Seize the Moment – Day 1376
Today’s song focus will be
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
Isaiah 7:14 (NASB95)
“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign:
Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son,
and she will call His name Immanuel.”
Penned in 1744 by Charles Wesley, this hymn came about as he was inspired to write hymns that would prepare people’s hearts for the coming of Jesus at Christmas. He wanted it to express the deep needs of humanity while also helping to renew faith in Christ’s coming. That is what makes this such a wonderful song to be part of the Advent Season celebration.
Come, thou long-expected Jesus, Born to set thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us, Let us find our rest in thee.
We need to wake up and continue to anticipate the coming of Christ. May it stir up an urgency to share your testimony of what God has done for you and how simple it is for others to have this precious gift of love, hope and joy. For only Jesus can
truly set you free!
YOUTUBE:
If you prefer a video, Pastor Ken reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.
If you would like to listen to this song, click on this link:
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
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Seize the Moment – Day 1369
Today’s song focus will be
Joy to the World
Isaiah 9:6 (NASB95)
“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaac Watts was one of the greatest hymn writers in church history. He originally wrote this hymn as a poem based on Psalm 98:4-9, adapting and interpreting the words to celebrate Jesus’ role as both king of His church and the whole world. The melody to which it is sung today was set to fragments composed by Watts & George Handel in England and pieced together by Lowell Mason & William Billings in America. And it is easy to remember how it starts because it is a simple scale played in descending order.
Joy to the world, the Lord has come! Let earth receive her King.
Let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing! And heaven, and heaven and nature sing!
We need to wake up and share this good news of great joy! With all that is happening around us today, the world needs more joy! So share that gift with everyone you meet this holiday season…and beyond!
If you would like to receive a personal phone call today, all you have to do is dial the phone number below right now and one of us will call you soon.
YOUTUBE:
If you prefer a video, Pastor Ken reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.
If you would like to listen to this song, click on this link:
Joy to the World
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Seize the Moment – Day 1362
Today’s song focus will be
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Luke 2:13-14 (NASB95).
And suddenly there appeared with the angel
a multitude of the heavenly host
praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King”
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.
We need to wake up and join with the angels in proclaiming the first message of good news or the Gospel to those around us that are still in need of its powerful message. If you give no other gift this Christmas season, give the message of God’s love for all who will receive it.
If you would like to receive a personal phone call today, all you have to do is dial the phone number below right now and one of us will call you soon.
YOUTUBE:
If you prefer a video, Pastor Ken reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.
If you would like to listen to this song, click on this link:
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
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Seize the Moment – Day 1355
Today’s song focus will be
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Matthew 2:6 (NASB95)
“‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah;
For out of you shall come forth a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”
Written in 1868 by Phillips Brooks, it was originally created as a Christmas hymn for the Sunday School Children at Holy Trinity Church, after he had taken a pilgrimage on horseback from Jerusalem to Bethlehem on Christmas Eve. Louise H. Redner wrote the music for this song, a simple melody inspired by God late in the night just before the Christmas Eve service.
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie;
above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
We need to wake up and see that this song not only beautifully describes the little town asleep in that December night, but according to British Hymnologist J.R. Watson, “gracefully modulates from a description of Christmas into an examination of the meaning of Christmas; first in its encouragement of charity and faith, and then into the coming of Christ into the human heart.”
If you would like to receive a personal phone call today, all you have to do is dial the phone number below right now and one of us will call you soon.
YOUTUBE:
If you prefer a video, Pastor Ken reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.
If you would like to listen to this song, click on this link:
O Little Town of Bethlehem
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Table of Blessings 2023
Host: Pastor Ken Durham
Matt and Emily Hurst (2:08)
“No future bliss can make up for it,”
not knowing that Heaven, once attained,
will work backwards and turn even that agony
into a glory.
Deb Winters (15:36)
Tina Durham (26:08)
Misty Watkins (27:57)
John and Soozi Davisson (35:15)
Ken closes with song and prayer (50:56)
If you would like to watch just the sharing portion of our service, Click HERE.
If you would like to watch the entire service including music, click HERE.
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Seize the Moment – Day 1348
Today’s song focus will be
Give Thanks to God
Psalm 136:1 (NASB95)
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.”
Co-written with his good friend Allan McKinlay, Peter Crockett wanted to write a song that would reflect the liturgical writing of Psalm 136 that could be spontaneously sung, or spoken or prayed. It was his plan to bring the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers into the congregational time of worship in song.
He sent his Son to die and rise again to save us His never ending love is steadfast and sure
He’s broken our chains and given us freedom
Give thanks to God, for he is good.
We need to wake up and remember that each of us are to enter His gates with thanksgiving in our hearts by thanking Him for specific situations and things He has done in our lives.
If you would like to receive a personal phone call today, all you have to do is dial the phone number below right now and one of us will call you soon.
YOUTUBE:
If you prefer a video, Pastor Ken reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.
If you would like to listen to this song, click on this link:
Give Thanks to God
In Him we are alive and have joy everlasting. His never ending love is steadfast and sure
He casts out all fear and fills us with courage. Give thanks to God for He is good
The Lord is our refuge when trouble surrounds us. Give thanks to God for He is good
Give thanks to God for He is good
He’s always pouring out His abundant provision. His never ending love is steadfast and sure
For the depths of His riches and incredible wisdom. Give thanks to God for He is good
Give thanks to God for He is good
Always good. Always good to me
Always good. Always good to me
©2017 BEC Worship Written by Allan McKinlay, Peter Crockett CCLI# 7065012
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Seize the Moment – Day 1341
Today’s song focus will be
Grace into Gardens
Psalm 30:11-12 (NASB95)
“You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.”
The title track to Elevation Worship’s eighth album, this song was written by Chris Brown, Tiffany Hammer, Brandon Lake and Pastor Steven Furtick in 2019. Inspired by a sermon from Steve about the ongoing influence of the prophet Elisha, even after his death. Chris stated: “…God is still in the business of bringing dead things back to life. If we’ll trust God even with the seemingly dead areas of our lives, if we’ll believe in the power of God, …nothing is wasted. Nothing is over. God can turn any situation around.”
Oh there’s nothing better than You,
There’s nothing better than YouLord, there’s nothing Nothing is better than You.
We need to wake up and proclaim our faith in praise into the face of fear and doubt that there is nothing better than the Lord our God. He brings love, life, hope, grace and peace to each and every situation in our lives.
If you would like to receive a personal phone call today, all you have to do is dial the phone number below right now and one of us will call you soon.
YOUTUBE:
If you prefer a video, Pastor Ken reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.
If you would like to listen to this song, click on this link:
Grace into Gardens
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Seize the Moment – Day 1334
.’Today’s song focus will be
Christ is Enough!
Colossians 2:9-10 (NASB95)
“For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority.”
Written in 2003 by Hillsong Worship, this song is a wonderful reminder that Jesus is our reward, our devotion, our joy, our salvation and our hope. He is all we need. By making the decision to follow Him, we choose to turn away from the things of this world and follow after Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. He is more than enough for us! Verse two states:
Christ my all in all, my joy and my salvation
And His hope will never fail, Heaven is our home
We need to wake up and realize the sufficiency of our Lord and Savior! He is our all in all, and is everything we will ever need.
If you would like to receive a personal phone call today, all you have to do is dial the phone number below right now and one of us will call you soon.
YOUTUBE:
If you prefer a video, Pastor Ken reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.
If you would like to listen to this song, click on this link:
Christ Is Enough
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Seize the Moment – Day 1327
Today’s hymn focus will be
Jesus Saves!
John 14:6 (NASB95)
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
It originally sung to the chorus from an opera, but William J Kirkpatrick composed a vibrant melody for the words of her poem to become the song that we sing today.
We have heard the joyful sound – Jesus Saves! Jesus Saves!
Spread the tidings all around – Jesus Saves! Jesus Saves!
We need to wake up and proclaim the message of this song each and every day of our lives, until He calls us home. Don’t keep it a secret, but let it be known that Jesus Saves!
If you would like to receive a personal phone call today, all you have to do is dial the phone number below right now and one of us will call you soon.
YOUTUBE:
If you prefer a video, Pastor Ken reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.
If you would like to listen to this song, click on this link:
Jesus Saves!
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Spread the tidings all around:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Bear the news to every land,
Climb the steeps and cross the waves;
Onward!—’tis our Lord’s command;
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
2
Waft it on the rolling tide,
Jesus saves, Jesus saves;
Tell to sinners far and wide,
Jesus saves, Jesus saves;
Sing, ye islands of the sea,
Echo back, ye ocean caves;
Earth shall keep her jubilee,
Jesus saves, Jesus saves.
3
Sing above the battle’s strife,
Jesus saves, Jesus saves;
By His death and endless life,
Jesus saves, Jesus saves;
Sing it softly thru the gloom,
When the heart for mercy craves,
Sing in triumph o’er the tomb,
Jesus saves, Jesus saves.
4
Give the winds a mighty voice,
Jesus saves, Jesus saves;
Let the nations now rejoice.
Jesus saves, Jesus saves;
Shout salvation full and free,
Highest hills and deepest caves,
This our song of victory,
Jesus saves, Jesus saves.
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Proclamation, Preparation & Positioning
Proclamation, Preparation & Positioning
Deuteronomy 32:2-4; Ephesians 5:15-19; Philippians 4:5-9
Today is going to be a different type of Sunday. We are starting the service with each point of the message being reinforced with our worship in song. For those taking notes, the three key points are 1) Proclamation; 2) Preparation; and 3) Positioning. These three “P’s” will help us in both our prayers and our praise.
I. PROCLAMATION: Moses told the people of Israel
“Let my teaching fall on you like rain; let my speech settle like dew. Let my words fall like rain on tender grass, like gentle showers on young plants. I will proclaim the name of the Lord; how glorious is our God! He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!”
When we proclaim something, we are making it known to those around us. When we pray, we are to proclaim who God is to us. When we sing our praises, we are to lift our voices and proclaim the goodness and the greatness of our God. In Psalm 71:19-19, the psalmist David writes:
O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do. Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me. Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens. You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with you, O God?
He also writes in Psalm 105:1-2:
“Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.”
And then in Psalm 145:4-7, we are told to:
“Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles. Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness. Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about your righteousness.”
Finally, we are encouraged by John, the beloved disciple in 1 John 1:1-2:
“We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us.”
So, as we prepare to lift our voices in worship, remember we are all to proclaim praise to the One Who was, Who is, and Who always will be.
Worship in Song 1: Living Hope, Goodness of God, Trust in God
II. Preparation: Preparation is important for both heart and mind.
QUOTE: “Proper preparation prevents poor performance.”
1 John 1:9:
Ephesians 5:15-19: “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.”
*Previous verses warned us not to live like we used to, because we are to live our lives to please God.
“So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.”
However, we are also told in scriptures to bring everything to Jesus. 1 Peter 5:7 states:
“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”
AND…we are to care for one another. Paul wrote to the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 12:25:
“This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other.”
This is not an either/or thing, but rather a both/and. We as the church are to be here to help one another as we see Christ transforming people’s lives and their stories. BUT, it is also important that each person take responsibility to turn EVERYTHING over to God by preparing our hearts and our minds.
Worship in Song 2: Lavish, Who You Say I Am
III. Positioning: Surrendering our wants and desires
“Christ demands first place. There’s no room on the throne of your heart for two gods.”
– Billy Graham
Philippians 4:5-7:
“Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
I want to close out the service with a response time. Coming to the altar is not a sign that you have done something, but rather you making a public demonstration of presenting yourself as a living sacrifice, making sure that your sacrifice is still on the altar! Position yourself with a fresh surrender.
Worship Set 3: Hold On to Me, It is Well with My Soul
If you would like to watch the service in its entirety with the music, click HERE.
If you would like to watch just the message, click HERE.
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