Preaching of The Cross

Paul had been bred up in Jewish learning; but the plain preaching of a crucified Jesus, was more powerful than all the oratory and philosophy of the heathen world. This is the sum and substance of the gospel. Christ crucified is the foundation of all our hopes, the fountain of all our joys. And by his death we live. The preaching of salvation for lost sinners by the sufferings and death of the Son of God, if explained and faithfully applied, appears foolishness to those in the way to destruction. The sensual, the covetous, the proud, and ambitious, alike see that the gospel opposes their favorite pursuits. But those who receive the gospel, and are enlightened by the Spirit of God, see more of God's wisdom and power in the doctrine of Christ crucified, than in all his other works. 

 [Matthew Henry]

Romans 1:16 ... For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Hebrews 4:12 ...  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

1 Corinthians 1:18 ... For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. ❤

By Him ...

This is one of the reasons why he is called "the image of God," and the "first-born." He makes God known to us by his creative power, and by the same power in creation shows that he is exalted over all things as the Son of God. The phrase which is used here by the apostle is universal. He does not declare that he created all things in the spiritual kingdom of God, or that he arranged the events of the gospel dispensation; but that everything was created by him. 

[Barnes Notes on The Bible]

Colossians 1:16 ... For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

John 1:3 ... All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. ❤

Coming For You!!

The Scriptures confront us with a truth that the proud heart hates to ponder man is but dust. Beauty, wealth, strength, and status all of these perish at the grave's edge. What is frailer than the body? It is but a heap of dust, held together by the breath of God and when He withdraws it, it returns to the earth from whence it came. So do not boast in outward beauty, or earthly treasure.

Death makes the greatest beauty so loathsome, that it must be buried out of sight! The fairest face, so admired in life, will in time become an object of horror. The smooth skin will shrivel. The bright eyes will dim. The laughter, the voice, the charm will be silenced forever in death. The body, now so tenderly cared for, shall be turned into a lump of corruption, and lie moldering in the dust.

Death will strip you of all your ornaments, tear the mask from your face, and leave you loathsome to those who once admired you. Your corpse shall be carried to the grave, the house appointed for all living; and there the worms shall cover you yes, the worms shall feed sweetly on you.

What has become of the loveliness that once charmed the eyes of beholders? Death has blasted it! And what of the fine clothing, and the gold and glitter of this world? The finest clothes are but badges of our sin and shame. Soon enough, they will be exchanged for a burial shroud. And the body, no matter how pampered or praised, will become a feast for worms!

Such truths are not morbid. They are merciful. For they will strip away our illusions and compel us to look beyond this vain and fleeting world.

At every funeral we attend, we should ever hearken to death's voice, for it always says to us: "I am coming for you soon!"

[Thomas Boston]

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Hebrews 9:27 ... And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Genesis 3:19 ... In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Psalm 49:14 ... Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling. ❤

Before Me...

I'm walking into so much I don't know, conversations I haven't had, challenges I haven't faced, moments I can't predict, but You're already there, ahead of me in all of it.

Teach me what it means that You go before me, that I'm never the first to arrive anywhere, that You've surveyed what's ahead and prepared the ground before I get there.

You go before me as my advance guard, smoothing rough places, opening doors I need opened, closing ones I shouldn't enter, working ahead of me in ways I'll never fully know.

Help me walk with confidence because You've gone ahead, trusting that wherever I'm going today, you've already been, that nothing will surprise You or catch You unprepared.

Remind me that going before me is love in action, your care demonstrated by preparing my path, protecting my steps, orchestrating what needs to happen before I arrive.

Give me peace about what's ahead because You're already there, courage to step forward knowing You've gone first, trust that your advance work makes every path safe.

Let me walk today knowing the Lord goes before me, confident because You're ahead of me, secure because wherever I'm going, You're already there.

Psalm 16:8 ... I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. ❤

Love ~ Hate

LOVE is so powerful that it can outlast even death itself. 

HATE is so destructive that it cannot sustain even this fleeting life.

[Author Unknown]

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1 John 3:14 ...  We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

1 John 3:15 ... Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. ❤

Rely on God!

We can overcome difficulties by fully trusting and 

relying on the Lord.

 Proverbs 3:5-6 ... Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

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Unwavering Faith

Despite suffering like Job, keep unwavering faith and the Lord will vindicate you.

Job 19:25-27 ... For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:  Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

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Hold Me Up!!

There is a glorious humility in this brief prayer. It is the cry of one who knows both his weakness, and his heavenly Father's ability. The psalmist does not say, "I will hold myself up!" or "I will stand in my own strength!" He knows better. He has learned the painful lesson of his own weakness and instability, and proneness to wander from God. Instead, he casts himself entirely upon the Lord: "Hold me up, and I shall be safe!" Only God can uphold His redeemed people, with corruption in their hearts, in a world full of spiritual dangers and deceits.

This verse is a declaration of the utter necessity of God's sustaining grace. The redeemed are not kept by their own willpower, intelligence, or resolve--they are "kept by the power of God through faith" (1 Peter 1:5). It is sovereign grace that chose them, grace that effectually called them, grace that redeemed them, and grace that will preserve them to the end.

Were it not for God's moment-by-moment upholding grace, no believer could endure to the end. The world entices, the flesh rebels, the devil accuses and divine grace alone keeps their feet from slipping.

The Lord's people shall not fall away finally or totally. They may fall foully, but they shall not fall finally. He who began the good work in them, will carry it on until He completes it. The same hand which gave us spiritual life, must preserve that life. Grace in the heart, is like a spark in the ocean it would be utterly quenched, unless the Lord kept it alive.

Yet God's sustaining grace is not merely a necessity it is a comfort beyond all measure. What greater security could the believer have, than to be upheld by God's everlasting arms! What sweeter assurance than to know that our safety depends, not on our grip on God, but on His mighty hold on us! "The Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one" (2 Thessalonians 3:3). When fear arises, when temptations threaten, when strength fails may this prayer be our rock of refuge: "Hold me up, and I shall be safe!"

Let every believer pray this daily. Let us not rely on our own wisdom or strength. Let us lean wholly on Him who never fails. And when we are upheld, when we find ourselves still walking with God, still standing in grace, still looking to Jesus let us give Him all the praise. For it is not we who have held fast to Him but He who has held fast to us.

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

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Jude 24 ...  Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

Psalm 119:117 ... Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. ❤

Never Lacks An Apple!

The devil is not a lamb, but a lion; not a sleeping lion, but a roaring lion; not a lion standing still, but a lion prowling around to devour! He is not satisfied with the prey he has already gotten but is restless in his designs to fill Hell with damned souls.

He never lacks an apple for an Eve; nor a grape, for a Noah; nor a change of clothing, for a Gehazi; nor a wedge of gold, for an Achan; nor a crown, for an Absalom; nor a bag of silver, for a Judas; nor a world, for a Demas!

If you look into one company, you shall find Satan a-dishing out his dainties to every taste.  If you look into another company, you shall find him fitting a lace to every shoe.

If you look into a third company, you shall find him suiting a garment to every back.

Here, with Jael, he allures poor souls in with milk; and murders them with a nail! There, with Joab, he embraces with one hand; and stabs with another! Here with Judas, he kisses; and betrays! And there, with the whore of Babylon, he presents a golden cup, with poison in it!

[Thomas Brooks]

1 Peter 5:8 ... Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

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Ours and His

The only sin that Jesus ever had was ours.

The only righteousness that we will ever have is His.

[A. W. Tozer]

Isaiah 53:5 ...  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Romans 3:22-23 ...  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; ❤

Petty Troubles and Vexations!

We must see our heavenly Father's hand in our lesser trials and cares, as much as in the greater ones.

David recognized the hand of God in Absalom rising against him in rebellion, but he saw it no less in Shimei throwing stones and dust and casting bitter words at him.

Just so, let us see God's hand in everything. These petty troubles and vexations are a part of our schooling for Heaven. They are just as much sent from above, as the fierce storm that wrecks our home and leaves us desolate in a cold world. They all come to prove us, to humble us, to draw out the grace which God has given us, to break the tie that binds us too closely to earth, to knit the tie that draws us nearer to Heaven.

Let us ever fix this in our minds. Let us say to ourselves:

"My Father has sent this trial!

 Not a sparrow falls to the ground without Him.

 The very hairs of my head are numbered by Him.

 So, I will trust His heart, where I cannot trace His hand.

 He is too wise to be mistaken and too good to be unkind!"

[George Everard]

1 Peter 5:7 ... That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

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