Psalm 36:9-11

We plan to observe the Lord’s Table and enjoy lunch together on September 22.

HE IS ABLE

What He has promised, He is able to perform (Rom. 4:21).

He is able to subdue all things to Himself (Phil. 3:21).

He is able to keep that which we have committed to Him (2 Tim. 1:12).

He is able to save to the uttermost them that come to God by Him (Heb. 7:25).

He is able to keep us from falling and to present us faultless before the presence of His glory (Jude 24).

This is our assurance and our confidence, not faith in the promise but faith in the One who made the promise; for HE IS ABLE.

Pastor Henry T. Mahan (bulletin 1994)

In Time Of Trouble

In 1895, the pastor and writer, Andrew Murray, was in England suffering from a terribly painful back, the result of an injury he had incurred years before. One morning while he was eating breakfast in his room, his hostess told him of a woman downstairs who was in great trouble and wanted to know if he had any advice for her. Murray handed her a paper he had been writing on and said, “Just give her this advice I’m writing down for myself. It may be that she’ll find it helpful.” This is what he had written:

“In time of trouble, say, ‘First, He brought me here. It is by His will I am in this strait place; in that I will rest.’ Next, ‘He will keep me here in His love, and give me grace in this trial to behave as His child.’ Then say, ‘He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me lessons He intends me to learn, and working in me the grace He means to bestow.’ And last, say, ‘In His good time He can bring me out again. How and when, He knows.’ Therefore, say ‘I am here (1) by God’s appointment, (2) in His keeping, (3) under His training, (4) for His time.” Pastor Angus Fisher (Australia)

Malachi 3:6

“For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.”

God is unchangeable in His essence, nature, and perfections. Isn’t it wonderful that in our experience in a life that is nothing but change, to know that the Lord changes not? “For I am the Lord, I change not” (Malachi 3:6). His purpose has never altered and never will. This gives assurance and peace to all who have fled to Christ for refuge.

Pastor David Pledger

Repentance and Faith

Paul, when giving his farewell words to the faithful elders of Ephesus reminded them of his ministry when he first came among them. He said, "Serving the Lord with humility of mind, keeping back nothing that was profitable, preaching to the Jew and to the Gentile repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." (Acts 20:20-21).

Consider for a moment how important faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and repentance toward God is. Our Lord said, "Except that you repent you shall perish" (Mark 13:1-5). Again He said, "Without faith it is impossible to please God" (Heb. 11:6). What does the scripture teach us about faith and repentance?

Here are seven things to remember.

1). Both faith and repentance are sovereign gifts of God given to the sinner (Acts 5:29-31; 11:18; Eph. 2:8-9; Phi. 1:29).

2). Both faith and repentance are the commands of God (Isa. 45:22; Acts 17:3-29-31; 1John 3:23).

3). Both faith and repentance own, bow, believe and submit to the true Lord Jesus Christ, the true and living God and His gospel (2Tim. 2:25; Titus 1:1).

4). Both faith and repentance are not isolated experiences of the believer, but rather a life-long state of being that is both powerful, permanent and perpetual. (John 5:24; Heb. 12:2; 1Pet. 2:4).

5). Both faith and repentance are not the ground or cause of our salvation but rather the fruit of life in Christ Jesus (Gal. 5:22; 1John 5:1).

6). Both faith and repentance come together at the same time not apart from each other. Where you find a broken and repentant heart you find a believing heart. Read these testimonies from the word (Psa. 51:1-10; Rom. 7:18-24; Phil. 3:7-9).