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African-American Spirituals and “Were You There” (#54)

Originally released as #54, and then later an updated edition, this study has been revised to combine the information from both. It is re-released with it’s original number. One of the most unique American contributions to the body of Christian … Continue reading

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Kept in His Love “Moment by Moment” (#155)

How blessed we are to know that God knows us, loves us, cares for us, and keeps us.  He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:7), He will not allow anything to separate us from His love (Romans … Continue reading

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Wear Red on Pentecost Sunday with “Gracious Spirit, Dwell with Me” (#154)

It would be impossible for all to agree on the question, “What is God’s greatest gift to you?”  We would certainly think beyond material or temporal things, like health or family or financial provisions, though they are all wonderful and … Continue reading

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Ascension Alleluias and “Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise” (#153)

It is unusual to think about a major worship service on a Thursday (other than Maundy Thursday in “Holy Week”).  But Ascension Day is always on a Thursday, forty days after Jesus’ Easter Sunday resurrection, and ten days before Pentecost … Continue reading

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Divine Guidance and “Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord” (#152)

Certainly one of the distinguishing marks of a Christian is a desire and willingness to know and do the will of God.  And that doesn’t just mean to know God’s will in a particular situation or decision a person is … Continue reading

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Francis Scott Key and “Lord, with Glowing Heart I’d Praise Thee” (#151)

Francis Scott Key (1779-1843) is a name well-known to most Americans.  He is the author of the words to our national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner.”  In 2007, The “Smithsonian” magazine published this history of its composition. Continue Reading

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The “Other” Amazing Grace Hymn: “By Grace I’m Saved, Grace Free and Boundless” (#150)

Francis Schaeffer used to warn us about using “God words” too casually, hardly thinking about them at all as they rolled off our lips, words that we assume we and our hearers understand, when we actually have only a very … Continue reading

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The Love of God: “O Love of God, How Strong and True” (#149)

What more wonderful theme could come from our lips than that of the love of God?  It is there in the best-known verse in the entire Bible, John 3:16: “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, … Continue reading

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Martin Luther’s Easter Hymn, and “Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands” (#148)

When we think of Martin Luther the hymn writer, we of course think of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” (“Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott”), by far the best known of the 36 hymns he wrote.  But it was … Continue reading

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Our Strong Foundation and “How Firm a Foundation” (#147)

Two of the many great passages in the Bible that bring comfort and reassurance to the believer in times of distress are, first, here in Isaiah 41:8-10 where the Lord says this to His people. 8 But you, Israel, My servant,    Jacob, whom I … Continue reading

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