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HOLY GOD, WE PRAISE THY NAME
Amazing Grace From the Te Deum, c. 4th century, Attributed to Ignace Franz, 1719–1790English Translation by Clarence Walworth, 1820–1900 In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise Your name forever. (Psalm 44:8) Much of the origin of this noble expression of praise and worship is lost in obscurity. Through the…
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Morning & Evening
It is well for us that, amidst all the variableness of life, there is One whom change cannot affect; One whose heart can never alter, and on whose brow mutability can make no furrows. All things else have changed—all things are changing. The sun itself grows dim with age; the world is waxing old; the…
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COME, CHRISTIANS, JOIN TO SING
Amazing Grace Christian Henry Bateman, 1813–1889 Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song. (Psalm 95:1) A New Testament church should always be a singing church, for sacred song is…
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Morning & Evening
Is there a Church in this house? Are parents, children, friends, servants, all members of it? or are some still unconverted? Let us pause here and let the question go round—Am I a member of the Church in this house? How would father’s heart leap for joy, and mother’s eyes fill with holy tears if…
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DIVINE OMNIPOTENCE
The Problem of PainC. S. Lewis Nothing which implies contradiction falls under the omnipotence of God. THOMAS AQUINAS, Summ. Theol., Ia Q XXV, Art 4 ‘If God were good, He would wish to make His creatures perfectly happy, and if God were almighty He would be able to do what He wished. But the creatures…
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A MIGHTY FORTRESS
Amazing Grace Words and Music by Martin Luther, 1483–1546 English Translation by Frederick H. Hedge, 1805–1890 God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. (Psalm 46:1, 2)October 31, 1517, is perhaps…
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Morning & Evening
A backslider, if there be a spark of life left in him will groan after restoration. In this renewal the same exercise of grace is required as at our conversion. We needed repentance then; we certainly need it now. We wanted faith that we might come to Christ at first; only the like grace can…
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The Fall of Man (Part 2)
The Problem of PainC. S. Lewis Judged by his artefacts, or perhaps even by his language, this blessed creature was, no doubt, a savage. All that experience and practice can teach he had still to learn: if he clipped flints, he doubtless chipped them clumsily enough. He may have been utterly incapable of expressing in…
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The Fall of Man (Part 1)
The Problem of PainC. S. Lewis To obey is the proper office of a rational soul.Montaigne II, viii The Christian answer to the question proposed in the last chapter is contained in the doctrine of the Fall. According to that doctrine, man is now a horror to God and to himself and a creature ill-adapted…
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HOLD THE FORT
Amazing Grace Words and Music by Philip P. Bliss, 1838–1876 Only hold on to what you have until I come. (Revelation 2:25) God’s call to each believer is to be obedient and faithful—not to seek a life of earthly success. Difficulties and defeats are a normal part of every Christian’s life. Our response to negative…
