Fighter Verse Songs

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This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

Psalm 34:6-8

[This weeks passage begins at around 0:54 in the song]

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The last time we memorized this psalm (twelve years ago) my dad was in the hospital on life support. He was dying. He had all sorts of tubes and wire connections and he had been on dialysis and he needed a breathing tube.

He died on a Friday. When I got to the hospital fairly early in the morning while he was still alive, I wrote the verse from this passage on the wall: “This poor man cried and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.”

And a couple hours later, the LORD saved him out of all his troubles. My dad no longer has a failing kidney, or a missing leg, nor is he in pain nor does he need help breathing. Our heavenly father pulled him out of all that.

I’m very grateful for that.

There is more than one way that our God saves people. I pray that you will see different forms of salvation this week and then praise God for doing it.

And if you need help from God, it’s okay to cry.

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Sung by Chuck Steddom, Keyboard by Carol Steddom, Written by Scott Jamison and Kevin Shull

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I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.

Psalm 34:4-5

[This weeks passage begins at around 0:33 in the song]

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We fear shame, don’t we? We don’t want to be ashamed.

If you seek the LORD, if you look to him, He will deliver you from that fear and from all other fears.

You will be radiant!

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Sung by Chuck Steddom, Keyboard by Carol Steddom, Written by Scott Jamison and Kevin Shull

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I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!

Psalm 34:1-3

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Yes, this is the beginning of a longer passage – all of Psalm 34 – and King David begins well.

He blesses the LORD.

Dictionary.com has seven definitions of ‘bless’ and I think these three fit the best:

2. to request of God the bestowal of divine favor on:
Bless this house.
3. to bestow good of any kind upon:
a nation blessed with peace.
4. to extol as holy; glorify:
Bless the name of the Lord.

But number four fits the best: David, and each of us who follow after him, wants to extol as holy and glorify the LORD. And he wants others to do this is as well, “continually”.

And the person who is not proud, the person who doesn’t worship himself, will be given joy as he does this.

So praise, boast in, and magnify the LORD. For His glory and your good.

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Sung by Chuck Steddom, Keyboard by Carol Steddom, Written by Scott Jamison and Kevin Shull

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And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Galatians 6:9-10

{This week’s song begins at 0:28}

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It sounds like Paul understands weariness. He’s saying this with experience and he is probably sympathetic to those who wonder if they should give up. So he encourages us with good news: We will reap. Good things will happen as a result of our doing good for other people.

So where God opens a way for you to help others, take that way. With hope.

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Song by Scott Jamison and Becki Warnock. Sung by Tom Dodds and Kevin Shull.

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…”I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”

John 6:35

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Here is a significant claim from Jesus. I am food. I can sustain you. I am what you need. I will satisfy you. Partaking from me will prevent your death.

Would you like be satisfied and not thirst or hunger?

Go to Jesus. He’s calling you.

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Song written and performed by Phil Carlson

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The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

Psalm 19:9-11

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Just like last week, I’ll sum up this way:
Here are the descriptors in this passage: Clean, true, righteous altogether. More to be desired than gold, sweeter than honey.
And here is what they do: Endure forever, they warn God’s servant, they give great reward.

Not everyone knows it, but this is what every human wants. And it’s offered as a gift for us. If we read His word. If we live by His word.

Honey and Gold. For you. Take it today.

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Song written and performed by Scott Jamison

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The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;

Psalm 19:7-8

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Here are the descriptors in this passage: Perfect, sure, right, pure.
And here is what they do: Revive the soul, make the simple wise, rejoice the heard and enlighten the eyes.

This is what any one who owns a Bible can have at no cost. This is what you can have right now. Read God’s word. See what he has to say to you about himself and the universe he’s created.

Be blessed. And then glorify Him.

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Song written and sung by Scott Jamison

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You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD God is an everlasting rock.

Isaiah 26:3-4

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Perfect peace. How many people in this world would love to have a little peace – never mind ‘perfect’ peace? Almost everyone?

God gives this to a person who has his mind stayed on Him. Because that person will trust in the LORD.

And happily, we have a God who is very trust-able. As certain and permanent and strong and reliable as a rock.

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Song written and sung by Scott Jamison – Instruments by Phil Krause

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Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:16-17

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There’s a lot in these verses. I could see a pastor spending a month of sermons on this passage.

1. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly – Remember what Jesus did and said.
2. Teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom – Encourage and exhort fellow Christians
3. Singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs – Worship your Heavenly Father
4. All with thankfulness in your hearts to God. – Act out your gratefulness to Him

And whatever you do … that’s everything. That’s quite a challenge. Do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.

If you’re doing something that you can’t do in the name of the Lord Jesus, you shouldn’t be doing it.

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Song written and performed by Phil Carlson

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For the LORD will not cast off forever, but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not afflict from his heart or grieve the children of men.

Lamentations 3:31-33

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Does it feel like God has cast you off? He will have compassion.

Do you feel like your affliction will last forever? His steadfast love is abundant.

It is not his will to grieve you. By the grace of the LORD, you will get past these dark days.

You will feel his love and compassion.

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Song by Scott Jamison
Performed by Scott Jamison