MUSIC

 

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. – Zephaniah 3:17

This word picture written by the Prophet Zephaniah centuries ago is full of emotion. God our Father is the One who holds us. Just as a loving parent cradles a child and sings out of love, so God’s song over His children is born of His great love for us.

“If God sings, shall not we sing? He did not sing when he made the world. No; he looked upon it, and simply said that it was good. The angels sang, the sons of God shouted for joy: creation was very wonderful to them, but it was not much to God, who could have made thousands of worlds by his mere will. Creation could not make him sing . . . When all was done, and the Lord saw what became of it in the salvation of his redeemed, then he rejoiced after a divine manner.” – Charles Spurgeon

Friend, do you know that God loves you enough to give his ONLY SON JESUS. Jesus led the ONE PERFECT LIFE and GAVE HIMSELF ON THE CROSS so that YOU will no longer be separated from God.

My friend, Do you know how much God loves you? Do you know that God’s love for you is immeasurable and unfathomable; transcending human understanding? Do you know that God longs for you to fall into His embrace and to hold onto Him with all your heart and strength? Do you know that God wants to be wanted by you, He wants to be loved, He wants to be cherished, He wants to be adored, He wants to be treasured, and He wants to be worshipped? God’s thoughts toward us are so many and so wonderful that they cannot be numbered (Psalm 139).

Friend, do you know Him? Do you hear His voice as he sings to you? He loves you. Come, join me with the angels in praise of Him who loved us more than life itself. Let us sing!

World needs Jesus

“World needs Jesus” Arranged by Don Ives. Original by River Valley Worship

When our homes are hit by heartbreak
Let Your presence meet us there
When the pain seems overwhelming
We hold onto You

When the streets are torn by chaos
We will be Your hands and feet
When the darkness brings division
May we be Your light

‘Cause we know our world needs Jesus
We know that our world needs freedom
So give us eyes to see the hurting and the broken
And let our lives align with every word You say

When the nations ache from violence
We will be Your blessed peace
When the headlines scream injustice
May we shout Your name!

‘Cause we know that our world needs Jesus
We know that our world needs freedom
So give us eyes to see the hurting and the broken
And let our lives align with every word You say!

So let every heart turn to Jesus
Let every voice sing of Your great name
Let all the earth know Your freedom
‘Cause we believe for more
We believe for more!

‘Cause we know that our world needs Jesus
We know that our world needs freedom
So give us eyes to see the hurting and the broken
And let our lives align with every word You say!

‘Cause I know that I need You, Jesus
And I know this heart needs healing
So from my knees I lift this prayer to You, my Savior
For my life and for the world, You’re the answer
Jesus 

When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. –  Matthew 16:2

Are we in the end times?

Jesus gave us signs to recognize the season of His return.

In Matthew 24: 4-5 Jesus said, “…take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.”

Folks, many families today are experiencing the heartbreak of children and grandchildren who have left the Church and are following what the great Apostle Paul called “another gospel”.

In fact, most of us know someone who says “I am The Christ”.

“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!” – Galatians 1:8

And as a result, curses have rained down.

According to the CDC, over FIVE MILLION have died worldwide as a result of Covid-19 to date.

In Matthew 24: 6-8, Jesus foretold,

“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.”

Over TWELVE MILLION people have died at the hands of another human in the past 50 years. And, tragically, over THREE MILLION, mostly children, have starved to death. Often at the hands of their own political leaders.

In Matthew 24: 9-10, Jesus continues,

“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.”

U.S. Abortion statistics tell the story. Since Roe v. Wade, SIXTY ONE MILLION innocent lives have been taken. Every 37 seconds, another child is barbarically murdered.

According to Open Doors USA, over THREE HUNDRED AND FOURTY MILLION Christians are living in places where they experience high levels of persecution and discrimination. In the past year alone:

  • 4,761 Christians killed for their faith.

  • 4,488 churches and other Christian buildings attacked.

  • 4,277 believers detained without trial, arrested, sentenced or imprisoned.

In Matthew 24: 11-13, Jesus continues, “And many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

In the USA alone, over ONE MILLION violent crimes are committed each year. America is number 1 for cases of rape in the world – averaging well over ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND each year.  

All this has led to despair, and many young people have turned to gender reassignment and mutilation of their bodies. Self-loathing and despair has caused many teens to suicide. THEY HAVE LOST ALL HOPE.

Is there an answer for our World?

YES

OUR WORLD NEEDS JESUS

Friend, do you know you need Him? For God so loved the world… SO LOVES YOU, that He gave His only Son. JESUS LOVES YOU so much that He gave his life. That YOU might live.

Find your way to your knees and pray to Him now. He is waiting…

“I know that I need You, Jesus.

And I know this heart needs healing.

So from my knees I lift this prayer to You, my Savior.

For my life and for the world, You’re the answer.

Jesus. Oh, Jesus. YOU are my hope.

I will follow YOU, now and forever.

Amen.”

2021-11-10T16:47:11+00:00MUSIC|

Magnify

Christ be Magnified – Arranged by Don Ives and written by Cody Carnes

Oh, MAGNIFY the Lord with me – Psalm 34-3

Were creation suddenly articulate

With a thousand tongues to lift one cry

Then from North to South and East to West

We’d hear Christ be magnified

Were the whole Earth echoing His eminence

His name would burst from sea and sky

From rivers to the mountain tops

We’d hear Christ be magnified

Oh! Christ be magnified

Let His praise arise

Christ be magnified in me

Oh! Christ be magnified

From the altar of my life

Christ be magnified in me

When every creature finds its inmost melody

And every human heart its native cry

Oh then in one enraptured hymn of praise

We’ll sing Christ be magnified

Oh! Christ be magnified

Let His praise arise

Christ be magnified in me

Oh! Christ be magnified

From the altar of my life

Christ be magnified in me

I won’t bow to idols, I’ll stand strong and worship You

And if it puts me in the fire, I’ll rejoice ’cause You’re there too

I won’t be formed by feelings, I hold fast to what is true

If the cross brings transformation then I’ll be crucified with You

‘Cause death is just the doorway into resurrection life

And if I join You in Your suffering, then I’ll join You when You rise

And when You return in glory with all the angels and the saints

My heart will still be singing, my song will be the same

Oh! Christ be magnified

Let His praise arise

Christ be magnified in me

Oh! Christ be magnified

From the altar of my life

Christ be magnified in me

Oh! Christ be magnified

Let His praise arise

Christ be magnified in me

Oh! Christ be magnified

From the altar of my life

Christ be magnified in me

And Mary said, My soul doth MAGNIFY the Lord – Luke 1:46

I tell you that if these keep silent, THE VERY STONES WILL CRY OUT – Luke 19:40

It seems fitting to introduce our AVENT 2021 series on Jesus in the TENAKH – The Hebrew Old Testament – by starting at the VERY BEGINNING. The Apostle John records the earliest record of, not the first human, or ape-man, or animal, or plant, or microbe, or atom… but, indeed, the infinite, absolute, BEGINNING:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. – John 1:1

In fact, in Colossians 1:16 we learn that Jesus was the Creator Himself, and that all Creation, including you and I, were Created for Him…

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. – Colossians 1:16

Therefore, when we read Genesis 1:1, the first words of the first book of the Bible, we clearly see Jesus…

In the beginning God Created the heavens and the earth – Genesis 1:1

Indeed, It is JESUS who holds all things, every proton, neutron and electron on this earth, together…

The Son is the gleaming brightness of God’s glory. He is the exact likeness of God’s being. He uses his powerful word to hold all things together. – Hebrews 1:3

JESUS is our reason for being. He is our beginning and our ending. Our Author and Finisher. We read in the book of Hebrews…

…looking unto Jesus, the AUTHOR and FINISHER of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:2

Oh, Christ be magnified! If we remain silent, the very stones will cry out!

Friend, do you know Him who flung the stars into the sky, who poured out the oceans, and whose fingers formed the dry land… Do you know your Author, your Creator, who wants to shape you, and mold you, so that you MAGNIFY His likeness and Glory?

Friend, He is waiting now… for you. 

2021-11-06T01:48:26+00:00Jesus in the Old Testament, MUSIC|

Anchor

Anchor

ANCHOR arranged by Don Ives and written by Hillsong

I have this hope

As an anchor for my soul

Through every storm

I will hold to You

With endless love

All my fear is swept away

In everything

I will trust in You

There is hope in the promise of the cross

You gave everything to save the world You love

And this hope is an anchor for my soul

Our God will stand unshakable

Unchanging One

You who was and is to come

Your promise sure

You will not let go

There is hope in the promise of the cross

You gave everything to save the world You love

And this hope is an anchor for my soul

Our God will stand unshakable

There is hope in the promise of the cross

You gave everything to save the world You love

And this hope is an anchor for my soul

Our God will stand unshakable

Your Name is higher

Your Name is greater

All my hope is in You

Your word unfailing

Your promise unshaken

All my hope is in You

We have this HOPE as an Anchor for the SOUL – Hebrews 6:19

Friend, if you believe in JESUS, you have a LIVING HOPE that ANCHORS your soul. And Anchor holds secure because it is lashed to the steadfast Word and immutable character of GOD. He is FAITHFUL, and His promises are TRUE (Joshua 21:45; Psalm 33:4; Hebrews 10:23). Imagine an anchor chain that extends from heaven to earth that will hold fast. With Jesus as our anchor, no power of darkness and no earthly opposition can harm us (Romans 8:31–34).

Friend, do you know the ONE that calms the waves and rebukes the storm? Trust Him now. He is JESUS who SAVES.

2021-11-04T01:05:08+00:00MUSIC|

No ONE but YOU

“No one but You” Arranged and performed by Don Ives. Written by Hillsong

Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever – Psalm 73:25–26 

Who can melt the hardest heart

And speak life into my soul

Who can spin the world around

And hold me ever close

Who can search the depths of me

And love me to core

Who controls the world I see

And walks me through it all

No one but You

No one but You

I’ll sing of Your love

I can’t get enough

I just want You

The Lord of my soul

The king of my heart

Jesus it’s You

Who has made the righteous bright

Who has paved my way with grace

Loved me through my darkest hours

A thousand different ways

No one but You

No one but You

I’ll sing of Your love

I can’t get enough

I just want You

The Lord of my soul

The king of my heart

Jesus it’s You

And I’ll sing of Your love

I can’t get enough

I just want you

The Lord of my soul

King of my heart

Jesus it’s You

No one but You

No one but You

“Lord, bring to me a sweetness surpassing all the seductive delights that I once pursued. Enable me to love you with all my strength that I may clasp your hand with all my heart. . . . You, Lord, are my king and my God.” – Augustine

No One but You, Lord. You are better than riches, far better than power or fame. You have searched me and known me since the dawn of Your Creation. You have transformed my heart of stone into a heart of flesh… filled with your Spirit. A heart that beats only for You, my dear, sweet Savior. 

Friend, do you know Him? Have you met the One who bled and died to set you free? If you believe this, pray with me now:

Dear Jesus, I come before you, just as I am: A wrenched sinner. I humbly bow before you, to ask your forgiveness.

And Lord, I believe in You today! I know you hung, and bled, and died on that lonely cross to pay my debt. And you arose from the grave to set me free, so that I can be together with You for eternity. I receive You now as my glorious Lord and Savior. I am Yours now and forever. Amen

2021-10-25T03:31:55+00:00MUSIC|

This Is Love

This Is Love

Performed by Don Ives and written by New Wine Worship

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8

Oh, the mystery

You crossed the great divide to show your love for me

As you hung upon the cross and spilt your blood for me

And now I see

My sin that held you there it has no hold on me

For you rose again and now you have the victory

Forever I will sing

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the cross

And how I love you, Jesus, you have won my heart

This is love, this is love

All of me

I give my life to you, receive this offering

It’s all I have but you deserve my everything

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the cross

And how I love you, Jesus, you have won my heart

This is love, this is love

Majesty, Majesty

You laid your glory down for me

Majesty, Majesty

Amazing love how can it be?

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the cross

And how I love you, Jesus, you have won my heart

This is love, THIS IS LOVE

I assigned myself a seemingly simple task this morning… To put down in my own words… why I love Jesus. This song opens with my first reason… because, as the scripture says, He first loved me. (1 John 4:19).  As deplorable as I was, and am, He chose the nails for my sake. He bore every sin I’ll ever commit on that tree. And oh, how I love Him for that.

But there is more… This is where I have to dig deeper… Why do I desire Him more than life itself?

I remember the day I loved Him that way for the very first time. I was struggling in my relationship with Him. I had known Him all my life, growing up in the Church. And, of course, if you asked me, I would tell you I loved Him. But on that day, in that moment, as I listened to a young woman sing a song about love from 1 Corinthians 13, I suddenly realized I was IN LOVE, for the first time, with JESUS. From that moment on I not only loved Him, but I was passionately, deeply, IN LOVE WITH HIM.

And that explains it… Why I am drawn to Him like a moth to a flame. And, as the Bible says, NOTHING can separate me from His love (Romans 8:31). I want to know HIM more and more… I want to be with HIM more that anything else. And I desire HIM more that life itself.

Friend, have you fallen in love with the Savior? Perhaps you know Him. Perhaps you even love Him, for what He did on the Cross, but do you LOVE Him with a deep, burning passion? Do you think of Him as you fall asleep, and again as you rise each morning? Is it your heart’s desire to know Him more and more?

My friend, He is the true lover of your soul. Let Him enter your heart. And I pray that you experience JESUS… for the first time.

THIS IS LOVE…

2021-10-22T00:00:48+00:00MUSIC|

Altar Call

“Altar Call” Performed by Don Ives and written by Keith Green

Because I love you with an everlasting LOVE.

Jeremiah 31:3

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying:
I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with loving-kindness.

There is nothing more difficult to endure than knowing a loved one has walked away from the Savior. Oh, how it grieves His heart as it does mine. How He wants them to come back, as do I. Oh, How He loves them!

That deep, deep love that never fails. An unconditional love that desires nothing back. A perfect love that passes understanding. A love that gives everything and wants nothing. That’s the love of Jesus.

Son, I have loved you since before you were born. And so has Jesus. There was never a time in all of eternity when you were not loved by Him.  He calls out to you, even now…. “My beloved, return to Me”. 

Most people don’t find out
‘Till it’s too late
That someone has to pay the price
You can pay it yourself  
Or let someone else
But who would be that nice?
To pay a debt that isn’t His
Well, I know someone like that
And He’s your best friend
He really is
He really loves you
Most people don’t find out
‘Till they’re half dead
That they need another life
You say you’ve heard everything
That’s ever been said
About the Way the Truth, the Life
You say you’ve heard lots of preaching
All before
So many times
But did you ever open up your door
Give him a chance
To prove himself
Well, He’s real, you know
I hope you find out
Before it’s too late
That there’s really nobody else
You know it’s breaking his heart
The longer you wait
Cause you’ve only been lying to yourself
Cause no one believes a thing you say
Not even you
You know
You’re gonna find out that He’s the way
No matter which way you choose
But I pray you
Find out by His love for you
2021-10-12T00:20:19+00:00MUSIC|

Thankful Heart

THANKFUL HEART performed by Don Ives and written by Bob Hartman

THANK YOU FOR THE CROSS ✝️

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! – 2 Corinthians 9:15
Pastor Greg Laurie once told a true story about a couple visiting a jewelry store. As the jeweler showed them various cross necklaces, the woman commented, “I like these, but do you have any without this little man on them?”
It’s a funny story, but with an element of Truth:
That’s what so many people want today: A cross without Jesus. They want a cross without any offense . . . because The Cross shows us the depths of our sins. We don’t want to face what sin is in the sight of God–how deeply it offends Him and how it separates us from Him.
The Romans chose crucifixion because it was meant to be a slow, torturous death. It was designed not only to kill someone, but to utterly humiliate them as they died. Crucifixions outside Roman cities served as warnings to anyone who would dare oppose the rule of Rome.
God Himself said in Isaiah 53, that He was “Pleased to bruise Him”. He wasn’t pleased to torture His beloved Son. He was pleased with the outcome.
Jesus prayed in the garden that there be ANY OTHER WAY that the cup, the cup of OUR SIN, yours and mine, that He was facing could be removed. Do you think if there were any other way that God would have allowed His Son to suffer like this? If there had been any other way we could have been forgiven, God surely would have found it! But there was, and is, NO OTHER WAY. He had to settle our debt. Pay the price for our sin. At the Cross, Jesus purchased the salvation of the world.
The Apostle Paul describes it best:
“God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the Cross” – Colossians 2:13–15
Friend, if you were ever tempted to doubt God’s love for you, even for a moment, then take a long, hard look at the Cross of Calvary and the lonely figure hanging there. Nails did not hold Jesus to that Cross. HIS LOVE FOR YOU DID. ❤️

Thankful Heart

There is no way to begin
To tell you how I feel
There are no words to express
How you’ve become so real
Jesus you’ve given me
So much I can’t repay
I have no offering
I have a thankful heart
That you have given me
And it can only come from you
There is no way to begin
To tell you how I feel
There’s nothing more I can say
And no way to repay
Your warming touch
That melts my heart of stone
Your steadfast love
I’ll never be alone
I have a thankful heart
That you have given me
And it can only come from you
I have a thankful heart
Words don’t come easily
But I’m sure you can see
My thankful heart
Help me be a man of God
A man who’s after your own heart
Help me show my gratitude
And keep in me a thankful heart
I have a thankful heart
That you have given me
And it can only come from you

I have a thankful heart
Words don’t come easily
But I’m sure you can see
My thankful heart

Thankful heart…
2021-10-01T13:53:09+00:00MUSIC|

Lay your BURDEN down

“Lay your BURDEN down” Performed by Don Ives. Written by Chuck Girard.

Every one of us carries a burden. Let’s face it. Life has a way of beating you up some times. Many lately have lost jobs, homes, marriages and loved ones. I pray for you now, whoever you are. Take your burden to the foot of the Cross, and Lay it down…  

In a short time you will no longer see me, and then a short time later you will see me again.’

Then some of his disciples said to one another, ‘What does he mean, “In a short time you will no longer see me, and then a short time later you will see me again,” and, “I am going to the Father”? What is this “short time”? We don’t know what he means.’

Jesus knew that they wanted to question him, so he said, ‘You are asking one another what I meant by saying, “In a short time you will no longer see me, and then a short time later you will see me again.”

‘In all truth I tell you, you will be weeping and wailing while the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy. A woman in childbirth suffers, because her time has come; but when she has given birth to the child she forgets the suffering in her joy that a human being has been born into the world.

So it is with you: you are sad now, but I shall see you again, and your hearts will be full of joy, and that joy no one shall take from you.

– John 16:16-22

Give us the words, Lord, when we don’t know what to say to those who are grieving a loved one lost to Covid. Lord, give us YOUR HEART of perfect love and the healing touch of your hands as we touch their lives. 

2021-10-01T00:57:32+00:00MUSIC|

I am not alone

I AM  NOT ALONE written by Kari Jobe and performed by Don Ives

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…  – Isaiah 43:1-3

Uncertainty. Doubt. Overwhelming fear and despair. Oh, how we need the Savior! He knows there are times when we are drowning in so much fear and uncertainty that we lose sight of His presence. He knows we face trials so overwhelming that we question whether He really loves us…

Friend, He has been there all along. HE IS THERE. He is there in our suffering. He is there in our pain and in our grief. He is there in the fire. The Bible says that He will NEVER leave you or forsake you.

My friend, run to Him now. Let Him hold you. YOU ARE NOT ALONE.  

When I walk through deep waters
I know that You will be with me
When I’m standing in the fire
I will not be overcome
Through the valley of the shadow
I will not fear

I am not alone
I am not alone
You will go before me
You will never leave me

I am not alone
I am not alone
You will go before me
You will never leave me

In the midst of deep sorrow
I see Your light is breaking through
The dark of night will not overtake me
I am pressing into You

Lord, You fight my every battle
Oh, and I will not fear

I am not alone
I am not alone
You will go before me
You will never leave me

I am not alone
I am not alone
You will go before me
You will never leave me

You amaze me
Redeem me
You call me as Your own
You amaze me
Redeem me
You call me as Your own

You’re my strength
You’re my defender
You’re my refuge in the storm
Through these trials
You’ve always been faithful
You bring healing to my soul

I am not alone
I am not alone
You will go before me
You will never leave me

I am not alone (no)
I am not alone
You will go before me
You will never leave me

I am not alone
I am not alone
You will go before me
You will never leave me

2021-09-03T12:59:22+00:00MUSIC|

Shelter

SHELTER written by Vertical Worship and performed by Don Ives

The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. – Psalms 9:9

Overwhelmed. So much pain. So much suffering in this fallen world.

Did you know that God never intended it this way? But in this fallen world, the Bible says, “the whole creation has been GROANING as in pains of childbirth right up to the present time”- Romans 8:22

No doubt we have all groaned in pain. A toothache, an earache, a stubbed toe. Or something more intense, like a kidney stone. And some of us have groaned in heartache at the loss of a loved one. And when we tune in the news, we learn of the collective suffering of races, peoples, and nations. Overwhelming. Creation groaning.

So much suffering.

But did you know that sin is the root of suffering, and the root cause of a fallen world? Sin leads to consequences that cause the sinner to destroy others and eventually themselves. Jesus knew that there was only ONE who could end it. ONE perfect life. ONE without sin. There was no other way. So He chose the Cross.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” – John 3:16

He suffered for our sakes.

Overwhelmed. Broken. Like a puzzle with missing pieces. That was my life before Jesus. But God’s redemption, by His grace, healed the brokenness inside me.

He made me whole again.

Friend, are you overwhelmed? Give your life to Jesus. He will give you beauty for ashes and turn your graves into gardens. Jesus does not promise we can avoid all suffering… indeed, The Lord Himself suffered greatly on the Cross. But He does promise us a way through it.

For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.  –  Psalms 27:5

Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. – Psalms 32:6-8

God is our protection and our strength. He always helps in times of trouble. So we will not be afraid even if the earth shakes, or the mountains fall into the sea, even if the oceans roar and foam, or the mountains shake at the raging sea. Selah There is a river that brings joy to the city of God, the holy place where God Most High lives. – Psalms 46:1-4

You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. Away from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commands of my God! Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed. Uphold me, and I will be delivered; I will always have regard for your decrees. – Psalms 119:114-17

You have been my refuge, a tower of strength against the enemy. I would like to be a guest in your tent forever and to take refuge under the protection of your wings. Selah O God, you have heard my vows. You have given me the inheritance that belongs to those who fear your name. – Psalms 61:3-5

2021-08-24T02:04:31+00:00MUSIC|

More Like Jesus

MORE LIKE JESUS written by Passion and performed by Don Ives

Set our minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. – Colossians 2:2-3

As believers, we know that Jesus was and is perfect. The One perfect life. And scripture tells us that through His substitutionary death on the Cross, Christ was able to open the very gates of heaven for us.

But scripture doesn’t stop there… because those of us who are reading and writing this, at least, are still here on earth, in our old earthly bodies. Our bad old selves!

The Good News is this: The Bible tells us that …we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. – Ephesians 2:10

We are clay in the Hands of the Master Potter. And by DAILY YIELDING our lives to His Spirit, our minds are filled with the truth of heaven.

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” – 2 Corinthians 3:18

Friend, do you know Him? Do you know the one who made the lame to walk and the blind to see? He can calm the waves of your life as surely as He calmed the waves in the storm. Come, and see. And fill your mind with the truth of heaven.

2021-08-20T01:27:56+00:00MUSIC|

IS HE WORTHY?

IS HE WORTHY – Written by Andrew Peterson and performed by Don Ives

You are worthy to take the scroll,

And to open its seals;

For You were slain,

And have redeemed us to God by Your blood

Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,

And have made us kings and priests to our God;

And we shall reign on the earth. – Revelation 5 ✝️

DO YOU FEEL LIKE GIVING UP? To be honest, sometimes I do. Sometimes, I am just tired. Tired as I watch the deepening shadows of this broken world we call home. But John 8 tells us that we are not lost to that darkness because HE IS OUR LIGHT. And He will restore you. ❤

DO YOU FEEL THE WORLD IS BROKEN?… that you just don’t belong here? I do. All the time. But 1 Peter reminds us that we are strangers; aliens who are not of this world. Indeed, Romans 8 tells us that all creation is groaning with us… and that ALL THINGS WILL ME MADE NEW… and you will belong ❤

DO YOU EVER FEEL UNLOVED? The Bible says that the Father loves us with an everlasting love. 1 John 3:1 tells us that He has lavished His love upon us, that we may be His children. And John 3:16 tells us that the Father gave HIS ONLY SON for us. That’s how much HE TRULY LOVES YOU. ❤

DO YOU EVER FEEL LOST AND ALONE? Friend, once you belong to Jesus, He will HOLD ONTO YOU for eternity. Isaiah 46 reminds us that He will be yours throughout your lifetime – until your hair is white with age (LIKE MINE!). I made you, He says, and I will care for you. I will carry you… and save you. Indeed, we are far from alone. ❤

The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave… The Lamb who died to ransom the slave. Indeed, HE IS WORTHY. ✝️

Friend, run to Him… He who is Worthy. Find Him. For HE HAS CHOSEN YOU. ❤

2021-08-18T01:16:02+00:00MUSIC|

Châyâh – God of Revival

Song :”God of Revival” written by Brian Johnson and performed by Don Ives.

The word REVIVAL, or “Châyâh” In Hebrew, is used 264 times in the Old Testament. To the Ancient Hebrew, a REVIVAL from God was defined as being restored from physical or spiritual sickness to health, and from physical and spiritual death to Eternal Life.

Friend, Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me” – John 14:6, and “For unless you believe that I am He, you shall die in your sins” – John 8:24.

Perhaps you are already a Christian but one who needs revival in your hardened and fallow heart.

The Prophet Hosea talked about that:

Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you. – Hosea 10:12

Friend, do you want REVIVAL?

You must till the fallow ground of your heart. Fallow ground is ground which has once been tilled, but has since gotten hard and now lies waste. It needs to be broken up and made soft again, before it is ready to receive seed. If you mean to break up the fallow ground of your heart, you must begin by looking at your heart – examine carefully the state of your mind and see where you are. Many people never even seem to think about doing this. They pay no attention to their own hearts, and never know whether they are doing well in their walk with the Lord or not – whether they are bearing fruit or are totally barren. REVIVE US, OH LORD!

Remember… Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; FOR IT IS TIME TO SEEK THE LORD, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you. – Hosea 10:12

2021-09-02T23:35:52+00:00MUSIC|

Berakah – The Blessing

THE BLESSING

Music written by Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes and performed by Don Ives.

The word Blessing, “Berakah” in Hebrew, is used 70 times in the Old Testament. But what does it MEAN to be Blessed by God?

  1. To be Blessed by God means that “God is FOR you” (Romans 8:31). It’s His FAVOR, wisdom, protection, abundance, ability, grace, joy, freedom, peace – all resting upon you and whatever you put your hand to.

  1. The ancient Hebrew saw God’s Blessing as an ANNOINTING. Jacob wrestled God Himself and refused to let go until he received God’s Blessing. The ancient Hebrews believed God’s Blessing meant they were ANNOINTED to WIN and EMPOWERED to OVERCOME.

  1. The ancient Hebrew understood that God’s Blessings were not only for one’s lifetime but for GENERATIONS. In Genesis 17:7 God said to Abraham, “And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you.”

  1. To be Blessed by God is to be LED by Him in your life’s work. Psalm 90 says, “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.”

  1. To be Blessed is to be CHOSEN by Him. Indeed, Jesus Himself said in John 15:16, You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

HOW do we receive God’s Blessing?

Like Abraham, God desires to BLESS each one of His own, and our families, and our children, and their children for generations. Indeed, the GREATEST BLESSING that we can receive is the gift of God’s only begotten Son, Jesus, who gave paid the ultimate price so that we too could become one of God’s own (John 3:16).

Oh, friend, how God desires to Bless your life through the gift of His Son Jesus. How He longs to bless your family, and your children, and your children’s children… How He wants to be there, FOR YOU, in the morning… and the evening. In times of weeping… and rejoicing. How He wants to Bless you and keep you; to make His Face shine upon you and give you peace. My friend, receive Jesus today. And be Blessed. Because God is FOR you. He is FOR you. Because He loves you.  

2021-08-12T01:10:17+00:00MUSIC|
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