A Song Along The Way

Sometimes our hearts overflow with joy and spills out in song. 

Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

The Lord knew we needed a song along the way so He told us to sing. I’m glad because hymns and gospel songs draw me to worship. 

The song playing in the car today was about Heaven. It grabbed my heart with hope of a better place. 

“Somewhere just across the Jordan River — Is a place of everlasting joy and peace — Where the stream of life is flowing there forever — And the crown of life is waiting there for me

“That sounds like home to me — Like where I want to be. — There'll be no tears, to fill our eyes again. — The hills will echo with the story — As we sing of his grace and glory — Where the saints of God will be, — That sounds like home to me.”   By C.A. Wilburn and Edwin Crook

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit. 

Facing The Fire

There are some valuable lessons from the familiar Bible stories we learned at Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. 

My favorite is when Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown in the fire for not bowing to the idol.  

Only three men went in the furnace, but King Nebuchadnezzar saw four, and only three came out. 

Daniel 3:27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.

What a miracle! The three Hebrew boys were saved by the presence of God.

When you find yourself looking at a fiery furnace, remember that you serve an all powerful God Who is able to keep you in the times of affliction and bring you through for His glory.

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,

What happened to that fourth man? He is still in the fire. When you go there, you will find God waiting for you. 

“In shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet — God leads His dear children along— Where the water's cool flow bathes the weary one's feet — God leads His dear children along

“Some through the waters, some through the flood — 
Some through the fire, but all through the blood. — Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song — In the night season and all the day long.” G.A. Young

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit. 

More Like Jesus

God tells Jeremiah that the people of Israel will fall into Babylonian captivity, but He will bring them home again, and they will serve Him. 

The judgment they face will serve to purify them, and they will return to the place of His blessing.

So it is with us. The Lord uses the crisis in our lives to mold us, to grow us and to make us more like Jesus.

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.

Regardless of what lies in our path, remember —  if we are His, we belong to the God Who made it all. If He can make everything out of nothing, He can be trusted to take care of us. 

Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

“Have Thine own way, Lord, Have Thine own way; — Thou art the Potter, I am the clay. — Mould me and make me after Thy will, — While I am waiting yielded and still.”
       Adelaide A. Pollard

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit. 

Marvelous Grace

While God continued to show Himself strong on behalf of His people, Israel continually lacked the faith to trust the Lord as they should. 

But the Bible tells us that "many a time" He turned His anger away from them, patiently leading them in love and grace.

Psalm 78:38 But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.  

We have a patient, loving Lord. He has demonstrated His power, His grace, His love, and His character many times in our lives.

“I was downhearted, I was broken inside — praying for mercy with nowhere to hide, — There was a solace searching for me — grace ever flowing that set my soul free. 

“For grace — marvelous grace — I needed grace to pardon and make me whole —  grace — marvelous grace — flows from above with infinite love — marvelous grace.” The Martins

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit. 

Never Alone

When we look at life and its problems from a human perspective, we will always focus on self.  "How does this affect me?" “Will I need help?” “Will anybody care?”

How do we get our eyes off our circumstances and on the perspective of God? 

If you are a born again believer, you are never alone. If not. You need Jesus.

In every valley, every dark night of the soul, every illness, every situation in life, you have the blessed presence of the Lord to sustain you and comfort you.  He is always there - Matt. 28:20; Heb. 13:5.

It’s a truth you must believe if you want peace in your struggle. 

Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

“Once I stood in the night with my head bowed low in the darkness as black as could be — And my heart felt alone and I cried, oh, Lord don't hide your face from me.

“Hold my hand all the way every hour every day from here to the great unknown. — Take my hand let me stand where no one stands alone.”

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit. 

God Is Good

During the time David was running from Saul, he was in constant danger of death. Now he has been delivered from his enemies and he praises God for the victory. 

Psalm 18.2 is David's victory song, but you and I have a song of victory to sing as well. 

Psalm 18:2  The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

I’ve clung to this scripture many times when I needed victory. 

It’s good to know the Lord will protect you, provide for you, and help you, He will ever be there for you. Believe it. 

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit. 

Where Could I Go?

Sometimes difficulties squeeze our hearts so tight it drains the energy right out of us. 

When those times comes, it’s time to go to the Lord. He’s the only One Who can help us.

Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

“Living below, in this old sinful world — Hardly a comfort can afford — Striving alone, to face temptation's sword — Where could I go but to the Lord?

“Where could I go, oh where could I go? — Seeking a refuge for my soul — Needing a friend, to help me in the end — Where could I go, but to the Lord?”

— J.B. Coats

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.