think much of Christ

I would like to encourage the church today to think much of Christ and think of Christ much! Through the ebb and flow of routine, in the hustle and bustle of highways, in the requirements of your responsibilities, think much of Christ and think of Christ much! In the midst of your affliction, in the heat of your temptation, in the conquest of your victories, think much of Christ and think of Christ much! Though your body be afflicted, though your spirit be weak, though your mind be troubled, think much of Christ and think of Christ much. In your joy, in your abundance, in your multiplied blessings, think much of Christ and think of Christ much.

Think of His advent, His miracles, His words, His compassion, His provision, His love. Meditate upon His vicarious death, His atoning sacrifice, His substitionary work on the cross. Consider His dying words, His priestly prayer, His bleeding side. Allow your mind to visit the grave where the stone was rolled away. Ponder His glory, His power, His might over death and sin. Think of His resurrection, His ascension, His glorious throne and His incomparable holiness.  Imagine if He came today, think of that rapturous moment, consider being with Him forever. Think much of Christ and think of Christ much!

Think of His heaven, His angels, His city, His crown, His name, His majesty.  Imagine seeing Him in all of His glory, in His everlasting dominion, with His vesture dipped in blood.  Think of what it will be like to sit at His table during the marriage supper of the Lamb. Think of the communion, the fellowship, the divine meal spread before God's people. Think much of Christ and think of Christ much!

Think of that hour when you met Him, you trusted Him, and you called on Him for forgiveness.  Remember the cleansing water that took away the stains, the matchless price that eradicated the debt, and the victorious deliverance that released you from the bondage of sin. Go back to that place, that hour, that moment when you met the Savior of your soul. Yes! and thousand times, think of Christ and think of Christ much!

To think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of a good report, virtuous, and praise-worthy (Philippians 4:8), can only be accomplished when we consider the One Who bore the cross, took the shame, and now lives as our reigning King.

Therefore, beloved, fill your mind with His light, His life, His love. In this day, think much of Christ and think of Christ much!
Rev. KK

But Thomas

But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. John 20:24

It was the evening of the day Christ arose.  Jesus’ disciples were all gathered together.  Everyone but Thomas.  Suddenly, Jesus came into their presence.  In an instant, their fears turn to joy, their defeat into victory.  The blessing of being in His presence changed everything.

We do not know where Thomas was.  We only know he had not gathered with the other disciples.  By being absent, Thomas missed the blessing of being with Jesus.  Whenever believers meet together we have the promise of His presence. Tomorrow is Sunday.  Will you be gathered will your fellow believers?

 If not, you may miss the blessing of being in His presence.

Rev DB

Our needed foundation

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 3:11

The construction of a home begins with the foundation.  A poor foundation spells trouble for anything built on it.  The integrity of the home is no better than the strength of its foundation.  Similarly, we build our lives on foundational principles - how we see the world and our place in it.

If we see the world as a random place without meaning or purpose, then we will construct our lives differently than if we see the world as a place created for the benefit of man and the glory of God.

To build our life upon Jesus Christ, is to build a life on the foundation that God loves us and cares about us.
Rev DB

1. How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
   What more can He say than to you He hath said— To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
2. 
   

Waiting on God

Waiting on God

Psalms 37:1-9

Waiting on God is an important spiritual discipline in our walk of faith. King David’s life teaches us about the value of following the Lord’s plan and the danger in moving ahead of Him.

When David was a young shepherd boy, the prophet Samuel anointed him as Israel’s next king. Yet he did not become the ruler for many years. Waiting for the Lord to place him on the throne was made more difficult because the current king, Saul, turned against David and repeatedly tried to take his life. Despite the opportunity to take matters into his own hands and kill his enemy, David held back. He wouldn’t allow anyone else to attack Saul either (1 Sam. 24:1-7). He waited on God and was greatly blessed for his obedience.

King David also knew what it was like to move ahead without the Lord. One year he chose not to join his troops in battle, even though that was one of his duties (2 Sam. 11:1). During the time he stayed home, he noticed Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, and he coveted her. Acting upon his desires, he conceived a child with her and then tried to cover up his sin. What a mess he made of his life. Instead of following the Lord’s plan and being blessed, he experienced divine chastisement and much heartache.

As believers, we want to obey the Lord, but there may be situations when intense desire propels us forward without waiting for His direction. Like David, we will experience the blessing of obedience or the heartache of disobedience.

 Be sure to seek out God’s plan before you act.

Rev. CS

Strength in Waiting

Strength in Waiting
Isaiah 40:28-31

God has a purpose and plan for your life, and His timing is perfect. Sometimes He answers our prayers with "yes" or "no." But at other times, He says "not now"--when that is the case, we can avail ourselves of the rich rewards that come when we wait.

One very practical blessing is that God strengthens us as we lean on Him during delays. Isaiah 40:31 tells us that "those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength." We are given the metaphor of an eagle with wind beneath his wings. It is interesting to note that the words "wind" and "spirit" come from the same Greek word--pneuma. The spirit of God lifts us up, and His energy and strength sustain us as we abide in Him.

When we are facing a difficult decision, the real key is learning to wait. There is no verse of Scripture that tells us to take control and fight our own battles. God is the one who fights them on our behalf (2 Chron. 20:15). We are to be patient and trust in Him.

When David faced his greatest battles, he waited upon the Lord. God delivered him from destruction and set his feet on solid ground. (Ps. 40:1-3) He will do the same for you. When you abide in Him, He gives supernatural energy to accomplish the things He requires of you--His Spirit does for you what you cannot do for yourself.

In reading through the Scriptures, we see that every time one of God's saints gains a victory, he or she is waiting and trusting in the Lord. You can likewise experience triumph in your life.

When you have the omnipotent Creator of the universe acting on your behalf, you can't lose.
RevCS

Requirements of Waiting

Requirements of Waiting

Psalms 25:3-5

Waiting for God's timing is neither passive nor idle--it takes discipline and commitment. I can think of four basic requirements for successful waiting.

Faith. The Lord's ways and timing are nothing like ours (Isa. 55:8-9). From a human standpoint, He usually does things in a totally different way than we expect. But as we trust Him more, we'll discover that His approach isn't so strange after all. And when we live in harmony with God's will, His timing starts to make sense.

Humility. To wait for the Lord, you must be convinced of your need for Him. Submission to His divine will requires humility--you cannot charge ahead with your own plans and at the same time be fully surrendered to God.

Patience. Are you willing to remain in your current position until you receive clear divine direction? Pausing for clarity from God does not mean that you disengage and allow circumstances to fall apart around you. Waiting upon the Lord is a deliberate decision that requires patience.

Courage. Waiting for God often takes courage, especially when there is pressure to act. If you're not careful, you might stop listening to the Lord and follow other advice. So keep your ear attuned to the voice of Almighty God, and you won t go wrong.

Waiting upon the Lord is one of the wisest, most important decisions we make in life. And contrary to popular assumptions, it is an active endeavor that requires faith, humility, patience, and courage.

When you rely upon God and wait for His timing, the various facets of life fall into place.
Rev. CS

A quiet place

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. Mark 1:35

The people came from everywhere to see Jesus.  News of his divine healings and powerful preaching had spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.   Wherever He went they came.  The sick.  The curious.  The demon possessed.  So many needs and so little time.

In the flesh, Jesus suffered from many of the same limitations we face.  He could only be in one place at a time.  He only had so many hours in the day.  He got tired.  Jesus needed a quiet place.  So early in the morning, while others slept, he went to a solitary place and prayed.  Where do you go when life presses down on you?  We all need a quiet place where we can be alone with Him.

He knows what you face and He will meet you there.