November 7^th 2021

9:30 am-----------------------------Judgment at the House of God – 1 Peter 4:12-19

10:00 am ------------------------------------------- Men Mocking God – Luke 22:63-71

*** NO WEDNESDAY SERVICE THIS WEEK

Lessons Learned Through Troubles

"It is GOOD for me that I have been AFFLICTED; that I MIGHT LEARN Thy ways" (Psalm 119:71).

God's ways and God's word are best learned by experience and in time of trouble. When our Lord is pleased to lay His hand heavily upon us, we do not soon forget the lessons learned. When the Lord singles out a believer or a church for special affliction and adversity, it is not for punishment nor lack of love for them; it is for eternal blessings and because He does love them. "Whom the Lord loveth" he chastens, corrects, and teaches! When Job sat before his friends, who was afflicted? THE ONE GOD LOVED! When Paul stood before King Agrippa, who wore the chains? THE ONE GOD LOVED! Humanly speaking, which path of life would you prefer to live on earth, that of Esau or Jacob? Esau had the life of prosperity and ease; Jacob was full of trouble and conflict, BUT GOD LOVED JACOB! Thank God He has loved us in Christ and is pleased to teach us His ways by dealing with us in such a way that we are weaned from the world and find our life, comfort, and hope only in Him. A per­son who measures his blessings and relationship with God by his prosperity, health, happiness, and worldly comforts makes a fatal mistake. "If ye be without chastisement, whereof all believers are partakers, then are ye bastards and not sons" (Heb. 12:8). Paul said, "Most gladly therefore will I glory in my in­firmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (II Cor. 12:9-10). He who sends the trial for His glory and my good will supply the grace suffi­cient. Those who know the Redeemer, also know that when we are weak, we are strong; when we are poor, we are rich; when we are empty, we are full; when we die, we live! – Henry Mahan

"With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation."– Psalm 91:16

It is not in the number of our years that we shall find preparedness for death. It is not the longer a man lives the more will he be satisfied. No such thing. Then what can the promise mean? Why, that God will satisfy his people with their length of life, whether long or short. God takes his children home at all ages, and he always satisfies them. He always brings them to see and feel that this life is empty and vain, and that it is better, far better, to live in his presence. You may be harassed by the thoughts of death, and be in bondage through the fears of death; and you may be saying, "How will it be with me then?" I will tell you. If you are a child of God, I firmly believe you will not be removed unwillingly and reluctantly, but you will be willing in the day of the Lord's power. You will be willing to breathe out your soul into his dear hands, to whom you will commend your spirit; you will be willing to be with Christ, which is far better. You may not now be willing. If you pluck at an unripe apple, it resists the touch, but let it be fully ripe, how little, how slight a touch will cause it to drop from the tree. You shall be gathered as a shock of corn in its season. Why, a farmer will not gather in his corn until it is fully ripe; and do you think the Lord will gather his corn into his heavenly garner and it be in an unfit and unripe state? We cannot think it. Be that thought far from us, as it is far from the Lord. – J.C. Philpot

I See No Reason Why . . .

I SEE NO REASON WHY, this day, if God willed, I should not stand here and preach a sermon which would be the means of converting every person who hears it. The Word of God is able to convict, convince of sin, and reveal Christ just as extensively as God the Spirit is pleased to apply it. If God is able to call one or two, He is just as able to call a hundred. The same sermon which God blesses to ten, if He be pleased, He could bless to a thousand. I am sure that the Holy Spirit is able to make the word successful and effectual; and the reason why it is hidden from so many and revealed to some is still, “Even so, Father, for it seemed good in Thy sight.”