"Salvation is of the LORD." -Jonah 2:9

As we begin the new year, let’s be thankful for all the great blessings our sovereign Lord has freely given us in the Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s remind ourselves that all good things are due to the greatness and goodness of Christ. The Lord our Righteousness. Salvation, along with all physical temporal blessings we have enjoyed, has nothing to do with what we deserve or have earned. For the people of God, it is all of grace. Let’s remind ourselves also that our future is in God’s hands and not ours. Our lives, now and forever, are to be testimonies of His grace, love, and mercy in Christ, and testimonies of our love and gratitude to Him for eternal life secured for us in Christ. This is to be our attitude in every facet of our lives here on earth, whether on our jobs, in our earthly families, or in our church family. May the Lord our God bless us all with His goodness and truth as revealed in the glorious Person and finished work of our Savior and Lord Jesus Chri

In this house, O great Jehovah, God of everlasting days; Humbly now we all assemble, to begin this year with praise. Lord we thank Thee for Thy mercies, which to us are new each day; And with gratitude we bless Thee, Thou hast led us all the way. Bless’ed Lord and only Savior, Thou didst full salvation bring; We would praise Thee without ceasing, of Thy glories we will sing. With the promise of Thy presence, now we face another year; Since Thy hand shall always guide us, free us from all doubt and fear. Lead us on our pilgrim journey, guide us safely by Thy grace; Keep us looking unto Jesus, till we finish life’s short race. Then receive us into glory, O Thou God in Whom we trust; Take our souls away to heaven, and protect and guard our dust. -Tune “Come Thou Fount” -Words by preacher Jim Byrd

“ The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. ” -J AMES 5:16 [KJV] What is “ a righteous man ” ? God elected him before the world’s foundation. In connection with His obedience unto death, Christ remitted his sins, satisfied God’s law and justice, established righteousness which God accepted and imputed to his account thus justifying him. In time and experience, this same one is spiritually awakened by the Holy Spirit. He hears THE GOSPEL OF FREE GRACE , repents of sin and false religion and he believes on the Lord Jesus Christ. He worships, obeys the scriptures, seeks God in prayer, fellowships with other believers and grows in the grace and knowledge of the truth. What is an “ effectual fervent prayer ” ? In the original “effectual fervent” is one word. It’s our word for energy . As opposed to often repeated prayers that are rites and rituals, this prayer comes from the mind that is being taught of God, from the heart that is being softened by

"And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto M e." -J OHN 12:32 [KJV] Wherever Jesus is graciously and experimentally manifested to the soul, and made known by any sweet revelation of His glorious Person, atoning blood, and finished work, a secret yet sacred power is put forth, whereby we are drawn unto Him, and every grace of the Spirit flows toward Him as towards its attractive centre. Thus Jeremiah speaks of the saints of God as coming and singing in the height of Zion, and flowing together to the goodness of the Lord [JEREMIAH 31:12 ] . And thus Isaiah speaks to the church of God, "Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear [or as the word rather means, shall 'palpitate' with love and joy] , and be enlarged" [ISAIAH 60:5 ] . This view of Christ by faith is what the apostle speaks of to the Galatians, as Jesus evidently set forth before their eyes [GALATIANS 3:1 ] . As thus

Weekend Gospel message to follow for All Hands (03-05JAN20) Heads-Up --- Please find enclosed encouragement in SO GREAT SALVATION by the perfect and finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ in saving poor, needy and wretched sinners by His sovereign free grace - God's unmerited favor - from their sins and from Hell: Winston Churchill said, “Truth is incontrovertible. Panic may resent it, ignorance may deride it, and malice may distort it, but there it is.” Let me use similar words with respect to THE TRUTH OF GOD. The Gospel is irrefutable! Man’s pride may resent it, his ignorance may reject it, and his wisdom may despise it, but there it is. “ The word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the G ospel is preached unto you” [I PETER 1:25 ] . -copied