Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) Choosing Praise Despite Circumstances Billy Taylor remembers sitting in his office …
Praise to Jesus (Part 1)
Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations. Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name. Bring an offering and come into His courts. (Psalm 96:7-8) What Does Ascribe Mean? “Ascribe” is an old Middle English word that means attributing praise to God for the excellence He already has. We worship …
Christian Thanksgiving
Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (Colossians 3:17) Let’s Not Forget A woman complained to her pastor about repetition in his sermons. The preacher said, “I keep reminding, because people keep forgetting.” We forget things due to the passage of …
Praying for Police (Scriptures to Use)
Note: I used this first at a Bible study for Houston Police Department officers and chaplains and expanded upon it now. I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them. Intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for [leaders] and all who are in authority so that we …
Prayer of Richard of Chichester
My sheep listen to My voice. I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one will snatch them out of My hand. (John 10:27-28) Richard’s Prayer Richard of Chichester (1197–1253), also known as Richard de Wych, was an English pastor. His dying prayer was adapted for the song “Day by …
Knowing God Through Prayer (A-C-T-S) Part 2
Jesus looked toward heaven and prayed: Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You. For You granted Him (Jesus) authority over all people to give eternal life to all those You have given Him. Now this is eternal life: that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. …
Knowing God Through Prayer (A-C-T-S) Part 1
The primary object of prayer is to know God better. We and our needs should come second. (Missionary Florence Allshorn, 1887-1950) The A-C-T-S Model I wrote this remembering a New Year’s Eve watchnight worship service in Philadelphia. The service started at 10 pm and ended after midnight. We reviewed the old year together, confessed our failings, and prepared for the …
I’ll Hasten to His Throne
I love the Lord. He heard my cries, And pitied every groan. Long as I live, when troubles rise, I’ll hasten to His throne. (From a poem and hymn by Isaac Watts) Richard Smallwood Richard Smallwood is an American gospel composer, music director, and arranger. He has won many awards and his songs have been translated into Korean, German, Hebrew, …
Joy in Jesus: The God Who Hung on the Cross
Jesus said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected. And He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life….No one takes My life from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.” (Luke 9:22; John 10:18) …
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Near Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, there was a multitude of the heavenly host (angels) praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” (Luke 2:13-14) A Great Hymn Yes, Christmas is past, but I’m still singing this hymn. It’s based on the Scripture above. “Hark! The Herald Angels …