Participants:
Series Code: 3CS
Program Code: 3CS230003S
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00:04 Silent night, holy night.
00:12 All is calm, all is bright 00:21 'round yon virgin, mother and child. 00:29 Holy infant, so tender and mild, 00:37 sleep in heavenly peace. 00:46 Sleep in heavenly peace. 00:55 First time on TV, yeah. 01:01 This is baby Danny. 01:03 Baby Danny, here's grandma. 01:06 Nona, okay. 01:08 Melody. 01:09 And this is Jesse's oldest. 01:11 And Dene his wife. 01:13 And also, I think grandma Bab is here too. 01:17 But she's back out here somewhere. 01:20 So this is baby Danny. 01:22 And he's going to be, he's what? Two? 01:24 - Almost. - Almost two years old. 01:26 And he loves, he loves rockets. 01:31 You love rockets? Let's go. Oh, the rockets. 01:35 Rockets, there's the rocket. 01:39 We play rockets all the time. 01:41 And we have little rockets that shoot up in the air. 01:44 There's Nona. 01:45 So we just wanted to introduce him. 01:47 It's the first time, and not the last. 01:49 Right, baby? 01:50 Okay, I think he's saying, "It's time to go." 01:53 Tell everybody, "Bye, bye." 01:54 Say, "Bye, bye." 01:56 Come and get him, Sis. 01:58 Going to get Aunt Faith to come and get him. 02:01 Okay, you going to see Aunt Faith? 02:03 Go see Aunt Faith. 02:06 Say, "Bye, bye." 02:08 Bye. I love you, Buddy. 02:10 Love you. Bye, bye. What a doll. 02:14 Papa loves you. 02:17 Was that too sweet or not? 02:19 What a little doll. 02:20 Baby Danny. 02:22 It's it amazing how young... 02:24 You know, when God gives life, you don't have to wait 02:27 20 years or 30 years. 02:28 I mean, from the second you see that little child, 02:31 it makes you wonder how anybody would not want kids. 02:36 When you think about it, what a gift it is from God. 02:41 And baby Danny has been such an amazing gift to our family. 02:45 And he's taught us something. 02:47 He seems almost always happy. 02:49 He always has a smile. 02:50 Now he's real tired right now, cause he's ready for a nap. 02:53 But, we spent a lot of time with him yesterday 02:57 and he just goes the whole time. 02:59 But you know, I wonder if sometimes the Lord looks at us 03:04 and says, "Why aren't they happier? 03:06 Why aren't they happy people? 03:08 I gave them a gift. 03:09 I gave a gift, the human race a gift of life. 03:13 And here they are going around moping." 03:15 My dad use to say, "Get your chin off the ground, boy, 03:18 before I give you a good thumping," he'd say. 03:20 So back then we used stuff like that, Gene. 03:23 You know, we should be the happiest, most excited 03:26 people on earth. 03:27 And to think that the gift that God has given us. 03:29 We think about Jesus being born as a baby, as an infant, 03:35 and he came in human form. 03:37 Just like baby Danny, and your kids, and your grandkids, 03:40 and great-grandkids. 03:41 We're great-grandparents. 03:43 Not only once, but a couple of times over, right? 03:45 - That's true. - Great Grandparents. 03:48 I never thought you'd live to be that old, did you? 03:50 Oh, I can't believe it. 03:52 How come... Why did you say, "we"? 03:55 Because I knew it would get you going if I didn't. 03:58 No, but what a gift we even live to be this age, right, 04:01 where we could have great grandkids. 04:03 Anyway, we wanted to welcome you all today 04:06 to another 3ABN program. 04:08 This is our Christmas program. It's the season of the year. 04:11 We say it every year, "Jesus is the reason for the season." 04:15 And once again, it's so good to have brother Tim Parton. 04:19 Big Gene, we call him McDonald. I call him Big Gene. 04:22 And if you're around him you'll call him big Gene too. 04:24 Just out of respect. 04:26 Ladye Love Smith and Reggie. 04:28 Incredible friends and Christians who love Jesus. 04:31 Also like these guys. 04:32 And my daughter Melody. 04:34 You haven't been here all the time for Christmas programs, 04:36 so it's been a while. 04:38 But we're so glad that you're here too. 04:40 ~ How many children? - Eight. 04:43 ~ Eight. - And one grandson, yeah. 04:45 So there's going to be, I have a feeling, 04:47 if the Lord tarries a few more years, 04:49 we're going to have a bunch of them running around, right? 04:51 - I hope so. - Alright, praise the Lord. 04:53 And of course my sweet wife, Yvonne. 04:55 And I love her with all my heart. 04:57 So it's a privilege to be here with people that you love 05:00 and respect, and enjoy their company. 05:02 And we're glad that we can spend this time with you. 05:05 So thank you for joining us. 05:06 We only ask one thing today. 05:08 That you join in with us and sing when you hear a song. 05:12 Some of you say, "Well, I can't sing." 05:14 That's alright; you're home by yourself, 05:16 or wherever you are, you just give your gift to God, 05:19 you just give Him praise. 05:21 He says He inhabits the praises of His people. 05:23 God inhabits. 05:25 He didn't say, "Well, you have to have perfect pitch." 05:27 Like Tim, or whatever. 05:28 He just says He inhabits the praises of His people. 05:31 So today this is all about praising Jesus 05:34 and thanking His for the gift of eternal life. 05:38 What do we want to sing? You got us a little medley? 05:41 Let's do a medley of favorites. 05:47 O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie. 05:56 Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. 06:05 Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light. 06:14 The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. 06:24 How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given. 06:33 So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heaven. 06:41 No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin 06:50 where meek souls will receive Him still 06:55 the dear Christ enters in. 07:05 Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, 07:13 the little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head. 07:21 The stars in the sky looked down where He lay. 07:29 The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. 07:39 Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay 07:47 close by me forever and love me, I pray. 07:55 Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, 08:03 and take us to heaven to live with Thee there. 08:14 This, this is Christ the King 08:20 whom shepherds guard and angels sing. 08:28 Haste, haste to bring Him laud, 08:34 the Babe, the Son of Mary. 08:46 The first Noel the angel did say 08:54 was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay, 09:03 in fields where they lay keeping their sheep 09:11 on a cold winter's night that was so deep. 09:20 Noel, noel, noel, noel; 09:29 born is the King of Israel. 09:44 Hark the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King. 09:54 Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled." 10:03 Joyful all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies. 10:12 With the angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem." 10:21 Hark the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King." 10:33 Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace. 10:38 Hail the Sun of Righteousness. 10:42 Light and life to all He brings, risen with healing in His wings. 10:51 Mild He lays His glory by, born that man no more may die. 11:00 Born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth. 11:09 Hark the herald the angels sing, 11:14 "Glory to the newborn King." 11:29 Amen. Alright. 11:32 You know what? 11:34 I wish I would have been there that night 11:35 just to play the piano for the angels. 11:38 I mean, this was really close, 11:41 but that would have been awesome. 11:43 ~ Can you imagine that very soon you'll be able to do that. 11:46 You'll be able to play for Jesus. 11:48 I intend to do that. 11:49 The song says, "I can only imagine." 11:51 ~ Yeah, awesome. - Yeah, amazing, amazing. 11:55 We're going to let Tim, he's at the piano, 11:57 so I think he should direct this program 11:59 and tell us who's next. 12:01 ~ What do you want to do, boss? 12:02 Since I have the mic, I think I'll just sing one then. 12:05 ~ Oh good, that's what we're wanting. 12:14 The heavens rang with praise the night that You were born. 12:22 A longing world beheld the Savior come. 12:30 You lived to bring us peace, You died to make us free, 12:38 that we would live to show eternal love. 12:45 Because You came, our hearts will proclaim, 12:53 let us be joy to the world, let us be peace on the earth, 13:01 that all would sing, "Come, let us adore Him." 13:08 Let us be wonders of heavenly grace, hope, and love, 13:17 that all would sing, "Come, let us adore Him." 13:23 Come, let us adore Him. 13:32 In darkness and despair we will meet the broken there 13:40 and guide them to the foot of Mercy's seat. 13:47 So let our lives reveal Your light. 13:54 Let us be joy to the world, let us be peace on the earth, 14:02 that all would sing, "Come, let us adore Him." 14:09 Let us be wonders of heavenly grace, hope, and love, 14:17 that all would sing, "Come, let us adore Him." 14:23 Come, let us adore Him. 15:07 He is my King. 15:09 I hope you can say that He is your King as well. 15:12 And we worship Him as our King. 15:18 My days are filled with laughter, 15:22 my heart has known Your peace. 15:26 I've traveled far, still, there is far to go. 15:33 Because in my heart there is a longing 15:39 to look upon Your face, 15:43 where You are is where I want to be. 15:50 You are my King, 15:56 You are the Lamb, Lion of Judah, 16:04 Seed of Abraham, the Holy One, 16:13 God's only Son. 16:16 You are the King of who I am. 16:27 Every road I traveled down 16:32 You have walked before me 16:36 and made the light to shine out of darkness. 16:43 I am looking for the day 16:48 when I bow before you 16:51 and lay my crown at Your holy feet. 16:58 You are my King, 17:04 You are the Lamb, Lion of Judah, 17:12 Seed of Abraham, the Holy One, 17:21 God's only Son. 17:24 You are the King of who I am. 17:55 Lord, You are the King of who I am. 18:09 ~ Amen. 18:14 I believe that Gene, you should come and sing. 18:36 We three kings of orient are; 18:41 bearing gifts we traverse afar, 18:47 field and fountain, moor and mountain, 18:53 following yonder star. 18:58 O star of wonder, star of night, 19:06 star with royal beauty bright. 19:11 Westward leading, still proceeding, 19:16 guide us to thy perfect light. 19:26 Born a King on Bethlehem's plain, 19:32 gold I bring to crown Him again. 19:36 King forever, ceasing never 19:41 over all through His reign. 19:47 O star of wonder, star of night, 19:55 star with royal beauty bright. 20:00 Westward leading, still proceeding, 20:05 guide us to thy perfect light. 20:17 Glorious now behold Him arise, 20:23 King and God and Sacrifice. 20:29 Alleluia, alleluia, 20:35 heaven to the earth reply. 20:45 O star of wonder, star of night, 20:55 star with royal beauty bright. 21:00 Westward leading, still proceeding, 21:05 guide us to thy perfect light. 21:16 ~ Amen. 21:18 So a long time ago, I do not sing much Christmas 21:24 except at Christmas. 21:25 So I've never... 21:30 I've sung on tour for 13 years and never done a record. 21:36 So we were talking about this this afternoon about 21:41 this song whenever I was in college. 21:44 Alfred Skoo was my choral director, and he was Swedish. 21:49 And he loved the old guard Christmas songs. 21:55 And this song was one that I loved. 21:58 And so, I'm going to look over your shoulder 22:01 and we're going to sing this, alright. 22:03 This is not one you hear a lot. 22:05 - Yeah. - It's a great melody. 22:07 It's an old, old song. 22:08 And I sung it back in college. 22:10 In fact, it's so old that it doesn't even have 22:12 a time signature on it. 22:14 - Right? - Exactly. 22:16 Some of you musicians will get that. 22:18 - So follow me. - Okay. 22:31 Lo, how a rose e'er blooming 22:38 from tender stem hath sprung. 22:45 Of Jesse's lineage coming, 22:51 as men of old have sung. 22:59 It came, a floweret bright, 23:04 amid the cold of winter 23:11 when half spent was the night. 23:21 Isaiah 'twas foretold it, 23:28 the rose I have in mind. 23:35 With Mary we beheld it, 23:42 the virgin mother kind. 23:49 To show God's love aright, 23:55 she bore to them a Savior 24:01 when half spent was the night. 24:14 She bore to them a Savior 24:21 when half spent was the night. 24:35 ~ Amen. 24:37 ~ Big Gene, while you're up there, maybe you'd give us 24:39 what's on your heart right now. 24:42 You know, every day is wonderful. 24:50 The worst day I ever had wasn't that bad, 24:52 because it's over. 24:55 And I've had some tough ones, 24:58 and I've had some great ones. 25:00 And the great ones way outweigh the bad ones. 25:04 God has been so good to me as a man, 25:08 as a husband, as a father. 25:11 My two boys, I've got one that's 21 in college 25:14 playing football, about to graduate with a Phys Ed degree. 25:18 And then my 17-year-old is a senior in high school. 25:24 Who knows what's going to happen. 25:28 Something good. It's always good. 25:31 But God has been so good to me. 25:35 To think that a little boy from southeast Missouri, 25:40 cotton farmer, that I would have the opportunity 25:45 to sing where I've sung, and to sing with people 25:48 that I've sung with, 25:49 and get to tell people what God has done for me. 25:56 Most of it is through song because I'm not a great orator, 26:01 and I don't speak well. 26:03 But Moses couldn't either. 26:09 And so, God has been good to me. 26:15 And I don't know where you are in your life, 26:17 I don't know where you are in your situation, 26:21 but God can be good to you if you'll let Him. 26:27 All you have to do is just ask. 26:30 And your days, there will be some days that are bad, 26:34 there's going to be some great ones. 26:37 But He's consistent with His love. 26:41 Unlike us. 26:45 So I would say, the worst day you ever had 26:49 wasn't that bad because it's over. 26:52 Today is a new day. 26:55 See what God has in store for you. 26:58 ~ Well listen, let's see if we can put you on the spot 27:01 a minute, if you don't mind. 27:02 Don't back away too far. Come up close. 27:04 You and Tim put your heads together for one second. 27:07 I've love to hear you maybe do at least a verse 27:11 and a chorus of, How Great Thou Art. 27:18 When Christ shall come 27:23 with shout of acclamation 27:30 and take me home, 27:35 what joy shall fill my heart. 27:44 Then I shall bow 27:49 in humble adoration, 27:57 and there proclaim, 28:01 "O my God, how great Thou art." 28:09 Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee, 28:20 how great Thou art, 28:25 how great Thou art. 28:31 Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee, 28:42 how great Thou art, 28:49 how great Thou art. 29:04 ~ Amen. Beautiful. 29:07 I'm trying my best not to be jealous, 29:09 not only of the resonance, but the range. 29:13 That's not right, I thought you were a bass singer, 29:15 but you went up to Reggie's, 29:16 you started to get up to Reggie's territory. 29:18 You ought to be upset at him, Reggie. 29:20 Let me tell you something, I'm not upset at him. 29:21 Because I'm telling you, one day when we're all in heaven 29:24 together singing in that great choir, 29:25 okay, I expect that, right, one day. 29:28 But I do want to stand in the bass line 29:31 and be a able to sing like that. 29:33 Forget about them high notes, I want the low notes. 29:37 But he can do them all. 29:38 Oh, he did, he did. 29:40 He's got an incredible range. 29:42 I know, Ladye Love, you do too. 29:43 Several octaves. Yvonne. 29:45 I don't know about you, Melody. 29:46 - She's our Karen Carpenter. - She probably got it from me. 29:48 I don't have very many... 29:50 She's got it too, trust me. 29:51 ...very much range at all. 29:52 Anyway, incredible. 29:54 What a fabulous song, Gene. 29:55 Thank you for your testimony and your appeal. 29:58 We love you. You know that, don't you? 30:00 You're part of the 3ABN family. 30:02 And we love it when you're up here. 30:04 You bring such an anointing with you that we're all blessed. 30:10 Brother Tim, who's next? 30:11 Well you know, Gene was talking about how good 30:14 life is even in the bad times. 30:17 And Reggie has a song talking about counting your blessings; 30:20 the goodness of God. 30:23 I've heard, we've had this conversation many times 30:26 with big dog. 30:29 I call him, big dog, over here; Gene. 30:31 We're on the road, but we've talked about 30:34 our blessings and our families, and having each other 30:37 to lean on, because we kind come from the same 30:40 cloth a little bit, you know. 30:42 We're brothers, so to speak. 30:44 So he has told me many times, 30:46 "Reggie, just keep counting your blessings." 30:49 And that's this song, Count Your Blessings. 31:02 When I'm worried and I can't sleep, 31:09 I could my blessings instead of sheep. 31:16 And I fall fast asleep 31:22 counting my blessings. 31:30 And when my bankroll is getting small, 31:37 I think of when I had none at all. 31:43 And I fall fast asleep 31:49 counting my blessings. 32:12 And if you're worried and you can't sleep, 32:19 just count your blessings instead of sheep. 32:26 And you'll fall fast asleep 32:33 counting your blessings. 32:50 For God's been good in my life. 32:57 And I feel so blessed beyond my wildest dreams 33:02 when I go to sleep each night. 33:05 And though I've had my share of hard times, 33:10 I wouldn't change them if I could. 33:14 For through it all 33:20 God's been good. 33:32 If you're worried and you can't sleep, 33:39 just count your blessings instead of sheep. 33:44 And you'll fall fast asleep 33:51 counting your blessings. 34:05 Praise the Lord. 34:07 I don't see how it can get any better than that. 34:09 - Do you? - Beautiful. 34:11 Count Your Blessings; I think that's Bing Crosby. 34:14 - Didn't he sing that? ~ It sure was. 34:16 But what a song. 34:17 When you're worried and can't sleep, 34:19 count your blessings instead of sheep. 34:22 Talk to the Shepherd, right? 34:26 Count your many blessings. Do you know that? 34:30 Y'all know that? Every doubt will fly. 34:32 And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done. 34:35 Right? Count your blessings. 34:36 My mother used to sing that. 34:39 Always, it reminded me, even when I hear that song 34:42 it takes me back to, "Count your many blessings, 34:45 just name them one by one. 34:46 And it will surprise you what the Lord has done." 34:50 Isn't that something? 34:52 ~ It's so easy to forget. Aren't we crazy like that? 34:55 No, it's really true. 34:56 And today there's so much going on, 34:59 one could really focus on the negative. 35:01 But if you focus on the positive, 35:04 you focus on what Jesus has done 35:06 and how He's brought you through. 35:08 There's a song that goes, "For every mountain, 35:11 for every trial, You've brought me through, 35:13 I sing, Hallelujah." 35:15 Because He has brought us through every trial 35:18 and every mountain. 35:20 And so, if we just think about all the good things, 35:24 all the blessings, we won't be focused on the negative. 35:28 And we'll actually feel better. 35:30 We'll just feel better. 35:32 So praise the Lord for that. 35:33 I give warning to somebody. 35:35 The next program we do, we're going to have to do, 35:39 "Climb Every Mountain, ford every stream." 35:42 Oh, that's a different one. 35:43 No, no, I know. 35:45 I said next time we're going to get somebody, 35:46 one of you guys singing that one. 35:48 That's a great song too. 35:50 Go ahead, Ladye. 35:51 I was just going to say that one day I was driving 35:53 to Mississippi where I'm originally from. 35:56 And I don't know if you're in a hard time right now. 35:57 Sometimes when you're in the middle of those valleys, 36:01 those trials, it's hard to remember that. 36:04 And I was driving, and I was really upset. 36:08 And I was thinking, "I don't even know what to pray today. 36:11 I don't even know how to pray, God." 36:12 And so, I was just driving, I turned everything off. 36:14 I turned the radio off and I'm just driving. 36:16 And I just looked around and got really quiet, 36:19 and I said, "Thank You, God, for the green grass." 36:23 And then I just drove a little bit longer, 36:25 "Thank You for that beautiful barn. 36:27 Thank You for this beautiful scenery." 36:29 And before I knew it, there were twenty things I was saying, 36:32 "Thank You for this, and thank You for that, 36:34 and thank You for this," in my life 36:36 that I couldn't even think about or comprehend 36:38 at that moment when I was down in that dark despair. 36:42 And God showed me, when you're in that moment, 36:44 praise Him, praise Him. 36:47 Remember what He has done for you. 36:48 Because at that moment, you can't think of those things. 36:52 And if you can get out of that mire and get into that praise, 36:57 you just realize, "My goodness, this is a moment, 36:59 this is a moment in my life, 37:01 and I'm going to get through it with God's help. 37:02 He's never going to leave me or forsake me. 37:05 He's going to be there forever. 37:06 And I'm going to be okay, and we're going to be okay, 37:09 and we're going to get through this. 37:11 Because God is with me and for me, 37:14 not against me. 37:15 So Melody, when you were riding with Reggie and Ladye, 37:20 were you counting your blessings? 37:23 Well, didn't they hit something? 37:25 I was praying, that's for sure. 37:27 ~ You ran over something, didn't you? 37:29 What happened, Melody? 37:32 ~ We heard a big bang, and then later on we stopped. 37:35 We got out and part of the car was missing. 37:37 I don't know, it fell off. 37:39 There was this huge tire on the interstate. 37:43 So Melody, I've noticed you've never ridden... 37:44 She's never ridden with us again. 37:46 She's like, "I will not get in the car with you." 37:48 Well, we were going really slow too. 37:50 The tire, you know, came loose and the tread came off 37:52 and got in the middle of their... 37:56 I think it was how we were driving that was scaring her, 38:00 not just what was in the road. 38:01 ~ She texted me that night and said, "Dad, you won't believe 38:03 what just happened." 38:06 I said, "What happened?" 38:07 She said, "I'm riding with Reggie and Ladye." 38:09 I said, "Say no more." 38:12 We got home that night. We did. 38:15 ~ They did, as always. 38:16 - In spite of us we did. - God has blessed them. 38:18 Tim, you've got to do, before they get up, you've got to 38:20 do that chorus again, God's Been Good. 38:21 Okay, well let's do that before Reggie 38:23 comes and sings to us. 38:27 For God's been good in my life. 38:35 And I feel so blessed beyond my wildest dreams 38:40 when I go to sleep each night. 38:44 And though I've had my share of hard times, 38:48 I wouldn't change them if I could. 38:53 For through it all, 38:59 God's been so good. 39:12 Reggie, why don't you come and sing to us 39:14 about Mary's boy Child. 39:16 I would love it, but you know what? 39:17 I would love for everybody to come 39:19 and let's just sing together. 39:20 Wouldn't that be great? 39:21 If you feel that way about it. 39:23 Whether you know it or not, just come on and sing along. 39:24 Yeah, come on, Melody. 39:25 Yvonne, do you know this song? 39:27 I don't, but we're going to learn it. 39:28 You going to learn it, Melody? 39:34 Long time ago in Bethlehem, so the Holy Bible say, 39:42 Mary's boy Child, Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas day. 39:50 While Shepherds watched their flocks by night 39:54 they see a bright new shining star. 39:59 They hear a choir singing now, 40:03 the music seemed to come from afar. 40:08 Hark, now hear the angels sing, "A newborn King today. 40:16 And man will live forever more because of Christmas day." 40:25 Trumpets sound and angels sing. Listen to what they say. 40:33 And man will live forever more because of Christmas day. 40:44 By and by they find a nook in a stable all forlorn. 40:52 And in a manger cold and dark Mary's little Boy was born. 41:01 Long time ago in Bethlehem, so the Holy Bible say, 41:09 Mary's boy Child, Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas day. 41:18 Hark, now hear the angels sing, "A newborn King today. 41:26 And man will live forever more because of Christmas day." 41:33 La, la, la, la, la, la, la. 41:37 La, la, la, la, la. 41:42 La, la, la, la, la, la, la. 41:46 La, la, la, la, la. 41:50 Hark, now hear the angels sing, "A newborn King today. 41:58 And man will live forever more because of Christmas day." 42:07 Because of Christmas day. 42:10 It was because of Christmas day. 42:16 La, la, la, la, la, la, la. 42:20 La, la, la, la, la. 42:24 La, la, la, la, la, la, la. 42:28 La, la, la, la, la. 42:33 La, la, la, la, la, la, la. 42:37 La, la, la, la, la. 42:41 La, la, la, la, la, la, la. 42:45 La, la, la, la, la. 42:51 Alright, I didn't have a clue, but I was acting like I did. 42:55 Alright. I saw a few words over there. 42:58 A very fun, very happy song. 43:00 Alright. 43:02 You know, you were talking about Mary's baby Child being born. 43:05 And I was thinking about that. 43:07 So many times when Christmas comes up, I think about Mary 43:11 and how she must have felt. 43:12 When you think about our Lord being born, 43:15 the way He was born, the angel came to her and said, 43:19 "Fear not. 43:20 And this is going to happen, 43:21 you're going to bring forth this Child." 43:23 Can you imagine being, I don't know, they say maybe a 43:26 13, 14, 15, 16-year-old girl? 43:29 You don't have a husband, you're not married, 43:33 you've had no relations, 43:34 and you're told you're going to have the Savior 43:38 of the world, that you're going to carry the Child. 43:40 I can't imagine how she must have felt. 43:42 I can't imagine how she must have felt, 43:44 but yet she heard God's voice and she was obedient. 43:48 And she said, "You know what? 43:50 I'm not much, I don't have a lot to offer, 43:52 but I'll give You what I have. 43:54 And I'll do whatever You call me to do. 43:57 And then He was born. 44:00 And He just seemed like an ordinary baby, didn't He? 44:03 He came just like another child. 44:05 The same way they all came. 44:07 And nothing had ever happened like this before. 44:10 And so, as He was growing and He was a baby, 44:13 He just seemed like everything was normal. 44:15 Was He just an ordinary baby? 44:17 Maybe, just maybe, God decided to bring Him 44:21 into the world this way so that we could comprehend 44:25 that He could understand our hurts, our needs, 44:29 and He could understand and love us 44:31 and we could comprehend His love in another way. 44:37 He was just an ordinary baby; 44:47 that's the way He planned it, maybe. 44:54 Anything less than common would have kept Him apart 45:05 from the children that He came to rescue, 45:15 limited to some elite few, 45:22 when He was the only child who asked to be born. 45:35 And He came to us with eyes wide open, 45:44 knowing how we're hurt and broken, 45:51 choosing to partake of all our joy and pain. 46:03 He was just an ordinary baby; 46:12 that's the way He planned it, maybe. 46:19 So that we could come to Him 46:23 and not be afraid. 46:34 He was ordinary with exception 46:43 of miraculous conception. 46:49 Both His birth and death He planned from the start. 46:58 But between His entrance and His exit 47:07 was a life that has affected 47:13 everyone who's walked the earth to this very day. 47:24 And with no airs of condescension 47:31 He became God's pure extension, 47:37 giving you and me the chance to be remade. 47:47 He was just an ordinary baby; 47:56 that's the way He planned it, maybe. 48:04 So that we could come to Him 48:07 and not be afraid. 48:17 So that we could come to Him 48:22 and not be afraid. 48:35 He was just an ordinary baby. 48:54 That was beautiful. Amen. 48:57 That was so beautiful. 48:59 Isn't that song up for an award with you singing it? 49:03 Isn't it up for an award? 49:06 - Nominated. - Nominated, yes, yes. 49:09 Well, I can see why. 49:11 What an anointing. 49:12 It's so beautiful the way you... 49:14 The message is beautiful, and the way, you know the Lord has 49:17 given you to deliver it. 49:19 It's such a blessing. 49:21 Gloria Gaither. Beautiful. 49:23 I love the chords in it too. 49:27 What are you thinking, Yvonne? 49:28 We've got folks at home right now this time of year that 49:31 maybe they're by themselves and are going through, 49:34 a lot of folks through physical problems, spiritual, emotional. 49:38 - Yes. - What can we say? 49:40 Psalm 125:1-2, I'm going to paraphrase it. 49:44 But it says, "Those who trust in the Lord 49:47 will be like Mount Zion that cannot be moved 49:50 but will stand forever." 49:54 I'm trying to remember the rest of the verse. 49:57 But it has to do with, "As the mountains stand, 50:03 so the Lord will surround His people." 50:07 And I love that. 50:08 In verse 2 it says, "The Lord will surround His people." 50:12 That means He goes before us, He goes behind us, 50:16 He goes beside us. 50:18 And we will not be moved as long as we trust in Him. 50:23 If we don't trust in Him, we will be moved, 50:25 we can be shaken. 50:27 But if we trust in God and we hold onto Him, 50:31 we cannot be moved. 50:32 And so, for those of you who are going through something, 50:35 and really in pain, this holiday season 50:39 can be really painful for some people, 50:41 know that you're not alone. 50:43 Know that you're surrounded by the Lord 50:46 as long as you trust in Him. 50:48 And you don't have to be afraid. 50:50 You don't have to be concerned about what's going to happen. 50:54 Because nothing can separate you from Him, love. 50:59 You are never alone. 51:01 He's always there. 51:03 And though it might seem as though things are dark 51:07 and dreary, and there seems to be no way out, 51:12 know that there is, that Jesus is your way out. 51:15 That He's going to hold you up. 51:17 He says, "Fear not, for I am with you. 51:20 Be not dismayed, for I'm your God. 51:22 I will strengthen you. 51:23 Yea, I will help you. 51:25 Yea, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness." 51:30 He's there. He's got you. 51:33 And you'll never be alone, as long as you trust 51:36 and abide in Him. 51:39 ~ Tim, God's been so good. 51:42 Sing it for us. 51:45 I just want to say this. 51:47 He's all I need, 51:52 He's all I need; 51:58 Jesus is all I need. 52:07 And it's just as simple as that, so sing along. 52:09 He's all I need, 52:14 He's all I need; 52:21 Jesus is all I need. 52:36 Lately, I've been looking back along this winding road 52:43 to the old familiar markers of the mercies I have known. 52:52 And I know it may sound simple, but it's more than a cliché; 52:59 for there's no better way to tell you than to say, 53:07 God's been so good in my life, 53:16 And I feel blessed beyond my wildest dreams 53:20 when I go to sleep each night. 53:23 And though I've had my share of hard times, 53:28 I wouldn't change them if I could. 53:32 For through it all, God's been good. 53:44 Times replay and I can see that I've cried some bitter tears, 53:51 but I felt His arms around me as I faced my greatest fears. 53:59 You see, I've had more gains than losses, 54:03 and I've known more joy than hurt, 54:06 as His grace rolled down upon me so undeserved. 54:15 For God's been good in my life. 54:22 And I feel blessed beyond my wildest dreams 54:26 when I go to sleep each night. 54:29 And though I've had my share of hard times, 54:33 I wouldn't change them if I could. 54:37 For through it all, God's been good. 54:46 For God has been my Father, my Savior, and my friend. 54:52 His love was my beginning, and His love will be my end. 54:59 I could spend forever trying to tell you everything He is, 55:11 but the best way I can say it is simply this: 55:20 God's been good in my life. 55:28 And I feel so blessed beyond my wildest dreams 55:33 when I go to sleep each night. 55:36 And though I've had my share of hard times, 55:40 I wouldn't change them if I could. 55:44 For through it all, 55:52 God's been good. 56:00 ~ Lord, we want to thank You for Your many wonderful blessings 56:03 of life, and health, and strength. 56:05 Thank You for this opportunity to be here together 56:08 and be able to speak and to sing to people around the world. 56:12 We know there's so many hurting people, 56:14 there's so many things the devil has out to discourage us, 56:18 but God, I'm just praying that right now 56:20 we can feel and sense the anointing of Your Holy Spirit. 56:24 And the folks from around the world, 56:26 knowing that there's no problem so big 56:28 that You can't solve it. 56:30 And there's none so small that You don't care about it. 56:32 That You are there for us every moment. 56:35 You are good. 56:36 You're not only good, You're great. 56:38 And You're great all the time. 56:40 Thank You, Father, for giving us peace and joy. 56:43 And one day we can look very forward to looking up 56:47 into the clouds of glory, and say, "Lo, this is our God, 56:49 whom we've waited for. 56:51 He has come to save us." 56:54 I want to thank you, but our time is all gone. 56:56 So until we see you next time, may the Lord richly bless you 56:59 abundantly more than you could ever ask or think. |
Revised 2024-12-11