Probably the most familiar words in histotry come from the Bible, the Book of Psalms, the 23 rd Psalm:
'Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me..."
Countless millions of people have taken comfort in these words in serious times of danger, health challenges, death of a loved one.
The book of Psalms is the longest book in the Bible.
Psalms are poems that can either be sung or spoken as prayers.
Some of the psalms tell the music leader what instruments should be used and what tunes should be followed.
Being a musician myself, I have always loved the psalms because the writing is so beautiful and the words are almost melodic by themselves.
Most scholars believe that David (yes of David and Goliath fame) wrote the majority of the Psalms.
David has been described as a man after God's own heart, even though he had some definite sin problems.
Does Bathsheba strike a familiar note?
He was a mighty warrior and a prominent figure in God's history.
I composed a song from the words from the 23rd Psalm.
CLICK HERE to listen to it right now.
My prayer is that all mankind learn the comfort of knowing God through his son, Jesus!
Larry Hayden
http://www.larryhaydenmusic.com/
Monday, July 19, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
My Heart - Christ's Home
Jesus said to his disciples: "If a man loves me he will keep my word,and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with them." (Jn 14:23)
May my heart always be Christ's home!
Larry Hayden
http://www.larryhaydenmusic.com/
Related reading:
The case for Christ:
A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence For Jesus
May my heart always be Christ's home!
Larry Hayden
http://www.larryhaydenmusic.com/
Related reading:
The case for Christ:
A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence For Jesus
Friday, July 2, 2010
In God, all tribulation has an expiration date!
Are you going through a time of difficulty in your life?
Maybe it is in your marriage, your job, your family, your health? Maybe the poor economy has you on the ropes financially?
Whatever your situation it is in such times that we must turn to God, who in the final analysis is the only source of true hope. Get out your Bible, or access the Bible online to http://www.biblegateway.com
Search there steadfastly for thoughts and ideas from God upon which you can anchor your faith. Upon which to stand fiirm. Upon which you can exercise your faith.
And keep in mind always and constantly that it is absolutely true that IN GOD ALL TRIBULATION HAS AN EXPIRATION DATE.
Do you think that there is tribulation and suffering in your final destination in Heaven as a believer in Christ? NO!
Do you believe that there will be sickness and death there? NO! Do you think there will be financial hardship and suffering there? NO!
I wrote a song 25 years ago that tells what it is like in Heaven, as taken directly from the Bible, in the Book of Revelation. Turn your volume on.
-->CLICK HERE NOW<-- to listen to the description of the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem as written by the apostle John.
The Bible teaches that our life span on earth is minuscule, like one drop of water in the ocean. The Bible also teaches that we will never be given more than we can bear. If you are a believer who has been washed in the blood of Jesus, there is NOTHING that happens to you that He won't turn it around for good for you in the end. Romans 8:28:
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Contemplate the words of the song "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus"
"Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace."
I hope this blog has given you some help and encouragement. Read your Bible, look up, for your redemption draws close!
In God's love,
Larry
Maybe it is in your marriage, your job, your family, your health? Maybe the poor economy has you on the ropes financially?
Whatever your situation it is in such times that we must turn to God, who in the final analysis is the only source of true hope. Get out your Bible, or access the Bible online to http://www.biblegateway.com
Search there steadfastly for thoughts and ideas from God upon which you can anchor your faith. Upon which to stand fiirm. Upon which you can exercise your faith.
And keep in mind always and constantly that it is absolutely true that IN GOD ALL TRIBULATION HAS AN EXPIRATION DATE.
Do you think that there is tribulation and suffering in your final destination in Heaven as a believer in Christ? NO!
Do you believe that there will be sickness and death there? NO! Do you think there will be financial hardship and suffering there? NO!
I wrote a song 25 years ago that tells what it is like in Heaven, as taken directly from the Bible, in the Book of Revelation. Turn your volume on.
-->CLICK HERE NOW<-- to listen to the description of the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem as written by the apostle John.
The Bible teaches that our life span on earth is minuscule, like one drop of water in the ocean. The Bible also teaches that we will never be given more than we can bear. If you are a believer who has been washed in the blood of Jesus, there is NOTHING that happens to you that He won't turn it around for good for you in the end. Romans 8:28:
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Contemplate the words of the song "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus"
"Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace."
I hope this blog has given you some help and encouragement. Read your Bible, look up, for your redemption draws close!
In God's love,
Larry
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Jesus said "I no longer call you servants, but I call you friends"
It thrills my soul when I think of the the truth that Jesus, Lord of the universe, thinks of me (and you) as a friend! Not as a lowly servant or slave, but as a personal friend!
It is too amazing and wonderful for words, but it is true and the Bible makes it very clear that He feels this way in the book of John, chapter 15, verses 14-17:
JOHN 15:14-17 King James Verson
It is too amazing and wonderful for words, but it is true and the Bible makes it very clear that He feels this way in the book of John, chapter 15, verses 14-17:
JOHN 15:14-17 King James Verson
“You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another."
The song "Jesus Is A Friend of Mine" is one of my very most favorite songs.
(You can watch as I sing it on video located HERE
So wonderful is this concept of "God being friend to man" that I have already decided that the song I want to be sung at my own funeral is this same song "Jesus Is A Friend Of Mine".
The song "Jesus Is A Friend of Mine" is one of my very most favorite songs.
(You can watch as I sing it on video located HERE
So wonderful is this concept of "God being friend to man" that I have already decided that the song I want to be sung at my own funeral is this same song "Jesus Is A Friend Of Mine".
Jesus Himself has been a wonderful friend of mine ever since I first dedicated my life to Him and was baptized at Redrock Baptist Church in Las Vegas, in 1965.
He has pulled me through some very difficult trials.
An example is the untimely death of my first wife Jan in 1970 who died a long miserable death from a very rare cancer at age 25, only 6 months after the birth of our daughter. I learned a valuable lesson that He doesn't always take us OUT of the trial, but He for sure does GO WITH US through the trail. It was Jan who first led me to the Lord, and when I met my wonderful present wife Joann 6 months after Jan's death, it was me who led HER to the Lord. All things have worked together for good just as the Bible promises. (Romans 8:28)
My daughter survived being in the womb, right next to a 9 pound tumor, and she is today a dynamic Christian woman deeply involved in ministry with her husband's wonderful prison ministry!
My daughter survived being in the womb, right next to a 9 pound tumor, and she is today a dynamic Christian woman deeply involved in ministry with her husband's wonderful prison ministry!
There are many other very tough situations I could tell you about during which I know it was the Lord walking hand in hand with me, who made the battles bearable and also caused them to serve as a valuable life learning experience.
Is Jesus a personal friend of yours too?
I sincerely hope so.
If I can help you learn about Jesus and so that you KNOW HIm as personal friend of , I would sure like that. Just use my contact form .
Also, I want to refer you to a very reliable and substantial website resource WHO IS JESUS REALLY... which will answer that question for you for sure if you avail yourself of it.
In God's love,
Larry
Is Jesus a personal friend of yours too?
I sincerely hope so.
If I can help you learn about Jesus and so that you KNOW HIm as personal friend of , I would sure like that. Just use my contact form .
Also, I want to refer you to a very reliable and substantial website resource WHO IS JESUS REALLY... which will answer that question for you for sure if you avail yourself of it.
In God's love,
Larry
Saturday, November 7, 2009
How big is your God?
How big is your God? I believe that your concept of God, and my concept of God, is way too small!
How can we conceive of eternity, infinity, or creation? All things with which our God is intricately and intrinsically related.
How can we comprehend any the following: (Attributes courtesy of http://www.allaboutgod.com/ VisIt them, fabulous site!)
"Trinity: Though the actual word is not used in the Bible, the truth of God revealing Himself in three persons is included. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all called God, given worship as God, exist eternally, and are involved in doing things only God could do. Although, God reveals Himself in three persons, God is One and cannot be divided. All are involved completely whenever One of the Three is active.
Omniscience: “God possesses perfect knowledge and therefore has no need to learn. God has never learned and cannot learn.” Omniscience means all-knowing. God knows everything, and His knowledge is infinite. It is impossible to hide anything from God.
Omnipotence: Literally this word means all-powerful. Since God is infinite and since He possesses power, He possesses infinite power. He does allow His creatures to have some power, but this in no way diminishes His own. “He expends no energy that must be replenished.” When the Bible says God rested on the seventh day, it was to set an example for us and our need for rest, not because He was tired.
Self-existence: When Moses asked who he was talking to in the burning bush, God said, “I AM THE ONE WHO ALWAYS IS.” God has no beginning or end. He just exists. Nothing else in all the universe is self-caused. Only God. In fact, if anything else had created Him, that thing would be God. This is a difficult concept for our minds since everything else we will ever encounter comes from something other than itself. The Bible says, “In the beginning, God.” He was already there.
Eternal: In some ways, this fact about God is similar to His self-existence. God always has been and will forever be, because God dwells in eternity. Time is His creation. It is why God can see the end from the beginning, and why He is never surprised by anything. If He were not eternal, God’s promise of eternal life for those who follow Jesus would have little value.
Omnipresence: This theological term means “always present.” Since God is infinite, His being knows no boundaries. So, clearly He is everywhere. This truth is taught throughout the Bible as the phrase “I am with you always” is repeated 22 times in both the Old and New Testaments. These were even Jesus’ words of assurance just after giving the challenge to His disciples to take His message to the entire world. This is certainly a comforting truth for all who follow Jesus.
Attributes of God – The Conclusion
This is the description of the God of the Bible. All other ideas about God are, according to the Bible, false gods. They are from the imagination of mankind. By learning the attributes of God, you may praise God for who He really is and for how each of His attributes impacts your life in a positive way."
The solar system is about best thing I can think of which displays the "bigness" of God. The Bible says that "the heavens declare His majesty".
Here are a few amazing facts about the size of the solar system. (Yes, I believe if there is a watch, there must be a watch maker).
First, realize that the speed of light is calculated as the distance that light can travel in a year, at 186,282 miles per SECOND. To reach the known edge of our universe takes ten billion years at the speed of light! My brain just went tilt right there, how about you?
Another example: Imagine that you own a rifle that shoots bullets at the speed of light, 186,282 miles per second. You point it straight up in the sky and pull the trigger. You wait ten seconds. That bullet has already travelled almost two million miles. If you stood at the spot where you fired that rifle, and waited ten billion years, with the bullet still traveling that speed, the bullet would be approaching the outer edge of our universe. My brain goes tilt again, how about yours?
And now modern science knows that after our solar system comes another solar system.
Ane then another solar system and then another, and then another, etc. OK. final brain tilt. I give up.
Like I said at the beginning, I believe that your concept of God, and my concept of God is WAY TO SMALL!
That a God that big, a God that powerful, loves you and me, is pretty unfathomable, don;t you thihk?
But John 3:16 proves that it is true: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have eternal life.
Hmm. Eternal...there goes that brain tilt again.
All I can say is, As the old song says, "Oh Happy day, Oh Happy day,
When Jesus washed. Oh when he washed. He washed my sins away!
I maximize the Internet to share the Gospel. Please review and forward the links below to others:
Directory Of Christian Ministries: Go To Directory
How can we conceive of eternity, infinity, or creation? All things with which our God is intricately and intrinsically related.
How can we comprehend any the following: (Attributes courtesy of http://www.allaboutgod.com/ VisIt them, fabulous site!)
"Trinity: Though the actual word is not used in the Bible, the truth of God revealing Himself in three persons is included. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all called God, given worship as God, exist eternally, and are involved in doing things only God could do. Although, God reveals Himself in three persons, God is One and cannot be divided. All are involved completely whenever One of the Three is active.
Omniscience: “God possesses perfect knowledge and therefore has no need to learn. God has never learned and cannot learn.” Omniscience means all-knowing. God knows everything, and His knowledge is infinite. It is impossible to hide anything from God.
Omnipotence: Literally this word means all-powerful. Since God is infinite and since He possesses power, He possesses infinite power. He does allow His creatures to have some power, but this in no way diminishes His own. “He expends no energy that must be replenished.” When the Bible says God rested on the seventh day, it was to set an example for us and our need for rest, not because He was tired.
Self-existence: When Moses asked who he was talking to in the burning bush, God said, “I AM THE ONE WHO ALWAYS IS.” God has no beginning or end. He just exists. Nothing else in all the universe is self-caused. Only God. In fact, if anything else had created Him, that thing would be God. This is a difficult concept for our minds since everything else we will ever encounter comes from something other than itself. The Bible says, “In the beginning, God.” He was already there.
Eternal: In some ways, this fact about God is similar to His self-existence. God always has been and will forever be, because God dwells in eternity. Time is His creation. It is why God can see the end from the beginning, and why He is never surprised by anything. If He were not eternal, God’s promise of eternal life for those who follow Jesus would have little value.
Omnipresence: This theological term means “always present.” Since God is infinite, His being knows no boundaries. So, clearly He is everywhere. This truth is taught throughout the Bible as the phrase “I am with you always” is repeated 22 times in both the Old and New Testaments. These were even Jesus’ words of assurance just after giving the challenge to His disciples to take His message to the entire world. This is certainly a comforting truth for all who follow Jesus.
Attributes of God – The Conclusion
This is the description of the God of the Bible. All other ideas about God are, according to the Bible, false gods. They are from the imagination of mankind. By learning the attributes of God, you may praise God for who He really is and for how each of His attributes impacts your life in a positive way."
The solar system is about best thing I can think of which displays the "bigness" of God. The Bible says that "the heavens declare His majesty".
Here are a few amazing facts about the size of the solar system. (Yes, I believe if there is a watch, there must be a watch maker).
First, realize that the speed of light is calculated as the distance that light can travel in a year, at 186,282 miles per SECOND. To reach the known edge of our universe takes ten billion years at the speed of light! My brain just went tilt right there, how about you?
Another example: Imagine that you own a rifle that shoots bullets at the speed of light, 186,282 miles per second. You point it straight up in the sky and pull the trigger. You wait ten seconds. That bullet has already travelled almost two million miles. If you stood at the spot where you fired that rifle, and waited ten billion years, with the bullet still traveling that speed, the bullet would be approaching the outer edge of our universe. My brain goes tilt again, how about yours?
And now modern science knows that after our solar system comes another solar system.
Ane then another solar system and then another, and then another, etc. OK. final brain tilt. I give up.
Like I said at the beginning, I believe that your concept of God, and my concept of God is WAY TO SMALL!
That a God that big, a God that powerful, loves you and me, is pretty unfathomable, don;t you thihk?
But John 3:16 proves that it is true: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have eternal life.
Hmm. Eternal...there goes that brain tilt again.
All I can say is, As the old song says, "Oh Happy day, Oh Happy day,
When Jesus washed. Oh when he washed. He washed my sins away!
I maximize the Internet to share the Gospel. Please review and forward the links below to others:
Directory Of Christian Ministries: Go To Directory
Music: www.LarryHaydenMusic.com
Watch Music Videos: www.LarryHaydenMusic.com/videos.html
View daily blog: "Thoughts of A Christian" www.larryhaydenmusic.blogspot.com
Watch YouTube Videos: www.youtube.com/user/larryhaydenmusic
View Christian topics on Facebook: www.facebook.com/larryhaydenmusic
View Christian posts on Twitter: www.twitter.com/larry12468
Friday, October 30, 2009
Simply Jesus Men's Conference - my reflections
Our wonderful church sponsored a Men's Conference last weekend in Palm Desert, CA
The theme of the conference: Simply Jesus
The goal was to bring men together for a concentrated time of worship, teaching, and prayer,
all focused on the name above all names, Jesus.
We had several guest speakers and there was abundant opportunity for the men to get to know each other and to learn how each might be able to best help the other to reach out to the world with the good news of the gospel.
I have been to a number church conferences but I must say that this one was, for me,
the most meaningful and helpful that I have ever attended.
In Mathew 28:18-20, Jesus gave a commandment for His followers to go into all the world, teaching everything that He had taught, Baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
One reason that this conference was special to me is that a friend whom I had helped lead to the Lord, asked me if I would baptize him right there, the next day, which I did.
The whole experience of being part of helping him find the Lord has been wonderful anyway, but his honoring me by requesting that I baptize him was extra special to me.
The Lord had radically and miraculously saved and transformed my friend over a year ago, and just watching him grow and worship at church every Sunday, side by side with my wife, well, WOW, that is what life is all about to me.
View a picture of the baptism.
Space prohibits me from telling you all the special moments with the Lord which I experienced during this conference, but I want to mention one more which I value highly.
I was introduced to a fabulous Christian ministry JesusCentral.com Where people of all backgrounds learn about
Jesus.
The JesusCentral.com website is really exceptional in bringing Jesus to the world, especially China, a region of the world in which I also have been involved in reaching for many years now. Users at the JesusCentral.com website even have the option of choosing to view it in Chinese, and Arabic!
The website also contains extensive learning aids for all ages, including a free online course titled "Jesus 101" FREE INTRO COURSE - 6 weeks, 1 hour weekly. next Course Starts: November 16, 2009.
As an ordained minister myself and someone whose goal is to maximize the use of the Internet to spread the good news of Jesus, I have years of experience in web design and marketing, and I can tell you enthusiastically that I recommend JesusCentral.com as one of the most exceptional Christian websites I have seen, both in terms of it's extensive content and in terms of it's technically advanced programming.
I heartily recommend that you familiarize yourself with it and use the resources there to enhance your own education, and to share Jesus with people of all backgrounds to help them learn about Jesus!
Larry Hayden
A disciple of Jesus
Please share the gospel by visiting my Internet sites and sharing the links with others:
Music: www.LarryHaydenMusic.com
Watch Music Videos:http://www.LarryHaydenMusic.com/videos.html
View daily blog: "Thoughts of A Christian" www.larryhaydenmusic.blogspot.com
Watch YouTube Videos: www.youtube.com/user/larryhaydenmusic
View Christian topics on Facebook: www.facebook.com/larryhaydenmusic
View Christian posts on Twitter: www.twitter.com/larry12468
The theme of the conference: Simply Jesus
The goal was to bring men together for a concentrated time of worship, teaching, and prayer,
all focused on the name above all names, Jesus.
We had several guest speakers and there was abundant opportunity for the men to get to know each other and to learn how each might be able to best help the other to reach out to the world with the good news of the gospel.
I have been to a number church conferences but I must say that this one was, for me,
the most meaningful and helpful that I have ever attended.
In Mathew 28:18-20, Jesus gave a commandment for His followers to go into all the world, teaching everything that He had taught, Baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
One reason that this conference was special to me is that a friend whom I had helped lead to the Lord, asked me if I would baptize him right there, the next day, which I did.
The whole experience of being part of helping him find the Lord has been wonderful anyway, but his honoring me by requesting that I baptize him was extra special to me.
The Lord had radically and miraculously saved and transformed my friend over a year ago, and just watching him grow and worship at church every Sunday, side by side with my wife, well, WOW, that is what life is all about to me.
View a picture of the baptism.
Space prohibits me from telling you all the special moments with the Lord which I experienced during this conference, but I want to mention one more which I value highly.
I was introduced to a fabulous Christian ministry JesusCentral.com Where people of all backgrounds learn about
Jesus.
The JesusCentral.com website is really exceptional in bringing Jesus to the world, especially China, a region of the world in which I also have been involved in reaching for many years now. Users at the JesusCentral.com website even have the option of choosing to view it in Chinese, and Arabic!
The website also contains extensive learning aids for all ages, including a free online course titled "Jesus 101" FREE INTRO COURSE - 6 weeks, 1 hour weekly. next Course Starts: November 16, 2009.
As an ordained minister myself and someone whose goal is to maximize the use of the Internet to spread the good news of Jesus, I have years of experience in web design and marketing, and I can tell you enthusiastically that I recommend JesusCentral.com as one of the most exceptional Christian websites I have seen, both in terms of it's extensive content and in terms of it's technically advanced programming.
I heartily recommend that you familiarize yourself with it and use the resources there to enhance your own education, and to share Jesus with people of all backgrounds to help them learn about Jesus!
Larry Hayden
A disciple of Jesus
Please share the gospel by visiting my Internet sites and sharing the links with others:
Music: www.LarryHaydenMusic.com
Watch Music Videos:http://www.LarryHaydenMusic.com/videos.html
View daily blog: "Thoughts of A Christian" www.larryhaydenmusic.blogspot.com
Watch YouTube Videos: www.youtube.com/user/larryhaydenmusic
View Christian topics on Facebook: www.facebook.com/larryhaydenmusic
View Christian posts on Twitter: www.twitter.com/larry12468
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Jesus Is A Friend of Mine (And a friend to you too!)
Today I am going to have a guest speaker speak to you below from John 4:34-38. His name is Jesus.
Jesus is a friend of mine!! Yes I believe that and I cherish that precious reality. He is also a friend and father to the fatherless. Those who reach out to Him will find Him!
Larry Hayden
May God use you mightily today!
Visit my Internet sites:
Music and videos: www.LarryHaydenMusic.com
Daily Online Journal: www.larryhaydenmusic.blogspot.com
YouTube Videos: www.youtube.com/user/larryhaydenmusic
Facebook: www.facebook.com/larryhaydenmusic
Twitter: www.twitter.com/larry12468
Jesus is a friend of mine!! Yes I believe that and I cherish that precious reality. He is also a friend and father to the fatherless. Those who reach out to Him will find Him!
Watch the song I sing: Friendship With Jesus. This is the song I have chosen to have sung at my own funeral. It is not a sad song, it is an especially wonderful song!
As friends of Jesus, he expects his disciples (us) to be co-laborers with Him:
John 4:34-38
Jesus said:
"My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me,
and to finish His work. Do you not say, 'There
are still four months and then comes the
harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your
eyes and look at the fields, for they are
already white for harvest!
And he who reaps receives wages, and
gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who
sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.
For in this the saying is true: 'One sows and
another reaps.' I sent you to reap that for
which you have not labored; others have
labored, and you have entered into their
labors."
Larry Hayden
May God use you mightily today!
Visit my Internet sites:
Music and videos: www.LarryHaydenMusic.com
Daily Online Journal: www.larryhaydenmusic.blogspot.com
YouTube Videos: www.youtube.com/user/larryhaydenmusic
Facebook: www.facebook.com/larryhaydenmusic
Twitter: www.twitter.com/larry12468
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