God Paints!!

God paints, not on a clean white canvas but on a canvas that has been stained with sin, spotted with corruption, and bespattered with the filth of the fall. 

As the perfect Painter, God looks to Christ His Model, and, with the brush of omnipotent mercy in His ever steady hand of sovereign power He begins to paint His children, one by one, into the family portrait; tracing every line with divine precision, filling in every grace with unfailing accuracy, accentuating every corner of their character with a whole array of heavenly hues: blues of faith and surrender, violets of honesty and godly fear, greens of tenderness and gratitude, reds of love and compassion, yellows of patience and perseverance painting them all in the similitude of Christ His beloved Son! 

[Frank Hall]

2 Corinthians 3:18 ... But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Ephesians 2:10 ...  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.  ❤

Tender Kisses!!

Of all the relationships that we as believers share with our blessed Savior, perhaps none is more intimate and comforting than that of marriage. Jesus has betrothed us to Himself in holy matrimony and covenant grace. We are His beloved bride, the apple of His eye, the darling of His heart; and He is the gracious Husband of our immortal souls! We are, by sovereign grace, forever one with Jesus our Husband! 

Oh, what a glorious privilege it is to be joined to Jesus in the blessed bond of marriage! He loves me! He cares for me! He defends and protects me! He provides for my every need! He comforts, supports, and cherishes me! I have His heart and He has mine! "I am my Beloved's, and my Beloved is mine!"  (Song of Solomon 6:3)  I belong to Him and He belongs to me! Oh, that my Beloved would "kiss me with the kisses of His mouth," (Song of Solomon 1:2) that He would embrace my soul, draw me to Himself, caress my heart ever so gently with His merciful touch, and grant me sweet tokens of His love for me. 

Oh, how I long for Him to express His love and affection to me with the tender kisses of sovereign love, free grace, immutable faithfulness, and undying compassion, "for His love is better than wine!" (Song of Solomon 4:10) Wine makes glad the heart, but His love is better than the finest wine! His love causes my broken heart to rejoice, renews my strength, brightens my vision, causes me to walk uprightly in the paths of righteousness, and moves my heart to take flight through the heavens with wings as an eagle. Excess wine intoxicates men and is forbidden by God. Too much wine will ruin a man. It alters the state of men's minds, seizes control of men, dulls their senses, and destroys their ability to exercise sound judgment and reason. But Jesus' love is better than wine! 

It is not possible to overindulge in the intoxicating love of Jesus, nor is it forbidden. Indeed, the gospel encourages love to Jesus. The wine of His love doesn't ruin men it transforms them! His love for us, invigorates our love for Him intoxicating our hearts, seizing control of them, overpowering our wills and our senses, giving us sound reason, and spiritual judgment. 

Oh, blessed Lord, we beg you, give us this wine! Fill our cups full! Cause them to overflow! Pour into our hearts the intoxicating love of Jesus the Lord! The desire of a believer's soul can be summed up in one word, JESUS! "Whom have I in Heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside You!" (Psalm 73:25)  We desire Him, His person, His love, His glory, His grace, His will, His salvation, His righteousness, His way. All we want is in Jesus! All we need is in Jesus! All we have is in Jesus! 

Jesus is all and Jesus is better! Better than the treasures of kings! Better than all earthly possessions! Better than passing pleasures and prestige! Indeed, He is better than all earthly delights combined! If we don't have Jesus, then we have nothing! If we have Him, then we have everything!  Thou, O Christ, art all I want; more than all in thee I find!

[Frank Hall] 

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

All That We See Within

Oh desponding Christian, is not your grief caused by looking within yourself? Is not that miserable feeling of failure and disappointment, caused by your strange fixation upon your hollow heart of iniquity? You look within, hoping to find something good, something pure, something precious, something clean but what do you see? Nothing but sin! To stare into one's self is to stare into a bottomless pit of despair and hopelessness! "The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked!" (Jeremiah 17:9) 

Will we ever learn this? There is nothing within us to give us hope, rest, or peace. Have we ever found anything within us that gave us joy? Of course not! Then why do we continue to stare into the darkness? All that we see within is foul, ugly and grim! One glance within ought to sicken us. We would sooner find diamonds in a dunghill or roses growing in a sewer than find goodness dwelling within! 

In ourselves we are sinful, guilty and vile! But bless God forever! Our standing before God is not in ourselves; it is in Christ! He is our salvation, our Righteousness, our Hope, our Holiness, and our Acceptance with God! Change the direction of your gaze and look up! Stop staring into the empty void of your heart and fix your eyes upon Jesus your Lord, in whom all fullness dwells. Our hope is not within, but without, seated at the right hand of the Father! Lift up your head that is bowed down with guilt and shame! Behold Christ your Savior! Behold your glorious Redeemer! Bid sorrow goodbye and fear depart! Rejoice, for "You are complete in Him!" (Colossians 2:10) 

Believers are perfect in Christ. To be complete in Christ, is to be perfect in Christ. Perfect is not something that we will be, or strive to be but something that we are right now, by virtue of our eternal union with God's darling Son. Brothers and sisters in Christ, we are, by the free grace of God, complete in Christ our Savior! We lack nothing! All that He is we are in Him! All that He has we have in Him! All that He has done we've done in Him! We possess the infinite fullness of eternal life and everlasting salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord! We are completely righteous in Him! We are completely holy in Him! We are completely forgiven in Him! We are completely accepted in Him! We are completely, everlastingly, perfectly sinless in Him! 

[Frank Hall] 

Hebrews 12:2 ... Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

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

The Struggle

We, as the people of God, desire more than anything to love God perfectly, but can't.  We long to cease from sin and ungodliness, but can't.  We strive to worship our God with our entire being, but can't. We try to do good and honor God in all things, but can't.

Why do we continually do, say, feel, and think things that are evil? Why are we so hard-hearted, unforgiving, and ignorant? Why can't we do what we desire most?  It's because we have two natures called flesh and spirit, sin and righteousness,   Adam and Christ.

We do indeed believe our God, but not as we would. We do love our Savior, but not as we would. We do live for His honor and glory, but not as we would.

Our flesh won't allow us. It always interferes. It keeps us from doing the things that we would. When we would do good, then evil is present with us. Our most fervent faith, is mixed with unbelief. Our most selfless sacrifices, are mixed with selfishness. Our most ardent prayers and supplications, are marred by our infirmities. Our most spiritual moments, are contaminated by our sickening carnality. Our meekest hours of submission and dependence on God, are corrupted by our self-will and pride. Every mountain top experience of spiritual pleasure, is tinged with shameful wanderings within. Our clearest views of Christ are darkened by error, misconceptions, and preconceived notions. Even when our hearts seem to be most fixed on God's glory, they are torn between this world and the next.

The reality is, that as long as we live in this world we will be at war within ourselves! The flesh will not submit to the Spirit and the Spirit will not submit to the flesh. We will be pulled this way one moment and that way the next;   believing one moment and doubting the next;   praising God in the morning then murmuring at night;  seeking God's will today and our will tomorrow. As long as we live in this body of flesh there will be a constant struggle within us a struggle between flesh and Spirit.

Lost unregenerate men know nothing of this struggle! This internal warfare is peculiar to believers. Unbelieving, unregenerate, impenitent, rebellious, lost sinners know nothing of this fight with SELF. They don't loathe themselves as all believers do; they love themselves. They have but one nature and that is sin, which rules in their hearts supremely. Lost men do not have grace within, to oppose the works and motions of the flesh. All they have is a nature that is dead in trespasses and sin, that walks according to the course of this world.

The struggle doesn't begin within a man, until that man is born of God's Spirit and given the gift of life and faith in Christ.

This war between our flesh and Spirit is best for us. If it were not so, then God would not allow it. God is in control of this fight, and has ordained it for us in His infinite wisdom and grace. This constant battle within our hearts is good for us, because it keeps us looking to Christ ever seeking Him, His grace, His help, His power.

✞ ✞ ✞ 

[Frank Hall]

Galatians 5:17 ...  For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Ephesians 5:27 ... That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.❤

He Shall Save His People

Glorious Jesus, Your name is the cure for sin-sick hearts,  the resting place for the weary pilgrims of Zion,  heavenly manna for every true Israelite wandering through this barren wilderness of darkness and sin.

This name, "which is above every name"  calms the troubled sea within, sweetens every bitter trial,  illuminates every sad and lonesome path,  dispels the darkness of doubt and despair,  and soothes the trembling heart of every redeemed child of God.

This precious verse teaches us that Jesus Christ cannot fail to save His people from their sins. He established perfect righteousness for them by His obedience unto death, and obtained eternal redemption for them with His own precious blood. When He shouted from the cross, "It is finished" salvation was finished,  God's holiness was appeased,  satisfaction for sin was made,  and judgment was over for all the people of God.

God did not send His Son into this world to save all men from their sins; rather, He sent His Son into this wicked world to save "His people" from their sins. 

God's salvation, in its entirety, is for His elect people, who are identified in the Scriptures as "the people of God." All that the Lord Jesus did, does, and will do is, has always been, and will always be for His chosen people. He came into this world, was born of a virgin, lived under the law, was in all points tempted like as we are, and perfectly obeyed the will of God in all things for one reason that He might save His elect people with an everlasting salvation. He loved them, chose them, and gave Himself for them, them, and only them.

He was born for His people. He kept the law for His people.  He suffered for His people.  He was made sin for His people.  He died for His people.  He arose from the dead for His people.  He ascended into glory for His people.  He rules all things for His people.  He intercedes for His people.  He is coming again for His people.

[Frank Hall]

✞ ✞ ✞

Philippians 2:9 ... Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

Ephesians 5:25-27 ... Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Matthew 1:21 ...  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.❤

Change Your Direction!!

In ourselves we are sinful, guilty, and vile! But bless God forever! Our standing before God is not in ourselves; it's in Christ! He is our Salvation, our Righteousness,  our Hope, our Holiness, and our Acceptance with God!

Change the direction of your gaze and look up! Stop staring into the empty void of your heart and fix your eyes upon Jesus your Lord, in whom all fullness dwells. Our hope is not within, but without, seated at the right hand of the Father! Lift up your head that is bowed down with guilt and shame! Behold Christ your Savior! Behold your glorious Redeemer! Bid sorrow goodbye and fear depart! Rejoice, for "You are complete in Him!"

Believers are perfect in Christ. To be complete in Christ is to be perfect in Christ. Perfect is not something that we will be, or strive to be but something that we are right now, by virtue of our eternal union with God's darling Son.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, we are, by the free grace of God, complete in Christ our Savior! We lack nothing! All that He is, we are in Him! All that He has, we have in Him! All that He has done, we've done in Him! We possess the infinite fullness of eternal life and everlasting salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord!

We are completely righteous in Him! We are completely holy in Him! We are completely forgiven in Him! We are completely accepted in Him! We are completely, everlastingly, perfectly sinless in Him!

[Frank Hall]

✞ ✞ ✞

Hebrews 12:2 … Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Colossians 3:2 … Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.


Colossians 2:10 … And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:❤

Who Am I?

What is man that God should even look in his direction? Who am I that the infinite, glorious, triune God should glance my way much less be mindful of me?

Beloved in Christ, understand that your God is without a doubt ever-mindful of you. He has numbered every hair on your precious head, appointed the bounds of your habitation, and determined the very second of your death. He bottles your every tear, knows your every sorrow, records your every work, and remembers every cup of cold water given in His name. He is deeply concerned for your immortal soul, has purposed to do you good, and has staked His glory on your everlasting salvation. Your God is more mindful of you, your soul, your life, and your welfare than you will ever understand in this life.

In the light of such staggering knowledge who God is, and what you are do you not ask yourself in utter astonishment, "Who am I that God should be so mindful of me?"

As mere creatures such a thought is beyond profound but as guilty sinners the thought surpasses the unthinkable! Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated! (Romans 9:13)  God loved Jacob, and hated Esau. Who am I that I should be identified with the former, and not the latter? Christ died for His elect and put away their sins forever by the sacrifice of Himself and the rest of humanity He leaves to themselves.

Who am I that my name should be written in the Lamb's Book of Life from the foundation of the world? The Sovereign dispenser of all grace and all blessedness has mercy on whom He will have mercy, and whom He will He hardens. Who am I that I should be a vessel of honor prepared for glory and not a vessel of wrath fitted for destruction?

Who are we, brothers and sisters, that we should partake of the boundless provision of grace in Christ be redeemed, justified, and forgiven, should live forever with Him in glory?  Who are we that the incomprehensibly glorious God would be so mindful of us, that He not only took on our nature, but lived a perfect life for us, that we could never live, died a sin-atoning death for us, that we could never die, and satisfied a Law for us, that we could never satisfy? By the grace of God I am what I am! (1 Corinthians 15:10) 

The only difference between a saved sinner and a lost sinner is the difference that God makes by His distinguishing grace! It is not our decisions, lives, prayers, or works that make the difference, but God and God alone. Though all who read these lines deserve to be in Hell for their sin, God has been pleased to save some freely by His grace. Though all are equally sinful, equally guilty, and equally deserving of everlasting torment, God has been pleased to save some for no other reason than His own glory.

[Frank Hall]

Psalm 8:4 ... What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?❤

Church Going Atheists

To deny the existence of God is to be an atheist and all atheists are silly fools. However, those who profess to be atheists, and live according to their profession, are more honorable fools than the millions of painted hypocrites who profess faith in Christ and yet live like infidels! At least professing atheists are consistent fools! Atheists say that there is no God, and being true to their profession, they live as if there were no God. But there are untold multitudes of church goers who, in their pretentious religiosity, denounce atheism as an abomination and yet they live just like atheists! These church going atheists are pathetic because they lack the honesty and courage to speak what they say with their lives and in their hearts every single day that there is no God!

Men and women who say that they believe in God, and yet live like Hell, are atheists at heart and that makes them the most foolish of all fools!   "I'm a drunk, but I believe in God. I'm a profane worldling, but I believe in God. I'm a vile, filthy fornicator, but I believe in God. I live like Hell, but I'm going to Heaven. I don't worship God, but I believe in God. I don't read the Bible or practice its teachings, but I love the God who wrote it."

Such stupid gibberish betrays the atheism that is bound up in the hearts of religious hypocrites around the world! If you want to know what someone believes, look past what they say, and just consider how they live. All who say that there is a God in the heavens, and yet refuse to honor God's Son, are nothing more than atheists masquerading as Christians.

I wonder, what does your life say? Does it prove your profession to be true or blast it to pieces?

[Frank Hall]

✞✞✞
 

Psalm 14:1 ... The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

Romans 1:21 ... 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.

2 Timothy 3:5 ... Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.❤

Weather Vane Preachers

A weather vane preacher is any preacher who changes what he preaches or how he preaches when the wind changes direction. The preacher who alters his message or his method because of the ever-changing advice, counsel, and opinions of men is not a leader, but a follower. Such weather vane preachers are worthless! They only do harm to the souls of men, and they need not preach at all. True, gospel preachers are pillars in the church of God not puppets in the hands of men.

[Frank Hall]

1 Thessalonians 2:4 ... But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

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.

Acts 20:28-30 ... Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.❤

Coals of Grace

What a strange and exotic principle! Feed our enemies? Give water to those who hate us? Certainly this teaching is not from below, but from above! This is the doctrine of Christ, the doctrine of free grace, the formula that transforms inveterate enemies into faithful friends.

These coals of fire are not coals of judgment, but coals of grace by which the hearts of our enemies our melted and won. Our Savior preached this doctrine with great clarity in his Sermon on the Mount when He said, "You have heard that it was said: You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Matthew 5:43-44.

Nothing is more contrary to the flesh than exercising kindness and love toward those who hate us, but if we would honor our Savior and subdue our enemies, we dare not resort to the sinful practice of revenge. We must conquer the hearts of our enemy's the same way that Christ conquered our hearts by relentlessly heaving the coals of unmerited grace upon their heads.

[Frank Hall]

✞✞✞

Proverbs 25:21-22 ... If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.

Luke 6:35 ... But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

Romans 12:20 ... Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.❤

Who Does He Think He Is

How dare people walk their pets on leashes to control them!
How dare parents force their children to obey their rules!
How dare employers insist that their employees do their jobs!
How dare governors rule over the people!
How dare policemen take criminals to jail without their permission!

How dare God have His way with His creatures!
How dare the Potter make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor!
How dare God love and hate whom He will!
How dare God the Father choose to save whom He will!
How dare God the Son die for whom He will!
How dare God the Spirit call whom He will!
How dare the Almighty have His way with all men, in all places, at all times!
How dare God save and damn whom He will!
How dare God judge us!
How dare God call us into question!
How dare the indisputable Sovereign of the universe do  what He pleases,  when He pleases,  where He pleases,  how He pleases, and  with whom He pleases!

Who does He think He is ... God?

 

[Frank Hall]

 

 

  ✞✞✞

 

 

Matthew 20:15 ... Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

 

 

 

Psalm 115:3 ... But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.

 

 

 

Daniel 4:35 ...And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?❤

You Alone Are God

Before there was a Milky Way — there was God! 
Before there were galaxies, solar systems, constellations, and nebulae — there was God!
Before Mercury, Venus, and Mars were plugged into their sockets — there was God!
Before Polaris was fastened above the North Pole — there was God!
Before Orion the hunter had a belt, and Saturn had its rings — there was God; All alone, perfect and content, glorious in His solitary existence as the eternal I AM!

Before there was a sun, a moon, or an earth; before there was grass to clothe the field, and flowers to adorn it; before the mountains were brought forth, and the sea filled the depths; before the eagle soared through the sky, and the fish swam through the sea; before angels, devils, and men had their being — there was God alone!

If we would understand things aright, we must not begin with man, but with God, for He is the beginning of all things. To begin with man is folly, for man is but a creature, a production of the Creator. We must back up and begin where the Bible begins, with God!

God's people know, and have always known, what continues to baffle the minds of the scholars and scientists of our day, that "in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Through faith, God's people understand the mystery of creation.

[Frank Hall]

Genesis 1:1 ... In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Isaiah 46:9-10 ... Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,  Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

Colossians 1:16 ... For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

Revelation 4:10-11 ... The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,  Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.❤

The King's Chambers

Come and enter with me into the private chambers of our Lord and let us enjoy the rich, spiritual splendors of our Husband the King.  Enter in child of God, and marvel with me at the ornate, soul cheering luxuries of these gospel chambers.

His heavenly furnishings, decor, curtains, and tapestries are the most extravagant beauties you have ever seen! They cost a king's ransom; for the King purchased each one with His own precious blood. Look up, down, and all around and you will notice that every wall is white, seamless, spotless, and pure. Righteousness is the color of choice in these stately halls.

The floors are firm, unshakable, and clear as crystal, built from the sweat, blood, tears, and labor of the King Himself.

Do you see the stairs, how shimmering, brilliant, and bright?  Each step was quarried from Mount Calvary and is an everlasting memorial to a journey once made by the King that He will never make again; for it was at Calvary that His people crucified Him as the unwanted Jesus.

Look there in the corner, do you see that golden chest covered with love and encrusted with glory? That's where the King keeps His most treasured possession, a precious book that His Father gave to Him ages ago, The Lamb's Book of Life.

Long ago, before the earth, moon, and stars adorned the heavens, the King's Father took the sovereign pen of eternal election in His hand and inscribed in everlasting ink the names of a precious few. These are the names of the royal seed, the King's precious children, those whom He loves, for whom He died, for whom He reigns as King over all.

To these elect ones the King sends His Spirit. To them He gives the gift of faith that they too might be brought into these royal chambers and stately halls. These believing ones, like us, are brought here by the King. They come as we have come to refresh ourselves, to enjoy, to marvel, and to bask in the secret wonders of the King's redeeming love, everlasting mercy, and immutable purpose of grace and salvation!

[Frank Hall]

Song of Solomon 1:4 ...  Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.

Isaiah 26:20 ... Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.

Revelation 21:27 ... And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. ❤

Tender Kisses

Of all the relationships that we as believers share with our blessed Savior, perhaps none is more intimate and comforting than that of marriage. Jesus has betrothed us to Himself in holy matrimony and covenant grace. We are His beloved bride,  the apple of His eye,  the darling of His heart; and He is the gracious Husband of our immortal souls! We are, by sovereign grace, forever one with Jesus our Husband!

Oh what a glorious privilege it is to be joined to Jesus in the blessed bond of marriage! He loves me! He cares for me! He defends and protects me! He provides for my every need! He comforts, supports, and cherishes me! I have His heart and He has mine!  I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine! I belong to Him and He belongs to me!

Oh that my Beloved would "kiss me with the kisses of His mouth," that He would embrace my soul,  draw me to Himself,  caress my heart ever so gently with His merciful touch,  and grant me sweet tokens of His love for me.

Oh how I long for Him to express His love and affection to me with the tender kisses of sovereign love,  free grace,  immutable faithfulness,  and undying compassion, "for His love is better than wine!"

Wine makes glad the heart, but His love is better than the finest wine! His love causes my broken heart to rejoice,   renews my strength,  brightens my vision,  causes me to walk uprightly in the paths of righteousness, and  moves my heart to take flight through the heavens with wings as an eagle.

Excess wine intoxicates men, and is forbidden by God. Too much wine will ruin a man. It alters the state of men's minds, seizes control of men, dulls their senses, and destroys their ability to exercise sound judgment and reason.

But Jesus' love is better than wine! It is not possible to overindulge in the intoxicating love of Jesus, nor is it forbidden. Indeed, the gospel encourages love to Jesus. The wine of His love doesn't ruin men, it transforms them!

His love for us, invigorates our love for Him  intoxicating our hearts,  seizing control of them,  overpowering our wills and our senses,  giving us sound reason, and spiritual judgment.

Oh blessed Lord, we beg you, give us this wine! Fill our cups full! Cause them to overflow! Pour into our hearts the intoxicating love of Jesus the Lord!

The desire of a believer's soul can be summed up in one word, JESUS! We desire Him;   His person,  His love,  His glory,  His grace,  His will,  His salvation,   His righteousness,  His way. All we want is in Jesus!  All we need is in Jesus!  All we have is in Jesus!  

Jesus is all and Jesus is better! Better than the treasures of kings!  Better than all earthly possessions! Better than passing pleasures and prestige! Indeed, He is better than all earthly delights combined!

If we don't have Jesus, then we have nothing! If we have Him, then we have everything!

[Frank Hall]

Song of Solomon 1:2 ... Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.

Song of Solomon 7:10 ... I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me.

Psalm 73:25 ... Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

Isaiah 43:1 ... But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

Hosea 2:20 ... I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the Lord.

John 15:5 ... I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.❤

He Shall Save His People

Glorious Jesus, Your Name is the cure for sin-sick hearts,  the resting place for the weary pilgrims of Zion, heavenly manna for every true Israelite wandering through this barren wilderness of darkness and sin.

This Name, "which is above every name"  calms the troubled sea within,  sweetens every bitter trial, illuminates every sad and lonesome path,  dispels the darkness of doubt and despair, and  soothes the trembling heart of every redeemed child of God.

This precious verse teaches us that Jesus Christ cannot fail to save His people from their sins. He established perfect righteousness for them by His obedience unto death, and obtained eternal redemption for them with His own precious blood. When He shouted from the cross, "It is finished," salvation was finished,  God's holiness was appeased,  satisfaction for sin was made, and  judgment was over for all the people of God.

God did not send His Son into this world to save all men from their sins; rather, He sent His Son into this wicked world to save "His people" from their sins.

God's salvation, in its entirety, is for His elect people, who are identified in the Scriptures as "the people of God." All that the Lord Jesus did, does, and will do is, has always been, and will always be for His chosen people. He came into this world, was born of a virgin, lived under the law, was in all points tempted like as we are, and perfectly obeyed the will of God in all things for one reason--that He might save His elect people with an everlasting salvation.  He loved them, chose them, and gave Himself for them, and only them.

He was born for His people.
He kept the law for His people.
He suffered for His people.
He was made sin for His people.
He died for His people.
He arose from the dead for His people.
He ascended into glory for His people.
He rules all things for His people.
He intercedes for His people.
He is coming again for His people.

[Frank Hall]

Matthew 1:21 ...And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Philippians 2:9 ... Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

Ephesians 5:27 ... That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.❤