POWER

The fact that Jesus Christ is to come again is not a reason for star-gazing, but for working the power of the Holy Ghost. -- Charles Spurgeon

And while they were gazing into heaven as He went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven (Acts 1:10-11).

If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory (Colossians 3:1-4).

In Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit(Ephesians 2:22).

A hymn to read, sing, play, hum or whistle to the glory of God: Rejoice, All Ye Believers (Laurentius Lourenti), 1700.  

HE

Whatever point of compass the wind is in, it is fulfilling God's Word, and turns about by His counsel. ---- Matthew Henry

God the great Creator of all things, does uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things from the greatest even to the least, by His most wise and holy providence, according to His infallible foreknowledge and the free and immutable counsel of His own will, to the praise of the glory of His wisdom, power, justice, goodness, and mercy (from the Westminster Confession of Faith, chapter 5-1).

-- He upholds all things by the word of His power (read Hebrews 1:3 and its context).

-- He does according to His will in the armies of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth... (read and meditate on Daniel 4:34ff. and the context, and Psalm 135:6 and the context).

--- He determined all the circumstances of all our days, and does whatever He wishes - in Him we live and move and have our being...(read and think about Acts 17:25-28, and Matthew 10:29-31). Meditate also upon Psalm 15:3; 104:24; 145:17; Acts 15:18; Ephesians 1:11. 

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle, to the glory of God: Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah (from Psalm 148:1-13).

CERTAIN

Nothing whatever surprises God; all things that happen are absolutely certain from all eternity because they are all embraced in God's eternal plan. ---- J. Gresham Machen

 

The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God... (Acts 17:25-28).

 

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. (Matthew 10:29).

 

A hymn to read, sing, hum or whistle, to the glory of God: O Father, You Are Sovereign. Margaret Clarkson, 1982.

CRUCIFIXION

God was the master of ceremonies at the cross. ---- Ernest Reisinger

 

Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through Him in our midst, as you yourselves know --- this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men (Acts 2:23).

 

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins (I John 4:10).

The Blood of Christ

Good morning!

Mercy swims to us through Christ's blood. ---- Thomas Watson

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood (Acts 20:28).

Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God (Romans 5:9). 

....and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 9:22). 

A hymn to read, sing, hum or whistle to the glory of God: Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness(Trinity Hymnal, 520). 

Christ Alone Saves

Good morning!

In Christ alone God's rich provision of salvation for sinners is treasured up. By Christ alone God's abundant mercies come down from heaven to earth. Christ's blood alone can cleanse us. Christ's righteousness alone can clothe us. Christ's merit alone can give us a title to heaven. Jews and Gentiles,--- learned and unlearned, --- kings and poor men, --- all alike must either be saved by Jesus, or lost forever (J. C. Ryle). 

There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). 

A hymn to read, sing, hum or whistle to the glory of God:ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS' NAME

All hail the power of Jesus' name! Let angels prostrate fall; bring forth the royal diadem, and crown him Lord of all. Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown him Lord of all.

Ye chosen seed of Israel's race, ye ransomed from the fall, hail him who saves you by his grace, and crown him Lord of all. Hail him who saves you by his grace, and crown him Lord of all.

Sinners, whose love can ne'er forget the wormwood and the gall, go spread your trophies at his feet, and crown him Lord of all. Go spread your trophies at his feet, and crown him Lord of all.

Let every kindred, every tribe on this terrestrial ball, to him all majesty ascribe, and crown him Lord of all. To him all majesty ascribe, and crown him Lord of all.

Crown him, ye martyrs of your God, who from his altar call; extol the Stem of Jesse's Rod, and crown him Lord of all. Extol the Stem of Jesse's Rod, and crown him Lord of all.

O that with yonder sacred throng we at his feet may fall! We'll join the everlasting song, and crown him Lord of all. We'll join the everlasting song, and crown him Lord of all.

Saving Faith

Good morning!

 Saving Faith. The spiritual hand whereby we receive the sweet offer of our Saviour is faith; which in short, is no other than trusting in the Mediator. Receive peace, and be happy; believe, and you have received. ---- Bishop Hall. 1640. 

Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household (Acts 16:31). 

A hymn to read, sing, hum or whistle to the glory of God: CHRIST, OF ALL MY HOPES THE GROUND.

Christ, of all my hopes the Ground;
Christ, the Spring of all my joy;
Still in Thee may I be found,
Still for Thee my powers employ,
Still for Thee my powers employ.

Omniscience

Good morning!

 

Have you ever realized that things occur to us, but nothing ever occurs to God? --- Selected

 

From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding? God understands the way to it, and He knows its place. For He looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees all his steps  (Job 28:20, 23-24; 34:21).

 

He determines the number of the stars; He gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; His understanding is beyond measure (Psalm 147:4-5).

 

For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose...' (Isaiah 46:10). 

 

The LORD searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts (I Chronicles 28:9).

 

Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world (Acts 15:8).

 

And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must given account (Hebrews 4:13).

Covenant Promises

Good morning!

It is never too soon to strive and pray for the salvation of the souls of [our] children --- never too soon to speak to them as moral beings, and tell them of God, and Christ, and right, and wrong. ---- J. C. Ryle.

Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth! I will open my mouth in a parable, I will utter dark sayings from of old...we will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and His might, and the wonders that He has done (Psalm 78:1a, 2-4).

The promise is for you and your children (Acts 2:39).

---

A hymn to be read or sung aloud and offered to God in worship: AROUND THE THRONE OF GOD IN HEAVEN.

Mediator

Good morning!

 

A Christ supplemented is a Christ supplanted. ---- William Hendriksen

 

For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.... (I Timothy 2:5).

 

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).

 

Because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them(Hebrews 7:24-25).