Create In Me

One of my very favorite youth group worship songs was a little chorus called Create In Me. I often used it to close out singing and worship times, because it was such a simple prayer. This was yet another song I learned from the godfather of group singing, Yohann "YO" Anderson, the man behind the Songs & Creations songbooks. It was written by Mary Rice Hopkins, who went on to become a very popular writer and singer of children's songs. I was blessed to hear her sing it in person once in the middle of the exhibit hall at a NYWC. Even in the midst of that chaos, the song created a sacred space. It is based on Psalm 51:10-12 which reads:

Create in me a pure heart, O God

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Psalm 51 is a song of David. David is one of the great men of the Old Testament. He slayed Goliath. He became King of the people of Israel. He led his people through many difficult times and many terrible battles. He was called "a man after God's own heart." He wrote many of the Psalms. He also committed adultery and had the husband of the woman killed. In other words, David was like us. Sometimes a sinner, sometimes a saint. And that is what makes these words so special. David knew he needed his heart cleaned- just as we all do! And we know we cannot do it on our own. We need Jesus.

I don't know that I ever played and sang this song without getting at least one tear in my eye. Most often I was looking out at a youth group singing along with me, and I could not help but sing this song for the students that I knew were lost and hurting. Over the past decade it has become a daily prayer for me. "Create in me a clean heart, O God, that I might serve you..." I invite you to pray this prayer with me today and every day. Have a blessed Monday.

Because of Jesus,

Ten Things You Must Know

You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings

and crowned him with glory and honor. (verse 5)

Several years ago I heard a message entitled 10 Things You Must Know (if you have surrendered your soul to Jesus as Lord and Savior). From time to time the notes from that sermon still serve as a devotional guide for me whenever the world tries to convince me my life is not important. All of the points came from the scriptures (in parentheses) and were designed to remind us, just as the words of Psalm 8 do, that we are glorious creations of God. Despite our sins, our faults and our flaws, we are children of the living God- and that is something to celebrate! Because "God don't make no junk..."   

So check out the scriptures and keep this list handy. Check it out anytime you feel like a loser or a failure. It's the ultimate self-esteem booster. The Creator of the universe- the all-powerful Yahweh- is also your Abba (daddy) who loves you and knows your name. How awesome is that?

1.  You are handcrafted (Psalm 139:13-15)

2.  You are valuable (Luke 12:6,7)

3.  You are loved (John 3:16)

4.  You are rescued (Romans 5:6-11)

5.  You are privileged (Romans 5:1,2)

6.  You are powerful (Ephesians 1:19-23)

7.  You are invincible (2 Corinthians 4:7-10)

8.  You are fearless (Romans 8:15,16)

9.  You are unbeatable (Romans 8:31-34)

10.  You are a winner (Romans 8:35-39)

May God use these ancient words in our lives when the darkness of this world closes in on us and labels us worthless.

Because of Jesus,