Posted on 11/09/2006 6:49:58 PM PST by Knitting A Conundrum
August 28
The Certainty of All the Promises of God
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us . . . was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes. For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. (2Co_1:19-20)
As we have seen, some of the promises of God are “exceedingly great and precious.” Others are very “unpopular.” The former category of promises brings encouragement, strength, hope, comfort. For example, “The LORD will perfect that which concerns me” (Psa_138:8). The latter category warns, awakens, humbles, prepares. For example, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2Ti_3:12).
Yet, whether we gladly embrace a “precious” promise or struggle with an “unpopular” promise, there is the absolute certainty of all the promises of God being fulfilled. Our present verses explain the basis of this certainty. The assurance is related to the very nature of Jesus Christ.
When Paul and his missionary team preached about the Lord Jesus, it was not a “yes-and-no” message. “For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us . . . was not Yes and No.” The character and message of Jesus is not characterized by uncertainty. He is faithful and sure. The message concerning Him, as well as the messages He proclaimed, is “Yes.” They are all guaranteed realities. It is not that Jesus could be the Son of God. He is certainly such. It is not that Jesus might save all who call upon Him. Such is totally assured. It is not that some of His promises could possibly be fulfilled. Rather, all of them will absolutely be fulfilled. Ezekiel declared this truth concerning all of the Godhead. “For I am the LORD. I speak, and the word which I speak will come to pass . . . the word which I speak will be done” (Eze_12:25, Eze_12:28).
Later, John added a particular word concerning our reliable Savior: “Jesus Christ, the faithful witness” (Rev_1:5).
No wonder then that “all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” Our God is going to faithfully do everything that He has ever stated in every one of His promises. The result will be great glory to Him, as He fulfills His promises in and through our lives.
Day by day throughout the family of God, some Christians live in the blessed certainty of God’s promises, while others do not. The determining difference is faith versus unbelief. Joshua and Caleb of old entered into the promised land. The rest of that generation “could not enter in because of unbelief” (Heb_3:19).
Dear Lord, I long to be a promise believer, living by faith in Your promises to me. Thank You for making it so simple and so available. You want to make promises to me, and You want me to count on You to fulfill them. I rejoice that all Your promises are Yes and Amen in Jesus Christ, my Lord!
—Day by Day by Grace, Bob Hoekstra
BTTT
My Heart Sings a Fervent "Amen!" Thank you for this Table of Grace you Set for the Nourishment of our Christ's Lambs.
I can't Wait to Get to Heaven! {Keith Green}
Seaside sunset, silver linings round the clouds,
Birds fly, singing, making such a joyful sound.
Thoughts of heaven somehow seem to fill my mind,
But I can't even imagine, what it is I'm gonna find.
I can't wait to get to Heaven,
When you wipe away all my fears.
In six days you created everything
but you've been working on Heaven two thousand years.
Deep green forests, mountains reaching for the sky,
Grasslands and deserts, your creation fills my eye.
Thank you, thank you Jesus, though this beauty is just a taste,
Of all your glory I'll see when I pass through those gates.
I can't wait to get to Heaven,
When you wipe away all my fears.
In six days you created the whole world,
but you've been working on Heaven two thousand years.
I can't wait to get to Heaven,
When you wipe away all my fears.
In six days you created everything,
But you've been working on Heaven, Jesus,
You've been working on heaven, Holy Spirit,
You've been working on Heaven, two thousand years.
Praise You, our Loving Lord Jesus Christ! Your Work for us has us in Awe! We Rejoice in Your Love and in Your Saving Grace. Thank You, our God, for Pouring Out Your Life for Your Lambs!
Help us to Live for You, our Glorious King of kings. May our Lives Honor You, our Wonderful Lord. We Worship You, Thanking You with All our Hearts! In Jesus' Name, for the Glory of the King, amen.
Lord, how I Love You!
For You have Done
Such Tremendous Things
For me! (Ps.18:1)
WOW! Thanks.
This is a Blessing!
THE DAWNING
AWAKE, sad heart, whom sorrow ever drowns ;
Take up thine eyes, which feed on earth ;
Unfold thy forehead, gathered into frowns ;
Thy Saviour comes, and with Him mirth :
Awake, awake,
And with a thankful heart His comforts take.
But thou dost still lament, and pine, and cry,
And feel His death, but not His victory.
Arise, sad heart ; if thou dost not withstand,
Christ’s resurrection thine may be ;
Do not by hanging down break from the hand
Which, as it riseth, raiseth thee :
Arise, Arise;
And with His burial linen drie thine eyes.
Christ left His grave-clothes, that we might, when grief
Draws tears or blood, not want a handkerchief.
—George Herbert, 1633
BTTT
MAY ALL WHO CONSIDER THESE WORDS BE ESPECIALLY BLESSED.
Christians ought not to be smothered in fear. There is a spiritual readiness, where we return to having the peace of God stand guard over our hearts and minds. What an incredible witness it is to a lost and fearful society when the Christian acts like a child of God, living under the loving sovereignty of the Heavenly Father. The Christian needs to walk in peace, so no matter what happens they will be able to bear witness to a watching world.
Henry Blackaby
Fear is born of Satan, and if we would only take time to think a moment we would see that everything Satan says is founded upon a falsehood. He is the father of lies. Even his fears are falsehoods and his terrors ought to serve as encouragements. When Satan tells you, therefore, that some ill is going to come, you may quietly look in his face and tell him he is a liar. Instead of ill, goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life. And then turn to your blessed Lord and say, What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee (Psalm 56:3). Every fear is distrust, and trust is the remedy for fear.
A. B. Simpson
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/t/itlipmyt.htm
In Thee, O Lord, I put my trust;
Shamed let me never be;
O save me in Thy righteousness,
Give ear, and rescue me.
Be Thou my rock, my dwelling place,
Forever mine, as now;
Salvation Thou hast willed for me,
My rock and fortress, Thou.
Deliver me from wicked hands,
Save me from men unjust,
For Thou, Jehovah, art my hope,
From youth Thou art my trust.
Thou hast upheld me in Thy grace,
From childhood’s early days;
To Thee from whom I life received
Will I give constant praise.
Though troubles great o’ershadow me,
Thou art my refuge strong,
My mouth shall praise Thee all the day,
Thine honor be my song.
Cast me not off when hoary age
Becomes my weary lot,
And in the days of failing strength
Do Thou forsake me not.
My foes are strong and confident
For I to them appear
As one forsaken by his God,
With none to help me near.
My God, be Thou not far from me,
Make haste to hear my call;
Ashamed, consumed be all my foes,
Dishonored let them fall.
But I will ever hope in Thee,
My ceaseless praise is Thine;
I will declare Thy countless deeds
Of truth and grace divine.
Yea, I will tell the mighty acts
Performed by God the Lord;
Thy righteousness and Thine alone,
With praise I will record.
—Paraphrase of Psalm 71, Author unknown
O Lord,
Whose Power is infinite and wisdom infallible,
Order things that they may neither hinder,
nor discourage me,
nor prove obstacles to the progress of thy cause;
Stand between me and all strife, that no evil befall,
no sin corrupt my gifts, zeal, attainments;
May I follow duty and not any foolish device
of my own;
Permit me not to labour at work which thou wilt
not bless,
that I may serve thee without disgrace or debt;
Let me dwell in thy most secret place under thy shadow,
where is safe impenetrable protection from
the arrow that flieth by day,
the pestilence that walketh in darkness,
the strife of tongues,
the malice of ill-will,
the hurt of unkind talk,
the snares of company,
the perils of youth,
the temptations of middle-life,
the mournings of old age,
the fear of death.
I am entirely dependent upon thee for support,
counsel, consolation.
Uphold me by thy free Spirit,
and may I not think it enough to be preserved
from falling,
but may I always go forward, always abounding
in the work thou givest me to do.
Strengthen me by thy Spirit in my inner self
for every purpose of my Christian life.
All my jewels I give to the shadow of the safety
that is in thee-
my name anew in Christ,
my body, soul, talents, character,
my success, wife(husband), children, friends, work,
my present, my future, my end.
Take them, they are thine, and I am thine,
now and forever.
Amen
From “The Valley of Vision, a Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions”
BTTT
A Debtor to Mercy Alone {Lyrics: Augustus Toplady, 1771. Composer: Joseph Parry, 1870.}
A debtor to mercy alone,
Of covenant mercy I sing;
My person and off’ring to bring.
The terrors of law and of God
With me can have nothing to do;
My Savior’s obedience and blood
Hide all my transgressions from view.
The work which His goodness began,
The arm of His strength will complete;
His promise is Yea and Amen,
And never was forfeited yet.
Things future, nor things that are now,
Nor all things below or above,
Can make Him His purpose forgo,
Or sever my soul from His love.
My name from the palms of His hands
Eternity will not erase;
Impressed on His heart it remains,
In marks of indelible grace.
Yes, I to the end shall endure,
As sure as the earnest is giv’n;
More happy, but not more secure,
the glorified spirits in Heav’n.
Thank You, Merciful Master, for Saving us through Your Great Love!
We Love you, and Sing Forth Your Sweetest Praise.
May Your Name be Glorified throughout the Eternities to Come.
We Pray for Thy Soon-Appearing, our Mighty King of Grace.
We Worship You and Adore you, in our Jesus' Holy Name, amen.
May God's Blessings be with you all. (Titus3:15)
Dear KM
What a wonderful hymn to remind us that the LORD is the Author and Perfecter of our faith; that not of ourselves, it is a gift of God.
What good doctrine and encouragement of the SURE WORK He is doing and will finish.
The “severity” of the music correctly echoes the life and death matter of eternal things.
Heb 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Thank you LORD, for calling us to your great Salvation.
Be exalted.
Amen.... God IS our everything, faith included.
Please pray for us today. We go to court this morning on the “ free-ing” part of adoption for our 16 year old foster daughter we are adopting.The investigator has been lax in doing her job and paper work or lack of it, has kept this on a continuation path. We are praying that the T’s are all crossed today.
Polly
Dear Polly
I’m sorry I didn’t see this until now.
Praying for you for all you need from our Gracious Father in heaven.
I ask that he comfort and lead you in the right path.
I pray that you will have what you need for Spirit, soul and body.
I thank God that He is always faithful, and will work everything together for your good.
May the LORD give you rest and peace.
Daily Light on the Daily Path
The fountain of living waters.
How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life.
Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Behold, my servants shall eat, but you shall be hungry; behold, my servants shall drink, but you shall be thirsty.”—“Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty forever. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”—Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive.
“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters.”—The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.
Jer. 2:13; Ps. 36:7-9; Isa. 65:13; John 4:14; John 7:39; Isa. 55:1; Rev. 22:17
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/l/e/lemortal.htm
Let every mortal ear attend,
And every heart rejoice;
The trumpet of the Gospel sounds
With an inviting voice.
Lo! all ye hungry, starving souls
That feed upon the wind,
And vainly strive with earthly toys
To fill an empty mind.
Eternal Wisdom has prepared
A soul reviving feast,
And bids your longing appetites
The rich provision taste.
Ho! ye that pant for living streams,
And pine away and die,
Here you may quench your raging thirst
With springs that never dry.
Rivers of love and mercy here
In a rich ocean join;
Salvation in abundance flows,
Like floods of milk and wine.
Ye perishing and naked poor,
Who work with mighty pain
To weave a garment of your own
That will not hide your sin,
Come naked, and adorn your souls
In robes prepared by God,
Wrought by the labors of His Son,
And dyed in His own blood.
Dear God! the treasures of Thy love
Are everlasting mines,
Deep as our helpless miseries are,
And boundless as our sins.
The happy gates of Gospel grace
Stand open night and day;
Lord, we are come to seek supplies,
And drive our wants away.
— Isaac Watts, Hymns and Spiritual Songs, 1707.
Amen and amen.
BTTT
Daily Light on the Daily Path
September 6
Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven.
Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?—To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.—I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. . . . Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit. Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.—Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.
“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do.”
Lam. 3:41; Ps. 113:5, 6; Ps. 25:1; Ps. 143:6-8; Ps. 63:3, 4; Ps. 86:4, 5; John 14:13
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/r/e/rejtlord.htm
Rejoice, the Lord is King! Your Lord and King adore;
Mortals give thanks and sing, and triumph evermore;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
Jesus, the Savior, reigns, the God of truth and love;
When He had purged our stains He took His seat above;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
His kingdom cannot fail, He rules o’er earth and Heav’n,
The keys of death and hell are to our Jesus giv’n;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
He sits at God’s right hand till all His foes submit,
And bow to His command, and fall beneath His feet:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
He all His foes shall quell, shall all our sins destroy,
And every bosom swell with pure seraphic joy;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice,
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
Rejoice in glorious hope! Jesus the Judge shall come,
And take His servants up to their eternal home.
We soon shall hear th’archangel’s voice;
The trump of God shall sound, rejoice!
—Charles Wesley, 1744
I can't Believe it {Keith Green}
There is nothing new
I could give to you
Just a life that's torn
Waiting to be born
Rivers overflow
Friends may come and go
But you've been by my side
With every tear I've cried
Oh, I can't believe that You'd give everything for me
I can't believe it no, I can't believe it no, no
I know You never lied and so it's just my foolish pride
That won't receive it yeah
It's so hard to receive it in my heart and make the start
With you
Help me, help me now
I just don't know how
You know, I've been so alone
Please melt this heart of stone
La, la, la, la
Oh, I can't believe that You'd give everything for me
I can't believe it no, I can't believe it no, no
I know You never lied and so I'm giving up my pride
So I can receive it yeah
I just want to receive it in my heart and make the start
With you
La, la, la, la, la
With you
Be Glorified, Your Excellency, our God of All Grace! We Love You, and Lift Up our Hearts in Praise. How Great You are, Lord Jesus, our Loving king. You have Poured Out Your Life for the Basest of Men. May Your Salvation Sweep the Earth, to Your Praise. Our Heart's Desire is that You will be Loved Forever, Lord-King.
Our Glorious God, the Name of Jesus is our Song. How we Wish we were Singing it Now in Your Home! May Your Kingdom Come Soon, our Lord of Loving Grace.
For Your Excellent Glory, my King and my God, amen.
Let me Run Loose and Free,
Celebrating God's Great Work!
Every Bone in my Body Laughing, Singing,
"God, there's No One Like You!" (Ps.35:9)
BTTT
Daily Light on the Daily Path
Evening
I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil.”—“My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”—How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.—How great are your works, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep!—You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us.
For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.—Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom?—Having nothing, yet possessing everything.—The unsearchable riches of Christ.
Ps. 40:17; Jer. 29:11; Isa. 55:8, 9; Ps. 139:17, 18; Ps. 92:5; Ps. 40:5; 1 Cor. 1:26; Jas. 2:5; 2 Cor. 6:10; Eph. 3:8
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/w/s/wsirtmgd.htm
What shall I render to my God
For all His kindness shown?
My feet shall visit Thine abode,
My songs address Thy throne.
Among the saints that fill Thine house
My off’rings shall be paid;
There shall my zeal perform the vows
My soul in anguish made.
How much is mercy Thy delight,
Thou ever blessèd God!
How dear Thy servants in Thy sight!
How precious is their blood!
How happy all Thy servants are!
How great Thy grace to me!
My life, which thou hast made Thy care,
Lord, I devote to Thee.
Now I am Thine, forever Thine,
Nor shall my purpose move
Thy hand hath loosed my bonds of pain,
And bound me with Thy love.
Here in Thy courts I leave my vow,
And Thy rich grace record;
Witness, ye saints, who hear me now,
If I forsake the Lord.
—Isaac Watts, 1719.
LORD you are gracious.
You uphold us, and the whole universe is held together by the Power of your Word.
We Thank you for your great provision for us, much of which we hastily grasp without realizing that Your Kindness has provided for us.
There is nothing too hard for you.
Receive our praise and love.
You are worthy of ALL.
In the Name of Jesus, we exult and rejoice.
Amen.
BTTT
Daily Light on the Daily Path
September 8
“You have been weighed in the balances and found wanting.”
The Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.—“For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.”—“The Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”—Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
“What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life?”—But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being.—You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, you have tested me, and you will find nothing.
Dan. 5:27; 1 Sam. 2:3; Luke 16:15; 1 Sam. 16:7; Gal. 6:7, 8; Matt. 16:26; Phil. 3:7; Ps. 51:6; Ps. 17:3
OH LORD, do not leave us to ourselves.
We cry out for your mercy and ask that you help us to repent from our sin, and turn fully to you.
We are utterly unable to save ourselves.
We can not wash away the stain that condemns us.
Your love alone has given a remedy.
The blood of your Son Jesus can heal my sinful heart of all its backslidings.
Wash me and I shall be clean.
Cleanse me and I shall be white as snow.
Without you, I can do nothing.
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/g/b/gbemtome.htm
God, be merciful to me,
On Thy grace I rest my plea;
Plenteous in compassion Thou,
Blot out my transgressions now;
Wash me, make me pure within,
Cleanse, O cleanse me from my sin.
My transgressions I confess,
Grief and guilt my soul oppress;
I have sinned against Thy grace
And provoked Thee to Thy face;
I confess Thy judgment just,
Speechless, I Thy mercy trust.
I am evil, born in sin;
Thou desirest truth within.
Thou alone my Savior art,
Teach Thy wisdom to my heart;
Make me pure, Thy grace bestow,
Wash me whiter than the snow.
Broken, humbled to the dust
By Thy wrath and judgment just,
Let my contrite heart rejoice
And in gladness hear Thy voice;
From my sins O hide Thy face,
Blot them out in boundless grace.
Gracious God, my heart renew,
Make my spirit right and true;
Cast me not away from Thee,
Let Thy Spirit dwell in me;
Thy salvation’s joy impart,
Steadfast make my willing heart.
Sinners then shall learn from me
And return, O God, to Thee;
Savior, all my guilt remove,
And my tongue shall sing Thy love;
Touch my silent lips, O Lord,
And my mouth shall praise accord.
—The Psalter, 1912.
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