Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.”
~~~~~
The GRAND DESIGN of the Heavenly Father in creation, providence, and salvation is to have a new heaven and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness, populated by a holy people out of all nations, perfectly conformed to the likeness of His Son. This work He gave to our Lord Jesus in the eternal council and covenant to accomplish, to perfect, and to deliver to Him at the end. And “He shall not fail nor be discouraged ‘til it is done’.” --Pastor Henry Mahan
~~~~~
The Lord is King! Author: Josiah Conder Tune: Doxology (Louis Bourgeous) 1. The Lord is king! lift up thy voice, O earth; and all ye heav'ns, rejoice! From world to world the joy shall ring, The Lord omnipotent is king.
2. The Lord is king! who then shall dare Resist His will, distrust His care, Or murmur at His wise decrees, Or doubt His royal promises?
3. The Lord is king! Child of the dust, The Judge of all the earth is just; Holy and true are all His ways; Let every creature speak His praise.
4. He reigns! ye saints, exalt your strains; Your God is king, your Father reigns; And He is at the Father's side, The Man of love, the Crucified.
5. Come, make your wants, your burdens known; He will present them at the throne; And angel bands are waiting there His messages of love to bear.
~~~~~ Giving Ourselves to Worship There is nothing that the church does that is more important than assembling to worship Christ. To gather in order to honor Christ through praying, preaching and hearing the Gospel is such an important thing that each of us should approach it very seriously. Let each one prepare himself in heart and body so as to arrive on time, having the heart clothed with a desire to hear from Christ and the body dressed modestly so as not to attract attention to one’s self. Let each of us enter into every song and prayer, closing out the thoughts of the world and all the cares it loads on us. Let each of us listen to the Word of God with the intensity of baby birds chirping for food. In short, let each of us give himself to worship in this hour as though there were nothing better or more important in all the world to do - because there isn't. --Pastor Joe Terrell ~~~~~ “Ye Are Complete in Him (Christ)” The believer’s standing in Christ does not fluctuate with his feelings, not even the increase or decrease of his faith or understanding or anything else. He stands complete in Christ. God would never trust any of His children to stand before Him at any time in their own selves - that is, in their merits or certain good frames of mind. He knows our frame. He remembers that we are yet dust. Therefore, He has on purpose provided for them this perfect standing in Christ Jesus. “Ye are complete in Him,” the Holy Ghost said. He says in another place, “Ye are perfect in Christ Jesus,” (Col. 1:28.) The very nature of our God requires us to be perfect and complete before Him at all times. He, out of necessity, therefore, provided all this for His children: a perfection, a completeness, which can never be diminished. It is as unchanging as God Himself, (Heb. 6:17; 13:8). Every true believer may walk through this world in perfect liberty, free from anything and everything - yes, even his sin, fear of condemnation, and all else that would cause him to doubt of his completeness. He may freely come to God, worship Him, call Him “Father,” and this he may do at all times with the utmost confidence and thankfulness, because in Christ he stands, first and foremost and always, complete before God. O thanks be to God for Jesus Christ. --Pastor Bruce Crabtree ~~~~~ Let us look upon a crucified Christ as the remedy of all our miseries. His cross has procured a crown—and His passion has expiated our transgressions. His death has disarmed the law—and His blood has washed a believer’s soul. His death is the destruction of our enemies, the spring of our happiness, and the eternal testimony of divine love! --Stephen Charnock
~~~~~
Daily Readings January 12-18
12 - Genesis 29-30; Matthew 9:1-17 13 - Genesis 31-32; Matthew 9:18-38 14 - Genesis 33-35; Matthew 10:1-20 15 - Genesis 36-38; Matthew 10:21-42 16- Genesis 39-40; Matthew 11 17- Genesis 41-42; Matthew 12:1-23 18 - Genesis 43-45; Matthew 12:24-50