September 11, 2016

HYMN OF THE DAY

Poor, weak and worthless though I am
I have a rich almighty Friend;
Jesus, the Savior, is His Name;
He freely loves, and without end.

He ransomed me from hell with His blood,
And by His power my foes controlled;
He found me wandering far from God,
And brought me to His chosen fold.

He bids me always freely come,
And promises whatever I ask:
But I am straitened, cold and dumb,
And count my privilege a task

But He cheers my heart, my wants supplies,
And says that I shall shortly be,
Enthroned with Him above the skies;
O what a Friend is Christ to me!

Tune: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, #118

THE GOD OF ALL GRACE ( I PET. 5:10)

Of all the titles given to our Gracious God in His Word this is one of the most blessed to his people’s heart. He is the God of Sovereign, electing, eternal grace, giving grace to whom He will. There is no grace upon this earth to­wards a man, or manifested in a man, or from a man towards another man except it come from the God of all grace.

His grace is sufficient for every circumstance we are called to upon this earth. It is sufficient for our trials and triumph, joys and sorrows sickness and health, for our contentment and our discontent. We need His grace for every aspect of our lives, not only when we are in trouble, but when we are full and abound. Without grace we would not act or react properly under any circumstance.

His grace is all that enables us to submit to His Word, His will and His ways and do it with the right motive. In fact, His grace in us makes these things to be the paramount motive and the desires of our hearts and lives. His grace establishes us, settles us, strengthens us, and gives us the hope and promise of eternal glory with the Lord Jesus Christ.

So, whether you are smiling, crying, rejoicing or heavy of heart, it is His grace that is with us through it all. We are nothing, know nothing, can do nothing in and of ourselves, but oh the blessed grace of God how pure, how free, how strong, how amazing it is! “But the God of ALL GRACE, who hath called you unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever, Amen” (I Pet.5:1O-11). - Pastor

I am not what I might be, I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I wish to be, I am not what I hope to be; but I thank God I am not what I once was, and I can say with the great apostle, “By the grace of God I am what I am.” - J Newton

"LITTLE THINGS PROVE A MAN'S CHARACTER" Luke 16:10-12

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?

If we do not make good use of God's temporal gifts of providence, we need not expect him to bestow upon us the true riches of spiritual things in everlasting grace and glory. The riches of this world are called "that which is least." Men think riches are great, significant, all important. Man's philosophy is, "Money answered all things." We measure society in terms of wealth. But our Lord calls riches "that which is least," the very least, the most insignificant of God's gifts to men. Spiritual riches, the riches of grace and glory, he calls "that which is much," infinitely, immeasurably much. These are "the UNSEARCHABLE riches of Christ," God's riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Matthew Henry said, "God withholds his grace from covetous, worldly people more than we are aware of." And our Lord said virtually the same things (Lk. 18:25). The riches you think are a blessing may be a curse. The poverty you think is a curse may be a blessing.

The riches of this world are deceitful and uncertain, "unrighteous mammon." Spiritual riches are true riches. I wonder if we really believe that. Those who are rich in faith are truly rich. Those who are rich in grace are infinitely, permanently, perfectly rich, rich in all things (I Cor. 3:21). In Christ all things are ours, all providential things, all temporal things, all gracious things, all spiritual things, all eternal things.

The riches of this world are "another man's." They all belong to God. We are only stewards of them, who use them by God's permission for a very little while. Then we must leave them to another steward. Spiritual, eternal riches are "your own." They are that good part which shall not be taken from us, neither in this world nor in the world to come. That which God imparts to the soul can never be separated from it. It is our very own forever. Christ's righteousness, reward, inheritance, and glory are all ours!