Articles

Bulletin - July 11, 2021

Hymn of the Day

Tune: How Firm a Foundation, p. 268

 

With harps and with vials there stands a great throng,

In the presence of Jesus and sings this new song;

"To Him who hath loved us and washed us from sin,

To Him be the glory forever, Amen."

 

All these once were sinners, defiled in His sight,

Now arrayed in pure garments, their voices unite;

"To Him who hath loved us and washed us from sin,

To Him be the glory forever, Amen."

 

He maketh the rebel a priest and a king,

He hath bought us and taught us this new song to sing;

"To Him who hath loved us and washed us from sin,

To Him be the glory forever, Amen."

 

Aloud in His praises our voices shall ring,

So that others, believing, this new song shall sing;

"To Him who hath loved us and washed us from sin,

To Him be the glory forever, Amen."

 

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Today's Hymns

 

Choruses 1-4

Revive Us Again - #485

The Hiding Place - #cb 10

 

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Special Dates:

Asher Vlastuin – 18 ~ Katelyn Sandbulte - 19

Aiden Koedam – 19 ~ Bonnie Terrell - 19

Olivia Koedam – 20 ~ Diane Scholten – 21

 

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A naked sinner can be clothed, but a sinner covered with his own righteousness must be stripped.  This is always true.  We must be stripped of all that has to do with self or we cannot be clothed with that which pertains to God.  We are called to live by faith; we can see nothing with the eye of sense.  The Lord Jesus has gone up on high, and we are told to wait patiently for His appearing.  God's Word carried home to the heart in the power of the Holy Spirit is the basis of confidence in all things: temporal and spiritual, present and future.  He tells us of Christ's completed sacrifice.  We by grace believe and commit our souls to the efficacy thereof, and we know we shall never be disappointed. -Scott Richardson

 

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A few days ago, I came across a card entitled, "Heaven's Checklist." I knew that it was left by someone who thought they were "witnessing for the Lord." The card had nine boxes to be checked thereby telling everyone that would stop and read that when these nine things were done, eternal life would be secure; they would be as sure for heaven as if they were already there. The nine boxes were as follows: Do good things, Be baptized, Go to church, Keep the Ten Commandments, Love others, Give to charity, Receive communion, Say prayers, and Read the Bible. But there was no mention of Christ: nothing concerning His work, His will, His pleasure, His Gospel, His purpose, His glory, or His sovereignty.

 

The Gospel of Christ doesn't set forth rules and regulations for men to heed and do. "Not by works of righteousness that we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Titus 3:5). The Scripture declares one glorious message to needy sinners, "He that believeth on Him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" (John 3:18). -Marvin Stalnaker

 

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When the Lord gives His children a need to be saved, it is not just to be saved from the eternal consequences of their sin. Oh, what hope we have in being delivered from the wrath that is to come. There is no greater blessing than to have the Lord Jesus Christ as our sin bearer satisfying the justice of God by the sacrifice of Himself on Calvary's cross. Surely all is lost lest the Lord Jesus Christ stand in our stead as our Surety before God.

 

The Lord also gives his children a need to be saved from the temporal consequences of their sin. The daily struggle with sin brings to the believer's life fears, doubts, divisions, diver's lust, and despair. It is sin that causes us to lose sight of our Savior. The believer's constant need is for the Lord Jesus Christ to save them from themselves and all the temporal consequences of their unbelief. We never lose our need to pray; "Lord, save me".  -Greg Elmquist

       

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God shall be with ye." -Genesis 48:21

 

Good old Jacob could no longer be with Joseph, for his hour had come to die, but he left his son without anxiety, for he said with confidence, "God shall be with you." When our dearest relations or our most helpful friends are called home by death, we must console ourselves with the reflection that the Lord has not departed from us but lives for us and abides with us forever.

 

If God be with us, we are in ennobling company, even though we are poor and despised. If God be with us, we have all-sufficient strength, for nothing can be too hard for the Lord. If God be with us, we are always safe, for none can harm those who walk under His shadow. Oh, what a joy we have here! Not only is God with us, but He will be with us. With us as individuals; with us as families; with us as churches. Is not the very name of Jesus, Immanuel -- God with us? Is not this the best of all, that God is with us? Let us be bravely diligent and joyously hopeful. Our cause must prosper, the truth must win, for the Lord is with those who are with Him. All this day may this sweet word be enjoyed by every believer who turns to "faith's checkbook." No greater happiness is possible.  -Charles Spurgeon

 

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Hasten, O God, to save me;

O LORD, come quickly to help me.

-Psalm 70.1

 

Patience is a virtue, but it is no vice to desire to be quickly delivered from trouble by the LORD. We will "wait for the LORD" and look for deliverance from no one else, but while waiting, we will pray that our salvation is soon to come. In Revelation 22.20, our Lord says, "Behold, I come quickly," to which John replied, "Amen! Come, Lord Jesus."

 

When in trouble or distress, let us be quick to call upon the Name of the LORD and pray that His answer will be as quick as our prayer. Then, when He has delivered us, we will be certain to say, "The LORD be exalted! (v. 5)  -Joe