WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE GRIPPED BY GOD?
Pastor Mike Andrews
His unfailing love and mercy towards creation and His called out ones. “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” Ps 136:1
A deep-seated joy and comfort when we are faced with a world that looks like it’s spiralling out of control. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Ps 46:1-2
His everlasting forgiveness for sinners like you and me. “.....If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness...” Ps 130:3-4
To be declared from the King of glory that we are His sons and daughters. “Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. Ps 24:3-4
A genuine brokenness over your sin which brings us into a proper relationship with the One that paid our debt in full on the cross of Calvary. “....For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.” Ps 51:3-4
His resume and awesome track record that displays His trustworthiness. “Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. On the glorious splendour of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness.” Ps 145:2-6
That He would be mindful of this small speck of sand and show such mercy towards me. “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” Ps 8:3-4
To be blessed with the privilege to hold the words of God [Himself] in the palm of your hand and to delight in it daily. “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.” Ps 1:1-2
That we can worship God truly the way He expected us to worship found in the finishing work on the Cross. “Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous works among all the peoples!” Ps 96:1-3
That a holy and awesome God would take a person [like me and you] once a hater [a fool] and bring us into a proper understanding of His saving grace through His Son. “The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none who does good. God looks down from heaven on the children of man to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all fallen away; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one. Ps 53:1-3
That He would give us anguish or a burdened heart for the lost found in the Gospel that saves to the uttermost parts. “My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law. Righteous are you, O LORD, and right are your rules. You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness and in all faithfulness.” Ps 119:136-138
God is awesome! He is the one who spoke all things into existence from nothing into something. He is the one who said when He was finished “it is good” He is the one sent His only Son to be our substitution for the payment of sin. He is the one gave us His written word and implanted it into our hearts for future use. He is the one who promised us a Helper the Holy Spirit to understand His word. He is the one who is continuing to lead us home. “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Phil 1:6. We should always be gripped by His glory no matter what happens in this present life! I’m forever speechless when I think about the glory of God that He would love me I’m forever humbled by His everlasting love towards me and His creation I’m forever fearful for those who will face the ultimate wrath of God for their hatred towards His unmerited grace each and every day. I’m forever blessed and amazed to be called “His own”. May God grip your heart so tight that you will never forget where your love, and mercy comes from, as you are faced with the next minute, hour, day and so on for His glory and our good.
"Satan hindered us." — 1 Thessalonians 2:18
By Charles Spurgeon
Since the first hour in which goodness came into conflict with evil, it has never ceased to be true in spiritual experience, that Satan hinders us. From all points of the compass, all along the line of battle, in the vanguard and in the rear, at the dawn of day and in the midnight hour, Satan hinders us. If we toil in the field, he seeks to break the ploughshare; if we build the wall, he labours to cast down the stones; if we would serve God in suffering or in conflict- everywhere Satan hinders us. He hinders us when we are first coming to Jesus Christ. Fierce conflicts we had with Satan when we first looked to the cross and lived. Now that we are saved, he endeavours to hinder the completeness of our personal character. You may be congratulating yourself, "I have hitherto walked consistently; no man can challenge my integrity." Beware of boasting, for your virtue will yet be tried; Satan will direct his engines against that very virtue for which you are the most famous. If you have been hitherto a firm believer, your faith will ere long be attacked; if you have been meek as Moses, expect to be tempted to speak unadvisedly with your lips. The birds will peck at your ripest fruit, and the wild boar will dash his tusks at your choicest vines. Satan is sure to hinder us when we are earnest in prayer. He checks our importunity, and weakens our faith in order that, if possible, we may miss the blessing. Nor is Satan less vigilant in obstructing Christian effort. There was never a revival of religion without a revival of his opposition. As soon as Ezra and Nehemiah begin to labour, Sanballat and Tobiah are stirred up to hinder them. What then? We are not alarmed because Satan hindereth us, for it is a proof that we are on the Lord's side, and are doing the Lord's work, and in His strength we shall win the victory, and triumph over our adversary.
Our ultimate desire at Calvary Baptist Church is first and foremost to bring glory and praise to the Sovereign LORD [Father, Son, & Holy Spirit] and to raise up mature believers so that we can fulfill the Great Commission. We will seek to achieve this by following the guidelines that God has put in place for prayer, worship, communion, Christian fellowship, Bible Study, and most of all the expository teaching of God’s Word. We desire to provide the proper teaching of God’s Word so that fellow believers can grow together and edify one another with love and compassion.
Please come, and join us, as we look into how God has composed a unique storyfor each of our lives.CBC is a place to call home as we ......Magnify the Lord, Mature the Believers, Make prayer a priority, Meet the lost with Christ
Our Church Service Time @ 9:30am.
NO! Adult Bible Study (STARTING IN SEPTEMBER)
We now broadcast on 97.5FM in your car or home, for those who are unable to come in person. We do encourgage you to attend if possible first!
We are located @
148 Queen Street,
Killaloe Ontario
613-757-1618
