Archive for January, 2009

31
Jan

Matthew 13 – Matthew Henry

   Posted by: David Bickley    in Attributes of God, Matthew

This is great! and I thought it may help.

“He spoke many things unto them.” (US) “Many more it is likely than are here recorded, but all excellent and necessary things, things that belong to our peace. – They were not trifles, but things of everlasting consequence, that Christ spoke of. It concerns us to give a more earnest heed, when Christ has so many things to say to us, that we miss not any of them. - (Much of) What he spoke was in parables. – and in it condesceded to the capacities of people, and lisped to them in their own language. – We ought to be concerned for the edification of others, as well as for our own, by the word preached; and if ourselves be strong, yet bear the infirmities of the weak. – A parable is a shell that keeps good fruit for the diligent, but keeps it from the slothful. There are mysteries in the kingdom of heaven, and without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness: Christ’s incarnation, satisfaction, intercession, our justification and sanctification by union with Christ, and indeed the whole work of redemption, from first to last, are mysteries, which could never have been discovered but by divine revelation. – Knowledge is the first gift of God, and it is a distinguishing gift (Prov.2:6) it was given to the apostles, because they were Christ’s constant followers and attendants. Note, The nearer we draw to Christ, and the more we converse with him, the better acquainted we shall be with gospel mysteries. – There are those to whom this knowledge is not given, and a man can receive nothing unless it be given him from above (Jn 3:27) and be it remembered that God is debtor to no man: his grace is his own; he gives or withholds it at his pleasure (Rom 11:35) the difference must be resolved into God’s sovereignty. – This reason is further illustrated by the rule God observes in dispensing his gifts; he bestows them on those who improve them, but takes them away from those who bury them. It is a rule among men, that they will rather entrust their money with those who have increased their estates by their industry, than with those who have diminished them by their slothfulness. Here is a promise to him that has, that has true grace pursuant to the election of grace, that has, and uses what he has; he shall have more abundance: God’s favours are earnests of further favours; where he lays the foundation, he will build upon it. Christ’s disciples used the knowledge they now had, and they had more abundance at the pouring out of the Spirit. – Here is a threatening to him that has not, that has no desire of grace, that makes no right use of the gifts and graces he has: has not root, no solid principle; that has, but uses not what he has; from him shall be taken away that which he has or seems to have. His leaves shall wither, his gifts decay; the means of grace he has, and makes no use of , shall be taken from him; God will call in his talents out of their hands that are likely to become bankrupts quickly.” Amen.

- Matthew Henry

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30
Jan

“I WILL Be Their God” Jeremiah 32:38-42

   Posted by: David Bickley    in Attributes of God, Jeremiah

“And they SHALL be my people, and I will be their God: And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me forever, for the good of them, and of their children after them: And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul. For thus saith the Lord; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them.”

How Wonderful is this God that we serve? I hope this will encourage those of us that are his children. Those of us who Fear Him. A good and holy fear that springs from the enlightenment of a New Heart. A fear that does not fade or turn into complacency over time. This Holy God is to be highly esteemed and not treated lightly. Our God is not tame! He offers no promises outside of this covenant of Grace. Yet, in this covenant, all the promises are yes and amen in Christ. This terrible and mighty God that will one day fall apon the wicked has shown himself gentle and tenderhearted toward his own “Seed”. He WILL NOT turn away from them to do them good. What does this mean, oh, what does this mean! We will search this out for eternity. He has not merely convinced us of these things but reveals himself in such a way to his children that we are humbled and WILL NOT DEPART. Those who do, prove that they are not his. For if they were, and have been enlightened, how could they depart? This life spring will be so evident that generations down the road will receive graces because of it. As a New Father he will delight in us and take us unto himself and shower us with himself, with unfettered love. He does not merely give us pearly gates and streets of gold but he gives us himself. What gift could be more precious? If you do not see the value in this, I fear you are not a Christian. Oh, the evil as we perceive it, that we face in this life, is not the plan of some demon but the purpose of God our Father. Is he not preparing us for eternity? Is he not changing our affections? The things of this life are being shown in their true light. They are being pushed out and will be gone in an instant. And yet consider this. With the same intensity that God pushes out this world he will usher in the New. He will fall apon evil like a Lion does his prey and yet will fall apon his children like a Lion her cub. The dark showers of persecution and trials and tribulation ordained by the hand of God will pale in intensity to the reward awaiting us. I suggest that it will require the Grace of God in us for us to survive the blessings and love showered on us in eternity. Who is like our God? Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing!

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30
Jan

Adoption Update

   Posted by: Tim Haufler    in Uncategorized

Hey guys & gals,
Thanks for praying. It looks like it will be another couple of months before we travel. The new agency overseeing these things in The Republic of Georgia needs some time to review the cases. That’s all the news we have for now.

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