Month: March 2012

THIS and THAT

On By francesrogersIn GOD'S GLORY, GOD'S GRACE, GOD'S WORD3 Comments

THIS is what I have.  THAT is what I don’t have.
THIS is what is near.  THAT is at a distance.
THIS is my own life.  THAT is Life in Christ.
THIS is within my reach.  THAT is beyond my grasp.
THIS is what I want.  THAT is what God says I need.
THIS is sin and misery.  THAT is peace and joy.
THIS is the world.  THAT is heaven.
THIS is darkness. THAT is light.
THIS is what I hold on to.  THAT is what I see when God reveals His Son to me.

When, through the authority of His Word, and the power of the Holy Spirit, Christ becomes the only true life, I see the offering, and sense the drawing of God, the Father to Him.

 THIS is exchanged for THAT.  THIS becomes THAT; and THAT becomes THIS.

THIS is now what I didn’t have.  THAT is what I gave up.
THIS is as near as a new heart.  THAT is no longer visible.
THIS is now my Life in Christ.  THAT is my former life.
THIS is freely given by God’s grace.  THAT is buried with Christ.
THIS is what I want.  THAT is the deception.
THIS is peace and joy. THAT is the past hopelessness.
THIS is light.  THAT is darkness.
THIS is heaven.  THAT is the world.
THIS is what I hold to in faith and hope.  THAT is what I used to be.

 “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above,
where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
When Christ, who is our life, shall appear,
then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”
Colossians 3:1-4

“Therefore being justified by faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand,
and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
Romans 5:1-2

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The Spirit and Heart of God’s Grace

On By francesrogersIn GOD'S GLORY, GOD'S GRACE, GOD'S WORD, GRIEF, MUSIC, PRAYER1 Comment

Dear child of God,

As I look upward to our Lord Jesus Christ,
Who sits enthroned in sovereignty and majesty,
Ruling over all things,

My spirit cries, “Abba, Father.”

 My hope and trust is in Him.

 At the same time my heart is aching for, and with you.

“This is my (our) affliction,
yet we will remember the days of the Most High.”
Psalm 77:11

All of this life is sandwiched between God’s promises revealed,
and His power to fulfill—
His presence always with us to make it palatable.

How well Paul knew the promise of the Father, that “everything works together for good, to those who love Him, to those who are called according to His purpose—that we might be conformed to the image of Christ, His Son.”  Romans 8:28-29.

~~~~~~

Christ while here on earth looked to the Father in His sovereignty for all things. Knowing His promises, presence and power, His heart was, is, and has always been with us.  As one of us He knows, feels, and cares for us in all our heartaches.   As He reigns in heaven today His heart still bleeds for us, and bids us to come to Him.  He bears the yoke of this life and all its adversity with us.           Music: Whispering Hope

Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, make us to know your presence with us today. Open our eyes to see you in the midst of all this life.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen. 

The Eternal Sabbath

On By francesrogersIn GOD'S GLORY, GOD'S GRACE, GOD'S WORD, THE LORD'S DAY (SABBATH)4 Comments

Let us not “neglect to meet together” with God’s people to worship on this Lord’s Day—keeping in mind the words of Trelcatius 1542-1602.

“Shall we not esteem the days of this life very short, if we compare them with the eternal Sabbath, which shall not only give an end to all our labours, but also change our six days into eternity?

Let us aspire with a holy desire and firm hope to the enjoying of this eternal life; sighing under the vanity and shortness of this frail and earthly life.  Jesus Christ saith, ‘For certain I come soon:’ let us, with the church, answer with holy affection, Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly.”

Dear Father, gather us, as your children, to remember and celebrate this day—for your glory and our joy.  In Jesus name, I pray. Amen

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I Will Extol Thee, My God, O King ~ Psalm 145

On By francesrogersIn GOD'S GLORY, GOD'S GRACE, GOD'S WORD, MUSIC, THE LORD'S DAY (SABBATH)1 Comment

Praise on the Lord’s Day ~ March 11, 2012

 “I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.

2Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.

3Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.     Music:  Psalm 145

4One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.
5I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.
6And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness.
7They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.
8The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.
9The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.
10All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee. 11They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;
12To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom. 
13Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.
14The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.
15The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.
16Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
17The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.
18The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
19He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them. 
20The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.
21My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

Grace Crowned with Glory agoldentreasury.com