Jesus Gives His People His Own Glory!

 The Lord will give us nothing less than glory!

We deserve shame, but He will give us glory. We deserve misery, but He will give us glory. We deserve condemnation, but He will give us glory. We deserve Hell, but He will give us glory.

If we belong to Jesus, then all that He has is ours. The poorest believer shall be as rich as Jesus; the weakest believer shall be as strong as Jesus; the most despised believer shall be as glorious as Jesus!

"The glory which You have given to Me, I have given to them!" (John 17:22) His glory belongs to us; He has made us heirs of God, and joint heirs with Himself. What a wondrous gift is this! Jesus gives His people His own glory, the glory of sonship, the glory of union with Himself, the glory of likeness to Himself, the glory of being with Him forever! This is the perfection of Heaven that we shall be conformed to the image of God's dear Son.

The saints shall have a glory which shall never fade, a beauty which shall never wither, and a blessedness which shall never end.  This is the very summit of our desires. He shall see Him as He is, and we shall be like Him!  The certain hope of every true saint is not merely escape from judgment; but final conformity to, and communion with, the glorified Christ.

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

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Psalm 84:11 ... For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Romans 8:30 ... Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

1 John 3:2 ... Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. ❤

My Little Children

John is evidently addressing every believer when he speaks of them as "my little children," as, for instance, in the closing verse of his letter, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols." (1 John 5:21) 

Surely, all the saints are included in these exhortations. There is a sense in which every Christian is still a little child, a sense in which he ought to be so. We are to be ever dependent upon our great Father, ever ready to receive the Word of our Father without questioning, ever teachable, ever restful in our Father's care, and full of love to Him who is our all in all.   Of necessity we must ever remain children before God; for our finite capacity is so limited that we are mere babes in knowledge in the presence of Infinite Wisdom. We know enough to make us understand that we know very little. 

The most advanced intellects in the church are but as infants, compared with the Ancient of Days. We are of yesterday and know nothing. With all our experience, with all our study, with all our meditation, we remain "little children" when measured by the boundless knowledge of our omniscient God. Children are expected to bear some likeness to their parents. Children of God, regenerated by the almighty energy of the Holy Spirit, are sure to bear a high degree of likeness to their heavenly Father. "Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children, and walk in love, just as Christ loved us, and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God." (Ephesians 5:1–2) 

The believer is as a little child utterly dependent upon our Father, sheltered in the bosom of our Savior, and finding our highest happiness in loving Him and obeying His Word. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.

[Charles H. Spurgeon] 

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1 Peter 1:14-16 ... As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:  But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

1 John 3:1-2 ... Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

1 John 2:1 ... My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:❤

Christ, Who is Our Life

Paul's marvelously rich expression indicates that Christ is the source of our spiritual life. "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins!" Ephesians 2:1. That same voice which brought Lazarus out of the tomb, raised us to newness of life.

Christ is now the substance of our spiritual life. It is by His life that we live. He is in us as, the hope of glory, the spring of our actions, the central thought which moves every other thought.

Christ is the sustenance of our life. What can the Christian feed upon but Jesus? O wayworn pilgrims in this wilderness of sin you never get a morsel to satisfy the hunger of your hearts, unless you find it in Him!

Christ is the solace of our life. All our true joys come from Him. In times of trouble, His presence is our consolation. There is nothing worth living for, but Him. His loving-kindness is better than life!

Christ is the object of our life. As the ship speeds towards the port so the believer hastens towards the haven of his Savior's bosom. As the arrow flies to its goal so the Christian flies towards fellowship with Jesus.

Christ is the exemplar of our life. If we live in near fellowship with the Lord Jesus, then we shall grow like Him. We shall set Him before us as our Divine example, and we shall seek to tread in His footsteps. "Whoever claims to live in Him, must walk as Jesus did." 1 John 2:6

Oh! how safe, how honored, how happy is the Christian since Christ is our life!

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

Colossians 3:4 ... When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

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Not of It...

A man who is Born Again does not use the world's opinion as his standard of right and wrong.

[J. C. Ryle]

Acts 5:29 ... Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

1 John 5:19 ... And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

Romans 12:2 ... And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. ❤

Unfailing Happiness!!

Here is one of the sweetest privileges of the Christian life. The Christian is God's beloved child and shares all the love and tenderness of the Father's heart!

This one thought is a fountain of unfailing happiness! 

"I am at home with God!  Once I was far off but now, I am brought near.  Once I was a stranger but now, I am His beloved child!  Once the thought of His presence was fear and dread but now it is life, and joy and peace. He is my Father, and in this Name all heart-joys meet. He knows me by name, and cares for me in all my cares. He pities me, and in tender compassion marks each tear I shed, and each sorrow that weighs upon my heart.  He opens His hand, and each day gives me all that I need. He bows down His ear and hearkens to each prayer I offer.  I have boldness and liberty to go at all times into His presence-chamber and may tell Him my every desire and ask of Him whatever is for my good."

[George Everard]

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Ephesians 1:5 ...  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Galatians 3:26 ... For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

1 John 3:1 ... Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. ❤

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. ❤

Fascinating, Delusive and Dangerous!

I do not hesitate for a moment to pronounce the theater to be one of the broadest avenues which lead to destruction!

Fascinating, no doubt it is but, on that account, the more delusive and the more dangerous! Let a young man once acquire a taste for this kind of entertainment, and yield himself up to its gratification, and he is in imminent danger of becoming a lost character rushing upon his eternal ruin!

All the evils that can waste his property, corrupt his morals, blast his reputation, impair his health, embitter his life, and destroy his soul, lurk in the confines of the theater! Vice, in every form, lives, and moves, and has its being there!

Myriads have cursed the hour when they first exposed themselves to the contamination of the theater. From that fatal evening, they date their downfall!

Take warning then and have nothing to do with the theater. Avoid it as one of the avenues to the broad road that leads to destruction. The danger is greater than I can describe. The doors of the theater are as the jaws of the devouring lion!

[John Angell James]

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1 John 2:15-16 ...  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

2 Corinthians 6:17-18 ... Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. ❤

Vile, Polluted and Wretched Beings!

Those whom Jesus loves, being chosen of God to holiness here on earth, and happiness in eternity are predestined to the adoption of His children, to the praise of the glory of His grace. They are predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son; they are to partake of His nature, receive of His spirit, wear His image, and be associated with Him in honor and glory forever!

Jesus calls them: His brethren, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Himself! Being His redeemed children, they have a saving interest in Him, are eternally loved by Him, are in eternal union with Him, and shall never be separated from Him!

O wondrous mercy! That God should condescend to make up a family of such vile, polluted, and wretched beings as we are!

O wondrous mercy! That He should write our names in His book of life, give us the gift of the Holy Spirit, privilege us as His children at His throne, and associate us with Jesus as fellow heirs.

O wondrous mercy! That all this should have been fixed upon and settled before the beginning of time; and all for the praise of His glorious grace!

[James Smith]

1 John 3:1 ... Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

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You Will Be Damned if You Live in Sin!

We preach salvation by grace alone, but we do not preach the salvation of those who still continue to live in sin. The children of God are a holy people, washed, purged, sanctified, and made zealous for good works. He who talks about faith but has no works to prove that his faith is a living faith is simply lying. It is faith that saves us, not works but the faith that saves us, always produces a holy life. 

God-given faith always renews the heart, changes the character, and influences the desires and motives. One who merely professes to be a Christian but lives continually in unrepentant sin shows by his life that he is not a genuine believer. The New Testament consistently affirms that saving faith always produces holiness. (James 2:17; 1 John 2:3-6) Persistent, willful, unrepentant sin demonstrates that one's profession is false. 

No doubt about it, sirs. You may be baptized and re-baptized, you may attend to sacraments, and you may believe an orthodox creed; but you will be damned if you live in sin! You may become a deacon, or an elder, or a minister but there is no salvation for any man who still harbors his sins. "The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23) death to professors as well as to non-professors.  If you hug your sins in secret and will not part with them then God will reveal those sins in public and condemn you according to the strict justice of His Word. 

[Charles H. Spurgeon] 

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1 John 2:16-17 ... For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

1 John 3:8-9 ... He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.  Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

Titus 1:16 ... They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. ❤

The Saints Marveling at Jesus!

My imagination can hardly bear to gaze upon the glittering ranks of white-robed saints, who have come out of the great tribulation. They are now standing before the throne and before the Lamb. Their unified testimony is, "We have washed our filthy robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb!"

Like all of mankind, they were once dead in trespasses and sins, and heirs of wrath. They had all like sheep gone astray and turned to their own sinful ways. But see how Jesus has saved them, washed them, cleansed them, and perfected them! His power and wisdom, and grace, are seen in each of them.

In each one, the memory of the horrible pit from whence they were drawn, and the miry clay out of which they were uplifted, shall make them extremely astonished at their Savior.

Some were supremely stubborn; their neck was as an iron sinew and yet Jesus conquered them by love.  Others were densely ignorant, but He opened their blind minds.  Others were grossly infected with the leprosy of lust, but Jesus healed and purified them.  Others were held captive by Satan, but Jesus freed them from the bondage of the devil. Others were drunkards, but Jesus made them into saints. Others were blasphemers, but Jesus turned them into loving disciples.  Others were persecutors, but Jesus taught them to everlastingly sing, "Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"

All these saints now made perfect in Heaven, would have been in eternal Hell had it not been for the sin-atoning sacrifice of Jesus. We will remember this the more vividly, because we will see multitudes of others damned for the same sins which we were once polluted by. The crash of vengeance upon the ungodly, will make us magnify the Lord the more, as we see ourselves delivered from eternal wrath!

Perhaps the chief point in which Jesus will be glorified, will be in the absolute perfection of all the saints. We shall then be without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing. We have not experienced what perfection is, and therefore we can hardly conceive of it; our thoughts are now too sinful for us to get a full idea of what this must be.

But dear brethren, we shall have no sin left in us, for we shall be without fault before the throne of God!  We shall have not even have any remaining propensity to sin.

There shall be no bias in our WILL towards that which is evil, but it shall be fixed forever upon that which is holy, and righteous, and good.  Our AFFECTIONS will never again rove after forbidden lusts.  Our UNDERSTANDING will never again make mistakes. We shall never put bitter for sweet, nor sweet for bitter. He shall be perfect, even as our Heavenly Father is perfect. We shall forever marvel at and adore Jesus, for what He transforms us into.

O mighty Master, with what a strange moral chemistry did You work, to turn that bitter and morose man, into a mass of love! What a marvel that You lifted that selfish Mammonite up from his hoarded gains, to make him find his all in You. How did you contrive to overcome that proud spirit, that lazy spirit, that lustful spirit? How did you extirpate the very roots of sin, and every little rootlet of sin, out of your glorified people, so that not a tiny fiber can be found?

This is but the beginning, however. There will be seen in every saint, in that last wondrous day, the wisdom and power and love of Jesus, in having sustained them through all the trials of their dangerous earthly journey. He kept their faith alive, when otherwise it would have died out. He held them fast in their integrity, when temptation solicited them, and they had almost fallen.

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

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Revelation 1:5-6 ... And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

1 John 3:2 ... Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

2 Thessalonians 1:10 ... When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. ❤

The World Hated Him First!!

This one was another request - wanting to show this passage illustrated. This was from a student who feels their faith is under attack by their professors and fellow classmates. Colleges and universities can be a scary place for Christians, especially if this is their first time leaving home and "in the world".

While the Bible does not offer any promises about being able to avoid being hated by the world, Jesus does assure us that this hate is ultimately directed at Him. The good news is that we are not of the world, and we belong instead to the family of God.

I hope this image is an encouragement to you, and please keep sending those ideas in! 

                                                       www.ChristianPhotoshops.com 

John 15:18-19 ...  If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

1 John 3:13 ... Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. ❤

Matchless Love!!

Sit down in astonishment at this matchless love of Jesus! 

 

Oh! what is in us, that should cause the Lord to save us? We were all equal in sin and misery; nay, doubtless, we have actually out-sinned thousands, to whom this precious salvation is denied. 

Oh! we were once poor wretches sitting upon the ash-heap; yes, wallowing in our blood; and yet behold, the King of kings, the Lord of lords, has so far abounded in His love, as to bestow Himself, His Spirit, His saving grace, and all the jewels of His royal crown, upon us! 

Oh! what heart can conceive, what tongue can express, this matchless love! Says Jesus: "I will be yours forever, and My Spirit shall be yours forever, and My grace shall be yours forever, and My glory shall be yours forever, and My righteousness shall be yours forever! All that I am, and all that I have shall be yours forever!" 

Oh, what incomparable love is this! 

Oh! what a precious Jesus is this! 

[Thomas Brooks] 

Romans 5:6-8 ... For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 

1 John 3:1 ... Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

John 3:16 ...  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ❤

A Biblical Warning!

The Bible warned us long before hookup culture, dating apps, and the sexual programming of society. It's not poetry. That’s a WARNING. And Solomon doubled down. This isn’t just about one woman. This is about a system. A system that weaponizes lust. A system that uses desire to drain men spiritually, mentally, financially. A system that turns pleasure into a trap door. 

Notice the language: Steps gradual compromise House a place you willingly enter Chambers of death levels, not instant destruction.  They don’t drag you to hell. They invite you. Seduction is never loud. It’s soft. It’s flattering. It feels good, until you realize you’re empty, addicted, broken, and spiritually numb. 

This is why: marriage is mocked modesty, is attacked discipline, is ridiculed men are weakened through lust because a distracted man is a controllable man. Solomon wasn’t anti-women. He was anti-destruction. And the same trap he warned about thousands of years ago is now monetized, normalized, and celebrated. 

Ask yourself: Why is lust pushed everywhere? Why does it always lead to loss? Why does pleasure come first, and consequences later? 

Because hell never looks like hell at the door. 

Stay sharp. Guard your eyes. Protect your spirit. 

[Robert Johnson]

Proverbs 5:5 ... Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.

Proverbs 7:27 ...  Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.

1 John 2:16 ... For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. ❤

The Christian Race

The Christian race is difficult. It is a race from earth to heaven! Is it easy for a man to deny himself, to crucify the flesh, to behead his beloved sin? If we would have a sight of God in glory, we must run this race. We cannot have the world without labor, and would we have heaven without labor? In the heavenly race, ALL must run. Those who are unfit to run in other races, like the lame and blind must run this race. None are excused from this race. All have run from God by sin, and all must run to Him by repentance!  Either run or be damned! Either flee to heaven or fall to hell! 

If we do not throw off this weight of sin by sincere repentance it will sink us into hell. A man cannot run a race with a heavy burden upon his back. An immoral person cannot run the race of holiness; a proud man cannot run the race of humility; a self-willed man cannot run the race of obedience. The world is a golden weight which has hindered many and made them lose their race. "Demas has deserted me because he loved this present world!" (2 Timothy 4:10) 

So far as the world is a weight throw it off! I do not say lay aside the use of the world but the love of the world.  (1 John 2:15) When the golden dust of the world is blown in men's eyes it so blinds them, that they cannot see their race! 

Oh, Christian, unburden your soul of sin!  Throw off this weight if you intend to lay hold on the crown! 

[Thomas Watson]

1 Corinthians 9:24 ... Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

Hebrews 12:1 ... Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, ❤

Eat The Garbage!!

I believe that one reason why the church at this present moment has so little influence over the world, is because the world has so much influence over the church! Nowadays, we hear mere professors pleading that they may do this and do that, that they may live like worldlings. My sad answer to them, when they crave this liberty is, "Do it if you dare. It may not cost you much hurt, for you are so bad already. Your worldly cravings show how rotten your hearts are!  If you are hungering after such dogs' food, then go dogs and eat the garbage!" 

Worldly amusements are fit food for pretenders and hypocrites. If you were God's children, then you would loathe the thought of the world's evil joys. Your question would not be, "How far may we be like the world?" But your cry would be, "How can we get away from the world? How can we come out of it?" 

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

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2 Corinthians 6:14-17 ... Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

1 John 2:15-16 ...  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. ❤

Finally Free!!

A living, breathing relationship with the Savior of the world will drive porn out of your life quicker than anything else. When you turn your eyes to Jesus, there isn’t room for anything else in your heart because He fills it up. When you open the blinds of a pitch-black room, the sunlight drives away the darkness. 

[Heath Lambert]

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Galatians 2:20 ... I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Romans 5:5 ... And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

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.

Revelation 3:20 ... Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. ❤

Feed Your Faith!!

Faith not Fear!!

 

2 Timothy 1:7 ... For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

1 John 4:18 ... There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

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. ❤

Overcome!!

 An umbrella cannot stop the rain, but it allows us to stand in the rain.

Faith in God may not remove our trials, but it gives us the strength to overcome them!

[message from the Internet]

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1 John 5:4 ... For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

1 Peter 4:12-13 ... Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

John 16:33 ... These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.❤

"Fellowship"

1 John 1:7 ... But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

1 Corinthians 1:9 ... God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Philippians 3:9-11 ... And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. ❤

The Saints Everlasting Rest

If there is such a wonderful rest remaining for us, why don't we think about it more? Has the eternal God provided us such a hope, and promised to take us up to dwell with Himself; and is it not worth thinking about? Do we believe this, and yet forget it and neglect it? Why does God condemn earthly-mindedness and command, "Set your affection on things above"? (Colossians 3:2). If God says, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world" (1 John 2:15), why then do we make earth our principal concern?  Where is the Christian whose concentration is really on his rest? What is the matter are we so full of joy that we need no more? 

I urge you, reader, to bend your soul to study eternity. Busy it about the life to come. Make such meditation your habit. Bathe your soul in heaven's delights; and if your backward soul begins to drag its feet and your thoughts wander, call them back. Hold them to their work. Don't put up with their laziness. When you have, in obedience to God, tried this work, and kept a guard on your thoughts until they are accustomed to obeying; then you will find yourself in the suburbs of heaven. Then the life of Christianity will be a life of joy. 

[Richard Baxter]

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Titus 2:13 ... Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Philippians 1:23 ... For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

2 Corinthians 5:8 ... We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. ❤