Pure Devotion

— Posted inHymns — 1 min read 
The Bridegroom is coming, for a bride that is spotless Those who have washed in the blood of Christ And keeping themselves in the love of their Saviour Waiting for Him, with their lamps alight To have my lamp burn bright for You, Lord And tune my ear for the Bridegroom’s cry Possessing Your wisdom, with oil in my vessel Ready for You, this is my desire 
Chorus: Lord Jesus, the time is short So I bring You this vessel, fill it up with oil Knowing You, is all that’s important So I’ll seek Your heart, to live my life in pure devotion 
You call me to come, into Your presence And fellowship here, laying all aside Through the veil that was torn, to the Holy of Holies And set my sights on the Bridegroom’s eyes

By Christ Our Life. http://www.christourlife.ca/

The importance of prayer and our gratitude towards God

— Posted inHebrews, Mark, Romans — 19 min read

Through nature and revelation, through God’s providence, and by the influence of His Spirit, God speaks to us. But these are not enough; we need also to pour out our hearts to Him. In order to live a godly spiritual life, it has to be an desire to have actual intercourse with our almighty dear Heavenly Father. Our minds may be drawn out toward Him; we may meditate upon His Word and His marvelous works, His mercies, His blessings; but this is not, in the fullest sense, communing with Him. In order to commune with our mighty wonderful Heavenly Father, we must have something to say to Him concerning our actual life.Prayer is the opening of the heart to God. Not that it is necessary in order to make known to God what we are, but in order to enable us to receive Him in our lives. Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him.When Jesus Christ was upon the earth, He taught His disciples how to pray. He directed them to present their daily needs before God, and to cast all their care upon Him. And the great assurance He gave them that their petitions should be heard, is assurance also to us. Jesus Christ Himself, while He dwelt among men, was often in prayer. Our wonderful mighty dear caring Saviour identified Himself with our needs and weakness, in that He became a suppliant, a petitioner, seeking from His Father fresh supplies of strength, that He might come forth braced for duty and trial. He is our example in all things. He is a brother in our infirmities, “in all points tempted like as we are;” but as the sinless one His precious devine nature recoiled from evil; He endured struggles and torture of soul in a world of sin. His humanity made prayer a necessity and a privilege. He found comfort and joy in communion with His Father. And if Jesus Christ our dear caring Saviour of men, the Son of God, felt the need of prayer, how much more should feeble, sinful mortals feel the necessity of fervent, constant prayer. Our heavenly Father waits to bestow upon us the fullness of His blessing. It is our privilege to drink largely at the fountain of boundless love. What a wonder it is that we pray so little! God is ready and willing to hear the sincere prayer of the humblest of His children, and yet there is so much manifest reluctance on our part to make known our wants to God. God’s heart of infinite love yearns toward us, ready to give us more than we ask or think, and yet we pray so little and have so little faith? regard communion with God as our highest joy; and yet the children of earth, who need so much the help that God only can give, seem satisfied to walk without the light of His Spirit, the companionship of His presence.The darkness of the evil one encloses those who neglect to pray. The whispered temptations of the enemy entice them to sin; and it is all because they do not make use of the privileges that God has given them in the divine appointment of prayer. Why should the sons and daughters of God be reluctant to pray, when prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven’s storehouse, where are treasured the boundless resources of Omnipotence? Without unceasing prayer and diligent watching we are in danger of growing careless and of deviating from the right path. The adversary seeks continually to obstruct the way to the mercy seat, that we may not by earnest supplication and faith obtain grace and power to resist temptation.There are certain conditions upon which we may expect that God will hear and answer our prayers. One of the first of these is that we feel our need of help from Him.

He has promised, “I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground.” as read in Isaiah 44:3.

Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, who long after God, may be sure that they will be filled. The heart must be open to the Spirit’s influence, or God’s blessing cannot be received. Our great need is itself an argument and pleads most eloquently in our behalf.

But the Lord Jesus Christ is to be sought unto to do these things for us. He says, “Ask, and it shall be given you.” And “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”as read in Matthew 7:7; Romans 8:32.

If we regard iniquity in our hearts, if we cling to any known sin, the Lord will not hear us; but the prayer of the penitent, contrite soul is always accepted. When all known wrongs are righted, we may believe that God will answer our petitions. Our own merit will never commend us to the favor of God; it is the worthiness of Jesus Christ that will save us, His precious sacrificed blood that will cleanse us; yet we have a work to do in complying with the conditions of acceptance. Another element of prevailing prayer is faith.

“He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” as read in Hebrews 11:6.

Jesus said to His disciples, “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” as read in Mark 11:24.

Do we take Him at His word?

The assurance is broad and unlimited, and He is faithful who has promised. When we do not receive the very things we asked for, at the time we ask, we are still to believe that the Lord hears us and that He will answer our prayers. We are so erring and short sighted that we sometimes ask for things that would not be a blessing to us, and our almighty dear caring heavenly Father in love answers our prayers by giving us that which will be for our highest good, that which we ourselves would desire if with vision divinely enlightened we could see all things as they really are. When our prayers seem not to be answered, we are to cling to the promise; for the time of answering will surely come, and we shall receive the blessing we need most. But to claim that prayer will always be answered in the very way and for the particular thing that we desire, is presumption. God is too wise to err, and too good to withhold any good thing from them that walk uprightly. Then do not fear to trust Him, even though you do not see the immediate answer to your prayers. Rely upon His sure promise, “Ask, and it shall be given you.”If we take counsel with our doubts and fears, or try to solve everything that we cannot see clearly, before we have faith, perplexities will only increase and deepen. But if we come to God, feeling helpless and dependent, as we really are, and in humble, trusting faith make known our wants to Him whose knowledge is infinite, who sees everything in creation, and who governs everything by His good will and marvelous Word, He can and will attend to our cry, and will let light shine into our hearts.

Through sincere prayer we are brought into connection with the mind of the Infinite. We may have no remarkable evidence at the time that the face of our Redeemer is bending over us in compassion and love, but this is even so. We may not feel His visible touch, but His hand is upon us in love and pitying tenderness.When we come to ask mercy and blessing from God we should have a spirit of love and forgiveness in our own hearts.

How can we pray, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,” and yet indulge an unforgiving spirit? As read in Matthew 6:12. If we expect our own prayers to be heard we must forgive others in the same manner and to the same extent as we hope to be forgiven. Perseverance in prayer has been made a condition of receiving. When we have a desire to pray always we will grow in faith and experience.

We are to be “instant in prayer,” to “continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.” as read in Romans 12:12 and Colossians 4:2. Peter exhorts believers to be “sober, and watch unto prayer.” Read 1 Peter 4:7. Paul directs, “In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” as read in Philippians 4:6. “But ye, beloved,” says Jude, “praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God.” See Jude 20, 21.

Unceasing prayer is the unbroken union of the soul with God, so that life from God flows into our life; and from our life, purity and holiness flow back to God.There is necessity for diligence in prayer; let nothing hinder you. Make every effort to keep open the communion between Jesus and your own soul. Seek every opportunity to go where prayer is wont to be made. Those who are really seeking for communion with God will be seen in the prayer meeting, faithful to do their duty and earnest and anxious to reap all the benefits they can gain. They will improve every opportunity of placing themselves where they can receive the rays of light from heaven.We should pray in the family circle, and above all we must not neglect secret prayer, for this is the life of the soul. It is impossible for the soul to flourish while prayer is neglected. Family or public prayer alone is not sufficient. In solitude our soul should be laid open to the inspecting eye of God. Secret prayer is to be heard only by the prayer hearing God. No curious ear is to receive the burden of such petitions. In secret prayer the soul is free from surrounding influences, free from excitement. Calmly, yet fervently, will it reach out after God. Sweet and abiding will be the influence emanating from Him who seeth in secret, whose ear is open to hear the prayer arising from the heart. By calm, simple faith the soul holds communion with our almighty God and gathers to itself rays of divine light to strengthen and sustain it in the conflict with satan. God is our tower of strength. Pray in your closet, and as you go about your daily labor let your heart be often uplifted to God. It was that Enoch walked with God. These silent prayers rise like precious incense before the throne of grace. Satan cannot overcome him whose heart stayed upon God. There is no time or place in which it is inappropriate to offer up a petition to God. There is nothing that can prevent us from lifting up our hearts in the spirit of earnest prayer. In the crowds of the street, in the midst of a business engagement, we may send up a petition to God and plead for divine guidance, as did Nehemiah when he made his request before King Artaxerxes. A closet of communion may be found wherever we are. We should have an desire to have the door of the heart open continually and our invitation going up that Jesus Christ may come and abide as a heavenly guest in the soul. Although there may be a tainted, corrupted atmosphere around us, we shouldn’t need to breathe its miasma, but may live in the pure air of heaven. We may close every door to impure imaginings and unholy thoughts by lifting the soul into the presence of God through our sincere prayer. Those whose hearts are open to receive the support and blessing of God will walk in a holier atmosphere than that of earth and will have constant communion with heaven.We need to have more distinct views of Jesus Christ and a fuller comprehension of the value of eternal realities. The beauty of holiness is to fill the hearts of God’s children; and that this may be accomplished, we should seek for divine disclosures of more valuable heavenly things. Let the soul be drawn out and upward, that God may grant us a breath of the heavenly atmosphere. We may keep so near to God that in every unexpected trial our thoughts will turn to Him as naturally as the flower turns to the sun. Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, and your fears before God. You cannot burden Him; you cannot weary Him. He who numbers the hairs of your head is not indifferent to the wants of His children.

“The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” James 5:11.

His heart of love is touched by our sorrows and even by our utterances of them. Take to Him everything that perplexes the mind. Nothing is too great for Him to bear, for He holds up worlds, He reigns over all the affairs through His sovereignty upon the world. Nothing that in any way concerns our peace is too small for Him to notice. There is no chapter in our experience too dark for Him to read; there is no perplexity too difficult for Him to unravel. No calamity can befall the least of His children, no anxiety harass the soul, no joy cheer, no sincere prayer escape the lips, of which our heavenly Father is unobservant, or in which He takes no immediate interest.

“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” as read in Psalm 147:3.

The relations between God and each soul are as distinct and full as though there were not another soul upon the earth to share His infinite care, not another soul for whom He gave His beloved Son.

Jesus said, “Ye shall ask in My name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: for the Father Himself loveth you.” “I have chosen you: … that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it you.” as read in John 16:26, 27; 15:16. But to pray in the name of Jesus is something more than a mere mention of that name at the beginning and the ending of a prayer.

It is to pray in the mind and spirit of Jesus, while we believe His promises, rely upon His grace, and work His works. God does not say that any of us should become hermits or monks and retire from the world in order to devote ourselves to acts of worship. The life must be like Jesus Christ’s life between the mountain and the multitude. He who does nothing but pray will soon cease to pray, or his prayers will become a formal routine. When men take themselves out of social life, away from the sphere of Christian duty and cross bearing; when they cease to work earnestly for the Master, who worked earnestly for them, they lose the subject matter of prayer and have no incentive to devotion. Their prayers become personal and selfish. They cannot pray in regard to the wants of humanity or the upbuilding of Christ’s kingdom, pleading for strength wherewith to work.We sustain a loss when we neglect the privilege of associating together to strengthen and encourage one another in the service of our almighty Heavenly Father. The truths of His marvelous righteous Word lose their vividness and importance in our minds. Our hearts cease to be enlightened and aroused by their sanctifying influence, and we decline in spirituality. In our association as Christians we lose much by lack of sympathy with one another. He who shuts himself up to himself is not filling the position that God designed he should. The proper cultivation of the social elements in our nature brings us into sympathy with others and is a means of development and strength to us in the service of God. If believers would associate together, speaking to each other of the infinite devine love of God and of the precious truths of redemption, their own hearts would be refreshed and they would refresh one another. We may be daily learning more of our almighty dear caring heavenly Father, gaining a fresh experience of His grace; then we shall desire to speak of His infinite love; and as we do this, our own hearts will be warmed and encouraged. If we thought and talked more of Jesus Christ, and less of self, we should receive far more of His presence. If we would but think of God as often as we have evidence of His care for us we should keep Him ever in our thoughts and should delight to talk of Him and to praise Him. We talk of temporal things because we have an interest in them. We talk of our friends because we love them; our joys and our sorrows are bound up with them. Yet we have infinitely greater reason to love God than to love our earthly friends; it should be the most natural thing in the world to make Him first in all our thoughts, to talk of His goodness and tell of His power. The rich gifts He has bestowed upon us were not intended to absorb our thoughts and love so much that we should have nothing to give to God; they are constantly to remind us of Him and to bind us in bonds of the precious love and gratitude to our almighty Heavenly Father. We dwell too near the lowlands of earth.

Let us raise our eyes to the open door of the sanctuary above, where the light of God’s Shekinah Glory shines in the face of Christ, who “is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him.” Hebrews 7:25.We need to praise God more “for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men.” Psalm 107:8. Our devotional exercises should not consist wholly in asking and receiving.

Let us not be always thinking of our wants and never of the benefits we receive. We do not pray any too much, but we are too sparing of giving thanks. We are the constant recipients of God’s mercies, and yet how little gratitude we express, how little we praise Him for what He has done for us. Anciently the Lord bade Israel, when they met together for His service…

“Ye shall eat before the Lord your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the Lord thy God hath blessed thee.” as read in Deuteronomy 12:7.

That which is done for the glory of God should be done with cheerfulness, with songs of praise and thanksgiving, not with sadness and gloom. Our God is a tender, merciful Heavenly Father. His service should not be looked upon as a heart saddening, distressing exercise. It should be a pleasure to worship the Lord Jesus Christ and to take part in His work. God would not have His children, for whom so great salvation has been provided, act as if He were a hard, exacting taskmaster. He is their best friend; and when they worship Him, He expects to be with them, to bless and comfort them, filling their hearts with joy and love. The Lord Jesus Christ desires His children to take comfort in His service and to find more pleasure than hardship in His work. He desires that those who come to worship Him shall carry away with them precious thoughts of His care and love, that they may be cheered in all the employments of daily life, that they may have grace to deal honestly and faithfully in all things. We must gather about the cross. Jesus Christ and Him crucified should be the theme of contemplation, of conversation, and of our most joyful emotion. We should keep in our thoughts every blessing we receive from God, and when we realize His great infinite love we should be willing to trust everything to the hand that was nailed to the cross for us.The soul may ascend nearer heaven on the wings of praise. God is worshiped with song and music in the courts above, and as we express our gratitude we are approximating to the worship of the heavenly hosts.

“Whoso offereth praise glorifieth” God. As read in Psalm 50:23. Let us with reverent joy come before our Creator, with “thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.” as read in Isaiah 51:3.

“The LORD bless you, and keep you. The LORD make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you. The LORD lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.“
Numbers 6:24-26

Much LoVe, JoY, Peace and Blessings, through Jesus Christ, our almighty dear caring Lord, Saviour and Redeemer, in who we faithfully abide, trust, believe and abundantly do receive throughout His marvelous righteous Word and truth fulfilling Holy Spirit ✝️🔥👑🙏🏻🕊️

💫 Emmanuel 💫

I thank You Lord Jesus

— Posted inHymns — 1 min read

“Morning Song”

I thank You Lord Jesus... You’re greater and You live within me... I’ll sing praise forever... For greater are You that is in me... Than he that is in the world 
Chorus: You’re wonderful, You fill me with joy You are my morning song The powers of hell, at Calvary they fell You are the hope in my heart You triumphed, victorious Disarming all powers on Your cross Erasing my charges And raised me from death to reign with You Shaming the enemy...
Ending: You raised me from the miry clay I thank You You fill my tongue with songs of praise I thank You You lift me up and guide my way I thank You The gates of hell shall not prevail I thank You

By Christ our Life www.christourlife.ca

The teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ

— Posted inJohn — 4 min read

Note and Bibical scripture reference on John 7:16

Jesus did not invent His teaching and it did not come from other men. It came from God the Father who sent Him. See also John12:49;17:8. Since Jesus was honest we should truly believe Him about this and accept His marvelous teaching as the very righteous words of God. Forty times in this Gospel Jesus insisted that He had come into the world from God the Father. Read John 3:16-17;4:35; 5:24,37; 6:39,44,57.

Note and Biblical Scripture Reference on John 7:17

Here Jesus gives a way whereby any person can find out whether He spoke the truth of God. Sincere commitment to do the will of God, our marvelous Creator of heaven and earth, is the only way to obtain true spiritual knowledge. And anyone, anywhere who does so will come to know that Jesus Christ taught the very truth of God. People sometimes express doubts about the possibility of knowing the truth because there are so many different religions, sects, and teachings in the world. But in this verse Jesus Christ gives us an infallible way to find the truth.

“The light of the body is the eye. Therefore if your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.
Matthew 6:22

But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. Therefore if the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
Matthew 6:23

Note and Biblical Scripture References on Matthew 6:22-23.

This is absolutely true in both the physical and spiritual realm, but the Lord Jesus is speaking of spiritual matters. The subject is the same as before, treasures. To fix the eye on something is to desire it. Good spiritual eyes see things as they are and desire the glory of God, the things of the kingdom of light, and the eternal rewards He gives to those who serve Him. Bad spiritual eyes do not see things as they really are, and desire the things of the world, the things related to sin, self, and darkness. They see no glory of Jesus Christ and no value in salvation, as seen in 2 Corinthians 4:4.

The direction in which the eyes of our mind and heart look determines whether we will be filled with God’s light or the darkness of sin. There are only two possible kinds of ways that which is set on the things of this world, or that which is set on the things of heaven. Compare 2 Corinthians 4:18 and Hebrews 11:26-27. God will hold us responsible but give us the opportunity to keep our eyes focused on Him at all times

So watch out that the light that is in you is not darkness.
Luke 11:35

Note and Biblical Scripture References on Luke 11:35

Jesus puts responsibility on men where it belongs. Light here stands for truth, for spiritual understanding. God gives light to all, but some men love darkness rather than light, and get distracted (Read John 1:9 ; 3:19-2; 8:12; 12:46 and Compare Romans 1:18-23,25).

So are we really desire to do God’s will no matter what, or where it leads us?

If our answer is “no” we should not be surprised if the truth continues to elude us. If our answer is “yes” we certainly will learn and can be confident that the truth and nothing more then the truth of our Lord Jesus Christ will set us free.

Much LoVe, JoY, Peace and Blessings, through Jesus Christ, our almighty dear caring Lord, Saviour and Redeemer, in who we faithfully abide, trust, believe and abundantly do receive, throughout His marvelous righteous Word and truth fulfilling Holy Spirit ✝️🔥👑🙏🕊️

💫 Emmanuel 💫

Faith is the Victory

— Posted inHymns — 1 min read

Based on Revelation 3:5; 2:11; 1 John 5:4; Matthew 24:13 and Revelation 3:12; 2:26

He who overcomes, shall be clothed in garments white, I will not blot out, his name from the Book of Life. He who overcomes, he will not be hurt by death, He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says.
 Chorus: Faith is the victory that has overcome the world! If we endure and keep the faith unto the end We shall be saved. He who overcomes, will be a pillar in My house, He will have My name, and from My presence not go out. He who overcomes, and keeps My works unto the end, I will give him power, over every nation.

By Christ Our Life. http://www.christourlife.ca

Our God shall supply all your needs

— Posted inPhilippines — 4 min read

Note and Biblical Scripture References on Philippines 4:19

God will meet our needs according to His great riches. There is a principle at work in this matter which we should all learn and put into practice. Read also Luke 6:38 and 2 Corinthians 9:6-8.

“All your need”

Not all we may want, but all that He sees and desire we really need. Read Matthew 6:33; 7:9-11; Psalms 23:1; 37:25. God supplies all our spiritual needs, see also Philippians 4:19:23; and Ephesians 1:3; 3:16-20.

“Riches”

Please feel free to Read Romans 2:4; 9:23 and Ephesians 1:7, 18; 2:7; 3:8, 16.

believers in our Lord Jesus Christ don’t need to be anxious as though God gives us according to our needs, as seen in Philippians 4:6 and Matthew 9:29. We shouldn’t necessary expect to receive from people for anything we may need, as our almighty dear Heavenly Father can do this on the believer’s behalf. That is, He can move the hearts of His people to help those in need much more sufficiently than anyone else can. We should all learn to leave these matters in God’s hands where they belong and to trust Him only. We should never imagine that God cannot do anything or will not do anything.

And the LORD said to Moses, “Has the LORD’s hand become short? You will see now whether my word comes true for you or not”.
Numbers 11:23

Note and Biblical Scripture Reference on Numbers 11:23

The answer of God to Moses’ wavering faith was this: God is all-powerful and can and will always do what He says He will do (as seen in Genesis 18:14; Jeremiah 32:17, 27; Zechariah 8:6 and Matthew 19:26). If God can give meat to six hundred thousand men plus women and children in the barren desert He can also provide anyone can ever need wherever they may be. And He will do so in response to our faith. Compare also Psalms 23:1; 37:25-26; Matthew 7:9-11;2 Corinthians 9:8 and Philippians 4:19.

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of God.
Romans 10:17

The anwser on Romans 10:17 is revealed in Romans 10:14-15 below.

How then, will they call out to Him in whom they have not believed? And how will they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? And how will they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”
Romans 10:14-15

Note and Biblical Scripture References on Romans 10:14-15

What good is good news if people do not hear it and believe it? Paul emphasizes the necessity of preaching the good news, and of the importance of faith. God sending His servants to do so. as read in Acts 1:8; John 20:21; Luke 24:46-47; Mark 16:15 and Matthew 28:18-20. And so should we as believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Much LoVe, JoY, Peace and Blessings, through Jesus Christ, our almighty dear caring Lord, Saviour and Redeemer, in who every believer should trust, believe, and abundantly do receive, throughout His marvelous righteous Word and truth fulfilling Holy Spirit ✝️🔥👑🙏🕊️

💫 Emmanuel 💫

God’s mighty marvelous works, and the joy of His infinite love to mankind

— Posted inFREEDOM — 12 min read

Nature and revelation alike testify of the unconditional love of our almighty dear Heavenly Father. He is the source of life, wisdom, and joy.

As we look at the amazing works of nature and mankind that God designed so beautiful and unique. Think of their marvelous adaptation to the needs and happiness, not only of man, but of all living creatures. The sunshine and the rain, that gladden and refresh the earth, the hills and seas and plains, all speak to us of the Creator’s love. It is God who supplies the daily needs of all His creatures. In the beautiful words of the psalmist –

“The eyes of all wait upon Thee; 
And Thou givest them their meat in due season. 
Thou openest Thine hand, 
And satisfiest the desire of every living thing.” Psalm 145:15-16.

God made man perfectly holy and happy; and the fair earth, as it came from the beautful devine creator’s hand, He bore no light of decay or shadow of the curse. It is God’s law the law of love that has brought life to this world. Yet even amid the suffering that results from sin, God’s unconditional love is so precious and devine revealed. It is written in Genesis 3:17 that God cursed the ground for man’s sake. The thorn and the thistle, the difficulties and trials that make his life one of toil and carenwere appointed for his good as a part of the training needful in God’s ordained plan for his uplifting from the ruin and degradation that sin has wrought. The world, though fallen, is not all sorrow and misery. In its precious devine nature itself are messages of hope and comfort. There are flowers upon the thistles, and the thorns are covered with roses.“God’s precious love” is written upon every opening bud, upon every spire of springing grass. The lovely birds making the air vocal with their happy songs, the dellicately tinted flowers in their perfection perfuming the air, the lofty trees of the forest with their rich foliage of living green all testify to the tender, fatherly care of our almighty dear, sovereign reigning Heavenly Father, and to His desire to make His children happy and fruitfull. The marvelous righteous Word of our Lord Jesus Christ reveals His precious devine character. He Himself has declared His infinite love and pity. When Moses prayed, “Show me Thy glory,”

And the Lord answered, “I will make all My goodness pass before thee.”as read in Exodus 33:18-19.

This is His glory. The Lord passed before Moses, and proclaimed, “The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.”as seen in Exodus 34:6-7. He is “slow to anger, and of great kindness,” “because He delighteth in mercy.”as seen in Jonah 4:2; Micah 7:18.God has bound our hearts to Him by unnumbered tokens in heaven and in on earth. Through the things of nature, and the deepest and tenderest earthly ties that human hearts can know, He has sought to reveal Himself to us. Yet these but imperfectly represent His love. Though all these evidences have been given, the enemy of good blinded the minds of men, so that they looked upon God with fear; they thought of Him as severe and unforgiving. Satan led men to conceive of God as a being whose chief attribute is stern justice, one who is a severe judge, a harsh, exacting creditor. He pictured the Creator as a being who is watching with jealous eye to discern the errors and mistakes of men, that He may visit judgments upon them. It was to remove this dark shadow, by revealing to the world the infinite love of God, that our Lord Jesus Christ came to live among men.The only begotten, beloved Son of God came from heaven to make manifest the Father.

“No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him.” John 1:18.

Note and Biblical Scripture Reference on John 1:18 – “In the bosom of the Father” – this indicates the closeness, the love existing between the Father and the Son. Observe too that they are two distinct persons. Men cannot see God, but in the life and acts and words of the Lord Jesus we have a complete revelation of God’s character. One of the great purposes He had in coming to earth was to reveal just what God the Father is like (Pleas read and compare John 8:19; 10:30; 14:9; 17:6).

“Neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him.” Matthew 11:27.

When one of the disciples made the request, “Show us the Father,” Jesus answered, “Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?” John 14:8, 9.

In describing His earthly mission, Jesus said, The Lord “hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.” Luke 4:18.

This was His work. He went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by satan. There were whole villages where there was not a moan of sickness in any house, for He had passed through them and healed all their sick. His marvelous works gave evidence of His precious divine anointing. Love, mercy, and compassion were revealed in every act of His life; His heart went out in tender sympathy to the children of men. He took man’s nature, that He might reach man’s wants. The poorest and humblest were not afraid to approach Him. Even little children were attracted to Him. They loved to climb upon His knees and gaze into the pensive face, benignant with love. Jesus Christ did not suppress one word of truth, but He uttered it always throughout His precious love. He exercised the greatest tact and thoughtful, kind attention in His intercourse with the people. He was never rude, never needlessly spoke a severe word, never gave needless pain to a sensitive soul. He did not censure human weakness. He spoke the truth, but always in love. He denounced hypocrisy, unbelief, and iniquity; but tears were in His voice as He uttered His scathing rebukes. He wept over Jerusalem, the city He loved, which refused to receive Him, the way, the truth, and the life. They had rejected Him, the Saviour, but He regarded them with pitying tenderness. His life was one of self denial and thoughtful care for others. Every soul was precious in His eyes. While He ever bore Himself with divine dignity, He bowed with the tenderest regard to every member of the family of God. In all men He saw fallen souls whom it was His mission to save.Such is the character of our Lord Jesus Christ as revealed in His life. This is the character of God. It is from the Father’s heart that the streams of divine compassion, manifest in Jesus Christ, flow out to the children of men.

Jesus Christ our almighty dear caring Saviour and Redeemer, was God “manifest in the flesh.”as read 1 Timothy 3:16.

It was to redeem us that Jesus Christ lived, suffered and died. He became “a Man of Sorrows,” that we might be made partakers of everlasting joy. God permitted His only beloved begotten Son, full of grace and truth, to come from a world of indescribable glory, to a world marred and blighted with sin, darkened with the shadow of death and the curse. He permitted Him to leave the bosom of His love, the adoration of the angels, to suffer shame, insult, humiliation, hatred, and death.

“The chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.” as read in Isaiah 53:5.

Behold Him in the wilderness, in Gethsemane, upon the cross! The spotless Son of God took upon Himself the burden of sin. He who had been one with God, felt in His soul the awful separation that sin makes between God and man. This wrung from His lips the anguished cry, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” Matthew 27:46.

It was the burden of sin, the sense of its terrible enormity, of its separation of the soul from God, it was this that broke the heart of the Son of God. But this great sacrifice was not made in order to create in the Father’s heart a love for man, not to make Him willing to save. No, no! “God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son.”as read in John 3:16. The Father loves us, not because of the great propitiation, but He provided the propitiation because He loves us. Jesus Christ was the medium through which He could pour out His infinite love upon a fallen world. “God was in Jesus Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself.”See 2 Corinthians 5:19.

God suffered with His only begotten beloved Son. In the agony of Gethsemane, the death of Calvary, the heart of Infinite Love paid the price of our redemption.

Jesus Christ said; “Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again.” John 10:17.

That is, “My Father has so loved you that He even loves Me more for giving My life to redeem you. In becoming your Substitute and Surety, by surrendering My life, by taking your liabilities, your transgressions, I am endeared to My Father; for by My sacrifice, God can be just, and yet the Justifier of him who believeth in Jesus.”None but the Son of God could accomplish our redemption; for only He who was in the bosom of the Father could declare Him. Only He who knew the height and depth of the love of God could make it manifest. Nothing less than the infinite sacrifice made by Jesus Christ in behalf of fallen man could express the Father’s love to lost humanity.“God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son.” He gave Him not only to live among men, to bear their sins, and die their sacrifice. He gave Him to the fallen race. Jezus Christ was to identify Himself with the interests and needs of humanity. He who was one with God has linked Himself with the children of men by ties that are never to be broken.

Jesus is “not ashamed to call them brethren” (Hebrews 2:11); He is our Sacrifice, our Advocate, our Brother, bearing our human form before the Father’s throne, and through eternal ages one with the race He has redeemed the Son of man. And all this that man might be uplifted from the ruin and degradation of sin that he might reflect the precious infinite love of God and share the joy of holiness.

The high price paid for our redemption, the infinite sacrifice of our Heavenly Father in giving His only begotten Son to die for us, should give us exalted conceptions of what we may become through the mighty wonderful name of Jesus Christ. As the inspired apostle John beheld the height, the depth, the breadth of the Father’s love toward the perishing race, he was filled with adoration and reverence; and, failing to find suitable language in which to express the greatness and tenderness of this love, he called upon the world to behold it.

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” 1 John 3:1.

What a value this places upon man! Through transgression the sons of man become subjects of satan. Through faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ the sons of Adam may become the sons of God. By assuming human nature, Jesus Christ elevates humanity. Fallen men are placed where, through connection with Jesus Christ, they may indeed become worthy of the name “sons of God.”Such precious devine love is without a parallel. Children of the almighty heavenly King! What a great precious promise! Theme for the most profound meditation! The matchless love of our almighty dear Heavenly Father for a world that did not love Him! The thought has a subduing power upon the soul and brings the mind into captivity to the mighty will of God. The more we study the precious divine character in the light of the cross, the more we see mercy, tenderness, and forgiveness blended with equity and justice, and the more clearly we discern and recognize innumerable evidences of the infinite love of our mighty wonderful dear caring Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ…

Much LoVe, JoY, Peace and Blessings, through Jesus Christ, our almighty dear caring Lord, Saviour and Redeemer, in who we faithfully abide, trust, believe, and abundantly do receive throughout His marvelous righteous Word and truth fulfilling Holy Spirit ✝️🔥👑🙏🕊️

💫 Emmanuel 💫

Build up and matured through the perfection of our Lord Jesus Christ

— Posted inColossians — 15 min read

We preach Him, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 1:28

Note and Biblical Scripture Reference on Colossians 1:28 – “Complete wisdom” – the wisdom God gave him – Read 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2:7, 10, 12, 16. He was not boasting in His own wisdom. He prayed that they might have complete wisdom – See Colossians 1: 9. He knew this was possible to have because he had it. So can believers now – Read James 1:5

The change of heart by which we become children of God is in the Bible spoken of as birth. Again, it is compared to the germination of the good seed sown by the husbandman. In like manner those who are just converted to Christ are, “as new-born babes,” to “grow up” to the stature of men and women in Christ Jesus. Read 1 Peter 2:2; Ephesians 4:15. Or like the good seed sown in the field, they are to grow up and bring forth fruit. Isaiah says that they shall “be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3. So from natural life, illustrations are drawn, to help us better to understand the mysterious truths of spiritual life.

Not all the wisdom and skill of man can produce life in the smallest object in nature. It is only through the life which God Himself has imparted, that either plant or animal can live. So it is only through the life from God that spiritual life is begotten in the hearts of men. Unless a man is “born from above,” he cannot become a partaker of the life which Christ came to give. John 3:3, margin.As with life, so it is with growth. It is God who brings the bud to bloom and the flower to fruit. It is by His power that the seed develops, “first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.” Mark 4:28. And the prophet Hosea says of Israel, that “he shall grow as the lily.” “They shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine.” Hosea 14:5, 7. And Jesus bids us “consider the lilies how they grow.”Read Luke 12:27.

The plants and flowers grow not by their own care or anxiety or effort, but by receiving that which God has furnished to minister to their life. The child cannot, by any anxiety or power of its own, add to its stature. No more can you, by anxiety or effort of yourself, secure spiritual growth. The plant, the child, grows by receiving from its surroundings that which ministers to its life—air, sunshine, and food. What these gifts of nature are to animal and plant, such is Jesus Christ to those who trust in Him. He is their “everlasting light,” “a sun and shield.” See Isaiah 60:19; Psalm 84:11. He shall be as “the dew unto Israel.” “He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass.” See Hosea 14:5; Psalm 72:6. He is the living water, “the Bread of God … which cometh down from heaven, and giveth abundant life unto the world.” See John 6:33.In the matchless gift of His only begotten beloved Son, God has encircled the whole world with an atmosphere of grace as real as the air which circulates around the globe. All who choose to breathe this life giving atmosphere will live and grow up to the stature of men and women in our Lord Jesus Christ.As the flower turns to the sun, that the bright beams may aid in perfecting its beauty and symmetry, so should we turn to the Sun of Righteousness, that heaven’s light may shine upon us, that our character may be developed into the likeness of our Lord Jesus Christ. He teaches the same thing when He says, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me…. Without Me ye can do nothing.” as Read in John 15:4, 5. You are just as dependent upon Christ, in order to live a Holy life, as is the branch upon the parent stock for growth and fruitfulness. Apart from Him you have no life. You have no power to resist temptation or to grow in grace and holiness. Abiding in Him, you may flourish. Drawing your life from Him, you will not wither nor be fruitless. You will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water.Many have an idea that they must do some part of the work alone. They have trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of sin, but now they seek by their own efforts to live aright. But every such effort must fail. Jesus says, “Without Me ye can do nothing.” Our growth in grace, our joy, our usefulness, all depend upon our union with our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by communion with Him, in our daily momentums, by honorable abiding in Him, that we are build up and mature in grace. He is not only the Author, but the Finisher of our faith. It is our mighty wonderful dear Lord Jesus Christ first and last and always. He is to be with us, not only at the beginning and the end of our course, but at every step of the way. David says, “I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” See Psalm 16:8.

Do you ask, “How am I to abide in Christ?”

In the same way as you received Him at first. “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him.” “The just shall live by faith.” See Colossians 2:6 and Hebrews 10:38. You surrender yourself to God, to be His wholly, to serve and obey Him, and you took Jesus Christ as your Lord, Saviour and Redeemer. You could not yourself atone for your sins or change your heart; but having given yourself completely to God, you believe that He for Jesus Christ’s sake did all this for you. By faith you became Christ’s, and by faith you are to built and matured up in Him, by giving and taking. You are to give all, your heart, your will, your service, give yourself to Him to obey all His requirements; and you must take all, Christ, the fullness of all blessing, to abide in your heart, to be your strength, your righteousness, your everlasting helper, to give you power to obey.

Consecrate yourself to God in the morning; make this your very first work. Let your prayer be, “Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at Your feet. Use me today in Thy service. Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in Thee.” This is a daily matter. Each morning consecrate yourself to God for that day. Surrender all your plans to Him, to be carried out or given up as His providence shall indicate. Day by day you may be giving your life into the hands of God, and so your life will be molded more and more after the life of our Lord Jesus Christ.A life in Jesus Christ is a life of restfulness. There may be no ecstasy of feeling, but there should be an abiding, peaceful trust. Your hope is not in yourself; it is in Jesus Christ. Your weakness is united to His strength, your ignorance to His wisdom, your frailty to His enduring might. So you are not to look to yourself, not to let the mind dwell upon self, but look upon Jesus Christ. Let the mind dwell upon His love, upon the beauty, the perfection, of His character. Jesus Christ in His self-denial, Jesus Christ in His humiliation, Jesus Christ in His purity and holiness, Jesus Christ in His unconditional love,this is the subject for the soul’s contemplation. It is by loving Him fully with heart and soul, copying Him, depending wholly upon Him, that you are to be transformed into His likeness.Jesus says, “Abide in Me.” These words convey the idea of rest, stability, confidence.

Again He invites, “Come unto Me, … and I will give you rest.” See Matthew 11:28.

The marvelous righteous Words of the psalmist express the same thought: “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.” And Isaiah gives the assurance, “In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.” Psalm 37:7; Isaiah 30:15. This rest is not found in inactivity; for in the Saviour’s invitation the promise of rest is united with the call to labor: “Take My yoke upon you: … and ye shall find rest.” as Read in Matthew 11:29. The heart that rests most fully upon Christ will be most earnest and active in labor for Him.When the mind dwells upon self, it is turned away from Christ, the source of strength and life. Hence it is satan’s constant effort to keep the attention diverted from the Saviour and to prevent the union and communion of the soul with Jesus Christ. The pleasures of the world, life’s cares and perplexities and sorrows, the faults of others, or your own faults and imperfections to any or all of these he will seek to divert the mind. Do not be misled by his devices. Many who are really conscientious, and who desire to live for God, he too often leads to dwell upon their own faults and weaknesses, and thus by separating them from Jesus Christ he hopes to gain the victory.

We should not make self the center and indulge anxiety and fear as to whether we shall be saved. All this turns the soul away from the Source of our strength. Commit the keeping of your soul to God, and trust in Him with all your heart and soul. Talk and focus on Jesus Christ. Put away all doubt; dismiss your fears. Say with the apostle Paul, “I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” as read in Galatians 2:20. Rest in God. He is able to keep that which you have committed to Him. If you will leave yourself in His hands, He will bring you off more than a conqueror through Him that has loved you.When Jesus Christ took human nature upon Him, He bound humanity to Himself by a tie of love that can never be broken by any power save the choice of man himself. Satan will constantly present allurements to induce us to break this tie to choose to separate ourselves from Jesus Christ. Here is where we need to watch, to strive, to pray, that nothing may distract us to choose another master; for we are always free to do this. But let us keep our eyes fixed upon our Lord Jesus Christ, and He will preserve us. Looking unto Jesus Christ, we are safe. Nothing can pluck us out of His hand. In constantly beholding Him, we “are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” See 2 Corinthians 3:18.It was for those that the early disciples gained their likeness to the dear Saviour. When those disciples heard the words of Jesus, they felt their need of Him. They sought, they found, they followed Him. They were with Him in the house, at the table, in the closet, in the field. They were with Him as pupils with a teacher, daily receiving from His lips lessons of Holy truth. They looked to Him, as servants to their master, to learn their duty. Those disciples were men “subject to like passions as we are.” See James 5:17. They had the same battle with sin to fight. They needed the same grace, in order to live a holy life.

Even John, the beloved disciple, the one who most fully reflected the likeness of our dear caring Saviour, did not naturally possess that loveliness of His character. He was not only self assertive and ambitious for honor, but impetuous, and resentful under injuries. But as the character of the Divine One was manifested to him, he saw his own deficiency and was humbled by the knowledge. The strength and patience, the power and tenderness, the majesty and meekness, that he beheld in the daily life of the Son of God, filled his soul with admiration and love. Day by day his heart was drawn out toward Christ, until he lost sight of self in love for his Master. His resentful, ambitious temper was yielded to the molding power of Christ. The regenerating influence of the Holy Spirit renewed his heart. The power of the ultimate love of Jesus Christ wrought a transformation of character. This is the sure result of union with Jesus Christ. When Jesus Christ abides in the heart, the whole nature is transformed. Jezus Christ’s Spirit, His love, softens the heart, subdues the soul, and raises the thoughts and desires toward God and heaven.When Jesus Christ ascended to heaven, the sense of His presence was still with His followers. It was a personal presence, full of love and light. Jesus Christ, our dear caring Saviour, who had walked and talked and prayed with them, who had spoken hope and comfort to their hearts, had, while the message of peace was still upon His lips, been taken up from them into heaven, and the tones of His voice had come back to them, as the cloud of angels received Him “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” as read in Matthew 28:20.

He had ascended to heaven in the form of humanity. They knew that He was before the throne of God, their Friend and Saviour still; that His sympathies were unchanged; that He was still identified with suffering humanity. He was presenting before God the merits of His own precious blood, showing His wounded hands and feet, in remembrance of the price He had fully paid for His redeemed. They knew that He had ascended to heaven to prepare places for them, and that He would come again and take them to Himself.As they met together after the ascension they were eager to present their requests to the almighy dear Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ. In solemn awe they bowed in prayer, repeating the assurance, “Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” as read in John 16:23, 24. They extended the hand of faith higher and higher with the mighty argument, “It is our Lord Jesus Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” See  Romans 8:34. And Pentecost brought them the presence of the Comforter, of whom Jesus Christ had said, He “shall be in you.” And He had further said, “It is exppedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you.” see John 14:17; 16:7.

Henceforth through the Spirit, Christ was to abide continually in the hearts of His children. Their union with Him was closer than when He was personally with them. The light, and love, and power of the indwelling Jesus Christ shone out through them, so that men, beholding, “marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” see Acts 4:13.All that Jesus Christ was to the disciples, He desires to be to His children today; for in that last prayer, with the little band of disciples gathered about Him, He said, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word.” as read in John 17:20.Jesus Christ prayed for us, and He asked that we might be one with Him, even as He is one with the almighty Heavenly Father. What a union is this! The Saviour has said of Himself, “The Son can do nothing of Himself;” “the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works.” as read in John 5:19; 14:10. Then if Christ is dwelling in our hearts, He will work in us “both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” see Philippians 2:13. We shall work as He worked; we shall manifest the same spirit.

but speaking the truth in love, in everything may grow up in Him who is the head, that is, Christ.
Ephesians 4:15

Much LoVe, JoY, Peace and Blessings through Jesus Christ, our almighty dear caring Lord, Saviour and Redeemer, in who we faithfully abide, trust, believe, and abundantly do receive throughout His marvelous righteous Word and truth fulfilling Holy Spirit ✝️🔥👑🙏🕊️

💫 Emmanuel 💫

From Glory To Glory

— Posted inHymns — 1 min read 
Based on Philippines 3:20, 21; 2 Corinthians 5:2-4 and 1 John 3:2; 4:17 
From heaven’s place we eagerly wait, For Jesus our Savior to come; Who will transform and make to conform, Our lives to the glorious Son. In this we groan to be further clothed, With our habitation from Thee. Burdened inside this tent, Lord, we cry, To swallow up mortality. 
chorus: We all with unveiled face behold The glory of our great King, Are being transformed from things of old, From glory to glory We shall be like our Lord Jesus Christ, For we shall see Him as He is. With boldness to stand when judgment’s at hand, Because we are just as He is!

By Christ Our Life

http://www.christourlife.ca

Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song

— Posted inPsalms — 11 min read

Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, His praise in the congregation of the saints.
Psalms 149:1

Note and Biblical References on Psalms 149.1 “Praise the LORD”- (Read also vers 9 and Psalms 104:35) This is a psalm of joyful praise to God the Creator and Saviour of His people (vers 1-5), and as avenger of wickedness (vers 6-9).

“New song” – Read Psalms 40:3; 96:1 and Revelation 5:9. Godʼs mercies are new every morning (Read Lamentations 3:22-23), so there are daily reasons for making new songs of praise for all the saints to sing.

May Israel rejoice in Him who made Him; may the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
Psalms 149:2

Note on Psalms 149:2 –
“Who made Him”- that is, Israel should rejoice in God Who made them into a nation when they had been but slaves in Egypt.

“King” – not the earthly but the heavenly one (Read in Psalms 10:16; 47:6; Zechariah 9:9 and Revelation 19:16).

May they praise His name with the dance; may they sing praises to Him with the tambourine and harp.
Psalms 149:3

Note and Biblical Scripter References on Psalms 149:3 –
See Exodus 15:20; 2 Samuel 6:14-15. Believers should have such joy in the Lord Jesus Christ that the body too becomes involved in the expression of it.

For the LORD takes pleasure in His people. He will beautify the meek with salvation.
Psalms 149:4

Note and Biblical Scripter References on Psalms 149:4 -“Pleasure”– Read Psalms 147:11. Here is a reason for great joy and praise. Though we are poor and sinful the Lord delights in us, not for what we are in ourselves but for what He is making us to be in Christ (Read Ephesians 2:10 and Philippines 1:6). He saves us from the ugliness of sin and gives us the holy beauty of His salvation and begins the work of sanctification which will result in fullness of beauty (Read Ephesians 5:25-27). Godʼs people are Godʼs masterpiece and He delights in them. “Meek” or “humble” – Read Psalms 9:12; 10:17; Proverbs 16:19; Isaiah 57:15; Matthew 18:4 and James 4:6, 10.

May the saints be joyful in glory. May they sing aloud on their beds.
Psalms 149:5

Note on Psalms 149.5 –
What an honor it is to be the people of the one true almighty, sovereign, righteous, reigning God, made beautiful with His salvation! No one has more cause to joy then to our Lord Jesus Christ hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!

May the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand,
Psalms 149:6

To execute vengeance on the nations, and punishment on the peoples,
Psalms 149:7

To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron,
Psalms 149:8

To execute on them the written judgment. All his saints have this honour. Praise the LORD!
Psalms 149:9

Note and Biblical Scripter References on Psalms 149:6-9
Israel in the Old Testament was an instrument in Godʼs hand to inflict Godʼs vengeance on wicked people. Read Numbers 31:2; Deuteronomy 7:1-2. In these New Testament days the weapons of our warfare are not physical but spiritual (Read 2 Corinthians 10:4 and Ephesians 6:17). We fight wickedness by proclaiming the marvelous mighty, righteous Word of God, by faith and by prayers. At the end of this age Christ will appear to take vengeance on Godʼs enemies (Read in 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10 and Revelation 19:11-16). At that time His people will be with Him and share in His judgment of the earth (Read in 1 Corinthians 6:2-3).

This is clear evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer, 2 Thessalonians 1:5

Note and Biblical Scripter References on Thessalonians 1:5 – “Evidence” – faithfully enduring trials (journeys) and persecutions that come to us because we believe in our Lord Jesus Christ is evidence that our faith is genuine and living. It is evidence also of “the righteous judgment of God”. It means that Godʼs decision to choose them and work among them was vindicated by their perseverance in the faith. Compare Philippines 1:27-28.

Seeing it is a righteous thing for God to repay tribulation to those who trouble you,
2 Thessalonians 1:6

Note and Biblical References on 2 Thessalonians 1:6 –
See reference on “Repay”- on Numbers 31:1-3; Deuteronomy 32:35, 41; Romans 12:19 and Hebrews 10:30.

“A righteous thing…to repay” – a truth seen everywhere in the Bible (Read Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalms 9:16; 11:7; 89:14; 111:7; Proverbs 29:26; Isaiah 30:18; Daniel 4:37; Romans 3:26 and Revelation 15:3; 16:5-7). God shows His justice both by punishing the wicked if they refuse to repent, and by giving eternal relief to those who suffer for His kingdom (vers 7). Compare Romans 2:6-11.

and give rest to you who are being troubled, along with us, when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
2 Thessalonians 1:7

Note and Biblical Scripter References on 2 Thessalonians 1:7 – “When the Lord Jesus Christ will be revealed”- God may sometimes take vengeance on people and rescue believers here and now, but for the most part these matters await the end of this age when Christ comes. Then all things will be made right, and absolute justice will prevail and all men will see that it is prevailing.

“Revealed” – observe that Paul says relief will come to Godʼs people in His Church at the revelation of Christ when He comes to punish the wicked, not at some time before that. Compare Matthew 24:29-30; 1 Corinthians 1:7 and Titus 2:13.

See References on “Angels”- at Matthew 24:31 and Jude 14.


in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God and who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 1:8

Note and Biblical Scripter References on 2 Thessalonians
1:8 – See ref on “Fire” – at Hebrews 10:27; 12:29; 2 Peter 3:7; Revelation 19:11-16; Isaiah 66:15; 30:27; 24:6.

“Taking vengeance” – God does not take delight in punishing anyone. Read in Ezekiel 18:23, 30-32; Joel 2:13 and 2 Peter 3:9. But when people refuse to repent and continue to sin, God in justice will justify them. Compare Exodus 34:6-7 and Nahum 1:3. If God left the guilty unjustified He would not be just, and the universe would be a chaos without moral order…

“Those who do not know God” – people who do not know the one true God because they do not want to know Him, and they refuse any offer to know Him. They prefer their sin to Godʼs fellowship. Compare John 3:19-20; Romans 1:18-25 and Ephesians 4:17-19.

“Do not obey the gospel” – evidently this refers to those who have heard the gospel and refused it. They want what they mistakenly regard as their freedom rather than obedience to God. Observe here that the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is something to obey, and not merely something to believe. Compare Matthew 7:21, 24; Acts 5:32; Romans 6:17; Hebrews 5:9 and 1 Peter 1:22; 4:17. In fact, truly believing the gospel results in obedience to it. Believing and obedience are joined together and cannot be separated. Compare James 2:14-26. Faith is not a passive thing. Read in Acts 22:10 and Hebrews 11:4.

They will be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power, 2 Thessalonians 1:9

Note and Biblical Scripter References on 2 Thessalonians 1:9 – See references on – “Everlasting destruction” – at 2 Thessalonians 2:3; Matthew 7:13; Romans 9:22; Galatians 6:8; Philippines 3:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:3; 1 Timothy 6:9; 2 Peter 3:7, 12, 16 and Revelation 17:8, 11. Destruction means utter ruin, the second death (as Read in Revelation 21:8). The Bible does not say that such people cease to exist. Compare Matthew 25:46 and Luke 16:26.

“From the presence of the Lord”- compare Matthew 7:23; 25:41 and Revelation 22:15-16. This is what their destruction will mean. They will be cut off forever from God who is the only source of blessing, joy and peace. This is what they chose during their lives (see vers 8), and this is what they will get.

It is God’s perfect will and precious divine timing that they will be justified…

See reference on “Glory of His power” – at Isaiah 2:10-11, 19, 21.

when He comes to be glorified in His saints and admired among all believers (because our testimony among you was believed), in that day. 2 Thessalonians 1:10

Note and Biblical Scripter References on 2 Thessalonians 1:10 – See references on “Glorified”– in John 17:10 and Ephesians 1:12, 14.

“Saints” – All true believers in Christ (Read in Romans 1:7 and 1 Peter 2:9).

“Admired” – what admiration will seize us when we finally meet Him in all His Glory!

“Among all believers” – our Lord Jesus Christ is glorified in those who believe in Him, and only they will share His glory.

“Our testimony among you was believed” – Read in 1 Thessalonians 1:7-10. “In that day”– compare 1 Thessalonians 5:2 and Isaiah 2:12.

Therefore we always pray also for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of His goodness, and the work of faith with power,
2 Thessalonians 1:11

Note and Biblical Scripter References on 2 Thessalonians 1:11 – “We always pray” – Read Romans 1:8-9; Ephesians 1:16; 3:16; Philippines 1:4, 9; Colossians 1:3, 9, 21 and 1 Thessalonians 1:2; 3:10.

“Worthy” – As in vers 5 and in Ephesians 4:1; Philippines 1:27; Colossians 1:10 and 1 Thessalonians 2:12.

“This calling” – Read in Ephesians 4:1 and Romans 1:6; 8:30.

“And fulfil…with power” – compare Psalms 90:17 and Isaiah 26:12. It is because of His working in us that we are able to accomplish any work of faith – Read in Philippines 2:13 and Ephesians 2:10

that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:12

Note and Biblical Scripter References on 2 Thessalonians 1:12 – “Name” – Christians bear Christʼs name before the world (Read in 1 Peter 4:16).

“Glorified in you” – this will happen when Jesus comes (vers 10); it should happen now also… Read in 1 Corinthians 6:20; 10:31; Colossians 3:17 and 1 Peter 4:11…

“You in Him” – those in whom the Lord Jesus Christ is glorified He will glorify in Himself. Compare John 17:10, 22 and Romans 8:30.

“Grace” – everything connected with the salvation of believers and their blessing is all of grace (Read in Romans 6:23 and Ephesians 2:8-9). The last phrase of this verse may also be translated “our God and Lord, Jesus Christ”.

“The LORD bless you, and keep you. The LORD make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you. The LORD lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26

Much love in Jesus Christ,
our Wonderful, dear, caring Lord, Saviour and Redeemer, in who we faithfully abide, trust, believe and abundantly do receive, throughout His marvelous righteous Word, and truth fulfilling Holy Spirit ✝️🔥👑🙏🕊️

💫 Emmanuel 💫

Thanks Be to Our God

— Posted inHymns — 1 min read 
Based on 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 and Ephesians 3:20-21
We are the temple of Christ The fullness of God is at work in us He is our hope and our life Jesus is making us glorious 
Chorus: Thanks be to our God Who always leads us in triumph Thanks be to our God Who always leads us in triumph in Christ We are the fragrance of Christ Diffusing His knowledge in every place We are the salt and the light Sharing the hope of His glorious grace 
Bridge: To Him who is able to do Abundantly more than we ask Him to Through His power in us Glory and honor belong to You

By Christ Our Life 

http://www.christourlife.ca