This verse goes with the song below that touched my heart recently. Many of us find ourselves in a battle for the LORD -- at times the darkness of the battle seems to loom over us. Even mighty warriors in the LORD can grow weary. It would be great if we could just make our trials or battles go away immediately somehow - but that usually doesn't happen. Yet even in our darkest moments we can find hope. What or who is this hope?
Hebrews 6:16-20 Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
Jesus is our hope -- the anchor for our souls. He is the hope set before us -- eternal life. He is also our present hope, available to us right now. Also note that this hope - this anchor of the soul -- it's deep within the inner sanctuary behind the curtain -- a place Jesus has prepared for us.....
The death of Jesus torn this curtain (Mt 27:51) and gave each of us access to our present hope.
Why is this true? Because God is faithful and does not lie; this is an unchangeable truth!
Hebrews 10:19-23 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
To everyone who's hurting
To those who've had enough
To all the undeserving
That should cover all of us
Please do not let go
I promise there is hope
Hold fast Help is on the way
Hold fast He's come to save the day
What I've learned in my life
One thing greater than my strife
Is His grasp So hold fast
Will this season ever pass?
Can we stop this ride?
Will we see the sun at last?
Or could this be our lot in life?
Please do not let go
I promise you there's hope
You may think you're all alone
And there's no way that anyone could know
What you're going through
But if you only hear one thing
Just understand that we are all the same
Searching for the truth
The truth of what we're soon to face
Unless someone comes to take our place
Is there anyone?
All we want is to be free
Free from our captivity, Lord Here He comes
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Thank You Lord that You are faithful; Your mercy and compassions are new every morning. Please be with each of us, strengthen and empower us to hold on to You. Help us to encourage one another as we hold on tight. Let Jesus Christ be the hope we profess, the anchor for our souls.
__________________________________________________
Hold fast! Unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful!
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Mighty Warrior of the LORD
Feb 25, 2007
Psalm 149:6
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth,
and a two-edged sword in their hand ...
Mighty warrior of the LORD
Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might ... (Eph 6:10)
Wait patiently for the LORD
He will plant your feet upon the Rock
Placing a new song, the high praise of God in your mouth
Making your footsteps firm, firm in the fullness of Christ.
Mighty warrior of the LORD
Be washed in water with the word
Let the two-edged sword cleanse your heart and
Sharpen your discernment
Move from milk to meat from infancy to maturity ... (Heb 5:13-14)
That you may walk in maturity and fullness of Christ
No longer tossed by wind and wave
Walk in humility and gentleness, with patience in Christ's love
Preserving the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace
Speaking the truth in love. ... (Eph 4)
Mighty warrior of the LORD
Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might ... (Eph 6:10)
With the high praises of God in your mouth
And the two-edged sword in your hand
Wait patiently for the LORD upon the Rock
Do not be afraid
Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD brings
The LORD will fight for you
You need only to be still before Him. ... (Ex 14:13-14)
Stand firm
Do not fear the great multitude coming against you
For the battle is not yours but the LORD's ... (2 Chron 20:15)
To the praise of His glory!
Psalm 40:1-3
I waited patiently for the LORD;
And He inclined to me and heard my cry.
He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay,
And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God;
Many will see and fear and will trust in the LORD.
Eph 5:25-27
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.
.
Heb 4:12
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
.
Eph 1:13-14
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.
***
Marsha Burns
SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND
February 27, 2007:
Beloved, the enemy has come to weary you and to cause you to lose heart. But, I tell you, do not become discouraged or lose hope, for I am indeed with you to bring you into new strength and courage as you press through the darkness that encroaches on your liberty. The light of My presence overpowers all darkness. Seek to abide in Me, says the Lord.
Psalms 27:13
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.
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This word goes with the song below that touched my heart recently. Many of us find ourselves in a battle for the LORD -- at times the darkness of the battle seems to loom over us. Even mighty warriors in the LORD can grow weary. It would be great if we could just make our trials or battles go away immediately somehow - but that usually doesn't happen. Yet even in our darkest moments we can find hope. What or who is this hope?
Hebrews 6:16-20
Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
Jesus is our hope -- the anchor for our souls. He is the hope set before us -- eternal life. He is also our present hope, available to us right now. Also note that this hope - this anchor of the soul -- it's deep within the inner sanctuary behind the curtain -- a place Jesus has prepared for us.....
The death of Jesus torn this curtain (Mt 27:51) and gave each of us access to our present hope.
Why is this true? Because God is faithful and does not lie; this is an unchangeable truth!
Hebrews 10:19-23
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
__________________________________________________
Thank You Lord that You are faitful; Your mercy and compassions are new every morning. Please be with each of us, strengthen and empower us to hold on to You. Help us to encourage one another as we hold on tight. Let Jesus Christ be the hope we profess, the anchor for our souls.
__________________________________________________
Hold fast! Unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful!
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The LORD Will NOT Share His Glory!
Feb 20, 2007
Isaiah 42:8
I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.
Isaiah 17:10-14
Because you have forgotten the God of your salvation, and have not been mindful of the Rock of your stronghold, therefore you will plant pleasant plants and set out strange slips; In the day you will make your plant to grow, and in the morning you will make your seed to flourish; But the harvest will be a heap of ruins in the day of grief and desperate sorrow. Woe to the multitude of many people Who make a noise like the roar of the seas, And to the rushing of nations That make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters! The nations will rush like the rushing of many waters; But God will rebuke them and they will flee far away, And be chased like the chaff of the mountains before the wind, Like a rolling thing before the whirlwind. Then behold, at eventide, trouble! And before the morning, he is no more. This is the portion of those who plunder us, And the lot of those who rob us.
This passage is interesting, it implys that looking away from the Lord and focussing on something else -- the work of your own hands, may actually be pleasant at first. We find something that brings us joy and pleasure and we begin to put our effort and focus on it. These pleasant plants can actually grow and propser by our efforts. There's only one problem -- if it's not of God -- or the focus is not on God -- it brings Him no glory. The tending of pleasant plants may even bring forth a harvest. But this is a harvest that will not last. Only a harvest mindful of the Rock will last eternally. Which type of harvest are you tending?
Do not forget the God of your salvation
Continue to be mindful of the Rock
The Rock your stronghold, your strength, your fortress, your deliverer.
You can plant and tend pleasant plants
Strange slips flourish and grow by your hand
By your special care, attention and diligence
A harvest of pleasant plants springs forth.
I AM the LORD! I will NOT share my glory!
A harvest of pleasant plants does not last
On the day of the LORD it will be a heap of ruins
Filled with grief and desparate sorrow.
Submit to the LORD!
Give glory to the LORD alone and proclaim His praise!
Give yourselves fully to the work of His hands
Build on the Rock, a firm foundation
For your labor IN the LORD is NOT in vain!
Trust in the LORD forever
For the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.
John 1:14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 17:22-26
And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
Psalm 18:1-2
I will love You, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
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Joyful Joyful
Feb 19, 2007
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always; Pray without ceasing; In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Joyfully come into His presence
Come boldly into His light, before His throne of grace
Pray without ceasing
Prayer is the forerunner of His mercy and His grace
Great prayer is the prelude to great mercy.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
Be anxious for nothing, pray continually
Continually seeking His face and strength
Let each heart that seeks the Lord be glad
The peace of God guarding each heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
Joyful, joyful we adore thee
God of Glory, Lord of love
Hearts unfold like flowers before thee
Opening to the Son above
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness
Drive the dark of doubt away
Giver of immortal gladness
Fill us with the light of day!
Joyfully pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks!
For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus!
.
.
John 6:37
All whom My Father gives (entrusts) to Me will come to Me; and the one who comes to Me, I will most certainly not cast out [I will never, no never, reject one of them who comes to Me].
Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].
1 Chronicles 16:8-11
Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples.
Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; Speak of all His wonders.
Glory in His holy name; Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually.
Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
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Dance for Joy!
Feb 15, 2007
Psalm 57:7-11
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music.
Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.
I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.
Malachi 4:2
But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.
Proverbs 4:18
But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day.
Praise Him! Praise the LORD! Revere His name!
Sing and make music with a steadfast heart
Awake the dawn.
Come, rejoice in the light of the Son
Bask in the warmth of His presence
Revel in the Son's rising glory, under His healing wings
Skip and dance, leap for joy
Find your joy in the way of righteousness, the 'Way of Holiness'
An everlasting crown of joy.
Let your praises rise, higher and higher
The sun of righteousness shining brighter and brighter until the full day
Praise the LORD among the nations
Praise Him among the peoples
For His great love stretches to the heavens
His faithfulness reached to the skies
Great is His love and faithfulness
Be exalted, O LORD, above the heavens!
Sun of righteousness rise
Rise with glory, with healing, on the wings of praise
Let Your glory be over all the earth
Nations will come to your light
Kings to the brightness of your dawn.
Praise Him! Praise the LORD! Revere His name!
Sing and make music with a steadfast heart
Skip and dance, leap for joy, an everlasting crown of joy
Awake the dawn.
Isaiah 35:6, 8-10
Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.
And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it. No lion will be there, nor will any ferocious beast get up on it; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, and the ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
Isaiah 60:1-3
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you.
Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
| Tested faith contains great glory. You are tried and true; the temple of his dwelling. Waters have cleansed the treasure in the clay. Creation awaits the day. Time speaks of an end and the dawn of a better day that never ends. Shine while the earth shakes. Sing the praise of life eternal in Jesus Christ. Christ coming. Love reigns. Dry bones live. Dreams and visions increase. Pride falls. Sinners repent. Shame is not in your name. The dove descends. God's voice shakes the earth. We worship. Rise and be healed. Such as I have, I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ, rise up and walk. We praise,run, and leap with joy. Be strengthened by his might. The world sees your witness. Pray and live in the Holy Spirit. Walk in his will. Leap with his joy. Praise with his power. Love with his heart.
Blessings Byron Putnam |
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More than a Mere Touch
Feb 10, 2007
It is not the mere touching of the flower by the bee that gathers honey, but her abiding for a time on the flower that draws out the sweet. (Thomas Brooks)
-- More than a mere touch
More than a gentle whisper
More than a faint fragrance
More than a fleeting impression or vision
More than a subtle taste
Linger, savor, treasure
His strong embrace
His rushing wind
His sweet, victorious fragrance of life
His bright shining glory
His goodness, His sweet, sweet taste,
Sweeter than honey from the most beautiful fragrant rose ...
Come rest in Him
John 15:4-5, 7-9
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.
Abiding
More than a mere touch
My words abiding in you
My words sweeter than honey -- Psalm 119:103
My word sustains -- Hebrews 1:3
My word reveals the radiance of God's glory - the Son
My word reveals my disciples
My word is truth -- John 17:17
Pay attention to my words -- Proverbs 4:20-22
My words are life to whoever finds them
Dig deep, dig deep, more than a mere touch
Dig deep in my word
Search as if searching for buried treasure
A priceless treasure, the pearl of greatest price
Do not let my words of your sight
Keep them deep within your heart
More than a mere touch
My words abiding in you
Abide in my love
Sweet honey, sweet fruit
Abide in my love
Love that remains, fruit that lasts -- John 15:16
Abide in my unfailing eternal love
The grass withers, the flower fades
But the word of our God stands forever. -- Isaiah 40:8
Matthew 13:44-46
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
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Rest Secure
Feb 7, 2007
Rest in His mighty hand
Protected, held fast
Covered, sheltered, safe
Rest secure
For our Sovereign LORD is greater than all!
Nowhere is out of His reach
Nothing can snatch you from His mighty hand
Nothing can separate you from His unfailing love
NOTHING!
He will always hold you fast
He will never leave you or let you go!
Praise You LORD Jesus!
Isaiah 51:16
I have put My words in your mouth and have covered you with the shadow of My hand, to establish the heavens, to found the earth, and to say to Zion, 'You are My people.'
Psalm 139:9-10
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.
Jeremiah 32:17
Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.
John 10:29
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.
Romans 8:37-39
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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Click below and select 'You Never Let Go' to hear Matt Redman song:
http://www.myspace.com/mattredmanmusic
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Psalm 27:1, 13
The LORD is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid?
I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
You Never Let Go
Matt Redman
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know You are near
And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?
Chorus:
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me