REPENTANCE

We see "gospel repentance" in all those who, made sore by the sting of sin but aroused and refreshed by trust in God's mercy, have turned to the Lord. -- John Calvin

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what earnestness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! (I Corinthians 7:10-11).  

A hymn to read, sing, play, hum, or whistle to the glory of God: O Thou That Hear'st When Sinners Cry (From Psalm 51. Isaac Watts, 1719).

NECESSITY

Let this be a firm principle: No other word is to be held as the Word of God, and given place as such in the Church, than what is contained first in the Law and the Prophets, then in the writings of the apostles; and the only authorized way of teaching in the Church is by the prescription and standards of His Word. ---- John Calvin

Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit... (I Corinthians 1:21; 2:13).

Man shall not live alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4).

...from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work (II Timothy 3:15-16).

I charge you in the presence of God and in Christ Jesus...preach the word (II Timothy 4:1).

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle, to the glory of God: Thy Word Have I Hid in My Heart (From Psalm 119). -- (E. O. Sellers, 1908). 

KINDNESS

Sow kindness; reap good memories. ---- pgs

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me." Therefore, welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God (Romans 15:6-7). 

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).

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you(Ephesians s4:32).

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle, to the glory of God: O God of Mercy, God of Might (Robert Murray, 1898)

NEW

How wonderfully doth the new-born soul differ from his former self. He liveth a new life, he walketh in a new way, he steereth his course by a new compass and towards a new coast. His principle is new, his pattern is new, his practices are new, his projects are new, all is new. He ravels out all he had wove before, and employeth himself wholly about another work. ---- George Swinnocke, 1660.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, behold, the new has come (I Corinthians 5:14-15, 17).

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle, to the glory of God: Be Thou My Vision (ancient Irish poem, ca. 8th. century).

HAS

We have much more to receive, but God has not more to give than He has given in Jesus Christ [John R. W. Stott].

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption (I Corinthians 1:1:28-30).  

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle, to the glory of God: How Vast the Benefits Divine. Augustus Toplady, 1774.

CROSS

The saving power of the cross does not depend on faith being added to it; its saving power is such that faith flows from it. -- J. I. Packer.

For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (I Corinthians 1:17-18).

A hymn to read, sing, hum or whistle to the glory of God: Hark! the Voice of Love and Mercy,(Jonathan Evans, 1784).

LOVE

This is love: knowing and loving the triune God above all others and sharing that love and life in God with those you love the most.  ---- pgs

 

 

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (I Corinthians 10:31).

 

For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen. (Romans11:36).

 

My heart and my strength may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever(Psalm 73:25).

 

 Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: "Love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:37-39).

 

That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also unto you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write unto you that our joy may be full (I John 1:3-4).

 

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle to the glory of God: Blest Be the Tie That Binds (John Fawcett, 1782).

VICTORY

We will be controlled by Satan, by self or by God. Control by Satan is slavery; control by self is futility; control by God is victory. ---- Anonymous.

But thanks be to God He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (I Corinthians15:57). 

A hymn to read, sing, hum or whistle to the glory of God: Onward, Christian Soldiers (Sabine Baring-Gould, 1865).

FALLING

The more anyone excels in grace, the more he ought to be afraid of falling. --- John Calvin

 

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! (I Corinthians 10:12)

 

But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one (II Thessalonians 3:3)

 

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle to the glory of God: Yield Not to Temptation (Horatio R. Palmer)

DEATH

Death is a blessing. Death is not so much something which happens to the Christian as something God works for him. ---- J. Alec Motyer

 

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed ---- in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the  perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory" (I Corinthians 15:51-54).

 

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints (Psalm 116:15).

 

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle to the glory of God:When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder(James M. Black, 1856-1938).  

STRUGGLE

How daily, hourly, is the struggle with sin and fear and temptations -- it is never over! --- J. J. Bonar

 

And He said, temptations to sin are sure to come...(Luke 17:1).

 

No temptation has taken you, but such as is common to man... I Corinthians

 

But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one (II Thessalonians 3:3).

 

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle, to the glory of God:

Yield Not to Temptation (Horatio Palmer, 1868).

TEMPTATIONS

Temptations are everywhere, and so is the grace of God.----Anonymous.

 

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it (I Corinthians 10:13).

 

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle, to the glory of God: O Jesus, I Have Promised (John Bode, 1868).

SELF-DENIAL

The first lesson in Christ's school is self-denial. Matthew Henry (English pastor. 1662-1714).

....put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite. (Proverbs 23:2).

"All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me", but I must not be enslaved by anything (I Corinthians 6:12).

See also John 12:15.

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle to the glory of God: Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken. (Henry F. Lite, 1824)

PREACHING

Preaching is the chariot that carries Christ up and down the world ---- Richard Sibbes, Puritan minister.

 

For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe (I Corinthians 1:21

 

As you go, preach this message (Matthew 10:7).

 

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle, to the glory of God:Ye Christian Heralds, Go Proclaim. Bourne H. Draper, 1803.   

Truth Revealed

It is not for us to imagine that we can prove the truth of Christianity by our own arguments; nobody can prove the truth of Christianity save the Holy Spirit. ---- J. I. Packer

For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God (I Corinthians 1:21-24). 

And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom, but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. (I Corinthians 2:13,14)

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle to the glory of God: Break Thou the Bread of Life. 

 "Break Thou the bread of life, dear Lord, to me , as Thou didst break the loaves beside the sea; throughout the sacred page I seek Thee, Lord, my spirit pants for Thee, O living Word."

Controversy

 The devil's master stroke is that of dividing forces that ought to stand together. ---- G. Campbell Morgan

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:1-3). 

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment (I Corinthians 1:10). 

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle to the glory of  God: Blest Be the Tie That Binds

     Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love; the fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.  

No Little Things

Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things --- a chance word, a tap on the shoulder, or a penny dropped on a newstand --- I am tempted to think...there are no little things. Bruce Barton. 

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and You are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all. In Your hand are power and might, and in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we Thank You, our God, and praise Your glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly. For all things come from You, and of Your own have we given You.  (I Chronicles 29:12-14).

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (I Corinthians 10:13).

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him (Colossians 3:17). 

...in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen (I Peter 4:1).   

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle to the glory of the God of all things, big or little: FATHER, I KNOW THAT ALL MY LIFE. 

Preparation for the Lord's Supper

Good morning!

 1.   Reverence and attention.

 2.   Discernment of the Lord's Body, a clear understanding of the

       meaning of the Lord's Supper

 3.   Meditation on Christ's death and suffering.

 4.   Self judgment.

 5.   Sorrow for sin.

 6.   Desire for Christ.

 7.   Feeding on Him in faith.

 8.   Trusting in Him.

 9.   Rejoicing in His love.

10. Giving thanks for His grace.

11. Renewing my covenant with God and commitment to Christ.

12. Special love to all Christians. 

--- From the bulletin of Second Presbyterian Church, Greenville, SC.

For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup (I Corinthians 11:26-27. 

A hymn to read, sing, hum or whistle to the glory of God: Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness. 

Soul, adorn yourself with gladness,
Leave the gloomy haunts of sadness;
Come into the daylight's splendor,
There with joy your praises render
Bless the One whose grace unbounded
This amazing banquet founded.
He, though heav'nly, high, and holy,
Deigns to dwell with you most lowly.

Christ Our All and In All

Good morning!

Look not for any blessing outside of Christ; and in and by and from Him look for all blessings. Let Him be your life; and wish not to live longer than you are kept alive by Him. Find Him your wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, redemption; your riches, your strength, your glory. ---- Bishop Hall.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing.... (Ephesians 1:3). 

He is the source of our life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Therefore, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord" (I Corinthians 1:30).

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time, now and forever. Amen (Jude 24-25). 

A hymn to read, sing, hum or whistle to the glory of God: BE THOU MY VISION. 

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.

Purpose

Good morning!

The older I grow ---- and I now stand on the brink of eternity ---- the more comes back to me that sentence in the Catechism which I learned when a child, and the fuller and deeper its meanings becomes: "What is the chief end of man? Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever." ---- Thomas Carlyle. 

Whether you eat, or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God (I Corinthians 10:31).

For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen.(Romans 11:36). 

A hymn to read, sing, whistle or hum to the glory of God: O WORSHIP THE KING.

1.     O worship the King, all glorious above, 

O gratefully sing God's power and God's love; 

our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days, 

pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise.