Here’s something a little different. I’ve changed the timbre from Piano to Music Box. Changes the whole feel of this song, don’t you think? Lyrics: Unknown, v3 – John Thomas McFarland Music: James R. Murray Away in a manger, no crib for His bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head; The stars in the sky looked down [...]
Lyrics: Edmund S. Lorenz, Jeremiah E. Rankin (translated to English) Music: Edmund S. Lorenz Are you weary, are you heavy hearted? Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus. Are you grieving over joys departed? Tell it to Jesus alone. Refrain: Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus, He is a Friend that’s well known. You’ve no other such a friend or brother, Tell [...] […]
Elisha Hoffman composed this hymn. He died on Nov 25, 1929. Read more about him at http://bit.ly/5y4IO5 Lyrics and Music: Elisha A. Hoffman Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Refrain: Are you [...]
Here’s a chorus only version. Credits to smallchurchmusic.com Heavenly sunshine, heavenly sunshine, Flooding my soul with glory divine, Heavenly sunshine, heavenly sunshine, Hallelujah! Jesus is mine! Some replace the word “sunshine” with “sunlight” and use the following words: Heavenly sunlight, heavenly sunlight, Flooding my s […]
Lyrics: H. J. Zelley Music: George H. Cook Walking in sunlight all of my journey Over the mountains, through the deep vale; Jesus has said, “I’ll never forsake thee,” Promise divine that never can fail. Refrain: Heavenly sunlight, Heavenly sunlight, Flooding my soul with glory divine; Hallelujah! I am rejoicing, Singing His praises, Jesus i […]
Lyrics and Music: Leila N. Morris Nearer, still nearer, close to Thy heart, Draw me, my Savior, so precious Thou art! Fold me, oh, fold me close to Thy breast. Shelter me safe in that Haven of Rest; Shelter me safe in that Haven of Rest. Nearer, still nearer, nothing I bring, Naught as an offering to Jesus, my King; Only my sinful, [...]
Lyrics and Music: Harry D. Clarke Come into my heart, O Lord Jesus, Come into my heart, I pray; My soul is so troubled and weary, Come into my heart, today. Refrain: Into my heart, into my heart, Come into my heart, Lord Jesus; Come in today, come in to stay, Come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Come into my heart, O Lord Jesus, I need [...]
This is a popular Christmas song. Christmas is just slightly over a month away. Josiah Holland wrote about Abraham Lincoln after he was assassinated calling him a “true-hearted Christian”. There’s a song in the air first appeared in The Marble Prophecy and Other Poems in 1872. It was only two years after Josiah’s death in 1881 that [. […]
Lyrics: Clare H. Woolston Music: George F. Root Jesus calls the children dear, “Come to Me and never fear, For I love the little children of the world; I will take you by the hand, Lead you to the better land, For I love the little children of the world.” Refrain: Jesus loves the little children, All the children of the world; Red and yellow, black [...]
Lyrics: Robert M. McCheyne Music: Richard Redhead When this passing world is done When has sunk yon glorious sun When we stand with Christ on high Looking o’er life’s history Then Lord, shall I fully know Not till then how much I owe When I stand before the throne Dress’d in beauty not my own When I see Thee as Thou art Look Thee with unsin […]
Lyrics and Music: George F. Root Come to the Savior, make no delay;Here in His Word He has shown us the way;Here in our midst He’s standing today,Tenderly saying, “Come!” Refrain: Joyful, joyful will the meeting be,When from sin our hearts are pure and free;And we shall gather, Savior, with Thee,In our eternal home. “Suffer the children!” oh, hear [...] […]
This is an original hymn written by Pastor Koshy from Gethsemane BP Church. The phrase “The Holy of Israel” occurs many times in the book of Isaiah. Special thanks to Pastor Koshy for the evening classes on the book of Isaiah. Lyrics and Music: Prabhudas Koshy The Holy One of Israel, Our Re-dee-mer! The Mighty God, Immanuel, Our [...]
This is a catchy children’s hymn with a nice marching tempo. Miss Havergal wrote this hymn based on 1 Chronicles 12:18. Read more about this hymn at http://bit.ly/1rsz3o. Lyrics: Frances R. Havergal Music: C. Luise Reichardt Who is on the Lord’s side? Who will serve the King?Who will be His helpers, other lives to bring?Who will leave the [...]
Here’s another famous Sunday School song. It was written by Philip P. Bliss for his Sunday school class at the First Congregational Church of Chicago, Illinois. Did you know that this hymn, along with “Hold The Fort” were prohibited by the Sultan from use in Turkey? (Sankey, Pg. 134) Lyrics and Music: Philip P. Bliss Standing by [...]
This is another children’s chorus which is based on Ps 118:24 “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” It is sung by Preacher Nathan in both English and Tamil. I hope you enjoy this rendition. Piano is played by Daniel Sim. Lyrics and Music: Traditional This is the [...]
Here’s a charming chorus that I think is quite popular amongst kids. It’s Children’s Day over here in Singapore, so I thought this chorus is quite suitable for this occassion. Credits to http://www.smallchurchmusic.com Lyrics and Music: C. Austin Miles Wide, wide as the ocean, high as the Heaven above; Deep, deep as the deepest sea is my Sa […]
Cleland B. McAfee is known for this one hymn. It is a “one-hit-wonder”. Mr. McAfee wrote the hymn Near to the Heart of God in 1903, after two daughters of his brother Howard died of diphtheria within 24 hours of each other. The choir of Park College went to Howard McAfee’s quarantined house and sang it [...]
Maltbie Babcock, a pastor in Lockport, New York, enjoyed hiking in an area called “the escarpment”-an ancient upthrust ledge near the city. Heading out on such walks, he often proclaimed that “I am going out to see my Father’s world.” And from his vantage point on the escarpment, he had a beautiful view of God’s [...]
Here’s a dramatic, military sounding hymn. The music was written by Adam Geibel who was born 15 Sep 2009, 1855. More at http://bit.ly/jwZve Lyrics: George Duffield Music: Adam Geibel Stand up, stand up for Jesus Ye soldiers of the cross Lift high His royal banner It must not suffer loss From victory unto victory His army shall He lead Till ev’ry […]
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11
Bow the Knee
What a privilege to come into God’s presence,
just to linger with the one who set me free.
As I lift my eyes and see His awesome glory,
I remember who He is and bow the knee.
Bow the knee, bow the knee,
He is king of all the ages, bow the knee!
God alone on His throne,
see Him high and lifted up and bow the knee!
Kneel before Him, all adore Him.
As you live to love Him more, bow the knee.
In His hand He holds the power of creation.
With His voice He spoke and all things came to be.
Yet He hears each simple prayer I bring before Him
when I humbly seek His face and bow the knee.
Bow the knee, bow the knee,
He is king of all the ages, bow the knee!
God alone on His throne, see Him high and lifted up and bow the knee!
Kneel before Him, all adore Him.
As you live to love Him more, bow the knee.
Bow the knee, bow the knee,
He is king of all the ages, bow the knee!
God alone on His throne, see Him high and lifted up and bow the knee!
Kneel before Him, all adore Him.
As you live to love Him more, bow the knee.
Bow the knee. Bow the knee.
"Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul." Job 7:11
Warren Wiersbe
“Our values determine our evaluations. If we value comfort more than character, then trials will upset us. If we value the material and physical more than the spiritual, we will not be able to `count it all joy.’ If we live only for the present and forget the future, then trials will make us bitter, not better”
(Be Mature, [Wheaton, Ill.: Victor, 1978], p.23 by Warren Wiersbe).
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:2-4, 12
As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. James 5:10-11
Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind! Psalm 31:19
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
You, who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?
In every condition, in sickness, in health;
In poverty’s vale, or abounding in wealth;
At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea,
As thy days may demand, shall thy strength ever be.
Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.
When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.
Even down to old age all My people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.
The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.
Words: From A Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors, by // John Rippon, 1787; attributed variously to John Keene, Kirkham, and John Keith. Music:Protection, from A Compilation of Genuine Church Music, by // Joseph Funk (Winchester, Virginia: J. W. Hollis, 1832) Source: www.cyberhymnal.org
Thus says the LORD: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word. (Isa 66:1-2).
“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built! Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant and to his plea, O LORD my God, listening to the cry and to the prayer that your servant prays before you this day, that your eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you have said, ‘My name shall be there,’ that you may listen to the prayer that your servant offers toward this place (1 Kings 8:27-29).
God is immensely bigger than anything existing or what you can even imagine. The God of the Bible is a BIG God. He is not contained by space, that even “the heavens and the heaven of heavens cannot contain” Him (1Kings 8:27). God fills His entire creation, they cannot contain Him (Jer 23:23 – 24). Lets ponder and meditate on this truth about the infinite vastness and immenseness attribute of God. Consciously, lets put the brake on our busy lives, take the time to meditate constantly on this wonderful truth about God. When we grasp the true vastness of heavens, the truth about God’s infinite vastness and immenseness humbles us as we truly behold His greatness and glory and power and dominion. It is important to keep this truth in mind, for John Calvin said “men are never duly touched and impressed with a conviction of their insignificance, until they have contrasted themselves with the majesty of God.”. When we seek to see and understand the vastness of the universe, we will be awe by this truth about God. We will be blessed when we catch a glimpse of His awesome power and glory! Then and only then, true worship can come forth from frail and insignificant creatures. God, THE Creator, He created the earth and the entire universe. He understands the stars and the black holes, for He made them. God is the source of infinite wisdom, we need to search no where else. When we need true wisdom, we look to Him for “if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him”.
As created beings, we ought to be humble when God revealed Himself within the scriptures and when we believe Him, we will be blessed by Him. God, though infinitely vast and immense, is near to those “who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word”, it brings great peace, rejoicing and wonder into the core of our being. We shall then respond like David in that “such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.” (Psalms 139:6). It will always be great joy to hear and believe the good news in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel that God, by His grace and mercy, has appointed one and only one way, one truth and one life that sinners, like you and me, may be reconciled to Him. He is forever a Holy and Just God. As only those who are pure in heart will get to see God. Sinners on our own effort and strength have no hope, we can’t have the purity in our hearts because our sins and unrighteousness condemned us. However, God has made it possible for sinners to come to Him, it is only through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Through Jesus Christ’s great accomplishment at Calvary, God has made a Way. It is through God the Son’s finished work on the cross bearing their sins and atonement, God can redeem sinners to be His children that they might know Jehovah and behold His glory, the infinitely, immensely big God, the great “I AM” Who is near His children and Who hears the prayer and pleading of those who cry out to Him (1Kings 8:28-30).
O God, you search me and you know me.
All my ways lie open to your gaze.
When I walk or lie down, you go before me:
Ever the maker and keeper of my days.
You know my resting and my rising.
You discern my purpose from afar,
and with love everlasting you besiege me:
In ev’ry moment of life or death, you are.
Before a word is on my tongue, Lord,
you have known its meaning through and through.
You are with me beyond my understanding:
God of my present, my past and future too.
Although your Spirit is upon me,
still I search for shelter from your light.
There is nowhere on earth I can escape you:
Even the darkness is radiant in your sight.
For you created me and shaped me,
gave me life within my mother’s womb.
For the wonder of who I am, I praise you:
Safe in your hands, all creation is made new.
Words: Based on Psalms 139
Music: Bernadette Farrell
“To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me! They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain! Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you? I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” Psalm 139: 1-24
From time to time, it is helpful for us to take a good look at who we we are relative to the size of God’s universe, His creation. We will be humbled as we grasp God’s immense and infinite size, God’s immense and infinite power, God’s immense and infinite creativity and God’s immense and infinite beauty. It helps us to remember, we are mere creatures: dust and we are finite.
This video gives a great perspective: who we we are relative to the size of God’s universe, His creation.
The God of the Bible is a big God. He is THE Creator. God is not contained by space, scripture is clear even “the heavens and the heaven of heavens cannot contain” Him (1Ki 8:27). God fills His entire creation, they cannot contain Him (Jer 23:23 – 24).
We are not the centre of the Universe, God is. Let us worship Him !
Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. Psalms 25:4-5
Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. Psalms 25:4-5
Speak, O Lord
Speak, O Lord, as we come to You
To receive the food of Your Holy Word.
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us;
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness,
That the light of Christ might be seen today
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith.
Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us
All Your purposes for Your glory.
Teach us, Lord, full obedience,
Holy reverence, true humility;
Test our thoughts and our attitudes
In the radiance of Your purity.
Cause our faith to rise; cause our eyes to see
Your majestic love and authority.
Words of pow’r that can never fail—
Let their truth prevail over unbelief.
Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds;
Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us—
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time
That will echo down through eternity.
And by grace we’ll stand on Your promises,
And by faith we’ll walk as You walk with us.
Speak, O Lord, till Your church is built
And the earth is filled with Your glory.
Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe - Hebrews 12:28
“My Heart Is Filled with Thankfulness“
My heart is filled with thankfulness
To Him who bore my pain;
Who plumbed the depths of my disgrace
And gave me life again;
Who crushed my curse of sinfulness
And clothed me in His light
And wrote His law of righteousness
With pow’r upon my heart.
My heart is filled with thankfulness
To Him who walks beside;
Who floods my weaknesses with strength
And causes fears to fly;
Whose ev’ry promise is enough
For ev’ry step I take,
Sustaining me with arms of love
And crowning me with grace.
My heart is filled with thankfulness
To him who reigns above,
Whose wisdom is my perfect peace,
Whose ev’ry thought is love.
For ev’ry day I have on earth
Is given by the King;
So I will give my life, my all,
To love and follow him.
The Good Shepherd - "The catacombs are full of Christ"
‘Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.’ Heb 13:20-21
“In Christianity the Lord Jesus Christ is all and in all. “
“THE catacombs are full of Christ. It was to Him that the Christians of the age of persecution ever turned: it was on Him they rested- in gladness and in sorrow; in sickness and in health; in the days of danger – and these were sadly numerous in the first two centuries and a half – and in the hour of death. It was from His words they drew their strength. In the consciousness of His ever-presence in their midst, they gladly suffered for His sake. With His name on their lips they died fearlessly, joyfully passing into the Valley of the veiled Shadow. On the tablet of marble or plaster which closed up the narrow shelf in the catacomb corridor where their poor remains were reverently, lovingly laid, the dear name of Jesus was often painted or carved.”
“The catacombs are full of Christ,” the Dean of Gloucester repeats in the clause succeeding that above quoted from his book. He then goes on to tell that in those “first days” “the Good Shepherd” was“the favourite symbol of the Christian life and faith.” And he adds: “A great and eloquent writer (Dean Stanley) does not hesitate to speak of what he terms the popular religion of the first century as the religion of ‘the Good Shepherd.’ He says they looked on that figure, and it conveyed to them all they wanted. And then he adds sorrowfully that ‘as ages passed on, the image of the Good Shepherd faded away from the mind of the Christian world, and other emblems took the place of the once dearly loved figure.’” Yes, in those bright days the thought of the personal and living Christ “conveyed to them all they wanted.“
The Church is the flock, and Ministers are to be “ensamples to the flock” – the Lord’s own provision of shepherds until the Chief Shepherd shall appear. He is the Chief Shepherd with reference to the under-shepherds. He is the Good Shepherd,because He cares for the sheep, and gave His life for them.And as brought up again from the dead He is the Great Shepherd.The significance of the imagery of the Lord’s words in (John 10) was familiar to the Hebrew Christians of Palestine, but we are apt to miss it. Within the fold, sheep have no need of the shepherd’s care. But when he leads them out to pasture they look to him for guidance, and they run to him for safety whenever danger threatens. What intensity of meaning this must have had for those early saints in days of persecution! “ Sir Robert Anderson -Types in Hebrews – Chapter 14 – CHRISTIANITY IS CHRIST
So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. John 10:7-9
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11
I am the good shepherd.I know my own and my own know me,just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:14-15
And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice.So there will be one flock, one shepherd. John 10:16
Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not part of my flock. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” John 10:25-30
When trials come no longer fear
For in the pain our God draws near
To fire a faith worth more than gold
And there His faithfulness is told
And there His faithfulness is told
Within the night I know Your peace
The breath of God brings strength to me
And new each morning mercy flows
As treasures of the darkness grow
As treasures of the darkness grow
I turn to Wisdom not my own
For every battle You have known
My confidence will rest in You
Your love endures Your ways are good
Your love endures Your ways are good
When I am weary with the cost
I see the triumph of the cross
So in it’s shadow I shall run
Till He completes the work begun
Till He completes the work begun
One day all things will be made new
I’ll see the hope You called me to
And in your kingdom paved with gold
I’ll praise your faithfulness of old
I’ll praise your faithfulness of old
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” Joh 11:25-27
Come, people of the Risen King
Come, people of the Risen King,
Who delight to bring Him praise;
Come all and tune your hearts to sing
To the Morning Star of grace.
From the shifting shadows of the earth
We will lift our eyes to Him,
Where steady arms of mercy reach
To gather children in.
REFRAIN
Rejoice, Rejoice! Let every tongue rejoice!
One heart, one voice; O Church of Christ, rejoice!
Come, those whose joy is morning sun,
And those weeping through the night;
Come, those who tell of battles won,
And those struggling in the fight.
For His perfect love will never change,
And His mercies never cease,
But follow us through all our days
With the certain hope of peace.
Rejoice, Rejoice! Let every tongue rejoice!
One heart, one voice; O Church of Christ, rejoice!
Come, young and old from every land -
Men and women of the faith;
Come, those with full or empty hands -
Find the riches of His grace.
Over all the world, His people sing -
Shore to shore we hear them call
The Truth that cries through every age:
“Our God is all in all”!
Rejoice, Rejoice! Let every tongue rejoice!
One heart, one voice; O Church of Christ, rejoice!
It is a sad thing when a man is godly, and yet does not say, “I have enough.” The apostle does not say that contentment in itself is great gain, but he says, “Godliness with contentment is great gain” 1 Tim 6:6; so that it is not the contentment without the godliness that is the gain; and, on the other hand, any form of godliness that does not bring contentment with it, should be gravely questioned. A godly man, who does not yield ready assent to all God’s will, ought to pray to be made a godlier man. …………..
When God’s will and our will are contrary to one another, we may be sure that there is something amiss with us. We are never right till God’s will becomes our will, and we can honestly say, “The will of the Lord be done.” Therefore it is a sad thing when a Christian man cannot say, “I have enough;” but it is a very sweet thing when he can truthfully say it. Then does he really enjoy life,-when he thanks God for what he is, and for what he is not,-when he thanks God for health, and also for sickness,-when he thanks God for gains, and also for losses,-when he sings a song in the night, as the nightingale does, as well as a song in the day, as the lark does. He proves then that he does not follow God for what he gets out of Him, as stray dogs will follow a man in the street who feeds them; but that he follows God out of sincere love to Him, because God is his Master, and he belongs to Him. It is true blessedness, a little heaven begun below, when the Christian, looking all round, can say of all temporal things, “I have enough.“
“I Have Enough” by C.H. Spurgeon SERMON TEXT: Gen 33:9,11 “Esau said, I have enough … Jacob said, I have enough.” – Gen 33:9,11.
“Is that you, darling” We all know the pathetic story, and how the other child, who was not the “darling,” sadly answered, “No, mother, it’s only me.” And with too many Christians “it’s only me” expresses the response the heart makes to His appeal to them to follow Him as His “beloved children.” (Ephesians 5:1) That Enoch pleased God is the Greek Bible rendering of the Hebrew words that he “walked with God.” And both are joined in the, Apostle’s exhortation: “how ye ought to walk and to please God.” (1 Thessalonians 4:1) But such a standard of Christian life, even for a single day, is deemed visionary and unpractical. We are “only me” Christians.
Sir Robert Anderson, Types in Hebrews – - HIS FULL PROVISION
WHY does God, as the heavenly Father, wants to chasten His children?
“for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and He scourges every son whom He receives.“If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons, for what son is he whom the father does not chasten? But if you are without chastisement, of which all are partakers, then you are bastards and not sons.” Heb 12:5-9
The answer from the scriptures is simply that God wants to profit His children through pruning, trials and chastening so that our faith is tested and refined. Christ said that if we follow Him, we must deny ourselves and take up OUR cross and follow Him. In all our ways, looking unto Jesus Christ, acknowledging that He is Lord. We abide in Christ, trust and lean completely on Him. We must always remember that our Heavenly Father is the Holy, Holy, Holy God. In our walk with God, we must cast aside every weight (the love of and cares for this world) and strive against the propensity to sin which could easily side-tracked us. Practically, it is to constantly immerse in His Word and submit to the Holy Spirit indwelling. In our walk with Him, lest we be weary and faint in our minds , God allows and sends chastening and does pruning so that we may bear more fruits of the Spirit (John 15:2).
God as Heavenly Father loves and scourges every son (and daughter) whom He receives. God wants His children to grow up into “trees of righteousness” (Isa 61:3) and not remained as babes. As God’s children, we must trust Him that “for whom the Lord loves He chastens”. We have to obey, submit, receive and endure God’s chastening as that is how God deals with His children.
God loves His children, here are the scriptural teachings on the purpose of His chastening and He has said it so clearly:
“Therefore since we also are surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right of the throne of God.” Heb 12:1-2
For consider Him who endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest you be weary and faint in your minds. You have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. Heb 12:3-4
And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons, “My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and He scourges every son whom He receives.“If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons, for what son is he whom the father does not chasten? But if you are without chastisement, of which all are partakers, then you are bastards and not sons. Heb 12:5-9
Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh who corrected us, and we gave them reverence. Shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For truly they chastened us for a few days according to their own pleasure, but He for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness. Heb 12:9-10
Now chastening for the present does not seem to be joyous, but grievous. Nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who are exercised by it. Because of this, straighten up the hands which hang down and the enfeebled knees. And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way, but let it rather be healed. Heb 12:11-13
There is but one only,living, and true God, who is infinite in being and perfection, a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts,or passions; immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, most wise,(Of God, and of the Holy Trinity -WCF Chapter II -I)
When the Bible declares that God is Almighty, it simply mean that God is all powerful and unlimited in power and He has absolute power over all. He is not limited in any way. He alone has unlimited authority and influence, He is omnipotent. In all of creation, there is no power like His for He alone is The Creator. No other power, seen and unseen, able to or can withstand Him. No power, before or now or that to come, can oppose Him. He is not weary and He does not fail for nothing can thwart what He purposes to do. God is the supreme power, He is LORD and there is no other: For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. (Ps 95:3).
It is interesting to note that the word Almighty, with reference to God, occurs no less than fifty seven times in the Bible. An Almighty God revealed to Abraham and declared to him in Genesis 17:1, “the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty;..”
The Apostle John saw and heard and recorded for us : “And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”” Rev 4:8
In the book of Job, the reference to God as Almighty occurs 32 times, Job was humbled and learned anew that God is God and He is The Almighty God: Job 37:23-38:1-2,4 The Almighty–we cannot find him; he is great in power; justice and abundant righteousness he will not violate. Therefore men fear him; he does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit. Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? ”…… “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.
Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? ''...... "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Job 37-38
As we enter a new year of where many storms of uncertainties are still brewing in the horizon, lets always keep in view, our faith is in the God of the Bible who is ALMIGHTY and He is also Good, Faithful and Unchangeable.
Someone asked: What if Jesus had never been born? Would most of the world celebrate the winter solstice?
If Jesus has never been born, my reaction would be very much be like Paul when he said hypothetically for a believer in Christ if there is be no resurrection. Paul said in 1Co 15:19, 32 “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. ….If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”" Because if Jesus has never been born, there is no Gospel, there is no hope of life with God after. A Christian has no hope for this life and the life to come. So what should I as a Christian then do, I will just eat, drink and really be merry.
As Christians, by the grace of God we know that our Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten of the God the Father, has come!
Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isa 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
As Christians, by the grace of God we know Jesus Christ is now ascended and glorified and will return. And everyone, yes everyone including those who do not accept or reject Him now will have to bend our knees to worship Him : Php 2:9 -11 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Oh Come, let us adore Him !
Mary and her child rest on the floor of a simple barn. In the back are the ox and the ass; on the foreground Joseph's tools.
May it please You to bless the house of Your servant
Everyday we all live in this cold and hostile world controlled by the prince of this world. It is a sensual and carnal world. This world does not know God and has no desire to acknowledge or worship Him.
God warned us not to love the world and the things that are in the world. He reminded us that if we love the world, we really don’t love Him. I John 2: 15-16 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father, but is of the world.
How can our family find the grace and help to live out our testimonies and remained faithful and true to God. God know we need to guide and remind our family, he commands that we have a responsibility to Him that we should be faithful to teach our children. Ps 78: 4 We must point our children to Him daily, showing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD and His strength, and His wonderful works that He hath done.
There is a need for time and place where a believer can retreat daily with his family to gather together, feed on his words, pray and focus on God. Where the thirsty souls can come to the One who can give a drink of the the living waters. (John 4: 14) Where the wounded soldiers of Jesus Christ gather to hear His words and receive the balm for their pains and rest. Where we can feast to our heart’s content on God’s Words:
Guide me, O thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but thou are mighty,
Hold me with thy powerful hand;
Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more.
Psalm 78: 1-7
Give ear, O my people, to my law; incline your ears to the words of my mouth.I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.We will not hide them from their children, showing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD and His strength, and His wonderful works that He hath done.For He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded to our fathers, that they should make them known to their children;that the generation to come might know them, even the children who should be born, who should arise and declare them to their children,that they might set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments; and so might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God. KJ21®
WHY does God, as the heavenly Father, wants to chasten His children? 
