Psalm 71:18-19

Live in an Attitude of Thanksgiving and Prayer

The Apostle Paul says, “Rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing and give thanks to God in all things” (1 Thess. 5:16-18). This is the will of God; that we rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks. What we are, what we have, where we are, and all that happens in the life of a believer are all according to the will of God for us.

Let us rejoice in prosperity or adversity and live in an attitude of thanksgiving and prayer, even when we have no particular request. Very ungrateful is the man who does not set so high a value on the love of God, the righteousness of Christ, and the hope of eternal life that he allows anything in this life to overshadow that wonderful gift of grace.

How can I murmur and complain when I am a child of the King of kings? Pastor Henry T. Mahan (bulletin 1986)

Speak Of God According To The Truth

God is not the little old man upstairs. He is a consuming fire, even a jealous God (Deut. 4:24). God is not softly and tenderly calling sinners to let Him have His way in their life. Our Holy God is commanding men and women everywhere to repent and turn from their transgressions so iniquity shall not be their ruin. (Ex. 18:30) God does not love everybody, He loves those that He gave Christ before the foundation of the world (Eph.1:4). Christ did not die for everyone. He died only for those that God chose to be conformed to His image (Rom. 8:29). I wish men and women would speak of God according to the Truth of His Word, instead of ignorantly in unbelief.

Pastor David Eddmenson

NO CONDEMNATION AND NO SEPARATION

Consider this dreadful truth for a moment. Our sin in fallen Adam charged to us has separated us from God, "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God" (Isaiah 59:2). In Adam we are, "Estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies." (Psalm 58:3). In Adam death and sin entered into us, "By one-man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men" (Rom. 5:12).

But now consider this glorious truth for a moment. Our sin has been separated from us forever. Our Blessed Saviour came in the flesh apart from sin(Rom. 8:3)and in our nature to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself (Heb. 9:26; Gal. 4:4-6; 1 John 3:5).Now because of His glorious, full and eternal atonement for sin the believer has no sin (Heb. 10:14-17).Our Lord said, "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us" (Psalm 103:12). He has also assured us that He remembers our sin no more, "their sins and iniquities will I remember no more" (Heb. 10:17).This is the good news of the gospel no condemnation and no separation but rather eternal reconciliation (Rom. 8:1, 32-39; 2Cor. 5:17-21).

REPENTANCE
“For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge!” (2 Cor. 7:11).

Now Paul gives us seven evidences of true, sincere and genuine-godly repentance that is the gift of God.

1). What carefulness (eagerness, diligence and haste) it wrought in you; to correct our behavior before God and to avoid future offences, diligence and carefulness; as opposed to our past negligence in the gospel and in spiritual matters. (1Thes. 1:4-9).

2). What clearing of yourself; not by denying our sin, (what we are before God) and our guilt (because of our transgressions against God), but rather by confessing and owning them and seeking forgiveness for them only thru Christ; (1John 1:7-9; Heb. 9:12-14).

3). What indignation, (righteous anger), not against God's holy law, nor against God's servant for declaring the truth, but rather against our own selves, because of our own sin and foolishness. For true repentance is taking God's side against ourselves because of our own folly and sin. (Job 42:5-6; Isa. 6:5; Rom. 7:24-25).

4). What fear; (alarm) not of eternal condemnation; (Rom. 8:1); no condemnation to them that are in Christ, but rather of the Father's disapproval and chastisement, and the fear of bringing reproach on the gospel of Christ. Prov. 16:6; "By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil." What fear and reverence the Lord does give us when He grants unto us repentance; (Psalm 111:9).

5). What a vehement desire; (longing for) to honor God and to live for His glory in the present evil world. When God gives repentance He changes our desires, of self-glory, self-centeredness, self-righteousness to seeking His glory; (Gal. 6:14; Phil. 3:7-14).

6). What zeal; to promote God's gospel; (1 Peter 2:9). To stand for the true gospel of grace in Christ, having nothing to do with those who promote salvation by deeds of the law; (Gal. 1:7-10; 2:16).