Notes Taken From Safe in the Arms of God

8/9/2019 Notes Taken From Safe in the Arms of God

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Notes Taken from Safe in the Arms of God by John MacArthur

The following things are true of every human life and of every baby, unborn, miscarried,and stillborn. Psalm 139

God regards every human life as preciousPsalm 139:17-18 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the

sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I

awake, I am still with thee.

God knows everything about you before your conception

Psalm 139:1-4 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my

downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassestmy path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word

in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

God is actively involved in your lifePsalm 139:5-6 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such

knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

The birth of any child is regarded as authorized by God.

Psalm 22:9-10 But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope

when I was upon my mother's breasts. I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art myGod from my mother's belly.

God will never cease to have knowledge of you

Psalm 139:7-10 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy

presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold,thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of thesea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

God is never limited in His understanding

Psalm 139:11-12 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light

about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the

darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

God is your personal creator

Psalm 139:13-15 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's

womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thyworks; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I

was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

God personally planned your destiny

Psalm 139:16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all

my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was

none of them.


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Your Childs Life in Heaven

Perfect Pleasure Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence isfulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.

Perfect Knowledge 1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but thenface to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Perfect Comfort Luke 16:19-25 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed inpurple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar

named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the

crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his

sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels intoAbraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes,

being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried

and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip

of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. ButAbraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and

likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

Perfect Love John 13:1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that

his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved

his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. (The Greek word for thismeans to the end, to utter perfection) Its the same love we will have in heaven.

Perfect Joy Matthew 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithfulservant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many

things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Perfect Unbroken Fellowship with Our Heavenly Father John 17:21-24 That they all

may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that

the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I havegiven them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they

may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and

hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast

given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast givenme: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.


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Should We Mourn or Rejoice?

Rather than focus on your loss, focus on the eternal gain of your childsafe in the armsof God, alive forever and fully mature and like Christ.

Rejoice that your child has not known the wickedness of this world.Your child has not struggled against temptation or been subject to the inner pull of sins

desires.

Your child did not lose their life, but rather, has gained eternal life.


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Eight Purposes for Trials and Tragedies

1. To test the strength of our faith

2. To remind us not to let our trust in the Lord turn into presumption or spiritual self-satisfaction 2 Corinthians 12:7

3. To wean us from our dependence on worldly things

4. To call us to heavenly hope Romans 8:18-25; 2 Corinthians 4:13-175. To reveal what we really love Genesis 22:2

6. To teach us to value Gods blessings Psalm 63:3-5 (David knew hardship when he

wrote this)7. To enable us to better endure future trials and difficulties.

8. To help us develop enduring strength so we might be of even greater use in

Gods kingdom Hebrews 11: 33-34; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Ask What now?

Begin to ask, What now? rather than Why?

What does God want me to do now? What should I do now?

Asking what God wants you do now focuses your mind on the future and what Godwants for you.

Focusing on why? focuses your mind on the past and will eventually lead tobitterness.

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Notes Taken From Safe in the Arms of God