Tag: July 2018

Know the Truth of Man’s Origin

Genesis 1:1In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Gen. 1:1 KJV)

26And God said,Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (Gen. 1:26-27 KJV)

When God made the universe, the earth was the focus! When God made the earth, man was the focus! Man was made to have dominion on all of God’s creation on earth. Man only, out of all of God’s creation, is specially made in the image of God. When we look at the human body and the world around us, we see the work of a Grand Designer, there are beauty and order in creation.

The earth and the planets in the solar system move in their designated orbit. The orderliness of the vast universe gives testimony to a great God as the Creator and Grand Designer!

(1) Now Thank We All Our God

– Revival Hymns and Chorus No. 27

This hymn of gratitude, often known as the Te Deum of Germany and England, was not written as a choral hymn, but as a grace to be sung before meals in the author’s home. In every stanza is the thought of Psalm 103:1-2, 4: “ Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name… and forget not all his benefits: Who redeemeth thy life from destruction…”

Devotion and Updates

We have begun studying the book of Proverbs both in our daily devotional guide and Lord’s Day sermon since the beginning of the year. Crossing the mid-point of the year, we are into July and racing towards the end of the year, I encourage you to take time for a spiritual stock-take. How are you faring in your spiritual walk? I pray that you are appropriating God’s Word for daily spiritual sustenance, guidance and strength. Unless we take time to read and meditate upon the Bible and pray daily, our spiritual growth will be stunted. I encourage you to press on, seeking to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Matt. 5:6 KJV)

The Solid Rock

– Revival Hymns and Chorus No. 317

Hymnologist suggests 1 Corinthians 3:11 as the basis for this hymn: 11For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.(1 Cor. 3:11 KJV)

Bishop Bickersteth an outstanding hymnist, called it “a grand hymn of faith.” “The Solid Rock” as this hymn was called, was written in 1834 and first published anonymously in leaflet form and in various papers. In 1836 it appeared in Mr. Mote’s Hymns of Praise and was entitled “The Immutable Basis of a Sinner’s Hope.” When arguments began to arise about the authorship, Mr. Mote decided to acknowledge the words as his own.

The chorus and stanza 1 of the hymn came to Mr. Mote as he was on his way to work. He says, “I began to meditate on “the gracious experience of a Christian.” Soon the chorus, and then the first stanza, came into my mind. On the following Sunday, as I came out of Lisle Street meeting, Brother King invited me to his home to try to encourage his critically ill wife. I had early tea that day; then I went to the King’s home.

Mr King said, “Before I go to a meeting I always sing a hymn, read Scripture, and pray. Will you join me?” He searched in vain for a hymnbook. I said, “I have some verses in my pocket, Brother King. If you like, we can sing them.” Mrs King’s heart responded to the words, and Mr. King asked me to leave a copy with her. Back at home, I sat by the fireside, musing upon Mrs King’s reaction to the hymn; and soon the entire hymn was clear in my mind. I committed the words to paper, making a fresh copy for Mrs. King. Later the thought came to me that as these verses had met this dying woman’s needs, perhaps they would help someone else. So I had a thousand leaflets printed for distribution.”