Thanksgiving and Praise.

Righteous...Loving... Wise...Good...Jealous...

All of God's attributes are together the perfect, unfathomless essence of the Lord our God.

"If there is no justice, then the embracing love of God does not come to us either; however with the enforcement of justice, which gives to all children the promise, God is grace. God cannot be cut into pieces: so many percent grace, so many percent justice. God is always one hundred percent grace and one hundred percent justice. Woe to the poor person who calculates the attributes of God in percentages! Everything He is, He is one hundred percent: He encompasses the framework of justice, but also the framework of the grace of the covenant." Dr. K. Schilder

If I only speak of God's Love, I am not speaking of God. If I only speak of God's righteousness, I am not speaking of God. God is Love... Yes. But as Dr. Schilder points out without His justice there is no love. Christ's prayer in the garden: "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will." (Matthew 26: 39) What was in this cup?
The full wrath of God the Father for all sin of mankind. And in response to suffering God's wrath, Christ called out in agony, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46).

We cannot separate this justice from any of the other attributes of God.

"We perceive justice to be something awful, daunting, dark; and so it is. Yet God's justice also speaks of comfort and gives hope to the penitent, for God said by the mouth of His prophet Isaiah, "Zion will be redeemed with justice ..." (Isaiah 1:27). God links His justice to the redemption of the sinner; His justice is also the way of salvation."

What an amazing gospel! We are nothing apart from Him who set us free. All of our hope, our confidence, our endeavors, desires... begin and end with Jesus Christ our Lord.

Thanksgiving and Praise.

People and Priorities

We have two new guys living in our house: Andy and Daniel. And it has been great. There has been wonderful fellowship and we have had several get togethers with people around us. Last night I was thinking how important it is for good Christian fellowship. I enjoy many extra activities (mainly choir and volleyball) and these can sometimes get out of hand.

"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." ~ 1 John 3:19

"Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world... ... Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." ~ 1 Peter 2:11-13

Priorities are very necessary. I will never be of the world so I should never spend most of my time there. Is the fellowship of the world more fun? They know how to have a good time... How can I say this?! God glorifying fellowship should be my greatest desire and give me the most joy, everlasting joy. I can only find this among fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

This has become strongly evident in the blessing God has bestowed on our house. He has brought four brothers in Christ under one roof who are not afraid to speak of his Love, mercy, and holiness.

Praise the Lord!
I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly. Great are the words of the Lord they are pondered by all who delight in them. Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever.
~ Psalm 111: 1-3

Not mine, but Your Name be Glorified

Why does it sometimes seem that no matter how hard I try I cannot get ahead. God has granted abundant blessings; yet, I work hard at it and I’m not satisfied. Then I come to a passage such as Isaiah 2: 10-22.

10 Go into the rocks, hide in the ground from dread of the LORD and the splendor of his majesty!
11 The eyes of the arrogant man will be humbled and the pride of men brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.

Examine away everything you think is great and wonderful. Examine it in the light of God’s Word. Does the world adore what you adore? My desire for recognition and success… does this stem from a desire for the LORD’s name to be exalted? Just as in Israel’s day, where Isaiah prophecies coming judgement on the land, this holds true for today as well. We are awaiting the final day of Judgment. In that Day, will we be found "throwing away to the rodents and bats" our "idols of silver and idols of gold." Will we realize then, that some of which we adore and worship is not for God’s glory?

22 Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?

Do the accolades of this world truly matter? He is the beginning and the end; all things flow from Him, and all glory should be given to Him. Why? Our whole existence is His. Pray that today we may find the strength to seek His glory alone… for:

"The LORD alone will be exalted in that day."

Worship the LORD

Today is Sunday. Today many people will attend church. Today God's praises will be sung across the United States. Why?
Why? Why go to church and praise the LORD?

Psalm 54:

1. Save me, O God, by Your name, And vindicate me by Your power.
2. Hear my prayer, O God; Give ear to the words of my mouth.
3. For strangers have risen against me And violent men have sought my life; They have not set God before them. Selah.
4. Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is the sustainer of my soul.
5. He will recompense the evil to my foes; Destroy them in Your faithfulness.
6. Willingly I will sacrifice to You; I will give thanks to Your name, O LORD, for it is good.
7. For He has delivered me from all trouble, And my eye has looked with satisfaction upon my enemies.

God has saved us. When we call on God in true faith, it is impossible to not realize that He is the Sustainer. What else can we do, but go up to His House (Church). There, we will willingly worship him in the way the has shown us. Give thanks! Give thanks for the LORD's great Name... It is good!