"Churchin'"

I saw her tears when she sat down,

In a chair way in the back,

You could see that she was troubled,

And burdened down in fact.

But she listened with an open heart,

And afterward she prayed,

People came and loved her,

And that is why she stayed.

I saw him in his cowboy hat,

A puncher sure was he,

But no doubt he carried wounds,

That no one else could see.

But that old boy sure humbled down,

He cried out to the Savior,

The Holy Spirit touched his soul,

And changed his sad behavior.

She said she’d never been baptized,

Though her faith in Christ was strong,

And so we put her under,

As we sang a gospel song.

And she came up a-shoutin’,

As we all laughed and clapped,

Another soul washed in the blood,

Now free, no longer trapped.

For many months the sickness reigned,

And left him sad and weak,

He never wanted to complain,

But found it hard to speak,

About the illness and his faith,

That slowed down to a crawl,

Just hangin’ on the best he could,

But really hurtin’, y’all.

And then we poured on him the oil,

Laid hands and lifted prayer,

And when he got up the next day,

His sickness was not there.

And on and on and on it goes,

The Lord sends those in need,

Welcome all in Jesus’ name,

And plant His Kingdom seed.

No, not perfect, never were,

But this we’ve always known,

That if we just cooperate,

God’s grace is clearly shown.

A hospital for sinners,

And cowboy church to boot,

Lord, fill us with Your Spirit,

And give us heaven’s fruit.

“So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:46-47, NKJV)

The early church functioned in the simplicity of the Spirit. It was not complicated or overly organized, but the Lord added those who were being saved. If we get our churching right, this is what happens. We stay focused on Jesus and making Him known to those He sends. We reach out and welcome all those in need of grace. And then we call on the Lord in their behalf and teach them to do the same. Expect miracles because they are coming.

Lord, add to Your church, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Tyler Crow, used by permission. Thanks, Tyler, and God bless you.