When I Survey

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
Issac Watts, 1707

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,

Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Only Good

We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are called according to his purpose.

I look at you and see the checkered lives that God has given you... and that which lies before me.

Here is the sweetest, softest pillow I know for my soul.. my God rules the universe for me...for me...for me...for my everlasting good.

I just read the 105th Psalm: God would allow the heathen to do Israel no wrong.

What? No wrong? They tried to destroy them everywhere they went. Yet, He allowed the heathen to do his people no wrong.

You see, what God brings to pass all your days on this earth does you no wrong, but only good...only good...only good.

It's often painful. It's often difficult. It's often a heavy burden. But it's only good.

Our God rules the universe and overrules all evil for our good and even overrules the evil of our own nature, the evil of our own behavior, the evil of our own rebellion and makes it good for us.

Thank you, blessed God for your good providence. We see something of the wonder of God's amazing grace. By grace are you saved.

~Snippets from a recent sermon by Don Fortner. Click Judah, Tamar & the Purpose of God to listen to the sermon in its entirety.


Oh give thanks unto Jehovah, call upon his name; Make known among the peoples his doings. Sing unto him, sing praises unto him; Talk ye of all his marvelous works. Glory ye in his holy name: Let the heart of them rejoice that seek Jehovah. Seek ye Jehovah and his strength; Seek his face evermore. Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, His wonders, and the judgments of his mouth, O ye seed of Abraham his servant, Ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones. He is Jehovah our God: His judgments are in all the earth. He hath remembered his covenant for ever, The word which he commanded to a thousand generations, The covenant which he made with Abraham, And his oath unto Isaac, And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a statute, To Israel for an everlasting covenant, Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, The lot of your inheritance; When they were but a few men in number, Yea, very few, and sojourners in it. And they went about from nation to nation, From one kingdom to another people. He suffered no man to do them wrong; Yea, he reproved kings for their sakes, Saying, Touch not mine anointed ones, And do my prophets no harm. (Psalms 105:1-15)

Lead Me in Thy Way

"Thou shall not kill" is the sixth commandment.

Jesus taught during his ministry that hatred toward an individual is the same as killing.

Killing implies more than just physical death. In human relationships, we can kill another's hopes, dreams and spirit by discouragement and destruction of their character.

The value of human being is continually being reduced today. Americans are growing towards total acceptance of killing. Abortions are received without any sorrow. Now our society is accepting mercy killing of the elderly.

Life is too precious to destroy.

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night," even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me! They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain! Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you? I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! (Psalms 139:1-24)

Commandment for Parents and Children

The first commandment of God dealing with relationships among people has to do with the home; that institution first made by God! The first three chapters of the Bible deal with creation. The ultimate of God's creation is man. He then made woman from man and thus started the first home.

"Honor thy father and mother."

There is much that relates to this command. As children, we are to love, respect and obey our parents. That of course is a difficult task! Also implied is that the parents perform in a fashion that merits the honor. As parents, we have an obligation to meet the needs of our children. Those needs are not limited only to physical, but also emotionally, socially and spiritually.

Far too often I have not been understanding of your needs and for that, I'm sorry.

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad


Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother" (this is the first commandment with a promise), "that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land." Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:1-4)

Oh, how true it is and easy it is to provoke our children to anger. Oh, Holy Spirit. help us to watch our tongues for Christ's sake! Amen.

Sabbath Rest

Commandment 4:
"Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy."

There is the need to continually remind us of this. We are so busy in life that it does us good to follow this commandment.

The children of Israel were not permitted to do any work whatsoever, travel any great distance, or perform any physical activities on the sabbath day.

Besides being a time to relax and refresh, it is a day of recharging! I want to encourage you to follow the habit of attempting to always attend church.

Church is a place where you will hear the truth. It is a place of comfort and genuine direction. Also, it is a place where true friends are.

Don't get too busy to worship God!

Have a great day!
Love,
Dad

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The law is bondage, suitable for slaves. The gospel is freedom, such as children enjoy. The legalist tithes, because he is afraid not to. The believer gives generously, because he has Christ. The legalist strictly observe what he calls the Sabbath day, because he is afraid God will punish him if he breaks it. The believer has ceased from his own works and comes to rest in Christ, the true Sabbath. The difference is, indeed a matter of principle. The principle motivating the legalist and ruling his life is fear and works, hoping to gain acceptance with God either for justification or sanctification, on the basis of his obedience to the law. The believer's principle of life is faith in Christ. His rule of life is love. And his motivation in life is the glory of Christ. -Don Fortner

What Proceedeth Out of the Mouth

"Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain."

Respect towards others is noticed by others. We are in need of continual reminding to hold up others.

Much more important is our attitude toward God. This third commandment deals not only with our tongues in disrespect towards Him, but also what our true feelings are about Him.

Whatever proceeds out of the mouth is an indication of what we have in our heart.

God is to be honored and glorified with our very being. He only is worthy!

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad

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My children do not have a complete understanding of the reasoning behind the rule in our house of "watching your tongue." This is particularly the case when every time they go outside to play, the neighbor kids are using the words that we do not use. It is so important to be "different" from the world; to be aware of what proceeds from our mouth (not just taking the Lord's name in vain), but more importantly what captures the affections of our heart. Is it the things of this world or an heavenward focus? Praying for the latter for our children is paramount to life!

The New Year 2011

I Asked the Lord
(Words by John Newton, 1725-1807)

I asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith and love and every grace
Might more of His salvation know
And seek more earnestly His face

'Twas He who taught me thus to pray
And He I trust has answered prayer
But it has been in such a way
As almost drove me to despair

I hoped that in some favored hour
At once He's answer my request
And by His love's constraining power
Subdue my sins and give me rest

Instead of this He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart
And let the angry powers of Hell
Assault my soul in every part

Yea more with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed
Cast out my feelings, laid me low

Lord why is this, I trembling cried
Wilt thou pursue thy worm to death?
"Tis in this way" The Lord replied
"I answer prayer for grace and faith"

"These inward trials I employ
From self and pride to set thee free
And break thy schemes of earthly joy
That thou mayest seek thy all in me"

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"Help me not to shrink from any cup of suffering you might have prepared for me." -Paul Miller

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Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
(Philippians 3:12-21)

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I will try to pray in the new year that it will be one in which each of us finds our all in Him. May our Lord richly bless you and shine His face upon you in 2011.

Blessings to You on Christmas Day!

"I, Jesus, .... I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star."

The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen.

Come, Lord Jesus!

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.

(Revelation 22:16,17, 20, 21)

"Come unto me." --Matthew 11:28

The cry of the Christian religion is the gentle word, "Come." The Jewish law harshly said, "Go, take heed unto thy steps as to the path in which thou shalt walk. Break the commandments, and thou shalt perish; keep them, and thou shalt live." The law was a dispensation of terror, which drove men before it as with a scourge; the gospel draws with bands of love. Jesus is the good Shepherd going before His sheep, bidding them follow Him, and ever leading them onwards with the sweet word, "Come." The law repels, the gospel attracts. The law shows the distance which there is between God and man; the gospel bridges that awful chasm, and brings the sinner across it.

From the first moment of your spiritual life until you are ushered into glory, the language of Christ to you will be, "Come, come unto me." As a mother puts out her finger to her little child and woos it to walk by saying, "Come," even so does Jesus. He will always be ahead of you, bidding you follow Him as the soldier follows his captain. He will always go before you to pave your way, and clear your path, and you shall hear His animating voice calling you after Him all through life; while in the solemn hour of death, His sweet words with which He shall usher you into the heavenly world shall be--"Come, ye blessed of my Father."

Nay, further, this is not only Christ's cry to you, but, if you be a believer, this is your cry to Christ--"Come! come!" You will be longing for His second advent; you will be saying, "Come quickly, even so come Lord Jesus." You will be panting for nearer and closer communion with Him. As His voice to you is "Come," your response to Him will be, "Come, Lord, and abide with me. Come, and occupy alone the throne of my heart; reign there without a rival, and consecrate me entirely to Thy service."

Morning and Evening, Charles H. Spurgeon, December 16.

December 23

Behold the Lamb of God
Words by Andrew Peterson
Music by Andrew Peterson & Laura Story

Behold, the Lamb of God
Who takes away our sin
Behold the Lamb of God
The life and light of men
Behold the Lamb of God
Who died and rose again
Behold the Lamb of God who comes
To take away our sin

Broken hearts--behold our broken hearts
Fallen far--we need you
Behold the Lamb of God

Chorus

Son of God--Emmanuel
Son of Man--we need you
Behold the Lamb
The hope of man
Behold the Lamb of God


You can listen to the entire performance here. Click on "Behold the Lamb of God" to just listen to this song.