For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:14-18
I've been singing this song lately with my 2 year old nephew. It does my heart good to hear him sing these words, and I especially love the stress he places on Yes. It's like he's brimming with confirmation and confidence as he sings, "YEEESSSSS! Jesus loves me!"
This was written as a children's song, but the words are really quite profound. I encourage you to really stop and think about these words the next time you sing this song.
Jesus loves me. He loves me so much that He gave up His own life.
...walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
Ephesians 5:2
He obeyed His Father, and humbled Himself, even to the point of death on a cross, so that our sins would be covered and our future would be secure.
Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:8
...to Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood... Revelation 1:5
And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. I John 5:11
What is our response to this love? To live for Him.
For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. II Corinthians 5:14-15
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20
Jesus Loves Me
Words by Anna Warner and David McGuire
Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.
Refrain
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
Jesus loves me! This I know,
As He loved so long ago,
Taking children on His knee,
Saying, “Let them come to Me.”
Jesus loves me still today,
Walking with me on my way,
Wanting as a friend to give
Light and love to all who live.
Jesus loves me! He who died
Heaven’s gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.
Jesus loves me! He will stay
Close beside me all the way;
Thou hast bled and died for me,
I will henceforth live for Thee.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Yes, God is Good
For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100:5
Creation sings the goodness of God! I've said it before, but it bears repeating. I notice it in every season, but this summer has me thinking about it more than usual. Even as I was sitting in a meeting this morning, looking out the window at all the beautiful plants and flowers raising their heads to the sun, I couldn't help but think "Creation just seems to shout 'to God be the glory!'"
O taste and see that the LORD is good... Psalm 34:8
When I think about the science behind what we take for granted every day, that the sun will keep its trackless way - it doesn't fall or even move! - that rain pours on the earth, that the stars shine in the night to light up the sky - it is amazing!
Think of what it takes for rain to fall: water has to evaporate from some large source (like an ocean or a big lake), move across the sky, condense into water, and then be released to fall to the earth again. And it can't condense into one gigantic drop or that would annihilate or at the very least flood the population - it condenses into lots of tiny little drops that provide nourishment to the plants and the food that we eat! My explanation is not scientific in the least but I hope you can see my point - God working in creation shows us His goodness. Rain itself is a miraculous event. Balmy air and falling rain are pictures of God's goodness to us.
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. Romans 1:20
This hymn was written for children, so the truths are relatively simple, but also profound when you think about them more carefully. The rushing breeze, the hills that have forever stood, the roaring seas, they all say "God is good."
What I love about this hymn is it acknowledges that creation sings God's praises and goodness, but then it exhorts US to sing His praises even louder!
Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; Sing praises to His name, for it is lovely. Psalm 135:3
Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant and praise is becoming. Psalm 147:1
I encourage you to take special note today of how creation is singing God's praise, and then join in the song yourself, acknowledging God's goodness and thanking Him for it.
Yes, God is Good
Words by John H. Gurney
Yes, God is good; in earth and sky,
From ocean depths and spreading wood,
Ten thousand voices seem to cry,
“God made us all, and God is good.”
The sun that keeps his trackless way
And downward pours his golden flood,
Night’s sparkling hosts, all seem to say,
In accents clear, that God is good.
The merry birds prolong the strain,
Their song with every spring renewed;
And balmy air, and falling rain,
Each softly whispers, “God is good.”
I hear it in the rushing breeze;
The hills that have for ages stood,
The echoing sky and roaring seas,
All swell the chorus, God is good.
Yes, God is good, all nature says,
By God’s own hand with speech endued;
And man, in louder notes of praise,
Should sing for joy that God is good.
For all Thy gifts we bless Thee, Lord,
But chiefly for our heavenly food;
Thy pardoning grace, Thy quickening word,
These prompt our song, that God is good.
Creation sings the goodness of God! I've said it before, but it bears repeating. I notice it in every season, but this summer has me thinking about it more than usual. Even as I was sitting in a meeting this morning, looking out the window at all the beautiful plants and flowers raising their heads to the sun, I couldn't help but think "Creation just seems to shout 'to God be the glory!'"
O taste and see that the LORD is good... Psalm 34:8
When I think about the science behind what we take for granted every day, that the sun will keep its trackless way - it doesn't fall or even move! - that rain pours on the earth, that the stars shine in the night to light up the sky - it is amazing!
Think of what it takes for rain to fall: water has to evaporate from some large source (like an ocean or a big lake), move across the sky, condense into water, and then be released to fall to the earth again. And it can't condense into one gigantic drop or that would annihilate or at the very least flood the population - it condenses into lots of tiny little drops that provide nourishment to the plants and the food that we eat! My explanation is not scientific in the least but I hope you can see my point - God working in creation shows us His goodness. Rain itself is a miraculous event. Balmy air and falling rain are pictures of God's goodness to us.
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. Romans 1:20
This hymn was written for children, so the truths are relatively simple, but also profound when you think about them more carefully. The rushing breeze, the hills that have forever stood, the roaring seas, they all say "God is good."
What I love about this hymn is it acknowledges that creation sings God's praises and goodness, but then it exhorts US to sing His praises even louder!
Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; Sing praises to His name, for it is lovely. Psalm 135:3
Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant and praise is becoming. Psalm 147:1
I encourage you to take special note today of how creation is singing God's praise, and then join in the song yourself, acknowledging God's goodness and thanking Him for it.
Yes, God is Good
Words by John H. Gurney
Yes, God is good; in earth and sky,
From ocean depths and spreading wood,
Ten thousand voices seem to cry,
“God made us all, and God is good.”
The sun that keeps his trackless way
And downward pours his golden flood,
Night’s sparkling hosts, all seem to say,
In accents clear, that God is good.
The merry birds prolong the strain,
Their song with every spring renewed;
And balmy air, and falling rain,
Each softly whispers, “God is good.”
I hear it in the rushing breeze;
The hills that have for ages stood,
The echoing sky and roaring seas,
All swell the chorus, God is good.
Yes, God is good, all nature says,
By God’s own hand with speech endued;
And man, in louder notes of praise,
Should sing for joy that God is good.
For all Thy gifts we bless Thee, Lord,
But chiefly for our heavenly food;
Thy pardoning grace, Thy quickening word,
These prompt our song, that God is good.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
He Set Me Free
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1
I've been thinking a lot about freedom as we approach the holiday this weekend when Americans celebrate being set free from the rule of England. Galatians 5:1 keeps resounding in my head: It was for freedom that Christ set us free. Have you ever thought about this? Freedom.
Because of Christ's atoning work on the cross of Calvary, we are set free from sin. Jesus became a man made of flesh and blood so that He could be slain, ridding the devil of his power over death. Jesus' sacrifice set us free from the slavery of sin.
Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. Hebrews 2:14-15
Sin leads to death and eternal separation from God. But there is life in Jesus Christ!
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. Romans 8:2
When Paul wrote to the Galatians, reminding them that it was for freedom that they were set free, he was exhorting them not to fall back into their usual pattern of trying to live by the Law. We know, by studying the Scriptures, that no person could live up to the requirements of the Law. (I know just by looking at myself!) That's why God sent His son Jesus to redeem us - we could never earn or be "good enough" to merit His favor. Through Jesus, we are freed from death and sin, things that we could never be free from under the Law.
Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. Acts 13:38-39
Being free from sin has a great reward - our benefit is sanctification (being made holy) and eternal life!
But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. Romans 6:22
Remember that it was for freedom that you were set free! When you celebrate our national holiday this weekend, praise God that you are free from sin because of His great love for you!
He Set Me Free
Words by Haldor Lillenas
My soul is filled with joy and gladness
Since Jesus came to me.
His love has banished all my sadness,
From sin I am set free.
Refrain
He set me free, He set me free,
I was blind, but hallelujah, now I see!
I shall ne’er forget the day
When He washed my sins away,
And He set, He set me free.
The Comforter divine is dwelling
Within my soul today;
His love to others I am telling
Since Jesus came to stay.
The grace of Jesus hath abounded
For all my sins I see,
Salvation walls have me surrounded,
From sin I am set free.
I've been thinking a lot about freedom as we approach the holiday this weekend when Americans celebrate being set free from the rule of England. Galatians 5:1 keeps resounding in my head: It was for freedom that Christ set us free. Have you ever thought about this? Freedom.
Because of Christ's atoning work on the cross of Calvary, we are set free from sin. Jesus became a man made of flesh and blood so that He could be slain, ridding the devil of his power over death. Jesus' sacrifice set us free from the slavery of sin.
Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. Hebrews 2:14-15
Sin leads to death and eternal separation from God. But there is life in Jesus Christ!
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. Romans 8:2
When Paul wrote to the Galatians, reminding them that it was for freedom that they were set free, he was exhorting them not to fall back into their usual pattern of trying to live by the Law. We know, by studying the Scriptures, that no person could live up to the requirements of the Law. (I know just by looking at myself!) That's why God sent His son Jesus to redeem us - we could never earn or be "good enough" to merit His favor. Through Jesus, we are freed from death and sin, things that we could never be free from under the Law.
Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. Acts 13:38-39
Being free from sin has a great reward - our benefit is sanctification (being made holy) and eternal life!
But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. Romans 6:22
Remember that it was for freedom that you were set free! When you celebrate our national holiday this weekend, praise God that you are free from sin because of His great love for you!
He Set Me Free
Words by Haldor Lillenas
My soul is filled with joy and gladness
Since Jesus came to me.
His love has banished all my sadness,
From sin I am set free.
Refrain
He set me free, He set me free,
I was blind, but hallelujah, now I see!
I shall ne’er forget the day
When He washed my sins away,
And He set, He set me free.
The Comforter divine is dwelling
Within my soul today;
His love to others I am telling
Since Jesus came to stay.
The grace of Jesus hath abounded
For all my sins I see,
Salvation walls have me surrounded,
From sin I am set free.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
I Waited for the Lord my God
Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay. Psalm 40:17
There are seasons in our lives when the Lord calls us to wait. Waiting is hard. Waiting patiently is even harder. We are "programmed", at least in this day and age, to want things and answers right here and right now, this minute. The age of the internet and news 24/7, on demand, has taken away our sense of patience and waiting (at least for me personally).
I've been thinking a lot about some of the Old Testament stories and the waiting that had to be done by these pillars of our faith. Abraham was promised by God that he would be the father of nations. And then he waited many, many years until his only son was born. Moses and the Israelites were promised their own land, and they waited, and wandered, 40 years in the wilderness. Joseph prospered under the Lord's guidance, but he still had to wait out his time in prison (after he was wrongly put in prison!) for several years until the Lord rescued him.
As I think about these stories, I also think about what was accomplished in the waiting. God used these times to increase His people's faith, to test their obedience, to give them special gifts and opportunities to proclaim their devotion to the One True God. The waiting was not in vain.
What are you waiting for? Is there a prayer unanswered in your life? What are you learning during this time of waiting?
Most importantly, how can you use this time of waiting to bring glory to God? The Psalmist says,
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. Psalm 40:3
How can you praise God in the midst of this waiting? I know that in my situation, I want to bring all the glory to God, so that others will see and put their trust in the Lord. I want my waiting to be a demonstration to both unbelievers and believers of my unwavering faith in my Deliverer. I hope that living out this belief, especially in this time of waiting, will cause others to take notice, and ultimately, put their faith in the Lord, the One who will hear my cry and put my feet on solid ground!
I waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:1-2
I Waited for the Lord my God
Words from the Psalter
I waited for the Lord my God,
Yea, patiently drew near,
And He at length inclined to me,
My pleading cry to hear.
He took me from destruction’s pit,
From out the miry clay;
He set my feet upon a rock,
And steadfast made my way.
A new and joyful song of praise
My thankful heart He taught,
A song of glory to our God
For all that He has wrought.
And many who behold how good
The Lord has been to me
Shall learn to fear, and in His Name
Their trust shall henceforth be.
There are seasons in our lives when the Lord calls us to wait. Waiting is hard. Waiting patiently is even harder. We are "programmed", at least in this day and age, to want things and answers right here and right now, this minute. The age of the internet and news 24/7, on demand, has taken away our sense of patience and waiting (at least for me personally).
I've been thinking a lot about some of the Old Testament stories and the waiting that had to be done by these pillars of our faith. Abraham was promised by God that he would be the father of nations. And then he waited many, many years until his only son was born. Moses and the Israelites were promised their own land, and they waited, and wandered, 40 years in the wilderness. Joseph prospered under the Lord's guidance, but he still had to wait out his time in prison (after he was wrongly put in prison!) for several years until the Lord rescued him.
As I think about these stories, I also think about what was accomplished in the waiting. God used these times to increase His people's faith, to test their obedience, to give them special gifts and opportunities to proclaim their devotion to the One True God. The waiting was not in vain.
What are you waiting for? Is there a prayer unanswered in your life? What are you learning during this time of waiting?
Most importantly, how can you use this time of waiting to bring glory to God? The Psalmist says,
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. Psalm 40:3
How can you praise God in the midst of this waiting? I know that in my situation, I want to bring all the glory to God, so that others will see and put their trust in the Lord. I want my waiting to be a demonstration to both unbelievers and believers of my unwavering faith in my Deliverer. I hope that living out this belief, especially in this time of waiting, will cause others to take notice, and ultimately, put their faith in the Lord, the One who will hear my cry and put my feet on solid ground!
I waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:1-2
I Waited for the Lord my God
Words from the Psalter
I waited for the Lord my God,
Yea, patiently drew near,
And He at length inclined to me,
My pleading cry to hear.
He took me from destruction’s pit,
From out the miry clay;
He set my feet upon a rock,
And steadfast made my way.
A new and joyful song of praise
My thankful heart He taught,
A song of glory to our God
For all that He has wrought.
And many who behold how good
The Lord has been to me
Shall learn to fear, and in His Name
Their trust shall henceforth be.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
O Father, You are Sovereign
For the LORD of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it? And as for His stretched-out hand, who can turn it back? Isaiah 14:27
In this uncertain world, and these very uncertain times, it is so reassuring to know one thing for sure: God is in control. He, the King of the Universe, is sovereign over all His creation. He created the heavens and the earth with His VOICE, and the winds and seas still move in obedience to Him.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. Genesis 1:1-3
The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all. Psalm 103:19
God is sovereign over His creation - and that includes us! Nothing can thwart the plan that He has for each of us, and for this world as a whole.
Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps. Psalm 135:6
We would be wise to daily acknowledge God's sovereignty and submit our will to His.
I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. Job 42:2
God's will and sovereign plan does transcend time and space, chance and change. We certainly do not have the capacity to understand it.
Just as you do not know the path of the wind and how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things. Ecclesiastes 11:5
However, we do have the capacity to trust Him, knowing that His will is best.
And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, for You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You. Psalm 9:10
I'm not saying trusting is always easy. Often it's not. When we suffer and walk through the wilderness, it is often an act of our will to trust. We must trust out of obedience to Him.
Even in our hurt and pain, we can rejoice that the Lord is sovereign over our situation! He is the Lord of human pain, and His sovereignty includes His plan for turning our pain into heavenly gain.
After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. I Peter 5:10
Your suffering is being worked to perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you! If your suffering is a result of your obedience to Christ, be strong and courageous in your obedience and in doing what is right. God, your faithful creator, can be trusted!
Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
I Peter 4:19
And in your suffering, remember to keep rejoicing, because your Sovereign Creator has ordained this for you.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. I Peter 4:12-13
You can take heart that your suffering now, as awful as it seems, will be forgotten in a moment when compared with what is to come.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Romans 8:18
As we look forward to that glory that is to be revealed to us, we trust Him to bring that day quickly; when every knee will bow declaring Him Lord of heaven and earth.
Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. I have sworn by Myself, the word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness and will not turn back, that to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance.
Isaiah 45:22-23
For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11
We have confidence that God is sovereign over all, including over Christ's triumphant return - and we trust Him to bring it about in His perfect time. Until then, we live our lives full of adoration and praise, worshiping our Sovereign Father; to Him be honor and eternal dominion!
I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will bring about at the proper time--He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.
I Timothy 6:13-16
O Father, You are Sovereign
Words by Margaret Clarkson
O Father, You are sovereign in all the worlds you made;
Your mighty word was spoken and light and life obeyed.
Your voice commands the seasons and bounds the ocean’s shore,
Sets stars within their courses and stills the tempest’s roar.
O Father, You are sovereign in all affairs of man;
No powers of death or darkness can thwart Your perfect plan.
All chance and change transcending, supreme in time and space,
You hold Your trusting children secure in Your embrace.
O Father, You are sovereign, the Lord of human pain,
Transmitting earthly sorrows to gold of heavenly gain.
All evil overruling, as none but Conqueror could,
Your love pursues its purpose – our souls’ eternal good.
O Father, You are Sovereign! We see You dimly now,
But soon before Your triumph earth’s every knee shall bow.
With this glad hope before us our faith springs up anew;
Our Sovereign Lord and Savior, we trust and worship You!
In this uncertain world, and these very uncertain times, it is so reassuring to know one thing for sure: God is in control. He, the King of the Universe, is sovereign over all His creation. He created the heavens and the earth with His VOICE, and the winds and seas still move in obedience to Him.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. Genesis 1:1-3
The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all. Psalm 103:19
God is sovereign over His creation - and that includes us! Nothing can thwart the plan that He has for each of us, and for this world as a whole.
Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps. Psalm 135:6
We would be wise to daily acknowledge God's sovereignty and submit our will to His.
I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. Job 42:2
God's will and sovereign plan does transcend time and space, chance and change. We certainly do not have the capacity to understand it.
Just as you do not know the path of the wind and how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things. Ecclesiastes 11:5
However, we do have the capacity to trust Him, knowing that His will is best.
And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, for You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You. Psalm 9:10
I'm not saying trusting is always easy. Often it's not. When we suffer and walk through the wilderness, it is often an act of our will to trust. We must trust out of obedience to Him.
Even in our hurt and pain, we can rejoice that the Lord is sovereign over our situation! He is the Lord of human pain, and His sovereignty includes His plan for turning our pain into heavenly gain.
After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. I Peter 5:10
Your suffering is being worked to perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you! If your suffering is a result of your obedience to Christ, be strong and courageous in your obedience and in doing what is right. God, your faithful creator, can be trusted!
Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
I Peter 4:19
And in your suffering, remember to keep rejoicing, because your Sovereign Creator has ordained this for you.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. I Peter 4:12-13
You can take heart that your suffering now, as awful as it seems, will be forgotten in a moment when compared with what is to come.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Romans 8:18
As we look forward to that glory that is to be revealed to us, we trust Him to bring that day quickly; when every knee will bow declaring Him Lord of heaven and earth.
Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. I have sworn by Myself, the word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness and will not turn back, that to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance.
Isaiah 45:22-23
For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11
We have confidence that God is sovereign over all, including over Christ's triumphant return - and we trust Him to bring it about in His perfect time. Until then, we live our lives full of adoration and praise, worshiping our Sovereign Father; to Him be honor and eternal dominion!
I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will bring about at the proper time--He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.
I Timothy 6:13-16
O Father, You are Sovereign
Words by Margaret Clarkson
O Father, You are sovereign in all the worlds you made;
Your mighty word was spoken and light and life obeyed.
Your voice commands the seasons and bounds the ocean’s shore,
Sets stars within their courses and stills the tempest’s roar.
O Father, You are sovereign in all affairs of man;
No powers of death or darkness can thwart Your perfect plan.
All chance and change transcending, supreme in time and space,
You hold Your trusting children secure in Your embrace.
O Father, You are sovereign, the Lord of human pain,
Transmitting earthly sorrows to gold of heavenly gain.
All evil overruling, as none but Conqueror could,
Your love pursues its purpose – our souls’ eternal good.
O Father, You are Sovereign! We see You dimly now,
But soon before Your triumph earth’s every knee shall bow.
With this glad hope before us our faith springs up anew;
Our Sovereign Lord and Savior, we trust and worship You!
Friday, June 5, 2009
We will Extol You
Remember the days of old, consider the years of all generations. Ask your father, and he will inform you, your elders, and they will tell you. Deut. 32:7
When I was writing about remembering, I "remembered" that there was one key element that needed to be brought up: telling the next generation of God's faithfulness.
I will cause Your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore the peoples will give You thanks forever and ever.
Psalm 45:17
We must be diligent to pass on the stories of God's faithfulness from one generation to the next. Our children should grow up hearing us tell of the daily graces flowing from the Mercy Seat and the hand of God at work in our lives, whether the events are large or small.
Over and over in the Psalms, we hear about the importance of sharing God's greatness with the next generation.
We will not conceal them from their children, but tell to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and His strength and His wondrous works that He has done. Psalm 78:4
One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts. Psalm 145:4
We must remember to TELL the stories of God's faithfulness to the next generation. Share your stories, and also your parents' stories, the ones you grew up hearing. Let's show these children that God's faithfulness really does flow from one generation to the next.
We'll pass on the endless song from age to age, telling all His wonders, secure in His love and faithfulness.
I will sing of the lovingkindness of the LORD forever; to all generations I will make known Your faithfulness with my mouth. Psalm 89:1
We Will Extol You
From Psalm 145, paraphrased by J. Nichol Grieve
We will extol You, ever blessed Lord;
Your holy name forever be adored;
Each day we live our psalm to You we raise;
You, God and King, are worthy of all praise,
Great and unsearchable in all Your ways.
Age shall to age pass on the endless song,
Telling the wonders which to You belong,
Your mighty acts with joy and fear relate;
Praise we Your glory while on You we wait;
Glad in the knowledge of Your love so great.
You, Lord, are gracious, merciful to all,
Close to Your children when on You they call;
And slow to anger, merciful and kind,
In Your compassion we Your blessings find.
We love You with our heart and strength and mind.
When I was writing about remembering, I "remembered" that there was one key element that needed to be brought up: telling the next generation of God's faithfulness.
I will cause Your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore the peoples will give You thanks forever and ever.
Psalm 45:17
We must be diligent to pass on the stories of God's faithfulness from one generation to the next. Our children should grow up hearing us tell of the daily graces flowing from the Mercy Seat and the hand of God at work in our lives, whether the events are large or small.
Over and over in the Psalms, we hear about the importance of sharing God's greatness with the next generation.
We will not conceal them from their children, but tell to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and His strength and His wondrous works that He has done. Psalm 78:4
One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts. Psalm 145:4
We must remember to TELL the stories of God's faithfulness to the next generation. Share your stories, and also your parents' stories, the ones you grew up hearing. Let's show these children that God's faithfulness really does flow from one generation to the next.
We'll pass on the endless song from age to age, telling all His wonders, secure in His love and faithfulness.
I will sing of the lovingkindness of the LORD forever; to all generations I will make known Your faithfulness with my mouth. Psalm 89:1
We Will Extol You
From Psalm 145, paraphrased by J. Nichol Grieve
We will extol You, ever blessed Lord;
Your holy name forever be adored;
Each day we live our psalm to You we raise;
You, God and King, are worthy of all praise,
Great and unsearchable in all Your ways.
Age shall to age pass on the endless song,
Telling the wonders which to You belong,
Your mighty acts with joy and fear relate;
Praise we Your glory while on You we wait;
Glad in the knowledge of Your love so great.
You, Lord, are gracious, merciful to all,
Close to Your children when on You they call;
And slow to anger, merciful and kind,
In Your compassion we Your blessings find.
We love You with our heart and strength and mind.
This is a Time to Remember
Remember His wonders which He has done; His marvels, and the judgments uttered by His mouth. Psalm 105:5
This hymn was written to commemorate special events in the life of a church - dedications, anniversaries, etc. But I think that it's important for us to DAILY remember the greatness of the Lord and His faithful leading.
Remember is a word commonly used in the Bible. God instructs His people throughout His word to remember certain things. These things are to be remembered as reminders of God's faithfulness to them and His covenant and promises.
Moses said to the people, "Remember this day in which you went out from Egypt, from the house of slavery; for by a powerful hand the LORD brought you out from this place And nothing leavened shall be eaten." Exodus 13:3
Remember the Sabbath to keep it holy. Exodus 20:8
He also gave them physical reminders, such as the clothing they were to wear to remember the commandments.
"It shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the LORD, so as to do them and not follow after your own heart and your own eyes, after which you played the harlot, so that you may remember to do all My commandments and be holy to your God." Numbers 15:39-40
When God gives His people the law in the Old Testament, He reminds them again and again about where they came from, and how He saved them. This verse is repeated over and over again.
But you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and that the LORD your God redeemed you from there; therefore I am commanding you to do this thing. Deut. 24:8
"You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not." Deut. 8:2
Sometimes when I read these passages in the Old Testament, I think, "Man, these Israelites must have been really dense! They wandered in the desert for 40 years. Why did God have to keep telling them to remember this? Wouldn't they always have it in the back of their mind?"
But then I think about me, and my sinful self, and how quickly I forget God's faithfulness to me through saving me from an eternity separated from Him.
It is good to remember that this story started long ago. The Bible has a constant theme running through it from beginning to end: that God remembers His covenant. He reminds His people throughout the Old Testament that He remembers His covenant, and as people living under the NEW covenant, we know that He sent His son to earth to take our place on the cross - He provided a means by which our sin was paid for and we were reconciled to Him. Jesus was the fulfillment of that promise that God made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
It is good to remember; to remind ourselves of His grace that falls like rain, His Spirit that leads us and His son's pardoning blood.
This is a Time to Remember
Words by Bryan Jeffery Leach
This is a time to remember the greatness of the Lord.
He has so faithfully led us as promised in His Word;
He has so bountifully given His grace like freshening rain;
He has so lovingly pardoned and made us whole again.
This is a time to remember the glories that have been;
This is a time to press onward to vistas yet unseen;
For Christ is alive in His people, He meets us face to face;
He grants us the power of His Spirit to serve Him in this place.
This is a time to remember the church is His, not ours;
this is a time to surrender ourselves, our wealth, our powers;
this is a time to be servants - to give ourselves away,
Building the church of the future until the coming day.
This hymn was written to commemorate special events in the life of a church - dedications, anniversaries, etc. But I think that it's important for us to DAILY remember the greatness of the Lord and His faithful leading.
Remember is a word commonly used in the Bible. God instructs His people throughout His word to remember certain things. These things are to be remembered as reminders of God's faithfulness to them and His covenant and promises.
Moses said to the people, "Remember this day in which you went out from Egypt, from the house of slavery; for by a powerful hand the LORD brought you out from this place And nothing leavened shall be eaten." Exodus 13:3
Remember the Sabbath to keep it holy. Exodus 20:8
He also gave them physical reminders, such as the clothing they were to wear to remember the commandments.
"It shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the LORD, so as to do them and not follow after your own heart and your own eyes, after which you played the harlot, so that you may remember to do all My commandments and be holy to your God." Numbers 15:39-40
When God gives His people the law in the Old Testament, He reminds them again and again about where they came from, and how He saved them. This verse is repeated over and over again.
But you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and that the LORD your God redeemed you from there; therefore I am commanding you to do this thing. Deut. 24:8
"You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not." Deut. 8:2
Sometimes when I read these passages in the Old Testament, I think, "Man, these Israelites must have been really dense! They wandered in the desert for 40 years. Why did God have to keep telling them to remember this? Wouldn't they always have it in the back of their mind?"
But then I think about me, and my sinful self, and how quickly I forget God's faithfulness to me through saving me from an eternity separated from Him.
It is good to remember that this story started long ago. The Bible has a constant theme running through it from beginning to end: that God remembers His covenant. He reminds His people throughout the Old Testament that He remembers His covenant, and as people living under the NEW covenant, we know that He sent His son to earth to take our place on the cross - He provided a means by which our sin was paid for and we were reconciled to Him. Jesus was the fulfillment of that promise that God made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
It is good to remember; to remind ourselves of His grace that falls like rain, His Spirit that leads us and His son's pardoning blood.
This is a Time to Remember
Words by Bryan Jeffery Leach
This is a time to remember the greatness of the Lord.
He has so faithfully led us as promised in His Word;
He has so bountifully given His grace like freshening rain;
He has so lovingly pardoned and made us whole again.
This is a time to remember the glories that have been;
This is a time to press onward to vistas yet unseen;
For Christ is alive in His people, He meets us face to face;
He grants us the power of His Spirit to serve Him in this place.
This is a time to remember the church is His, not ours;
this is a time to surrender ourselves, our wealth, our powers;
this is a time to be servants - to give ourselves away,
Building the church of the future until the coming day.
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