J.A. Matteson
Calm, steadfastness, assurance, conviction, these are the traits that describe the soul that has placed its hope in God. "Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; like a weaned child rests against his mother, my soul is like a weaned child within me" (Ps. 131:2). Occasionally worldly influences disrupt the placid rest of the saint who has allowed that which is temporal and impotent to reign as the sovereign of his soul. The everlasting loving arms of the LORD embrace the wearied pilgrim as a reminder of who he is and where he is in the course of events. Immediately his soul is again at rest in the stronghold of the Prince of Peace. Who will level an attack against the LORD's child and prevail? Who can touch the servant of I Am and not give an answer to the LORD of Hosts? The servants of the LORD are secure, their redemption has been paid in full. The pilgrims of the Mighty God are confident, their Father knows all and watches all from His holy throne. Blessed assurance and peace are their inheritance. For a season trouble comes, but the peace of the LORD endures forever. Blessed be the name of the LORD. Blessed be His Son, Jesus Christ, who saves His people from their sin.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Friday, April 26, 2013
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
The LORD's Favor
J.A. Matteson
Is blessing by the LORD a response to our righteousness, or is our righteousness the result of His blessing? "For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD, You surround him with favor as with a shield" (Ps. 5:12). Woe to the man who convinces himself of the former, for he will go down to the pit with the wicked. Man is completely void of righteousness and the LORD's justice requires death. Man's thoughts are impure, his lips utter deceit, his hand is quick to condemn the weak, and all day long his meditations are continually evil. Who then may be accounted righteous before the LORD? It is he to whom the hand of the LORD is extended, the man who has received the LORD's favor, to whom mercy has risen in his heart as the light of the dawn. Surely that man is blessed, for the LORD in His good pleasure has chosen to redeem him, not according to his righteousness, but in spite of his lack of it. He gives the man a new heart, a heart of flesh and not of stone, a heart the fears the LORD and is attentive to His voice. Blessed is this man for he has received the imputed righteousness of Christ by grace through faith.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Is blessing by the LORD a response to our righteousness, or is our righteousness the result of His blessing? "For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD, You surround him with favor as with a shield" (Ps. 5:12). Woe to the man who convinces himself of the former, for he will go down to the pit with the wicked. Man is completely void of righteousness and the LORD's justice requires death. Man's thoughts are impure, his lips utter deceit, his hand is quick to condemn the weak, and all day long his meditations are continually evil. Who then may be accounted righteous before the LORD? It is he to whom the hand of the LORD is extended, the man who has received the LORD's favor, to whom mercy has risen in his heart as the light of the dawn. Surely that man is blessed, for the LORD in His good pleasure has chosen to redeem him, not according to his righteousness, but in spite of his lack of it. He gives the man a new heart, a heart of flesh and not of stone, a heart the fears the LORD and is attentive to His voice. Blessed is this man for he has received the imputed righteousness of Christ by grace through faith.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Sunday, April 21, 2013
The Influence of Grace
J.A. Matteson
Grace is never obligatory. If it were it would not be grace. No one can lay claim on God and demand He extend grace to them. If we know God and reverence Him it is solely due to His good pleasure. "Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name" (Ps. 86:11). Sinners cannot know Him or His ways unless He gives it to them to know. Nor can they walk in His way apart from grace. It is the influence of divine grace that compels the sinner to cry out to God for salvation and to yearn to walk in a manor pleasing in His sight. Apart from grace we would all pursue paths of self destruction. Each would be as Pharaoh who's evil heart was permitted to blossom into absolute wickedness. For that is who saints are by nature, children of wrath, even as the rest. It is by grace alone that we know God and love Him. He created that love within us when there was nothing in us but contempt. We love Him because He first loved us. O God, glorious is Your name and magnificent Your Grace. All praise and glory and honor belong to You, for You save Your people from their sin and lead them in the paths of righteousness for Your namesake.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Grace is never obligatory. If it were it would not be grace. No one can lay claim on God and demand He extend grace to them. If we know God and reverence Him it is solely due to His good pleasure. "Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name" (Ps. 86:11). Sinners cannot know Him or His ways unless He gives it to them to know. Nor can they walk in His way apart from grace. It is the influence of divine grace that compels the sinner to cry out to God for salvation and to yearn to walk in a manor pleasing in His sight. Apart from grace we would all pursue paths of self destruction. Each would be as Pharaoh who's evil heart was permitted to blossom into absolute wickedness. For that is who saints are by nature, children of wrath, even as the rest. It is by grace alone that we know God and love Him. He created that love within us when there was nothing in us but contempt. We love Him because He first loved us. O God, glorious is Your name and magnificent Your Grace. All praise and glory and honor belong to You, for You save Your people from their sin and lead them in the paths of righteousness for Your namesake.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Awaiting Your Providences
J.A. Matteson
To whom do I turn for guidance? In what do I place my hope? "But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD, I say "'You are my God'" (Ps. 31:14). The times and seasons of my life are in the hands of the LORD. Before there was yet a single day for me He knew of it beforehand. My hours and days are set before You as an architect, with precision You have accounted for my wanderings and have set the boundaries of my pursuits and habitations. Wonderful are your thoughts towards me and delightful are Your promises. Deliver me from foolishness and vain allegiance to idols. You are my sovereign, in You I have placed my trust and hope. As I consider what You have placed before me I marvel at Your wisdom. For what is man that He should attain to understand the incomprehensible ways of the LORD. Blessed are You, O God, forever wise and holy. Into Your love I enter, awaiting your providences that I might sing of Your praise and tell of Your wonders.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
To whom do I turn for guidance? In what do I place my hope? "But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD, I say "'You are my God'" (Ps. 31:14). The times and seasons of my life are in the hands of the LORD. Before there was yet a single day for me He knew of it beforehand. My hours and days are set before You as an architect, with precision You have accounted for my wanderings and have set the boundaries of my pursuits and habitations. Wonderful are your thoughts towards me and delightful are Your promises. Deliver me from foolishness and vain allegiance to idols. You are my sovereign, in You I have placed my trust and hope. As I consider what You have placed before me I marvel at Your wisdom. For what is man that He should attain to understand the incomprehensible ways of the LORD. Blessed are You, O God, forever wise and holy. Into Your love I enter, awaiting your providences that I might sing of Your praise and tell of Your wonders.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
The LORD of Hosts Stands Ready
J.A. Matteson
To whom shall I turn amidst uncertainty? Is the counsel of men superior to that of the LORD? May it never be! "The words of the LORD are sure words: as silver tried in a furnace on earth, refined seven times" (Ps. 12:6). Why ask man the counsel of the LORD when He is waiting for you to inquire of Him directly? Why read of the encounters others have had with the LORD of Hosts when He stands ready to command His angels at your request? The words of men are imprecise and stained by sin; the word of the LORD is absolutely trustworthy. Better is one word from the LORD than ten thousand words from man. When He speaks His servant knows His voice and will not follow another. Satisfying are the words of the LORD, refreshing the soul and establishing gladness of heart. Confidence is the fruit of His word sewn in the heart. Joy is the state of mind to whom the word of the LORD is revealed. Blessed is the man who meditates upon the word of the LORD and obeys it.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
To whom shall I turn amidst uncertainty? Is the counsel of men superior to that of the LORD? May it never be! "The words of the LORD are sure words: as silver tried in a furnace on earth, refined seven times" (Ps. 12:6). Why ask man the counsel of the LORD when He is waiting for you to inquire of Him directly? Why read of the encounters others have had with the LORD of Hosts when He stands ready to command His angels at your request? The words of men are imprecise and stained by sin; the word of the LORD is absolutely trustworthy. Better is one word from the LORD than ten thousand words from man. When He speaks His servant knows His voice and will not follow another. Satisfying are the words of the LORD, refreshing the soul and establishing gladness of heart. Confidence is the fruit of His word sewn in the heart. Joy is the state of mind to whom the word of the LORD is revealed. Blessed is the man who meditates upon the word of the LORD and obeys it.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
His Lovingkindness
J.A.Matteson
Give thanks to the LORD when you awake for it is He who preserves you until the dawn. Surely the LORD is mindful of His servants and will bring to pass the good He intends for them; "I will cry to God Most High, to God who accomplishes all things for me" (Ps. 57:2). Whatsoever comes to pass is of the LORD. When evil visits me in the day of trouble the LORD knows about the matter beforehand and works His lovingkindness in it when I do not understand and am afraid. He hears my cry and knows my anxiety, I shall not waver but will put my trust in Him who delivers me from evil. On the day of blessing I will not forget the graciousness of the LORD toward His servant and will sing His praises in secret and before those who seek my harm. In plenty and in want my God accomplishes all things for my wellbeing. Marvelous is your love, oh God, high are your ways and beyond comprehension. I am but dust and as a vapor momentary. Your throne endures forever and into Your hand I commit my way. Glory and honor and praise clothe you as a robe. Holiness and justice are your crown. Be exalted, my LORD and my God, now and forever more.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Give thanks to the LORD when you awake for it is He who preserves you until the dawn. Surely the LORD is mindful of His servants and will bring to pass the good He intends for them; "I will cry to God Most High, to God who accomplishes all things for me" (Ps. 57:2). Whatsoever comes to pass is of the LORD. When evil visits me in the day of trouble the LORD knows about the matter beforehand and works His lovingkindness in it when I do not understand and am afraid. He hears my cry and knows my anxiety, I shall not waver but will put my trust in Him who delivers me from evil. On the day of blessing I will not forget the graciousness of the LORD toward His servant and will sing His praises in secret and before those who seek my harm. In plenty and in want my God accomplishes all things for my wellbeing. Marvelous is your love, oh God, high are your ways and beyond comprehension. I am but dust and as a vapor momentary. Your throne endures forever and into Your hand I commit my way. Glory and honor and praise clothe you as a robe. Holiness and justice are your crown. Be exalted, my LORD and my God, now and forever more.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
American Decline and it's Spiritual Roots
J.A. Matteson
The decline of America is not foremost rooted in destructive economic policy, rather it is rooted in a spiritual decline that has inverted the idea of freedom. No longer do men yearn to be free in order that they may be responsible to develop their own God given talents and fortunes. Instead they desire to be free from individual responsibility and demand that society take care of them. This is a spiritual malignancy. This is the root of socialism. John Adams stated in 1798 that "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." The economic ills besetting the United States today are in large measure the result of socialistic policies advanced by politicians pandering to an electorate demanding state solutions to their lot in life rather than assuming personal responsibility for their own destiny. America cannot be restored economically until and unless she is first restored spiritually.
The decline of America is not foremost rooted in destructive economic policy, rather it is rooted in a spiritual decline that has inverted the idea of freedom. No longer do men yearn to be free in order that they may be responsible to develop their own God given talents and fortunes. Instead they desire to be free from individual responsibility and demand that society take care of them. This is a spiritual malignancy. This is the root of socialism. John Adams stated in 1798 that "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." The economic ills besetting the United States today are in large measure the result of socialistic policies advanced by politicians pandering to an electorate demanding state solutions to their lot in life rather than assuming personal responsibility for their own destiny. America cannot be restored economically until and unless she is first restored spiritually.
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