Psalm 25:14-18

Read the Scriptures with Your Eyes Open

I can understand how men and women who have never read or heard the Word of God preached can look to and depend on their works and self-righteousness to make them acceptable before God; for this seems logical to the natural mind which knows nothing of God, sin, righteousness, and divine holiness.

But I cannot understand how any person who has read the Scriptures can fail to see that salvation is by grace alone through the merits and death of the Lord Jesus Christ. “To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:43).

Pastor Henry T. Mahan (Bulletin 1985)

The Providence of God

As a wise, skilled pharmacist mixes medicine — so our heavenly Father wisely mixes exactly the right measure of bitter things and sweet, to do us good.

Too much joy would intoxicate us.

Too much misery would drive us to despair.

Too much sorrow would crush us.

Too much suffering would break our spirits.

Too much pleasure would ruin us.

Too much failure would keep us from doing anything.

Too much criticism would harden us.

Too much praise would make us proud.

Our great God knows exactly what we need. By His grace, if we are His — we will bow to His Providence, accept it, and give thanks for it.

God's Providence is always executed in the 'wisest manner' possible. We are often unable to see and understand the reasons and causes for specific events in our lives, in the lives of others, or in the history of the world. But our lack of understanding does not prevent us from believing God. We bow to His will, which is evident in His works of Providence, and say, "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!"

The God of Providence rules all things well. How we ought to trust Him! Ever remember, our heavenly Father is God all wise, good, and omnipotent. He is too wise to err,
too good to do wrong, and too strong to fail!

Pastor Don Fortner

There is a chorus that we love to sing which says: “Did you hear what the Lord Jesus said to me? They’re all taken away, away! Thy sins are pardoned, and you are free. They’re all taken away!”With that good news declaration being proclaimed to sinners in the word of God, the apostle Paul said: “Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:13,14).

As we leave one year and enter into a new year, may this thought bring great joy to our hearts: In the Lord Jesus Christ our old, dark past has been dealt with and put away. It is over! And the only thing that awaits us ahead is the new light of a sinless eternity with Christ! He is our “mark” let’s press toward Him! Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

2019

What will this year 2019 bring our way? Everything the Lord has wisely decreed in His eternal purpose for us to experience (Rom. 11:36; Eph. 1:11).

The Lord gave David these words in Psalm 37:23; “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” Our Lord Jesus Christ told His disciples in their day; “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

The apostle Paul declares that every believer has won the victory of salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ forever; “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:57).

We can be assured by the word of our blessed God and Saviour; that every promise of God will be fulfilled (Joshua 23:14; 2 Peter 1:3-4); that our gracious Lord will provide for our every need (Phil. 4:19); that He will never leave us or forsake us (Heb. 13:5-6).