“Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. For our gospel came not unto you in Word only, but also in Power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.” 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 ----- The Glorious Gospel Words by: S. Stennett Tune: Amazing Grace - N. Johnson 1. What wisdom, majesty, and grace Through all the gospel shine! ’Tis God that speaks, and we confess The doctrine most divine. 2. Down from His shining throne on high The Almighty Savior comes, Lays His bright robes of glory by, And feeble flesh assumes. 3. The mighty debt His chosen owed Upon the cross He pays; Then through the clouds ascends to God, ’Midst shouts of loftiest praise. 4. There He, our great High Priest, appears Before His Father’s throne; There on His breast our names He wears, And counts our cause His own. -----
The Wonders of His Providence! "A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps." Proverbs 16:9 "There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand." Proverbs 19:21 "Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?" Proverbs 20:24 Do not judge divine providence in little pieces — it is a grand mosaic, and must be seen as a whole. The Lord's wisdom is seen in arranging the smallest events so as to produce great results. We frequently hear people say of a pleasant or a great event, "What providence! This is the finger of God!" — while they are silent as to anything which appears less important, or has an unpleasant savor. But the place of the flower upon the hillside — is as fixed as the station of a king! And the dust which is raised by a cart-wheel — is as surely steered by divine providence as the planet in its orbit! There is as much providence in the creeping of an insect upon a rose leaf — as in the marching of an army to ravage a continent! Everything, the most minute, as well as the most magnificent — is ordered by the Lord who has prepared His throne in the heavens, whose kingdom rules over all. Whatever the event may be, the attentive eye will as clearly see the Lord's providential hand. I am sure that God is in the world, yes, and is at my own fireside, and in my chamber — and manages my affairs, and orders all things for me, and for each one of His redeemed children. We need no miracles to convince us of His working, the wonders of His providence are as great marvels as miracles themselves. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose!" Romans 8:28 --Charles Spurgeon ***** He Is Sovereign Lord of All! Christ, as He is God, is infinitely great and high above all. He is higher than the kings of the earth, for He is King of kings, and Lord of lords. He is higher than the heavens, and higher than the highest angels of heaven. So great is He, that all men, all kings and princes, are as worms of the dust before Him. All nations are as the drop of the bucket, and the light dust of the balance, yes, and angels themselves are as nothing before Him. He is so high, that He is infinitely above any need of us, so above our reach that we cannot be profitable to Him, and so above our conceptions that we cannot comprehend Him. Christ is the Creator and great Possessor of heaven and earth. He is sovereign Lord of all! He rules over the whole universe and does whatsoever pleases Him. His knowledge is without bound. His wisdom is perfect, and what none can circumvent. His power is infinite, and none can resist Him. His riches are immense and inexhaustible. His majesty is infinitely full of awe. Yet, His condescension is sufficient to take a gracious notice of the most unworthy, sinful creatures, those that have no good deservings, and those that have infinite ill-deservings. --Jonathan Edwards ***** Daily Readings - December 18-24, 2016 Sunday - Hebrews 11-13 Monday - James 1-5 Tuesday - 1 Peter 1-2 Wednesday-1 Peter 3-5 Thursday -2 Peter 1-3 Friday -1 John 1-3 Saturday -1 John 4-5