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B12A - December, 2021
God's Miraculous Word - Part 5
Psalm 11:3 ; I Corinthians 1:18-31 (NKJV)
If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent." Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His pre- sence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God - and righteousness and sancti- fication and redemption - that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD."
LORD God, by grace we continue in thanks-giving. For Your loving generosity, we give You praise. As we persist in Christ, may our expressions of ongoing thanks-living include this prayer song ...
Glorify Thy Name *
Father, we love You, We worship and adore You. Glorify Thy name in all the earth. Glorfy Thy name, glorify Thy name, Glorify Thy name in all the earth.
[ Optional verses: Jesus, we love You ... Spirit, we love You ... ]
May the Lord grant us His wisdom to discern the foolish deceptions the world is currently offering to those who walk in bondage to the evil one. May we be God's lights, pointing folks to the way, the truth and the life - Jesus Christ. What freedom indeed - John 8:31, 32
* Lyrics by Donna Adkins ; 1976
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B11B – November, 2021
God's Miraculous Word - Part 4
Psalm 118:8, 9 ; Proverbs 3:5, 6 ; I Corinthians 3:16-21a (NKJV)
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their own craftiness" and again, "The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile." Therefore let no one boast in men.
You alone, oh God Most High, are worthy of praise. Thank You for inviting us to be more like You - what a high calling! As Romans 8 says, Lord God, please continue conforming us into the image of Your dear Son. In His name, in Christ Jesus' name we pray, amen.
Open Our Eyes *
Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus, to reach out and touch Him, and say that we love Him. Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen, open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus.
Open my eyes, Lord, I need to see Jesus,
to reach out and touch Him, and say that I love Him. Open my ears, Lord, and help me to listen, open my eyes, Lord, I need to see Jesus.
May the Lord open our eyes to His clear Truths. May He do so to the extent we discern dark culture** and see His glorious Truths forever settled in heaven.
* Lyrics by Bob Cull ; 1976
** FULL link to relevant article:
http://truthfoundations.org/truth%20matters!%208.pdf
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B11A – November, 2021
God's Miraculous Word - Part 3
Isaiah 40:6-8 ; I Peter 1:22-25 ; II Peter 1:16-21 (NKJV)
The voice said, "Cry out!" And he said, "What shall I cry?" "All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, because the breath of the LORD blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever.
Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because "All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the LORD endures forever." Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.
For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. And so we have the prophetic word confirmed [ or, We also have the more sure prophetic word], which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
Glorious Word of God, we exalt and honor You. In so doing, Lord Jesus, we honor Your Father ... our Father. Incarnate Word of God, we give You thanks for You. We also give thanks for what You graciously extend to us - all the heavenly blessings. Thank You for Your kind mercy Lord. Thank You for safeguarding Your written Word. We praise You that it's eternal, most unlike the temporary words of man. What a con- trast You and Your Word are to that of man and his/her words! Merciful everlasting Father, help us better accept Your written revelation concerning these end of days. Because of the full Counsel therein, help us ever sing: In Your time, in Your time, You make all things beautiful, in Your time! In Jesus Christ's name, amen.
In His Time *
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 makes all things beautiful in Your time. Lord my life to You I bring, may each song I have to sing, be to You a lovely thing in Your time.
May the Lord grant us patient endurance until He sees fulfilled, all that is written in the Bible - His holy Word to us - concerning the days just prior to His initial appearing.
* Lyrics by Diane Ball ; 1978
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B10B – October, 2021
God's Miraculous Word - Part 2
Isaiah 55:8-11 ; Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV)
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts higher than your thoughts. For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of the soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Lord Jesus, thank You for securing Your earthly ministries by placing revelation of them in Your Word. We praise You that Your perfect act of love - Your sacrificial atonement - is recorded. THANK YOU. Thank You, too, for informing us about end time things, some of which bear eternal conse- quence. Increase our faith Lord, please. And Lord, please be honored in this song of testimony as we pray it through song ...
My Faith Has Found A Resting Place *
My faith has found a resting place - not in device or creed; I trust the Ever-living One - His wounds for me shall plead.
I need no other argument, I need no other plea: It is enough that Jesus died, and that He died for me.
Enough for me that Jesus saves - this ends my fear and doubt; A sinful soul I come to Him - He'll never cast me out.
I need no other argument, I need no other plea: It is enough that Jesus died, and that He died for me.
My heart is leaning on the Word - the written Word of God: Salvation by my Savior's name - salvation thru His blood.
I need no other argument, I need no other plea: It is enough that Jesus died, and that He died for me.
My great Physician heals the sick - the lost He came to save; For me His precious blood He shed - for me His life He gave.
I need no other argument, I need no other plea: It is enough that Jesus died, and that He died for me.
* Lyrics by Lidie Edmunds
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B10A – October, 2021
God's Miraculous Word - Part 1
Psalm 119:89, 160 ; II Timothy 3:16, 17 (NKJV)
Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. ... The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Holy Father God, we praise You for Your loving expressions of love for us through Your generous communication to us. Thank You for Your Word. We exalt You for Your Word Incarnate - Jesus Christ. We exalt You for Your written Word - the Bible. Lord, in troubled days - like those highlighted in Judges 10 [see verses 10, 15, 16] - we humble ourselves and con- fess our contemporary compromises. We thank You for reconciliation in Your beloved Son, Christ Jesus. And Lord, thank You for Your Counsel as to living in Your provisions through the perfect storm which has recently begun. Receive our testimony, please, as sincere expression of thanksgiving and praise:
A Shelter in the Time of Storm *
The Lord's our Rock, in Him we hide, a shelter in the time of storm; Secure whatever ill betide, a shelter in the time of storm.
O, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land, a weary land, a weary land; O, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land, a shelter in the time of storm.
A shade by day, defense by night, a shelter in the time of storm; No fears alarm, no foes affright, a shelter in the time of storm.
Refrain
The raging storms may round us beat, a shelter in the time of storm; We'll never leave our safe retreat, a shelter in the time of storm.
Refrain
O Rock divine, O Refuge dear, a shelter in the time of storm. Be Thou our helper ever near, a shelter in the time of storm.
* Lyrics by Vernon Charlesworth
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B9B – September, 2021
Contemporary Expressions Of Bible Accuracy - Part 6
II Thessalonians 2:1-12 (NKJV)
Now brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be con- demned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Oh glorious One, we exalt You and You alone. Thank You for Your gracious window of opportunity to say “YES” to You. As occurred the days of Noah, Your loving, mercy-filled invitation is in the process of closing. Lord, help the lost to say yes to You concerning the gift of Your beloved Son before it’s too late. Lord, You further hard- ened the heart of Pharaoh in the days of Moses. Please open the eyes of the lost to Your Truth found here in II Thes. 2 – that if they persist in rejecting Your kind salvation offer, You will give them over to their hearts’ desire – life without You – whereby they will be further deceived by “strong delusion” currently unfolding. And Lord, thank You for hiding the souls of those who are truly Yours. In Jesus Christ’s holy name we pray, amen.
He Hideth My Soul *
A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord, a wonderful Savior to me. He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock where rivers of pleasure I see.
He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock that shadows a dry, thirsty land; He hideth my life in the depths of His love and covers me there with His hand, and covers me there with His hand.
A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord, He taketh my burden away. He holdeth me up, and I shall not be moved; He giveth me strength as my day.
Refrain
With numberless blessings each moment He crowns; and filled with His fullness divine, I sing in my rapture, “Oh, glory to God, for such a Redeemer as mine!”
Refrain
When clothed in His brightness, transported I rise to meet Him in the clouds of the sky; His perfect salvation, His wonderful love, I’ll shout with the millions on high.
Refrain
* Lyrics by Fanny Crosby (1820 -1915)
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B9A - September, 2021
Contemporary Expressions Of Bible Accuracy - Part 5
Matthew 24:9-14 (NKJV)
Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you,
and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
(Also see Revelation 2 & 3)
Dear Supreme Shepherd, as Your sheep we humbly bow as we enter Your glorious presence through Your Lamb - the Lamb of God - Christ Jesus. THANK YOU for the gracious warnings within these passages. We are better protected as we embrace Your perspective in these end of days. Please deliver us from evil Lord Jesus. Please come quickly. Until then, may we bear fruit as we walk in Your Spirit, fruit which glorifies Your holy name. In Jesus' name, amen.
God Will Make A Way *
God will make a way where there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see; He will make a way for me. He will be my guide, hold me closely to His side. With love and strength for each new day, He will make a way, He will make a way.
* Lyrics by Don Moen ; 1990
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B8B - August, 2021
Contemporary Expressions Of Bible Accuracy - Part 4
Luke 12:35-43 (NKJV)
Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. And if he should come in the
second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. There- fore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Then Peter said to Him, "Lord, do You speak this
parable only to us, or to all people ? And the Lord said, "Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.
Precious Father God, Your expressed protective love for Your lambs in Christ Jesus is amazing. Thank You for graciously enlightening us concerning how we should be living in these days just prior to Your Son's initial appearing. May we rely on Your Holy Spirit to be those stewards who are watchful. In Jesus Christ's dear name we pray, amen.
Change My Heart O God *
Change my heart, O God,
make it ever true; Change my heart, O God, may I be like You.
You are the Potter, I am the clay; Mold me and make me, this is what I pray.
Change my heart, O God,
make it ever true; Change my heart, O God, may I be like You.
* Lyrics by Eddie Espinosa ; 1982
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B8A - August, 2021
Contemporary Expressions Of Bible Accuracy - Part 3
Matthew 24:4-9 ; Revelation 6:1-6 (NKJV)
And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake."
Now I [John the Apostle] saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, "Come and see." And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, "Come and see." Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword. When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come and see." So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius [approximately one day's wage], and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine."
We are grateful, to You Lord Jesus, for revealing information to us that is most contemporary. Lord, as the conquering continues, as peace continues to be taken from the earth and as the weakening of monetary systems continues to contribute to further scarcity of food and higher prices, we thank You for Your Counsel prior to these things whereby we can watch and be prepared as Your wise virgins - Mt. 25. We honor and praise Your great name. Amen
I Wish We'd All Been Ready *
Life was filled with guns and war And everyone got trampled on the floor: I wish we'd all been ready. Children died, the days grew cold A piece of bread could buy a bag of gold: I wish we'd all been ready.
There's no time to change your mind The Son has come and you've been left behind.
A man and wife asleep in bed She hears a noise and turns her head, he's gone: I wish we'd all been ready. Two men walking up a hill One disappears and one's left standing still: I wish we'd all been ready.
There's no time to change your mind The Son has come and you've been left behind.
Life was filled with guns and war And everyone got trampled on the floor: I wish we'd all been ready. Children died, the days grew cold A piece of bread could buy a bag of gold: I wish we'd all been ready.
There's no time to change your mind How could you have been so blind?
The Father spoke, the demons dined The Son has come and you've been left behind ... you've been left behind ... you've been left behind.
Song by Larry Norman (April 8, 1947 - February 24, 2008)
* Lyrics taken from a published YouTube.com concert posted on 10/17/2006 by Rick Vaughn. This song can also be found on Larry Norman's albums: Upon This Rock (1969) and Only Visiting This Planet (1972).
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B7B - July, 2021
Contemporary Expressions Of Bible Accuracy - Part 2
II Timothy 4:1-5 ; II Peter 2:1-3 (NKJV)
I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heep up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destruc- tive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destrctive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.
Holy Tri-une God, we exalt Your glorious, most precious name together. Your pertinent Counsel to us today is amazing! THANK YOU for Your generous, protective love as our heavenly Shepherd through Your revelation to us in these dark, end of days. In Jesus Christ's name we pray dear Most High God.
Spirit of the Living God *
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me. Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me. Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.
* Lyrics by Daniel Iverson ; 1935
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B7A - July, 2021
Contemporary Expressions Of Bible Accuracy - Part 1
I Timothy 4:1 ; II Timothy 3:1-5 (NKJV)
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons ...
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, with- out self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of god- liness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
Father God, we praise You for Your glorious Word. Thank You for Your kind, eternal Word Incarnate - God with us. It's in His holy name we pray. Thank You for Your written Word - the Bible [Old and New Testaments]. Lord, as we conclude this prayer, we sing ...
Thy Word *
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. When I feel afraid, think I've lost my way, still You're there right beside me. And nothing will I fear as long as You are near. Please be near me to the end.
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. I will not forget Your love for me, and yet my heart forever is wandering. Jesus, be my guide and hold me to Your side, and I will love You to the end.
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
* Song by Amy Grant & Michael W. Smith ; 1984
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