1st Quarter Blogs

Week of 1/4-8  (B1;2021)

Lasting Counsel From  THE  Primary Source

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor
stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful, but his
delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and
night.  He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings
forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither;  and what-
ever he does shall prosper.  The ungodly are not so, but are like the
chaff which the wind drives away.  Therefore the ungodly shall not
stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the right-
eous.  For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way
of the ungodly shall perish."   Psalm 1  (NKJV)


     Everlasting Father, Creator, Savior and soon-coming King, THANK
     YOU for Your clear revelation to us.  Thank You for the Counsel it
     offers, for the wisdom it affords.  Help us to trust Your Word.  Give
     us boldness to live it out as we know we should.

     Help us to separate from the world while persisting in being Your
        lights therein;
     Help us to thrive as You've given us abundant life if we'd but walk
        in Your Spirit;
     Help us to endure in Your Truths as we abide in You and Your
        gracious provisions in Christ Jesus.

     Help us do all of the above and more.  Help us to trust You, Lord.
     Help us to live our faith whereby we avoid the eternal state of those
     who reject You - those who will not stand in the congregation of the
     righteous - for we never wish to hear from You, "I never knew you.
     Depart from Me you workers of iniquity."

     Lord, we affirm Your Words:  "The way of the wicked will perish."
     Indeed.  Please save them loving Lord!  Amen.  Even so, please
     come quickly Lord Jesus.  In Christ Jesus' glorious Name we pray.


          'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus *

'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise, just to know, "Thus saith the Lord."

     Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!  How I've proved Him o'er and o'er!
     Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!  O for grace to trust Him more!

O how sweet to trust in Jesus, just to trust His cleansing blood;
Just in simple faith to plunge me, 'neath the healing, cleansing flood!

     [ Refrain ]

Yes, 'tis sweet to trust in Jesus, just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking life and rest and joy and peace.

     [ Refrain ]

I'm so glad I learned to trust Him, precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that He is with me, will be with me to the end. 

     Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!  How I've proved Him o'er and o'er!
     Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!  O for grace to trust Him more!

*  Words by Louisa M. R. Stead, c. 1850-1917  

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Week of 1/11-15  (B2;2021)

GOD-Centered  Attitudes

"Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of
stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved,
every man for his sons and his daughters.  But David 
strengthened himself in the LORD his God."    I Samuel 30:6

[God speaking]  "Fear not, for I  am  with you;  Be not dismayed,
for I  am  your God.  I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I
will uphold you with My righteous right hand.  Behold, all those 
who were incensed against you shall be ashamed and disgraced;
they shall be as nothing, and those who strive with you shall perish.
You shall seek them and not find them - those who contended with
you.  Those who war against you shall be as nothing, as a non-
existent thing.  For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand,
saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.'"    Isaiah 41:10-13

[Jesus Christ speaking]  " ... and lo, I am with you always,  even  to 
the end of the age."    Matthew 28:20b

[Jesus Christ speaking]  "Behold, I am coming quickly!  Blessed  
is  he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.  ...  
Blessed  are  those who do His commandments, that they may
have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates
into the city.  But outside  are  dogs and sorcerers and sexually
immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and
practices a lie."  ...  He who testifies to these things says,
"Surely I am coming quickly."  Amen.  Even so, come, Lord
Jesus!  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ  be  with you all.
Amen.    Revelation 22:7, 14, 15, 20, 21

(The above passages were taken from the NKJV.)


     Glorious Father, thank You for Your holy revelation to us.
     It's with praise that we express our gratitude to You for 
     helping us live with attitudes reflecting Your sweet promises.
     Like King David, Lord, help us to do  our  part toward fostering
     strength in You.  The precious hope You extend through Isaiah
     Your prophet is helpful - Your enemies (our enemies) will one
     day be put in their proper place.  Lord, we need not fear them,
     for You help us.  Thank You that You're with us always, even
     through these dark  end of days.  In this context, Lord, we can
     do all things through Your Son who strengthens us.  We exalt
     You for Your Counsel to those of us who have been washed in
     the blood of the Lamb, who keep Your commands whereby we
     have Your blessings in Christ Jesus, including the right, in Your
     generous mercy and grace, to Your tree of life.  Even so, please
     come quickly Lord Jesus!  Amen

          A Mighty Fortress Is Our God *

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe -
His craft and pow'r are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing,
Were not the right man on our side, the man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?  Christ Jesus it is He -
Lord Sabaoth His name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

And tho this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph thru us.
The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him -
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure:
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly pow'rs, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours thru Him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also -
The body they may kill;  God's truth abideth still:
His kingdom is forever.

*  Lyrics by Martin Luther; translated by Frederick H. Hedge

P.S.   For an additional blessing tied to this theme of fostering
          GOD's perspective in our lives during these difficult days
          of ours, please take further encouragement by the Dec-
          ember 19th devotional read in  New Morning Mercies  
          by Paul David Tripp (2014).

____________________

Week of 1/18-22  (B3;2021)

God's Counsel For His End-Of-Days Saints

"Finally, my brethren, be stong in the Lord and in the power
of His might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may
be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do
not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,
against spiritual  hosts  of wickedness in the heavenly  places. 
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be
able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having
put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your
feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  above all, 
taking the shield of faith with which you are able to quench
all the fiery darts of the wicked one.  And take the helmet of
salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of
God;  praying always with all prayer and supplication in the
Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and
supplication for all the saints - and for me, that utterance 
may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to 
make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an
ambassador in chains;  that in it I may speak boldly, as I
ought to speak."    Ephesians 6:10-20 (NKJV)  
Also see II Cor. 10:1-6, Galatians 3:1-9  &  John 3.

     Father, how we praise You for enlightening our way.
     Your Word is indeed a light to our feet;  a lamp to our
     path.  Thank You for reminding us that the present battles
     with which we're engaged are  Your  battles and that You've
     (and those of us who are in Your Son, Christ Jesus, have)
     already won.  Until the consummation, Lord, please help us
     follow Your Son's precious example and endure to the end.
     Help us fight the remaining battles in Your strength, in YOUR
     worldview perspective.  In Jesus Christ's name we pray, amen.

          The Battle Belongs To The Lord *  (1984)

In heavenly armour we'll enter the land
The battle belongs to the Lord
No weapon that's fashioned against us will stand
The battle belongs to the Lord

     We sing glory, honor
     Power and strenth to the Lord
     We sing glory, honor
     Power and strength to the Lord

When the power of darkness comes in like a flood
The battle belongs to the Lord
He's raised up a standard, the power of His blood
The battle belongs to the Lord

     [ Refrain ]

When your enemy presses in hard do not fear
The battle belongs to the Lord
Take courage my friend, your redemption is near
The battle belongs to the Lord

     We sing glory, honor
     Power and strenth to the Lord
     We sing glory, honor
     Power and strength to the Lord

*  Songwriter:  Jamie Owens-Collins 

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Week of 1/25-29  (B4;2021)

Forsaking  NOT  And  The Blessings Therein

"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love
and good works,  not forsaking the assembling of
ourselves together,  as is the manner of some, but
exhorting  one another,  and so much the more as you
see the Day approaching."     Hebrews 10:24, 25 - NKJV
(bold emphasis ours)

Just yesterday we SO enjoyed fellowship at our church.
God is moving in powerful ways ... what mercy, what grace!
Here's one of the  many  blessings we were extended:

Our pastor preached from II Chronicles 17 - 20.  While I
won't quote the entire text, I will quote a portion of it here ...

    [ please see the prior passages for important context ]
    O our God, will You not judge them?  For we have no
    power against this great multitude that is coming against
    us;  nor do we know what to do, but our eyes  are  on You.
    Now all Judah, with their little ones, their wives, and their
    children, stood before the LORD.  Then the Spirit of the LORD
    came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the sone of Benaiah,
    the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of
    Asaph, in the midst of the assembly.  And he said, "Listen, all
    you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King
    Jehoshaphat!  Thus says the LORD to you:  'Do not be afraid
    nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle  is
    not yours, but God's.  Tomorrow go down against them.  They
    will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find
    them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel.
    You will not  need  to fight in this  battle.  Position yourselves,
    stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you.
    O Judah and Jerusalem!'  Do not fear or be dismayed;  tomorrow
    go out against them, for the LORD  is  with you."  And Jehoshaphat
    bowed his head with  his  face to the ground, and all Judah and the
    inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the LORD, worshipping 
    the LORD.  Then the Levites of the children of the Korahites stood
    up to praise the LORD God of Israel with voices loud and high.
    So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness
    of Tekoa;  and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Hear
    me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem:  Believe in the LORD
    your God, and you shall be established;  believe His prophets, and
    your shall prosper."  And when he had consulted with the people, he
    appointed those who should sing to the LORD, and who should
    praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and
    were saying:  "Praise the LORD, for His mercy  endures  forever."
    Now when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushes
    against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come
    against Judah;  and they were defeated.  For the people of Ammon
    and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir to utterly
    kill and destroy  them.  And when they had made an end of the
    inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destoy one another.  So when
    Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked 
    toward the multitude;  and there  were  their dead bodies, fallen
    on the earth.  No one had escaped.  When Jehoshaphat and his
    people came to take away their spoil, they found among them an
    abundance of valuables on the dead bodies, and percious jewelry,
    which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry
    away;  and they were three days gathering the spoil because there
    was so much.  And on the fourth day they assembled in the Valley
    of Berachah, for there they blessed the LORD;  therefore the name
    of that place was called The Valley of Berachab until this day.
    Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, with
    Jehoshaphat in front of them, to go back to Jerusalem with joy,
    for the LORD had made them rejoice over their enemies.  So 
    they came to Jerusalem, with stringed instruments and harps 
    and trumpets, to the house of the LORD.  And the fear of God 
    was on all the kingdoms of  those  countries when they heard
    that the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel.  Then
    the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest
    all around.    (II Chonicles 20:12-30 ; NKJV ; the pastor made
    wonderful  New-Covenant  application appeals  through the
    message God moved him to bring)

Let's pray ...

    Father God, we praise You!  Thank You for clearly moving as You
    have through history.  And now, once again, we pray for Your 
    moving in our context today.  Give Your Church the Faith to walk
    in the Truths You've outlined concerning these  end of days.  Help
    us to understand that Your deliverance is coming at  Your  appointed
    time.  Thank You for giving us  perspective  as we endure hardships
    before Your Son's return.  Help us, LORD, to walk in light of Your
    kind revelation.  Thank You for the book of Daniel.  Thank You for
    Matthew 24, 25 (and the related synoptic texts).  Thank You for
    Revelation.  May we walk in Your light during this time when we 
    move closer to the  war against the Saints.  And LORD, thank You
    for the encouragement that is bestowed to Your people who continue
    gathering even though dark opposition would tell us not to gather. 
    May Your people rise up and say "No!" to the mandates to compro-
    mise Your Counsel.  May we forsake  not  the assembling of ourselves
    together as is the manner of some.  Lord, in our lives, be glorified, be
    glorified today.  In Jesus Christ's holy name I pray, amen.  

See / Sing  the songs (the ones quoted in blogs B2 & B3 below)  
and  praise God through this precious chorus:

          In His Time *   (1978)

In His time, in His time,
He makes all things beautiful in His time.
Lord, please show me every day, as You're teaching
me Your way, that You do just what You say,
In Your time. 

In Your time, in Your time,
You make all things beautiful in Your time.
Lord, my life you You I bring, may each song I 
have to sing be to You a lovely thing, 
In Your time.

          *  Words and Music by Diane Ball  

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Week of 2/1-5  (B5;2021)

Enduring  Celebration  In God's Holy  PEACE

[ Jesus Christ speaking ]  "Peace I leave with you, My
peace I give to you;  not as the world gives do I give to
you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be
afraid."       John 14:27 ; NKJV

In this day of continued unrest, God's peace is precious.
IF you are not  in Christ,  please view our  Gospel pages 
for direction toward peace with God.  IF you are  in Christ,
continue  abiding in Him (John 14, 15)  for the ongoing
blessing of the peace of God.

     Now the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded.
     And he went out to meet [king] Asa, and said to him:  "Hear
     me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin.  The LORD  is  with
     you while you are with Him.  If you seek Him, He will be 
     found by you;  but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.
     For a long time Israel  has been  without the true God, 
     without a teaching priest, and without law;  but when in
     their trouble they turned to the LORD God of Israel, and
     sought Him, He was found by them.  And in those times
     there was  no  peace  to the one who went out, nor to the
     one who came in, but great turmoil  was  on all the inhab-
     itants of the lands.  So nation was destroyed by nation, 
     and city by city, for God troubled them with every adversity.
     But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for
     your work shall be rewarded!  And when Asa heard these
     words and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took
     courage, and removed the abominable idols from all the
     land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities which he
     had taken in the mountains of Ephraim;  and he restored
     the altar of the LORD that  was  before the vestibule of
     the LORD.  Then he gathered all Judah and Benjamin,
     and those who dwelt with them from Ephraim, Manasseh,
     and Simeon, for they came over to him in great numbers
     from Israel when they saw that the LORD his God was 
     with him.  So they gathered together at Jerusalem in the
     third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa.  And
     they offered to the LORD at that time seven hundred bulls
     and seven thousand sheep from the spoil they had brought.
     Then they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God
     of their fathers with all their heart and will all their soul; 
     and whoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel was
     to be put to death, whether small or great, whether man 
     or woman.  Then they took an oath before the LORD 
     with a loud voice, with shouting and trumpets and rams'
     horns.  And all Judah rejoiced at the oath, for they had
     sworn will all their heart and sought Him with all their
     soul;  and He was found by them, and the LORD gave
     them rest all around.            II Chronicles 15:1-15 ; NKJV
 

     Holy Father, what heavenly blessings You so abundantly
     grace Your people in Your Son with - WOW!  THANK YOU!
     May those still lost turn to You.  May they  see  it's not too
     late to say "yes" to Your glorious eternal Gift in Christ Jesus
     Your holy Lamb.  May  Christians  turn from their wayward,
     compromised living and seek You with their whole hearts
     and souls.  May true Christians affirm Your conditions of
     blessing as outlined in Your Word - Ez. 18 ; II Chronicles 15 ;
     Matthew 7:21-23 ; I Corinthains 15:1, 2 - "if you hold fast" ;
     James 2:14-26  et al.  THANK YOU, dear Father God, for
     Your PEACE.  We praise You - the only True God - as we
     pray in Christ Jesus' name.  And yes, we continue to pray
     for the peace of Israel - may each and every Jew find Your
     peace which passes understanding in Jesus Christ, Your
     only sacrifice for sin under Your eternal New Covenant.  
     Amen

          Wonderful  Peace *  

Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight,
Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm.
In celestial-like strains it unceasingly falls
O'er my soul like an infinite calm.

     Peace!  Peace!  Wonderful peace
     Coming down from the Father above;
     Sweep over my spirit forever I pray,
     In fathomless billows of love.

What a treasure I have in tHis wonderul peace,
Buried deep in the heart of my soul.
So secure that no power can mine it away
While the years of eternity roll.

     [ Refrain ]

I am resting tonight in  tHis  wonderful peace,
Resting sweetly in Jesus' control;
For I'm kept from all danger by night and by day,
And His glory is flooding my soul.

     [ Refrain ]

O soul, are you here without comfort or rest,
Marching down the rough pathway of time?
Make Jesus your Friend ere the shadows grow dark;
O accept  tHis  sweet peace so sublime.

     Peace!  Peace!  Wonderful peace
     Coming down from the Father above;
     Sweep over my spirit forever I pray,
     In fathomless billows of love.

*  Words by W.D. Cornell, 19th Century  
    (double meaning of "this" - "tHis" - is our addition)

P.S.  We're wondering ...

   Have we, as God's people in Christ Jesus,   w a n d e r e d
   such that  we,  as individuals,  need  to take steps of Truth
   and humility?   I John 1:8-10  provides good Counsel on this
   matter of self evaluation.  Also see  II Cor. 13:5  &  II Pet. 1:10, 11.

____________________

Week of 2/8-12  (B6;2021)

Enduring  LOVE

[ Jesus Christ speaking ]  "As many as I love, I rebuke
and chasten.  Therefore be zealous and repent."  
Revelation 3:19 ; NKJV

     "Love suffers long  and  is kind;  love does not envy;
      love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;  does not
      behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked,
      thinks no evil;  does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices
      in the truth;  bears all things, believes all things, hopes
      all things, endures all things.  Love never fails."
      I Corinthians 13:4-8a ; NKJV

     Loving heavenly Father, we praise You for Your undescribable 
     love gift in Your Son, Jesus Christ.  We exalt You as You shine
     forth Your character of love as You do.  It melts our hearts as
     to how merciful and gracious You can be toward Your fallen
     special creation - mankind.  Help us to love You in return as
     we rightly should.  Help us to honor You by loving You as You
     have so outlined.  May we love You through  obedience  to You
     as we abide in Your Vine.  And Father, may we  hear, receive
     and  respond favorably  to Your loving rebuke and chastening.  
     In Jesus Christ's holy name we pray, amen.

          Only Jesus / Calvary's Love * 

Only Jesus, Only He
Brings redemption, full and free
There's a yearning, in all our lives
That only Jesus satisfies

Calvary's love will sail forever
Bright and shining, strong and free
Like an ark of peace and safety
One the sea of human need

Through the hours of all the ages
Those tired of sailing on their own
Finally rest inside the shadow
Cast by Calvary's love across their souls

     Chorus:
     Calvay's love, Calvary's love
     Priceless gift Christ makes us worthy of
     The deepest sin can't rise above
     Calvary's love

Calvary's love can heal the Spirit
Life has crushed and cast aside
And redeem til Heaven's promise
Fillis with joy once empty eyes
So desire to tell His story
Of a love that loved enough to die
Burns away all other passions
And fed by Calvary's love becomes a fire

     Chorus

Calvary's love has never faltered
All its wonders still remain
Souls still take eternal passage
Sins atoned and heaven gained
Sins forgiven and heaven gained

*  Song lyrics taken from Steve Green's 
    album,  For God and God Alone  (1986)

____________________

Week of 2/15-19  (B7;2021)

Patience Through The Dark Valleys

Why do You stand afar off, O LORD?  Why  do You hide in 
times of trouble?  The wicked in  his  pride persecutes the poor;
let them be caught in the plots which they have devised.  For
the wicked boasts of his heart's desire;  he blesses the greedy
and  renounces the LORD.  The wicked in his proud countenance
does not seek  God ;  God  is  in none of his thoughts.  His ways
are always prospering;  Your judgments  are  far above, out of
his sight;  as for  all his enemies, he sneers at them.  He has said
in his heart, "I shall not be moved;  I shall never be in adversity."  
His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression;  under 
his tongue  is  trouble and iniquity.  He sits in the lurking places
of the villages;  in the secret places he murders the innocent;
his eyes are secretly fixed on the helpless.  He lies in wait
secretly, as a lion in his den;  he lies in wait to catch the poor;
he catches the poor when he draws him into his net.  So he
crouches, he lies low, that the helpless may fall by his
strength.  He has said in his heart, "God has forgotten;
He hides His face;  He will never see."  Arise, O LORD!
O God, lift up Your hand!  Do not forget the humble.  Why
do the wicked renounce God?  He has said in his heart,
"You will not require  an account.  But You have seen, for
You observe trouble and grief, to repay  it  by Your hand.
The helpless commits himself to You;  You are the helper
of the fatherless.  Break the arm of the wicked and the evil
man ;  seek out his wickedness  until  You find none.  The
LORD  is  King forever and ever;  the nations have perished
out of His land.  LORD, You have heard the desire of the 
humble;  You will prepare their heart;  You will cause Your
ear to hear, to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,
that the man of the earth may oppress no more. 
Psalm 10 ; NKJV

     LORD, please help Your Church walk in Your quality
     of  patience.  Help us  yield  to  Your  timing on things,
     including  Your  timing concerning  end of days  matters.
     We dare not sin and  blame You  - Job 1:22 - as wicked-
     ness abounds.  In this context, O LORD, we do thank 
     You for allowing us to share our concerns like the
     author of Psalm 10 does.  Help us balance this matter
     in accord with Your holy Word.  Even so, please come
     Lord Jesus.  Amen


          Praise You In This Storm *

I was sure by now
God, You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say, "Amen" and it's still rainin'

Well, as the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I'll raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
And raised me up again
But my strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You?

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I'll raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
(I lift my eyes unto the hills)
(Where does my help come from?)

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
And though my heart is torn (Though my heart is torn)
I'll praise You in this storm (Praise You in this storm)

*  From  Casting Crowns'  album,  Lifesong  (2005)
    Lyrics by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms 

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Week of 2/22-26  (B8;2021)

God's  JOY  Remains  Our  Strength

The king shall have  joy  in Your strength, O LORD;
And in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!
You have given him his heart's desire, and have not
withheld the request of his lips.                         Selah
For You meet him with the blessings of goodness;
You set a crown of pure gold upon his head.  He asked
life from You, and  You gave  it  to him - length of days
forever and ever.  His glory  is  great in Your salvation;
Honor and majesty You have placed upon him.  For You
have made him most blessed forever;  You have made
him  exceedingly glad  with Your presence.  For the king
trusts in the LORD, and through the mercy of the Most
High he shall not be moved. 
Your hand will find all Your enemies;  Your right hand
will find those who hate You.  You shall make them as
a fiery oven in the time of Your anger;  the LORD shall
swallow them up in His wrath, and the fire shall devour
them.  Their offspring You shall destroy from the earth,
and their descendants from among the sons of men.  
For they intended evil against You;  they devised a plot
which  they are not able  to perform.  Therefore You will
make them turn their back;  You will make ready  Your
arrows  on Your string toward their faces.  Be exalted,
O LORD, in Your own strength!  We will sing and praise
Your power.              Psalm 21 ; NKJV ; emphases ours

And, in the context of  WHY  there was reason for JOY
in the hearts of God's people (see Nehemiah 8)  ...

" ... the joy of the LORD is your strength."     Neh. 8:10c

Please read Psalm 63 as it serves as our  prayer  in this blog.
(Note verses 3 & 4:  "Because Your loving kindness is better
than life, my lips shall praise You.  Thus I will bless You while 
I live.  I will lift up my hands in Your name.")

     Prayer:  Psalm 63

          Thy Loving Kindness *

Thy loving kindness is better than life.   (repeat)
My lips shall praise Thee, thus will I bless Thee,
I will lift up my hands unto Thy name.

*   Words by Hugh Mitchell - now in  joyful  glory (1914 - 2014)
     Song copyright:  1956 ; 1984 (renewal)

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Week of 3/1-5  (B9;2021)

Jesus Christ's  Three-Part  Soon Return

(The following passages are taken from the NKJV.)

Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven,
and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they
will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven
with power and great glory.  ...  Then the sky receded
as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and
island was moved out of its place.  And the kings of the
earth, great men, the rich men, the commanders, the
mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid them-
selves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains,
and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and
hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and
from the wrath of the Lamb!  For the great day of His
wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”
Mt. 24:30 ; Rev. 6:14-17

And He will send His angels with a great sound of a
trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from
the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
...  Behold, I tell you a mystery:  We shall not all
sleep, but we shall be changed – in a moment, in the
twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.  For the
trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised in-
corruptible, and we shall be changed.  ...  But I do
not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning
those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as
others who have no hope.  For if we believe that
Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring
with Him those who sleep in Jesus.  For this we say
to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive
and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no
means precede those who are asleep.  For the Lord
Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with
the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of
God.  And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we
who are alive and remain shall be caught up together
with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
And thus we shall always be with the Lord.  There-
fore comfort one another with these words.  ...  Then
the seventh angel sounded:  And there were loud
voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this
world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of
His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”  And
the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their
thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying,
“We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, the One
who is and who was and who is to come, because You
have taken Your great power and reigned.  The nations
were angry, and Your wrath has come, and the time of
the dead, that they should be judged, and that You
should reward Your servants the prophets and the
saints, and those who fear Your name, small and
great, and should destroy those who destroy the earth.”
Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and
the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple.  And
there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, and earth-
quake, and great hail.  ...  Then I looked, and behold,
a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son
of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in
His hand a sharp sickle.  And another angel came out
of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who
sat on the cloud, “Thrust in Your sickle and reap,
for the time has come for You to reap, for the har-
vest of the earth is ripe.”  So He who sat on the
cloud trust in His sickle on the earth, and the
earth was reaped.    Mt. 24:31; I Cor. 15:51, 52 ;
I Thes. 4:13-18 ; Rev. 11:15-19 & 14:14-16

When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the
holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of
His glory.  ...  Now I saw heaven opened, and behold,
a white horse.  And He who sat on him was called
Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and
makes war.  His eyes were like a flame of fire, and
on His head were many crowns.  He had a name
written that no one knew except Himself.  He was
clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is
called The Word of God.  And the armies in heaven,
clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him
on white horses.  Now out of His mouth goes a sharp
sword, that with it He should strike the nations.  And
He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron.  He
Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and
wrath of Almighty God.  And He has on His robe
and on His thigh a name written:  KING OF KINGS
AND LORD OF LORDS.  Then I saw an angel
standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice,
saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven,
“Come and gather together for the supper of the great
God, that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of
captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses
and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of
all people, free and slave, both small and great.”
And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and
their armies, gathered together to make war against
Him who sat on the horse and against His army.
Then the beast was captured, and with him the
false prophet who worked signs in his presence,
by which he deceived those who received the mark
of the beast and those who worshiped his image.
These two were cast alive into the lake of fire
burning with brimstone.  And the rest were killed
with the sword which proceeded from the mouth
of Him who sat on the horse.  And all the birds
were filled with their flesh.    Mt. 25:31; Rev. 19:11-21

     Father God, we thank You for the Blessed Hope of Your Son's
     glorious soon return - however that will unfold.  Thank You for
     making end-time  mysteries  known  ...  in Your time.  May we 
     heed Your end-time instruction, including both  thematic  and
     chronological  appeals.  May  blessed hope  in Your Son's 
     return help guard us as we  endure to the end.  May we be
     praising You in  psalms, hymns and spiritual songs  as we 
     persevere through these opportunity-filled  end of days. 
     Unto Your glory and praise, in Jesus Christ's name we pray,
     amen. 

          It Is Well With My Soul *

When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll,
Whatever my lot Thou hast taught me to say,
"It is well, it is well with my soul."

     It is well  
            it is well,
     With my soul!
            with my soul!
     It is well, it is well, with my soul!

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

     [ Refrain ]

My sin - O the bliss of this glorious thought - 
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more.
Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, O my soul!

     [ Refrain ]

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll!
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend!
Even so - it is well with my soul. 

*  Words by Horatio G. Spafford, 1828-1888  [as presented in
    the hymnbook,  Rejoice Hymns  - 2011]  (bold emphasis ours)

P.S.
Our  3-part  proposal concerning the  2nd Coming  of Jesus Christ
is charted  here  and is illustrated (in song)  here.  Also look over
some of our other handouts:  On  Themes  ;  On  Chronology - also
posted on our  Gift Page.  IF you are currently  not  enjoying the 
heavenly blessings in Christ Jesus, please  Click Here. 

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Week of 3/8-12  (B10;2021)

Celebrating God's Ongoing Faithfulness

I will bless the LORD at all times;  His praise  shall  continually
be  in my mouth.  My soul shall make its boast in the LORD;
the humble shall hear  of it  and be glad.  Oh, magnify the LORD
with me, and let us exalt His name together.  I sought the LORD,
and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.  They
looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard  him,  and saved
Him out of all his troubles.  The angel of the LORD encamps all
around those who fear Him, and delivers them.  Oh, taste and see
that the LORD  is  good;  blessed  is  the man  who  trusts in Him!
Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints!  There is  no want to those who
fear Him.  The young lions lack and suffer hunger;  but those who
seek the LORD shall not lack any good  thing.  Come, you children,
listen to me;  I will teach you the fear of the LORD.  Who  is  the
man  who  desires life, and loves  many  days, that he may see
good?  Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking
deceit.  Depart from evil and do good;  seek peace and pursue it.
The eyes of the LORD  are  on the righteous, and His ears  are
open  to their cry.  The face of the LORD  is  against those who 
do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.  The
righteous  cry out, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of
all their troubles.  The LORD  is  near to those who have a broken
heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.  Many  are  the
inflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them
all.  He guards all his bones;  not one of them is broken.  Evil 
shall slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous shall be
condemned.  The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, and
none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.  
Psalm 34 ; NKJV

     
     LORD, as we continue pondering Your greatness, we are thankful
     that You are faithful to Your Word.  Thank You for honoring Your
     full revelation - Counsel to us, second to none.  LORD, thank You
     for also being faithful to Yourself.  In Your expressions of faithful-
     ness, we especially praise You for the victory You gained at the
     cross and in Your Son's resurrection.  Nothing, nothing, absolutely
     nothing, compares to this redemptive act - Your eternal expression
     of love for mankind.  Your active demonstration of Your character -
     God is love - humbles us, LORD.  May we be, in Christ, like Thee.
     In Jesus Christ's holy name we pray, amen.

          Great Is Thy Faithfulness *

Great is Thy faithfulness,"  O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

     "Great is Thy faithfulness!  Great is Thy faithfulness!"
      Morning by morning new mercies I see;
      All I have needed Thy hand hath provided - 
     "Great is Thy faithfulnes,"  Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter, and spring time and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

     [ Refrain ]

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!      

     "Great is Thy faithfulness!  Great is Thy faithfulness!"
      Morning by morning new mercies I see;
      All I have needed Thy hand hath provided - 
     "Great is Thy faithfulnes,"  Lord, unto me!

*  1923 lyrics by Thomas O. Chishom  1866 - 1960

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Week of 3/15-19 ... including 3:16  (B11;2021)

Foolish  Apostasy

O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your wrath, nor chasten me
in Your hot displeasure!  For Your arrows pierce me deeply,
and Your hand presses me down.  There is  no soundness in
my flesh because of Your anger, nor  any  health in my bones
because of my sin.  For my iniquities have gone over my head;
like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me.  My wounds are
foul and festering because of my foolishness.  I am troubled,
I bowed down greatly;  I go mourning all the day long.  For my
loins are full of inflamation, and  there is  no soundness in
my flesh.  I am feeble and serverely broken;  I groan because
of the turmoil of my heart.  Lord, all my desire  is  before You;
and my sighing is not hidden from You.  My heart pants, my
strength fails me;  as for the light of my eyes, it also has gone
from me.  My loved ones and my friends stand aloof from my
plague, and my relatives stand afar off.  Those also who seek
my life lay snares  for me;  those who seek my hurt speak of
destruction, and plan deception all the day long.  But I, like a
deaf  man,  do not hear;  and  I am  like a mute  who  does
not open his mouth.  Thus I am like a man who does not hear,
and in whose mouth  is  no response.  For in You, O LORD,
I hope;  You will hear, O Lord my God.  For I said, "Hear me,
lest they rejoice over me, lest, when my foot slips, they exalt
themselves  against me."  For I  am  ready to fall, and my
sorrow  is  continually before me.  For I will declare my iniquity;
I will be in anguish over my sin.  But my enemies  are  vig-
orous, and  they are strong;  and those who hate me wrong-
fully have multiplied.  Those also who render evil for good,
they are my adversaries, because I follow  what is  good.
Do not forsake me, O LORD;  O my God, be not far from 
me!  Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!
Psalm 38 (NKJV ; bold emphases ours ; also see Daniel 9)

     Precious Lord God Most High, we praise Your holy name.
     Thank You for the glorious VICTORY we find in Christ 
     Jesus Your beloved Son.  Thank You for His death and
     resurrection  and  for gracing those who truly believe
     with the same victory over sin and its fruit, eternal death.
     Yet, Lord, we confess our foolishness in going back to the
     pig pen - back to our vomit.  Thank You for Your patient
     mercies, new every morning.  Lord, we are weak and
     stumble so easily.  Help us  to be in anguish over our
     sin.  Help us to see more clearly how our sins grieve
     Your Holy Spirit within us - Lord, how our rebellious acts
     undermine Your Spirit's help.  God forbid we quench one
     very means You graciously provide toward walking fruit-
     fully unto Your glory and praise.  And Lord, as our enemies
     contend against us, strengthen us, we pray.  Guard us 
     against giving up, for to do so would indeed be foolish.
     Yes, Lord,  to give up I'd be a fool  ...  You are my all in all.
     In Christ Jesus' holy name we pray, amen. 

          You Are My Strength When I Am Weak * 

You are my strength when I am weak;
You are the  treasure  that I seek.
You are my all in all.
Seeking You as a precious jewel;
Lord to give up, I'd be a fool.
You are my all in all.  

     Jesus, Lamb of God, worthy is Your name.
     Jesus, Lamb of God, worthy is Your name.

Taking my sin, my cross, my shame;
Rising again, I bless Your name.
You are my all in all.
When I fall down You pick me up;
When I am dry You fill my cup.
You are my all in all.

     Jesus, Lamb of God, worthy is Your name.
     Jesus, Lamb of God, worthy is Your name.

*  Lyrics by Dennis Jernigan ;  bold emphasis ours

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