This week we have witnessed the 35th anniversary of the Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision which legalized the killing of unborn babies. Nearly 50 million babies have been killed since 1973. What a shameful smear on the legacy of this country. I believe the history books will one day record what a disgrace this has been upon the land, a disgrace which may well contribute significantly to our nation’s undoing.
Beyond that, how the taking of each life must absolutely grieve and anger the heart of God. The Bible declares that the Lord God creates life in the womb, from the moment of conception, knitting us together being fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:13-14). We must love what the Lord loves and hate what He hates. We must value every life in every womb in every circumstance – the way Jesus valued your life and mine. The sin of taking away the life of an unborn child in the “best interests” of the mother or the child or society, for the sake of convenience or financial concerns or selfishness or whatever, will not be dealt with lightly.
However, forgiveness is available in Christ Jesus. If you’ve ever had an abortion or encouraged and supported it, I’m not here to beat you up over it. You already know the pain and grief of that experience. I want to tell you that through Jesus you will be forgiven of this – or any sin – by humbly admitting your sin before Holy God, repenting, and believing in Jesus as Savior and Lord. He can and will heal you.
Jesus suffered and bled and died on the cross to pay the penalty for sin, so that you can go free. He will cleanse you and make you new. He will save you. But anyone who chooses to reject His Word, His Truth, the Life that He alone gives, stands condemned already. “Now choose life, so that you and your children may live” (Deut. 30:19).
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Gracious and Compassionate God
Have you ever tried to run away from God? You know the Lord has a message or a mission for you, but for your own reasons you have not embraced that call, either conveniently ignoring Him or defiantly rebelling.
Have you ever wished for God to just punish the wicked and be done with them? Maybe you have felt that certain groups of people such as child abusers, drug addicts, liars, murderers or jerks at work simply do not deserve God's compassion, and there's no way in the world you would ever give them the chance to receive salvation.
That's why so many people throughout the ages have identified so closely with Jonah.
You know the story. God called His prophet, Jonah, to go to Nineveh and preach against it. Why? Because the wickedness and violence of that city was flying up in God’s face. A holy, righteous God displayed the greatness of His patience toward this city by sending His messenger to give them a chance to repent. He could have simply wiped them out like an exterminator getting rid of nasty bugs you don’t want crawling around your house. That’s what Jonah thought He should do. And He would have been justified in doing it.
God was justified in sending the flood in the days of Noah. The Bible records for us that “the Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain” (Gen. 6:6) because He saw how great man’s wickedness had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of man’s heart was only evil all the time. The world was filled with corruption and violence, and it broke God’s heart with great anguish.
God was justified in raining down burning sulfur to destroy the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. You can read the graphic details of their wickedness in Genesis 19 if you’d like.
The truth is that God’s judgment is always right. He is just in all His ways. And on the day when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven, “He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power” (2 Thess. 1:8-9).
But with an unfathomable compassion for mankind, God, who is also gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, gives men everywhere a chance to turn from their wicked ways and trust in Him for salvation from hell. That’s why He sent Jonah to the Ninevites. That’s why He called Noah to be a “preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5) in his generation. That’s why He spared Lot and his family from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The Bible says of the Lord, “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
Jonah did not understand God’s compassion. He couldn’t comprehend why God would give such wicked and sinful people a chance to receive His favor. “They don’t deserve Your mercy!” Jonah protested. “Look at how evil they are! Don’t you see how defiant and rebellious and violent these people are? They deserve Your wrath, not compassion!” In putting it bluntly, Jonah's attitude was: "They can just go to hell."
And so Jonah tried to escape this call by taking a cruise to the other side of the sea. But God would not be denied. On this cruise Jonah found himself immersed in a life lesson concerning the preaching of God’s Word. Jonah learned first hand the awesome power and sovereignty of God as the wind and waves rocked the ship. He discovered the challenge to obey as God kept him alive inside the belly of a great fish. And when God gave him a second chance Jonah set his sights on carrying out his mission, reluctantly though it was.
The day of the Lord’s judgment will come. But He is giving you this moment the chance to receive His salvation. That’s why God displayed His compassion in the ultimate measure by sending His Son Jesus to die on the cross in the place of every sinner. There He took the full weight of God’s wrath for us. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24).
The truth is, none of us deserve His compassion any more than the Ninevites. But, oh, the mercy and grace of Christ Jesus! When warned, the Ninevites believed God. They turned from their wicked ways and God had compassion on them and did not bring upon them the destruction He had threatened.
What about you? Confess your sin before the Lord today. Turn away from wickedness and trust in Jesus Christ for your forgiveness. Believe that He died on the cross for your sins and that He rose from the grave. Come in faith to Jesus, for "whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Rom. 10:13). You will experience that truly our God is a gracious and compassionate God!
Have you ever wished for God to just punish the wicked and be done with them? Maybe you have felt that certain groups of people such as child abusers, drug addicts, liars, murderers or jerks at work simply do not deserve God's compassion, and there's no way in the world you would ever give them the chance to receive salvation.
That's why so many people throughout the ages have identified so closely with Jonah.
You know the story. God called His prophet, Jonah, to go to Nineveh and preach against it. Why? Because the wickedness and violence of that city was flying up in God’s face. A holy, righteous God displayed the greatness of His patience toward this city by sending His messenger to give them a chance to repent. He could have simply wiped them out like an exterminator getting rid of nasty bugs you don’t want crawling around your house. That’s what Jonah thought He should do. And He would have been justified in doing it.
God was justified in sending the flood in the days of Noah. The Bible records for us that “the Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain” (Gen. 6:6) because He saw how great man’s wickedness had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of man’s heart was only evil all the time. The world was filled with corruption and violence, and it broke God’s heart with great anguish.
God was justified in raining down burning sulfur to destroy the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. You can read the graphic details of their wickedness in Genesis 19 if you’d like.
The truth is that God’s judgment is always right. He is just in all His ways. And on the day when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven, “He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power” (2 Thess. 1:8-9).
But with an unfathomable compassion for mankind, God, who is also gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, gives men everywhere a chance to turn from their wicked ways and trust in Him for salvation from hell. That’s why He sent Jonah to the Ninevites. That’s why He called Noah to be a “preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5) in his generation. That’s why He spared Lot and his family from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The Bible says of the Lord, “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
Jonah did not understand God’s compassion. He couldn’t comprehend why God would give such wicked and sinful people a chance to receive His favor. “They don’t deserve Your mercy!” Jonah protested. “Look at how evil they are! Don’t you see how defiant and rebellious and violent these people are? They deserve Your wrath, not compassion!” In putting it bluntly, Jonah's attitude was: "They can just go to hell."
And so Jonah tried to escape this call by taking a cruise to the other side of the sea. But God would not be denied. On this cruise Jonah found himself immersed in a life lesson concerning the preaching of God’s Word. Jonah learned first hand the awesome power and sovereignty of God as the wind and waves rocked the ship. He discovered the challenge to obey as God kept him alive inside the belly of a great fish. And when God gave him a second chance Jonah set his sights on carrying out his mission, reluctantly though it was.
The day of the Lord’s judgment will come. But He is giving you this moment the chance to receive His salvation. That’s why God displayed His compassion in the ultimate measure by sending His Son Jesus to die on the cross in the place of every sinner. There He took the full weight of God’s wrath for us. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24).
The truth is, none of us deserve His compassion any more than the Ninevites. But, oh, the mercy and grace of Christ Jesus! When warned, the Ninevites believed God. They turned from their wicked ways and God had compassion on them and did not bring upon them the destruction He had threatened.
What about you? Confess your sin before the Lord today. Turn away from wickedness and trust in Jesus Christ for your forgiveness. Believe that He died on the cross for your sins and that He rose from the grave. Come in faith to Jesus, for "whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Rom. 10:13). You will experience that truly our God is a gracious and compassionate God!
Friday, January 11, 2008
What We Cannot Do
Some things I can do well; I can re-fold a road map. Some things I’m okay at; I’m about a 70% free-throw shooter. Some things I cannot do at all – like earn my way to heaven.
Do you realize that there is nothing you can do to save yourself? Save from what, you may ask? From the wages of sin, the Bible answers, which is death. Not annihilation, as some false teachers claim, but an eternal state of anguish and torment in hell. You might think your life is a living hell right now, and to some degree it may be.
In hell you are separated forever from the presence of God. Right now you may have distanced yourself from the presence of God by rejecting Him, rejecting Jesus as Savior and Lord, or by simply ignoring the reality of who He truly is and denying His activity in the world all around you. If hell is the absence of God, then maybe you are living in a sort of hell today.
But I’ll be honest with you from God’s own word – you ain’t seen nothing yet. “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels’” (Matt. 25:41). “These,” says the King, the Son of Man to those do not respond in faith to the gospel of Christ Jesus, “will go away into eternal punishment” (Matt. 25:46). If you think you have it bad now, just wait until the Lord unleashes the fury of His holy wrath against sin.
Whether you realize it or not, God is pouring out His unfathomable compassion and mercy upon you even as you breathe. If He even began to take away His hand from this world for one moment, this universe as we know it would crumble into ruin. No, contrary to what evolution and big bang theorists would have us believe, “by Him (Jesus, the image of the invisible God) all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible…all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Col. 1:16-17).
And so God, in displaying His glory in His creation, in providing you air to breathe and a heart to beat and ears to hear and a mind to receive His message, gives you this moment the opportunity to be saved from death and hell. The Bible says even though God will certainly bring judgment and destruction upon the ungodly, that He is also demonstrating His patience toward us now, “not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9).
The message is this: Repent from sin and believe in Jesus! Turn to Jesus and be saved! God loves you so much that He willingly gave His one and only Son to die on the cross for your sins. He doesn’t want you to die. He came to bring you life – eternal life! The Bible says that “whosoever” believes in Jesus will not perish, but have everlasting life. God demonstrated His wondrous love for you in that while you were still a sinner, Christ died for you (Rom. 5:8). You can be saved right now by confessing your sin before God and believing in Jesus as your Savior and Lord.
"Yeah, but you don’t know what I’ve done,” you may say. “You don’t know how many terrible things I’ve said, how many people I’ve hurt, how much hatred is in my heart and the anger in my soul. I could never be good enough to be saved.”
If that’s what you’re thinking, then I say to you that you are on the right track. You can never, ever, be good enough to be saved. There is no amount of good deeds that can possibly earn salvation. In fact the Bible declares that there is “no one righteous, not even one” (Rom. 3:10). “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve gone to church, how many religious deeds you have done, how good a worker you are, how good a parent you’ve been or how much money you’ve donated to charity. You can do absolutely nothing to save yourself.
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)” (Eph. 2:4-5). Friend, the only way to be saved is on the basis of God’s grace, which we receive through faith. Come to Jesus today – He’s the only Way to heaven.
Do you realize that there is nothing you can do to save yourself? Save from what, you may ask? From the wages of sin, the Bible answers, which is death. Not annihilation, as some false teachers claim, but an eternal state of anguish and torment in hell. You might think your life is a living hell right now, and to some degree it may be.
In hell you are separated forever from the presence of God. Right now you may have distanced yourself from the presence of God by rejecting Him, rejecting Jesus as Savior and Lord, or by simply ignoring the reality of who He truly is and denying His activity in the world all around you. If hell is the absence of God, then maybe you are living in a sort of hell today.
But I’ll be honest with you from God’s own word – you ain’t seen nothing yet. “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels’” (Matt. 25:41). “These,” says the King, the Son of Man to those do not respond in faith to the gospel of Christ Jesus, “will go away into eternal punishment” (Matt. 25:46). If you think you have it bad now, just wait until the Lord unleashes the fury of His holy wrath against sin.
Whether you realize it or not, God is pouring out His unfathomable compassion and mercy upon you even as you breathe. If He even began to take away His hand from this world for one moment, this universe as we know it would crumble into ruin. No, contrary to what evolution and big bang theorists would have us believe, “by Him (Jesus, the image of the invisible God) all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible…all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Col. 1:16-17).
And so God, in displaying His glory in His creation, in providing you air to breathe and a heart to beat and ears to hear and a mind to receive His message, gives you this moment the opportunity to be saved from death and hell. The Bible says even though God will certainly bring judgment and destruction upon the ungodly, that He is also demonstrating His patience toward us now, “not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9).
The message is this: Repent from sin and believe in Jesus! Turn to Jesus and be saved! God loves you so much that He willingly gave His one and only Son to die on the cross for your sins. He doesn’t want you to die. He came to bring you life – eternal life! The Bible says that “whosoever” believes in Jesus will not perish, but have everlasting life. God demonstrated His wondrous love for you in that while you were still a sinner, Christ died for you (Rom. 5:8). You can be saved right now by confessing your sin before God and believing in Jesus as your Savior and Lord.
"Yeah, but you don’t know what I’ve done,” you may say. “You don’t know how many terrible things I’ve said, how many people I’ve hurt, how much hatred is in my heart and the anger in my soul. I could never be good enough to be saved.”
If that’s what you’re thinking, then I say to you that you are on the right track. You can never, ever, be good enough to be saved. There is no amount of good deeds that can possibly earn salvation. In fact the Bible declares that there is “no one righteous, not even one” (Rom. 3:10). “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve gone to church, how many religious deeds you have done, how good a worker you are, how good a parent you’ve been or how much money you’ve donated to charity. You can do absolutely nothing to save yourself.
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)” (Eph. 2:4-5). Friend, the only way to be saved is on the basis of God’s grace, which we receive through faith. Come to Jesus today – He’s the only Way to heaven.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Daily Devotions for 2008
This past year I had the opportunity to contribute eight writings in the Illinois Good News Daily Devotion Guide. It was a wonderful opportunity to participate in a work I pray will encourage and strengthen your faith. I want to thank Ed and Donna Handkins for their diligence in compiling this book and allowing this pastor to contribute.
These devotions are now available online at http://www.goodnewsddg.com/. If you are interested in purchasing a copy of the book, you may do so at www.lulu.com/edhandkins7.
It's my hope that God will stir your heart to a greater desire to know Him through His word and through the experience of obedience in 2008.
These devotions are now available online at http://www.goodnewsddg.com/. If you are interested in purchasing a copy of the book, you may do so at www.lulu.com/edhandkins7.
It's my hope that God will stir your heart to a greater desire to know Him through His word and through the experience of obedience in 2008.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
New Year's Revolution
I want to be part of a New Year’s Revolution. Resolutions come and go too easily. Even though they’re made they’re seldom kept for more than a few weeks, or maybe only days. If I had a dime for every good intention I’ve had that never amounted to anything, I could almost afford to fill up my car with gas. I really don’t need to make any more resolutions. I need a revolution.
I want to be a part of a spiritual revolution – a movement of God’s church being the body of Christ in spirit and in action. Not just for a season, but for a lifetime. I want to be a part of the next great spiritual awakening in our land.
I want to see God’s Spirit working in the lives of unbelievers to convict them of sin and to convince them of their need for a Savior. I want to see people from all walks of life, from all sorts of checkered pasts and troubled homes find the sweet forgiveness that Christ Jesus offers. I want to see hard-hearted old men and bitter old women find freedom from sin’s bondage. I want to see single moms who struggle to make ends meet discover that God is a gracious provider. I want to see the affluent couple who thinks they have it all realize that the riches of God’s grace in Christ Jesus far surpass the wealth of this world. I want to see the coolest kid on campus get saved and become a fool for the sake of Christ. I want to see the outcast and the nobodies and the lonely and the hurting experience the security of belonging to the family of God. I want to see the girl who for all of her life has been told how ugly and unwanted she is to know that Jesus cares for her and loves her with an unconditional, unfailing love, a love that He demonstrated for her when He died on the cross for her sins.
I want to be a part of a revolution in 2008.
I want to see the Holy Spirit raise up stagnate Christians from their slumber and fill them up with a fresh fire for the Kingdom of God. I want to see the church of Christ being transformed daily into more and more of the image of the Savior. I want to see her growing in the Word of God, being strengthened in the fellowship and unity of the Spirit, and striving toward obedience to the commands of God. I want to see the church caring unselfishly for the needs of one another. I want to see the church giving generously to the work of advancing the gospel. I want to see God’s people using their spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ so that Jesus may be glorified in her in every way.
I want to see her get sick of being lukewarm. I want to see her truly repent from her apathy and indifference toward her calling. I want to see her get serious about taking the message of the gospel unashamedly into her community. I want to see the light of Christ shine so brilliantly and unmistakably through her that everyone even to the uttermost parts of the world will see the glory of Jesus in her.
I want her to start loving the things that please the Father and hating the things that He hates. I want her to take a stand for righteousness and truth in a culture awash in immorality and godlessness. I want her to be bold in the power of the Holy Spirit and proclaim the truth of the gospel no matter what the risks or consequences may be. I want her to quit worrying about what people think and start caring about what God thinks.
I want to see the church calling passionately and purposefully upon the name of the Lord in 2008. I want to see her on her knees in prayer for the lost. I want to see her pleading daily with God to send out more workers into His harvest fields. I want to see her interceding continually for missionaries both at home and overseas. I want to see her praying for her pastors, Sunday School teachers and other leaders who have been entrusted with great responsibilities in the work of the gospel.
I want to see her standing in the gap for the oppressed, the underprivileged and the unborn. I want to see her ministering in the name of Christ to those who need the touch of the Master’s hand. I want to see her loving like Jesus in word and deed, action and truth. I want to see her laying down her life for her friends. I want to see her demonstrate the mercy and compassion and grace and forgiveness of Christ to the least of these. I want to be part of a revolution in 2008.
Lord, let it begin in Ridgway, IL. Glorify Your name, O Lord, and may Your Kingdom come and Your will be done here in our very midst.
Do you want to be a part of it? Come on!
I want to be a part of a spiritual revolution – a movement of God’s church being the body of Christ in spirit and in action. Not just for a season, but for a lifetime. I want to be a part of the next great spiritual awakening in our land.
I want to see God’s Spirit working in the lives of unbelievers to convict them of sin and to convince them of their need for a Savior. I want to see people from all walks of life, from all sorts of checkered pasts and troubled homes find the sweet forgiveness that Christ Jesus offers. I want to see hard-hearted old men and bitter old women find freedom from sin’s bondage. I want to see single moms who struggle to make ends meet discover that God is a gracious provider. I want to see the affluent couple who thinks they have it all realize that the riches of God’s grace in Christ Jesus far surpass the wealth of this world. I want to see the coolest kid on campus get saved and become a fool for the sake of Christ. I want to see the outcast and the nobodies and the lonely and the hurting experience the security of belonging to the family of God. I want to see the girl who for all of her life has been told how ugly and unwanted she is to know that Jesus cares for her and loves her with an unconditional, unfailing love, a love that He demonstrated for her when He died on the cross for her sins.
I want to be a part of a revolution in 2008.
I want to see the Holy Spirit raise up stagnate Christians from their slumber and fill them up with a fresh fire for the Kingdom of God. I want to see the church of Christ being transformed daily into more and more of the image of the Savior. I want to see her growing in the Word of God, being strengthened in the fellowship and unity of the Spirit, and striving toward obedience to the commands of God. I want to see the church caring unselfishly for the needs of one another. I want to see the church giving generously to the work of advancing the gospel. I want to see God’s people using their spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ so that Jesus may be glorified in her in every way.
I want to see her get sick of being lukewarm. I want to see her truly repent from her apathy and indifference toward her calling. I want to see her get serious about taking the message of the gospel unashamedly into her community. I want to see the light of Christ shine so brilliantly and unmistakably through her that everyone even to the uttermost parts of the world will see the glory of Jesus in her.
I want her to start loving the things that please the Father and hating the things that He hates. I want her to take a stand for righteousness and truth in a culture awash in immorality and godlessness. I want her to be bold in the power of the Holy Spirit and proclaim the truth of the gospel no matter what the risks or consequences may be. I want her to quit worrying about what people think and start caring about what God thinks.
I want to see the church calling passionately and purposefully upon the name of the Lord in 2008. I want to see her on her knees in prayer for the lost. I want to see her pleading daily with God to send out more workers into His harvest fields. I want to see her interceding continually for missionaries both at home and overseas. I want to see her praying for her pastors, Sunday School teachers and other leaders who have been entrusted with great responsibilities in the work of the gospel.
I want to see her standing in the gap for the oppressed, the underprivileged and the unborn. I want to see her ministering in the name of Christ to those who need the touch of the Master’s hand. I want to see her loving like Jesus in word and deed, action and truth. I want to see her laying down her life for her friends. I want to see her demonstrate the mercy and compassion and grace and forgiveness of Christ to the least of these. I want to be part of a revolution in 2008.
Lord, let it begin in Ridgway, IL. Glorify Your name, O Lord, and may Your Kingdom come and Your will be done here in our very midst.
Do you want to be a part of it? Come on!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Sense of Adventure
“Where’s your sense of adventure?” After three smacks on the snooze button, a reluctant climb out of bed, a shaving nick on my chin and an extra-long soaking in the shower one recent morning, my wife had the nerve to ask me, “Where’s your sense of adventure?” This was after we had stayed up well past normal sleeping hours wrapping Christmas gifts, writing notes, copying tapes of the church Christmas services, doing dishes and folding laundry. I wasn’t really up for much more adventure.
We’d already wrestled with the boys to get them to sleep which was challenging enough because Tyler’s Sunday School teacher sugared him up at a Christmas party before bringing him home, and Toby was still on a cookie high from the night before at a church fellowship. The goal of finishing our Christmas cards and cleaning house would not be fully accomplished this night. I’d had all the adventure I could take!
Maybe I’m getting old. The adventure of late night movie dates and going out or staying up with each other into the wee hours of the morning just don’t happen as often anymore as they did in the B.C. years (Before Children). Even pulling the occasional all-nighter in seminary seems distant past adventure. And when was the last time I went up on the mountainside and spent the night praying to God?
Yeah, she asked a pretty good question, “Where’s your sense of adventure?” Maybe it’s not in the context of household chores and gift-wrapping, but I don’t ever want to lose the sense of adventure in this life!
Living the Christian faith according to the Word of God is the most challenging and thrilling adventure anyone could ever embark upon. When you’re abiding in the Lord Jesus and growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ, and He’s revealing more of Himself, more of His heart, more of His will – there’s nothing more satisfying and sweet! When you’re bowing down in worship, yielding your life in obedience as a living sacrifice and communing with the Almighty Maker of the heavens and the earth in purposeful, passionate prayer – you’re never more fully alive. When His Word becomes the lamp unto your feet and the light unto your path, and when the Holy Spirit of God fills you and teaches you and guides you on the way – you’re never more at peace or so full of joy.
If you think the Bible is boring or the Christian life is dull, then you’re missing out on the adventure of a lifetime.
The Bible tells of adventure from the words “God created in Genesis 1:1 to the promise of Christ’s soon return in Revelation 22. Just look at what adventurous lives the heroes of the faith led! Look at Noah, who sailed on a high seas adventure for over a year riding out the greatest storm in history. Look at Abraham, who left his home when God called him to go to a land He would later give to his descendents, promising to make him into a great nation and blessing all the peoples on earth through him. Look at Moses, whose young life led him in a papyrus basket down the banks of the Nile and who later stretched out his hand over the Red Sea as God parted the waters to save the His people. Every story reverberates with action and adventure, drama and tragedy, revelation and salvation as God makes Himself known to those who open their hearts to receive Him.
One of the greatest accounts of adventure in the Christmas narratives involves some unnamed “Magi” from the east who came searching for the newborn King. Somehow God revealed the truth of His Son to them and gave them a burning desire to follow the star in order to find the baby Jesus. Just try using your holy imagination to recreate the scene in which these wise men decided this journey was one they knew they had to make. “Dude, where are we going?” “I don’t know – just follow that star!” Just imagine the stories they told when they came home. There’s the encounter with Herod in Jerusalem, the dream warning them to return by another route, and then, there’s the object and delight of their adventure – the child, Jesus, whom they came to worship. The Bible says they were “overjoyed” when God led them to Jesus, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with the best gifts they had to offer.
Where’s your sense of adventure? Follow the star that leads to Jesus and bow down to worship Him as Savior and Lord. Then give Him your life in faith and obedience, and you’ll be living the most thrilling adventure known to man.
We’d already wrestled with the boys to get them to sleep which was challenging enough because Tyler’s Sunday School teacher sugared him up at a Christmas party before bringing him home, and Toby was still on a cookie high from the night before at a church fellowship. The goal of finishing our Christmas cards and cleaning house would not be fully accomplished this night. I’d had all the adventure I could take!
Maybe I’m getting old. The adventure of late night movie dates and going out or staying up with each other into the wee hours of the morning just don’t happen as often anymore as they did in the B.C. years (Before Children). Even pulling the occasional all-nighter in seminary seems distant past adventure. And when was the last time I went up on the mountainside and spent the night praying to God?
Yeah, she asked a pretty good question, “Where’s your sense of adventure?” Maybe it’s not in the context of household chores and gift-wrapping, but I don’t ever want to lose the sense of adventure in this life!
Living the Christian faith according to the Word of God is the most challenging and thrilling adventure anyone could ever embark upon. When you’re abiding in the Lord Jesus and growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ, and He’s revealing more of Himself, more of His heart, more of His will – there’s nothing more satisfying and sweet! When you’re bowing down in worship, yielding your life in obedience as a living sacrifice and communing with the Almighty Maker of the heavens and the earth in purposeful, passionate prayer – you’re never more fully alive. When His Word becomes the lamp unto your feet and the light unto your path, and when the Holy Spirit of God fills you and teaches you and guides you on the way – you’re never more at peace or so full of joy.
If you think the Bible is boring or the Christian life is dull, then you’re missing out on the adventure of a lifetime.
The Bible tells of adventure from the words “God created in Genesis 1:1 to the promise of Christ’s soon return in Revelation 22. Just look at what adventurous lives the heroes of the faith led! Look at Noah, who sailed on a high seas adventure for over a year riding out the greatest storm in history. Look at Abraham, who left his home when God called him to go to a land He would later give to his descendents, promising to make him into a great nation and blessing all the peoples on earth through him. Look at Moses, whose young life led him in a papyrus basket down the banks of the Nile and who later stretched out his hand over the Red Sea as God parted the waters to save the His people. Every story reverberates with action and adventure, drama and tragedy, revelation and salvation as God makes Himself known to those who open their hearts to receive Him.
One of the greatest accounts of adventure in the Christmas narratives involves some unnamed “Magi” from the east who came searching for the newborn King. Somehow God revealed the truth of His Son to them and gave them a burning desire to follow the star in order to find the baby Jesus. Just try using your holy imagination to recreate the scene in which these wise men decided this journey was one they knew they had to make. “Dude, where are we going?” “I don’t know – just follow that star!” Just imagine the stories they told when they came home. There’s the encounter with Herod in Jerusalem, the dream warning them to return by another route, and then, there’s the object and delight of their adventure – the child, Jesus, whom they came to worship. The Bible says they were “overjoyed” when God led them to Jesus, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with the best gifts they had to offer.
Where’s your sense of adventure? Follow the star that leads to Jesus and bow down to worship Him as Savior and Lord. Then give Him your life in faith and obedience, and you’ll be living the most thrilling adventure known to man.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Gabriel and Mary
“Mary, you have a valid question there, young lady,” smiled the angel Gabriel. “Naturally, since you are a virgin this would seem a very impossible thing. Indeed, how on earth could you possibly be expecting a child now – and the Son of the Most High, at that!
“Oh, Mary, if only you knew the overwhelming measure of God’s grace and unending love toward you! If you only knew the indescribable power of His very presence with you! You, my dear Mary, have found favor with God! You have been uniquely chosen as the recipient of the sweetest of heaven’s joys, the richest of delights, the greatest of honors among women!
“Mary, God is fulfilling His plan for the salvation of mankind – and He’s giving you a special role. The time has come for the Messiah to reign upon the throne of David, and over the house of Jacob forever, with His kingdom which will never end. This is the moment all Israel has been waiting for! As the Lord spoke through the prophet Isaiah long ago: ‘The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned…For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing it and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.’
“Your Deliverer is coming to your rescue! Your Savior comes bringing the hope of salvation! Do you see it, Mary? You will call Him Immanuel – God with us – Jesus!
“‘Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is He, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty – He is the King of glory.’
“So, uh-hum, back to your question at hand. I guess I was getting a little excited there. Here’s what’s going to happen. The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.
“And I have some more good news for you, Mary. Even Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a child in her old age! No one ever thought Elizabeth and Zechariah would have a child. You know how old they are – Elizabeth is well past child-bearing years. Yet, God has answered Zechariah’s prayer, and Elizabeth is already in her sixth month, expecting a boy!
“I want to tell you something, Mary. You may not understand it all, and I can’t even explain the mechanics well. But I do know this, and I don’t want you to ever forget or ever doubt this one thing: Nothing is impossible with God. Nothing! What He wants to do, He will do. What’s impossible with man is possible with God. He is the Sovereign Lord who made the heavens and the earth by His great power and outstretched arm. He is the One who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. He is the One who parted the Red Sea to rescue His people and rained manna down from heaven to feed them. He is the One who delivered Daniel from the mouth of the lions and walked in the fire to save the three Hebrew boys. Nothing is too difficult for God. What God is doing in you is nothing short of amazing, spectacular and miraculous. But nothing is impossible with God. Nothing!”
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary replied with the kind of humble faith and willing obedience that comes from a heart joyfully delighting in the grace of God. “May it be done to me according to your word.”
May the joy of Christmas be yours as you worship the Savior, Christ Jesus – the One for whom nothing is impossible.
“Oh, Mary, if only you knew the overwhelming measure of God’s grace and unending love toward you! If you only knew the indescribable power of His very presence with you! You, my dear Mary, have found favor with God! You have been uniquely chosen as the recipient of the sweetest of heaven’s joys, the richest of delights, the greatest of honors among women!
“Mary, God is fulfilling His plan for the salvation of mankind – and He’s giving you a special role. The time has come for the Messiah to reign upon the throne of David, and over the house of Jacob forever, with His kingdom which will never end. This is the moment all Israel has been waiting for! As the Lord spoke through the prophet Isaiah long ago: ‘The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned…For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing it and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.’
“Your Deliverer is coming to your rescue! Your Savior comes bringing the hope of salvation! Do you see it, Mary? You will call Him Immanuel – God with us – Jesus!
“‘Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is He, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty – He is the King of glory.’
“So, uh-hum, back to your question at hand. I guess I was getting a little excited there. Here’s what’s going to happen. The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.
“And I have some more good news for you, Mary. Even Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a child in her old age! No one ever thought Elizabeth and Zechariah would have a child. You know how old they are – Elizabeth is well past child-bearing years. Yet, God has answered Zechariah’s prayer, and Elizabeth is already in her sixth month, expecting a boy!
“I want to tell you something, Mary. You may not understand it all, and I can’t even explain the mechanics well. But I do know this, and I don’t want you to ever forget or ever doubt this one thing: Nothing is impossible with God. Nothing! What He wants to do, He will do. What’s impossible with man is possible with God. He is the Sovereign Lord who made the heavens and the earth by His great power and outstretched arm. He is the One who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. He is the One who parted the Red Sea to rescue His people and rained manna down from heaven to feed them. He is the One who delivered Daniel from the mouth of the lions and walked in the fire to save the three Hebrew boys. Nothing is too difficult for God. What God is doing in you is nothing short of amazing, spectacular and miraculous. But nothing is impossible with God. Nothing!”
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary replied with the kind of humble faith and willing obedience that comes from a heart joyfully delighting in the grace of God. “May it be done to me according to your word.”
May the joy of Christmas be yours as you worship the Savior, Christ Jesus – the One for whom nothing is impossible.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Great Christmas "Presence"
“Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
One of the great “Christmas” truths that serves as a wonderful reminder to God’s people all year long is the name given to Jesus – Immanuel, which means “God with us.” Those who have received God’s greatest gift of all – the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord – can with humble thanksgiving also praise Him for the following wonderful "presents" that come with such a great salvation, through our Lord IMMANUEL.
I – Inheritance
Because Jesus is Immanuel, God with us, we have the assurance of a heavenly, eternal inheritance.
"In Him [Jesus], you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation – having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.” – Ephesians 1:13-14
M – Message
Because Jesus is Immanuel, God with us, we have been entrusted with the world’s greatest message.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
M – Mission
Because Jesus is Immanuel, God with us, we have received the calling of the greatest mission.
“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20
A – Advocate
Because Jesus is Immanuel, God with us, we have a sympathetic advocate with the Father.
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” – Hebrew 4:14-16
N – Never Alone
Because Jesus is Immanuel, God with us, we are never alone through the comfort of the Spirit.
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” – John 14:15-18
U – Unveiling
Because Jesus is Immanuel, God with us, we have an unveiling of the very image of God.
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” – Colossians 1:15
E – Everything
Because Jesus is Immanuel, God with us, we have everything we need for life and godliness.
“Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” – 2 Peter 1:3
L – Leader
Because Jesus is Immanuel, God with us, we have a strong, faithful, loving Leader to follow.
“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” – Psalm 23:1
May the “presence” of God’s Son – Immanuel – fill your heart with tidings of comfort and joy now and forevermore.
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
One of the great “Christmas” truths that serves as a wonderful reminder to God’s people all year long is the name given to Jesus – Immanuel, which means “God with us.” Those who have received God’s greatest gift of all – the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord – can with humble thanksgiving also praise Him for the following wonderful "presents" that come with such a great salvation, through our Lord IMMANUEL.
I – Inheritance
Because Jesus is Immanuel, God with us, we have the assurance of a heavenly, eternal inheritance.
"In Him [Jesus], you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation – having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.” – Ephesians 1:13-14
M – Message
Because Jesus is Immanuel, God with us, we have been entrusted with the world’s greatest message.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
M – Mission
Because Jesus is Immanuel, God with us, we have received the calling of the greatest mission.
“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20
A – Advocate
Because Jesus is Immanuel, God with us, we have a sympathetic advocate with the Father.
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” – Hebrew 4:14-16
N – Never Alone
Because Jesus is Immanuel, God with us, we are never alone through the comfort of the Spirit.
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” – John 14:15-18
U – Unveiling
Because Jesus is Immanuel, God with us, we have an unveiling of the very image of God.
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” – Colossians 1:15
E – Everything
Because Jesus is Immanuel, God with us, we have everything we need for life and godliness.
“Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” – 2 Peter 1:3
L – Leader
Because Jesus is Immanuel, God with us, we have a strong, faithful, loving Leader to follow.
“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” – Psalm 23:1
May the “presence” of God’s Son – Immanuel – fill your heart with tidings of comfort and joy now and forevermore.
Monday, November 26, 2007
21-Thanks Salute
In a tribute of great respect and appreciation, the 21-Gun Salute represents a solemn occasion to honor those for whom it is fired. Such an event brings to mind tremendous sacrifices made on behalf of our nation. On the Fourth of July, President's Day, and with the flag flying at half mast on Memorial Day, we're reminded to be grateful of those who have served our country courageously. At military and presidential funerals, we're compelled to give thanks for those who have paid the greatest price for the freedoms we enjoy today.
With a similar heart of reverence and thanksgiving, I would like to offer to Almighty God a 21-Thanks Salute to honor and glorify His name. This praise is lifted up to Him in recognition for the innumerable ways in which His blessings have been poured out upon His people. The foundation to this Salute lies in the ultimate sacrifice made for all mankind - the blood of Jesus shed for the forgiveness of sins, and the hope of the resurrection of the dead given us in the resurrection victory of our Lord. There is no greater freedom to enjoy than the freedom from the chains of sin's guilt and shame. It's by the unlimited measure of God's grace and mercy I offer to Him a "heart that leaps for joy," giving "thanks to Him in song" (Ps. 28:7).
Among the many categories of thanksgiving which could be listed, I have chosen to focus this Salute to give thanks for the work that God is doing in His church here in Ridgway. What a pleasure and privilege to serve as shepherd to such a flock. I shared this Salute with the church on Sunday morning (Nov. 25) and reprint it here, in honor of God hearing the prayers of His people and answering in the strength of His might.
21–Thanks Salute
1. I thank God for the deacons He's called to serve, who have been invaluable as supporters and friends and prayer warriors.
2. I thank God for all those who teach and serve in Sunday School and VBS, devoting themselves to the spiritual nourishment of those they lead.
3. I thank God for those who take care of the administrative duties in the church, the financial records, budget reports, membership records, business meeting minutes, etc.
4. I thank God for those who care for the grounds, the maintenance and upkeep of the building and property.
5. I thank God for those who minister in the name of Christ Jesus to others in need, in the hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons through phone calls, cards, visits and prayers.
6. I thank God for the love and compassion of His people here, who encourage the weak and strengthen the weary with a desire to build them up in the strength of the Lord, and for the fellowship that results as we help carry one another’s burdens.
7. I thank God for the prayer warriors, those who pray for others in need, those who pray for their Sunday School teachers, for their pastor, for each other, those who pray that the Lord of the harvest would send out workers into his harvest fields, those who pray for the lost, those who pray for the work of the kingdom of God to be done here in Ridgway.
8. I thank God for those who witness for the Lord, not only with their lives that shine with the light of Christ, but for those who boldly and in the power of the Holy Spirit, tell others about the salvation that is offered through Jesus Christ alone.
9. I thank God for those who give faithfully, financially, to the ministry of the church; who not only offer you the tithe that belongs to God, but give sacrificially above that 10% to the work of building His Kingdom.
10. I thank God for those who invite others to join in the worship and Bible study here, and for those who will this week invite someone to “Orange and Blue Day” next Sunday.
11. I thank God for the ones who brought the donuts and made the coffee this morning.
12. I thank God for those who prepare food and serve and give their time in providing meals for families who have lost loved ones.
13. I thank God for the Iron Men.
14. I thank God for a church who has caught a vision of His mission – who not only prays for the work of missions, who not only gives to the cause of missions, but who is willing to go as He leads them.
15. I thank God for the WMU, who helps educate and encourage us to be more involved in the work of missions.
16. I thank God for those who watch our little ones in the nursery.
17. I thank God for those who have come this morning for the first time, or maybe the first time in a long time, and in advance for those who will be here next week.
18. I thank God for the ones who lead us in giving thanks and praise to God in song.
19. I thank God for the little children He's brought to us, that we may help bring them up in the faith.
20. I thank God for all those who work with the children and youth on Sundays, Wednesday nights, and sometimes give up a weeknight or a Saturday or a weekend for them, and are available any time.
21. I thank God for a church who has invested in me and my family with the love of Christ, and who has given me encouragement to keep growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to keep preaching and teaching the glorious gospel of our salvation.
As I humbly fire this thanksgiving salute, may the name of Jesus be honored and glorified.
With a similar heart of reverence and thanksgiving, I would like to offer to Almighty God a 21-Thanks Salute to honor and glorify His name. This praise is lifted up to Him in recognition for the innumerable ways in which His blessings have been poured out upon His people. The foundation to this Salute lies in the ultimate sacrifice made for all mankind - the blood of Jesus shed for the forgiveness of sins, and the hope of the resurrection of the dead given us in the resurrection victory of our Lord. There is no greater freedom to enjoy than the freedom from the chains of sin's guilt and shame. It's by the unlimited measure of God's grace and mercy I offer to Him a "heart that leaps for joy," giving "thanks to Him in song" (Ps. 28:7).
Among the many categories of thanksgiving which could be listed, I have chosen to focus this Salute to give thanks for the work that God is doing in His church here in Ridgway. What a pleasure and privilege to serve as shepherd to such a flock. I shared this Salute with the church on Sunday morning (Nov. 25) and reprint it here, in honor of God hearing the prayers of His people and answering in the strength of His might.
21–Thanks Salute
1. I thank God for the deacons He's called to serve, who have been invaluable as supporters and friends and prayer warriors.
2. I thank God for all those who teach and serve in Sunday School and VBS, devoting themselves to the spiritual nourishment of those they lead.
3. I thank God for those who take care of the administrative duties in the church, the financial records, budget reports, membership records, business meeting minutes, etc.
4. I thank God for those who care for the grounds, the maintenance and upkeep of the building and property.
5. I thank God for those who minister in the name of Christ Jesus to others in need, in the hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons through phone calls, cards, visits and prayers.
6. I thank God for the love and compassion of His people here, who encourage the weak and strengthen the weary with a desire to build them up in the strength of the Lord, and for the fellowship that results as we help carry one another’s burdens.
7. I thank God for the prayer warriors, those who pray for others in need, those who pray for their Sunday School teachers, for their pastor, for each other, those who pray that the Lord of the harvest would send out workers into his harvest fields, those who pray for the lost, those who pray for the work of the kingdom of God to be done here in Ridgway.
8. I thank God for those who witness for the Lord, not only with their lives that shine with the light of Christ, but for those who boldly and in the power of the Holy Spirit, tell others about the salvation that is offered through Jesus Christ alone.
9. I thank God for those who give faithfully, financially, to the ministry of the church; who not only offer you the tithe that belongs to God, but give sacrificially above that 10% to the work of building His Kingdom.
10. I thank God for those who invite others to join in the worship and Bible study here, and for those who will this week invite someone to “Orange and Blue Day” next Sunday.
11. I thank God for the ones who brought the donuts and made the coffee this morning.
12. I thank God for those who prepare food and serve and give their time in providing meals for families who have lost loved ones.
13. I thank God for the Iron Men.
14. I thank God for a church who has caught a vision of His mission – who not only prays for the work of missions, who not only gives to the cause of missions, but who is willing to go as He leads them.
15. I thank God for the WMU, who helps educate and encourage us to be more involved in the work of missions.
16. I thank God for those who watch our little ones in the nursery.
17. I thank God for those who have come this morning for the first time, or maybe the first time in a long time, and in advance for those who will be here next week.
18. I thank God for the ones who lead us in giving thanks and praise to God in song.
19. I thank God for the little children He's brought to us, that we may help bring them up in the faith.
20. I thank God for all those who work with the children and youth on Sundays, Wednesday nights, and sometimes give up a weeknight or a Saturday or a weekend for them, and are available any time.
21. I thank God for a church who has invested in me and my family with the love of Christ, and who has given me encouragement to keep growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to keep preaching and teaching the glorious gospel of our salvation.
As I humbly fire this thanksgiving salute, may the name of Jesus be honored and glorified.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Overwhelmed
I composed the following lines a year ago in gratitude to the Ridgway First Baptist Church for the many ways in which they have demonstrated the love and grace of God to me and my family. I am truly overwhelmed by God's presence and power on display among His people.
Psalm 28:7 says, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song."
These words attempt to convey my humble thanksgiving before my gracious Savior and Lord.
Overwhelmed
Overwhelmed by God’s great mercy
Overjoyed yet by His grace
Gently raise my hands in wonder
Humbly bow in grateful praise
For our Father, our Provider
Overwhelms me with His love
Pouring blessing after blessing
From His heavn’ly throne above
God is gracious, full of kindness
Slow to anger, rich in love
Strong in power, grand in splendor
Highest praise He’s worthy of
He exalts the lowly servant
Who cries out unto His name
Watching ever, leaving never
Age to age He is the same
What have I done to deserve His
Overwhelming grace divine?
Chief of sinners, my description
Death and hell, my final fine
But then Jesus, to my rescue,
Shed His blood upon the tree
Poured His grace out in abundance
Gave Himself to set me free
When I dwell in contemplation
On the goodness of my King
How my thankful heart keeps longing
For the perfect song to sing
How I long to bring Him glory
How I long to love Him more
In the beauty of His presence
Overwhelmed my soul does soar
Father, bring Your church to glory
Raise her up in Christ alone
Grant her strength to be Your witness
Let her love flow as Your own
Thank you for her glowing kindness,
Overwhelming grace to me
Let her radiate that brightness
Desperate for the world to see
In gratitude to Ridgway First Baptist Church for their overwhelming love.
Rob Gallion
November 19, 2006
Psalm 28:7 says, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song."
These words attempt to convey my humble thanksgiving before my gracious Savior and Lord.
Overwhelmed
Overwhelmed by God’s great mercy
Overjoyed yet by His grace
Gently raise my hands in wonder
Humbly bow in grateful praise
For our Father, our Provider
Overwhelms me with His love
Pouring blessing after blessing
From His heavn’ly throne above
God is gracious, full of kindness
Slow to anger, rich in love
Strong in power, grand in splendor
Highest praise He’s worthy of
He exalts the lowly servant
Who cries out unto His name
Watching ever, leaving never
Age to age He is the same
What have I done to deserve His
Overwhelming grace divine?
Chief of sinners, my description
Death and hell, my final fine
But then Jesus, to my rescue,
Shed His blood upon the tree
Poured His grace out in abundance
Gave Himself to set me free
When I dwell in contemplation
On the goodness of my King
How my thankful heart keeps longing
For the perfect song to sing
How I long to bring Him glory
How I long to love Him more
In the beauty of His presence
Overwhelmed my soul does soar
Father, bring Your church to glory
Raise her up in Christ alone
Grant her strength to be Your witness
Let her love flow as Your own
Thank you for her glowing kindness,
Overwhelming grace to me
Let her radiate that brightness
Desperate for the world to see
In gratitude to Ridgway First Baptist Church for their overwhelming love.
Rob Gallion
November 19, 2006
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