"The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with." (Proverbs 17:14) *************************************************************************** SING THE PRAISES OF JEHOVAH TUNE TO "COME THOU FOUNT" 8.7.8.7. Words by JIM BYRD
1. Sing the praises of Jehovah, For His free and sovereign grace; In His purpose God determined, He would save a chosen race. Sing the praises of Jehovah, For the Gift of His dear Son; None but Jesus Christ could save us, God and Man, the Holy One.
2. Sing the praises of Jehovah. Who sent Christ the Lamb Who died; He accomplished our salvation, All His sons are justified. Sing the praises of Jehovah, For the cross of Calvary; Jesus satisfied the Father, Set His captive people free.
3. Sing the praises of Jehovah, For the Spirit’s work within; He revealed to us the Savior, And made known our guilt of sin. Sing the praises of Jehovah, Honor Him with thankfulness; Bless His Name, the Lord has saved us, By Christ’s blood and righteousness. *************************************************************************** CONGREGATIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS TODAY: MORNING: REVELATION 6 EVENING: LUKE 13:18-35
*************************************************************************** THE LION IS THE LAMB "Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth" (Revelation 5:5-6).
This passage records a portion of the vision John saw when heaven was opened and he was called to "come up hither" (Revelation 4:1). He saw the triumphant Shiloh as the Lion of the tribe of Judah Who slays His enemies and gathers and protects His offspring (read Genesis 49:8-10). And yet, John also saw Him as a Lamb Who died for His chosen ones to satisfy justice and put away their sins. Note the words, "as it had been slain." The Lamb is worthy to intercede for sinners and rule the world by sovereign power because He finished the work of redemption the Father gave Him. John observed that the Lamb had "seven horns and seven eyes." He has perfect power, knowledge and wisdom to execute His eternal will.
"He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne" (verse 7). John attentively watched the Lion-Lamb take the scroll of eternal decrees out of the hand of Him that sat upon the throne. This is the volume of predestination containing the divine will regarding everything. All things are working toward the completion of God’s eternal purpose of grace -- the salvation of a chosen people and the exaltation of their Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He alone was found worthy to receive the book, open its seals, and bring to pass everything God has ordained. The mighty Savior took the book, not by force or fraud, but by right because He "prevailed." By His death and resurrection He has gotten the victory over sin, Satan, the world and the grave. He earned the privilege of universal dominion by establishing righteousness for those entrusted to Him by the Father in the everlasting election of grace. Little wonder then that when the Lion-Lamb received the book, saved sinners of every age erupt into praise. All the ransomed delightfully acknowledge His worthiness to loose the seals of the book for He redeemed His people. "Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth" (verse 9). –Pastor Jim Byrd *************************************************************************** A FULL-TIME ADVOCATE "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous" (1 John 2:1). This Scripture encourages the believer to trust and hope in the mercy of God AT ALL TIMES! It does not say, "If any man is holy, prayerful, and always faithful, he has an Advocate;" but it says, "If any man SIN, he has an Advocate with the Father." It does not say, "If any man sins he forfeits his right to Christ’s advocacy." Grace that can be forfeited because of human failure is not grace at all. Mercy that is conditioned upon the merit of the creature is not mercy at all. If my title to glory rests upon my works, either BEFORE OR AFTER conversion, it is a total failure. This scripture declares that at all times, under all circumstances, Jesus Christ is our Righteousness, our Sanctification, our Advocate, and our Redemption. So when I sin, when I consider my past or present and come creeping to my closet with a guilty conscience and an aching heart, I can rejoice in the mercy of my Father, for I have an advocate – "Jesus Christ the Righteous!" –Henry Mahan
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