1. A Quote from Warren W. Wiersbe (3)

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3. Hymn: Nearer My God To Thee

Hymn: Nearer My God To Thee

Author: Sarah F. Adams (1805–1848)

(Vocal)

(Music)

(Sheet Music)

Scripture Reference: 

    And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. (Genesis 28:11-12)

1. Nearer, my God, to Thee,
    Nearer to Thee!
    E‵en though it be a cross
    That raiseth me,
    Still all my song shall be,
    Nearer, my God, to Thee,
    Nearer, my God, to Thee,
    Nearer to Thee!

2. There let my way appear
    Steps unto heav‵n;
    All that Thou sendest me
    In mercy giv‵n;
    Angels to beckon me
    Nearer, my God, to Thee,
    Nearer, my God, to Thee,
    Nearer to Thee!

3. Or if on joyful wing,
    Cleaving the sky,
    Sun, moon and stars forgot,
    Upward I fly;
    Still all my song shall be,
    Nearer, my God, to Thee,
    Nearer, my God, to Thee,
    Nearer to Thee!

4. Though like the wanderer,
    The sun gone down,
    Darkness be over me,
    My rest a stone,
    Yet in my dreams I‵d be,
    Nearer, my God, to Thee,
    Nearer, my God, to Thee,
    Nearer to Thee!

5. Then with my waking thoughts
    Bright with Thy praise,
    Out of my stony griefs
    Bethel I‵ll raise;
    So by my woes to be
    Nearer, my God, to Thee,
    Nearer, my God, to Thee,
    Nearer to Thee!

2. A Quote from Warren W. Wiersbe (2)

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1. Hymn: Blessed Assurance

Hymn: Blessed Assurance

Author: Fanny J. Crosby (1820-1915)

(Vocal)

(Music)

(Sheet Music)

1. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
    O what a foretaste of glory divine!
    Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
    Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Refrain:

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior all the day long;

This is my story, this is my song

Praising my Savior all the day long.

2. Perfect submission, perfect delight,
    Visions of rapture burst on my sight!
    Angels descending, bring from above
    Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

3. Perfect submission, all is at rest,
    I in my Savior am happy and blest;
    Watching and waiting, looking above,
    Fill‵d with His goodness, lost in His love.

2. A Quote from Warren W. Wiersbe (1)

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1. Hymn: The Old Rugged Cross

Hymn: The Old Rugged Cross

Author: George Bennard (1873-1958)

(Vocal)

(Music)

(Sheet Music)

1. On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
    The emblem of suffering and shame;
    And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
    For a world of lost sinners was slain.

Refrain:

  So I‵ll cherish the old rugged cross,

  Till my trophies at last I lay down;

  I will cling to the old rugged cross,

  And exchange it some day for a crown.

2. O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
    Has a wondrous attraction for me;
    For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
    To bear it to dark Calvary.

3. In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
    A wondrous beauty I see;
    For ‵twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
    To pardon and sanctify me.

4. To that old rugged cross I will ever be true,
    Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
    Then He‵ll call me some day to my home far away,
    Where His glory forever I‵ll share.

1. A Quote from C. H. Spurgeon (6)

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2. Hymn: I Need Thee Every Hour

Hymn: I Need Thee Every Hour

Author: Annie S. Hawks (1835-1918)

(Vocal)

(Music)

(Sheet Music)

1. I need Thee ev’ry hour,
    Most gracious Lord;
    No tender voice like Thine
    Can peace afford.

Refrain:

I need Thee, O I need Thee;

Ev’ry hour I need Thee!

O bless me now, my Savior,

I come to Thee.

2. I need Thee ev’ry hour,
    Stay Thou nearby;
    Temptations lose their pow’r
    When Thou art nigh.

3. I need Thee ev’ry hour,
    In joy or pain;
    Come quickly and abide,
    Or life is vain.

4. I need Thee ev’ry hour,
    Teach me Thy will;
    Thy promises so rich
    In me fulfill.

5. I need Thee ev’ry hour,
    Most Holy One;
    O make me Thine indeed,
    Thou blessed Son.

1. Devotional: Vision

Devotional: Vision

Author: Oswald Chambers (1874-1917)

I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision. Acts 26:19.

    If we lose the vision, we alone are responsible, and the way we lose the vision is by spiritual leakage. If we do not run our belief about God into practical issues, it is all up with the vision God has given. The only way to be obedient to the heavenly vision is to give our utmost for God’s highest, and this can only be done by continually and resolutely recalling the vision. The test is the sixty seconds of every minute, and the sixty minutes of every hour, not our times of prayer and devotional meetings.

    "Though it tarry, wait for it." We cannot attain to a vision, we must live in the inspiration of it until it accomplishes itself. We get so practical that we forget the vision. At the beginning we saw the vision but did not wait for it; we rushed off into practical work, and when the vision was fulfilled, we did not see it. Waiting for the vision that tarries is the test of our loyalty to God. It is at the peril of our soul’s welfare that we get caught up in practical work and miss the fulfilment of the vision.

    Watch God’s cyclones. The only way God sows His saints is by His whirlwind. Are you going to prove an empty pod? It will depend on whether or not you are actually living in the light of what you have seen. Let God fling you out, and do not go until He does. If you select your own spot, you will prove an empty pod. If God sows you, you will bring forth fruit.

    It is essential to practise the walk of the feet in the light of the vision.

1. Parenting Devotional: Where are the men?

Parenting Devotional: Where are the men?

Author: Dennis Rainey

Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)

    As he grows up, a boy needs at least one man who will pay attention to him. A man who spends time with him, teaches him, admonishes him, encourages him. If he can‵t find that in a father, a boy needs another man he can look up to—a mentor.

    What’s become of the fathers, the mentors? Well, I can tell you where they‵re not. They‵re not in the PTA meetings or the piano recitals. They‵re not teaching Sunday School. They‵re not at the pediatrician’s office holding a sick child. You will see a lot of women there. A dozen grandmothers. But you won‵t see as many men or fathers.

    Your sons and the sons in your neighborhood need godly men—men who will sharpen them to be God’s best—to mentor and show them the way to righteousness. You may be the only godly man or father your neighborhood kids have. But what does a godly mentor do?

    He does not bend to selfishness. He doesn‵t let it be his master. He’s got a higher calling than just giving in to what self wants.

    He says yes to the next generation of leaders. He calls his Christian brother up and says, "Come on, don‵t just unplug when you come home. Reject passivity. Get involved. Be the spiritual leader. Take the initiative in your home."

    Boys need Christian men who will be there for them and will cover for absentee fathers—men who aren‵t afraid to be the Little League coaches, the Boy Scout leaders, the big brothers and the school teachers. Men who will share their love, wisdom, skills and time. Men need to give time to help with homework, baths, laundry and grocery shopping. Time to read to children, drive them to ballet and cheer at their soccer games.

    What will your son or daughter remember most about you as a dad? Your gifts, toys and trinkets, or your life unashamedly connected to his or hers?

Discuss:

    What do you remember most about your dad? Evaluate your involvement with your family and other kids in whose lives you have an influence. Set one goal for this week to be a better mentor.

Pray:

    That God would give you the strength to make some difficult choices to make your family a priority over your work and hobbies.