Cornerstone Choir live at SCF 11-15-2020

Wow, good evening. Welcome. Good to be here. I know we're a couple minutes early, but I think there's enough of people in here to say welcome. God bless us as we look to Him tonight, and we want to—I don't know if the choir can hear me downstairs—but special welcome to Cornerstone Chapel Choir.

God bless y'all as you share with us tonight.

Just a few thoughts here before we pray. After I pray, we're going to sing two congregational songs, and then the chorus will come up. And somewhere in the middle then, we're going to lift an offering and have a few more songs, and they're going to tell us a little more about the offering and, I think, a devotional there.

Just a few words out of God's Word before we pray here in Psalm 40. David says in verse 1, "I waited patiently for the Lord, and He inclined unto me, and He heard my cry. He brought me also up, also out of a horrible pit, out of the mirey clay, and set my foot upon a rock and established my goings.

And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto my God." So there, for the singers tonight—and I trust all of us—the qualifier for us to have a new song in our mouth is whether or not we've come up out of that horrible pit of sin and confusion and hopelessness, and our ways are established in God tonight. And then you notice some of us can't sing very well, but if we came out of that pit and we've allowed God to put a song in our mouth, we can make some sort of joyful noises that are very effective. Do you see what He says next? In fact, this new song is going to be so effective that it's going to cause many to fear and to trust in God.

That new song. Jumping over into verse 8, He says, "I delight to do thy will, O my God. Yea, thy law is within my heart." Verse 9 and 10 says, "I just can't contain it." It's going to spill out. It's a delight, and I'm going to share it with whoever I meet. Isn't that wonderful? That's the new song. And I trust every person tonight has found his way by the power of Jesus out of that horrible pit. And if you haven't, I invite you to do so tonight.

Somehow allow the message of the songs to come and meet you and to cause you to reach out, to come out of that pit. And I can promise, by God's Word tonight, you're going to have a song, whether you've been trained to sing or not. Something is going to be there that you just cannot keep down in. It's going to be effective where we go. May God bless us as we worship Him tonight. Let's bow for prayer.

Dear God, we thank You for the power of Your Word tonight. We thank You for the power of Your presence in our hearts, Lord, and the delight, as David says, we have when we have You in our heart to live life to its fullest.

And I pray that upon the choir tonight, Lord, just give them that new song. And I pray wherever they go, that would spill out and bring a tremendous fear and trust in our world that is walking in hopelessness and fear and so on. Lord, just bless our time together. It's not about us. It's not about performance, but it's about You. And we pray that You would receive all the glory and honor this evening. We bless You in Jesus' name. Amen.

Don't for the praise of God your hearts prepare. A brooch is strong with fear. With all your souls, His might declare, and though the earth shall hear. Lift up your voice, sing loud your song. The Lord Jehovah raised.

The Lord Jehovah raised. Love all creation, wide and broad, will join with the sons of men. As we exalt our sovereign God and raise His name high there. Lift up your voice, sing loud your song. The Lord Jehovah raised.

The Lord Jehovah raised. Our sovereign God has soon to serve, and we are richly blessed. With graces we do not deserve. He help us at our best. Lift up your voice, sing loud your song. The Lord Jehovah raised.

The Lord Jehovah raised. 180.

So go, all. Hear the power of Jesus' name. Let angels prostrate fall. Let angels prostrate fall. Bring forth the royal diadem. And crown him, crown him, crown him, crown him, crown him, crown him, crown him, and crown him, Lord, our Lord.

The chosen seed of Israel's race. He ransomed from the fall. He ransomed from the fall. And him who saved your white Israel's. And crown him, crown him, crown him, crown him, crown him, crown him, crown him, and crown him, Lord, our Lord.

Hold them with your wondrous sacred throne. We at His feet may fall. We at His feet may fall. Will join the everlasting song. And crown him, crown him, crown him, crown him, crown him, crown him, crown him, and crown him, Lord, our Lord.

When the night is falling and the day is done, I can hear you calling.

Come, I will come while you sing over me.

When the night surrounds me, all my dreams are done. I can hear you calling.

Come, I will come while you sing over me.

When the night will hide my way, I will listen until I hear you say. How I love you, child, I love you. How I love you, child, I love you. How I love you. How I love you. How I love you, child, I love you.

How I love you, child, I love you. How I love you.

When this night is over and the race is run, I will hear you calling.

Come, I will come while you sing over me. Hallelujah, hallelujah. Hallelujah, hallelujah. Hallelujah, hallelujah. Hallelujah, hallelujah. Hallelujah, hallelujah.

When this night is over and the race is run, I will hear you calling.

Come, I will come while you sing over me.

Good evening. Thank you all for joining us this evening to worship the Lord in song. We've titled the program "Be With Me." And at the time when we started thinking about this program a year ago, we had no idea what this year was going to look like. Turned out it was pretty, pretty fitting.

As human beings, we go through dark times in our lives. We go through struggles and trials. We never know what's coming next, right? But as a child of God, we know that we can always just ask, reach out our hands, and God is there, and we can hold to God's hand. And one of the songs that we sing is titled "Be With Me." And it's especially fitting through this time and the hope that the child of God has that when the morning breaks, God will be there with him all way through. So worship with us in song, and I hope you enjoy these songs and the message of them as much as we enjoy singing them.

Thank you.

The chimes of time ring out the news. Another day is through. Someone slipped and fell. Was that someone you? You may have longed for added strength, your courage to renew. Do not be disheartened, for I have news for you.

It is no secret what God can do. What He's done for others, He'll do for you.

With arms wide open, He'll pardon you.

It is no secret what God can do. There is no night, for in His life you'll never walk alone. Always feel at home, wherever you may roam. There is no power can conquer you while God is on your side.

Just take Him at His promise. Don't run away and hide. It is no secret what God can do. What He's done for others, He'll do for you.

With arms wide open, He'll pardon you.

It is no secret what God can do. It is no secret what God can do.

The next song that we're going to be singing is called "In the Hour of Trial." And the last verse really stands out to me. It says, "Should Thy mercy send me sorrow, toil, and woe, or should pain attend me on my path below? Grant that I may never fail Thy hand to see. Grant that I may ever cast my care on Thee." And I want to never fail to see God's hand in all my circumstances. So yeah.

In the hour of trial, Jesus, plead for me. Lest by base denial I depart from Thee.

When Thou seest me waver with a look recall, nor for fear or favor, suffer me to fall.

With forbidden treasures would this vain world charm, or its sworded treasures spread to work me harm? Bring to my remembrance sad Gethsemane, or in darker semblance crossed-ground Calvary.

Should Thy mercy send me sorrow, toil, and woe, or should pain attend me on my path below? Grant that I may never fail Thy hand to see. Grant that I may ever cast my care on Thee.

Often, you've wondered why tears come into your eyes, and burdens seem to beat much more than you can stand. But God is standing near. He sees your falling tears. Tears are a language God understands. God sees the tears of a brokenhearted soul.

He sees your tears and hears them when they fall. God weeps along with man and takes him by the hand. Tears are a language God understands.

When grief has left you go, it causes tears to flow. Things have not turned out the way that you had planned. But God won't forget you. His promises are true. Tears are a language God understands. God sees the tears of a brokenhearted soul.

He sees your tears and hears them when they fall. God weeps along with man and takes him by the hand. Tears are a language God understands. Tears are a language God understands.

Good evening, everybody. Did you know that every single tear has a different DNA? If you cry tears of sorrow, or if you laugh until you cry, every single different kind of tear has a different DNA. Isn't that amazing how God has created us in such an amazing way? The next song is "Till the Storm Passes By." And sometimes some of us have big storms in our lives, and some of us have lots of little storms that just kind of come along.

But this is one thing that I have found, that often when my biggest storms were, and I thought that God had totally forsaken me, it was when He was doing the biggest work in my life.

In the dark of the midnight have I halted my face while the storm mounds above me and there's no hiding place. Mid the crash of the thunder, precious Lord, hear my cry. Keep me safe till the storm passes by.

Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more, till the clouds roll forever from the sky. Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand. Keep me safe till the storm passes by.

Many times Satan whispered, "There is no need to try, for there's no end of sorrow. There's no hope by and by." But I know Thou art with me, and tomorrow arise where the storms never darken the skies. Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more, till the clouds roll forever from the sky.

Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand. Keep me safe till the storm passes by. When the long night has ended and the storms come no more, let me stand in Thy presence on that bright, peaceful shore.

In that land where the tempest never comes, Lord, may I dwell with Thee when the storm passes by. Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more, till the clouds roll forever from the sky. Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand. Keep me safe till the storm passes by.

Keep me safe till the storm passes by.

In the foolishness of my heart, I make plans for greater things. I run ahead so sure of my own strength.

Then when doubt comes rushing in, I crumble then I break. Dear Father, I need You. Please be with me.

Be with me. Be with me. When the sun breaks and hits at the door with me. Be with me. When the sparrow sings its song with me. Be with me. When the rainbow fills the sky, I've always wanted You to be with me.

Then the Father reaches down and He holds me in His arms. His words so gently spoken fill my soul. Fill my soul. He says, "Child, I'm always here, and my work is plain to see. Just open up your eyes and be with me." Be with me. Be with me. When the sun breaks and hits at the door with me. Be with me.

When the sparrow sings its song with me. Be with me. When the rainbow fills the sky, I've always wanted You to be with me.

I've always wanted You to be with me.

Children of the heavenly Father, safely in His door some gather. Nestling bird nor starring heaven, such a refuge ne'er was given.

God His own doth tend and nourish. In His holy courts they flourish. From all evil things He spares them. In His mighty arms He bears them.

Neither life nor death shall ever. From the Lord His children sever. Unto them His grace He showeth, and their sorrows all He knoweth.

No He giveth or He taketh. God His children never forsaketh. His the loving purpose solely to preserve them pure and holy. His the loving purpose solely to preserve them pure and holy.

Just as I can without one glee, but that Thy love was shared for me, and that Thou vis' me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come.

I come.

Just as I am and waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot, to Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot. O Lamb of God, I come.

I come. I come broken to be mended. I come wounded to be healed. I come desperate to be rescued. I come empty to be filled. I come guilty to be pardoned by the blood of Christ the Lamb. And I'm welcome with open arms praise God just as I am.

Just as I am, I would be lost. But mercy and grace my freedom bought. And now to glory in Your cross, O Lamb of God, I come.

I come. I come broken to be mended. I come wounded to be healed. I come desperate to be rescued. I come empty to be filled. I come guilty to be pardoned by the blood of Christ the Lamb. And I'm welcome with open arms praise God just as I am.

Praise God just as I am.

Good evening, everyone. Greet you all in Jesus' name this evening. It's great to be here this evening, and it's good to see each one of you here this evening. So thank you for choosing to come out and worship with us tonight. We're here to give God the honor and glory and praise and to worship His name.

The fourth song that we sang is titled "Tears Are a Language," and the lyrics of that song stood out to me. The first verse says, "Often you've wondered why tears come into your eyes, and burdens seem to be much more than you can stand."

And then the second verse says, "When grief has left you low, it causes tears to flow. Things have not turned out the way that you have planned."

And then we read a verse like Romans 8:28 that says, "For we know that all things work together for good to those that love God." And we say, "Really? Are you sure? All things? This uncomfortable situation that I am in is for my good? This pain that I'm experiencing, you're saying it's for my good?"

If I was to put a title to this, it'd be "Prepared Through Pain." We all go through disappointments, setbacks, loss. It's easy to get better and to ask, "Why did this happen to me?" One of the best principles that we can learn is to not put a question mark where God has put a period. All of us have things we don't understand, and one reason is because we can't see the big picture that He has for our lives.

If you have a puzzle and on the front of the box there is a picture of what it's supposed to look like, maybe it's a sunset overlooking the ocean. As a whole, it is fantastic. It is beautiful. But if you were to take one little piece and isolate it, you would think, "Look at this funny little piece. It's a mistake. It doesn't fit anywhere.

It's an odd shape. There's nothing beautiful about it." But the fact is that piece has a perfect place. It has already been fitted, planned, designed. When all the other pieces come together, it will fit in. The reason you can't see it now is because they are not all the pieces not all the pieces are in place yet.

And it's the same way for our lives. Sometimes we look at a piece in our life that doesn't make sense. You say, "Randall, I've lost a loved one," or, "I'm going through cancer. My business went down. This piece couldn't be a part of God's plan."

But you have to trust. Even in the painful times, times when you're hurting, times when you're lonely, when you're taking the treatment, on the surface, that piece doesn't make any sense. But God doesn't make mistakes. He has already designed your life, laid it out, all the pieces down to the smallest detail.

God never said that we would understand everything that happens along the way. He didn't promise that we would never have heartache, pain, disappointment, setback, loss. But He did promise in Romans 8:28 that it would all work out for our good.

That piece that is painful doesn't make sense. When all the other pieces come together, it will fit perfectly into place. Prepared through pain. Sometimes the pain is actually for our own gain. You say, "Buddy, what do you mean?" Sometimes the pain that we experience is saving us from something a lot worse. Just a simple example, recently I heard about a fellow that was in commercial real estate.

He bought and sold hotels and motels. At one point, he owned nearly 200 locations, but they were all small, in the country, in royal areas. His dream, though, was to always own one nice one in the middle of a city. About two years ago, he had this rare opportunity to buy a motel in the middle of New York City. It was a fantastic location overlooking Central Park. He was excited. He worked for months arranging the funds. He found a partner that would go in partnership with him. Financially, this was a huge undertaking. He was going to have to stretch and leverage everything that he had.

In order for it to work, occupancy had to be strong, business had to be booming. That was the only way he could make this large payment. After nearly two years of putting it together, this January, he was supposed to finally close on his property.

But the last minute, his business partner backed out. He couldn't believe it. He scrambled to find another loan. He sat down with his banker. He said, "You think you stretch things even farther?" Now he was way over his head.

The day he went to close, his bank called and said, "We changed our mind. We won't give you the additional funds." He was disappointed, discouraged. This was his dream. Two years of work for nothing. He couldn't understand why God would not allow it to work out.

But what he couldn't see was three months later, COVID would hit the US. Hotels had to close. There was no income. Even today, this hotel was running at a fraction of its capacity. His own testimony is, "If it were to went through today, I'd have been bankrupt, and I'd have lost everything." Here's the point I want to make. When something doesn't go as planned, when it doesn't work out, don't complain and ask God why. Instead, thank God for saving you from the unknown.

Prepared through pain. The key is what we do in our times of pain. Pain will change us. Heartache, loss, disappointment, they don't leave you the same.

You'll get through it, but you'll be different. How it changes you is up to you. You can come out bitter, blaming God, or you can come out better with a stronger and greater confidence in God. So here's my challenge as we experience pain. Don't just go through it, but grow through it.

That difficulty is an opportunity for you to grow stronger, to develop character. Don't waste your pain. Anyone can give up, but that's wasting your pain. That pain is not there to stop you, but it's there to prepare you, to develop you, and to strengthen you.

When you have been through something, in a sense, you have been given a gift. You can now better understand others that are going through tough situations. So don't sit around and complain, but look around and help someone else.

Prepared through pain. And sometimes the pain that we experience is simply the waiting game. We're doing the right thing, but it seems like there's no progress. We're praying, but we're not seeing any change. In 1 Samuel 16:13, David was anointed king at the age of 17. Prophet Samuel traveled to his house. He chose David out of all his brothers. He poured oil on his head. It was an exciting moment.

But what is interesting, after David was anointed, after he was given this incredible promise, where did he go? To the palace, to get his royal robe, to meet his new staff? No, he went back to the shepherd's field. It could have seemed unfair. His brothers that were not anointed by Samuel were in the military. They had prestigious positions. Everyone looked up to them. David could have thought, "I'm not going back to the shepherd's field. I'm the next king."

But I believe David understood the principle of being his best, doing his best when no one was around, even at the little things. Later, he had to pass the test of King Saul trying to kill him. David could have said, "God, this isn't right.

You've got to get rid of Saul. I don't like this pain." But instead, David kept doing the right thing year after year. He was anointed at age 17, but he didn't take the throne until age 30. But without those 13 years of keeping a good attitude, doing the right thing, overlooking insults, he wouldn't have been prepared for where God was taking him. God knows what's in your future, and He knows what it's going to take to keep you there.

You may not understand why it's taking so long, why it's not worked out the way that you thought. You're in this lonely season, discouraging season, but everything you have been through was there to strengthen you, to develop you, and to prepare you. God would not have allowed it if He knew you couldn't handle it.

Without this pain, you would have never been able to reach your fullest potential. One day, when David was in the lonely shepherd's field, his father came to him and told him to take lunch to his brothers. David could have said, "Dad, come on. You've seen Samuel anoint me, choose me out of all my brothers, and you want me to be an errand boy?"

If David would have been proud and not willing to serve others, to do something that seemed insignificant, he would have never made it to the throne. In the pain, in the lonely season, there are tests that we must pass. It took humility for David to take his brother's lunch. When he showed up, his oldest brother made fun of him, tried to embarrass him, but David overlooked it. One of those trips, David saw Goliath, and something rose up inside of him. He said, "I'll take on that giant."

But had David not been faithful where he was, doing what his father had asked, even though it was small, he would have missed his destiny. And yes, we still have our part to do. It took confidence. It took commitment for David to go face that giant. But the season of pain, the loneliness, the uncertainty, "Why God? What do you have in store for me?" had prepared him with confidence and commitment and strength and a greater trust and faith in God.

In Samuel 17:46, when he ran out there to meet Goliath, he said, "This day will the Lord deliver thee into my hands."

When we find ourselves in a season of pain, my challenge is don't just go through it, but grow through it. We all have opportunities to give up on what we're believing for, to walk away from an uncomfortable situation, to slack off, not be our best. But if you're going to reach your highest potential, you have to stay committed.

You can't be moved because it's not working out, because it doesn't make sense. Give up on a child because he's not doing what he should. Slack off at work because you're not being treated right. You have to have a made-up mind that, "I am in this for the long haul." It may be difficult. You may have a good reason to walk away, but don't take the easy way out. Stay committed to your marriage. Stay committed to raising those children. Stay committed to your friends. They may make mistakes, but give them some grace. Don't be a fair-weathered friend. Be committed in the tough times and the good times. Stay committed to your dreams. Don't give up on the promises that God has put in your heart.

It may be taking longer than you thought, but don't give up. Be someone that folks can count on day in and day out. You will not always feel like it. There will be good days, and there will be tough days. There will be exciting times and times when you feel like giving up. But that's when you have to dig your heels in and say, "I am in this for the long haul. I'm going to do the right thing when it's hard. I'm committed to this marriage. I'm committed to this job. I am going to be my best, show up on time, go the extra mile, even though my supervisor isn't treating me right. I'm committed to running this Christian race.

I'm going to keep believing, expecting, thanking God. I'm not going to allow this pain to make me better, but I'm going to allow it to make me better. I will not waste my pain. I'm not a whiner. I am a warrior." Let's bow our heads for a word of prayer.

Father, I'm having you come before this evening, thanking you for this day you've given to us. Thank you for this opportunity where we can come and worship you. Thank you for voices that we can sing and praise you. Thank you for each one here this evening. And yes, thank you for the pain.

We may not understand why, but you have promised us that it's there for a reason. Let us never forget that you are in control. Yes, the devil may turn up the heat, but your hand is on the master thermostat. Nothing that we experienced hasn't already crossed your desk.

Speak with each one here. Give us safety as we travel the highways. We go home this evening.

We honor and we glorify you, and our praise will be given to you in Jesus' name. Amen.

I did want to say there's going to be an offering being lifted. And as you've seen in your flyer here, it says the proceeds will be directed to I-58.

The offerings that we get lifted this year will be going to, I believe, Greece. There was a refugee camp there that was hit September 8th that was caught—actually, excuse me—caught fire September 8th. And then again, on October 30th, they were hit with an earthquake. And there's still many folks living on the streets. With the winter coming, the cold and the rain, they need shelter. So the proceeds, the offerings that we get lifted this year, we will be sending to I-58. Thanks.

Open now a crystal fountain where star-healing trees do flow. Let the fire be the rebuilder, leading all the journey through. Strong deliver, strong deliver. He will still my strength and shield, and shield. He will still my strength and shield.

When I tread the verge of Jordan, may my anxious fears subside. Bear me through the swelling current. Let me safe on Canaan's side. Songs of praises, songs of praises, I will never sing to thee.

I will never sing to thee.

Some may trust in horses, some may trust in chariots, but we will trust in the name of our God. Some may trust in horses, some may trust in chariots, but we will trust in the name of our God. In the name of Jesus, our salvation lies. He will hear from heaven to answer every cry. Some may trust in horses, some may trust in chariots, but we will trust in the name of our God. Some may trust in horses, some may trust in chariots, but we will trust in the name of our God.

By the blood of Jesus, sins are washed away. Sing for joy to God, our strength. His banner we will wave. Some may trust in horses, some may trust in chariots, but we will trust in the name of our God. Some may trust in horses, some may trust in chariots, but we will trust in the name of our God.

We will trust in Him. We will trust in Him. We will trust in Him.

Rock of angels, clap for me. Let me hide myself in thee. Let the water and the blood from thy riverside which flow be us in the double pure. Save me from its guilt and foul. There is a song that the world is singing, bringing the message of hope and cheer. Rock of angels, clap for me.

Many a time it has brought new courage, driving away every doubt and fear. Rock of angels, clap for me.

Rock of angels, clap for me.

Let me hide. Myself in thee. While the raging waters roll, near me row. Rock of angels, clap for me. While I draw this fleeting breath and when my eyelids close and damp, rock of angels, clap for me.

When I rise to the world's unknown and when I behold Him on His throne, rock of angels, clap for me.

Just clap for me.

Rock of angels, clap for me. Just clap for me.

Let me hide. Myself in thee. While the raging waters roll, near me row. Rock of angels, clap for me. Just clap for me.

Till at our cross door the rolling ocean, let me hide. Blessed rock in thee. Rock of angels, clap for me. Just clap for me.

Sing it to all of the weak and weary. Sing it again and again to me. Rock of angels, clap for me. Just clap for me.

Rock of angels, clap for me. Just clap for me.

Let me hide. Myself in thee.

While the raging waters roll, near me row. Rock of angels, clap for me. Just clap for me.

In Him we love abiding. No change my heart shall fear. And safe in such confining, for nothing changes here. No storm may storm without me. My heart may low be laid. But God is round about me. And can I be dismayed?

But God is round about me. And can I be dismayed?

Wherever He may guide me, no one shall turn me back. My Shepherd is beside me, and nothing can I lack. His wisdom never waken. His sight is never daring. He knows the way He taken, and I will walk with Him.

He knows the way He taken, and I will walk with Him.

Green pastures are before me, which yet I have not seen. Bright skies will soon be o'er me where darkest clouds have been. My hope I know I cannot measure. My breath to life is free. My Savior has my treasure, and He will walk with me.

My Savior has my treasure, and He will walk with me.

This next song has been one of my favorites of this whole program. I feel it speaks very well to the happenings of this year. Just listen to the words of this song. I think you'll find a lot of meaning.

I am a four-way-faring stranger while traveling through this world of woe. Yet there's no sickness toil or danger in that bright world to which I go. I'm going there to see my Father. I'm going there no more to roam.

I'm only going over Jordan. I'm only going over home.

I know dark clouds will gather 'round me. I know my way is rough and steep. But golden fields lie out before me where God's redeemed shall ever sleep. I'm going there to see my Father. She says she needs me when I come.

I'm only going over Jordan. I'm only going over home.

I'll soon be free from every trial. My body's sleep in the churchyard. I'll drop the cross of self-denial and enter on to my reward. I'm going there to see my Savior, to sing His praise forevermore. I'm only going over Jordan.

I'm only going over home. I'm only going over Jordan.

I'm only going over home.

The next song that we have is "Faith is a Victory," and it's a song that most of us probably know by heart. The first verse begins, "In camp, along the hills of light." The second verse, "His banner over us is love." Third verse, "To him that overcomes." I would invite you guys to sing all three verses with us. You can stand for a change of position if you would like. Faith is a Victory.

There's 495 in the hymn note. Thank you. 495 in the hymn note.

Hopefully, it's the same version we have.

In camp, along the hills of light, ye Christian soldiers rise. And press the battle where the night shall veil the growing skies. Against the foe it bails below when all our strength be heard. Faith is a Victory, we know, that overcomes the world.

Faith is a Victory. Faith is a Victory. The glorious Victory that overcomes the world. His banner over us, His love our sword, the Word of God. We tread the road of saints above, which shouts of triumph drum. By faith, they light the world with breaths wrapped on our every field. The faith by which they conquer death is still our shining shield.

Faith is a Victory. Faith is a Victory. The glorious Victory that overcomes the world. To him that overcomes the foe, white raiment shall begin. Before the angels, he shall know His name compressed in hair. Then onward from the hills of light, our hearts with love aflame will vanquish all the hosts of night in Jesus' conquering name.

Faith is a Victory. Faith is a Victory. The glorious Victory that overcomes the world. Thank you. May we see Him.

So the next song we're singing is called "Heaven's Really Gonna Shine."

Now, how many of you are looking forward to heaven for heaven tonight?

All right. How much do you know about heaven?

We really don't know a whole lot. We all know it's a place we want to go to, but this is one of my favorite songs, and it says heaven's really going to shine. We don't really know a whole lot about heaven, but we know it's going to shine. And the reason it's going to shine is because the Prince of Light is going to be there, and He's going to be the light of that place.

So I hope each one of us is looking forward to that day when we can be with God in heaven. And when we think about the many situations and troubles and trials that we have in our world today, we can always look to the future and know that someday things will be better, and we will have a better place to go to. So I ask each one of you to make sure that your destination is secure, that you have purchased that ticket to heaven tonight so that you can someday see this glorious light in heaven.

I don't know exactly how sweet heaven will be. I don't know what beauty or what glory I'll see. I don't know what I'll behold that morning divine. I only know for sure that heaven's really gonna shine. It's gonna shine. Heaven's gonna shine. It's gonna shine. Heaven's gonna shine. Oh, yes, I know. Yes, I truly know. It's gonna shine. Really gonna shine. There's glory in. There is glory in. This soul of mine. In this soul of mine. Because I know for sure that heaven's really gonna shine.

I don't know how wide will be that city so fair. I don't even know how many saints will be there. I don't know how high will be that mansion of mine. I only know for sure that heaven's really gonna shine.

It's gonna shine. Heaven's gonna shine. It's gonna shine. Heaven's gonna shine. Oh, yes, I know. Yes, I truly know. It's gonna shine. Really gonna shine. There's glory in. There is glory in. This soul of mine. In this soul of mine. Because I know for sure that heaven's really gonna shine. It's gonna shine. Heaven's gonna shine. It's gonna shine. Heaven's gonna shine. Oh, yes, I know. Yes, I truly know. It's gonna shine. Really gonna shine. There's glory in. There is glory in. This soul of mine. In this soul of mine. Because I know for sure that heaven's really gonna shine.

The next song we're singing here, "Nothing Ever Can, Nothing Ever Will," speaks to how great our God is. As we went through the second half here, we sang songs about trust. We sang songs about refuge. We sang songs about heaven.

All songs that inspire us. As we think about the thought of trust tonight, we reflect on what's going on in the world around us. There's a lot of turmoil. There's a lot of anxiety. But we have a God that is greater than all that, and there's nothing that ever can or nothing that ever will surprise Him. There's nothing that'll catch Him off guard, and there's nothing that He cannot control.

In Habakkah chapter one, Habakkah talks about some things that he doesn't understand that God is doing. And in verse five, God says to Habakkah, "Habakkah, if I even told you what I'm up to, you wouldn't understand it." That's how great our God is. Our human minds can't really fully comprehend all that He's doing.

So as we look about the world around us, we look in our own lives, and we see things that we don't know and understand. We still need to just step back, trust in God, knowing He's got it all in His control.

Every power on earth and in heaven is a shadow in His light. No authority, law, or government challenges His sovereign might. His reign and rule have no boundary. All that is, His hands have wrought. Nothing ever can, nothing ever will overcome the Lord our God.

We are well aware we were orphans once, bent and broken in our shame. Then He sought us out and adopted us. Now we bear His royal name. Every sin or crime we have ever done is no match for Jesus' blood.

Nothing ever can, nothing ever will overcome the Lord our God.

We are rescued out of darkest night, free from Satan's evil hold. And the kingdom of our Savior's light is our soul's eternal home. Though the enemy tries to steal and kill what the death of Christ has brought, nothing ever can, nothing ever will overcome the Lord our God.

Our God is victorious. He always wins. He always wins. In love, He reigns over us. He always wins. He always wins. Our God is victorious. He always wins. He always wins. In love, He reigns over us. He always wins. He always wins.

Our God is victorious. He's victorious.

We, the church, declare Jesus Christ is King, for He conquered death once for all. We will live the light of His victory, following His gospel call. And when the story ends, we know Jesus wins, for His fire cannot be stopped.

Nothing ever can, nothing ever will overcome the Lord our God. Nothing ever can, nothing ever will overcome the Lord our God.

The Lord our God. Amen.

Thank you for that message of hope. Very well. Thank you, Brother Linwood, for leading out. God bless you.

Revelation 21:3 says, John the Apostle says, "I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them and be their God.'

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away. And He said that sat upon the throne, 'Behold, I will make all things new.'" Isn't that wonderful? Isn't that powerful?

I think you, folks, brought a message of hope tonight, and may God give you all the inspiration to carry that with you tomorrow, the next day, whatever we face. I think the former things are still with us, are they not?

So we have something to look forward to. They're going to go away by God's presence and help. May God bless you, and thank you for sharing. Anything from any of you? Any testimonies, any words of encouragement, or anything from any?

I don't want to thank you for coming and spending the evening with us. May God bless you as you travel back home while that parking lot is packed. So I know there's a lot of miles going to be traveled tonight till we're all back in our homes.

Just an announcement here, and this is to the choir. You get a privilege. The rest of us don't. After this is all over, you can go to the basement. There's going to be refreshments there for you. And that means, I guess, if you have a spouse with you that's not in the group here, you know who he or she is.

It's welcome as well. And also, any of the youth here, if you consider yourself a youth, whether you're local or from afar, you're welcome to go downstairs as well and have refreshments there in fellowship. And the rest of us get to stay upstairs and spend a little time getting to know each other in fellowship. God bless you with that. And we'll close then with Brother Glenford. Am I saying that right? Brother Glenford, if you want to lead us in a dismissal prayer.

And then after that, Brother John, if you would lead us in a song, and then we consider ourselves dismissed.

Let's then.

Our Heavenly Father, we are grateful to Thee for this opportunity that we could blend our voices together and to send forth the message of hope, comfort, encouragement. And Lord, we cannot grasp in our feeble minds how great You are.

And Lord, we thank You for all that You have done. And Lord, we pray that as we have ministered tonight, that it might continue to minister to each one of us in the coming days. Bless each one as they have been here and also as they travel homeward. Lord, we pray for their safety, that You would grant them safety as they travel. Watch over them and care for them. And Lord, thank You again for all that You've done. We're not worthy. Lord, we're not worthy of all that You've done for us. But Lord, we pray that You would help us in return for what You've done for us to give ourselves unreservedly to Thee. It's the most reasonable thing for us to do.

So God bless each one, and may You watch over and care for us. And may Your blessing be upon us. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen. Depart in peace. Amen. Just up.

Evening blessing.

Every hose our spirit sealed.

Sin and what we come confessing.

Thou didn't save and thou didn't steal.

No destruction walk around us. Though the arrows bless us wide.

Angel guards from peace surround us. We are safe if hour die. Glory be dark and dreary. Darkness cannot hide from me.

Thou art He who does not weary.

Watches where thy people be.

Shouldst in death this night or take us. Then commend us to the tomb.

May the morning then awake us.