Carli • Saved by Grace
06.05.202522:50
06.05.202521:28
Oh That I Had Wings Like A Dove
David is the author of Psalm 55, and he bemoans the shocking fact that his own familiar friend, whom he loved and trusted, betrayed him. A trusted companion, with whom David had enjoyed hours of sweet fellowship turned on him and was unimaginably disloyal. David and his bosom companion had spent much time together, in one another's company. They had communed together, fellowshiped together, and walked together in the house of God. No wonder David's heart was in such anguish.
It was not simply a difference of opinion that cause these two friends to go their separate ways. It was not life's circumstances that had caused them to be detached from the close bond that had anchored them together in spirit. This was not a parting of the ways, due to the ebb and flow of life, that so often happens when circumstances dictate that two kindred spirits are separated from one another.
This was a deliberate, premeditated betrayal of a trusted friend, that caused David to cry out, "My heart is in anguish within me. The terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fear and trembling has come upon me. Horror has overwhelmed me." It is no surprise that David cried out in great dismay and deep distress, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest."
This man of God longed that he could escape the terrible situation and distressing betrayal of his beloved friend. So shocking was this soul~mate's disloyalty that David would have fled to the desert to find solace. I wonder if David's thoughts travelled back to the wilderness wanderings of the children of Israel, when God provided the comfort and strength his forefathers needed, as they trudged around the desert for 40 years.
I wonder if his thoughts travelled back to the ark of Noah, after the grueling experience of the flood, when a little dove was released through the window of the ark and was the only bird that brought comfort and hope back to Noah and his family, as they waited for the waters of judgement to subside. Perhaps David's mind retreated to the sacrificial offering of two turtledoves that Israel was commanded to perform, on certain high days and holy days.
I wonder if David considered the dove as a symbol of peace, as he reflected on the Spirit of God, Who brooded over the dark waters, in the beginning, and brought order out of chaos... as God spoke the world into being and sustained His creation by the might of His power. I wonder if David had an understanding that the dove would become the most familiar symbol of God's sustaining power, grace, and comfort in the body of Christ.. or if at that moment he simply saw a little dove, fluttering into his courtyard.
I wonder if David knew that the Psalm that he was writing was Messianic. I wonder if he knew it was a signpost that points us to Jesus, and His familiar friend and beloved disciple ~ Judas Iscariot, who would betray the Lord of Glory for thirty pieces of silver. I wonder if David knew that the Psalm he was writing in his deep distress would be a peculiar pointer to great David's greater Son ~ God's Anointed Saviour, Who would be despised and rejected of men ~ a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief ~ so that the fallen race of man could be redeemed by faith.
David wanted to run away from the dire circumstances that caused such deep despair. He wanted to flee far from the person who had caused him such anguish of heart. He wanted the horrors of life that surrounded him, at that time, to be removed far away... but David had to learn that you can't run away from the circumstances of life, you can't escape from those that would do you harm, you can't live in this world and be free from trials and tribulations, you can't fly away to a deserted place and be at rest, for we live in a fallen world, we inhabit a fallen body and we live among a fallen race of fallen creatures.
No! The only place to run is into the arms of Jesus. The only escape is to be positioned in Christ, by faith, and empowered by His Holy Spirit.
David is the author of Psalm 55, and he bemoans the shocking fact that his own familiar friend, whom he loved and trusted, betrayed him. A trusted companion, with whom David had enjoyed hours of sweet fellowship turned on him and was unimaginably disloyal. David and his bosom companion had spent much time together, in one another's company. They had communed together, fellowshiped together, and walked together in the house of God. No wonder David's heart was in such anguish.
It was not simply a difference of opinion that cause these two friends to go their separate ways. It was not life's circumstances that had caused them to be detached from the close bond that had anchored them together in spirit. This was not a parting of the ways, due to the ebb and flow of life, that so often happens when circumstances dictate that two kindred spirits are separated from one another.
This was a deliberate, premeditated betrayal of a trusted friend, that caused David to cry out, "My heart is in anguish within me. The terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fear and trembling has come upon me. Horror has overwhelmed me." It is no surprise that David cried out in great dismay and deep distress, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest."
This man of God longed that he could escape the terrible situation and distressing betrayal of his beloved friend. So shocking was this soul~mate's disloyalty that David would have fled to the desert to find solace. I wonder if David's thoughts travelled back to the wilderness wanderings of the children of Israel, when God provided the comfort and strength his forefathers needed, as they trudged around the desert for 40 years.
I wonder if his thoughts travelled back to the ark of Noah, after the grueling experience of the flood, when a little dove was released through the window of the ark and was the only bird that brought comfort and hope back to Noah and his family, as they waited for the waters of judgement to subside. Perhaps David's mind retreated to the sacrificial offering of two turtledoves that Israel was commanded to perform, on certain high days and holy days.
I wonder if David considered the dove as a symbol of peace, as he reflected on the Spirit of God, Who brooded over the dark waters, in the beginning, and brought order out of chaos... as God spoke the world into being and sustained His creation by the might of His power. I wonder if David had an understanding that the dove would become the most familiar symbol of God's sustaining power, grace, and comfort in the body of Christ.. or if at that moment he simply saw a little dove, fluttering into his courtyard.
I wonder if David knew that the Psalm that he was writing was Messianic. I wonder if he knew it was a signpost that points us to Jesus, and His familiar friend and beloved disciple ~ Judas Iscariot, who would betray the Lord of Glory for thirty pieces of silver. I wonder if David knew that the Psalm he was writing in his deep distress would be a peculiar pointer to great David's greater Son ~ God's Anointed Saviour, Who would be despised and rejected of men ~ a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief ~ so that the fallen race of man could be redeemed by faith.
David wanted to run away from the dire circumstances that caused such deep despair. He wanted to flee far from the person who had caused him such anguish of heart. He wanted the horrors of life that surrounded him, at that time, to be removed far away... but David had to learn that you can't run away from the circumstances of life, you can't escape from those that would do you harm, you can't live in this world and be free from trials and tribulations, you can't fly away to a deserted place and be at rest, for we live in a fallen world, we inhabit a fallen body and we live among a fallen race of fallen creatures.
No! The only place to run is into the arms of Jesus. The only escape is to be positioned in Christ, by faith, and empowered by His Holy Spirit.
05.05.202522:29
01.05.202522:21
30.04.202522:42
29.04.202521:12
06.05.202522:08
06.05.202521:28
05.05.202522:05
Christ ~ The Power & Wisdom Of God
Man cannot, through his own wisdom, knowledge, and learning, come to an understanding of the incredible significance of the Cross and the glorious plan of salvation which the Triune God purposed and planned in the eternal council chambers before the foundation of the world.
Man in the arrogance in his own prideful understanding, is increasingly dismissive of the Cross of Calvary, the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and the glorious gospel of grace, and yet it pleased God in the wisdom of His will, to demonstrate the power of God and the wisdom of God through His own crucified Son.
The Jews required a sign from God as proof of His trustworthiness, yet failed to understand that God is faithful and His Word is true. The Gentiles placed their faith in their own human wisdom, perceiving the Cross as a demonstration of God's weakness and His unwarranted failure.
And yet, there are those that hear the wonderful gospel of grace, receive it as trustworthy and true, and accept Christ as Redeemer, Saviour, Lord, and God, by grace through faith.
The Word of truth is equally for Jew and Gentile, male and female, young and old, rich and poor, and reaches out into every nation and race, every people and language, and every continent and clime, for God is no respecter of persons and whosoever will may come to the Cross of Calvary and be washed by the blood of the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world.
The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. And to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks (to those who have trusted Christ Jesus as Saviour, by grace through faith), Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
God bless you all.
Man cannot, through his own wisdom, knowledge, and learning, come to an understanding of the incredible significance of the Cross and the glorious plan of salvation which the Triune God purposed and planned in the eternal council chambers before the foundation of the world.
Man in the arrogance in his own prideful understanding, is increasingly dismissive of the Cross of Calvary, the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and the glorious gospel of grace, and yet it pleased God in the wisdom of His will, to demonstrate the power of God and the wisdom of God through His own crucified Son.
The Jews required a sign from God as proof of His trustworthiness, yet failed to understand that God is faithful and His Word is true. The Gentiles placed their faith in their own human wisdom, perceiving the Cross as a demonstration of God's weakness and His unwarranted failure.
And yet, there are those that hear the wonderful gospel of grace, receive it as trustworthy and true, and accept Christ as Redeemer, Saviour, Lord, and God, by grace through faith.
The Word of truth is equally for Jew and Gentile, male and female, young and old, rich and poor, and reaches out into every nation and race, every people and language, and every continent and clime, for God is no respecter of persons and whosoever will may come to the Cross of Calvary and be washed by the blood of the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world.
The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. And to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks (to those who have trusted Christ Jesus as Saviour, by grace through faith), Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
God bless you all.
01.05.202522:10
30.04.202522:42
29.04.202521:12
06.05.202522:08
05.05.202523:36
Қайта жіберілді:
Jesus is the way. Njlarsen
05.05.202500:09
Righteousness
By Chuck Missler
Philippians Ch 3
Session 5
By Chuck Missler
Philippians Ch 3
Session 5
01.05.202521:51
His Right Hand Embraces Me
The Bible is a book of redemption. It is the story of the Creator and His creation; it tells of the battle of the ages, but it also tells of an everlasting love story between Christ and His Church, the Bridegroom and His Bride ~ the Bride and her Beloved.
The Bride is being made beautiful for her Groom, for she has been chosen by the Father to be His child and joint~heir with His beloved Son. She has been stripped of her rags and clothed in the robes of Christ's righteousness. She glows with the reflected glory of the Son of God, and the fragrance of her perfumed graces has been poured out liberally over her head by the Spirit of all grace. She is also to be adorned with a crown of rejoicing and the eternal, incorruptible crown of glory which never fades away.
Today the Bride has little strength, but her joy and might is in the Lord. His left hand supports her head and keeps her from falling, for in Him she has the mind of Christ, and through Him she can do all things, for He is her succour and support and His grace is always sufficient. His right hand of love and grace tenderly embraces His Bride.
By Him His Bride has all things richly to enjoy, and He has promised never to leave or forsake her, but for now she must make herself ready as she passes through a world of pain and suffering, ever looking for the day when Her Bridegroom will come to claim her as His own. Christ loves the Church and gave Himself for her ~ but this is a great mystery.
Before the world was created, the plans of God for Christ and His Bride were formed in the Father~heart of the Creator. Christ's earthly ministry, His sacrificial gift on Calvary, the establishment of the Church, which is His Body, Her future role as Bride of the King in the coming kingdom of Christ, and her elevated position in the eternal ages to come "when she will show forth God’s gracious love to principalities and powers for evermore," were all part of God's eternal plan for her.
No wonder the Church has a special place in the heart of God.
God bless you all.
The Bible is a book of redemption. It is the story of the Creator and His creation; it tells of the battle of the ages, but it also tells of an everlasting love story between Christ and His Church, the Bridegroom and His Bride ~ the Bride and her Beloved.
The Bride is being made beautiful for her Groom, for she has been chosen by the Father to be His child and joint~heir with His beloved Son. She has been stripped of her rags and clothed in the robes of Christ's righteousness. She glows with the reflected glory of the Son of God, and the fragrance of her perfumed graces has been poured out liberally over her head by the Spirit of all grace. She is also to be adorned with a crown of rejoicing and the eternal, incorruptible crown of glory which never fades away.
Today the Bride has little strength, but her joy and might is in the Lord. His left hand supports her head and keeps her from falling, for in Him she has the mind of Christ, and through Him she can do all things, for He is her succour and support and His grace is always sufficient. His right hand of love and grace tenderly embraces His Bride.
By Him His Bride has all things richly to enjoy, and He has promised never to leave or forsake her, but for now she must make herself ready as she passes through a world of pain and suffering, ever looking for the day when Her Bridegroom will come to claim her as His own. Christ loves the Church and gave Himself for her ~ but this is a great mystery.
Before the world was created, the plans of God for Christ and His Bride were formed in the Father~heart of the Creator. Christ's earthly ministry, His sacrificial gift on Calvary, the establishment of the Church, which is His Body, Her future role as Bride of the King in the coming kingdom of Christ, and her elevated position in the eternal ages to come "when she will show forth God’s gracious love to principalities and powers for evermore," were all part of God's eternal plan for her.
No wonder the Church has a special place in the heart of God.
God bless you all.
30.04.202522:24
29.04.202521:12
06.05.202521:28
The only way to be at rest is to abide in Christ and to have Him abiding in us, every moment of the day ~ as we walk in spirit and truth, as we trust in the Lord with all our heart, as we keep self nailed to the cross, and as we die to self and live for Him.
God bless you all.
God bless you all.
05.05.202522:30
01.05.202522:21
30.04.202522:42
30.04.202522:16
Entrusted To Preach The Gospel
The book of Titus gives brief but thorough guidance on living a consecrated and virtuous Christian life that is holy to the Lord and displays grace and love to others. Titus was the man who was entrusted to teach, correct, and give guidance to the Christians in Crete, but Paul was the person who was entrusted by the Lord to reveal the truth of the gospel of grace to Titus, and to many in the early Gentile church.
In his letter to Titus, Paul lists the characteristics he should look for in Church elders and the qualities that should be encouraged in older men and women. He gives him advice on training and encouraging young people and children to fulfil their duty to God and their obligations to their parents, in their homes, families, and the wider Church community.
Paul addressed Titus as: "My true son in our common faith." Paul wanted to ensure that this young pastor stood firm on the Word of truth, and that he presented a good testimony of God's grace in his own life, while encouraging others to live righteously as well.
It is in the midst of his introductory salutations, but before he wrote his customary greeting: "Grace and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Saviour," that Paul seems unable to refrain from declaring, once again, the truth of the beautiful gospel of grace and the hope of eternal life which is given to all who trust in Jesus' name.
In his opening words, the apostle Paul expresses his joy for the faith Titus had in the gospel. He was overjoyed for all the saints of God who rejoice in a knowledge of the truth and whose life is consecrated to the Lord Jesus. Such a life, Paul reminds us, is underpinned and sustained by the hope of eternal life which is God's trustworthy promise to all who have faith in Him.
As Paul, the bond~servant of God and apostle of Jesus Christ, started to rejoice for the faith of Titus and those chosen by God and who know the truth, live godly lives, and trust in Him for their eternal salvation, he started to expand his thoughts about the Lord's amazing promise of salvation, which was made before the world began.
God's plan of redemption for fallen sinners was the promised 'hope' which would come through the sacrificial death and glorious Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was the Word made flesh. He was the incarnate Word of God Who was sent to earth at the appointed time to redeem mankind from their sin.
God promised long ago that by faith in Christ we would be declared righteous by God. Scripture told of His coming, giving man hope of eternal life. And Paul could hardly conceal his praise and thanksgiving that in God's own time and God's own way, the Son of God was revealed, the message of redemption was proclaimed, and Paul was entrusted to preach the precious gospel of grace, as commanded by Christ.
There is no greater hope and assurance that God's Word is true, for God cannot lie. And there is nothing more important than to live our lives in a way that honours the Lord and displays grace and love to others. The little book of Titus gives much guidance to pastors and people alike on the godly qualities and characteristics that should be manifest in the lives of all God's people.
God bless you all.
The book of Titus gives brief but thorough guidance on living a consecrated and virtuous Christian life that is holy to the Lord and displays grace and love to others. Titus was the man who was entrusted to teach, correct, and give guidance to the Christians in Crete, but Paul was the person who was entrusted by the Lord to reveal the truth of the gospel of grace to Titus, and to many in the early Gentile church.
In his letter to Titus, Paul lists the characteristics he should look for in Church elders and the qualities that should be encouraged in older men and women. He gives him advice on training and encouraging young people and children to fulfil their duty to God and their obligations to their parents, in their homes, families, and the wider Church community.
Paul addressed Titus as: "My true son in our common faith." Paul wanted to ensure that this young pastor stood firm on the Word of truth, and that he presented a good testimony of God's grace in his own life, while encouraging others to live righteously as well.
It is in the midst of his introductory salutations, but before he wrote his customary greeting: "Grace and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Saviour," that Paul seems unable to refrain from declaring, once again, the truth of the beautiful gospel of grace and the hope of eternal life which is given to all who trust in Jesus' name.
In his opening words, the apostle Paul expresses his joy for the faith Titus had in the gospel. He was overjoyed for all the saints of God who rejoice in a knowledge of the truth and whose life is consecrated to the Lord Jesus. Such a life, Paul reminds us, is underpinned and sustained by the hope of eternal life which is God's trustworthy promise to all who have faith in Him.
As Paul, the bond~servant of God and apostle of Jesus Christ, started to rejoice for the faith of Titus and those chosen by God and who know the truth, live godly lives, and trust in Him for their eternal salvation, he started to expand his thoughts about the Lord's amazing promise of salvation, which was made before the world began.
God's plan of redemption for fallen sinners was the promised 'hope' which would come through the sacrificial death and glorious Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was the Word made flesh. He was the incarnate Word of God Who was sent to earth at the appointed time to redeem mankind from their sin.
God promised long ago that by faith in Christ we would be declared righteous by God. Scripture told of His coming, giving man hope of eternal life. And Paul could hardly conceal his praise and thanksgiving that in God's own time and God's own way, the Son of God was revealed, the message of redemption was proclaimed, and Paul was entrusted to preach the precious gospel of grace, as commanded by Christ.
There is no greater hope and assurance that God's Word is true, for God cannot lie. And there is nothing more important than to live our lives in a way that honours the Lord and displays grace and love to others. The little book of Titus gives much guidance to pastors and people alike on the godly qualities and characteristics that should be manifest in the lives of all God's people.
God bless you all.
29.04.202520:47
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