PriDE MONth

 You cannot spell Pride Month without D E M O N.

Isaiah 14:12-15 ... How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.  Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

Daniel 5:20-21 ... But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.

1 Timothy 3:6 ...  Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

Proverbs 16:18 ... Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

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J.U.N.E.

Let June be ....

J Jesus first in everything.

Matthew 6:33 ... But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

U Unshakable faith in Him.  

Hebrews 11:1 ... Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

N New mercies every morning.

Lamentations 3:22-23 ... It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

E End each day with gratitude. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ... In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

[OneGodMinistries.242]

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Ocean of Life!

The Psalmist deposited the precepts and promises of God in his heart and proved their value and efficacy to preserve him from sin, to comfort him in trouble, and to cheer him in a dying hour.

Just so, Christians must "let the Word of Christ dwell in them richly, in all wisdom." (Colossians 3:16) This will preserve them from sin and make them wise unto salvation.

The Word must be deposited in our hearts and woven into our natures by carefully reading and meditating upon it. "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it." (Joshua 1:8)

The Word is the perpetual standard of all moral excellence. All its precepts tend to purity. Its doctrines present the most powerful motives against sin.

When the Christian looks at the sufferings and death of the Redeemer in His intense agony, in His bloody sweat, in His transfixing on the cruel cross, in the desertion of His Father, in the endurance of the penalty of sin, then he sees in all these unparalleled sorrows, "the exceeding sinfulness of sin!"

Why is he redeemed? "Christ gave Himself for us--to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good!" (Titus 2:14)

Why is he regenerated? "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Why is he adopted into God's family but to bear the image of Him who adopts.

What is the tendency of all the doctrines of grace which he has received? "For the grace of God teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age!" (Titus 2:11-12)

Why is he preserved? "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!" (1 Thessalonians 5:23) "But now He has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation!" (Colossians 1:22)

Above all, when he contemplates the character of his Savior His ardent love, His ineffable meekness, His profound humility, and his perfect obedience, then he perceives such a bright constellation of virtues, that he is dazzled by their splendor, and longs and prays to be impressed with the image and likeness of Jesus.

Thus, the Word of God is hidden in his heart as his counselor, as his guide, as his pattern!

The Word of God is the Christian's compass and chart, by which he is steered safely over the tempestuous ocean of life!

[William Nicholson]

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Psalm 119:11 ... Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ... All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. ❤

The Myth of Mother Nature!!

Who is regulating affairs on this earth today: God, or the Devil? That God reigns supreme in Heaven, is generally conceded; but that He reigns supreme over this earth, is almost universally denied if not directly, then indirectly. More and more are men relegating God to the background, in their philosophizing and theorizing. Take the material realm. Not only is it denied that God created everything, by personal and direct action, but few believe that He has any immediate concern in regulating the works of His own hands.

It is common to hear disasters explained as impersonal "Forces of Nature," or mere outcomes of "Natural Laws," or "Bad Luck." Yet Scripture shatters that notion: War, pestilence, floods, storms, earthquakes, fires all flow from the eternal decree and providential governance of our holy God. When hurricanes lash the coast, or fires consume forests we must not bow the knee to the myth of "Mother Nature" but humble ourselves before the One who "commands and raises the stormy wind." (Psalm 107:25)

Nahum 1:3, "He displays his power in the whirlwind and the storm. The billowing clouds are the dust beneath His feet." Every blast of wind and crack of thunder, fulfill His wise and holy will.

When disaster strikes, our natural impulse is fear and bewilderment. Yet believers are called to recognize God's sovereign hand in every storm and tempest of life. We do not cower at chance events, for there is no "chance" with Him. We should pray with assurance, knowing that "God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)

Earth and air, fire and water, hail and snow, stormy winds and angry seas all perform His sovereign pleasure. It is God who withholds the rain, and it is God who gives the rain when He wills, where He wills, as He wills, and on whom He wills.

Either God governs or He is governed.  Either God rules or He is ruled.  Either God has His way or men have theirs.

No revolving world, no shining of star, no storm, no creature moves, no actions of men, no errands of angels, no deeds of Devil nothing in all the vast universe can come to pass, otherwise than what God has eternally purposed.

Here is an anchor for the soul, both sure and steadfast. It is not blind fate, unbridled evil, man or Devil but the Lord Almighty who is ruling His world, ruling it according to His own good pleasure and for His own eternal glory!

[A. W. Pink]

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Ecclesiastes 7:14 ... In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.

Isaiah 45:6-7 ...  That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.

Psalm 135:6 ... Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places. ❤

Thou Art Great!!

Lord, how great You are, beyond words, beyond comprehension, beyond anything my mind can fully grasp or my heart fully express.

Your greatness is displayed everywhere I look, in creation's vastness, in miracles recorded in scripture, in my own life where You've shown up time and again.

Teach me to live with constant awareness of Your greatness, not just acknowledging it intellectually but responding with awe, wonder, and worship that flows from really seeing who You are.

You are great in power, creating universes with a word, great in love, pursuing humanity relentlessly, great in mercy, forgiving what should be unforgivable.

Help me never lose my sense of wonder at Your greatness, never become so familiar with You that I forget how magnificent, how mighty, how marvelous You truly are.

Remind me that the greatness I see is just a glimpse, that what I comprehend is only a fraction of Your full glory, that eternity won't be long enough to explore Your greatness completely.

Give me a heart that responds to Your greatness with worship, with surrender, with trust, knowing that a God this great is worthy of my complete devotion.

Let my life declare how great You are, not just in words but in how I trust You, follow You, and give You the honor that Your greatness deserves.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

                                                                  faithfulgrace.com

Psalm 86:10-12 ... For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.  Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.  I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.

Psalm 145:3 ... Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.

Psalm 95:3 ... For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. ❤

Puppet

 

Psalm 14:1 ... The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. 

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Tremble At His Word!!

In a world that mocks the Bible, treats it as worthless, or as a mere relic of the past the command to honor God's Word is more urgent than ever. Just as the third commandment forbids taking God's name in vain, so we must beware of taking His Word in vain handling it carelessly, without reverence, or treating it with cold familiarity.

God Himself declares whom He esteems: the one who is humble, contrite in spirit, and trembles at His Word. This trembling is a holy reverence, a heart that is deeply affected by the authority and purity of God's truth. It is the posture of one who believes every word is breathed out by the Almighty and dares not treat it lightly or flippantly.

David, though a king, bowed his heart before Scripture. "My heart trembles at Your Word," he said. It was not terror, but solemn respect. Not dread, but delight mixed with deep reverence. He knew that every syllable came flawless from the mouth of the living God.

To take God's Word in vain is to read it without faith, to hear it without obedience, to quote it without submission. It is to reduce divine truth to an intellectual theory, a religious tradition, or a self-help slogan. God is not silent about such dishonor. He esteems not the proud, nor the clever but the broken-hearted saint who reverences and clings to His Word as life itself. God's Word is His love letter to His redeemed people stained with the blood of His Son, sealed with His Spirit, and full of precious promises.

If we would honor God, we must tremble at what He has spoken. Let His Word correct us, rebuke us, humble us, and lead us. Let us never handle it lightly or foolishly, but receive it with meekness, as God's voice in print.

Lord, create in us a humble and contrite spirit. Let our hearts tremble before Your holy Word. May we never take it in vain but cherish it, reverence it and honor it.

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

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Psalm 119:161 ... Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

Isaiah 66:2 ...  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. ❤

Establishment!

Establishment consists in holding fast our profession. We profess to believe the gospel all that it says regarding ourselves, our God, our Lord Jesus Christ, our foes, our trials. We profess to obey all that it requires, in the strength that it promises.

Establishment includes, maintaining our character as the disciples of Christ, the holy ones, the children of God who imitate their Father who is in Heaven,

the friends of God and the light of the world.

Establishment involves perseverance in the paths of holiness, pressing toward the mark for the prize of our high calling, abounding in the work of the Lord.

Establishment supposes the enjoyment of our privileges, such as peace with God,

realizing the favor of God, rejoicing in God, walking in sweet fellowship with God,

receiving grace from God and even glorying in tribulation.

Establishment is to include abiding in Christ as the branch in the vine; living with Christ as the wife with her husband; confiding in Christ as one in the friend which is as his own soul; deriving all from Christ as the member from union to the head.

Establishment is to stand, to keep our post, fulfill our duties, adorn our profession,

hold fast our principles, persevere in our work, and be steadfast in the Savior's cause.

Establishment is only by faith. By faith we live. By faith we walk. By faith we overcome. By faith we receive the salvation of our souls.

[James Smith]

2 Corinthians 1:24 ... Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

2 Corinthians 5:7 ... (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) ❤

Vile, Polluted and Wretched Beings!

Those whom Jesus loves, being chosen of God to holiness here on earth, and happiness in eternity are predestined to the adoption of His children, to the praise of the glory of His grace. They are predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son; they are to partake of His nature, receive of His spirit, wear His image, and be associated with Him in honor and glory forever!

Jesus calls them: His brethren, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Himself! Being His redeemed children, they have a saving interest in Him, are eternally loved by Him, are in eternal union with Him, and shall never be separated from Him!

O wondrous mercy! That God should condescend to make up a family of such vile, polluted, and wretched beings as we are!

O wondrous mercy! That He should write our names in His book of life, give us the gift of the Holy Spirit, privilege us as His children at His throne, and associate us with Jesus as fellow heirs.

O wondrous mercy! That all this should have been fixed upon and settled before the beginning of time; and all for the praise of His glorious grace!

[James Smith]

1 John 3:1 ... Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

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Taking His Name in Vain...

This commandment, often overlooked in its full weight, strikes at the very heart of how we regard the holy character of God. It is a solemn warning against treating anything related to God with irreverence or triviality. God should always and only be regarded with deep reverence and awe--with a profound sense of His divine grandeur.

In Scripture, God's name represents all that He is: His majesty, His holiness, His truth, His faithfulness, and his glorious attributes. To take His name in vain is to treat what is sacred, as common. It is to speak of Him without reverence to utter His name lightly, or thoughtlessly, or flippantly.

Such misuse is not hidden from the omniscience of the Almighty. He has declared with unwavering certainty: "The Lord will not leave him unpunished, who takes His name in vain." (Exodus 20:7) This is not an idle threat. It is a fearful reminder of God's holy regard for who He truly is.

Let us examine our hearts. Do we always treat God's name with the awe and reverence that it deserves? May we never drag His name into the dust, by using it without reverence. Instead, may we honor Him with lips and lives that reflect the glory of His holy name.

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

Matthew 6:9 ...  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

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"Forgiveness"

You will know that forgiveness has begun when you recall those who hurt you and feel the power to wish them well. 

[Lewis B. Smedes]

Matthew 5:43-48 ... Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?  And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

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