A Work in Progress
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Philippians 1:6
We serve such a gracious and merciful God. So often I am reminded of Lamentations 3:21-23:
This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
What would or could I do if it were not for His renewed compassions and mercies! It totally befuddles me as to why God would want to spend time with me. I fail Him, yet He lifts me up from the miry clay and sets my feet upon a rock, and that Rock is Christ!
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. Psalms 40:2
And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.1Corinthians 10:4
The following text is one of the greatest I have ever read on God and His attributes as it does an incredible job of summing up so much about Him. It is humbling yet encouraging. Mind boggling, yet so simple.
God Is
Try to top this!
He is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End!
He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!
He is the Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times.
He always was, He always is, and He always will be…
Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!
He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom!
He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings Peace!
The world can’t understand him,
The armies can’t defeat Him,
The schools can’t explain Him, and
The leaders can’t ignore Him.
Herod couldn’t kill Him,
The Pharisees couldn’t confuse Him, and
The people couldn’t hold Him!
Nero couldn’t crush Him, Hitler couldn’t silence Him,
The New Age can’t replace Him,
and Donahue can’t explain Him away!
He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
He is Goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God.
He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.
His ways are right, His word is eternal,
His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me!
He is my Redeemer, He is my Savior,
He is my Guide, and He is my Peace!
He is my Joy, He is my Comfort,
He is my Lord, and He rules my life!
I serve Him because
His bond is love, His burden is light,
and His goal for me is abundant life.
I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise,
the power of the powerful, the ancient of days,
the ruler of rulers, the leader of leaders,
the overseer of the overcomers,
and the sovereign Lord of all that was and is and is to come.
And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size:
His goal is a relationship with ME!
He will never leave me, never forsake me, never mislead me,
never forget me, never overlook me,
and never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!
When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me Home!
He is everything for everybody,
Everywhere, every time, and every way.
He is God, He is faithful. I am His, and He is mine!
My Father in heaven can whip the father of this world.
So, if you’re wondering why I feel so secure, understand this…
He said it and that settles it.
God is in control, I am on His side, and
that means all is well with my soul.
Every day is a blessing, for
GOD Is!
By – Mike Hilson for Vista Magazine
In the beginning God…
Genesis 1:1
* * * * * * *
After reading this, the main thing that stuck out to me was: His goal is a relationship with ME!
Me? Why me? Why would the Creator of all want to have a relationship with me? As the Bible clearly teaches, it’s not because I’m anything special or sinless, far from that, but it’s just because of who God is! God chooses to work in my life.
The lesson’s verse:
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Philippians 1:6
has been one of my greatest comforts. God is still working on me! God doesn’t do a slip shod job! He that began a good work in my life WILL PERFORM IT, will fulfill it, will finish it!!
And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. Romans 4:21
This child’s song that many are familiar with really gives a smile.
* * * * * * * *
He’s Still Working on Me!
CHORUS:
He’s still working on me,
To make me what I ought to be.
It took Him just a week to make the moon and the stars,
The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars.
How loving and patient He must be,
He’s still working on me!
VERSE 1:
There really ought to be a sign upon my heart,
“Don’t judge me yet, there’s an unfinished part.”
But I’ll be perfect, just according to His plan,
Fashioned by the Master’s loving hand.
(REPEAT CHORUS)
VERSE 2:
In the mirror of His Word, reflections that I see
Make me wonder why He never gave up on me.
He loves me as I am, and helps me when I pray,
Remember He’s the Potter, I’m the clay.
(REPEAT CHORUS)
© 1980 by Hemphill Music Company/BMI. All rights reserved.
WORDS & MUSIC: Joel Hemphill
* * * * * * * * * *
Have you stumbled in your Christian life and let Satan get you discouraged, thinking God cannot, does not want to use you? Yet…
“A just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again:” Proverbs 24:16
If you are God’ child, He has a special plan and purpose for your life. If you seek Him, He WILL be found, and He will reveal His plan to you. Just like the potter molding the clay, God will take you and mold you to make a vessel fit for The Master’s use.
We may falter, stumble, and even fall flat on our faces, but what a blessing to know that our loving, Heavenly Father is waiting for us to…
“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. Psalms 121:1
…so that He can lift us up again.
I’ll close this lesson off with a song our daughters’ and I sang a few months back. What a blessing to see God’s working in our family’s life. I certainly wasn’t singing this kind of song at their age! Praise His Holy Name! We are a work in progress!
Angela Trenholm
May 1st, 2006
Vessels Unto Honour
In a great house, there are vessels
Some of wood and some of clay
There are great ones and small ones
You can choose the ones you may.
Some for service, some for beauty,
Others bear refreshing wine.
Lord I care not how you use me,
Please just hear this prayer of mine.
Chorus:
Make me a vessel unto honour
The fame of this world, I refuse
Sanctify me, cleanse me and fill me
Meet for the Master’s own use.
Lord, my vessel is empty
It is purged from dross and sin
By your precious blood on Calvary,
It has cleansed me now within.
Tho’ unworthy for Your service,
Yet Your grace is mine today.
So, I offer You my vessel
For your use and this I pray.
Chorus:
Make me a vessel unto honour
The fame of this world, I refuse
Sanctify me, cleanse me and fill me
Yes, I’ll me meet, for the Master’s own use.
Words and Music by Julia Montoro
Arr. By Rachel Walker
Available through The Marshall Family
http://www.johnmarshallfamily.com/