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WORSHIP THE LORD IN THE BEAUTY OF HIS HOLINESS.
Photography by Marilyn McCurdy above- Spires in Arches National Park, UT
Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. 9 Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. 10 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. 11 Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. 12 Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, 13 O descendants of Israel his servant, O sons of Jacob, his chosen ones. 14 He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. 15 He remembers his covenant forever, the word he commanded, for a thousand generations, 1 Chronicles 16:8-15 NIV
23Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. 24 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. 25 For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. 26 For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. 27 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling place. 28 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength, 29 ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name. Bring an offering and come before him; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness. 30 Tremble before him, all the earth! The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved. 31 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!" 32 Let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them! 33 Then the trees of the forest will sing, they will sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. 34 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 35 Cry out, "Save us, O God our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, that we may glory in your praise." 36 Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Then all the people said "Amen" and "Praise the LORD." 1 Chronicles 16:23-36 NIV
23Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. 24 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. 25 For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. 26 For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. 27 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling place. 28 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength, 29 ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name. Bring an offering and come before him; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness. 30 Tremble before him, all the earth! The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved. 31 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!" 32 Let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them! 33 Then the trees of the forest will sing, they will sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. 34 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 35 Cry out, "Save us, O God our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, that we may glory in your praise." 36 Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Then all the people said "Amen" and "Praise the LORD." 1 Chronicles 16:23-36 NIV
Instructions about Worship
1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.3 This is good and pleases God our Savior,4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.5 For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.7 And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth. I’m not exaggerating—just telling the truth.8 In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.
1 Tim 2:1-8 (NLT)
1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.3 This is good and pleases God our Savior,4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.5 For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.7 And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth. I’m not exaggerating—just telling the truth.8 In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.
1 Tim 2:1-8 (NLT)
WORSHIP
Songs are a great way to worship the Lord. Worship is honoring the 'worth ship' of God. Songs are not the only way to worship. We worship in prayer, in liturgy, during church services, when we acknowledge that God created the beauty of the earth, when we sit silently in His presence, and with the way we live our lives. Just to praise Him for who He is and what He has done brings peace to the soul. There are many ways we worship the Triune God. It is not the method of our worship, but the object of our worship that matters. Worship God alone in the beauty of His holiness.
Songs are a great way to worship the Lord. Worship is honoring the 'worth ship' of God. Songs are not the only way to worship. We worship in prayer, in liturgy, during church services, when we acknowledge that God created the beauty of the earth, when we sit silently in His presence, and with the way we live our lives. Just to praise Him for who He is and what He has done brings peace to the soul. There are many ways we worship the Triune God. It is not the method of our worship, but the object of our worship that matters. Worship God alone in the beauty of His holiness.
WORSHIP GOD AS CREATOR, REDEEMER, KING. BY HIM ALL THINGS WERE MADE AND HE SUSTAINS ALL THINGS FOR HIS PURPOSE AND FOR HIS PLANS FOR THE FUTURE.
Photography by Marilyn McCurdy Lake Powell, AZ
WORSHIP GOD FOR HIS AWESOME AND MYSTERIOUS CREATION.
WHO CAN KNOW THE WONDERS OF THE WORLD?
I can't help but declare the beauty of the Lord when I spend time near my second home at the mouth of the Grand Canyon. Not far from there on the top of the bluffs many bones and fossils have been found. Most are of several species of animals that had never been identified before this dig. They have been re-assembled and molds taken so they can be in a museum on display. There are many archeologists and other people from around the world who have come to dig up these bones, assign them their new names, and have the excitement and joy of being the first to see a part of God's creation that has never been seen before.
What happened to these animals?
I am reminded of the flood.
11 As far as God was concerned, the Earth had become a sewer; there was violence everywhere. 12 God took one look and saw how bad it was, everyone corrupt and corrupting - life itself corrupt to the core. 13 God said to Noah, "It's all over. It's the end of the human race. The violence is everywhere; I'm making a clean sweep. 14 "Build yourself a ship from teak wood. Make rooms in it. Coat it with pitch inside and out. 15 Make it 450 feet long, seventy-five feet wide, and forty-five feet high. 16 Build a roof for it and put in a window eighteen inches from the top; put in a door on the side of the ship; and make three decks, lower, middle, and upper. 17 "I'm going to bring a flood on the Earth that will destroy everything alive under Heaven. Total destruction. Genesis 6:11-17 The Message
God was angry and chose to wipe almost all of His creation away, including man. God is so amazing to me. He is a God of love and mercy, but He hates evil, and He is a just God. He hates whatever is in your life that does not reflect the nature of Himself. He promised never to send a flood again. But there is a day of judgment. God must judge evil, for He is a just God. He is holy and pure and cannot allow anything that is not pure into His eternal kingdom.
Enjoy the world in which we live. I stand in awe at His whole creation. The details are so incredible and reflect His magnificent knowledge and power. Give God the glory and praise Him for giving us so wonderful a world in which to live. Then praise Him for the future glory we will have surrounding us for all eternity.
We will be forever in His presence
in the most glorious place of all.
What happened to these animals?
I am reminded of the flood.
11 As far as God was concerned, the Earth had become a sewer; there was violence everywhere. 12 God took one look and saw how bad it was, everyone corrupt and corrupting - life itself corrupt to the core. 13 God said to Noah, "It's all over. It's the end of the human race. The violence is everywhere; I'm making a clean sweep. 14 "Build yourself a ship from teak wood. Make rooms in it. Coat it with pitch inside and out. 15 Make it 450 feet long, seventy-five feet wide, and forty-five feet high. 16 Build a roof for it and put in a window eighteen inches from the top; put in a door on the side of the ship; and make three decks, lower, middle, and upper. 17 "I'm going to bring a flood on the Earth that will destroy everything alive under Heaven. Total destruction. Genesis 6:11-17 The Message
God was angry and chose to wipe almost all of His creation away, including man. God is so amazing to me. He is a God of love and mercy, but He hates evil, and He is a just God. He hates whatever is in your life that does not reflect the nature of Himself. He promised never to send a flood again. But there is a day of judgment. God must judge evil, for He is a just God. He is holy and pure and cannot allow anything that is not pure into His eternal kingdom.
Enjoy the world in which we live. I stand in awe at His whole creation. The details are so incredible and reflect His magnificent knowledge and power. Give God the glory and praise Him for giving us so wonderful a world in which to live. Then praise Him for the future glory we will have surrounding us for all eternity.
We will be forever in His presence
in the most glorious place of all.
Photography by Marilyn McCurdy above- Escalante Grandstaircase area, UT
Don't wait for time of victory to praise God. Praise Him all the time, for every little thing. Praise keeps the enemy away. It gives you victory in the spiritual realm. Use God's Word, His promises, to stop any doubt or fear. His Word is your sword against the lies of the enemy. Real worship releases your faith. It changes the condition of your heart. It transforms your mind to focus on things above. Praise brings God's presence. It defeats discouragement, anger, bitterness, and hate. Praise brings you to the throne of God. God is your refuge and your strength. God is the lover of your soul. Praise Him in the daytime, in the nightime and all the time. Praise Him and trust Him with every fiber of your being. Praise Him for the miracles of old. Praise Him for His Son. Praise Him for your future. Praise Him for His love. Praise HIm with hymns and songs, making melody in your heart.
Psalm 9:1-2 I will praise you, Lord, With all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O, Most High.
Psalm 24:7-10 Open up the ancient gates! Open up the ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter. Who is the King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, invincible in battle. Open up the ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter. Who is the King of glory? The LORD of heaven's armies-He is the King of glory.
Psalm 9:1-2 I will praise you, Lord, With all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O, Most High.
Psalm 24:7-10 Open up the ancient gates! Open up the ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter. Who is the King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, invincible in battle. Open up the ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter. Who is the King of glory? The LORD of heaven's armies-He is the King of glory.
Photography by Marilyn McCurdy above- Arches National Park, UT
below- Escalante Grandstaircase, UT
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Even God changed the ways and styles of worship throughout Scripture:
The application of these principles and implications can be as unique as the church itself.
Old Testament, Israel
BEFORE CHRIST
AFTER CHRIST
The difference is that in O.T. times, before Christ, the law guided the worshiper. After Christ, the Holy Spirit came to dwell within the heart of the believer, and He is to guide the worship. (See Philippians 3:3.)
To be sure, God has always been concerned about the heart of the worshiper. Jesus quoted from an Old Testament passage when He said, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice" (Matt. 9:13; 12:7; Mic. 6:6-8; Hos. 6:6).
Pulling from both Old and New Testament precepts, principles and precedence, this training section on worship will examine the following aspects of worship and their implications for a worship ministry. Click on a topic below to take you to that aspect of worshiping God.
Worth-giving because of who He is
Offering to Him what we have to give
Responding to what God has done
Singling out God as the only true God
Humbling ourselves before God
Identifying with God and His ways
Presenting ourselves to God
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http://mintools.com/walk.htm#disciplines
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Even God changed the ways and styles of worship throughout Scripture:
The application of these principles and implications can be as unique as the church itself.
Old Testament, Israel
BEFORE CHRIST
- Worship centered around God's presence and glory in the temple with other specific locations prior to the building of the temple. (Jn. 4:21)
- Worship involved scheduled and regulated feasts and literal sacrifices. (Lev.)
- Great importance was put on place and method.
Yet, there was room for individual, spontaneous, and varied means of expression.
AFTER CHRIST
- Worship centers around the God's presence that cannot be contained in a building or place and is to be done in spirit and in truth. (Jn. 4:21-24)
- Worship involves the whole of life and spiritual sacrifices. (Rom. 12:1)
- Great importance is put on the heart.
Yet, there is room for meeting in a place and planning for a specific or designated means of expression.
The difference is that in O.T. times, before Christ, the law guided the worshiper. After Christ, the Holy Spirit came to dwell within the heart of the believer, and He is to guide the worship. (See Philippians 3:3.)
To be sure, God has always been concerned about the heart of the worshiper. Jesus quoted from an Old Testament passage when He said, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice" (Matt. 9:13; 12:7; Mic. 6:6-8; Hos. 6:6).
Pulling from both Old and New Testament precepts, principles and precedence, this training section on worship will examine the following aspects of worship and their implications for a worship ministry. Click on a topic below to take you to that aspect of worshiping God.
Worth-giving because of who He is
Offering to Him what we have to give
Responding to what God has done
Singling out God as the only true God
Humbling ourselves before God
Identifying with God and His ways
Presenting ourselves to God
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http://mintools.com/walk.htm#disciplines
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Photography by Marilyn McCurdy
WORDS OF PRAISE
Open the eyes of my heart Lord.
I want to see you high and lifted up, Shining in the light of your glory. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ You are God alone from before time began, You were on your throne, You were God alone. And right now, in the good times and bad, You are on the throne. You are God alone. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
WORSHIP THE LORD IN THE BEAUTY OF HIS CREATION |
WORSHIP MUSIC SITE: http://www.bereansonline.org/
Photography by Marilyn McCurdy
http://www.crosswalkradio.com/
Click on above and sing along with songs of praise to our GOD!
Click on above and sing along with songs of praise to our GOD!
HALLELUJAH AMEN!!!
HALLELUJAH- halalu yah
This expression of praise to G-d is derived from the verb halal (praise) which is translated primarily with the association of "glory" and "boast".
HALLELOUIA -a term of praise directed to G-d in an attitude of thanksgiving for His greatness and goodness. It is a transliteration of the Hebrew phrase halau yah.
HALLOWED, HOLINESS- qōdesh—6944Strong's Concordance
QODESH, QODESH, QODESH
BE THE LORD G-D ALMIGHTY!
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The Absolute Godhood of God is Seen in Creation
With whom took He counsel in creation? Whom did He consult when He determined the various and manifold arrangements, adjustments, adaptations, relationships, equipments of His myriad creatures? Did He not do everything after the counsel of His own will? Did He not decide that birds should fly in the air, beasts roam the earth, and fishes live in the sea? Did He not decide there should be one vast gradation among the creatures of His hand, instead of making everything equal and uniform? Did He not determine to make a revolving world on the one hand, and a floating atom on the other? Did He not determine to create the exalted seraphim to stand before His throne throughout endless ages, and also to make another creature which dies the same hour it is born? Was He not undisputed Sovereign in all His creative acts? Yea, verily, for the Three Persons of the Godhead were all alone in their solitary majesty. Why should God take counsel? Could man add to His knowledge, or correct His errors? God sovereignly assigned His myriad creatures their various habitations, members, movements, as it pleased Him. God never consulted man about a single member of His body, or about its size, color, or capacity; instead, "God set the members everyone of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him" (1 Corinthians 12:18). Man is as truly the product of Sovereign creation as any other of God's creatures—sovereign, we say, not arbitrary.
The Absolute Godhood of God is Seen in Administration
God not only created everything, but everything which He created is subject to His immediate control. God rules over the works of His hands. God governs the creatures He has made. God reigns with universal dominion. When He pleased, the sun and moon stood still (Joshua 10:12, 13); and at a word from Him the sun went backward ten degrees on the dial of Ahaz (Isaiah 38:8). At His command the Red Sea ceased to flow, and at His command it resumed its normal course (Exodus 14). In response to the prayer of Elisha, He made iron to float on the top of the water (2 Kings 6:5). Yes, when He pleases, He reverses the order of nature, as when the fires of Nebuchadnezzar's furnace burnt not, as when the hungry lions touched not Daniel, as when the ravens, which are birds of prey, were made to minister of Elijah. At a word from Him who made it, a fish carried a coin to Peter, a tree withers suddenly (Matthew 21:4), the raging tempest becomes a calm.
So it is also with men; they, too, are ruled by God; ruled by and unseen Hand; often, unknown to themselves. Little did they know it, yet nevertheless, the sons of Jacob were but performing the pleasure of Jehovah when they sold Joseph into the hands of the Ishmaelites who carried him down into Egypt. Little was she aware of it, but when Pharaoh's daughter went to the Nile to bathe, she was being directed by God, directed there to rescue from the waters the babe Moses. Little did he know it, but in issuing the decree that all the world should be taxed (Luke 2:1) Caesar Augustus was but setting in motion a movement which caused the word and decree of God to be fulfilled. Yes, even "The King's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will" (Proverb 21:1). And so it is with Satan himself. He, too, is the (unwitting and unwilling) servant of God. He could not touch Job without first gaining Divine permission. He could not sift the apostles till he gained consent from Christ. At a word from the Lord Jesus Satan "left" Him (Matthew 4:10, 11). Of him, also, God has said, Thus far shalt thou go and no farther.
Even death, the "king of terrors," that which no arts of man can defy, is absolutely subject to the bidding of the Lord. In his sermon on Psalm 68:20, 21—"unto God the Lord belong the issues from death"—the late C. H. Spurgeon well said, "The prerogative of life or death belongs to God in a wide range of senses. First of all as to natural life, we are all dependent upon His good pleasure. We shall not die until the time which He appoints: for our death-time, like all our time, is in His hands. Our skirts may brush away the portals of the sepulchre, and yet we shall pass the iron gate unharmed if the Lord be our guard. The wolves of disease will hurt us in vain until God shall permit them to overtake us. The most desperate enemies may waylay us, but no bullet shall find its billet in any heart unless the Lord allows it. Our life does not even depend upon the care of angels, nor can our death be compassed by the malice of devils. We are immortal till our work is done, immortal till the immortal King shall call us home to the land where we shall be immortal in a still higher sense. When we are most sick, we need not despair of recovery, since the issues from death are in Almighty hands. 'The Lord killeth and maketh alive: He bringeth down to the grave and bringeth up!' When we have passed beyond the skill of the physician we have not passed beyond the succour of our God, to whom belong the issues from death."
The Absolute Godhood of God is Seen in Giving of the Scriptures
What part or lot did man have in the composition of the Bible? None whatever. Its very words are the words of God. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God." No part of it was of human origination, "for the prophecy came not at any time by the will of man" (2 Peter 1:21). Did not holy men of God speak "moved by the Holy Spirit?" And how did they then record what the Holy Spirit communicated to them—in words of man's selecting? Nay verily, "not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Spirit teacheth" (1 Corinthians 2:13). Balaam longed to speak otherwise than he did; but he could not. Caiaphas prophesied "not of himself" (John 11:51). Pilate was asked to make a change in the one sentence which God moved him to write, but he declared "What I have written I have written" (John 19:22). God acted sovereignly in the writing of the Scriptures as in everything else. The very words were chosen by Him; and did He not sovereignly choose? Did He take counsel with either angels or men as to the words He should select for the communicating of His thoughts? No indeed.
The Absolute Godhood of God is Seen in Salvation
God's absolute and irresistible proprietorship has been and is being displayed in the spiritual realm as manifestly as in the natural. Isaac is blessed, but Ishmael is cursed. Jacob is loved, but Esau is hated. Israel becomes God's favored people, while all other nations are suffered to remain in idolatry. Jesse's seven sons were all passed by, and David the shepherd-boy was found to be the one after God's own heart. The Saviour took on Him the "seed of Abraham" (Heb. 2:16), not the seed of Adam. His ministry was not worldward, but confined to the people chosen of God. The proud Pharisees were rejected, while publicans and harlots were sweetly compelled by sovereign grace to sit down at the Gospel feast. The rich young ruler, who from his youth up, had kept the commandments, was allowed to go away from Christ "sorrowing," even though he had sought Him with real earnestness and humility, while the fallen Samaritan woman (John 4) who sought Him not is made to rejoice in the forgiveness of her sins. Two thieves hung by Christ on the cross; they were equally guilty, equally needy, equally near to Him. One of them is moved to cry: "Lord, remember me" and is taken to Paradise, while the other is suffered to die in his sins and sink down into a hopeless eternity. Many are called, but few are chosen.
Yes, Salvation is God's sovereign work. "God does not save a man because he is a sinner, for if so He must save all men, for all are sinners. Nor because he comes to Christ, for 'no man can come except the Father draw him;' nor because he repents, for 'God gives repentance unto life;' nor because he believes, for no one can believe 'except it were given him from above;' nor yet because he holds out faithful to the end, for 'we are kept by the power of God.' It is not because of baptism, for many are saved without it, and many are lost with it. It is not because of regeneration, for that would make the new birth a practical duty. It is not because of morality, for the moralist is the hardeth to reach, and many of the most immoral are saved—the ground of distinguishing grace is the Sovereignty of God: 'Even so Father, for so it seemed good in Thy sight'" (J. B. Moody).
But is God partial? We answer, Has He not a right to be? Again we quote from Mr. Spurgeon's sermon "The Royal Prerogative"—"Spiritually, too, this prerogative is with God. We are by nature under the condemnation of the law on account of our sins, and we are like criminals tried, convicted, sentenced, and left for death. It is for God, as the great Judge, to see the sentence executed, or to issue a free pardon, according as He pleases; and He will have us know that it is upon His supreme pleasure that this matter depends. Over the head of a universe of sinners, I hear this sentence thundering. 'I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.' Shut up for death, as men are by reason of their sins, it rests with God to pardon whom He may reserve: none have any claim to His favour, and it must be exercised upon mere prerogative, because He is the Lord God, merciful and gracious, and delighteth to pass by transgression and sin." How far away have the present-day admirers of Spurgeon departed from the teaching of this prince of preachers: Mark carefully the next sentences: "Our text, however, puts the prerogative upon the one sole ground of Lordship, and we prefer to come back to that. 'Unto God the Lord belong the issues from death.' It is a doctrine which is very unpalatable in these days (it always has been.—A.W.P.), but one nevertheless which is to be held and taught, that God is an absolute Sovereign, and doeth as He wills. The words of Paul may not be suffered to sleep,—'Nay, but O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to Him that formed it, why hast Thou made me thus?' The Lord cannot do amiss, His perfect nature is a law unto itself. In his case Rex is Lex, the King is the Law."
Is God partial? Certainly He is. And has He not the right to be? Shall He not dispense His favours as He wills, and bestow His gifts on whom He pleases? But it is reasonable to suppose that God who is Love has created millions of creatures to be lost? seeing that His elect constitute but a "remnant." a "few," in comparison with the great multitudes who die unsaved? We reply, it is not a question of reason but of revelation. There are many things revealed in Scripture which are contrary to reason. Is it reasonable to think that God would give His only begotten Son to die for sinners? Ah, reason is ruled out entirely here. And so in many other things. If it lay within the power of the reader, would you suffer your worst enemy to be eternally tormented? And if you are honest, you will promptly answer, No! But God will deal thus with His enemies, and the sentence will be a righteous one, whether we can now discern its justice or not, for the Judge of all the earth will do right. How far asunder then is carnal reasoning from the teaching of Holy Writ concerning Eternal Punishment! Once more: would the reader "laugh at" and "mock" his worst enemy if that enemy was being severely punished before him and was entirely helpless to deliver himself from that punishment? Yet Scripture explicitly declares that God will "laugh" at the calamity of His enemies and "mock" when their fear cometh (see Psalm 2:4; Proverbs 1:26). Can your reason harmonize this with your knowledge of God? And again we say, If you are honest you must reply, No! Then why prate so loudly and blatantly about the unreasonableness of Reprobation and of God's absolute Sovereignty in salvation? Once more: here is Satan, the age-long enemy of God and many, the one who has wrought incalculable evil, securely imprisoned at last in the bottomless pit. There he remains chained for a thousand years. Now would you, my reader, suggest for a moment that the Devil be released from that prison after the earth had been freed for a thousand years from his vile presence? Certainly you would not, and yet this is precisely what Divine revelation declares shall come to pass. The Scriptures of Truth make known how that God will cause the Serpent to be "loosed" for a little season, that God will suffer this even though He knows beforehand that the consequences will be the most dreadful revolt on the part of men, under Satan, revolt against God, which this earth has ever witnessed. Truly God's ways are different, very different from ours. Learn then the utter folly of man attempting to pronounce upon the reasonableness or unreasonableness of the doings and dealings of the Most High God. And now a few words by way of exhortation and we must conclude.
One of the most flagrant sins of this age is irreverence. By irreverence I am not now thinking of open blasphemy, or the taking of God's name in vain. Irreverence is, also, failure to ascribe the glory which is due the great and dreadful majesty of the Almighty. It is the limiting of His power and actions by our degrading conceptions: it is the bringing of the Lord God down to our level. There are multitudes of those who do not profess to be Christians who deny that God is the omnipotent Creator, and there are multitudes of professing Christians who deny that God is absolute Sovereign. Men boast of their free will, prate of their power, and are proud of their achievements. They know not that their lives are at the sovereign disposal of the Divine Despot. They know not that they have no more power to thwart His secret counsel than a worm has to resist the tread of an elephant. They know not that God is the Potter, and they the clay.
Ah, my reader, this is the first great lesson we have to learn: that God is the Creator, we the creature; that He is the Potter, we the clay. This is the harvest of all life's lessons, and when we think we have learnt them, we soon discover that we have need to re-learn them. God is God and has the right to dispose of me as He sees fit. It is for Him to say where I shall live—whether in America or Africa. It is for Him to say under what circumstances I shall live—whether amid riches or poverty, whether in health or in sickness. It is for Him to say how long I shall live—whether I shall be cut down in youth, like the flower of the field, or whether I shall live unto old age. Yes, and it is for Him to say where I shall spend eternity.
The first sin of man was the refusal to be clay in the Potter's hand; Adam wanted to be something more—"Ye shall be as God's was the bait which the Tempter used to hurl him to his destruction.
One of the profoundest mysteries of the Incarnation is that "the mighty God" descended from highest heaven and took upon Him the nature of the creature and came down here to show us how to wear it. That which differentiated the Life of Christ from all other lives, was His absolute and joyous submission to the Father's will—"My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me" struck the keynote of the thirty-three years that He tabernacled among men. Have you profited by the example left us by the Beloved of the Father? Has Divine grace shown you how to wear your creature nature? Only if you live not in self-assertion, but in self-renunciation. Only if in the school of Christ you have been taught to say, "Not my will, but Thine be done." O may Divine grace so subdue our rebellious hearts that more and more we can say:
"I bow me to Thy will, O God,
And all Thy ways adore!
And every day I live I'd seek
To please Thee more and more.
Thy will, the good, the blessed rule
Of Jesus' toil and tears:
Thy will the passion of His heart
Those three and thirty years.
I love to kiss each print where Christ
Did set His pilgrim feet:
Nor can I fear that blessed path,
Whose traces are so sweet.
When obstacles and trials seem
Like prison walls to be,
I do the little I can do,
And leave the rest to Thee.
I know not what it is to doubt,
My heart is ever gay;
I run no risk, for, come what will,
Thou always hast Thy way."
—Godhood of God, The
Photography by Marilyn McCurdy below- Cherry Creek Reservoir, CO
May the Lord give you love that warms your heart, hope that lights your way, and for peace and joy for all time.