An Exhortation On Praise and Thanks Giving to Jesus Christ our Creator

Dearest Mothers, 

Do you know this scripture? "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14)
This scripture is for those who belong to the Lord Jesus Christ, who belong to the body of Christ, who are the bride of Christ through the faith and salvation He gives, those who are born again of His Holy Spirit. Those who fit this description are the ones who, "Press for the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
What is the mark? Well, what is our hope?  Is it not to be with Jesus Christ in Heaven someday? We are looking for a "City" whose maker and builder is God. Faithful Abraham set out and fixed his eyes on the mark of the high calling of God, the scripture says- "For he looked for a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God." (Hebrews 11:10) Abraham went forward and obeyed God's voice.

If we are fixed on this high calling of God then everything else in life pales in importance. Other people's opinions, judgements and criticisms are not going to move us if we know what our God has called us to and we are set and our hearts fixed on Him to obey Him.
Obedience to God is crucial during our walk here on this Earth.

We know the things God has told us to do through His Word and He gives much blessings to us as we obey His voice.
But so often we forget to be obedient to this command:  "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." (Hebrews 13:15) and "And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father by him." (Colossians 3:17) and one more of many more: "Giving thanks always for all things unto God, even the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;" (Ephesians 5:20)

Dearest ones, obedience to this command brings much, much glory to God! Obedience to this command reveals faith in Him- it testifies of your faith in Him and it blesses Him...
 "I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together." (Psalms 34:1-3)

Today I was going through a certain trial and complaining to God about it in my heart. During a moment of silence while I was crying and filled with self pity I heard the still small voice of God ask, "Have you thanked me for this, or praised me? Have you obeyed me?"
I was shaken in my spirit and confessed to Him, "No, and I'm so sorry.".. So I very quickly began thanking and praising Him for everything and also anything I could think of.
It lifted! The burden and hard feelings left as I surrendered my will and left things up to Him.
 
God is so wonderful!

Let's obey God dear mothers! He is the answer to every problem. Obedience to God is the best resolve and the wisest resolve for the people of God.


"Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to your body, and strength to your bones."  (Proverbs 3:5-8)

With love in our sweet Saviour.
Sarah
 

Coming To Christ

Coming to Christ

John 6:37, 44, 65

 

Holy Scriptures contain many calls from Jesus Christ to men regarding coming to Him for salvation.

Consider a few.  “Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth!  For I am God, and there is no other” (Isaiah 45:22).  “Ho!  Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat.  Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price” (Isaiah 55:1).  “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28).  “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.  He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37f).  “And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’  And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’  And let him who thirsts come.  Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17).

In these texts, coming to Christ is equated with looking to Him in faith, acknowledging that no help is to be found in self, and that all that is desired is found in Him.

And we would add that at the very moment one begins to come to Christ, he has fully arrived at Christ.

Here is Christ’s doctrine on this subject in John chapter 6.

I. “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me” (v.37a).  Here is an unmistakable affirmation of the glorious doctrine of election to salvation.  Those whom Christ calls “all the Father gives Me” are those whom the Father in grace chose in Christ to salvation before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:3-5).

Here also is an unmistakable affirmation of the glorious doctrine of the effectual call to salvation.  Christ declares “All the Father gives Me will come to Me”.  Elsewhere we read the manner in which they will be effectually called (2 Thessalonians 2:13): those whom “God from the beginning chose ... for salvation” will come to Christ “through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Every one of God’s elect will come to Christ for salvation!  None will be cast away!

II. “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him” (v.44).  Here is an unmistakable denial of the false doctrine of salvation by an act of man’s freewill.  Man is completely incapable of coming to Christ of his own will.

Christ elsewhere declares, “But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life” (John 5:40).  In comparing these two texts, we observe that man of his own will is unable to come to Christ because he is unwilling to come to Christ.

Man is unable to come to Christ because he is “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1).  He is prevented from coming to Christ by virtue of being in “the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:26; Ephesians 2:2f).  He is unwilling to come to Christ because, as Christ said, “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do” (John 8:44).  We are all therefore by nature “slaves of sin” (John 8:34; Romans 6:17, 20).  Consequently, “There is none who seeks after God” (Romans 3:10).  And none is either willing or able to come to Him whom he will not seek.

However, the Father in time “draws” to Christ all that He in eternity “gives” to Christ.  He draws men to Christ through His gracious influence, not by forceful coercion.  “Your people shall be volunteers in the day of Your power” (Psalm 110:3).

III. “No one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father” (v.65).  Every aspect of coming to Christ is freely performed by the one coming, but graciously granted by God.  God opens the heart so that it may voluntarily heed the gospel (Acts 16:14).  God grants the repentance with which the heart is turned from Satan and dead works to Himself (Acts 5:31; 11:18; 2 Timothy 2:25f), and the faith with which the gospel is believed (Ephesians 2:8f; Acts 18:27; Philippians 1:29).

This doctrine of Jesus Christ so offended His nominal disciples that they would no longer follow Him (vv.60‑66).  But it so blessed His true disciples that they would not depart from Him (vv.67-69).  Will you receive it?  Have you truly come to Christ?
– Daniel E. Parks (December 28, 2003; #508)

"Tell Me The Old Old Story"

Tell the old old story to your children!

Think about the words to this old hymn dearest mothers, we can never talk to our children too much about the Lord Jesus Christ and what He has done for us.



 Tell Me The Old Old Story
by:  A. Catherine Hankey, 1834-1911


Tell me the old, old story Of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, Of Jesus and His love.
Tell me the story simply, As to a little child,
For I am weak and weary, And helpless and defiled.

Refrain:
Tell me the old, old story,
Tell me the old, old story,
Tell me the old, old story
Of Jesus and His love.

Tell me the story slowly, That I may take it in—
That wonderful redemption, God's remedy for sin.
Tell me the story often, For I forget so soon;
The early dew of morning Has passed away at noon.

Tell me the story softly, With earnest tones and grave;
Remember, I'm the sinner Whom Jesus came to save.
Tell me the story always, If you would really be,
In any time of trouble, A comforter to me.

Tell me the same old story When you have cause to fear
That this world's empty glory Is costing me too dear.
Yes, and when that world's glory Is dawning on my soul,
Tell me the old, old story— "Christ Jesus makes thee whole." 

For History of writer/author:
http://www.sermonaudio.com/hymn_details.asp?PID=tellmetheoldoldstory#history

Is Your Life Centered Around Our Savior? Your Children Can Tell You!

Dearest Mothers,

Is your life centered around our Savior?

How often are we praising our Lord Jesus Christ throughout the day? How often do our children hear His praises during the day?

If children see parents getting excited and thrilled about movies, things on the computer such as,YouTube and other vast amount of entertainment and information offered, videos, sports, activities etc. . . and yet when it comes to the things of God they observe a ritual and duty performed with no joy nor excitement, then what are parents communicating to their children? What then will the children want to do if they see no life nor joy in the things of God? Will they not choose the things that please the flesh and mind, things that are forever empty and useless for all eternity?

So I ask you dear mothers, are you excited about the things of God? Does the name of Jesus Christ the Lord thrill your soul?

If not- I will ask you a question- Why not?

Are you saved? Are you a child of the living God through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ? Are you born again? If you are truly His own and yet are not thrilled about Him I must tell you- there is something wrong- But there is an answer for you- Go to Him and ask Him, "What is wrong, why am I not excited about You?"

Ask God to reveal to you anything in your life that might be offending Him. Ask Him for cleansing through the blood of His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ. Ask Him for joy and excitement about Him, ask Him  to make you real inside and genuine before Him in your heart. Ask Him to make the deepest intent of your heart be that He will be glorified!  God does the work in us through His Spirit- He gives the true and genuine fruit of His Spirit. Ask, Seek, Knock! *Pursue the knowledge of the Lord our God.

Children notice what pleases their Parents. This too is part of training your child for God. Your genuine love for the Son, Jesus Christ will impress your child's mind and heart to desire to have what you have as they see the living epistle of God in your life.
Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. (2 Corinthians 3:2-3)
 

The Song, "Be Thou My Vision" speaks of a heart that is centered around the Savior-

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul's Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

To listen go here:
https://songsandhymns.org/hymns/lyrics/be-thou-my-vision

Be Thou My Vision  

History Of Writer

Dearest Mother, This life will soon pass- How are you investing your time for Jesus in raising your children for Him? Eternally? or Temporally?

"One life will soon be past
Only what's done for Christ will last."

In His love,
Sarah

*Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. (Hosea 6:1-3)
 

As Clay Is In The Potters Hand So Are You In My Hand .. Jeremiah 18:6.

"But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand." (Isaiah 64:8)

Dearest Mothers,
Have you ever considered the meaning of the above verse from Isaiah? How profound and amazing to think of our God shaping and molding us as a potter does a piece of clay!

How about these verses:

"The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel."(Jeremiah 18:1-6)


"Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?" (Romans 9:20-24)


Since God is the Potter and we are the clay what attitude should we have before Him concerning all aspects of life?

The words that come my mind are: submission, yield, obedience, reverence and fear.

Submission to our loving Father- He knows what is best for us and knows what things we need to go through to form us into that perfect vessel which He has planned from the foundation of the world, a vessel He can use here on earth and for all eternity. Who are we to resist His plan? As Elizabeth Elliot has said, "Nestle, don't wrestler." Trust Him dear mothers for your children- Yes, you have the weight of responsibility to raise and train them, but it's for Him, you are simply the vessel He has chosen to use. What a remarkable privilege He has given you! But keep in mind, they are clay in the Potters hand you cannot always have the say of what happens, things happen, heart breaking things- but remember- these little ones are intrusted to you to protect, love and care for but they do not belong to you, they belong to God who is forming them into the vessel He desires them to be.

Yield yourself and your children to God's Keeping- Our Lord Jesus is a loving and merciful God, He will not require us to go through things that are too difficult for us. He prepares us for the trials we must go through and lovingly helps us along the way. Trust Him, He is faithful and kind, remembering this helps us to yield ourselves to Him and to His will. If our heart is right before Him our desire will be for our Lord Jesus to be glorified in and through all things. After all, we are all created for Him!

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11)



Obedience To His Word- Consider your children and your desire for them to obey you. Why do you want them to obey you? Isn't it because you love them and know what is best for them? Disobedience will cause them to be in danger in one way or another. It is the same with us before our loving God ( But the comparison is only to help get a grasp of the concept since His love is perfect and we can never understand that kind of depth of love and pure judgement.)
He is the potter -and as the potter dips his hands into water to form the clay- His discipline is His hand dipped in love to form us. Obey Him and be blessed.
 "But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you." (Jeremiah 7:23)

 "Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word." (Isaiah 66:1-3)

Reverence and Fear your great Creator and Designer: God sees and knows everything you do. He knows the thoughts you think and the number of hairs on your head. He can speak a word and drop you dead. Shouldn't you fear and reverence Him? Reverence Him for He is your creator and designer you owe everything to Him- your life- your very breath- all things:

 "Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us? Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding? (Isaiah 29:15-17)

To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth. Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God? Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
(Isaiah 40:25-31)

Here is a little video with a song about our great Potter:

Clay In Potter's Hand Song :

Did the clay ever say to the potter, "Tell me why have 

you made me this way?"For my sides are all thinning,

 I'm tired of spinning around and around every day."

Did the clay ever say to the potter, "I'm afraid that I just don't agree,

For so often I feel that life on this wheel Is not what it's cracked up to be."

Chorus:

It seems rather strange to imagine that my life is also like clay,

Until I remember that God formed my members and made me 

In His special way.

So instead of a life of complaining about things that I don't Understand.

I will simply be grateful that my God is faithful,

To finish the work He began.

Did the clay ever say to the potter, "Oh your plans

Are much different than mine, And I do beg your pardon but if

I'm a star than I'd like a much different design"

Did the clay ever say to the potter, "Oh this oven is getting quite hot,

If the pot your designing requires refining I'd really would much rather not."

... Chorus...