Sunday Mornings

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. Heb 6:19-20 One of the most important things to have as a believer while you live your life on earth is hope. Paul in his letter to the Romans makes it clear that hope does not disappoint us because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom he has given us (Rom 5:5). Still within his letter to the Romans, he said: Rom 8:22-25 (NIV) We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25 But if we ...

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. Eccl 3:11 One of the biggest mysteries to overwhelm mankind is the ways of God. We spend our whole life playing catch-up to what God's plan and will is. For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8&9 ...His understanding is unsearchable. Isaiah 40:28 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgements and how inscrutable His ways. Romans 11:33 This was the case with William Cowper throughout his Christian walk as he frequently reflected on God's sovereignty and how his life featured in it. Remember William Cowper? Exactly. He and John Newton (the author of Amazing Grace ) were friends. T...

  "...For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost" Luke 19:10 The Almighty God likes to gist. He enjoys talking and laughing, especially with men. It gives Him satisfaction and deep contentment. Communion with men gives Him so much pleasure that He would leave His house in heaven and travel unmeasurable kilometres to fellowship with man. He started this beautiful relationship with our great grandfather Adam and his wife Eve. They would walk and talk in the evening when the day was over.   Furthermore, there are top-level details about this admirable koinonia God had with Adam and Eve. The Bible reveals that "God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth." John 4:24. God cannot meddle with sin . God is holy and dwells in holiness, separate from everything that defiles. God's only begotten Son cried out in Psalm 22:1, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of M...

"...Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?" I Chron 17;16 In response to Paul's admonition to the church at Colossae, this month is dedicated to the review of selected hymns in the church library for the purpose of edifying ourselves through their lyrics: Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Col 3:16 Today's hymn is Amazing Grace, written by John Newton (1725 - 1807). Amazing Grace is arguably the most famous hymn today. Within the lines of this beautifully written poem is a rich message relevant to Christians of all generations. In order to understand the message of the hymn, the review will be divided into 2 sections; the first will tell the inspiration of the hymn and the second will exegete the verses of the hymn. 1 The story behind the hymn: The story behind the hymn is essentiall...

Author: Horatio Gates Spafford  (1873) In November, 1873, Horatio Spafford sent his wife and four daughters on the French ship  Ville du Havre  from their home in Chicago to a vacation in France, planning to set out a few days later himself. Somewhere in the Atlantic, the  Ville du Havre  collided with a British ship coming the other way, and sank in just 12 minutes. Of his family, only Spafford’s wife survived.  Spafford took the next boat over, and as he passed the spot where the ship went down, began to write, “When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll,” and continued until he had the text, “It is well with my soul.” His good friend, Philip Bliss, composed the tune for his words, naming it after the ship, VILLE DU HAVRE.  In this hymn, Spafford has given all of us words of comfort and assurance in times of physical and spiritual crisis, paraphrasing those familiar words of Julian of Norwich: “And all shall be well...

1 God give us Christian homes! Homes where the Bible is loved and taught, Homes where the Master's will is sought, Homes crowned with beauty Your love has wrought; God give us Christian homes; God give us Christian homes! 2 God give us Christian homes! Homes where the father is true and strong, Homes that are free from the blight of wrong, Homes that are joyous with love and song; God give us Christian homes; God give us Christian homes! 3 God give us Christian homes! Homes where the mother, in caring quest, Strives to show others Your way is best, Homes where the Lord is an honored guest; God give us Christian homes; God give us Christian homes! 4 God give us Christian homes! Homes where the children are led to know Christ in His beauty who loves them so, Homes where the altar fires burn and glow; God give us Christian homes; God give us Christian homes!

HYMN One is our Master, the blessed Redeemer, Strong is the bond that unites us in Him: Oh, may the love His own Spirit hath kindled Burn with a light that will never grow dim. Brethren in Jesus, let us be faithful, Faithful to Him who is guiding our ways; True in allegiance and loving obedience, Till in His glory hosannas we raise. One is our Master; with gladness we’ll serve Him, “Doing the will” of the Lord “from the heart,” Knowing His strength is made perfect in weakness— All that is needful His grace will impart. One is our Master, the highest and noblest, Yet in His tenderness always “the same”; Be it our honour to follow His banner, Blessing for ever be unto His name. One is our Master; and happy those servants, Watching and ready whene’er He may come; Changed in His image, from “glory to glory,” Joyful reward in His kingdom and home.