Tag: Saviour

False Teachers

2 Timothy 2 New International Version 

Dealing With False Teachers

14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”

20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. 21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

  1. How I praise Thee, precious Savior,
    That Thy love laid hold of me;
    Thou hast saved and cleansed and filled me
    That I might Thy channel be.
    • Refrain:
      Channels only, blessed Master,
      But with all Thy wondrous pow’r
      Flowing through us, Thou canst use us
      Every day and every hour.
  2. Just a channel full of blessing,
    To the thirsty hearts around,
    To tell out Thy full salvation,
    All Thy loving message sound.
  3. Emptied that Thou shouldest fill me,
    A clean vessel in Thy hand;
    With no pow’r but as Thou givest
    Graciously with each command.
  4. Witnessing Thy pow’r to save me,
    Setting free from self and sin;
    Thou who bought me to possess me,
    In Thy fullness, Lord, come in.
  5. Jesus, fill now with Thy Spirit
    Hearts that full surrender know,
    That the streams of living water
    From our inner man may flow.

Instructions

1 Thessalonians 5 New International Version (NIV)

Final Instructions

12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.

23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us. 26 Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.

28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Personally I had never heard of this hymn or the tune attached to it. The tiune is a tune called ‘None of Self’

O the bitter shame and sorrow
that a time could ever be,
when I let the Savior’s pity
plead in vain, and proudly answered:
All of self, and none of thee!

Yet he found me: I beheld him
bleeding on the accursèd tree,
heard him pray: Forgive them, Father;
and my wistful heart said faintly:
Some of self and some of thee!

Day by day his tender mercy,
healing, helping, full and free:
sweet and strong, and ah! so patient,
brought me lower, while I whispered:
Less of self and more of thee!

Higher than the highest heaven,
deeper than the deepest sea;
Lord, thy love at last hath conquered;
grant me now my supplication:
None of self and all of thee!

Discipleship

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Isaiah 6:8 New International Version (NIV)

8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

The song below suddenly popped into my head last night as i was trying to sleep, so I thought i would share it as my blog this morning

Saviour, while my heart is tender,
I would yield that heart to Thee;
All my powers to Thee surrender,
Thine and only Thine to be.

Take me now, Lord Jesus, take me;
Let my youthful heart be Thine;
Thy devoted servant make me;
Fill my soul with love divine.

Send me, Lord, where Thou wilt send me,
Only do Thou guide my way;
May Thy grace through life attend me,
Gladly then shall I obey.

Let me do Thy will or bear it;
I would know no will but Thine;
Shouldst Thou take my life or spare it,
I that life to Thee resign.

May this solemn consecration
Never once forgotten be;
Let it know no revocation,
Registered and confirmed by Thee.

Thine I am, O Lord, for ever
To Thy service set apart;
Suffer me to leave Thee never,
Seal Thine image on my heart.

Smile Time

Smile Time

Proverbs 15:13 – 23

13 A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face; a sad heart makes it hard to get through the day. 
14 An intelligent person is always eager to take in more truth; fools feed on fast-food fads and fancies. 
15 A miserable heart means a miserable life; a cheerful heart fills the day with song. 
16 A simple life in the Fear-of-God is better than a rich life with a ton of headaches. 
17 Better a bread crust shared in love than a slab of prime rib served in hate. 
18 Hot tempers start fights; a calm, cool spirit keeps the peace. 
19The path of lazy people is overgrown with briers; the diligent walk down Image result for Smilinga smooth road. 
20 Intelligent children make their parents proud; lazy students embarrass their parents. 
21 The empty-headed treat life as a plaything; the perceptive grasp its meaning and make a go of it. 
22 Refuse good advice and watch your plans fail; take good counsel and watch them succeed. 
23 Congenial conversation – what a pleasure! The right word at the right time – beautiful!
 
I don’t suppose I’ll have to tell anyone reading this that it take more facial muscles to frown than to smile. Don’t you think it’s a lot better to feel happy than down right miserable, I do! I believe God would have us being happy than sad. I also believe that because we know Christ as our Saviour we are joyful and it is our duty as Christians to go out into the world and reach out to those who don’t know Christ as their saviour.

 

 

Perfectly Trusting

Image result for Trusting in the Lord

Psalm 13 New International Version 

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
    How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
    and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
    How long will my enemy triumph over me?

3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
    Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
4 and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
    and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me.

O for a deeper, O for a greater

O for a perfect trust in the Lord!

O for a deeper, O for a greater

O for a perfect trust in the Lord!

Easter Monday

Image result for Easter egg hunt

The Bible makes no mention of Easter or Easter Monday. There is no requirement as a church to celebrate it, but there is prohibition either.

Easter Monday as we know is the day after Christ’s resurrection where he said for 40 days appearing to believers and giving ministry. He also healed the sick and proved to doubter’s he was the son of God.

Easter Monday, also called Bright Monday or Renewal Monday, is the beginning of Bright Week. It is common to douse people in water, representing the new life of baptism, and play games with Easter eggs. Such as Easter egg hunt or rolling your a hard boiled egg down a hill (which represents the stone being rolled away).

Which is it Jehovah or Redeemer?

The alteration from “Jehovah” to “Redeemer” in the hymn “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” (sometimes titled “Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer”) is a choice made by certain hymnals for various reasons:

  1. Denominational Preferences: Different denominations may prefer different terms for theological or doctrinal reasons. Some denominations may prefer the term “Redeemer” as it more directly reflects the role of Christ as the savior who redeems humanity from sin.
  2. Language Modernization: The term “Jehovah” is a relatively less common usage in modern English and might be considered archaic by some. “Redeemer” is a term that resonates more clearly with contemporary language and usage.
  3. Inclusivity and Universality: Some hymnals seek to use language that is more inclusive and understandable to a wider audience. “Redeemer” might be seen as a more inclusive term that is easily recognized across various Christian traditions.

While the original text by William Williams uses “Jehovah,” different hymnals may adapt the wording to better suit their congregation’s preferences and theological emphases.

The Secret of his Presence

Psalm 31

19How abundant are the good things
that you have stored up for those who fear you,
that you bestow in the sight of all,
on those who take refuge in you.
20In the shelter of your presence you hide them
from all human intrigues;
you keep them safe in your dwelling
from accusing tongues.

In the secret of thy presence,
Where the pure in heart may dwell,
Are the springs of sacred service
And a power that none can tell.
There my love must bring its offering,
There my heart must yield its praise,
And the Lord will come, revealing
All the secrets of his ways.

More than all my lips may utter,See the source image
More than all I do or bring,
Is the depth of my devotion
To my Saviour, Lord and King.
Nothing less will keep me tender;
Nothing less will keep me true;
Nothing less will keep the fragrance
And the bloom on all I do!

Blessed Lord, to see thee truly,
Then to tell as I have seen,
This shall rule my life supremely,
This shall be the sacred gleam.
Sealed again is all the sealing,
Pledged again my willing heart,
First to know thee, then to serve thee,
Then to see thee as thou art.

Saviour while my heart is tender

John Burton, the author, spent much of his life working with young people and writing for them. He was born in Stratford, England, in 1803 and worked as a basketmaker and cooper (barrel maker) for about fifty years. He was a church deacon and a Sunday School teacher. He had hymns published in several collections: The Evangelical Magazine,The Child’s Companion and other periodicals, as well as The Union Hymn Book for Scholars . His own publications were One Hundred Original Hymns for the Young, Hymns for Little Children, and The Book of Psalms in English Verse . Burton died in his home town of Stratford in 1877. He should not be confused with a slightly older John Burton, from Nottingham, England, who also taught Sunday School and wrote children’s hymns. Another person, C.W. Burton, wrote words very similar to these, but no biographical information is available. Perhaps they are the same person!

WORDS: JOHN BURTON, JR.; MUSIC: (TUNE – SOUTH SHIELDS) GEORGE MARSHALL

Saviour, while my heart is tender,
I would yield that heart to Thee;
All my powers to Thee surrender,
Thine and only Thine to be.
Take me now, Lord Jesus, take me;
Let my youthful heart be Thine;
Thy devoted servant make me;
Fill my soul with love divine.

Send me, Lord, where Thou wilt send me,
Only do Thou guide my way;
May Thy grace through life attend me –
Gladly then shall I obey.
Let me do Thy will or bear it,
I would know no will but Thine;
Shouldst Thou take my life or spare it,
I that life to Thee resign.

May this solemn consecration
Never once forgotten be;
Let it know no alteration,
Registered, confirmed by Thee.
Thine I am, O Lord, forever,
To Thy service set apart;
Suffer me to leave Thee never,
Seal Thine image on my heart.

Did you make this commitment and consecration of your life to the Lord as a young person? What would your evaluation be now? If you are a young person reading this, may you indeed find the joy that such a commitment can bring. If you are older, you can still surrender to the purposes God has for you and perhaps find new meaning in the coming days.

The Angel and the Shepherds

Luke 2:8-20 New International Version – UK (NIVUK)

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields near by, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’Image result for while shepherds watched their flocks by night

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.’

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

  1. While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
    All seated on the ground,
    The angel of the Lord came down,
    And glory shone around.
  2. “Fear not!” said he, for mighty dread
    Had seized their troubled mind;
    “Glad tidings of great joy I bring
    To you and all mankind.
  3. “To you, in David’s town, this day
    Is born of David’s line
    A Savior, who is Christ the Lord,
    And this shall be the sign:
  4. “The heav’nly Babe you there shall find
    To human view displayed,
    All meanly wrapped in swathing bands,
    And in a manger laid.”
  5. Thus spake the seraph and forthwith
    Appeared a shining throng
    Of angels praising God on high,
    Who thus addressed their song:
  6. “All glory be to God on high,
    And to the Earth be peace;
    Good will henceforth from heav’n to men
    Begin and never cease!”

This is not the original carol but never the less I hope you like it