First stanza to the song, 'Standing in the Need of Prayer', Not my brother, not my sister, but it's me, O Lord, Standin' in the need of prayer; Not my brother, not my sister, but it's me, O Lord, Standin' in the need of prayer. ~ In the public domain with no listed author and was originally an African American Spiritual

Okay, I will be brief today. I'm not certain of that but I thought it might set an expectation for me to shoot at. It is Friday, March 22, 2019, and I bid you greetings from my little realm to wherever you happen to be. It's been an interesting week for us because we have been occupied with several different projects. I'm thankful that several of them were connected to God and the sharing of His Word and our love for those in need. Our pastor likes to always remind us that whenever we observe something we think to be good in him, it is only because of Jesus, and, when we observe something we think not to be good, it is all him. I get that. He goes on to say we should give Jesus the honor and glory for the good, and, offer love and grace as he seeks to make the other stuff better. I get that. This past Wednesday evening we had a service I will not soon forget. When we finished singing a lady stood up and said that song was emotional for her because of her dear friend who was going through a tough time. The pastor thanked her for her heart and then he prayed for that individual. When he finished that prayer he asked if anyone else had a request. An hour and one half later he closed out our service. He actually went to the individual who raised their hand and prayed with them. At times, he kneeled. It was remarkable. The Spirit of God was moving. Tears were flowing. God was in the house. No. We didn't get to our lesson from Hebrews on faith but we saw faith put into action. It reminded us all that each of us always and forever stand in need of a touch from God. Amen and Amen.

Eleven years ago I used the familiar song after the graphic for the entirety of my blog. It's a fitting reminder of the greatest need of every human breathing air on the planet and the only way to meet that need. I know the religion modernists have for several years sought to de-emphasize the blood of Jesus because it is offensive. Sadly, offensive or not, the Bible makes it clear that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin.  ~ Romans 3:25 "whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;" ~ Leviticus 17:11 'For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.'~ Hebrews 9:22 "And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." ~ I do hope you will have a most wonderful Saturday and Sunday. I will do my best, Lord willing, to catch back up with y'all next Monday. May God bless and keep each one. Amen. ....More later.

Good News: Nothing But the Blood!

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

CHORUS:

Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

For my pardon this I see -
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing, this my plea - 
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

CHORUS:

Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

Nothing can for sin atone -
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done -
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

CHORUS:

Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

This is all my hope and peace -
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness -
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

CHORUS:

Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

Robert Wadsworth Lowry (1826 - 1899)