The Sun and It's Creator

The sun will burn your eyes from 92 million miles, and you expect to casually stroll into the presence of its CREATOR?!

Exodus 33:20 .... And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. ❤

The Only Suitable Dress For a Saved Sinner!

"True humility," said one, "is a lovely ornament; it is the only suitable dress for a saved sinner!" O let us seek then to be clothed in this robe, that we may be brought to lie low at the footstool of our Maker and Redeemer.

In the saints of old, this grace of humility appeared with marked prominence; and they are patterns for our imitation.

There was Abraham, the father of the faithful and the friend of God. How great was his humility! How profound his self-abasement! "I have ventured to speak to the Lord, even though I am nothing but dust and ashes!" (Genesis 18:27) He was filled with a consciousness of his absolute nothingness in the presence of the Great Eternal.

There was David also, who speaks of himself as "a worm and not a man!" Job cried out, "Behold, I am vile!" (Job 40:4)

In the apostle Paul, again, what a striking exemplification have we of this grace of humility. If self-delight were ever allowable in any individual, it would be in him; for such a laborious, self-denying, unselfish character, has doubtless not yet appeared; the man Christ Jesus alone, and always excepted.

But what were Paul's views and feelings in reference to himself? On one occasion we hear him saying that he was not worthy to be called an apostle. At another time he says, "I am less than the least of all God's people!" (Ephesians 3:8) And when penning one of his last epistles, he designates himself the very chief of sinners! He was brought to know himself some knowledge in which all wisdom centers. If we knew ourselves as he did, pride and self-delight would find no room within us!

But, above all, let us consider Him who said, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart." (Matthew 11:29) The heaven of heavens could not contain Him; all the fullness of the Eternal Godhead dwelt in Him; devils trembled at His rebuke and flew from His presence to the abodes of misery; yet how gentle, how humble He was! Reader, aspire after conformity to Christ in His humility.

Against the proud, God's displeasure has been manifested in all ages.

Think of Pharaoh. The language of that proud monarch was, "Who is the Lord, that I should obey Him?" (Exodus 5:2) But the Divine Majesty could not bear to be thus insulted; hence the puny worm with all his legions were destroyed they sank as lead in the mighty waters! 

Think of Nebuchadnezzar. Hear his boasting exclamation, "Is not this great Babylon that I have built, by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?" (Daniel 4:30) But God resisted him, and he was turned from the society of men to eat grass with the beasts of the field! 

Think of Herod. With what delight did he receive the applause of the people, when they cried, "It is the voice of a god, and not the voice of man!" But the angel of the Lord smote him, and he was eaten with worms! (Acts 12:23)

While, however, God resists the proud; He has promised to give grace unto the humble. The humble are the objects of His special regard. "For thus says the high and lofty One, who inhabits eternity, whose name is holy: I dwell in the high and holy place" that is one of the palaces of the Great King, where the throne of His glory is erected, where the countless armies of cherubim and seraphim are stationed, and where perfected saints reside. But He has another place of habitation: "with him also, who is humble and contrite in spirit!" (Isaiah 57:15)

[John MacDuff]

1 Peter 5:5 ... Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

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Taking His Name in Vain...

This commandment, often overlooked in its full weight, strikes at the very heart of how we regard the holy character of God. It is a solemn warning against treating anything related to God with irreverence or triviality. God should always and only be regarded with deep reverence and awe--with a profound sense of His divine grandeur.

In Scripture, God's name represents all that He is: His majesty, His holiness, His truth, His faithfulness, and his glorious attributes. To take His name in vain is to treat what is sacred, as common. It is to speak of Him without reverence to utter His name lightly, or thoughtlessly, or flippantly.

Such misuse is not hidden from the omniscience of the Almighty. He has declared with unwavering certainty: "The Lord will not leave him unpunished, who takes His name in vain." (Exodus 20:7) This is not an idle threat. It is a fearful reminder of God's holy regard for who He truly is.

Let us examine our hearts. Do we always treat God's name with the awe and reverence that it deserves? May we never drag His name into the dust, by using it without reverence. Instead, may we honor Him with lips and lives that reflect the glory of His holy name.

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

Matthew 6:9 ...  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

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Closed Doors

 Not every closed door is rejection.

Some are protection.

You begged for it.

Prayed for it.

Prepared for it.

And it still didn’t open.

You thought it meant you weren’t ready.

Or weren’t worthy.

Or weren’t enough.

But sometimes the door didn’t close because you were unqualified.

It closed because you were misaligned.

God will block what would break you.

Delay what would derail you.

Remove what would reduce you.

You call it setback.

He calls it shielding.

If it didn’t open,

It wasn’t yours.

Trust the One who sees the hallway

When you can only see the handle.

Rejection is painful.

But redirection is powerful.

[message from the Internet]

Exodus 14:14 ... The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. ❤

Unbelief of Zacharias

Zacharias was so much astonished at the message of the angel, that he wanted to see some sign or miracle to prove that the angel came from God. Why was it wrong in Zacharias to desire a sign? Because he had already had one. The glorious appearance of the angel, which had filled him with fear, was a sufficient sign. God does not wish us to believe things without any proof. If he were to send a prophet to speak to us, he would give us some sign to show us that the prophet really came from him. When Moses spoke to the Israelites in Egypt, he gave them two signs; his rod was turned into a serpent, and his hand was made white with the leprosy. (Exodus 4) 

God is angry when men will not believe, after he has given them a sign. It was sinful in Zacharias not to believe after he had seen the glorious angel.  Thus, we find that though he was righteous before God, he was still subject to sin. Unbelief is a great sin; for it is an insult to the truth of God.  The angel rebuked the unbelieving priest, saying, "You shall be speechless." This gentle chastisement would at once remove the doubts of Zacharias and remind him of his sin. In this way, God deals with his own people, when they forget what a great God He is.  Zacharias at length came out of the temple. It was now expected that he should bless the people in those beautiful words recorded in Numbers 6:24-27, beginning, "May the Lord bless you and keep you;" but he could not speak, and he made signs to show the people what he had seen in the temple. 

Each division of priests remained to serve in the temple from one Sabbath to the next; in a few days, therefore, Zacharias returned to his own house among the hills. What a history he had to unfold to Elizabeth! For he was able to inform her in writing. What a proof she beheld of the power of God in the silence of her husband! We should take notice of God's dealings with others. "Whoever is wise, and will observe these things, even he shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord." (Psalm 107:43) How humbly and gratefully Elizabeth behaved on this occasion! She acknowledged the goodness of the Lord in having condescended to look upon her affliction; for she had been exposed to much reproach on account of having no child. 

When troubles are removed, we are apt to overlook the Lord's merciful hand! Perhaps we have been suffering under some trial; the unkindness of a relative, the dread of sickness, or the pressure of poverty God removes the trial, and we forget how much it weighed us down before, and so we omit to thank the Lord heartily. A holy minister named Rutherford, in one of his letters, written two hundred years ago, says, that one of the things which most showed him his own wickedness by nature, was his feeling more disposed to call upon the Lord in trouble, than to thank him when delivered. Let us think over the things that troubled us a few years ago and bless the hand which has lightened our load. 

[F. L. Mortimer]

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The Year Before Our Eyes!!

The year before our eyes may hold in its bosom events which may deeply concern and affect us. We do not know what is to come. What personal trials, what family trials, what providential trials may await us we do not know. Sickness may attack our bodies, death may enter our families, difficulties may beset our circumstances, trials and temptations may distress our hearts, snares may entangle our feet, and many dark and gloomy clouds, may make our path one of heaviness and sorrow. Since every year hitherto has brought its particular trials then we cannot expect the coming year to be exempt. 

If, indeed, we are His then whatever our trials may be, His grace will be sufficient for us. He who has delivered us, can and will deliver us. He who has brought us thus far on the road, who has so borne with our wayward behavior in this wilderness world, and never yet forsaken us will still guide and guard us. He will still be our God, our Father and our Friend not only to the end of the next year, but to the end of our life. 

Blessed with His presence, we need fear no evil. Favored with His smile, we need dread no foe. Upheld by His power, we need shrink from no trial. Strengthened by His grace, we need not panic at any suffering. Knowing what we are and have been, when left to ourselves the slips that we have made, the snares that we have been entangled in, the shame and sorrow that we have procured to ourselves well may we dread to go forth in the coming year alone. Well may we say, "If Your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here!" (Exodus 33:15) 

[J.C. Philpot] 

Deuteronomy 33:25 ... Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.

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Herd of Swine!!

The generality of people are like dead fish which float down the stream wherever it runs. The "voice of the people," is often the voice of the devil. Satan's herd of swine is larger than Christ's flock of sheep! Let them be ever so mighty, we are not to fear them. Let them be ever so many, we are not to follow them. If we will not have the people of the world to be our leaders, we shall be sure to have them as our troublers. If they cannot seduce us into their evil ways, they will oppose us in our holy ways. If they cannot scorch us with their fire, they will try to blacken us with their smoke. They will speak evil of us, because we do not run into the same excess of evil with them.  Because we refuse to play the fool with them, they will say that we are mad. "Though the people of Israel are as numerous as the sand on the seashore, only the remnant will be saved." (Romans 9:27) 

The whole piece belongs to the Devil, but God cuts off a remnant for Himself! The trees of righteousness are thinly planted, in the world's orchard. There are many wicked sinners, to one godly man! Pebbles lie abundant in the streets, but pearls are rare to find. Sinners are certainly the greatest company, but they are also the worst company. Remember, the multitude of people, are like the droves of cattle, which go to the slaughter! Those who follow after others in sinning, will be sure to follow them in suffering! Alas, the largeness of the multitude, will not extinguish the fierceness of the flame! The great number of those immortal faggots will but intensify the fury of the eternal fire! 

[William Secker] 

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Exodus 23:2 ... Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:

Matthew 7:13-14 ...  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. ❤

A Target!

Every child of God is a soldier, and a real one. In the Christian army, there are no featherbed, no fire-side soldiers. All to a man are actual combatants. Are not their enemies real? Flesh and blood real? The world real? And Satan real? a real devil? And if their enemies are real, the conflict with their enemies must be real too. "Every battle of the warrior," we read, "is with garments rolled in blood." And such is "the good fight of faith."  It is no sham fight but a hand-to-hand battle, in which wounds are inflicted, bloodshed, and life, according to our feelings, often at stake. 

But how shall we be able to fight this great battle, and so to withstand the enemies of our soul's salvation, as to come off more than conquerors? Weak and defenseless as we are, without one weapon of sufficient temper and strength through sin, like the children of Israel, "made naked unto their shame among their enemies." (Exodus 32:25) fall we shall, defeated we must be, unless we have some better weapons than our own armory can furnish. 

God, who knows the strength of our enemies God, who knows the weakness of our flesh, has therefore provided in the heavenly armory weapons whereby, and whereby alone, we can make an effectual stand. Of this heavenly armor the apostle speaks in the text, where, addressing his Christian brethren, he says, "therefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." (Ephesians 6:13)

He here makes it imperative upon them to take not a part of, but "the whole armor of God," assuring them that it is indispensable to their safety that only by being clad in it from top to toe, can they "withstand in the evil day," when all the powers of earth and hell are arrayed against them and that even then, when they have in the strength of that heavenly armor "done," or "overcome all," they must not put it off  but will still need it "to stand." 

[J. C. Philpot]

2 Timothy 2:1-3 ... Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. ❤

Two Words ...

When the enemy comes at you, just remember these two words ~~~ but God!!

Genesis 50:20 ... But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

Exodus 13:18 ... But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.

Psalm 73:26 ... My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

Psalm 49:15 ... But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.

Proverbs 21:12 ... The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.

Isaiah 17:13 ... The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.

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

1 Corinthians 3:6 ... I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

1 Corinthians 10:13 ... There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Ephesians 2:4 ... But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

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Rule No.1

God First.

Exodus 20"3 ... Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

1 Corinthians 15:27-28 ... For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

Matthew 6:33 ... But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. ❤

Tune Your Heart!!

Moses and the Children of Israel have just been delivered from 400 years of slavery to the Egyptians, by the hand of God. They have walked for three days and found no water. They come to Marah, but the waters are bitter. Moses cried to God for help, and the LORD shows Moses a branch of a tree. Which Moses then threw into the waters, and they were made sweet. God is (((a visual God))). 

This is one of the many ways He speaks to us. “So Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself, unless (((He sees))) the Father doing it. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does.” John 5:19 This is where class time and test time starts. God makes a statute and an ordinance for them. 

EXODUS 15:23-26 “Then they came to Marah, but they could not drink its waters because they were bitter; therefore, it was named Marah (bitter). The people [grew discontented and] grumbled at Moses, saying, “What are we going to drink?” Then he cried to the LORD [for help], and the LORD showed him a tree, [a branch of] which he threw into the waters, and the waters became sweet. There the LORD made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there 

He tested them, saying, “(((If))) you will diligently listen and pay attention to (((the voice))) of the LORD your God, (((and do))) what is right in His sight, and (((listen))) to His commandments, and keep [foremost in your thoughts and actively obey] all His precepts and statutes, then I will not put on you any of the diseases which I have put on the Egyptians; for I am the LORD who heals you.” 

Learning to tune our hearts to God is in fact, the most important lesson on earth. I have found that crying out to God in your own personal journal is one of the greatest ways to encounter His daily voice and presence. 

[Troi Nelson Cockayne]

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"The Beauty of Holiness"

Holiness is the antithesis of sin; and the beauty of holiness is in direct contrast from the ugliness of sin. Sin is a deformity, a monstrosity. Sin is repulsive, repellent to the infinitely pure God: that is why He selected leprosy, the most loathsome and horrible of all diseases, to be its emblem. When the Prophet was Divinely inspired to depict the condition of degenerate Israel, it was in these words, "From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrefying sores." (Isaiah 1:6) 

O that sin was sickening and hateful to us: not merely its grosser forms but sin itself. At the opposite extreme from the hideousness of sin is "the beauty of holiness." Holiness is lovely in the sight of God: necessarily so. It is the reflection of His own nature, for He is "glorious in holiness" (Exodus 15:11) 

O that it may be increasingly attractive to, and earnestly sought after, by us! 

[J. C. Ryle]

Psalm 29:2 ... Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

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Absolute Sovereignty!!

One has stated, "God does not permit things to happen. He purposed all that comes to pass in time, before time began. And all that He ordained from eternity and performs in time, is good." 

Sadly, many in Christendom do not accept the teaching of God's absolute Sovereignty over His world. I offer the following Scriptures without comment, for your perusal: 

"Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord?" Exodus 4:11 

"See now that I myself am He! There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand." Deuteronomy 32:39 

"The Lord brings death and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and raises up. The Lord sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts." 1 Samuel 2:6-7

"Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" Job 2:10 

"For hardship does not spring from the soil, nor does trouble sprout from the ground." Job 5:6 

"For He wounds, but He also binds up; He injures, but His hands also heal." Job 5:18 "When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other." Ecclesiastes 7:14 

"This is what the Lord says: As I have brought all this great calamity on this people, so I will give them all the prosperity I have promised them." Jeremiah 32:42 

"Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come?" Lamentations 3:38 

"When disaster comes to a city, has not the Lord caused it?" Amos 3:6

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The Hard Couch of Sorrow!

Exquisite tenderness melts in these words. Assurance of compassion is most sweetly stated. Let no believer faint in the hour of trial. His feet may travel in affliction's road. He may be called to lie on the hard couch of sorrow. Troubles may roll over him as wave upon wave. But the eye of divine love ever watches him, the heart of divine love ever throbs sympathetically for him, the ear of divine love ever listens to his cry, the hand of divine love will in due season be outstretched to help him. 

The patient sufferer will sing with David in Psalm 18:19, "He led me to a place of safety; He rescued me because He delights in me." 

[Henry Law] 

Exodus 3:7 ... And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;

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But The Choice is in Better Hands!

Moses asked to be shown the way. The way is not shown. But better than this, God says, "Trust Me, I will go with you!" 

Afflicted one! Hear this wilderness promise which God speaks to His spiritual Israel still. He who led His people of old "like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron," will manifest towards you the same Shepherd love. The way may be very different from what we would have wished; and what we would have chosen. But the choice is in better hands! 

God had His own wise and righteous ends, in every erratic turning in the wilderness wanderings. Just so, who can look back on the past leadings of God, without gratitude and thankfulness? When His sheep have been conducted to the rougher parts of the wilderness, He, their Shepherd, has been with them. When their fleece was torn, and they were footsore and weary, He has borne them in His arms. His presence has lightened every cross and sweetened every care. 

Let us trust Him for an unknown and checkered future! With Him for our portion, take what He will away we must be happy. We can rise above the loss of the earthly gift, in the consciousness of the nobler possession which we enjoy in the Great Bestower. He may have seen fit to level 'clay idols' that He, the "All Satisfying One" might reign paramount and supreme. 

He will not allow us to raise havens on earth, and to write upon them: "This is my rest." But "Fear not," He seems to say, "You are not left without a friend or without solace on the way home. Pilgrim in a pilgrim land! My presence shall go with you in all your dark and cloudy days, in your hours of faintness and depression, in all your sickness and sadness, in life and in death! 

And when the journey is ended, I will give you eternal rest with Me!" The pledge of Grace will be followed with the fruition of Glory! 

[John MacDuff]

Exodus 33:14 ... And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.

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'Clods of Earth' into 'Stars of Glory'

Christ is that golden pipe, through which the golden oil of salvation is transmitted to us. Nothing could fasten Jesus to the cross, but the golden link of love! "Because of His great love that He had for us" (Ephesians 2:4) The emperor Trajan tore off a piece of his own robe to bind up one of his soldier's wounds. But Christ tore off His own flesh for us! "He gave Himself for us to redeem us." (Titus 2:14) Christ gave Himself for us what more could He give? If He had anything to part with of more worth, He would have bestowed it upon us! What astonishing love, that Christ should die for such as we are. What are we? Not only vanity but enmity! 

When we were rebelling, He was dying! When we had weapons in our hands, then He had the spear in His side! This is the very quintessence of love! "God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us!" (Romans 5:8)   When we were engulfed in misery and had lost our beauty, then Christ died for us. 

O amazing love, which should swallow up all our thoughts! What astonishing love, that Christ should die for us, rather than for the fallen angels. They were creatures of a more noble extraction and, in all probability, might have brought greater revenues of glory to God. Yet, that Christ should pass by those golden vessels, and make us 'clods of earth' into 'stars of glory' O the hyperbole of Christ's love! What a stupendous love is this! 

Who can meditate upon His love, and not be in ecstasy! We may behold the odiousness of sin, in the red-looking glass of Christ's sufferings. Sin is to be abominated, since it turned Adam out of paradise and threw the angels down to Hell. Sin is the birthplace of our sorrows, and the grave of our comforts. But that which may most of all disfigure the face of sin and make it appear abominable is this: It crucified our Lord Jesus! 

O let us look upon sin with indignation! When a temptation to sin comes, let us say, "Is not this the sin which poured out Christ's blood?" Let our hearts be enraged against sin! When the senators of Rome showed the people Caesar's bloody robe, they were incensed against those who slew him. Sin has rent the white robe of Christ's flesh and dyed it a crimson color! Let us, then, seek to be avenged of our sins! Under the Law, if an ox gored a man so that he died the ox was to be killed. (Exodus 21:28) Likewise sin has gored and pierced our Savior! Let it die! Let us be deeply affected with the great love of Christ for us. 

Who can tread upon these hot coals, and his heart not burn? Cry out with Ignatius, "Christ, my love, is crucified!" If a friend would die for us, would not our hearts be much affected with his kindness? That the God of Heaven would die for us--how should this stupendous mercy have a melting influence upon us! The body of Christ broken, is enough to break the flintiest heart! At our Savior's passion, "the rocks split apart!" He who is not affected with Christ's love, has a heart harder than the rocks! How should we be affected with Christ's kindness, who, to spare our life, lost His own! Let us pray that, as Christ was fastened to the cross so He may be fastened to our hearts! 

[Thomas Watson] 

Ephesians 3:19 ... And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

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Minced Oaths

God's name is taken more times in vain in churches than anywhere else. The blasphemy in the sanctuary is worse than the blasphemy in the street! 

[John MacArthur]

Here are a few examples of minced oaths:
   Gosh -- God
   Gosh darned -- God damned
   Heck -- Hell
   Jeez -- Jesus
   Dang -- Damn
   Darn -- Damn
   Darnation -- Damnation
   Doggone -- God damn
   Gee whizz -- Jesus
   My goodness -- My God
   My gosh -- My God
   Tarnation -- Damnation
   Good grief -- Good God
   Goodness gracious -- Good God
   By golly -- By God
   By gosh -- By God
   Cripes -- Christ

Exodus 20:7 ... Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. 

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That Unclean Donkey!!

Every firstborn creature must be the Lord's; but since the donkey was unclean, it could not be presented in sacrifice to Him. What then? Should it be allowed to go free from the universal law? By no means! God admits of no exceptions. The donkey is His due, but He will not accept it; He will not abate the claim; but yet He cannot be pleased with the unclean victim. No way of escape remained, but redemption, the donkey must be saved by the substitution of a lamb in its place; or if not redeemed, it must die! 

My soul, here is a lesson for you! That unclean donkey is yourself! You are justly the property of the Lord who made you and preserves you, but you are so sinful that God will not, cannot, accept you! It has come to this: the Lamb of God must stand in your stead, or you must die eternally! 

Let all the world know of your gratitude to that spotless Lamb who has died for you, and so redeemed you from the fatal curse of the law! Must it not sometimes have been a question with the Israelite, as to which should die the donkey or the lamb? Would not the man pause to estimate and compare the values of these animals? Assuredly there was no comparison between the value of a sinful man, and the spotless Lord Jesus! Yet the Lamb dies; and the man, the donkey is spared! 

My soul, admire the boundless love of God to you! Vile worms are bought, with the blood of the holy Lamb of God! Dust and ashes are redeemed, with a price far above silver and gold! What a doom would have been mine, had not plenteous redemption been found! The breaking of the neck of the donkey was but a momentary penalty. But who shall measure the eternal wrath to come, to which no limit can be imagined! Inestimably dear is the glorious Lamb, who has redeemed me from such a doom! 

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

Exodus 34:20 ...  But the firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb: and if thou redeem him not, then shalt thou break his neck. All the firstborn of thy sons thou shalt redeem. And none shall appear before me empty. ❤

Busybodies

Busybodies have destroyed more marriages, ruined more names, and caused untold strife between a church and its pastor than anything devils could do. 

If it ain’t your business, stay out of it. 

 [Christopher Gregory]

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Proverbs 11:13 ... A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

Exodus 23:1 ... Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.

2 Corinthians 12:20 ...  For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

Ephesians 4:29 ...  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.❤

The Great Wilderness!

If I were not a pilgrim journeying through the wilderness, I could not know the refreshment of Elim. If I did not taste the bitterness of Marah, the pleasanter waters of Elim would lose half of their delightfulness. Therefore, I should thank God for the difficult wilderness journey, and the keen afflictions along the way. 

Elim brings supply. The oasis has its twelve springs of water one for each of the tribes in Israel. And if I am journeying under God's leadership, in fellowship with His people, towards His promised land, how many are the aids, and how varied is the provision, with which the King of the way furnishes me! Sunday worship comes week after week. The Word of life and peace is in my hands. I have the Throne of Grace, to which I can resort in all my times of need. There are golden days of peculiar privileges, and sweet fellowship with Christian friends. Never should I be without the living water. 

Elim brings shade. Above the twelve springs of water, rise straight and stately palm trees seventy of them, as many as the seventy years of man's life on earth. They come between me, and the remorseless blaze of the sun. They secure for me a welcome coolness and refreshment. Jesus, our adorable redeemer, is a shade from the blazing heat of divine justice. He is shelter from the just condemnation of my sin, shelter from the cruel onslaught of temptation, shelter from the hardening effects of sorrow, mercy to pardon, and grace to help! 

Elim also brings rest. "They camped there beside the water" and I should do likewise. It may be that the wilderness stretches on every hand, that tomorrow I shall be in the desert sun once more, that the end of my pilgrim's journey is far off. Yet, I have the cheering memory of God's supply and God's shadow to solace me. In my pilgrim journey through this wilderness, hardship cannot be avoided. Yet, I can take my Elim with me through the great wilderness, and I need never lack the "twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees." 

There is something much amiss, if ever my heart ceases to be quiet and confident, and if I ever forget to raise the song that tells of rest beneath the palm-trees and joy beside the springs of water. 

 [Alexander Smellie] 

 Exodus 15:27 ... And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.

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