Today is Old Fashioned Day at our church. There will be a few costumes, some wonderful food for a fellowship dinner after morning services, and preaching that really isn’t different except the messenger. On this day each year we ask an elderly minister to give the message. His age would be the only difference between this and any other Sunday, for the sermons we hear are the gospel.
The good news that God so loved the world that He created it Himself (Genesis 1:1), for His own pleasure (Revelations 4:11) and His own purpose (I Timothy 1:9), to the extent that a sacrifice was provided able to encompass all mankind (John 3:15.)
There are so many things to say about Him that if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. (John 21:25 KJV)
Beside the Sea of Galilee, Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine (John 21:12 KJV) and today we shall do that as a congregation, in a hall built for fellowship. Each Sunday we gather to celebrate His resurrection of our Lord.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (1 Peter 1:3 KJV)
The sermons we hear speak from the Bible, though they may echo some headlines. The sermons we hear tell us of the eternal God, His Son, our salvation and the commandments He gave. They do not change from year to year nor century to century. Truth is as it was at creation, as it is now. The message is God’s:
Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; (Deuteronomy 7:9 KJV)
Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:36-40 KJV)
How hard is that to comprehend? Is there any loss by doing so? Yet, mankind rebels.
Gamaliel is quoted in Acts as cautioning those who would speak against the apostles preaching the resurrection. He closed with:
But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. (Acts 5:39 KJV)
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
He Is Worthy!!!
And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. (Revelation 5:2-4 KJV)
God planned for One who is worthy.
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: (Matthew 3:11 KJV)
John blossomed where God planted him, and knew there would come one greater. Mark quoted is remarks with greater emphasis:
And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. (Mark 1:7 KJV)
Not worthy to even kneel and unloosen Christ’s shoes. Yet, John was doing what God sent him to do. Obviously, doing a good job of it, for he had many followers and had prepared the way for Jesus’ ministry. Luke included the incident in his declaration of these things:
John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: (Luke 3:16 KJV)
John includes the incident in his opening chapter, too:
He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. (John 1:27 KJV)
Luke mentions it again as he writes the history of the early church in Acts, in Paul’s marvelous sermon at Antioch:
And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose. (Acts 13:25 KJV)
There is no doubt, no controversy, no omission to discuss. Christ was deemed worthy. Just as God, on His throne, is worthy:
The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:10-11 KJV)
There will come a time when the worthy One is required: Such a glorious response from the elder, though, as John wept.
And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; (Revelation 5:7-9 KJV)
As John said, lo those many generations ago, Behold the Lamb of God! (John 1:36b KJV)
It is through the Lamb of God that I shall be counted worthy to behold Him.
Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 KJV)
God planned for One who is worthy.
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: (Matthew 3:11 KJV)
John blossomed where God planted him, and knew there would come one greater. Mark quoted is remarks with greater emphasis:
And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. (Mark 1:7 KJV)
Not worthy to even kneel and unloosen Christ’s shoes. Yet, John was doing what God sent him to do. Obviously, doing a good job of it, for he had many followers and had prepared the way for Jesus’ ministry. Luke included the incident in his declaration of these things:
John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: (Luke 3:16 KJV)
John includes the incident in his opening chapter, too:
He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. (John 1:27 KJV)
Luke mentions it again as he writes the history of the early church in Acts, in Paul’s marvelous sermon at Antioch:
And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose. (Acts 13:25 KJV)
There is no doubt, no controversy, no omission to discuss. Christ was deemed worthy. Just as God, on His throne, is worthy:
The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:10-11 KJV)
There will come a time when the worthy One is required: Such a glorious response from the elder, though, as John wept.
And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; (Revelation 5:7-9 KJV)
As John said, lo those many generations ago, Behold the Lamb of God! (John 1:36b KJV)
It is through the Lamb of God that I shall be counted worthy to behold Him.
Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 KJV)
Friday, November 6, 2009
Praise to the Lord
“Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation.”
Can you hear the music swell?
“Oh, my soul praise Him, for He is thy Help and Salvation.”
Can you feel the lift in your soul?
I woke up praising God with this song in my heart and so wanted to sing it. I’m still coughing and croaking, though, so sound comes out awful. But in my mind and my heart, it’s joyous, full and there’s even a backup chorus!!
Even when the Psalmist felt most abandoned, and cried in desperation:
My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. (Psalms 22:1-2 KJV)
After verses that list his problems, he returns to God in praise:
I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee. Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel. (Psalms 22:22-23 KJV)
He recognizes that God remains in control no matter what besets us:
All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. For the kingdom is the LORD'S: and he is the governor among the nations. (Psalms 22:27-28 KJV)
In another Psalm he is afflicted and overwhelmed, as much we are today, yet in the midst of crying out, he praises God:
This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD. (Psalms 102:18 KJV)
I am grateful, and praise God for the preservation of his word to a shepherd king so very long ago. I join with David and vast generations in between in lifting up our voices to ring through generations to come:
Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever. He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion. He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant. He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen. The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. (Psalms 111:1-10 KJV)
Can you hear the music swell?
“Oh, my soul praise Him, for He is thy Help and Salvation.”
Can you feel the lift in your soul?
I woke up praising God with this song in my heart and so wanted to sing it. I’m still coughing and croaking, though, so sound comes out awful. But in my mind and my heart, it’s joyous, full and there’s even a backup chorus!!
Even when the Psalmist felt most abandoned, and cried in desperation:
My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. (Psalms 22:1-2 KJV)
After verses that list his problems, he returns to God in praise:
I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee. Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel. (Psalms 22:22-23 KJV)
He recognizes that God remains in control no matter what besets us:
All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. For the kingdom is the LORD'S: and he is the governor among the nations. (Psalms 22:27-28 KJV)
In another Psalm he is afflicted and overwhelmed, as much we are today, yet in the midst of crying out, he praises God:
This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD. (Psalms 102:18 KJV)
I am grateful, and praise God for the preservation of his word to a shepherd king so very long ago. I join with David and vast generations in between in lifting up our voices to ring through generations to come:
Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever. He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion. He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant. He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen. The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. (Psalms 111:1-10 KJV)
Thursday, November 5, 2009
For the next couple of days many people I love will be converging on Mississippi. One of our church's ‘preacher boys’ will marry this weekend and I wish I could be there, too, to celebrate. Others will be, coming from as far as Michigan and Nevada to participate in a ceremony that reflects God’s plan. One man and one woman will stand before a congregation and pledge their love to each other until death parts them.
And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. (Genesis 2:18 KJV)
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. (Genesis 2:24 KJV)
All of the wedding party will be aware of these verses. In addition to the groom, the best man, the groom’s father, brother, brother-in-law and several of his attending friends, there are preachers on the bride’s side, too.
Each one of them knows more scripture than the average person and understand how this marriage is to reflect their belief in Christ’s love for His church.
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (Ephesians 5:21-25 KJV)
This is the beginning of a family dedicated to serving our Lord, who has laid out instructions for us:
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. (Colossians 3:17-21 KJV)
So, join us in prayer for the travelers as well as for this young couple, dedicated to God’s will in their lives. He will soon be leading a church as pastor and our prayers accompany them. May they always:
In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. (Titus 2:7-8 KJV)
And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. (Genesis 2:18 KJV)
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. (Genesis 2:24 KJV)
All of the wedding party will be aware of these verses. In addition to the groom, the best man, the groom’s father, brother, brother-in-law and several of his attending friends, there are preachers on the bride’s side, too.
Each one of them knows more scripture than the average person and understand how this marriage is to reflect their belief in Christ’s love for His church.
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (Ephesians 5:21-25 KJV)
This is the beginning of a family dedicated to serving our Lord, who has laid out instructions for us:
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. (Colossians 3:17-21 KJV)
So, join us in prayer for the travelers as well as for this young couple, dedicated to God’s will in their lives. He will soon be leading a church as pastor and our prayers accompany them. May they always:
In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. (Titus 2:7-8 KJV)
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
We Praise Thee
Some mornings we wake up just singing a song praising our Lord. This morning my mind homed in on one I haven’t heard in quite a while, but it resonates in my mind this morning and lifts my spirits:
We praise Thee, O God!
For the Son of Thy love,
For Jesus Who died,
And is now gone above,
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Hallelujah!
Amen.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Revive us again.
We praise Thee, O God!
For Thy Spirit of light,
Who hath shown us our Savior,
And scattered our night.
All glory and praise
To the Lamb that was slain,
Who hath borne all our sins,
And hath cleansed every stain.
Revive us again;
Fill each heart with Thy love;
May each soul be rekindled
With fire from above.
Lyrics: William Mackay, 1863
I read of his pawning his Bible for alcohol, then having it returned to him at the death of a patient. That brought him back to the God he had spurned for membership in the Infidel Club.
What Mackay wrote is the cry of the Psalmist: Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? (Psalms 85:6 KJV)
What he was expecting out of that revival was that God would Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation. I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly. (Psalms 85:7-8 KJV)
Praise God, that is what we receive. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:13b KJV)
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