Hymn: Up from the grave HE arose

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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)

(www.hymnal.net):

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Scriptures pertaining to this hymn:

Matthew 27:59  And 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.


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Matthew 28:1-4  In 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.


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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 13:35-37   Wherefore 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.

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🎶 Beethoven Symphony No. 6

 

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)

Symphony No. 6 

in F-dur 'Pastorale' (1807-08), op. 68

 
1. Allegro ma non troppo
2. Andante molto moto
3. Allegro
4. Allegro
5. Allegretto

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Cleveland Orchestra
George Szell (conductor)

(1962 / 41:38)

Classical Music Archive:

classical-music-online.net

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💥 Spiritual warfare: Putting on the whole armor of God

Some people try to be strong in their religious training.  That will not work.  If they fail to turn to God, then they will end up trying to be as gods.

Instead we must be strong in God, in our faith in God, praying to God according to the will of God, and waiting on God to send us HIS Word on the issue that pertains to our situation.

Ephesians 6

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord (in the Word) , and in the power of HIS might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

Truth:  Jesus, the Word of God, is truth.

Righteousness: Is what God speaks to us.  Focus on what God says.

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Peace:  Let the peace of God rule in your heart.  Colossians 3:15

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Faith:  experience with God where you have witnessed God working for you.

17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

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We put on Jesus each time we do the Word of God.  

By doing the Word, we dress ourselves in that Word, and the Word lives in us and we live in the Word.

For example:  If we do Colossians 3:15 in everything pertaining to this present life, this Word becomes a way of life for us and the Word lives in us.

Colossians 3:15  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

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Podcast: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and HIS righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Mt. 6:33)

 

 

 

In all issues of this life, we must determine what does God want me to do, what is right in the sight of God.

We pray asking God what HE wants us to do.  Asking God for HIS wisdom.

And we have a promise of God that HE will give us HIS wisdom if we ask HIM.

James 1:5  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  

These scriptures show us which ideas that come to us are from God.

James 3:17  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.  

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

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Hymn: Trust & Obey

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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)

(www.hymnal.net):

*****

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.

 

 

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🎶 Beethoven Symphony No. 5

 

During WWII Winston Churchill used Beethoven's Fifth Symphony as his "victory" music which was played throughout the war as they faced hardship, going into difficult battles against the enemy, encouraging the soldiers and citizens of England and other nations.   (Many will recognize this movement.)  

The music is strong, joyous, overcoming just as our lives through God should be as we live on this present earth.

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Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)

Symphony No. 5 

in c-moll , op. 67"

1. Allegro con brio
2. Andante con moto
3. Allegro
4. Allegro

Cleveland Orchestra
George Szell (conductor)

(1963/31:42)

Classical Music Archive:

classical-music-online.net

 

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Evil spirits often fled when skillful music was played to people in the Bible.  And the people of God praised God by playing all manner of instruments as they rejoiced.

2 Samuel 6:5   And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.

By music we express great joy and victory and power and praise.

And by these scriptures in the Bible we see when David played skillfully upon his harp, evil spirits left king Saul. (I Sam. 16)

Just enjoy the magnificent sounds made by very talented individuals.

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💥 Praying according to the will of God.

 

As a New Christian in 1975, I was strongly attacked by spiritual forces.  I had no teaching at all at that time.

The attack came to me in the form of severe depression.

I would get in bed and say:  "Praise God ... Thank YOU for my salvation."

I just kept saying that same thing over and over.  Thinking of the way God brought salvation to me and the word HE gave me at that time.  Usually after a few minutes I would fall asleep and then when I awoke it was over, for a season.

At the time this happened to me, I owned a business, American Indian Arts.  I had 3 women who worked for me and one of these women would often call a prayer group and ask them to pray for me.  It always helped me.

My bookkeeper's husband was a professor at Dallas Theological Seminary so he came to try help me.  He said to me, "All you need to do is put on Jesus." 

I replied, "Fine ... how do I do that?"

(He couldn't tell me how to do that.  Later God showed me how to do this.)

***

Another man from Dallas Seminary thought the attacks were coming because of the Indian Art Objects which I sold in my business.  

I was willing to destroy all my merchandise in my shop if needed.  God stopped me from doing this.

***

A woman in the prayer group, learned that I had been taken into heaven twice shortly after I was born again and she felt the spiritual attacks were because of that for it was obvious that God had a purpose for my life.

***

In a childlike way, I decided to stop having anything to do with church or Bible or God if this was causing the attacks.  I just would set myself to stop things of God.  I would think no more about God.

But how could I do that?  What would I think of?  

I would think of the alphabet!  So I began... "A " ... (no problem) ... "B" (no problem) ... "C"  (a problem)

(I saw that wouldn't work! And my life was consumed with God since being taken into heaven twice.  Things of God were all I cared about now ... except I did want to marry and was looking for a husband at the churches I attended.  It turned out this was a part of the problem.)

If we pray and fail to get what we pray for, we can have a problem.  Satan can attack our faith in God.

God brought this to my attention.  From NIV translation of Bible:  "How is it to your credit if you take a beating for doing wrong and endure it?"  (1 Peter 2:20)

I saw it like this:  How is it to your credit if you rob a bank and get arrested and put in jail.

How is it to your credit if you ask for something and God does not let you have that and you pout because you can't get what you want?

I think I had felt for a good while that I would not be marrying.  

(Some women were much uglier than I and they had husbands!  It didn't make sense to me.  I would often date someone and then he would disappear!  One man said to me, "Joan don't stop praying about our marrying ... " and then he disappeared without a word.)  This was depressing to me!

One day, I was at my business and I saw a man I had been dating get out of his car and begin walking toward my shop and the Holy Spirit spoke these words to me:  "You can have all the money you want.  But you're not going to have this!"  I thought God was showing me I wouldn't be marrying Bob.  I had no idea God was telling me I wouldn't be marrying anyone!  (This was in approximately 1977.)

I continued to pursue dating.

One man even said to me, "If we do this, it will destroy you."  (He vanished and I never saw him again nor did I ever hear from him again.)

I was engage even as late as 2007.  He said he was a Christian, and I tried to believe he was a Christian.  But I think I knew all the time that he was not born again. He attended a church but didn't show any love at all for Bible or for Christians.  I believe he just wanted the type of approval that comes from going to church.

He read some of my writings and couldn't see anything terribly different to cause me to stand out.  He once asked me, "You're not going to stand on the street corner and preach are you?"  I replied:  "I certainly hope not!"

I seemed "respectable" to him.  I had an earned doctorate and had taught at SMU and had once owned a business.  I showed no sign of being a religious nut!  But he was still very suspicious.  We were going to live in a house which I was building which belonged to our church group.  He said he wanted to be on the church board of directors.  "OK", I replied.  We didn't do anything so what did it matter.

It was July and my contractor told me I could sell the little house where I was living.  My house I was building would be ready that summer.  So I sold my little house.  But the house I was building was not ready.  Howard and I were to be married in September.  I had no place to live and had 2 cats.

Howard said I could move in with him.  He was living in duplex owned by family business.

I was very concerned that the cats would throw up, which they often did.  He said, "That's all right.  We can clean it up."

My cousin and her husband (leader in Church of Christ group) wanted me to go ahead and move in with Howard.  (But I thought this was not a good plan.)

Then I heard a scripture from God by way of the Holy Spirit and I knew the will of God in the matter.

I Thessalonians 5:22  Abstain from all appearance of evil.

I had an upstairs storage area at the house I was building.  It was going to be left unfinished.  I asked my contractor if he could finish it immediately for me to move into and live there until the downstairs was completed.  He said he could do that.  I put a small refrigerator in a closet next to the upstairs bath and washed my dishes in the sink in that bath and lived upstairs until the property was finished.

Howard broke up with me in August of that year.

It became clear to me that God did not want me to marry.  I had a call of God on my life and while most ministers marry, I believed it would not be best for me to marry so I gave up that idea.  I was approximate 67 at that time and have been fine since then.

James 4

1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

I believe some of the spiritual attacks were being caused by my own desires at that time.  When I gave up and sought the will of God for my life, the spiritual attacks ended.

***

In December 2023, I encountered a series of spiritual attacks.  I didn't know why these were happening.  It was like I wanted to get away.  I was so happy when 9:30 pm came daily and I could take my sleeping pill and disappear for that day.  Then the depression would return the next day when I awoke.  At one point, I wanted to start drinking alcohol ... but I've never liked the taste of alcohol.  Once thoughts of suicide came.  I know that was from a devil to get rid of me so I could no longer write exhortations to the church.

Then on December 18, 2023 ... I knew God wanted me to begin writing a series on Spiritual Warfare.

I got out of bed immediately and begin writing this.  (The depression vanished!)

(I know some terrible things are coming in the days ahead and I have been concerned for the well being of the church.  I do not think the church is prepared.)

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Podcast: What happens to the person who belongs to God when he dies?

 

 

The Bible shows us death is like being asleep.

John 11

1 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.

2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)

3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.

4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.

6 When HE had heard therefore that he was sick, HE abode two days still in the same place where HE was.

(Jesus did not rush to the place where Lazarus and his sisters lived.)

7 Then after that saith HE to HIS disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.

8 HIS disciples say unto HIM, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?

9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. 10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

11 These things said HE : and after that HE saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.


12 Then said HIS disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.

13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that HE had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.

14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.

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John 11

17 Then when Jesus came, HE found that he had lain in the grave four days already.

18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:

19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.

21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.

23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.

24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

28 And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.

29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.

30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.

31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.

32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,

34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.

35 Jesus wept.  (I believe Jesus wept over their unbelief for Jesus knew HE was going to raise Lazarus from the dead.)

36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

37And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?

38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.

39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.

40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.

42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.

43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

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I Thessalonians 4

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep (dead), that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

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After we are removed from this earth, we are taken to the new heaven and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness which was created by God for us.  (Revelation 21:1-5)

Paul tells us we will be given new spiritual bodies and we will not have these flesh and blood bodies that we now have.  (I Cor. 15:48-51)

There is no marriage in heaven.  We will be as the angels in heaven.  

Matthew 22:30  Jesus says

For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

Mark 12:25

For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.

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Hymn: Standing on the promises

(Click forward arrow > to play music:)


1.  Standing on the promises of Christ my King, 
Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.

Chorus:

Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of Christ my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.


2.   Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.

3.  Standing on the promises I now can see
Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;
Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,
Standing on the promises of God.

4.  Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God.

5.  Standing on the promises I shall not fall,
List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call.
Resting in my Savior as my All in all,
Standing on the promises of God.


(Click pause symbol,  "  ... at beginning of hymn, to stop music)

(www.hymnal.net):

*****

The following scripture pertains to this hymn:

Joshua 1:5   I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Matthew 28:20   lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.


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v. 2   By the living Word of God I shall prevail,

The living word is that word that comes down to us from heaven.  It is put into our mind by God by HIS Spirit, by the Spirit of Jesus.  By this "living word" we know what to do.

John 6   Jesus says:

32-33   My Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.  For the bread of God is HE which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

48-51   I (The Word) am that bread of life.  Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.  I am the living bread which came down from heaven:

Jesus, The Word, is the Word that comes down from heaven.  The living word of God is the word spoken to us by the Spirit of God.  By His Spirit, God will bring to our mind ideas that show us what to do, or scriptures which show us what to do.  And when it is that Word of God, it will never fail.  We can put our trust in what we have heard from God by His Spirit.   

The living word of God is just exactly that, living, because it pertains to the exact subject we are dealing with at that moment in time. 

We can hunt for a scripture and fail. Or we can try to figure out what to do and fail. 

But we will not fail when it is the Holy Spirit bringing the concept or a scripture to our mind to guide us in the matter at hand. 

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Here are promises from Jesus concerning the work the Holy Spirit will do for us.

John 14:26    But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 16:13    Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself (of His own thinking); but whatsoever He shall hear (from God), that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.


4 things the Holy Spirit does for the believer:

- HE teaches us all things. (secular and spiritual)
- HE reminds us of all Jesus has said to us through scripture, dreams, concepts
- HE guides us into all truth.  (often one thing at a time ... you do the first thing ... then a second idea comes and you do that ... on until the matter is resolved)
- HE shows us things to come.  (often by dreams ... sometimes by just knowing)


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v. 3   Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,  

We are freed every time we have a word from God brought to our mind by His Spirit, and when we believe and act on that word in the midst of the trial or temptation.     


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v. 4   Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,

God speaks to each of His children by His Spirit which lives inside each child.  The Holy Spirit brings thoughts from God to our minds to show us the way of God and the will of God as we live on this earth.

We overcome the trials and temptations of this present earth as we hear from the Holy Spirit daily, and take appropriate action to the instruction given by the Spirit.

You do have to be careful.  For the devil will try to imitate God and bring thoughts to your mind which are opposite to the way God wants you to go.  And often our own fleshly preferences will bring thoughts to us which seem good to us, but are opposite to the way God wants us to go. 

James 3:14-16   ... But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.  This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

So if that is the case, you must repent and pray for God to correct your own heart.  For you will not likely to be able to hear correctly until you are corrected.

Otherwise:  Prove all things by prayer and Bible.  If you will ask God to confirm the way to go and to make it clear to you which thought is HIS, and if you will take time before you act, it will be made clear to you which thought is from God.  Also in the Bible we have a scripture which tells us how to recognize the wisdom that is from God.

James 3:17   But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

***

v. 5   List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call.
Resting in my Savior as my All in all,

Once we have established that a thought is from God, we must focus on that thought and rest in that word that we have heard from God concerning the matter at hand after doing that instruction in an appropriate way.  Often, we have to keep that word before us day and night to be strong enough to continue in that direction.  

Joshua 1:8-9   This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 

Have not I commanded thee? 

(When God brings a word to our mind by HIS Spirit or when a scripture is made to stand out to us, that is God "commanding" us and we think on that word, taking action when needed, according to that word.)

Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

*****

🎶 Beethoven Symphony No 4

 

 

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)

Symphony No. 4 

in B-dur (1806), op. 60

1. Adagio - Allegro vivace

2. Adagio

3. Allegro vivace

4. Allegro ma non troppo

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Cleveland Orchestra
George Szell (conductor)

(1963/31:54)

Classical Music Archive:

classical-music-online.net

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💥 Satan enters into Judas

 

 Luke 22

1 Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.

2 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill HIM; for they feared the people.

3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.

4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray HIM unto them.

5 And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.

6 And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray HIM unto them in the absence of the multitude.

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Judas was ordained by God to betray Jesus.  Jesus knew this, "One would betray HIM."

It is not likely that any of us are ordained to betray God or the gospel, although one time a woman told me she felt she might be like Pharaoh, ordained to be destroyed.

I told her I doubted that.  

I suspect devils had been telling her that.

Our role is to stand ON WHAT GOD SAYS when tempted.

The Bible says God will not allow us to be tempted above that which we are able but will make a way for us to escape the temptation.

I Corinthians 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

When we are born again and have God's Holy Spirit in us, we have a mighty power of God to deal with thoughts the devil might send to our minds.

And we know God's will by HIS Word.  God's Spirit will not lead us into a way opposite to God's word.  Our flesh and devils would do that but not God's Spirit.

Temptations such as adultery or fornication are against God's word so they will never be the will of God for us,  although our flesh or devils might lead us to do these temptations, if possible.

James 4

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God, and HE will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

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Podcast: Podcast: Miracle Provision From God ... again!

 

 

 

Isaiah 45:2  God says:  

I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:

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When a problem comes into our lives, it often seems impossible to do.  We may wrestle with it and then we remember to pray asking God for help ... and God causes us to see what to do and we glory in God's way because it is so simple when it seemed impossible.

Ephesians 3:20  Now unto HIM that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Examples on this Podcast:

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Hymn: Praise Him, Praise Him, Jesus our blessed redeemer

(Click forward arrow > to play music:)


1.  Praise Him! praise Him! 
Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!

Sing, ye saints! His wonderful love proclaim!

Hail Him! hail Him! mightiest angels in glory;
Strength and honor give to His holy name!

Like a shepherd, Jesus will feed His people,
In His WORD He carries them all day long;

O ye saints that live in the light of His presence,
Praise Him! praise Him! 
ever in joyful song!

2.  Praise Him! praise Him! 
Jesus, our blessed Redeemer,

For our sins He suffered and bled and died;

He, our Rock, our Hope of eternal salvation,
Hail Him! hail Him! 
Jesus, the Crucified;

Loving Savior, meekly enduring sorrow,
Crowned with thorns that cruelly pierced His brow;
Once for us rejected, despised, and forsaken,
Prince of Glory, ever triumphant now.

3.   Praise Him! praise Him! 
Jesus, our blessed Redeemer,

Heavenly portals, loud with hosannahs ring!
(portal:  doorway, way in, way out)

Jesus, Savior, reigneth for ever and ever;
Crown Him! crown Him! 
Prophet and Priest and King!

Death is vanquished! 
Tell it with joy, ye faithful,
Where is now thy victory, boasting grave?

Jesus lives! 
No longer thy portals are cheerless;
Jesus lives, the mighty and strong to save.


(Click pause symbol,  "  ... at beginning of hymn, to stop music)

(www.hymnal.net):

*****

Scripture pertaining to this hymn:

Romans 5:5-9     the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.  For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

But God commendeth HIS love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

(We didn't shed our blood for our sins, but Jesus shed His blood to pay for our sins ... without shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins  Hebrews 9:22 ... we cannot hope to pay for our sins and our wrong actions by our good works ... only by shed blood are we redeemed from sin and cleansed)

***


Revelation 5:1-14   And I saw in the right hand of HIM that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. 

And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 

And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. 

And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 

And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

And HE came and took the book out of the right hand of HIM that sat upon the throne.

And when HE had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, THOU art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for THOU wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by THY blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto HIM that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped HIM that liveth for ever and ever.


***

Luke 24:1-8   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.

(The dead human body decays and stinks. They brought spices to cover the odor of death. But God was not going to suffer the body of Jesus to see corruption as other flesh sees corruption.)

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.

And they remembered HIS words,

*****