Slighted, disobeyed, and dishonored by His creatures on earth!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

(Edward Payson, 1783-1827)

I look up to Heaven and there see the blessed and only Potentate, the Creator and Upholder of all things, the infinite and eternal Sovereign of the universe--governing His vast kingdom with uncontrollable power, in a manner perfectly wise and holy and just and good. In this Being, I see my Creator, my Preserver, my unwearied Benefactor--to whom I am indebted for everything which I possess.

And what does this Being see--what has He seen, in me? He sees a frail worm of the dust, who is of yesterday and knows nothing, who cannot take a single step without making mistakes, who is wholly incompetent to guide himself, and who, by his own folly, is self-destroyed. He has seen this frail, blind, erring worm, presumptuously daring to criticize and censure His proceedings, attempting to interfere in His government of the universe; and trying to set up his own perverse will against the will of his Creator, his Sovereign, and his God; his own ignorance--against divine omniscience, and his own folly--against infinite wisdom.

Should an angel who knew nothing of our characters, but who had heard of the blessings which God has bestowed on us, visit this world--would he not expect to find every part of it resounding with the praises of God and His love? Would he not expect to hear old and young, parents and children--all blessing God for the glad tidings of the gospel?

How, then, would he be grieved and disappointed! How astonished would he be to find that Being whom he had ever heard praised in the most rapturous strains by all the bright armies of Heaven--slighted, disobeyed, and dishonored by His creatures on earth!

O, then, let us strive to wipe away this foul stain--this disgrace to our race and our world.

Let not this world be the only place, except Hell--where God is not praised.

Let us not be the only creatures, except devils--who refuse to praise Him!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
March 30, 2017

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (Romans 8:29-30)

God chose those who would believe from the foundations of the world to be justified and glorified according to His purpose. Because God foreknew all things, there is nothing that can separate His children from His excellent love and grace. Even as evil powers come against us, we are made conquerors by the justification and glorification through the blood of Christ!

How is your Beloved better than others?

   ~  ~  ~  ~

 

(Edward Payson, 1783-1827)

"How is your Beloved better than others?" Song of Songs 5:9

Does not our Friend as far excel all other friends . . .
  as Heaven exceeds earth,
  as eternity exceeds time,
  as the Creator surpasses His creatures?

See all the fullness of the Godhead--dwelling in One who is as meek and mild as a child.
See His countenance beaming with ineffable glories--full of mingled majesty, condescension and love.
Hear the soul-reviving invitations and gracious words which proceed from His lips.
See that hand in which dwells everlasting strength--swaying the scepter of universal empire over all creatures and all worlds.
See His arms expanded to receive and embrace returning sinners.
While His heart, a bottomless, shoreless ocean of benevolence--overflows with tenderness, compassion, and love.

Such, O sinner, is our Beloved--and such is our Friend.

Will you not then embrace Him as your Friend? If you can be persuaded to do this--you will find that half, nay, that the thousandth part has not been told to you!

All the excellency, glory and beauty which is found in men or angels, flows from Christ--as a drop of water from the ocean, or a ray of light from the sun.

If, then, you supremely love the creature--can you wonder that Christians should love the Creator! Can you wonder that those who behold the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, should be sweetly drawn to Him by the cords of love, and lose their fondness for created glories? All that you love and admire and wish for in creatures, and indeed infinitely more--they find in Him!

Do you wish for a friend possessed of power to protect you?
Our Friend possesses all power in Heaven and earth, and is able to save even to the uttermost!

Do you wish for a wise friend?
In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Do you wish for a tender, compassionate friend?
Christ is tenderness and compassion itself.

Do you wish for a faithful, unchangeable friend?
With Christ there is no variableness nor shadow of turning. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

His unchangeable love will ever prompt Him to make His people happy!

His unerring wisdom will point out the best means to promote their happiness!

His infinite power will enable Him to employ those means.

In all these respects, our Beloved is more than any other beloved!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
March 29, 2017

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. (James 4:10)

This conditional promise can be misused by some who have ulterior motives, but when we truly humble ourselves in the Lord's sight it can in no way be for our own lifting up. True humility would put ourselves last and that is what makes this paradoxical truth so amazing. We cannot lift our own selves up; it is only God who is able to do that and He only does that when we are humbled before Him. We also saw this demonstrated in Christ who "humbled Himself to the point of death-even the death of the cross" yet "God exalted Him" (Philippians 2:8-9).

This is too much!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

(Edward Payson, 1783-1827)

Only to be permitted to contemplate such a being as Jehovah . . .
  to ponder goodness, holiness, justice, mercy, patience and sovereignty--personified and condensed;
  to ponder them united with eternity, infinite power, unerring wisdom, omnipresence, and all sufficiency;
  to ponder all these natural and moral perfections indissolubly united and blended in sweet harmony--in one pure, spiritual being, and that being placed on the throne of the universe
--to ponder this would be happiness enough to fill the mind of any creature in existence!

But in addition to this,
  to have this ineffable Being for my God, my portion, my all;
  to be permitted to say, "This God is my God forever and ever!"
  to have His resplendent countenance smile upon me;
  to be encircled in His everlasting arms of power and faithfulness and love;
  to hear His voice saying to me, "I am yours--and you are Mine! Nothing shall ever pluck you from My hands, or separate you from My love--but you shall be with Me where I am, behold My glory, and live to reign with Me forever and ever!"

This is too much! It is honor, it is glory--it is happiness too overwhelming, too transporting for mortal minds to conceive, or for mortal frames to support!

In Heaven, the saints will be entirely lost and swallowed up in God, and their minds will be so completely absorbed in the contemplation of His ineffable, infinite, uncreated glories!

Oh, then, what must it be, to escape forever from error and ignorance and darkness and sin--into the region of bright, unclouded, eternal day!

What must it be, to behold your God and Redeemer face to face!

What must it be, to continually to contemplate, with immortal strength--glories so dazzlingly bright, that one moment's view of them would now, like a stream of lightning, turn your frail bodies into dust!

What must it be to to see the eternal volume of the divine counsels, the mighty map of the divine mind, unfolded to your eager, piercing gaze!

What must it be to to explore the heights and depths, the lengths and breadths of the Redeemer's love--and still to see new wonders, glories, and beauties pouring upon your minds in constant, endless succession, calling forth new songs of praise--songs in which you will unite with the innumerable choirs of angels, with the countless myriads of the redeemed, all shouting with a voice like the voice of many waters, "Alleluia, for the Lord God omnipotent reigns!"

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
March 28, 2017

Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:5)

Throughout this life, we are kept safe by the power of God. All that we are is because of the power of God. The salvation that we have been given will never be complete until we reach heaven. We should strive towards that completion with all that we are.

Morning Devotional March 27, 2017

Romans 11:33

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”

O what a marvelous God we serve!!! O how small we are in comparison to Him. His ways are so much more than we can ever come to understand. The very simplest things in His creation confound the minds of man.

With all the technology we have today we still prove daily our ignorance of the things of God. As man attempts to increase in wisdom and knowledge he does nothing more than to prove how much deeper the things of God are. And yet there are times when our Lord opens His mysteries to us. When He increases our wisdom and knowledge and He opens our understanding of certain things He desires us to know. And with all the proof we can produce the man of the world will deny it is from God every time.

O praise God for His wisdom and knowledge being so much more than our own!!! Fore where would we be if it was all left up to us? Where would this world be if man was left in control or man had all sovereignty and he things he does?

Praise God we are not in control!!!

Praise ye the Lord!!!

 

Stephen McCool Sr.

Choice excerpts from Edward Payson!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

(Edward Payson, 1783-1827)

Every Christian is in the exact situation, which God in His infinite wisdom sees best for him!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

The mind which has contemplated eternity--thinks lightly of the things of time!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

If you sincerely search your heart--then you will find pride, like the different layers of an onion, lurking one beneath another to the very center of it!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Praise Christ for everything. He is the foundation of every good thought, desire, and affection.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

It should be our aim to draw all we can from Him by prayer--and return Him all we can by praise.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

He who falls from a pulpit--seldom stops short of the lowest abyss in Hell.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
March 27, 2017   

And this is the promise that he hath promised us, [even] eternal life. (1 John 2:25)

God has promised us life after death-life forever with Him. Amen!

 

Morning Devotional March 26, 2017

Psalm 1:1-2

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”

As we start a new week, I encourage you all to stay in the Word of God. Study His Word daily. Read of His love for His children. Study His laws and commandments. Study how He expects us to obey Him. See how His love makes those laws and commandments not grievous for us to follow.

Flee the lusts of the world and follow Christ.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

 

Stephen McCool Sr.

Sovereign Grace Missionary Baptist Church "Where The Truths Of God’s Word Have Been Taught For More Than Fifty-Five Years” 1217 Dillon Texarkana, Texas 75501 March 26, 2017            Newsletter Number 612 Brother Randy Johnson, Pastor                   Brother Ronnie Henderson Sr., Song Leader Pastor E-Mail: pastor@sgmbaptist.com                                          Web Site: www.sgmbaptist.com “A Church Seeking To Please God In Prayer, Song, Preaching, And Worship.”

Our Prayer Request:   All of Our Military, Their Family’s & All the Civilian Workers in The Middle East, Zee Mink Fuller and Family, Her son’s Bryan Armstrong and Hunter Hackie, Daughter Shannon, and Brother Philip & Sondra Thornsberry,  Johnnie Stephens, Alecia Stephens, and children, Frankie Baldridge and daughter, Buckie Thompson, Frank & Sonya Trusty, Frank & Dawana Reigel, Andrew Preston, Larry & Martha Mollette and Her Family, Tyrell Loyd, Bonnie, Ted O'Bonion, Larry Mollette II & Family, Kerry Adcock, Kim Poole, Danny & Nita Mollette, The Muncy Family, Lee & Mary Mollette, Wendell Henderson, Joshua Kidd, Matthew Kidd, Ronnie and Sarah Henderson, Ronnie Henderson Jr. & Children, Ricky Henderson and Family, Jacie Henderson, Velma Hammond, Charles, Don Hammond and Families, Vickie Adkins, Archie & Barbara Griffin, Donna Johnson, James and Luann Reynolds, Timothy Fails, Nathan Fails, Jacob Ramsey, Jerry Hughes, Pastor G. L. Burr, Melody Carr, Janie Capps, Linda Hughes, Donna Jones, Brandy Sullivan, Gina, Tammy Hairston and family, Brother Kelley and Sister Hinson, Manual Seymour, Sr, The Harris Family, The Morris Family, Teresa Bookout, Little Titan Thomas (Trent and Tiffane Thomas child), James – Diane and Brooke Thomas, Jace Fails, Steve Sparks, Sister Ann McSwain, Brother Archie and Barbra Griffin, Brandy’s Mother, Elaine Sparks, James daughter’s mother-in-law, David Henderson,  Brother Curtis Pugh, Brother Dan Sullivan the work in Thailand, Brother Raul and the work in Romania, Bro. Sergey Mochalov and the Churches in Russia.

A Thought From our Pastor: Are You Following The Lord Daily?“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 9:23 Before you answer that question, give it some thought. I know that most Christians believe that they are properly serving the Lord and following Him to their best ability, but are you truly doing enough. There are a lot of Christians who fail the Lord more than they think, and therefore are not picking up their cross and following Him. Also let us notice the word daily, do you do it daily. The word daily actually means - for the day, or throughout the day, “or "day by day". With this thought in mind, I ask again, how is your walk with the Lord? I wished that believers in Jesus Christ would put this at the top of their thoughts for just one single day and see what thoughts they have collected at the end of the day. Keep a record, or notes throughout the entire day from the time you get up until the time you go to bed. During that day list (honestly) things done for self, things done for others, and things done for the Lord. I believe if we were completely honest, the Lord would have the least in its section. Just because you do something for others does not mean it belongs in the “for the Lord” section. I believe the hardest thing for us to do is to deny ourselves. We are naturally tuned in selfishness because of the fall of Adam. Sin itself is selfishness. If we call ourselves “Christians” then we must compare the definition of the word to ourselves and see if the definition fits our life. The word Christian means – a follower of Christ – and it is often we find people who attend church sometimes, people who just consider themselves Christian, or people who think they are followers of the Lord, calling themselves Christians. I must ask the question here, according to the definition, when one is saved, are those believers in Christ or are they Christians. Maybe these two thoughts need to be more examined in our thinking. Maybe a believer in Jesus Christ should be a “believer” and one who follows the Lord a Christian. (This is just a thought folks, I am not trying to change doctrine.) But maybe we do use the word “Christian” to loosely. Let me ask this question, if a person that is saved and fails to follow Jesus Christ, are they a believer or a Christian? Now, if you are a “Christian” how good of a Christian are you? Jesus said “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself” This self-denial means throughout your day, while you are keeping these three sections, what you did for self, others, and the Lord, check the self-side and see if you denied self-enough for the Lord. Let us see if we denied ourselves enough to say we were “good Christians”. Folks, we indeed use the word Christian to loosely, I believe a follower of Christ is more than a believer in Christ, but also a follower of Christ, putting Jesus first in everything in our day. Before you do anything in life, ask how does it work with my service to Jesus. If a job or a promotion includes affecting your church service or you service to the Lord, it is not worth the promotion. If something will keep you out of church, then it is not worth it. If you are not serving the Lord the most every day you are not doing enough for the Lord. Here is the hardest part for us, every moment of everyday of your life belongs Lord for His benefit. We have no self-time, only Jesus-following time. I know some of you all will ask, how is your daily walk, but my daily walk is not your daily walk. Please understand, you must answer for yourself and no one else. God said “But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another...For every man shall bear his own burden.” Galatians 6:4-5 If you use my life to judge or gauge your own life you will fail, but if you use the life of Jesus to measure your own life then you will succeed in being a good Christian. Let me close with this passage, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, (12) Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (13) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." Titus 2:11-14

JIMMY WOULDN'T GET SAVEDBy Elder Curtis Pugh    Years ago a boy and his cousin, both about eight or nine years old, were playing outside during a family get-together. Jimmy (we will call him) cousin to the son of my friends, came running in the house crying with a bloody nose. He was soon followed by the son, Billy, who had punched his cousin in the nose. When asked by the parents why he had hit his cousin his reply was, “Jimmy wouldn't get saved!”    The boy had been sitting under the preaching of false teaching. He had accepted the false idea that lost sinners can come in a saving way to Christ by their own ability. In spite of the plain words of the Lord Jesus most people think they have the ability to come to Christ and be saved. However, Jesus said: “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me,” (John 6:44-45).    The average preacher and religious teacher today denies and contradicts the words of Jesus. He blasphemes God by saying just the opposite of what the Bible teaches. Men and women are proud and in their pride think they can (have the ability) to do this or that or the other religious thing and that God will save them because they did whatever they thought they needed to do.    But Jesus said “no man can come.” “Can” means to have the ability. Jesus said no man has the ability. In order for a sinner to come to Christ in a saving way, God must first enable him or her to hear and learn “of the Father.” The Father must “draw.” The Father must teach the individual.    Jesus clearly stated that those whom God teaches – those whom He enables to hear and learn – come to Christ. God does not try to teach some folk and fail in His instruction. God is not a failure! No man or woman is stronger than He.  “...He doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?”  (Daniel 4:35).    Hate God because He is sovereign if you will, but the true child of God has taken his place as a hopeless and helpless sinner before Him seeing his need of Christ. Resist His power all you will, but your resistance is fruitless for God says, “As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God,” (Romans 14:11). You will either bow your knees to God and be saved now or you will bow your knees when it is too late: when you stand before Him to be sentenced to the lake of fire for eternity.

Church Notices: Thank you to Brother Justin Bookout for attending to the church services last Sunday.

Fanning the inextinguishable fire, and sharpening the tooth of the immortal worm!

  ~  ~  ~  ~

(Edward Payson, 1783-1827)

If you would learn the full extent of that wretchedness which sin produces--then you must follow it into the eternal world, and descend into those regions where peace and hope never come. There behold sin tyrannizing over its wretched victims with uncontrollable fury--fanning the inextinguishable fire, and sharpening the tooth of the immortal worm!

See angels and archangels, thrones and dominions, principalities and powers--stripped of all their original glory and beauty--bound in eternal chains, and burning with rage and malice against that Being in whose presence they once rejoiced, and whose praises they once sang!

See multitudes of the human race, in unutterable agonies of anguish and despair--cursing the Giver and Prolonger of their existence, and vainly wishing for annihilation to put an end to their miseries.

Follow them through the long, long ages of eternity--and see them sinking deeper and deeper in the bottomless abyss of ruin! View them perpetually blaspheming God because of their plagues, and receiving the punishment of these blasphemies in continued additions to their wretchedness.

Such are the wages of sin--such the doom of the finally impenitent!

From these depths of anguish and despair--look up to the mansions of the blessed, and see to what a height of glory and felicity, the grace of God will raise every sinner who repents. See those who are thus favored in unutterable ecstasies of joy, love, and praise--beholding God face to face, reflecting His perfect image, shining with a splendor like that of their glorious Redeemer, and bathing in those rivers of pleasure which flow forever at God's right hand!

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
March 26, 2017

Blessed [are] they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6)

Try as we might, there is no human satisfaction to be found in earthly things. No created thing can hope to fill us, to complete us. For all created things are finite in their very nature. Yet our longing for satisfaction is infinite and therefore can only be filled by One infinite in nature. The righteous are those who are filled by the Spirit of God—they are, therefore, satisfied.

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
March 25, 2017

For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks. (Psalm 18:27)

Humble are the people of God and they will be saved! Humble are they that trust upon Christ for they have given up hope in their own worth, power, and strength to sustain themselves. All will be saved who reject themselves and trust upon the life, death, resurrection, ascension, and deity of Christ Jesus. They shall taste the life everlasting!

The Triumph of Trust

March 24

 

 

BY James Ryle

 

“But I will trust in thee.” Psalms_55:23

 

It is one thing to boast of faith when all things are great and wonderful. But it is an entirely different matter when one can walk in the triumph of trust while things are desperate all about.

 

The Psalmist here is a man whose prayers are not being answered; indeed, it would seem to him that his voice is not even being heard in heaven at all. And it’s not like he’s asking for vain things. No, quite the contrary; for all hell has broke loose and he’s fighting for his life!

 

“The terrors of death are fallen upon me,” he says, “Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me!” It’s a bad day.

 

Furthermore, he is painfully aware of his own powerlessness in the situation; he doesn’t even have the ability to run away and hide somewhere. He would gladly scamper if he could, but even that is beyond his supply. He is captive in a Philistine prison.

 

He’s stuck in a bad deal, and it’s only getting worse. A friend, a dear friend; a treasured friend has betrayed him cruelly. A man who worshipped with him in the presence of the Lord, a man whose friendship he had never doubted and on whose loyalty he had staked his life – this man had proven to be false and broke David’s singing heart.

 

And in this downward spiral of sorrow he cried to God above — and nothing. No answer at all. Nada. Zippo. Zilch.

 

Yep, it’s a bad day; a real bad day.

 

Anybody would understand if at this moment David had decided to call it quits on God; after all, people do it all the time. “C’mon David,” they would say, “join the rest of us who are done with childish things like faith and prayers, Bible verses and silly love longs. Welcome to the real world!”

 

But David was cut from another stock than that, and now in this darkening moment a single ray of light still remained — it was the light of trust. He refused to regard God’s silence as indifference, or to consider God’s inactivity as impotence. No, instead, he triumphed in trust.

 

“Heaven might be brass today, and God withdrawn and silent, but I will trust in Thee,” he said. “Winds may be howling and demons may be growling, and all things lovely to behold may be blown away, but I will trust in Thee. My heart is faint, my hopes are dim, and my power is gone, but I will trust in Thee. And though friends have fallen and turned to foes, and none can give solace to my deeper wounds, nevertheless I will trust in Thee.”

 

We know now that David’s trust in the Lord paid off huge, for history holds him forth as one of the greatest of Israel’s kings. And the Church holds him dear as one of God’s great champions. Who knows but that a similar destiny awaits you on the other side of this ordeal?

 

Stay the course, my friend, and stand in the triumph of trust!

Morning Devotional March 23, 2017

Ecclesiastes 7:1

“A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.”

In our society today we put much attention on the birth of a child. All through our lives we celebrate the birth with celebrations and parties. Some have even set aside a day of celebration for the so called birthday of our Lord. Yet in God's Word, we see God Himself instruct us to put more importance on the death of His saints.

Why is this? Why does God instruct us to rejoice in death instead of birth? The going home to be with our Heavenly Father is the most precious event to happen in our lives. It is the hope we have hoped for since the day of our salvation. We are finally freed from this old sinful world with it's pain and disappointments. We are at last with our Lord and Savior. All things temporal are done and eternity future has began. O how we ought to be jealous with a holy jealousy of our loved ones who have gone on to be with our Lord!!!

Yes there is a natural time of grieving for that one who has left this world for the next. And no doubt they shall be missed. But O the joy of knowing where they have gone and who they are with!!! Praise God we have that hope of being there one day ourselves!!! Praise God He has made a way for us to join our brothers and sisters again in that place where we will worship our Lord for evermore!!!

Praise ye the Lord!!!

 

Stephen McCool Sr.

Contending With Horses

March 23

 

 

By James Ryle

 

“How shall you contend with horses?” (Jeremiah_12:5)

 

Jeremiah, a young man facing opposition and growing increasingly impatient in the process, complained to the Lord about the injustice in life — the wicked prosper, and the righteous suffer, and God seems to sit back in silence. “Lord, I have a problem here – why do the wicked prosper, and the faithless always succeed?”

 

Have you ever wanted to say something to God along those lines? Before you do, you should hear how He answered young Jeremiah’s complaint.

 

“Jeremiah,” the Lord said, “if you get tired in a race against people, how can you possibly run against horses? And if you complain in fields of ease, what will happen when your encounter the high tides of the turbulent Jordan?”

 

There God goes again, speaking in riddles. What on earth does this mean? He is telling Jeremiah that tough times are ahead, and these present difficulties are only preparing him for the steeper climb. And the question God puts to him is the same we ourselves must answer in our ever darkening world.

 

And even though the wicked may seem to have it made now; in that day when their world comes crashing down around them, will you have what it takes to stand?

 

If we cannot handle the inconvenience of the smaller thing, then how shall we meet the challenge of the greater thing? If we stumble over that which is now before us, how shall we advance to that which is yet beyond us?

 

To be sure, the Lord wants us to make measured moves to greater levels of opportunity and responsibility, but the climb is beset with necessary challenges that can only be mounted by an unflinching faith. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. said, “Faith is the highest passion in a human being. Many in every generation may not come that far, but none comes further.”

 

None but those who contend with horses.

 

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
March 23, 2017

He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; (Psalm 104:14)

The Lord is ever our provider! Never shall our souls stand in need of any necessity. When God's child lacks strength in time of trouble, the Lord shall supply it. When Abraham's son is beaten down under worldly woe, his heavenly Father shall certainly revive him. When the believer's soul is parched and dry, then shall the High King of Heaven fill him to overflowing with rivers of living water.

Morning Devotional March 22, 2017

Psalm 139:1-7

“O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?”

O how often we think our private lives and secret thoughts are known only to us? And yet, as children of God, our Heavenly Father is always there. Watching and listening to our every deed and word.

The Psalmist gives us a clear reminder in this chapter that we are not alone and our very thoughts are known to God. O how we often forget that we are His Holy Temple where His Holy Spirit resides. We can never escape His presence.

Yet how many times, just in one day, not to mention in a life time, do we act as though we never knew Him? From the television shows and movies we watch to the jokes we laugh at that our co-workers tell to the rage and foul language we may us when driving in traffic. He is there through it all. And then there is that phone call or text or Facebook message where we gossip about another one of His children. Do we not think these things grief Him? Do we actually think we will get away with these things unpunished? What would we react to our own children doing these things? Sadly many of us would think nothing of our own children doing these things because we have taught them so well to follow the world not God.

O child of God I encourage you today to think before you do those things that dishonor our Lord. Stop and think before laughing at that joke. Stop and think before you sit down to watch television with the family. Stop and think before before rage over takes you in traffic. Stop and think before you gossip about your brother or sister in Christ. Contemplate “What is God going to think when I do that or say that?” Follow Christ.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

 

Stephen McCool Sr.

Man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward!

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Man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward!

(Charles Naylor)

"Man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward!" Job 5:7

"Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows." John 16:33

"Through many hardships and tribulations, we must enter the kingdom of God." Acts 14:22

No one has ever lived, who has not had his times of discouragement, heaviness, sorrow and disappointment. Cares and afflictions come to all.

Life has its adversities--it must needs have them. Adversity, pain, sorrow, and disappointment--are the lathe upon which God shapes us. They are the grinding-wheel which grinds and smoothes us. They are the polishing-wheel which makes us shine.

If we can never be happy until we are so situated that nothing exists which may tend to render us unhappy--then we shall have little happiness in life.

Happiness does not come from a life of ease and indolence. It is not the result of the absence of obstacles and difficulties. Happiness comes from triumphing over them. Therefore the song of true happiness, often arises from the soul which undergoes many adversities.

Dear soul, Jesus knows all about your troubles. He knows every heartache, every difficulty, everything you must overcome, everything you must bear. Trusting in His grace, relying upon His help--you shall soon find your heart filling again with melody, for the clouds will pass away!

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away!" Revelation 21:4

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
March 22, 2017

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as [in] a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker [is] God. Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, [so many] as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that [country] from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better [country], that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. (Hebrews 11:8-16)

God here promises not only His pleasure in those who look to the heavenlies rather than toward earthly treasure, but He also promises a holy and heavenly dwelling to His people. For all believers say the same: that they seek not a homeland with foundations of stone and metal, but one made of heavenly hands.

Morning Devotional March 21, 2017

Romans 13:14

“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”

O what a sad state we are in today. O what a disgrace we are to our Lord in so many ways. The lusts of this flesh and of this world are consuming so many of God's children or at least those who make that claim.

Over and over in scripture our Lord tells us to flee the lust of the flesh and to be seperate from the world. But time and time again we follow right after that which He has forbidden. We are a rebelious bunch. Foresaking the very God and creator who loved us so much He sent His Son to die in our stead.

O child of God, let us not forget who's we are and who we are!!! We are the children of God!!! We have been adopted into the family of God!!! If we would just follow Christ and His commandments. If we would just turn to Him during our trials. If we would just praise our Heavenly Father in all that we do.

Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and follow not after the lusts of the flesh!!!

Praise ye the Lord!!!

 

Stephen McCool Sr.

Deceitful & desperately wicked!

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       (William S. Plumer, "Sinners Saved by Unmerited Kindness")

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?" Jeremiah 17:9

The heart is DECEITFUL. Man is the only creature on earth that seems to practice self-deception. That we should sometimes deceive others, is proof of our depravity; but that we should spend our lives in self-deception, is truly astonishing! Men of the fewest virtues, commonly have the highest thoughts of themselves. How strange and yet how common, that he whose heart has deceived him a thousand times--should yet confide in it as if it had always been honest!

The human heart deceives every being but one. It would deceive Him--if He were not omniscient. None but God knows all the depths of iniquity and duplicity within us.

Though the language of the Bible is strong, it is just. God declares, and every Christian knows by sad experience--that his heart is deceitful above all things. A perfect knowledge of the treachery of our hearts, is possessed by none but God.

The heart is also VILE. It is "desperately wicked."
It loves vanity, and folly and sin.
It hates holiness, and truth and divine restraints.
It is . . .
  a sink of iniquity,
  a pool of pestilential waters,
  a cage of unclean birds, and
  a sepulcher full of dead men's bones!
It is torn by wild, fierce, unhallowed passions.
It rejects good--and chooses evil.
It is wholly corrupt.
It is full of evil.
There is no soundness in it.

"For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander." Matthew 15:19

"He who trusts in his own heart is a fool!" Proverbs 28:26

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
March 21, 2017

Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in [his] goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. (Romans 11:22)

Those who abide in the love of Christ are assured his kindness. He cares for His children, the sheep of His hand. Never shall those whom He grants drink of the living water grow faint. So trust in the Lord. Lean upon His abounding grace. Abide in the life of His vine and you shall never feel the severity of God's hand!

Twenty-four hours in Hell!

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(James Smith, "ANTIDOTES!" 1858)

"Why should any living man complain?" Lamentations 3:39

Occasionally, I am tempted to complain of my hard lot--and think myself harshly dealt with. Ingratitude rises and works in my heart. This always makes me wretched. I then find it profitable to look down into Hell--and realize its horrors and agonies as my just deservings.

If anyone ever deserved to go to Hell--I did!

If justice was ever honored in a sinner's damnation--it would have been in mine!

If anyone was ever saved by grace alone--I am the man!

Shall I then, who deserve to be in Hell--but am not;
shall I, who am an heir of Heavenly glory--though no one ever deserved it less;
shall I, because of a few trials, troubles, and disappointments, or because I have rather a heavy cross to carry--shall I dare to murmur, or fret, or complain, or think myself harshly dealt with?

Shocking inconsistency!

What are my present pains or sufferings--compared with the Hell that I deserve!

All the afflictions that I am called to endure here on earth--cannot be compared with only twenty-four hours in Hell! And yet my desert is, not to be in Hell for a few hours--but forever! Surely every lost soul, every damned spirit--will be ready to upbraid me--if I complain of my present lot! What base gratitude--if I do not praise the Lord with joyful lips, for His rich, free, and sovereign grace!

O my soul, whenever I am tempted to complain of my difficult lot--think of my deservings! Think of what would have been my eternal doom--if God had not saved me by His sovereign grace!

Yes, I do find that looking down into Hell . . .
  silences my complaints,
  awakens my gratitude, and
  humbles me in the dust before my God!

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
March 20, 2017

That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:15-16)

The promise of salvation is offered to those who simply believe. Eternal life is the gift to the believer who places their trust in Jesus Christ, God's one and only son.

Morning Devotional March 18, 2017

I Corinthians 10:31

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

Are we doing everything we do to the glory of God? I challenge you child of God to ask yourself this question. Contemplate these things. Do we really love our Lord enough to do all that we do to His glory and not our own?

With the simplest things in life such as eating and drinking, do we do those things to His glory? When it comes to what we consider mediocre in life. Those things that come as habit in our daily lives or those things that just seem to come natural. Do we do them all to the glory of God? And then there are the complex things in life. A new job. Marriage. Children. Finding a true church. Do we consult with God in these things? Do we give Him the glory when He answers our prayers in these matters? What if the answers He gives are not what we wanted or what we expected? Do we still give Him the glory for all?

O child of God, follow the Word of the Lord today and every day!!! Give God the glory for everything in life!!! No matter the severity. No matter if it is what we wanted or not. Give God the glory for all!!!

Remember, all things are done for His glory and for our good.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

 

Stephen McCool Sr.

The chisel of affliction!

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(Charles Naylor)

[Editor's note: Naylor is peculiarly qualified to write on affliction by his training in the school of suffering. As a young evangelist, Naylor was severely injured in an accident. For forty-one years as an invalid, he lay day and night on a bed of pain as a constant sufferer.]

"God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it!" Hebrews 12:10-11
One thing very difficult for many Christians to learn, is that the chastening rod of God is applied in love, not in anger. We are told that God "scourges every son whom He receives," and that that scourging is the proof of our sonship. So often people are inclined to take God's chastisement as an evidence that they are no longer His sons. They look upon it as a mark of God's disapproval--or even of His anger. But Scripture tells us that His chastening is for our profit. He does it not for His own pleasure--but that we may be made holier by it. It is a mark of His love. He says, "As many as I love--I rebuke and chasten!" Revelation 3:19
Note carefully God's attitude in His chastening in Hebrews 12. We are all ready to admit the truth of the eleventh verse, "No chastening for the present seems to be joyous--but grievous." None of us like to be chastened--but yet it is necessary; out of chastening come the fruits of righteousness. When the Lord chastens us, therefore, let us bear it with meekness. Let us profit by it. Let us neither be grieved nor discouraged.

Gold is purified in the furnace. It is not destroyed--it is made the better by the flames.

In the same way, every believer must pass through the furnace. The purpose of the furnace is . . .
  that we may be purged from our dross,
  that our graces may be refined,
  that we may be rid of worldliness,
  that we may be made more holy.

If you and I have to pass through the furnace of affliction or sorrow, of losses or failures--then let us submit ourselves to the hand of God. Let us not question either His mercy or His goodness.

We must often endure the chisel of affliction, as God carves us into His image. We desire to be in His image. We desire to be godlike in character. Remember that God only afflicts for our good. Like the surgeon, God does not hurt willingly--but only of necessity.

In our times of trouble, He would have us run into His arms and tell Him all our troubles, our questionings, our heartaches!

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
March 19, 2017

The LORD [is] good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. (Nahum 1:7)

My prayer: Lord, You are so good to Your children! You have shown us the utmost tenderness and grace as You hold us in Your mighty hand. It is such a wonderful honor to be called Your people as we take delight in Your sanctuary. Thank You for Your mercy and abounding love for us!

How is the plowing of the wicked, sin?

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(George Lawson, "A Practical Exposition of the Book of Proverbs" 1821)

"The plowing of the wicked is sin." Proverbs 21:4

How is the plowing of the wicked, sin--when they are commanded to plow, and severely reproved for the neglect of that work by which they ought to support themselves and their families?

Whether we eat or drink, or whatever we do--we are required to do all to the glory of God. But the wicked man neither eats nor drinks, nor plows, nor sows, to the glory of God--and therefore he lives in a course of sin, even when he is employed in those actions which are most innocent or necessary.

His soul is infected deeply with the venom of sin, which spreads itself over all his life. For to the unbelieving and impure, there is nothing holy. They are corrupt trees--and no fruit that grows upon them can be good. Their hands are defiled with sin, and their fingers with iniquity--and, therefore, everything they touch must be defiled by their impurity!

What then must the wicked do? Must they leave off all work, lest they should sin in doing it? By no means. Their business is to get free of that plague of sin which spreads infection to everything they meddle with. Let them have recourse, like the leper, to Christ--that He may make them clean--and then being pure, everything will become pure to them.

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
March 18, 2017

He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. (Proverbs 2:8)

Take heart, O children of Abraham! The justice of God is inescapable. No fiery terror escapes His sight. No murdering tyrant hides from His eye. No perverse malcontent might flee His presence. Those who persecute and make martyrs of God's people will receive the end they deserve. In fact, they will receive the end that even we deserved-if they repent not. Pray for even the most wicked of your neighbours that they, like you, might find their justice in the blood of Christ.

Some professors of religion are like the catbird!

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(Charles Naylor, "How to Fertilize Love" 1920)

There are very many things that may choke out love in the home. One of these is the lack of kindness. If you have grown less kind in your feelings, in your actions, and in your words--then love cannot thrive. Kindness is one of the best fertilizers for love.

There are so many people who have two sets of tones in which to speak--and two sets of manners in which they act. They have their company manners--and their family manners. When they have company--then the voice is soft and pleasant, and the manners are agreeable and kindly. They treat their friends with the greatest consideration; but as soon as their friends are gone, the pleasant voice changes into crossness or harshness and fault-finding--and the pleasantness of manner disappears! In how many homes is this true!

The greater consideration, the greater kindness--is due the home folks. Otherwise, love cannot flourish. If you wish to have love for your home folks--then you must show them the consideration that is due them.

Some professors of religion are like the catbird! When it is away from its nest--then it is one of the sweetest of the northern warblers; but when it is close to its nest--then you will hear only a harsh, discordant note. It has no sweetness in its voice while at its nest.

In the same way, some people reserve all their kindness, tenderness, and sweetness--for those outside the family circle. Is it any wonder that love dies in such a home?
"Love must be without hypocrisy." Romans 12:9

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
March 17, 2017

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward [man] is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding [and] eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen [are] temporal; but the things which are not seen [are] eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

Our struggles, our battles, our daily toiling against the forces of this present darkness are naught compared with the marvellous riches and captivating glory to which we are called and in which we will soon partake. What matter our suffering? What matter our failures? What matter any measure of suffering when held against the surpassing beauty and permanence of our heavenly hope!

Morning Devotional March 16, 2017

Luke 15:10

“Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”



O what a joyious occasion it is when one of God's elect repents of their sin and our Lord saves them!!! How often we see the exitement in them as our Lord begins to open unto them the mysteries of His Gospel. When, as a new born babe, they begin to see their Heavenly Father and His love for the first time. O what a joy that is!!! Child of God do you remember that precious time in your life? That time when God revelled Himself to you and showed you the greatest love you had ever known? Then why do we not rejoice with others when this happens to them? I have seen in many churches where God's people will shun a new born babe in Christ. O it's cute and adorrible when it a small child. But what about when that person is an adult? Why do we not take as much pleasure in the fact that our Lord has saved the soul of an adult?The verse above tells us that even the angels in Heaven rejoice when a sinner repents. Should we not rejoice also?
We should be praising the Lord when we see a sinner repent and our Lord save them. There is no greater thing for a lost sinner.
Praise ye the Lord!!!

Stephen McCool Sr.

This unravels the mystery!

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(Octavius Winslow, "Christ, the Counselor")

The path of providence is often paved with difficulties and beset with perplexities with which we can hardly cope.

Our way to Heaven is through an intricate wilderness, and across a circuitous desert.

To many even of the Lord's people, this is literally the case. Visit their abodes, and ponder the struggle passing within. All is . . .
  poverty and discomfort,
  penury of bread,
  scantiness of clothing,
  pining sickness,
  loathsome disease,
  excruciating suffering,
with no human friends, no soothing alleviation, no earthly comforts.

And yet this dark picture is not entirely unrelieved.

Christ dwells in that obscure abode! God's eye is watching over it! There is . . .
  gnawing poverty--and yet boundless wealth;
  deep need--and yet a rich supply;
  acute suffering--and yet exquisite pleasure;
  keen sorrow--and yet unspeakable joy!

And why these paradoxes? How are we to understand these strange contradictions?

The apostle gives us a clue in a page of his own history.
"As unknown--and yet well known;
 as dying--and behold, we live;
 as chastened--and not killed;
 as sorrowful--yet always rejoicing;
 as poor--yet making many rich;
 as having nothing--yet possessing all things!"

This unravels the mystery!

The possession of Christ explains it! He who has Christ in him, and Christ with him, and the hope of being forever with Christ in glory--is not a poor, nor a sorrowful, nor a suffering, nor a lonely man. He can say, "I am not alone, for my Father is with me! I am not poor, for all things are mine! My body is diseased--but my soul is in health! I have all and abound!"

Can we for a moment doubt His perfect power . . .
  to undertake all the cares,
  to cope with all the difficulties,
  to solve all the doubts, and
  to disentangle all the perplexities brought to Him by His saints in all places and at all times!

"Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name--you are Mine! When you go through deep waters and great trouble--I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty--you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression--you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior!" Isaiah 43:1-3

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