November 22, 2020
Hymn of the Day
(tune: Only Trust Him, p. 252)
What sacred Fountain yonder springs,
Up from the throne of God,
And all new cov'nant blessings brings?
'Tis Jesus' precious blood!
Only blood can, Only blood can,
Wretched sinners cleanse;
On the Lord's blood, On the Lord's blood,
My poor soul depends.
What mighty sum paid all my debt,
When I a bondman stood,
And has my soul at freedom set?
'Tis Jesus' precious blood!
What stream is that which sweeps away,
My sins just like a flood,
Nor lets one guilty blemish stay?
'Tis Jesus' precious blood!
What voice is that which speaks for me,
In heav'n's high court for good,
And from the curse has set me free?
'Tis Jesus' precious blood!
What theme, my soul, shall best employ,
Thy harp before thy God,
And make all heav'n to ring with joy?
'Tis Jesus' precious blood.
Today's Hymns:
Chosen In Jesus #cb13,
And Can It Be #cb 7,
The Lord is King #16,
Special Dates: Joe & Bonnie – 25
Bob Vande Hoef – 27 ~ Wanda Koedam - 2
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I was glad when they said unto me,
"Let us go into the house of the LORD."
~Psalm 122:1
Joy gladdened the Israelite's heart when invited to proceed in happy company to the appointed worship at Jerusalem. He would rejoice in the hope of seeing the royal city and the Temple of his God. His spirit would exult in prospect of joining in the prayers and praises of the sanctuary. Gladness would largely revel when he exclaimed, 'Our feet shall stand within your gates, O Jerusalem!' Similar is the pious joy with which every true believer hastens to the Church's festivities. It is celestial happiness to join in common prayer, to lift up the voice in common praise, and to hear the proclamation of the glorious truths of Christ's gospel. But what lips can tell the joy of entering the New Jerusalem; and seeing our God face to face, and joining in the everlasting hallelujahs? With this bright prospect gladdening our souls may we go on our way rejoicing! -William Law
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It seems etched within the very nature of man to divide. Man draws boundaries along the lines of race, intelligence, appearance, ethnicity, religion, a so forth. To merely note that there are differences among people is not a bad thing. It becomes a bad thing only when we begin to hate or look down on those who are not a part of our particular group. Not only is it unkind to do so, it is also an act of defiance against God who alone has the right to judge men. Moreover, to make any distinctions among men and take pride in those distinctions is to dent the only distinction that matters: In Christ or Outside of Christ.
God has divided all humanity into one of two classes: In Christ and Outside of Christ. This division is made by God for, "It is of God that you are in Christ Jesus" (1 Corinthians 1.30). We know that we had nothing to do with this distinction for we were "chosen in Him before the foundation of the world" (Ephesians 1.4). Moreover, every spiritual blessing we receive comes to us by virtue of being "in Christ."
Whatever conclusions we may draw from these facts, two are beyond question. 1) We have no right at all to boast about our inclusion in Christ. 2) We are bound to give thanks to God for our inclusion in Christ and every blessing that comes to us by virtue of that blessed relationship.
Let us discount every other division among men except that one; it is the only one that matters. And let us not boast of that blessed assignment nor look with contempt on others. Rather, let us fill our hearts with gratitude and our hearts with praise to the God who put us in that blessed class! -Joe
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One of the old writers once said: 'Do not look for that in the law which can only be found in the gospel; do not look for that in ourselves which is only to be found in Christ; do not look for that in the creature (i.e, man) which can only be found in the Creator; and do not look for that on earth which can only be found in Heaven.' -William Jay
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When God moves in salvation, He lays hold of one sinner and makes him a preacher. He lays hold of another sinner and makes him a hearer. He puts a message in the preacher and gives him the ability to preach it. He puts faith in the hearer and gives him the ability to believe it. And when the transaction is finished, all parties give God all the glory for all of it! The preacher cries: "Salvation is of the Lord!" The hearer cries: "Salvation is of the Lord!" The preacher takes no credit for the message! The hearer takes no credit for believing the message! They both in complete agreement say: "To God be the glory, great things He hath done!" -Gabe Stalnaker
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He must increase, but I must decrease. ~John 3:30
John the Baptist spoke these words regarding himself and his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The truth of this confession is aptly manifested and exemplified in Paul the apostle.
° Early in his writing ministry (c. AD 56), he described himself as "the least of the apostles" (1 Corinthians 15:9).
° Midway in his writing ministry (c. AD 60), he described himself as "less than the least of all the saints" (Ephesians 3:8).
° Toward the end of his life (c. AD 68), he described himself as "the chief of sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15).
Such is the testimony of one who truly believes that "Christ is all" (Colossians 3:11). -Daniel Parks
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In a letter, John Newton wrote:
The whole system of my politics is summed up in this one verse, "The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble" ~Psalm 99:1