So Great Salvation

Hebrews 2:3, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him”

Salvation is great because of…

• The Price that was paid! (1 Peter 1:18-19, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:“)
• The Pardon we receive! (1 John 1:7, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”)
• The Peace we experience! (Romans 15:13, “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.“)
• The Purpose we are given! (2 Corinthians 5:20, “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.“)
• The Participation we have in Christ! (Romans 8:17, “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”)

When Thou Passest Through the Waters

“Do you feel your heart discouraged as you pass along the way?
Does there seem to be more darkness than there is of sunny day?
It is hard to learn the lesson, as we pass beneath the rod,
That the sunshine and the shadow serve alike the will of God.
But to me there comes a promise, like the promise of the bow,
That however deep the waters, they shall never overflow.

“When the flesh is worn and weary and the spirit is depressed,
When temptation comes upon you like a storm on ocean’s breast,
There’s a haven ever ready for the tempest-driven bird,
There is shelter for the tempted in the promise of His Word;
For the standard of the Spirit shall be raised against the foe,
And however deep the waters, they shall never overflow.

“When sorrow comes upon you that no other soul can share,
And the burden seems too heavy for the human heart to bear,
There is One whose grace can comfort if you’ll give Him an abode,
There’s a Burden-bearer ready if you’ll trust Him with your load;
For the precious promise reaches to the depth of human woe,
That however deep the waters, they shall never overflow.

“When the sands of life are ebbing and I near dark Jordan’s shore,
When I see the billows rising and I hear the waters roar,
I’ll reach out my hand to Jesus, in His bosom I will hide;
It will only be a moment ‘till I reach the other side.
It is then the fullest meaning of the promise I shall know:
“When thou passest through the waters they shall never overflow.”
– Henry Crowell

Little is much, when God is in it!

The phrase, “little is much, when God is in it” has been, not only a great encouragement to many folks (especially smaller sized churches), but has been proven time and time again.

God reinforced this great truth in my heart anew one morning as I was reading of Gideon.  Here is a man who was “small” in his own eyes and went to battle with a “small” band of men, yet God gave a great victory.

The following are some thoughts about Gideon and God’s call upon his life.

• God called a man that was working.
• God called a man that did not expect to be called. 
• God called a man that felt incompetent to be called.  
• God called a man that was greatly burdened for the spiritual well being of his people.
• God called a man that He (God) would eventually equip for the “ministry” God called him to.
•  God called a man that was obedient.
• God called a man that struggled with fear.
• God called a man that was willing to follow the methods God gave him.
• God called a man that was eager that God get all the glory.

Little, truly is much, when God is in it!