Personalized Verses for My Devotionals

Personalized  Verses for My Devotionals

Here are some “personalized” verses that I have been using in my “War Room” devotionals lately.

No weapon formed against me shall prosper and every tongue that rises against me in judgment God will condemn in the NAME OF JESUS. This is my right from the Lord because my righteousness is from Him. (Isaiah 54:17).

Thank You Lord that my sins are covered and my transgressions are forgiven in JESUS NAME! (Psalm 32:1).

I shall not die, but live and declare the works of my Lord. The Lord has chastened me severely at times but He has not given me over to death. Open to me the gates of righteousness, I will go through them and I will praise You Lord. This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous shall enter. I will praise You, for You have answered me and You have become my salvation. (Ps. 118:17-21).

I know that You can do exceeding abundantly above all that I ask or think through Your power that works in me and I pray for a manifestation of Your powerful presence in my heart and life. I bring this request before Your powerful throne in JESUS NAME! (Eph. 3:20).

I know that I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I can do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens me. I can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13).

Lord Jesus, You are my refuge and strength and a very present help in my trouble. Therefore I will not fear even though the earth be removed and the mountains be removed and carried into the midst of the sea because I know You are with me. I will be still and wait because I know that You are my God and that Your presence is with me at all times. (Ps. 46:1).

I will praise You O Lord with my whole heart. I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You. I will sing praise to Your name O Most High. (Ps. 9:1-2).

I trust in You Lord with all my heart and I do not lean on my own understanding. In all my ways I acknowledge You and You direct my path. In JESUS NAME!  (Prov. 3:5-7).

I pray that I might know You and the power of Your resurrection and the fellowship of Your suffering, being conformed to Your death. (Phil. 3:10).

You will keep me in perfect peace because My mind is focused on You and I trust in You. I trust You forever because in You is everlasting strength because You have established peace for me and You also do all my works in me. (Isa. 26:3-4 & 12).

I will wait on You Lord Jesus and You will renew my strength. I will mount up with wings like eagles. I will run and not go weary. I will walk and not faint. (Isa. 40:31).

For I know the thoughts that You think toward me Lord Jesus, thoughts of peace and not of evil to give me a future and a hope. Therefore I will call upon You and pray to You and You listen to me. I seek You and I find You because it is my desire to search for You with all my heart. (Jer. 29:11-13).

Today and every day I will think on things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, and praiseworthy. I will meditate and focus on these things. (Phil. 4:8)

Greater is Lord Jesus who is in me that he that is in the world. (1 Jn. 4:4)

Yes in all things I am more than a conqueror through my Lord Jesus who loves me. (Rom 8:37).

Gracious is the Lord to me and righteous. Yes, He is merciful to me. The Lord preserves me. I was brought low and He saved me. My soul can now return to rest for the Lord has dealt bountifully with me. (Ps. 116:5-7).

I am born of God and overcome the world. This is the victory that overcomes the world and it is my faith and trust in Jesus. (1 Jn. 5:4).

I will wait on the Lord. I will be of good courage and He will strengthen my heart. Wait, I say to my soul, on the Lord. (Ps. 27:14).

The Lord is my sun and shield. My Lord  Jesus will give me grace and glory. No good thing will He withhold from me because I seek to walk uprightly! (Ps. 84:11).

I am he who dwells in the secret place of the Most High and I abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord Jesus, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, and in Him I will trust. (Ps. 91:1-2).

Lord, will You not revive me again that my soul may rejoice in You. (Ps. 85:6).

To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in You. Let me not be ashamed and let not my enemies triumph over me. (Ps. 25:1)

I will extol You, my God, O King. And I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You and I will praise Your name forever and forever. Great is my Lord Jesus and greatly to be praised and His greatness is unsearchable.  (Ps. 145:1-3).

Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort according to Your word to me Your servant. (Ps. 119:76).

Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You dear Lord. (Psalm 143:8)

My weeping may endure for a night, But my joy comes in the morning. (Ps. 30:5).

Through the Lord’s mercies I am not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new to me every morning; Great is Your faithfulness to me O Jesus my Lord. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Lord Jesus, keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me under the shadow of Your wings (Ps. 17:8).

I will love You, O Lord, my strength. You are my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my strength, in whom I will trust, My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold, I will call upon You Lord, You are worthy to be praised; and I shall be saved from my enemies. (Ps. 18:1-3)

I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able  to separate me from the love of God which I have in Christ Jesus my Lord. (Rom. 8:38-39).

As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds me. Surround me Lord. I need to be in Your presence. Surround me Lord. Surround me Lord in the NAME OF JESUS. (Ps. 125:2).

In the POWERFUL NAME OF JESUS I accept these truths and ask these favors and give this praise. AMEN, and AMEN!!

Wayne Dunaway

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A Little Talk With Jesus

A LITTLE TALK WITH JESUS?

Is it scriptural to pray or talk to Jesus? Can we sing the song, “Have A Little Talk with Jesus?”

Yes!

A note on talking to Jesus.

When I first started preaching back in 1973 I was taught and believed that it was wrong to pray to Jesus and therefore, since it was wrong to pray to Him it was also wrong to sing, “Let us have a little talk with Jesus.” For years I taught others what others had taught me. Come to find out, what others taught me and what I had taught others should not have been taught to others…or me. Finally, when I actually studied the Bible on the subject for myself I came to another conclusion other than what I had learned from the others. I would say when I “re-studied” the subject, but the truth is I did not actually study the Bible in the beginning but only repeated what those I respected taught me. Like most (actually all) preachers I know, when I first started preaching I believed and taught what others believed and taught me! The following are some of the notes I made during my personal study which was over twenty-five years ago.

Here are my notes on the question of speaking directly to Jesus.

1. Many Bible students both in and out of the Church of Christ believe that the “Angel of the Lord” in the Old Testament was in many instances God Himself. Many of us believe that it was “Christ’s visible form before the incarnation” and that “The connection between the Angel of the Lord and the pre-incarnate appearance of the Messiah cannot be denied.”  Observe the following:
2. Smith’s Bible Dictionary states: Angel of the Lord. (Genesis 16:7) etc. (The special form in which God manifested himself to man, and hence Christ’s visible form before the incarnation. Compare (Acts 7:30-38) with the corresponding Old-Testament history; and (Genesis 18:1, 13, 14, 33) and Genesis 19:1).
3. Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology says:

The connection between the angel of the Lord and the preincarnate appearance of the Messiah cannot be denied.  Manoah meets the angel of the Lord, and declares that he has seen God. The angel accepts worship from Manoah and his wife as no mere angel, and refers to himself as “Wonderful,” the same term applied to the coming deliverer in Isaiah 9:6 (Judges 13:9-22). (Louis Goldberg).

2. It does seem clear to me from numerous Old Testament Scriptures that God Himself did appear to men on numerous occasions. It also seems that the one we refer to as the “Second Person” in the Godhead or the “Word” (the one who became Jesus) was the one who made those appearances. (See John 1:18). Since that is the case then there were numerous instances when men/women “had a little talk” with Him in the Old Testament before He came to the earth.
3. Genesis 18:1-33. Abraham had a little talk with Him.
4. Exodus 3:1-22. Moses had a little talk with Him. (See John 8:58).
5. Joshua 6:13-15. Joshua had a little talk with Him.
6. Judges 6:11-24. Gideon had a little talk with Him.
7. Judges 13:1-22. Manoah and his wife had a little talk with Him.
8. Isaiah 6:1-13. Isaiah had a little talk with Him. (See John 12:39-41).
9. Plus there are other instances in the O.T. when others talked with/to Him.
10. Many “had a little talk” with Jesus during His personal ministry.
11. John 4:5-42. The Samaritan woman had a little talk with Him.
12. John 3:1-21. Nicodemus had a little talk with Him.
13. John 8:2-11. The adulterous woman had a little talk with Him.
14. Luke 23:42-43. The thief on the cross had a little talk with Him.
15. Plus there are numerous other instances when various people had a little talk with Him during His earthly ministry.
16. Many “had a little talk” with Jesus after His resurrection.
17. Acts 1:1-4. The disciples had a little talk with Him after His death on the cross and during the forty days while He was on earth before His ascension.
18. Acts 7:59-60. Stephen had a little talk with Him after His ascension.
19. Acts 9:1-7. Paul had a little talk with Him when the Lord Jesus appeared to Him on the road to Damascus.
20. Acts 9:10-17. Ananias had a little talk with Him. Note that is “the Lord Jesus” who “sent” him to Paul and therefore Jesus is the one Ananias had a “little talk” with (v.17).
21. I Corinthians 16:22. Paul had a little talk with Him when he said “O Lord, come.”
22. Revelation 22:20. John had a little talk with Him when he said “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
23. Revelation 5:8-10. The four living creatures and the twenty four elders had a little talk with Him when they sang the new song to the Lamb.
24. Revelation 5:11-14: 7:9-17. Thousands upon thousands had a little talk with Him in John’s heavenly visions.
25. And there are probably other instances where others have had a little talk with Him.
26. We “have a little talk” with Jesus in our songs. In a number of our songs we sing directly to Him and some of them are “prayer songs” that we sing directly to Him. Examples are:
27. I need Thee every hour
28. My faith looks up to Thee
29. Worthy art Thou
30. Blessed Jesus hold my hand
31. I am Thine O Lord
32. Draw me nearer
33. Jesus keep me near the cross
34. My Jesus I love thee
35. Jesus lover of my soul
36. Just as I am
37. O to be like Thee
38. In the hour of trial
39. Jesus, we just want to thank You!
40. Lead me to Calvary
41. Master, the tempest is raging
42. More love to thee, O Christ
43. Just a closer walk with thee
44. Fairest lord Jesus
45. Tell it to Jesus alone
46. I must tell Jesus
47. And there are numerous other songs that have words where we “speak directly” to Him and, therefore, have “a little talk with Jesus.” It is unreasonable to me to think that we can “speak” to Jesus directly in song but we cannot speak directly to Him in any other way such as prayer and words of praise or simply talking to Him as our Savior and Friend.
48. In John 14:14 Jesus said, If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. (NASV). Here Jesus told His disciples plainly to “ask Me” and “I” will do it. (See also NIV, ESV, McCord’s Translation, footnote in the NKJV and ASV).
49. In First Timothy 1:12 Paul wrote, “And I thank Jesus Christ our Lord….” Sounds like a “little talk” with Jesus to me.
50. Commenting on First Thessalonians 3:11-13 Burton Coffman observed: Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way unto you: These three verses (1 Thessalonians 3:11-13) are “a prayer to Christ as co-equal with the Father.” The Christology of Paul is not something which “developed,” but was implicit and explicit in all that he wrote, even in this letter, one of the very first epistles from his pen. “Here we have an express prayer directed to Christ, thus necessarily implying his divine nature.” Again from Coffman, commenting on Acts 7:59, And they stoned Stephen, calling upon the Lord, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. The peculiar construction here has the effect of making “calling upon the Lord” equivalent to praying to Jesus personally. This is one of the few prayers in the New Testament directed to the Lord Jesus Christ, rather than to the Father through him. (Coffman Commentaries).
51. Commenting on Second Thessalonians 2:16-17 Wayne Jackson makes an interesting comment: “Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word”. (II Thess. 2:16-17). Again, the subject is compound, yet both verbs (“comfort” and “establish”) are singular. Scholars are virtually unanimous in the view that the apostle’s prayer is JOINTLY addressed to both the Father and the Son—and what is most unusual in this case is the fact that Jesus is placed first.” (Christian Courier, Questions).
52. Guy N. Woods answered the following question: “In the light of what Christ said in John 16:23,24, would it be wrong to sing songs such as ‘Tell It To Jesus,’ ‘My Jesus As Thou Wilt,’ and ‘Just a Little Talk With Jesus,’ and others which seem to advocate making our requests made known to Christ instead of the Father?” No. It is a misinterpretation of John 16:23, 24 to draw from it the conclusion that Jesus there forbade any address to him. It is of course very true that our prayers are to be addressed to the Father “in the name” of Christ, i.e., by his authority but the words of the foregoing passage were not intended to prohibit any address to him. It was the Lord’s design, in this instance, to indicate to his followers their relation to him and to the Father when he was no longer with them. He said in effect this: “You shall not, as you presently do, bring your questions to me; henceforth, you shall make your needs known to the Father by my authority and he will hear and answer.” For instances of such direct address to Christ as is involved in these songs, see Acts 7:60 and 9:6. There are many other examples of this in the New Testament. (Questions And Answers, Vol. II, pg.39)
53. In my judgment it is surely proper and scriptural to “have a little talk with Jesus” either in songs of praise or prayers to Him. Furthermore, as a side note, Jesus is a “Father” in some sense because God has given children to Him. Read Hebrews 2:13. I personally would believe that Jesus is rightly named the “everlasting Father” (Isaiah 9:6) because He is a “Father” to us in some sense because we are His “children” in some sense (Heb. 2:13). G. K. Wallace said, “Christ was a Father. He had children.” He was a father who had a father.” (Wallace –Vaughn Debate, pg. 44-45).
54. Can I have a little talk with Jesus?
55. Jesus is the “one in charge” of everything that affects my spiritual life (1 Corinthians 15:27), but I can’t talk to Him at all or under any circumstances?
56. Jesus is the Head of the body of which I am a member, but I can’t talk to Him? A part of His body, but can’t talk to head? What kind of head does not listen to the body?
57. Jesus is the Vine in which I am a branch (John 15:1-8), from whom I derive all of my spiritual sustenance, but I can’t talk to Him?
58. Jesus is the King of the kingdom in which I am a citizen, but I can’t talk to the King? What kind of King does not listen to the citizens of the citizens in his kingdom?
59. Jesus is the Captain of my salvation (Hebrews 2:10), but I can’t talk to my Captain?
60. Jesus is my Brother (Hebrews 2:11), but I can’t talk to my brother? What kind of brother will not let you talk directly to him?
61. Jesus is my High Priest (Hebrews 3:1). He offered Himself for my sins, He is touched with all of the feelings of my infirmities (Hebrews 4:15), and is over the house of God of which I am a part (Hebrews 10:21), but I can’t talk to my High Priest? (1 Tim. 2:5). Can I come boldly to the throne of His grace? (Heb. 4:16; The Message).
62. Jesus is my Physician (Luke 5:31), but I can’t talk to my Physician? What kind of physician would not let his patients talk to him and tell him what is wrong or ask for advice?
63. Jesus is the Overseer of my soul (1 Peter 2:25), but I can’t talk to my overseer? What kind of overseer would not talk to or listen to the overseen? (Somebody answers, “Some of you Elders in the Church of Christ!” Just kidding, just kidding.)
64. Jesus is the Bridegroom and I am part of His bride (2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:22-33). But the bride can’t talk to the bridegroom? What kind of husband would not let his wife talk to him directly?
65. Jesus is my “Counselor” (Isaiah 9:6), but I can’t talk to my Counselor? What kind of “counselor” is it who will not let us those of us who need counseling talk directly to him?
66. Jesus is my Friend (John 15:14-15), but I can’t talk to my friend? What kind of friend is it who will not let us speak to Him directly but only through someone else?
67. Jesus is the “Great Shepherd of the sheep” (Hebrews 13:20), of which I am one, but I can’t talk to my Shepherd? What kind of shepherd would not want to know from his sheep what his sheep need?
68. Jesus is the “Minister of the sanctuary” (Hebrews 8:2), of which I am a part, but I cannot talk to my Minister? What kind of minister will not listen to those he ministers to?
69. Obviously I have a very different view of Jesus now than I did at first. Actually I have a little talk with Jesus every day and I even tell Him all about my troubles. Technically, we can never go to the Father and “leave Him out” because we must go through Him and actually go to Him…whether we realize it or not. We cannot go “through” Him without going “to” Him in some sense. Of course, I now talk to Him directly as I would any loving Friend, Brother, Physician, Companion, Counselor, Savior, Shepherd, and Lord. I also believe that He personally hears me when I talk to Him. (I certainly do not believe that as He sits at the right hand of the Father that He has any need to ask His Father, “What did he say? What did he say? “What did he say?” when I am praying!).
70. The truth, most likely, is that the unity and oneness of the Godhead is such that the distinctions that are made are not nearly as pronounced as they seem to some of us.  One of the main lessons from John chapter five is that Jesus is “equal with God” (Jn. 5:18) and therefore all should “honor the Son just as they honor the Father” (Jn. 5:23).
71. Is it right to “Have a little talk with Jesus?” Why not ask Him?

Wayne Dunaway

Book of Psalms # 2

BOOK OF PSALMS  # 2

A. The Book of Psalms emphasizes:

1. The Problems of the saints.

2. The Prayers of the saints.

3. The Pardon for the saints.

4. The Praise of the saints.

5. The Personsaving the saints.

B. In the first article we referred to the first four points and concluded by saying: When we learn about the problems that all believers face both then and now. Then we can pray for forgiveness and help with our problems–especially those involving our sins. Then we can willingly accept God’s pardon for our sins. Then we too will conclude with nothing but “praise” for God’s marvelous mercy toward us–just as in the book of Psalms ends with:  “Praise the Lord.”

B. In this article we will look at point number five which is, “The Person who saves the saints.” This of course is Jesus. The Psalms are about Him. He is the reason we can deal with our problems. He is the reason we can pray. He is the reason for our pardon. He is the object of our praise. The Psalms, as is the case with the rest of the Bible, are about a “Person” whose name is Jesus. Two verses make this very clear:

1. And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in allthe Scriptures the things concerning Himself. (Luke 24:27).

2. Then He said to them,” These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” (Luke 24:44).

C. Jesus said this concerning Himself: There are things in the “Psalms concerning Me.”

D. This is what this article is about. It is about Jesus in the Psalms. What do we learn about Jesus from reading the Psalms? Here are a few things about Jesus (not nearly all) in the Psalms.

1. Psalm 2 is all about the rebellion of the rulers against Jesus (v. 1-5); the reign of Jesus in Zion (v. 6); the relationship of Jesus to His Father (v. 7-9); and the proper response to Jesus—which is affection (v. 10-12). This chapter provides a summary and the background for the rest of the teaching of the Psalms concerning Jesus. (See Acts 4:25-28; 13:33, Hebrews 13:28; and Revelation 12:5).

2. The Psalms speak of the Divine Nature of Jesus.

a. He is God (Compare Psalm 45:6-7 with Hebrews 1:8-9).

b. He is to be worshipped (Compare Psalm 97:7 with Hebrews 1:6).

c. He is your “Lord” so “worship Him.” (Ps. 45:11).

3. The Psalms speak of the Humanity of Jesus.

a. He did “visit” us in becoming a Man. (Compare Psalm 8:4-6 with Hebrews 2:6-9).

b. He did “visit” us and has “redeemed” us by the “knowledge of salvation” in the “remission of our sins” because of the sacrifice of Jesus. See Luke 1:68-77.

4. The Psalms speak of the Relationship of Jesus to His Father.

a. The Lord refers to Him as “My Son.” (Compare Psalm 2:7 with Hebrews 1:5).

b. He is God’s “Anointed.” (Compare Psalm 2:2 with Acts 4:27).

c. God referred to Him as “My King” because He reigns over God’s people (Ps. 2:7).

5. The Psalms speak of the Mission of Jesus on earth.

a. He came to “do the will” of God on earth. (Compare Psalm 40:7-8 to with Hebrews 10:5-10).

b. He would live successfully in truth, humility, and righteousness (Compare  45:4 with John 14:6; Matthew 11:28-30; 1 John 2:1).

6. The Psalms speak of the Teachings of Jesus.

a. He would teach by means of parables. (Compare Psalms 78:2 with Matthew 13:34-35).

b. He would proclaim “good news” of salvation (Compare Psalm 40:9-10 with Luke 4:16-19).

7. The Psalms speak of the Reactions to the coming of Jesus.

a. Jesus would be insulted (Compare Psalm 69:7-9 with Isaiah 53:3 and John 1:11). 

b. His own brothers would not believe in Him. (Compare 69:8 with John 7:5).

c. The people would hate Him without a cause (Compare Psalm 35:19 with John 15:25).

8. The Psalms speak of the Attitude of Jesus.

a. He would be zealous for His Father’s house. (Compare Psalms 69:9 with John 2:17).

b. He loved righteousness and hated wickedness. (Compare Ps. 45:7 with Hebrews 1:9).

9. The Psalms predict the Betrayal of Jesus.

a. A “friend” would betray Him (Compare Psalm 41:9 with John 13:18).

b. Another would take the place of the betrayer. (Compare Psalm 109:8-9 with Acts 1:20).

10. The Psalms describes the Death of Jesus.

a. Psalm 22 is about the crucifixion of Jesus. The four gospels record the factof the crucifixion while Psalms 22 describes feelings of the Crucified.

b. Statements made while Jesus was on the cross are recorded in Psalm 22. (Compare Psalm 22:1 with Matthew 27:46; Ps. 22:7 with Matt. 27:39). Ps. 22:8 with Mt. 27:43).

c. They would pierce His hands and feet. (Compare Psalm 22:16 with John 20:25-27).

d. They would gamble for His clothes (Compare Psalm 22:18 with Matthew 27:35).

11. The Psalms predict the Resurrection of Jesus.

a. Psalm 16 is about His resurrection. (Compare Psalm 16:8-11 with Acts 2:25-32).

b. Psalm 2 speaks of Jesus being “begotten” from the grave or raised from the dead. (Compare Psalm 2:7 with Hebrews 1:5 and Acts 13:33).

12. The Psalms speak of the Ascension of Jesus.

a. He would ascend into heaven and give gifts to men. (Compare Psalms 68:18 with Ephesians 4:7-8.)

b. The King would enter the “gate of the Lord” as the “chief cornerstone” for the Lord’s house. (Compare Psalm 118:19-26 with 1 Peter 2:4-10).

c. The “King of glory” would come through the “everlasting doors” into heaven itself which Jesus did when He ascended to His throne in Heaven (Compare Psalm 24:7-10 with Daniel 7:13-14 and Luke 19:11-19).

13. The Psalms speak of the Reign of Jesus from Heaven.

a. He would sit at the right hand of God and rule in the midst of His enemies. (Compare Psalm 110:1-2 with Matthew 22:44and 1 Corinthians 15:25-26).

b. He would have an eternal throne, a ruler’s scepter, and a kingdom. (Compare Psalm 45:6-7 with Hebrews 1:8-9).

c. His throne would be established “forever” and it would be in the sky (Ps. 89:37) or “in heaven” (KJV). (Compare Ps. 89:35-37 with Acts 2:25-34).

14. The Psalms speak of the Priesthood of Jesus.

a. He was priest after the order of Melchizedek. (Compare Psalm 110:4 with Hebrews 10:5-6).

b. His people would be volunteers (Ps. 110:3).

c. All nations will be blessed in Him (Ps. 72:17).

d. Righteousness flourishes and there is peace during His reign as Priest and King (Ps. 72:7 with Zechariah 6:12-13).

e. All nations shall worship and serve Him forever and ever. (Ps. 45:6-17; 72:11).

f. The “whole earth” will be filled with His glory (Compare Psalm 72:19 with Isaiah 6:1-3 and John 12:41).  

15. The Psalms speak of the Covenant and Mercy of Jesus

a. He would be the God’s “firstborn” and “highest of the kings of the earth (Compare Psalms 89:27 with Colossians 1:15and Revelation 1:5; 19:16).

b. The covenant of mercy will stand firm with Jesus because in Christ we have the “sure mercies of David.” (Compare Psalm 89:28 with Isaiah 55:3 and Titus 3:4-6).

15. Finally there are a number of Psalms that are almost entirely or entirely about Jesus and the salvation He offers in the His kingdom. Among those are Psalm 2; 16; 22; 23; 24; 45; 72; 87; 89; & 110.

Conclusion. This is by no means all that is said about Jesus in the Psalms. But it is enough for us to know that the Psalms do indeed speak concerning Him. (Lk. 24:44). The problems, prayers, pardon, andpraise are all connected to thisPerson named Jesus who gave His life to save believers. Keep in mind that the book of Psalms concludes with nothing but “praise” for God’s marvelous mercy which is ultimately expressed, exemplified, and explained in the life and mission of Jesus. The Psalms speak concerning Him and we “Praise the Lord!”

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Wayne Dunaway                                 gandpministries.org

What We Mean…When We Sing

WHAT WE MEAN…WHEN WE SING

INTRODUCTION: Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16.

1) These verses were written instructing us to “Teach and admonish one another” as we “sing with thankfulness” and “grace” in our hearts to the Lord (Col. 3:16 NASV).

2) Therefore, in this study I want us to notice three main points about singing:

I. THE PURPOSE OF OUR SINGING

II. SOME POINTS ABOUT OUR SONGS

III. THE PRACTICE IN OUR SONGS

Body: WHAT WE MEAN…WHEN WE SING

1. THE PURPOSE OF OUR SINGING.

1. Our assemblies are for “exhorting one another” as we worship God (Heb. 10:24-25).

2. One way we do that is by singing. We are encouraged to focus on Christ and His will for our lives when we sing “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.” (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16).

3. Everything we do in worship or service to God must be “in the name (power) of the Lord Jesus Christ” and thus, all we do is done “through Him.” (Col. 3:16).

4. Christianity is truly a Christ centered religion. For example:

(a) When I believe, I trust in HIM (Eph. 1:13).

(b) When I repent, I turn to HIM (Acts 20:31).

(c) When I confess, I tell of my faith in HIM (Rom. 10:9-10).

(d) When I am baptized, I demonstrate my trust in HIM (Rom. 6:3-6).

(e) When I observe the Lord’s Supper, I remember HIM (I Cor. 11:23-26).

(f) When I give, I give to HIM (Mal. 3:10).

(g) When I pray, I pray through HIM (Jn. 14:13-14).

(h) When I preach, I preach about HIM (I Cor. 1:23).

(i) And when I sing, I sing to and because of HIM (Col. 3:16-17).

5. Some of our songs were written specifically to magnify God and His goodness. Others were written primarily to edify one another. All written to glorifyGod in one way or another.

6. Remember, in our singing, we are teaching and admonishing one another and expressing our gratitude to God through the power of the Lord Jesus (Col. 3:16).

7.  But all singing is not necessarily “making melody in our hearts to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19). In order to sing “to the Lord” we must concentrate on what we are doing.

8. And while none of us concentrate at all times as we should, or even as we would like to, that does need to be our goal, our aim, and our purpose.

II. SOME POINTS ABOUT OUR SONGS.

1. I assume that we all believe that the songs we sing in worship or in our worship assemblies need to be scriptural – i.e. in harmony with the Bible.

2. I know that there are songs that would not be appropriate to sing as worship and edification. For example, “Dixie,” or “Ole McDonald Had a Farm,” or “One Eyed, One Horned, Flying Purple People Eater” would not be songs to sing as worship or edification.

3. Even when it comes to religious songs we recognize that any congregation or individual has the right to choose not to sing any song that they decide they don’t want to sing. If they want to mark up the song books, tear the pages out, or even throw certain songs books away, that is fine. Personally, I only know of a very, very, very few (hardly enough to mention) who actually have a problem with this kind of thing, but I am sure that many have wondered about it at some point. This is one of the reasons for this study.

4. One thing we must all realize is that there must be lots of liberty, or freedom of expression, in the songs we sing.  Why? It is because there is symbolism and poetic phrases and exaggerated expressions in our songs that are not to be understood literally or in an absolute sense.

5. Our songs, like the Bible, have numerous phrases and statements that were never meant to be taken literally.

6. The Bible has numerous phrases. For example:

(a) Land flowing with milk and honey (Num. 13:27).

(b) Pluck out your eye or cut off your hand (Matt. 5:29-30).

(c) Beasts, birds, trees, and sea creatures praising God (Ps. 148).

(d) Entering your closet and shutting the door to pray (Matt. 6:6, KJV).

(e) Herod being a fox (Lk. 13:32).

(f) Jerusalem, all Judea and the entire region around the Jordan going out to John and being baptized (Matt. 3:5-6).

(g) Christians sitting under vines and fig trees (Micah 4:4).

(h) Christ as a vine and Christians as branches (Jn. 15:1-6).

(i) Serpents and brood of vipers (Matt. 23:33).

7. Our songs are the same. There are poetic and symbolic expressions that were never intended to be taken literally, or in an absolute sense.

8. For example: Sometimes we sing “I come to the garden alone while the dew is still on the roses and the voice I hear falling on my ear the Son  of God discloses. And He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.”

9. When I sing that song I do not mean it literally, because:

(a)  I don’t have a rose garden.

(b)  I have never been in one alone, especially early in the morning while the dew is still on the roses.

(c)  I have never heard the voice of God audibly or out loud at anytime.

(d) And God has never manifested Himself to me in any visible form to walk with me anywhere.

10. But I do have the personal relationship with Him that is expressed in the song. I have walked with Him by faith, and talked with him, and thought about what He has said to me in His word.

11. In my mind, the song simply expresses in figurative or symbolic words, the intimate personal relationship I have with God. And this relationship is just as real as ifHe were to manifest Himself in some visible form and talk with me directly in an audible voice.

12. I do hear His voice in the “garden of my mind” as He speaks to Me in His word, in creation, in nature, and through Christ (Ps. 19; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 2:3).

13. I even sing about that too.  In the song “God Still Lives” the chorus says, “I hear His voice  ten thousand tongues.  The rock and hills, the birds that sing.  The rippling brook all nature tellsthat God still lives and all is well!

14. Think also about some of the other songs we sing that we do not necessarily mean literally.

(a) “I am thine, O Lord, I have heard thy voice.”

(b) “He whisperssweet peace to me.”

(c) “Kneelat the cross” (none of us have seen the literal cross much less kneeled at it).

(d) “Hand in hand with Jesus” or “Blessed Jesus, hold my and or “Take my hand precious Lord” all express our intimate and personal relationship with Jesus but none of us literally “hold hands” with Jesus.

(e) “Lord we come before Thee now at Thy feet we humbly bow.” (I’ve never seen His literal feet).

(f) “The Great Physician” has “He speaks the drooping heart to cheer, O hear the voiceof Jesus.”

(g) The “Ole Rugged Cross” has “I will cling to the old rugged Cross,” but there is no physical cross to cling to. And I personally don’t have any literal “trophies” to lay down.

15. There are numerous other songs we sing that have exaggerations and are not meant literally or in an absolute sense.  For example:

(a) “Each step I take” has a line that says “and with each breath I whisper I adore thee.”  But I don’t really whisper that with each breath and I don’t know anybody who does.

(b) “A Beautiful Life” has “each day I’ll do a golden deed by helping those who are in need.”  Yet, I don’t help someone in need each day.  Another phrase in that song says “and so I’ll do the best I can,” but I don’t believe that any of us do the best we can.

(c) “He’s my King” has “all day long of Jesus I am singing.” But I have never literally sung about Jesus all day long. And I don’t really think I have literal “heart-bells” that He keeps ringing.

(d) “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” has “Here I raise my Ebenezer,” but I don’t have a literal Ebenezer. And some of us don’t even know what an Ebenezer is!

(e) “The New Song” has the statement “the greatest joy that I have ever known is praising Him in song.” But that is surely an exaggeration for emphasis. The greatest joy for most of us is when we were born again – not in singing songs.

(f) The song “Where Could I Go But To The Lord,” in the second stanza, has the words “Neighbors are kind, I love them even one. We get along in sweet accord…” Give me a break!!

III. THE PRACTICE IN OUR SONGS.

1. The practice of symbolic, figurative, and exaggerated language to convey thoughts and ideas is not confined to the Bible, or to our songs.

2. We practice these methods of communication constantly. We use numerous phrases that we never mean literally or actually–some of which are “clichés.”  For example:

(a) “Jump in the shower.” What exactly does that mean? Are we going to go to the door of the shower and stop and “jump in?” Are does it mean that we are going to get in the shower and “jump up and down”? Of course, we all know that it means “We are going to take a shower.”

(b) “Rub elbows with the big dogs.” Now I have seen people do some strange things with littledogs.  I have seen them hug little dogs. I have seen them kiss little dogs. I have even seen them “let little dogs lick all over their faces.” (NOTE: If I was going to do that, I’d make sure that the little dog knew how to gargle. He would need some Listerine, Scope, or some other kind of strong mouthwash if he is going to lick me in the face.) But I have never in my “39 years” saw anyone “rub elbows with a big dog.” Have you?  Have you ever heard anyone say to a big dog, “Here Fido let’s rub elbows!” Of course, we all know that the phrase simply means “associate with famous or important people.

(c) “Shoot the bull.”  I have shot a lot of animals in my time. I have shot birds.  I have shot rabbits.  I have shot squirrels. And I’ve wanted to shoot some little dogs that wanted to lick me in the face. But I have never shot a bull. Of course, “shoot the bull” means “talk to some-one about unimportant subjects” and I have done that a lot of times.

3. And, of course, there are many, many others.  Here are a few:

(a) “Born with a silver spoon in his mouth”– usually means born into a wealthy family.

(b) “Behind the eight ball” – means being in a difficult situation.

(c) “All in the same boat” – means in the same circumstances.

(d) “Having his back to the wall” – means in a desperate position.

(e) “Barking up the wrong tree” – means to misdirect ones argument or efforts.

(f) “Beating around the bush” – means to approach indirectly.

(g)  Hunky Dory—means all right, safe, cozy.

(h) “Beat a dead horse” – means belabor an issue that is no longer of interest.

(i) “Bright eyed and bushy tailed” means alert and ready for action.

(j)  “Eat crow” – means to acknowledge a mistake.

(k) “Burning the candle at both ends” – means overworked.

(l)  “Can’t hit the broad side of a barn” – means aim is notoriously bad.
(m) “On cloud nine” – means extremely happy.

(n) “Too old to cut the mustard” – means too old to do something well.
(o) “One foot in the grave” – means seriously ill.

(p) “Raining cats and dogs” – means raining heavily or pouring down.

(q) “Pull my leg”– means fool or tease someone.

(r) “Pick his brain” – means get ideas from someone.

(s) “Keep the ball rolling” – means sustain an action.

(t) “Pain in the neck” – means a severe bother or annoyance.

(u) “Foot in the mouth” – means to say something inappropriate.

(v) “Flip your lid”– means to loose control.

“Pay through the nose” – means to pay an extremely high price.

(x) “Out of the frying pan into the fire” – means moving from one difficult situation to another.

(y )“Egg on my face” – means embarrassed.

(z) “Chip off the old block” – means a son who is like his dad.

4. Thus, the practices of using clichés, figurative words, symbolic phrases, and exaggerated statements are a common practice in communication.

5. Therefore, it is scriptural and appropriate to use this common practice in our songs of worship, edification, and praise. Of course, if you don’t like what I’ve said in this article then it is probably because you have “itching ears” and I have stepped on your toes.” But on this subject I believe in calling“a spade a spade,” even if I don’t come out “smelling like a rose.” And you can “bet your boots on that!”

CONCLUSION:  The Bible makes it very clear that singing is very important in worship whether privately as individuals or collectively when we come together in our assemblies or at other times. God is a lover of music as is clearly revealed in the Old Testament as well as the New.  Singing is an expression of our gratitude and appreciation for all God has done, is doing, and will do for us. It is also an excellent way to encourage and edify one another. Hopefully, being reminded of the purpose, considering these points, and thinking about thepractice of symbolism in our communication will help us when we sing.  In other words, “What we mean when we sing is not always literally what we say but it does express what we mean!” Thank God for Jesus! (2 Cor. 9:15).

Wayne Dunaway                                 

http://www.gandpministries.org

Wayne’s Books

JUST AS I AM: MARRIED, DIVORCED AND REMARRIED

      

                         

 Book Summary 

This book is written primarily for those who have been married, divorced and remarried and have come to Jesus for salvation. Many of you have suffered enough guilt, rejection and/or suspicion because a previous marriage did not work out and you have started over in a new marriage relationship.   It is time for healing.  It is time to focus on God’s grace, mercy and peace.  It is time to move on. God wants to give you peace of mind and lasting assurance and this book will prove it.  Jesus, the great “I AM,” accepts us just as we are—even if we are “married, divorced and remarried.”

This book covers a variety of timely subjects such as: What is marriage? What is meant by the two shall become “one flesh?” Is divorcing a mate always wrong? What does the Bible teach about divorce and remarriage?  Are those divorced “still married” in God’s sight?  What is “adultery?” How does God join a couple in marriage? Who can marry? Can one “live in adultery?” What about abusive relationships? Does a deserted believer have to stay single? Can the guilty party remarry?  What about refusing to baptize/fellowship those divorced and remarried? Must couples who have been divorced and remarried in the past, divorce their present mates and live single for the rest of their lives in order to go to Heaven?  What about preachers telling a couple who have been married for over eighteen years with two teenage children that they must divorce? 

These and other questions are answered in this book—Just As I Am…Married, Divorced and Remarried.

Comments from others who have read the book:

From Alabama:

You have really covered all the bases – the great thing about it, other than the fact that it’s biblical and well studied and presented, is the fact that the average person (like the two I’ve been talking to this week) will be able to read and understand! Too many of these books “Greek and Hebrew” the reader to death and leave them with more questions than answers!

I’m loving your book.  I’m nearly finished with it and will recommend it to my church family this coming Sunday. 

The book was a great insight to me. I am a Christian and my husband left me back in September. I was questioning my faith and my preacher gave me your book to read. It really helped open my eyes. Thank you for writing it.

“Wonderful book and is so easy to understand—so plain and simple—if people will just read it!”

Thanks so much, Wayne! Great book, wonderful read! I already shared my copy and am sure your book will touch many hearts!

I have found this book to be something that I believe the brotherhood really needs. In the church today, we are lacking Biblical teaching on the subject of marriage, divorce, and remarriage. The real truth in your book would allow more individuals to be led to the Lord as well as help those who have been hurt, abused and misused in the  Lord’s Church to come back home.

From Tennessee:

“This is the best I’ve ever seen!!! There is Grace and Forgiveness for anyone!!”

From Mississippi

“I got it and read it from cover to cover!! I can tell you have done your homework, there were some things I had never thought about before. Right now I am reading it again.  I hurt so much for people in these situations and you have caused me to re-think on some things. I would say it is a very good book, very thought provoking.” 

From Florida;

I read your book in two sittings.  Learned more about the MDR issue than I have in my entire 57 years.  Makes so much more sense than the way I was taught.  Love you so much for having the courage to write a book like this.  

I would like to thank you for writing what I feel is the best book on the subject MDR that I’ve read and I’ve read a number of them. I found it to be the most simplistic and logical but thorough approach to understanding the teaching of God’s idea of marriage and divorce…. I also feel that after reading the book I have a better understanding of the teachings of Jesus in the book of Matthew. 

From Illinois

Your Book: Just As I Am, Married, Divorced and Remarried was very refreshing to me. Having been married, divorced and remarried I have run the gamut of opinions on the topic. My wife and I were told that we were living in sin. When asked how we should correct it, we were informed by some to separate and not live together.

From South Carolina

You make great points and do it in a way that even the “haters” should not complain.  This was a long time coming.  Wish I’d had it years ago to show my dad.  Oh well….. You did a good thing by writing this book, Wayne.  With this book, you are removing much guilt….Thanks again for writing it.

  

Wayne Dunaway has been a serious student of  the Bible for over forty-four years. He is a Preacher and an  Author. His books include A Journey with Jonah, The Lord’s Friend in a Lion’s Den, and Heaven: Where Few…Are Many.  He has a unique way of speaking and writing which will be evident when you read his books.

Wayne can be contacted at: waynedunaway@gmail.com  or Ph. 256-624-6024

Posted by Wayne’s blog / A Closer Walk at 5:32 AM No comments:

Precision Obedience

A reader asks: Wayne, what do you believe about “precision obedience?”

First, I really do not know “precisely” what that means! It sounds like something only “Jesus” could do to me. Second, I have read the words “precision obedience” lately but I have not read any articles or books about what is meant by that. But I do know this:

Those of us believers who are doing “all” we “know” to do…quite obviously don’t “know” much. Any of us who think we are “practicing” all that Jesus teaches…quite obviously don’t even know what that means. Those of us who think we “precisely” obey all of God’s commands…must be very “precise” in our “choices” of which commands we are “choosing” to obey…and also very “loose” and “lenient” in our definition of “precise.” “Precise obedience” to every command of God at all times is not possible for weak sinful human beings like us and that is “precisely” the reason Jesus had to come to earth and practice what was actually “precision obedience.” Thank God for Jesus! (2 Cor. 9:15).

Just two examples will suffice:

1. Therefore you shall be perfect (not nearly perfect, or somewhat perfect, or almost perfect, but “perfect”) just as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Matt. 5:48). No matter how “perfect” is defined no one you know does this “precisely” or “exactly.” (I personally don’t know anyone who even comes close.)

2.  But also for this very reason, giving all (not some, or much, or a lot, but ALL) diligence (not negligence), add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love (2 Peter 1:5-8). If you know anyone who is doing all of this “precisely” or “exactly” or “accurately” then you surely know the most “faithful,” “virtuous,” “knowledgeable,” “self-controlled,” “persistent,” “godly,” “kind,” “patient,” and “loving” person on the planet if they have actually been “precisely” doing this for any length of time. Those among us who claim that they are making “EVERY EFFORT” at “ALL TIMES” to add “ALL THESE THINGS” are simply “ALL” wrong!” When will we learn that salvation is based on what Jesus has already done for us…and not on what He is presently doing in us? He works “in us” because of what He has already done “for us.” Believers who are “already saved”…are now “all ready to serve.” Read Ephesians 2:8-10. We are a “work in progress”…because of His progressive work. Read Philippians 2:12-13 and Hebrews 13:20-21. Thank God for Jesus! (2 Cor. 9:15).

Wayne Dunaway
gandpministries.org

A related article: Keeping ALL of the commandments of God…really? Who? You gotta’ be kidding me!”
https://waynesblogsite.wordpress.com/2016/03/15/keeping-all-of-the-commands-really/

MDR: Why Is My Book Needed?

Someone writes: I do not believe that people need a book like yours to know what the Bible teaches about MDR. All they really need is the Bible.

My response: I really couldn’t agree more. All they really need is the Bible and time to study it. You are exactly right.  And if there had never been any false teaching on the subject, then there would be no need for me to spend well over a year writing a book about it. But the truth is that there have been a lot of false ideas that have been taught concerning MDR over the years by various religious groups such as the Catholic Church, Herbert W. Armstrong and the World Wide Church of God, as well as others including members of the Church of Christ.  (Note: I am not “taking shots” at the Catholics or Armstrong, Church of Christ, or any others. I am a member of the “Church of Christ” myself and have been for over 45 years and there are some of our brethren even now who are basically teaching the same thing that the Catholics teach and that Herbert W. Armstrong taught for years. So this is not about talking bad about brethren or trying to speak disparagingly about other groups but it is about what has been taught by influential religious leaders on the subject of MDR and the need for my book). Therefore there is a need to “clear the cobwebs,” so to speak, so that people can actually read what the Bible really says about it. Many people who say what you say about using the “Bible only” will only want people to read Matthew 5:31-32 and Matthew 19:1-9 as if that is all that is said on the subject. But nothing could be further from the real truth. Matthew is only primarily dealing with one aspect of the question…only O-N-E. (Is it lawful to divorce a faithful mate or cause a mate to be divorced in order to marry?)  I am glad for anyone–and I mean “a-n-y-o-n-e”—to simply read what the Bible says on the subject for answers to their questions. Here are some of the questions people might ask and the Bible answers without any comment from me…or you. I will use the New King James Version for all the answers since it is my primary study Bible.

1. What was God’s original plan for married couples?

But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Mark 10:6-9).

2. Does Jesus allow one to divorce a faithful mate and marry someone else without sinning in doing so?

So He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” (Mark 10:11-12).

3. If two Christians are now married are they allowed to divorce?

Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to departfrom her husband. But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife. (1 Corinthians 7:10-11).

4. What are two Christians who are now married to do if they have problems down the road and divorce anyway?

Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. ¹¹ But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife. (1 Corinthians 7:10-11).

5. What if a Christian is married to an unbeliever, do they have to divorce them to be faithful?

But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her.  And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. (1 Corinthians 7:12-13).

6. What if the unbeliever is “not willing” to live as a marriage companion at peace with the believer? Maybe he proves it by “beating her” or otherwise “abusing her?” What then?

And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. (1 Corinthians 7:13).

But God has called us peace. (1 Corinthians 7:15b).

7. What if a Christian is married to an unbeliever and the unbeliever “leaves” or simply “walks out” on the believer?

But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace. (1 Corinthians 7:15).

8. If a couple divorces and remarries before they become Christians must they divorce again and live single to be faithful?

a. But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches. (1 Corinthians 7:17).

b.  Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. (1 Corinthians 7:20).

c. Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called. (1 Corinthians 7:24).

9. Does the word “calling” or “state/condition” include marriage?

 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. (1 Corinthians 7:27a).

10. Can a person who is already “divorced” from a mate remarry without sinning?

Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife. But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. (1 Corinthians 7:27-28).

11. What if a Christian woman is married to a man and he becomes an “idolater” (or is committed to any false religion) and he demands that she practice “idolatry” in order for him to remain married to her. What does God say for her to do? Must she stay in that relationship and be involved in that idolatry/religion?

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?  And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” Therefore” Come out from among them. And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” (2 Corinthians 6:14-17).

He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. (Matthew 10:37).

The real question is: Are we really willing to let people study the Bible for themselves concerning the subject of MDR? Are YOU? Really? Can they really “read all that the Bible says” and make up their own minds? Suits me! I am all for it!! But many of those who say “let them read the Bible for themselves” and “make up their own mind”…believe “nothing of the kind.”

Hope this helps! God bless! And “Thank God for Jesus!”  (2 Cor. 9:15).

Wayne