I Am What I Am.....By The Grace Of God!!

The key in this often used cliche is “by the grace of God” – Paul of course had a checkered past before his conversion; having had a partisan spirit towards the persecution of Christians. He met the One who he had been persecuted, and in a moment (you could say in the twinkling of an eye) he became God’s mouthpiece to the gentile world.

Paul writes in 1Corinthians 15 v10 “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.“

Paul is always quick to point out how fortunate he has been, to be given the ministry which he so faithfully upheld throughout his life – in the verses prior to v10 of 1Corinthians 15, he declares the gospel, by which we are saved, and proceeds to explain all the eyewitness accounts of those that had seen the resurrected Christ. He of course places himself last in this list, making the claim that “he is the least of the apostles” & “of one born out of due time“

Paul laid no claim to greatness or superiority towards others of his own accord, but because of the grace of God, he laboured more abundantly than the aforementioned eyewitnesses.

God’s grace can do wondrous things; it can save the most wretched of sinners from damnation, and in the context of 1Corinthians 15 v9-10, it can be the greatest motivation we need to accomplish great things for God ourselves…….AMAZING!! 

400th Anniversary of KJV

Have you heard about this conference in Toledo, Ohio? I would love to be able to attend, and am going to try to get there if I can!

Cost: FREE

Starts: Sunday the 10th and goes to Wednesday the 13th of April
Sunday morning starts at 9:45 and Sun evening at 6

Daily: M-W the morning services start at 9, but there will be donuts and coffee with the speakers for everyone starting at 8:30. They will have three sessions every morning and they will be set up more as a lectures on specific topics regarding the KJV. M-W evening services will kick off with Scripture reading by guest/staff preachers at 6:30 and service will actually start at 7:00 with two preachers each night, choir, inspiring videos on the Bible and special music as well.
Guest speakers:
Dr. Bill Grady
Dr. Sam Gipp
Stephen Shutt
Mickey Carter
Douglas Stauffer
Gail Riplinger

Location:6250 S. Ave., Toledo, OH 43615

Website: CLICK HERE

"Who I Am In Christ"

I am complete in Him Who is the Head of all principality and power
Colossians 2:10.

I am alive with Christ
Ephesians 2:5.

I am free from the law of sin and death
Romans 8:2.

I am born of God, and the evil one does not touch me
I John 5:18.

I am holy and without blame before Him in love
I Peter 1:16; Ephesians 1:4

I have the mind of Christ
Philippians 2:5; I Corinthians 2:16

I have the peace of God that passes all understanding available to me
Philippians 4:7

I have the Greater One living in me;
greater is He Who is in me than he who is in the world
I John 4:4

I have received the gift of righteousness by Jesus Christ
Romans 5:17

I have received the spirit of wisdom and the eyes of my understanding are enlightened Ephesians 1:17,18

I have put off the old man and put on the new man
Colossians 3:9-10

I lack nothing I need for my God supplies all of my need
according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus
Philippians 4:19

I can quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one with my shield of faith
Ephesians 6:16

I can do all things through Christ Jesus
Philippians 4:13

I was redeemed to show forth the praises of God Who
has called me out of darkness into His marvelous light
I Peter 2:9

I am God’s child for I am born again of the
incorruptible seed of the Word of God
I Peter 1:23

I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ
unto good works
Ephesians 2:10

I am a new creature in Christ
II Corinthians 5:17

I am spiritually alive to God
I Thessalonians 5:23; Romans 6:11

I am a believer, and the light of the Gospel shines in my mind
II Corinthians 4:4

I am a joint-heir with Christ
Romans 8:17

I am more than a conqueror through Him
Who loves me
Romans 8:37.

I am able to overcome the enemy by the
blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony
Rev12:11

I am a partaker of His divine nature
II Peter 1:3-4

I am an ambassador for Christ
II Corinthians 5:20

I am part of a chosen generation, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, a purchased people
I Peter 2:9

I am the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ
II Corinthians 5:21.

I am the temple of the Holy Spirit;
I am not my own
I Corinthians 6:19.

I am a light to the world
Matthew 5:14.

I am His elect, full of mercy, kindness,
humility, and longsuffering
Romans 8:33; Colossians 3:12.

I am forgiven of all my sins and
washed in the Blood
Ephesians 1:7

I am delivered from the power of darkness and
translated into God’s kingdom
Colossians 1:13

I am redeemed from the curse of sin
Galatians 3:13

I am called of God to be the voice of His praise
II Timothy 1:9; Psalm 66:8

I am raised up with Christ and seated
in heavenly places
Colossians 2:12; Ephesians 2:6

I am greatly loved by God (Colossians 3:12; Romans 1:7;
I Thessalonians 1:4; Ephesians 2:4

I am strengthened with all might according
to His glorious power
Colossians 1:11

I am running a race toward the goal
to win the prize
Philippians 3:14

For God has not given us a spirit of fear;
but of power, love, and a sound mind
II Timothy 1:7

I live yet not I but Christ
Galatians 2:20


(List compiled by Sam Ludvicek)

Blessings!

Morning Cuppas With Glenys

Save Jesus Christ Alone

We have recently moved house. In an introductory chat with our new neighbours, I was delighted to learn that the whole end of our street are Christians. This was an answer to prayer because I have been hungry for fellowship.

Whilst we were chatting, my new neighbour told me of the people next door. They were of a different denomination to them. She told me they considered their denomination the *only* real church and that they came across as feeling superior to them. She then went on to discuss the other denominations represented in the street who happened to speak in tongues. They too felt superior to other denominations and Christians who didn't have the gift of tongues or the Baptism of the Spirit.

In looking for a new place of worship, we discussed her Baptist Church. I felt that I would like to check it out until she mentioned the factions within about introducing charismatic practices. Sadness flooded over me.

Denominations, factions and superiority ought not to be within the Church. Unfortunately, we all know it is... we all have done it at some time or another. No sooner does one learn that one is a Christian than the judgment starts to raise its ugly head.

Christian, Catholic, Baptist, Spirit-filled, Charismatic, speaker of tongues, christened or baptised by immersion all juggle for precedence in our estimation of a Christians' worth and suitability to befriend and have fellowship with. When in fact, all that should matter is that the person is truly born-again and sees Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Him crucified. There has to be a common bond for Christians and that bond is Jesus.

Because judgments of a persons' church and worship preferences so colour our fellowship, I prefer to see myself as a Christian rather than as a Baptist, Protestant, Charismatic or whatever. Without that willingness to accept each other firstly as Christians, we aren't going to have true fellowship! I mentioned that to my new neighbour and she agreed. So there is still the possibility of ongoing fellowship with her.

Judging Christians by their denomination or manner of worship short-circuits all possiblity of developing strong bonds in the Body of Christ. If we do not accept each other purely on the basis of what Christ is and has done, we rob ourselves of the opportunity of fellowship and live outside the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3

Let's choose to see nothing else but Jesus Christ and what He has done for all of us. Surely that would be a very firm foundation to build a friendship on whilst strengthening the Body of Christ.For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2

by Mrs Glenys Hicks of Morning Cuppas With Glenys

KJV

"Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out
of thy law."
Psalms 119:18, KJV

"Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I
cannot attain unto it."
Psalms 139:6,

"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge
of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways
past finding out!"
Romans 11:33,

"...For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven."
Psalms 119:89,

"...Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my
path."
Psalms 119:105,

"Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it."
Psalms 119:140,

"Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy
righteous judgments endureth for ever."
Psalms 119:160,

"...thy word is truth."
John 17:17b,

"The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of
his heart to all generations."
Psalms 33:11,

"I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name
for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast
magnified thy word above all thy name."
Psalms 138:2

"Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there
is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring
the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the
things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall
stand, and I will do all my pleasure:"
Isaiah 46:9-10

"God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of
man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not
do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?"
Numbers 23:19

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper
than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing
asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow,
and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the
heart."
Hebrews 4:12

How many old Bibles do you have laying around unused?

Bible Senders www.thebiblesenders.info is a IFB ministry based out of Walworth Baptist Church in Ulen, MN Our goals is to send Bibles (KJV), tracts, and other scripture to needy missionaries around the world. We accept used Bibles, good Bible based literature, dvds, cds, etc.

We also have a sister ministry www.afterdeathwhat.com which seeks to produce high quality tracts. All materials are free as the Lord provides.


Visit their Facebook page here: Facebook

Visit their website here: Website

If you have old Bibles, consider taking up a collection of them, and sending them off to be used!

Finishing Well

What do you think of when you hear the name Miriam? She was intelligent, resourceful, and a leader. I have known women to say of someone like this, "When she walks into a room, strength walks in". Miriam faithfully watched her little brother by the river's brink. She bravely offered help and wisely suggested her own mother to nurse baby Moses. In Exodus 15, we find her leading the other women in praise to the Lord. She was a prophetess according to verse 20, yet shortly thereafter, she oversteps her boundaries, speaks against her brother Moses, and God swiftly puts her in her place.

In Numbers 12 we read of a terrible humbling she endured. She spoke against Moses for marrying an Ethiopian woman, and then asks this question, "Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us?". Was she jealous of the attention Moses was getting? Did she desire a higher place of leadership? Was the complaint against his wife just an excuse used to tear him down in order to make herself look better? For whatever reason, the Bible makes a note of recording, "And the LORD heard it."

The Lord was not pleased with her attack on his servant, Moses. He made it very clear to her in verses 6-8: "...If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches..."
While the prophets saw visions and dreams, Moses spoke to God face to face! God's judgement fell on her, and Miriam became a leper. Even though Moses prayed and God removed her leprosy, she was shamed for seven days as a leper: "...the LORD said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again."

Miriam had held an honored place next to her brothers Aaron and Moses. She was a prophetess of God! The women obviously looked up to her, and followed her lead as she praised God. But after she faltered here, you never read of Miriam in the Bible again. Was she restored? Did she learn her lesson and go on to serve the Lord? It is important that we are careful not to think more of ourselves than we ought. Jesus was meek. Moses was meek. "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble".

As we serve Him, we need to be careful not to let pride, arrogance, jealousy, and bitterness ruin our testimony, shame us before others, and falter in the race God has left us to run. Rather, humbly and meekly we should serve the Lord, in our place, building up one another, and submitting to those in authority over us, so that we can one day say, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith".

The Way, the Truth, the Life

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life— Joh_14:6

Love Prepares a Welcome
No one was more ready than Jesus to detect the anxieties of those He loved. We picture Him, as He taught the twelve, watching intently the expression on their faces to learn how far His words were understood. Jesus had noted, then, tokens of heart distress (Joh_14:1). The disciples felt His departure like a torture. And it was then that He consoled them with such simple and glorious speech that all Christendom is the debtor to their agony. They thought that His death was an unforeseen calamity. Christ taught them it was the path of His own planning. They thought that heaven was very far away. Christ taught them it was but another room in the great home of whose many mansions this beautiful world was one. He was not stepping out into the dark. He was passing from one room to another in the house. But the mightiest encouragement of all came when He told them, "I go to prepare a place for you." This, then, was the purpose of His going, that love might have all things ready when they arrived. When a child is born here, love has all things ready for it. It will be the same when we awaken in eternity. When a boy or girl comes home from the boarding-school, has not some heart at home been busy in preparation? There is someone at the station, and the bedroom is arranged, and the lights are lit, and the table is spread, and all day there has been happy excitement in the home because James or Mary is coming home tonight. So Jesus says, "I go to prepare a place for you. I go to have all things ready for your coming." And though there are depths in these words we cannot fathom and mysteries we cannot understand, they mean at least that love is getting ready to give the children a real welcome home.

For Wanderers in the Night: I Am the Way
Then Jesus utters the Via Veritas Vita: and first of all He says, "I am the way." It was the very word that the disciples wanted, for they all felt like wanderers that night. Do you know what it is like to lose the road? Did you ever, when out walking across the fields, find the track through the heather grow faint and disappear? There was a helplessness like that in the disciples when Jesus announced that He was soon to leave them. So far, they had all walked with Jesus. Now, at the cross, that pathway seemed to cease. We can hardly grasp the depth of comfort in it when they heard that Christ was to be the Way forevermore. It was in Him they were to fight and conquer. It was in Him they were to live and die. It was in Him they were to reach the glory and stand in the presence of the Father at the end. They felt there was a new and living way. Among the wonders of the old Roman people were the roads they made from end to end of Europe. And the Roman cities are in ruins now, and their palaces and their temples are destroyed, but men are still walking on the Roman roads. So Jesus, our Redeemer, is still the Way. A thousand things have gone, but that remains. It is through His death, and His rising from the dead, and through our daily fellowship with Him that we walk heavenward and reach home at last.

He Is the Truth That Sheds Light on Darkness
Then Jesus says, "I am the truth." He does not say, observe, I speak the truth. There was a deeper meaning in His mind than that. I hope that every child will speak the truth; yet every child, as his experience grows, will discover with shame how untrue he is at heart. Christ is the sum and center of all truth. Where Christ is not, there is a false note always. And one of the great joys of knowing Jesus is the sweet assurance that truth is ours at last. Before the discovery of the law of gravitation, there were a thousand facts that no man could explain. There was no key to them. There was no plan in them. They could never be gathered into a worthy system. But when the great truth of gravitation was discovered—so simple, so universal, so sublime—a flood of light fell on the darkness, and disorder became order everywhere. And it is just so when we discover Jesus. That truth sheds light upon a thousand facts. Things that were quite inexplicable once—sorrows and joys and hopes and fears and haunting—become intelligible through this great discovery. Did not some one say that if you would find the truth you must seek for it at the bottom of a deep well? The glory of the truth that is in Jesus is that it is found in no dark well, but on the way. Quid est veritas? asked jesting Pilate. And in one of the best anagrams the world has ever had, the answer is given, Est vir qui adest.

He Is the Source of Life
Then lastly Jesus says, "I am the life." In Thackeray's great story, Vanity Fair, we read of Amelia Osborne and her baby George. And Thackeray, speaking of the baby, says, "How his mother nursed him and dressed him and lived upon him need not be told here. This child was her being." That is a little picture of the way in which one person can be the life of another. It helps us to understand what Jesus meant when He said to the disciples, "I am the life." There is no book in any literature so filled with the message of life as the New Testament. If there is one word that sums up the Gospel, it is life. And here we are taught that that life is in Jesus Christ. He is the source of it. It is treasured in Him. And there is no way to gain it and to keep it but by trusting and by loving Him.
I cannot solve mysterious things,
That fill the schoolmen's thoughts with strife;
But oh! what peace this knowledge brings—
Thou art the Life!
Hid in thy everlasting deeps,
The silent God His secret keeps.
The Way, the Truth, the Life, Thou art!
This, this I know; to this I cleave;
The sweet, new language of my heart—
"Lord, I believe."
I have no doubt to bring to Thee;
My doubt has fled, my faith is free!

Sharing the Gospel

That wonderful Thursday evening, our church’s Bible Class came up with a good compact sharing “tool” to help us, Christians, share the gospel to anybody who would listen. This can also be used as a basic tool for Bible studies.

I took note of the categorized verses, present it in tabular form, and share it with you in the hope that you might get some important ideas from it as you share the gospel to others.

We are not all good in memory and these hinder us a lot in sharing the gospel to others. Therefore, one suggestion offered is for you to print a copy of the verses below, and keep it in your wallets or bags so that anytime you will need a reference, you can use it. From the five categories, you can start anywhere and connect the others as you go along. Friends, happy sharing!

SOME IMPORTANT VERSES TO SHARE

1) ABOUT ETERNAL LIFE

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:36 - He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

John 5:24 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 John 5:13 - These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

2) THE ONLY WAY OF SALVATION

Acts 16:31 - And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

John 14:6 - Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Acts 4:12 - Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Ephesians 2:8,9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

3) HOW TO GO TO HEAVEN

John 14:6 - Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 3:5,6 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

John 1:12,13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

4) HOW TO BE ASSURED

1 John 5:13 - These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

John 14:6 - Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 5:24 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Ephesians 1:13,14 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

John 3:16,36 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

John 10:27,28 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand.

5) HOW TO BECOME RIGHTEOUS

Galatians 2:16 - Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Isaiah 1:18 - Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

(c) August 2009, Luisa Mercado/www.mikenluisa1.blogspot.com

Time for Devotions

http://kjvdevos.blogspot.com/ is up and running again. Daily Bible reading and various devotionals will be posted daily. If you write devotions, and would like to be an author, visit http://kjvdevos.blogspot.com/2009/08/relaunch-of-kjv-devos.html

Psa. 119:153-160

“Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.” (v.154)

The cry is “Plead my cause” O LORD, and it is the prayer of a broken and defeated heart. When we get God on our side, who can stand against us? (Rom. 8:31) O that He might plead our cause before men, and bring us the victory over the world, and he will, by the way. It is amazing to me to see how fearful David seemed to be, yet how bold he was in battle so that many sang “Saul slew his thousands, David his ten thousands.” This tells me that it is not wrong to be afraid, in fact, it will lead us to a greater power, teaching us to seek Him who knows no fear. When we learn to fear enough to trust in God, we have come quite far in our life for Him, and can be “quickened” by Him. To be quickened by the Lord is to be lifted up by Him, resting in His arms, and given a new zeal, as well as life. David asks three important things here, to have the Lord to plead for him, or to intercede for him; and to deliver him; and to quicken , or revive him, all “according to thy Word.”

I believe our greatest prayers are those that are cried out of desperation, because our whole heart sees it important enough to beg God, and to cry out our need to Him. Fasting also is nothing without a certain element of sorrow. We seem to think of fasting as a remedy to get our prayer answered, and use it that way when we want something special from God, but we often make a mockery of it in so doing. Often the greatest pains produce the greatest prayers.

This particular verse sounds as if it were produced in tears, and from the chains of fear. Three times David asks the Lord to quicken him, and all three times it is according to a tenet or principle of God. The first is here, “according to thy Word”; the second is v. 156, and “according to thy judgments”; while the third is v.159, and “according to thy loving kindness”. There are many “according to’s” throughout the 119th Psalm, one would do well to study them.
This psalm ought to be read often, as it deals completely with the Word of God, and what greater subject could we seek?

Are You a Soldier?

I am a soldier in the army of my God. The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer, the Holy Bible is my code of conduct. Faith, prayer and the Word are my weapons of warfare. I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity, and tested by fire. I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity. I will either retire in this army or die in this army, but I will not get out, sell out, be talked out of, or be pushed out. I am faithful, reliable, capable, and dependable. When my God needs me, I am there. I am a soldier, I am not a baby. I do not need to be pampered, petted, picked up, or pepped up. I am a soldier! No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me, I am a soldier! I am not a wimp, I am in place saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name, building His Kingdom. No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy, or give me handouts. I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to, I am committed! I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around. I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside, I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit. When Jesus called me into this army I had nothing, if I end up with nothing, I will come out even. I will WIN! My God will supply all my needs. I am more than a conqueror. I will always triumph. I can do all things through Christ. Devils cannot defeat me, people cannot disillusion me, weather cannot weary me, sickness cannot stop me, battles cannot beat me, money cannot buy me, government cannot silence me, Hell cannot handle me, I am a soldier! Even death cannot destroy me, for when my Commander calls me from the battlefield He will promote me to Captain. I am a soldier in the army. I am marching, claiming victory! I will not turn around, I am a soldier! Heaven bound, here I stand, will you stand with me? Are you a soldier?

Psalms 119:89-96

“Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.” (v.90)

The Lord is faithful to all peoples, everywhere, who call upon Him in Truth. He is there for us, unto the third and forth generations, and further, even unto all generations. Paul put it this way in Rom. 8, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (v. 31), and, who indeed? His faithfulness is toward us, and He will never let us down. I cannot even imagine my God letting anyone down that has truly and fully trusted in Him, He cannot do it! Most people would be reluctant to disappoint someone who was desperately depending on them, let alone a loving and merciful God. Why then do we fail to trust Him in all things, and at all times? He has established the earth after all, and is more than capable of handling any and all problems that it might bring forth. I only wish we were as faithful to Him as He is to us.

This is one of only five verses that does not contain a direct reference to the Word of God in this entire Psalm. There are nine different words used for God’s Word, and nearly every verse in this huge psalm (176verses) contains at least one, and some two. This psalm is an excellent tribute to the Word of God, and what it means to mankind; it should be read often and carefully, as well as prayerfully. He has established, or settled His Word, and the earth, as we see here. He has established his Word in the earth, through His Son, Jesus, Who is the Word incarnate; the very God of gods, and Lord of lords. It is, then, a tribute to Jesus. Read it carefully, and with great awe, and see the Lord of the Psalms, in Christ. Laws, ordinances, precepts, testimonies, commandments, etc., all are about Jesus. Read on, and note these synonyms and be reminded that Christ is everywhere in the Bible, walking through it’s pages, and hiding Himself in every page. Praise the Lord for this wonderful fact.

Psalms 119: 73-80

“They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.” (v. 74)

Twice in this passage we see the importance of fellowship with the people of God. We need each other, as well as the guidance of the love of God. To see someone that is serious about serving the Lord is always a blessing to me, and who do you think I ask to pray for special needs? Those who I know walk with the Lord. The prayer of the psalmist is that God’s people will “turn” unto him, and unite with him in the service of the Lord. We have much in common, after all, and ought to act as if we do. Romans 12:10 tells us, “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;” so even Paul tells us to prefer, or desire the company of our brothers and sisters in Christ. (Emphasis is mine.)

I am reminded of my army days, and of the camaraderie that is found among soldiers who suffer the same fates. Many times, through suffering together, we “bond” with others who have struggled with us. It seems that there is a closeness, because they understand each others’ fears, and joys, and sorrows. Often, when we were off duty, we sought out those “buddies” who we had been through much tribulation of some sort or another with, and we became good friends. It is the same in the bus ministry, by the way. Bus workers understand the heart of a bus worker, and they all sacrifice together, and “suffer” if you will, the same “afflictions”. This brings them closer together, many times, so that “They that fear thee will be glad when they see me” as our text verse says, and all because we have, together, “hoped in” His Word.

Let’s desire the companionship of one another, as brothers and sisters in Christ. Let’s “honor” one another, and be kind to one another, and “prefer” the company of one another, and we will please the Lord in that one thing at least.

More Mercy Than We Deserve

Lamentations 3:21-24 (King James Version)

²¹This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.

²²It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

²³They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

²⁴The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

Battle Hymn Of The Republic

http://frankbutkind.blogspot.com/2009/07/battle-hymn-of-republic.html

Get a load of these high school kids singing. At the conclusion listen to the high notes on the trumpet, played by a high school kid! One of the fathers recorded it, added some graphic enhancements to the recording, and posted it on the web. The song, of course, is the ' Battle Hymn Of The Republic.' Be prepared - it could send a few shivers up your spine or at least a tear from your eye.

Battle Hymn of the Republic

Spurgeon's Devotions

“Exceeding great and precious promises.”
- 2Pe_1:4
If you would know experimentally the preciousness of the promises, and enjoy them in your own heart, meditate much upon them. There are promises which are like grapes in the wine-press; if you will tread them the juice will flow. Thinking over the hallowed words will often be the prelude to their fulfilment. While you are musing upon them, the boon which you are seeking will insensibly come to you. Many a Christian who has thirsted for the promise has found the favour which it ensured gently distilling into his soul even while he has been considering the divine record; and he has rejoiced that ever he was led to lay the promise near his heart.
But besides meditating upon the promises, seek in thy soul to receive them as being the very words of God. Speak to thy soul thus, “If I were dealing with a man’s promise, I should carefully consider the ability and the character of the man who had covenanted with me. So with the promise of God; my eye must not be so much fixed upon the greatness of the mercy-that may stagger me; as upon the greatness of the promiser-that will cheer me. My soul, it is God, even thy God, God that cannot lie, who speaks to thee. This word of his which thou art now considering is as true as his own existence. He is a God unchangeable. He has not altered the thing which has gone out of his mouth, nor called back one single consolatory sentence. Nor doth he lack any power; it is the God that made the heavens and the earth who has spoken thus. Nor can he fail in wisdom as to the time when he will bestow the favours, for he knoweth when it is best to give and when better to withhold. Therefore, seeing that it is the word of a God so true, so immutable, so powerful, so wise, I will and must believe the promise.” If we thus meditate upon the promises, and consider the Promiser, we shall experience their sweetness, and obtain their fulfilment.

PSALMS 119:25-32

“Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.” (v. 27)

When we really grasp the wonders of God, we will share the blessing with others. Our testimony ought to always be about how great He is, and what The Lord has done for us. When I think of the way the Lord has nurtured me along all these years, I am amazed, dumbfounded, to say the least. I hope to shout it from the housetops, for all eternity, the amazing grace of God, and His wonderful Love toward me and mine. Oh that we could all say that, and see the hand of God at work in our lives for many years. The psalmist knew where his strength was, in v. 28, and he sought God’s Word for it. Yes, there is strengthening in His Word. The power to do right; to glorify the Father, we all have the power and ability to do so, but shamefully we fail in the task.

This passage contains the words “according unto thy Word” two times, the first in v. 25, where he asks to be refreshed, or “quickened” by the Word of God, and the promise of it, and in v. 28 where we see him asking for the strength that comes through the Word. The real strength comes from God Himself, and in Him “making us” to understand His Word, and to His way, as the text verse clearly implies. Understanding is defined in Job 28:28, as is wisdom, “And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” Holiness is the key to happiness. We need to ask, with the psalmist, that the Lord would deliver us from lying, (v. 28), and from all evil (Mt 6:13).

Will we “Run the way” of His commandment, as the psalmist said he would do in v. 32? If so, God will “enlarge” our heart for us, and our life will be an abundant life, filled with the grace and blessing of God Almighty.

Psalms 119:9-16

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (v.9)

We see, first, the cleansing power of the Word. Oh what joy there is in total cleansing, few things feel better to us when we are weary, than a nice hot bath or shower. A young man finds cleansing here, as the young seem to get the dirtiest, but there is a cleansing for all of us at any age in the Word. Where is the cleansing found? In v. 11, by hiding God’s Word in our hearts. Oh that we would realize the power of the Word of God, and allow It to do Its wonderful work in us.
Notice the psalmist repeats his zeal in v. 10, and in the whole-hearted seeking. This cannot be emphasized enough. A heart totally given to the Lord’s will, is one that has already hid Him in it, and will walk accordingly, and has learned to rejoice in Him, “as much as in all riches”, (v. 14).

In Psalms 138:2 we see that God magnifies His Word even above His Name! This seems like an amazing thing to us, but it shows how important God’s Word really is to Him. The psalmist in Psalms 119 treats the Word of God much the same way that God does, he “delights “ in It, (v.16); he meditates on It, and has respect unto It, (v.15), and it is no wonder that that he can hide It in his heart, and is afraid to sin against God! Folks, that Bible you hold in your hand is a very precious Book, let’s take care of it and respect it, and obey it. First we need to read It, then we need to heed It! We sometimes respect the American flag even more than the Word of God! We throw our Bible on the floor, or in a closet, but proudly display the flag, and forbid it to touch the ground even! Shame on us! When we learn to love the Lord with all our hearts, we will learn to treat His Word with the great respect It deserves. Let’s get our priorities right!
“Blessed art thou, oh Lord: teach me thy statutes” (v.12). The Lord will teach us, if we will learn of Him. The Word will cause us to bless the Lord too. We will appreciate His goodness, and His graces. We will desire to know Him better, and to get closer to Him. The joy He gives us through His Precious Word, will guide us through the storms of life with confidence in Him, if we can learn to delight in Him.

Who Must We Trust in Times like These; President Obama or the True Messiah?

(copied)

This apparently originated with a Baptist minister in Virginia. I think it speaks volumes about where we are today. Please read with an open mind.
Genesis 47: 13-27

Good morning, brothers and sisters; it's always a delight to see the pews crowded on Sunday morning, and so eager to get into God's Word. Turn with me in your Bibles, if you will, to the 47th chapter of Genesis; we'll begin our reading at verse 13, and go through verse 27. Brother Ray, would you stand and read that great passage for us?

Thank you for that fine reading, Brother Ray. So we see that economic hard times fell upon Egypt, and the people turned to the government of Pharaoh to deal with this for them. And Pharaoh nationalized the grain harvest, and placed the grain in great storehouses that he had built. So the people brought their money to Pharaoh, like a great tax increase, and gave it all to him willingly in return for grain. And this went on until their money ran out, and they were hungry again.

So when they went to Pharaoh after that, they brought their livestock - their cattle, their horses, their sheep, and their donkey - to barter for grain, and verse 17 says that only took them through the end of that year. But the famine wasn't over, was it?

So the next year, the people came before Pharaoh and admitted they had nothing left, except their land and their own lives. "There is nothing left in the sight of my lord but our bodies and our land. Why should we die before your eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land for food, and we with our land will be servants to Pharaoh." So they surrendered their homes, their land, and their real estate to Pharaoh's government, and then sold themselves into slavery to him, in return for grain.

What can we learn from this, brothers and sisters?

That turning to the government instead of to God to be our provider in hard times only leads to slavery? Yes. That the only reason government wants to be our provider is to also become our master? Yes.

But look how that passage ends, brothers and sisters! "Thus Israel settled in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen. And they gained possessions in it, and were fruitful and multiplied greatly." God provided for His people, just as He always has! They didn't end up giving all their possessions to the government, no, it says they gained possessions!

But I also tell you a great truth today, and an ominous one. We see the same thing happening today - the government today wants to "share the wealth" once again, to take it from us and redistribute it back to us.

It wants to take control of healthcare, just as it has taken control of education, and ration it back to us, and when government rations it, then government decides who gets it, and how much, and what kind.

And if we go along with it, and do it willingly, then we will wind up no differently than the people of Egypt did four thousand years ago - as slaves to the government, and as slaves to our leaders.

What Mr. Obama's government is doing now is no different from what Pharaoh's government did then, and it will end the same.

And a lot of people like to call Mr. Obama a "Messiah," don't they? Is he a Messiah, a savior? Didn't the Egyptians say, after Pharaoh made them his slaves, "You have saved our lives; may it please my lord, we will be servants to Pharaoh"?

Well, I tell you this - I know the Messiah; the Messiah is a friend of mine; and Mr. Obama is no Messiah! No, brothers and sisters, if Mr. Obama is a character from the Bible, then he is Pharaoh.

Bow with me in prayer, if you will.

Lord, You alone are worthy to be served, and we rely on You, and You alone. We confess that the government is not our deliverer, and never rightly will be. We read in the eighth chapter of 1 Samuel, when Samuel warned the people of what a ruler would do, where it says, "And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the LORD will not answer you in that day." And Lord, we acknowledge that day has come. We cry out to you because of the ruler that we have chosen for ourselves as a nation.

Lord, we pray for this nation. We pray for revival, and we pray for deliverance from those who would be our masters. Give us hearts to seek You and hands to serve You, and protect Your people from the atrocities of Pharaoh's government.

In God we Trust

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