Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to thee.
E'en though it be a cross,
That raiseth me
Still all my song shall be,
Nearer, my God, to thee
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to thee.
Though like the wanderer,
The sun gone down
Darkness be over me,
My rest a stone,
Yet in my dreams I'd be,
Nearer, my God, to thee
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to thee.
There let the way appear,
Steps unto heaven
All that Thou sendest me,
In mercy given
Angels to beckon me,
Nearer, my God, to thee
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to thee.
Then with my waking thoughts
Bright with Thy praise
Out of my stony griefs
Bethel I'll raise
So by my woes to be,
Nearer, my God, to thee
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to thee.
Or if on joyful wing,
Cleaving the sky
Sun, moon, and stars forgot,
Upward I fly
Still all my song shall be,
Nearer, my God, to thee
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to thee!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
What has been on my MIND lately...
I am not yet sure or convinced that Pre-trib (my congregation adheres to pre-trib!) or Pre-wrath is the more scriptural position, although they are pretty similar.
I am convinced about divine election... absolutely! I have not "fully", I guess you could say, formed an opinion if election is:
1) Corporate election meaning the church (the called out ones). "You", as in 'you' plural in being corporately "in Christ" and therefore the elect of God or 2) individual election ex. God has chosen "you" in Christ singularly to be saved? We are dealing with what God thought here ladies and gentlemen... HOLY GROUND!!! Seriously though, these are honest questions from my heart (a heart God knows more than I do)...
Question: are the words like "you", "us", and "those whom" refer to the Church (corporate) or me (as individual) only? Or, is the answer to this like many other doctrines simply "yes"!?
I just started reading a book dealing with this subject called, "Perspectives" -five views on Election.
I also have not formed a solid position on whether or not the gift of tongues has ceased... again, looking into that (although my assembly teaches that they have ceased and are no longer in operation) with another book by zondervan on the different (4) views about this question.
When dealing with how God operates, I am aware of these passages...
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Is. 55:8, 9.
Deut. 29:29, "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law."
Interesting that the verse in Deut. 29:29b says, "...but the things that are revealed belong to us..."
Is this a "hidden" thing for us, or something that the Lord has "revealed" in His Word for us? Hmmm?
Well thanks again for listening,
In Christ,
Jake.
Phil. 3:10
I am convinced about divine election... absolutely! I have not "fully", I guess you could say, formed an opinion if election is:
1) Corporate election meaning the church (the called out ones). "You", as in 'you' plural in being corporately "in Christ" and therefore the elect of God or 2) individual election ex. God has chosen "you" in Christ singularly to be saved? We are dealing with what God thought here ladies and gentlemen... HOLY GROUND!!! Seriously though, these are honest questions from my heart (a heart God knows more than I do)...
Question: are the words like "you", "us", and "those whom" refer to the Church (corporate) or me (as individual) only? Or, is the answer to this like many other doctrines simply "yes"!?
I just started reading a book dealing with this subject called, "Perspectives" -five views on Election.
I also have not formed a solid position on whether or not the gift of tongues has ceased... again, looking into that (although my assembly teaches that they have ceased and are no longer in operation) with another book by zondervan on the different (4) views about this question.
When dealing with how God operates, I am aware of these passages...
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Is. 55:8, 9.
Deut. 29:29, "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law."
Interesting that the verse in Deut. 29:29b says, "...but the things that are revealed belong to us..."
Is this a "hidden" thing for us, or something that the Lord has "revealed" in His Word for us? Hmmm?
Well thanks again for listening,
In Christ,
Jake.
Phil. 3:10
Friday, September 12, 2008
GOD'S AGAPE LOVE
I only love God in return, because He lavished His love upon me. He showed it to me and gave it to me...
I think of those verses that say this (italics added):
"We love because he first loved us." 1John4:19.
"We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?" 1John 3:16, 17.
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us." 1 John 4:7-12.
I love my Lord. I love the Lord Jesus Christ because He loved me first. I love Him because of Who He is and What He has done and continues to do!
Remember, "we love (Him), because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19. Nearer my God to thee!!!
In Christ,
Phil. 3:10.
I think of those verses that say this (italics added):
"We love because he first loved us." 1John4:19.
"We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?" 1John 3:16, 17.
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us." 1 John 4:7-12.
I love my Lord. I love the Lord Jesus Christ because He loved me first. I love Him because of Who He is and What He has done and continues to do!
Remember, "we love (Him), because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19. Nearer my God to thee!!!
In Christ,
Phil. 3:10.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
I woke up this morning, meditating on a few verses...
Psalm 86:12-13 "I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell."
"O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy." Psalm. 107:1, 2.
For there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" Romans 10:12-15.
And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." Mark 16:15.
Don't you thank God you're spared!!!!?
Always remember, the gospel is about Christ (1Cor. 15:1-4).
Christ is the glory of God (see Rom. 3:23, 2Cor 4:6).
Our motivation is the love of Christ (2Cor. 5:14), our love to Christ (Lk. 7:37-38), and Christ's love in us (Rom. 9:1-3).
REMEMBER!!! ITS ALL ABOUT CHRIST AND NOT YOU: "But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, "LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD." 1Cor. 1:30-31.
Father, I pray for no boasting in my heart. Forbid it Lord that I should boast, "except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.." May you ALONE be glorified in this body "whether by death or by life." Thank you for loving us first Lord, I pray this all in your Son's lovely name! Amen.
"O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy." Psalm. 107:1, 2.
For there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" Romans 10:12-15.
And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." Mark 16:15.
Don't you thank God you're spared!!!!?
Always remember, the gospel is about Christ (1Cor. 15:1-4).
Christ is the glory of God (see Rom. 3:23, 2Cor 4:6).
Our motivation is the love of Christ (2Cor. 5:14), our love to Christ (Lk. 7:37-38), and Christ's love in us (Rom. 9:1-3).
REMEMBER!!! ITS ALL ABOUT CHRIST AND NOT YOU: "But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, "LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD." 1Cor. 1:30-31.
Father, I pray for no boasting in my heart. Forbid it Lord that I should boast, "except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.." May you ALONE be glorified in this body "whether by death or by life." Thank you for loving us first Lord, I pray this all in your Son's lovely name! Amen.
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