The Brief Gospel ...

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

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

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

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

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

[Author Unknown]

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

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

Hearing God ...

The greatest lesson on earth is how to hear God. Because with His voice comes His presence (True Love), His guidance, His comfort, His encouragement, His wisdom, His instruction, His Joy, His peace and His healing hug. The greatest way to engage, connect and experience this is not in a weekly church pew. It’s on the pages of your own personal journal. 

Jesus is not just the written Word we see in scripture. Jesus is the risen living Word of God. He has a voice right now. And He wants to speak to you personally and show you things that will uplift, edify and inspire you.  Those who learn to hear God’s voice have Jesus as their Pastor Jesus as their Teacher Jesus as their Counselor Jesus as their Father, Helper, Lover, Friend.

[Troi Nelson Cockayne]

Jeremiah 33:3 ... Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

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

John 10:27 ... My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: ❤

"The Attributes of God" 1

1. The Solitariness of God “Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.” Psalm 90:2 Before there was time, before there was light, before there was an angel in Heaven or a speck of dust in the cosmos God was. He dwelt in solitary majesty, needing nothing, lacking nothing, desiring nothing outside Himself. He was eternally perfect in all His glorious attributes. There was no heaven for Him to inhabit, no earth to govern, no creatures to praise Him and yet He was altogether blessed. 

2. The Decrees of God "The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations." Psalm 33:11 Before the foundation of the world, in the infinite recesses of eternity, God established His eternal decrees. These decrees are the manifestation of His sovereign will, the blueprint by which all creation unfolds. They are not formed in response to events, for nothing takes the Omniscient by surprise. Instead, they are the cause of all that transpires, the predetermined plan that governs the universe. 

3. The Knowledge of God “Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit.”  Psalm 147:5 The knowledge of God is infinite, perfect, and eternal. There is no learning with God, for He has always known all things. He never discovers, never forgets, never improves in understanding. His knowledge is not acquired it is essential to His very nature. He knows Himself fully and knows all things outside Himself perfectly, from eternity past to eternity future. 

4. The Foreknowledge of God "For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son." Romans 8:29 To "foreknow," in the language of Scripture, is not merely to foresee but to fore love. God's foreknowledge is not detached observation of future events it is His eternal; sovereign delight set upon His chosen people before the foundation of the world. He knows all because He has ordained all. 

5. The Supremacy of God “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me.” Isaiah 46:9 God is unrivaled in majesty, authority, and glory. His supremacy means He rules overall, answers to none, and is accountable only to Himself. Every creature from angels to atoms was created by His will and exists for His glory. The heart that sees this truth is laid low. He is not a deity to be invited into our plans, but the One who ordains all things from eternity. Worship Him, for none can stay His hand or say to Him, "What have You done?" 

6. The Sovereignty of God “Our God is in heaven; He does whatever pleases Him.” Psalm 115:3 God's sovereignty means He reigns with absolute control over all that is and ever will be. He governs the flight of every bird, and the rise of every king. There is no detail too small, no power too great. The believer rests securely in this our lives are not ruled by luck or fate, but by the perfect wisdom and power of our God. Let us yield to His rule with reverence, trust, and joyful submission. 

7. The Immutability of God “I the LORD do not change.” Malachi 3:6 God is unchanging in His essence, purposes, and promises. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. In a world of constant shifting, He alone is the Rock. His love will not fade, His Word will not fail, His will cannot be overturned. Trust Him when everything around you crumbles, for His character is steadfast and His covenant is sure. 

8. The Holiness of God “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty.” Isaiah 6:3 God's holiness is the crown of all His attributes He is morally perfect, separate from all sin, and infinitely pure. His justice flows from His holiness; His grace magnifies it. To approach Him lightly, is spiritual suicide. And yet, through Christ's atonement, the Holy One calls sinners to Himself. Stand in awe, tremble in worship, and pursue holiness, for without it, no one will see the Lord. 

9. The Power of God “Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth… Nothing is too hard for You.” Jeremiah 32:17 God's power is infinite, irresistible, and never exhausted. He speaks, and it is done. He raises the dead, subdues the proud, and upholds the universe by His Word. This power works for us who believe guarding, strengthening, and transforming us. When you are weak, remember: His strength is made perfect in your weakness. Nothing is impossible with God. 

10. The Faithfulness of God “Your faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 119:90 God never forgets, never fails, never falters. What He promises, He performs. Men change; God does not. He is faithful in affliction, faithful in blessing, faithful in correction, faithful in His threatening's. His covenant cannot be broken, and His Word stands forever. Trust Him in the storm He is the anchor of your soul. 

11. The Goodness of God “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good.” Psalm 107:1 God's goodness is His kindness, generosity, and benevolence in action. Every sunrise, every meal, every comfort, is a token of His goodness. But the supreme display is in the gift of His Son. Even in trials, He works for our good. Let us not doubt His heart, even when we cannot trace His hand. 

12. The Patience of God “The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” Psalm 103:8 How long God has endured our rebellion! His patience holds back the wrath we deserve, giving space for repentance. Yet it is not weakness it is holy restraint. Those who reject His longsuffering, invite judgment; those who embrace His mercy, bow in grateful wonder. Praise Him for His forbearance and plead with others not to presume upon it. 

 [A.W. Pink]

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With Christ!

How marvelous is the transforming power of the religion of the Lord Jesus! Whatever it touches, it beautifies; and all that comes within its range receives a luster and a loveliness from the reflection of itself. Everything on which its light is cast, appears the very reverse of what it appeared before. Where there was darkness light springs into existence; where there were previous gloom brightness shines; and where there was sadness songs begin to abound. How true this is in reference to the heart. "The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked!" (Jeremiah 17:9.) 

Behold your heart in its natural sinful state can you imagine anything more devoid of anything that is lovely? Can you think of anything drearier to the view? 'Tis a wilderness, a wilderness overgrown with briars and with thorns, while these are interlaced with poisonous plants, and in and out among them, there creep reptile lusts and serpent sins. It is enough to make an angel weep to look at such a sight! But behold! God's hour of mercy touches that heart saving grace enters it. See now the contrast.

Instead of the thorn there is the fir tree; and instead of the briar the myrtle tree sends forth its sweet perfume; while the birds of praise carol as they rest in the branches of the trees of the Lord's right-hand planting; and the serpents are either destroyed, or else they hide themselves in their holes. The religion of Jesus has touched that heart and at its touch there has been a magic transformation; where dreariness and death reigned, there is now beauty, delight and joy. 

[Archibald G. Brown]

Philippians 1:23 ... For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

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Life Preserver

Come close to His love in this hour. Evil must be judged, and those who cling to it are in danger. Drop all sin and cling to His holy ways. The path of real life is found in His counsel. True Love [is the benefit] for those who cling to His life. 

But He must have your whole heart. Patterns of brokenness must be broken by the breaking of ‘your boxes’. Idols are like cages to the mindset of those who live in them. Fire purifies. Trust Him in the trials and He, the risen Lord, will indeed deliver you. Storms are coming and lo they are here. 

He is your reliable life preserver. All idols will sink in the rising waves of this hour. All who cling to them will sink with them. And so, He says, “COME AWAY FROM YOUR EMPTY IDOLS AND COME TO ME”. He is your reliable Savior, for He Alone is Faithful and True. 

[Troi Nelson Cockayne] 

Jeremiah 4:1-2 ... If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the Lord, return unto me: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove. And thou shalt swear, The Lord liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.

Ephesians 4:31-32 ... Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

James 4:8 ... Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. ❤

Seek! Strive!

Every day seek to lose yourself more in Christ, to live more completely in him, by him, for him, with him. Seek greater heights of holiness, deeper self-denial, braver service, more intense love, and more burning zeal. Strive to be more Godlike and Christlike. 

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

Proverbs 8:17 ... I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

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

Colossians 3:1 ... If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. ❤

Do His Will.

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

[Dr. Charles F. Stanley]

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

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

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

1 Peter 4:13 ... But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. ❤

How Ravishing is The Thought!!

How ravishing is the thought of eternal love! Try to drink it in. If you are a believer in Christ, you were loved before time began its cycles. In that old eternity, before the earth was born, you were beloved of the Lord. You were dear to Jehovah's heart when this great world, the sun, the moon, the stars slept in the mind of God like unborn forests in an acorn-cup. 

He loved you with an everlasting and infinite love. God chose you, not because of any goodness in you but of his own sovereign will and good pleasure. Rejoice in this and let your heart be glad. Never forget that sovereign and eternal election is the source of your every spiritual blessing! 

[Charles H. Spurgeon] 

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Jeremiah 31:3 ... The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

1 John 4:19 ... We love him, because he first loved us. ❤

David's Terrible Sin!

Why did God permit David to fall so fearfully, and sin so grievously? One reason may be that we might have set before our eyes the more clearly, the solemn fact that "the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked." (Jeremiah 17:9) Unmistakably plain as the meaning of those words is, uttered by Him who cannot lie yet how very slow we all are to really receive them at their face value, and acknowledge that they accurately describe the natural state of every human heart! 

But God has done more than make this bare statement: He has placed on record in His Word illustrations, exemplifications, demonstrations of its verity notably so in allowing us to see the unspeakable wickedness that still remained in the heart of David! Also, the fearful fall of David made way for a display of the amazing grace of God, in recovering His fallen people. If we are slow to receive what Scripture teaches concerning the depravity of the human heart and the exceeding sinfulness of sin we are equally slow to really believe what it reveals about the covenant-faithfulness of God, the efficacy of Christ's blood to cleanse the foulest stain from those for whom it was shed, and the super-abounding grace of Him who is "the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort." (2 Corinthians 1:3)

Had David never sinned so grievously and sunken so low we would have never known those infinite depths of mercy which are in the heart of God! Also, had his terrible sin, his subsequent broken-hearted confession, and his pardon by God, never been placed in the Divine record many of God's people throughout the centuries would have sunk in abject despair. Also, thousands, from age to age, have by this solemn example of David's terrible sin, been rendered more suspicious of themselves, more watchful, more afraid of temptation, more dependent on the Lord, and more fervent in prayer. By means of David's fall they have themselves been preserved from falling! 

[A. W. Pink] 

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1 Corinthians 10:11 ... Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Psalm 51:1-2 ... Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

Psalm 119:117 ...  Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. ❤

Commenting Upon the Bible

Chrysostom compares the Scripture to a garden every truth is a fragrant flower which we should wear, not on our bosom, but in our heart! David counted the Word "sweeter than honey and the honeycomb". There is that in Scripture which may breed delight. It shows us the way to riches, Deuteronomy 28:8, Proverbs 3:30; to long life, Psalm 34:42; to a Kingdom, Hebrews 12:28. 

Well then may we count those the sweetest hours, which are spent in reading the holy Scriptures. Well may we say with the prophet, "Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words became a delight to me and the joy of my heart!" (Jeremiah 15:16) Conform to Scripture. Let us lead Scripture lives. 

Oh, that the Bible might be seen printed in our lives! Do what the Word commands. Obedience is an excellent way of commenting upon the Bible. "Teach me Your way, O Lord, and I will walk in Your truth." (Psalm 86:11) Let the Word be the sundial by which you set your life. What are we the better for having the Scripture, if we do not direct all our speech and actions according to it? What are we the better for the rule of the Word, if we do not make use of it, and regulate our lives by it? What a dishonor is it to religion, for men to live in contradiction to Scripture! The Word is called a "light to our feet".  (Psalm 119:105) It is not only a light to our eyes to mend our sight but to our feet to mend our walk. 

Oh, let us lead Bible lives! Be thankful to God for the Scriptures. What a mercy is it that God has not only acquainted us what His will is, but that He has made it known by writing! The Scripture is our polestar to direct us to Heaven, it shows us every step we are to take. When we go wrong it instructs us; when we go right it comforts us. Adore God's distinguishing grace, if you have felt the power and authority of the Word upon your conscience if you can say as David, "Your Word has quickened me." (Psalm 119:50)

Christian, bless God that He has not only given you His Word to be a rule of holiness but His grace to be a principle of holiness. Bless God that He has not only written His Word, but sealed it upon your heart, and made it effectual. Can you say it is of divine inspiration, because you have felt it to be of lively operation? 

Oh, free grace! That God should send out His Word and heal you. That He should heal you, and not others! That the same Scripture which to them is a dead letter, should be to you a savor of life! 

[Thomas Watson] 

Psalm 119:97 ...  O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. ❤

The Bible!!

The Bible is the richest treasure of the world! Without it, the palace is a dark blank. With it, the poor cottage sparkles with celestial light. It is the transcript of God's heart. It tells what human reason is too weak to find. It is pure truth without one shadow of error. It gives knowledge on all things needful for time and for eternity. It is a safe guide through life's entangled path. 

It is a compass through shoals and rocks; amid winds and waves; to Heaven's eternal rest! The wise man is ignorant without it. The peasant learns from it, salvation's road. 

It is a solace for every hour. It is a companion always ready to converse. It cheers when other comforts fail. It is arrayed in every charm for the intellect. It never wearies. It is always fresh. Its oldest truths cannot grow old. Its readers become more wise and more holy. 

Other books may puzzle and corrupt. The Bible is from Heaven and leads to Heaven. It enters the heart with purifying grace. The more you search the Bible the more your minds will wonder, and your hearts will love. Read it as literally true. Then no human philosophy will beguile you. Ponder its characters. You will find on them the intrinsic stamp of truth. 

[Henry Law] 

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Psalm 119:97 ... O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

Jeremiah 15:16 ... Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts. ❤

At Work!!

Nothing is too hard for God, no change in providence however it may appear improbable, or impossible to us. He could bring water out of the flinty rock. He could supply quail to satisfy the needs and gratify the lusts of His people in the desert. He could feed Elijah for twelve months by ravens, and for two years and a half more, by a handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in the widow's cruse. He could inundate Samaria with plenty in the midst of famine and fearful desolation. 

If He wills it the fire shall not burn the three Hebrew youths, nor the lions injure Daniel, nor death hold Lazarus in the tomb. What He has done He can do; for He is the same. And if necessary for the glory of His name He will do it, for He will not allow His name to be polluted. 

"Providence" is simply God at work at work for the accomplishment of His decrees, the fulfillment of His promises, the manifestation of His character, and the present and eternal welfare of His people. He can give whatever we need, do whatever we need, and glorify Himself in giving to us, and working for us! 

[James Smith]

Jeremiah 32:17 ... Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee: ❤

His Promise!!

There is not a single thing that Jesus cannot change, control, and conquer because he is the Living Lord.

[Franklin Graham]

Romans 8:28 ... And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

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

"My Father"

This is a child's cry! It is full of meaning. It is full of love. It is full of comfort. It is a title which the Lord loves to hear us use! Lord, give us the Spirit of adoption this morning, and let us see and feel, that we are Your children! Believer! To whom will you repair in trouble? To whom will you look in difficulty? To whom will you cry in danger? From whom will you ask when in need? Surely, I hear you say, "My Father!" 

Who speaks to you in the Bible? Who tries you by His providence? Who chastens you with His rod? Who purifies and cleanses you? Who humbles and reproves you? Again, you will say, "My Father!" 

Who supports the world? Who controls the nations? Who chains up Satan? Who comforts the believer? Who pardons the backslider? Again, you reply, "My Father!" Then I exhort you to trust your Father's Word, abide in your father's house, expect from your father's hand, and say in every trial: "I will arise and go to my father!" (Luke 15:18)

 [James Smith] 

Jeremiah 3:4 ... Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My father, thou art the guide of my youth?

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He Upholds You!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

[J. C. Philpot]

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

Romans 8:28 ... And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

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

The Sins of The Saints

Bernard of Clairvaux once mentioned an old man who, upon hearing about any professing Christian who fell into sin, would say to himself: "He fell today; I may fall tomorrow!" The apostle Paul commended the same mindset when he wrote, "let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall." (1 Corinthians 10:12) 

There is great wisdom in not trusting our own ability to stand. When I was a boy, my father would often say, "The person I trust least of all is myself." It should shock us to hear a professing Christian say, "I would never do that," or "How could anyone do that?" Consider the following: 

If Adam, an innocent man, could choose a piece of fruit over the infinitely valuable God (Genesis 3:6);  if Noah, the most righteous man of his day, could get so drunk that he passed out naked before his sons in his tent (Genesis 9:21);  if Abraham, the most faithful man of his day, could father a child with his wife's handmaiden (Genesis 16:1-4) and twice hand his wife over to other men (Genesis 12:11-15; 20:1-2);  if Sarah, the mother of promise, could laugh at the words of the God of promise and then lie to Him about doing so (Genesis 18:9-15);  if "righteous Lot" could greedily pick the most materialistic and sexually depraved place for himself and his family to live (Genesis 13:8-13), and could hand his daughters over to the sexually perverse men of the city (Genesis 19:4-8);  if Isaac, the son of promise, could show partiality to his oldest son because he liked his hunting skills (Genesis 25:28), and he, too, could hand his wife over to another man (Genesis 26:6-11); and if Jacob, the namesake of Israel, could swindle his brother for a birthright (Genesis 25:29-34), then so could I. 

If Moses, the meekest man on the planet, could act in such sinful anger and unbelief that God would not let him into the Promised Land (Numbers 20:7-12);  if his successor Joshua, could disobediently covenant with pagans (Joshua 9);  if Gideon, the mighty man of valor, could fall into idolatry at the end of his life (Judges 8:22-27); and if Samson, the strongest man who ever lived, could be defeated by wine and women (Judges 14-16), then so could I. if David, the man after God's own heart, could commit adultery and premeditate the murder of one of his mighty men (2 Samuel 11);  if Solomon, the wisest man, could foolishly allow his heart to be led astray by a thousand women to worship foreign gods (1 Kings 11);  if Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, could charge God with deceiving His people (Jeremiah 4:10); and if Elijah, a prophet of Israel, could self-righteously run from the mission of God (Jonah 1-3), then so could I. 

 If John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, could doubt the identity of the One to whom he bore witness (Matthew 11:2-3); and if the Apostle Peter could try to stop Jesus from going to the cross (Matthew 16:21-23), deny Jesus (Luke 22:54-61), argue with the Lord about the gospel and its implications (John 13:6-10; Acts 10:9-16), and support division in the church over the doctrine of justification by faith alone (Galatians 2:11-21), then so could I. 

If James and John could use Jesus to get to the top (Mark 10:35-37) and could want to call fire down from Heaven on those who did not believe the gospel (Luke 9:51-55); and if the Apostle John could twice fall down to worship angels (Revelation 19:9-10; Revelation 22:8-9), then so could I. 

We must resist the temptation of thinking that we can stand in our own strength. We must depend on the grace of the One who said, "Apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). The greatest believers are subject to great weaknesses. In no way do these truths give a license to sin; instead, they give a sober realization that by nature, "nothing good dwells in us." (Romans 7:18) 

We must distrust ourselves, bear with the weak, and hold fast to Christ. We must flee to our Great High Priest, who was tempted in all points as we are, yet never sinned. We must go to Him for grace and mercy to withstand temptations, and we must go to Him for grace and mercy if we fall.

[Nick Batzig]  

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1 Corinthians 15:10 ...  But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Psalm 119:117 ...  Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. ❤

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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With Christ!!

How marvelous is the transforming power of the religion of the Lord Jesus! Whatever it touches, it beautifies; and all that comes within its range receives a luster and a loveliness from the reflection of itself. Everything on which its light is cast, appears the very reverse of what it appeared before. Where there was darkness, light springs into existence; where there was previous gloom, brightness shines; and where there was sadness songs begin to abound.  How true this is in reference to the heart. "The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked!" (Jeremiah 17:9) 

Behold your heart in its natural sinful state can you imagine anything more devoid of anything that is lovely? Can you think of anything drearier to the view? 'Tis a wilderness, a wilderness overgrown with briars and with thorns, while these are interlaced with poisonous plants, and in and out among them, there creep reptile lusts and serpent sins. It is enough to make an angel weep to look at such a sight! But behold! God's hour of mercy touches that heart saving grace enters it. 

See now the contrast. Instead of the thorn there is the fir tree; and instead of the briar the myrtle tree sends forth its sweet perfume; while the birds of praise carol as they rest in the branches of the trees of the Lord's right-hand planting; and the serpents are either destroyed, or else they hide themselves in their holes. The religion of Jesus has touched that heart and at its touch there has been a magic transformation; where dreariness and death reigned, there is now beauty, delight and joy. 

[Archibald G. Brown]

Philippians 1:21 ... For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

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The Blood of Christ!!

The blood of Jesus will wash away your sin and give you eternal life!

 Be thankful for the blood of Christ!

1 John 1:7 ... But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Jeremiah 17:14 ... Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.

Romans 6:23 ... For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. ❤

Things The World Says but Jesus Never Said!

 The world says: “Live YOUR truth.”

JESUS never said that. JESUS said IF you: “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the TRUTH , and the TRUTH shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32)

The world says: "Follow your heart."

JESUS never said that. JESUS said follow ME. (Matthew 4:19) Jeremiah 17:9: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"

The world says: “Be true to yourself.”

JESUS never said that. HE said whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themself, pick up their cross, and follow ME. (Luke 9:23)

The world says: “Believe in yourself.”

JESUS never said that. HE said believe in ME. "I AM the WAY, THE TRUTH and the LIFE and NO ONE comes to the FATHER but through ME." (John 14:1,6)

The world says: “As long as you're happy, that’s all that matters."

JESUS never said that. HE said: "What would it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" JESUS also said "Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it." (Mark8:35-36) 

STOP listening to what the world has to say, and BELIEVE what GOD has to say...ALL of it.

[Billy Green]

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