August 5, 2018
HYMN OF THE DAY
The Goodness of God
"I will make all my goodness pass by you.
I'll be gracious to whom I'll be gracious."
Said the Lord Jesus in mercy and truth.
He chooses whom He will by His goodness.
I do not merit the Lord's work of grace.
I am a sinner deserving God's rod.
'Tis His goodness that bids me see His face;
Leads me to repentance: leads me to God.
O, Lord, remember me for Thy goodness.
You, who prepared Thy goodness for the poor.
Draw Thou me with cords of love and kindness.
I beg for mercy, for salvation sure.
O, that men would praise Him for His goodness;
For His wonderful works among mankind.
Christ came for sinners to bring forgiveness:
Redeemed them by His blood (Goodness defined).
Tune: Abide With Me, #75
By: Gary Spreacker
BELIEF AND PRACTICE
Have we shaped our lives by what God has said? I know many people read their bibles and know what the scripture means, but they never practice what God says to men. Among the rest they neglect that great gospel promise – “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” They have neither believed nor been baptized; they are bidden to do this and that as believers; and, avowing themselves to be believers, they yet refuse to their Lord the obedience which he claims. – CHS
If our Lord Jesus were on earth now, what would his path be? Where would it end? Would we want to follow Him, have a committed relationship with Him, be a true and real disciple? When He went to the cross, would we have went with him, identified ourselves with Him?
He is here now, He is in His church, in His people – we do follow Him, and we did go to the cross with Him, we identify ourselves with Him. Oh for grace to be a real, committed follower of the Lord Jesus. To be a real disciple – to take on His character, of love – humility, meekness, and obedience to the Father’s word and will. – CHS
"CHRIST IS ALL" Colossians 3:11
He is the first cause and the last end of all things; in election„ salvation, redemption, calling, righteousness, regeneration, and glorification. He is all in the salvation of His people. Salvation is of the Lord. He is all in election; we are chosen in Him, He is the Elect (Isaiah 42:1). He is all in redemption; He obtained it with Hs own blood (Heb. 9:12). Christ is all in our calling; He called us with a holy calling (2 Tim. 2:9). Jesus Christ is all our righteousness: He worked it out for us as our advocate (1 John 2:1). He is all in our regeneration; He quickened us when we were dead in sin (Eph. 2:1). He is all in our final glorification; "He raised us up together and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus," (Eph. 2:6). All our spiritual blessings are in Him and from Him (1 Cor. 1:30). - Pastor
FOR WHO HATH DESPISED THE DAY OF SMALL THINGS?
Zech. 4:10
God delivered a nation from 400 years of bondage with a shepherd's staff. He slew a giant and saved that nation with a sling and stone. He turned the world upside down with eleven simple, plain men – and the illustrations that "Little is great when God is in it" are numberless, but we must not just apply this truth to the instrument God uses but should apply it also to the task. It is true that God uses humble men to perform great works for His glory – but God also uses His servants to teach the little children, to pastor the small assembly, to witness to one Ethiopian, to offer a prayer, to provide an unrecognized and often an unknown service! Most of us are willing to be "humble men" doing great works but how many of us "great men" are willing to do humble work. It is most doubtful that our Lord will trust us with any great responsibility until it has been proven that we are faithful in few things! It has been my understanding from the Scriptures that those whom God entrusted with great responsibility were content with where they were and with what they were doing - examples: Moses, David, and Joseph. It would be, refreshing, instead of hearing what one used to do or what one plans to do and be, to see one dedicated to being what he is and doing with joy and zeal what is at hand! Christ may come today and I could die today, but I'm sure that He would accept my explanation that I was preparing myself for great things and would have been a teacher if there had been an opening, or a pastor if there had been a church available, or a martyr if men had still been dying, or a deacon, an elder, a church leader after I had aged a bit. Would He? Or would He ask, "What servant chooses his own task? His own place of labor? His own time of service? Does not the faithful servant ask, 'Lord, what would you have me to do?' Everybody wants to take the floor, few care to sweep it. The returning prodigal did not labor as a hired servant but he was willing! - Copied
Older
Top
