From the Pulpit - February 2011
The Lord himself said we should always pray and not faint, so we know that this is perfect instruction for our lives. Time invested in prayer is time well spent, so we do have to get our priorities right and make sure that we set time aside to pray as the Lord wants us to: Praying for our friends, families, and enemies, this is all the will of the Lord. And how precious it is that we can know the perfect will of God. He gives us sound doctrine that must not be forsaken. Our greatest concern in life should be to know the Lord and his will for us. We should not let anyone or anything divert us from our path with our saviour. We need to follow the example of the psalmist who hid God’s words within his heart so he would not sin against him. This we must do also, making sure it really is God's Word and not man's words. There may be many clever and popular sayings, but only the truth will set you free. If the Son shall set you free, you are free indeed, but freedom does not guarantee that you will have an easy life. There may be times when we want to run away to the mountains, but no one can run away from themselves. So the best we can do is put our trust in the Lord and let him help us through challenging times. The Lord knows those who are his, and we have the promise of his protection, but not only that - as his sheep we can also be sure that he will tend to us in all ways that are necessary. Even when we, like lost sheep, have gone astray, he is ready to bring us back into the fold. Our God pardons iniquities and has great mercy on the truly repentant soul. Amen.
Sunday 06.02.2011 – Men ought always to pray - ae
And he spoke a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; (Luke 18:1)
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; (1 Tim. 2:1)
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;(Col. 1:9)
The LORD is near unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them. (Ps. 145:18-19)
Sunday 13.02.2011 – For I give you good doctrine, forsake not my law - dm
Hear, you children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake not my law. (Prov. 4:1-2)
Your words were found, and I did eat them; and your word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart: for I am called by your name, O LORD God of hosts. (Jer. 15:16)
He has made every thing beautiful in its time: also he has put eternity in men’s hearts, so that no man can find out the work that God does from the beginning to the end. (Eccl. 3:11)
I charge you therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be diligent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they draw to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto myths.
(2 Tim. 4:1-4)
Sunday 20.02.2011 – Flee as a bird to your mountain - dm
In the LORD put I my trust: how say you to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? (Ps. 11:1)
Again, I considered all toil, and every skillful work, that for this a man is envied by his neighbor. This is also vanity and grasping after the wind. (Eccl. 4:4)
Jesus answered them, I told you, and you believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But you believe not, because you are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, who gave them to me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one. (John 10:25-30)
Sunday 27.02.2011 – God pardons iniquity - ae
Who is a God like unto you, who pardons iniquity, and passes by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retains not his anger forever, because he delights in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and you will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. (Mic. 7:18-19)
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. (Is. 55:7)
There is therefore now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Rom. 8:1)
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons, who need no repentance. (Luke 15:7)
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