Hymn of the Day
(tune: "Come Christians, Join to Sing"p.55)
When this passing world is done, When has sunk yon glaring sun,
When we stand with Christ on high, Looking o’er life’s history,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know - Not till then - how much I owe.
When I hear the wicked call, On the rocks and hills to fall,
When I see them start and shrink, On the fiery deluge brink,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know - Not till then - how much I owe.
When I stand before the throne, Dressed in beauty not my own,
When I see Thee as Thou art, Love Thee with unsinning heart,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know - Not till then - how much I owe.
When the praise of Heav’n I hear, Loud as thunders to the ear,
Loud as many waters’ noise, Sweet as harp’s melodious voice,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know - Not till then - how much I owe.
Today’s Hymns
Lord, with Glowing Heart I’d Praise Thee – cb6
Hallelujah, God Has Saved me – cb11
There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood - 222
Special Dates:
Elayna Vlastuin – 9 ~ Morgan Marker – 11 ~ Eric Van Beek – 13
Carol Veen – 13 ~ Mae Van Beek – 17 ~ Les Veen - 24
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Faith always sees the bow of covenant promise whenever sense sees the cloud of affliction. -Charles H. Spurgeon
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My sheep hear my voice … and they follow me. -John 10:27
How thankful to God we are for those men who faithfully declare the truth of God. However, it is not them we follow, but the Lord who sent them. We listen to the preacher, but it is the voice of the Great Shepherd of the Sheep that we wait to hear, for that voice brings calm to our hearts and guides us in the way we should walk. Those whose ears are attuned to voice of the preacher are likely to be led into the dry pastures of man-made “truth” and the turbulent waters of strife and contention. But those whose ears are attuned to the heavenly Shepherd will experience the green pastures of Divine wisdom and the peaceful, still waters of Divine forgiveness and acceptance. -Joe
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Thorns will not prick of themselves; but when held tightly in a person's hand, they prick deeply. So this world and the things thereof, are all good and were made by God for the benefit of His creatures. It is our immoderate affection that makes them hurtful. -Richard Sibbes
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David's pen never wrote more sweetly than when dipped in the ink of affliction. The hot furnace is our Lord's workshop; the most excellent vessels of honor are formed there. Affliction is God's forge, where He melts and softens the hard heart. There is no dealing with the iron while it remains in its native coldness and hardness; put it in the fire, melt it, and you may stamp it into any figure you please. Job said, "God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me" (Job 23:16). Those whom He loves, He takes to pieces and then puts them together again. We rise in glory as we sink in pride, but our Lord must perform the work. Whoever heard of a calf weaning itself voluntarily? The husbandman plows his lands, and the gardener prunes his trees to make them fruitful. The jeweler cuts and polishes his diamonds to make them shine the brighter. The refiner flings his gold into the furnace that it may come out purer. And our God afflicts His people to make them better. To thank God for mercies is the way to increase them; to thank God for miseries is the way to remove them. -Milford Hall, Sr.
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God not only makes a plan of salvation; He works the plan. He who predestinated back in eternity also calls the one predestinated. There are no salvation packages left unclaimed at the depot of predestination. -C.D.Cole
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Christ did not say, "If you want to go to heaven, keep my commandments," or, "If you want to keep out of hell, keep my commandments," but, "IF YOU LOVE ME, keep my commandments." Apparently, religion today cannot comprehend a gift of eternal life in Christ that constrains us to walk in His word and commandments because WE LOVE HIM. -Henry Mahan
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O, that we might obtain a glimpse of the matchless person of Christ! O, that we might behold "the King, in his beauty." Surely then would our sight and eyes be turned away from viewing vanity. If there is an object in the universe that should attract our attention, excite our admiration, warm our affections, and demand our love; surely it is the glorious Savior, the blessed Son of God, who is the brightness of his Father's glory, and the express image of his person. Christ is the most glorious being in the universe of God. Blessed Jesus! reveal yourself unto us in all your transcendent loveliness, in all your surpassing beauty.
"You are fairer than the children of men;" "the chief among ten thousand;" "yes, You are altogether lovely;" "You are the blooming rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys." Manifest Yourself unto us as you do not unto the world. Gladden our guilty souls with the beams of Your mercy and grace. Unfurl the banner of your wondrous love over us; encircle us in the arms of Your compassion, and lift upon us the light of Your gracious countenance.
We can know but little, comparatively, of the excellence and glory of Christ's person, until we see Him on his heavenly throne, in all His unveiled glory. Then shall we see Him as he is, face to face, and forever behold His matchless beauty. What a glorious sight will that be, to see the Redeemer shining in the perfection of beauty. What a blessed privilege, to dwell forever in the presence of the great King, to surround the radiant throne of heaven, and amid the splendors of the celestial Paradise, to sound through endless ages the notes of seraphic praise, to Him that redeemed us from eternal misery with His own most precious blood!
Gentle reader, seek Christ now; believe on Him; view Him with the eye of faith, as your only Lord and Savior, and in a little while faith shall be turned into sight, into heavenly vision, and you will enjoy the presence and society of your beloved Redeemer throughout a glorious eternity. Remember, young reader, that Christ has said "those that seek me early shall find me." May the Lord in his mercy grant that you and I may find Him of whom Moses and the prophets wrote– Jesus, the Son of God. This will prove our everlasting comfort. Through time and through eternity, Christ will be our unchanging friend. -David Harsha (1856)