Middle of January

The frog says, "Time's fun when you're having flies!" Well, time is flying for us all. May we have grace to "Redeem the time". The family is doing well, praise the Lord. We are seeing the Lord work in our lives through submission to His plan. Sometimes, He has us in a place where all we can do is yield. That is the very place He can bless us.

This week's outlines is a topical outline preached in series from 1 Corinthians. From chapter 10, "Christ Our Rock"
1. He is My Rock of Redemption; 2 Samuel 22:47 gives praise to the Lord for being the rock of my salvation.
- We know that Jesus is the door to salvation; John 10:9
- He is the only way to be saved; Acts 4:12; John 14:6
- He saves us and makes us new; 2 Corinthians 5:17. George Beverly Shea was asked one time what he knew, to which he replied, "Not much but I do know Who has changed my life."
- Jesus suffered outside the gate, so that we might be saved and changed; Hebrews 13:12

Our redemption is past, present, and future: Saved from the penalty of sin, from the power of sin, and, soon, from the very presence of sin. 1 John 1:7b ". . .and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son cleasneth us from all sin."

2. He is the Rock of Refreshment and Restoration; Psalm 23:3 says, "He restoreth my soul." Christian, do you find yourself needing this refreshing from the Lord? Remember. . .
- He protects us; Psalm 32:7 says, "Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance." Too often we forget to stop and listen to the music. He is our shelter amidst the storms of life. He makes even the most tenuous position a stronghold. How is it that Saul, the king of Israel, cannot find David as he searches desperately? David is hidden by God. How is it that for three and a half years Ahab cannot locate a very noticeable character named Elijah? God is his refuge and hiding place. He protects us as well.
- He also gives us rest sometimes from the storms, but often in the storms. Psalm 37:7; There is healing and help in our time alone with the Father. Spencer Tracy was asked what he looked for in a script and he said, "Days off." Jesus is the One Who leads us "apart" for seasons of rest and refreshment in the Word and in talking to the Lord.
- He restores my strength. . .Psalm 103:5 makes it clear that our youth can be renewed as we are satisfied in Him. He restoreth my soul. He revives my old, cold heart. He may use a preacher, but He can use a lot of things to do this wonderful heart-softening work.

3. He is the Rock of Resolution; Psalm 40:2 "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings." He saved me and gave me a purpose. Sometimes Christians are undependable, up and down, but the Lord wants us to be established, to be steadfast, to have a purpose in life. 1 Peter 5:10; Romans 12:1-2; Proverbs 3:5-6. Winston Churchill felt that he was 'walking with destiny' as he took the mantle of premiership in WW2. How much more should we feel this same way as we follow our Lord, as we walk with Him. He is better than an indefinite destiny. He gives fulfillment that so many are looking for at this time. Jeremiah 1:5 shows that God has a purpose for our lives even before we are born. Let's discover His purpose. He wants you to be saved, to be sanctified or set apart to serve Him, and He wants you to be thanking Him for all things. . .thus revealing your trust in Him.

4. He is my Rock of Rejoicing; Isaiah 42:11 ". . .Let the inhabitants of the rock sing." Don't mar your testimony with a long face all the time. I am not one for cheesy grins, but there should be the light of joyin your eye and a ready smile on your lips as you remember who you are in Christ and what you have in Him. Your worst day as a believer is better than a lost person's best day! Have you forgotten to "Delight thyself also in the Lord"? (Psalm 37:4) Colossians 3:2 says "Set your affectoin on things above, not on things on the earth. . ." If we have found this joy of salvation here on earth, we have more than this transitory life to enjoy. One day, and it could be today, the trumpet will sound, the dead in Christ shall arise, and we shall join the ransomed throng at the the throne in Heaven to rejoice in Him forever. Who will be there? The blood-washed ones. Are you one of those who have been washed? If not, you can be. "Come now and let us reason together saith the Lord though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow, though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." What an invitation! Will you answer?

God bless you today and throughout this week. Set your affection on things above. Pass the love of Christ along to everybody around you.