"Coming To Jesus"

This is an apt description of the whole of the Christian life. I consider it to be a complete picture of a saint, drawn with one stroke. In all circumstances and conditions, we are to come to Jesus alone. The Christian life is begun, continued, and perfected altogether in dependence upon the Lord Jesus. He is both the author and the finisher of our faith. 

If we begin aright, we begin with "Christ is all!" If we live aright, we live with "Christ is all!" And if we finish aright, we finish with "Christ is all!" 

We are to be always coming to Him: coming to Him for spiritual nourishment; coming to Him for needed grace; coming to Him for cleansing, guidance, support and comfort; coming in fact, for everything. The whole Christian life is drawn in one line it is a continuous "coming to Jesus!" I am persuaded that the only happy, holy, safe way for a Christian to live, is to live in daily dependence upon Jesus and to come to Him at all times, in all respects, under all circumstances, for everything! May it be the habit of our lives to be incessantly coming to our loving and merciful Savior. 

[Charles H. Spurgeon] 

 ✞  ✞   ✞ 

1 Peter 2: 3-4 ...  If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

Matthew 11:28 ... Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Revelation 22:17 ... And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. ❤

Sin No More!!

Sin dwells in hell, and holiness in heaven. Remember that every temptation is from the devil, to make you like himself. Remember when you sin, that you are learning and imitating of the devil and are so far like him. And the end of all, is that you may feel his pains. If hellfire be not good, then sin is not good. 

[Richard Baxter]

 ✞  ✞   ✞ 

James 4:7 ... Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

John 8:11-12 ... She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

1 Peter 1:16 ... Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. ❤

Do Not Be Afraid!!

Fear often grips our hearts when we face uncertainty, suffering, and trials. But God speaks directly to His redeemed people: "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you!" This is not a mere suggestion it is a divine command grounded in His sovereign grace. He has purchased us at the highest cost the blood of His darling Son, Jesus Christ! (1 Peter 1:18-19)  

Because we are ransomed, we are also called by name. This is the personal love of God toward each of His redeemed people. He knows each of us intimately and claims us as His own. What a comfort to know that our identity is not found in our struggles, failures, or circumstances but in the unchanging truth that we are God's redeemed children! Our trials may seem overwhelming, but they can never undo what Christ has secured for us. We belong to Him, and nothing can snatch us from His omnipotent and loving hand! (John 10:28-29)  

The Christian life is not free from suffering, but it is never without God's presence. The Lord does not say IF you go through deep waters, but WHEN. This world is filled with trials, but the promise is sure: "I will be with you!" Deep waters will not drown you. When trouble comes like a flood, God holds us fast. The waves may crash, but they cannot pull us from His omnipotent grip! (Psalm 93:4) 

Rivers of difficulty will not sweep you away. Temptations, sorrows, and hardships may rise--but our foundation in Christ remains forever firm. Fires of oppression will not consume you. Just as God preserved Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace, He will sustain us through every trial. (Daniel 3:25) 

We do not walk alone. The sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, is our Savior. He leads us, refines us, and upholds us by His wisdom and power. Every trial, though painful, is used by God to purify our faith and deepen our dependence on Him. (1 Peter 1:6-7)  

You may measure the heavens with a ruler, you may weigh the mountains in scales--but the love of Christ, who shall measure that! 

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

 ✞  ✞   ✞

Romans 8:38-39 ...  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Isaiah 43:1-3 ... 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. ❤

All The Reasons ...

 All the reasons why you should not worry:

1. God.

1 Peter 1:7 ... Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Matthew 6:34 ... Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Philippians 4:6 ... Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. ❤

Scarcely Saved!

The Bible states that "the righteous are scarcely saved." (1 Peter 4:18) 

Now how can this be? Is not such a man sure to be saved? Is not salvation promised to him? Is there any doubt about it? None whatever. "The righteous" here means not one who is righteous in himself for there is no such person in the world but a true Christian, a converted man, one who is justified by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and seeks daily to live to His glory. There is no doubt about such a person's salvation. He is a branch of the true Vine, a sheep of the flock of Christ; eternal life is given him by Christ; he shall never perish, and none shall pluck him out of the good Shepherd's hand! (John 10:28) 

What then does this "scarcely" mean? Take a case by way of illustration. A fire once broke out in one of the large houses in Hatton Garden, London. It was thought all the inhabitants were saved, when a man was seen hanging by his hands from one of the upper windowsills. The fire escape was immediately placed, but did not reach him. The fireman then climbed up and called to him to let himself drop on the top step of the escape, but the man did not answer he was deaf and dumb. With great difficulty the fireman managed, by standing on the top step, to reach high enough to touch his foot, and so attracted his attention. The man was saved but "scarcely saved." 

Take another case. It was a frosty day in winter; the ice seemed strong, and the pond was crowded with people. Suddenly, a sharp cracking sound was heard, and an instant after the cry arose, "A boy is under the ice!" One of the skaters had ventured too near a dangerous part; the ice had given way, and he had sunk beneath. Not a moment was lost. A line was formed to the shore, and those nearest the hole stretched themselves flat on the ice. The boy rose to the surface, the nearest hand laid hold on him, the line moved gently toward the shore, and in a few minutes the boy lay on the bank. But he was senseless. They took him to the nearest house and applied the usual means for recovery but all, as it seemed, in vain. The eyes were closed; the limbs were stiff and cold; the breath was gone. At length, when hope was almost past, signs of life appeared; the limbs began to glow; the stiffness relaxed, and he breathed again. The boy was saved, but only just saved, "scarcely saved." 

Either of these cases may serve to explain how the righteous is said to be scarcely saved. It is not that he is not quite saved and certainly saved; but it is because of the great danger he was in, and the great difficulties he has been brought through. He was by nature a child of wrath, dead in trespasses and sins, with no power or wish to turn to God. But through grace he has been led to see his danger and to seek Christ; a change of heart has been wrought in him by the Spirit of God; he has become a new creature in Christ Jesus and has passed from death unto life. But his difficulties are not over. Snares and temptations lie in his path; and his heart, though renewed by grace, is by no means free from sin. He finds the Christian life to be no smooth and easy course but a race, a strife, a warfare, from first to last; and often has he to mourn over his own backslidings and shortcomings. And probably he has trials of another kind too losses, sorrows, afflictions; for God does not leave His children unchastised. The chastisements He sends are proofs of love, rather than of anger and sometimes seem to fall heaviest on the best Christians. Thus, it is through danger and difficulty, temptation and trial that the Christian is saved. 

Many a rough place must he pass; many a battle must he fight; many a sorrow must he bear before his course be done. He is saved, but "scarcely saved." Yet it is surely though scarcely. Tried and harassed he may be but not lost. Worn, tempted, and persecuted but not cast away. God's love and faithfulness are engaged for his salvation. "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone pluck them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. I and my father are one" (John 10:27-30) 

But now comes a solemn question: If the righteous is scarcely saved—then what will become of the unrighteous? It is the Bible that puts this question about the unrighteous. The words are these: "If the righteous one is scarcely saved, then where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?" (1 Peter 4:18) They are in fact the words of God, though written by the apostle Peter. They are God's words to you, reader, if you are among the ungodly and the sinners God's solemn question to your soul. A question, but a question without an answer: the answer is left to you. 

"The ungodly and the sinner." Why are there two words instead of one? On purpose, it would seem, to take in sinners of all sorts the hardened transgressor, the man who lives in habits of sin, the bold wicked man the weak and wavering man, the light and careless, the worldly, the empty professor all who are living without God in the world, all who are not washed in the blood of Christ and renewed by the Spirit. It is quite plain that the apostle means here all who are not righteous; he puts the righteous on one side, and the ungodly and the sinner on the other side; and on one side or the other, he means to take in everybody. It is just the same as if he had said, "If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall all the rest appear?" 

Now, ask yourself honestly whether you are among the righteous. The question is not whether you are better or worse than your neighbors; that has nothing to do with it but are you righteous? Does what was said at the beginning apply to you? Are you converted? Do you believe with the heart? Are you seeking daily to live to God? If not, then this question about the ungodly and the sinner is for you. Perhaps you do not like either of these words. You do not pretend to be righteous, yet you are not so bad, you think, as those who are called ungodly or sinners. 

Then, reader, I ask you, if neither righteous nor ungodly what are you? Put your finger on that word in the Bible which describes you. You cannot. There is nothing in the Bible between righteous and unrighteous, godly and ungodly, reconciled and unreconciled. And if you are not righteous in God's sight, then before Him whatever you may be in your own eyes or in the eyes of the world before Him, you are ungodly or sinful. I beseech you weigh this well. And now we come to the question itself, "Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?" 

But this question must not be taken by itself; it hangs upon what has gone before about the righteous: "If the righteous one is scarcely saved, then where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?" The full meaning is this. Seeing that even the righteous man is scarcely saved, that his dangers and difficulties are great; that he finds it necessary to "put on the whole armor of God" (Ephesians 6:11), to "press toward the mark" (Philippians 3:14), to "strive to enter through the narrow gate" (Luke 13:24), and that, though saved to the uttermost by Jesus Christ yet it is as one is rescued from the water or the flames seeing all this, what will become of the wicked? 

Shall the righteous be scarcely saved and you so easily? Shall he reach Heaven by so rough a road and you by one so smooth? Shall he go in by the straight gate and the narrow way and shall you choose the broad gate and the wide road, and yet find it leads you at last to the same happy place? Shall he take up his cross and follow Christ and shall you follow nothing but your own will, and yet win Christ in the end? Never repenting, never turning, never believing and yet saved? Finding without seeking; not running the race, and yet winning the prize; wearing a crown, though never having taken up the cross? Impossible! Reason says so conscience says so, and, as plainly as words can speak, God Himself has said so. Have you never read of the wheat and the tares (Matthew 13:30), of the sheep and the goats, of the right hand and the left (Matthew 25:33)? 

I spoke just now of a broad road and a narrow road, a straight gate and a wide gate; do you remember what the Bible says about them, and about the places to which they lead? Here are the words our Lord's own words: "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:13-14) The righteous and the wicked are traveling different roads and will come to different ends. It is true, they are mixed now, as plants growing in one field are mixed; but it will not always be so. A great separation day is coming, when every plant which God has not planted shall be rooted up (Matthew 25:13); and all refuges of lies shall be swept away (Isaiah 28:17), and the true sheep of Christ from every quarter shall be gathered together into one-fold, into which no mere pretender shall ever come. 

 To that great day, this question itself seems to point, "Where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?" Appear when? Why, on that very day when the Lord Jesus shall appear in His glory, and the saints who slept shall appear with Him, and His waiting people on earth shall appear with joy to meet Him. Then, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Appear they must, somewhere. They cannot hide themselves. "Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye shall see Him, even those who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him." (Revelation 1:7) 

Oh, sinner! Careless and stout-hearted now where will you appear, and how will you feel then? In vain will you call upon the mountains and rocks to fall on you and hide you "from the face of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb!" (Revelation 6:16) You must come forth you cannot escape from that all-seeing eye you must meet the Judge. Where will you appear? I leave the question to your conscience. "If the righteous one is scarcely saved then where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?" Look on to that great day so sure to come and coming so swiftly! Look on to it as if already come imagine yourself even now before the throne; imagine that, just as you are, you are suddenly called to stand there. Where do you appear? What do you feel? Which side are you placed on? What words do you hear? How does it fare with your soul? Can you think of this and yet continue in sin and still put off coming to Christ? 

Come with us. "We are setting out for the place of which the Lord said, 'I will give it to you.' Come with us, and we will treat you well; for the Lord has promised good things to Israel" (Numbers 10:29) His word cannot fail. Not one true believer shall be lost. "He is also able to save to the uttermost, those who come to God through Him" (Hebrews 7:25) and He will save them with an everlasting salvation. "Come with us." Turn from sin and the world. Leave the broad road and begin to walk in the narrow way. It is a safe way, though narrow the only safe way; and happy, though rough. And it is not always rough; it has many green spots, many pleasant places; and even when rough, one is with us in it, to help and cheer us by His presence. 

Oh, set out on this road without delay! Too much time has been lost already lose no more. No longer run the risk of appearing among the ungodly and the sinners at His coming flee to Christ at once; be instant and urgent at the mercy seat; pray for the Holy Spirit, for light, pardon, grace, and strength; and ask that, for Christ's sake, you may even now be reckoned among the righteous, and be saved in the day of the Lord! 

[Francis Bourdillon]

✫❤•°*”˜˜”*°•❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫

Practical Kindness

Kindness must be practical not merely emotional and sentimental. It will not be satisfied merely with good wishes, with sympathetic words, or even with prayers. It should be put into some form that will do practical good. 

There are times when even prayer is a mockery. At times it is our duty to answer our own prayers; to be the messengers we ask God to send to help others. We are God's messengers, when we find ourselves in the presence of human needs and sorrows, which we can supply or comfort. 

Expressions of pity or sympathy are mockeries when we do nothing to relieve the distress. 

[J.R. Miller] 

 ✞  ✞  ✞ 

1 Peter 1:22 ... Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

Romans 12:9 ... Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

Ephesians 4:32 ... And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. ❤

Feeble Nature

Oh! how do I groan in this body of clay this clog of humanity!  When I would serve God with gladness, feeble nature hinders me; my strength is exhausted, and I must be again refreshed with sleep.  Grace had not only sin to fight against, but it has bodily infirmity to struggle with.  And I have no way of getting comfort under my calamities of this kind, which are so many, but by beholding with the eye of faith, through the telescope of Scripture the glories of the world above, when this mortal shall put on immortality, and death shall be swallowed up in life. 

There my weary eyes shall never seek to be refreshed with sleep, amidst the engaging glories of the higher house! The mirth of this present evil world, like an enchantress, lulls men asleep to everlasting destruction; but the songs of the inner temple rouse to all eternity. With the strength of an angel shall I step along the hills of glory and walk over the paradise of God. With greater ease shall I go on with the highest acts of adoration, than here give over the ordinary acts of devotion; for it shall be life to my soul, and vigor to all my powers, to be so employed! 

There he who pours the new wine into the saints, capacitates, strengthens, and supports the soul, to receive the eternal weight of glory. Meditation shall never tire my thoughts in tracing all the mazes of redeeming love! Everlasting hallelujahs shall dwell on my tongue; and how shall I improve in the song above, while I rest not day or night to sing, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive glory, and honor, blessings and power, dominion and praise, forever and ever!" (Revelation 5:12-13)

There is the uninterrupted vision of him, to whom when I see him, I shall be assimilated shall strengthen my eyes, that they shall be able to receive the images of all the celestial glories. No weariness there, where the exercise of worship renders happy. No weakness, where Jehovah is my strength. No lack of subject, where the Lord God and the Lamb are my song! 

Oh! shall I be able to praise and worship God through eternity? To sing his being and attributes, his love and his mercy, his righteousness and his truth, even a whole God, and a full glory! This will be my consummate happiness, and continual enjoyment! Well then, what though the hours of time steal from me unknown? I rejoice that I shall not lose one moment through weariness, while eternity rolls forever on. Oh! may I improve this to prepare for that; for if eternity is not secured before time is spent, I am undone in both. Roll on, O Day of love, to perfect strength in my weakness, and crown a poor expectant with eternal glory! 

[James Meikle]

James 1:12 ... Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

2 Timothy 4:8 ... Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

1 Peter 5:4 ... And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. ❤

Opening Flowers

Have you ever watched the development of a rose from the tiny bud to the open flower? The bud held little more promise of beauty, than the foliage about it; but day by day it grew until it was full and round. One day you saw a thread of color promise of the rose to be, peeping through the covering of green. Each morning you saw the thread of color widening until the bud burst asunder and the flower was revealed. 

You looked upon this bursting bud with admiration and delight, though yet you did not see the rose in its full size and beauty. You had to wait until it was full grown and fully open, until it had reached its maturity, before you could behold the complete flower. But in the opening blossom you had the beauty of the mature rose blended with the grace and charm of the bud. Girlhood is the opening flower of womanhood. It has charmed all its own. 

The wonderful change from the child to the woman, the marvelous blossoming of young, healthy girlhood will ever be God's great miracle in life's garden. Like a half-open rose is girlhood. We are charmed, both by the beauty of the bud, and by the wonderful coloring of the rose. We behold the familiar traits of childhood that have always charmed us and held our affections but blended with these in ever-changing variety are the graces and powers of womanhood. 

Do you, dear girls, appreciate the golden days in which you are living? You have your perplexities and vexations, of course yet you are enjoying the merry, carefree days of youth, which are generally the happiest days of the whole life. You are standing "where the brook and river meet," where childhood's days and childhood's toys are put aside, for the greater things of womanhood. 

[Mabel Hale]

 ✞  ✞  ✞ 

Ecclesiastes 11:9 ...  Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.

Proverbs 31:30 ... Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

1 Peter 3:3-4 ... Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. ❤

The Hidden Life

This message is to some who are striving to live near the heart of Christ. It is the hidden life which makes the character. What we are in the depths of our being, where no human eye can penetrate, that we are actually, as God sees us. 

Then this inner life will ultimately work its way through to the surface, transforming the character into its own quality. Nothing can be more important, therefore, than that the hidden life be true, pure, beautiful, and Christ-like.

[J. R. Miller]

 

1 Samuel 16:7 ... But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

1 Peter 3:3-4 ... Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;  But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.  ❤

"Joy-Suffering"

We are not called to rejoice at suffering in and of itself. Suffering is bad, suffering is hard, and suffering often comes at the hands of wicked people. Therefore, we do not rejoice in suffering because we love the suffering in and of itself. We rejoice in suffering because we look forward to what God is able to do through our suffering. Paul [in Romans 5:1-5] celebrated the fact that through our sufferings and afflictions God is bringing about endurance, proven character, and hope. 

[Heath Lambert]

 ✞  ✞  ✞ 

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.

1 Peter 4:13 ... 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.❤

Do His Will.

Obedience can be uncomfortable, but God has blessings in store for those who do His will. 

[Dr. Charles F. Stanley]

 ✞  ✞  ✞ 

Luke 12:31 ...  But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Jeremiah 7:23 ... But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.

Ephesians 5:8-10 ...  For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)  Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

1 Peter 4:13 ... 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. ❤

Necessity of Affliction

What a blessed motto and superscription over the dark lintels of sorrow: "There is a necessity for this!" Every arrow from the quiver of God is feathered with it! Write it, child of affliction, over every trial that your God sees fit to send! If He calls you down from the sunny mountain-heights to the darksome valleys hear Him saying: "There is a necessity for this!" If He has dashed the cup of earthly prosperity from your lips, curtailed your creature comforts, diminished your "basket and store" hear Him saying: "There is a necessity for this!" If He has ploughed and furrowed your soul with severe bereavement, extinguished light after light in your dwelling hear Him thus stilling the tumult of your grief, "There is a necessity for this!" 

 Yes, believe it there is some profound reason for your trial, which at present may be indiscernible to you. No furnace will be hotter than He sees to be needed. Be still and know that He is God! That "necessity," remember, is in the hands of infinite Love, infinite Wisdom, and infinite Power! Trust Him in little things, as well as in great things; in trifles as well as in disasters. Seek to have an unquestioning faith. Though other paths, doubtless, would have been selected by you had the choice been in your hands be it yours to listen to His voice at every turn of the road, saying, "This is the way, walk in it!"  We may not be able to understand it now, but one day we shall find that affliction is one of God's most blessed ministers, sent forth to "minister to those who are heirs of salvation." Sorrowful one! There is a reason for your chastisement. 

What! God loves me, when He is discharging His quiver upon me, emptying me from vessel to vessel, causing the sun of my earthly joys to set in clouds? Yes, afflicted, tempest-tossed one! He chastens you, because He loves you! This trial comes from His own tender, loving hand from His own tender, unchanging heart! Are you laid on a sick bed, are sorrowful months and wearisome nights appointed unto you? Let this be the pillow on which your aching head reclines: It is because God loves me! Is it bereavement which has swept your heart and desolated your dwelling? God appointed that chamber of death; He opened that tomb because He loves you! 

Believer! Rejoice in the thought that the chastening rod is in the hands of the living, loving Savior who died for you! Tribulation is the King's Highway, and yet that highway is paved with love. As some flowers require to be pressed before shedding their fragrance so does your God see fit to bruise you, to bring out your graces. If your heavenly Father's smile has for the moment been exchanged for the chastening rod, be assured there is some deep necessity for the discipline. There is nothing capricious in His dealings. Love is the reason of all that He does. There is no drop of wrath in that bitter cup you are called upon to drink! 

Erring human wisdom has no place in God's allotments. An earthly father may err yes, he is ever erring. But "as for God, His way is perfect!" (Psalm 18:13) This is the explanation of His every dealing: "Your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things!" In our seasons of trial, when under some inscrutable painful dispensation, how apt is the murmuring thought to rise in our hearts: "All these things are against me! Might not this overwhelming blow have been spared? Might not this dark cloud, which has shadowed my heart and my home with sadness, have been averted? Might not my trial have been less severe? Surely the Lord has forgotten to be gracious!" 

No! These afflictions are errands of mercy in disguise! "He does not afflict willingly." There is nothing capricious or arbitrary about your God's dealings. Unutterable tenderness is the character of all His allotments! He appoints no needless pang. He has precious lessons that could not otherwise have been taught! Afflicted one! Be assured that there is some deep necessity in all that He does. In our calendars of sorrow, we may put this luminous mark against every trying hour: "It was needed!" Some excess branch in the tree required pruning, to increase its fruitfulness. Mourning one! 

He might have dealt far otherwise with you! He might have cut you down as a fruitless, worthless cumberer! He might have abandoned you to drift disowned and unpiloted on the rocks of destruction, joined to your idols! He might have "left you alone" to settle on your lees and forfeit your eternal bliss! But He loved you better. It was kindness--infinite kindness, which blighted your fairest blossoms, and hedged up your way with thorns! Trust His heart, when you cannot trace His hand! 

[John MacDuff] 

 ✞  ✞  ✞ 

Revelation 3:19 ... As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Hebrews 12:6 ...  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

1 Peter 1:6 ... Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: ❤

"Will of God"

There is the permissive will of God and the perfect will of God. Know the difference between the two and try to walk in the latter. 

[Christopher Gregory]

 ✞ ✞ ✞

1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 ... For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

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.

Ephesians 6:5-6 ... Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ... In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

1 Peter 2:15-16 ... For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 

Micah 6:8 ... He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? ❤

Called to Suffering?

If your Lord calls you to suffering, do not be dismayed, for He will provide a deeper portion of Christ in your suffering. The softest pillow will be placed under your head though you must set your bare feet among thorns. Do not be afraid at suffering for Christ, for He has a sweet peace for a sufferer. God has called you to Christ's side, and if the wind is now in His face, you cannot expect to rest on the sheltered side of the hill. 

You cannot be above your Master who received many an innocent stroke. The greatest temptation out of hell is to live without trials. A pool of standing water will turn stagnant. Faith grows more with the sharp winter storm in its face. Grace withers without adversity. You cannot sneak quietly into heaven without a cross. Crosses form us into His image. They cut away the pieces of our corruption. Lord cut, carve, wound; Lord does anything to perfect Your image in us and make us fit for glory! 

We need winnowing before we enter the kingdom of God. O what I owe to the file, hammer, and furnace! Why should I be surprised at the plough that makes such deep furrows in my soul? Whatever direction the wind blows, it will blow us to the Lord. His hand will direct us safely to the heavenly shore to find the weight of eternal glory. As we look back to our pains and suffering, we shall see that suffering is not worthy to be compared to our first night's welcome home in heaven. 

If we could smell of heaven and our country above, our crosses would not bite us. Lay all your loads by faith on Christ, ease yourself, and let Him bear all. He can, He does, and He will bear you. Whether God comes with a rod or a crown, He comes with Himself. "Have courage, I am your salvation!" Welcome, welcome Jesus! 

[Samuel Rutherford]

 ✞  ✞  ✞ 

1 Peter 3:14 ... But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

Romans 8:17 ... And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

James 1:2 ... My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;❤

Beware of Splitting Upon This Rock!!

If Christ is truly precious to us, we shall be ready to deny ourselves for Him. "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me." (Luke 9:23) 

Jesus Himself has been pleased to give us a safe and proper rule of judgment in this case: "If you love Me keep My commandments." (John 14:15) "He who has My commandments and keeps them he it is that loves Me." (John 14:21)

His Word and will have a prevailing, governing influence on the hearts and lives of those to whom He is precious. A steady desire and endeavor to avoid those things which are displeasing in His sight is a practical proof that He is dear to us. To deny ourselves is to give up our own supposed wisdom, that we may be entirely under the guidance of God; to resign our own wills that we may be subject to His will; and to yield our passions to His government. To deny ourselves is to forego everything sinful to which self is inclined; to practice every holy thing to which self is averse; and to be ready to give up everything dear to ourselves at the call of God as our ease, our friends, our goods, our health, or even our life. It is a disowning or renouncing ourselves for Christ; making us nothing that He may be all. 

This cannot be sincerely done unless Jesus is truly precious to us; or which is the same thing unless He is the object of our supreme affection. But if this is the case, we shall give up ourselves, with all that we have, to Him, without making any reserve. We shall, on a deliberate counting of the cost, choose the religion of Jesus, with all its difficulties just as Moses chose to suffer affliction with the people of God, rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin which are but for a season, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt. 

This is what our Lord means by the strong figurative expressions of plucking out the right eye and cutting off the right hand. That is parting with everything dear to us when it stands in competition with Him or is opposed to His service or His honor. For He justly reminds us, that "no man can serve two masters; either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other." (Matthew 6:24)

He constantly teaches us the necessity of preferring Him and His interest and service to the dearest objects on earth. "For he who loves father or mother, son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. Whoever does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me." (Matthew 10:37-38)

When matters come to such a crisis that a man must either break with his nearest and dearest relations and friends or break with Christ he who prefers their favor and friendship to Christ's, and will not give up temporal endearments for His sake is not worthy to be owned as one of Christ's real disciples, nor can he partake of the spiritual and eternal blessings which belong to such. He who prefers his own ease and safety in this world to the truths and the service of Christ, cannot be justly deemed one who sincerely loves Him, or one to whom He is precious. 

The same lesson has taught us by the parable of the treasure hidden in a field, which, when a man has found it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. And likewise, by that of a merchantman, seeking fine pearls, who having found one pearl of great price he goes and parts with all, that he may possess that pearl. He is willing to give up the riches, the honors and pleasures of this world for the enjoyment of that inestimable treasure which he has discovered. Self-denial, in respect to things in themselves sinful, should be universal; otherwise, we do not give proper evidence of the sincerity of our love for Christ. 

Many go very far in a profession of religion and yet live in the habitual indulgence of some sin either great or small, secret or open. O reader, examine yourself, and beware of splitting upon this rock! Let us labor then, to mortify corrupt passions, inclinations and affections; and not willfully indulge ourselves in any sinful habit, custom, or practice!

[John Fawcett] 

1 Peter 2:7... Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

✫❤•°*”˜˜”*°•❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫

"All Things"

In a complicated situation this morning? Have a problem that there seems no way out? Romans 8:28 says, “All things work together for good for those that love the LORD.” 

 “All things” means even our mistakes. Even the times we blew it and got off course. GOD knows how to work it for our good. GOD has it all figured out! Give it to Him and go on about your business and watch what happens. 

Oh Yeah, when He gets you out of your situation be sure take time to thank Him and pass the word about Him to others. He wants to help them to! 

[Chaplain Dave Baker]

1 Peter 5:7 ... Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. ❤

Christmas ~ A Personal Promise

Jesus fulfilled Messianic prophecy when He came to earth, and that’s the reason we can trust Him in everything.

If someone’s birth was predicted thousands of years ahead of time and then announced by a heavenly host on the night of his arrival, wouldn’t you consider this event extremely significant in human history? Yet for too many people, Christmas is simply a time for festive parties, decorated trees, and wrapped presents. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with these expressions unless they replace the real significance of the celebration. The truth is, Christmas is more than an event; it’s a promise offered to mankind, and it originated long before that first Christmas night. In fact, God planned this entire event before the foundation of the world. He foreknew the coming child and all the details of His birth, life, and death.

[Charles Stanley]

 Read more here: Christmas: A Personal Promise

1 Peter: 19-21 ... But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. ❤

The God of Light!

Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is to behold the sun. In what believing heart will not these words awaken a quick and grateful response? The renewed man is the only being who knows what true light is, because he only, really knows Jesus. All others are like miners dwelling from their birth beneath the surface of the earth, having never seen the sun, through whose eternal gloom not one vivifying ray has ever pierced. "Darkness covers the earth, and gross darkness the people." (Isaiah 60:2)

When man sinned, God went out of the temple, luminous and glorious with His presence, and the sun of the soul set in guilt, darkness, and death. Henceforth the natural man walks in darkness, not knowing where he goes, until the time of electing love and sovereign grace draws on, when He who at creation's dawn said, "Let there be light, and light was," (Genesis 1:3) causes the light of life to shine, and the soul is immediately "translated out of darkness into His marvelous light," (1 Peter 2:9) henceforth and forever to be a child of the light and of the day. "You were once darkness, but now are you light in the Lord Walk as children of light." (Ephesians 5:8)

But the present pages have more especially to do with God Himself as the God of light. We are invited to consider, less the reflection and effects of God's light, than the Divine Fountain from which it flows. 

[Octavius Winslow]

1 John 1:5 ... This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. ❤

Little Sins ...

If the sacrifice provided by God for human sin must be none other than the Son of God Himself then sin is a gigantic evil, and the punishment of sin is stupendous also! In the same way, the moment we begin to mitigate our thought of Hell's terrors, we also lower our idea of sin's evil, and with it we also decrease our estimate of the Savior and His sin-atoning sacrifice. 

Little sins warrant only a little Hell. Hence only a little atonement is needed to save from this little Hell. But grant that a divine Savior, and His infinite sacrifice is needed to atone for sin then sin must be exceedingly heinous to the pure and holy God, and the eternity of future punishment is justified. 

[Charles H. Spurgeon] 

 ✞  ✞  ✞ 

1 Peter 2:24 ... Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 

Romans 4:25 ... Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

2 Corinthians 5:21 ... For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

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. ❤

He Upholds You!!

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand!" (Isaiah 41:10) What a precious promise this is for all God's feeble children, who are daily fearing that they shall fall or be crushed under the weight of their troubles and trials! 

O believer, what comfort is here! This promise is confirmed to you in Jesus, by His death. Yes, it is yours, as much so as if it was spoken to you directly by the mouth of God! Oh, what a mercy! God says that He will uphold you. He will put strength into you; He will enable you to bear your afflictions and will bring you safely through all your troubles. 

 Satan may say, "I will trip you up." God says, "I will uphold you!" 

Unbelief may say, "You will one day fall and perish." God says, "I will uphold you!" Your flesh may cry out, "I can never bear up under this cross." God says, "I will uphold you!" 

Your feeble heart may say, "How can I endure: such privations, such bereavements, such buffetings of Satan, such temptations, such losses, such fiery trials?" God says, "I will uphold you!" 

The Bible testifies that all believers "go from strength to strength, until each appears before God in Zion" (Psalm 84:7) In weakness, the Lord strengthens them; in poverty, the Lord supplies their needs; in sickness, the Lord sustains them; and in death, the Lord gives them the final victory! O Father, I am weak, but You are strong. Give me of Your strength so that I may serve You and walk with You all the days of my life on this earth.

[J. C. Philpot]

1 Peter 5:7 ... Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Romans 8:28 ... 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.

Jeremiah 29:11 ... For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 💙