Really Old Hymns: “God Is With Us” – Psalm 46

We love the old hymns. They can lift our spirits when we are down and give us a new perspective for life. This week we will talk about a really old hymn that has ministered to many souls over the centuries, and can minister to ours as well when life is beating us up.

Scripture: Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. (Selah)

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.

The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge. (Selah)

Come, behold the works of the Lord, see what desolations he has brought on the earth; He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire.
“Be still, and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth.”

The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge. (Selah)

Hymns
“O God, Our Help in Ages Past”
“This Is My Father’s World”
“A Mighty Fortress”

Renewing Reflections
It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This quote is taken from the sermon “When Your World Stops“ delivered on Christian Crusaders November 21, 2004.
We hear Paul the Apostle say in the book of Romans, “What are we to say then about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not also with him give us everything else?” Then he goes on to say, “I believe that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ.” He was willing to lay down his life for us. God was willing to say, “Go and rescue my people, I love them.” Surely you and I can count upon Him to hear our prayers and lift us up when our world gets stopped, just like when David’s world got stopped.

Summer Travels
If you're traveling this summer, consider taking along one of Christian Crusaders' outreach posters to put up at a hospital, nursing home, church, or business near your destination. Christian Crusaders is still looking for locations for these posters; you can help make sure more people have “HEARD THE WORD” about the program!

On the Light Side

• Grandchildren are God’s way of compensating us for growing old. ~Mary
  H. Waldrip
• Becoming a grandmother is wonderful. One moment you're just a mother. The next you are all-wise and prehistoric. ~Pam Brown
• My grandkids believe I’m the oldest thing in the world. And after two or three hours with them, I believe it, too. ~Gene Perret
• A grandmother pretends she doesn’t know who you are on Halloween.
• Grandma always made you feel she had been waiting to see just you all day, and now the day was complete. ~Marcy DeMaree
• I want to die in my sleep like my grandfather – not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car. ~Wil Shriner

Lord, Teach Us That We Are Going to Die

Have you ever heard someone pray, “Lord, teach me that I am going to die”? It is not a common prayer. Yet we all know that we are going to die. So why do we live as if there will always be a tomorrow? In this week’s sermon, we will talk about living life with the goal of heaven in mind.

Sermon
“Lord, Teach Us That We Are Going to Die”

Scripture: Psalm 39
I said, “I will watch my ways
and keep my tongue from sin;
I will put a muzzle on my mouth
as long as the wicked are in my presence.”
But when I was silent and still,
not even saying anything good,
my anguish increased.
My heart grew hot within me,
and as I meditated, the fire burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:
“Show me, O Lord, my life’s end
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting is my life.
You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Each man’s life is but a breath.
Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro:
He bustles about, but only in vain;
he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it.
“But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you.
Save me from all my transgressions;
do not make me the scorn of fools.
I was silent; I would not open my mouth,
for you are the one who has done this.
Remove your scourge from me;
I am overcome by the blow of your hand.
You rebuke and discipline men for their sin;
you consume their wealth like a moth –
each man is but a breath.
“Hear my prayer, O Lord,
listen to my cry for help;
be not deaf to my weeping.
For I dwell with you as an alien,
a stranger, as all my fathers were.
Look away from me, that I may rejoice again
before I depart and am no more.”

Renewing Reflections
It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This quote is taken from the sermon “Nothing Is Permanent“ delivered on Christian Crusaders November 16, 2003.
Our souls are eternal. The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ will not be destroyed. God came into the world through Jesus Christ. He brings along an eternal message telling us that, while sin can separate us from Him, He died to take away our sins and restore us into fellowship with Him forever. If we, in faith, will receive Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we will live forever. The World Trade Center was destroyed, but the believers who perished in that building were not destroyed. They live with God through faith in Jesus Christ. Their bodies function no more, but their souls went into eternity to live in God’s Kingdom. This is the Kingdom that has no end. It is this message that makes it possible for us to live victoriously in this world knowing nothing is permanent, but we have been placed here to enjoy these temporal blessings God has given to us while realizing that they too will pass away. The end will come, but then comes the beginning of that new existence for all who trust Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

About ChristianCrusaders.com
People are more likely to tune into a Christian radio program if it is suggested by a friend or relative. Perhaps you have an aunt in Phoenix, a granddaughter in Minneapolis, or a cousin in Portland who might enjoy listening to Christian Crusaders on their local radio station. A complete list of where Christian Crusaders broadcasts its program is found on our Radio Station Listing page of ChristianCrusaders.org. Follow the link to find a station near you or someone you know, and suggest they listen.

On the Light Side
Pastor Brown just had all of his remaining teeth pulled and new dentures were being made. The first Sunday with his new teeth he only preached 10 minutes. The second Sunday he preached only 20 minutes. But on the third Sunday, he preached for 1 hour and 25 minutes.When asked about this by some of the congregation, he responded this way: “The first Sunday, my gums were so sore that it hurt to talk. The second Sunday, my new dentures were hurting me. The third Sunday, I accidentally grabbed my wife’s dentures, and I couldn’t stop talking.

We Need a Shepherd

When Jesus saw the crowds of people following him, he compassionately described them as “sheep without a shepherd” for they had no one to whom they could turn when facing the crises of life. This is also an issue for us today. In this week’s sermon we will discuss our need for a spiritual shepherd.

Sermon
“We Need a Shepherd”

Scripture: Mark 6:30-44
The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. Send the people away so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”
But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”
They said to him, “that would take eight months of a man’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”
“How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.”
When they found out, they said, “Five – and two fish.”
Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.

Renewing Reflections
It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This quote is taken from the sermon “Adjusting Your Focus“ delivered on Christian Crusaders August 31, 2008.
How often we feel self-sufficient. We believe we have the answers and the strength to deal with our problems. But then come those hours when we do not know where to turn. . . . As Christians, we need to adjust our focus from self to the Lord, who watches over us. He neither slumbers nor sleeps. Our cares and concerns are often more than we can carry. Why not take them to Him in prayer and then follow his Word?

About ChristianCrusaders.com
Are you looking for, or have you found, a spiritual help on the internet that you think others would also enjoy? If so, send us an e-mail at info@christiancrusaders.org and let us know your need or your find. We are always looking for useful links to add to our site that encourage people along their spiritual journey.

On the Light Side
A minister was giving the children’s sermon. He told them that sheep weren’t smart and needed lots of guidance. He also said that a shepherd's job was to stay close to the sheep, protect them from wild animals, and keep them from wandering off and doing dumb things that would get them hurt or killed.
He then pointed to the little children in the room and said that they were the sheep and needed lots of guidance.
Then the minister put his hands out to the side, palms up in a dramatic gesture, and with raised eyebrows said to the children “If you are the sheep then who is the shepherd?” obviously indicating himself.
A silence of a few seconds followed. Then a child said, “Jesus! Jesus is the shepherd!”
The young minister, obviously caught by surprise, said to the child, “Well then, who am I?”The child frowned thoughtfully and then said with a shrug, “I guess you must be a sheep dog.”

Living With Guilt and Fear

Fighting sin is a daily battle, and we are never free from it. So what do we do with our guilt? In this week’s sermon we will talk about a person who dealt with his guilt in a very destructive manner and how his life could have been different if he had only taken it to Jesus.

Sermon
“Living With Guilt and Fear”

Scripture: Mark 6:14-29
King Herod heard about this, for Jesus' name had become well known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”
Others said, “He is Elijah.”
And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.”
But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, the man I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!”
For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom he had married. For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.” So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.
Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests.
The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I'll give it to you.” And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”
She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?”
“The head of John the Baptist,” she answered.
At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”
The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. On hearing of this, John's disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

Renewing Reflections
It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This quote is taken from the sermon “Do Not Be Afraid“ delivered on Christian Crusaders March 11, 2007.
This word from Jesus is a reminder of who is in control. He has said, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). We are so weak, but He is so strong. Sometimes we think that we do not need him, but eventually we learn differently. The more we can turn our lives over to the Lord Jesus, the more peace will reign in our souls. We are able because He is able.

About ChristianCrusaders.org
You can now watch Christian Crusaders on YouTube! Log on to the popular video-sharing site www.youtube.com, then type “Homer Larsen” in the search box to view videos of Rev. Larsen preaching on the Resurrection. After watching the sermons, you can rate them, leave comments, post them to your Facebook page, or send them to family and friends. (You can also access the videos from our homepage.)

On the Light Side
A man once wrote the following letter to the IRS: “I have been unable to sleep, knowing that I have cheated on my income taxes. I understated my taxable income, therefore, I am enclosing a check for $150 to your office with this letter. If I still can’t sleep, I will send some more.”

Death Has Been Conquered

When Jesus brought Jairus’ daughter back to life, he gave strict orders not to tell anyone about that miracle. Have you ever wondered why he did not want others to know? In this week’s sermon we will continue our study of Jesus healing Jairus’ daughter by exploring the depth of this miracle’s meaning.

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43
When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. Then one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” So Jesus went with him.
A large crowd followed and pressed around him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.
At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”
“You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’“
But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher any more?”
Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. When they came to the home of the synagogue ruler, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.”
But they laughed at him.
After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.

Renewing Reflections
It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This quote is taken from the sermon “I Came to Bring Hope“ delivered on Christian Crusaders December 9, 2007.
“(Billy) Graham . . . pulled out his New Testament, and walked him (Dwight Eisenhower) through those passages that explained salvation and its terms. He hoped he had provided some reassurance that salvation came through grace, and not by anything we can do for ourselves. It was an interesting visit.” What did Eisenhower want? Hope. And that is what Christ came to give him. It is the need of every person, and it is the privilege of every Christian to share God’s love in Christ with them.

About ChristianCrusaders.org
Help Christian Crusaders spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ by posting a link to ChristianCrusaders.org from your own personal or business website! Encourage your church to post a link as well. In this way, you can also become a part of the mission to proclaim Jesus Christ and enable Christian Crusaders listeners to hear the most important message in the world!

On the Lite Side

• What kind of tea did the American colonists thirst for?Liberty!
• What was General Washington’s favorite tree?The infantry!
• What protest occurred in 1773 by a group of dogs?The Boston Flea Party!
• What happened as a result of the Stamp Act?The Americans licked the British!
• How is a healthy person like the United States?They both have good constitutions!
• Did you hear about the cartoonist in the Continental Army?He was a Yankee doodler!
• What dance was very popular in 1776?Indepen-dance!
• What march would you play at a jungle parade?Tarzan Stripes Forever!