1. Unto the Lord this sinner owed A debt I could not pay; My sins were such an awful load, But Christ put them away.
2. His blood has washed away my shame, And satisfaction made; O bless the dear Redeemer’s name, My ransom price is paid.
3. Salvation unto Christ I owe, O what a gracious Friend; He washed and made me white as snow, On Him my hopes depend.
4. Someday in heav’n I’ll sing His praise, With all the ransomed throng; And joyfully my voice I’ll raise, To sing redemption’s song
Today’s Speaker: Brother Jim Casey will conduct the 11:00 am service today. Pray for him as he delivers God’s word.
Television Broadcast: Our Reign of Grace Television program is being broadcast on WFXL Fox 31, Channel 4. The program will air every Sunday morning at 11 AM.
Radio Broadcast: Sunday morning at 9:30am on 98.7 FM –WISK. To hear sermons click here
Web Sites: Visit our newly designed web site at: www.rofgrace.com
Water is necessary to sustain life. This is true whether we are referring to the natural water which occurs in the earth, which is essential to the life of all the created beings therein, or to that LIVING WATER which is given to the SPIRIT born children of GOD. No creature has the ability to give itself life or to sustain its own life by its own power. Rather, it must be given the essential elements which are designed to sustain life. So it is spiritually as well. Man does not in any sense have this life in “himself”, it must be given to him by HIM who is LIFE. “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.” (John 5:26) Without CHRIST no man has life, either in its beginning or in its sustenance.
It is very interesting to study the subject of “wells” (i.e.; fountains or springs) in the scriptures. We see several incidences in the scriptures where the LORD met with HIS children at a well. One of the more prominent ones is found in the fourth chapter of John’s Gospel. John tells us that the ONE who created the very atoms and molecules, of which water is made, sat at a well in Samaria and expressed HIS desire to drink thereof.
The woman to whom HE spoke was quite surprised that HE made this request since she recognized HIM as a Jew, with whom the Samaritans had few dealings and vice versa. Yet the LORD’s desire for this water which the woman drew up, was secondary to HIS purpose of meeting with her and giving her a drink from a well which would never run dry. This was no chance meeting but was carried out in the eternal purpose of HIM who knew this woman long before she ever laid eyes on HIM. HE had an appointment with her which she had not written in her schedule book, but was ordained by HIM who “must needs go through Samaria”. (John 4:4)
HE spoke with her of a WELL of water which HE alone could give, from which a man might drink and never thirst again. The reason for this continual quenching of her thirst was because HE would become a FOUNTAIN of LIFE which would spring up within her which would be a constant source of supply. This is the same WELL which HE spoke of when HE declared, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:37-38)
The LORD is both the WATER and the FOUNTAIN from which that water springs. HE is the BREAD of the hungry and the ONE who soothes the parched lips of the thirsty. HE is the SOURCE and SUBSTANCE of all that they stand in need of. If a man is not thirsty and tired then he will have no interest in even the coolest of springs. This WATER is not for those who have no need of it; even as HE said that HE came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Yet those who know themselves to be dwelling in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water will run to HIM whom they see as the FOUNTAIN of LIFE, without which they will surely perish.
Much emphasis is laid on the initial “experience” of salvation by most who claim to preach the gospel in the present day. Yet a beginning is only a beginning and the WELL or SPRING of salvation which the LORD has made manifest for HIS people is not primarily about the beginning but rather about the continuation of its SUPPLY throughout the present age even unto the ages to come. Salvation is not a well from which we drink but once, but rather it is that constant supply of life giving WATER with which we are supplied day by day.
--- Mike McInnis
THE LORD KNOWS THEM THAT ARE HIS
What a consoling, peace-giving and comforting thought it is for God’s elect to know that God will never look at us or reject us based on what men think or say of us! He will never bless us or withhold blessing from us because of the opinions of others. He will never deal with us based on what people think but on what He knows us to be in the Lord Jesus Christ. He loves us with an everlasting and immutable love. He knows everything there is to know about us and nothing ever surprises Him. He accepts us in His Beloved Son and has made us the very “righteousness of God” in Him. Though they see a multitude of sin on us, He sees no sin in us. Christ our Surety has made an end of our sin by the sacrifice of Himself, bearing it all away in His body on the tree. He knows in Whom we have believed and what we believe for He alone has given us understanding and faith. Let men sit in judgment of us but our God has already judged us in Christ. Let them separate from us but He will never leave or forsake us. Let them look upon us with suspicion but He thinks no evil of us. Though we are weak, like Peter we can say with him, “Lord, you know. You know I love you.”
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