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. ❤

Compromised.

1. I looked for the church and I found it in the world! 

2. I looked for the world and I found it in the church! 

[Horatius Bonar]

Matthew 28:19 ...  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

2 Timothy 4:3 ... For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; ❤

There's No Cost of Being a Christian in America!

I went to a church not along ago - they got thirty acres. So, what are their plans with it? They want their own football field and tennis courts. Dear God, do we go to church to learn to play tennis? God help the preachers! We have such an accommodating Christianity today. The best title of the professing church of God today, in my judgment, is "Unbelieving Believers." 

There's cancer in the church tonight! At this grim hour, the world sleeps in the darkness - and the Church sleeps in the light. You'll never get me to believe that the church today believes in Hell. We're a million, billion miles away from New Testament Christianity! I doubt if 5% of professing Christians in America are born again! Entertainment is the devil's substitute for joy. The more joy you have in the Lord, the less entertainment you need. Is the world crucified to you - or does it fascinate you? The apostles had no gold, but lots of glory. We have lots of gold, but no glory. 

The book of Acts shows us the church before it became fat and short of breath by prosperity! Who or what takes priority over God in our lives? Where, oh, where are the eternity-conscious believers? Where are the souls white-hot for God because they fear His holy name and presence and so live with eternity's values in view? There's no cost of being a Christian in America! I'd rather have ten people who want God than 10,000 people who want to play church! 

[Leonard Ravenhill]

2 Timothy 4:3 ...  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

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"The Bible"

The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. 

Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its stories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. 

It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's charter. 

Here, Paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of Hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good the design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. 

Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, health to the soul, and a river of pleasure! It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents! 

[Author Unknown]

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

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ...  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 ... For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. ❤

For God's Sake Do Not Trifle With Us!

When the Savior was on earth, He always taught upon vital matters. He never dealt with minutiae, but only with crucial facts. He had no time for trifles, but with essential truths. He never spoke of opinions or speculations, but of momentous verities. 

Yet how many preachers week after week, discourse about trivialities of no importance! I have sometimes, when hearing sermons, wished that the preacher would come to the point, and would deal with serious matters that really concerned our soul's welfare. What concern have dying men, with the thousand trivial opinions which are flitting around us? 

We have Heaven or Hell before us, and death within a stone's throw! For God's sake do not trifle with us but tell us the truth at once! 

[Charles H. Spurgeon] 

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Mark 8:36 ... For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

2 Timothy 4:1-2 ...  I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

2 Corinthians 5:10 ... For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Matthew 25:46 ... And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. ❤

Our Bible!!

Our Bible is an armory of heavenly weapons, a pharmacy of infallible medicines, a mine of exhaustless wealth, a guidebook for every road, a chart for every sea, a medicine for every malady, and a balm for every wound! 

Rob us of our Bible, and our sky has lost its sun! 

[Thomas Guthrie]

2 Timothy 3:16 ... All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Romans 10:17 ... So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Psalm 119:105 ... Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. ❤

Religion vs. Gospel

The Bible is a living, breathing document. How you read it will determine how you see Christ. 

[Christopher Gregory]

2 Timothy 2:15 ... Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ❤

How Will I Vote?

 I will vote for the most pro-life candidate, because God hates the shedding of innocent blood. 

(Proverbs 6:17)

I will vote for the most Pro-Israel candidate, because God blesses those who bless Israel and He curse those who don't. (Genesis 12:3)

I will vote for the most pro-debt reduction candidate, because the borrower is the servant to the lender. 

(Proverbs 22:7)

I will vote for the most pro-wok candidate, because God says if a man won't work let him eat not. 

(2 Thessalonians 3:10)

I will vote for the most pro-marriage candidate, because God is for marriage defined as between one man and one woman. (Genesis 2:24)

I will vote for the candidate who most closely believes that government's purpose is to reward good and punish evil. (Romans 13)

I will vote based as close as I can on the Word of God. (2 Timothy 3:16)

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Do Not Fear!!

Fear does not come from God.

Rebuke it!

www.ChristianPhotoshops.com

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.  ❤

Reading the Bible

1. Read the Bible with an earnest desire to understand it. Do not be content to just read the words of Scripture. Seek to grasp the message they contain.

2. Read the Scriptures with a simple, childlike faith and humility. Believe what God reveals. Our reason must bow to God's revelation.

3. Read the Word with a spirit of obedience and self-application. Apply what God says to yourself and obey His will in all things.

4. Read the Holy Scriptures every day. We quickly lose the nourishment and strength of yesterday's food. We must feed our souls daily upon the manna God has given to us.

5. Read the whole Bible and read it in an orderly way. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable." (2 Timothy 3:16) I know of no better way to read the Bible than to start at the beginning and read straight through to the end, a portion every day, comparing Scripture with Scripture.

6. Read the Word of God fairly and honestly. As a general rule, any passage of Scripture means what it appears to mean. Interpret every passage in this simple manner, in its context.

7. Read the Scriptures prayerfully, ever asking the Holy Spirit to illumine the Word. "Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures." (Luke 24:45) "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law." (Psalm 119:18)

8. Read the Bible with Christ constantly in view. The whole Book is about Him. Look for Him on every page. He is there. If you fail to see Him there, you need to read that page again.

[J. C. Ryle]

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The Dirty Lane!

Look upon your dying day as a gainful day. There is no gain compared to that which comes in by death. A Christian gets more by death, than he does by life. To be in Christ is very good, but to be with Christ is best of all, "I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far!" (Philippians 1:23) It was a mighty blessing for Christ to be with Paul on earth, but it was the top of blessings for Paul to be with Christ in Heaven!

Seriously consider these things: By death you shall gain incomparable crowns!

  a crown of life, ... Revelation 2:10, James 1:12
  a crown of righteousness, ... 2 Timothy 4:8
  an incorruptible crown ... 1 Corinthians 9:24-25
  a crown of glory ...   1 Peter 5:4
There are no crowns compared to these crowns!

By death you shall gain a glorious kingdom! "It is your Father's pleasure to give you a kingdom!" (Luke 12:32) We must put off the rags of mortality, that we may put on our robes of glory! There is no entering into paradise, but under the flaming sword of this angel, death, which stands at the gate.

Death is the dirty lane through which the saint passes to a kingdom, to great kingdom,
 to a glorious kingdom, to a peaceful kingdom, to an unshaken kingdom, to a lasting kingdom, yes, to an everlasting kingdom!

Death is the dark, short way, through which the saints pass to the marriage-supper of the Lamb!
 

[Thomas Brooks]

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Study The Bible!!

Be careful that you don’t promote a preacher's words, ideas, commentary above your own, or worse, above the Bible itself. I see too much of this where one preacher becomes the final authority on a subject. 

[Christopher Gregory]

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2 Timothy 2:15 ... Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

John 5:39 .... Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Acts 17:11 ...  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. ❤

Truth Vs. Lie

The only people that hate you for speaking the truth are people that believe a lie.

 

2 Timothy 4:2-4 ... Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. ❤

Uh Oh!

 Everyone says that they want a pastor that preaches the truth and 

does not compromise...

Until he starts preaching truth and does not compromise!

2 Timothy 4:3-4 ...    For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. ❤

Do Any Startle at This Plain Assertion?

In the early Christian Church religion did not consist in talking finely, but in living well. We, alas! are not now what these primitive Christians were burning and shining lights. The lamentation of the prophet is sadly too descriptive of our state: "Our silver has become dross, and our wine is mixed with water." (Isaiah 1:22)  

The world has tainted the Church by its unhallowed admixture. Where is the simplicity, the self-denial, the zeal, the entire devotedness, of these first Christians to be found? Certainly not among the great mass of religious professors! Long continued prosperity has induced a spirit of slumber. Without any breach of that charity which hopes all things, we are compelled to declare this painful truth: that thousands who are moral, and regular in all the outward duties and decencies of religion are still as far distant from the spirit and practice, the principles and feelings, of the true believer, as the East is from the West! 

Do any startle at this plain assertion? Where, we would ask, is their deep contrition, their sincere repentance, their hatred of sin, their application to the Savior, their love to His name, their delight in His service, their attachment to Him, their self-denying obedience, their renunciation of the world, their patience under suffering for the Gospel's sake? Where, in short, is the new creature in Christ Jesus to be seen in them? It has no existence! They have a name to live, being called Christians, and professing to believe in Jesus but they are dead! 

The general truths of the Gospel may dwell in their understandings, but they have no abiding place in their hearts. The Apostle has well described the character of these nominal Christians: "They profess that they know God, but in works deny Him." (Titus 1:16) "They have the form of godliness but deny the power thereof." (2 Timothy 3:4-5) 

These are the people who, frequenting the house of God, sneer at 'conscientious piety'. Yet, they have full confidence in the mercy of God, and deem it most uncharitable, even to breathe a hint that they are in danger of eternal perdition. 

[Thomas Reade]

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Get Better?

Is the world going to get better?  NO, it's going to get worse.

The only hope for this world is God and His son, Jesus Christ, the LORD.

[Franklin Graham]

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Matthew 24:12 ... And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

2 Timothy 3:1 ... This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

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

"Fear Not."

I have many agitations and misgivings. But when heart and flesh faint and fail, my Lord has three whispers for me that banish fear and alarm. 

 "Fear not, for I have redeemed you!" Isaiah 43:1 

My PAST brings me trouble the sins I have committed, the duties I have neglected, the guilt I am chargeable with, the penalty I merit these make the retrospect of my days and years sad in the extreme. I have wrecked my own life. I have injured others. I have sinned against God. Sometimes I am overwhelmed by self-contempt. But there is redemption there is forgiveness. God concerns Himself with the locust-eaten yesterday. He forgives it through the might of Christ's Cross. He may transmute my very sins and errors and falls into means of grace as nature can convert the battlefield that was strewn with the dead, into the greenest of pastures. He redeems me from my past! 

"Fear not, for I am with you!" Isaiah 41:10

My PRESENT stirs in me great disquietude. Apart from my Savior, I am still as weak as water before temptation, an easy prey to the enemy, the willing servant of sin. But then God remains with me, to preserve my soul from death and my feet from falling and my eyes from tears. By His providence, His Gospel, His Spirit, He sanctifies and makes me holy. I know not which to marvel at more: His suffering for me on the cruel Tree or His long-suffering with me always. 

"Fear not, I will help you!" Isaiah 41:13 

The FUTURE has its distresses. Peering ahead, what do I see? Many perplexities, many trials and afflictions, much weariness and struggle. But my Lord will go before me. As feeble as I am in myself, I shall be more than a conqueror over all the contingencies of the future, when the Lord helps and strengthens me. 

To His thrice-repeated "Fear not!" I reply, "I will not fear, for You have redeemed me, You are with me, and You will help me!" 

[Alexander Smellie]

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. ❤

The One, Precious, All Absorbing Theme!

The Word of God must ever be transcendently precious to the believer. The Bible is, from its commencement to its close, a record of the Lord Jesus. Around Him the divine and glorious Word centers; all its wondrous types, prophecies and facts gather. His Promise and Foreshadowing, His holy Incarnation, Nativity and Baptism, His Obedience and Passion, His Death, Burial and Resurrection, His Ascension to Heaven, His Second coming to judge the world are the grand and touching, the sublime and tender, the priceless and precious truths interwoven with the whole texture of the Bible, to which the Two Witnesses of Revelation, the Old and the New Testaments bear their harmonious and solemn testimony. 

Beloved, let this be the one and chief object in your study of the Bible the knowledge of Jesus! The Bible is not a history, a book of science or a poem it is a record of Christ. Study it to know more of Him His nature, His love, His work. With the magnanimous Paul, "count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus your Lord." (Philippians 3:8) Then will God's Word become increasingly precious to your soul, and its truths unfold. 

In every page you will: trace the history of Jesus, see the glory of Jesus, admire the work of Jesus, learn the love of Jesus, and hear the voice of Jesus! The whole volume will be redolent of His name, and luminous with His beauty! Oh, what is the Bible to us apart from its revelation of a Savior! Is there not great danger of studying it merely intellectually and scientifically, of reveling among its literary beauties and its grandeur blind to its true value, and without any desire to know that precious Savior who died for sinners, that Divine Redeemer who purchased the ransom of His Church with His own blood; that Friend who loves us; that Brother who sympathizes with us, that enthroned High Priest who intercedes for us within the veil? 

Do we study the "Word of Christ" spiritually and honestly as those whose souls hunger and thirst for this, the bread and water of life? Do we search it diligently and earnestly as for hidden treasure, treasure beyond all prices? Can we say with David, "O how love I Your law! It is my meditation all the day!" (Psalm 119:97) Do we: read it with a child-like mind, receive it with a believing heart, bow to its teaching with reverence of soul, and receive its decisions in all questions of faith and practice as decisive and ultimate? In a word, do we search the Scriptures humbly, prayerfully, depending upon the guidance of the Spirit to find Jesus in them? 

Of these Scriptures He is the Alpha and the Omega, the substance, the sweetness, the glory, the one, precious, all absorbing theme! Yes, Lord! Your word is precious to our souls, because it reveals to us Your glory, and tells us of Your love! 

[Octavius Winslow]

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1 John 5:11 ... And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

John 1:14 ... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

2 Timothy 2:15 ... Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ❤

Roaring Devils Around Us!

There is nothing that more troubles a child of God, than that he fears he shall never hold out. "These weak legs of mine," he says, "will never carry me to Heaven!" But he is kept by the power of God! Once in Christ, forever in Christ! 

A believer may fall from some degrees of grace, but not from the state of grace. How despairing is the Arminian doctrine of falling from grace! Today a saint, tomorrow a reprobate; today a Peter, tomorrow a Judas! This is like boring a hole in a vessel, to make all the wine of his joy run out. Were the Arminian doctrine true, what comfort would it be to have one's name written in the book of life if it might be blotted out again? 

But be assured, for your comfort that grace, if it is true, though ever so weak shall persevere. "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation." (1 Peter 1:5) See whence it is, that believers persevere in holiness. It is to be ascribed solely to the power of God. It is a wonder that any Christian perseveres, if you consider:

Corruption within. There is more sin than grace; yet grace is habitually predominant. Grace is like a spark in the sea it is a wonder that it is not quenched! It is a wonder that sin does not destroy grace. 

Temptations without. Satan envies us happiness, and he raises his militia and stirs up persecution. He shoots his fiery darts of temptations which are called darts for their swiftness, fiery for their terribleness. We are every day beset with devils! As it was a wonder that Daniel was kept alive in the midst of the roaring lions so there are many roaring devils around us, and yet we are not torn in pieces! 

Now, whence is it, that we stand against these powerful temptations? We are kept by the power of God! The world's old snares riches and pleasure. How many have been shipwrecked upon these golden rocks! "Demas has deserted me, because he loved this present world." (2 Timothy 4:10)  

What a wonder any persevere in holiness that the earth does not choke the fire of all holy affections! Whence is this, but from the power of God. We are kept by His power.

[Thomas Watson] 

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John 10:27-29 ... My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. ❤

Think For Yourself.

Be careful that your spiritual leader doesn’t become your spiritual source. If you follow anyone to the point that you promote their teachings, their beliefs, their ideas, their commentaries about spiritual matters and substitute your own critical thinking skills, then you are in danger of following a man and not Christ. 

I see too much of this lately of people who follow their popular pastor's words, or worse, their “study bible” and subsequent commentaries, and quote their leader by what HE believes and not what God says. 

I don’t care who it is; no one has arrived at their theology and has it all perfect in knowledge. Church folk need to stop being spoon-fed with their favorite preacher's ideas and instead get their beliefs rooted in the gospel. 

Populism is a cult in politics, so it is in religion. Know better and think for yourself. 

 [Christopher Gregory]

2 Timothy 2:15 ... Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

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