Mother’s Day Sunday, our worship gatherings at Deer Park were very special.  I have to say, Sundays are always so valuable in the life of the believer and the community of those who love Jesus.  I have to say it because, perhaps, not every reader is convinced.  There are some Sundays, however, that stand apart, at God’s discretion, as days that mark specific refreshment of obedience and God’s favor in our midst.

I’m going to call it a Psalm 96 Sunday!

There was a newness of song to the Lord.

“Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth!” I’m not talking about the new song that the youth band taught us, “Remain,” though I love that song. (Thank you so much, Youth band, and Julaine, for serving church family on Sunday!) I’m talking about a new day for the church in Red Deer.  I’m talking about a new joy in the Lord Jesus every new day that we submit to Him and declare His supremacy.  There was a distinct newness in the speech and conduct of a gospel-centred people yesterday.  Thank you, Lord, for giving us new mercies, new healings, new affections for You this week again.

The blessing of the Lord’s name was clearly the priority.

“Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.” From the Mother’s Day comments and video clip, to the Central Alberta Pregnancy Care Centre highlight, to Justin’s raw testimony to the work of God in his life, to the music, right to the heart of the message from Jesus in Revelation 2…  The name of the Lord being made central and famous and cherished WAS our priority together.  Knowing the Lord’s name is such a blessing to the whole world. It is good to make it central when we gather.  Thank you, participants in worship!

His marvelous works were declared without reservation.

“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!” In particular, I want to thank everyone for your applause and support for a risk-taking testimony.  I asked Justin to consider telling his church family specifically how Jesus has been at work sanctifying him.  With permission from his wife and family, he was courageous and humble enough, by God’s grace, to tell the incredible story of God’s grace in freeing him from the enslavement of pornography.  Thanks, Justin, for sacrificing your pride for the glory of God.

Thank you, God, that you are doing this marvelous work in so many men’s lives in the church!  As God get’s His men free and clean from besetting sins, by the Holy Spirit, the church is growing in it’s power and influence to move the gospel of Jesus forward in our nation!

There was a trembling before the Lord Jesus among his people.

“Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!” Very simply put, there was an increased trembling on Sunday.  It was exhibited in the responsiveness of people.  It was the most tangible movement of people’s hearts on a Sunday morning that we have experienced in months at Deer Park.  There were more men and women asking for help, prayer, an appointment to talk about an idea for ministry, than I have needed to respond to in many Sundays.  Praise God!  This is what it looks like when the Spirit of God is upon us, moving us to worship the splendor of His holiness, moving us to tremble in a spirit of repentance.

Thank you, God, for a Psalm 96 Sunday!  May we continue to joyfully tremble in Your magnificent presence, and the whole earth with us!