Rev 1:7-8

7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

1 John 3:1-2

1Jn 3:1 See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.

Heb 11:6

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (Heb 11:6 ESV)

Please read previous thread for prayers.

Romans 8:23-26

... even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

John Baillie on Prayer

"I, a pilgrim of eternity, stand before Thee, O eternal One. Let me not seek to deaden or destroy the desire for Thee that disturbs my heart. Let me rather yield myself to its constraint and go where it leads me. Make me wise to see all things today under the form of eternity, and make me brave to face all the changes in my life which such a vision may entail: through the grace of Christ my Saviour. Amen" (John Baillie)

2Th 2:13-14

2Th 2:13-14 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Psalm 25:1-5

"To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in You;
Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me....

"Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day."

Psalm 25:1-5

"To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in You;
Let me not be ashamed; let not my enemies triumph over me...
Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day."

Forgiveness

We do not have to make ourselves suffer in order to merit forgiveness. We simply receive the forgiveness earned by Christ … we earn our forgiveness with our repentance, but in the gospel we just receive it.

- Tim Keller –

God of Wonders

Stand on God's Promises

Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today... The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent." (Ex. 14:13-14)

"The Lord your Lord, who goes before you, will Himself fight on your behalf...." (Deut. 1:30)

"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord our God is the One who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you." (Deut. 31:6)

"When you go out to battle against our enemies and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God... is with you... [and] goes before you to fight for you against your enemies to save you." (Deut. 20:1, 4)

"Behold, I am going to send an angel before you to guard you along the way, and to bring you to the place which I have prepared. Be on your guard before him and obey his voice... then I will be an enemy to our enemies...." (Ex. 23:20-22)

"Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Josh. 1:9)

Daniel 12:2-3

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. And those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

Heb 12:1-2

Heb 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Heb 12:2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Psalm 46

Psa 46:1 To the chief Musician. Of the sons of Korah. On Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, a help in distresses, very readily found.

Psa 46:2 Therefore will we not fear though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the heart of the seas;

Psa 46:3 Though the waters thereof roar and foam, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

Psa 46:4 There is a river the streams whereof make glad the city of God, the sanctuary of the habitations of the Most High.

Psa 46:5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her at the dawn of the morning.

Psa 46:6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

Psa 46:7 Jehovah of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our high fortress. Selah.

Psa 46:8 Come, behold the works of Jehovah, what desolations he hath made in the earth:

Psa 46:9 He hath made wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariots in the fire.

Psa 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

Psa 46:11 Jehovah of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our high fortress. Selah.

2Co 1:3-7

2Co 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort,

2Co 1:4 He comforting us in all our trouble, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in every trouble, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

2Co 1:5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds by Christ.

2Co 1:6 And if we are troubled, it is for your consolation and salvation, being worked out in the endurance of the same sufferings which we also suffer; if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

2Co 1:7 And our hope of you is certain, knowing that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also of the consolation.

Galatians 3:13-14

"Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."

Jeremiah 31:3

"I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you..."

1 Peter 1:6-7

“In this [heavenly hope] you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while... you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love." 

Things Don't Just Happen

Things don't just happen to us who love God;They're planned by His own dear hand.Then molded and shaped, and timed by His clock.Things don't just happen; they're planned.

We don't just guess on the issues of life,We Christians just rest in our Lord.We are directed by His sovereign willIn the light of His holy word.

We who love Jesus are walking by faith,Not seeing one step that's ahead,Not doubting one moment what our lot might be,But looking to Jesus instead.

We praise our dear Saviour for loving us so,For planning each care of our life,Then giving us faith to trust Him for all,The blessings as well as the strife.

Things don't just happen to us who love God,To us who have taken our stand.No matter the lot, the course, or the price,Things don't just happen; they're planned.

by Esther L. Fields (before 1944)

OUR LORD'S SURPRISE VISITS

"Be ye therefore ready also." Luke 12:40

The great need for the Christian worker is to be ready to face Jesus Christ at any and every turn. This is not easy, no matter what our experience is. The battle is not against sin or difficulties or circumstances, but against being so absorbed in work that we are not ready to face Jesus Christ at every turn. That is the one great need, not the facing our belief, or our creed, the question whether we are of any use, but to face Him.

Jesus rarely comes where we expect Him; He appears where we least expect Him, and always in the most illogical connections. The only way a worker can keep true to God is by being ready for the Lord's surprise visits. It is not service that matters, but intense spiritual reality, expecting Jesus Christ at every turn. This will give our life the attitude of child-wonder which He wants it to have. If we are going to be ready for Jesus Christ, we have to stop being religious (that is, using religion as a higher kind of culture) and be spiritually real.

If you are "looking off unto Jesus," avoiding the call of the religious age you live in, and setting your heart on what He wants, on thinking on His line - you will be called unpractical and dreamy; but when He appears in the burden and the heat of the day, you will be the only one who is ready. Trust no one, not even the finest saint who ever walked this earth, ignore him, if he hinders your sight of Jesus Christ.

Oswald Chambers

OUR PRECIOUS HOPE

... even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Romans 8:23-26 (NKJV)

Prayer

I believe God answers prayer,
Answers always, everywhere;
I may cast my anxious care,
Burdens I could never bear,
On the God who heareth prayer.
Never need my soul despair
Since He bids me boldly dare
To the secret place repair,
There to prove He answers prayer.

A T Pierson

John 16:13-16

Joh 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

Joh 16:14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 

Joh 16:15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

Joh 16:16 "A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me." 

Happy New Year one and all.