God Leads Us Along

Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

These circumstances refer to famous events in the history of Israel when God provided their need.

— Pass through the waters – The Red Sea;  Ex. 14.

—  Pass through the river – Crossing the Jordan ;  Deut. 4.

— Walk through the fire – Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego –Daniel 3.

What does this mean for us? Just that God has not changed.

What He did for Israel, He can be counted on to do for you and me as we face the hard side of life.

God leads us along.

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“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.

Chorus:

“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.

“Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright,   —   God leads His dear children along;   —   Sometimes in the valley, in darkest of night,   —   God leads His dear children along.

“Though sorrows befall us and Satan oppose,   —   God leads His dear children along;   —   Through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes,   —   God leads His dear children along.

“Away from the mire, and away from the clay,   —   God leads His dear children along;   —   Away up in glory, eternity’s day,   —   God leads His dear children along.”

G. A. Young 1903

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. 

His Eye Is On The Sparrow

Matthew 10:29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 

[30] But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 

[31] Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

One of Satan’s favorite tricks is to try to convince you that God doesn’t care about you, that He has more important things on His mind than hearing your feeble need. 

The devil has played that trick on me many times, but I’ve proven Him wrong again and again at the hospital, in the car, at church, and in my fearful heart.

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that God cares. God hears. God knows us better than we do, and He knows what’s best for us regardless of the circumstances. 

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

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“Why should I feel discouraged?   —   Why should the shadows come?   —   Why should my heart be lonely and long for heav’n and home?   —   When Jesus is my portion  —   My constant friend is He:   —   His eye is on the sparrow,   —   and I know He watches me;

Chorus:

“I sing because I’m happy,   —   I sing because I’m free;   —   For His eye is on the sparrow,   —   And I know He watches me.

“Let not your heart be troubled,”    —   His tender words I hear.   —   And resting on His goodness,   —   I lose my doubt and fear;   —   Tho’ by the path He leadeth,   —  But one step I may see;   —   His eye is on the sparrow,  —   and I know He watches me.

“Whenever I am tempted,   —   whenever clouds arise,   —   When songs give place to sighing,   —    when hope within me dies;   —   I draw the closer to Him,   —   from care He sets me free;   —   His eye is on the sparrow,   —   and I know He watches me.”

Civilla D. Martin 

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. 

Hallelujah, We Shall Rise

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 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.

When Paul talks about the Rapture of the church, (the catching up) he uses the word “we”. Who is he talking about? 

“The dead in Christ” and “We which are alive and remain”. In both cases, he is referring to believers, or those who are saved by the grace of God.

Hallelujah, we shall rise!

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“In the resurrection morning   —   When the trump of God shall sound,  —   We shall rise, Hallelujah! we shall rise!  —   Then the saints will come rejoicing   —   And no tears will e’er be found,  —   We shall rise, Hallelujah! we shall rise. 

Chorus:

“We shall rise, Hallelujah! we shall rise!  —   Amen! We shall rise! Hallelujah!  —   In the resurrection morning,  —   When death’s prison bars are broken,  —   We shall rise, Hallelujah! We shall rise.

“In the resurrection morning,  —   What a meeting it will be,  —   We shall rise, Hallelujah! we shall rise!  —   When our fathers and our mothers,  —   And our loved ones we shall see,  —   We shall rise, Hallelujah! we shall rise!

“In the resurrection morning,  —   Blessèd thought it is to me,  —   We shall rise, Hallelujah! we shall rise!  —   I shall see my blessèd Savior,  —   Who so freely died for me,  —   We shall rise,   —   Hallelujah! we shall rise!

“In the resurrection morning,  —   We shall meet Him in the air,  —   We shall rise, Hallelujah! we shall rise!  —   And be carried up to glory,  —   To our home so bright and fair,  —   We shall rise, Hallelujah! we shall rise!

J. E. Thomas

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. 

Does Jesus Care?

Thank God, there is One Who is stronger than we are and Who is willing to carry our load.

Our burdens touch the heart of God, and He is moved on our behalf. 

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

Jesus tells us to give Him everything, not to keep even the smallest part of a burden to ourselves.

Does Jesus care? Yes. Seek Him.

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“Does Jesus care when my heart is pained   —   

Too deeply for mirth or song.   —   As the burdens press, and the cares distress,   —   And the way grows weary and long?

Chorus:

“Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,   —   His heart is touched with my grief;   —   When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,   —   I know my Savior cares.

“Does Jesus care when my way is dark   —   With a nameless dread and fear?   —   As the daylight fades into deep night shades,   —   Does He care enough to be near?

“Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed   —   To resist some temptation strong;   —   When for my deep grief there is no relief,   —   Though my tears flow all the night long?

“Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye”   —   To the dearest on earth to me,   —   And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks   —   Is it aught to Him? Does He see?”

Frank E. Graeff 1901

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. 

Whispering Hope

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.

Even though he is still in the dark valley, the Psalmist knows that he will soon come out of that valley in victory, because He has his faith in God, Heb. 11:1! 

Whatever you are facing, it will not last forever. Eventually, you will reach the end of your valley and ultimately, you will reach the end of all valleys. 

Psalm 31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.

Whispering Hope

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“Soft as the voice of an angel,   —   Breathing a lesson unheard,   —   Hope with a gentle persuasion   —   Whispers her comforting word:   —   Wait till the darkness is over,   —   Wait till the tempest is done,   —   Hope for the sunshine tomorrow,   —   After the shower is gone.

Chorus:

“Whispering hope,   —   oh, how welcome thy voice,   —   Making my heart in its sorrow rejoice.

“If, in the dusk of the twilight,   —   Dim be the region afar,   —   Will not the deepening darkness   —   Brighten the glimmering star?   —   Then when the night is upon us,   —   Why should the heart sink away?   —   When the dark midnight is over,  —  Watch for the breaking of day.

“Hope, as an anchor so steadfast,   —   Rends the dark veil for the soul,   —   Whither the Master has entered,   —   Robbing the grave of its goal;   —   Come then, oh, come, glad fruition,   —   Come to my sad weary heart;   —   Come, O Thou blest hope of glory,   —   Never, oh, never depart.

Septimus Winner 1827-1902

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 On The Mountain

Many times in our lives we find ourselves in the middle of the valley.  We are weak, tired, and feel empty. It seems we get a busy signal when we pray. 

When my head hits the pillow at night, whether I’m on the glorious mountain top with my Lord or in the valley; I say, “The Lord is my Shepherd.”  It never fails to give me a peaceful confidence. 

If we know that Jesus, the Great Shepherd, is leading us — if we know that He is in absolute control of all of the paths of life —  then we can pass through the shadows in peace and security, Psa. 37:23. 

Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

The God on the mountain is still God in the valley.

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“Life is easy, when you're up on the mountain,  —   And you've got peace of mind like you've never known.  —   But things change, when you're down in the valley;  —   Don't lose faith, for you are never alone.

Chorus:

“For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley.  —   When things go wrong, He'll make them right.  —   And the God of the good times is still God in the bad times.  —   The God of the day is still God in the night.

“We talk of faith way up on the mountain;  —   But talk comes easy when life's at its best.  —   Now its down in the valley of  trials and temptations;  —   Thats where your faith is really put to the test.”

Don Dartt

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. 

Oh, I Want To See Him

Many years ago I saw Roy Rogers. It was exciting and he was so nice. My daughter and I are in a picture with him. 

Ed McMahon— long time partner of the Tonight Show host Johnny Carson — shook my hand and spoke to me. 

Lynda Randle, popular gospel singer, hugged me when I asked for her autograph. 

Some day I’m going to see Jesus. His name outshines them all.   

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.

Oh, I want to see Him.

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“As I journey through the land, singing as I go,  —   Pointing souls to Calvary—to the crimson flow,  —   Many arrows pierce my soul from without, within;  —   But my Lord leads me on, through Him I must win.

Chorus:

“Oh, I want to see Him, look upon His face,  —   There to sing forever of His saving grace;  —   On the streets of glory let me lift my voice,  —   Cares all past, home at last, ever to rejoice.

“When in service for my Lord dark may be the night,  —   But I’ll cling more close to Him, He will give me light;  —   Satan’s snares may vex my soul, turn my thoughts aside;  —   But my Lord goes ahead, leads whate’er betide.

“When in valleys low I look toward the mountain height,  —   And behold my Savior there, leading in the fight,  —   With a tender hand outstretched toward the valley low,  —   Guiding me, I can see, as I onward go.

“When before me billows rise from the mighty deep,  —   Then my Lord directs my bark; He doth safely keep,  —   And He leads me gently on through this world below;  —  He’s a real Friend to me, oh, I love Him so.”

Rufus H. Cornelius 1916

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. 

The King Is Coming

Revelation 1:7-8 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. 

[8] I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

The first time Jesus came to this world, He came as a Redeemer. The next time He comes, He is coming as a Ruler! 

The first time He faced a Cross; the next time, He will wear a Crown. 

The first time He came there was a Tomb; the next time He comes there will be a Throne.

When Jesus comes to earth the next time he will not be the butt of cruel jokes. He will not be mocked, stripped, beaten, spit upon and crucified. 

He will come the next time as “the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!”

Are you ready?

The King is coming. 

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“The marketplace is empty,   —   No more traffic in the streets,   —   All the builders' tools are silent,   —   No more time to harvest wheat;   —   Busy housewives cease their labors,   —   In the courtroom no debate,   —   Work on earth is all suspended   —   As the King comes thro' the gate.

Chorus:

“O the King is coming,   —   O the King is coming!   —   I just heard the trumpet sounding,   —   And now His face I see;   —   O the King is coming,   —   The King is coming!   —   Praise God, He's coming for me!

“Happy faces line the hallways,   —   Those whose lives have been redeemed,   —   Broken homes that He has mended,   —   Those from prison He has freed;   —   Little children and the aged   —  Hand in hand stand all aglow,   —   Who were crippled, broken, ruined,   —   Clad in garments white as snow.

“I can hear the chariots rumble,   —   I can see the marching throng,   —   The flurry of God's trumpet   —   Spells the end of sin and wrong:   —   Regal robes are now unfolding,   —   Heaven's grandstand's all in place,   —   Heaven's choir is now assembled,   —   Start to sing Amazing Grace.”

Gloria Gaither, William J. Gaither and Charles Millhuff

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.