God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. Psalm 46:1-4
Don’t Chew on the Briars
There is not a preacher – living or dead – with whom you cannot find fault, either in what he says, what he writes, or what he does. Perfection is only found in our Lord. “I find no fault in HIM.” His ambassadors, however, are human and not only subject to mistakes, but prone to error, except they are kept, led, and taught by the Holy Spirit.
Let us be patient with one another, pray for one another, and look for the good and not the bad. Don’t chew on the briars in a message or an article. Even a donkey knows enough to eat the hay and spit out the briars! Pastor Henry T. Mahan (Bulletin 1986)
Sins Taken Away
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
FORGIVENESS
Many people suffer the “tormentors” (Matthew 18:34) of an unforgiving heart. When the suffering becomes unbearable, they search the dark dungeons of their already enslaved heart for the ability and virtue to forgive. They may temporarily escape their prison cell only to be captured and returned. The problem is that the power to forgive cannot be found in a sinner’s heart. The ability to forgive is very simply the result of being forgiven. Look not on the offense, or offender you are trying to forgive. Rather, look at the offense of your own sin towards God, and His grace to forgive YOU through the suffering of the Lord Jesus Christ. Forgiving will be easy in light of your own forgiveness.
Pastor Greg Elmquist
“Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith”(Hebrews 12:2).
1. True faith is looking unto the Lord Jesusand not to my faith! It is not when, where, or how, but WHOM!
2. True faith is looking to the Lord Jesus and not to my works. Their presence nor absence is not my righteousness. He is my righteousness.
3. True faith is looking unto the Lord Jesusand not to my trials. As long as Peter looked to Christ, he walked! When he looked to the wind and waves; he sank!
4. True faith is looking to the Lord Jesusand not to the means of grace. We must not confuse the doctrines of grace and the means of grace with grace itself . . . HIMSELF! Reading the Bible, prayer, worship, offerings, study and orthodoxy, baptism and good works; are all means of grace and growth – but only looking to Christ as our all in all keeps them from becoming filthy rags. copied
New Year 2020
What will this year 2020 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). As the old writers used to express it; “The Lord will give us all grace now and glory forever. We don’t know what the future holds but we know who holds the future.” (Psalm 31:15).
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