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Author: Geoff
Geoff Waugh is the founding editor of the Renewal Journal and an author of books on renewal and revival and Christian living.
From Hatred to Love: How God transformed a brutal Australian gang leader
From Hatred to Love: How God Transformed a Brutal Australian Gang Leader
George’s gang brought 10 guns to kill Billy Graham in Melbourne
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From Hatred to Love:
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Renewal Journal – a chronicle of renewal and revival: www.renewaljournal.com
He eyed the crowd until he saw his cohorts. They were all close enough to see George when he gave the signal. They would all fire at once, and Billy Graham would die, silencing one of the greatest voices the world had ever known for this so-called God that George hated.
https://www.facebook.com/100093067296973/videos/487951623994522
George Palmer’s heart was running away inside his chest. Every word out of Billy Graham’s mouth was like a drop of fuel on the fire that was raging in his soul. He had positioned himself on the grass in front of the stage at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia, with thousands of others who had come to hear the evangelist.
George was not interested in what Mr. Graham had to say. He, along with the other nine members of his gang, had come to the stadium, March 15, 1959, on a radically different mission. In his hand, under his clothing, was a zip gun he had made, using the lathe at his apprentice job at Victorian Railways. He had made 10 guns. Each member of his gang had one—and they were ready to fire.
He eyed the crowd until he saw his cohorts. They were all close enough to see George when he gave the signal. They would all fire at once, and Billy Graham would die, silencing one of the greatest voices the world had ever known for this so-called God that George hated.
It was a dream come true for George, a chance to make a statement to God in front of the whole world.
If God was love, like Graham proclaimed, He would not have taken George’s dad 10 years earlier, when George was 7 ½, his brother was 4 and their infant brother was just 5 weeks old.
Sept. 29, 1949 was forever etched in George’s memory. That was the day his mom came home from the hospital and told him that his dad had died of a heart attack. He would never see his father again.
George ran to the upper paddock on the farm, where his dad had just planted 100 cherry trees, and screamed at God: “You’ve got no right to take my dad! I need him, and now he won’t be here for Christmas. And because of that, I hate you. With all my heart, I hate you.”
The anger he felt at that moment swallowed his heart and enslaved his mind. It drove everything he did, every waking moment. When a schoolmate walked up to him not long after his dad’s death and called him a dwarf, George, merely 8, and indeed small for his age, turned around and knocked the boy’s front teeth out. He was sent immediately to the headmaster’s office. That became his daily ritual, whether he was in public school or private. His mom tried both, and things only got worse with each move.
“I just wanted to hurt people, and things,” George said. “We had a Bendix washing machine, and our cat had given birth to a litter of kittens. I put the baby kittens in the washing machine, filled it with water and watched them going ’round and ’round until they drowned.”
After technical college, George became an apprentice at Victorian Railways, starting out as an electrical fitter. He struck up a friendship with two of his co-workers and soon learned they were members of a gang. Before long, he was their leader.
They were 10 teenagers, and they were merciless, doing all kinds of horrible things that George, now 76, tries to push from his memory. Things like capturing the leader of a rival gang, holding his right hand to the ground and driving a car backward and forward over it five times.
In early 1959, when George heard that Billy Graham was coming to Melbourne Cricket Ground, he saw it as an opportunity for vengeance.
“I didn’t know much about Billy Graham, but we heard that he was an evangelist, and that was all I needed to hear,” he said. “We went to the Crusade with the aim of killing him because he stood for everything I hated.”
It didn’t occur to George or the other boys that they could be hanged for murder, or that in a crowd of more than 100,000 someone else might get caught in the gunfire. All George thought about was the hate and anger he felt. Why would all these people come here, anyway? he thought. Why would they believe these lies about a loving God? Utter contempt consumed him, until he heard a quiet voice.
“What are you doing here, George?”
He looked around. No one at the cricket ground knew his name except his gang buddies, and they were sitting farther away. The question came a second time, and a third.
“George,” the voice seemed to say. “I didn’t take your dad to hurt you or your mom. I took your dad because he was a very sick man. I would never, ever do anything to hurt you because I love you too much.”
Deep inside, something broke wide open. Tears gushed from his eyes and poured down his face until he could barely see. All night long, scenes from his life had played in his mind. When Billy Graham gave the invitation, instead of signaling his guys to shoot, George ran forward to ask for forgiveness of his sins. His gang buddies were not far behind him.
“Nine of the 10 of us were converted that night,” he says. “It was amazing.”
The next day, George felt God leading him to go apologize to the leader of the rival gang, whose hand he had run over with the car. For the first time in his life, he was afraid.
“That guy will kill me if I go there,” he told the Lord. But after a long talk, the two men parted as friends.
The second day, he felt God calling him to become a Salvation Army officer.
“You’ve got to be joking,” said George, who was only 4 foot 11 inches. “I wouldn’t even be able to see above the pulpit.” George grew 10 ½ inches that year.
On a Sunday morning, George rode his bike to the Salvation Army church, and an old man he knew from years earlier met him at the door. The man put his arms around George and said, “I’ve been praying for you.” They wept together.
Soon, a young woman named Judith who attended the church started talking to George. Two weeks later, he asked her out on a date and learned that she had felt the call to become a Salvation Army officer since age 14. They were married in 1964, went to college in 1965 and were commissioned as Salvation Army officers in 1967—serving in Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and West Australia before their recent retirement. Together, they raised three sons, and they now have eight grandchildren, all of whom are serving the Lord.
“We were able to see so many people come to the Lord in our ministry,” George said. “Without Billy Graham, I don’t think I’d be alive today. I can see God working in my life right from when my father died. God worked through all of that hatred and won me over. I give Him all the glory.”
Have you allowed God to transform your life?
Receive His peace today.
See also
Billy Graham (1918-2018) – in his own words
Christianity for Australia – evangelism in 1902 & 1959
The Life of Jesus – Blog
The Life of Jesus – PDF eBook
Amazon link – paperback, hardcover, Kindle
Power Evangelism in Short-term Missions
The Disciples’ Mission and Ministry
Chapter 2 of Jesus the Model for Short Term Supernatural Mission
BLOGS INDEX 4: DEVOTIONAL (INCLUDING TESTIMONIES)
GENERAL BLOGS INDEX
BLOGS INDEX 1: REVIVALS (BRIEFER THAN REVIVALS INDEX)
BLOGS INDEX 2: MISSION (INTERNATIONAL STORIES)
BLOGS INDEX 3: MIRACLES (SUPERNATURAL EVENTS)
BLOGS INDEX 4: DEVOTIONAL (INCLUDING TESTIMONIES)
BLOGS INDEX 5: CHURCH (CHRISTIANITY IN ACTION)
BLOGS INDEX 6: CHAPTERS (BLOGS FROM BOOKS)
BLOGS INDEX 7: IMAGES (PHOTOS AND ALBUMS)
BACK TO MAIN PAGE
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From Hatred to Love:
https://renewaljournal.com/2019/09/13/from-hatred-to-love-how-god-transformed-a-brutal-australian-gang-leader/
Renewal Journal – a chronicle of renewal and revival: www.renewaljournal.com
Light the Fire Again – Pensacola, September 2019
Light the Fire Again Conference
Pensacola, Sept 4-7, 2019
This page has links to Conference Sessions and Speakers.
All the speakers give their testimonies about revival.
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Light the Fire Again Conference
https://renewaljournal.com/2019/09/08/light-the-fire-again-pensacola-september-2019/
Brief comments about some speakers
and their testimonies
Selections from Final Decade, Twentieth Century Revivals
https://renewaljournal.com/2014/04/28/4345/
From 1982 revival stirred in Argentina. Large crowds attended meetings with Carlos Annacondia, a businessman turned evangelist. His healing evangelism included thousands reporting healings, deliverance from demons, and miracles. Thousands of people accepted Christ as Saviour and virtually every church grew. Pastors meet every week to pray with Annacondia for revival in the nation and the world.
In 1992, another movement of revival began with Claudio Freidzon, founder of a Buenos Aires church that in four years grew from 7 to 3000 people. Freidzon experienced a deep encounter with the Holy Spirit, after which his ministry became famous for the manifested presence of God, long services of worship and adoration, and a dramatic increase of healings and deliverance in the worship and ministry.
John and Carol Arnott from Toronto were powerfully touched in meetings led by Claudio Freidzon in Argentina in 1993. Randy Clark spoke at the Toronto church on Thursday, January 20, 1994, and the Father’s blessing fell on the 120 people attending. Randy gave his testimony, including how he had been powerfully touched by God when Rodney Howard-Browne (evangelist from South Africa) prayed for him. People fell all over the floor under the power of the Holy Spirit, laughing and crying. People were saved and healed, more in the next two years than ever before in the Arnott’s ministry. Thousands flew or drove to visit the little church which had to relocate into larger premises. The blessing continued, called by a British journalist, the “Toronto Blessing”.
On Father’s Day, Sunday 18 June 1995, evangelist Steve Hill spoke at Brownsville Assembly of God, near Pensacola, Florida. A thousand people streamed forward at the altar call as the Holy Spirit moved on them. Their pastor, John Kilpatrick, fell down under the power of God and was overwhelmingly impacted for four days. That morning service, normally finishing at noon, lasted till 4 pm. The evening service continued for another five and a half hours. So the church asked Steve Hill to stay. He cancelled appointments and continued with nightly meetings. Their wives, Jeri Hill and Brenda Kilpatrick tell that story in this 2019 Conference.
Dr Michael Brown founded the Brownsville School of Ministry in that revival and Evangelist Daniel Kolenda, now the Director of Christ for All Nations, was a student there then. Christ for All Nations hosted this 2019 Light the Fire Again conference.
Session 1 – Claudio Freidzon (Argentina)
Night 1 of the Light the Fire Again event from Pensacola Florida with Lindell Cooley leading worship and Claudio Friedzon preaching
Sessions 2&3 – Russell Benson (CfAN), & Lou Engle (The Call/The Send)
Join us from Pensacola, Florida for worship with Don Potter and messages from Russell Benson and Lou Engle as we start day 2 of this historic event.
Session 10 – Daniel Kolenda (CfAN)
Tonight worship with Eddie James and then we will hear from the President and CEO of CfAN, Daniel Kolenda with a faith stirring message.
Session 11 – Dr Michael Brown (Brownsville, Pensacola)
Join us for session 11 LIVE from Pensacola, Florida of Light the Fire Again 2019 as we worship with Roy Fields and then hear from Dr. Michael Brown.
Session 13 – Rodney Howard-Browne (USA)
Our final session from the Light the Fire Again 2019 conference LIVE from Pensacola, Florida and we have worship with Roy Fields and Rodney Howard Browne will be preaching.
See and hear global revival leaders NOW:
Session replays on GodTV: https://www.god.tv/
You can support Christ for All Nations – https://cfan.org/
GENERAL BLOGS INDEX
BLOGS INDEX 1: REVIVALS (BRIEFER THAN REVIVALS INDEX)
BLOGS INDEX 2: MISSION (INTERNATIONAL STORIES)
BLOGS INDEX 3: MIRACLES (SUPERNATURAL EVENTS)
BLOGS INDEX 4: DEVOTIONAL (INCLUDING TESTIMONIES)
BLOGS INDEX 5: CHURCH (CHRISTIANITY IN ACTION)
BLOGS INDEX 6: CHAPTERS (BLOGS FROM BOOKS)
BLOGS INDEX 7: IMAGES (PHOTOS AND ALBUMS)
BACK TO MAIN PAGE
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Wonders of Worship
Wonders of Worship
Wonders of Worship: Long-playing Worship Music
See also: Virtual Choirs & Orchestras
See also: How Great Thou Art – anthology
See also: Messiah & Hallelujah Chorus – with Bible verses & references
See also: Hallelujah Chorus – International Choirs
See also: Easter Worship
See also: Christmas Worship
See also: 24/7 Worship & Prayer
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You can listen to background worship music as you worship, work and pray – in your chair or even in bed, with CDs and YouTube. YouTube video “Mix” gives you similar recordings – often a surprise.
You are invited to set aside an hour a week – or a day – to worship and pray. I use these YouTube songs as background worship for that, even in bed!
Here are some inspiring recordings you could play while you worship, work and pray. Scroll down to see more.
SECTIONS:
Instrumental: Mainly orchestras
Choral: Hallelujah – Hymns – Hymns set to Popular Tunes – Uptempo Hymns – Modern Worship Songs
INSTRUMENTAL
Long Playing Instrumental
100 String and Praise Favourites – Maranatha Strings & Steve Anderson (4 hours)
Hymns & Praise Music – Instrumental (7 hours! 4 million views)
Holy Spirit I Need You – Alone with Him – Prayer Music (5 hours)
Instrumental Hymns (3.5 hours)
Popular Hymns and Bible Praises, Instrumental – 3 hours
Beautiful Instrumental Hymns – Tim Janis (2 hours)
Piano & Orchestra Hymns – 1 hour (Greg Howlett, 2 million views)
26 Old Timeless Gospel Hymns – 1 hour (8 million views)
Relaxing Peaceful Instrumental Hymns | Harp, Piano, Strings, & Orchestra – 1 hour
Beautiful Instrumental Hymns – the Love of Jesus – 1 hour
Beautiful Instrumental Hymns – Prayer & Devotion -1 hour
Songs of Praise – Mantovani Orchestra – 1 hour
The Beauty of Hymns, Instrumental – 1 hour
Maranatha Music 1, 2, 3 – Instrumental Worship (2 hours)
Individual Instrumental
Glory – Michael W Smith with orchestra (50 min)
Anthony Burger – Compilation 20 minutes
Anthony Burger Medley – piano 9 minutes
Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah – Kim Collingsworth
Jesus shall reign where’er the sun does his successive journey run
Nearer my God to Thee – Andre Rieu (29 million views)
Amazing Grace – Andre Rieu (10 million views)
And Can It Be – Kim Collingsworth on piano
How Great Thou Art – Norm Hastings on piano
How Great Thou Art – piano arrangement, Wilson Chu
How Great Thou Art – piano arrangement, Mark Hayes – Carson Atlas
How Great Thou Art – Piano and Orchestra – Dan Forrest
How Great Thou Art with Moonlight Sonata (piano and strings)
Crown Him With Many Crowns – Trumpet and Orchestra
In the Sweet Bye and Bye – piano with variations
Let our praise be to you as incense
CHORAL
Long Playing Background Worship
10 hours of Christian music – beautiful background worship
Favourite Old Hymns – 8 hours – more background worship
America’s 25 Favourite Hymns (1 hour, 7 million views)
100 Praise & Worship Songs (3:30 hours, 50 million views)
120 Bible Hymns – in harmonies, no instruments (5:45 hours, 2 million views)
Hallelujah
Messiah – Lyrics with Bible verses and references
Hallelujah Chorus – international choirs
Hallelujah Chorus – Barcelona cathedral virtual choir
Hallelujah (Handel) – with Andre Rieu
Hallelujah Chorus – First Baptist Dallas
Hallelujah Chorus – 2,000 choristers
Hallelujah Chorus – Anthony Burger piano and band
Hallelujah Chorus from the movie Boychoir (with descant)
Hallelujah Chorus – Georgia Boys Choir
Messiah – 2:17 hours (4 million views, Hallelujah at 1.36 & 2.13 hrs)
Messiah – Academy of Ancient Music – 2:36 hours, gentle
Handel’s Messiah – Sydney Opera House
Messiah – 2:38 hours (1.5 million views, Hallelujah at 1:54 hrs) with commentary
London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Colin Davis
He shall reign forevermore & Hallelujah Chorus
Joy to the World & Hallelujah Chorus selection
Modern Worship Songs
Beautiful Worship & Inspirational Songs (2 hours)
Beautiful Praise and Worship with Lyrics– 5 million views (2:15 hours)
10,000 Reasons – Bless the Lord – Matt Redman – 200 million views!
Worthy is the Lamb – Brooklyn Tabernacle – 20 million views
What A Beautiful Name / Agnus Dei (Holy – Worthy is the Lamb)
Agnus Dei – Worthy is the Lamb – Michael W Smith & First Baptist Dallas
Agnus Dei – Worthy is the Lamb – Michael W Smith (12 Million views)
Reckless Love – Michael W Smith – 1 million views
Worship with Michael W Smith in Canada, 2.4 million views (1:15 hr)
Worship – Michael W Smith (1:15 hours)
Because He Lives – 73 million views
He Touched Me Medley – Heritage Singers
Uptempo Hymns
All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name & Crown Him with Many Crowns
Immortal, Invisible, God only Wise
All Creatures of our God and King
Praise Him, Praise Him, Jesus our Blessed Redeemer
Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine
Hymns
How Great Thou Art – Songs of Praise (1.7 million views)
How Great Thou Art – Chris Rice (over 26 million views!)
How Great Thou Art – updated (over 13 million views)
How Great Thou Art – Billy Graham Choir with George Beverly Shae
How Great Thou Art – last time with Bev Shae
How Great Thou Art – Combined Choirs Arrangement
How Great Thou Art – Loyiso Bala ft. Don Moen
The Story of How Great Thou Art with choir and scenes
Gloria – Angels from the Realms of Glory (26.8 million views)
The Lord’s Prayer – Ardrea Bocelli & choir (8 million views)
The Lord’s Prayer – Only Boys Aloud
I Hear Thy Welcome Voice – Only Boys Aloud (in Welsh, 3 million views)
Wash me, cleanse me, in the blood that flowed from Calvary
I Hear Thy Welcome Voice – (in Welsh, male choir of 8,000, 1.4 million views)
Crown Him with Many Crowns – St David’s Hall Cardiff – with Orchestra
Crown Him with Many Crowns – Fountainview Academy
Thine be the glory (music by Handel)
All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name (Diadem, 1.6 million views)
All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name (Diadem)
And Can it Be (Charles Wesley) – Songs of Praise (3 million views)
And Can it Be (Wesley) combined congregations
And Can it Be – African – in English and Swahili
Christ the Lord is Risen Today (Charles Wesley)
He Lives – I serve a risen Saviour
When the Trumpet of the Lord shall Sound (1.4 million views)
Praise Him, Praise Him, Jesus our Blessed Redeemer
Love Divine – Blaenwern – 1,000 voices in English & Welsh
Hymns set to Popular Tunes
Joyful, Joyful we Adore Thee
Music: Ode to Joy, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony
Down from His Glory
Music: O Sole Mio (The 3 Tenors, Rome)
I Cannot Tell Why He Whom Angels Worship
Music: Londonderry Air (Danny Boy)
Make Me A Chariot of Fire
Music: Theme of the film Chariots of Fire
Be Still My Soul
Music: Finlandia
We Rest on Thee
We Rest on Thee – photos of 5 Ecuadorian martyrs
Music: Finlandia
GENERAL BLOGS INDEX
BLOGS INDEX 1: REVIVALS (BRIEFER THAN REVIVALS INDEX)
BLOGS INDEX 2: MISSION (INTERNATIONAL STORIES)
BLOGS INDEX 3: MIRACLES (SUPERNATURAL EVENTS)
BLOGS INDEX 4: DEVOTIONAL (INCLUDING TESTIMONIES)
BLOGS INDEX 5: CHURCH (CHRISTIANITY IN ACTION)
BLOGS INDEX 6: CHAPTERS (BLOGS FROM BOOKS)
BLOGS INDEX 7: IMAGES (PHOTOS AND ALBUMS)
BACK TO MAIN PAGE
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Wonders of Worship:
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Revival with Iris Global – Roland & Heidi Baker
Revival with Iris Global –
Roland & Heidi Baker
Iris Global, based in Mozambique, currently feeds well over 10,000 children a day, including 4,000 families in Malawi. Its network of churches also numbers more than 10,000, including some 2,000 churches among the Makua people of northern Mozambique. Iris operates five Bible schools, in addition to its three primary schools and its school of missions in Pemba.
Heidi Baker became a Christian after hearing a Navajo preacher’s message while volunteering on a Choctaw reservation. She has a Ph.D. in systematic theology from King’s College London (1995).
She met Rolland Baker (now with D.Min.), the grandson of missionary H. A. Baker, in 1979. They married six months later in 1980; they left for the mission field two weeks after that. They were ordained as ministers in 1985.
In 1980 the Bakers founded Iris Global, a non-profit Christian ministry dedicated to charitable service and evangelism, particularly in developing nations. They served God together in Indonesia, Hong Kong, and London, then in Africa. Iris – rainbow – living in the promises of God.
In 1995 the Bakers moved to Mozambique in order to begin a new ministry focused on the care of orphaned and abandoned children. A year later, Heidi Baker became sick with tuberculosis and pneumonia, but despite her doctor’s recommendation, she went to a healing meeting in Toronto, Canada. There, she had a vision where Jesus showed her thousands of children to feed; when she exclaimed that it was impossible to help them all, he said “There will always be enough, because I died.” After which, she was healed.
Iris Global negotiated with the Mozambican government to assume financial and administrative responsibility for a former government orphanage in Chihango, near the capital city of Maputo. There were roughly 80 children present. Since that time Iris Global’s operations have expanded to include well-drilling, free health clinics, village feeding programs, the operation of primary and secondary schools, cottage industries and the founding more than 5000 churches in Mozambique, with a total of over 10,000 Iris-affiliated churches in more than 20 nations. Their ministry is known for its reports of miracles, and in September 2010 the Southern Medical Journal published an article presenting evidence of “significant improvements” in auditory and visual function among subjects exhibiting impairment before receiving prayer from the ministry.
Beyond their administrative duties the Bakers are authors and frequent conference speakers, traveling worldwide to speak on Christian ministry and spirituality. Candy Gunther Brown, professor of religious studies at Indiana University, has called the Bakers “among the most influential leaders in world Pentecostalism.” [Wikipedia]
Roland Baker tells their story:
For years we longed to get to Africa in fulfilment of our calling to prove the Gospel in the most challenging situation we could find. We wanted to see a continuation of “Visions Beyond the Veil,” and believed with my grandfather that the most likely place to see such revival again was among the most unlikely! So we were drawn to Mozambique, officially listed at the time as the poorest country in the world.
A few days into my initial visit to Maputo, Mozambique’s capital, I was offered an orphanage that no one could or would support, not even large churches in South Africa or European donor nations. It was horribly neglected and dilapidated, with eighty miserable, demon-afflicted orphans in rags. I thought it was a perfect test of the Sermon on the Mount. Our Father in heaven knows what we need. Seek first His Kingdom and righteousness, and these things will be ours as well … Take no thought for tomorrow. Why worry? Jesus is enough for us, for anyone.
Alone and without support, Heidi and I offered to take over the center and provide for the children in return for the opportunity to bring the Gospel to them. Within months the children were saved and filled with the Holy Spirit, weeping while still in rags with gratitude for their salvation. Jesus provided miraculously, more all the time as our children prayed night and day for their daily food. We brought in teams, improved the center, and took our children to the streets to testify to more orphaned and abandoned children. Some were lost in visions, taken to heaven and dancing around the throne of God on the shoulders of angels.
But abruptly, after we got up to 320 children, the government evicted us and denied our children permission to pray and worship on our property. Totally without a back-up plan, our children marched off the property barefoot without a home. We lost everything. We also lost tremendous amounts of support because we welcomed the increasing Presence of the Holy Spirit in our meetings.
But we were only beginning to taste the power of God in Mozambique. Land was donated by a nearby city. We got tents and food from South Africa. Provision came in from supernaturally touched hearts all over the world. Soon we could actually build our own dorms. Bush pastors longed for a Bible school, and to receive what our children had received from the Holy Spirit. Graduates went out and began healing the sick and raising the dead. Church growth in the bush exploded.
Then revival was fuelled exponentially by the desperation caused by catastrophic flooding in 2000 when three cyclones came together and brought torrential rain for forty days and nights. More damage was caused by that flood than Mozambique’s many years of civil war. A cry for God rose up like we had never experienced or imagined, and our churches across the country multiplied into thousands. God provided a bush airplane, which we used constantly to spread the Gospel through remote “bush conferences” at dirt airstrips in every province.
Now we have networks of churches and church-based orphan care in all ten provinces in Mozambique in addition to our bases in main cities. In recent years Heidi and I have concentrated on the Makua, a people group of four million in the north who were listed by missiologists as “unreached and unreachable.” With tremendous help from missionaries and nationals, around two thousand churches have been planted among these people in the last eight years.
Two devastating cyclones in 2019 flattened thousands of homes and villages. Iris Global, working with international efforts, brought relief along with thousands of solar Bibles in local languages, eagerly wanted by previously resistant people groups.
Iris Global currently feeds well over 10,000 children a day, as well as various members of many other communities, currently including 4,000 families in Malawi. Its network of churches also numbers more than 10,000, including some 2,000 churches among the Makua people of northern Mozambique. Iris operates five Bible schools, in addition to its three primary schools and its school of missions in Pemba. Current major projects include continuing outreaches to very remote coastal regions via Iris’s recently acquired boat, expansion of Iris’s air transport abilities, investment in a range of cottage industries, and a special well-drilling initiative. Iris, having recently acquired a drilling rig by generous funding from several U.S. churches, intends to transform life in desperately dry villages everywhere possible. One by one.
“The primary mission of Iris Global as a family is to seek the face of God with all our hearts, that we might glorify Him and enjoy Him forever. We proclaim Jesus. He is our salvation, our prize, our reward, our inheritance, our destination, our motivation, our joy, wisdom and sanctification — and absolutely everything else we need, now and forever.” – from their website.
This story is now included in Chapter 5 of my updated book Revival Fires.
Podcast – Heidi Baker talks with pastors at Riverlife Church, Brisbane
The Primacy of Love, by Heidi Baker
NIFENTO: LOVE IN THE MIDST OF MOZAMBIQUE’S WAR OF TERROR
https://www.nifento.com/
BLOGS INDEX 1: REVIVALS (BRIEFER THAN REVIVALS INDEX)
BLOGS INDEX 2: MISSION (INTERNATIONAL STORIES)
BLOGS INDEX 3: MIRACLES (SUPERNATURAL EVENTS)
BLOGS INDEX 4: DEVOTIONAL (INCLUDING TESTIMONIES)
BLOGS INDEX 5: CHURCH (CHRISTIANITY IN ACTION)
BLOGS INDEX 6: CHAPTERS (BLOGS FROM BOOKS)
BLOGS INDEX 7: IMAGES (PHOTOS AND ALBUMS)
Back to Main Page
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Research – prayer is good for the body as well as the soul
They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength
They shall mount up with wings and eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faith.
(Isa 40:31)
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Research shows that prayer is good for the body as well as the soul:
https://renewaljournal.com/2019/08/11/israeli-research-prayer-is-good-for-the-body/
RESEARCH SHOWS PRAYER IS GOOD FOR THE BODY AS WELL AS THE SOUL
A new Israeli study has found that praying regularly can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by 50%. The study, which was funded by the National Institute of Health in Washington, D.C., found that women, who have a significantly larger chance of developing forms of dementia, could stave off the disease through prayer. The findings confirm earlier studies that indicated religion can play a positive role. “We found that people with higher levels of spiritual well-being had a significantly slower progression of Alzheimer’s disease,” Yakir Kaufman, the head of the neuropsychiatric department at Herzog hospital in Jerusalem said.
The Israeli organization Melabev has ten centres serving about 600 Alzheimer’s patients for whom prayer is part of the daily routine. “If prayer is done in a centre or a religious facility, it is communal and there is a social aspect,” Susan Sachs, the director of public relations and development at Melabev said. “It gives hope and perspective, and for many people it helps retain their dignity. They’re doing something that they did all their lives.” Melabev provides an alternative to institutionalizing Alzheimer’s patients by providing a full day of activities. Sachs estimates there are 100,000 people suffering from the disease in Israel.
The centres provide them with laminated cards with the most popular prayers printed in large type, although many of the patients rely on memory, which also helps strengthen their cognitive function. While prayer has some cognitive elements, it strengthens emotional functioning even more. As the patients’ cognitive function declines, his or her emotional function may be strengthened, according to Leah Abramowitz, the head of the Institute for the Study of Aging at Melabev. She said that, “It’s like a baby who can feel his mother’s emotions and will start crying if she is angry or tense. It’s like the person who is fully blind having more acute hearing.”
Prayer can also lower stress levels – one of the risk factors for Alzheimer’s. Other risk factors include high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. As people live longer, there is more chance that they will develop dementia. Israel’s life expectancy – 80 years for men and 84.2 for women – is the world’s fourth-highest, exceeded only by Japan, Hong Kong and Switzerland. Professor Rivka Inzelberg of Tel Aviv University, who led the research, told a conference that the study indicated that 50% more women than men suffer memory impairments. She said “rituals, like prayer, are especially comforting to Alzheimer’s patients. Prayer is something that went into their long term memory many years ago. It is a ritual that is very comforting for them.”
Source: The Media Line
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RESEARCHERS FIND THAT PRAYER IS BENEFICIAL EVEN ON A SCIENTIFIC LEVEL
An interesting study was recently done by German psychologists at Saarland University and the University of Mannheim, on the effects of prayer on those who pray. Some of the findings revealed that praying can help a person maintain self-control and resist temptation, as well as help alleviate depression and other benefits. In the study—published online in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology—the authors noted that “a brief period of personal prayer changes the self-control depletion effect…these results are consistent with and contribute to a growing body of work attesting to the beneficial effects of praying on self-control.”
The 79 participants—41-Christian; 14-atheist; 10-agnostic and 14 of other religions—were given tests designed to measure their level of self-control when faced with temptation. The researchers found that those participants who prayed before the start of the test showed they maintained high levels of self-control to the end.
In another study, the effect of a belief in God in relation to treatment for depression was researched. The results showed that those patients who had no, or only a slight belief in God were “twice as likely not to respond to treatment” than the patients who claimed to have a higher level of belief in God.
January, 2014.
[We know it first and best from the Bible. Nice to have confirmations.]
HEALING BLOGS
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BLOGS INDEX 3: MIRACLES (SUPERNATURAL EVENTS)
BLOGS INDEX 4: DEVOTIONAL (INCLUDING TESTIMONIES)
BLOGS INDEX 5: CHURCH (CHRISTIANITY IN ACTION)
BLOGS INDEX 6: CHAPTERS (BLOGS FROM BOOKS)
BLOGS INDEX 7: IMAGES (PHOTOS FROM BOOKS)
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Servant Songs
Servant Songs
The Servant Songs (also called the Servant poems or the Songs of the Suffering Servant) are four songs in the Book of Isaiah in the Hebrew Bible, which include Isaiah 42:1-4; Isaiah 49:1-6; Isaiah 50:4-7; and Isaiah 52:13-53:12. They were first identified by Bernhard Duhm in his 1892 commentary on Isaiah. The songs are four poems written about a certain “servant of YHWH” (Hebrew: עבד יהוה, ‘eḇeḏ Yahweh). God calls the servant to lead the nations, but the servant is horribly abused among them. In the end, he is rewarded.
Some scholars regard Isaiah 61:1-3 as a fifth servant song, although the word “servant” (Hebrew: עבד, ‘eḇeḏ) is not mentioned in the passage. [Wikipedia]
Here are the Servant Songs from the New Revised Standard Version. You can compare other translations in The Bible Gateway
Isaiah 42:1-4
Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my spirit upon him;
he will bring forth justice to the nations.
2 He will not cry or lift up his voice,
or make it heard in the street;
3 a bruised reed he will not break,
and a dimly burning wick he will not quench;
he will faithfully bring forth justice.
4 He will not grow faint or be crushed
until he has established justice in the earth;
and the coastlands wait for his teaching.
Isaiah 49:1-6
Listen to me, O coastlands,
pay attention, you peoples from far away!
The Lord called me before I was born,
while I was in my mother’s womb he named me.
2 He made my mouth like a sharp sword,
in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
he made me a polished arrow,
in his quiver he hid me away.
3 And he said to me, ‘You are my servant,
Israel, in whom I will be glorified.’
4 But I said, ‘I have laboured in vain,
I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity;
yet surely my cause is with the Lord,
and my reward with my God.’
5 And now the Lord says,
who formed me in the womb to be his servant,
to bring Jacob back to him,
and that Israel might be gathered to him,
for I am honoured in the sight of the Lord,
and my God has become my strength—
6 he says,
‘It is too light a thing that you should be my servant
to raise up the tribes of Jacob
and to restore the survivors of Israel;
I will give you as a light to the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.’
Isaiah 50:4-7
The Lord God has given me
the tongue of a teacher,
that I may know how to sustain
the weary with a word.
Morning by morning he wakens—
wakens my ear
to listen as those who are taught.
5 The Lord God has opened my ear,
and I was not rebellious,
I did not turn backwards.
6 I gave my back to those who struck me,
and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;
I did not hide my face
from insult and spitting.
7 The Lord God helps me;
therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like flint,
and I know that I shall not be put to shame.
Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12
See, my servant shall prosper;
he shall be exalted and lifted up,
and shall be very high.
14 Just as there were many who were astonished at him[b]
—so marred was his appearance, beyond human semblance,
and his form beyond that of mortals—
15 so he shall startle many nations;
kings shall shut their mouths because of him;
for that which had not been told them they shall see,
and that which they had not heard they shall contemplate.
Who has believed what we have heard?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
2 For he grew up before him like a young plant,
and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by others;
a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity;
and as one from whom others hide their faces
he was despised, and we held him of no account.
4 Surely he has borne our infirmities
and carried our diseases;
yet we accounted him stricken,
struck down by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions,
crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the punishment that made us whole,
and by his bruises we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have all turned to our own way,
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
8 By a perversion of justice he was taken away.
Who could have imagined his future?
For he was cut off from the land of the living,
stricken for the transgression of my people.
9 They made his grave with the wicked
and his tomb with the rich,
although he had done no violence,
and there was no deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him with pain.
When you make his life an offering for sin,
he shall see his offspring, and shall prolong his days;
through him the will of the Lord shall prosper.
11 Out of his anguish he shall see light;
he shall find satisfaction through his knowledge.
The righteous one, my servant, shall make many righteous,
and he shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will allot him a portion with the great,
and he shall divide the spoil with the strong;
because he poured out himself to death,
and was numbered with the transgressors;
yet he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
Isaiah 61:1-3
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,
to bind up the broken-hearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and release to the prisoners;
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
3 to provide for those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a garland instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord, to display his glory.
See Luke 4:14-21
Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. 15 He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.
16 When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
18 ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’
20 And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’
Chapters and Verses
The chapter divisions commonly used today were developed by Stephen Langton, an Archbishop of Canterbury. Langton put the modern chapter divisions into place in around A.D. 1227. The Wycliffe English Bible of 1382 was the first Bible to use this chapter pattern. Since the Wycliffe Bible, nearly all Bible translations have followed Langton’s chapter divisions.
The Hebrew Old Testament was divided into verses by a Jewish rabbi by the name of Nathan in A.D. 1448. Robert Estienne, who was also known as Stephanus, was the first to divide the New Testament into standard numbered verses, in 1555. Stephanus essentially used Nathan’s verse divisions for the Old Testament. Since that time, beginning with the Geneva Bible (1560), the chapter and verse divisions employed by Stephanus have been accepted into nearly all the Bible versions (as in the King James Bible of 1611).
Gutenberg’s printing press, invented around 1440, made Bibles widely available, beginning with the Vulgate Bible in Latin (1450s) without chapters and verses. The use of chapters and verses became normal in the Scriptures from 1560.
Included in BLOGS INDEX 4: DEVOTIONAL
BLOGS INDEX 1: REVIVALS (BRIEFER THAN REVIVALS INDEX)
BLOGS INDEX 2: MISSION (INTERNATIONAL STORIES)
BLOGS INDEX 3: MIRACLES (SUPERNATURAL EVENTS)
BLOGS INDEX 4: DEVOTIONAL (INCLUDING TESTIMONIES)
BLOGS INDEX 5: CHURCH (CHRISTIANITY IN ACTION)
BLOGS INDEX 6: CHAPTERS (BLOGS FROM BOOKS)
BLOGS INDEX 7: IMAGES (PHOTOS FROM BOOKS)
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An Encounter with God on the Moon
AN ENCOUNTER WITH GOD ON THE MOON
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Authors Index
James (Jim) Irwin, one of the astronauts on the Apollo 15 mission to the Moon in 1971, was a believer who had a spiritual encounter with God while on the lunar surface. It was a moment that would change the course of his life. According to journalist Mark Ellis, at one point Irwin was having trouble setting up his equipment for one of the experiments he had to conduct on the Moon. His wife Mary explained, “The experiment wouldn’t erect, due to a cotter pin or something of that nature”. Irwin stopped to pray. Until then he had been a relatively nominal, half-hearted Christian, but not half-hearted enough to humble himself and ask God’s help.
“He was so overwhelmed at seeing and feeling God’s presence so close…” After praying, “God I need your help right now”, Irwin reportedly experienced the presence of God’s spirit in a way he’d never felt before. “The Lord showed him the solution to the problem and the experiment erected before him like a little altar,” his wife said. “He was so overwhelmed at seeing and feeling God’s presence so close, at one point he turned around and looked over his shoulder as if He was standing there.” In a 1991 article after Irwin’s death, the New York Times reported that he would often tell church groups he “felt the power of God as I’d never felt it before” in that moment.
The Apollo 15 mission transcript also shows that while Irwin was exploring the moon’s landscape with commander Dave Scott, he was reminded of “a favourite Biblical passage from Psalms.” Speaking by radio to Mission Control in Houston, he quoted the verse: “I look unto the hills, from whence cometh my help” before adding in good humour, “But, of course, we get quite a bit of help from Houston, too”. Mark Ellis writes that Irwin was so impacted by his God-encounter, that after returning home he left his flying career behind to serve the Lord.
His wife Mary says he made the decision while riding in a ticker-tape parade through New York, and seeing the thousands of people lining the streets. “God dropped it in his heart that he had a responsibility to mankind to share Jesus with everyone after that,” she said. He resigned from NASA within the year, and established the “High Flight Foundation”, a missions organization that billed itself as “goodwill ambassadors for the Prince of Peace.” Irwin is quoted as saying, “God decided that He would send His Son Jesus Christ to the blue planet, and it’s through faith in Jesus Christ that we can relate to God. As I travel around I tell people the answer is Jesus Christ.”
Source: 103.2FM
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Messiah – with Bible verses and references
Messiah
by George Frideric Handel
Singing Scripture
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See also: Handel’s Messiah Story
See also: Messiah & Hallelujah Chorus
See also: Hallelujah Chorus – International Choirs
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See also: How Great Thou Art – anthology
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See also: Easter Worship
See also: Christmas Worship
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Messiah, George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
Words compiled from the Holy Scriptures by Charles Jennens (1700-1773)
Messiah is an English-language oratorio composed in 1741 by George Friedrich Handel, with a scriptural text compiled by Charles Jennens from the King James Bible (1611), and from the version of the Psalms included with the Book of Common Prayer. The music for Messiah was completed in 24 days of swift composition. His servants would often find him in tears as he composed. At the end of his manuscript, Handel wrote the letters “SDG”—Soli Deo Gloria, “To God alone the glory”.
While Handel was writing the ‘Hallelujah’ chorus his servant discovered him with tears in his eyes, and Handel exclaimed, “I did think I did see all Heaven before me, and the great God Himself seated on His throne, with His company of Angels.”
When King George II attended a royal performance of Messiah he stood up for the Hallelujah Chorus in honour of the King of kings. When the king stood everyone in his presence had to stand. So it became the tradition for the audience to stand up when the Hallelujah Chorus is sung, as millions of us have done in honour of the King of kings.
Chorus — Revelation 19:6, 11:15, 19:16
Hallelujah! for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.
The Kingdom of this world is become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ;
and He shall reign for ever and ever.
King of kings, and Lord of lords
and He shall reign for ever and ever.
Hallelujah!
His mighty thunder: No less than Ludwig van Beethoven, citing the Messiah, called Handel the “greatest composer who ever lived. … I would uncover my head and kneel before his tomb.” And Mozart declared himself ”to be humble in the face of Handel’s genius. … Handel knows better than any of us what will make an effect. When he chooses, he strikes like a thunderbolt.”
Librettist Charles Jennens’ Preface to the word book of the original edition, April 1742:
MAJORA CANAMUS [Latin: WE SING MAJOR SONGS]
“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” (1 Timothy 3:16)
“In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians 2:3)
____________________________________
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Handel’s Messiah Story
Messiah – with Bible verses and references
Hallelujah Chorus – Messiah – International Choirs
Hallelujah Chorus – international choirs
Hallelujah Chorus – 2,000 worldwide digitally join the choir of 300 (over 5 million views)
Messiah – 2:17 hours (over 5.5 million views, Hallelujah at 1.36 hrs) lively
Messiah – 2:38 hours (over 1.8 million views, Hallelujah at 1:54 hrs) with commentary
Messiah – 2:35 hours (Royal Melbourne Philharmonic, Hallelujah at 1:45 & 2:28 hrs)
Messiah – 1 hour, Christmas portion (Hallelujah at 53 min)
In Part I the text begins with prophecies by Isaiah and others, and moves to the annunciation to the shepherds, the only “scene” taken from the Gospels.
In Part II, Handel concentrates on the Passion and ends with the “Hallelujah” chorus.
In Part III he covers the resurrection of the dead and Christ’s glorification in heaven.
Part One
1. Sinfonia (Overture)
2. Tenor Recitative. — Isaiah 40:1-3
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
3. Tenor Air — Isaiah 40:4
Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill made low, the crooked straight, and the rough places plain.
4. Chorus — Isaiah 40:5
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
5. Bass Recitative — Haggai 2:6,7; Malachi 3:1
Thus saith the Lord of Hosts; Yet once, a little while and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, the sea, and the dry land; And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come.
The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: Behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts.
6. Bass Air — Malachi 3:2
But who may abide the day of His coming? And who shall stand when He appeareth? For He is like a refiner’s fire.
7. Chorus — Malachi 3:3
And He shall purify the sons of Levi, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.
8. Alto Recitative — Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23
Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call his name Emmanuel, God with us.
9. Alto Air and Chorus — Isaiah 40:9; Isaiah 60:1
O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain; O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, and be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
10. Bass Recitative — Isaiah 60:2,3
For, behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
11. Bass Air — Isaiah 9:2
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: and they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
12. Chorus — Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
13. Pifa (Pastoral Symphony)
14. Soprano Recitative — Luke 2:8,9
There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night.
And lo! the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
15. Soprano Recitative — Luke 2:10,11
And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
16. Soprano Recitative — Luke 2:13
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
17. Chorus — Luke 2:14
Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, good will toward men.
18. Soprano Air — Zechariah 9:9,10
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee. He is the righteous Saviour. And he shall speak peace unto the heathen.
19. Alto Recitative — Isaiah 35:5,6
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing.
20. Alto Air — Isaiah 40:11; Matthew 11:28, 29
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; and he shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
Come unto Him, all ye that labour, that are heavy laden, and He shall give you rest. Take his yoke upon you, and learn of Him; for he is meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
21. Chorus — Matthew 11:30
His yoke is easy, and His burden is light.
Part Two
22. Chorus — John 1:29
Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world.
23. Alto Air — Isaiah 53:3; Isaiah 50:6
He was despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.
He gave His back to the smiters, and His cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: He hid not His face from shame and spitting.
24. Chorus — Isaiah 53:4,5
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows. He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him.
25. Chorus — Isaiah 53:5
And with His stripes we are healed.
26. Chorus — Isaiah 53:6
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
27. Tenor Recitative — Psalm 22:7
All they that see Him laugh him to scorn: they shoot out their lips, and shake their heads, saying:
28. Chorus — Psalm 22:8
He trusted in God that He would deliver Him: let Him deliver Him, if he delight in Him.
29. Soprano Recitative — Psalm 69:20
Thy rebuke hath broken His heart; He is full of heaviness. He looked for some to have pity on Him but there was no man; neither found He any to comfort Him.
30. Soprano Air — Lamentations 1:12
Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto His sorrow!
31. Tenor Recitative — Isaiah 53:8
He was cut off out of the land of the living; for the transgression of Thy people was He stricken.
32. Tenor Air — Psalm 16:10
But Thou didst not leave His soul in hell; nor didst Thou suffer Thy Holy One to see corruption.
33. Chorus — Psalm 24:7-10
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of Glory.
34. Tenor Recitative — Hebrews 1:5
For unto which of the angels said He at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee?
35. Chorus — Hebrews 1:6
Let all the angels of God worship Him.
36. Bass Air — Psalm 68:18
Thou art gone up on high, Thou hast led captivity captive, and received gifts for men; yea, even for Thine enemies, that the Lord God might dwell among them.
37. Chorus — Psalm 68:11
The Lord gave the word: great was the company of the preachers.
38. Duetto for 2 Alto Solos and Chorus — Romans 10:15
How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
39. Chorus — Romans 10:18
Their sound is gone out into all lands, and their words unto the ends of the world. [Not sung in the original performance.]
40. Bass Air — Psalm 2:1,2
Why do the nations so furiously rage together: why do the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth rise up, and the rulers take counsels together against the Lord and His anointed.
41. Chorus — Psalm 2:3
Let us break their bonds asunder, and cast away their yokes from us.
42. Tenor Recitative — Psalm 2:4
He that dwelleth in the heavens shall laugh them to scorn; the Lord shall have them in derision.
43. Tenor Air — Psalm 2:9
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
44. Chorus — Revelation 19:6, 11:15, 19:16
Hallelujah! for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.
The Kingdom of this world is become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ:
and He shall reign for ever and ever.
King of kings, Lord of lords.
Hallelujah.
Part Three
45. Soprano Air — Job 19:25, 26; 1 Corinthians 15:20
I know that my redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.
For now is Christ risen from the dead, the firstfruits of them that sleep.
46. Chorus — 1 Corinthians 15:21, 22
Since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
47. Bass Recitative — 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep; but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.
48. Bass Air — 1 Corinthians 15:52, 53
The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
49. Alto Air — 1 Corinthians 15:54b
Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
50. Duetto for Alto and Tenor — 1 Corinthians 15:55, 56
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.
51. Chorus — 1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
52. Alto Air — Romans 8:31, 33, 34
If God be for us, who can be against us? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is at the right hand of God, who makes intercession for us.
53. Chorus — Revelation 5:12, 13
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by His blood, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
Blessing and honour, glory and power to be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Messiah – 2:17 hours (10 million views, Hallelujah at 1:36 & 2:13 hrs)
with links here:
Part I
0:00:06 Sinfony. Grave; Allegro moderato
0:02:58 Comfort ye (Accompagnato, Tenoro). Larghetto e piano
0:05:43 Ev`ry valley shall be exalted (Aria, Tenoro). Andante
0:08:49 And the glory of the Lord (Chorus). Allegro; Adagio
0:11:10 Thus saith the Lord (Accompagnato, Basso). Recitativo
0:12:18 But who may abide (Aria, Alto). Larghetto; Prestissimo; Adagio
0:16:03 And He shall purify (Chorus). Allegro
0:18:12 Behold, a virgin shall conceive (Recitativo, Alto).
0:18:36 O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion (Aria, Alto). Andante
0:21:51 O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion (Chorus).
0:23:31 For behold, darkness shall cover the earth (Accompagnato, Basso). Andante larghetto
0:25:39 The people that walked in darkness (Aria, Basso). Larghetto
0:29:25 For unto us a child is born (Chorus). Andante allegro
0:33:26 Pifa. Larghetto e mezzo piano
0:35:36 There where shepherds (Recitativo, Accompagnato; Soprano). Andante; Allegro
0:36:58 Glory to god in the highest (Chorus). Allegro
0:39:00 Rejoice greatly (Aria, Soprano). Allegro
0:43:00 Then shall the eyes of the blind (Recitativo, Alto). [latter version]
0:43:24 He shall feed his flock (Aria, Alto). Larghetto e piano [latter version]
0:47:26 His yoke is easy (Chorus). Allegro
Part II
0:49:35 Behold the Lamb of God (Chorus). Largo
0:52:04 He was despised (Aria, Alto). Largo
1:00:40 Surely (Chorus). Largo e staccato
1:02:18 And with his stripes we are healed (Chorus). Alla breve, Moderato
1:03:48 All we like sheep have gone astray (Chorus). Allegro moderato; Adagio
1:07:37 All they that see Him (Accompagnato, Tenore). Larghetto
1:08:17 He trusted in God (Chorus). Allegro; Adagio
1:10:25 Thy rebuke hath broken His Heart (Accompagnato, Tenore). Largo
1:12:15 Behold, and see (Arioso, Tenore). Largo e piano
1:13:26 He was cut off (Accompagnato, Tenore). Recitativo
1:13:44 But Thou didst not leave His soul in Hell (Aria, Tenore). Andante larghetto
1:15:47 Lift up your heads (Chorus). A tempo ordinario
1:19:10 Unto which of the angels (Recitativo, Tenore).
1:19:28 Let all the angels of God worship Him (Chorus). Allegro
1:20:48 Thou art gone up high (Aria, Alto). Allegro larghetto
1:23:45 The Lord gave the word (Chorus). Andante allegro
1:24:50 How beautiful are the feet of them (Aria, Soprano). Larghetto
:__:_ Their sound is gone out (Chorus). A tempo ordinario [missing]
1:29:20 Why do the nations rage (Aria, Basso). Allegro
1:31:57 Let us break their bonds (Chorus). Allegro e staccato
1:33:34 He that dwelleth in heaven (Recitativo, Tenore).
1:33:46 Thou shall break them (Aria, Tenore). Andante
1:35:57 Hallelujah (Chorus). Allegro
Part III
1:39:46 I know that my redeemer liveth (Aria, Soprano). Larghetto
1:45:10 Since by man came death (Chorus). Grave; Allegro
1:47:13 Behold, I tell you (Accompagnato, Basso).
1:47:12 The trumpet shall sound (Aria, Basso). Pomposo, ma non allegro; Adagio
1:55:30 Then shall be brought to pass (Recitativo, Alto).
1:44:45 O death, where is thy sting (Duetto; Alto, Tenore). Andante
1:57:17 But thanks be to God (Chorus). Andante; Adagio
1:59:13 If God is for us (Aria, Soprano). Larghetto; Adagio
2:03:25 Worthy is the Lamb (Chorus). Largo; Andante
2:04:43 Blessing and honour (Chorus). Larghetto; Adagio
2:06:38 Amen (Chorus). Allegro moderato; Adagio
2:12:00 Encore – Hallelujah (Chorus). Allegro
Messiah
Messiah – 2:17 hours (4 million views, Hallelujah at 1.36 & 2.13 hrs)
Messiah – Royal Melbourne Philharmonic 2022 (2:32 hrs. Hallelujah at 1:44 & 2:25 hrs)
Messiah – Academy of Ancient Music – 2:36 hours, gentle
Messiah selections – 1:35 hours (2020) Academy of Ancient Music
Handel’s Messiah – Sydney Opera House – 2:32 hours
Handel’s Messiah in Grace Cathedral, San Francisco – 2:26 hours
Messiah – 2:38 hours (1.5 million views, Hallelujah at 1:54 hrs) with commentary
London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Colin Davis
Hallelujah
Hallelujah Chorus – international choirs
Hallelujah (Handel) – with Andre Rieu
Hallelujah Chorus – First Baptist Dallas
Hallelujah Chorus – 2,000 choristers
Hallelujah Chorus – Anthony Burger piano and band
Hallelujah Chorus – Georgia Boys Choir
Hallelujah Chorus – Royal Choral Society
Hallelujah Chorus – virtual projection in Barcelona cathedral
Hallelujah Chorus – Good Friday 2020, Royal Choral Society, London
Hallelujah Chorus – Royal Albert Hall, London 2020 partial – performed there in 1743
Hallelujah Chorus from the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, USA
Hallelujah Chorus – Hallelujah for Hope – Grand Rapids Symphony
Hallelujah Chorus – with Eastern Carnatic music popular in the south of India
Hallelujah Chorus – Easter 2020, First Congregational Church of LA
Hallelujah Chorus – Easter 2020, Truro Anglican Church, Cornwall, UK
He shall reign forevermore & Hallelujah Chorus
Joy to the World & Hallelujah Chorus selection
Handel from Forté Handbell Quartet
See also:
See also: Wonders of Worship
See also: Virtual Choirs & Orchestras
See also: How Great Thou Art – anthology
See also: Messiah & Hallelujah Chorus
See also: Hallelujah Chorus – International Choirs
See also: Easter Worship
See also: Christmas Worship
See also: 24/7 Worship & Prayer
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Messiah – with Bible verses and references:
https://renewaljournal.com/2019/07/11/messiah-with-bible-verses-and-references/
Jesus appeared – men in white appeared – foiled terror
Men in white unleash snakes, foil Islamist terror
By Michael Ireland —
Northern Nigeria is a dangerous place for Christians – especially for those who have left Islam to follow Christ.
But God intervened in power to save 72 converts and their children from Boko Haram militants, according to a report by BarnabasAid.
Their remarkable story begins with a group of 500 Nigerian Christian converts from Islam and their children. Boko Haram attacked the group and captured 76, taking them back to their camp.
At the Boko Haram camp, the Christians were tortured, and their four male leaders were told they must deny Christ and return to Islam or they would be shot.
The four refused and were shot dead in full view of the rest of the group.
A week later the four widows of the dead men were told they must renounce their Christian faith or their children would be shot. They were given time to think over this dreadful choice.
As they agonized together that evening, their excited children came running in, telling their mothers that Jesus had appeared to them and told them all would be well.
Jesus then appeared to the whole group of 72, and told them not to fear for He would protect them. He said they should not renounce Him but should stay strong, and that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
Deliverance from evil
The next day, the four mothers gave their decision to the militants – they would not deny Christ.
The terrorists prepared to shoot the children, who were lined up against a wall. The youngest was a little girl of four. Suddenly the militants began screaming and clawing at their own heads. Shouting “Snakes!” they fled the scene, and some of them dropped dead.
One of the Christian men reached for the gun of a dead militant but the four-year-old put her hand on his arm to stop him. “You don’t need to do that,” she said, “Can’t you see the men in white fighting for us?
Since this remarkable incident, meeting Christ face-to-face, hearing Him speak, and experiencing His miraculous deliverance, these believers continue to excel in faith.
Displaced Nigerian Christians
Also at Jesus appeared to group of 72
To learn more about the work of BarnabasAid, go here
To know more about a personal relationship with God, go here