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Words by S. Stennett Tune to Amazing Grace

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.

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Colossians 3:15 "...let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful."

This week marked the two year anniversary of our arrival here in Almont. My family and I have loved the time we have spent with all of you. It is a great blessing to be here. I cannot tell you how much of an honor and a privilege I count it to be your Pastor.

By God's grace and strength, I look forward to many more years with you and look forward to getting to know you more and more as the years pass.

Words cannot express how I feel about you, and it is amazing to me how quickly the Lord has knit all of our hearts together. I am so very thankful to God for all of you and covet your prayers.

Let us seek to give all the glory, honor and praise to our great God and King, the Lord Jesus Christ, for all the wondrous things He has done in our lives and in this work!

With much love in Christ, Wayne

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Have I then no work to work in this great matter of my pardon? None!

What work can you work? What work of yours can buy Divine forgiveness - or make you fit for the Divine favor?

What work has God bidden you work in order to obtain salvation? None.

His Word is very plain and easy to be understood,"But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." (Romans 4:5).

There is but one work by which a man can be saved. That work is not yours - but the work of the Son of God. That work is finished. --Horatius Bonar

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"All things are for your sakes." 2 Corinthians 4:15

The great and glorious God, when there was only He in the Trinity of His sacred persons, decreed to create a universe, and in this universe there would be one spot where He would put some creatures He would call man. These creatures would rebel against His authority and die to any fellowship with their Creator. Now God, foreseeing this rebellion purposed to give new life to a portion of mankind, called the elect. God the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, gave Himself to purchase that life. He gave His life for them by the shedding of His blood. He redeemed all those whom the Father gave Him.

The great mystery of all this is that God planned the whole thing and ordered "all things for your sakes." Yes, if you are God's own, purchased by blood, all things in this world are for your sake. Every marriage, every child born, every war, every sickness, every germ, every death, every invention, every raindrop, every disappointment, every trial, every persecution, every blessing, "All things are for your sakes." This causes profound worship in my heart to think that the majestic Sovereign of all should plan the whole thing for me.

In our scripture all things for us leads to the highest purpose. ". . . the more thanksgiving may increase and redound to the glory of God" (AMP). He raised us up and gave us all things for His eternal glory. "That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:7). Oh, eternal wonderful truth of the great God. We are overwhelmed to the point of sitting mute before Him. Believe it, saints, and rejoice in all things because "All things are for your sakes." --Pastor Jack Shanks