First From Julie's Keyboard:
"Let Us Give Thanks"
"Thanksgiving".... 'Is your family coming for Thanksgiving?' ' What should I prepare for the Thanksgiving Dinner?' 'What will be our special plans to celebrate the day we regard as "Thanksgiving Day?"'
What a special day indeed, we have set aside as a time to honor the Heavenly Father Who has made such provision for us throughout our lives. The remembrance of our forefathers who braved so many adversities to find this "cornucopia" of freedom, and have a place of free worship to our God, is a matter of no small consequence. How thankful we should be not only in the traditional season of our nation's customs, but continuously as we are reminded in the Scripture.
It seems fitting to post some of the encouragements we find regarding the blessing of thanksgiving:
Psalms 26:6,7 "I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD: That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works."
Psalms 95:2 "Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms."
Philippians 4:6 "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
Colossians 4:2 "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;"
II Corinthians 4:15 "For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God."
II Corinthians 9:11 "Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God."
May we be thankful unto Him, and bless His holy name.
Thank You, Father in Heaven
and thank you fellow laborers in Christ for your fellowship,
Julie
______________________________
"Death"
"Let Us Give Thanks"
"Thanksgiving".... 'Is your family coming for Thanksgiving?' ' What should I prepare for the Thanksgiving Dinner?' 'What will be our special plans to celebrate the day we regard as "Thanksgiving Day?"'
What a special day indeed, we have set aside as a time to honor the Heavenly Father Who has made such provision for us throughout our lives. The remembrance of our forefathers who braved so many adversities to find this "cornucopia" of freedom, and have a place of free worship to our God, is a matter of no small consequence. How thankful we should be not only in the traditional season of our nation's customs, but continuously as we are reminded in the Scripture.
It seems fitting to post some of the encouragements we find regarding the blessing of thanksgiving:
Psalms 26:6,7 "I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD: That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works."
Psalms 95:2 "Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms."
Philippians 4:6 "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
Colossians 4:2 "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;"
II Corinthians 4:15 "For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God."
II Corinthians 9:11 "Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God."
May we be thankful unto Him, and bless His holy name.
Thank You, Father in Heaven
and thank you fellow laborers in Christ for your fellowship,
Julie
______________________________
"Death"
Not sure right now where I am going with this, writing on death seems a bit strange for a subject for this blog, yet events this week, moments in time of which I noticed things other wise I might have overlooked, a comment in conversation, and a sermon of which a scripture was brought forth, all compel me to begin with the word death.
It is generally thought of as a bad word, yet I find something of interest in this scripture,
1Co 3:21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
1Co 3:22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
1Co 3:23 And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.
All the things mentioned in that scripture seems to flow quite smoothly, except that one word (death). What is Paul saying? I will be very honest here, I'm not sure I know. One thing for sure, it seems death belongs to me, it has been given to me by God as much as Paul, or Apollos, or life has been given to me. What am I to think of it?
It is for sure coming, it is just a matter of when. This blog is about our Founders, the one's by whose hands God gave us this great nation, but they are all dead (death came). Most all of the men that I quote on here are dead (death came).
It is generally thought of as a bad word, yet I find something of interest in this scripture,
1Co 3:21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
1Co 3:22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
1Co 3:23 And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.
All the things mentioned in that scripture seems to flow quite smoothly, except that one word (death). What is Paul saying? I will be very honest here, I'm not sure I know. One thing for sure, it seems death belongs to me, it has been given to me by God as much as Paul, or Apollos, or life has been given to me. What am I to think of it?
It is for sure coming, it is just a matter of when. This blog is about our Founders, the one's by whose hands God gave us this great nation, but they are all dead (death came). Most all of the men that I quote on here are dead (death came).
Patrick Henry most famously said, "Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!" (he got liberty, but death still came) A desire to live in liberty or to be given death, he must have understood something about death to desire it under liberty.
Nathan Hale also most famously said, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” (then death came) What have we been given in death and why do some men see it as treasure while others fear it?
I have seen people, know them, of whom this life has been good from the prospect of health and wealth. They have aged, I see the gray beginning, I see the reseeding hair line appearing, signs of age are approaching. These things should remind us that we have been given death, it is a part of who and what we are. We have it to pass through, yet it seems for so many of us, we press head long into it without concern or consideration for what it is. Our eyes are still on the things around us, what we can get, what we can enjoy. One blinding slogan goes something like this, "Get all the gusto you can, you have but one life to live" This gives us the impression that all there is, is now and here. If that is our understanding, it is no wonder we fear it so, all we treasure or could ever hope to know is here, and death is that enemy which rips it from our grasp!
Nathan Hale also most famously said, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” (then death came) What have we been given in death and why do some men see it as treasure while others fear it?
I have seen people, know them, of whom this life has been good from the prospect of health and wealth. They have aged, I see the gray beginning, I see the reseeding hair line appearing, signs of age are approaching. These things should remind us that we have been given death, it is a part of who and what we are. We have it to pass through, yet it seems for so many of us, we press head long into it without concern or consideration for what it is. Our eyes are still on the things around us, what we can get, what we can enjoy. One blinding slogan goes something like this, "Get all the gusto you can, you have but one life to live" This gives us the impression that all there is, is now and here. If that is our understanding, it is no wonder we fear it so, all we treasure or could ever hope to know is here, and death is that enemy which rips it from our grasp!
But if we have the hope of the Gospel, our treasure is not here, the things of this life, the people we know, are seen all through a much greater purpose. All things are for us, to help us to know and see more clearly into that purpose. Our life here, however brief or long it may be, is seen as taking us somewhere for the purpose of God. This brings death as a treasure or a gift to us to carry us on to the glory that is truly set before us.
I find in the History of the Church, those who longed for death to be given, not to avoid suffering, but just to see the Glory of God and approach unto the life Christ has made possible. If you are reading this, what does death mean to you? Is it a gift, or is it an enemy taking from you the only life you know? O' I plead with you, if you feel it an enemy, know that it has been conquered. Christ has removed the sting, ask Him to move your heart and give you understanding to embrace the Gospel.
Know if it is your enemy, it will not only rip from you all your treasure, it will deliver you to a state of despair and of eternal existence the likes of which here we cannot be brought to understand. Let your eyes not look to the next new car, the next home, the next relationship, the next promotion; take notice of the wrinkle on your face, the gray hair that has appeared, notice the filling of the hair brush or comb, see the darkening of your skin, and know you have been given death. Consider it, prepare your life for it, make it a gift, O death where is your victory?
Young man, know your strength will not always prevail, it will slip ever so quickly, Young lady, know your youth will be but a moment, your time may be more brief than you know, look to Christ, make him your hope, make death a gift to wait upon. Take the victory, embrace the Gospel, turn your heart to our blessed hope, ask God to give you understanding and purpose in Him.
From here let me move to a sermon preached preached in 1805 by Joseph Lathrop.
(Sermon by Joseph Lathrop)
My aged Brethren and Friends, You will permit an aged man, like yourselves, to speak, this afternoon, a few words to you…Or, if you please, he will speak to himself in your hearing…Pertinent to our case, and worthy of our adoption, is the Petition of the Psalmist in:
Psalm 71:9
Cast me not off in the time of old age…Forsake me not when my strength faileth.
As we come into the world, so we depart, impotent, feeble and helpless. From our infancy we gradually acquire strength, until we arrive to our full maturity. We then for a few years continue stationary, without sensible change. After a little while we begin to feel, and are constrained to confess an alteration in our state. Our limbs lose their former activity; our customary labor becomes wearisome; pains invade our frame; our sleep, often interrupted, refreshes us less than heretofore; our food is less gustful; our sight is bedimmed, and our ears are dull of hearing; "they that look out at the windows are darkened, and the daughters of music are low;" the pleasures of reading and conversation abate; our ancient companions have generally withdrawn to another world, and the few who are left are, like us, shut up, that they cannot go forth…Hence social visits are more infrequent and less entertaining; and our condition grows more and more solitary and disconsolate. . . .
We contrast our present with our former condition…Once we were men; now we feel ourselves to be but babes. Once we possessed active powers; now we are become impotent. Once we sustained our children and ministered to them with pleasure; now we are sustained by them; and we are sure, our once experienced pleasure is not reciprocated. Once we were of some importance in society; now we are sunk into insignificance. Once our advice was sought and regarded; now we are passed by with neglect, and younger men take our place: even the management of our own substance has fallen into the hands of others, and they perhaps scarcely think us worthy of being consulted. And if we are, now and then, consulted, perhaps our jealousy whispers, that it is done merely to flatter our aged vanity and keep us in good humor. . . .
1. In this prayer he asks grace, that he may maintain a temper and behavior suited to his age and condition. It becomes the aged to be grave and sober, for they stand on the brink of the eternal world. And who would not be sober there? If we should ever happen to see such men light and vain, addicted to frothy discourse, fond of dissolute company, and seeking guilty amusements, we should be shocked at the spectacle. We should naturally conclude, that their hearts were totally alienated from God and religion, and completely stupefied by the habits of sin. . . .
2. They should pray for grace, that by a pattern of piety and heavenly mindedness, they may recommend religion to others. They are required to be sound in charity, as well as patience-not only to bear their troubles with fortitude and dignity, but to exhibit in all things a behavior, which becometh holiness, that they may teach the young to be sober minded. This is the best exercise of their charity.
David, in his old age, felt a benevolent concern for rising posterity. Hence he prays, "O God, forsake me not, when I am old, until I have showed thy strength to this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.". . .
3. David here solicits communion with God. "Cast me not off." Deny me not free access to thee. "Turn not away my prayer, nor thy mercy from me."
The good man, in all circumstances, would maintain a heavenly intercourse. But he desires and values this privilege most in a time of affliction, and in the near expectation of death. Our Savior, who was, at all times, filled with a devout spirit, exercised this spirit most fervently and frequently toward the close of his life. And so ought the aged saint. As he is discharged from the labors and occupation of the world, let him dismiss his worldly affections and thoughts, and give himself, more than formerly, to self examination, meditation and prayer, viewing the time as at hand, when, taking leave of all earthly things, he must enter into a new world, mingle in new connections, and appear in the presence of God, let him employ himself in the contemplation of heaven and in the exercises of devotion more constantly than he could ordinarily do in former years, when the world had greater demands upon him. . . .
4. David, in this petition, "Cast me not off in the time of old age," requests that, by the power of Divine Grace working in him, his faith and hope might hold out to the last; and that, by the sensible displays of Divine Light, and by increasing evidence of his title to salvation, he might be freed from the distressing apprehension of being finally cast off and forsaken of his God. Thus he prays, on another occasion, "Cast me not away out of thy presence. Restore unto me the joy of they salvation."
In all seasons and conditions of life, the hope of glory is much to be desired, and earnestly to be sought. . . .
You, my friends, who are in the midst of life, and you who are young, are not uninterested in this subject. You all think, that we, who are aged, need the comforts of religion. God grant, that we may have them. Do you not sometimes think of us in your prayers? We hope you do. But know, if you live to be aged, (and you all desire many days) these comforts will then be as necessary for you, as they are now for us. But how can you be sure of them then, unless you obtain an interest in them now? To have the comforts of religion, you must have religion itself. Embrace it, therefore, in your hearts; cultivate the holy tempers which it requires; maintain the good works which it enjoins, and ascertain your title to the eternal blessings which it proposes…Thus lay up for yourselves a good foundation against the time, which is to come, that you may lay hold on eternal life. ~ Joseph Latrop.
The complete sermon can be seen at http://www.wallbuilders.com/libissuesarticles.asp?id=75
Our Pastor spoke today of what we have forgotten as a nation, let us remember, remember the words that have been preached to us as a people, a people given a great gift of freedom, freedom for the purpose of seeking Him who's Glory is our desire, and if death ever come near, may it be to us a gift and no enemy.
May the Grace of God be upon each of you,
David
I find in the History of the Church, those who longed for death to be given, not to avoid suffering, but just to see the Glory of God and approach unto the life Christ has made possible. If you are reading this, what does death mean to you? Is it a gift, or is it an enemy taking from you the only life you know? O' I plead with you, if you feel it an enemy, know that it has been conquered. Christ has removed the sting, ask Him to move your heart and give you understanding to embrace the Gospel.
Know if it is your enemy, it will not only rip from you all your treasure, it will deliver you to a state of despair and of eternal existence the likes of which here we cannot be brought to understand. Let your eyes not look to the next new car, the next home, the next relationship, the next promotion; take notice of the wrinkle on your face, the gray hair that has appeared, notice the filling of the hair brush or comb, see the darkening of your skin, and know you have been given death. Consider it, prepare your life for it, make it a gift, O death where is your victory?
Young man, know your strength will not always prevail, it will slip ever so quickly, Young lady, know your youth will be but a moment, your time may be more brief than you know, look to Christ, make him your hope, make death a gift to wait upon. Take the victory, embrace the Gospel, turn your heart to our blessed hope, ask God to give you understanding and purpose in Him.
From here let me move to a sermon preached preached in 1805 by Joseph Lathrop.
(Sermon by Joseph Lathrop)
My aged Brethren and Friends, You will permit an aged man, like yourselves, to speak, this afternoon, a few words to you…Or, if you please, he will speak to himself in your hearing…Pertinent to our case, and worthy of our adoption, is the Petition of the Psalmist in:
Psalm 71:9
Cast me not off in the time of old age…Forsake me not when my strength faileth.
As we come into the world, so we depart, impotent, feeble and helpless. From our infancy we gradually acquire strength, until we arrive to our full maturity. We then for a few years continue stationary, without sensible change. After a little while we begin to feel, and are constrained to confess an alteration in our state. Our limbs lose their former activity; our customary labor becomes wearisome; pains invade our frame; our sleep, often interrupted, refreshes us less than heretofore; our food is less gustful; our sight is bedimmed, and our ears are dull of hearing; "they that look out at the windows are darkened, and the daughters of music are low;" the pleasures of reading and conversation abate; our ancient companions have generally withdrawn to another world, and the few who are left are, like us, shut up, that they cannot go forth…Hence social visits are more infrequent and less entertaining; and our condition grows more and more solitary and disconsolate. . . .
We contrast our present with our former condition…Once we were men; now we feel ourselves to be but babes. Once we possessed active powers; now we are become impotent. Once we sustained our children and ministered to them with pleasure; now we are sustained by them; and we are sure, our once experienced pleasure is not reciprocated. Once we were of some importance in society; now we are sunk into insignificance. Once our advice was sought and regarded; now we are passed by with neglect, and younger men take our place: even the management of our own substance has fallen into the hands of others, and they perhaps scarcely think us worthy of being consulted. And if we are, now and then, consulted, perhaps our jealousy whispers, that it is done merely to flatter our aged vanity and keep us in good humor. . . .
1. In this prayer he asks grace, that he may maintain a temper and behavior suited to his age and condition. It becomes the aged to be grave and sober, for they stand on the brink of the eternal world. And who would not be sober there? If we should ever happen to see such men light and vain, addicted to frothy discourse, fond of dissolute company, and seeking guilty amusements, we should be shocked at the spectacle. We should naturally conclude, that their hearts were totally alienated from God and religion, and completely stupefied by the habits of sin. . . .
2. They should pray for grace, that by a pattern of piety and heavenly mindedness, they may recommend religion to others. They are required to be sound in charity, as well as patience-not only to bear their troubles with fortitude and dignity, but to exhibit in all things a behavior, which becometh holiness, that they may teach the young to be sober minded. This is the best exercise of their charity.
David, in his old age, felt a benevolent concern for rising posterity. Hence he prays, "O God, forsake me not, when I am old, until I have showed thy strength to this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.". . .
3. David here solicits communion with God. "Cast me not off." Deny me not free access to thee. "Turn not away my prayer, nor thy mercy from me."
The good man, in all circumstances, would maintain a heavenly intercourse. But he desires and values this privilege most in a time of affliction, and in the near expectation of death. Our Savior, who was, at all times, filled with a devout spirit, exercised this spirit most fervently and frequently toward the close of his life. And so ought the aged saint. As he is discharged from the labors and occupation of the world, let him dismiss his worldly affections and thoughts, and give himself, more than formerly, to self examination, meditation and prayer, viewing the time as at hand, when, taking leave of all earthly things, he must enter into a new world, mingle in new connections, and appear in the presence of God, let him employ himself in the contemplation of heaven and in the exercises of devotion more constantly than he could ordinarily do in former years, when the world had greater demands upon him. . . .
4. David, in this petition, "Cast me not off in the time of old age," requests that, by the power of Divine Grace working in him, his faith and hope might hold out to the last; and that, by the sensible displays of Divine Light, and by increasing evidence of his title to salvation, he might be freed from the distressing apprehension of being finally cast off and forsaken of his God. Thus he prays, on another occasion, "Cast me not away out of thy presence. Restore unto me the joy of they salvation."
In all seasons and conditions of life, the hope of glory is much to be desired, and earnestly to be sought. . . .
You, my friends, who are in the midst of life, and you who are young, are not uninterested in this subject. You all think, that we, who are aged, need the comforts of religion. God grant, that we may have them. Do you not sometimes think of us in your prayers? We hope you do. But know, if you live to be aged, (and you all desire many days) these comforts will then be as necessary for you, as they are now for us. But how can you be sure of them then, unless you obtain an interest in them now? To have the comforts of religion, you must have religion itself. Embrace it, therefore, in your hearts; cultivate the holy tempers which it requires; maintain the good works which it enjoins, and ascertain your title to the eternal blessings which it proposes…Thus lay up for yourselves a good foundation against the time, which is to come, that you may lay hold on eternal life. ~ Joseph Latrop.
The complete sermon can be seen at http://www.wallbuilders.com/libissuesarticles.asp?id=75
Our Pastor spoke today of what we have forgotten as a nation, let us remember, remember the words that have been preached to us as a people, a people given a great gift of freedom, freedom for the purpose of seeking Him who's Glory is our desire, and if death ever come near, may it be to us a gift and no enemy.
May the Grace of God be upon each of you,
David