Hymn of the Day
(tune: "Amazing Grace"p.236)
When I look in my wretched heart, And there my nature see;
This is my hope, this is my joy, That Jesus lived for me.
When I behold God's Holy Law, And there my sentence see;
This is my hope, this is my joy, That Jesus died for me.
When I see how my days are mixed, With joy and misery;
This is my hope, this is my joy; That Jesus rules for me.
And when I ponder on my life, How swift its end must be!
This is my hope, this is my joy, That Jesus lives for me.
When I look out upon this world, And there, God's judgment see;
This is my hope, this is my joy, That Jesus comes for me.
And when I stand before God's throne, To hear His just decree;
This still my hope and joy shall be, Jesus sits there for me!
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Today's Hymns
So Be Still My Heart #cb18
He Included Me #cb16
Hallelujah, God Has Saved Me #cb11
Special Dates: Wanda Koedam – 2
John Vlastuin – 7 ~John De Bruin – 8
Congratulations to Cornell and Shania Hoogendoorn on the birth of a son, Odiah Elwyn, November 25, 6.3 lbs., 19 inches. May God's grace rest upon him!
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This world is always disturbed when God's people have the courage to come together to see Christ lifted up in the preaching of the Gospel. This is what will stir this town to cry, "Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." This area will not be moved if we promote something else. When Christ becomes important to us, then He will become important to our children, friends, and neighbors. When He becomes to us worth living and dying for, then we will see this area moved. -Milton Howard
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Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, "Be ye reconciled to God!"
-2 Corinthians 5:20
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. -James 3:17
You can be sure that when our attitudes and words create strife, confusion, and division, it is not the wisdom of God. Where wise men and women worship, there is love, peace, and unity.
The wisdom which is from God is PURE! When the heart entertains pure and good thoughts of others, the mouth speaks accordingly.
It is PEACEABLE. "If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, live peaceably with all men." Men who desire peace, speak peacefully.
It is GENTLE, mild, courteous, and patient. To contend for truth is not to be harsh and cruel as some suppose. Gentleness is the fruit of the Spirit, an attribute of Christ and also of His servants.
It is EASY TO BE ENTREATED or willing to listen to any word of wisdom, reason, and explanation; and it is quick to forgive. A forgiving heart is not a sign of weakness but of wisdom.
It is FULL OF MERCY AND GOOD FRUITS. Wisdom knows that God makes men to differ. He makes rich and poor, strong and weak. So there is always the desire to share what God has given with those who have less.
It is WITHOUT PARTIALIATY. Wisdom does not judge by outward appearance, skin color, or power to reimburse. It is no respecter of men's persons but reaches out to all.
It is WITHOUT HYPOCRISY. True spiritual wisdom in Christ is straightforward, open-faced, and genuine. How can anyone be so foolish as to play the game of religion before God, who searches and knows the heart? -Henry Mahan
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Brothers, let us be very careful that we do not make our religion a matter of what error we don't believe and what abuses we don't practice. Satan lays a devious trap in the way of many by making them think that the recognition of error is the same thing as the belief of the truth or that recognizing the wrong path is the same thing as walking on the right path. I have met people whose entire religion lay in what false doctrine they did not believe and what "inconsistent" practices they didn't practice. They would never stoop to use an invitation system or support anyone who does, but then, neither did they ever testify of the gospel in the proper way or support anyone who did. They have a long list of churches they despise but no church they love. They would never think of being yoked under the bondage of the law, but neither do they gladly receive the yoke of Christ. They do not believe in tithing yet never practice cheerful giving. They are careful never to cause one to stumble and seem just as cautious never to pick up the downfallen. They loudly speak of false doctrines they despise, but one never hears a loving declaration of the truth from their lips. They are all negative and no positive. God grant us grace not to be like that! While "eschewing evil," let us be careful to also "love what is good." While exposing "the unfruitful deeds of darkness," let us also be careful to "live as children of light." Let us not be negative, but positive. –Joe
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I know that my Redeemer liveth. -Job 19:25
If we are sure about anything, let it be concerning our Redeemer. If we have any indefeasible claim to anything, let it be to our Redeemer. If we cling with tenacity to any truth, let it be our Redeemer's resurrection and His life. Everything hangs here; this is the keystone of the gospel; the foundation of our faith, and the pinnacle of our hope! "Because I live, ye shall live also." -C.H. Spurgeon
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The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him,
To all that call upon Him in truth.
He will fulfill the desire of them that fear Him;
He will also hear their cry and will save them.
~Psalm 145:18,19