more free Christian songs and free Gospel Music at http://www.FreeGospelMusic.net
The Avoiding Detours Song Book.
Free Christian Song Book of Sacred Music and Spiritual Songs
Songs & Hymns
Come Out, Come Out Of Her My People
They followed the precepts of men
For money and for pleasure.
They scoffed at the precepts of God
To bring power to themselves.
Come out, come out of her My people
That you be not partakers of her sin
Come out of Great Babylon my people,
That you be not partakers of her sin
It is time, it is time, it is time to enter the Kingdom with our King.
It is time, it is time.
The Kingdom is right here for us right now.
Who ever will may enter in.
They followed the precepts of men
To bring glory to their idols.
They scoffed at the precepts of God
to bring glory to themselves.
Come into the Kingdom o, My people,
It is time now that you must enter in.
Come in perfect unity My people,
By the Spirit now, you shall enter in.
It is time, it is time, it is time to enter the Kingdom with our King.
It is time, it is time.
The Kingdom is right here for us right now.
Who ever will may enter in.
Copyright Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.
Psalm 131
Lord, My heart is not haughty,
Nor mine eyes lofty,
I don't exercise myself in great matters I can't see,
In things that are too high for me.
Let Israel hope in the Lord.
From henceforth, and forever.
Let Israel hope in the Lord.
From henceforth, and forever.
Surely, I have stilled myself
And quieted myself
As a child that is weaned of his mother, a weaned child.
My soul is as a weaned child.
Let Israel hope in the Lord.
From henceforth, and forever.
Let Israel hope in the Lord.
From henceforth, and forever.
Copyright Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.
Rationalism And Revelation
Rationalism and revelation will never see eye to eye.
Revelation trusts in God,
Rationalism trusts lies.
Rationalism thinks the human mind is all the source.
That human minds can dream up truth.
That they are the ultimate force.
Revelation believes God's Word, unchallenged to this hour.
That God can yet reveal His truth.
That He is the ultimate power.
And rationalized theology and science can be shown
The source of every kind of pain,
And trouble the earth has known.
But God has never authored strife, disorder, curse or plague.
He is the source of all that's good.
His Light is never vague.
What God has made declares His power so anyone can see.
But as for those who make up facts?
They're blind as blind can be.
Copyright Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.
Science, Falsely So Called
In the first letter to Timothy, chapter six and verses twenty and twenty-one, it mentions "science, falsely called." This letter says: "O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called . . ." the word, "science" was translated from a Greek word that means "knowledge." The English word, science, has several meanings, so it's hard to know what people mean when they say, "science." False knowledge takes many forms, but the truth is different: truth is absolute.
A man I know was out in one of the Canadian provinces at a shopping center. When he came out to go to his car, there was suddenly a snow storm that resulted in a complete white out. When the snow is so intense that all that can be seen is white, it's referred to as a white out. When a white out occurs, people can die because they lose their orientation and can't find shelter. They are totally blinded by the snow. That's what happened to this man I know. He walked out of the store and was totally lost in the storm and in danger. At this same moment, another man I know was some distance away and looked outside. Seeing that there was a white out, he felt a desire to pray. He asked the people there with him to join him in prayer, stating that someone may be in danger out in this white out. They prayed, and looked outside. The white out was gone and they praised God. The man in the parking lot gave praise to God that God had taken away the white out.
Here is the difference between science falsely so called and true science. It is the difference between that which is falsely called knowledge and truth. One of the speculative assumptions of false science is the assumption that there is no God, or at least that God is not involved in the material universe. Notice that the men mentioned above gave glory to God for what He had done. The meteorologists, on the other hand, became confused. Where had all the snow suddenly gone? Their false science was false because it only accounted for some of the factors involved in the events of weather and denied the possibility of anything outside of the material realm. Assuming that there was no God, they had to rationalize away the event that had just taken place.
A woman I know was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. She could no longer dress herself, and the x-rays showed the bone spurs clearly impinging on her nerves. The doctor said that there was very little he could do. She went to a second doctor and got the same story. It just so happened that this woman went to a church that followed the scriptural order of elders overseeing and pastoring the local church with apostles set over the universal church. She called for the elders, who laid hands on her, anointing her with oil and praying according to James five. Two people at that meeting came to her afterwards and told her that they had seen, in a vision, the bone spurs dissolving. That week, she felt considerably better. She found that she could move and dress herself. Going back to the doctor, he became quite agitated. He made this incredible remark about the bone spurs, "Well I don't know where they went, but they're gone now." The doctor was hindered by science, falsely called. He was assuming that God doesn't heal. The woman and all the faithful who heard about it, on the other hand, were praising God.
I know a Christian man who was driving in his car toward a green traffic light. Suddenly, a loud audible voice said, "Stop!" The man hit the brakes and stopped. He immediately saw a car, that would have hit him broadside, run through the intersection ahead of him. Someone had run a red light, but this man was giving glory to God that God had kept him from being hit. I'm certain that many would use science, falsely so called, to try to cast about for a naturalistic, materialistic explanation. Naturalism is simply the unfounded presupposition that there is no God. Materialism asserts the same thing as materialism does and is just as baseless. The fool had said in his heart, "There is no God."
We could go on about the broken neck that was suddenly not broken after two x-rays and a cat-scan confirmed that it was broken. We could talk about the abdominal growths that were suddenly gone, the knee that was suddenly made totally normal after confirmed diagnosis. We could talk about hopelessly ruined relationships that have been restored, and job situations and financial situations that have been reversed. We could talk about dead who have been raised to life. For all of these events, there's no doubt that science, falsely so called, would be scratching around to fabricate some rationalistic explanation, while true knowledge is giving glory to God for what He has done.
These are just some of the events that I, or people whom I know, have witnessed. Others have seen greater things. I've read about some of them and marveled. For every time that God moves, those who despise God are working very hard to make it seem as if God were not moving.
Romans 1:18-2:12 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
Copyright Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.
So Let Us Walk With Him
All of the man-made must now pass away,
Division and error will surely give way,
We won't disobey Him, the Spirit to grieve,
And in everything, we will hear and believe.
So let us walk with Him.
So let us talk with Him.
So let us enter in,
Walking and talking with Jesus our Lord.
So let us walk with Him.
So let us talk with Him.
So let us enter in,
Into the presence of Jesus our Lord.
The Church is His temple. We'll build it His way.
The elders and deacons, we'll trust and obey,
Three levels of order, God's authority,
Home, local and worldwide, all one family.
So let us walk with Him.
So let us talk with Him.
So let us enter in,
Walking and talking with Jesus our Lord.
So let us walk with Him.
So let us talk with Him.
So let us enter in,
Into the presence of Jesus our Lord.
While man has tried vainly to keep doctrine pure,
God's way to give doctrine will surely endure.
He gives light to those whom He sets to receive,
And all He requires is that we believe.
So let us walk with Him.
So let us talk with Him.
So let us enter in,
Walking and talking with Jesus our Lord.
So let us walk with Him.
So let us talk with Him.
So let us enter in,
Into the presence of Jesus our Lord.
The mind of the lofty could never conceive,
It uses the Scripture to twist and deceive.
But precept on precept, and line upon line,
To His Apostles, God gives of His mind.
So let us walk with Him.
So let us talk with Him.
So let us enter in,
Walking and talking with Jesus our Lord.
So let us walk with Him.
So let us talk with Him.
So let us enter in,
Into the presence of Jesus our Lord.
Copyright Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.
Spiritual Or Natural
The human faith is blind.
It leaps into dark,
And hopes to land in light.
It will not trust in God.
It starts with the human,
And that is where it ends.
It does not depend on the person of Jesus.
It can't receive the things of God.
It is a reasoned faith.
The faith that is of God,
Has eyes to see His will.
It moves the Hand of God,
For it has come from Him
It starts with God,
And God will complete it.
It can't be found outside of Christ Jesus.
It is not bound by things of earth.
It is the faith of God.
The human hope is weak.
It is a "hope so" hope.
It cannot light the way
It comes from human hearts.
It starts with the human,
And that is where it ends.
It does not depend on the person of Jesus.
Nor can it see the things of God.
It's merely mortal hope.
The hope that is of God,
Can see what God will do.
It knows His promises,
For it has come from Him.
It starts with God,
And God will fulfill it.
It can't be found outside of Christ Jesus.
It is not bound by things of earth.
It is the hope of God.
The human love receives.
It does not give away.
It never can be pure.
It comes from human hearts.
It starts with the human,
And that is where it ends.
It does not depend on the person of Jesus.
Nor can it love as Jesus loves.
It's selfish, fleshly love.
The love that is of God,
Can do what God will do.
It has the pow'r of God,
For it has come from Him.
It starts with God,
And God will complete it.
It can't be found outside of Christ Jesus.
It is not bound by things of earth.
It is the love of God.
For wisdom, joy, and peace,
And all that's good and right,
There is a counterfeit,
Or else the genuine
That starts with God, and God is the essence.
That can't be found outside of Christ Jesus,
That flows from God and can't be mixed,
With any natural.
Copyright Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.
The Common Theme
In all the horrors that have been done,
In every selfish race that has been run,
There is a common theme.
These are the works of those who dream.
The works of those deluded ones.
Take care you are not of their number.
They follow doctrines made by human source.
They follow doctrines from some demon source.
They seek to take some bounty now by force.
They do not seek the Lord.
Of course, if they had sought the Lord,
They would have found His nature sweet,
And made new pathways for their feet.
These violent, what is their nature?
Mainly, they are those who envy.
Or they are the rich and greedy.
All of whom want what they have not.
As the Scripture says,
"They do not ask so they don't have.
And when they ask, there is no faith.
That is all the cause of wars.
That is all the cause of fights."
And those who make the world their god,
Exalting, then, the minds of men
As if the mind were mighty god,
These come in violence for what?
Because they envy those whom God has blessed.
Take care you are not of their number.
For filthy lucre they bring forth their dreams.
And dress their filthy dreams in noble speech.
Deceiving many with this doctrine that they preach.
They follow doctrines made by human source.
They follow doctrines from a demon source.
They seek to take some bounty now by force.
They do not seek the Lord.
Oh, Yes! There is a common theme.
Copyright Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.
The Prophetic Word Of Rationalism
Rationalism is the prophetic word that proceeds from the god called intellect.
The prophetic word of rationalism is marked by the ability to justify any course of action or any philosophic paradigm.
The basis of rationalism is the belief that the intellect can reveal knowledge without the benefit of observation or any other source.
The prophetic word of rationalism will glorify anything except God and Jesus Christ, whether it be an organization, a person or persons, a doctrinal stand, a philosophy, a political ideology, or any part of the creation.
The prophetic word of rationalism can be heard throughout the land, from the campus of the university to the entertainment that is transmitted through all the various media. It can be heard from the news program to the sermon given from the pulpit of the local church building.
Numbers 15:39b Remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that you seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which you used to go a whoring
1 Corinthians 2:14 The natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Proverbs 28:26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool: but whoever walks wisely, he shall be delivered.
Jeremiah 23:16 Thus says the LORD of hosts, Hearken not to the words of the prophets that prophesy to you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.
Proverbs 3:5-7 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
Jeremiah 9:13-15 And the LORD says, Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked therein; But have walked after the imagination of their own heart, and after Baalim, which their fathers taught them: Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.
Ezekiel 13:17 Likewise, thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of your people, who prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them
Ezekiel 13:22-23 Because with lies you have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life: Therefore you shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and you shall know that I am the LORD.
Copyright Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.
The Real Church
Our God is real and absolute and His Light never dims,
Though much is done and falsely labeled as a work of Him,
Unlike the real Christ, the Only Hope of all mankind,
A plastic church suggests another christ of laws that bind,
A christ composed of many rules and rituals and forms,
And claiming that some human works could somehow please the Lord.
The members of the real Church confess the state they're in,
Depending on the works of Christ to save them from their sins.
Who look to power from On High to be set fully free,
And, though yet soiled, and spotted still, to one day holy be.
There is no way to join God's Church, yet all who will may come,
And any may be born into this Church of God's dear Son.
Unlike our mighty Lord, Who saves, and heals, by Whom we soar,
A man-made church presents some other christ who has no power,
A christ who has no power to heal, no power to set you free,
But rather form and ritual, a name from history.
How different, God's Church, God's Doors, His called out ministries,
Who manifest the potent Christ, the One Who sets us free,
Those led with power from on high; those called out from the world,
Those called to sell all that they have to purchase this great pearl.
The Church is not a club to join, yet all who will may come,
And any may be born into this Church of God's own Son.
Unlike this Holy One, in Whom we live so high above,
Synthetic churches pose some other christ . . . who is not Love,
A christ who brings no holiness, a mist from long ago,
A christ who is so far away, not like the One we know.
How different, God's Church: with Love of God and Spirit flow,
Obeying Christ, our vital Lord, The living Corner Stone.
That pattern absolute and sure, the living Christ Divine,
For we love Him Who is the Light, so He within us shines.
And all who seek to know the Lord will find Him as they pray,
Though many false christs are put forth who cannot help or save.
Unlike the mighty Christ, Whose presence is a burning fire,
A plastic church presents some other christ of mind's desire,
A christ who entertains and stimulates the human minds,
A made up christ who loves the world, that shackles, maims, and blinds.
Christ's Body is the Church: the growing Temple from On High,
Which now shows forth Lord Jesus Christ, the only Good and Kind,
The Temple of our holy God, a House not made with hands,
By that which every joint supplies, this Temple grows and stands.
So many spirits have gone forth, and many voices speak,
But those who seek the Holy One are careful as they seek.
They find the teaching Christ, Whom we may seek and find and know,
While pseudo-churches preach another christ who cannot show,
A christ who cannot speak to us, nor even guide our way,
The christ they preach we cannot know, nor grow in Him each day.
The contrast is the Church: those called to Light from shades of gray,
To walk according to the Christ revealed, in pots of clay.
Those called to press toward calling high will be set fully free,
And, though yet soiled, and spotted still, will one day holy be.
The doctrine that there is no Truth, Whom we may seek and find,
Pervades the earthly, devilish church, which charms the human mind.
Not like the great I Am, Who is, and Whom we know and feel,
A barren church presents a different christ who is not real,
A christ who says, "Do as thou wilt," with choices you may choose,
A vapor, a philosophy, a thought that you can use.
How different, God's Church, those who reveal our God's good news,
They manifest the steadfast Christ, the One Whom all may choose,
With love unfeigned and hope unquenched and Faith the only shield,
That Body of the living Lord: His essence now revealed.
Copyright Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.
The Way Is Simple
The way is simple.
Abide in the Vine.
The Life of the Vine will flow.
The way is simple.
Abide in the vine.
The Spirit's own fruit will grow.
Copyright Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.
There Are Those Who Love To Say
There are those who love to say,
"The natural holds all the sway!"
While trying to explain away
The things that God does every day.
They tell us that we cannot know
The God above while here below.
And so they put on quite a show
To try to prove we cannot know.
But God does move. We see His Hand.
We hear His Voice. In Him, we stand.
For we know everything is planned,
And all things move at God's command.
Copyright Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.
There Is No Substitute For Jesus
All the things that men may do to substitute,
Those creations and theologies they institute,
All those things that they invent,
And their clever argument,
Cannot compare to Jesus.
There is no substitute for Jesus.
We each must know Him as our Friend.
He must reveal Himself and fill us.
He must work through us from within.
There is no substitute for Jesus.
We must receive Him as our Friend.
The more we yield, the more He fills us,
Until we're glorified with Him.
So many ways that men may try to imitate
God's great moving by His Spirit but if we will wait
On the Lord and seek His face,
He shall touch us with His grace.
We shall touch Him, our Jesus.
There is no substitute for Jesus.
We each must know Him as our Friend.
He must reveal Himself and fill us.
He must work through us from within.
There is no substitute for Jesus.
We must receive Him as our Friend.
The more we yield, the more He fills us,
Until we're glorified with Him.
All the things the men may do to substitute,
Forms and programs dead and empty and so destitute,
Mocking Him on Whom we're built,
He Who takes away our guilt,
The King of Kings, our Jesus.
There is no substitute for Jesus.
We each must know Him as our Friend.
He must reveal Himself and fill us.
He must work through us from within.
There is no substitute for Jesus.
We must receive Him as our Friend.
The more we yield, the more He fills us,
Until we're glorified with Him.
Copyright Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.
Two Spirits
The human spirit, its violence is plain to see now.
Its 'righteous' anger justifying sin.
The Holy Spirit, His fruit spring forth in all who follow.
Let those who have been born now walk in Him.
The human spirit, all violence proceeds from this source.
With faulty reason, vile acts defends.
The Holy Spirit, all love and peace proceeds from this Source.
He is the Christ, the power of God within.
The human spirit, It feeds on envy. Full of malice!
It reaches out exalting thoughts of self.
The Holy Spirit, He moves in mercy. How He loves us!
He moves in love through those who yield themselves.
The human spirit, it has a usurped power destructive.
It makes demands for "rights" and privileges.
The Holy Spirit, His power is God's power within us.
Self-sacrifice marks all who now are His.
The human spirit, it points its finger and accuses.
It thanks its God for all its righteousness.
The Holy Spirit, He looks for fruit meet for repentance.
And contrite hearts that ask Him to forgive.
The human spirit, it brings attention to its own self.
It loves itself. Its selfish ways are known.
The Holy Spirit, He always points the way to Jesus.
He speaks of Christ, exalting Him alone.
The human spirit, it speaks of its own puffed up virtue
It seeks to prove that it is good and right.
the Holy Spirit, He speaks of that which is true virtue.
He points the way from darkness to the LIGHT.
The human spirit, its so deceptive; who can know it.
It uses pseudo-science to tell lies.
The Holy Spirit, He looks for willing hearts who hear Him.
He speaks only of Truth from up on High.
The human spirit, the power of the human psyche.
They work together in hypocrisy.
The Holy Spirit, The power of the Holy Father.
He is the One Who sets the captives free.
The human spirit, it tries to find some human method.
The human ways where all confusion lurks.
The Holy Spirit, He points the way to Gods own methods.
And from God's Word reveals the way that works.
The human spirit, it claims to have attained all fullness.
It seeks to show that it is good and blessed.
The Holy Spirit, He urges all to come to fullness.
He urges us to press on toward His rest.
The human spirit, it claims that there is no Truth for us.
It looks to made-up lies to build its tower.
The Holy Spirit, He points the way, the way to Jesus.
For Jesus is the Truth; in Him is power.
The human spirit, it speaks of human effort working.
It tries to use the self to bring reform.
The Holy Spirit, He simply brings us to The New King.
The King of kings in all who are reborn.
The human spirit, it thinks it sees with understanding.
It's blind with no capacity for sight.
The Holy Spirit, His hope sees just what God is doing.
The King of kings, we seek with all our might.
Copyright Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.
What The World Really Needs Now Is Jesus
What the world really needs now is Jesus;
He's the Door to God's true Love for everyone.
God is Love, real Love. There's no other.
And, through Jesus, anyone who will may come.
Now we know that we don't need another program.
There are projects and programs enough, and they all fail.
And ideas and theories are of no avail,
Wake up, now, if you want to know.
God so loved, loved the world, He gave Jesus,
Only Way to pay the price for human sin.
God is Love, Wisdom, Pow'r, there's no other.
Only Jesus can redeem us unto Him.
Now we know that we don't need another program.
There are projects and programs enough, and they all fail.
Regulations and edicts are of no avail,
Wake up, now, if you want to know.
Don't reject God's true Love, His Son, Jesus;
Only Door to God's true Love for everyone.
Don't reject God's true Love. You need Jesus;
For, through Jesus, anyone who will may come.
Copyright Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.
Which Faith?
Which one will you receive?
Human faith is blind.
God's faith sees.
Human faith comes from the human.
God's faith comes from God.
Human faith believes without evidence.
God's faith is the evidence of things not seen.
Human faith speaks lies.
God's faith speaks the Truth.
Human faith works with human hope,
Human "I hope so" hope.
God's faith works with God's hope,
Eternal, abiding, sure hope.
Human faith works with human love,
Selfish, self-exalting love.
God's faith works with God's love,
Self-sacrificing, giving love.
Human faith believes what it wants to be true.
God's faith believes what God shows to be true.
Human faith believes in such things as:
evolution,
global warming,
safe immorality,
changing the laws of God,
human ways, human methods.
God's faith believes in such things as:
Forgiveness, healing and righteousness through Christ,
Christ's sure coming,
God's unfailing judgements,
God's unchanging righteousness,
God's ways, God's methods.
Human faith opens the door to a relationship with the human mind.
God's faith opens the door to a relationship with God.
Will you choose the human faith,
Or will you choose the faith of God.
Which one will you receive?
Copyright Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.
Poetry & Meditations
Rationalism And Revelation
Rationalism and revelation will never see eye to eye.
Revelation trusts in God,
Rationalism trusts lies.
Rationalism thinks the human mind is all the source.
That human minds can dream up truth.
That they are the ultimate force.
Revelation believes God's Word, unchallenged to this hour.
That God can yet reveal His truth.
That He is the ultimate power.
And rationalized theology and science can be shown
The source of every kind of pain,
And trouble the earth has known.
But God has never authored strife, disorder, curse or plague.
He is the source of all that's good.
His Light is never vague.
What God has made declares His power so anyone can see.
But as for those who make up facts?
They're blind as blind can be.
Copyright Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.
Science, Falsely So Called
In the first letter to Timothy, chapter six and verses twenty and twenty-one, it mentions "science, falsely called." This letter says: "O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called . . ." the word, "science" was translated from a Greek word that means "knowledge." The English word, science, has several meanings, so it's hard to know what people mean when they say, "science." False knowledge takes many forms, but the truth is different: truth is absolute.
A man I know was out in one of the Canadian provinces at a shopping center. When he came out to go to his car, there was suddenly a snow storm that resulted in a complete white out. When the snow is so intense that all that can be seen is white, it's referred to as a white out. When a white out occurs, people can die because they lose their orientation and can't find shelter. They are totally blinded by the snow. That's what happened to this man I know. He walked out of the store and was totally lost in the storm and in danger. At this same moment, another man I know was some distance away and looked outside. Seeing that there was a white out, he felt a desire to pray. He asked the people there with him to join him in prayer, stating that someone may be in danger out in this white out. They prayed, and looked outside. The white out was gone and they praised God. The man in the parking lot gave praise to God that God had taken away the white out.
Here is the difference between science falsely so called and true science. It is the difference between that which is falsely called knowledge and truth. One of the speculative assumptions of false science is the assumption that there is no God, or at least that God is not involved in the material universe. Notice that the men mentioned above gave glory to God for what He had done. The meteorologists, on the other hand, became confused. Where had all the snow suddenly gone? Their false science was false because it only accounted for some of the factors involved in the events of weather and denied the possibility of anything outside of the material realm. Assuming that there was no God, they had to rationalize away the event that had just taken place.
A woman I know was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. She could no longer dress herself, and the x-rays showed the bone spurs clearly impinging on her nerves. The doctor said that there was very little he could do. She went to a second doctor and got the same story. It just so happened that this woman went to a church that followed the scriptural order of elders overseeing and pastoring the local church with apostles set over the universal church. She called for the elders, who laid hands on her, anointing her with oil and praying according to James five. Two people at that meeting came to her afterwards and told her that they had seen, in a vision, the bone spurs dissolving. That week, she felt considerably better. She found that she could move and dress herself. Going back to the doctor, he became quite agitated. He made this incredible remark about the bone spurs, "Well I don't know where they went, but they're gone now." The doctor was hindered by science, falsely called. He was assuming that God doesn't heal. The woman and all the faithful who heard about it, on the other hand, were praising God.
I know a Christian man who was driving in his car toward a green traffic light. Suddenly, a loud audible voice said, "Stop!" The man hit the brakes and stopped. He immediately saw a car, that would have hit him broadside, run through the intersection ahead of him. Someone had run a red light, but this man was giving glory to God that God had kept him from being hit. I'm certain that many would use science, falsely so called, to try to cast about for a naturalistic, materialistic explanation. Naturalism is simply the unfounded presupposition that there is no God. Materialism asserts the same thing as materialism does and is just as baseless. The fool had said in his heart, "There is no God."
We could go on about the broken neck that was suddenly not broken after two x-rays and a cat-scan confirmed that it was broken. We could talk about the abdominal growths that were suddenly gone, the knee that was suddenly made totally normal after confirmed diagnosis. We could talk about hopelessly ruined relationships that have been restored, and job situations and financial situations that have been reversed. We could talk about dead who have been raised to life. For all of these events, there's no doubt that science, falsely so called, would be scratching around to fabricate some rationalistic explanation, while true knowledge is giving glory to God for what He has done.
These are just some of the events that I, or people whom I know, have witnessed. Others have seen greater things. I've read about some of them and marveled. For every time that God moves, those who despise God are working very hard to make it seem as if God were not moving.
Romans 1:18-2:12 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
Copyright Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.
Spiritual Or Natural
The human faith is blind.
It leaps into dark,
And hopes to land in light.
It will not trust in God.
It starts with the human,
And that is where it ends.
It does not depend on the person of Jesus.
It can't receive the things of God.
It is a reasoned faith.
The faith that is of God,
Has eyes to see His will.
It moves the Hand of God,
For it has come from Him
It starts with God,
And God will complete it.
It can't be found outside of Christ Jesus.
It is not bound by things of earth.
It is the faith of God.
The human hope is weak.
It is a "hope so" hope.
It cannot light the way
It comes from human hearts.
It starts with the human,
And that is where it ends.
It does not depend on the person of Jesus.
Nor can it see the things of God.
It's merely mortal hope.
The hope that is of God,
Can see what God will do.
It knows His promises,
For it has come from Him.
It starts with God,
And God will fulfill it.
It can't be found outside of Christ Jesus.
It is not bound by things of earth.
It is the hope of God.
The human love receives.
It does not give away.
It never can be pure.
It comes from human hearts.
It starts with the human,
And that is where it ends.
It does not depend on the person of Jesus.
Nor can it love as Jesus loves.
It's selfish, fleshly love.
The love that is of God,
Can do what God will do.
It has the pow'r of God,
For it has come from Him.
It starts with God,
And God will complete it.
It can't be found outside of Christ Jesus.
It is not bound by things of earth.
It is the love of God.
For wisdom, joy, and peace,
And all that's good and right,
There is a counterfeit,
Or else the genuine
That starts with God, and God is the essence.
That can't be found outside of Christ Jesus,
That flows from God and can't be mixed,
With any natural.
Copyright Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.
The Common Theme
In all the horrors that have been done,
In every selfish race that has been run,
There is a common theme.
These are the works of those who dream.
The works of those deluded ones.
Take care you are not of their number.
They follow doctrines made by human source.
They follow doctrines from some demon source.
They seek to take some bounty now by force.
They do not seek the Lord.
Of course, if they had sought the Lord,
They would have found His nature sweet,
And made new pathways for their feet.
These violent, what is their nature?
Mainly, they are those who envy.
Or they are the rich and greedy.
All of whom want what they have not.
As the Scripture says,
"They do not ask so they don't have.
And when they ask, there is no faith.
That is all the cause of wars.
That is all the cause of fights."
And those who make the world their god,
Exalting, then, the minds of men
As if the mind were mighty god,
These come in violence for what?
Because they envy those whom God has blessed.
Take care you are not of their number.
For filthy lucre they bring forth their dreams.
And dress their filthy dreams in noble speech.
Deceiving many with this doctrine that they preach.
They follow doctrines made by human source.
They follow doctrines from a demon source.
They seek to take some bounty now by force.
They do not seek the Lord.
Oh, Yes! There is a common theme.
Copyright Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.
The Prophetic Word Of Rationalism
Rationalism is the prophetic word that proceeds from the god called intellect.
The prophetic word of rationalism is marked by the ability to justify any course of action or any philosophic paradigm.
The basis of rationalism is the belief that the intellect can reveal knowledge without the benefit of observation or any other source.
The prophetic word of rationalism will glorify anything except God and Jesus Christ, whether it be an organization, a person or persons, a doctrinal stand, a philosophy, a political ideology, or any part of the creation.
The prophetic word of rationalism can be heard throughout the land, from the campus of the university to the entertainment that is transmitted through all the various media. It can be heard from the news program to the sermon given from the pulpit of the local church building.
Numbers 15:39b Remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that you seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which you used to go a whoring
1 Corinthians 2:14 The natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Proverbs 28:26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool: but whoever walks wisely, he shall be delivered.
Jeremiah 23:16 Thus says the LORD of hosts, Hearken not to the words of the prophets that prophesy to you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.
Proverbs 3:5-7 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
Jeremiah 9:13-15 And the LORD says, Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked therein; But have walked after the imagination of their own heart, and after Baalim, which their fathers taught them: Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.
Ezekiel 13:17 Likewise, thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of your people, who prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them
Ezekiel 13:22-23 Because with lies you have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life: Therefore you shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and you shall know that I am the LORD.
Copyright Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.
The Real Church
Our God is real and absolute and His Light never dims,
Though much is done and falsely labeled as a work of Him,
Unlike the real Christ, the Only Hope of all mankind,
A plastic church suggests another christ of laws that bind,
A christ composed of many rules and rituals and forms,
And claiming that some human works could somehow please the Lord.
The members of the real Church confess the state they're in,
Depending on the works of Christ to save them from their sins.
Who look to power from On High to be set fully free,
And, though yet soiled, and spotted still, to one day holy be.
There is no way to join God's Church, yet all who will may come,
And any may be born into this Church of God's dear Son.
Unlike our mighty Lord, Who saves, and heals, by Whom we soar,
A man-made church presents some other christ who has no power,
A christ who has no power to heal, no power to set you free,
But rather form and ritual, a name from history.
How different, God's Church, God's Doors, His called out ministries,
Who manifest the potent Christ, the One Who sets us free,
Those led with power from on high; those called out from the world,
Those called to sell all that they have to purchase this great pearl.
The Church is not a club to join, yet all who will may come,
And any may be born into this Church of God's own Son.
Unlike this Holy One, in Whom we live so high above,
Synthetic churches pose some other christ . . . who is not Love,
A christ who brings no holiness, a mist from long ago,
A christ who is so far away, not like the One we know.
How different, God's Church: with Love of God and Spirit flow,
Obeying Christ, our vital Lord, The living Corner Stone.
That pattern absolute and sure, the living Christ Divine,
For we love Him Who is the Light, so He within us shines.
And all who seek to know the Lord will find Him as they pray,
Though many false christs are put forth who cannot help or save.
Unlike the mighty Christ, Whose presence is a burning fire,
A plastic church presents some other christ of mind's desire,
A christ who entertains and stimulates the human minds,
A made up christ who loves the world, that shackles, maims, and blinds.
Christ's Body is the Church: the growing Temple from On High,
Which now shows forth Lord Jesus Christ, the only Good and Kind,
The Temple of our holy God, a House not made with hands,
By that which every joint supplies, this Temple grows and stands.
So many spirits have gone forth, and many voices speak,
But those who seek the Holy One are careful as they seek.
They find the teaching Christ, Whom we may seek and find and know,
While pseudo-churches preach another christ who cannot show,
A christ who cannot speak to us, nor even guide our way,
The christ they preach we cannot know, nor grow in Him each day.
The contrast is the Church: those called to Light from shades of gray,
To walk according to the Christ revealed, in pots of clay.
Those called to press toward calling high will be set fully free,
And, though yet soiled, and spotted still, will one day holy be.
The doctrine that there is no Truth, Whom we may seek and find,
Pervades the earthly, devilish church, which charms the human mind.
Not like the great I Am, Who is, and Whom we know and feel,
A barren church presents a different christ who is not real,
A christ who says, "Do as thou wilt," with choices you may choose,
A vapor, a philosophy, a thought that you can use.
How different, God's Church, those who reveal our God's good news,
They manifest the steadfast Christ, the One Whom all may choose,
With love unfeigned and hope unquenched and Faith the only shield,
That Body of the living Lord: His essence now revealed.
Copyright Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.
The Way Is Simple
The way is simple.
Abide in the Vine.
The Life of the Vine will flow.
The way is simple.
Abide in the vine.
The Spirit's own fruit will grow.
Copyright Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.
There Are Those Who Love To Say
There are those who love to say,
"The natural holds all the sway!"
While trying to explain away
The things that God does every day.
They tell us that we cannot know
The God above while here below.
And so they put on quite a show
To try to prove we cannot know.
But God does move. We see His Hand.
We hear His Voice. In Him, we stand.
For we know everything is planned,
And all things move at God's command.
Copyright Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.
Two Spirits
The human spirit, its violence is plain to see now.
Its 'righteous' anger justifying sin.
The Holy Spirit, His fruit spring forth in all who follow.
Let those who have been born now walk in Him.
The human spirit, all violence proceeds from this source.
With faulty reason, vile acts defends.
The Holy Spirit, all love and peace proceeds from this Source.
He is the Christ, the power of God within.
The human spirit, It feeds on envy. Full of malice!
It reaches out exalting thoughts of self.
The Holy Spirit, He moves in mercy. How He loves us!
He moves in love through those who yield themselves.
The human spirit, it has a usurped power destructive.
It makes demands for "rights" and privileges.
The Holy Spirit, His power is God's power within us.
Self-sacrifice marks all who now are His.
The human spirit, it points its finger and accuses.
It thanks its God for all its righteousness.
The Holy Spirit, He looks for fruit meet for repentance.
And contrite hearts that ask Him to forgive.
The human spirit, it brings attention to its own self.
It loves itself. Its selfish ways are known.
The Holy Spirit, He always points the way to Jesus.
He speaks of Christ, exalting Him alone.
The human spirit, it speaks of its own puffed up virtue
It seeks to prove that it is good and right.
the Holy Spirit, He speaks of that which is true virtue.
He points the way from darkness to the LIGHT.
The human spirit, its so deceptive; who can know it.
It uses pseudo-science to tell lies.
The Holy Spirit, He looks for willing hearts who hear Him.
He speaks only of Truth from up on High.
The human spirit, the power of the human psyche.
They work together in hypocrisy.
The Holy Spirit, The power of the Holy Father.
He is the One Who sets the captives free.
The human spirit, it tries to find some human method.
The human ways where all confusion lurks.
The Holy Spirit, He points the way to Gods own methods.
And from God's Word reveals the way that works.
The human spirit, it claims to have attained all fullness.
It seeks to show that it is good and blessed.
The Holy Spirit, He urges all to come to fullness.
He urges us to press on toward His rest.
The human spirit, it claims that there is no Truth for us.
It looks to made-up lies to build its tower.
The Holy Spirit, He points the way, the way to Jesus.
For Jesus is the Truth; in Him is power.
The human spirit, it speaks of human effort working.
It tries to use the self to bring reform.
The Holy Spirit, He simply brings us to The New King.
The King of kings in all who are reborn.
The human spirit, it thinks it sees with understanding.
It's blind with no capacity for sight.
The Holy Spirit, His hope sees just what God is doing.
The King of kings, we seek with all our might.
Copyright Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.
Which Faith?
Which one will you receive?
Human faith is blind.
God's faith sees.
Human faith comes from the human.
God's faith comes from God.
Human faith believes without evidence.
God's faith is the evidence of things not seen.
Human faith speaks lies.
God's faith speaks the Truth.
Human faith works with human hope,
Human "I hope so" hope.
God's faith works with God's hope,
Eternal, abiding, sure hope.
Human faith works with human love,
Selfish, self-exalting love.
God's faith works with God's love,
Self-sacrificing, giving love.
Human faith believes what it wants to be true.
God's faith believes what God shows to be true.
Human faith believes in such things as:
evolution,
global warming,
safe immorality,
changing the laws of God,
human ways, human methods.
God's faith believes in such things as:
Forgiveness, healing and righteousness through Christ,
Christ's sure coming,
God's unfailing judgements,
God's unchanging righteousness,
God's ways, God's methods.
Human faith opens the door to a relationship with the human mind.
God's faith opens the door to a relationship with God.
Will you choose the human faith,
Or will you choose the faith of God.
Which one will you receive?
Copyright Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.
Copyright Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.
Free Christian Song Book of Sacred Music and Spiritual Songs
more free Christian songs and free Gospel Music at http://www.FreeGospelMusic.net