Look forward to the Lord's Coming

There are two ways of looking at the Lord's Coming. There is looking for and there is a looking at it. It is possible to look at it with keen intellect and profound interest, and yet have it mean nothing to us personally. It is possible to know but little of the theology and exegesis of the subject, and yet have a deep and holy longing for our Lord to appear. When a wedding is about to occur, the public is looking at it, but the bride is looking for it. Oh, that this great theme may not only be our study but our personal hope, for unto them that look for Him shall He appear a second time without sin unto salvation.
-A. B. Simpson

Wings As Eagles

-notes on Wings as Eagles, Majesty Hymns, words by Ron Hamilton, 1950

When we are going through trials and we want to give up because we are losing strength and when our lives seem so bad, we should lift our voices to Jesus. He will strengthen us and help us stand up. God will give us "wings" or help. God will help us anytime we are having a hard time. When our feet stumble and when our dreams crumble God is always there for us.
To run our "race" or finish the will of God in our lives, we must be patients, cast out each weight in our lives such as sins and things that withhold us from our fellowship with the Lord, and we must look only unto Jesus who will help us cross the finish line.
Hebrews 12: 1-2 (New King James Version)
1-"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us LAY ASIDE every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."
2- "looking unto Jesus, the author and finished of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
We can look at Him with trust because He has already been through these and has won the crown of victory.
He is always ready and willing to help us.
He says, "Follow me to Higher Ground."
God gives wings as eagles. God gives wings to fly and strength to rise above.
God is always faithful to His children. We, as His children, also need to be faithful to Him.

Are you a hearer AND a doer?

-daily devotion from Top Priority Manna
Ezekiel 33:23-33
Are you a hearer and a doer?
Hearers are just people who go to church every Sunday or Wednesday and listen to God's Word but a doer is the one who actually follows the message of the sermon after listening intently to it.
We need to be hearers AND doers for the right reason. We shouldn't just be hearers like hypocrites or people who do the right things for good reputation.
The Holy Spirit will help us determine the wrong from the right. We should also think of the words in hymns we sing and understand what they mean.

The BEST Gift In The Whole World

Have you ever received a gift that you thought was the very best? Remember, when you received that gift? You were so happy; you were crying tears of joy! I remember when I begged my parents for a doll I really wanted. I said that I would never ask for anything else but guess what? I got tired of that doll and begged for something else. The best gift in the whole world would be something that you can love forever and will actually benefit you. There is such a gift.

What is this gift? In Romans 6:23b it says, “…The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” The free gift we are talking about here is the gift of salvation from hell. This is eternal life with God in heaven. Well, that will certainly benefit us!

Who gave us this gift? We are unable to get this gift by ourselves because it says in Titus 3:5, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” God gave us this wonderful gift through his Son, Jesus Christ. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” God loved us so much he was willing to give his only Son to die in our place for our sins! Is anyone willing to die for you or let someone they love so much experience pain to give you the best gift?

How can I get this wonderful gift, you ask? First of all, you need to know that everyone is a sinner. I John 2:2 says that, “He (Jesus Christ) is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” Also Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any many should boast.” To accept this free gift, you must believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins and rose again. Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven for it says in John 14:6, “…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Anyone even the most sinful man can receive this wonderful gift. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13

So will you accept this best gift or just let it sit around unopened? Don’t wait! “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” II Corinthians 6:2b.

No Good Thing Would He Withhold

-notes from No Good Thing Would He Withhold, We're Singing Wilds Music book

We can believe that God is good.

He promises those who are His children blessings and rewards.
The Lord our God is our sun (He nurtures us) and shield (protects and takes care).
He even takes care of tiny things like this turtle!
He gives an abundance of grace and His glory (His love, gentleness, grace, etc).
God won't withhold anything good (our needs) from those who walk in the right path.
The God we serve is truly almighty.
We can be comforted that God's love will never change.
When we try to do God's will, He will help and guide us.
"For the Lord our God is a sun and shield and He giveth grace and glory.
No good thing will He withhold from them who walk uprightly.
What a God we serve!"