A PSALM OF COMMUNION

A PSALM OF COMMUNION
"I will take the cup of Salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord."-- Psa_116:13.

"And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many unto remission of sins."-- Mat_26:27-28.

EVERY CHRISTIAN disciple should partake of the Lord's Supper regularly. It is a Sacrament. In the days of the Roman republic, the youths were brought to the altar and sworn to serve their country to the death. So our first Communion is our oath of allegiance to our King, It is a proclamation, or confession, of our faith. We bear witness to the death of Christ as our hope of forgiveness and salvation. We testify our desire to put His cross and grave between us and the world. It is also a bond of Christian union.
It is a Pledge of the Covenant. The Death of the Cross was God's sign and seal to the new covenant, the provisions of which are recited in Heb_8:1-13. When we drink the wine it is as though we said: "Remember thy Covenant." Let me appeal to all, and especially to the young disciple, to draw near and take the bread and wine, and to meditate deeply and reverently on that supreme Gift which demands our self-giving. "What shall I render unto the Lord? I will take the cup, I will pay my vows" 
(Psa_116:13-14).
The expression in this Psalm is remarkable: "I will take the cup of salvation." When we enquire what salvation, we read: "Thou hast loosed my bonds" (Psa_116:16), and we are reminded of Rev_1:5, "Unto Him that loves us, and loosed us from our sins by His blood." We are tied and bound by our sins; our sinful habits bind us fast in our thongs. But our Lord looses us by His cross.
Notice how triumphantly the Psalmist avows his loyalty to his Heavenly Master. Again, and yet again he avows: "O Lord, truly I am thy servant. I am thy servant." And we are the servants or bond-slaves of Jesus. If it be asked what "the sacrifices of thanksgiving" are, we may reply: First, the sacrifice of ourselves (Rom_12:1). Next, the sacrifice of our praise and gifts (Heb_13:15-16). Not grudgingly or thoughtlessly, but with cheerful eagerness, let us come to the altar of God. Because of all we owe to Him, let us never cease to live and serve, to praise and give.

PRAYER
We pray that we may eat and drink, and do whatsoever we are called to do, in remembrance of Christ, and to show forth His life. May the spirit of worship pervade every act of daily life. AMEN.

Liberty to be Transformed

Liberty to be Transformed

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.  (2Co_3:18)

Living day by day under the new covenant of grace allows the Holy Spirit to liberate us spiritually. "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" (2Co_3:17). Where the Holy Spirit is allowed to work, there is liberty to be transformed. 

This transformation process is for every believer who is willing to live by the terms of the new covenant: "But we all." The terms are simple: renounce self-sufficiency ("Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves" — 2Co_3:5) and rely on God's sufficiency ("but our sufficiency is from God" — 2Co_3:5). 
Those who reject human resources (the flesh) seek God "with unveiled face." 
They come humbly, without any veils of pretense or self-justification. 
Coming to the Lord in this manner brings an ongoing blessing: "beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord." 
Three mirrors reflect the glory of Christ from heavenly places into the experience of the redeemed here on earth: the creation, the church, and the scriptures. 
The universe declares His glory. "The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork" (Psalm_19:1). 
Also, the Lord can be seen living in His people. 
"For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh" (2Cor_4:11). 
These two mirrors are helpful, but they can be distorted by sin. The mirror that reflects the Lord's glory flawlessly is His word. 
"The law of the LORD is perfect . . . these  (the scriptures) are they which testify of Me" (Psalm_19:7; John_5:39). 

As we humbly seek the Lord in His word, we behold His glory therein. The wonderful consequence is we 
"are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory." 
From one area after another, from one degree to another, we are being changed into the likeness of the glorious one we are beholding. This process is carried on as only the Holy Spirit could do it: "just as by the Spirit of the Lord."

Dear Heavenly Father, I long to be more like Your Son. Forgive me for neglect of Your word. Please draw me consistently to the scriptures, that I might humbly behold the glory of Jesus. Thank You for the work of Your Spirit, who is able to transform me into a growing Christ-like-ness, Amen.

Hillsong - Love So High
Album: Cornerstone DVD

Outside the city walls
On a wooden cross
A light in the darkness
Bleeding from Your hands
Flowing from Your side
A river of mercy
A river of mercy

Your love so great
Higher than the stars
Unfailing love
Deeper than the sea
Your love so sure
Stronger than the mountains
Oh Your love
It's everything to me

How deep, how wide, how long, how high

Thorns that made a crown
Forgiveness falling down
Your wounds are the healing
The earth began to move
And all of heaven knew
Death was defeated
And all because of You Jesus

Your love so great
Higher than the stars
Unfailing love
Deeper than the sea
Your love so sure
Stronger than the mountains
Oh Your love
It's everything to me
(x2)

How deep, how wide, how long, how high
How deep, how wide, how long, how high
How deep, how wide, how long, how high

Your love so high
(repeat)

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The Very Rare and Most Beautiful Vase

The Very Rare and Most Beautiful Vase

“Behold, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke_17:21).

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away there lived a very poor man in a shabby house in a run-down neighborhood on the wrong side of the tracks in a economically depressed town, in a state overrun with poverty and need. Things weren’t looking good.

One day as he was rummaging about the piles of items discarded from the local flea market, tossed aside because nobody wanted any of them, something caught his eye. It was a vase, and to his amazement, it was unbroken despite the obvious abuse it had suffered; unbroken, and unmarred. In fact, it was beautiful, even more so when contrasted by all the trashy surroundings.

He took it home, cleaned it up and placed it upon the mantle in his dingy living room, and then sat and simply stared at it. Day after day he would spend hours gazing upon the very rare and most beautiful vase. One day, as he was intently focused upon the vase, he realized how cluttered his mantle was with other things, and how stained the wall was with the grime of poverty. So he cleared the junk off the mantle, and put a fresh coat of paint upon the wall. That simple decision caused the vase to stand out in even greater beauty, for now his entire wall took on the look of a beautiful painting, and he found such joy in gazing upon it all.

Then one day as he entered his living room he noticed how worn was the carpet, and how tattered were the furnishings. He pulled the carpet out and uncovered a beautiful hardwood floor; he cleaned and recovered the furnishings, transforming the look of the entire room. This is turn led him to slowly began renovating the rest of his home. Once finished, he delighted in the comfort of his beautiful abode.

But then he noticed that the yard was overgrown with weeds, and filled with junk; the fence was broken down and the outside of his home looked weathered and wasted. So he set upon making the needed repairs and cleaning up the yard. Soon, his home became the talk of the neighborhood, for it brought such a sense of hope to all those around him. Before long the other homeowners began making repairs upon their houses and yards, such that the entire neighborhood transformed and became the talk of the town.

Yet a little while longer and the town itself began to change; cleaning the trash off the streets, repairing broken windows and repainting faded homes; refurbishing businesses and rekindling dreams. At length, the town became the garden spot of the State. Tourists came from far and wide to see the beauty of the transformed town. Upon seeing it, they each went home inspired to make changes in their own homes.

Meanwhile, the man sat happily in his living room and looked upon that rare and most beautiful vase, blessed that his life had been transformed by beauty.

Jesus said that kingdom of God was within us; that the royal, ruling power of God was at work transforming our lives from the inside out. This is that very rare and most beautiful vase, and the power of its influence is truly extraordinary!

Carriers of the Keys

Carriers of the Keys

“And I will give unto you the keys of the Kingdom…” (Mat_16:19).

This is perhaps one of the more noted sayings of Jesus, and the very idea that we can actually open and close heaven’s doors fills our imaginations with both wonder and inquiry. What does He mean by this?

Some would argue that since Jesus was speaking specifically to Peter, these words make him the first of many successive Popes who hold an authority to which no other human may lay claim. Not so. For the same words were spoken to all the disciples on other occasions. Jesus is saying that His followers, those who are a part of the Community of the Called Out (see previous blog), have been given the ability to grant access into the kingdom — as well as close access to those who will not enter.

Furthermore, it is not Heaven’s doors we are opening and closing. Rather, this is about helping others access the very real and royal presence of the Lord and His work here on the earth. This is a right now activity, not something in the sweet by and by.
it ever occur to you that you can actually be the means whereby the Lord extends His love, light, and life to others? You can be the one that makes it possible for someone else to actually experience a real and lasting touch from Jesus; a touch that heals, that forgives, that cleanses, and that transforms. Christ can make Himself known through your hands, through your words, and through your deeds.

You are a carrier of the Keys that opens the Kingdom. And you have been authorized by the King to give away to others what your have freely received yourself. Ah, but there’s the rub. 
Have you indeed received it yourself?

Has the touch of Jesus healed you, cleansed you, forgiven you, and transformed you? If so, then in the words of the Psalmist, “let the redeemed of the Lord say so!” (Psa_107:2). 
But If not, then what in the world is keeping you back? I open the door to you right now! Come on in and behold the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!

One final note. This is not a free-for-all, indiscriminate toss out of heaven’s treasures like candy thrown from floats in a passing parade. No, Jesus set clear perimeters in His commissioning us a carriers of the Keys. “What you open on earth must already be opened in heaven,” He said. In other words, we are to follow God’s lead — just as Jesus Himself did. “I only do those things I see My Father doing.”

So, yes we have authority, symbolized by holding the Keys; but we also are charged with the responsibility to only do as the Lord directs. This means we must always be in relationship with Him, for that is the only way to handle each and every situation as Carriers of the Keys.

So, what are you waiting for? There’s a whole lot of folks just waiting for you to pass their way.

An energy deep within you,God Himself!

Php 2:13  That energy is God's energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure. msg bible
Php 2:13  For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. kjv bible

Philippians 2:13
For it is God which worketh in you,.... Which is both an encouragement to persons conscious of their own weakness to work, as before exhorted to; see Hag_2:4; and a reason and argument for humility and meekness, and against pride and vain glory, since all we have, and do, is from God; and also points out the spring, principle, and foundation of all good works; namely, the grace of God wrought in the heart, which is an internal work, and purely the work of God: by this men become the workmanship of God, created unto good works, Eph_2:10, and are new men, and fitted for the performance of acts of righteousness, and true holiness; and this grace, which God works in them, is wrought in a powerful and efficacious manner, so as not to be frustrated and made void. The word here used signifies an inward, powerful, and efficacious operation; and the "king's manuscript", mentioned by Grotius and Hammond, adds another word to it, which makes the sense still stronger, reading it thus, "which worketh in you", δυναμει, "by power"; not by moral persuasion, but by his own power, the power of his efficacious grace. The Alexandrian copy reads, δυναμεις, "powers", or "mighty works": God works in his people both to will and to do of his good pleasure; God works in converted men a will to that which is spiritually good; which is to be understood, not of the formation of the natural faculty of the will; or of the preservation of it, and its natural liberty; or of the general motion of it to natural objects; nor of his influence on it in a providential way; but of the making of it good, and causing a willingness in it to that which is spiritually good. Men have no will naturally to come to Christ, or to have him to reign over them; they have no desire, nor hungerings and thirstings after his righteousness and salvation; wherever there are any such inclinations and desires, they are wrought in men by God; who works upon the stubborn and inflexible will, and, without any force to it, makes the soul willing to be saved by Christ, and submit to his righteousness, and do his will; he sweetly and powerfully draws it with the cords of love to himself, and to his Son, and so influences it by his grace and spirit, and which he continues, that it freely wills everything spiritually good, and for the glory of God: and he works in them also to "do"; for there is sometimes in believers a will, when there wants a power of doing. God therefore both implants in them principles of action to work from, as faith and love, and a regard for his glory, and gives them grace and strength to work with, without which they can do nothing, but having these, can do all things: and all this is "of his good pleasure"; the word "his" not being in the original text, some have taken the liberty to ascribe this to the will of man; and so the Syriac version renders it, "both to will and to do that", דצבין אנתון, "which ye will", or according to your good will; but such a sense is both bad and senseless; for if they have a good will of themselves, what occasion is there for God to work one in them? no; these internal operations of divine power and grace are not owing to the will of men, nor to any merits of theirs, or are what God is obliged to do, but what flow from his sovereign will and pleasure; who works when, where, and as he pleases, and that for his own glory; and who continues to do so in the hearts of his people; otherwise, notwithstanding the work of grace in them, they would find very little inclination to, and few and faint desires after spiritual things; and less strength to do what is spiritually good; but God of his good pleasure goes on working what is well pleasing in his sight.

This is what the new covenant of grace accomplishes

Tablets of Stone versus Human Hearts
You are manifestly an epistle of Christ . . . written . . . not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.  (2Co:3v3)

The old covenant of law was written upon "tablets of stone." The new covenant of grace is written upon "tablets . . . of the heart." 
This is another vital contrast between the old and new covenants. This difference again decides whether we draw upon man's sufficiency or upon God's. 
The old covenant message of God's law was written on stones. 
It called man to holiness, as measured by the character of God. "You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy" (Lev:19v2). 
The message is magnificent. However, its impact would be limited (by design), since it was written on "tablets of stone." It was inscribed upon an inanimate object that was external to human lives. Consequently, it could not bring life or any provision for transforming lives. The law would function as a perfect standard, revealing our unholiness and convicting us that we needed the help that only Jesus Christ could offer. We needed some means to get the perfect message of the law (holiness) into our innermost being. This is what the new covenant of grace accomplishes. 
The new covenant message of God's grace is written on human hearts: "on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart." 
Grace not only forgives our failure before the law, but it goes to work to develop personal holiness at the very core of our being. This was the promise God gave through His prophets of old, that He would put His holy law into peoples' hearts. The book of Hebrews applies this promise to all believers in Jesus Christ. 

"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts" (Heb_10:16). 

What hope we have through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ! Now, God brings His holiness from an outside standard to an internal resource. Now, the Lord is making His holy demands an internal part of our being. God is stirring holy desires in us. God is developing holy priorities within us and providing spiritual strength within us to walk in more and more godliness. "It is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure" (Phi_2:13).
O Holy Father, I would be hopeless, if Your perfect standard remained outside of me, demanding holiness by my performance. Thank You for bringing Your holy will inside of my life, providing internal resource for living and growing in godliness. Lord, I look to You to transform me from the inside out, in Jesus name, Amen.

"Think about something long enough and you'll start to believe it. Discover how to quit dwelling on harmful thoughts and begin replacing them with God's best for your life."


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THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE!

Hillsong Live Album Glorious Ruins, 2013, Name of Song: Christ is enough

To purchase this song in itunes,
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/glo...

VERSE
Christ is my reward
And all of my devotion
Now there's nothing in this world
That could ever satisfy

PRE-CHORUS
Through every trial
My soul will sing
No turning back
I've been set free

CHORUS
Christ is enough for me
Christ is enough for me
Everything I need is in You
Everything I need

VERSE
Christ my all in all
The joy of my salvation
And this hope will never fail
Heaven is our home

PRE-CHORUS
Through every storm
My soul will sing
Jesus is here
To God be the glory

BRIDGE
I have decided to follow Jesus
No turning back
No turning back

The cross before me
The world behind me
No turning back
No turning back

http://www.heavenvisit.com

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“I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

- 2Co_6:16

What a sweet title: “My people!” What a cheering revelation: “Their God!” How much of meaning is couched in those two words, “My people!” Here is speciality. The whole world is God’s; the heaven, even the heaven of heavens is the Lord’s, and he reigneth among the children of men; but of those whom he hath chosen, whom he hath purchased to himself, he saith what he saith not of others-”My people.” In this word there is the idea of proprietorship. In a special manner the “Lord’s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.” All the nations upon earth are his; the whole world is in his power; yet are his people, his chosen, more especially his possession; for he has done more for them than others; he has bought them with his blood; he has brought them nigh to himself; he has set his great heart upon them; he has loved them with an everlasting love, a love which many waters cannot quench, and which the revolutions of time shall never suffice in the least degree to diminish. Dear friends, can you, by faith, see yourselves in that number? Can you look up to heaven and say, “My Lord and my God: mine by that sweet relationship which entitles me to call thee Father; mine by that hallowed fellowship which I delight to hold with thee when thou art pleased to manifest thyself unto me as thou dost not unto the world?” Canst thou read the Book of Inspiration, and find there the indentures of thy salvation? Canst thou read thy title writ in precious blood? Canst thou, by humble faith, lay hold of Jesus’ garments, and say, “My Christ”? If thou canst, then God saith of thee, and of others like thee, “My people;” for, if God be your God, and Christ your Christ, the Lord has a special, peculiar favour to you; you are the object of his choice, accepted in his beloved Son.

“He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.”

- Pro_16:20

Wisdom is man’s true strength; and, under its guidance, he best accomplishes the ends of his being. Wisely handling the matter of life gives to man the richest enjoyment, and presents the noblest occupation for his powers; hence by it he finds good in the fullest sense. Without wisdom, man is as the wild ass’s colt, running hither and thither, wasting strength which might be profitably employed. Wisdom is the compass by which man is to steer across the trackless waste of life; without it he is a derelict vessel, the sport of winds and waves. A man must be prudent in such a world as this, or he will find no good, but be betrayed into unnumbered ills. The pilgrim will sorely wound his feet among the briers of the wood of life if he do not pick his steps with the utmost caution. He who is in a wilderness infested with robber bands must handle matters wisely if he would journey safely. If, trained by the Great Teacher, we follow where he leads, we shall find good, even while in this dark abode; there are celestial fruits to be gathered this side of Eden’s bowers, and songs of paradise to be sung amid the groves of earth. But where shall this wisdom be found? Many have dreamed of it, but have not possessed it. Where shall we learn it? Let us listen to the voice of the Lord, for he hath declared the secret; he hath revealed to the sons of men wherein true wisdom lieth, and we have it in the text, “Whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.” The true way to handle a matter wisely is to trust in the Lord. This is the sure clue to the most intricate labyrinths of life, follow it and find eternal bliss. He who trusts in the Lord has a diploma for wisdom granted by inspiration: happy is he now, and happier shall he be above. Lord, in this sweet eventide walk with me in the garden, and teach me the wisdom of faith.

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The Community of the Called Out

“Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it; except the Lord keep the City, the watchman wake but in vain.” (Psa:127v1)

Man is a communal creature by design; we are not built to be alone. While some rare souls seek solace in the caverns of monastic retreat, the overwhelming majority of us are forever compelled toward community. It is how God has wired us.

The question, then, is what kind of community do we seek? Like Abraham of old, we “seek a city, whose builder and maker is God” (Heb_11:10). 
That is to say, we hunger for a godly community in every sense of the word. Law and order, peace and justice, truth and goodness, love and mercy, freedom and creativity. In one word — godly.

Jesus made it clear that He came to start just such a community on the earth. “I will build My Church,” He said, “and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” The word He used is ecclesia, meaning “the community of the called out.” This immediately makes us ask, “Called out of what?”

The old hymn gives the best answer –

 Out of my bondage, sorrow, and night;Thy freedom, gladness, and light.of my sickness into Thy health,of my want and into Thy wealth,of my sin and into Thyself, Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of my shameful failure and loss;the glorious gain of Thy cross.of earth’s sorrows into Thy balm,of life’s storms and into Thy calm,of distress to jubilant psalm, Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of unrest and arrogant pride;Thy blessed will to abide.of myself to dwell in Thy love,of despair into raptures above,for aye on wings like a dove, Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of the fear and dread of the tomb;the joy and light of Thy home.of the depths of ruin untold,the peace of Thy sheltering fold,Thy glorious face to behold, Jesus, I come to Thee.
(William T. Sleeper, 1896)
another question rises, “What, then is it that we have been called into?” To be sure, it is a community like nothing this world has to offer. The Bible refers to it in such comprehensive terms as The House of the Lord, the City of our God, and the Kingdom of Heaven. It is both local and global, as well as eternal. It is not institutional; but relational.

It is gathered in the name of the Lord, governed by the word of the Lord, guided by the Spirit of the Lord, guarded by the power of the Lord, and garnished with the glory of the Lord.

And there is only one way into this Community; it is through faith in the Lord Jesus, evidenced by love for His people, which springs out of obedience to His word.

Are you in?

The man with the withered hand

The Kind of Man He Was
There was a man there [in the synagogue] which had a withered hand— Mar_3:1
He Was an Ordinary Man
If we center our attention on this man we see him as a quite ordinary person. He was one of the crowd of undistinguished people who go to church on the Sabbath day. Tradition says he was a bricklayer, and quite probably that is true. It at least indicates the old belief that this was a quite ordinary person. And one of the striking things about the Gospel is its perennial and amazing power over ordinary people like this bricklayer. He is not like Lazarus, or even Bartimaeus, whose names have come ringing down the aisles of time. The only name his fellow-worshipers had for him was 
"the man with the withered hand." 
And that, from the first, is just the kind of man whom the Gospel has been powerful to handle, and to give back to usefulness again. 

That is what makes it a universal Gospel—that heavenly power over nameless people. If lack of culture made it ineffectual it could never be preached across the world. And the very fact that it is so preached, and preached with signs and wonders following, proclaims it as of the Son of Man.

His Experience Was Hard and Embittered
Again we recognize him as a person who had had a hard and embittering experience. We feel the force of that more vividly when we turn to the Gospel of St. Luke. One of the charming things about Luke's Gospel is his illuminative touches in the miracles. Luke was a doctor, with a doctor's eye, quick to observe everything pathological. He tells us that the leper was "full of leprosy," and that Peter's mother-in-law was down with "a great fever"; here he reveals that the hand was the right hand. Nor, mark you, had the man been so from birth. This cruel affliction had come upon him gradually. His hand grew stiff; he lost the power of it; gradually it shrank and atrophied. Until now, when people passed him in the street, they glanced at him with commiseration, and called him 
"the man with the withered hand." One thinks of everything that must have meant in a day when there were no insurance's nor doles. His work gone—his children without bread—his wife a broken-hearted woman. It was a cruel thing, to all appearance meaningless, one of the taunting ironies —the years had brought him, when he was never dreaming of it, a hard and most embittering experience. Such people are always a great company. There will be not a few of them among my readers. Nothing is so hard to bear in life as bitter things that seem devoid of meaning. 
And the beautiful thing is that it was just that kind of person whom our blessed Savior singled out that day, in a synagogue which would be crowded.

He Had Not Lost His Faith
And then, equally evident is this, that this man had not lost his faith; for first of all the Savior healed him, and faith is indispensable to miracle. Mark you, faith is not always mentioned in the miracles, nor is there any reason why it should be. It seems to me that faith, like beauty, is often in the eye of the beholder. Had you asked this man if he had faith, he might probably have answered in the negative, but Christ saw more in him than the man dreamed. I want to say a very comforting thing, out of a long pastoral experience. I think that many people have more faith than they are ever willing to admit. Life is compact of faith; we could. not live without it; we walk by faith through every common day—but it has never been turned upon the Lord. That is why Christ did not ask if he had faith. The man would probably have answered "No." But Christ knew him, and read his inmost heart, and saw there what the man had never seen. That is why often the Lord can work so wonderfully, and perform His miracles of grace, on folk who lament they have no faith at all.

He Had Not Given Up the Church
And then this man had not given up the church: that also is a witness to his faith. After his hard and embittering experience he was in the synagogue on that Sabbath day. One can picture him in the old, happy days coming to church with his wife and children; life was pleasant then, and God was good to him, and there was work and bread upon his table. But now, impoverished—dependent upon others—with hungry children and a despairing wife—could you have wondered if he had stayed away? "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want"—and his wife and children were in want. "The Lord God, merciful and gracious"—had He been merciful and gracious unto him? Quite evidently this was a great big soul, still simply trusting in the God of Jacob, and that the Lord instantly recognized. After that cruel irony, after that seemingly meaningless catastrophe, there he was, in his familiar place, listening to the gracious news of heaven. What need to ask him, "Hast thou faith?" That sweet and simple continuance declared it—and, "being in the way," he won his crown. 
He Found That He Could Do What Up to That Hour He Had Deemed Impossible
But I keep the best wine to the last, for there is one thing more to be said about this bricklayer. He was a man who found that he could do what up to that hour he had deemed impossible. Do you not think his wife had often said to him, "Husband, try to stretch your hand this morning"? And he, feeling a little better perhaps, had tried, and always tried in vain. The delightful thing is that when the Lord commanded, somehow or other it was not in vain: the Lord said, "Stretch it out," and he just did it. 
He did not pray about it, nor discuss it, nor plead that it was utterly impossible. To his own intense amazement he just did it, though I daresay he could never tell you how he did it. But we, who know the mind of Christ far more intimately than the despairing bricklayer, are cognizant of the secret of the Lord. There may be seeming ironies in life: there are none in the commands of Christ. When He enjoins, He enables. When He commands, He gives the power. Despondent, on the margins of despair, with an enfeebled will or withered heart, 
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Name: All I need is You

Left my fear by side of the road
Hear You speak, won't let go
Fall to my knees as I lift my hands to pray
Got every reason to be here again
Father's love, that draws me in
And all my eyes wanna see is a glimpse of You

All I need is You
All I need is You Lord, is You Lord
All I need is You
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/h/hi... ]
One more day and it's not the same
Your spirit calls my heart to sing
Drawn to the voice of my Savior once again
Where would the world be without Your Son
Gave His life to save the earth
Rest in the thought that You're watching over me

All I need is You
All I need is You Lord, is You Lord
All I need is You

You hold the universe
You hold everyone on earth
You hold the universe
You hold, You hold

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"I delight to do Thy will, O my God"!

GOD'S WILL
"Thy Will be done, as in heaven, so on earth."-- Mat_6:10.

MANY PEOPLE shrink from God's will. They think that it always means pain, or sorrow, or bereavement. 
They always feel melancholy when you speak of doing the Will of God. Alas! how the devil has libeled God. The will of God is the will of a Father. It is the Fatherhood of God going out in action. 
"It is not the will of your Father that one of these little ones should perish." "This is the will of God, even your sanctification."

If only the will of God were done on earth, as it is done in heaven, there would be peace between the nations, and love and happiness in all our homes. Love would cement the union of all men in a city of blessedness. The fact of the world's present condition is no argument against the beneficence and blessedness of the will of God. 
It is because men will not do the will of God that things are as they are!
In our own life we shall never be really right or happy until we have got to the point of saying: "I delight to do Thy will, O my God." We may not begin there. The first step is to choose it, then we shall come to accept it lovingly and thankfully; but, finally, we shall rejoice and delight in it. If you cannot say "Thy Will be done," say: "I am willing to be made willing that Thy Will should be done." 

If your will is like a bit of rough and rugged iron, tell God that you are willing for it to be plunged into the furnace of His love, so that all which is unyielding and obdurate may pass away before the ardent heat of the Divine Fire. Depend on it that He will not fail, nor be discouraged with the long process that may be required; and that He will not be rough or violent. He will stay His east wind. He will keep His hand on the pulse, that He may be aware of the least symptom that the ordeal is too strong.
At first there may be a twinge of pain, as when a dislocated limb is pressed back into its proper position, but afterwards there is the blessed restoration of healthy vigour. You will only lose what you would gladly give up if you know as much as God does of what promotes soul-health. "Whosoever," said our Lord, "will do the Will of my Father, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother." "In His Will is our peace."

PRAYER
Most Gracious God, to know and love whose will is righteousness, enlighten our souls with the brightness of Thy presence, that we may both know Thy Will and be enabled to perform it. AMEN.

Hillsong United Live in Miami 2012, Album: Aftermath Live in Miami, Name: From the inside out

A thousand times I've failed
Still your mercy remains
And should I stumble again
Still I'm caught in your grace

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame

My heart and my soul, I give You control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise, become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Your will above all else, my purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing you praise

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame

My heart, my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out, O my soul cries out

My Soul cries out to You
My Soul cries out to You
to You, to You

My heart, my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out, O my soul cries out

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out, O my soul cries out
From the inside out, O my soul cries out
From the inside out, O my soul cries out.

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Ministry of Condemnation versus Ministry of Righteousness

Ministry of Condemnation versus Ministry of Righteousness
For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.  (2Co_3:6-8)

Here is another vivid contrast between living by the old covenant of law versus living by the new covenant of grace. God's perfect law is a "ministry of condemnation," which compels people to draw upon man's sufficiency. God's glorious grace is a 
"ministry of righteousness," which allows people to draw upon God's sufficiency. 

When we try to live by the law, we walk in condemnation. 
When we try to minister by the law, we put others under condemnation. This is inevitable, since the law is a "ministry of condemnation." Living and ministering by the law depends upon human performance. The law demands righteous living. "You shall be holy" (Lev_19:2). The only resources available for law-performance are natural human abilities (the flesh). All natural abilities are flawed by unrighteousness. "We are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are like filthy rags" (Isa_64:6). This makes the flesh incapable of producing a righteous life.
 "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing" (John_6:63). 

Consequently, when we try to live by law (that is, attempt to meet God's standards by our resources), we sense condemnation. Others also experience condemnation, when we point them to the law for producing godly living. 
On the other hand, 

when we live by grace, we grow in righteousness. When we minister the message of grace to others, they can also grow in righteousness. Godliness results from ministering the new covenant of grace, because it is a "ministry of righteousness." The message of grace tells people that righteousness is available by faith.
 "But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed . . . even the righteousness of God which is through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe" 
(Rom_3:21-22). 
In addition to this initial gift of righteousness (imputed, or credited to our account in heaven), grace also provides ongoing practical righteousness (imparted for our daily lives on earth): 
"That the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit" (Rom_8:4). 
As we humbly depend upon the Lord, the Holy Spirit brings forth a more Christlike life through us, by His grace.

Lord God of righteousness, I have often walked in legalistic condemnation. Also, I have pointed many others in that direction. Forgive me, Lord. Please teach me how to walk in righteousness, through humble dependence upon You. Equip me to minister Your righteousness to others, in Jesus name, Amen.

Hillsong Live New DVD Album, Cornerstone, 2012, Name of Song: Stand in awe

"Stand In Awe"

Better than all this world
Better than all I know
Better than life itself
Your love is
All that I have is Yours
All that I'm living for
All that I need is You Lord

Cause You alone are better than life
Than anything in this world
Cause You alone are all that I want
In everything You are good
I stand in awe of all that You are
I stand in awe of You

Everything unto You
Everything held by You
All of our hope is in You Jesus
Nothing compares to You
Nothing will take Your place
All of our trust is in You Lord

Cause You alone are better than life
Than anything in this world
Cause You alone are all that I want
In everything You are good
I stand in awe of all that You are
I stand in awe of You
[x2]

All of my heart
All that I am
Worship Jesus
[repeat]

Cause You alone are better than life
Than anything in this world
Cause You alone are all that I want
In everything You are good
I stand in awe of all that You are
I stand in awe of You
[x2]

I stand in awe of all that You are
I stand in awe of You
Only You, Lord

All of my heart
All that I am
Worship Jesus

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The kingdom of heaven is "of the Spirit."

The Letter versus the Spirit
[God] also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit.  (2Co_3:6)

The "letter versus the Spirit" is another contrast between living by the old covenant or by the new. This is another choice that determines whether we are functioning by man's sufficiency or by God's. 
A life that is being developed "of the letter" is one that is built on rules and regulations. 
We cannot become a child of God by rules. 
We cannot develop our lives as God's children by regulations. 
No list of demands (including even the law of God itself) could ever bring us, or develop for us, a life with God. 
All rules and regulations (including God's law) come without resource. They are a list of requirements, not a supply of adequacy. They call for an observable response. They provide no power to produce the required effect. 
Consider circumcision, which was required by the law of God for the Israelites. "And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised" (Lev_12:3).   This was to be a sign acting as a reminder to God's people that they were His. Implementing that regulation did not inherently change the life of any Jew. Physical, external circumcision (that is, circumcision "by the letter") did not make a change in the heart of the one circumcised. It takes an inner working of God to produce a true child of God (in Romans 2 language, a "true Jew"). "For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, and not in the letter." 
(Rom_2:28-29). 
God births His children and develops their lives through a work in their hearts by the Holy Spirit. 
The kingdom of heaven is "of the Spirit." 
It is not about external "do's and dont's" (such as, whether to follow the standard of God's law concerning certain foods). "For the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Rom_14:17). 

Entrance into God's family, as well as development as God's children, does not hinge on following various regulations. Rather, it is about the Holy Spirit supplying heavenly blessings in the hearts of those who trust in the Lord. 
Life with God is always "of the Spirit " (God's sufficiency), not "of the letter" (man's sufficiency).
Father, I admit a tendency to reduce life with You to following regulations. Help me to live by the work of Your Spirit within my heart. Through Christ I pray, Amen.

Hillsong Live New DVD Album, Cornerstone, 2012, Name of Song: Hope of the World

Next Recommended song from the album Cornerstone, All my hope - Hillsong: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fGRQn...

For the love poured out
For the price of freedom
Let the whole earth sing
The praises rising
We stand in awe of what you've done
For us, at the cross

[Chorus]:
The hope of the world
Lifted on high
Calling us home with arms out wide
To know you forever, to love you forever
You are our everything
[Verse 2]:
Our sin erased,
We're forgiven
You made a way
You are our ransom
And we owe this life for all you've done
For us, at the cross

[Chorus]:
The hope of the world
Lifted on high
Calling us home with arms out wide
To know you forever, to love you forever
You are our everything

[Bridge]:
All we need is You

[Chorus]:
The hope of the world
Lifted on high
Calling us home with arms out wide
To know you forever, to love you forever
You are our everything

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• Buy "Hope of the World (Live)"