Pray for Young Men
July 2, 2010 at 3:29 pm | Posted in hymns, prayer | Leave a commentTags: hymn, Pray for young men, stand up for Jesus
Will you join me in praying for some young men who are or will be leaders in the body of Christ? There is much in today’s culture that fights against manliness. Young men need help in knowing what it is to be a man in a Biblical sense not a worldly sense. We need mature godly male role models to help young men know the way to become a mature godly man. Maybe you know a young man that you could pray for. Maybe you know an older man that could and should be mentoring some young men. I have some suggestions for how you can pray.
Pray that:
1. They will always be completely surrendered to God (Rom. 12:1-2).
2. They will be in His Word to study and live it (2 Tim. 2:15).
3. They will learn to balance their private life and public life.
4. They will understand that God cares about character more than giftedness.
5. They will learn about diligence and self-discipline.
6. They will realize the presence of the God and His joy (Ps. 21:6)
7. They will stay faithful to God no matter what.
8. They will confidently know what God has “called” them to.
9. They will have older godly men to mentor them and younger godly men to mentor.
10. Their families (if they have them) will be protected from the evil one.
Thank you for looking around, seeing some young men with potential and for praying (interceding) for them. They may never know it, but God will and your prayers will make a difference.
“I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of His name. I write to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, dear children, because you have known the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you young men, because you are strong, and the Word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.” (1 John 2:12-14 NIV)
Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus
by George Duffield
1. Stand up, stand up for Jesus, Ye soldiers of the cross
Lift high His royal banner, It must not suffer loss.
From victory unto victory His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished And Christ is Lord indeed.
2. Stand up, stand up for Jesus, The trumpet call obey;
Forth to the mighty conflict, In this His glorious day!
Ye that are men, now serve Him Against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger And strength to strength oppose.
3. Stand up, stand up for Jesus, The trumpet call obey;
The arm of flesh will fail you, Ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the gospel armor, Each piece put on with prayer;
Where duty calls, or danger, Be never wanting there.
4. Stand up, stand up for Jesus- The strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle, The next the victor’s song.
To him that overcometh A crown of life shall be;
He with the King of glory Shall reign eternally. Amen
Stay faithful and hopeful,
Bill (a fellow-laborer)
(Rom. 15:13; 1 Tim. 1:18-19)
Thursday’s Hymn – It Is Well with My Soul
July 1, 2010 at 9:47 am | Posted in hymns | Leave a commentTags: Horatio G. Spafford, hymn, It Is Well with My Soul
We heard this sung in church last Sunday in the part of the service we call “Worship Through Song.” It was sung acapella by a woman with a very nice voice, but who was very nervous. She is also part of a family that is going through difficulty and grieving. There are others in the congregation going through the death of a loved one, or a sudden traumatic injury from a car accident or cancer and the pain of chemo-therapy or being jobless with no benefits or unemployment checks. What was more moving still was when people in the congregation began singing along, especially during the chorus. It was worship in the Biblical definition of worship.
I hope the words minister to you today whatever you may be going through. I encourage you to say them out loud to God as a prayer of worship. God bless you.
Stay faithful and hopeful,
Bill (a fellow-laborer)
Romans 15:13
“…………He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.”
– Isaiah 50:4b
“Has not My hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the Lord. “This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at My Word.
– Isaiah 66:2
It Is Well with My Soul
By Horatio G. Spafford (1826-1888)
1. When peace like a river attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll, Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, “It is well, it is well with my soul.”
(Refrain) It is well with my soul; it is well it is well with my soul!
2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
(Refrain)
3. My sin – oh, the bliss of this glorious thought – My sin, not in part but the whole, Is nailed to His cross and I bear it no more! Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
(Refrain)
4. And, Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll, The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend! Even so – it is well with my soul!
(Refrain)
Thursday’s Hymn – The Saviour Can Solve Every Problem
June 24, 2010 at 9:39 am | Posted in hymns | Leave a commentTags: hymn, Oswald J. Smith, The Saviour Can Solve Every Problem, The Work God Blesses
This hymn can also be found on page six in The Work God Blesses Oswald J. Smith. It is a pretty good book on pastoral leadership. I hope you are encouraged today.
Stay faithful and hopeful,
Bill (a fellow-laborer)
Romans 15:13; Jeremiah 32:17, 27, 33:3
The Saviour Can Solve Every Problem
by Rev. Oswald J. Smith; music by B.D. Ackley (1932)
1. The Saviour can lift every burden, The heavy as well as the light;
His strength is made perfect in weakness, In Him there is power and might.
(Refrain) The Saviour can solve every problem, the tangles of life can undo;
There is nothing too hard for Jesus, There is nothing that He cannot do.
2. The Saviour can bear every sorrow, In Him there is comfort and rest;
No matter how great the affliction, he only permits what is best.
(Refrain)
3. The Saviour can strengthen the weary, His grace is sufficient for all;
He know every step of the pathway, And listens to hear when we call.
(Refrain)
4. The Saviour can break sin’s dominion, The victory He won long ago;
In Him there is freedom from bondage, He’s able to conquer the foe.
(Refrain)
5. The Saviour can satisfy fully, The heart that the world cannot fill;
His presence will sanctify wholly, The soul that is yielded and still.
(Refrain)
Thursday’s Hymn – Jesus Loves Me
June 17, 2010 at 9:49 am | Posted in hymns | Leave a commentTags: hymn, Jesus Loves Me
Most of us know this as a children’s song, but check out the second and third verses. Make sure you teach children those verses as well as the first verse and the refrain. I was surprised when we read this during our devotional time. Hope you are blessed and encouraged as we were.
Much GRACE and peace to you,
Bill (a fellow-laborer)
Romans 15:13; Isaiah 54:13
Jesus Loves Me
By Anna B. Warner (1820-1915)
1. Jesus loves me! this I know, For the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong; they are weak but He is strong.
(Refrain) Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so.
2. Jesus loves me! He who died Heaven’s gates to open wide. He will wash away my sin, Let His little child come in.
(Refrain)
3. Jesus loves me! He will stay Close beside me all the way; Thou hast bled and died for me; I will henceforth live for Thee.
(Refrain)
Thursday’s Hymn – At Calvary
June 10, 2010 at 9:21 am | Posted in hymns | Leave a commentTags: At Calvary, hymn
Here is a hymn that will get your hands to clapping and feet to tapping. I know that sounded ridiculous but it’s the truth. Its 4/4 time and you want to sing out. You’ll probably want to raise your voice and sing out loud especially when the words sink in and you realize what God has done for you. Enough of me telling you how to sing because I just remembered that I really don’t like when song leaders tell people how to sing in church.
Just sing and enjoy the feeling of praising God. It doesn’t matter if you are off key a little either. Just open up and let that gratitude for God’s salvation come up out of your soul. Make your song an offering of thanks to God. You will be glad you did.
He who sacrifices thank offerings honors Me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God. (Psalm 50:23)
I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for My own sake, and remembers your sins no more. (Isaiah 43:25)
What a great God to sing praise to. What a great God to trust. What a great God to be loved by.
Much GRACE and peace to you,
Bill (a fellow-laborer)
Romans 15:13
At Calvary
By William R Newell (1868-1956)
1. Years I spent in vanity and pride, Caring not my Lord was crucified, Knowing not it was for me He died On Calvary.
(Refrain) Mercy there was great, and grace was free; Pardon there was multiplied to me; there my burdened soul found liberty—At Calvary.
2. By God’s Word at last my sin I learned; Then I trembled at the law I’d spurned till my guilty soul imploring turned To Calvary.
(Refrain)
3. Now I’ve given to Jesus everything; Now I gladly own Him as my King; Now my raptured soul can only sing Of Calvary.
(Refrain)
4. Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan! Oh, the grace that brought it down to man! Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span At Calvary!
(Refrain)
Thursday’s Hymn – Grace Greater Than Our Sin
June 3, 2010 at 9:27 am | Posted in hymns | Leave a commentTags: Grace, Grace Greater Than Our Sin, hymn
Grace is a wonderful reality. Grace for forgiveness, grace for growth, or grace for life; no matter how you look at it, it’s wonderful. As a Christian I know first-hand that I am now saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Maturity in my Christian walk depends on my growing in the grace and knowledge of My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). When I get tired or discouraged and feel like giving up, He gives more grace to help me keep pressing on (Hebrews 4:16; James 4:6). There is even more that I could say about grace.
You see GRACE is a wonderful reality for the child of God. Not because of who the receiving person is, but because of Who the Giver of GRACE is! Can I get an amen? I cannot explain everything about GRACE, but I can say I have, I am and I will experience it in my life. I am grateful for God’s grace. How about you?
Stay faithful and hopeful,
Bill (a fellow-laborer)
Romans 15:13; Hebrews 4:14-16
GRACE GREATER THAN OUR SIN
by Julia H. Johnston, 1849-1919
1. Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt, Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured, There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
(Refrain) Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within; Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin.
2. Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold, Threaten the soul with infinite loss; Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold, Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.
(Refrain)
3. Dark is the stain that we cannot hide, What can avail to wash it away? Look! There is flowing a crimson tide; Whiter than snow you may be today.
(Refrain)
4. Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace Freely bestowed on all who believe; You that are longing to see His face, Will you this moment His grace receive?
(Refrain)
Thursday’s Hymn – Come, Thou Almighty King
May 13, 2010 at 8:38 pm | Posted in hymns | Leave a commentTags: Come Thou Almighty King, hymn
There are some songs that sound good with both a piano and organ as part of the music team. This is one of those songs. I like singing this song in church and hearing God’s people sing out to Him. What a privilege we have as children of the Most High God to sing His praises. I hope this song blesses you as you read the words. Maybe you can offer it to God as a prayer of praise. I hope you have a great weekend.
Much GRACE and peace to you,
Bill (a fellow-laborer)
Romans 15:13; Psalm 50:23
Come, Thou Almighty King
Anonymous, circa 1757
1. Come, Thou Almighty King, Help us Thy name to sing, Help us to praise. Father, all glorious, O’er all victorious, Come and reign over us, Ancient of Days.
2. Come, Thou incarnate Word, Gird on Thy mighty sword, Our prayer attend: Come, and Thy people bless, And give Thy Word success; Spirit of holiness, On us descend.
3. Come, Holy Comforter, Thy sacred witness bear In this glad hour: Thou who almighty art, Now rule in every heart, And ne’er from us depart, Spirit of power.
4. To Thee, great One in Three, Eternal praises be Hence ever more, Thy sovereign majesty May we in glory see, And to eternity Love and adore.
Victory In Jesus!
April 4, 2010 at 7:52 pm | Posted in Easter songs, encouragement, hymns | Leave a commentTags: Easter service, Easter songs, hymn, Victory in Jesus
Because of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ believers can sing this song with both joy and confidence. Believers have God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit actively at work in their lives. What a blessed truth to have in one’s life. There may be things that we can’t explain too well to an unbelieving world, but we can be confident in our Victory in Jesus! What a great, great privilege it is to believe in what Jesus accomplished on the cross.
For almost the past 30 years I have had some type of leadership or preaching responsibility on Easter Sunday. I preached my first Easter Sunrise service in a cemetery in 1981. Today my wife and I attended a friend’s church as worship service visitors. We were blessed to be in church today. The Easter musical was good. The preaching was good. The praying and singing were good. It was good to be in one of God’s local churches worshipping Him.
Some of the songs we sang this morning were, Lord, I Lift Your Name on High; Christ the Lord Is Risen Today; He Lives; Christ Arose; Give Thanks; and Only Trust Him. My friend the pastor preached on “Real Hope and Change” from John 14:1-6. It really was good to be in church this morning. The church we were at is not that big, but it was packed today. The presence of God was there and you could sense humility before God. We were blessed.
I hope you were blessed today. I hope you will be blessed tomorrow as well. It is so good to know Jesus as Lord and Savior. May you find strength and rest in being yoked with Him. (28)”Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (29)Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (30)For My yoke is easy and My burden is Light.” (Matt. 11:28-30)
Much Grace and peace to you,
Bill (a fellow-laborer)
Romans 15:13; Psalm 21:6
Victory in Jesus
By Eugene M. Bartlett (1885-1941)
1. I heard an old, old story, how a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me.
I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood’s atoning.
Then I repented of my sins and won the victory.
(Refrain)
Oh, victory in Jesus, my Saviour, forever! He sought me and He bought me with His redeeming blood. He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him. He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.
2. I heard about His healing, of His cleansing power revealing,
How He made the lame to walk again and caused the blind to see.
And then I cried, “Dear Jesus, come and heal my broken spirit”;
And somehow Jesus came and brought to me the victory.
(Refrain)
3. I heard about a mansion He has built for me in glory,
And I heard about the streets of gold beyond the crystal sea,
About the angels singing, and the old redemption story;
And some sweet day I’ll sing up there the song of victory.
(Refrain)
Nothing But The Blood!
April 2, 2010 at 4:37 pm | Posted in Easter songs, hymns, prayer | Leave a commentTags: Easter service, Easter songs, hymn, Nothing But the Blood
I love the call and response of this hymn. There have been different times that I have led congregations and men’s groups to sing this song. I’ve done it in a call and response style. I have the group be quiet while I sing the first part and then have them all sing out in unison the response. It is a very moving way to sing this song. This song is so meaningful to me that I want it sung at my funeral. Yes, my wife knows that.
But Friday’s are for prayer reminders. Let’s pray for churches to experience the power and presence of God this weekend. There are a lot of church activities going on and most churches will have more visitors this weekend than any other weekend. So let’s pray for:
- Unsaved visitors to attend true Bible believing Christian churches this Sunday
- Many unsaved people of all ages to get saved this Sunday
- Visitors to feel welcomed by the church people and return to those churches
- Pastor’s to preach the Word of God in the power of the Holy Spirit
- People to listen attentively this Sunday
- Churches to grow through evangelism/disciplemaking
- New churches to be started
- God to be glorified this Sunday in many different ways
- God’s people to live as ambassadors of the Lord Jesus Christ
Thank you for praying. Your prayers will make a difference. I hope you have a great weekend.
Grace and peace to you,
Bill (a fellow-laborer)
Romans 15:13
(19)For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, (20)and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross. (Colossians 1:19-20)
Nothing But the Blood
By Robert Lowry (1826-1899)
1. What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
(Refrain) Oh, precious is the flow That makes me white as snow;
No other font I know, Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
2. For my pardon this I see – Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing, this my plea – Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
(Refrain)
3. Nothing can for sin atone – Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done – Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
(Refrain)
4. This is all my hope and peace – Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness – Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
(Refrain)
The Great I Am
February 24, 2010 at 5:47 pm | Posted in encouragement, Names of God | Leave a commentTags: Holy, humbled, hymn, Names of God
I was thinking about God this week (yes I know you expected me too), and I was humbled by some answers to prayer He gave to me and my wife. I was deeply humbled and repentant and glad that I am allowed to know Him. So I had to look for something to share with you. Almost all of my books are packed along with most all of my files. When I need a book or books I have to go through a lot to get them. After I use them I have to repack them. But God is good and gracious.
(12)And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.” (13)Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is His name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” (14)God said to Moses, “I Am Who I Am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” (15)God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers – the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob – has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.” (Exodus 3:12-16 NIV)
Over the years I have collected and read a lot of books on the names of God. I was looking for something simple to encourage you this week with some truth about God. I found this old bulletin insert. I don’t know where it came from.
The Names of God
In biblical times names reflected character. So, if you could understand a person’s name, you came closer to understanding the person. We have heard God called Elohim, the Creator God. Hi is Adonai, the Lord. We know Him as Jehovah, the God who keeps His covenant. Here are some others:
El Elyon: “The Most High God”, describes the God who sits in heaven, looks down and says, “Everything is in My hand.” When you call on El Elyon, it is a way of saying that no matter what’s going on, everything is under His control.
El Olam: “The Everlasting, Unchanging God.” No matter how volatile your circumstances, no matter how unstable your life may seem, you serve a God who is the same for all time.
El Shaddai: “God Almighty, full of grace.” When I need what I don’t deserve, El Shaddai, is there to make up the difference with His grace.
El Roi: “The God who sees.” When I’m hurting, I need El Roi, for God is so intimately connected with my circumstances that He understands what I am going through.
Jehovah Raah: “The Lord, my Shepherd.” When I don’t know which direction to take in life and I get down on my knees and call on Jehovah Raah, I know that this sheep is about to be aimed in the perfect direction.
Jehovah Sabbaoth: “The Lord of Hosts.” When I find myself in a whole lot of trouble and nobody seems ready to come to my aid, I remember Jehovah Sabbaoth. If necessary, He will send all the angels of heaven to get me where I need to go.
Jehovah Jireh: “The Lord will provide.”
Jehovah Rapha: “The Lord who heals you.”
Jehovah Shalom: “The Lord, my peace.”
Jehovah Shammah: “The Lord who is always near.”
I am sure you are familiar with these names of our heavenly Father. No matter what you are going through, good or bad. No matter what stage of life you are in, young or old. No matter what your job or lack of a job. No matter what your ministry or family situation. You can call out to the great “I AM WHO I AM” with confidence in His love and willingness to show Himself mighty. You live in the presence of the Most High God. Be glad!
GRACE and Peace to you,
Bill (a fellow-laborer)
(Romans 15:13; Psalm 16:11; Isaiah 33:2, 6)
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty
by Reginald Heber
- Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, Holy, Holy, merciful and mighty!
God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity!
2. Holy, Holy, Holy! all the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.
3. Holy, Holy, Holy! though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see.
Only Thou art holy, there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in power, in love, and purity.
4. Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth, and sky, and sea;
Holy, Holy, Holy, merciful and mighty!
God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity!
Blog at WordPress.com.
Entries and comments feeds.
Take Courage 