The Word in Music
Throughout the ages, music has been of great importance to Christianity, as a way to worship God, express one's faith, encourage and minister to others, and preserve biblical truths.
The following are links to modern-day examples of the truth about God, the contents of His Word (the Bible), and the Christian life, all presented in diverse musical forms. May they bless you, the listener, and meet you right where you are, ministering to you and encouraging you where those things are needed, helping to build and/or sustain your faith in God, and/or creatively revealing to you what God and Christianity are all about! +++
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+++ Disclaimer: Maranatha Baptist Fellowship does not own the rights to any of these songs. The links are posted here for educational and entertainment purposes only.
In Christ Alone (My Hope Is Found)
Adrienne Liesching
A beautiful “modern musical creed”, this song is replete with many of the key doctrinal truths of the Christian faith.
When I Hear the Praises Start (LIVE)
Keith Green
Beginning with a focus on how biblical Christianity is a relationship between the Christian and God the Father and on how God desires to pour blessings out upon His children, Keith then goes on to sing about what Jesus has done for all of us (if only we will believe), about how believers are forgiven (clean before God), and about how His children can freely move forward with Him day-by-day, without ever feeling any condemnation.
Before the end of the song, Keith also sings about God's sovereignty over each of our lives, about how we, collectively, are His Bride (another focus on our close relationship with Him), and about how we need to realize that He is coming back for us soon, so that we might physically be with Him forever.
Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty! (LIVE)
Reginald Heber (Words-1826) & John Dykes (Music-”Nicaea”) - Rendition by First Baptist Dallas Choir & Orchestra
God Almighty is holy, different, like no other, and rightfully, all Creation—along with the angels (cherubim and seraphim) and the saints (human believers in/followers of God both in the past and today)--should praise Him—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!
These believers do so in a unique and skillfully delivered piece of powerful praise.
Stranger to Holiness
Steve Camp
Our human condition so often leaves us wandering away from God and seeking peace in our lives, as well as answers to life's most important questions, from and in many other people, places, and things. But God alone is our salvation, as Steve sings, and we were created to live free—by the power of the Holy Spirit. Choosing our own ways rather than God's leaves us unfulfilled, sometimes even desperate. But there's hope for positive change if it's our heart's desire not to remain such a stranger to God's holiness.
The Way of Wisdom
Michael Card
Some seek wisdom in the stars or in learned men, but God made the stars and knows everything. Others live their lives in fear of many things, but Michael's song reminds us that the Bible says the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10) and that His perfect love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18). To be truly wise, we need to follow the “Man of Meaning”, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Yahweh (LIVE)
2nd Chapter of Acts with Phil Keaggy
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The Israelites in the Old Testament knew God as “Yahweh”. In New Testament times, God walked among us as the God-Man Jesus Christ, Who came that we might believe in the Father and learn of His love for us, turn from our rebellious wicked ways, and eventually receive Him, Jesus Himself, as our Savior and Lord. Jesus, the Messiah, died on the Cross to remove the debt we owe for our sin(s)--a debt which separates us from a relationship with God--if only we would choose to exercise faith and believe that Jesus did pay that debt for us and then choose to receive Him as the Lord of our lives.
Star of the Morning (RECORDED LIVE)
Leon Patillo
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All of Creation sings to, praises, “the Risen Lord”, “the Star of the Morning”, the Lord Jesus Christ, as Leon highlights at the opening of this song. The song then moves forward, weaving the facts of what Jesus lived through historically during “Passion Week” and how He was treated by others so similar to us, together with the truth of how, ultimately, He gave his life for each of us and even conquered death! He is so worthy of praise!
Leon's song makes clear how Christianity is all about Jesus; it's not about us although sometimes that's what we tend to believe. But it IS about what He did for each of us. The “Light of the World” (Jesus) keeps shining on, and He's coming back soon!
“Maranatha!”, which means “Come quickly, Lord Jesus!”.
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The Champion - Carmen (LIVE)
Carmen Licciardello
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As Christians, like it or not, we are all engaged in “a spirit war”, one that started back in The Garden of Eden, when God declared the post-fallen situation Adam and Eve found themselves in after their disobedience and then continued, stating what He would do about it and what would come to pass in the “seed war” all humanity would be involved in going forward (see Genesis 3:15).
Today, while spiritual battles between good and evil, between light and darkness, still rage on, as we wait for Jesus' return, we can rest in the fact that “The Champion”, the Lord Jesus Christ, has already won the War—and that that reality will soon be evident to all.
In this Contemporary Christian classic, using background music, voice characterizations, an extended metaphor, and special effects, Carmen dramatically narrates how Jesus won the ultimate victory for all who would choose to be on God's side.
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Yeshua Ha Mashiach (LIVE)
Scott Wesley Brown
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In this song, merely out of curiosity, a Jewish man finds himself in a room where Jesus is teaching. Initially, the man notices nothing visually remarkable about Jesus, who simply appears to be like any other man. The Jewish man observes the 12 Apostles with Jesus, discerns the kind of relationship they have with Him, and begins to wonder just who this Jesus is. When asked who He is, a woman beside him says, "He's Yeshua Ha Mashiach [Jesus, the Messiah]!", God's promised One that the man, himself, has been waiting for his whole life.
Then when Jesus began to speak and looked at this man, we're told that Jesus' words burned deep inside the man and that he then knew for certain that Jesus was not an ordinary prophet of God. He knew Jesus was/is, indeed, “Yeshua Ha Mashiach” (“Jesus, the Messiah”), “The Lion and the Lamb [see Revelation/Apocalypse 5:5 & John 1:29]”, “The Mystery from Heaven”, “The Image of I Am [God]”, and “Emmanuel [God] With Us”. After many centuries, God had sent the Messiah, Jesus, and here He was in this same room with the man!
Do you, like this Jewish man, know deep inside that Jesus is Who He claims to be?
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Jesus, You're Like No Other
Catherine Barrier
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This intimate worship song speaks about one individual's recognition of God the Son and about some of the special ways one can come to know, relate to, and experience Him. Highlighting a range of titles that indicate who Jesus is—Creator, Lord, and yet “All-Wise and Loving Friend” (see John 15:14-15), the song mentions many different roles Jesus plays in the universe, history, and the individual's life and then goes on to offer Him praise for His uniqueness and just for who He is.
The bridge section speaks to how life can sometimes be difficult but how the Christian is never left alone but is continually aided by the Lord through every stage.
Finally, the song speaks about Jesus as the “Coming King”, “The Bridegroom Soon-to-Call”, and the “Judge” and asks Him for strength to run the race of life until His return.
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The link is Coming Soon!
My Deliverer
Rich Mullins
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In Old Testament times, God used Moses to deliver His people from slavery under Pharoah.
In New Testament times, God delivered His Son Jesus; Mary, the child's mother; and Joseph, Mary's husband, after Jesus was born. Using a dream, God warned Joseph, the head of the household, to take Jesus and Mary and to flee to Egypt for a time.
Throughout history, God has delivered his people, individually and collectively. In Genesis, we learn that Joseph was delivered from unfair incarceration and raised up to the second position of power in Egypt; Daniel and his friends were delivered from the fiery furnace--and Daniel kept safe in the lions' den; Paul and Silas were delivered from prison when God sent an earthquake in response to their singing praises to Him--and their prison doors were opened; and many saints down through the ages can tell of wonderful ways that God faithfully delivered them. More recently, God delivered the nation of Israel from her enemies—in the Six-Day War in June 1967, for example, and God is at work delivering His people in so many ways every day in different parts of the world.
Most importantly though, Jesus died on the Cross to deliver all Mankind from the consequences of their sin, and in applying that payment He made to our individual lives, by faith, is what erases our sin-debt and enables us to be restored to the relationship with God that He intended for us from the beginning of Creation.
But still there's more. One day soon, Jesus will come and deliver His saints from the wrath to come during the period known as the Tribulation, and then He will return after that to deliver the world from so much as He sets up His earthly kingdom and rules on the Earth for 1,000 years.
Assuredly, the Deliverer is coming, and He is standing by to usher in so much that is yet to come!
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He Is - A Choir & Orchestra Rendition by First Assembly of God
Aaron Jeoffrey
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In the Old Testament, God clearly refers to Himself as the great “I Am” (see Exodus 3:14). In Revelation (Apocalypse), Jesus says of Himself, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end” (Revelation 22:13). With this statement, Jesus is clearly declaring Himself to be one with the Father, declaring Himself to be the everlasting God, the great “I Am”.
Using a variation of God's “I Am” declaration (the third-person singular form: "He Is") to speak of and describe Jesus, the father and son team of Aaron Jeffrey wrote this song, the lyrics of which mention in what way(s) Jesus appears in each of the sixty-six (66) books of the Bible, the Word of God.
In this rendition of the song, this First Assembly of God Choir & Orchestra have taken this powerful song and communicated its truths in a skillful way that both instructs and delights.
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My God
Go Fish
The Bible tells us “For nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37), and this song powerfully focuses on that truth as it's main theme for the refrain, highlighting God as being big, strong, and all powerful.
Then with help from some children, this music video goes on to mention some of God's incredible acts of power in Old Testament times, each one alone worthy of praise. Next, Jesus' works during His earthly ministry are spoken about—what He did for those He came in daily contact with and what He did, and yet will do, for all who will believe.
The song's bridge section focuses on the Triune God as Go Fish and the children sing about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, all three together being one God.
The song ends with an expression of how these musicians and children want people to know about God because He's so big, and so strong, and so mighty; there's nothing that He cannot do!
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Awesome God (LIVE)
Rich Mullins
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Rich starts here by encouraging us to read the Bible--not for answers but to get to know God and His heart. He then claims that Christianity may not "make sense" (in some ways) but that, in his opinion, it certainly "makes life". The praising of the awesome God of the Bible then begins as Rich opens up with a piano introduction.
Throughout the rest of this praise song, Rich and his Ragamuffin Band sing of some of God's wonderful works--of how He spoke things into being at Creation and parted the Red Sea, of how He is a no-nonsense God who gave Himself to free us from the consequences of our sin(s), of Him as the God of wrath and mercy and grace and wisdom and power and love. Clearly, as indicated in the lyrics of this song, our God is not someone to take lightly; He is the awesome God, the King (of kings), the One Who reigns from Heaven above--and Who will be returning soon (to judge the living and the dead).
Truly, He is an awesome God!
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He is Exalted /Great is the Lord - A Rendition Recorded by Haven
Twila Paris / Michael W. Smith
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Jesus, the King, is exalted—forever!
He is Lord; He is Truth; He is Holy; He is Great—and so worthy of praise!
In this unique piece of praise music, Haven uses a type of “call and response” exchange to intertwine these two praise songs into one creative expression of praise to the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Gadol Adonai (Great is the Lord) (LIVE)
Messianic Jewish Alliance of Israel
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Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised, and that is exactly what the Messianic Jewish Alliance of Israel does in this live performance: praise the Lord—in Hebrew (with English subtitles). And these Jewish believers praise the Lord accompanied by both modern instruments and some traditional Middle Eastern ones.
God is our exceeding joy, and it is right that the fruit of our lips should joyfully praise Him.
The tabernacle of God is with men, and He wants to be our God and for us to be His people. He longs to wipe away our tears, rid us of our pain, and remove the sting of death.
Truly, the Almighty God reigns, so let us rejoice, be glad, and sing along with this group to honor Him with our praise!
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And Can It Be That I Should Gain
Choral-Songs of Praise Broadcast (2007)
Charles Wesley
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God's love is truly amazing!
Jesus (God in the flesh) died to purchase us for Himself, to pay for your sin and mine, because He loves us so much and wanted to be able to be in ongoing relationship with us, which was not possible when unpaid-for-sin separated us from Him Who is so absolutely sinless.
Jesus left His heavenly throne above and emptied Himself of all but love to shed His cleansing (from sin) blood for us on Calvary, and it is because of His mercy that we, by repentance and faith, are no longer imprisoned by sin but set free from it to follow Him out of gratitude.
Surely, because of Jesus Christ and what He did for us, we need fear no condemnation or dread. We are alive in Him, and since we are His and are clothed in His righteousness, we can boldly approach the eternal throne of God both in time of need and in time of rejoicing.
And can it be . . . ? Yes, and all because of God's love for us.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQeIGbKqiw8
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Amazing Grace - a cappella (Gloria Franchi)
John Newton
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We would all be lost but for God's amazing grace (unmerited, or undeserved, favor).
As human beings, we are wretched sinners, blinded to our true conditions before God, and it is His grace that is needed to teach us how lost we are, how in need of Him, and to free us from our sin and our fears.
And life is full of dangers, hard times, and sometimes snares, or traps. All of us experience these as we live our lives, but God's grace has brought us safely through so much! And His grace will yet lead us home to God in Heaven, where we will praise Him eternally, for surely He is worthy of praise—in part because of His amazing grace!
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Via Dolorosa
Sandi Patty
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Not only did Jesus die on the Cross to redeem sinners for Himself, but on the way to His death, He was forced to walk down the “Way of Suffering” (“la Via Dolorosa”) in Jerusalem carrying the cross on which He would later be crucified.
God's only Son, God Himself, took the scorn and the shame of such treatment because He loved us; there was no other way to save us from the eternal consequences of our sin, so He chose to walk that road and offer Himself in our place at Calvary, all because of His love for you and for me.
As Jesus painfully walked down that road of suffereing, the flesh of His body broken and bleeding and a crown of long, sharp thorns stuck deep into His head, Jesus Christ, God's Lamb, chose to continue down the road knowing that if He did not, we would forever be separated from God because of our sin. Jesus the Messiah did this for us; He loves us that much!
Por la Via Dolorosa en Jerusalen esta dia, la gente se acercaba para ver al que llevaba aquella cruz. Por esta via del dolor vino Cristo, Rey y Senor, y fue El quien ir por su amor por ti y por mi, al Calvario y a morir.
The writer of the Book of Hebrews (in the Bible) makes clear what Jesus did for us on the Cross and then afterwards with these words:
“For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with
hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself,
now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as a high priest enters the holy places
every year with blood not his own, for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been
offered once to bear the sins of many [our sins], will appear a
second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are
eagerly waiting for him” (Hebrews 9:24-28, ESV).
Thank you for what You did, Jesus.
And Maranatha! (Come [again] quickly, Lord Jesus!)
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The Sacrifice Lamb
Lamb (Joel Chernoff)
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So many Jewish people have not even heard that Messiah has come!
Jesus Christ, the Messiah, God's Promised One, came to Earth 2,000 years ago and made atonement for all of us. Indeed, the Jewish prophet Isaiah tells us that Jesus (Yeshua) bore our iniquities. Isaiah says, “ . . . [Yeshua] was pierced for our transgressions [our wrongdoings]; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:5, ESV).
Jesus (Yeshua) was God's “Sacrifice Lamb”, God's provision that gives us a way that leads not to death (because of our sin) but to forgiveness, to life, to a life in communion with God.
What Yeshua did was done to wipe away guilt and pain and to bring eternal hope and salvation to the world. Yes, we're all lost without Jesus, God's only Son, and we all need His help, for He paid our sin debt that provides us with forgiveness and eternal life with God if only we will believe in our hearts that He is Who God says He is: Yeshua, the Messiah, the High Priest Who sacrificed Himself to pay for our sin and to give us a hope and a future.
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It Is Finished
Petra
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This powerful song tells us all what happened on that day like no other when the Lord Jesus Christ gave Himself for all of us on the Cross on Calvary.
Starting with the events of that morning, the song then stresses what Jesus Himself said on the cross before yielding up His spirit and dying: “It is finished”, words that no one present that day really understood. The work that He had taken on in human form and come to Earth to do was completed; “redemption had been won” for all who would believe, and the devil didn't even realize that this “defeat” was instead an incredible victory.
As the hour of Jesus' death approached, there was no look of anger or vengeance on Jesus' face but one of love. The sky grew dark, the people fled in fright, and when He died, even the unbelievers recognized and proclaimed that surely He was the Son of God.
Jesus paid for their, and our, forgiveness, paid the ransom due, and in the Jewish Temple tore the veil separating man from God in two, forever giving those who would believe that He is the Messiah, the promised One of God, direct access to God the Father.
Truly, through Jesus Christ, God's providing for man's salvation was, indeed, finished. Thanks be to God!
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The Keys, Please
Aaron Jeoffrey
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Too many seek for answers, not from God, as we should, but in places where God has warned us we should not go--for our own good. These wrong places are where psychics and spiritists are, that is, those who have no real power to contact anyone or anything but deceiving demons bent on misleading and harming humanity.
There is only one person who died--on the Cross to pay for our sin(s)--and who rose again, only one person who is Truth and has all the answers we need: the God/Man, the Lord Jesus Christ. He conquered sin and death and the devil and took back the keys lost to the devil when Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden.
Jesus, Who was dead and rose again, said, "I am the Resurrection and the Life; if you believe in me, you'll never, never die." Only He should be sought after for answers in life, for only He has the honest, right ones for each of us.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iqr7umBGVSA
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He's Alive! (LIVE)
Don Francisco
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Jesus had died on the Cross and His followers were sorrowful—and fearful of the Roman soldiers. What would happen next? Would the soldiers come for them?
Three days later, returning from Jesus' burial place, Mary came knocking on the door to announce that Jesus' body had been moved from His grave, but as they all soon learned, in fact, He had risen from the dead. He was alive! God the Father had accepted Jesus' payment of His life for our sin(s) when He died on the Cross, and now the human part of Jesus had been resurrected to eternal life!
Don's song tells the story about what Jesus' disciples lived through on that Resurrection Day and then joyfully proclaims for all of us the truth about Jesus Christ: He's alive!
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Your Love Broke Through (LIVE)
Phil Keaggy & Randy Stonehill Rendition
Keith Green
Sometimes life is tough. Things don't always go as we'd like. Sometimes living is all just like a dream—sometimes good, sometimes bad, but seemingly “not real”--because there's a greater reality: God, but until His love breaks through into our lives, we don't even realize it.
So often, something seems missing from life although we can't pinpoint exactly what it is. Well, that “missing part” is God. He wants our hearts, and when we say yes to Him and let His love in, our lives are changed, and we feel complete. It's only then that we realize how blind we've been, how truly unwise, and how much time we've wasted. God's love is so remarkable. Won't you let it break through into your life today?
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Which Way The Wind Blows (Recorded Live)
2nd Chapter of Acts​
Life is not just for this moment, and the future is uncertian and at best unknown. Still, so many move on in life planning their tomorrows with no thoughts of God or what He wants for their lives. They expect that what they want and are working toward will come to pass and are often devastated if it does not.
Others living only for the moment often find themselves lonely, full of sorrow, seeking peace, not knowing right from wrong, and/or needing God's forgiveness (whether they realize it or not), but still they refuse to listen to (the truth of) God.
Jesus is Lord; He is God. He knows which way the wind blows (the future), so why not believe in Him, confess that you've gone off on your own away from Him, ask for forgiveness, and give Him your tomorrows? Your future can then be one of certainty: spending eternity with Him.
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Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus - Rendition by The Living Stones Quartet (LSQ)
Helen H. Lemmel (1864-1961)
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The attitudes and perspectives we have in life, as well as what we choose to focus on, can make all the difference, and when, despite life's weariness, troubles, uncertainties, and “darkness”, we choose to look to and focus on Jesus, the Light of the World (see John 8:12), we find the abundant life He said that He came to bring us (see John 10:10)—especially those who would believe in Him.
In this simple yet profound hymn, the Living Stones Quartet (LSQ) presents the Lord Jesus Christ as The Answer to the world's, and each individual's, most pressing problems, including the need to move from spiritual death to everlasting life, from being under the bondage of sin to freedom from sins' consequences, and from being overburdened and defeated in life to becoming more than conquerors by the power of God, His glory, and His grace. Then in His strength, we can begin to reach out to others, inviting them, too, to turn their eyes upon Jesus.
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The Touch of the Master's Hand - (with Dramatized Video)
Wayne Watson
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So many of us were, or still are, like battered, scarred, seemingly not-valuable “instruments”. We are so often ignored or passed over by others, and our lives are so “out of tune”, not producing the beautiful music that life can, all because we were never meant to play the instruments of our lives ourselves but to allow the Master of Life, the Lord Jesus Christ, to play beautiful music through us, with our lives. When He does so, it gives us inestimable value, for both the present and for eternity. Jesus Himself said, “. . . apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). Will you allow the Master to pick up and touch your life and play beautiful music through you today? It will make all the difference, but . . . it's your choice.
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He's All You Need (from The Steve Camp Collection)
Steve Camp
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We all need Jesus, whether we realize it or not. We need Him when we feel alone, confused, unsure, or are just hurting as we all do at times. As Steve sings, Jesus is our Rock, our Anchor. His love will endure, and it is in Him that even in times of difficulty we can find peace.
And we especially need Jesus when we feel the weight of guilt because of our sin(s). At such times, He is faithful. He still loves us, and we need to run to God in repentance, not away from Him, hiding. He knows all things. He already knows what we've done. And as this song affirms, if you are truly sorry for your sin(s) and wish to turn away from that kind of living, "His forgiveness is real; it'll comfort and heal your sin-weary soul."
God loves us so and will never let us go. Yes, "through all the years, the joy the tears, He is all you need."
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fE5a8okKC3A&list=OLAK5uy_msTSNDeXKYZ6JO8UgPk0MaqbOoCEjPx28&index=12
In His Time
Maranatha! Music
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God's Word tells us that He declares, “ . . . my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, . . . “ (Isaiah 55:8, ESV)--and so it follows that His timing is certainly not ours either, although God is never late.
This song proclaims that God, the Infinite Creator, “. . . makes all things beautiful in His time” --including our lives if we have entrusted them to His care. As He teaches us His way(s) and in His time makes each “song” we have to sing to Him a “lovely thing”, may we rest in His promises, in everything He says in His Word, for truly “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” (Numbers 23:19, ESV).
Surely, God can be trusted fully to do exactly as He says He will do—and He's the Master of creating beauty and goodness out of that which is broken, barren, and bruised!
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJeNUlNY7Iw
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*** Disclaimer: Maranatha Baptist Fellowship has no direct connection with Maranatha! Music.
My Tribute (To God Be The Glory) (LIVE)
Andrae' Crouch & All Star Choir
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God deserves our thanks—for so much—and this song features an all-star cast of Contemporary Christian musicians, led by Andrae' Crouch, focusing on thanking God for all He's done and on giving Him the glory He is due.
Here, in musical form, thanks goes out to God for His love, His salvation, His power, the many victories He's won, and His many incredible deeds.
Christianity is not about us or our (God-given) abilities—or our (musical) careers. It's about Who He is and how He has loved / loves each of us.
To God be the glory!
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Seventy Times Seven (LIVE)
David Meece
The lyrics of this song speak from the perspective of a person living with many regrets about his life and questioning whether or not God can forgive him for the things he has done and even failed to do. The person mentions feeling as if in a prison without walls, being in bondage, and being plagued by memories from which he cannot escape. He affirms he has broken many promises, has not accomplished things he might have, and has gotten away with things in the past for which he knows he still deserves punishment. He is, however, also beginning to recognize how “blind” he has been to doubt God's love and how wrong he has been to be running from God instead of to Him for the forgiveness he needs.
Drawing from the principle in Scripture about how God tells us to forgive others “seventy times seven” when they have done something against us or hurt us, the person portrayed in this song plans to go to God in prayer, believing he, himself, will find the forgiveness he needs from God although he has sinned against Him, and hurt Him, many times. He chooses to go kneel before God, unafraid, and to ask for forgiveness for all he has done. By the end of the song, it is clear that he believes God's love can save him from himself and from what he's become.
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My Life Is In Your Hands
Kathy Triccola
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Sometimes life is so good, sometimes so hard, but often it can also be full of unknowns, or uncertainties, or with things, circumstances, and/or routines that are always changing. But whatever comes our way, once we've put our faith in Jesus Christ the Lord and given Him our lives, He'll never leave us but will be there with us always, watching over us and directing our lives--for His higher purposes and our ultimate good.
For sure, God's love does amazing things! He makes us want to sing praises to Him, enables us to be strong (in Him) when we are weak (within ourselves), and provides us with true rest and peace, as throughout our lifetimes, at all ages, He supplies all our needs and is committed to our futures with Him.
Truly, for His children, our lives are in His hands.
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Make My Life A Prayer To You (LIVE)
Keith Green
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Many people have preconceived notions about what it means to be a Christian. Sadly, they see some Christians doing wrong things, (perhaps rightfully) call them “hypocrites”, but then, sadly, (wrongfully) turn away from seeking their own personal relationship with the God of the universe.
This song makes clear some of what it means to be a Christian: surrendering one's whole self to God and His service, as a “living prayer”, or sacrifice (see Romans 12:1-2). God wants an intimate relationship with each of us and for us to shine His light into the world to others, so that they, too, may come to know Him. Being a Christian means trusting what God has said in His Word (the Bible), thanking Him for many things—including for His patience and for His putting up with our many failings. It means living for God and His purposes, offering ourselves to His service in ways that show we are totally sold out to Him, fully committed to loving and obeying Him, following Him, and continually wanting to learn about Him, so that we can live in ways that please Him.
What about you?
Are you ready to make your life a prayer to God?
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7oCa9BvO9g&list=RDz7oCa9BvO9g&start_radio=1
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(NOTE: Maranatha Baptist Fellowship has no direct connection with Huntley, so if you call the number at the end of this video, you will not be able to reach us. We can be reached at (732) 846-4010 or by contacting us through this Website.)
Dra Chei Chah (Scripture in Hebrew)
LAMB (Joel Chernoff)
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This is a musical version of Psalm 25, verses 4 and 5, in Hebrew, which in English translates as:
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"Show me Your ways, O Lord;
Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day."
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5jEUZQ5pQw&list=PLvWZ3tkpPVFusfVue5kHqSUWSKpkeIwQi&index=9
Hallelujah Chorus - Christmas Food Court Flash Mob
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
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Christmas is such a special time, even in the secular world! For those in the know, however, it is much more! It is truly a joyous day, the day we celebrate God's gift of his Son sent to us to be our Savior and Lord.
But Jesus' humble beginnings and life of ministry, all leading to His death on the Cross, His Resurrection, and His ascension back into Heaven, will eventually culminate in His returning to this Earth to rule as King of kings and Lord of lords. Certainly, George Frederic Handel knew this, even 300 years ago, when he composed this classical work praising the Lord Jesus Christ: "The Hallelujah Chorus".
Here, at lunchtime on November 13, 2010, mall shoppers were surprised by this excellent flash mob rendition of Handel's "The Hallelujah Chorus", helping them to begin to focus on the real reason for the approaching Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons: to thank God for all their blessings and to rejoice in God's provision of a Savior to take away the sin(s) of the world for all who will believe, repent of their wrongdoing, and receive Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.
Enjoy this wonderful musical surprise, as the shoppers did that November day in the mall!
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Circle of Friends (LIVE)
Point of Grace
We were made to love and be loved—and in particular to love each other as fellow believers.
Whether we are family, friends, or even strangers, as believers, we have one Heavenly Father, so we're “brothers” and “sisters” in Christ, and this being the case, God calls us His own and wants us to be in intimate relationship with Him and in close fellowship with one another.
As “friends”, we are called to bear one another's burdens, to weep with each other when one is sorrowful or in pain, and at other times, to sing together with joy.
As “friends”, we are to be there for one another to fill the void that comes with loneliness, shelter one another from the many difficulties in life when possible, and accept one another right where each of us is, without pretense, so that each of us can be herself/himself: real, authentic.
Are you celebrating your “friends” today—and the life we have in Christ, that is, a life that never ends?
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Amazing Grace (LIVE)
One For Israel Music - (in Hebrew, Arabic & English / Garden Tomb)
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This is “Amazing Grace” as you've most likely never heard it, sung in Hebrew, Arabic, and English (translations provided) and accompanied by both modern instruments and more traditional Middle Eastern ones.
This version of the beloved hymn slightly changes some of the lyrics and includes a bridge section that enhances the song, making it a wonderful rendition.
Come listen to this amazing song that celebrates God's amazing grace toward all of us who believe and toward all those who yet will believe in the future!
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Where Else Would I Go
Children of the Day
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Meeting Jesus Christ changes people. When we come to know Him for Who He really is, it affects us deeply, producing those changes, for He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life--and no one gets to God the Father except through Jesus (see John 14:6).
In this often empty world, with its hate, troubles, endless questions, lack of love, and absence of inner peace, it is hard to find someone to care, but God loves each and every one of us with an incredible, enduring love. One only needs to encounter Him and His love to realize that for true acceptance, peace, and satisfaction in life, there's no where else to go but to Jesus.
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The Lord's Prayer
Cheryl Bear
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Jesus Christ is Lord. He is holy (completely separate and different) and He loves each of us, individually, and desires a relationship with each of us, no matter who we are or what we've done.
We need Jesus and depend on Him for sustenance (our daily bread), forgiveness, for guidance (as the Good Shepherd Who leads us), for deliverance from (the) evil (one), and so much more.
The Bible tells us God is our Father, the Ruler of Heaven, the One Whose will is done in Heaven--and ultimately will also be done on Earth.
Here, Cheryl Bear offers us a Native American rendition of this well-known song based on the prayer Jesus Himself taught us to pray in Matthew 6:7-13 (ESV):
"And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this:
'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.'"
Seventy Times Seven
White Heart
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When we have been deeply hurt by someone, are crying, and/or are “walking wounded” as a result of something done to us, it's hard to forgive the person who caused us such pain. Nonetheless, forgiveness is a key part of Christianity, as the Apostle Peter stated to Cornelius and those gathered with him in Caesarea, when he said, “To him [Jesus] all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him [Jesus] receives forgiveness of sins through his name” (Acts 10:43, ESV).
But forgiveness, that is forgiving others, is also important when living as a follower of Christ. At one point, the Apostle Peter asks Jesus, “ 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven' ” (Matthew 18:21-22, NJKV). Ouch! That can be a challenge, but it is what Jesus expects us to do, with the Holy Spirit's help.
Many times, we hear it said, “Let it go!” about what someone has done that hurts us, and some may wonder why God expects us to forgive others so much. Well, hasn't He forgiven us so much? And forgiving others frees us—from hatred and bitterness and victim hood. When we forgive, it allows us to continue to live in the freedom that being a Christian brings. No wonder our Lord exhorts us to forgive. Not only does doing so allow us to be Christ-like in our actions toward others, but it is also the better thing for us to do for ourselves as well!
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Living in Laodicea
Steve Camp
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When the Holy Spirit of God used the Apostle John to write to the Church at Laodicea (in the Book of The Revelation, that is, the Apocalypse—the last book of the Bible), the church there at that time was not all it could be—or had previously been—for God, as we as individuals sometimes are not today. They'd lost their fire for God, had all but forgotten Him, and had instead become friends with the world and its ways and values. The Laodiceans had turned from God and His truth to do what seemed right in their own eyes, an action that so often leads, inevitably, to chastisement, or judgment, from God.
This song is an encouragement, as was God's letter to the Church at Laodicea, to return to God, to remember what He has done for us, and to move forward in our lives in ways that are more obedient and committed to (“on fire for”) God and His purposes.
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All that Is In Me
Harvest
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God doesn't want us to be indifferent toward Him. In Revelation (Apocalypse) 3:16, He says, ". . . because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth."
Moreover, in Romans 12:1, the Apostle Paul, led by the Holy Spirit, makes an appeal to all believers ". . . to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
This song is the affirmation of one person's decision of the will to offer God a sacrifice of praise: the full surrender of all that he is to glorify the Lamb (Jesus Christ).
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Godpleaser (LIVE)
Petra
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Lead singer Greg X. Volz here affirms his heart's decision about something we all need to choose for ourselves: whether to live as we see fit and focus on pleasing ourselves and those around us or whether to live the life God would have us live and focus on pleasing Him as our Lord.
In this video, Greg and many of the attendees wave themselves back and forth, which might be seen as a type of wave offering before the Lord. The Wave Offering, a part of the Peace Offering in the Old Testament, is first seen in Exodus 29:19-28, during the ordination of Aaron and his sons, and there is no making of atonement for sin involved in this kind of offering. According to Bible commentators, “The peace offering generally expressed peace and fellowship between the offerer and God, . . . “ (W.A. Criswell), or “. . . is an essential feature of worship” (Charles Erdman). Dr. Elmer Towns *** put it this way: “The Peace Offering [sometimes called the 'thank offering'] foreshadowed the fellowship and peace we as believers can have with God through Jesus Christ.”
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(*** See Dr. Elmer Towns's article on Peace and Wave Offerings at www.biblesprout.com)
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The Warrior Is A Child / Do I Trust You (LIVE)
Twila Paris
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Here, Twila reminds us that, as Christians, we have our ups and downs, our triumphs and setbacks, just as all people do, but additionally, because we belong to the Lord Jesus Christ, we find ourselves in a war against those who hate Him. They hate us, make our lives difficult when they can, because, ultimately, they hate Him and all whom He loves.
Now, while we don't need to fear as we battle (God's protection is the best and no one can harm God's children unless for some reason He allows it and is using it all for some higher purpose), we can, and often do, get weary as warriors, and sometimes discouraged. It is then that we need rest, as well as strengthening and encouragement from God, our "Commander-in-Chief", if we are to be equipped to continue the fight and be victorious. This song is about how she, Twila, seeks Him at such times--and about how we should as well.
Indeed, the Bible tells us that the Apostle John records Jesus as saying, " . . . apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5, ESV). And then the Apostle Paul encourages us to look to Jesus, " . . . the founder and perfecter of our faith, . . . " (Hebrews 12:2, ESV), encouraging us elsewhere by saying, "I [like each of us] can do all things through him [Christ Jesus] who strengthens me," (Philippians 4:13, ESV). Without keeping our eyes on the Lord and being dependent on Him, we will not be able to win our battles in life.
And the motivation to persevere, as well as the ability to be victorious in battle, requires trust in the one "calling the shots". The second song here consists of a pledge to trust the Lord through all the challenges (battles) and uncertainties of life.
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No Other Name (Live Recording)
Damon Schenck
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This song affirms that only Jesus, the Christ (God's anointed one) is worthy of praise, that we can have victory in His name, and that He will surely return (maybe soon) to reign forever as the King of kings and Lord of lords. There is truly no other name like "Jesus". His is, as the Bible says, the "Name above all names".
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Ain't No Need to Worry
The Winans
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With the difficulties in life and its many uncertainties, many today get stuck in fear and worry, and this should not be, “. . . for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV). Fear is not from Him and is the opposite of faith.
Surely, life brings pain at times; troubles seem to follow some day-by-day, too, but we are not to fear but to call on Jesus for help—for He answers the prayers of His people. As the Winans sing, “It makes no difference how dark the 'night' is, if you trust in Jesus, it'll be all right'.”
Every day's a new day, and “. . . joy comes with the morning” (Psalm 30:5d, ESV), so let us respond in those times of difficulty and uncertainty by doing what we can to change the situation, by turning from our tendency to fear and worry to acting in faith and calling upon the Lord Jesus Christ for the help we need and trustingly waiting for Him to protect us, to lead us with His wisdom concerning what we should do, and to work things out on our behalf. If we do this, there ain't no need to worry for sure because He can handle every situation; He is our Almighty God.
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If Jesus Comes Tomorrow, What Then?
Daniel O'Donnell
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Jesus told His disciples, “. . . If it were not so, would I have told you I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also (John 14:2b-3, ESV). His return is imminent (it could happen at any time), so what will you say to Him if He comes tomorrow? Are you ready for His return? Would he be coming for you as well? Daniel O'Donnell asks. “Would you welcome Him with open arms?” and makes us think seriously “If Jesus comes tomorrow, what then?”
Jesus told Nicodemus, the learned religious leader, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? (John 3:10, ESV). Jesus also made clear to Nicodemus that “. . . unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God“ (John 3:3, ESV) and continued, “. . . unless one is born of water [humanly] and the Spirit [spiritually-by the Spirit of God], he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again'. The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So, it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit” (John 3:5-8, ESV). Are you ready to meet Jesus? “If Jesus comes tomorrow, what then?”
If you know you are not ready for Jesus to come, the Bible tells us how one can become ready. While on Earth, Jesus spoke of the need for people to be sorry for their sin(s) (their violations of God's holy commandments) and to turn away from their wrongdoing to do what is right in God's sight, and the Apostle Paul explains, “ . . . if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, 'Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.'" (Romans 10:9-11, ESV). The Apostle John puts it this way: “he [Jesus] came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God (John 1:11-13, ESV) and later in his life, John writes about how we can know that we belong to God and are ready for His return (in the Bible, see the Book of 1 John 5:10-13).
God said that if we seek Him with all our hearts, we will find Him. Have you done so? Are you ready for Jesus to come? If not, you might want to prepare for His return, for He is mostly likely coming back soon.
Maranatha! (Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus Christ!)
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV3epYnmibg&list=PLb_d-nZzgAVdnOiwYLLy6zO9KGi-dJdp5
Trumpet of Jesus (LIVE)
Russ Taff
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Trumpets are often used to call people to action and drums to set the pace for the march to the action. So, listening to the trumpet of Jesus calls us forward in the way(s) God would have us go, to a life that is more than merely “marking time”, to a life that is frequently quite different than the one lived by many others in the world around us.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd and He “. . . leads [His children] in paths of righteousness for his name's sake” (Psalm 23:3b, ESV). Indeed, the Bible tells us that “. . . all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God” (Romans 8:14, ESV), and therefore, as members of God's “Holy Ghost Traveling Band”, we should expect to be called to live lives that are very different from those the world's unbelievers live. We're called to be “set apart”, “holy”, “different”, to live life as “a peculiar people”, a people appointed and ready for God's use.
So, let's choose to be ever-listening to His trumpet calling us to action, for if we do, then we should continually stay “in tune” with Jesus, our Savior and Lord, and be the people He's called us to be.
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Jerusalem's Cry
Randy Travis
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Since Israel's modern beginning on May 14, 1948, she has been in perilous times and "storms" have been rising against her repeatedly. Soon, her enemies will gather in the East to war against her in an End Times battle. The Bible predicts this event.
The closer we get to the End Times, the worse things will get--and not just for Israel. It's time to seek the Light (Jesus) and to walk with Him, the Son of God, Who is God Himself.
The prophet Joel says that there will be many signs in the heavens as we get closer to the End Times. And according to what Jesus said things would be like before His return (things recorded in the Bible), . . . well, things are pretty much like that now. The Lord's return for His own (true believers and followers of Jesus Christ) is immanent (it could happen at any time). And after it does, with the Christians already taken to Heaven, God will then pour out His wrath, that is His judgement, on the world that has rejected Him. Jerusalem's cry will have been answered, and even believers will know that God truly does exist and does what He says he will do.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbxVlnwgzxo&list=RDPbxVlnwgzxo&index=1
I Can Only Imagine (LIVE from Hawaii)
MercyMe
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No matter what road we walk in this life, one thing is certain: we will all stand before the Lord Jesus Christ one day in order to give an account of the life we have lived, for as the Scriptures state, " . . . it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, . . . " (Hebrews 9:27, ESV).
How will you (re-)act when you see Jesus?
This song explores several possibilities.
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+++ Disclaimer: Maranatha Baptist Fellowship does not own the rights to any of these songs. The links are posted here for educational and entertainment purposes only.