When a human reaches a point in life in which he finds himself with no one left but God to turn to, then he realizes that God is all he needs. What an advantage!
This is a discovery that far surpasses any human understanding that can be acquired by man: An ultimate realization; enthroning God and dethroning self. John the Baptist stated it this way: "He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30) It is when man is alone with God that he, like Moses, is exhorted to take off his shoes because of the holy presence of God. Or he covers his mouth as Isaiah and cries, "Unclean, Unclean!" Being alone in His presence condemns the sinful nature of the flesh. Being alone with God influences one to be more holy and less Adamic. As one preacher declared, "Follow the cloud and not the crowd!"
Many a person has found Him standing by his side when all others forsook him. Alone with God is the greatest comfort humans can experience. Friends will let you down; Jesus won't! Family will forsake you; Jesus won't! You can deceive yourself; Jesus won't! Being alone in His presence produces a likeness to God that no crowd can give.
--J.M. Skinner
Friday, December 24, 2010
Satan Said "Is that True"
But Eve yielded when the enemy of our souls, through the snake, through the serpent, the Bible says, tempted Eve. Satan lied to Eve. Satan said, "Is it true that God said that?" (Genesis 3:1-6)
Satan, that enemy of our souls is still telling us, "Is that true?" Perhaps Satan will say, "Is that true that your church says this? Is it true that the Word of God says this? Are you sure you understand that? You need to study that Word. Let's get into the dictionary and let's dissect this Word. Let's try to understand it with a philosophical mind." And he goes on and on and on.
Instead of trusting the Holy Spirit and simply accepting when the Scripture tells us, for example, to repent. We can try to define it in a lot of details. But we have to be very, very careful not to try to twist the Word of God and not to allow the enemy, who deceived the first couple, deceive ourselves. We understand the simplicity of the definition of repentance. It is an inward change that is produced by the convicting Spirit of God as we listen to the Word of God, as we listen to the sermons, as we are exposed to God's truth.
God then helps us that it comes from the heart. It is manifested in every aspect of our life. It is manifested through our joy, through the peace that we have and the obedience to the Word of God. It gives us spiritual confidence. Not confidence in what I know. Not confidence in the flesh. It gives us spiritual confidence. That spiritual confidence helps us, encourages, undergirds our faith. That faith really encourages us to be obedient to the Word of God. God gives us that understanding as we trust Him and as we plead with God day and night, as the Scripture tells us.
--Sermon Excerpt: Elder Bro. P.P.
Satan, that enemy of our souls is still telling us, "Is that true?" Perhaps Satan will say, "Is that true that your church says this? Is it true that the Word of God says this? Are you sure you understand that? You need to study that Word. Let's get into the dictionary and let's dissect this Word. Let's try to understand it with a philosophical mind." And he goes on and on and on.
Instead of trusting the Holy Spirit and simply accepting when the Scripture tells us, for example, to repent. We can try to define it in a lot of details. But we have to be very, very careful not to try to twist the Word of God and not to allow the enemy, who deceived the first couple, deceive ourselves. We understand the simplicity of the definition of repentance. It is an inward change that is produced by the convicting Spirit of God as we listen to the Word of God, as we listen to the sermons, as we are exposed to God's truth.
God then helps us that it comes from the heart. It is manifested in every aspect of our life. It is manifested through our joy, through the peace that we have and the obedience to the Word of God. It gives us spiritual confidence. Not confidence in what I know. Not confidence in the flesh. It gives us spiritual confidence. That spiritual confidence helps us, encourages, undergirds our faith. That faith really encourages us to be obedient to the Word of God. God gives us that understanding as we trust Him and as we plead with God day and night, as the Scripture tells us.
--Sermon Excerpt: Elder Bro. P.P.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
God Brings Truth in Simple Ways
Sometimes in the most simple ways God can reveal what we need to do.
I am reminded about an account I heard one time of a young couple that was married, I think it was in our faith. They were unconverted and newly married. They had their first child. That child died, was taken away from them. It was hard on them, very difficult, as we would all know, anyone that has lost a child. I have never gone through that myself, but I can believe it is a very difficult thing. It was difficult for them. The young wife, the young mother became bitter against the Lord. Bitter against the Lord that He had taken away their child. She could not understand it.
Beloved ones, isn't it true, that in our life, many times things come our way, we don't understand it. They are difficult things. It wounds our heart, grieves our heart, brings sorrow. We do not understand it. But may we take a lesson that we do not become bitter. That we believe it is from the hand of the Lord and for some good reason. For some purpose, God has allowed it to take place.
Anyway, this young wife was bitter. For fifteen years, she was bitter against the Lord that He had taken away their child. One time they were on a vacation out west. They came upon a shepherd and his flock of sheep. They were watching that shepherd, how he handled those sheep. He was trying to bring those sheep across a little ravine, a chasm. The sheep would not go. They were afraid to jump. He could not make them go across. Finally, that shepherd took a little lamb in his arms. With that little lamb, he jumped across that ravine, that chasm. After that, the mother of that lamb saw that little lamb taken across there. She also jumped across and, before long, the whole flock had come across.
Sometimes, beloved ones, God brings us truths in simple ways. That mother, at that point, began to understand why the Lord had taken their child away. It was to give her impulse and motivation to follow where that child had gone. We believe a child that is taken from life is in a better place. That mother took courage. She also took that step to go across that chasm. She began to repent. She became converted. She became a child of God. We believe she was faithful unto life's end.
Many times God speaks to us, through the Bible, through the preaching of the Word, speaks to us through a child, through the Spirit. Beloved ones, when the Lord speaks, however He does, let us take it to heart and let's do the things the Lord has taught us and instructed us.
--Sermon Excerpt: Bro. K.D.
I am reminded about an account I heard one time of a young couple that was married, I think it was in our faith. They were unconverted and newly married. They had their first child. That child died, was taken away from them. It was hard on them, very difficult, as we would all know, anyone that has lost a child. I have never gone through that myself, but I can believe it is a very difficult thing. It was difficult for them. The young wife, the young mother became bitter against the Lord. Bitter against the Lord that He had taken away their child. She could not understand it.
Beloved ones, isn't it true, that in our life, many times things come our way, we don't understand it. They are difficult things. It wounds our heart, grieves our heart, brings sorrow. We do not understand it. But may we take a lesson that we do not become bitter. That we believe it is from the hand of the Lord and for some good reason. For some purpose, God has allowed it to take place.
Anyway, this young wife was bitter. For fifteen years, she was bitter against the Lord that He had taken away their child. One time they were on a vacation out west. They came upon a shepherd and his flock of sheep. They were watching that shepherd, how he handled those sheep. He was trying to bring those sheep across a little ravine, a chasm. The sheep would not go. They were afraid to jump. He could not make them go across. Finally, that shepherd took a little lamb in his arms. With that little lamb, he jumped across that ravine, that chasm. After that, the mother of that lamb saw that little lamb taken across there. She also jumped across and, before long, the whole flock had come across.
Sometimes, beloved ones, God brings us truths in simple ways. That mother, at that point, began to understand why the Lord had taken their child away. It was to give her impulse and motivation to follow where that child had gone. We believe a child that is taken from life is in a better place. That mother took courage. She also took that step to go across that chasm. She began to repent. She became converted. She became a child of God. We believe she was faithful unto life's end.
Many times God speaks to us, through the Bible, through the preaching of the Word, speaks to us through a child, through the Spirit. Beloved ones, when the Lord speaks, however He does, let us take it to heart and let's do the things the Lord has taught us and instructed us.
--Sermon Excerpt: Bro. K.D.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
We Ought to Be Glad for Persecution
We’ve read the entire chapter together, a chapter that tells us that some of the difficulties which the Apostle Paul endured as he sought to be faithful to his God. And the Bible tells us that all that will live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. The Apostle Paul suffered persecution and our flesh does not desire persecution, but it is something which the Bible teaches us is very important. If the Bible teaches us that all that will live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution, then we shouldn’t be surprised if we suffer some persecution and we really ought to be glad for it because of what the Bible teaches us about it. And the Apostle Paul is a wonderful example of how God’s children ought to respond to persecution.
Now Paul had done nothing wrong. He had been directly commissioned by Jesus himself to spread the Gospel, and Paul sought to do that. He had himself been a Pharisee. He had had a high rank in the Jewish religion, but he gave all of that up that he might be able to be a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. And at the time of his conversion, God revealed to another believer that he would reveal to Paul what great things he must suffer for his Name’s sake. And persecution, the flesh does not like, and suffering the flesh does not like. Yet the Bible instructs us that all of life as believers, is a life of conflict and struggle of the flesh against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh. And the one side that wins that battle makes all the difference in the world. It makes the difference in the eternal destiny of our soul.
And so we should take good courage from the experiences of the Apostle Paul even as in his case, since his time had not yet come, God did not permit him to be delivered to his accusers, to those who wanted to kill him.
--Sermon Excerpt: Bro. W.D.
Now Paul had done nothing wrong. He had been directly commissioned by Jesus himself to spread the Gospel, and Paul sought to do that. He had himself been a Pharisee. He had had a high rank in the Jewish religion, but he gave all of that up that he might be able to be a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. And at the time of his conversion, God revealed to another believer that he would reveal to Paul what great things he must suffer for his Name’s sake. And persecution, the flesh does not like, and suffering the flesh does not like. Yet the Bible instructs us that all of life as believers, is a life of conflict and struggle of the flesh against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh. And the one side that wins that battle makes all the difference in the world. It makes the difference in the eternal destiny of our soul.
And so we should take good courage from the experiences of the Apostle Paul even as in his case, since his time had not yet come, God did not permit him to be delivered to his accusers, to those who wanted to kill him.
--Sermon Excerpt: Bro. W.D.
What to Put Off and What to Put On
Put off:
-anger
-wrath
-malice
-blasphemy
-filthy communication out of your mouth
-lying one to another
-the old man with his deeds
Put on:
-the new man (which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him)
-bowels of mercies
-kindness
-humbleness of mind
-meekness
-longsuffering
-forbearance to one another
-forgiveness to one another (even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye)
-above all, charity (which is the bond of perfectness)
--Colossians 3:8-14
-anger
-wrath
-malice
-blasphemy
-filthy communication out of your mouth
-lying one to another
-the old man with his deeds
Put on:
-the new man (which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him)
-bowels of mercies
-kindness
-humbleness of mind
-meekness
-longsuffering
-forbearance to one another
-forgiveness to one another (even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye)
-above all, charity (which is the bond of perfectness)
--Colossians 3:8-14
Sunday, November 21, 2010
My Jesus, As Thou Wilt
My Jesus, as Thou wilt;
Oh, may Thy will be mine;
Into Thy hand of love
I would my all resign:
Thro' sorrow or thro' joy,
Conduct me as Thine own,
And help me still to say,
My Lord, Thy will be done.
My Jesus, as Thou wilt;
Tho' seen thro' many a tear,
Let not my star of hope
Grow dim or disappear;
Since Thou on earth hast wept,
And sorrowed oft alone,
If I must weep with Thee,
My Lord, Thy will be done.
My Jesus, as Thou wilt;
All shall be well for me;
Each changing future scene
I gladly trust with Thee;
Straight to my home above
I travel calmly on,
And sing, in life or death, --
My Lord, Thy will be done.
--Gospel Hymns #372
Oh, may Thy will be mine;
Into Thy hand of love
I would my all resign:
Thro' sorrow or thro' joy,
Conduct me as Thine own,
And help me still to say,
My Lord, Thy will be done.
My Jesus, as Thou wilt;
Tho' seen thro' many a tear,
Let not my star of hope
Grow dim or disappear;
Since Thou on earth hast wept,
And sorrowed oft alone,
If I must weep with Thee,
My Lord, Thy will be done.
My Jesus, as Thou wilt;
All shall be well for me;
Each changing future scene
I gladly trust with Thee;
Straight to my home above
I travel calmly on,
And sing, in life or death, --
My Lord, Thy will be done.
--Gospel Hymns #372
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Bitterness: The Worst of Criminals
"Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you and thereby many be defiled." --Hebrews 12:15
Bitterness follows hard on the heels of rejection. But any who give it lodging are harboring the worst of criminals. In the dark night of depression and discouragement, bitterness will stealthily bind the spirit, rob the inner life of joy and peace and love, slosh its wicked fuel over the whole life -- over memories, problems, personalities, situations past and present -- and light the whole scene with the fire of hell.
It takes faith to thwart bitterness effectively. "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." (Ephesians 6:16) Faith chooses to acknowledge a sovereign God. Faith responds with an obedient yes to the direction of God. Faith receives heaven's responses to human needs. Faith changes the focus from the offender to the mighty DEFENDER. Thus, faith learns to rejoice in God and refuses to grovel in self-pity, blame and resentment. Faith is the key to overcoming bitterness and rejection.
--John Coblentz
Bitterness follows hard on the heels of rejection. But any who give it lodging are harboring the worst of criminals. In the dark night of depression and discouragement, bitterness will stealthily bind the spirit, rob the inner life of joy and peace and love, slosh its wicked fuel over the whole life -- over memories, problems, personalities, situations past and present -- and light the whole scene with the fire of hell.
It takes faith to thwart bitterness effectively. "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." (Ephesians 6:16) Faith chooses to acknowledge a sovereign God. Faith responds with an obedient yes to the direction of God. Faith receives heaven's responses to human needs. Faith changes the focus from the offender to the mighty DEFENDER. Thus, faith learns to rejoice in God and refuses to grovel in self-pity, blame and resentment. Faith is the key to overcoming bitterness and rejection.
--John Coblentz
Monday, October 4, 2010
His Way May Seem Too Hard
His way at first may seem too hard,
Too steep, and full of sorrow;
Yet peace e'en now is its reward,
And bliss in God's tomorrow.
Who through the narrow gate doth press,
An inner peace will he possess,
And very joy in living.
The broader way at first may seem
As through a pleasant pasture,
But in its path great dangers teem;
It ends in dark disaster.
In righteous anger God will cast
Into great agony at last
The unrepentant sinner.
--Zion's Harp #106 vs. 8-9
Too steep, and full of sorrow;
Yet peace e'en now is its reward,
And bliss in God's tomorrow.
Who through the narrow gate doth press,
An inner peace will he possess,
And very joy in living.
The broader way at first may seem
As through a pleasant pasture,
But in its path great dangers teem;
It ends in dark disaster.
In righteous anger God will cast
Into great agony at last
The unrepentant sinner.
--Zion's Harp #106 vs. 8-9
Monday, September 20, 2010
Signs of His Coming
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying,
Tell us,
when shall these things be?
and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
And Jesus answered and said unto them,
Take heed that no man deceive you.
For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations;
and then shall the end come.
--Matthew 24 vs. 1-14
Tell us,
when shall these things be?
and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
And Jesus answered and said unto them,
Take heed that no man deceive you.
For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations;
and then shall the end come.
--Matthew 24 vs. 1-14
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Give Me Mercy
Give me, Lord, sympathy and mercy
With my poor brethren in distress,
My bitt'rest foe to love and pity.
Thy love in death Thou didst confess.
Thy blood for sinners does implore:
Compassion! grace, forevermore.
--Zion's Harp #220 vs. 6
With my poor brethren in distress,
My bitt'rest foe to love and pity.
Thy love in death Thou didst confess.
Thy blood for sinners does implore:
Compassion! grace, forevermore.
--Zion's Harp #220 vs. 6
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
The Refiner's Fire
He sat by a fire of seven-fold heat,
As He watched by the precious ore,
And closer He bent with a searching gaze
As He heated it more and more.
He knew He had ore that could stand the test,
And He wanted the finest gold
To mould as a crown for the King to wear,
Set with gems with a price untold.
So He laid our gold in the burning fire,
Tho' we fain would have said Him 'Nay,'
And He watched the dross that we had not seen,
And it melted and passed away.
And the gold grew brighter and yet more bright,
But our eyes were so dim with tears,
We saw but the fire--not the Master's hand,
And questioned with anxious fears.
Yet our gold shone out with a richer glow,
As it mirrored a Form above,
That bent o'er the fire, tho' unseen by us,
With a look of ineffable love.
Can we think that it pleases His loving heart
To cause us a moment's pain?
Ah, no! but He saw through the present cross
The bliss of eternal gain.
So He waited there with a watchful eye,
With a love that is strong and sure,
And His gold did not suffer a bit more heat,
Than was needed to make it pure.
--Excerpt: Streams in the Desert
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Let No Strife Divide Us
Then onward, sister, brother;
Let us go hand in hand,
With joy in one another,
In this bewild'ring land.
Oh, let us childlike be;
Let here no strife divide us!
The angels walk beside us,
God's children, they and we.
--Zion's Harp #185 vs. 13
Let us go hand in hand,
With joy in one another,
In this bewild'ring land.
Oh, let us childlike be;
Let here no strife divide us!
The angels walk beside us,
God's children, they and we.
--Zion's Harp #185 vs. 13
Thursday, August 26, 2010
But God Knows
I know not, but God knows;
Oh, blessed rest from fear!
All my unfolding days
To Him are plain and clear.
Each anxious, puzzled "Why?"
From doubt or dread that grows,
Finds answer in this thought;
I know not, but He knows.
I cannot, but God can;
Oh, balm for all my care!
The burden that I drop
His hand will lift and bear,
Though eagle pinions tire --
I walk where once I ran --
This is my strength, to know
I cannot, but God can.
I see not, but God sees;
Oh, all-sufficient light!
My dark and hidden way
To Him is always bright.
My strained and peering eyes
May close in restful ease,
And I in peace may sleep;
I see not, but He sees.
--Annie Johnson Flint
Oh, blessed rest from fear!
All my unfolding days
To Him are plain and clear.
Each anxious, puzzled "Why?"
From doubt or dread that grows,
Finds answer in this thought;
I know not, but He knows.
I cannot, but God can;
Oh, balm for all my care!
The burden that I drop
His hand will lift and bear,
Though eagle pinions tire --
I walk where once I ran --
This is my strength, to know
I cannot, but God can.
I see not, but God sees;
Oh, all-sufficient light!
My dark and hidden way
To Him is always bright.
My strained and peering eyes
May close in restful ease,
And I in peace may sleep;
I see not, but He sees.
--Annie Johnson Flint
Friday, August 20, 2010
It All Matters
Beloved brethren, we expect the world to be our enemy. But the trials of this life are entering into the very church. Are you and I going to stand on the traditions, on the doctrine, on the faith of our fathers? Or are we going to yield in … a little here, and a little there. “Oh, that don’t matter much…” “Oh, this don’t matter much…”
It all matters, beloved ones. When we know to do good and do it not, it is sin. May God give us grace to stand steadfast to our last breath.
--Sermon Excerpt: Bro. C.D.
Friday, August 13, 2010
For Elijah's Spirit Pray
Truly stones could not help crying
If the watchmen's call would cease,
And the very rocks about us,
Ev'ry one a crying witness
Could no longer hold their peace.
Truly stones could not help crying
If the watchmen's call would cease!
Therefore rise, all ye, His servants;
For Elijah's spirit pray!
If as Lord ye would address Him,
Faithfully ye must confess Him,
And His holy will obey!
Therefore rise, all ye, His servants;
For Elijah's spirit pray!
--Zion's Harp #112 vs. 2-3
If the watchmen's call would cease,
And the very rocks about us,
Ev'ry one a crying witness
Could no longer hold their peace.
Truly stones could not help crying
If the watchmen's call would cease!
Therefore rise, all ye, His servants;
For Elijah's spirit pray!
If as Lord ye would address Him,
Faithfully ye must confess Him,
And His holy will obey!
Therefore rise, all ye, His servants;
For Elijah's spirit pray!
--Zion's Harp #112 vs. 2-3
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
He Will Deliver You
Often God seems to place His children in positions of profound difficulty, leading them into a wedge from which there is no escape; contriving a situation which no human judgment would have permitted, had it been previously consulted. The very cloud conducts them thither. You may be thus involved at this very hour.
It does seem perplexing and very serious to the last degree, but it is perfectly right. The issue will more than justify Him who has brought you hither. It is a platform for the display of His almighty grace and power.
He will not only deliver you; but in doing so, He will give you a lesson that you will never forget, and to which, in many a psalm and song, in after days, you will revert. You will never be able to thank God enough for having done just as He has.
--Excerpt: Streams in the Desert
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
God Was Within the Storm
Let us choose as the wise man that dug a deep foundation and built his house thereupon. And he let the storms then assail it, and the rains beat vehemently upon it and it suffered no loss, but it stood.
So are the children of God planted into this garden here upon earth. If they are founded upon this Solid Rock, they will stand. They will stand all the spiritual trials and temptations. And we have read how God will make such an end to all temptations that we are able to bear them.
Oh, oft times over the spiritual children of God many a storm assaileth! Oft times great dangers they are facing; yet again the storm will lay itself and still itself. And we can feel how God was within the storm and how well protected we were and that there was no harm that befell us.
--Sermon Excerpt: Elder Bro. H.K.
So are the children of God planted into this garden here upon earth. If they are founded upon this Solid Rock, they will stand. They will stand all the spiritual trials and temptations. And we have read how God will make such an end to all temptations that we are able to bear them.
Oh, oft times over the spiritual children of God many a storm assaileth! Oft times great dangers they are facing; yet again the storm will lay itself and still itself. And we can feel how God was within the storm and how well protected we were and that there was no harm that befell us.
--Sermon Excerpt: Elder Bro. H.K.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Not Worthy of the Glory
The afflictions of our time
Are not worthy of the glory
Promised in that realm sublime
To the patiently enduring.
See how Jesus as a lamb
Suffered for the sins of man!
--Zion's Harp #243 vs. 5
Are not worthy of the glory
Promised in that realm sublime
To the patiently enduring.
See how Jesus as a lamb
Suffered for the sins of man!
--Zion's Harp #243 vs. 5
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Trust and Rest
Trust and rest when all around thee
Puts thy faith to sorest test;
Let no fear or foe confound thee,
Wait for God and trust and rest.
Trust and rest with heart abiding,
Like a birdling in its nest,
Underneath His feathers hiding,
Fold thy wings and trust and rest.
--Excerpt: Streams in the Desert
Look Back to Israel
Ye who are now God's chosen people,
Look back to Israel of old!
From their example take a teaching
And cling to God with heart and soul!
Without complaint and lamentation
Bear ye distress and earth's privation;
Rely upon your Saviour's hand.
Your tears will change to joyful singing;
From desert wild your God is bringing
You to that fair and promised land.
--Zion's Harp #211 vs. 3
Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
--I Corinthians 10:1-12
Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
--I Corinthians 10:1-12
Friday, July 16, 2010
Thus Will Be Manifest All Who Have Loved Him
Each one should be intent on living a quiet, holy, righteous and godly life. For if we be dead unto the world and sin, we cannot live unto ourselves, but in self-denial.
All things which cannot enter the kingdom of heaven must be burnt up and consumed. The Lord has declared that no unclean person can enter into the kingdom of God and it is well that He has done so. Thus will be manifest all who have loved Him with all their heart, whose rock and refuge He has been in all distress. These are trials where our faith is put to the test, in each of which we can be made purer and more glorious.
In the old Israel, we have a complete example, for when they disobeyed His Word and walked in their own ways, God gave them over into the hands of the Philistines who subdued them. And we will fare no better today, if we will not obey, nor take advice.
We must cling to the Saviour, as we are commanded, so that we may prepare ourselves for eternity, for the time of grace is soon past. Even if the Lord does not yet appear, we are in hourly danger of being called out of time into eternity.
But we have reason to believe that His coming will be soon, for we see it by the signs of the times.
--Sermon Excerpt: Elder Bro. B.W.
All things which cannot enter the kingdom of heaven must be burnt up and consumed. The Lord has declared that no unclean person can enter into the kingdom of God and it is well that He has done so. Thus will be manifest all who have loved Him with all their heart, whose rock and refuge He has been in all distress. These are trials where our faith is put to the test, in each of which we can be made purer and more glorious.
In the old Israel, we have a complete example, for when they disobeyed His Word and walked in their own ways, God gave them over into the hands of the Philistines who subdued them. And we will fare no better today, if we will not obey, nor take advice.
We must cling to the Saviour, as we are commanded, so that we may prepare ourselves for eternity, for the time of grace is soon past. Even if the Lord does not yet appear, we are in hourly danger of being called out of time into eternity.
But we have reason to believe that His coming will be soon, for we see it by the signs of the times.
--Sermon Excerpt: Elder Bro. B.W.
In Reproach and Censure
Three men in the furnace
Praised their God on high,
Stood their foes confounded,
Silenced scorn and lie.
In reproach and censure,
I rest calm and free
On this blessed promise:
GOD IS STILL WITH ME.
--Zion's Harp #148 vs. 5
Praised their God on high,
Stood their foes confounded,
Silenced scorn and lie.
In reproach and censure,
I rest calm and free
On this blessed promise:
GOD IS STILL WITH ME.
--Zion's Harp #148 vs. 5
Friday, July 9, 2010
One Day At A Time
One day at a time, with its failures and fears,
With its hurts and mistakes, with its weakness and tears,
With its portion of pain and its burden of care;
One day at a time we must meet and must bear.
One day at a time to be patient and strong,
To be calm under trial and sweet under wrong;
Then its toiling shall pass and its sorrow shall cease;
It shall darken and die, and the night shall bring peace.
One day at a time - but the day is so long,
And the heart is not brave, and the soul is not strong,
O Thou pitiful Christ, be Thou near all the way;
Give courage and patience and strength for the day.
Swift cometh His answer, so clear and so sweet;
"Yea, I will be with thee, thy troubles to meet;
I will not forget thee, nor fail thee, nor grieve;
I will not forsake thee; I never will leave."
Not yesterday's load we are called on to bear,
Nor the morrow's uncertain and shadowy care;
Why should we look forward or back with dismay?
Our needs, as our mercies, are but for the day.
One day at a time, and the day is His day;
He hath numbered its hours, though they haste or delay.
His grace is sufficient; we walk not alone;
As the day, so the strength that He giveth His own.
--Annie Johnson Flint
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Which Voice?
God's Voice... Satan's Voice....
-Stills you -Rushes you
-Leads you -Pushes you
-Reassures you -Frightens you
-Enlightens you -Confuses you
-Encourages you -Discourages you
-Comforts you -Worries you
-Calms you -Obsesses you
-Convicts you -Condemns you
Forsake Me Not
O, forsake me not, Thou ever faithful,
Though to try me Thou Thy face dost hide;
Till I bear Thy likeness and impression,
Purge me as the gold is purified!
--Zion's Harp #182 vs. 14
Have you ever felt that God has forsaken you?
Perhaps He is only "hiding His face," as the hymn writer says, to try your faith.
All His efforts and desires in our behalf are for the purpose of purifying us as gold so that we can reflect "His likeness and impression."
Take courage in His promise: "...for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."
Take Him at His Word. Believe His Word is true, even when you cannot "feel" it. Such faith in Him will make the Word true in your life.
Though to try me Thou Thy face dost hide;
Till I bear Thy likeness and impression,
Purge me as the gold is purified!
--Zion's Harp #182 vs. 14
Have you ever felt that God has forsaken you?
Perhaps He is only "hiding His face," as the hymn writer says, to try your faith.
All His efforts and desires in our behalf are for the purpose of purifying us as gold so that we can reflect "His likeness and impression."
Take courage in His promise: "...for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."
Take Him at His Word. Believe His Word is true, even when you cannot "feel" it. Such faith in Him will make the Word true in your life.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
We Shall Not Be Moved
"God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early" --Psalm 46:2, 3, 5
"Shall not be moved"--what an inspiring declaration!
Can it be possible that we, who are so easily moved by the things of earth, can arrive at a place where nothing can upset us or disturb our calm? Yes, it is possible; and the Apostle Paul knew it. When he was on his way to Jerusalem where he foresaw that "bonds and afflictions" awaited him, he could say triumphantly, "But none of these things move me." Everything in Paul's life and experience that could be shaken had been shaken, and he no longer counted his life, or any of life's possessions, dear to him.
And we, if we will but let God have His way with us, may come to the same place, so that neither the fret and tear of little things of life, nor the great and heavy trials, can have power to move us from the peace that passeth understanding, which is declared to be the portion of those who have learned to rest only on God.
--Excerpt: Streams in the Desert
"Shall not be moved"--what an inspiring declaration!
Can it be possible that we, who are so easily moved by the things of earth, can arrive at a place where nothing can upset us or disturb our calm? Yes, it is possible; and the Apostle Paul knew it. When he was on his way to Jerusalem where he foresaw that "bonds and afflictions" awaited him, he could say triumphantly, "But none of these things move me." Everything in Paul's life and experience that could be shaken had been shaken, and he no longer counted his life, or any of life's possessions, dear to him.
And we, if we will but let God have His way with us, may come to the same place, so that neither the fret and tear of little things of life, nor the great and heavy trials, can have power to move us from the peace that passeth understanding, which is declared to be the portion of those who have learned to rest only on God.
--Excerpt: Streams in the Desert
The Hidden Boundary
There is a time, we know not when,
A point we know not where,
That marks the destiny of men
To glory or despair.
There is a line by us unseen,
That crosses every path;
The hidden boundary between
God's patience and his wrath.
To pass that limit is to die--
To die as if by stealth;
It does not quench the beaming eye
Or pale the glow of health.
The conscience may be still at ease,
The spirit blithe and gay;
That which pleases still may please,
And care be thrust away.
But on that forehead God has set,
Indelibly a mark,
Unseen by men, for men as yet
Are blind and in the dark.
Oh, where is this mysterious bourne
By which each path is crossed?
Beyond which God himself hath sworn
That he who goes is lost?
How far may we go on in sin?
How long will God forbear?
Where does hope end, and where begin
The confines of despair?
The answer from the skies is sent,
'Ye that from God depart,
While it is called today, repent,
And harden not your heart!'"
--Dr. Joseph Addison Alexander
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