Cornerstone of My Foundation

"Cornerstone"

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus name

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus name

Christ alone; cornerstone
Weak made strong; in the Saviour's love
Through the storm, He is Lord
Lord of all

When Darkness seems to hide His face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
My anchor holds within the veil

Christ alone; cornerstone
Weak made strong; in the Saviour's love
Through the storm, He is Lord
Lord of all
He is Lord
Lord of all

Christ alone
Christ alone; cornerstone
Weak made strong; in the Saviour's love
Through the storm, He is Lord
Lord of all

Christ alone; cornerstone
Weak made strong; in the Saviour's love
Through the storm, He is Lord
Lord of all

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless stand before the throne.

Life is Christ

"For me, to live is Christ; to die is gain."  Phil. 1:21

Just  began reading John Piper's book, Don't Waste Your Life.  Pure wisdom.  Some truths to reflect upon:

• Newness is no virtue, and oldness is no vice.
• Nothing is inferior for being old, and nothing is valuable for being modern.
• There are daily wonders that will waken worship if I open my eyes.
• For Piper, the ethical question of what is permissible faded in relation to the question - what is the main thing - the essential main thing... to understand the main thing in life and to pursue it rather than waste energy on the minimal permissibles.
• Treasuring life above Christ is a tragedy. Treasuring anything or anyone above Christ is a tragedy (idolatry).
• There is the Creator and there is creation. Creation will not find meaning outside of the Creator; creation will only find purposeless... dullness... emptiness... outside of who/what it was created to be.
• Existentialism is very much like today's post-modernism.
• If you live gladly to make others glad in God, your life will be hard, your risks will be high, and your joy will be full.
• You have one life. Live to make others glad in God. Be glad in God amidst all circumstances. Let your joy be complete in pursuing Christ above all.

Reminds me of MW Smith's song, "Above All"

.

Above all powers
Above all kings
Above all nature
And all created things
Above all wisdom
And all the ways of man
You were here
Before the world began

Above all kingdoms
Above all thrones
Above all wonders
The world has ever known
Above all wealth
And treasures of the earth
There's no way to measure
What You're worth


1 Corinthians Chapter 1: (WTs)

I am...

• "sanctified
• called to be holy
• enriched in every way (speaking, knowledge) in Him
• full of his grace
• God's testimony confirmed
• not lacking any spiritual gift
• eagerly awaiting my Lord Jesus to be revealed, together with all the saints
• strong to the end
• blameless on the day of Christ
• in fellowship with his Son Jesus
• not going to cause divisions
• called to preach, not with human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power
• one who boasts only in the Lord..."

God, you are good.

Give me wisdom to be one who partakes in what you would partake, Jesus. Give me wisdom to keep my eyes on you and not self or on your creation. Help me to keep my gaze on the Creator. Give me self-control in weary days. When I am weak, help me to be wise instead of fleshly. Empower me to walk in your ways and not my own. Open my eyes to see your hand and your gifts in the mundane. Help me to take care of what you have given me, including my health and wellness, and worship Jesus in the midst of any circumstance given. The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh away. You are sovereign in all ways. You are my light and my salvation. In me, there is only darkness if you are not there. Fill me with you, Jesus. Shine the darkness out of my soul. Cover me by the blood of the lamb and raise my spirit in Him. Amen.

 

To Be Trusted

Memorize: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” (Isaiah 43:1-3, NIV)

Simple Truths

• I have been summoned.
• God is always with me in every circumstance.
• The flames cannot burn me in any trial.
• Rivers may go through me but will not sweep over me.
• God is the Holy God of Israel. He is perfect and true. He is to be trusted. 

Fear, Worry - Robs Us of Joy

Phil. 4:4- Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say rejoice. Let your gentleness be evident to all.

Simple Truths-

• Worry makes everything seem bigger than it is.
• Nothing robs us more of joy than worry, gossip, and talking to others about our worries. When there is no flame, the embers die out. Remember this daily.
• Practice joy. It is a discipline. Take delight and be glad.
• Happiness is a cheap imitation of joy. God does not call us to be happy.
• Joy is a deeply rooted confidence that God is in control.
• John 15:10-11 "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.  I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."
• We cannot avoid pain, but we can avoid joy because joy is the harvest of a life that consistently pursues God and insists on seeking His truth, longing to obey that truth.  The pursuit of joy is a matter of choice and perspective. -Mary Southerland
• Memorize Psalm 27:3 -"Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident." 
• Examine the consequences of fear and of worry in my life and hold each one up against the promise of this verse. 

------------------------

Southerland's prayer:

Father, I do not want to live this year at the mercy of fear. Right now, I surrender my heart and mind to You. Please give me a hunger and thirst for Your Word as I seek Your will for my life. When I am afraid, give me the strength to trust in You. When the darkness comes, show me Your Light. Help me to choose joy - even when I don't understand or like my circumstances. I want to be full of faith, God, and honor You by the peace that fills my life.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

 

Control my Thoughts- Trust in Jesus

Personal Life: Your Thoughts a Sanctuary

AW Tozer

For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."—Isaiah 57:15

I have been thinking recently about how important my thoughts are. I don't have to do wrong to get under blistering conviction and repent. I can lose the fellowship of God and sense of His presence and a sense of spirituality by just thinking wrong. God has been saying to me, "I dwell in your thoughts. Make your thoughts a sanctuary in which I can dwell. See to it." You can't do anything with your heart—that is too deep—but you can control your thoughts....

Your theology is your foundation. The superstructure is your spiritual experience built on that foundation. But the high bell towers where the carillons are—those are your thoughts. And if you keep those thoughts pure the chimes can be heard ringing out "Holy, Holy, Holy" on the morning air.
Make your thoughts a sanctuary God can inhabit, and don't let any of the rest of your life dishonor God. See to it that not a foot of ground is unholy. See to it that every hour and every place is given over to God, and you will worship Him and He will accept it. Tozer on Worship and Entertainment, 10-11.

"May my thoughts be a sanctuary this morning, Father, where You can dwell comfortably. Amen."

WTs...
Love this! I am convicted. Forgive me, God, of my complaining heart. Help me to discipline my thoughts to be pure. Help me to discipline my thoughts to be pleasing to you so that you may dwell there. Help me so that none of my life dishonors you, God. Help me to give every hour and every place over to you, so I may worship you. That is our life's purpose, Lord. To glorify you. Forgive my pride. I think I know better, and I take offense when my thoughts are not heard, but let me just voice them to you. You hear me. Help me to bring glory to you in the station I am in. Take away my critical spirit. Make me clean and whole today, God. Amen.

Make me strong to trust you.
Make me strong within.
Make me willing to suffer.
Change these bonds of sin



"Tis so Sweet"

Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know "Thus saith the Lord"

####Chorus:

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I've proved Himo'er and o'er!
jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!

O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
Just in simple faith to plunge me
"Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

####

Yes, 'tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.

####

I'm so glad I learned to trust Him,
Precious Jesus, saviour, friend;
And I know that He is with me,
Will be with me to the end.

Psalm 20 / Proverbs 20 / Jan. 20th - WAIT ON GOD

WTs
1. Victory is from God. Pray.
2. Trust in God alone. He is my ROCK. Not people or establishments.
3. Lay my requests before Him alone. Not others. Quiet my spirit before others.

 

 

Psalm 20^[a]

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

¹ May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;
    may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
² May he send you help from the sanctuary
    and grant you support from Zion.
³ May he remember all your sacrifices
    and accept your burnt offerings.^[b]
4 May he give you the desire of your heart
    and make all your plans succeed.
⁵ May we shout for joy over your victory
    and lift up our banners in the name of our God.

May the Lord grant all your requests.

⁶ Now this I know:
    The Lord gives victory to his anointed.
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary
    with the victorious power of his right hand.
⁷ Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
    but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
⁸ They are brought to their knees and fall,
    but we rise up and stand firm.
⁹ Lord, give victory to the king!
    Answer us when we call!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WTs

1. Avoid strife and quarrels. A fool is quick to quarrel.
2. Be faithful. Be upright and blameless.
3. Love and faithfulness make one's place secure.
4. WAIT FOR THE LORD.

Proverbs 20

New International Version (NIV)

20 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler;
    whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

² A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion;
    those who anger him forfeit their lives.

³ It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,
    but every fool is quick to quarrel.

⁴ Sluggards do not plow in season;
    so at harvest time they look but find nothing.

⁵ The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,
    but one who has insight draws them out.

⁶ Many claim to have unfailing love,
    but a faithful person who can find?

⁷ The righteous lead blameless lives;
    blessed are their children after them.

⁸ When a king sits on his throne to judge,
    he winnows out all evil with his eyes.

⁹ Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;
    I am clean and without sin”?

¹⁰ Differing weights and differing measures—
    the Lord detests them both.

¹¹ Even small children are known by their actions,
    so is their conduct really pure and upright?

¹² Ears that hear and eyes that see—
    the Lord has made them both.

¹³ Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;
    stay awake and you will have food to spare.

¹⁴ “It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer—
    then goes off and boasts about the purchase.

¹⁵ Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,
    but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.

¹⁶ Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
    hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.

¹⁷ Food gained by fraud tastes sweet,
    but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.

¹⁸ Plans are established by seeking advice;
    so if you wage war, obtain guidance.

¹⁹ A gossip betrays a confidence;
    so avoid anyone who talks too much.

²⁰ If someone curses their father or mother,
    their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.

²¹ An inheritance claimed too soon
    will not be blessed at the end.

²² Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!”
    Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.

²³ The Lord detests differing weights,
    and dishonest scales do not please him.

²⁴ A person’s steps are directed by the Lord.
    How then can anyone understand their own way?

²⁵ It is a trap to dedicate something rashly
    and only later to consider one’s vows.

²⁶ A wise king winnows out the wicked;
    he drives the threshing wheel over them.

²⁷ The human spirit is^[a] the lamp of the Lord
    that sheds light on one’s inmost being.

²⁸ Love and faithfulness keep a king safe;
    through love his throne is made secure.

²⁹ The glory of young men is their strength,
    gray hair the splendor of the old.

³⁰ Blows and wounds scrub away evil,
    and beatings purge the inmost being.

 

 

 

The Fear of the Lord is Clean, Enduring Forever

WTs-
1. Focus on God and His Word. It is perfect and revives the soul.
2. His commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes.
3. The fear of THE LORD is clean, enduring forever.
4. Desire his rules more than fine gold. They are true, righteous, sweeter than honey.
5. In keeping His Word, there is great reward. By  his words, I am warned.


Psalm 19:7-11

 The law of the LORD is perfect,
  reviving the soul;
 the testimony of the LORD is sure,
  making wise the simple;
 the precepts of the LORD are right,
  rejoicing the heart;
 the commandment of the LORD is pure,
  enlightening the eyes;
 the fear of the LORD is clean,
  enduring forever;
 the rules of the LORD are true,
  and righteous altogether.
 More to be desired are they than gold,
  even much fine gold;
 sweeter also than honey
  and drippings of the honeycomb.
 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
  in keeping them there is great reward.
(Psalm 19:7-11 ESV)