Precious Jesus

Satan wants to do all that he can to make Christians doubt the power of God to meet their need.

Peter knew it.  Jesus had told him that he was going to die for Christ, John 21:18-19 and to expect rejection from the world. He had already suffered for his faith - Acts 4 and 12.

Paul had his share of suffering, Stephen suffered for Jesus, and James was killed for his faith, Acts 12.  

Maybe you have gone through an extended trial and had questions and doubts. Let’s just say that everything isn't doom and gloom. 

In fact, we believers have it pretty good. Peter gives us several reasons for rejoicing. 

We have a living hope, a lasting inheritance, a long-term salvation, and a longed for final reward. There is much cause for rejoicing in the Lord today’

1 Peter 1:7-8 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:  . . . . . [8] Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

As we weather the storms of life and see God come through time and again, we can develop a spirit of praise on our Heavenly journey. 

We can know that Jesus goes through every trial with us. He will never leave us nor forsake us - Heb. 13:5; His grace is always sufficient for every need - 2 Cor. 12:9. 

This ought to cause us to be filled with that unspeakable joy.

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“Precious Jesus, precious Jesus; — You're a friend and hope and joy and life to me.

— Precious Jesus, precious Jesus; — You're my life, you belong to me.

“You're the haven where I rest. — You're the strength for every test. — You're the cleft of safety where my soul can hide. — You're the truth for which I long, — And you're the reason for my song. — Precious Jesus you're my every breath of life.”

             Gloria Gaither and William J. Gaither

Ideas for this unprofitable blog a 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.  

Stand By Me

We’ve all watched people we love suffer too long in their final days. That was the case a few years ago when my husband’s brother died. 

After his funeral, I told my sister-in-law that I was going to pray that we go quickIy. Immediately, the words of a song streamed through my mind and keeps flowing into my old age. 

“When I’m growing old and feeble, stand by me.”

I’m thankful for the promises of the unchanging glories of our Lord.

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Regardless of where the path of life leads, the saints of God will never walk alone.

Isaiah 41:10,13 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. . . . . .  [13] For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Whatever the need, the Lord is our Comforter and constant companion.

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“When the storms of life are raging, — Stand by me; — When the storms of life are raging, — Stand by me; — When the world is tossing me — Like a ship upon the sea. — Thou Who rulest wind and water, — Stand by me. 

“In the midst of tribulation, — Stand by me; — In the midst of tribulation, — Stand by me; — When the hosts of hell assail, — And my strength begins to fail, — Thou Who never lost a battle, —Stand by me. 

 “In the midst of faults and failures, — Stand by me; — In the midst of faults and failures,  — Stand by me; — When I do the best I can, — And my friends misunderstand, — Thou Who knowest all about me, — Stand by me. 

 “In the midst of persecution, — Stand by me; — In the midst of persecution, —Stand by me; —When my foes in battle array — Undertake to stop my way, — Thou Who saved Paul and Silas,  — Stand by me. 

“When I'm growing old and feeble, — Stand by me; — When I'm growing old and feeble, — Stand by me; — When my life becomes a burden, — And I'm nearing chilly Jordan, — O Thou "Lily of the Valley," — Stand by me.” 

         Charles Albert Tindley  1905

Ideas for this unprofitable blog a 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.  

No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus

Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: . . .  [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The Gospel is a message that can be shared by children, adults and anyone in between; not just just preachers and evangelists.

If you have been saved, you have a message to share. How do you tell someone about Jesus?

My pastor answered that question Wednesday night. He said we should tell them what Jesus did for us. 

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“I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus, — Since I found in Him a friend so strong and true. — I would tell you how He changed my life completely; — He did something no other friend could do.

“No one ever cared for me like Jesus; — \There's no other friend so kind as He. — No one else could take the sin and darkness from me; — O how much He cared for me.

“All my life was full of sin when Jesus found me; — All my heart was full of misery and woe, — Jesus placed His strong arms about me — And He led me in the way I ought to go.

“Ev'ry day He comes to me with new assurance; More and more I understand His word of love. — But I'll never know just why He came to save me, — Till someday I see His blessed face above.

“No one ever cared for me like Jesus; — There's no other friend so kind as He. — No one else could take the sin and darkness from me; — O how much He cared for me.”

      Charles F. Weigle

Ideas for this unprofitable blog a 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.  

Someone To Care

Child of God, pray with confidence. The Lord hears you when you cry out to Him. 

Know that He knows you.

Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

He cares about you.

He invites you to come to Him, Matt. 11:28. 

He has promised to hear you and help you when you do, Matt. 7:7-11.

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

My sister Ruthie and I often sang the following song when we were teenagers.

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“Someone to care, someone to share — All your troubles like no other can do — He'll come down from the skies — And brush the tears from your eyes — You're His child and he cares for you.

“When the world seems cold and your friends seem few — There is someone who cares for you. — When you've tears in your eyes, your heart bleeds inside —There is someone who cares for you

“When your disappointments come and you feel so blue — There is someone who cares for you. — When you need a friend a friend till the end — There is someone who's a friend to you.”

          Jimmy Davis

Ideas for this unprofitable blog a 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.  

‘Til The Storm Passes By

‘Psalm 43:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

The author of this Psalm is going through a time of stress, personal attack, and inner turmoil.

The fact is, we have all faced times of turmoil, pain and heartache. Those are the times of life that define us as believers and confirm or deny our testimony concerning our faith in and love for Jesus Christ.

The Psalmist is a broken man, yet he clings to his faith in God as a man thrown overboard into the ocean clings to a life preserver.

There are situations that we can’t fix. Call on the name of the Lord, knowing that God alone has the power to keep us safe till the storm passes by.

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“In the dark of the midnight have I oft hid my face, — While the storm howls above me, and there's no hiding place. — 'Mid the crash of the thunder, — Precious Lord, hear my cry, — Keep me safe till the storm passes by.

“Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more, — Till the clouds roll forever from the sky; — Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand, — Keep me safe till the storm passes by.

“Many times Satan tells me, "There is no need to try, — For there's no end of sorrow, there's no hope by and by" — But I know Thou art with me, and tomorrow I'll rise — Where the storms never darken the skies.

“When the long night has ended and the storms come no more, — Let me stand in Thy presence on that bright peaceful shore; — In that land where the tempest never comes,

Lord, may I — Dwell with Thee when the storm passes by.”

       Movie Lister

Ideas for this unprofitable blog a 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.  

The Love Of God

The love of God is always pure, always holy, always seeking what is best for His children.  

His love is given freely without wanting anything in return. 

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

God loves because He is love. His love is never ending - Jer. 31:3. His love is always given first, 1 John 4:19. His love is precious beyond words.

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.

Because of God’s greatest show of love, believers in Jesus have hope of heaven and eternal life. Unbelievers have no hope.

The difference between the believer and the lost man lies in one word: Jesus.

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“1. The love of God is greater, far — Than tongue or pen can never tell. — It goes beyond the highest star — And reaches to the lowest hell.

“The guilty pair, bowed down with care — God gave His Son to win. — His erring child, He reconciled — And pardoned from his sin.

“3. 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.

“Oh, love of God, how rich and pure ‘’ How measureless and strong. — It shall, forevermore endure — The saints' and angels' song.”

     Frederick M. Lehman. Meir Ben Isaac Nehorai, Stanza 3.

Ideas for this unprofitable blog a 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.  

Sitting At The Feet Of Jesus

Remember the Bible story of Martha complaining to Jesus about her sister not helping her serve their guest?

Luke 10:39,41-42  And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. . . . .  [41] And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:  . . . . [42] But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

When we come into the presence of Jesus —  in prayer, Bible reading, worship, etc. —  the burdens of life tend to grow amazingly light.

In His presence we find food for our souls and strength for our journey. 

The more time we spends at His feet, the easier it is to make it a priority in life. The larger He gets in our eyes, the smaller other things seem to become.

Are you spending time at His feet calling out to Him about your needs? Never fear that He doesn't care or want you to come to him. He invites you to come and sit at His feet.

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“Sitting at the feet of Jesus, — Oh, what words I hear Him say! — Happy place! so near, so precious! — May it find me there each day;

“Sitting at the feet of Jesus, — I would look upon the past; — For His love has been so gracious, — It has won my heart at last. 

“Sitting at the feet of Jesus, — Where can mortal be more blest? — There I lay my sins and sorrows, — And, when weary, find sweet rest;

“Sitting at the feet of Jesus, — There I love to weep and pray; — While I from His fullness gather — Grace and comfort every day.”

          J. Lincoln Hall

Ideas for this unprofitable blog a 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.