THE MAGNITUDE OF GRACE

THE MAGNITUDE OF GRACE

“My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness”

2 Corinthians 12:9

Our weakness should be prized as making room for divine strength. We

might never have known the power of grace if we had not felt the

weakness of nature. Blessed be the Lord for the thorn in the flesh, and the

messenger of Satan, when they drive us to the strength of God.

This is a precious word from our Lord’s own lip. It has made the writer

laugh for joy. God’s grace enough for me! I should think it is. Is not the

sky enough for the bird, and the ocean enough for the fish? The

All-Sufficient is sufficient for my largest want. He who is sufficient for

earth and Heaven is certainly able to meet the case of one poor worm like

me.

Let us, then, fall back upon our God and His grace. If He does not remove

our grief He will enable us to bear it. His strength shall be poured into us

till the worm shall thresh the mountains; and a nothing shall be victor over

all the high and mighty ones. It is better for us to have God’s strength than

our own; for if we were a thousand times as strong as we are, it would all

amount to nothing in the face of the enemy; and if we could be weaker

than we are, which is scarcely possible, yet we could do all things through

Christ. Disciple John

By faith they passed through the Red Sea

The Israelite's Passing through the Red Sea, by Faith.
By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.  (Heb_11:29)
By faith, Moses called God's people to apply the blood of the Passover lamb that they might be delivered from the judgment that was to befall Egypt. "By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them" (Heb_11:28). Then, Moses led the people out of Egypt, eventually passing through the Red Sea, by faith.
Instead of sending Israel directly north toward the promised land, the Lord sent them eastward toward the Red Sea. "So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea" (Exo_13:18). From the outset of their journey, the Lord became their guide. "And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light" (Exo_13:21).
Yet, Pharoah's heart hardened against Israel once again. "So the Egyptians pursued them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and overtook them camping by the sea" (Exo_14:9). Soon, the people were trapped between the formidable sea and a mighty army. They were overtaken with fear, so Moses pointed them to the Lord. "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today" (Exo_14:13). Then, as the Lord had instructed him, "Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided. So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left" (Exo_14:21-22). Into this intimidating setting, by faith in the Lord, the children of Israel advanced. " By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land."
Again, as the Lord commanded, Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. "Then the waters returned and covered the chariots, the horsemen, and all the army of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them. Not so much as one of them remained" (Exo_14:28). The rebellious Egyptians could not follow where God's people had gone by faith. "Whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned."

Almighty God, when the way is blocked before me and an army of circumstances closes in behind me, help me to stand by faith, looking to You to open a way. Lord, I want to follow You, asking You to lead me where my enemies cannot go, in Jesus name, Amen.

THE SON OF GOD WHO LOVES ME

 



 
No good thing does he withhold 
from those whose walk is blameless. 
Psalm 84 v 11 

The Three Centers of Love
God so loved the world— Joh_3:16
Christ also loved the church— Eph_5:25
The Son of God, who loved me— Gal_2:20

John's Assurance of God's Love for the World
We have first the love of God for the whole world, or, as we should put it, for all the human race. The world of John is not the world of nature, but the teeming world of sinful men and women. Now, the extraordinary thing is this, that such a statement should fall from Jewish lips. The ancient Hebrew was the true aristocrat looking with proud disdain on every Gentile. And it was because this Jew had companied with Christ and drunk deep of His spirit, that there had come to him the rich assurance that the love of God was for the world. Born of a Jewess, made under the law, Christ was the Son of man. For all mankind He lived and taught and died. He was the light of the world. It was in following Him and brooding on His mystery, that the eyes of John were opened by the Spirit to recognize the worldwide love of God.
The Universality of God's Love
The wonder of it deepens when we remember what the world of men is like. The Bible, for all its unconquerable optimism, never gives us a rosy view of man. It is the writer of our text who tells us that the whole world "lieth in the evil one." Like a precious vessel sunk in a foul stream, it is submerged under a tide of evil. And this is not only the view of the disciple, it is the view of our blessed Lord Himself—"the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me." I could understand God loving the world of nature where the sunshine is sleeping on the lake. If the human heart is drawn to hill and meadow, how much more the infinite heart in heaven. But that that heart, knowing every secret, should love the teeming millions of mankind lies on the utmost verge of the incredible. It only becomes credible in Christ. It is a dream but for the Incarnation. Unless God gave His only begotten Son, worldwide love goes whistling down the wind. It was because this writer had learned, from personal contacts, the universality of the unspeakable Gift that he awoke to the worldwide love of God.
God's Love for the Church
The second center of divine love is the Church—Christ also loved the Church. And at once this question rises in the mind, why should the Church be singled out like that? Well, when you read the story of the prodigal, you feel that the father always loved that son. When he was far away rioting with the harlots, the father was yearning for him night and day. But only when that prodigal came home could the pent-up love be poured upon the child—and the Church is the bit of the world that has come home. The true Church is not an organization. It is not Episcopalian nor Methodist. It is the mighty company of quickened souls who could never rest content among the swine. Drawn by need, hungry and despairing, they have traveled back to "God who is our home," and found the love that had been always yearning for them. The prodigal was loved in the far country, but there no ring could be put upon his finger. So long as he was there no cry was heard, "Bring forth the best robe and put it on him." To gain these tokens of un-wearying love, the poor rebellious child had to come home—and the Church is the bit of the worm that has come home. That is why the Church, and not the family, is the second center of the love of heaven. Some in the family may still be far away, living in utter heedlessness and sin. But no one in the true Church is in the far land. All are brought nigh by the blood of Christ, and love is able to show itself at last in the ring and in the shoes and in the robe.
God's Love for the Individual
The third center of divine love is the individual—He loved me, says the apostle. And it is just here that the love of God so infinitely transcends the love of man. No man can love a multitude with the intensity wherewith he loves his child. No patriot can feel towards all his countrymen as he feels towards his little daughter. But the wonder of the love of God is this, that with a compass that encircles millions, every separate soul is loved as if there were no one else in the whole world. Our Lord was moved to His depths by mighty multitudes. He brooded over them with infinite compassion. He came to be the Savior of the world, and He came because He loved the world. Yet, living for mankind, He gave His richest to the one who fell suppliant at His feet, and, dying for mankind, He gave His heart to the one who was hanging by His side. He loved the world—and gave. He loved the Church—and gave. But all would be incomplete could we not add, "He loved me and gave Himself for me." When we are tempted to doubt the love of heaven for the little unit in unnumbered millions, there comes a gentle voice across the darkness, "He that hath seen me, hath seen the Father."

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MOSES IDENTIFIED HIMSELF WITH GODS PEOPLE

Moses Refusing Egypt, Choosing God's People, by Faith
By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin.  (Heb_11:24-25)
The natural tendency of humanity is to desire privilege and pleasure. Moses certainly had these two abundantly available to him in Egypt. Yet, he demonstrated the impact that trusting in the Lord can have by refusing Egypt and choosing God's people.
When the daughter of Pharoah discovered baby Moses, she decided to raise him as her child. "Moses was born . . . and he was brought up in his father's house for three months. But when he was set out, Pharaoh's daughter took him away and brought him up as her own son" (Act_7:20-21). As an offspring of the palace, Moses had access to the very best of human education, and he became proficient in all that was provided for him. "And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds" (Act_7:22). In terms of conventional earthly perspectives, Moses was guaranteed a life of privilege and pleasure.
However, when he reached the age of relative maturity, his heart was drawn in a distinctively different direction. "But when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel" (Act_7:23). The wording implies that he had been taught of his link with the Israelites as he was growing up in Pharoah's household. Eventually, his heart was stirred by this connection, and he made a life-shaping decision, by faith. "By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter." He decided to renounce his place of privilege in Pharoah's family and to identify himself with God's people. He was aware that this choice was a renunciation of a pleasure-filled life and would inevitably lead to suffering: "choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin."
To commit to the palace would have been pleasurable, but sinful. Furthermore, those sinful pleasures would have been temporary. On the other hand, the blessings of following the leading of the Lord would last forever. Moses' heavenly perspective was much like the Psalmist "For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand [that is, anyplace else]. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness" (Psa_84:10).
Heavenly Father, help me to discern whenever the offer of human privilege is competing with Your will for my life. Please give me a heart to identify with Your people, even though inconvenience or suffering might result. Strengthen my faith to choose eternal blessings over the passing pleasures of sin, Amen.

                                                                         

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God has prepared a place for us.

 By disciple John

Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

In 2006 we heard the news that a Christian employee of an airline at Heathrow Airport, was sacked because she refused to hide the cross she wore around her neck. She was a Christian sister of ours from Egypt, and we learnt that Egyptian Christians always show the cross, and many have a cross tattooed on their wrist where it can clearly be seen.

As it says in our text the world has been crucified to us and we know what the Bible teaches us about the world: 1John 5:15 That the evil one rules this world. We as Christians are born again and no longer belonging to this world, but now we are citizens of heaven, and as such should be heavenly minded, and not worldly minded.

This is what it says about the people of faith in Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Let us acknowledge that we are people of the cross, the world holds no attraction for us because we are citizens of heaven where God has prepared a place for us.

Prayer: Thank you Heavenly Father for loving us and saving us through your Son our Saviour and freeing us from the clutches of Satan. Thank you that you have a place prepared for us and we are already citizens of heaven. May your will be done, and your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Jesus said; "The Kingdom of God is within you."

 
 Bible daily by disciple John

Luke 17:20-21 He answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

The word Kingdom of God refers to God's ruling our lives, and if you and I have turned from our sin and received Lord Jesus into our life as our Saviour, then we accept His rule in our lives. That means we accept all his instructions provided in the gospels for His disciples.

We, who are walking with God, are the kingdom of God's people. We are modern day revolutionaries because we have to be so different to everyone else. We are those who love our enemies and those who bless those who curse us, because we are Kingdom of God people. We know that this life is not a bed of roses because our Lord has told us in Matthew 7:13-14 that it is a strait and narrow way.

Yes, we are those who have left the broad way, and are on the narrow way which at times is difficult, but we are going to heaven. We are blessed every morning, because we are the Kingdom of God people. In a world that is always changing, it is nice to have an anchor that does not change. When we come to the Lord Jesus Christ, we never have to worry that He will change. What He expects of us today is what He will expect of us tomorrow. We must always remember that His will must be done.

Prayer: Thank you Lord Jesus that we are yours, because you have bought us with a great price, worth more than all the riches in this world, so that your will be done by us, your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Through your precious name. Amen.

If you have never prayed the sinners prayer, it is never too late.
Just pray the following words from your heart;

  Life is short.   ETERNITY IS FOREVER!    Pray now the sinners prayer:

LORD JESUS YOU DIED FOR MY SINS AT CALVARY,

CLEANSE ME OF ALL MY SINS BY THE POWER OF YOUR BLOOD, COME INTO MY LIFE

AND HELP ME TO FOLLOW YOU FOR THE REST OF MY DAYS, IN YOUR PRECIOUS NAME

AMEN.

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Because they have Spring in their hearts, they find flowers and songs everywhere.

SPRING IN THE HEART
"The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose."-- Isa_35:1.

THERE ARE three things that make Springtide in the soul. The sense of God's Presence. We know that He is near, though the woods are bare, the frost holds the earth in its iron grip, and the wind gathers together the dead leaves; but we feel Him nearer when every hedgerow is clothed with flowers, every bush burns with fire, every tree claps its leafy hands, and every avenue is filled with sweet choristers. The optimism of an illimitable hope. Spring is the minstrel of Hope. She takes her lyre and sings of the fair Summer, which is on her way, Life pours through a myriad channels, and shows itself stronger than death for Spring is victorious over Winter, as good shall prove to be over evil. The exuberance of Love. Spring is the time of love. The whole creation is attracted by a natural affinity, and love rules in forest and field.
These three elements met in the hearts of the returning exiles, and made the world seem young and fair again. The heart views the outer world in lines borrowed from itself. When life is young and gay, all the echoes ring with joy notes; but when the joy of life is fled, what mockery comes back on us from even the tenderest outward scenes!
For us, the lesson is clear. Cherish the sense of the Presence of God; cultivate an illimitable Hope; be conscious of a Love flowing towards you and from you. Dwell on the loving-kindness and tender mercy that have preceded and followed you all the days of your life, and for you, too, the wilderness and solitary place will be glad. After all, life is not altogether what circumstances make it. They may be everything that heart can wish, and yet the Frost-King may reign within and ease its icy mantle over all; whereas there are men and women who have everything adverse in their circumstances, but because they have Spring in their hearts, they find flowers and songs everywhere.
The thirsty land shall become springs of water. You know what thirst means--for human affection, for appreciation, for a word of cheer, for success! Yea, that thirsty land! But when your heart is full of God you will find it musical with streams, and in the places where dragons lay there will be a greenery of rushes.

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, bring us back from our captivity. Fill our hearts with the sense of Thy presence that they may be transformed and renewed, and filled with the spirit of Heaven. AMEN.