Name

To "know the name of the LORD" is to lay aside every false opinion and to know Him from His Word, which is His true image, and next from His works. We must not imagine God from the fancy of man, but must comprehend Him as He declares Himself to be. ---- John Calvin

Therefore my people will know my name; therefore in that day they will know that it is I who foretold it. Yes, it is I. How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news...who say to Zion, "your God reigns!" (Isaiah 52:6-7).

"Isaiah envisages a day when faith will pass into sight and the Victor Himself will be seen face to face" (Alec Motyer).

....then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall know even as I am fully known (I Corinthians 13:12).

No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will see Him. They will see His face, and HIs name will be on their foreheads(Revelation 22:3-4).

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle, to the glory of God: The God of Abraham Praise. 

 "The God of Abraham praise, who reigns enthroned above, Ancient of everlasting days and God of love. Jehovah! Great I AM! by earth and heaven confessed; I bow and bless the sacred name, for ever blest." Thomas Olivers, 1770

Usefulness

Whatever ability a faithful Christian may posses, he ought to possess it for his fellow believers, and he ought to make his own interest subservient to the well-being of the church in all sincerity ---- John Calvin.

 

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord....To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. But God has so composed the body....that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it (I Corinthians 12:4-7, 12, 14, 24b-27).

Suffering

Afflictions are sent for this end, to bring us to the throne of grace, to teach us to pray and to make the word of God more precious to us. ---- Matthew Henry

Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your Word. It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes (Proverbs 119:67, 71). 

Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit (John 15:2).

For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh (II Corinthians 4:11). 

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle to the glory of God: Sweet Hour of Prayer. 

Joy

Good morning!

The key to a life of joy is to know that all we receive is a gift of grace in Christ. ---- pgs

The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the LORD that He spoke by Elijah (I Kings 17:16).

For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future ---- all are yours, and you are Christ's and Christ is God's (I Corinthians 3:21-23). 

A hymn to read, sing, hum or whistle to the glory of God: Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts. 

Jesus, Thou Joy of loving hearts,
Thou Fount of life, Thou Light of men,
From the best bliss that earth imparts,
We turn unfilled to Thee again.

Watchfulness

Good morning!

We are all constantly backsliding but for the grace of God. ---- Dick Lucas.

Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it (I Corinthians 10:12-13).

A hymn to be read aloud or sung aloud and offered in worship to God: COME HOLY SPIRIT, HEAVENLY DOVE.

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In God's good providence there is "a time to laugh" (Ecclesiastes 1:1,4b). Two wrongs don't make a right, but they make a good excuse. Thomas Szang.

Forebearance

Good morning!

FORBEARANCE. Cultivate forbearance until your heart yields a fine crop of it. Pray for a short memory to all unkindnesses. ---- Charles H. Spurgeon.

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends (I Corinthians 13:4-8a).-----
A hymn to read or sing aloud to the glory of God: HE LEADETH ME, O BLESSED THOUGHT

2012.10.11 "Strangers"

Good morning!

 

We are strangers here. Don't make yourself at home. ---- Vance Havner.

 

We are fools for Christ's sake...we are weak...we hunger and thirst...we are...homeless (I Corinthians 4:10-13).

 

A hymn to be read or sung aloud to the glory of God: GUIDE ME, O THOU GREAT JEHOVAH.

Paul Settle