J.A. Matteson
The power of prayer and the prayer of power is in its object, Jesus Christ. "Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace...." (Heb. 4:16). Believer, You heard His voice in the day He called you from darkness to light. Are you hearing Him today? Are you weak?, He is strong. Are you uncertain?, He is wisdom. Are you fearful?, He is faithful. The throne of grace, what is it and where might you find it? Abraham found it while gazing into the night sky as he considered his posterity would be as the stars. Moses found it on Mt. Sinai in the presence of a bush burning that was not consumed. Jacob found it while slumbering under a canopy of stars where a ladder from heaven descended to earth. Peter, James, and John found it on the holy mount as Jesus was transfigured before them. John found it on the isle of Patmos through the vision of the revelation of Jesus Christ. And the time would fail us to numerate an exhaustive list of additional saints who, by faith, approached the throne of grace. The throne is the presence, mercy, empowerment, love, faith, rest, and joy of the Lord, given to His children as an earnest and foreshadow of the glory to come. The throne is found anywhere and anytime believers cry out to Him, "Abba Father!" As Jesus revealed to the Samaritan women at the well the throne of grace is not locational, it is found by all who by faith come to Jesus Christ in worship to exalt Him in spirit and truth. It is there He exchanges our fears for His power, our weakness for His faithfulness, our confusion for His wisdom. Today if you hear His voice come at once without delay.
Copyright (c) 2014 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever.") Isa. 40:8
Friday, November 7, 2014
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Unstable Souls
J.A. Matteson
With great charity and grace leaders in the church are to bear with and correct those who oppose sound doctrine, to the extent that their opposition is of ignorance accompanied with a teachable spirit. By contrast those opposed to sound doctrine with a strong spiritual undercurrent of malice are to avoided. "Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching" (2 Tim. 4:15). These are tares amidst the wheat, self condemned, heaping up for themselves judgement in the day of God's wrath. Blind and deaf to spiritual truth they are unstable souls, forever learning but never coming to the truth which is the Word of God preserved in Scripture. Pulling together their spiritual understandings from every corner of human wisdom they are tossed to and fro, ships in the harbor without anchor drifting about, unsettled souls who agitate the peace of others by the heresies they confidentiality proclaim as divine truth. Undisciplined, unrepentant, unwilling to submit to sound doctrine they viciously undermine the tireless work of God's workers in sewing, watering, and reaping the word of life. Therefore, take note of them, mark them, avoid them, as they were appointed for the just retribution to be delivered upon the unjust according to the righteous fury of the LORD.
Copyright (c) 2014 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever.") Isa. 40:8
With great charity and grace leaders in the church are to bear with and correct those who oppose sound doctrine, to the extent that their opposition is of ignorance accompanied with a teachable spirit. By contrast those opposed to sound doctrine with a strong spiritual undercurrent of malice are to avoided. "Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching" (2 Tim. 4:15). These are tares amidst the wheat, self condemned, heaping up for themselves judgement in the day of God's wrath. Blind and deaf to spiritual truth they are unstable souls, forever learning but never coming to the truth which is the Word of God preserved in Scripture. Pulling together their spiritual understandings from every corner of human wisdom they are tossed to and fro, ships in the harbor without anchor drifting about, unsettled souls who agitate the peace of others by the heresies they confidentiality proclaim as divine truth. Undisciplined, unrepentant, unwilling to submit to sound doctrine they viciously undermine the tireless work of God's workers in sewing, watering, and reaping the word of life. Therefore, take note of them, mark them, avoid them, as they were appointed for the just retribution to be delivered upon the unjust according to the righteous fury of the LORD.
Copyright (c) 2014 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever.") Isa. 40:8
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Kindred Spirits
J.A. Matteson
Had the excellencies of God's mercy in our personal redemption and the hope of His calling been the limit of His grace, it would be immeasurably beyond what we deserve; that being hell. Notwithstanding the glorious sweetness of His fellowship, the LORD has further blessed His saints with the company of hearts and minds of like affection, kindred spirits saved by grace, growing from faith to faith, looking to the blessed hope of His return and deliverance. "We give thanks to God always for all of you...." (1Thess. 1:2). In His eternal goodness the LORD has providentially placed in our lives shadows of His essence, reflections of His kindness, echos of His radiance, as brought forth by the fruit of His Spirit in the lives of the saints around us, to encourage, strengthen, and yes, when needed, lovingly rebuke. What a ghastly place this fallen world would be without them, if in solitude we were to tread our pilgrims path! It is fitting and proper, therefore, that in remembrance of these gifts from heaven we give thanks to the LORD on High, Jesus Christ our Redeemer, by whom and through whom we can do all things, by His power that works in us, and in the saints of His choosing who are dear to us.
Copyright (c) 2014 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever."). Isa. 40:8
Had the excellencies of God's mercy in our personal redemption and the hope of His calling been the limit of His grace, it would be immeasurably beyond what we deserve; that being hell. Notwithstanding the glorious sweetness of His fellowship, the LORD has further blessed His saints with the company of hearts and minds of like affection, kindred spirits saved by grace, growing from faith to faith, looking to the blessed hope of His return and deliverance. "We give thanks to God always for all of you...." (1Thess. 1:2). In His eternal goodness the LORD has providentially placed in our lives shadows of His essence, reflections of His kindness, echos of His radiance, as brought forth by the fruit of His Spirit in the lives of the saints around us, to encourage, strengthen, and yes, when needed, lovingly rebuke. What a ghastly place this fallen world would be without them, if in solitude we were to tread our pilgrims path! It is fitting and proper, therefore, that in remembrance of these gifts from heaven we give thanks to the LORD on High, Jesus Christ our Redeemer, by whom and through whom we can do all things, by His power that works in us, and in the saints of His choosing who are dear to us.
Copyright (c) 2014 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever."). Isa. 40:8
Sunday, October 5, 2014
In All Things
J.A. Matteson
Has it occurred to you that your circumstance is ordained by God in order that you might bear witness to the gospel?
"...knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel" (Phil. 1:16). We go along our way day to day with grandiose ideas of how we will glorify God. The LORD will have none of that; rather, He raises up refining stones to buffet our sense of order, challenging our misguided delusion of personal sovereignty. Know this: within every high and low the LORD is in the midst. Amongst every travail and victory He is there. As the LORD sets in motion the heavenly bodies, guiding their paths according to the good pleasure of His will, does He not in like manner guide you daily course by His hand of providence? Indeed, He does, and for His glory and your sanctification. In all things, pleasant and distressful, know that He has appointed you for each occasion for the defense of the gospel. Let the fruit of His spirit burst forth from your mouth in praise as His grace gives you utterance.
Copyright (c) 2014 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever.") Isa. 40:8
Has it occurred to you that your circumstance is ordained by God in order that you might bear witness to the gospel?
"...knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel" (Phil. 1:16). We go along our way day to day with grandiose ideas of how we will glorify God. The LORD will have none of that; rather, He raises up refining stones to buffet our sense of order, challenging our misguided delusion of personal sovereignty. Know this: within every high and low the LORD is in the midst. Amongst every travail and victory He is there. As the LORD sets in motion the heavenly bodies, guiding their paths according to the good pleasure of His will, does He not in like manner guide you daily course by His hand of providence? Indeed, He does, and for His glory and your sanctification. In all things, pleasant and distressful, know that He has appointed you for each occasion for the defense of the gospel. Let the fruit of His spirit burst forth from your mouth in praise as His grace gives you utterance.
Copyright (c) 2014 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever.") Isa. 40:8
Monday, September 8, 2014
Planted Firmly
J.A. Matteson
How may we know our path is acceptable and pleasing to the LORD? "Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life" (Prv. 4:23). Listen to the words from your mouth, do they dispense blessing or bitterness? Inspect the meditations of your heart, are they inclinations of trust in God or doubt? From the heart we may examine the the condition of our soul, all pretense is gone before the eyes of Him with whom we will give an account. The word of God reveals the state of the inner man. Confronted with sin he either confesses it and repents or hardens his heart by turning away to his own harm. Goodness, thankfulness, hope, mercy, faith, truth, gentleness, these are the things which spring forth from the wellspring of a heart dwelling in the shadow of the Almighty. The presence of the antithesis of these things indicates we have wandered from the straight and narrow way of life. Forsake the way of death and return to the path of life. Humble yourself before the mighty king of glory and He will lift you up and establish you as a firmly planted tree beside refreshing waters, whose leaf shall never wither and whose fruit will forever endure.
Copyright (c) 2014 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever."). Isa. 40:8
How may we know our path is acceptable and pleasing to the LORD? "Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life" (Prv. 4:23). Listen to the words from your mouth, do they dispense blessing or bitterness? Inspect the meditations of your heart, are they inclinations of trust in God or doubt? From the heart we may examine the the condition of our soul, all pretense is gone before the eyes of Him with whom we will give an account. The word of God reveals the state of the inner man. Confronted with sin he either confesses it and repents or hardens his heart by turning away to his own harm. Goodness, thankfulness, hope, mercy, faith, truth, gentleness, these are the things which spring forth from the wellspring of a heart dwelling in the shadow of the Almighty. The presence of the antithesis of these things indicates we have wandered from the straight and narrow way of life. Forsake the way of death and return to the path of life. Humble yourself before the mighty king of glory and He will lift you up and establish you as a firmly planted tree beside refreshing waters, whose leaf shall never wither and whose fruit will forever endure.
Copyright (c) 2014 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever."). Isa. 40:8
Monday, July 28, 2014
The Hand of the LORD
For a time the upper hand of the enemies of Israel may appear to prosper, but the hand of the LORD will, in due time, crush those committed to the harm of His chosen ones. "Those who contend with you will be as nothing and will perish" (Isaiah 41:11). Bleak as the darkness of a moonless night, silent as the grave, cold as the heart of the man of wicked intent, all is temporal. The brilliance of the moon will again shine forth, dispersing the gloom of night. The inhabitants of the grave will leap forth with joy. Mercy, goodwill and compassion will replace the unbelieving heart of stone, hoping in Him who opens blind eyes and unstops deaf ears. The times and seasons of God's mercy and wrath belong to Him; who can counsel or direct Him? It is He who governs he affairs of men and who fights for the ones in whom His soul delights. Foolish are the enemies of Israel who boast in the conquest of their habitation, who delight in idols, profaning the name of the living God, even the Holy One of Israel. His vindication is swift, who can escape from the terror if His fury? But those who trust in the name of LORD most high will never be disappointed, even Jacob, with the righteous inhabitants of Israel, in whom His soul delights.
Copyright 2014 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever.") Isa. 40:8
Copyright 2014 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever.") Isa. 40:8
Thursday, July 17, 2014
In Times of Turmoil
J.A. matteson
On any particular day and in times of turmoil this is one truth satan presses to have you doubt or forget. "The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all" (Ps. 103:19). In every disappointment, God rules over it. In moments of weakness, when temptations abound, the LORD is sovereign over them. During sickness and confusion God is calmly controlling all things from the throne of His grace. When you are maligned and unjustly accused, Jesus Christ is your advocate, ruling the universe with truth and righteousness. His ways are higher than the heavens and His thoughts beyond the farthest points of light. Nothing comes to pass apart from His sovereign will. Whether light or darkness describe your circumstances the LORD Almighty is King, being well pleased with all who place their hope and trust in Him. You may not know why, but you know Who. Give honor and glory to the King of glory, let the nations tremble before the throne of His righteousness. Firmly in His right hand are the saints of His choosing, whose redemption is secure by the power of His love.
Copyright © 2014 Immutable Word Ministries ("…the word of our God stands forever.") Isa. 40:8
On any particular day and in times of turmoil this is one truth satan presses to have you doubt or forget. "The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all" (Ps. 103:19). In every disappointment, God rules over it. In moments of weakness, when temptations abound, the LORD is sovereign over them. During sickness and confusion God is calmly controlling all things from the throne of His grace. When you are maligned and unjustly accused, Jesus Christ is your advocate, ruling the universe with truth and righteousness. His ways are higher than the heavens and His thoughts beyond the farthest points of light. Nothing comes to pass apart from His sovereign will. Whether light or darkness describe your circumstances the LORD Almighty is King, being well pleased with all who place their hope and trust in Him. You may not know why, but you know Who. Give honor and glory to the King of glory, let the nations tremble before the throne of His righteousness. Firmly in His right hand are the saints of His choosing, whose redemption is secure by the power of His love.
Copyright © 2014 Immutable Word Ministries ("…the word of our God stands forever.") Isa. 40:8
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