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Passages Ministries

The Ministries of John "BJ" Hall

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Since January 18, 2015

Blog posts : "Christian"

Stand still, and see the salvation

By John BJ Hall

“Do not be afraid. Stand  still, and see the salvation of the LORD."

I just watched a podcast from First Baptist Church, Durant, Oklahoma, in which Dr. Todd Fischer (Executive Director, Treasurer of Oklahoma Baptists) said, "We have 1,700 Oklahoma Southern Baptist Churches. 58%…

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Do You Attend or Do You Belong

By John BJ Hall

Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who we…

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Why Did God Put the Tree in the Garden?

Author Unknown

God created the tree to give humans a REAL choice

Love is only real if it is freely chosen.

  • God did not create robots
  • For Adam and Eve to truly love, trust, and obey God, they needed the option not to.

The tree served as the test of obedience, not because the fruit …

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It Was for Me!

 
by BJ Hall
A DREAM?
A scream--
Groans of agony
            The sound of metal striking metal.
           metal striking flesh and bones
Torn flesh----           and blood that's streaming down.
           A gasp for air, but in it pain
     

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Faded Photographs, Memories in Bits and Pieces

By John BJ Hall

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the …

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Never Far from God

By John BJ Hall
I have come to an important understanding in my life. Let me give the background.
For many years, I suffered from depression and bipolar disorder. There were times when my mind was so dark I could not see the light that was shining around me. I felt that I wouldn’…

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Higher Ground

By John BJ Hall

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.            Philippians 3:14

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Many people go through life without ever realizing their full potential. Think of people, in the winter of life, who look back only to discover that the…

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I Would Be True

 

Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10

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Howard Walter was se…

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Peter’s Story

By John BJ Hall

I had gone to bed that night, but I was sure I did not sleep. My heart was filled with tears, and I knew that if I closed my eyes, I would lose control.

I lay there for what seemed like forever, but the sun refused to shine. Surely, it was morning. But why were there no sounds in…

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Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee


By John BJ Hall

I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely. Psalm 16:8–9

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Bernard of Clairvaux believed that we should love God, for who He is…

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Near to the Heart of God

By John BJ Hall

But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge, That I may tell of all Your works.   Psalm 73:28

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Cleland B McAfee wrote this hymn in 1901 shortly after two of his nieces died of diphtheria. During his time of grief, he found consolatio…

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Oh, How I Love Jesus


By John BJ Hall

I love the Lord, because He hears My voice and my supplications.     Psalm 116:1

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The melody of this hymn most likely came from a time in American history when Christians would conduct camp meetings. The chorus in particular was considered a “traveling refrain…

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Come, Oh Come, with Thy Broken Heart

By John BJ Hall
 
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4
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At some point in life, everyone comes to a time when they have a broken heart. It might be a lost love. It could be a relationship that has gone sour. Or it could be the realizatio…

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Christ Liveth in Me

By John BJ Hall

To whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.  Colossians 1:27

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live …

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The Light of the World Is Jesus

By John BJ Hall

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.                                                  John 8:12

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Philip P Bliss left home as a child. He worked in lu…

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Let the Lower Lights Be Burning

By John BJ Hall

So that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world. Philippians 2:15
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Jesus said “Let your light shine before men in such a w…

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Sweet Peace, the Gift of God's Love

By John BJ Hall

For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,              Ephesians 2:14

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Peter Bilhorn had been a popular singer in the beer halls of Chicago. During a revival held by George F. Pentecost, he was saved. H…

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He Keeps Me Singing

By John BJ Hall

Praise the Lord in song, for He has done excellent things; Let this be known throughout the earth. Isaiah 12:5
Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; Ephesians 5:19
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Luther Bridge…

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Crown Him with Many Crowns

By John BJ Hall

His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. Revelation 19:12
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Crowns are not merely decorative headwear for kings. They represent power, authority, and honor due to the king. As such, …

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He Lifted Me

By John BJ Hall

He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay; And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. Psalm 40:2
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The Psalmist was prophesying concerning the death burial and resurrection of the Messiah. But in a very real sense, he was also…

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