. That each one loves the Lord Jesus is a blessing that I can rest and rejoice in each day. He has blessed me with my daughter in-law who I would gladly call my own and my son in-law who knows the importance of Christ and His word. What a joy it is to know that they both share the faith and hope of my children. And He has blessed me with two beautiful granddaughters who simply light up my life. There are times when it is almost impossible to express the joy that these two little girls give. And God has blessed me with a job that He has graciously allowed me to have for more than 25 years now. I have a wonderful church, a great pastor, the privilege to serve, family and friends, etc.. Yes, I have much to be thankful for and my thanks go to God!

It's Not Just a Name That I'm Called

I greatly appreciate the words that God inspired the Apostle John to write in 1 John 3:1. It is here that we read, "See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are". I just love those words! Yes indeed, we are called the children of God and such a privilege is indicative of the great love He has bestowed upon us. God appears to emphasize the importance of our knowing that it isn't just something we are called, but something that we are. This truth inspired me to write the following that I've titled, "Not Just a Name":

“Believer”, is a name that we have been called for some time

Believed the gospel, trusted in Christ and since then that name has been mine, yes since then that name has been mine

It’s not just a name that I’m called but a name that by calling I am, yes a name that by calling I am

Called those of “The Way” and oh how much it is true

It’s one of the names that Jesus did claim, it was good for His followers too, yes good for His followers too

It’s not just a name that I’m called but a name that by calling I am, yes a name that by calling I am

 

“Christians” first in Antioch, is the name they were called

Now all around the world today, were “Christians” one and all, yes “Christians” one and all

It’s not just a name that I’m called but a name that by calling I am, yes a name that by calling I am

“Saints” we are called the Bible does say, Heaven are home one day

Not a “Saint” because of the things we have done but a “Saint” because of His name, yes a “Saint” because of His name

It’s not just a name that I’m called, but a name that by calling I am, yes a name that by calling I am

“Children of God” what a glorious name, but they’re not just words from afar

It’s a real name, the grandest of names, He wants us to know who we are, yes He wants us to know who we are

It’s not just a name that I’m called but a name that by calling I am, yes a name that by calling I am

Yes, it’s not just a name that I’m called, but a name that by calling I am.

Greg

Blessed Be the Blessor

In Ephesians 1:3 the Apostle Paul was inspired to write the following wonderful words of praise and truth regarding our gracious God. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ". The entire chapter is a detailed account of the many things that our loving God has done on our behalf in Christ. Oh, how blessed the believer is as His child. Chosen, predestined according to His purpose, adopted, redeemed, forgiven, lavished with His grace, granted knowledge of the mystery of His will, beneficiaries of an inheritance, afforded hope in Christ and sealed in Him by the Holy Spirit of promise. Furthermore we are told that these blessings have been given to us freely and are according to His love, His purpose, and the kind intention and counsel of His will.

A few months ago, this great chapter of scripture prompted me to write the following song which I pray might be a blessing to others. I guess to others it is more of a poem although I wrote it with a melody in mind.

Blessed Be the Blessor 

Blessed be the Blessor

He’s blessed me this I know

By grace I am His child

By grace He loves me so

Blessed be the Blessor

Predestined in His love

Trespasses all forgiven

In kindness from God above

Blessed be the Blessor

Spiritual blessings in Christ are mine

And in this life He’s given

Each one of them divine

Blessed be the Blessor

The One who comforts me

In all my woes and worries

His loving care is what I see

Blessed be the Blessor

In Christ my hope is sure

The Spirit is my promise

In Christ sealed and secure

Yes, Blessed be the Blessor

Joy and peace He gives

Honor, glory, praise are due Him

Each creation wonder His

Blessed be the Blessor

Through Christ He strengthens me

To serve Him and serve others

In grace and humility

Blessed be the Blessor

One day He will come again

His Church, the dead and living

Forevermore to be with Him

Blessed be the Blessor

One day His face I’ll see

Yes blessed be the Blessor

The One who died for me

Yes, blessed be the Blessor

Oh, truly can it be

That I will dwell with Him one day

For all eternity

Yes, I will dwell with Him one day

For all eternity

Greg

Praying For The Unborn - The Best and The Least We Can Do

As the sun set across our nation today, time zone after time zone, well over 2,000 unborn babies had been aborted by days end. This same national tragedy will occur tomorrow and each and every day that follows. Thousands of babies who are peacefully developing in their mother's womb tonight will unexpectedly have their lives end tomorrow when they are suddenly torn from the womb and discarded.

In Romans Chapter 1, the Apostle Paul was inspired by God to provide a list that describes the characteristics of man when he refuses to acknowledge God. Even though His invisible attributes are clearly seen in His creation, they refuse to honor Him as God and do not give Him thanks, the word says. They worship and serve the creature instead of the Creator. Among the long list of negative qualities associated with such a people, Paul writes that in addition to their sinful behaviors, they are even "inventors of evil". Perhaps there is no greater example of this than the practice of abortion. I am convinced that it is surely an invention of evil.

While Americans cry out and demand that there be safe places for our children, we have made the womb of an American mother the most unsafe place for a baby to be. Through this "invention of evil" we have taken that which God designed and intended to be the safest of places, the womb of a mother, and turned it into a place where life is purposely taken every day by the thousands. Oh, I agree that we ought to have a desire for our children to be safe wherever they are. But abortion makes the irony so great, the paradox so startling.

Much has been done in the name of Christ to stop or lessen the practice of abortion. There is no doubt in my mind that some of these efforts have been honoring to God and that some have been shamefully wrong. Over the past several months the Lord has burdened my heart about this matter in a very specific way. Through a song that I found myself writing several weeks ago, I felt compelled to begin praying for the unborn as I never had. Praying as it were, for those with no voice. It seemed as if the Lord was speaking to my heart and telling me that the believer's prayers were the best and the least we could do. Ours is a mighty God who answers prayers.

May we ask God to intervene in the lives of these women who are choosing to abort their babies and ask Him to change their hearts and minds to choose life instead. May we also pray that God would open the hearts and minds of these women to know the love and person of Christ Himself. To know the glorious truth of the gospel. My hope is that this would be an unceasing prayer. That thousands and thousands of Christians would be praying daily for the unborn. I pray that God might stir up and raise up a great number of believers who, like Epaphras in the Book of Colossians, would be "always laboring earnestly" for them in their prayers.

The following is the song that I wrote as mentioned above:

"For Those with No Voice"

This song I have written, to the Body of Christ

Asking prayer for the unborn, yes for those with no voice

It seems clear to me now and I hope so to you

Our prayers are the best; they’re the least we can do

You see there’s a girl, out in the world somewhere

In her mother’s womb and she needs all our prayers

Her mother you see, has decided today

A choice that will end the life of this girl with no say

Please pray that the Lord changes the heart of this mother

And not hers alone, oh there's thousands of others

This girl is so small, oh but give her some time

Let her grow and be born, watch her blossom and shine

No she can’t say a word but if given the chance

One day she will speak, yes one day she will dance

And the words she will say will come straight from her heart

A heart made in the womb and shaped from the start

Words like Papa thats fun, can we do it again

That’s my eye and my nose and this is my chin

Papa lets read a book, I’ll pick one for you

Build a tent out of blankets or maybe watch Pooh

Papa let’s dance, turn the music up loud

Look up high in the sky, I see the moon in the clouds

Yes pray that the Lord changes one woman’s heart

No it won’t be the end but it might be a start

If their mothers choose life, oh the joy they will bring

Each boy and each girl, a new song to sing

What’s your name little girl, Papa my name is Hannah

Look at me now; I’m washing dishes with Nana

Papa, you’re my best friend, mommy says its ok

If Nana says yes, we can marry someday

Yes the words they will say will come straight from the heart

A heart made in the womb and shaped from the start

Please pray for them all, yes, each girl and each boy

In the wombs of their mothers, kept for life and for joy

This song I have written, to the Body of Christ

Asking prayer for the unborn, yes for those with no voice

It’s clear to me now and I hope so to you,

Our prayers are the best; they’re the least we can do

Yes, it’s clear to me now and I hope so to you,

Our prayers are the best; they’re the least we can do

The sun has set on another day and thousands of babies were aborted today in America. Would you pray that God would intervene in the lives of those women who plan to do the same tomorrow. And would you do so again the next day and the next. May God help us to be fervent in our prayers. May He remind each of us that He is able to do "exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think". As those who believe in the power of prayer, may God help us to pray accordingly. My hope that believers would be fervent prayer warriors for the unborn is not to suggest that it become our cause. Our cause is the gospel of Christ. May we be sharers of the Gospel of Christ with a lost world. The gospel, the word says, is the power of God unto salvation to all who believe. And the salvation of souls is the true changing of a heart. But as we fight the good fight of faith, may God help us to remember to pray for those most vulnerable among us, the unborn.
Greg

Grace is For Me, What About You

Here is a song I have written regarding one of my favorite topics; "grace". The title, "Grace is For Me, What About You", is both a statement and a question. As a statement it seems twofold. "Grace is for me" in the sense that I believe that it is by God's grace alone that salvation is wrought in the lives of sinful men and that it is by grace that we live and walk "in Christ". But "grace is for me" is also indicative of another truth. Grace is on my side. It is indeed "for me". Amen. And then there is the question, "what about you". To my brothers and sisters in Christ it is a Pauline sort of question to challenge us in our thoughts, understanding and appreciation of His grace found in Christ. To the unbeliever it can only be a seed planting or watering question as the Spirit might use it. 

Chorus

Grace is for me, what about you

Grace every day, yes grace sees me through

Grace every morning when I arise

Grace every evening when I close my eyes

I’ve been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb

By grace and through faith, His child’s what I am

Part of God’s family, His family divine

Joint heirs with Jesus, yes Jesus is mine

Grace is a wonder I cannot describe

Not from this world, no it comes from on high

Called to love others, its grace that I need

Called to be holy, its grace that I plead

So much by grace to me He affords,

His Spirit, His people, His life giving words

Blessings, their many, in Him they are found

In Him I have freedom, to sin no more bound

Repeat chorus

Never could I earn this love He has given

It all comes from Him, yes it all comes from Heaven

Merit, no never, no merit I claim

It’s only by grace, Oh praise His dear name

A race He has given, a race I must run

With strength and endurance, with grace from above

Eyes fixed on Jesus the author of faith

He giveth and giveth and giveth more grace

In weakness and trial, each struggle I see

“My grace is sufficient” are dear words to me

And on that day when I gaze at His face

I want to say “Thank you”, yes “Thank you” for grace

Repeat chorus

Oh, to know Jesus, by grace I have peace

Sins are forgiven, from striving I’ve ceased

One day I will see Him, with Him I’ll be home

For now He is with me, I’m never alone

Oh, that you would know Him, this Jesus I know

Grace would be yours and blessings untold

Trust the words of the Father regarding His Son

He died for your sins, yes this Christ from above

Jesus is coming again this I know

There’s no doubt about it, He promised it so

That He is coming for me I am sure

By grace He confirmed it, by grace it’s secure

Soon He who is coming, the Word says will come

His church He will gather in clouds high above

Grace brought me to Him, in grace I do stand

Yes, grace from the one with the nailed scared hands

Repeat chorus

Greg

Every Day, Every Morning

Here is my first attempt ever at writing lyrics to a song that came to my mind one recent Saturday morning driving home from our men's bible study at church. It was a little odd to me that I would do this but the words seemed to come so naturally.

Every Day, Every Morning

Every day, every morning
I'm reminded of You

You're love and You're mercy
Through it all comes shining through

I could never imagine
Living life on my own

I need you now more than ever

Though through the years I have grown

Yes, its grace every day that I look to from You
You have promised it sufficient for all that I do
And I pray that this grace, abundant and free
Will guide me to serve and glorify Thee

Every day, every morning
I'm reminded of You

You're love and You're mercy
Through it all comes shining through

When I struggle with thoughts
That don't honor Your name
You are gentle but strong

To draw me close yet again

And when I think of life's blessings
I humbly thank You

Undeserving of each one

Oh, but faithful are You

Yes, every day, every morning
I'm reminded of You

You're love and You're mercy
Through it all comes shining through

Music only

In this race that I'm running
I ask endurance from Thee
Keep my eyes fixed on Jesus

With humble heart and bended knee

And if one day someone says, that he fought the good fight
A vessel well used for God's truth and His light

It would be my hope and my prayer on that day

That they only see Jesus, His love and His grace
That they only see Jesus, His love and His grace

Yes, every day, every morning
I'm reminded of You

You're love and You're mercy
Through it all comes shining through

And my hope and my prayer for the rest of my days
Is to know Jesus better and grow deeper in grace
Is to know Jesus better and grow deeper in grace

Every day, every morning
I'm reminded of You

You're love and You're mercy
Through it all comes shining through
Yes You're love and You're mercy
Through it all comes shining through

Every day, every morning

I’m reminded of You

Greg Engebretson

Some Words from Pastor Lee Toms

Back in October of 2008 I shared some thoughts on my blog about Dr. Lee Toms and recalled some of the things I had heard him say when I listened to him speak some years ago. Pastor Toms served at Arcade Baptist Church in Sacramento, California for more than 40 years. At the age of 80, he went home to be with the Lord in May 2007. I am currently reading his book, Mantle of Ministry, and thought I would share some of the words he left behind. For now I will title these sort of posts as being "Some Words from Pastor Lee Toms".

I thought the following excerpt was quite appropriate and a great reminder for those involved in ministry or for anyone who is a member of the body of Christ today.

"In this day, the cause of godlessness and unbelief does not suffer from timidity; it is bold and brazen in its manners and message. A fainthearted Christian message will never compete in such an atmosphere. The day calls for heroics in the heart. We cannot be cowed or intimidated into silence or a soft-pedaling of truth; we must set forth our message simply and strongly. 

This boldness is born of undeviating faith in our message, of unquestionable conviction as to the nature of our calling and inviolate loyalty to the Captain of our salvation, the Master of our service. Some important things are non-negotiable. We can avoid being "bull-dogmatic," but dogmatic we must be. There is a point easily reached where a demand for tolerance leads us into treason to Christ. The apostles and prophets were bold men and paid dearly for it. We can get by more cheaply but not with a good conscience."