J.A. Matteson
What manner of care has consumed you? Have you not heard, are you unaware, do you travail of soul in solitude? Behold, the everlasting One who's going forth from time and times time is near. "Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God who is our salvation" (Ps. 68:19). Why so sorrowful, O my soul, the Lord of mercies is here. As many waters behind a dam, a breach appears and they follow their natural course, meandering within the banks of their habitation. That which was barren is satisfied, and the dry places are relieved. Light shines in dark places and consumes their secrets; stillness and peace envelope the soul who's refuge is the LORD Almighty. Questions remain unanswered, their secrets known only to God. It is sufficient and right to entrust their mysteries to Him Who is righteous and just, merciful and altogether good. All understanding is partial, and that which is known is provisional. Salvation is of the LORD and its burdens are His. Rejoice in God's goodness and grace, be thankful and find your rest in Him. For He cares for you and bids you come to lay your burden at His feet. Seasons change and the green leaf turns amber. The sun dims and the sound of the raven fades. Morning comes and with it newness of life and possibilities. Rejoice in the warmth of its sun as you walk its path in fellowship with the Son of glory.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
Friday, December 28, 2012
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Joy is Given
J. A. Matteson
The joy of every enterprise of men is temporal, save one: testifying to the everlasting Life revealed in Jesus Christ. "These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete" (1 Jn. 1:4). In Him is life and in Him is joy. And joy does not disappoint for its source is the Life Himself, Who's goings forth is from everlasting to everlasting. In Him reside wisdom and righteousness and these He freely offers to all who are thirsty. Within the heart of man He has placed eternity and the sons of men wonder upon the earth in search of that which is transcendent. What joy is gifted to the bond servants of the Lord who testify to their fellow man of the Life and the transcendent fulfillment and purpose He brings to all who receive Him. The hour is late and the sun is nearing the horizon. The flower fades and the dew of twilight appears on the brow. Time gives way to eternity when pain and sorrow will be no more. The curse is broken, newness of life has come. Joy is given to the heirs of salvation, who take the hand of Christ regardless of the hour. One beggar leads another to the well of Living water; joy bubbles up to everlasting life to all who freely drink thereof.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
The joy of every enterprise of men is temporal, save one: testifying to the everlasting Life revealed in Jesus Christ. "These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete" (1 Jn. 1:4). In Him is life and in Him is joy. And joy does not disappoint for its source is the Life Himself, Who's goings forth is from everlasting to everlasting. In Him reside wisdom and righteousness and these He freely offers to all who are thirsty. Within the heart of man He has placed eternity and the sons of men wonder upon the earth in search of that which is transcendent. What joy is gifted to the bond servants of the Lord who testify to their fellow man of the Life and the transcendent fulfillment and purpose He brings to all who receive Him. The hour is late and the sun is nearing the horizon. The flower fades and the dew of twilight appears on the brow. Time gives way to eternity when pain and sorrow will be no more. The curse is broken, newness of life has come. Joy is given to the heirs of salvation, who take the hand of Christ regardless of the hour. One beggar leads another to the well of Living water; joy bubbles up to everlasting life to all who freely drink thereof.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Ransomed Vessels
J.A. Matteson
By the predetermined council of the Father the Good Shepherd knows each of His sheep, including those who have yet to confess Him; and by means of His atonement He owns them, ransomed vessels destined to walk in good deeds ordained for them before the foundation of the world. "I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd" (Jn. 10:16). Speaking of future Gentile sheep who will experience regeneration and conversion, the effectual call of the Gospel is distinctly proclaimed by Christ. Many Jews and Gentiles will hear, but only the sheep respond in faith. The goats listen but cannot hear because they are not the sheep given to the Son by His Father (Jn. 10:26-27). The sheep respond in faith because they have first been given ears to hear, being made alive in Christ Jesus in the likeness of Lydia, "...the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul" (Acts 16:14). The LORD is building His church, calling forth in each generation sheep of a chosen race, a holy people who will testify of His mercy and grace. Into these mysteries the heavenly host sing His praises. With great confidence the sheep may testify of His Gospel, being assured that His chosen sheep will hear and believe. In this regard the servants of the Lord rejoice, for their striving is not in vain, but their faithfulness establishes His purposes of redemption from eternity.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
By the predetermined council of the Father the Good Shepherd knows each of His sheep, including those who have yet to confess Him; and by means of His atonement He owns them, ransomed vessels destined to walk in good deeds ordained for them before the foundation of the world. "I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd" (Jn. 10:16). Speaking of future Gentile sheep who will experience regeneration and conversion, the effectual call of the Gospel is distinctly proclaimed by Christ. Many Jews and Gentiles will hear, but only the sheep respond in faith. The goats listen but cannot hear because they are not the sheep given to the Son by His Father (Jn. 10:26-27). The sheep respond in faith because they have first been given ears to hear, being made alive in Christ Jesus in the likeness of Lydia, "...the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul" (Acts 16:14). The LORD is building His church, calling forth in each generation sheep of a chosen race, a holy people who will testify of His mercy and grace. Into these mysteries the heavenly host sing His praises. With great confidence the sheep may testify of His Gospel, being assured that His chosen sheep will hear and believe. In this regard the servants of the Lord rejoice, for their striving is not in vain, but their faithfulness establishes His purposes of redemption from eternity.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Blessed Assurance
J.A. Matteson
The sons of Adam fret and strain in dreadful anticipation of some adversity intersecting their life. Daily events are perceived as random occurrences, some pleasant, others miserable. The concepts of chance and luck dominate their thinking and govern their actions. Many live lives of quiet desperation in perpetual fear that what they dread most may overtake them. Conversely, the children of God live in the daily assurance of their Father's providential blessing and care. "These words He spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one seized Him, because His hour had not yet come" (Jn. 8:21). John, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, recorded this day in the life of the Savior and interpreted the outcome of His teaching [He was not seized] as ordained by God. The providential outcome itself underscored the will of the Father Who is sovereign over all. What blessed assurance is given to the heirs of salvation for time and eternity? If the heirs may confidently trust in Him for everlasting life, can they not also entrust their daily experiences to Him who loves them and surrendered up His life for them? Absolutely! Entrust the day to the Shepherd of your soul and regardless of the events to follow give thanks to God in all things knowing that He is using them for your good and His glory.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
The sons of Adam fret and strain in dreadful anticipation of some adversity intersecting their life. Daily events are perceived as random occurrences, some pleasant, others miserable. The concepts of chance and luck dominate their thinking and govern their actions. Many live lives of quiet desperation in perpetual fear that what they dread most may overtake them. Conversely, the children of God live in the daily assurance of their Father's providential blessing and care. "These words He spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one seized Him, because His hour had not yet come" (Jn. 8:21). John, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, recorded this day in the life of the Savior and interpreted the outcome of His teaching [He was not seized] as ordained by God. The providential outcome itself underscored the will of the Father Who is sovereign over all. What blessed assurance is given to the heirs of salvation for time and eternity? If the heirs may confidently trust in Him for everlasting life, can they not also entrust their daily experiences to Him who loves them and surrendered up His life for them? Absolutely! Entrust the day to the Shepherd of your soul and regardless of the events to follow give thanks to God in all things knowing that He is using them for your good and His glory.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Joyfully Persevere
J.A. Matteson
When Christ bids a man to follow Him it is an invitation to die. First century disciples understood vividly what was implied by picking up ones cross to follow Him. "As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore" (Jn. 6:66). The road is narrow and the way difficult that leads to life. Christ refuses to redeem a man on his terms; the Way is His and the means is death. The flesh is characterized by a stubborn inclination bent on independence from divine authority. The Way is spiritually discerned and an enigma to the flesh. Therefore the commands of Christ to those in the flesh are received as harsh, unreasonable, and undesirable. Predictably, when the road narrows and the Way becomes difficult they turn back to the mire. Not so for those born of the Spirit. The sweetness of the Shepherds guidance is received as by One intending to direct them to gentle green pastures and refreshing cold waters. And when the path become difficult they joyfully persevere along its way knowing that the Good Shepherd is leading them to Paradise and will protect them from the evil one. At each higher vista along the road He increases and they decrease to the praise of His glory.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
When Christ bids a man to follow Him it is an invitation to die. First century disciples understood vividly what was implied by picking up ones cross to follow Him. "As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore" (Jn. 6:66). The road is narrow and the way difficult that leads to life. Christ refuses to redeem a man on his terms; the Way is His and the means is death. The flesh is characterized by a stubborn inclination bent on independence from divine authority. The Way is spiritually discerned and an enigma to the flesh. Therefore the commands of Christ to those in the flesh are received as harsh, unreasonable, and undesirable. Predictably, when the road narrows and the Way becomes difficult they turn back to the mire. Not so for those born of the Spirit. The sweetness of the Shepherds guidance is received as by One intending to direct them to gentle green pastures and refreshing cold waters. And when the path become difficult they joyfully persevere along its way knowing that the Good Shepherd is leading them to Paradise and will protect them from the evil one. At each higher vista along the road He increases and they decrease to the praise of His glory.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
The Work of Grace
J.A. Matteson
Blessed is the man who believes in Jesus Christ. The commands He gives; the claims He makes; the predictions He declares are fantastic, so much so that none will accept them apart from grace. "Does this cause you to stumble?" (Jn. 6:61). Believing in Christ is both the simplist act and the most impossible one simultaneously. For to one man the volitional aspect to believe strikes him as clear as a lightening bolt and is the plainest response to all that his heart has seen and heard. To another man His words are hard to accept and he stumbles, remaining in a state of unbelief, spiritually deaf and blind to the Light before him. The Lord spoke exactly when He proclaimed the flesh, or fallen human will, is of no benefit in assisting a man to believe; rather, it is just the opposite...a hindrance. Life which the Spirit gives is predicate to and essential for faith exercised...it is the Spirit Who gives life. For this reason two men hear the same Gospel, one believes and one stumbles. If not for grace both would stumble and remain in darkness. And the Lord describes the work of grace in the heart, "For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father" (Jn. 6:65). All are commanded to come to Christ, but apart from grace they lack the moral ability to do so. If any man desires Christ he is indeed blessed. The Lord will never turn away those who come to Him in faith.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
Blessed is the man who believes in Jesus Christ. The commands He gives; the claims He makes; the predictions He declares are fantastic, so much so that none will accept them apart from grace. "Does this cause you to stumble?" (Jn. 6:61). Believing in Christ is both the simplist act and the most impossible one simultaneously. For to one man the volitional aspect to believe strikes him as clear as a lightening bolt and is the plainest response to all that his heart has seen and heard. To another man His words are hard to accept and he stumbles, remaining in a state of unbelief, spiritually deaf and blind to the Light before him. The Lord spoke exactly when He proclaimed the flesh, or fallen human will, is of no benefit in assisting a man to believe; rather, it is just the opposite...a hindrance. Life which the Spirit gives is predicate to and essential for faith exercised...it is the Spirit Who gives life. For this reason two men hear the same Gospel, one believes and one stumbles. If not for grace both would stumble and remain in darkness. And the Lord describes the work of grace in the heart, "For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father" (Jn. 6:65). All are commanded to come to Christ, but apart from grace they lack the moral ability to do so. If any man desires Christ he is indeed blessed. The Lord will never turn away those who come to Him in faith.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
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