Deicide!

The Word of Truth declares that "the carnal mind is enmity against God" (Romans 8:7). Men do not believe it, in fact most of them pretend the very opposite. Nevertheless, at Calvary they gave proof of their hatred of God. Not only was Christ un-welcome here but men hated Him and that "without a cause" (John 15:25). He gave them every reason to admire and adore Him, but they had an inveterate detestation of Him! 

Multitudes go through the form of paying homage to God, but it is a "god" of their own imagination. They hate the true and living God and were it possible they would rid the universe of His existence! This is clear from their treatment of Christ, for He was none other than "God manifest in flesh" (1 Timothy 3:16). They hated and hounded Him to death and nothing short of His cruel death by crucifixion would appease them! 

Here at Calvary the real character of man was revealed, and the desperate wickedness of his heart was laid bare. There it was shown that man was capable of the blackest of all crimes! As evil as man had shown himself all through his history the coming of Immanuel to this earth brought sin to such a head that all that which had gone before, was relatively but a trifling thing when compared with the monstrous wickedness which was done against Love incarnate! 

In the treatment which the Son of God received at the hands of men we see sin in its true colors, stripped of a disguise, exposed in its hideous reality; revealed in its true nature as contempt of God, and rebellion against Him. Here at Calvary, we behold the climax of sin and the fearful and horrible lengths to which sin is capable of going! That sin which germinated in Eden culminated in the crucifixion! Here at Calvary, we see sin at its apex Deicide in the slaying of the Lord of Glory! 

[A. W. Pink]

Luke 23:21 ... But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.

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The Brief Gospel ...

The briefest of the "words of Jesus," but one of the most comforting. They contain the essence and epitome of all saving truth. Reader, is Satan assailing you with tormenting fears? Is the thought of your sins the guilty past coming up in terrible memorial before you, almost tempting you to give way to hopeless despondency? Fear not! A gentle voice whispers in your ear "Only believe. Your sins are great, but My grace and merits are greater. 'Only believe' that I died for you that I am living for you and pleading for you, and that 'the faithful saying' is as 'faithful' as ever, and as 'worthy of all acceptance' as ever." (1 Timothy 1:15)

Are you a backslider? Did you once run well? Has your own guilty apostasy alienated and estranged you from that face, which was once all love, and that service which was once all delight? Are you breathing in broken-hearted sorrow over the holy memories of a close walk with God "Oh that it was with me as in months past, when the candle of the Lord did shine?" "Only believe." Take this your mournful soliloquy and convert it into a prayer. "Only believe" the word of Him whose ways are not as man's ways "Return O backsliding children, and I will heal your backsliding." (Jeremiah 3:22)

Are you beaten down with some heavy trial? Have your fondest schemes been blown upon your fairest blossoms been withered in the bud? has wave after wave been rolling upon you? has the Lord forgotten to be gracious? Hear the "word of Jesus" resounding amid the thickest midnight of gloom penetrating even through the vaults of the dead "Believe, only believe." There is an infinite reason for the trial a lurking thorn that required removal, a gracious lesson that required teaching. The dreadful severing blow was dealt in love. God will be glorified in it, and your own soul made the better for it. Patiently wait until the light of immortality be reflected on a receding world. Here you must take His dealings on trust. 

The word of Jesus to you now is, "Only believe." The word of Jesus in eternity (every inner meaning and undeveloped purpose being unfolded), "Didn't I tell you that you will see God's glory if you believe?" Are you fearful and agitated in the prospect of death? Through fear of the last enemy, have you been all your lifetime subject to bondage? "Only believe." "As your day is, so shall your strength be." Dying grace will be given when a dying hour comes. In the dark river a sustaining arm will be underneath you, deeper than the deepest and darkest wave. Before you know it, the darkness will be past, the true Light shining the whisper of faith in the nether valley. 

"Believe! Believe!" will be exchanged for angel-voices exclaiming, as you enter the portals of glory, "No longer through a glass darkly, but now face to face!" Yes! Jesus Himself had no higher remedy for sin, for sorrow, and for suffering, than those two words convey. At the utmost extremity of His own distress, and of His disciples' wretchedness, He could only say "Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me." Believe, only believe. 

[Author Unknown]

Mark 5:36 ... As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

Mark 9:24 ...  And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. ❤

A Faithful Minister!

Dear fellow pastor, 

You have desired a good work; may the Lord give you the desires of your heart. May He give you the wisdom of Daniel, the meekness of Moses, the courage of Joshua, the zeal of Paul, and that self-abasement and humility which Job and Isaiah felt when they not only had heard of Him by the hearing of the ear-but when they saw His glory and abhorred themselves in dust and ashes! 

May you be taught of God for none teaches like Him-and come forth an able minister of the New Covenant, well instructed to rightly divide and faithfully distribute the Word of truth. In the school of Christ, you will have to learn some lessons which are not very pleasant to flesh and blood. You must learn to labor, to run, to fight, to wrestle-and many other hard exercises; some of which will try your strength, and others your patience. You know the common expression, 'a jack of all trades'. 

I am sure a minister had need be such a one: a brave soldier, an alert watchman, a caring shepherd, a hardworking farmer, a skillful builder, a wise counselor, a competent physician, and a loving nurse. But do not be discouraged-you have a wonderful and a gracious Master, who does not only give instructions, but power and ability! He engages that His grace shall be sufficient, at all times and in all circumstances, for those who simply give themselves up to His teaching and His service. 

[John Newton]

1 Timothy 4:12 ...  Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

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We Really Need Very Little

Those who seek the Lord may be sick, or poor, or tried, in a variety of ways; but the Lord will send them supplies, OR give them the grace of contentment, so that they shall not lack any good thing. But how many mistake wishes for needs! And while the Lord has promised to supply all His people's needs. He has nowhere promised to gratify all their wishes. We really need very little. 

Therefore, the apostle says, "If we have food and clothing, we will be content with that!" (1 Timothy 6:8)   And again, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said: Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)   "They shall not lack any good thing." That is, they shall not lack whatever is really good for them at the time, and under the circumstances. 

Whatever will promote their holiness and happiness, shall certainly be conveyed to them. Those who seek the Lord are sure of necessary supplies, for four reasons: 

First, the Lord is ABLE to supply them. "The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof." (Psalm 24:1)  He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think! (Ephesians 3:20)

Second, the Lord DESIRES to supply them. "Like as a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust." (Psalm 103:13-14)

Third, the Lord has PROMISED to supply them. "The Lord God is a sun and shield, the Lord will give grace and glory. No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly." (Psalm 84:11)  "My God shall supply all your needs, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)

Fourth, the Lord ALWAYS HAS supplied them. Look at Jacob, at David and at all who have already arrived in glory. If the question, put by the Lord Jesus, to His disciples when they returned from their missionary tour on which He sent them without purse or bag, was put to them: "Have you lacked anything?" Every one of them would readily answer, "Nothing, Lord!" (Luke 22:35) 

[James Smith]

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The Astonishing Love of Jesus For Us!

There is no greater wonder in all the universe than this: that the infinitely holy Son of God would set His heart upon vile, guilty, Hell-deserving sinners. "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us!" Not when we were seeking Him. Not when we were repenting. Not when we were bettering ourselves. But while we were rebels, with hearts full of enmity against Him, He loved us still. (Romans 5:6, 8, 10) 

Paul, once a blasphemer and persecutor of Christ's church, could only marvel: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinner of whom I am the worst!" (1 Timothy 1:15)   So, it is with all who have been given eyes to see their corruption, and hearts to feel their need. When we know ourselves rightly, we are utterly astonished that Jesus would save such ungodly ones as ourselves. 

Our salvation was not the fruit of our seeking, but of His. "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save those who are lost!" (Luke 19:10) It was the overflowing of His sovereign, unmerited love. Dead in sin, blind in mind, corrupt in heart yet He loved us, and by His great mercy made us spiritually alive. (Ephesians 2:4–5) 

What love is this, that stooped so low? "He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities." (Isaiah 53:5) The pure and spotless Lamb bore the filth and condemnation of our sin. He who knew no sin, was made sin for us, "so that in Him, we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21) It was not out of obligation, but out of sheer grace. "When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy." (Titus 3:4–5) 

Christian! Jesus loved you before the world began, He loves you now and He will love you forever! His love for you is unfathomable it is as boundless as infinity. Oh, the precious love of Jesus! It is the sun in the heavens of grace, the river in the garden of mercy, and the foundation of the temple of redemption! 

The love of Jesus is the most amazing thing under Heaven, if not in Heaven itself. Oh, what a Savior is ours! His love is not shallow or sentimental it is a love that bleeds, and bears wrath. It is a love that will never let us go. It is a love that astonishes us now and will be our wonder and song for all eternity. 

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

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.

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Wealth...

The error of life into which men most readily fall is the pursuit of wealth as the highest good of existence. While riches command respect, win position, and secure comfort it is expected that they will be regarded by all classes with a strong desire. But the undue reverence, which is everywhere manifested for wealth the prestige, which is conceded to it, the homage, which is paid to it, the perpetual worship which is offered to it all tend to magnify its desirableness and awaken longings for its possession in the minds of those born without wealth. In society, as at present observed, the acquisition of money would seem to be the height of human aim the great object of living, to which all other purposes are made subordinate! 

Money, which exalts the lowly and sheds honor upon the exalted; money, which makes sin appear goodness and gives to viciousness the show of chastity; money, which silences evil report and opens wide the mouth of praise; money, which constitutes its possessor an oracle to whom men listen with deference; money, which makes deformity beautiful and sanctifies crime; money, which lets the guilty go unpunished and wins forgiveness for wrong; money, which makes manhood and old age respectable and is commendation, surety, and good name for the young.

 

How shall it be gained? by what schemes shall it gather in? by what sacrifice shall it secure? These are the questions which absorb the mind the practical answering of which engross the life of men. The schemes are too often those of fraud, and outrage upon the sacred obligations of being, the sacrifice, loss of the highest moral sense, the destruction of the purest susceptibilities of nature, the neglect of internal life and development, the utter and sad perversion of the true purposes of existence. Money is valued beyond its worth it has gained a power vastly above its deserving. 

Wealth is courted so slavishly, is flattered so servilely, is so influential in molding opinions and judgment, has such a weight in the estimation of character that men regard its acquisition as the most prudent aim of their endeavors, and its possession as absolute enjoyment and honor, rather than the means of honorable, useful, and happy life. While riches are thus over-estimated, and hold such power in the community, that men will forego ease, endure toil, sacrifice social pleasures, and abandon principle for the speedy acquirement of property! Money is not regarded as the means of living but as the object of life. 

All nobler ends will be neglected, in the eager haste to be rich. No higher pursuit will be recognized, than the pursuit of gold no attainment deemed so desirable, as the attainment of wealth. While the great man of every circle is the rich man in the common mind, wealth becomes the synonym of greatness. No condition is discernable superior, to that which money confers. No loftier idea of manhood is entertained, than that which embraces the extent of one's possessions. There is a wealth of heart better than gold. 

There is an interior adornment fairer than outward ornament. There is a splendor in upright life beside which gems are lusterless. There is a fineness of character whose beauty outvies the glitter of diamonds. Man's true riches are hidden in his virtues, and in their development and increase he will find his surest happiness!

[Timothy Shay Arthur] 

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1 Timothy 6:7-10 ... For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

 Proverbs 23:4-5 ... Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. ❤

Biblical Knowledge

Reader, remember this: if your biblical knowledge does not now affect your heart, it will at last, with a witness, afflict your heart. If it does not now endear Christ to you, it will at last provoke Christ the more against you. If it does not make all the things of Christ to be very precious in your eyes, it will at last make you the viler in Christ's eyes. 

[Thomas Brooks]

Proverbs 2:6 ... For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

Colossians 1:10 ... That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

1 Timothy 2:4 ... Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. ❤

Pray For The President

On Jan. 20, Donald J. Trump will be inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States. Trump becomes only the second president in history to win non-consecutive terms. He received more than 77 million votes, the most ever by a Republican candidate as voters expressed concern that our nation is in trouble. 

Pray for Donald J. Trump.

[Franklin Graham]

  Franklin Graham: Pray for Donald J. Trump

1 Timothy 2:1-4 ...  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

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Good Ship of Self-righteousness

By nature, people cling to their morality and religiousness for acceptance with God. Multitudes are sailing in the Good Ship of Self-righteousness, and they are expecting that they shall get to Heaven in her. But this ship never did carry a soul safely into the Fair Haven yet and she never will. 

Self-righteousness is as surely a road to Hell, as scandalous sin itself. We may as certainly destroy ourselves by opposing the righteousness of Christ as by transgressing the law of God. Self-righteousness is as much an insult to God, as blasphemy. God will never accept it, neither shall any soul enter Heaven by it. 

There are many of these self-righteous Pharisees, who delight in themselves in thinking that they are good people, that they are not great sinners, that they are fine religious people, that they partake of the sacraments, that they say their prayers, and that they read their Bibles. Poor deluded souls! 

It is your badness, not your goodness that draws Christ to you as a Savior. You are good, religious, self-righteous ones your righteousness will be your eternal ruin! But if the gospel comes to you in power, then you will realize that you are spiritually wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked and that all of your righteous acts are nothing but filthy menstruous rags before the thrice holy God! Your first genuine prayer will be, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner!" 

[Author Unknown] 

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1 Timothy 1:15 ... This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Luke 5:31-32 ... And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Romans 5:8 ...  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ❤

Piety At Home ...

The Christian is first to manifest godliness in the family circle. We would especially press this upon the attention of those who are so anxious to engage in what they term "service for the Lord." 

The "service" which God requires from all of His people is not a running about here and there, asking impertinent questions of total strangers and prattling to them about Divine things but to be in subjection to Himself, and to walk obediently to His Word. 

To talk to other people about Christ, is far easier than the task which He has assigned to His people to deny self, take up our cross, follow Him, and to show piety at home. For if there is no piety in our home life then all our seeming piety in the Church, and before the world is but hypocrisy and self-deceit! 

[A.W. Pink] 

1 Timothy 5:4 ... But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.

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No Fear, Just Faith...

Do not fear. Trust in the Lord!

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

"Pride"

Nebuchadnezzar had "walked in pride," and been abased for it below the most contemptible of men. As secure as he had imagined himself from any calamity, God had inflicted in a moment a punishment, which might well deter all who heard of it from the commission of a similar offence. God is never at a loss for means to accomplish His righteous will! In the judgment inflicted on this haughty monarch, God has sufficiently shown, that He is both able and determined to "abase all who walk in pride." 

Now this consideration is of infinite importance, not to kings only, but to all the human races. Pride is natural to man. There is not a more powerful principle in our fallen nature, than pride. The ungodly world is full of it. There is not any distinction, natural or acquired, which is not made an occasion of self-exaltation and self-delight. If a man is born of high parentage or has acquired rank or fortune by his own exertions, how will he be puffed up with his honors, and almost imagine himself to be made of a finer clay than others! 

"My might and my wisdom have procured all these things for me!" Nor is this confined to the ungodly. There are among those who profess godliness, many, who are as full of pride and conceit as those who are altogether ignorant of saving religion. Some, like the Pharisee in the Gospel, "trust in themselves that they are righteous, and despise others." They say in their hearts, "Stand by yourself; do not come near to me! I am holier than you." Of these God says, "They are smoke in My nostrils!" (Isaiah 65:5) 

Others, like Diotrephes, "love to have the pre-eminence;" and are never so happy as when they are setting forth their accomplishments, and passing judgment upon all that they see and hear. Self-admiration, self-conceit, self-seeking, and self-promotion are their characteristic features. Not a few, it is to be feared, "being lifted up with pride, fall into the condemnation of the devil." (1 Timothy 3:6) 

Even truly godly men are by no means so holy, but that they are in continual danger of being drawn into the indulgence of this evil principle.  Hezekiah, even after his most extraordinary deliverances from enemies without, and illness within so far forgot himself as to be lifted up with pride; and thereby provoked God to withdraw from his descendants the mercies that had been given to him. Paul himself was visited with a thorn in his flesh, to keep him humble, "lest he should be exalted above measure!" (2 Corinthians 12:7) 

Be it known then to all, that they need to watch and pray against this malignant evil; for God will surely abase all in whom it is found. Some, like Manasseh, God will put a hook into his nose, bind him in bronze shackles, and take him into captivity. Others, like Peter, God will leave to fall, and to disgrace their holy profession. Others, like Pharaoh or Herod, God will plunge into the bottomless abyss of Hell! Let us never then forget, that "the proud in heart are an abomination to the Lord!" "I hate pride and arrogance!" (Proverbs 8:13) "The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished!" (Proverbs 16:5)  

Those who are under the influence of the sin of pride, always find means to hide it from their own eyes. But it is to no purpose to deceive ourself, as God will not be imposed upon. He sees the pride, wherever it exists, and He hates it with a perfect hatred! Let us then endeavor to find out even the most hidden workings of this abominable evil and implore help from God to mortify and subdue it! 

[Charles Simeon] 

Daniel 4:37 ... Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

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Pride Month

If the god you follow is okay with Gay Pride, then you are following a FALSE god that you have made up in your mind.

God is NOT okay with "pride month" and neither should we be!

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 ... Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Colossians 3:5 ... Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

Leviticus 18:22 ... Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.

Romans 1:21-27 ...  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.  Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

1 Timothy 1:9-10 ... Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

Jude 7 ... Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. ❤

Believing Person ...

When they say you can't do it ...

Pray and let God do it instead!

Psalm 6:9 ... The Lord hath heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer.

1 Timothy 2:8 ... I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

Matthew 21:22 ... And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. ❤

When God Dwelt All Alone!

There was a time, if 'time' it could be called, when God dwelt all alone. There was no Heaven, where His glory is now particularly manifested. There was no earth to engage His attention. There were no angels to hymn His praises. There was no universe to be upheld by the word of His power. There was nothing, no one, but God; and that, not for a day, a year, or an age but "from all eternity." 

During eternity past, God was alone: self-contained, self-sufficient, self-satisfied, in need of nothing. Had a universe, had angels, had human beings been necessary to Him in any way they would have been called into existence from all eternity. 

The creating of them when He did, added nothing to God essentially. "I the Lord do not change" therefore His essential glory can be neither augmented nor diminished. 

[A. W. Pink] 

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Psalm 93:2 ... Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.

Psalm 90:2 ... Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

1 Timothy 1:17 ... Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. ❤

Bad Fruits...

Omens.

Religious Superstition.

Flat Earth.

Rapture hysteria.

Date setting.

Blood Moons.

Shemitah cycles.

Apocalyptic Paranoia.

AntiChrist Syndrome.

End Times Syndrome.

Tribulation paranoia.

These are the fruits of Dispensationalism.

We need to break away from this dangerous and harmful aspect of how we read into the bible.

[Christopher Gregory]

1 Timothy 1:4 ...  Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

Titus 1:14 ... Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

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The Cross!!

Whence came the tree from which the cross was made? What has become of the particles of which it was composed? What hands were employed in preparing this instrument of a cruel death? To such questions no answer can be given--and none is needed.  The cross was a common mode of punishment among several nations, and among the Romans was reserved for the punishment of slaves and the vilest malefactors. It was never made use of by the Jews. If they had had the power of execution in their hands when Christ suffered, the punishment for the offence alleged against him would have been stoning. But by the ordering of divine Providence, our Lord was put to death in that way, which was accursed, according to the Jewish law; for it was written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree." (Galatians 3:13)

 The death of Christ on the cross may well be reckoned mysterious, for it was at the same time a cursed and a blessed death. Christ was "made a curse for us," that he might deliver us from the curse of the law.  And yet Christ's death on the cross is the most blessed event which ever occurred in the world; for on the cross the price of our redemption was paid. Christ "bore our sins in his own body on the tree." He died, "the just for the unjust," to bring us unto God. This led Paul to say, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Galatians 6:14)

The cross is a center in which many lines of truth meet. The cross is an incomprehensible mystery. That God should be manifest in the flesh, is the great "mystery of godliness." (1 Timothy 3:16) That the Prince of life should be crucified, was an event which caused the angels to stoop from their celestial thrones, that they might gaze in amazement upon it. The prophets who predicted these events were perplexed at their own prophecies, "They inquired into what time or what circumstances the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating, when He testified in advance to the messianic sufferings and the glories that would follow." (1 Peter 1:11)

The truths which are exhibited in a clear and strong light by the crucifixion of Christ, are such as these: 

1. The infinite evil of sin, which in order to its pardon required such a sacrifice. 

2. The holiness and justice of God, which would not allow sin to pass without full evidence of the divine disapprobation, and his inflexible purpose to visit it with deserved punishment. 

3. The wisdom of God, in contriving a method of salvation by which his own glory would be promoted in the eternal salvation of hell-deserving sinners. This wisdom is chiefly manifest in the incarnation of the Son of God, by which the divine and human natures are united in one person. 

4. But the most wonderful exhibition of the cross is the mercy of God, the love of God to sinners such love as never could have been conceived of, had it not been manifest by the gift of his own Son! "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

[Archibald Alexander]  

"None can perish that are clinging to the cross."

  Charles Spurgeon

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

The Hope of The Hypocrite...

Many professing Christians appear fine to others but are themselves under the dominion of some besetting sin. They are secretly indulging pride, envy, malice, covetousness, lewdness, or some other bosom lust. They do not live near to God in their secret chamber or aspire after conformity to His will as revealed in His Word. They are more anxious to appear pious, than to be so; and to be applauded by men, than to be approved by God. 

It rarely happens that a hypocrite continues long to deceive those who are intimately acquainted with his private habits. He cannot maintain a consistency of character, for lack of an inward principle of saving grace. Hypocrites eventually "make shipwreck either of their faith or of a good conscience." (1 Timothy 1:19) Lot's wife was a monument of a hypocrite in the Old Testament, and Demas was a monument of a hypocrite in the New. Just so, similar monuments of a hypocrite are yet found in every church today! 

Let us follow the hypocrite into the eternal world what is his condition there? Alas! alas! However high he was in his own estimation or in that of others he is now fallen; indeed, and all his towering hopes are now swept away with the broom of destruction! Even while he is here carrying on his deception, though it is unsuspected by himself or others, and though his hypocrisy is not in act, but in heart only he is "treasuring up wrath for himself" for "the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Christ Jesus!" (Romans 2:16)

Possibly he may carry his hope with him into the eternal world, and almost presume to argue with his omniscient Judge. But "He will say to them, I never knew you! Depart from me, you who practice iniquity!" (Matthew 7:23) And then their state shall be so superlatively wretched, that those who sink the deepest into perdition are said to "take their portion with the hypocrites!" (Matthew 24:51)

[Charles Simeon] 

 Job 11:20 ... But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost.

 Job 27:8 ... For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul? ❤

Jesus Christ is Completely Sufficient!!

One of the great tenets of Scripture, is the claim that Jesus Christ is completely sufficient for all matters of life and godliness! 2 Peter 1:3-4

He is sufficient for:

  Creation (Colossians 1:16-17)

  Salvation (Hebrews 10:10-12)

  Sanctification (Ephesians 5:26-27)

  and Glorification (Romans 8:30).

So pure is He, that there is no blemish, stain, spot of sin, defilement, deception, corruption, error, or imperfection in Him! (1 Peter 1:18-20)

So complete is He, that:

  there is no other God besides Him (Isaiah 45:5)

  He is the only begotten Son (John 1:14, John 1:18)

  all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Him (Colossians 2:3)

  the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily in Him (Colossians 2:9)

  He is heir of all things (Hebrews 1:2)

  He created all things, and all things were made by Him,

      through Him, and for Him (Colossians 1:16)

  He upholds all things by the word of His power (Colossians 1:17, Hebrews 1:3)

  He is the firstborn of all creation (Colossians 1:15)

  He is the exact representation of God (Hebrews 1:3).

He has no beginning and no end (Revelation 1:17-18)

He is the spotless Lamb of God (John 1:29)

He is our peace (Ephesians 2:14)

He is our hope (1 Timothy 1:1)

He is our life (Colossians 3:4)

He is the living and true Way (John 14:6)

He is the Root and Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star (Revelation 22:16)

He is Faithful and True (Revelation 19:11)

He is the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2)

He is Captain of our Salvation (Hebrews 2:10) 

He is the Elect One (Isaiah 42:1)

He is the Apostle and High-Priest of our confession (Hebrews 3:1)

He is the Righteous Servant (Isaiah 53:11)

He is the Lord Almighty (Malachi 3:17)

He is the Redeemer (Isaiah 41:14)

He is the Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 54:5)

He is the God of the whole earth (Isaiah 54:5)

He is the Man of Sorrows (Isaiah 53:3)

He is the Light of the world (John 9:5)

He is the Son of Man (Matthew 20:28)

He is the true Vine (John 15:5)

He is the Bread of Life (John 6:48)

He is the Door to Heaven (John 10:7)

He is the Sovereign Lord (Philippians 2:10-13)

He is Prophet, Priest and King (Hebrews 1:1-3)

He is our Sabbath rest (Hebrews 4:9)

He is our Righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6)

He is the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God,

    the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)

He is the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4)

He is the Lion of Judah (Revelation 5:5)

He is the Rock of Salvation (Psalm 62:2)

He is the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:13)

He is the Counselor and Comforter (John 14:26)

He is the Messiah (John 4:25-26) and

He is the great I AM! (John 8:58) 

[Author Unknown]

Colossians 2:9-10 ... For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.  And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: ❤

Modern Science and The Bible Disagree

What if science, as at present understood, and the Bible, do not agree? Shall we be troubled thereat? I think not. I rejoice to know that what is termed modern science and the Bible do not agree. I would be sorry if they did agree! Modern science is changeable, the Bible is unchangeable! The science of today is not the science of last year and will not be the science of the next year. The Bible of today, is the Bible of all the Christian centuries; and will be a thousand years hence, just what it was nearly eighteen hundred years ago, when the canon of Scripture was closed! 

Mark the changes which have taken place along the whole line of sciences since the beginning of this nineteenth century. What a catastrophe then would it have been, had it been proved that the Bible and science as known at the beginning of this century, fully agreed; that all the assertions of the Bible could be squared with the facts of science as then understood! The great tidal waves of science which have rolled over the world since, would have left the Bible stranded and ruined! And just so now, could it be made clear today that every truth in the Bible accords with the received theories of science what would become of the Bible fifty years hence, when science will have moved on with even more rapid strides, and left behind more wrecks of theories and more stranded speculations? 

In the meanwhile, the Bible stands still in the solitary grandeur of its own perfection! It waits, as the ages roll on, for confirmation and acceptance. It was said by one of old, "God is patient, because He is eternal;" and the Bible, as the book of the God of truth, has this attribute of its divine Author. Its strength is to sit still. It does not go out hastily to meet a half-formed science, and embrace it as an ally, lest it should turn into a foe. It calmly tarries in the consciousness of its own truth, as the advances of science come nearer and nearer; and every advance of true science does bring it nearer to the Bible. The opposition to that Bible, comes only from a class whose utterances, Paul has justly characterized as "the profane and vain babblings and oppositions of science falsely so called." (1 Timothy 6:20) 

 These differences between science and Scripture cannot be settled, because science is not settled. And science will never be settled, so long as there is an undiscovered fact in nature, or an inquiring mind in man! 

[William Bacon Stevens] 

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 Psalm 119:89 ... For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.

 Isaiah 40:8 ...  The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. ❤