My buddies shun me when I turned to Jesus, they say I’m missing a whole world of fun, but I am happy, and I sing with pride, I like the Christian life. I won’t lose a friend by heading God’s call, for what is a friend who would want me to fall, others find pleasures in things I despise, but I like, the Christian life. (Sanchez)

Lord, we have erred and strayed like lost sheep, we have refused to listen to your voice, we have been walking in our own willful way, doing those things that we know we should not be doing, show us the way back to you, and instill in us willing hearts to listen and to do your will. All this we ask in your precious name. Amen!

Heavenly Father, we confess that we are weak, and sinful, and vile; we have been wicked from our birth, but we recognize that today, is the accepted time, that today, is the day of salvation, that today, you will hear our prayer, to create in us clean hearts and renew right spirits with us. Lord, we have for too long followed the devices of our own hearts; lead us in your righteousness.

“For God says, at just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the right time is now. Today is the day of salvation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”

“But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many! As God’s fellow workers, then, we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.” I am so thankful, that because of God’s grace, I am saved!

My brothers and sisters in Christ, because of Adam’s disobedience, we were introduced to sin, but Jesus’ death on the cross revealed to us, that he was obedient unto death and because of his death on the cross, many will be made righteous.

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness, according to the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight, that thou might be justified when thou speak, and be clear when thou judge. Psalm 51

“I’m pressing on the upward way, new heights I’m gaining every day; still praying as I onward bound, Lord, plant my feet on higher ground. Lord, lift me up, and let me stand, by faith on Canaan’s tableland; a higher plane than I have found, Lord, plant my feet on higher ground. My heart has no desire to stay, where doubts arise and fears dismay; though some may dwell where these abound, my prayer, my aim, is higher ground. I want to live above the world, though Satan’s darts at me are hurled; for faith has caught the joyful sound, the song of saints on higher ground. I want to scale the utmost height, and catch a gleam of glory bright; but still I’ll pray, till rest I’ve found, Lord, lead me on to higher ground.”

My brothers and sisters in Christ, “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore, I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight like I am beating the air. Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:25-27

Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation, but it is not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13