9-7-25// Worship Team

9-7-25// THEY HAVE GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT

THEME: MY HELP COMES FROM THE LORD

 Ps 121:1 I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come?

2 My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

Who helps his people out of the hands of all their enemies, and out of all their troubles and afflictions; he helps them in the performance of duty, in the exercise of grace, in bearing the cross, in fighting the Lord's battles, and on in their journey; he helps them to all blessings, temporal and spiritual; to all needful supplies of grace here, and glory hereafter; and this help he gives is quick and present, suitable and seasonable, is sufficient, and sometimes with, and sometimes without means; and they have great encouragement to expect it from him…from John Gill's Exposition of the Old and New Testaments

Isa 41:10,13 'Do not fear, for I am with you;

Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,

Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'

13 "For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand,

Who says to you, 'Do not fear, I will help you.'

Ps 34:4-8 I sought the Lord, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.

5 They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces will never be ashamed.

6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him And saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them.

8 O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

7 "Only be strong and very courageous; 

Josh 1:1-9

Ps 94:17-19

Rev 21:1-4 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."

Ps 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth! NKJV

8-31-25// Worship Team

8-31-25// SOMETIMES WITH, AND SOMETIMES WITHOUT MEANS

SOMETIMES WITH, AND SOMETIMES WITHOUT MEANS

 The idea of God working "sometimes with, and sometimes without means" is a theological concept that addresses how divine providence and miracles interact with the natural world. "Means" refers to the natural tools, agents, or processes God uses to bring about his will. "Without means" refers to extraordinary, miraculous events where God acts directly, bypassing natural law. 

Here are scriptures and biblical themes that explore both methods.

God working with means

·       Human agency and labor: The book of Ecclesiastes describes how people work and toil, but that without God, their labor is meaningless. This implies that when people work with God, their labor has purpose.

·       The wisdom of Solomon: King Solomon, the wisest man in the Bible, received his wisdom directly from God. He then applied this wisdom to govern Israel, build the Temple, and write books like Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, all of which became means for God to instruct his people.

·       Paul's mission: The apostle Paul's evangelism is a prime example of God working through human means. Though his ministry was filled with supernatural events, it relied heavily on Paul's tireless labor, sleepless nights, and physical hardships.

2 Cor 11:23-29 Are they servants of Christ? — I speak as if insane — I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. 24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes.  25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. 26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; 27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?

·       Medical healing: The Book of James encourages the use of anointing oil for the sick, along with prayer. While the healing is ultimately from God, the anointing with oil is a tangible, physical means. 

James 5:14-15 Is anyone among you sick?

God working without means

Miracles and supernatural interventions are times when God chooses to act directly, outside of or in defiance of the natural order.

·       The creation of the universe: In John 1:3, the scripture states that "Through him all things were made, and without him nothing was made that has been made." This verse highlights God's power to create everything from nothing—an ultimate act without means.

·       Jesus's miracles: The Gospels are filled with instances of Jesus acting without means.

o   Feeding the multitude: The miracle of feeding thousands of people with only a few loaves and fish was an act that defied the natural limitations of food supply (Matthew 14:13–21).

o   Raising the dead: When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, he demonstrated a power over life and death that is beyond human or natural means (John 11:38–44).

Calming the storm:Jesus calmed a raging storm with a single command, an act of supernatural control over the natural world (Mark 4:35–41).

8-24-25// Worship Team

8-24-25// SUFFICIENT

Ps 121:1-2 I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come?

2 My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

Who helps his people out of the hands of all their enemies, and out of all their troubles and afflictions; he helps them in the performance of duty, in the exercise of grace, in bearing the cross, in fighting the Lord's battles, and on in their journey; he helps them to all blessings, temporal and spiritual; to all needful supplies of grace here, and glory hereafter; and this help he gives is quick and present, suitable and seasonable, is sufficient…(from John Gill's Exposition of the Old and New Testaments)

2 Cor 12:1-10 Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— 4 was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. 5 On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. 6 For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.

7 Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Phil 4:10-14 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.

2 Cor 3:4-5 Such is the reliance and confidence that we have through Christ toward and with reference to God.

5 Not that we are fit (qualified and sufficient in ability) of ourselves to form personal judgments or to claim or count anything as coming from us, but our power and ability and sufficiency are from God.  AMP

 2 Cor 9:6-9 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; 9 as it is written,

"HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR,

HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER."

8-17-25// Worship Team

8-17-25// Seasonable

Ps 121 I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come? 2 My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth

Who helps his people out of the hands of all their enemies, and out of all their troubles and afflictions; he helps them in the performance of duty, in the exercise of grace, in bearing the cross, in fighting the Lord's battles, and on in their journey; he helps them to all blessings, temporal and spiritual; to all needful supplies of grace here, and glory hereafter; and this help he gives is quick and present, suitable and seasonable, is sufficient… from John Gill's Exposition of the Old and New Testaments

SEASONABLE

 Seasonable: usual for or appropriate to a particular season of the year.

 Eccl 3:1-9 To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: 2 A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; 3 A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; 5 A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; 6 A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; 7 A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; 8 A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace. NKJV

2 Tim 4:1-5 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. 5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Ps 1:1-3 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,

Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.

3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season

And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.

 SEASONINGS

 Lev 2:13 ‘Every grain offering of yours, moreover, you shall season with salt, so that the salt of the covenant of your God shall not be lacking from your grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt.

 What does salt mean in Leviticus 2:13?

Bible commentators have noted that the reference to a covenant of salt implies an offering to God that is pure (because salt is a pure chemical compound), enduring (because salt preserves things and makes them last longer), and valuable (because salt was an expensive product in pre-industrial times).

8-10-25// Worship team

8-10-25//SUITABLE, SEASONAL, SUFFICIENT

THEME: MY HELP COMES FROM THE LORD

 Ps 121 I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come?

2 My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

Who helps his people out of the hands of all their enemies, and out of all their troubles and afflictions; he helps them in the performance of duty, in the exercise of grace, in bearing the cross, in fighting the Lord's battles, and on in their journey; he helps them to all blessings, temporal and spiritual; to all needful supplies of grace here, and glory hereafter; and this help he gives is quick and present, suitable and seasonable, is sufficient (from John Gill's Exposition of the Old and New Testaments,)

SUITABLE

 Suitable: right or appropriate for a particular person, purpose, or situation.

Archaic: coming at the right time or meeting the needs of the occasion; opportune

  Eph 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

 Eph 2:8-10 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation

James 1:5-8 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.