Lord, I need you!

        I love the worship leader at North!  Not only because he is becoming a good friend, but also because he chooses songs that display and drive us to the heart of the Gospel.  There is a lot of fluff out there in Christian music and sadly a lot of fluff out there in Christian worship music.  A song that we have been singing the past few weeks is Lord, I need you by Matt Maher is an example of a song that drives us to the heart of the Gospel. to the heart of God.  Check out these lyrics.

Lord, I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You're the One that guides my heart

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Where sin runs deep Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are, Lord, I am free
Holiness is Christ in me

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus, You're my hope and stay

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

You're my one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

       That is the GOSPEL!  "Lord, I need you, oh, I need You Every hour I need you.  My one defense, my righteousness, Oh God, how I need You."   As I was singing this song on Sunday I had to ask myself what am I trusting in for my salvation?  What am I trusting in for my becoming more and more like Jesus?  If the answer is anything but Jesus, that is not the Gospel.  The Gospel is me putting my faith in the FINISHED work of Jesus Christ on the cross.  Did you catch that, putting my faith in the FINISHED work of Jesus Christ.  It is trusting in what has already been accomplished, not trusting in what I am going to accomplish.  When it comes to me growing to be more like Jesus, there too I am desperate for God's work in my life.  As our pastor said on Sunday when talking about having trinitarian love for our brothers and sisters in Christ, "we can't do it."  We can't do it, but God can and He lives inside of us.  That is why every hour, every minute, every second we should be crying out, "Lord, I need you, oh how I need you.  Every hour I need you.  My one defense my righteousness.  Oh God, how I need you."
        I am a man desperate and wholly dependent upon Jesus not only for my salvation, but for my growth in Christlikeness.  Take some time today and honestly ask yourself these two questions.  1.)  What am I trusting in for my salvation?  2.)  What am I trusting in for becoming more like Jesus?  If you answer is not Jesus, remind yourself of the Gospel message.  Remind yourself of the finished work of Jesus on the cross.

 "My one defense, my righteousness.  Oh God, how I need You."