J.A. Matteson
There comes a time when perpetual disobedience and willful resistance to correction triggers divine wrath. "Behold, the days are coming," declares The Lord God, "when I will send a famine on the land, not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, but rather for hearing the words of the LORD" (Amos 8:11). It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Discipline begins with the house of God. The scarcity of solid exegetical preaching from American pulpits bears testimony that judgement is not future, it has already arrived. Rather than hungering for a clear word from the LORD many ache to have their ears tickled. So the LORD grants what is requested and a famine of biblical exegetical preaching that nourishes the soul and directs the heart is the result. While there are pockets of solid preaching and teaching in the land, they are few. Oh LORD, look upon Your people with lovingkindness, and direct our hearts in the way pleasing in your sight, that the land may again be enriched by Your gracious word.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Friday, June 7, 2013
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Religion is Vile
J.A. Matteson
Religion is vile, and acts of piety void of righteousness are an abomination. "Did you present Me with sacrifices and grain offerings in the wilderness for forty years, O house of Israel?" (Amos 5:25). The LORD sits enthroned in heaven discerning the thoughts and intents of the heart. Appearances are deceiving, even the unskilled mariner appears competent on calm seas. The righteous shall live by faith, and the sacrifice they bring they offer continually, that of a humble spirit and contrite heart. In seasons of abundance they give thanks to God and dare not give glory to another. In scarcity the confession of their lips is the goodness and mercy of the LORD, who graciously bestows gifts upon men undeserving. In all things and at all times trust in the goodness of God and His wisdom is the righteous sacrifice pleasing in His sight.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Religion is vile, and acts of piety void of righteousness are an abomination. "Did you present Me with sacrifices and grain offerings in the wilderness for forty years, O house of Israel?" (Amos 5:25). The LORD sits enthroned in heaven discerning the thoughts and intents of the heart. Appearances are deceiving, even the unskilled mariner appears competent on calm seas. The righteous shall live by faith, and the sacrifice they bring they offer continually, that of a humble spirit and contrite heart. In seasons of abundance they give thanks to God and dare not give glory to another. In scarcity the confession of their lips is the goodness and mercy of the LORD, who graciously bestows gifts upon men undeserving. In all things and at all times trust in the goodness of God and His wisdom is the righteous sacrifice pleasing in His sight.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Sunday, June 2, 2013
The Burden of Leadership
J.A. Matteson
In time the apprentice is ready and the burden of leadership is transferred by one to another. "He also took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and returned and stood by the bank of the Jordan" (2 Kgs. 2:13). Reluctance in the apprentice is wisdom, fools aspire to high places, for the weight of leadership is a perpetual companion. Beware of those eager to assume leadership prematurely, let them first be tested. A man is in his heart that which comes from his lips. The apprentice is ready when the self awareness is present that apart from divine assistance he will fail. Humility in spirit is the common denominator of effective leaders. In the fullness of time the master departs, leaving the mantle of leadership to the apprentice to stoop down and pick up. Assuming the mantle the wise stand quietly before the LORD beseeching His grace and wisdom to guide and strengthen.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
In time the apprentice is ready and the burden of leadership is transferred by one to another. "He also took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and returned and stood by the bank of the Jordan" (2 Kgs. 2:13). Reluctance in the apprentice is wisdom, fools aspire to high places, for the weight of leadership is a perpetual companion. Beware of those eager to assume leadership prematurely, let them first be tested. A man is in his heart that which comes from his lips. The apprentice is ready when the self awareness is present that apart from divine assistance he will fail. Humility in spirit is the common denominator of effective leaders. In the fullness of time the master departs, leaving the mantle of leadership to the apprentice to stoop down and pick up. Assuming the mantle the wise stand quietly before the LORD beseeching His grace and wisdom to guide and strengthen.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Thursday, May 30, 2013
His Rule
J.A. Matteson
The LORD is in heaven and man is upon the earth, wisdom perceives His rule over all things pleasant and unpleasant. "Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity" (Job 2:10). The LORD works all things according to the good pleasure of His will. Silence follows earnest inquiries, and clouds obscure the suns brightness. God's sovereign majesty transcends that which remains, and in the day of sorrow He is near to uphold. Commit your way to the LORD and offer up the sacrifice of praise. Submit your plans to the mighty hand of God who directs all things for good to those who love Him. Blessed be the name of the LORD now and forever.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
The LORD is in heaven and man is upon the earth, wisdom perceives His rule over all things pleasant and unpleasant. "Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity" (Job 2:10). The LORD works all things according to the good pleasure of His will. Silence follows earnest inquiries, and clouds obscure the suns brightness. God's sovereign majesty transcends that which remains, and in the day of sorrow He is near to uphold. Commit your way to the LORD and offer up the sacrifice of praise. Submit your plans to the mighty hand of God who directs all things for good to those who love Him. Blessed be the name of the LORD now and forever.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
The Wise
J.A. Matteson
We loose the ones we love as autumn leaves are destined for the ground. "There is no lasting remembrance of the wise man as with the fool, inasmuch as in the coming days all will be forgotten. And how the wise man and the fool alike die!" (Ecc. 2:16). Striving for its own sake is folly, and enterprising pursuits eventually come to ruin. Nothing lasts, all things are but for a moment. That which is prized tarnishes. Those who are dear fade as the flower and are no more. Conversations and laughter echo as a dream and their sharp outlines fade in time. What consolation do generations have in a perishing and futile existence apart from knowing their Maker and fixing their hope on Him? The wise set their trust in Christ who will never leave not forsake them. The fool has said in his heart that there in no God, and so the LORD gives him the task of striving, to which their is no end and no lasting inheritance. Blessed are those who have set their hope in Christ, for they will stand in His glorious presence face to face as He wipes away every tear.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
We loose the ones we love as autumn leaves are destined for the ground. "There is no lasting remembrance of the wise man as with the fool, inasmuch as in the coming days all will be forgotten. And how the wise man and the fool alike die!" (Ecc. 2:16). Striving for its own sake is folly, and enterprising pursuits eventually come to ruin. Nothing lasts, all things are but for a moment. That which is prized tarnishes. Those who are dear fade as the flower and are no more. Conversations and laughter echo as a dream and their sharp outlines fade in time. What consolation do generations have in a perishing and futile existence apart from knowing their Maker and fixing their hope on Him? The wise set their trust in Christ who will never leave not forsake them. The fool has said in his heart that there in no God, and so the LORD gives him the task of striving, to which their is no end and no lasting inheritance. Blessed are those who have set their hope in Christ, for they will stand in His glorious presence face to face as He wipes away every tear.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Monday, May 13, 2013
In All Things
J.A. Matteson
The providence of the LORD establishes His purposes toward man, and outcomes contrary to His design are frustrated. "The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps" (Pv. 16:9). The LORD is sovereign and orchestrates events both great and small, and the sons of men cannot perceive His hand. The man who loves the LORD discerns His presence in all things and the utterance of his lips is praise continually to the glory of God. Commit your way to the LORD and rejoice in the providential working of His hand. The times and seasons of a mans life are ordained by the LORD. Blessed is the man who affirms God's sovereignty and rejoices in His wisdom.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
The providence of the LORD establishes His purposes toward man, and outcomes contrary to His design are frustrated. "The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps" (Pv. 16:9). The LORD is sovereign and orchestrates events both great and small, and the sons of men cannot perceive His hand. The man who loves the LORD discerns His presence in all things and the utterance of his lips is praise continually to the glory of God. Commit your way to the LORD and rejoice in the providential working of His hand. The times and seasons of a mans life are ordained by the LORD. Blessed is the man who affirms God's sovereignty and rejoices in His wisdom.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Thursday, May 9, 2013
His Mercies
J.A. Matteson
Delightful is the LORD and exceedingly valuable His mercies. "O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot" (Ps. 16:5). In You, O LORD, our hope is found, and in the stronghold of Your righteous our cause is upheld. Overflowing is the portion of goodness to those who reverence Your name. You observe the paths of the wicked and righteous, their ways are familiar to You. O LORD, consider my frame and extend to me loving kindness for Your names sake. You alone are my portion and delight, my soul will not be lifted up to another.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Delightful is the LORD and exceedingly valuable His mercies. "O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot" (Ps. 16:5). In You, O LORD, our hope is found, and in the stronghold of Your righteous our cause is upheld. Overflowing is the portion of goodness to those who reverence Your name. You observe the paths of the wicked and righteous, their ways are familiar to You. O LORD, consider my frame and extend to me loving kindness for Your names sake. You alone are my portion and delight, my soul will not be lifted up to another.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
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