“When I survey the wondrous cross On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain I count but loss And pour contempt on all my pride
Were every realm of nature mine My gift would still be far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
Hymn- “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” by Isaac Watts
“By trusting you are being protected by God’s power for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
You rejoice in this greatly, even though for now for a little while… you have been distressed by various trials.
These trials are so that the “true metal” of your faith… may come to light in praise and honor and glory at the revelation of Yeshua Messiah.
Though you have not seen Him, you love Him.
And even though you don’t see Him now, you trust Him…”
– 1 Peter 1:5-8 TLV
“Give, and it shall be given to you– a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, overflowing, will be given into your lap.” – Luke 6:38
“Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for happiness and song;
As the burdens press, And the cares distress,
And the way grows weary and long?
O Yes, He cares, I know He cares! His heart is touched with my grief;
Though the days are weary, The long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares… O Yes, My Savior cares!”
Hymn- “Does Jesus Care?” –By J. Lincoln Hall and F.E. Graeff
“Humility can be summed up in just two words… “You first.””
– Faith Carr
“The Bible verse that Dr. Martin Luther King quoted most often was Amos 5:24,
“But let justice roll down as waters and righteousness as a mighty stream.”
The prophet Amos was saying,
(As most of the Hebrew prophets were saying)
that what God wants is justice and right living rather than religious ceremonies for their own sake.”
Quote from: Steve Hollaway@Harbor Church
“Rescue those being dragged off to death,
Hold back those stumbling to slaughter.”
“If you say, “Look, we didn’t know this.”
Won’t He who weighs hearts perceive it?
Won’t He who guards your soul know it?
Won’t He repay each one according to his deeds?”
Partiality in judgement is not good.
Whoever tells the guilty, “You are innocent,”
People curse him
And nations revile him.
But for those who convict the guilty
There will be delight– good blessing will come upon them.”
-Proverbs 24:11-12 and 23-25 Tree of Life Version
“He has told you, humanity, what is good, and what ADONAI is seeking from you:
Only to practice justice,
to love mercy, and to
walk humbly with your God.”
– Micah 6:8 TLV
“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven.”
-Ecclesiastes 3:1
And Jesus answered…
“Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Mark 12:29-31
“When My people, over whom My Name is called,
humble themselves and pray
and seek My face and turn from their evil ways,
then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin
and will heal their land.”
– 2 Chronicles 7:14
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.”
-Psalm 23:6
“WE HAVE A BIG GOD. WE HAVE A WONDERFUL JESUS.
WE HAVE A GLORIOUS COMFORTER.
GOD’S CANOPY IS OVER YOU AND WILL COVER YOU AT ALL TIMES,
PRESERVING YOU FROM EVIL.
UNDER HIS WINGS SHALL YOU TRUST.
THE WORD OF GOD IS LIVING AND POWERFUL, AND IN IT’S TREASURES YOU WILL FIND ETERNAL LIFE.
IF YOU DARE TRUST THIS WONDERFUL LORD, THIS LORD OF LIFE, YOU WILL FIND IN HIM EVERYTHING YOU NEED.”
– Smith Wigglesworth
Yet Will I Trust Him
“Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him…” – Job 13:15
“LORD, I trust You. No matter what.
In every situation I give You thanks.”
In All Things, At All Times, I Will Rejoice In You, LORD
“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall there be fruit on the vines..”
“Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”
Habakkuk 3:17-18
“Why things happen as they do
“Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God
and of Jesus Christ our Lord.”
-2 Peter 1:2
Look ahead
with courage
Trust God
and
Be strong
Joy
comes in the morning
and
Again will come
the dawn.
-Faith Carr
“Christ The Lord is Risen Indeed!”
“Death, where is your sting? Grave, where is your victory?”
“…Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
1 Corinthians 15:55-56
“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now I’m found, was blind but now I see.
Through many dangers toils and snares, I have already come
His grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.”
“Amazing Grace” by John Newton
“And He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.” Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” Luke 22:19-20
There are many traditions, holidays, and ceremonies, that we observe and hold in remembrance, and many of them in the name of Christianity. We celebrate birthdays, and Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter, and that’s fine, they are special days, and it’s good to celebrate, but there is one thing that the Lord has asked us to observe, in remembrance of Him, and the sacrifice that He made to redeem us, saying, “Do this as oft as you will, in remembrance of me.” II Corinthians 11:25
As we remember the last supper today, we are also reminded of Christ’s sacrificial love for all of us…We are reminded of His tremendous suffering, and the price that He paid to save us, and that by His grace, through faith, we are saved.
Thank you, Lord Jesus.
“In the Temple, He found the merchants selling oxen, sheep, and doves; also the moneychangers sitting there. Then He made a whip of cords and drove them all out…” – John 2:14-15
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me…”
This week, as I remember the events leading up to the crucifixion, I reflect on how Christ “cleansed the temple”of moneychangers and how, because of His love, and by His blood, we too can be made clean and renewed by His Holy Spirit.
“I will lift up my eyes to the mountains — from where does my help come?”
“My help comes from ADONAI, Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip.
Your keeper will not slumber.
Behold, the Keeper of Israel
neither slumbers nor sleeps.
ADONAI is your keeper. ADONAI is your shadow at your right hand.
The sun will not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
ADONAI will protect you from all evil.
He will guard your life.
ADONAI will watch over your coming and your going
From this time forth and forever more.”
Psalm 121 –Tree of Life Version
“The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped:
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices;
And with my song will I praise Him.”
Psalm 28:7
It’s very timely, and interesting too, to know that the Hebrew word for Hosanna is Hoshiana which means “Please save!”
And so, this Palm Sunday, as we remember what Christ has done for us, we can again say:
“LORD please save!”
“Hosanna in the Highest!”
“Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the LORD!”
Matthew 21:9
“Be not dismayed whatever betide,
God will take care of you.
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.”
“He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings will you find refuge. His faithfulness is body armor and shield.” – Psalm 91:4
Hymn- “God Will Take Care Of You”- by C. Martin and W.S. Martin
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
“ADONAI is good as a refuge in the day of distress and He knows those who
take refuge in Him.”
Psalm 46:1, Nahum 1:7
“No guilt in life, No fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.”
Song- “In Christ Alone” – By Getty and Townsend – Sung by Adrienne Liesching
“Look unto Me and be saved all the ends of the earth.
For I am God and there is no other.”
Who foretold this from ancient time?
Who declared it of old?
Is it not I, ADONAI?
There is no other God and a Savior–
There is none beside Me!
Turn to Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth.
For I am God — There is no other.”
Isaiah 45:20-22
“The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face to shine upon you
And be gracious unto you.
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you
And give you peace.”
– Numbers 6:24-26
‘
“See! The winter is past… the season of singing is here.” ~ Song of Solomon 2:11,12
“The voice of the LORD is over the waters…”
“…He arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” and the wind ceased and there was a great calm.”
-Psalm 29:3, Mark 4:39
“I was buried beneath my shame… Who could carry that kind of weight?
It was my tomb
‘Til I met You.
I was breathing but not alive… All my failures I tried to hide.
It was my tomb
‘Til I met You.
You called my name
And I ran out of that grave
Out of the darkness
Into Your glorious day!
Now Your mercy has saved my soul…Now Your freedom is all that I know.
The old made new, Jesus, when I met You!
You called my name, and I ran out of that grave.
Out of the darkness,
Into Your glorious day!
Praise Worship Song- “Glorious Day” by Passion
“For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
-2 Timothy 1:7
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
Put on the full armor of God, so that you are able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the worldly forces of this darkness, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places.
Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist when the times are evil, and after you have done everything, to stand firm.
Stand firm then!
Buckle the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness.
Strap up your feet in readiness with the Good News of shalom (peace).
Above all, take up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray in the Ruach (Spirit) on every occasion, with all kinds of prayers and requests.
With this in mind, keep alert with perseverance and supplication for all the kedoshim (saints).”
Ephesians 6:10-18 – (TLV) Tree of Life Version
“To learn strong faith, is to endure great trials. I have learned my faith by standing firm amid severe testings.”
– George Mueller
“With our hearts, we adore the Lord, and with lifted hands, we bless the Lord.” 💚
“I am content to fill a little space if God be glorified.”
~ Susannah Wesley
“There are depths of love
That I cannot know
Til I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy
That I may not reach
Til I rest in peace with Thee.
Draw me nearer, nearer,
Nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer,
Nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.”
Hymn- “I Am Thine, O Lord” – Fanny J. Crosby/ W.H. Doane
“O the pure delight of a single hour, that before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee my God,
I commune as friend with Friend!”
Hymn- “I Am Thine, O Lord” – by Fanny J. Crosby/ W.H. Doane
“I am Thine O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith,
And be closer drawn to Thee.
Consecrate me now to Thy service Lord,
By the power of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.”
Hymn- “I Am Thine, O Lord” – Fanny J. Crosby/ W.H. Doane
From the love of my own comfort
From the fear of having nothing
From a life of worldly passions
Deliver me O God,
From the need to be understood
And from a need to be accepted
From the fear of being lonely
Deliver me O God,
Deliver me O God,
And I shall not want, no I shall not want
When I taste Your goodness, I shall not want
When I taste Your goodness, I shall not want
From the fear of serving others
Oh, and from the fear of death or trial
And from the fear of humility
Deliver me O God,
And I shall not want
Song Lyrics from “I Shall Not Want” – by Audrey Assad
“In the beginning… the Spirit of God hovered over the waters…”
“… I have loved you with an everlasting love.
Therefore, with loving kindness,
I have drawn you.”
“He chose us in Christ,
[actually selected us for Himself as His own]
Before the world began…”
-Genesis 1:2 – Jeremiah 31:3 – Ephesians 4:1
“Tho’ the clouds may hover over us, There’s a bright and golden ray,
It’s the promise that in heaven God shall wipe all tears away.
No more sorrow, no more weeping, Peace and joy will hold full sway,
For beside life’s crystal river, God shall wipe all tears away.
Every care will be forgotten, All our burdens we shall lay,
Safe within the walls of jasper, God shall wipe all tears away.
O the joy of meeting Jesus, Mortal tongue cannot portray,
But we know when we behold Him, God shall wipe all tears away.”
Hymn- “God Shall Wipe All Tears Away” by Antonio L. Haskell
“My Lord ADONAI will wipe away tears from every face…” “He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes…”
– Isaiah 25:8- Revelation 21:4
“Father God,
I thank You
that
Your Truth
is
Greater than
my difficulties.”
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me, ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE, and I will dwell in the House of ADONAI forever.”
Psalm 23:6
“Let us run the race with endurance
the race that is set before us,
focusing on Yeshua,
the initiator and perfecter of faith…”
Hebrews 12:1-2 ~Tree of Life Version
O LORD my God, When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars. I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed
And when I think,
That God, His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die
I scarce can take it in.
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
Then sings my soul, My Savior, God to Thee
How Great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, My Savior, God to Thee
How Great Thou art! … How Great Thou art!
From Hymn- “How Great Thou Art” by Carl Boberg/ Stuart K. Hine
“My times are in Your hands…” – Psalm 31:16 TLV
My times are in Your hands,
Whatever they may be,
pleasing, painful,
dark , or bright,
As best may seem to Thee.
– from sermon by Charles Spurgeon, “In Thy Hand”
“The righteous cry out and ADONAI hears,
and delivers them from all their troubles.
ADONAI is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those crushed in spirit.
Many are the distresses of the righteous,
but ADONAI delivers them out of them all.”
Psalms 34:18-19
Every penny bears the reminder, “In God We Trust” but for Job it was personal.
Job said, ” Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” – Job 15:13
Meaning, “Even if He kills me, I will die trusting in Him.” Proof of the trust in God that was rooted in Job.
No matter what. I choose to trust.
Trust in God.
“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
– Hebrews 11:1
“My Hallelujah belongs to you… My Hallelujah belongs to you
My Hallelujah belongs to you… My Hallelujah belongs to you
You deserve it, You deserve it, You deserve it, You deserve it
All of the glory belongs to You… All of the glory belongs to You
All of the glory belongs to You… All of the glory belongs to You
You deserve it, You deserve it, You deserve it, You deserve it
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
All the Glory, All the Honor, All the Praise!
You deserve it.
My Hallelujah belongs to You.”
Song- “You Deserve It” – by J.J. Hairston
Have you that something, that burning desire?
Have you that something that never doth tire?
Oh, if you have it –that Heavenly Fire!
Then let the world know there is something within.
Something within me that holdeth the reins,
Something within me that banishes pain,
Something within me I cannot explain,
All that I know there is something within.
Hymn- “Something Within” By L.E. Campbell
My heart beating, My soul breathing,
I found my life when I laid it down.
Upward falling, spirit soaring
I touch the sky when my knees hit the ground.
What treasure waits within Your scars.
The gift of freedom gold can’t buy.
I bought the world and sold my heart.
You traded heaven to have me again.
My heart beating, My soul breathing,
I found my life when I laid it down.
Upward falling, spirit soaring
I touched the sky when my knees hit the ground.
Find me here at Your feet again.
Everything I am, reaching out, I surrender.
Come sweep me up in Your love again,
And my soul will dance,
On the wings of forever.
Upward falling, spirit soaring,
I touch the sky when my knees hit the ground.
From “Touch The Sky“ -by Hillsong
“…Fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience…”
Ephesians 6:17 and I Timothy 1:18-19
“For you are a holy people to ADONAI your God– from all the peoples on the face of the earth, ADONAI has chosen you to be his treasured people.”
– Deuteronomy 14:2
“… Thou O LORD art a shield around me, my Glory and The Lifter of my head.” -Psalm 3:3
“…Come away by yourselves to an isolated place and rest awhile.” – Mark 6:31
“Count it all joy… when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance” – James 1:2
“…Boast in suffering — knowing that suffering produces perseverance, and perseverance character, and character hope.” – Romans 5:3-4
“For I consider the sufferings of this present time not worthy to be compared with the coming glory to be revealed in us.” – Romans 8:18
“So then, those who suffer according to God’s will — let them trust their souls to a faithful Creator while continuing to do good.” – 1 Peter 4:19
“After you have suffered awhile, the God of grace– who has called you into His eternal glory in Messiah– will Himself restore, support,strengthen, and establish you.“
-1 Peter 5:10
“He was handed over for our transgressions and raised up for the sake of setting us right.” – Romans 4:25
“…Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name,
You are Mine.”
Isaiah 43:1
“…They received the message with goodwill, searching the Scriptures each day to see whether these things were true.” – Acts 17:11
“For thus saith the Lord, God; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep
and seek them out.” – Ezekiel 34:11
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.“
– Luke 19:10
I know a great Savior, I do; don’t you? I live by His favor, I do; don’t you?
For grace I implore Him, I worship before Him, I love and adore Him, I do; don’t you?
I need Him to lead me, I do; don’t you? Heaven’s manna to feed me, I do; don’t you?
Whatever betide me, I need Him beside me, In mercy to hide me, I do; don’t you?
I love to be near Him, I do; don’t you? He speaks and I hear Him, I do; don’t you?
For me He is caring, The cross I am bearing, I love Him for sharing, I do; don’t you?
I want Him to use me, I do; don’t you; For service to choose me, I do; don’t you?
I want Him to bless me, To own and confess me, Completely possess me, I do; don’t you?
Hymn- “I Do, Don’t You?” by E.O. Exill and M. Miller
I trust in God,
I know He cares for me,
On mountain bleak
Or on the stormy sea;
Tho’ billows roll,
He keeps my soul,
My heav’nly Father watches over me.
Hymn- “My Father Watches Over Me” by C.H. Gabriel and W.C. Martin
“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”- Psalm 34:18
” Thus says ADONAI, Israel”s King and his Redeemer, ADONAI-Tzva’ot:
“I am the first, and the last,
and there is no God beside Me…”
“I, I am the One who blots out
your transgressions for My own sake,
and will not remember your sins.”
“I, I am ADONAI—
and there is no savior beside Me.”
– Isaiah 44:6, 43:25, 43:11
“One sat alone beside the highway, begging,
His eyes were blind, the light he could not see;
He clutched his old rags, and shivered in the shadows,
Then Jesus came, and bade his darkness flee.
When Jesus comes, the tempter’s power is broken;
When Jesus comes, the tears are wiped away.
For He takes the gloom, and fills the life with glory,
And all is changed, when Jesus comes to stay.”
Hymn- “Then Jesus Came”, by Oswald Smith
“Be still ,my soul; the LORD is on your side! Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to your God to order and provide… In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; your Best, your heavenly Friend,
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul; your God will undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and wind still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.”
“Be Still My Soul”- hymn by J. Sibelius and K. Schlegel
Be not dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you.
God will take care of you,
Through every day,
O’er all the way;
He will take care of you,
God will take care of you.
No matter what may be the test, God will take care of you;
Lean weary one upon His breast, God will take care of you.
Hymn- “God Will Take Care of You” by Walter and Civilla Martin
No Problem That God Can’t Solve
-“Just Haven’t Seen It Yet” song by Danny Gokey
“WEEPING MAY ENDURE FOR A NIGHT, BUT JOY COMES IN THE MORNING.”
PSALM 30:5
“Great faith is the product of great fights. Great testimonies are the outcome of great tests. Great triumphs can only come out of great trials.“
– Smith Wigglesworth
Join us on my podcast, “Faith under the Palm Tree” For Bible Questions and Answers☀️
PLAY HERE
“I will cause the rain to come down in its season.
There shall be showers of blessing.”
– Ezekiel 34:26
“The LORD is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.” – Psalm 118:14
“As the day breaks and the shadows flee away,… flee away,
As the day breaks and the shadows flee away,… flee away,
Guide me O Thou Great Jehovah,
Keep me faithful to Thy call,
As the day breaks and the shadows flee away.”
*”Sung by my great-grandmother, to her daughter, my Grandma, when she was growing up, during morning quiet time.”
Song of Songs 2:17
He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater;
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase.
To added affliction, He addeth His mercy;
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.
His love has no limit; His grace has no measure;
His pow’r has no boundary known unto men.
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed, ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.
Hymn by – Annie J.Flint and Huburt Mitchell
Jesus said… “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”– John 11:25
“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.”
– Isaiah 53:5
“And He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.” Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” Luke 22:19-20
There are many traditions, holidays, and ceremonies, that we observe and hold in remembrance, and many of them in the name of Christianity. We celebrate birthdays, and Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter, and that’s fine, they are special days, and it’s good to celebrate, but there is one thing that the Lord has asked us to observe, in remembrance of Him, and the sacrifice that He made to redeem us, saying;
“Do this as oft as you will, in remembrance of me.” II Corinthians 11:25
As we remember the last supper today, we are also reminded of Christ’s sacrificial love for all of us. We are reminded of His tremendous suffering, and the price that He paid to save us. We are reminded that by His grace, through faith, we are saved.
Thank you, Jesus.♥
“A brand plucked from the fire” – Zechariah 3:2
“We went through fire and through water, Yet you brought us out to a place of abundance.” – Psalm 66:12
“The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time.”
– Abraham Lincoln
“A thousand times I’ve failed; still Your mercy remains…”
“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
His mercies are new every morning”
– Lamentations 3:22-23🌼
Lyrics excerpt- “From the Inside Out”- by Hillsong United
“Like miners, facing struggle and difficulties, in search of diamonds,
So has been my journey…
And now I see
That the Treasure I’ve found,
In Christ alone,
and through it all,
Is absolutely priceless.”
– Faith Carr
“I was blind, now I’m seeing in color, I was dead, now I’m living forever.
I had failed, but You are my Redeemer, I’ve been blessed beyond all measure.
You were there in the valley of shadows, You were there in the depths of my sorrows
You’re my strength, my hope for tomorrow, I’ve been blessed beyond all measure.
I am counting every blessing, counting every blessing.
Letting go and trusting when I cannot see.
I am counting every blessing, counting every blessing.
Surely, every season You are good to me.”
“Counting Every Blessing” – lyrics by Rend Collective
“The Winter is past
Flowers appear on the earth
The time of singing has come!”
Song of Solomon 2:11-12
“The joy of the LORD is my strength.”
-Nehemiah 8:10
“Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, LORD, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days;
Let them flow in ceaseless praise, Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my voice, and let me sing,
Always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be,
Filled with messages from Thee, Filled with messages from Thee.
Take my will, and make it Thine;
It shall no longer be mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne, It shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour,
At Thy feet it’s treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be,
Ever, only, all for Thee, Ever, only, all for Thee. -Amen
Hymn: “Take My Life and Let It Be” by- Malon, Havergal, and Mason
I will make the darkness light before you,
What is wrong I’ll make it right before you,
All your battles I will fight before you,
And the high place I’ll bring down.
When you walk by the way I’ll lead you,
On the fatness of the land I’ll feed you,
And a mansion in the sky I’ll deed you,
And the high place I’ll bring down.
With an everlasting love I’ll love you,
Though with trials deep and sore I’ll prove you,
But there’s nothing that can hurt or move you,
And the high place I’ll bring down.
Although satan in his rage would tear you,
And with all his scheming ways would snare you,
Even down to your old age I’ll bear you,
And the high place I’ll bring down.
I will make the darkness light before you,
I will make the crooked straight before you,
I will spread My wings protecting o’er you,
“And the high place I’ll bring down.”
Charles P. Jones
“…I will make the darkness light before them.” Isaiah 42:16
“As for me, I will call on God,
and ADONAI will save me…”
“He will redeem my soul in shalom
from the battle against me.”
“Cast your burden on ADONAI, and
He will sustain you.”
Psalm 55:17,19,23
Ponder
“They will declare the work of God, and ponder what He has done.”
Psalms 64:10
“Yet, He would often slip away into the wilderness and pray.”
-Luke 5:16
“When you can’t see God’s plan,
And you don’t understand,
Trust in His Word…
Hold tight to His Hand.”
-Faith Carr
Peace! Peace! Wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above,
Sweep over my spirit
Forever I pray
In fathomless billows of love.
I am resting tonight
In this wonderful peace,
Resting sweetly in Jesus’ control
For I’m kept from all danger
By night and by day,
And His glory is flooding my soul.
Peace! Peace! Wonderful Peace,
Coming down from the Father above,
Sweep over my spirit
Forever I pray
In fathomless billows of love.
Hymn- “Wonderful Peace”
W. Cooper and W. Cornell
“This one thing I do,
Forgetting what is behind,
I look forward
To what lies
Ahead.”
Philippians 3:13
Sometimes it’s hard to wait when you’re praying for something special to happen, and I know what that feels like…
Once, while I was waiting for my miracle, I had a dream. It had been about 6 months since I had surgery and I was growing more and more impatient about having a baby. I thought I’d get pregnant right away. But that’s not what happened.
One night, I had a very interesting dream
There were two parts to this dream. First, I dreamt that my husband and I were visiting some friends for dinner and as the men talked in the living room, I sat in the kitchen while the food was being prepared. I was shocked to see that my friend was spooning raw, runny, red, hamburger meat, into taco shells and placing them in the microwave to be cooked. “YUCK!” I thought to myself, and when she had finished cooking, she topped them with all the trimmings, but I just couldn’t bring myself to eat any, because I saw the way that they were prepared with raw meat, and this really grossed me out!
In the second part of my dream, I was in a meat shop, and I was trying to buy a beef roast which was turning slowly on a spit. I was in a hurry, and I told the man cooking the meat that I had been waiting a long time, and was ready to go. He looked at me and said “I’m sorry ma’am but it’s not ready yet. I said “Are you sure? It looks like it’s done.” then he pulled out a long sharp-pointed thing, and pierced through the meat, and all of this red, runny, gook came pouring out. He was right. The meat was not ready… It was as if both parts of the dream had the same meaning.
When I woke up, I thought that maybe this dream had something to do with my healing from surgery, and how I was not yet healed up enough on the inside.
A few days later, I was sitting in the park, watching my son and daughter at soccer practice, when I saw a friend from church. She asked me how I was recovering from the surgery. I told her that I was doing fine, but that I was really ready to have another baby, “After all”, I said “I’m 35 years old!”…She was nearly 50, and told me that I was still young enough to have another baby. “God’s timing is perfect… Just be patient!..I had my last baby when I was 40 years old. ” she said. I smiled, shrugged my shoulders, and said, “But I’ve been waiting so long already.” Then she said, ” Faith, you just had surgery… You need time to heal.” She laughed and said jokingly, .. “What you want is the Microwave Treatment!!”
When she said this, I knew that it was a confirmation of the dream that I’d had a few days earlier… “The Microwave Treatment”… It was true! I didn’t want to wait any longer.. I wanted my miracle,and I wanted it now! This instant… In fact, I wanted it yesterday!!
I was reminded by this incident, that God is in control, and I accepted that He knows best. I would just have to be patient and wait…
Three years later, I realized my miracle, and was expecting our little girl.
“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage…”
Psalm 27:14
There is a place of quiet rest,
Near to the heart of God,
A place where sin cannot molest,
Near to the heart of God.
There is a place of comfort sweet,
Near to the heart of God,
A place where we our Savior meet,
Near to the heart of God.
There is a place of full release,
Near to the heart of God,
A place where all is joy and peace,
Near to the heart of God.
O Jesus, blest redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God,
Hold us who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart God.
Hymn- “Near to the Heart of God”
By Cleland B. McAfee
“Let go of the past, so that God can open the door to your future.”
-Fritz Chery
I asked the Lord to comfort me
When things weren’t going my way,
He said to me, “I’ll comfort you,
And lift your cares away.”
I asked the Lord to walk with me,
When darkness was all that I knew
He said to me, “Never be afraid,
For I will see you through.”
I didn’t ask for riches,
He gave me wealth untold,
The moon, the stars, the sun the sky,
And gave me eyes to behold.
I thank the Lord for everything,
And I count my blessings each day,
He came to me when I needed Him,
I only had to pray,
And He’ll come to you
If you ask Him to,
He’ only a prayer away.
“I Asked the Lord”- Hymn by
Duncan & Lange
“When the cares of my heart are many, Your consolations cheer my soul.”
Psalm 94:19
How many times can one heart break?
“…This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting...” Matthew 17:21
I was praying for a miracle, and there were many times that I would get discouraged, and sometimes even depressed, because it seemed like nothing was happening…
There were only a few people during that time, that I could talk to, who actually believed with me, encouraged me, and listened patiently. My grandmother was one of these people. She was the first one to pray for me when the doctors said that I would never be able to have a baby.
She told me, way back then, at the beginning of my journey, that I would be a mother, and she laid her hands on my tummy and prayed for me. She had great faith. I often called her during my lowest times and she would say to me,
“God will do it. He is faithful and there is nothing too hard for Him.”
She told me that what I needed to do, was to pray and fast. She told me to always pray and fast whenever I could. Not just once, but periodically, along with my prayers, as I waited for God to do as He promised.
When the struggle and the waiting became the most unbearable, I remembered my grandmother’s words and followed her advice, and even though she passed away, during the 10 year period of praying for my third little miracle, and had gone home to be with Jesus, her sweet voice remained in my heart, always reminding me of the power and importance of prayer and fasting.
Sometimes when we’ve been praying for something for a very long time, it feels like an uphill battle…
It’s a fight, yes, but, II Corinthians 10:4 says that, ” … the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty, through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” Prayer and fasting are two of those mighty weapons…
Armed with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, we press through the battle with prayer and fasting, trusting Jesus for the victory and a miracle realized.
“The comeback is often stronger than the setback.”
– Anonymous
“Afflictions make the heart more deep,
more experimental, more knowing, and
more profound, and so; more able
to hold, to contain, to beat more.”
– John Bunyan
“There is a Friend
Who
Sticks
Closer
Than a brother.”
Proverbs 18:24
