Alabama - Because He Lives (Live)

Today's music comes from the country band, Alabama — and their cover of the Gospel song, 'Because He Lives.'

Recorded live, it starts softly and perhaps even a little tentatively —with just the lead singer accompanied by guitar — and then builds along the way as other instruments and harmony vocals are added.

Best of all — the lyrics speak to the assurance Christian Believers have, both in this life and the one to come — in our Risen Savior and Lord — Jesus Christ — the Messiah and King of kings, and Lord of lords.

Painting: Joseph Noel Paton (1821 - 1901) — Lyrics:  Because He Lives - by Gloria Gaither / Willam J. Gaither

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If you don't already know Jesus as Lord—you can learn more about how to start your new life with Him below. ✝

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Lyrics are found under the video

Because He Lives ~ Lyrics:

Because He lives
I can face tomorrow
Because He lives
All fear is gone

Because I know
He holds my future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives

God sent His son
They called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal and forgive

He lived and died
To buy my pardon
An empty grave is there to prove my savior lives

Because He lives
I can face tomorrow
Because He lives
All fear is gone

Because I know
He holds my future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives

How sweet to hold a newborn baby
And feel the pride and joy He gives

But greater still the calm assurance
This child can face uncertain day, because He lives


And then one day
Gonna cross the river
I'll fight life's final war with pain

And then as death gives way to victory
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He reigns

Because He lives
I can face tomorrow
Because He lives
All fear is gone

Because I know
He holds my future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives

And life is worth the living
Just because He lives!

Songwriters: Gloria Gaither / Willam J. Gaither
Because He Lives lyrics © Capitol Christian Music Group


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Isaiah 53:4-6

When Was The Book Of Isaiah Written

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Thanks for stopping by—
 
May God Richly Bless you!

Jesus is LORD!

Time is growing short!

Seek Him!

-------------------------------------------

You can begin your new life with Jesus as Lord right now!

✝   Romans 10:9-10

9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 

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If you've made this decision—believed it in your heart and confessed it with your mouth—let God speak to you by reading the Bible—and seek out fellowship with others who also believe.

Pour out your heart to God in Prayer (simply speaking to Him in reverence)—asking Him to reveal Himself to you and to provide for your needs.

Life in Jesus is the best decision you will ever make.

God Bless You!

--------------------------------- 

85 Bible Verses about Salvation

Kari Jobe And Cody Carnes - The Blessing

'Music-Only' Video Below:  Kari Jobe And Cody Carnes - 'The Blessing' 

In the US, some states are beginning to relax individual Corona Virus 'stay at home orders' — and while some businesses and restaurants are choosing to remain very restricted — more and more in my area are beginning to return to some-what normal operations.

However, just the other day I spoke to a neighbor who said he'd been going to an online 'neighborhood group' — and he talked about how many (especially among the elderly in the group) are still very terrified about being out and around others.

An illustration of that fear is a recent news report here in the US about a mob of people in New York who cursed at a woman who wasn't wearing a mask and drove her out of a grocery store.

Conversely, last week I spoke with my niece — and we both agreed that as Christians, God had given us a sense of peace all through-out this time.

God is good!

Cody Carnes And Kari Jobe

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Today's 'music-only' video, 'The Blessing,' comes from husband and wife team Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes, whose beautiful song is perfect for these days, as they lyrically ask for God's Blessing, Peace, Comfort, and Presence over each listener's life — and through all their generations.

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The song's first verse and its theme is derived from the 'Priestly Blessing' spoken of in Numbers 6:24-26.

- A break down of the song and other applicable scripture themes and references can be found here:

https://www.thebereantest.com/elevation-worship-feat-cody-carnes-kari-jobe-the-blessing

Numbers 6:24-26

Images: 'Gratitude' by Jack Garren and 'Grace' by Eric Enstrom

https://gracebyenstrom.com/story/

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If you don't already know Jesus as Lord—you can learn more about how to start your new life with Him below. ✝

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Lyrics are found under the video

The Blessing - Lyrics

 
The Lord Bless you
And keep you
Make His Face Shine upon you
And be gracious to you

The Lord turn His
Face toward you
And give you Peace

Amen, Amen, Amen!
Amen, Amen, Amen!

The Lord Bless you
And keep you
Make His Face Shine upon you
And be Gracious to you

The Lord turn His
Face toward you
And give you Peace

Amen, Amen, Amen! 
We sing, We sing!

Amen, Amen, Amen!

May His Favor be upon you
In a thousand generations
In your family and your children
And their children
And their children

May His Presence go before you
And behind you,
And beside you
All around you and within you
He is with you, He is with you!

In the morning, in the evening
In your coming
And your going
In your weeping and rejoicing
He is for you, He is for you!

He is for you, He is for you!
He’s for you, He is for you!
He is for you, He is for you!

Amen, Amen, Amen!
Amen, Amen, Amen!

May His Presence go before you
And behind you,
And beside you
All around you and within you
He is with you, He is with you

In the morning, in the evening
In your coming
And your going
In your weeping and rejoicing

He is for you!

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Thanks for stopping by—
 
May God Richly Bless you!

Jesus is LORD!

Time is growing short!

Seek Him!

-------------------------------------------

You can begin your new life with Jesus as Lord right now!

✝   Romans 10:9-10

9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 

---------------------------------

If you've made this decision—believed it in your heart and confessed it with your mouth—let God speak to you by reading the Bible—and seek out fellowship with others who also believe.

Pour out your heart to God in Prayer (simply speaking to Him in reverence)—asking Him to reveal Himself to you and to provide for your needs.

Life in Jesus is the best decision you will ever make.

God Bless You!

--------------------------------- 

85 Bible Verses about Salvation

Shepherd of my Soul - Jamie Page

Christian Music: Shepherd of my Soul - Jamie Page

I have a small personal connection with the 'music-only' video found below:

When I was just a boy (maybe around eight or so) — I remember going to a birthday party for another young kid around my age.

Jamie Page - A Screen Capture  From His Website

< As He Looked Around The Time
Of That Methodist Church Performance)

His name was Jamie Page.

I don't recall now how I knew him - but we probably met through school or perhaps the stately old Methodist church my family attended when I was that age.

If my memory serves me correctly — his family lived on the west side of our little town — and while I don't remember much about them — they all seemed like good people.

One thing I do remember well — was thinking that young Jamie was a carbon copy of his dad — and it seemed like they had a very close bond.

I guessing that his family didn't live in the area long — because other than his birthday party I don't really remember spending much time around him — so I think they moved away shortly after that.

Later, when I was in high school, word came around that he was going to perform a concert at the Methodist church with his Christian band — Jamie Page And A Band Called Jerusalem.

As I recall, his band had a lot of members and played in a soft Christian rock/pop style — and I think we might have spoken briefly after they performed, but all that is left after all these years is a very dim memory about that.

Even though I obviously didn't know him well — I've thought of Jamie through the years — and wondered from time to time if he had kept making Christian music.

That Album Cover

Quite a few years ago — when the internet was becoming a more reliable place to look for info, I did a search for him — but all I found then was a photo of an album cover from that early band (as seen in the image to the left).

In the last few days, something reminded me of him again and so I did some more internet sleuthing and was happy to find out a LOT more about him on his website — and through his site discovered his beautiful song, Shepherd of my Soul, which you'll find posted below.

It looks like he's had a good life surrounded with family and friends — a wife and children — and he's still making Christian music with his latest project, Joy In The Journey, released December of 2019.


https://jamiepagemusic.com/

https://jamiepagemusic.com/about/

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As always, I pray this post and Jamie's music will Bless you and fill your heart to overflowing with the Peace, Comfort, Love, and Grace — found only through the True and Risen Shepherd of our Souls — Jesus Christ — the Messiah — and King of kings, and Lord of lords!

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If you don't already know Jesus as Lord—you can learn more about how to start your new life with Him below. ✝

---------------------

Lyrics are found under the video

Shepherd of My Soul - Lyrics

O how You love me
O how you long for me
Eyes that keep searching when I’m lost and alone
O how You call me; O how You cry for me
Your gentle voice beckons so I can find my way home

Shepherd of my soul
I am safe and secure in Your fold
When in darkness I can’t see 
Your light shines around me
Shepherd of my soul

O how You calm me
O how You comfort me
Peace never-ending when I’m weary and worn
O how You keep me
O how You care for me
Grace that brings healing when I’m broken and torn

Chorus

Surely Your goodness and mercy shall follow me all my days
And I will dwell in the house of my Savior forever

Chorus 

C 2000 One Voice Music, ASCAP

John 10:14-15

------------------------------------------

Thanks for stopping by—
 
May God Richly Bless you!

Jesus is LORD!

Time is growing short!

Seek Him!

-------------------------------------------

✝   Romans 10:9-10

9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 

---------------------------------

If you've made this decision—believed it in your heart and confessed it with your mouth—let God speak to you by reading the Bible—and seek out fellowship with others who also believe.

Pour out your heart to God in Prayer (simply speaking to Him in reverence)—asking Him to reveal Himself to you and to provide for your needs.

Life in Jesus is the best decision you will ever make.

God Bless You!

--------------------------------- 

85 Bible Verses about Salvation

AWESOME 1984 Gospel Song — Dion - Sweet Surrender

Today we get in the "way back machine" with a music-only video of Dion Dimucci's 1984 Gospel song, Sweet Surrender (found below).

Perhaps best know to most as simply Dion, the singer had a very successful music career beginning with his first doo-wop efforts with his group Dion and the Belmonts in the late 1950s — and then scored massive chart hits through the early 1960s with songs like Teenager in Love, Runaround Sue, and The Wanderer.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dion_DiMucci

Dion In A 1963 Publicity Photo

Many may not know however — that while he was on his way to becoming an international star, touring the world with his music — the "squeaky clean teen idol" was using heroin from the age of 14 to 28 — ultimately becoming a full-blown addict.

God had better things in mind for Dion though — and he famously escaped  being killed "in the 1959 plane crash that took fellow pop idols Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Williams — in part because he didn’t want to spend $36 on a ticket."

"His first stint at getting clean came shortly after that near-miss."

https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/ny-ent-demi-lotavo-dion-overdose-20180731-story.html




In an article about Dion's 1988 autobiography, Buddy Nevens writes

"Heroin was part of Dion's youth, part of the neighborhood scene long before he became famous. Dion snorted heroin early and was shooting up prior to forming the Belmonts.

By 1964, drugs had stopped Dion's career, halting all recording and causing him to miss shows. One day, high on LSD while drinking Scotch from a bottle, he decided to kill himself. Suddenly, he felt that God was telling him he had a reason to live.

Dion checked himself into a hospital and beat heroin addiction, only to become an alcoholic. He moved to Miami, where he put his problems in God's hands and licked alcoholism.

He signed a new record contract and recorded Abraham, Martin and John, which sold 3 million copies in 1968. Since then he has been playing his own folk songs and doing sold-out revival shows."

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1988-10-16-8803010019-story.html

A More Recent Photo Of Dion

After giving his life to Jesus, Dion became very vocal about his faith and began releasing a number of successful Gospel albums.

The lyrics to his 1984 song, Sweet Surrender (found under the video below) - trace the patterns in Dion's life - recounting desires for wealth and fame, and efforts to find happiness through the things the world offers — but finding only emptiness and pain.

Knowing that this man — who had achieved such success — was still left empty and wanting — adds to the powerful impact of this beautiful song's message.

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I pray as always that this music will Bless each listener and lead each of us to daily answer our Lord and Savior's gentle knocking at the door of our hearts — that we may walk in His ways and have fellowship with Him now and forever more!

Hebrews 12: 1B - 2

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If you don't already know Jesus as Lord—you can learn more about how to start your new life with Him below. ✝

---------------------

Lyrics are found under the video

Sweet Surrender - Lyrics

Lyrics and Music - Dion Dimucci

Thought I was bad and I had to get good
Thought I was smart but I misunderstood
Felt I was weak and I had to get strong
I was sure I was right then I found I was wrong

Thought I was lost and I had to get found
They called me a square so I tried to get round
Felt I was lazy and I had to get busy
Swore I was high but I was just plane dizzy

You see, but

Now I really know
Like I never knew before
The Lord come knockin'
And I finally opened up the door
No doubt about it

Oh!  Sweet surrender!
 (repeats)

Oh!  Sweet surrender!
Totally, Totally!
Oh!  Sweet surrender!
You lift me higher
Oh!  Sweet surrender!
Love how You're lovin' me
Oh!  Sweet surrender!
What can I do for You
Oh!  Sweet surrender!   

Felt I was bored so I made a switch
Thought I was poor and had to get rich
I was sure I was crazy and had to get sane
It wasn't enough so I changed my name

Thought my image needed a pat on the back
I thought my ego needed a Cadillac
There I was sitting in the drivers seat
I was feelin' low and still incomplete

But I said

Now I really know
No doubt about it
I never knew before
The Lord come a knockin'
And I finally opened up the door

Thank you Lord!
Thank you Lord!

Oh!  Sweet surrender!
Lift me higher

Oh!  Sweet surrender!

Oh!  Sweet surrender!
Amazing is Your Love
Oh!  Sweet surrender!
You make me happy

Oh!  Sweet surrender!
You know I finally stopped my runnin'
Oh!  Sweet surrender!   
Finally stopped my runnin'
Oh!  Sweet surrender!
Don't have to run
Oh!  Sweet surrender!
Know exactly who I am

Oh!  Sweet surrender!
Laying back in Jesus arms

Oh!  Sweet surrender!
Let it go!  Let it go!
Oh!  Sweet surrender!
Don't work our way to Heaven
Let it go!

Oh!  Sweet surrender!
He love you where you are

Oh!  Sweet surrender!
That's the Good News people!

Oh!  Sweet surrender! 
 
------------------------------------------

Thanks for stopping by—
 
May God Richly Bless you!

Jesus is LORD!

Time is growing short!

Seek Him!

-------------------------------------------

✝   Romans 10:9-10

9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 

---------------------------------

If you've made this decision—believed it in your heart and confessed it with your mouth—let God speak to you by reading the Bible—and seek out fellowship with others who also believe.

Pour out your heart to God in Prayer (simply speaking to Him in reverence)—asking Him to reveal Himself to you and to provide for your needs.

Life in Jesus is the best decision you will ever make.

God Bless You!

--------------------------------- 

85 Bible Verses about Salvation