April 1, 2018


HYMN OF THE DAY
Father of mercies, in thy word

What endless glory shines!
Forever be thy name adored
For these celestial lines.

Here, may the wretched sons of want
Exhaustless riches find;
Riches above what earth can grant,
And lasting as the mind.

Here, the Redeemer’s welcome voice
Spreads heav’nly peace around;
And life and everlasting joys
Attend the blissful sound.

O may these heav’nly pages be
My ever dear delight;
And still new beauties may I see,
And still increasing light.

Divine Instructor, gracious Lord,
Be Thou forever near;
Teach me to love Thy sacred word
And view my Savior there.

Tune: Amazing Grace, #236

We hated Him without a cause. He loved us without a cause. - A. Peet

CHRIST IS ALL

Looking at my sin, I see Christ as my atonement and only Christ. Looking at God’s Law, I see Christ as my righteousness, my only righteousness. I’m not making up what I can’t provide; He is my only righteousness. Looking at God’s justice, He is my justification. Looking at death, He is my life. Looking at the grave, He is my resurrection. Looking at eternity, He is my hope. - Henry T. Mahan

BLESSED BIBLE TRUTH OF ELECTION

Who chose whom? When was this choice made? Why did God choose us? How did God choose us? Does the Bible teach election? These are easy questions to answer. The word "elect" or "election" is found 23 times in the New Testament alone. You cannot be honest with the Word of God and deny the Bible teaches it. Now, let’s consider the bigger question. What does election mean? The word "elect" means "to choose out, to pick, to select" I have heard people say, "Election is hard to understand." I don't believe that! It may be hard to receive, but it is not hard to understand. Paul defines this truth quite simply in the first chapter of Ephesians...."According as he hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world.” God literally chose who would be saved before time began (Romans 9:ll, II Thess. 2:13, II Tim. 1:9).

Ephesians Chapter 1 answers four questions about election:

1. WHO chose whom? It says "He hath chosen us" If you are a believer, it is not because you chose God, but because He chose you. Did not the Lord say in John 15:16 "For ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you."

2. WHEN was this choice made? Many try to sidestep the truth of election by saying God chose us when we chose Him. But Eph. 1:4 says, “He hath chosen us before the foundation of the world.”The Biblical doctrine of election clearly states that God's choice preceded ours. He made the choice "before the foundation of the world."

3. WHY did God choose us? Again many say that He chose us because He foresaw we would believe. God choose us simply because He willed to, not because of any foreseen faith or good works in us Romans 9:11 says. "For the children, being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil that the purpose of God according to election might stand."

4. HOW did God choose us? In Christ. Election is God's sovereign choice of His people in Christ. He chose them in His Son before the foundation of the world to be saved. Election is in Christ and cannot be understood apart from Him. The elect were not chosen arbitrarily but "in the Beloved” (Eph. I: 6). They were redeemed by Him and they all come to Him... "All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). - Pastor

WHO IS THIS THAT DARKENETH COUNSEL BY WORDS WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE? (JOB 38:2)

A nearby Christian church building has the following statement on their sign: “God is in control. Let Him have his way.” Does anyone see the inconsistency in such a statement? Many cars pass the sign each day, and I assume that some drivers must read it. It must be true that only in things relating to God can man be so gullible. The reason is because of man’s spiritual blindness.

The Lord’s question to Job at the heading of this article surely applies to whoever posted that statement. The words are devoid of knowledge. The knowledge of Scripture that reveals the truth concerning the Sovereign Lord God. “For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it?” (Isaiah 14:27). “The purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.” (Ephesians 1:11).

The first definition for the word “let” is to “permit.” Does man “permit” God? Does God ask man’s permission or does God do as Nebuchadnezzar said? “He doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” (Daniel 4:35).

God asks this question in Isaiah 45:13, “Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?” In this text, the question is: “I will work, and who shall let [“impede it,” or “not permit”] it?” The answer is understood that none are able to impede or hinder God from working His will