The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. Psalm 121:6-8
Charity Shall Cover the Multitude of Sins”
“Above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins” (I Peter 4:8). And we do all have a multitude of sins. James said, “In many things we offend all” (James 3:2). If I love you, I realize you are like me, a person with a multitude of sins. I do not excuse my sin, or yours. But if I love you I will cover your sins, just like I do not want mine to be exposed. “Love covereth all sins” (Proverbs 10:12), and “He that covereth a transgression seeketh love” (Proverbs 17:9). I am so thankful for His love that has covered my sins with the precious blood of His Son. Oh, that I might be the one who covers, who remains silent, who does not seek to expose my brother’s sin. To do so is contrary to love, for “Charity shall cover the multitude of sins.”
Pastor Todd Nibert
The Lord’s Orchestra in Concert
Our Lord has been pleased to call out a people for His glory all over our country and the world. And in these assemblies of believers our Lord has raised up men to preach, pastor, and teach His Word. They are all earthen vessels, each with different personalities, gifts, talents, and experience; but, they do all have ONE THING IN COMMON – they love Christ and preach His gospel of grace.
Therefore, I pray for them, love them, and desire to ENCOURAGE them in every way that I can. It is an awesome responsibility to preach the word and pastor God’s flock. “Who is sufficient for these things?” We are HIS ORCHESTRA IN CONCERT, not in competition. And when we work together, sing in harmony, and take our own parts conscientiously, the music of the gospel and the fellowship of believers is sweet to the ear and heart. But, when we leave our chair and charge, which the Master Conductor gave to us only, and begin to tell another what to play and how to play his part, we do not fulfill our role and we also hinder him in his.
Peter pointed out to John and said, “What shall this man do?” Our Lord said, “What I have for him to do is no concern of yours – YOU FOLLOW ME!” Pastor Henry T. Mahan (bulletin 1989)
And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.” Rev. 1: 17
John saw Him as the Great High Priest and fell at His feet, obviously conscious of the immeasurable distance of sinfulness in the very presence of sinlessness, as one dead. John saw Him with the eye of understanding and faith, knowing Him to be the only Mediator before God for men and knew Him as the only One able to save to the uttermost those that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them. John fell at His feet in submission as one dead to self and in total need of mercy. O may He be pleased to bless us likewise today. Pastor Marvin Stalnaker
THE LORD GOD OMNIPOTENT REIGNETH
My dear brothers and sisters, as you look around you and observe, with spiritual understanding, what is presently taking place in these United States, both in and out of religion, you are observing the open door to the very foyer of hell. The great majority of religion is deception, apostasy and reprobation, and outside of religion there is a spirit of lawlessness and hatred of authority (especially divine authority) which this country has never before experienced. But do not be dismayed or disheartened, for did not our Master, through His prophets and apostles, tell us that such times would come? And do not be in the least discouraged, for does not our dear Lord and Savior tell us that even “these things” (Romans 8:28), He shall cause to work together for our spiritual and eternal good, and for His glory?
Dear friends, this world has not been given over to Satan as modern Christendom would have us believe, but is under the totalitarian government of Mary’s Son, the Son of God, who is your precious Redeemer. He sits on His sovereign, majestic throne of glory, “working all things after the counsel of his own will” (Ephesians 1:11). He, your Lord and Savior, has all power in heaven, all power in earth, all power over all flesh; and all of His power and works of providence are designed for your good and His glory. “Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth!”
Pastor Maurice Montgomery (1939-2015)
One of the old preachers is reported to have said, “I preach as one who may never preach again, as a dying man to dying men.” How solemn a thought that is to those of us charged with preaching. Let us not tickle the ears of dying men with the trifles of earthly issues and vain religion.
But does this principle not apply in some way to the man who listens? Ought we not say every time we come to worship, “I listen as one who may never hear again, as a dying man among dying men”? God grant us the same seriousness in hearing as we expect in preaching!