January 5, 2014

Church Website: sermonaudio.com/dleeb

Gary Williams will be taking care the Wednesday Service this week. Brad Hardman and Obie Williams will take care of the Sunday services. Give these faithful men a good hearing, I do so appreciate them.

If we knew how needy we are, we would not neglect to pray. If we knew how vile we are, we would not fail to thank Him for His mercy. If we knew how glorious He is, we would not cease to praise Him. If we knew how soon we will be with Him, we would not be discouraged. - Copied

BE WATCHING

Mark 4: 35: And the same day, when the even was come, they had just spent all day hearing the Lord Jesus Christ preach the gospel and work miracles. Their hearts were calm. By evening they were in a severe storm. Is it not so with us, brethren? It may be a storm of rejection from loved ones, a great wind of worldliness, a storm of careless presumption or some other fleshly thing. How often we start carelessly admiring the sunset and take our eyes off Christ. But no matter from where the storm arises, knowing we are apt to be surprised by the storm of trial, and knowing Christ is our only calm from the storm, what should believers always be doing? Be watching for both! (1 Thess 5: 6-8; 1 Pet 5: 8-9) - Clay Curtis

If we knew how needy we are, we would not neglect to pray. If we knew how vile we are, we would not fail to thank Him for His mercy. If we knew how glorious He is, we would not cease to praise Him. If we knew how soon we will be with Him, we would not be discouraged. - Copied

"THEN"

Over the experience of God's children there is ever an unchanging testimony. "Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses." (Psa. 107:6,13,19,28).

Oh that it did not take trouble to make us cry out to our Lord! But it must or He would not send it. The marvelous thing is that God, as a Father pitying His child, still hears our cry and delivers us out of our distresses. What is my distress today? How could I have gone so long without crying out to God? Hear, O God, the weak cry of this sinner without strength! - Pastor Gary Shepard

"I am not one of God's elect because of something good God saw in me. There never was, is not now, and never will be any good in our flesh. "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing." Paul said he knew it. The problem with most religious folks is that they don't know it and until they do, they will continue to brag and boast of what they have done for God.

I am not one of God's elect because of something God saw I would do. Left to my own will, I would have continued in darkness and even now would depart from God.

I am not one of God's elect because God needed me. It bothers me when we leave the impression with anyone that God, or the church of the Lord Jesus can profit in any way from our presence, influence or gifts. When will we ever learn that we are receivers and beggars? There is not one ounce of goodness in any son of Adam that could be used to commend one's self to God. 'What hast thou that thou didst not receive?

'By the grace of God, I am what I am. It was grace that set me apart before time was. It was His grace that laid hold of me when I was in the pit and brought me to the Lord Jesus. And if it be my lot to continue in the faith, to grow in faith and love, to die in hope, and be raised in glory, it will be all of grace. Thanks be unto Him who alone is worthy of glory and honor."

'Here I raise my Ebenezer; Hither by Thy help I'm come,
And I hope by Thy good pleasure; Safely to arrive at home.'

- Scott Richardson

An Everlasting Covenant

2 Sam. 23. 5

Come, saints, and sing in sweet accord,
With solemn pleasure tell,
The covenant made with David's Lord;
In all things ordered well.

This covenant stood ere time began,
That God with man might dwell;
Eternal wisdom drew the plan;
In all things ordered well.

This covenant, O believer, stands,
Thy rising fears to quell;
Sealed by thy Surety's bleeding hands;
In all things ordered well.

'Twas made with Jesus, for his bride,
Before the sinner fell;
'Twas signed, and sealed, and ratified;
In all things ordered well.

When rolling worlds depart on fire,

And thousands sink to hell,
This covenant shall the saints admire;
In all things ordered well.

In glory, soon, with Christ their King,
His saints shall surely dwell;
And this blest covenant ever sing;
In all things ordered well.