Facing The New Year

January One is like entering a new chapter in the uncharted journey of life. Will the trip be peaceful and joyful or will we be tossed about like a rag doll, intimidated by surprises?

Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

I don't know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day

I don't borrow from it's sunshine for it's skies may turn to grey

I don't worry o'er the future for I know what Jesus said

And today I'll walk beside Him for He knows what is ahead

Many things about tomorrow I don't seem to understand

But I know who holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my hand

I don't know about tomorrow; It may bring me poverty

But the one who feeds the sparrow is the one who stands by me

And the path that is my portion may be through the flame or flood

But His presence goes before me, and I'm covered with His blood

Ira Stanphill

Reaching God

There is one way to reach God. Only Jesus is our access to the Father. He is able to take us where we can never take ourselves.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.

We can't approach God the Father without Jesus because of the high barrier standing between God and our sins.

Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

When Jesus died on the cross He tore down that wall, reached out and claimed those who believed in Him and brought them to the Father.

If you know there is peace between you and God, you should praise Him for His grace in your life. But if you know there is still a barrier between you and God, you can accept Jesus in your heart right now and seek forgiveness for your sins. Believing in Jesus brings you to God. 

Loving God -- Loving Each Other

Here are two resalutions packed with core values, guaranteed to make your New Year a success.

LOVE GOD: Matthew 2:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love The Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind.

If you "love" God like this, you will be committed to public and private worship. You will bear fruit and that's what matters.

LOVE OTHERS: Matthew 2:39 . . . Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.

God uses people like you and me to shine His love to others. You never know what a kind word and an offer to help in time of need means to them.

Worried About 2014?

Are you a skeptic about 2014, grimacing with a crooked face as the world becomes more unstable every day? You can have peace and hope for the future in Jesus.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

Whatever it is you face next year, no matter how difficult, Jesus can give you the strength to overcome and endure.

1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 

What does you faith look like? You're going to need it. Chin up, Jesus is the overcomer. 

What We Have In Jesus

Sadly, we don't always appreciate what we have in Jesus. In fact, we spend a lot of time asking for things He has already given us.

We pray for love when God says that His love is "shed abroad in our hearts" (Rom. 5:5).

We pray for peace when Jesus has already said, "Peace I leave with you . . . (John 14:27).

We pray for joy when the Bible tells us plainly that we have "joy unspeakable and full of glory" (1 Pet. 1:8 ).

We pray for strength to do the things God has called us to do when He already told us that we can "do all things through Christ which strengtheneth us" (Phil. 4:13).

We Worry over our needs when The Lord has already promised to meet them (Phil 4:19).

We seek His presence when He has said, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." (Heb. 13:5).

2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.

Forgiven -- Forgotten

Saul was murdering Christians, yet God reached down in grace, saved his soul, transformed his life, renamed him Paul, and used him to change the world.

Your past is no obstacle to your future in the hands of The Lord. Regardless of what you've done, Jesus will save you. He will wash your past sins away and never remember them again. You get a brand new start. The Bible calls this the "new birth".

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 

I'm glad God doesn't hold forgiven sins against us. Like the Apostle Paul, He can use us in a mighty way if we let him.

Isaiah 38:17 Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back. 

Our Greatest Need

One purpose of the Incarnation was for God to reveal Himself to mankind. 

John 10:30 I and my Father are one.

As the only begotten of the Father, Jesus had the same substance of the Father. As the Son of Man, He was human in every way except for His sin nature.

Another purpose Jeaus came was to give His life to take away our sins.

1 John 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin.

If our greatest need had been for information, God would have sent us an educator. If it had been for technology, God would have sent us a scientist. Had it been for money, God would have sent us an economist. Had it been for pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer.

But our greatest need was for forgiveness, so God sent us a Saviour!

God Is In Control

We often find that through our tragedies we experience our greatest triumphs because they draw us close to God

Joseph and Mary may not have enjoyed scrimping and saving to collect enough money to pay their taxes, especially with a baby on the way. But God had not forsaken them. He was moving them to the place of blessing.

Have you ever considered what is a REAL crisis? A real crisis for the believer is when God is NOT in control. There are trials to face and tests to pass, but we must keep in our hearts and minds the fact that God is in control of our lives.

God placed Mary and Joseph in the right place at the right time, providing what they needed to complete the impossible task set before them. 

Maybe, just maybe, the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh was sent to finance their escape to Egypt. 

The Cradle And The Cross

The shepherds could have made excuses why they couldn't seek the Christ Child. Maybe they couldn't leave the sheep or it was too late or too far. But they didn't because they couldn't wait to see Jesus.

Luke ;16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe laying in a manger.

No excuse is good enough to keep you from jesus. If you want to come to Him, He will provide somebody to watch your sheep until you return. If you want to come to Christ, you  must come come exactly as you are.

The shepherds knew Old Testament prophecy of the coming Messiah. They knew the cradle wasn't seperated from the cross, and that it was God's plan to redeem the lost. 

1Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

If you find yourself a sinner, the cradle and the crtoss is a promise given to you. 

This is "good tidings of great joy". This is eternal life.

The Glory Of God's Presence

A bear, a lion or a wolf would excite the sheep watchers, but the divine message the angels brought to the shepherds changed their lives forever.

Luke 2:9-11 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.

In the Glory of God's presence He beams down on earth with unapproachable light to declare the first step of redemption -- the birth of the redeemer. Of course, the shepherds were afraid.

The answer to every fear and every pain came with this one announcement. 

Preparing For Christmas

We do a lot of preparation for Christmas -- decorating, buying, wrapping, cleaning, cooking.

The Heavenly Father, pleased to send His Son into the world to redeem sinful men, prepared every prophetic event of this glorious Gift thousands of years in advance. He executed His plan with intricate detail.

He prepared a pagan king to send all Jews back to their ancestors home town to be taxed, thus fulfilling Scripture that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. The timing coincided with Jesus birth.

He prepared a virgin to bear the Christ Child.

Luke 1:35 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.

He prepared Joseph to accept Mary's pregnancy. He prepared a crowded hotel with an available stable.

The world didn't notice the birth of Christ that night, but the heavenly creatures stood at divine attention, and the angels prepared an announcement to the shepherds.

Seeking For Me

Speaking at the ladies' Christmas party at church, I shared some of my most memorable Christmases. Recalling the following one always stirs my emotions.

Two weeks before the Christmas of 1996 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The pathology words "aggressive" and "metastatic" (bad cells rushing to attack organs) played in my head again and again as I practiced with the choir for the Christmas cantata.

During the program one of the songs overwhelmed me, and I couldn't sing it.

He was seeking for me

Jesus was seeking for me

Though I knew Him not

Yet He loved me

And was seeking for me . . . 

Knowing the hideous crucifixion awaiting Him, why did the Jewel of Heaven leave his Glory and come seeking for me? As I worshipped and praised God, blessings showered all over me, and I forgot about the cancer. God knew how I needed that.

Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul and for delivering me from cancer.

Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

The Mission Of Redemption

On the first Christmas, earth was not aware of what was transpiring in heaven. As an innumerable company of Angels was waiting to worship the newborn King, a farewell was going on between God the Father and God the Son. Christ fulfilled the mission thirty-three years later on a cruel cross. 

Though the Jews rejected Jesus as their Messiah, the sacrificial Lamb was the centerpiece of God's plan of redemption.

1 John 4:14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the son to be the Saviour of the world.

Mission Accomplished!

But He rose on Easter -- Hallelujah

And He died to save us -- Hallellujah

And He lives forever -- Amen! Amen!

Christmas Every Day

Wouldn't it be great if we could capture the spirit of Christmas  every day of the year? The heart of the Christmas celebration is Christ. You may have a tree, open gifts, and eat a great dinner; but unless Christ sits on the throne of your heart you don't have Christmas.

The One born in Bethlehem lives in the hearts of believers, and He wants to live in your heart also.

Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

How do you come to Jesus?

Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth The Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 

Like Father -- Like Son

If you want to know what God the Father is like, examine the life of Jesus as recorded in the scripture.

When we see Christ associating with known sinners, we know He is a loving God. Seeing Him praying for those who crucified Him, we know He is a forgiving God. 

When we read the words spoken by Jesus, we see a God of all truth. Seeing the Holy life our Lord lived shows He is a Holy God. 

When we see Jesus turning the water to wine, walkiing on the water, calming the storm, restoring sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, causing the lame to walk, the mute to speak, and raising the dead, we know He is an omnipotent God.

The life of Jesus is a clear reflection of the character and nature of God The Father.

John 14:9 . . . He that hath seen me hath seen the Father . . .

This is why we celebrate Jesus coming in the flesh.

The Perfect Gift

Buying Christmas presents isn't always easy. Old people are hard to buy for. They have everything. Rummaging through the toy department becomes a scavenger hunt for age ranges listed on boxes.

Americans have more material possessions than any nation on earth, yet there is no peace in most hearts. They worry and stress out by pressure and deadlines. People need peace more than anything else -- peace in our world, our nation, our families, and in our hearts.

If only I could put peace in a box and wrap it up, but money can't buy peace. It's a gift that only God can give. It's a person, not a thing. You receive peace as a gift from God when you receive the person of The Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior.

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The prince of Peace.

Human Reason

Matthew 1:23 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.

Think about it. A virgin. A young girl who had never known a man, carrying a child in her womb. That's a physical impossibility. Can you hear the tongues wagging?

God chose the most unusual sign to mark His divine Son's entrance into the world. Because Jesus had no human father, he had no sin nature.

The miraculous conception of Jesus Christ remains impossible to understand by human reason alone, and God chose not to explain more than He has. Try to understand it and you may lose your mind. Insist on denying it and you will lose your soul.

Human reason can't explain why Jesus didn't call the legion of angles waiting in the shadows to rescue Him from the cross. Human reason can't explain the empty tomb. Human reason can't explain why He died for my sins. But love, grace, and mercy defy human reason. Thank you Lord, for saving my soul. 

How Much Do You Know About Christmas?

A little girl brought her Christmas Sunday School art project home for her mother to see. The mother couldn't figure it out.

"Why did you put Joseph, Mary, and Baby Jesus in an airplane?"

"That's the flight to Egypt."

"Well, who is that mean-looking man in the front of the plane?"

"That's Pontius, the pilot."

"So, who is that fat man standing behind Mary and the Baby?"

"That's round John Virgin."

Did you know that one of the best evidences for the existence of God, the inspiration of the Bible, and the Diety of Jesus Christ is fulfilled prophecy?

The chance that just 8 of approximately 333 Old Testament prophecies concerning Christ being fulfilled in one man without the intervention of God is 1 in 1,017.

Born in Bethlehem -- the Virgin Birth -- triumphal entry into Jerusalem -- betrayed by a friend -- hands and feet pierced -- crucified with robbers -- lots cast for clothes -- bones not broken -- and many more.

Always And Forever

There was never a time when God the Son was not. He has always existed in eternity as a member of the Holy Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. His miraculous birth was so we might know Him.

The Virgin Birth must be accepted by faith. Surprisingly, many so-called Christian clergy deny the Virgin Birth. Take away the divine birth and Jesus is a mere man. His virgin birth, atoning death, resurrection, ascension, and return stand or fall together. If you reject any of these great teachings about Jesus, you reject them all.

1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.

And The Word Was Made Flesh

As our words reveal to others our hearts and minds, so Jesus Christ is God's "Word" to reveal His heart and mind to us.

John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him: and without him was not anything made that was made.

14. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us . . . 

By the miracle of the virgin birth, Jesus took on Himself sinless human nature and identified with us in every aspect of life from birth to death. 

"The Word" was not an abstract concept of philosophy, but a real Person who could be seen, touched, and heard. Christianity is Christ, and Christ is God.

Down from His glory, ever living story,

My God and Savior came, and Jesus was His name

Born in a manger, to His own a stranger

A Man of sorrows, tears and agony

O how i love Him, how i adore Him

My breath, my sunshine, my all in all

The great Creator became my Savior

And all God's fullness dwelleth in Him.

Richard Carr

Mary's Miracle Promise

Mary believed the angel's promise, but she didn't understand it. How could a virgin give birth to a child?

Luke 1:31 And, behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.

32. 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:

33. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his Kingdom there shall be no end.

Gabriel explained that this would be a miracle, the work of the Holy Spirit of God. Joseph, her betrothed, would not be the father, even though Jesus would be legally identified as the son of Joseph.

Gabriel was careful to point out that the Baby would be a "holy thing" and would not share the sinful human nature of man. Jesus knew no sin.

The hopes and fears of all the years

Are met in thee tonight

The Shepherds And The Messiah

It was fitting that the Good News about the birth of the Great Shepherd and Lamb of God first be delivered to the shepherds.

Luke 2:10,11 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.

Gabriel had frightened them at first, and I can only imagine their mouth-gapping expression still hanging when a chorus of angels appeared and gave an anthem of praise.

Rushing to Bethlehem, they found the long-awaited Messiah where the angel said and worshipped Him. On the way back to their old jobs they reported the Good News, glorifying and praising God. Anxious to tell their families, they couldn't stop talking about seeing Jesus. 

Life changes when you meet the Master.

Rich and Poor

How amazed the angels must have been when they saw the Creator born as a speechless baby.

2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

The King of kings and Lord of lords left his throne in heaven to become a servant. He didn't even have a place to lay His head. His ultimate experience of poverty was when He was made sin for us on the cross.

Why did He do it? That we might become rich. We were spiritually bankrupt, but now that we have trusted Him, we share in all of His riches! We are a child of the King, "heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ" (Rom. 8:17).

Once I was clothed in the rags of my sin

Wretched and poor, lost and lonely within

But with wonderous compassion the King of all kings

In pity and love took me under His wing

Oh yes, oh yes, I'm a child of the King

His royal blood now flows in my veins

And I who was wretched and poor now can sing

Praise God, praise God, I'm a child of the King

Cindy Walker

Divine Prophecy

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore The Lord himself shall give you a sign:  Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel.

While the baby Jesus was as weak as any other baby, humanly speaking, He was also the center of power as far as heaven was concerned. 

When Mary said, "Be it unto me according to Thy word" -- Luke 1;28, it meant that from then on, her life would be a part of the fulfillment of divine prophecy. 

God had promised that the Saviour would be a human -- not an angel -- and a Jew -- not a Gentile. He would be from the tribe of Judah and the family of David, born of a virgin in Bethlehem, the city of David.

All of this occurred just as the Scriptures said, and Caesar unknowingly played an important part.

President Garfield called history "the unrolled scroll of prophecy". If God's Word controls our lives, then the events of history will only help us fulfill the will of God.

Will You Miss Christmas?

For those who have a personal relationship with Christ, Christmas is an opportunity to say "thank you" to God for sending us heaven's most precious gift. Many people will miss Christmas. It happened at the first Christmas in Bethlehem.

The innkeeper was too busy caring for his guests. King Herod was afraid somebody was about to steal his throne, and the self-righteous chief priests and scribes were too proud to accept Him. 

People miss Christmas because they are no longer touched by it's wonder. Many have never believed

Jesus said: John 6:40  And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son and believeth on him may have everlasting life . . . 

John wrote: John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. 

Don't miss Christmas. Open your heart to Jesus and receive the greatest gift you will ever receive.

The Perfect Gift

Buying gifts can be frustrating. God the Father is an expert gift giver. He gave this world the perfect gift -- Jesus Christ. Seeing us as helpless sinners, His compassion and mercy moved Him to fulfill our greatest need -- forgiveness.

Oh, the thrill when a sinner receives the perfect gift, when God enters their heart by faith, and they learn the depth of His love.

Ephesians 3:17-19 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height: And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. 

Why Jesus Came

It has been said that Michelangelo expressed himself in marble; Rembrandt expressed himself in oils; Handel expressed himself in music; Shakespeare expressed himself in prose and verse; and God expressed himself in flesh.

Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Christmas is the celebration of Christ becoming flesh to live among us, to reveal Himself to us, to identify with us, and to give Himself for us. Jesus came for us.

Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save what was lost.

When sinners accept Christ as their Saviour they receive God's gift of eternal life.

I'm so glad He came.

The Great Exchange

Because Jesus is God, His very nature is higher than the angels. Yet for our redemption, Christ became lower than the angels for thirty-three years. 

Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

When we place our faith and trust in Jesus we make an exchange -- our sin for Christ's righteousness. Our sin was poured into Christ at His crucification and His righteousness is poured into us at our conversion. "The Great Exchange" -- What a deal!

2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

It is because of God's grace -- God giving us what we do not deserve -- and God's mercy -- God withholding what we do deserve -- that we have salvation. 

Walk In The Light

2 Corinthians 4:16 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

When believers share Jesus with lost sinners, the light begins to shine toward the darkness of their lives. 

The apostle Paul compared conversion to Creation. Like the earth of Genesis 1:2, the lost sinner is formless and empty. But when he trusts Christ as his personal Saviour, he becomes a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). As God begins to form and fill his life, he begins to be fruitful for The Lord.

God's "Let there be light" makes everything new.

Walk in the Light, beautiful Light,

Come where the dew drops of mercy shine bright;

Shine all around us by day and by night.

Jesus, the Light of the world.

The Salt of The Earth

Christians are in the world to be a good influence, to make things and people better, to flavor the world with Jesus.

Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth; but if the salt have lost his favour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing but to cast out and to be trodden under foot of men.

We are to be salt in the cities where we live. If the salt never leaves the shaker, how will a lost and dying world learn about Jesus? 

We are to add the salt of Christlikeness to our speech, our dress, our conduct, our relationships and attitudes.

Adding salt will make a marriage better, a family better, and friendships better. Adding salt will make a church better, a city better.

The salt of Christ softens the heart by melting resentment, bitterness, anger, envy, and unforgiveness.

We must saturate our lives with the Word of God and the Holy Spirit, so we won't lose the flavor that points others to Jesus.

Don't Quit

God never promised that life would always be fair. There seems to be more valleys than mountain tops -- more lows than highs.

In his discouragement, the prophet Jeremiah cried out to God.

Jeremiah 20:7 O Lord, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.

God doesn't make mistakes. He has a purpose and plan for every trial we face. Charles Spurgeon said, "God is too good to be unjust, too wise to be mistaken, and when you cannot trace His hand -- you can always trust His heart."

Though Jeremiah wanted to abandon his call as a prophet, he couldn't.

Jeremiah 20:9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.

Discouraged and weak, we may want to quit, but that is when God makes us strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9 My grace is suficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

The Kingdom of God

The Kingdom of God was initiated with peace and righteousness when Jesus came to save us from sin. The gospel of His Kingdom is salvation by the grace of God through faith in Jesus as a crucified and risen Redeemer.

Christ's Kingdom in this present age is a powerful force, an everlasting kingdom established in the death, resurrection and judgment of Christ.

The final stage of the Kingdom of God is the eternal kingdom that is to be ushered in at the second coming of Christ.

John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where i am there ye may be also. 

The Mercy Seat

Exodus 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.

17. . . . And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold . . .

Exodus 26:34 And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place.

The mercy seat symbolizes God's throne where He judges men's conduct, and His judgment is always a perfect balance of justice and mercy.

The mercy seat is a picture of Jesus Christ. It is through faith in the blood of Jesus that He becomes our mercy seat.

John 2:1-2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate (defense attorney) with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He is the propitiation (mercy seat) for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

What can wash away my sins?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

We Are So Blessed

PSALM 95:2,3 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For The Lord is a great God and a great king above all gods.

We are so blessed by the gifts from Your hand

Just can't understand why you loved us so much

We are so blessed, we just can't find a way

Or the words that can say, "Thank you, Lord, for Your touch.

When we're empty You fill us 'til we overflow

When we're hungry You feed us and cause us to know

We are so blessed, take what we have to bring

Take it all, everything; Lord we love You so much

We are so blessed by the things You have done

The victories we've won and what You've brought us through

We are so blessed, take what we hve to bring

Take it all, everything; Lord, we bring it to You

William J. Gaither

Keep Praising The Lord

It's easy to thank God when things are good, but what about the tough times? Keep praising Him. That kind of praise is called "tough praise".

Job hit bottom, cursing the day he was born when he lost all he had and wound up with boils all over his body, but he never stopped praising The Lord.

Job 1:20 Then Job arose and rent his mantle and shaved his head and fell down upon the ground and worshipped.

21. And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither; The Lord gave, and The Lord hath taken away: blessed be the name of The Lord.

22. In all this, Job sinned not nor charged God foolishly.

Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him . . . .

No matter what happens to you, never stop praising The Lord.

To God Be The Glory

As America prepares to celebrate Thanksgiving Day, the words to a beautiful song written by Andrae Crouch best describes my thankfulness. 

MY TRIBUTE

How can I say thanks for the things You have done for me?

Things so undeserved, yet You gave to prove Your love for me;

The voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude.

All that I am and ever hope to be, I owe it all to Thee.

To God be the glory, to God be the glory;

To God be the glory for the things He has done.

With His blood He has saved me.

With His power He has raised me;

To God be the glory for the things he has done.

Just let me live my life,

Let it be pleasing, Lord, to Thee,

And if I gain any praise,

Let it go to Calvary.

To God be the glory for the things He has done.

When You Believe

God is not out there somewhere in some land of vague form. He is very real and has a personal message just for you.

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

When you believe in Jesus, you pass from being lost to being saved from hell, from being blind and confused to understanding. You pass from death to life. 

Suddenly you will have a brand new outlook and a brand new strength.

2 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. 

If you don't personally know The Lord, put your trust in Christ. Believe the simple Gospel.

An End To Suffering

Few people go through life untouched by suffering of one sort or another. How many ways can we suffer -- broken hearts, unhappy marriages, painful illnesses, divorces, depression or loneliness?

God has built a bridge to us through the suffering of His Son. He walks arm in arm with us over the chasm, entering into our own suffering. 

Actually, suffering is one of the ways we become more Christ-like. The life of Christ is experienced in "the fellowship of His sufferings".

Philippians 3:10 That I may know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable  unto his death.

God is there when we suffer. He has been there all the time. He is the God of all comfort.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort: Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

There will be an end to suffering for those who know and love Jesus Christ.

The Ripped Veil

Once a year the High Priest entered beyond the veil into the Holiest of Holies of the Old Testamnt temple to offer a blood atonement for sinners. God met him there.

The beautiful veil hung 60' high and 30' wide. It is said to have been as thick as the palm of a man's hand.

Mark 15:38 And the veil of the temple was rent in twein from the top to the bottom.

The very second Jesus died on the cross, the miraculous hand of God ripped the thick curtain apart. The Jewish priesthood had come to an end. 

Hebrews 10:19-22 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus. By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh. And having an high priest over the house of God, Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Whether we come just to worship, to intercede in behalf of others or to petition for our own needs, we have direct access to the Creator of the Universe through His Son. Every sinner is invited.

The Temple of God

God the Father created our bodies; God the Son redeemed us and made us a part of His body; and God the Spirit indwells our bodies and makes us the very temple of God.

1 Corinthians 6:19 What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own.?

The Spirit can use our bodies to glorify and magnify God. How can we defile God's temple by using our bodies to sin.

So God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are all involved in what we do with our bodies. Christans are guilty of living like we own our body.

1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit which are God's.

God has a purpose and plan for each temple, and it is to worship and glorify Him.

When You Get Tired of Sin

A lot of people put down the prodigal son. Yes, he played the fool and wasted his inheritance on sinful pleasures, but he came to himself and had sense enough to admit it. He discovered sin was fake folly and the Devil a liar.

"I will arise and go to my father," he said. The Father will joyfully meet the sinner when he gets tired of sin.

Oh, the feasting at the Father's house! Oh, the blessing of the robe of righteousness! Oh, the security of a ring of sonship! Oh, the rejoicing and communion, sitting at the Father's table, being fed on the glories of Heaven!

Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Come To Jesus

John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me: and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

God didn't say if you come with a sober face or if you come with tears or if you make big promises. Jesus simply says, Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

If in your poor, tired, sinning heart you want to come to Jesus; then come. Ask him to forgive your sins and come into your heart. Believe He does. He will not ask you to wait, nor refuse you, but will immediately take you into His heart and into His blessed kingdom and make you God's child, forgiving all your sins.

Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth, say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Those Dreaded Detours

The highway of life isn't always straight and smooth. Detours may suddenly appear without warning. We have a promise from scripture to carry us through detours of trouble, disappointment or sorrow.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

God is going to work out everything for our good; not for our pleasure or prosperity or popularity, but for our good. Believe it.

Tears come easily on the detour, but Jesus gives us hope we can rely on.

John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 

What Manner of Love

The wonderful plan of salvation begins with the love of God.

1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

We are God's children! We don't expect the world to understand this thrilling relationship because the world doesn't understand God.

God's love for us doesn't stop with the new birth. It continues throughout our lives and takes us right up to the return of Jesus Christ.

When our Lord appears, all true believers will see Him and will become like Him. This means, of course, that they will have new, glorified bodies, suited for heaven.

1 John 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

Do You Know For Sure?

If you were to die today, do you know for sure that you will go to Heaven? If you hope to or you think your chances are good, your answer is "no". Some people say, "Nobody can say for sure that he will go to Heaven." The apostle John tells us we can know.

1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life.

John 1:12-13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 

Have you believed on Jesus as your personal Saviour?

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine

Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine

Heir of salvation, purchase of God

Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Fanny Crosby

Glory To The Lamb

What a joy it is to take a glimpse at John's Revelation of worship around the throne. We see God holding a book, rolled and sealed with seven seals. As the angel seeks someone qualified to open the seals, John weeps because no one is worthy.

Then the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ Himself, steps forward and takes the book. All the redeemed fall down and worship Him.

Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof: for thou was slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.

The worship service continues with outbursts of praise then ends with a loud Amen.

His Kingship was mocked while on earth, but in heaven He receives glory and honor.

The breaking of the seals will put in motion His coming to earth and establishing His Kingdom.

I'm going to be around the throne, singing and praising God with all the saints of the ages. I hope you will be there too.

God's Proper Place

Giving God His proper place in our hearts and lives is first making the effort to connect with Him. God should have a time slot in our daily schedule that is reserved for prayer and Bible reading.

God's proper place in our hearts is Lordship over our lives. We are not our own. God, as Master and Creator, made us who we are and what we are.

1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am . . . 

As our Master, God alone has the right to tell us what to do, because He bought us back from sin through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.

God owns everything: the universe, the heavens, the earth and every human being. He deserves, expects, and demands our honor, reverence, and obedience.

Growing In Grace

The stability of the believer comes from faith in the Word of God, knowledge of the Word, and the ability to use the Word in the practical decisions of life.

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.

Growing in grace is a constant experience of development, experiencing trials and even suffering. It's not easy to grow in grace and stability because anyone can drift out of dedication and growth.

The challenge is to grow in grace and knowledge in such a way that there is a balance between worship and service, faith and works.

Give Me Your Heart

Proverbs 23:26 My son, give me thine heart and let thine eyes observe my ways.

God wants our hearts because He loves us and wants us to love Him and know Him. Our riches, our strengths, our wisdom, our greatness or power mean nothing to Him. He simply wants our hearts so he can mold us in His image.

Why would anybody refuse the request of the great omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent God.

To serve God without giving the heart is fraud. To give wealth without giving the heart is abomination. To pray without giving the heart is mockery. To sing of Him without giving the heart is as a sounding brass and tinkling cymbal. To work for Him without giving the heart is insult. To preach without giving the heart is hypocrisy.

Psalm 139:23,24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Even So, Come, Lord Jesus

The redeemed find comfort in the following scriptures, especially when losing loved ones or at the end of life's journey.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.

. . . . 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; 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.

I'm watching the clouds. Is that a trumpet I hear?

Revelation 22:20  He which testifieth these things saith, "Surely I come quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

The Fight, The Course, The Faith

If you know you may die soon, what will you say about your life? While awaiting execution, the apostle Paul summed up his life in a letter to his friend Timothy.

2 Timothy 4:6,7  For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.

Paul explains his fight and weapons for victory.

Ephesians 6:11,12 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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.

To be fully equipped for the battle, we must have the truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, a shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit (the Bible), and prayer.

Now you can keep the faith, and think about your final testimony.

I'm Glad

Many years ago I heard about a preacher who didn't know how to read. Someone read scripture for him as he preached.

I'm glad we don't have to know how to read to know Christ or to be called to preach. We only have to believe in Jesus.

I'm glad we have personal access to God through His Word. People who have never received Jesus as their personal Savior can never grow in grace and knowledge of Him

Ephesians 2:4,5 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved).

I'm glad God gives us the resources for spiritual growth. The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to show us the life and divine nature of God.

I'm glad Jesus "quickened" me -- made me alive in Him. I'm glad I know who Jesus is. I'm glad to know His love and mercy and grace.

Broken Pieces

When the cares of life crumble you, and everything you hold dear is dangling at the end of a rope, there is hope. You may not feel it, but it's true. Sometimes God breaks us to draw us closer to Him.

Brokenness is the condition whereby our will is brought into full submission to His will so that when He speaks, we put up no arguments or excuses. We obey the leading of the Holy Spirit and trust His guidance.

1 Peter 5:6,7 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

BROKEN PIECES

Pick up the broken pieces and bring them to The Lord 

Pick up the broken pieces, trust in his holy Word

He will put them back together and make your life complete

Just place the broken pieces at the Saviors feet

Ruby Kitchen & James Martin, Jr. 

Agonizing Prayers

When the heart is in agony it suddenly knows how to pray. God hears the urgent prayers of mothers for sick or straying children.

Matthew 15:28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

God hears the prayers for cancer patients. Those who lose loved ones find comfort that only Jesus gives. 

We must trust God with our agonies. That means wrap them up and hand them to Him. When we are weak, then are we made strong in Him. 

Seventeen years ago, scared to death in a recovery room after cancer surgery, my agonizing prayer was simple. "Lord, what's going to happen to me?"

That's when I felt His tender arms wrap around me. That's when I said, "Lord, live or die, have Your way in my life." That's when peace and assurance filled me with hope.

Who God Is

Is God a mystery we can't comprehend? I may not understand why He sent His Son to die on a cross for someone as unworthy as me, but I know He loves me. Though His thoughts and ways are much higher than mine, I know a few things about Him.

John 4:24 God is a Spirit; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

1 Timothy 1:17  Now unto the king eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever.

God has warmth and understanding. He should be worshipped for who He is, but you can't help being in awe at what He has done.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him . . 

God has no beginning or end. He is not dependent on humans, but humans are dependant on Him. He is accessible everywhere -- any time.

Psalms 33:11 The counsel of The Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

My favorite attributes are mercy and grace and love. Amazing grace how sweet the sound.

God Is Real

From the beginning of time skeptics have denied God the Creator. They reject that He is the all powerful, all present, all knowing ruler of the universe and redeemer of mankind.

Psalm 14;1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.

But our God is alive, resurrected from the dead and not a graven image. Believers really do become a child of the King, an intimate relationship the world cannot fathom. 

Acts 17;28,29 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. Forasmuch then, as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold or silver or stone graven by art and man's device.

The Whole Truth So Help Me God

Many religious people are unfriendly toward any kind of doctrinal teaching, stating that religion should be based on feeling and good will. The scriptures put major emphasis on teaching the truth, and a large part of truth is doctrine.

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Regardless of your denomination or non-denomination, if you truly want to know the truth, read God's Word from Genesis to Revelation, asking The Lord to reveal the truth. He will. You may come across scripture you never heard from the pulpit.

2 Timothy 3:16,17 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 perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

The Lord In Your Heart

1 Peter 3:15  But sanctify The Lord God in your hearts . . . 

How do you sanctify God in your heart? Snap your fingers? No. Will it by grit and determination? No.

To sanctify The Lord in your heart has everything to do with holiness, submission, and worship. It means to turn everything over to God, to live to please Him and glorify Him.

To sanctify The Lord in your heart means to fear displeasing Him rather than what people will say about you. It means being satisfied with nothing less than the will of God. 

We may be tempted to give in to our fears. Make the right decision. Sanctify the Lord God in your heart.

Abiding In Christ

The joy of the Christian life is abiding in Christ.

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit for without me ye can do nothing.

Abiding in Christ means to fellowship with Him so that He can work through us to produce spiritual fruit.

Abiding in Christ demands worship, study of God's Word, sacrifice, and service that will produce joy.

Through centuries of time and even today Christians are hated or persecuted because of the values of a world system that does not conform to the teaching of God. That doesn't matter when we are abiding in Christ.

There's a peace in my heart that the world never gave,

A peace it cannot take away:

Though the tri-als of life may surround like a cloud,

I've a peace that has come here to stay.

Constantly abiding, Jesus is mine;

Constantly abiding, rapture divine;

He never leaves me lonely,

Whispers, oh, so kind;

I will never leave thee -- Jesus is mine

      Anne S. Murphy

A Promise For Every Need

God's Word offers a promise for every need.

Are you lonely? Matthew 28:29 Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.

Are you sick?  2 Corinthians 12:9 . . . My grace is sufficient for thee . . . 

Are you discouraged? Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 

Do you feel a great weakness? Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon The Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint.

Are you burdened with many cares? 1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Elijah, and Daniel rested upon God's promises and found them to be true. You have the same God and can trust Him as they did.

1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world, and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Faith, Prayer, and Love

The experience of salvation is the beginning of a spiritual journey. Faith, prayer, and love are necessary for a strong foundation of that trip.

FAITH comes from digging into God's Word, ever praying for spiritual understanding.

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

PRAYER: When you yield to the Spirit, you gain assistance in your prayer life, resulting in blessings and answered prayers.

Romans 8:26 Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

LOVE: God's love is a holy love, not just shallow emotions. To love God is to obey Him, to love what He loves and hate what He hates. It is to love one another.

1 John 2:5 But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him. 

So Many Religions -- Who Is Right?

When I googled "How Many Religions Exist in the World Today?", I found the following information.

There are countless religions in the world. The major ones in terms of number of followers are Christianity (33%), Muslim (19.6%), Hindus (13.4%), non religious (12.7%), and other religions such as Sikhism, Judaism hold 22%. The number of people with no formal, organized religion are increasing, especially in Europe and North America.

So which one is right?

Only the Creator of heaven and earth has the truth, and it is written in the Holy Bible..

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto them, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me.

Only the risen Saviour, God the Son, is the source to commune with God the Father. Only believing in Jesus will get you to heaven. Here is how it works.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Redemption

God cannot pretend sin doesn't exist because he is a God of holiness and justice. Because of the seriousness of sin, God sent his beloved, sinless Son to suffer for the redemption of billions of people -- past, present, and future.

Isaiah 53:4-6 Surely He hath born our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way: and The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Every sinner is invited to humbly receive by faith Christ and his sacrifice on the cross. Just simple, child-like trust.

There is a fountain filled with blood

Drawn from Immanuel's veins

And sinners plunged beneath that flood

Lose all their guilty stain.

The Love of God

If you search the universe for love in its most glorious display, you will find it in the person and the cross of Christ.

1 John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

None of our words or thoughts can do justice to the free, astonishing love of a holy God towards sinners. However, the third verse of a beautiful song, The Love of God, comes close.

The poem was penciled on the wall of a narrow room in an insane asylum by a man said to have been demented. The profound lines were discovered when they laid him in his coffin.

Could we with ink the ocean fill,

And were the skies of parchment made,

Were every stalk on earth a quill,

And every man a scribe by trade;

To write the love of God above

Would drain the ocean dry;

Nor could the scroll contain the whole,

Though stretched from sky to sky.

What About Eternity?

If there is anything people ought to be sure about, it's where they will spend eternity. Are they right with God? The following scripture tells people how to be saved from hell and go to heaven

Romans 10:9,10  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth The Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness: and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you. He that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death unto life.

Eternity after death is real. The choice is eternal life or death. There is one sin that will send you to hell. Unbelief. You must believe in Jesus Christ to have eternal life and go to heaven.

Think about eternity. I hope you can say, "It is well with my soul."

A Surrendered Life

When born again believers submit their lives to God, they recognize his authority over them, especially in times of suffering for His cause. Such a surrender is an act of faith. Giving all to God means obeying his Word in spite of the circumstances or consequences.

Imagine how many souls can be saved if members of a local church surrender and share their faith.

Romans 12:1 I Beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2. And be not conformed to the world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

It's not about us. It's about God and His Holy purpose.

Your Lord Will Fight For You

You may never know that Christ is all you need until Christ is all you have left. The Children of Israel discovered this at the Red Sea as Pharoah's army charged them from behind.

Exodus 14:13,14 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still and see the salvation of The Lord, which he will shew you today, for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. 

God rolled back the sea and Israel passed over on dry land. When Pharoah's army pursued, Moses stretched forth his arms and the sea walls drowned the enemy and all the chariots.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, God victoriously fought for me time and again.

If it had not been for The Lord on my side

Tell me where would I be? Where would I be?

He kept my enemies away

He let the sun shine through a cloudy day

He wrapped me in the cradle of His arms

When He knew I'd been battlered and torn

If it had not been for The Lord by my side

Tell me where would I be? Where would I be?

Margaret J. Douroux