Monthly Ladies meetings:
People's Baptist Church, Kelowna, BC
Teacher: Mrs. Wendy Madle
VESSELS UNTO HONOUR
The Clouds of Life
Ladies meeting: September 18, 2000
All
Bible quotations are from the King James Version 1611
And
we know that all things work together for good
to them
that love God,
to them
who are the called
according
to his purpose.
Romans
8:28
I) The Clouds of Life will bring: The Rainbow of Promise
1 Kings 8:56 Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.
Romans 4:18-21 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the
father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed
be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when
he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: He
staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith,
giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he
was able also to perform.
2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises:
that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the
corruption that is in the world through lust.
1 John 2:25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
A) Promise of Answered Prayer
Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest
not.
Isaiah 65:24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer;
and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
B) Promise of Forgiveness of Sin - to His Children
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our
sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
C) Promise of Divine Guidance
Psalm 48:14 For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide
even unto death.
D) Promise of Strength
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and
they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy
God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with
the right hand of my righteousness.
2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew
himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.
II) The Clouds of Life will bring: The Glory of the Lord's
Presence.
Exodus 13:21-22 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud,
to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to
go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the
pillar of fire by night, from before the people.
Exodus 16:10 And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of
the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the
glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud.
A) The Lord's Presence will give Rest.
Exodus 33:14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give
thee rest.
Mark 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be
still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
B) The Lord's Presence will bring Comfort in Trials
Isaiah 43:1-5 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable,
and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy
life. Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and
gather thee from the west;
C) The Lord's Presence will bring Courage in Battle
Ephesians 6:11-18 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour
of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all,
to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having
on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of
the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall
be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of
salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always
with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all
perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Deuteronomy 20:1 And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto
thee, then it shall be, that all the people that is found therein shall be
tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee.
2 Kings 6:17 And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
III) The Clouds of Life will bring: The Rain of Blessing
1 Kings 18:44-46 And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel. And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
- size of a man's hand, then the sky was completely black
Psalm 24:4-5 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted
up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing
from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
You need a pure heart to receive the blessings of God.
IV) The Clouds of Life will bring: The Covering of His protection
Psalm 105:39 He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the
night.
Psalm 61:1-8 To the chief Musician upon Neginah, A Psalm of David. Hear my cry,
O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee,
when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For
thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide
in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah. For
thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that
fear thy name. Thou wilt prolong the king's life: and his years as many
generations. He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth,
which may preserve him. So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may
daily perform my vows.
Psalm 62:8 Trust in him at all times; ye
people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us.
Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth
into it, and is safe.
V) The Clouds of Life will bring: The Strength of His Power
Psalm 68:34 Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over
Israel, and his strength is in the clouds.
Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth;
and with my song will I praise him.
Psalm 23 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth
over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I
will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart,
and my portion for ever.
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
VI) The Clouds of Life will bring: The Dew of His Grace
Proverbs 3:20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop
down the dew.
2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my
strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory
in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to
man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye
are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be
able to bear it.
"The Will of God Will Not Lead You
Where The Grace of God Cannot Keep You!"
VII) The Clouds of Life will bring: The Word of His Testimony
Psalm 99:7 He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his
testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.
Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of
the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
Psalm 119 - Long one, just read it. Talks about the Word of God.
Matthew 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and
behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I
am well pleased; hear ye him.
Luke 9:35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved
Son: hear him.
The Clouds are not the clogs that hinder us;
they are the bringer of showers that bless us.
Outline:
I) The Clouds of Life will bring: The Rainbow of Promise
(1 Kings 8:56; Romans 4:18-21;
2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 2:25)
A) Promise of Answered Prayer
(Jeremiah 33:3; Isaiah 65:24)
B) Promise of Forgiveness of Sin - to His Children
(1 John 1:9)
C) Promise of Divine Guidance
(Psalm 48:14)
D) Promise of Strength
(Isaiah 40:31; 41:10; 2 Chronicles 16:9)
II) The Clouds of Life will bring: The Glory of the Lord's Presence.
(Exodus 13:21-22; 16:10)
A) The Lord's Presence will give Rest.
(Exodus 33:14; Mark 4:39)
B) The Lord's Presence will bring Comfort in Trials
(Isaiah 43:1-5)
C) The Lord's Presence will bring Courage in Battle
(Ephesians 6:11-18; Deuteronomy 20:1; 2 Kings 6:17)
III) The Clouds of Life will bring:
The Rain of Blessing
(I Kings 18:44-46 - size of a man's hand, then the sky was completely black, Psalms 24:4-5)
IV) The Clouds of Life will bring: The Covering of His protection
(Psalm 105:39; 61:1-8; 62:8; Proverbs 18:10)
V) The Clouds of Life will bring: The Strength of His Power
(Psalm 68:34; 28:7; 23:2; 73:26; 46:1)
VI) The Clouds of Life will bring: The Dew of His Grace
(Proverbs 3:20; 2 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Corinthians 10:13)
VII) The Clouds of Life will bring: The Word of His Testimony
(Psalm 99:7; 19:7; Psalm 119; Matthew 3:17; 17:5; Luke 3:22; 9:35)
