Nevertheless I [am] continually with thee: thou hast holden [me] by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me [to] glory. (Psalms 73:23-24)
My Prayer: Gracious Father, thank You for continually being present within my life! Thank You for loving me with such unconditional adoration! Make me worthy of Your wonderful devotion toward me that I may give You honour and praise. Cause me to have a passionate desire toward Your word that I may please You in all I do and say. May I desire nothing on this desolate earth but the future glory with You!
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
And I will put
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. (Genesis 3:15)
This is the first promise of the remarkable salvation that would bridge the gap between sinful man and a gracious God. From the beginning of creation, God had a redemptive plan that would begin and end with Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, the promised Seed, entered the world with the purpose of bruising the head of Satan (Romans 16:20) and claiming God's children to be His own. Thus, Christ destroyed the power of the evil one and freed mankind from the tremendous bondage of sin. From this, His grace flows forth and draws us as believers to His side.
This is the first promise of the remarkable salvation that would bridge the gap between sinful man and a gracious God. From the beginning of creation, God had a redemptive plan that would begin and end with Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, the promised Seed, entered the world with the purpose of bruising the head of Satan (Romans 16:20) and claiming God's children to be His own. Thus, Christ destroyed the power of the evil one and freed mankind from the tremendous bondage of sin. From this, His grace flows forth and draws us as believers to His side.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
For ye shall
For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel [will be] your rereward. (Isaiah 52:12)
Never need the bride of Christ, when arrayed in her battledress, proceed anxiously to meet the enemy. Nor shall she flee from villainous hoards, defeated and brought low. She is the queen of God's right hand and ever shall He protect her comings and goings, guarding her both before and behind, and ever granting her sword arm the full measure of His omnipotent strength. Rejoice in the Lord! Rejoice in your strength!
Never need the bride of Christ, when arrayed in her battledress, proceed anxiously to meet the enemy. Nor shall she flee from villainous hoards, defeated and brought low. She is the queen of God's right hand and ever shall He protect her comings and goings, guarding her both before and behind, and ever granting her sword arm the full measure of His omnipotent strength. Rejoice in the Lord! Rejoice in your strength!
Friday, September 23, 2011
CONFIDENT IN CHRIST
CONFIDENT IN CHRIST
Hebrews 10:26-39
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Hebrews+10:26-39
Holy God, who has promised to return,
How foolish I would be to keep on sinning after coming to the
knowledge of your truth. Give me the strength to forsake whatever
sin I become aware of in my life. I submit myself to your
examination and ask to see myself as you see me.
In the face of suffering or ridicule, I want to stand strong in
truth, always aware that confidence and perseverence will be richly
rewarded in the life to come.
May I not be among those who shrink back and are destroyed, but
among those who hold on to faith and keep their souls.
In the name of Jesus I ask. Amen.
Hebrews 10:26-39
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Hebrews+10:26-39
Holy God, who has promised to return,
How foolish I would be to keep on sinning after coming to the
knowledge of your truth. Give me the strength to forsake whatever
sin I become aware of in my life. I submit myself to your
examination and ask to see myself as you see me.
In the face of suffering or ridicule, I want to stand strong in
truth, always aware that confidence and perseverence will be richly
rewarded in the life to come.
May I not be among those who shrink back and are destroyed, but
among those who hold on to faith and keep their souls.
In the name of Jesus I ask. Amen.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
But of him
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (1 Corinthians 1:30)
"All we have we have from God as the fountain, and in and through Christ as the channel of conveyance. He is made of God to us all we need, or can desire. We are foolishness, ignorant and blind in the things of God, with all our boasted knowledge; and He is made wisdom to us. We are guilty, obnoxious to justice; and He is made righteousness, our great atonement and sacrifice. We are depraved and corrupt; and He is made sanctification, the spring of our spiritual life; from him, the head, it is communicated to all the members of his mystical body by his Holy Spirit. We are in bonds, and he is made redemption to us, our Saviour and deliverer."
—Matthew Henry
"All we have we have from God as the fountain, and in and through Christ as the channel of conveyance. He is made of God to us all we need, or can desire. We are foolishness, ignorant and blind in the things of God, with all our boasted knowledge; and He is made wisdom to us. We are guilty, obnoxious to justice; and He is made righteousness, our great atonement and sacrifice. We are depraved and corrupt; and He is made sanctification, the spring of our spiritual life; from him, the head, it is communicated to all the members of his mystical body by his Holy Spirit. We are in bonds, and he is made redemption to us, our Saviour and deliverer."
—Matthew Henry
More on God Dwelling with the Humble and Contrite
More on God Dwelling with the Humble and Contrite
The LORD is high above all nations, and His glory above the heavens. Who is like the LORD our God, who dwells on high, who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth? He raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap. (Psalm 113:4-7)
In our previous meditation, we considered the Lord's loftiness, coupled with His interest in man's lowliness. "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit" (Isaiah 57:15). In our present verses, we again see the Lord's desire to dwell with the humble and contrite.
Our great God dwells in the heaven of heavens, ruling over all the nations of the world. "The LORD is high above all nations." His glory is even more majestic than the galaxies which He hung throughout the stellar heavens: "His glory above the heavens." There is no one in all the universe who could be likened unto Him. "Who is like the LORD our God?" Nevertheless, though He rightly inhabits the highest realms of existence, He is willing to consider our lowly estate and become involved in the affairs of humanity: "who dwells on high, who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth."
From His high and lofty position, the Lord observes the family of man. He is not looking for the boastful and the arrogant. He is looking for the humble and the contrite. "Though the LORD is on high, yet He regards the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar" (Psalm 138:6). Although our God is the creator of all the universe, He is looking for the spiritually bankrupt and those whose hearts are crushed. "'For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist,' says the LORD. 'But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word'" (Isaiah 66:2). This last phrase gives a key characteristic of those who are truly humble and contrite. They respond with reverence when hearing God's word.
What does the Lord desire to do for the humble and contrite? He wants to bring spiritual restoration: "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me" (Psalm 138:7). Our great God is a God of compassion. He wants to restore the crushed heart. "The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit…He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds" (Psalm 34:18 and 147:3). Our mighty, compassionate Lord "raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap."
Creator of heaven and earth, I am amazed that You are interested in me. I want to be numbered among the humble and contrite. I have nothing by which to commend myself to You. I only bring a heart that is broken by a multitude of agonies and impossibilities. Please revive me by Your grace, through Jesus Christ, my Lord, Amen.
The LORD is high above all nations, and His glory above the heavens. Who is like the LORD our God, who dwells on high, who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth? He raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap. (Psalm 113:4-7)
In our previous meditation, we considered the Lord's loftiness, coupled with His interest in man's lowliness. "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit" (Isaiah 57:15). In our present verses, we again see the Lord's desire to dwell with the humble and contrite.
Our great God dwells in the heaven of heavens, ruling over all the nations of the world. "The LORD is high above all nations." His glory is even more majestic than the galaxies which He hung throughout the stellar heavens: "His glory above the heavens." There is no one in all the universe who could be likened unto Him. "Who is like the LORD our God?" Nevertheless, though He rightly inhabits the highest realms of existence, He is willing to consider our lowly estate and become involved in the affairs of humanity: "who dwells on high, who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth."
From His high and lofty position, the Lord observes the family of man. He is not looking for the boastful and the arrogant. He is looking for the humble and the contrite. "Though the LORD is on high, yet He regards the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar" (Psalm 138:6). Although our God is the creator of all the universe, He is looking for the spiritually bankrupt and those whose hearts are crushed. "'For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist,' says the LORD. 'But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word'" (Isaiah 66:2). This last phrase gives a key characteristic of those who are truly humble and contrite. They respond with reverence when hearing God's word.
What does the Lord desire to do for the humble and contrite? He wants to bring spiritual restoration: "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me" (Psalm 138:7). Our great God is a God of compassion. He wants to restore the crushed heart. "The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit…He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds" (Psalm 34:18 and 147:3). Our mighty, compassionate Lord "raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap."
Creator of heaven and earth, I am amazed that You are interested in me. I want to be numbered among the humble and contrite. I have nothing by which to commend myself to You. I only bring a heart that is broken by a multitude of agonies and impossibilities. Please revive me by Your grace, through Jesus Christ, my Lord, Amen.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
A PERFECT SACRIFICE
A PERFECT SACRIFICE
Hebrews 9:11-14
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Hebrews+9:11-14
Dear Father,
Thank you that when Christ appeared as a High Priest, he entered
into the Holy Place and took not the blood of bulls and goats, but
his own blood, thus securing eternal redemption for us.
How much more perfect and pleasing to you was his sacrifice than
that of animals, for he offered what was truly perfect-his sinless
body.
Thank you, Father, that through this offering he has purified my
conscience that I might serve you, the true and living God.
Infuse my body, soul, and spirit with your grace. Give me a soft
and obedient heart that yields readily to your will. Give me a
broken and contrite heart that despises sin and yearns for true
holiness.
Keep me from loving the things of this world. Make me willing to
surrender anything that I possess or could possess, that I may walk
with you.
In the name of Jesus I ask. Amen
Hebrews 9:11-14
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Hebrews+9:11-14
Dear Father,
Thank you that when Christ appeared as a High Priest, he entered
into the Holy Place and took not the blood of bulls and goats, but
his own blood, thus securing eternal redemption for us.
How much more perfect and pleasing to you was his sacrifice than
that of animals, for he offered what was truly perfect-his sinless
body.
Thank you, Father, that through this offering he has purified my
conscience that I might serve you, the true and living God.
Infuse my body, soul, and spirit with your grace. Give me a soft
and obedient heart that yields readily to your will. Give me a
broken and contrite heart that despises sin and yearns for true
holiness.
Keep me from loving the things of this world. Make me willing to
surrender anything that I possess or could possess, that I may walk
with you.
In the name of Jesus I ask. Amen
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Abide in me,
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (John 15:4-5)
We cannot do anything without the Lord. He is the vine; and just as the branches receive their life-giving nutrients through the vine, so we as Christians receive the things we need for life from Christ. When a branch is apart from its source of life, it is dead. And so it is with us—until we are grafted onto that eternal and life-giving vine of Christ. We abide in Christ by our faith in Him and the salvation he offers. By this faith, even we shall bear fruit.
We cannot do anything without the Lord. He is the vine; and just as the branches receive their life-giving nutrients through the vine, so we as Christians receive the things we need for life from Christ. When a branch is apart from its source of life, it is dead. And so it is with us—until we are grafted onto that eternal and life-giving vine of Christ. We abide in Christ by our faith in Him and the salvation he offers. By this faith, even we shall bear fruit.
Monday, September 19, 2011
As far as
As far as the east is from the west, [so] far hath he removed our transgressions from us. (Psalms 103:12)
God's forgiveness is immeasurable! Though we be drowned in sin—though we be true sons of Adam steeped in iniquity—God will ever draw His people into His fold and cleanse them from the death-stain of their corruption. Rest in the Lord's forgiveness and go forth in new righteousness!
God's forgiveness is immeasurable! Though we be drowned in sin—though we be true sons of Adam steeped in iniquity—God will ever draw His people into His fold and cleanse them from the death-stain of their corruption. Rest in the Lord's forgiveness and go forth in new righteousness!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
But without faith
But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)
What is faith? It is trusting in the work of another. Therefore, we cannot please Him until we place all our trust and faith in Christ; for He is the author and finisher of our faith who will reward those who will seek His face.
What is faith? It is trusting in the work of another. Therefore, we cannot please Him until we place all our trust and faith in Christ; for He is the author and finisher of our faith who will reward those who will seek His face.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
For whosoever shall
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13)
How bountiful the mercy of our Lord that He should not only allow salvation, but promise it to those who seek Him. Praise God for your everlasting life! Praise the Lord that He drew you to seek Him!
How bountiful the mercy of our Lord that He should not only allow salvation, but promise it to those who seek Him. Praise God for your everlasting life! Praise the Lord that He drew you to seek Him!
Friday, September 16, 2011
And they shall !
And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. (Jeremiah 31:34)
One beauty of the Covenant of Grace is this: we are promised intimate and familial knowledge of our Lord. No longer is He a God far-removed, approachable by a chosen few. No, in the New Covenant we are all kings and priests and are granted, in Christ, the most intimate access to the Father's throne—indeed, even access to the Father's ear by our prayers!
One beauty of the Covenant of Grace is this: we are promised intimate and familial knowledge of our Lord. No longer is He a God far-removed, approachable by a chosen few. No, in the New Covenant we are all kings and priests and are granted, in Christ, the most intimate access to the Father's throne—indeed, even access to the Father's ear by our prayers!
Monday, September 12, 2011
For he shall
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. Reflection
As we abide in the light of our Father, we are given protection beyond all comprehension. These heavenly angels are encamped all about us as they guard our every path throughout this life. Indeed, absolutely nothing shall ever prevail against us as we walk in the light! For He is our rock! He is our mighty fortress!
As we abide in the light of our Father, we are given protection beyond all comprehension. These heavenly angels are encamped all about us as they guard our every path throughout this life. Indeed, absolutely nothing shall ever prevail against us as we walk in the light! For He is our rock! He is our mighty fortress!
Friday, September 9, 2011
And ye shall seek me
And ye shall seek me, and find [me], when ye shall search for me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)
God promises to be found when sought after with our whole hearts. How wonderful then, that it is He who places that longing within us. It is He who gives our hearts of stone to be hearts of flesh. Glory to God that He is merciful to draw us near! Praise to the Lord that He first loved us! Live now as righteous, taking heart in the gospel joy of the Lord!
God promises to be found when sought after with our whole hearts. How wonderful then, that it is He who places that longing within us. It is He who gives our hearts of stone to be hearts of flesh. Glory to God that He is merciful to draw us near! Praise to the Lord that He first loved us! Live now as righteous, taking heart in the gospel joy of the Lord!
Friday, September 2, 2011
And wisdom and knowledge
And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, [and] strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD [is] his treasure. (Isaiah 33:6)
What a faithful God we serve! By His tender love for us, our incredible salvation is our strength and firm stability. His wealth of infinite wisdom and perfect knowledge affords us the privilege of trusting in God throughout our lives. Surely we worship an awesome and great Lord!
What a faithful God we serve! By His tender love for us, our incredible salvation is our strength and firm stability. His wealth of infinite wisdom and perfect knowledge affords us the privilege of trusting in God throughout our lives. Surely we worship an awesome and great Lord!
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