About time for dinner, yo! But briefly…as busy as today was, so the last hour has been wonderful. Walked down to EQ as the thunder gently rumbled and the sun shone down upon the earth. Enjoyed a beautiful time of reading on the porch. How wonderful is it to read Owen’s work on the Holy Spirit and be encouraged in learning more about sanctification and my progress toward holiness. It is not constant, nay. But it is certain. Oh how beautiful is it to be reminded of the fact that all that is good in me and of me is from Christ Jesus alone. Nothing good have I. And how wonderful is it to be reminded of the sovereignty of God. When I know not my future or even my present…I can rest in the arms of my Father and be assured that I am loved and that my future is written in the book that matters most. Remember this, my friends – if you know the love of God, nothing else matters. True joy comes from God and naught else. There are many lovely things in this world. But their loveliness is meaningless in the absence of the knowledge of the Creator. I think on that and bow in bliss that this Creator knows my name.
Tag: encouragement
Nightcall
I would have despaired
unless I had believed that I would see
the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
be strong and let your heart take courage;
yes, wait for the Lord.
-Psalm 27:13-14
A New Hope
“It will come about in that day that I will respond,”
declares the Lord.
“I will respond to the heavens,
and they will respond to the earth,
and the earth will respond to the grain, to the new wine and to the oil
and they will respond to Jezreel.
I will sow her for Myself in the land.
I will also have compassion on
her who had not obtained compassion,
and I will say to those who were not My people,
‘You are my people!’
and they will say,
‘You are my God!'”
-Hosea 2:21-23
Redeemed
Just thought I’d share some of my notes from my recently completed study on 1 Peter 1:17-21. Some gorgeous verses…and I’m obviously not doing them justice. But…God has encouraged my soul this afternoon and I can’t help but share. Be blessed, dear friends.
So to wrap up – anything that can sum all this up? Namely – the gospel is glorious. We have a Father who loves us, who planned before the foundation of the world this grand redemptive work – the death of Christ and His resurrection from the dead – which is the price by which our lives are bought. So no longer are our lives meaningless – no longer are we lost, sheep that have gone astray. We now worship God, acting with awe and respect towards our Father, worshiping His name, full of faith in this present life and full of hope for the life to come. If you can think of anything this week to dwell on – think on the fact that we were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ.
One more thing I’d like to bring up. This redemptive work that Christ did – is not something He was forced into. He did it for us, out of love and care and deepest passion. For us. In John 18:4, we see some glorious words which I’ll just read briefly. Right before this verse, the mob comes to arrest Jesus. And in verse 4, “So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” Do you see that? Jesus knew all that was coming. He knew of His impending suffering, of the wrath that was about to be poured upon Him. He knew He was about to fulfill the prophecy of John the Baptist – “The Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world”. He knew He was about to be forsaken by His Father. He knew He was about to be smitten of God, afflicted, pierced through, crushed. He knew the iniquities of us all were about to fall on Him. He knew all these things. And what did He do? Did He shy away or decide it wasn’t quite worth it. That we weren’t quite worth it? No. “So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him…went forth.” He did this – for us. The precious blood of Christ – the Lamb that was slain. Our only response should be to fall on our faces before God and worship. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing! Amen. Amen. Amen.
Icing
Happy Saturday, friends!! I’m just going to write a few words….currently sitting on the floor at home, drinking my afternoon coffee(fifth cup of the day? Not bad for a Saturday!), snacking on pineapple and watching some Capitals/Islanders hockey playoff action(go Caps!!). Woke up a little earlier than normal, so have to confess I’m feeling a little sleepy now. Me and Ernie got breakfast and then went up to the Woodlands to check out the programs offered by Dallas Theological Seminary(they were having a special event there today). I may or may not be considering taking a few classes there in the fall…praying for wisdom on that, believe me. I sometimes feel it may be too much, trying to work full-time and take extra classes, but I would truly love to be in a place where I can be learning even more about our glorious God. So! We shall see where the Lord leads, and now it just comforts me to know that my future is in the hands of my God. I’ve been talking with an old friend that I haven’t spoken to in many many years, and she shared a verse that’s encouraged me deeply:
“For My thoughts are
not your thoughts,
nor are your ways
My ways,”
declares the LORD.
“For as the heavens
are higher
than the earth,
so are My ways
higher than your ways
and My thoughts
than your thoughts.
For as the rain and
the snow come down
from heaven,
and do not return there
without watering
the earth and
making it bear and sprout,
and furnishing seed to the sower
and bread to the eater;
so will My word be
which goes forth
from My mouth;
it will not return to Me empty,
without accomplishing what I desire,
and without succeeding
in the matter for which
I sent it.”
-Isaiah 55:8-11
Amen. And Amen. Have a most wonderful Saturday evening, dear friends!!!
