My Favorite Hymn
Someone asked me when I came to WSBC what my favorite hymn was. At the time it was “Be Thou My Vision,” but now, without a doubt it has become “Before the Throne of God Above.” When I read these words, I cannot help but be overcome with the greatness of God’s grace toward me. Just consider these lyrics that we do not often hear these days.
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in Heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.
When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.
Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
King of glory and of grace,
One in Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God!
My only plea before the throne is Christ, but I need no other. My name is known and treasured by Him. Christ has condemned sin’s condemnation of me and freed my soul by absorbing the wrath of the Father against sin, securing my pardon. What can I do but behold and bless the glorious, spotless Lamb, my Savior and my God!
Salvation is all by His grace. I am convinced that whatever part we believe that we had in our salvation, then our love for God is diminished by just that amount. If it is all of Him, then our love for God must be boundless. We did not seek Him, He sought us. When He sought us, we ran from Him. When he came to us, in the person of His Son, we killed Him. Yet He came and still He called a great number of wayward, headstrong, obstinate sinners to salvation. “God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
Pastor Nick,
‘when Satan tempts me to despair’.There is surpassing joy, peace,contentment, and full satisfaction in Christ Jesus, and no condemnation.Being vigilant has great rewards. I am most aware of His presence when I am least aware of my own. Ray
Perfect Peace
Always refuse to think on things that are contrary to the Word of God. We can contribute many of our troubles to the way that we think, sometimes our minds get so carried away in all manner of thoughts, and we find ourselves thinking on things which can be quite disturbing. For when this happens we must resist by “Casting down all imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ,” as it is written in,
{2 Corinthians 10 v 5}.
If we replace our thoughts with the name of Jesus and the blood of Jesus, you will find that by speaking His name and blood over your thoughts that you will experience great refreshing times from the Lord, as He clears your mind. Always try to think on good things, do not listen to things on the television, or read papers and books which will cause you to loose your peace which is in Christ Jesus. Another great way of keeping your mind at peace is to forget those bad things that have happened to you in the past,
and exchanging them for the good promises that God has for you in the future. Paul said “But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before”.
Finally Saints what ever thing that is true, honest, just, pure, lovely and good , think on these things “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”,
{Philippians 4 v 7}. I do hope that this letter will bring peace to your minds, for it is written, in Isaiah 26 v 3, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is staid on thee.”
JESUS
Reading the words to that hymn bring tears to my eyes-tears from my heart! I am overtaken with emotion with the magnitude of what the blood of Christ has done for our eternal salvation. By obeying and never wavering from what God has instructed us through His word to our congregation each and every service should encourage each one of us to realize the meaning of true worship. We must focus and boast on the cross each and every day. Our Jesus paved the way for eternal fellowship with Him and with one another. Celebrate Him, rejoice in Him, live for Him, plead for Him and be glad! Soli Deo Gloria.
Jerry & Karen