... ministering to me beyond all expectation and hope




A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,
A wonderful Savior to me;
He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock,
Where rivers of pleasure I see.

[i]Refrain[/i]
[i]He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock
That shadows a dry, thirsty land;
He hideth my life with the depths of His love,
And covers me there with His hand,
And covers me there with His hand.[/i]

A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,
He taketh my burden away;
He holdeth me up, and I shall not be moved,
He giveth me strength as my day.

[i]Refrain[/i]

With numberless blessings each moment He crowns,
And filled with His fullness divine,
I sing in my rapture, oh, glory to God
For such a Redeemer as mine!

[i]Refrain[/i]

When clothed in His brightness, transported I rise
To meet Him in clouds of the sky,
His perfect salvation, His wonderful love
I’ll shout with the millions on high.

[i]Refrain[/i]


[i]Fanny Crosby[/i]


Tune: He Hideth My Soul
[url=http://ingeb.org/spiritua/hehideth.html]http://ingeb.org/spiritua/hehideth.html[/url]




Matthew 2:13 - 16

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him."

When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt I called My Son."

Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men.

... surprising me again with His perfect timing




I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene,
And wonder how He could love me,
A sinner, condemned, unclean.

[i]Refrain[/i]
[i]O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me![/i]

For me it was in the garden
He prayed: “Not My will, but Thine.”
He had no tears for His own griefs,
But sweat drops of blood for mine.

[i]Refrain[/i]

In pity angels beheld Him,
And came from the world of light
To comfort Him in the sorrows
He bore for my soul that night.

[i]Refrain[/i]

He took my sins and my sorrows,
He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calvary,
And suffered and died alone.

[i]Refrain[/i]

When with the ransomed in glory
His face I at last shall see,
’Twill be my joy through the ages
To sing of His love for me.

[i]Refrain[/i]




[url=http://www.mountainretreatorg.net/midi/amazed.mid]http://www.mountainretreatorg.net/midi/amazed.mid[/url]



Matthew 2:17 - 23
Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying:

"A voice was heard in Ramah,
Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning,
Rachel weeping [i]for[/i] her children,
Refusing to be comforted,
Because they are no more."

But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child's life are dead."

Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there.

And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, "He shall be called a Nazarene."

Matthew 3:1, 2
In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"

... holding me tight on a choppy sea




O where is He that trod the sea,
O where is He that spake;
And demons from their victims flee,
The dead their slumbers break:
The palsied rise in freedom strong,
The dumb men talk and sing,
And from blind eyes, benighted long,
Bright beams of morning spring?

O where is He that trod the sea,
O where is He that spake,
And piercing words of liberty
The deaf ears open shake;
And mildest words arrest the haste
Of fever’s deadly fire,
And strong ones heal the weak who waste
Their life in sad desire?

O where is He that trod the sea,
O where is He that spake,
And dark waves rolling heavily
A glassy smoothness take;
And lepers, whose own flesh has been
A solitary grave,
See with amaze that they are clean,
And cry, “’Tis He can save”?

O where is He that trod the sea?
’Tis only He can save;
To thousands hungering wearily
A wondrous meal He gave;
Full soon, celestially fed,
Their rustic fare they take;
’Twas springtide when He blest the bread,
And harvest when He brake.

O where is He that trod the sea?
My soul, the Lord is here:
Let all thy fears be hushed in thee;
To leap, to look, to hear
Be thine: thy needs He’ll satisfy.
Art thou diseased or dumb,
Or dost thou in thine hunger cry?
“I come,” saith Christ, “I come.”




Tune: Land of Rest
[url=http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/w/h/owhereih.htm]http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/w/h/owhereih.htm[/url]




Matthew 3:3 - 9
For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.' "

And John himself was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not think to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as [i]our[/i] father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.

Today I am praising God because I got to witness to someone today at work because I don't celebrate Christmas. I was able to explained to him the meaning of communion. I am also praising God because the devil is defeated. What the devil means for evil God means for good.

Praises is to God of our Salvation.

Every knee shall bow
every tounge confess
That Jesus Christ is Lord.

He is Lord, He is Lord
For He has risen from the dead.
HE IS LORD TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!

HE defited the enemy evil plan.

Oh when the saint go marching in,
Oh when the saint go marching in,
Victory in the name of Jesus !!!

_________________
Claudette

... grace upon grace and the leading of His Spirit




Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

[i]Refrain[/i]
[i]Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?[/i]

Are you walking daily by the Savior’s side?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Do you rest each moment in the Crucified?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

[i]Refrain[/i]

When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Will your soul be ready for the mansions bright,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?

[i]Refrain[/i]

Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;
There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean,
O be washed in the blood of the Lamb!

[i]Refrain[/i]



Tune: Washed in the Blood
[url=http://www.ccel.org/cceh/0001/x000162.htm]http://www.ccel.org/cceh/0001/x000162.htm[/url]

[url=http://www.hymnal.net/Hymns/Hymnal/midi/e1007_i.mid]http://www.hymnal.net/Hymns/Hymnal/midi/e1007_i.mid[/url]



Matthew 3:10, 11
"And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.


Luke 2:1 - 5
And it came to pass in those days [i]that[/i] a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.

So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.


Isaiah 7:14 - 16
Therefore the Lord Himself giveth to you a sign,
Lo, the Virgin is conceiving,
And is bringing forth a son,
And hath called his name Immanuel,
Butter and honey he doth eat,
When he knoweth to refuse evil, and to fix on good.
For before the youth doth know
To refuse evil, and to fix on good,
Forsaken is the land thou art vexed with, because of her two kings.

[i]Young's Literal Translation[/i]

... the Gift of His Son, Jesus, the Messiah, the Saviour of the world



Unto us a Boy is born,
King of all creation:
Came He to world forlorn,
Lord of every nation.

Cradled in a stall was He
’Midst the cows and asses;
But the very beasts could see
He all men surpasses.

Herod then with fear was filled:
“A prince,” he said, “in Jewry!”
All the little boys he killed
At Bethl’em in his fury.

Now may Mary’s Son, who came
Long ago to love us,
Lead us all with hearts aflame
To the joys above us.

Omega and Alpha He!
Let the organ thunder,
While the choir with peals of glee
Rends the air asunder.




Tune: Puer Nobis Nascitur (adapted)
[url=http://www.oremus.org/hymnal/o/o474d.html]http://www.oremus.org/hymnal/o/o474d.html[/url]

Original\Traditional version
[url=http://www.sibeliusmusic.com/cgi-bin/show_score.pl?scoreid=95615]http://www.sibeliusmusic.com/cgi-bin/show_score.pl?scoreid=95615[/url]




Matthew 3:12 - 15
"His winnowing fan [i]is[/i] in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John [i]tried to[/i] prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?" But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit [i]it to be so[/i] now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him.


Luke 2:6,7
So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

... giving me a word of challenge to speak to my daughter



Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,
When Thou camest to earth for me;
But in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room
For Thy holy nativity.

[i]Refrain[/i]
[i]O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.[/i]

Heaven’s arches rang when the angels sang,
Proclaiming Thy royal degree;
But of lowly birth didst Thou come to earth,
And in great humility.

[i]Refrain[/i]

The foxes found rest, and the birds their nest
In the shade of the forest tree;
But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou Son of God,
In the deserts of Galilee.

[i]Refrain[/i]

Thou camest, O Lord, with the living Word,
That should set Thy people free;
But with mocking scorn and with crown of thorn,
They bore Thee to Calvary.

[i]Refrain[/i]

When the heav’ns shall ring, and her choirs shall sing,
At Thy coming to victory,
Let Thy voice call me home, saying “Yet there is room,
There is room at My side for thee.”

[i]My heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus,
When Thou comest and callest for me.[/i]




[url=http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/t/h/o/thoudltt.htm]http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/t/h/o/thoudltt.htm[/url]




Luke 2:8, 9
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

Today, I'm praising God for the fact that I woke up this morning, I'll take that any day over the alternative. :-)

_________________
Bill

... His continual challenge to believe Him for more and the hope which arises with each new revelation of His purpose and desire




While humble shepherds watched their flocks
In Bethleh’m’s plains by night,
An angel sent from heav’n appeared,
And filled the plains with light.

Fear not, he said, (for sudden dread
Had seized their troubled mind;)
Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you, and all mankind.

To you, in David’s town, this day
Is born, of David’s line,
The Saviour, who is Christ the Lord,
And this shall be the sign:

The heav’nly Babe you there shall find
To human view displayed,
All meanly wrapt in swaddling-bands,
And in a manger laid.

Thus spake the seraph; and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels, praising God; and thus
Addressed their joyful song:

All glory be to God on high,
And to the earth be peace;
Good-will is shown by Heav’n to men,
And never more shall cease.



[i]Nahum Tate: also, Scottish Paraphrases[/i]


Tune: Winchester Old
[url=http://www.oremus.org/hymnal/w/w433.html]http://www.oremus.org/hymnal/w/w433.html[/url]

[url=http://hymns-organ.com/Music.php?P=1&M=1160993795&S=250&U=1186392986]http://hymns-organ.com/Music.php?P=1&M=1160993795&S=250&U=1186392986[/url]



Luke 2:10 - 15
Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this [i]will be[/i] the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

"Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us."


Isaiah 9:1 - 8
As the former time made light
The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
So the latter hath honoured the way of the sea,
Beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the nations.
The people who are walking in darkness
Have seen a great light,
Dwellers in a land of death-shade,
Light hath shone upon them.

Thou hast multiplied the nation,
Thou hast made great its joy,
They have joyed before Thee as the joy in harvest,
As [i]men[/i] rejoice in their apportioning spoil.
Because the yoke of its burden,
And the staff of its shoulder, the rod of its exactor,
Thou hast broken as [i]in[/i] the day of Midian.
For every battle of a warrior [i]is[/i] with rushing, and raiment rolled in blood,
And it hath been for burning--fuel of fire.

For a Child hath been born to us,
A Son hath been given to us,
And the princely power is on his shoulder,
And He doth call his name Wonderful, Counsellor,
Mighty God, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace.
To the increase of the princely power,
And of peace, there is no end,
On the throne of David, and on his kingdom,
To establish it, and to support it,
In judgment and in righteousness,
Henceforth, even unto the age,
The zeal of Jehovah of Hosts doth this.

A word hath the Lord sent into Jacob,
And it hath fallen in Israel.

[i]Young's Literal Translation[/i]