{"id":3350,"date":"2015-07-16T07:29:53","date_gmt":"2015-07-16T07:29:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/?p=3350"},"modified":"2015-07-16T07:29:53","modified_gmt":"2015-07-16T07:29:53","slug":"bulletin-edition-259-july-2015","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/?p=3350","title":{"rendered":"Bulletin Edition #259 July 2015"},"content":{"rendered":"

THE NAME OF GOD
\n<\/strong>
\n“The name of the Lord<\/strong> is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10<\/p>\n

Strong indeed! “We have a strong city; God makes salvation its walls and ramparts.” Every ATTRIBUTE of Godhead is such a tower. Every perfection such a rampart- all combined
\nto insure the believer’s everlasting security. Reader, “Go, inspect the city of Jerusalem. Walk around and count the many towers. Take note of the fortified walls, and tour all the citadels, that you may describe them to future generations. For that is what God is like. He is our God forever and ever, and he will be our guide until we die.” Psalm 48:12-14.<\/p>\n

Mark the strong Tower of OMNIPOTENCE. It proclaims that Almightiness is on your side- that there is One with you and for you, boundless in His resources, greater far than all that can be against you!<\/p>\n

Mark the strong Tower of UNCHANGEABLENESS. All earthly fabrics are tottering and crumbling around you. The dearest of all your earthly refuges has written on it the doom of the dust. But, sheltered here, you can gaze unawed on all the fitful changes of life, and exult in an unchanging God!<\/p>\n

Mark the strong Tower of WISDOM. When dealings are dark, and chastisements mysterious, do you know what it is to retire within this fortress, and to be reminded that all, all that befalls you, is the planning of unerring rectitude and faithfulness?- to see inscribed on the chamber-walls, “The only Wise God!”<\/p>\n

Mark the strong Tower of LOVE. When the hurricane has been fierce, your heart breaking with new trials, the past dark, the future a dreary waste, no lull in the storm, no light in the clouds\u2013 oh! is it no comfort to you to retire into this most hallowed of bulwarks, and read the living motto emblazoned on its every turret- “God is love!” My soul! are you safe in this impregnable fortress? Have you entered within the gate? Remember, it is not to be “near” the city, but “in” it. Not to know about Christ, but to “win Him, and be found in Him.” One footstep outside the walls, and the Avenger of blood can cut you down! “Turn, then, to the stronghold!” as a “prisoner of hope!”<\/p>\n

Once, these were colossal walls to ‘exclude’. Now, they are unassailable barriers to ‘protect’- a citadel where His saints are “kept” by the power of God. Every portal is open; and the God of Mercy issues the gracious proclamation- “Come, my people, enter into your chambers!” How safe! how happy here! “If there be tossing and doubting, it is the heaving of a ship at anchor- not the dashing on the rocks.” (Evans)<\/p>\n

IN GOD! “There is, in this,” says Jonathan Edwards, speaking of the same blessed truth, “secured to me, as it were, a calm, sweet aspect, or appearance, of glory in almost everything.” We can hear, amid the surges of life, a voice high above the storm, the Name of the Lord- “It is I!”<\/p>\n

The Christian’s safety!<\/strong><\/p>\n

(James Smith<\/a>,<\/p>\n

“Keep me safe<\/em>, O God, for in You I take refuge!” Psalm 16:1<\/p>\n

The lost sinner is in danger<\/em> \u2014 in the greatest possible danger! He is always <\/em>in danger, for . . .
\nthe wrath <\/em>of God abides on him,
\nthe curse <\/em>of God is leveled at him, and
\nthe justice <\/em>of God makes a fearful demand upon him.
\nHe is like an unprotected traveler in a forest, where robbers and wild beasts unite to terrify and destroy. He is . . .
\nexposed to every storm,
\nliable to every calamity, and
\nmay be cut down at any moment!
\nThe law condemns him,
\nSatan seeks by all means to destroy him,
\nand his situation is truly dreadful!<\/p>\n

But the believer is safe in Jesus:<\/em>
\nhis sins are pardoned,
\nhis person is justified,
\nhe is accepted in Jesus, and
\nto him there is no condemnation.
\nTo him, Jesus is a strong tower<\/em>, into which he runs and is safe.
\nTo him, God is a shield<\/em>, which defends him from every hostile weapon. God . . .
\nsurrounds him as a wall of fire,
\nbears him up on everlasting arms, and
\nguides him by His strength to His holy habitation.<\/p>\n

“For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe <\/em>in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle and set me high upon a rock!” Psalm 27:5<\/p>\n

Author unknown<\/p>\n

Every perfection <\/em>of God is on his side,
\nevery purpose <\/em>of God secures his salvation,
\nevery promise <\/em>of God is made for his comfort and safety.
\nHe is in the hands of Christ,
\nhis name is engraved on the breast-plate of the Great High Priest,
\nand his cause lies near to the heart of the Omnipotent One.
\nNothing that concerns him is left to chance,
\nhis times are in the Lord’s hands, and
\nGod works all things together for his good.
\nHe will have everything that is . . .
\nreally good,
\ntruly great, and
\neternally glorious!
\nGod is his Father<\/em> \u2014 and He will defend His child.
\nJesus is his Bridegroom<\/em> \u2014 and He will protect His Bride.<\/p>\n

If the power <\/strong>of God can preserve him \u2014 then he is safe; for he is kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.<\/p>\n

If the love <\/strong>of God can secure him \u2014 then he is safe; for God loves him with an everlasting love!<\/p>\n

Will a kind, fond, and tender mother take care of her child? Then will God take care of the believer, for He asks, “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb?” He admits, “Surely they<\/em> may <\/em>forget \u2014 yet I<\/em> will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands!” Isaiah 49:15-16<\/p>\n

The believer is safe from all real<\/em> evils. He is under . . .
\nthe special care and charge of Christ,
\nthe sunshine of his Father’s love,
\nthe watchful eye of the Great Shepherd,
\nthe guidance and guardianship of the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n

What a precious, unutterably precious truth is this! May we . . .
\npress it to our hearts,
\nenjoy it in our daily walk, and
\nrelish it as we would our choicest treasure!<\/p>\n

“The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer! My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold!” Psalm 18:2<\/p>\n

“For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling. He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle and set me high upon a rock!” Psalm 27:5<\/p>\n

“How lost was my condition,
\nTill Jesus made me whole!
\nThere is but one physician
\nCan cure a sin-sick soul!
\nNext door to death he found me,
\nAnd snatched me from the grave;
\nTo tell to all around me,
\nHis wondrous power to save.
\nThe worst of all diseases
\nIs light, compared with sin;
\nOn every part it gazes,
\nBut rages most within.
\n‘Tis palsy, plague and fever,
\nAnd madness- all combined,
\nAnd none but a believer,
\nThe least relief can find.
\nFrom men great skill professing,
\nI thought a cure to gain;
\nBut this proved more distressing,
\nand added to my pain.
\nSome said that nothing ailed me,
\nSome gave me up for lost;
\nThus every refuge failed me
\nAnd all my hopes were crossed.
\nAt length this great physician,
\nHow matchless is his grace!
\nAccepted my petition,
\nAnd undertook my case.
\nFirst gave me sight to view him,
\nFor sin my eyes had sealed;
\nThen bid me look unto him;
\nI looked, and I was healed.
\nA dying, risen Jesus,
\nSeen by the eye of faith;
\nAt once from danger frees us,
\nAnd saves the soul from death.
\nCome then to this Physician,
\nHis help he’ll freely give,
\nHe makes no hard condition,
\n‘Tis only, look and live.”-author unknown<\/p>\n

“Flee! flee! Flee for refuge to lay hold <\/em>on the hope set before you!”<\/p>\n

Jesus,<\/em> the true Gospel Refuge, is full of rich provision. “You are complete <\/em>in Him.” He, as the true Joseph<\/em>, gives forth out of the storehouses in His “treasure-cities,” to all His needy people. What are some of these provisions? There is pardon, peace, justification, adoption, sanctification, strength <\/em>for the hour of weakness, grace <\/em>for the hour of temptation, and the good hope of everlasting life for the hour of death. No wonder that he says to every poor sinner seeking admission within these gates, “I am the bread of life! He who comes unto me shall never hunger.”<\/em> (John 6:35) <\/em><\/strong>no OTHER Refuge can save us\u2014but JESUS alone.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

I would like you to take as your motto the simple and beautiful words which a Christian whom has lately gone to glory, wrote, “I am sure I may be very thankful to God for His great mercy toward me. I must just keep in mind that there is only one Refuge to flee to\u2014and that is Jesus!”<\/em><\/p>\n

There are many other refuges people try to take shelter in. They think they will be as safe in them\u2014as in the ONE of God’s providing; but these will never be able to stand\u2014in that day which will test every refuge.<\/p>\n

I have seen some making their own goodness <\/em>their refuge-city. They imagined they were not as bad as others. They trusted in the falling Siloam-tower of their own righteousness!<\/p>\n

I have seen some making God’s goodness <\/em>their refuge-city. They said to themselves, “God is kind. He surely will not deal hardly with sinners at last. Justice, the avenger, will not surely always pursue with her flaming sword. The love <\/em>of God will surely get the better of his justice<\/em>.”<\/p>\n

Don’t let Satan deceive you! There are many of his <\/em>refuges which appear <\/em>to be safe enough, but on which God has written, “Refuges of lies!” <\/em><\/p>\n

Rejecting Jesus, we are lost forever. All other refuges, however good <\/em>or great <\/em>or strong <\/em>as they may appear <\/em>to be\u2014will prove only to be Babel-towers<\/em>, that will fall on the poor builders, and crush them in their ruins!<\/p>\n

When God told the children of Israel to sprinkle their lintels and door-posts with blood, they might have been foolish enough to say, “No\u2014we shall do better. We shall not be content with doing so trifling <\/em>a thing; we shall rather build up great walls around our houses, so that the destroying angel <\/em>may not get in.” Do you think, if they had done so\u2014that their first-born children would have been saved? No! There would have been death in every such household; their high walls would have proved useless. Nothing but the red blood-mark on the doorway <\/em>of the dwelling would be of any avail in warding off the death stroke.<\/p>\n

So it is with the sinner. All the walls which pride<\/em>, and self-righteousness<\/em>, and good works <\/em>can raise\u2014will do nothing to keep out God’s sword of avenging Justice. Only the sprinkled blood of covenant mercy will; <\/em>for “the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanses <\/em>(and alone cleanses) from ALL SIN!” <\/em>(1 John 1:7)<\/p>\n

Jesus, my Refuge! look on me,
\nWhen weak and weary, worn, oppressed;
\nI cast my every care on Thee\u2014
\nYou are my REST.<\/p>\n

Jesus, my Refuge! guide my way,
\nDispel the gloomy shades of night,
\nOh, please shine forth with cheering ray!
\nYou are my LIGHT.<\/p>\n

Jesus, my Refuge! storms may rise,
\nAffliction sweep with tempest-shock,
\nMy spirit to Your shelter flies\u2014
\nYou are my ROCK.<\/p>\n

Jesus, my Refuge! legion-foes
\nMay seek to drive me from the field,
\nBut in Your strength I shall repose\u2014
\nYou are my SHIELD.<\/p>\n

Jesus, my Refuge! You in store
\nHave happiness without alloy,
\nPleasures unmingled, evermore\u2014
\nYou are my JOY.<\/p>\n

Jesus, my Refuge! on the brink
\nOf Jordan, in my latest strife,
\nYou will not suffer me to sink\u2014
\nYou are my LIFE.<\/p>\n

Jesus, my Refuge! oh, supply
\nMy every want. Whatever befall;
\nThrough life, in death, eternally,
\nYou are my ALL!\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John MacDuff.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

THE NAME OF GOD “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10 Strong indeed! “We have a strong city; God makes salvation its walls and ramparts.” Every ATTRIBUTE of Godhead is such a tower. Every perfection such a rampart- all combined to insure the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3350","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bulletin-editions"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3350","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3350"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3350\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3352,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3350\/revisions\/3352"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3350"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3350"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3350"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}