Hymn of the Day
(words vv.1b-4, Joe Terrell, tune: What Child Is This?, pg. 94)
What Child is this who, laid to rest,
on Mary’s lap, is sleeping?
Whom Angels greet with anthems sweet,
While Shepherd’s watch are keeping?
This, this is God’s own Son,
To save His people He has come.
Haste, haste to bring Him praise!
Our God in flesh is dwelling!
What man is this with gracious lips,
The God-born word is telling?
Sinners draw near that you may hear,
His words to you appealing.
This, this is God’s own Son,
That Prophet we were told would come,
Haste, haste to hear His Word,
The Word in flesh is dwelling.
What Man is this with arms outstretched,
On Roman cross is bleeding?
With heart-wrenched cry, He goes to die,
And yet for sinners is pleading.
This, this is our Great Priest,
He dies to save the sinfullest.
Haste, haste to come to Him,
His blood your soul then cleansing.
What man is this who rides the clouds,
White-passioned vengeance bringing.
His Word a sword to rule the world,
All nations must be kneeling.
This, this is Christ our King,
To His own people salvation brings.
Haste, haste fall on your knees,
The Lord of Hosts is coming!
Today’s Hymns
Lord, With Glowing Heart I’d Praise Thee - #cb6
My Heart and Voice I Raise - #cb19,
Isn’t the Love of Jesus Something Wonderful? #40
Special Dates:
Keith and Neleigh – 2 ~ Jim and Sharon – 28
Cornell Hoogendorn – 30 ~ Albert & Carolyn – 2
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But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.” ~Luke 8.21
I cannot imagine what it was like to be a parent to the Son of God or to be one of His brothers or sisters in the flesh. No doubt, the home of Joseph and Mary was an unusual one. But with all the advantages that come with being brought up with God’s Only Begotten, it was no guarantee that one would partake of the spiritual blessings the Lord brought. Nor did a fleshly relationship with Jesus Christ automatically garner His special affections and regard. We are certain that Mary believed and at least some of His brothers later believed. But their faith in Him did not arise from their fleshly attachment to Him but from the grace of God at work in them.
And it is with a true family regard that the Lord Jesus beholds those who hear “The Word of God,” (that is, the gospel) and do it (that is, believe it).” Do you not have a special love and affection for those of your own family? Do not your parents and siblings have a place in your heart despite whatever shortcomings they have or what offenses may have come up over the years? As in all other things, the Lord far outshines any of us in this virtue! There is a limit to what we will bear from even our family members, but the Lord Jesus has never cast aside any from His family. Even more, as God’s firstborn, He is determined to prosper God’s household and everyone in it! -Joe
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However men may wrestle and quibble with the Scriptures, one thing is certain: The atonement is no failure! God will not allow that precious and costly sacrifice to fail in accomplishing completely that which it was designed to effect. Not a drop of that Holy Blood was shed in vain. In the last great day, there shall stand forth no disappointed and defeated Saviour, but One Who . . . “shall see the travail of His soul and shall be satisfied.” -Arthur Pink
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Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus. ~Romans 15:5
When I have forgiven every wrong against me, when I have overlooked every hard word and thought, when I have patiently endured every trial and comforted every fallen friend, when I have forgotten every slight, slander, and desertion, I still have not endured one fraction of what Christ bore FOR and FROM me. It is much easier to understand and forgive the weaknesses of others when we recognize those same infirmities in ourselves. -Henry Mahan
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When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest,
it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee." ~Proverbs 6:22
These are the words of a father and mother to their children concerning the written Word of God. This parent, a believer in Christ, is persuaded of the ability of God's Word, with His blessing to lead, keep, and talk. They would impress this upon their children. God's Word shall lead you. It will lead you out of the way "which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." The way of works religion seems right, but man's works being imperfect will always end in death. The Word shall lead you to the way, the Lord Jesus Christ that is also the truth and the life, the only way to God. It shall keep you when you sleep. The believer in Christ being reconciled through Him to God is able to lay down and sleep in peace. "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety (Psalms 4:8.) It will also talk to you. God's word speaks to us as we read and hear it. I don't know how many times I have been told after a service something to this effect. "God answered my question in your message," or "You dealt with something in your message that has troubled me." I brought a message recently from Proverbs, and could not help but think after the message, "I wish that all of our young families with children had heard this message." It seemed to me such a shame that they missed it. Every service that a person misses he cheats himself of necessary food. He misses that opportunity of hearing God speak to him from that passage. -David Pledger