Deuteronomy 16:22 Neither shalt thou set thee up any image; which the LORD thy God hateth.
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We worship God in spirit and in truth in the church today as Jesus said to do.
John 4
19 The woman saith unto HIM (to Jesus), Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.
20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
23 But
the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship
the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to
worship HIM.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship HIM must worship HIM in spirit and in truth.
1.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.
Chorus:
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy WORD hath provided— Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
2.Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest, Sun, moon and stars in their courses above, Join with all nature in manifold witness To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
3.Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
(Click pause symbol, " ... at beginning of hymn, to stop music)
*****
Scriptures pertaining to this hymn:
James 1:17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. ***
Genesis 8:22While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. God set all things in the solar system and they are faithful to continue in the commandment of God. We see the faithfulness of God's word day by day as the seasons continue and as the sun is visible day by day. As God is faithful in this word, we can have faith God will perform every word HE has given us.
The children of Israel served the Egyptians for 400 years until God brought them out of their bondage.
Deuteronomy 15:15And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee:
We once served this world and the ideas and goals of the flesh of man, but God redeemed us also from the bondage of the flesh.
Now we are a new creature, born again by God, and we serve God now doing the will of God.
I Corinthians 6
9
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?
Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor
effeminate (homosexuals), nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And
such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye
are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our
God.
Romans 6
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into HIS death?
4
Therefore we are buried with HIM by baptism into death: that like as
Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so
we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of HIS death, we shall be also in the likeness of HIS resurrection:
6
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with HIM, that the body of
sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with HIM:
Even
on this earth today, we live with Christ as we follow the Holy Spirit
of God, keeping our flesh crucified, not allowing our flesh to do what
it wants to do but causing our flesh to be dead by following that which
the Holy Spirit of God brings to our mind in the specific situations of
this life.
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Before
God revealed HIMSELF to us we were in bondage, serving the desires of
our own flesh and mind, and serving the god of this present world.
Then
when God opened our eyes to HIMSELF we were changed instantly from
serving ourselves and this world and we were recreated, born again, as
new creatures who now serve God and desire things of God.
Salvation is of God.
God opened our eyes to see and revealed HIMSELF to us showing us truth.
And God changed us.
II Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
And
we are grateful to God for saving us for we know we didn't do anything
to deserve salvation. We are saved by God because it was the will of
God for us to be saved.
God
opened our eyes to see and gave us understanding concerning things of
God and we were born again by God giving us HIS Holy Spirit to live in
us and to teach and guide us in all things.
From
within we are changed by God by HIS Spirit. It is not that we change
ourselves by learning but rather God changes us by giving us HIS
understanding.
Therefore we continually thank God for saving us!
It is not what we did but what God did.
So instead of being self righteous by our works, our righteousness is of God through His will for us.
Gratitude instead of pride is the fruit when we understand God chose us.
Salvation is of God, not by our own will or works.
God chose us and gave us understanding and opened our eyes so we could see things of God.
When HE caused us to see, we were born again, believing that which HE told us.
This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long. This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long.
2.Perfect submission, perfect delight, Visions of rapture now burst on my sight; Angels descending, bring from above Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
3.Perfect submission, all is at rest, I in my Savior am happy and blest; Watching and waiting, looking above, Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
(Click pause symbol, " ... at beginning of hymn, to stop music)
*****
Scriptures pertaining to this hymn:
v. 2Angels descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love. Work of Angels: Bible examples
Angels come down from heaven as commanded by God to do various works of God according to the will of God.
* An angel of the Lord told Zacharias that
his wife Elisabeth would bear a son and they were to call his name John. Luke 1:11-15 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him,Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
***
Luke 1:39-44
Mary, who is carrying Jesus in her womb, visits her cousin,
Elizabeth, who is carrying John the Baptist in her womb ... The baby,
John the Baptist, is filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb
as soon as Mary with the baby Jesus enter the room ...
And
Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste,
into a city of Juda; And entered into the house of Zacharias, and
saluted Elisabeth. 41And
it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the
babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
And
she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among
women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
***
Luke 1:16-17 ... concerning John the Baptist ... And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
And he shall go before HIM (before Jesus) in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
***
* The angel Gabriel was sent to Mary to tell her she would have a son and to call His name Jesus. Luke 1:26-38 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
And the angel said unto her,Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call His name Jesus.
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the
Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David:
And HE shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of HIS kingdom there shall be no end.
Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
And the angel answered and said unto her,The
Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall
overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of
thee shall be called the Son of God.
And,
behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old
age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
For with God nothing shall be impossible.
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.
And the angel departed from her.
***
* An angel told Joseph not to fear to take Mary for his wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
Matthew 1:18-25 Now
the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as His mother Mary was
espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child
of the Holy Ghost.
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for HE shall save His people from their sins.
Now
all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the
Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and
shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which
being interpreted is, God with us.
Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called His name Jesus.
***
* An angel of the Lord told the
shepherds that the Savior, Christ the Lord, had been born and they could
find Him in a manger in Bethlehem.
Luke 2:8-15 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them,Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
***
* An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream to tell him to take Mary and Jesus and flee into Egypt and to remain in Egypt until the angel gave him word to return.
Matthew 2:13-14And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream,saying,
Arise, and take the young child and His mother, and flee into Egypt,
and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young
child to destroy Him.
When he arose, he took the young child and His mother by night, and departed into Egypt
***
* Later an angel told Joseph to return into the land of Israel for the ruler who wanted to kill the baby Jesus was now dead.
Matthew 2:19-21But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying,
Arise, and take the young child and His mother, and go into the land of
Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.
And he arose, and took the young child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.
***
* When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by Satan 40-days, angels ministered to Him.
Mark 1:12-13 And immediately the spirit driveth Him (Jesus) into the wilderness.
And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts;and the angels ministered unto Him.
***
* An angel of God moved the great stone which sealed the tomb of Jesus.
Matthew 28:2And, behold, there was a
great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and
came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
***
* An angel of God came down from heaven to free Peter from prison.
Acts 12:1-11Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
And
when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to
four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to
bring him forth to the people.
Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
And
when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was
sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers
before the door kept the prison.
And,
behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the
prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise
up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.
When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.
And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now
I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath
delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of
the people of the Jews.
***
* An angel delivered a message to the apostle Paul, telling Paul no harm would come to him and those on the ship.
Acts 27:18-25And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.
And
when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest
lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
But
after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said,
Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete,
and to have gained this harm and loss.
And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.
For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
***
Genesis 28:10-12
And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. And he
lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the
sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for
his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
Angels descend, carrying messages from God and doing works of God.
Then angels go back to heaven where God assigns them as He wills.
***
Psalm 103:20Bless the Lord, ye His angels, that excel in strength, that do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His word.
***
(Comments
by Joan Boney ...) The night of January 10, 1980, I was asleep and
awakened by a very loud trumpet-like voice which blew 3 words into my
ear as follows: "Hartford, Seattle, KWJS" ... I believe this to have been an angel of God speaking to me.
By this and through prayer, I came to believe God was leading me to go
on radio. Within about 5 days of this word, I was broadcasting
exhortations week-days on KWJS radio. Within a year I was on radio
stations from NYC (Hartford) to Seattle.
***
Psalm 104:4 Who maketh His angels spirits; His ministers a flaming fire:
***
Exodus 23:20-25 God says: Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for MY name (the Word) is in him. But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.
For
Mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorites,
and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites,
and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off. Thou
shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their
works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their
images. And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and HE shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.
***
Notice how angels deliver messages from God to individuals. Angels also do great works. It was an angel who moved the large stone from the front of the tomb of Jesus.
***
It is not so much delighting in the fact that an angel appeared to you but rather delighting and following that wordwhich the angel of God delivered to you.
Deuteronomy 14:2 For
thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen
thee to be a peculiar people unto HIMSELF, above all the nations that
are upon the earth.
The children of Israel were chosen by God to be HIS people in the Old Testament.
Noah found grace in the sight of God and God saved Noah from the great flood.
Abraham was chosen by God and was given promises concerning the nations that were to come from him.
Genesis 12:1-4 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get
thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's
house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a
great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou
shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
4 So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him;
And God gave promises to both Isaac and Jacob, Abraham's son and grandson.
God spoke to them also and made HIMSELF known.
To Isaac, God said:Go not down into Egypt; dwell into the land which I shall tell thee of: Sojourn
in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto
thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will
perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father; And
I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give
unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations
of the earth be blessed; Because that Abraham obeyed MY voice, and kept MY charge, MY commandments, MY statutes, and MY laws. (Genesis 26:2-5)
God revealed HIMSELF to Jacob: And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. And
he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because
the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them
for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.
And
he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it
reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending
on it.
And,
behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham
thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee
will I give it, and to thy seed; And
thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread
abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south:
and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be
blessed. And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places
whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will
not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.
(Genesis 28:10-15)
Later Jacob was renamed by God as Israel. HIS 12 sons were the children of Israel, the 12 tribes of Israel.
To Joseph,
one of the 12 sons, God revealed HIMSELF by dreams. His brothers hated
Joseph because the dreams showed Joseph ruling over them. So they sold
Joseph into bondage and Joseph was taken down into Egypt before the
great famine came on the earth. God gave wisdom to Joseph and therefore all that Joseph did prospered above all men. Pharaoh saw this and made Joseph a ruler in Egypt, 2nd only to himself.
70 men were the number of the children of Israel who went down into Egypt at the time of the great famine.
The
generations of the children of Israel spent 430 years in Egypt and when
they were delivered from Egypt by God, their number of men above the
age of 20 was 603,550. (Exodus 38:26)
Even under the years of adversity in Egypt, God multiplied them greatly as God said he would do in HIS promises to Abraham.
In all this we see when God reveals HIMSELF to an individual, God becomes their God.
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In
the New Testament, God chose people to Himself and opened their eyes to
see things of God and caused those individuals to be born again and God
put HIS name on them and gave each of them HIS Holy Spirit to teach
them and guide them and show them things to come. (Jn. 14:26 & Jn. 16:13)
The apostle Peter says:
I Peter 2
9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a
peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of HIM who hath
called you out of darkness into HIS marvellous light:
(We
were "chosen" by God for salvation and God "called" us out of darkness
by HIS Word and God opened our eyes so we could see the Word of God and
we were "born again" by the Spirit of God.)
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
The apostle Paul explains: For HE saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. (Romans 9:15-16)
God
causes us to be born again as HIS own children. We no longer serve
this world as we once did but now God frees us so that we can serve
HIM. We are delivered by God and redeemed by God by the will of God.
God opens our eyes to see things of the kingdom of God. God causes us
to believe the Word.
Romans 6
20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
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God speaks to us individually, we are called by God, and changed into new people by God.
The apostle Paul:And
as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round
about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou ME? (Acts 9:3-4)
Paul was traveling with several men and they saw that bright light and heard a voice speaking from heaven but saw no man and it was Paul (Saul) Jesus called by name.
And Paul explains that Jesus said to him: But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose,
to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou
hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To
open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the
power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and
inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in ME. (Acts 26:16-18)
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Joan Boney:I was in my bedroom when God said to me by HIS Spirit: "Joan ... you know all those mistakes you've been making all these years. Those weren't mistakes. Those were sins."(August 5, 1975)
I was changed immediately, born again, chosen by God, even named by name by God.
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Pam Padgett: A
schoolmate was killed on a motorcycle. When this happened, Pam, for
the first time, realized someone her age could die. (God opened Pam's
understanding to see this.) Also Pam knew nothing she had learned in
the Catholic church could save her. Only God could save her. (God
showed her this truth.) So Pam called out to God asking God to save
her.
Many
people in Pam's circle heard of this boy being killed on a motorcycle
but there is no evidence that any of those people understood they could
also be killed and only God could save them.
God chose Pam among all those people and God revealed truth to Pam and cause her to turn to HIM.
Salvation is being chosen by God to salvation.
Acts 13:48and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
God chooses each individual and opens the understanding for that individual and then that individual believes to salvation.
It is not that we choose God but rather God chooses us.
Thus the apostle Paul says:
Romans 9:18Therefore hath HE mercy on whom HE will have mercy, and whom HE will HE hardeneth.
We are the chosen people of God as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the children of Israel were the chosen people of God.
And God reveals HIMSELF to us who are HIS chosen as HE revealed HIMSELF to those in the Old Testament who are HIS chosen.
Acts 2:47And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Understanding
is from God. God opens our eyes and then we believe and understand.
It is not of our own thinking that we understand. God causes us to
understand and to believe HIS Word. Thus salvation is of God and we are
chosen by God.
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Ephesians 1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath
blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 According as HE hath chosen us in HIM before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before HIM in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of HIS will,
6 To the praise of the glory of HIS grace, wherein HE hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In WHOM we have redemption through HIS blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of HIS grace;
8 Wherein HE hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
9 Having made known unto us the mystery of HIS will, according to HIS good pleasure which HE hath purposed in Himself:
10
That in the dispensation of the fulness of times HE might gather
together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and
which are on earth; even in HIM:
11 In WHOM also we have obtained
an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of HIM who
worketh all things after the counsel of HIS own will:
12 That we should be to the praise of HIS glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13 In WHOM ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in WHOM also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of HIS glory.
1.Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand, The shadow of a mighty Rock Within a weary land; A home within the wilderness, A rest upon the way, From the burning of the noontide heat, And the burden of the day.
2.Oh, safe and happy shelter! Oh, refuge tried and sweet! Oh, trysting place where heaven’s love And heaven’s justice meet *. As to the holy patriarch That wondrous dream was given, So is my Savior by the cross A ladder up to heaven.
3.There lies beneath its shadow, But on the farther side, The darkness of an awful grave That gapes both deep and wide; And there between us stands the cross, Two arms outstretched to save, Like a watchman set to guard the way From that eternal grave.
4. Upon that cross of Jesus Mine eye at times can see The very dying form of One, Who suffered there for me; And from my smitten heart, with tears, Two wonders I confess, The wonders of His glorious love, And my own worthlessness. 5. I take, O cross, thy shadow For my abiding place; I ask no other sunshine than The sunshine of His WORD; Content to let the world go by, To know no gain nor loss, My sinful self my only shame, My glory all the cross.
(Click pause symbol, " ... at beginning of hymn, to stop music)
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* where heaven’s love And heaven’s justice meet: heaven's love is shown by God's sacrifice of His Son, and Jesus' willingness to die for us. Heaven's justice requires payment for our sins for it to be just. The only payment sufficient to justify our sins is the blood of Jesus.
***
Scriptures pertaining to this hymn:
Hebrews 9:22 ... and without shedding of blood is no remission. ***
John 14:6 Jesus says: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by ME.
The way of life and truth is The Word of God.
When we go that way, we live in HIM, doing that which HE says.
***
Psalm 119:105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:130The entrance of THY words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. *** II Timothy 3:16-17All 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 perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. *** I Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
Deuteronomy 12:30 Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.
The teacher of our Bible class once said: "Never
look into other religions or read about them. Just study the Bible and
when a wrong doctrine comes along, you will recognize it as being wrong
when you know the real thing from the Bible." I really believe
that is the correct approach and that is what I have done for the past
40+ years. I just keep reading the Bible.
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Deuteronomy 12:32 God says: What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
There is one doctrine of Christ for the New Testament church and we find that doctrine in the New Testament Bible.
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A divorced woman told Pam Padgett that she was Messianic Jew, believing in Jesus.
Then this same woman told Pam that she had a new boyfriend.
Pam explained that as a divorced woman, if she should remarry, she would commit adultery, according to the Bible.
This Jewish woman said, "Oh, we have our own doctrine at our church."
When I heard this story, I shouted out, "There is only one doctrine and that is the New Testament Bible."
I Corinthians 7
10-11 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.
39 The
wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her
husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only
in the Lord.
Romans 7:2-3 For
the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so
long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the
law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
Mark 10 Jesus says:
11 Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.
12 And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.
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Ephesians 4
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
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The doctrine of Christ is the New Testament Bible.
II Timothy 3
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
1.Low in the grave He lay — Jesus my Savior! Waiting the coming day — Jesus my Lord!
Chorus:
Up from the grave He arose, With a mighty triumph o’er His foes. He arose a Victor from the dark domain, And He lives forever in His saints to reign. He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!
2.Vainly they watch His tomb Jesus, my Savior! Vainly they seal the dead— Jesus my Lord!
3.Death cannot keep his prey— Jesus, my Savior! He tore the bars away— Jesus my Lord!
(Click pause symbol, " ... at beginning of hymn, to stop music)
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Scriptures pertaining to this hymn:
Matthew 27:59And when Joseph had taken the body (of Jesus), he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
Matthew 27:62-66 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while He was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.Command
therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest His
disciples come by night, and steal Him away, and say unto the people,
He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the
first. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch. ***
Matthew 28:1-4In
the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the
week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. (These women also prepared and brought to the tomb fine smelling spices, for when the body decays there is a stink and they wanted to cover up that odor. They didn't know there would be no decaying body where Jesus was concerned for God would not "suffer" Jesus' body to see corruption as other flesh saw corruption. Jesus' body and soul were removed by God from the tomb.) And,
behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord
descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door,
and sat upon it. His (the angel's) countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. ***
Luke 24:1-7 Now
upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came
unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and
certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how HE spake unto you when HE was yet in Galilee,Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
***
Acts 13:35-37Wherefore he (David) saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption. For
David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell
on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: But HE, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.
When they entered the tomb of Jesus, His body was gone as well as His Spirit. God did not allow Jesus' body to decay the way of normal flesh.
Deuteronomy 12:5 But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put HIS name there, even unto HIS habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:
In the New Testament church today, God chooses where HE will put HIS name.
Acts 2:47 And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
God
opens the eyes of those persons whom HE has chosen and gives those
individuals understanding causing them to be born again as a new
creature, a Christian.
We recognize them by the Spirit of God which is in them for we have that same Spirit in us.
Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
Salvation is of God, of the will of God.
When God chooses that individual for salvation, God opens that person's eyes and all of a sudden he sees the truth of God.
It is all of God by the will of God.
There can be a group of people sitting together and all of a sudden one in the group sees.
That is the way it was with Paul on the road to Damascus. There were other men traveling in the group with Paul. But it was Paul's life that was changed forever when
Jesus spoke from heaven though all the men saw light around them and
all the men heard a voice from heaven, but it was Paul who was called by
Jesus and changed forever. Jesus even said: "Saul, Saul" ... calling him by name.
Acts 9
1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
2
And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he
found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring
them bound unto Jerusalem.
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou ME?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord?And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?(Instantly changed.)
And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
We
see an instant change in Paul. Paul was enroute to Damascus to try to
find Christians so he could bind them and carry them to prison. But
when the voice from heaven spoke, Paul was changed immediately from that
person that he was before hearing that voice.
There was no learning involved. It was instant change. Paul was born again.
II Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
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We are not chosen by God because we are worthy. We have done no good work causing us to be chosen by God.
We are chosen by God because it is the will of God for us to be saved and it is the will of God that HIS name would be placed on us by HIS Spirit.
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I was reading a book about sin when God spoke to me and said, "Joan ... you know all these mistakes you've been making all these years? Those weren't mistakes. Those were sins."
I was very shocked. And I was changed immediately.
I
thought I was changed by that book I was reading so I went to a
Christian book store and bought several copies of that book and gave
these books to many people thinking they would also be changed as I had
been changed.
But it was not that book that changed me. God changed me by HIS own will according to HIS purpose.
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If
you were saved at the time you heard a preacher, you might have tried
to get others to hear that preacher thinking they would be saved as you
were.
It
was not the preacher who saved us. It was God opening our eyes to HIS
truth. We were not saved by our own will. It was God's will for us.
We are the elect, chosen by God, in such cases.
Paul explains this in Romans 9.
6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
8 That is, They
which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God:
but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
9 For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son.
10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;
11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of HIM that calleth;)
12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
17
For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I
raised thee up, that I might shew MY power in thee, and that MY name
might be declared throughout all the earth.
18 Therefore hath HE mercy on whom HE will have mercy, and whom HE will HE hardeneth.
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After
God chooses to reveal Jesus, the Word, to us from heaven and causes us
to be born again, we overcome the problems as we go through this present
life by turning to God and hearing from God. We go in the way shown us
by God as long as we live on this earth, overcoming the problems
through that Word given us by God in the situations of this life.
And Jesus says at the end of our lives on this earth:
Revelation 3:12Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of MY God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of MY God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from MY God: and I will write upon him MY new name.
1. When we walk with the Lord In the light of His Word, What a glory He sheds on our way; While we do His good will, He abides in us still, And with all who will trust and obey.
Chorus:
Trust and obey, For there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus, But to trust and obey.
2.Not a shadow can rise, Not a cloud in the skies, But His WORD quickly drives it away; Not a doubt or a fear, Not a sigh or a tear, Can abide while we trust and obey. 3.Not a burden we bear, Not a sorrow we share, But our toil He doth richly repay; Not a grief or a loss, Not a frown or a cross, But is blest if we trust and obey. 4. But we never can prove The delights of His love, Until all on the altar we lay; For the favor He shows, And the joy He bestows, Are for them who will trust and obey. 5. Then in fellowship sweet We will sit at His feet, Or we’ll walk by His side in the way; What He says we will do; Where He sends, we will go, Never fear, only trust and obey. (Click pause symbol, " ... at beginning of hymn, to stop music)
*****
Scriptures pertaining to this hymn:
Psalm 111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do HIS commandments: HIS praise endureth for ever.
The fear of the Lord is a deep respect for God and The Word.
When we "fear" God, we are basically afraid to go in a way opposite to God's Word for we have an inner understanding that God knows what is best and to violate what HE says is to go in a way of self destruction.
Therefore our trust is based on the awe we have for God.
And we obey God, doing what HE says to us by HIS Spirit.
***
In December, 2018, at the age of 81, I fell at my house.
As the ambulance people were removing me and we reached the front door, I heard the following word in the form of a thought that came to my mind: "You'll never see this house again."
I believed that thought was from God.
Therefore I believed there would be another way for me to go if I survived the accident.
I put my house up for sale even as I was awaiting surgery.
A church person said to me, "I don't see how you can do that." (I don't think she understood faith in God.)
I explained to her that when you believe you have heard from God and there is a way to go, you simply obey ... no hesitation.
I never looked back and I never saw that house again.
I did not know where I would go when I put the house up for sale but I knew God would work it out for me and reveal it to me and God did within a few weeks. A woman in our little church group took me (and my cat) into her house to live in Colorado. She is a very godly woman and prays over everything! It is a great joy for me to live in a house with such a person.
My life was made better after my accident, not worse.
God had a plan for me and I knew HIS plan was all that mattered.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
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Acts 17 ... NIV Original Translation ... God chooses the exact places we will live and the times we will live there.
KJV Acts 17:26 … And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
(God determines the times we live and the places we live.) 27-28 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him, though HE be not far from every one of us: 28 For in Him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also His offspring.
