That's My King

Dear Weekly Readers!  God’s Peace!

Perhaps some of you have read or heard the below piece before.  I have enjoyed it so much over the years that I decided to share it in three different formats with you this week.  

I hope you are as encouraged by this as I have been!  We worship the Most Wonderful King!  

That’s My King

by: Dr. S.M Lockridge

The Bible says
He’s the King of the Jews
He’s the King of Israel
He’s the King of Righteousness
He’s the King of the Ages
He’s the King of Heaven
He’s the King of Glory
He’s the King of Kings
and He is the Lord of Lords

Now that’s my King!
David says
The Heavens declare the glory of God
And the firmament showeth His handiwork
No means of measure can define His limitless love
No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply
No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing

He’s enduringly strong
He’s entirely sincere
He’s eternally steadfast
He’s immortally graceful
He’s imperially powerful
He’s impartially merciful

That’s my King!
He’s God’s Son
He’s the sinners’ Saviour
He’s the centrepiece of civilisation
He stands alone in Himself
He’s august
He’s unique
He’s unparalleled
He’s unprecedented
He’s supreme
He’s pre-eminent
He’s the loftiest idea in literature
He’s the highest personality in philosophy
He’s the supreme problem in higher criticism
He’s the fundamental doctrine in true theology
He’s the cardinal necessity of spiritual religion

That’s my King!
He’s the miracle of the age
He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him
He’s the only one able to supply all of our needs simultaneously
He supplies strength for the weak
He’s available for the tempted and the tried
He sympathises and He saves
He guards and He guides
He heals the sick
He cleansed the lepers
He forgives sinners
He discharges debtors
He delivers the captives
He defends the feeble
He blesses the young
He serves the unfortunate
He regards the aged
He rewards the diligent
And He beautifies the meek

Do you know Him?
My King is the key of knowledge
He’s the wellspring of wisdom
He’s the doorway of deliverance
He’s the pathway of peace
He’s the roadway of righteousness
He’s the highway of holiness
He’s the gateway of glory
He’s the master of the mighty
He’s the captain of the conquerors
He’s the head of the heroes
He’s the leader of the legislators
He’s the overseer of the overcomers
He’s the governor of governors
He’s the prince of princes
He’s the King of Kings
And He’s the Lord of Lords

That’s my King
That’s my King!
My King
His office is manifold
His promise is sure
His life is matchless
His goodness is limitless
His mercy is everlasting
His love never changes
His word is enough
His grace is sufficient
His reign is righteous
His yoke is easy
and His burden is light
I wish I could describe Him to you
He’s indescribable
He’s indescribable
He’s incomprehensible
He’s invincible
He’s irresistible
I’m trying to tell you
The heaven of heavens cannot contain Him
Let alone a man explain Him
You can’t get Him out of your mind
You can’t get Him off of your hands
You can’t outlive Him
And you can’t live without Him
The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him
but they found out they couldn’t stop Him
Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him
The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree
And Herod couldn’t kill Him
Death couldn’t handle Him
And the grave couldn’t hold Him

That’s my King!
He always has been
And He always will be
I’m talking about
He had no predecessor
and He’ll have no successor
There was nobody before Him
and there’ll be nobody after Him
You can’t impeach Him
and He’s not going to resign

That’s my King!
Praise the Lord
That’s my King
Thine is the Kingdom
And the power
And the glory
The glory is all His
Thine is the Kingdom
And the power
And the glory
For ever
And ever
And ever
And when you get through with all of the forevers
Then
Amen

My King

The Bible says my King is the King of the Jews. He’s the King of Israel. He’s the King of Righteousness. He’s the King of the Ages. He’s the King of Heaven. He’s the King of Glory. He’s the King of kings, and He’s the Lord of lords. That’s my King.

I wonder, do you know Him?

My King is a sovereign King. No means of measure can define His limitless love. He’s enduringly strong. He’s entirely sincere. He’s eternally steadfast. He’s immortally graceful. He’s imperially powerful. He’s impartially merciful.

Do you know Him?

He’s the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world. He’s God’s Son. He’s the sinner’s Saviour. He’s the centrepiece of civilization. He’s unparalleled. He’s unprecedented. He is the loftiest idea in literature. He’s the highest personality in philosophy. He’s the fundamental doctrine of true theology. He’s the only one qualified to be an all sufficient Saviour.

I wonder if you know Him today?

He supplies strength for the weak. He’s available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He strengthens and sustains. He guards and He guides. He heals the sick. He cleansed the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharges debtors. He delivers the captive. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent. And He beautifies the meek.

I wonder if you know Him?

He’s the key to knowledge. He’s the wellspring of wisdom. He’s the doorway of deliverance. He’s the pathway of peace. He’s the roadway of righteousness. He’s the highway of holiness. He’s the gateway of glory.

Do you know Him? Well…

His life is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. And His yoke is easy. And His burden is light.

I wish I could describe Him to you. Yes…

He’s indescribable! He’s incomprehensible. He’s invincible. He’s irresistible. You can’t get Him out of your mind. You can’t get Him off of your hand. You can’t outlive Him, and you can’t live without Him. Well, the Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him. Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him. Herod couldn’t kill Him. Death couldn’t handle Him, and the grave couldn’t hold Him.

Yeah! That’s my King, that’s my King.

Amen!

Seven Way King

My King was born King. The Bible says He’s a Seven Way King. He’s the King of the Jews – that’s a racial King. He’s the King of Israel – that’s a National King. He’s the King of righteousness. He’s the King of the ages. He’s the King of Heaven. He’s the King of glory. He’s the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords. Now that’s my King. Well I wonder if you know Him. Do you know Him? Don’t try to mislead me. Do you know my King? David said the Heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament show His handiwork. My King is the only one whom there are no means of measure can define His limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shore of supplies. No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing. Well, well, He’s enduringly strong. He’s entirely sincere. He’s eternally steadfast. He’s immortally graceful. He’s imperially powerful. He’s impartially merciful. That’s my King. He’s God’s Son. He’s the sinner’s saviour. He’s the centrepiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He’s august. He’s unique. He’s unparalleled. He’s unprecedented. He’s supreme. He’s pre-eminent. Well, He’s the loftiest idea in literature. He’s the highest personality in philosophy. He’s the supreme problem in high criticism. He’s the fundamental doctrine of proved theology. He’s the carnal necessity of spiritual religion. That’s my King. He’s the miracle of the age. He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him. Well, He’s the only one able to supply all of our needs simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak. He’s available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He’s strong God and He guides. He heals the sick. He cleanses the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharged debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek. Do you know Him? Well, my King is the key of knowledge. He’s the wellspring of wisdom. He’s the doorway of deliverance. He’s the pathway of peace. He’s the roadway of righteousness. He’s the highway of holiness. He’s the gateway of glory. He’s the master of the mighty. He’s the captain of the conquerors. He’s the head of the heroes. He’s the leader of the legislatures. He’s the overseer of the overcomers. He’s the governor of governors. He’s the prince of princes. He’s the King of kings and He’s the Lord of lords. That’s my King. Yeah. Yeah. That’s my King. My King, yeah. His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Well. I wish I could describe Him to you, but He’s indescribable. He’s indescribable. Yes. He’s incomprehensible. He’s invincible. He’s irresistible. I’m coming to tell you, the heavens of heavens cannot contain Him, let alone a man explaining Him. You can’t get Him out of your mind. You can’t get Him off of your hands. You can’t outlive Him and you can’t live without Him. Well, Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him. Pilot couldn’t find any fault in Him. The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree. Herod couldn’t kill Him. Death couldn’t handle Him and the grave couldn’t hold Him. That’s my King. Yeah. He always has been and He always will be. I’m talking about He had no predecessor and He’ll have no successor. There was nobody before Him and there’ll be nobody after Him. You cant impeach Him and He’s not going to resign. That’s my King! That’s my King! Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory. Well, all the power belongs to my King. We’re around here talking about black power and white power and green power, but it’s God’s power. Thine is the power. Yeah. And the glory. We try to get prestige and honour and glory for ourselves, but the glory is all His. Yes. Thine is the Kingdom and the power and glory, forever and ever and ever and ever. How long is that? And ever and ever and ever and ever. And when you get through with all of the evers, then, Amen.

Our God Is Not Limited!

Dear Weekly Readers!

Please find the below article for your encouragement!

May God Bless your week!  JR

OUR GOD IS NOT LIMITED!

The Samaritan woman with whom Jesus conversed at Jacob's well asked Him about the right place to worship (John 4).

The Samaritans considered Gerizim to be a holy place. God had already commanded Moses that when the people of Israel came to the land of Canaan, they should put the blessing on Mount Gerizim (Deuteronomy 11: 29).

THE JEWS HAD THEIR TEMPLE in Jerusalem. Therefore, the woman said: Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship (John 4:20).  Jesus answered: Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth (v.21-24).

From these words, we understand that God is not bound to any particular earthly place. Although Jesus said this to the Samaritan woman, it is also a teaching for us wherever we are or dwell. Nevertheless, there has always been this trait among those who confess to be Christians—something that seems to follow us—that we want to confine the right Christianity to certain places or areas.

We often think: Do they belong to us? Are they with us?  Yes, the disciples of Jesus also said: Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part (Mark 9:38-40).

This does not mean that all who speak of Jesus are with Him, but it does mean that we should not limit the activity and power of Jesus to our person and nearest area of acquaintance. Those to whom Jesus has given His power to drive out devils are not against us, but for us, and above all else, are for Jesus.

The Catholic Church has its earthly headquarters and papal throne in Rome. They consider the pope to be Christ's vicar (substitute) here on earth. The historian tells us that this church has excommunicated and persecuted faithful servants of Christ. This should be a reminder to us that we would not allow ourselves to be led into spiritual delusion. We should not limit the activity of the Holy Spirit—that is God's work. The Holy Spirit works at all times and in all places where God is present by His Spirit, His Word and His Gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians that God's congregation at Corinth was holy (called to be saints and sanctified)— not only there in Corinth, but in every place they call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Corinthians 1:2).

The Samaritans also waited for the Messiah. This woman met Him, and she spoke of Him to the people in the city. Many believed on Him because of her word.

We have also heard the Gospel of Christ, and God has given us faith to believe that which we have heard. This is the gift of God. It is the power of the Gospel. Therefore, we shall not boast in the presence of men or think that we ourselves have been able to comprehend faith. God is the Author and Finisher of our faith. It is not in the power of any person to give faith or to take it away. Many dangers are found that can harm us in our lives of faith.

We see that already at the time of the apostles—when Christianity should have been the purest and uncontaminated by wrong doctrine—when John wrote to the seven congregations, there were only two of them which were not admonished to repent and correct their failures. Those who were the most self-confident had fallen the deepest. The two congregations which were pleasing to God were those who felt themselves to be poor and weak. It is a great grace of God that He has sent us His Word and given us faith in our hearts. It is only through the Spirit of God continuing to enlighten us with the knowledge of sin that we can also preserve the knowledge of grace in our hearts.

Those who will one day, by God's grace, reach home in heaven will see that the limitations or boundaries imposed by man and his judgment are not honored in heaven. There the saved multitude is gathered from the north and from the south, from east and west—yes, from all nations, people and tongues.

The keys of death and hell have not been entrusted to you or to me. These keys are retained in the possession of Him who knows each person's heart and see all of our works. As poor sinners and children of dust, we have no other refuge than the mercy seat and the throne of grace. God's grace is sufficient for salvation to all repentant sinners—yes, even the greatest sinner.

In this life our faith is tried in adversity and tribulation. Even if some would condemn us, no one can take us out of God's hand. We will hold firmly to Jesus, our salvation's solid rock and foundation, and say with Peter: Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life (John 6:68). Amen. ~

Keep Seeking the Things That Are Above

Dear Weekly Readers! 

Please find the below article by Pastor Wayne Juntunen.   I hope and pray it strengthens and encourages you in your faith!

May God Bless your Week!  John R.

"KEEP SEEKING THE THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE..."

"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth." (Col. 3:1,2)

Because of our carnal nature, we tend to be earth-bound.  If, in truth, we are risen with Christ; that is, we are living and walking in the Spirit and not the flesh, it follows that we are to keep seeking the things that are above.  Our new birth is only the beginning of our walk of faith.  God's desire is that we be transformed into the image of Christ. "...whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son" (Rom. 8:29).  This does not take place automatically.  It is a continuous and constant "seeking those things that are above." 

What this means is all that Christ has achieved and won for us through His incarnation, suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension.  The life of a true believer in Christ is a day-by-day walk of intimate fellowship with Christ.  The reason the Apostle Paul exhorts us to do this "seeking" is due to the fact that we still have this carnal nature that wants to live its own life apart from Christ.  It is the battle that continually goes on between the "flesh and the spirit" as Paul wrote in Galatians 5:17, "...the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh." 

In order that we be "victors in this strife", we need to continually be "looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2).  What this means in our real, ordinary, daily life is that we maintain an on-going life of prayer with our Savior.  This prayer-life is not necessarily talking to Lord.  Rather it is our "mind-set" in which we are mindful of all he has done for us, all his promises that are part of our inheritance in Christ, and a realization of his constant presence with us as we go through our daily tasks, plans and purposes, challenges, trials, stress, joys and sorrows.

Since it is in Christ that "we live, and move, and have our being" (Acts 17:28), seeking the things where Christ is enthroned in all authority, power, and glory ought to be the most natural thing for us to do as His redeemed bride. "Seeking" implies our desire and longing for Christ to be our first and foremost love.  It is a Holy Spirit passion for Christ's power and influence to have dominion in us and over us in all we do and say.

The primary reason for this "seeking" is simply the fact that apart from Christ "we can do nothing" (Jn. 15:5).  The opposite truth is that we can do all things through Christ who strengths us (Philippians 4:13).  This being true, Satan, the world, and our own flesh and blood form a powerful triad to hinder us from such a total surrender to our Lord and King.

The Triune God--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit--is seeking throughout this wide world for those "whose hearts are perfect toward him" (2 Chronicles 16:9).  We so easily sing, "Lord, you are my All in all."  Is it truly so for all or any of us?  Is it possible that we worship the Lord with our lips but our hearts are far from him?  (Matthew 15:8).

O Lord, forgive us for pretending we love you above all things!  Wash us in the blood of Jesus for not thinking about, and failing to seek those things that are above!  Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us! Rekindle in our hearts a passionate desire for all your riches in Christ, and move us to diligently, consistently, and faithfully desire that your presence and power would dominate our lives!  We thank you, Father, that you desire to reveal yourself to us and others that all men would know you are the One and only true God to whom belongs honor and wisdom, and glory and power now and forever, Amen!

Trust in Jesus

Dear Weekly Readers!

Please find the article below written by Pastor Ken Storm.

May God Bless your Week!  John R.

Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he hath sent. John 6:29

THIS STATEMENT BY JESUS WAS directed unto the people who had followed Him by the sea of Capernaum. They had witnessed in recent days many miracles of healing He had performed on those who were diseased, and the miracle of feeding a great multitude of people with only five barley loaves and two small fish. When they beheld these miracles they were convinced that Jesus was a prophet of God; and rightly so. For it was God, through Jacob, who prophesied: The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. (Genesis 49:10) Yet the people considered Him to be only a prophet; not the Messiah, the Son of God, nor the Savior of mankind.

We see however, that Jesus, who searches the hearts of men, found that unbelief was ruling their lives. The people had focused on the bread and fish they had eaten and were filled. Little did they consider the miracle by which so many were fed with so little. Even more notable was the fact they failed to observe carefully the significance of these miracles. Jesus therefore clearly redirects their minds and hearts away from that which they observed outwardly and unto the meat which He gives that is everlasting and does not perish.

He tells the multitudes to expend their efforts for that which never perishes, namely the spiritual food He gives. In verse 51 of our text chapter, He said, I am the living bread which came down from heaven, and in verses 53 through 58 Jesus explains the need for men to eat this spiritual bread. (Read John 6:29-58.)  The people however did not comprehend these words of Jesus and therefore promptly asked, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? (John 6:28) The same question is commonly found in the minds and hearts of men today because spiritual darkness rules within. The answer to this question is no different today than it was when Jesus said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Someone may ask, "How does one really believe?" First we must understand that the nature of man is to seek to be justified before God by his own labors and his own works. This trait is inherent in the flesh of all mankind and is motivated by pride. The natural man is determined to effect, by his own doing, something that he thinks is acceptable and meritorious before God. Oblivious is he to the Word which teaches that there is nothing man can do of himself to achieve righteousness before God.

It has already been accomplished in perfection by Christ Jesus on the cross of Calvary where He suffered, bled and died to pay our sin debt; and in the power of His resurrection He instills a lively hope of eternal salvation in all who believe in Him as the Scripture teaches. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Here only is the true righteousness which is acceptable to God. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12) We must conclude with the words of the Apostle: For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:10) We see that human intellect must be put aside.

If, dear friend, you find that you are struggling to make yourself righteous before God by your own efforts, as did the people in our text, may God reveal to you that your struggle is against Him and rejects His perfect work of salvation for you. Dear friend, cease from your fruitless and futile efforts which will only lead to spiritual shipwreck. Surrender instead to the loving, entreating words of the Savior who today invites you, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

Come just as you are but with a repentant, humble and contrite heart, confessing your sin and your failed efforts to make yourself righteous. Trust in Jesus, God's perfect gift to all, for your righteousness. Here, in His kingdom on earth today, the blood of Jesus continues to speak grace and forgiveness. Jesus awaits your arrival, and His children will assure you with the audible Gospel and the laying on of loving hands that this miracle of spiritual healing is indeed true. Your sins are washed away in the name and blood of Jesus Christ your Savior.  May the wonderful, saving work of God through living faith in His Son be accomplished in every heart. ~