Mystery, Wonder and Love of Christ's Incarnation

He who was eternally in the bosom of His Father, chose to be born in a foul stable. He who hung the stars in the sky, chose to be nailed and die upon the accursed tree. This is love immeasurable, love incomprehensible!

[William Gurnall]

Consider Christ's condescension: He who made man, was made man. He who is the eternal Word, was pleased to be an infant who could not speak. Oh, the depth of this mystery! 

[Isaac Ambrose]

The Eternal God was pleased to wrap Himself in flesh, in order to come down from the height of His glory to the depths of our misery. Here is a love that surpasses comprehension. Here is the greatest wonder that heaven and earth have ever seen!

[John Flavel]

He came not as a fierce lion to devour, but as a spotless lamb to be sacrificed, that we might be reconciled to God. Marvel at this: the King of glory chose a cradle over a crown, and a cross over a throne.

[John Bunyan]

The Son of God left His glorious throne, to become a servant; in order that we who were rebels, might become children of God. The incarnation is the key to all our hope and joy.

[John Cotton]

The Creator became the creature. The infinite was clothed in flesh. The Son of God, became the Son of Man. Such is the divine wisdom and love that it staggers the comprehension of angels and men alike.

[William Perkins] 

What greater wonder is there, than that the infinite God should clothe Himself in finite flesh in order to save wretched and rebellious men? This is the bottomless ocean of mercy.

[Jeremiah Burroughs]

Behold the marvelous mystery! He who was rich, became poor; that we who were poor, might become rich. The Son of God entered the misery of the world that we might enter the glory of Heaven.

[Christopher Love]

The infinite became an infant. Incomprehensibility was made man. Eternal, and yet born of a woman. Almighty, and yet hanging on a woman's bosom. Supporting the universe and yet needing to be carried in a mother's arms. Oh the wonder of wonders. Oh, the mystery of mercy. Oh, the profoundness of His matchless grace.

[Charles Spurgeon]

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"Providential Care"

In every trial and tribulation, let us find comfort in the knowledge that God, in His infinite wisdom, orchestrates all for the good of His chosen people. God's hand is behind every event, crafting our lives for His glory. 

[John Owen] 

The providence of God is a tapestry of grace, where every thread, even the darkest, contributes to the glorious picture of our salvation. His providence is a rich treasure; He knows how to turn our trials into triumphs, our sorrows into songs. [Thomas Watson] 

The heart that loves God finds peace in knowing that even the most confusing paths are ordered by Him for our benefit. [Richard Sibbes] 

To love God is to rest in His sovereign will, trusting that even the most perplexing circumstances are shaped for our ultimate good. In every situation, whether in joy or sorrow, we are called to trust that God is orchestrating the events of our lives for His glory. 

[Jonathan Edwards] 

Though the winds may howl and the storms rage, we are assured that God's hand is upon us, guiding every event to our benefit and His glory. 

[Richard Baxter] 

God's providence is a divine compass, guiding our lives through every storm, always pointing us toward our true good and His eternal glory. In the tapestry of life, every thread of sorrow is skillfully woven by God, contributing to the beauty of our salvation. 

[Matthew Henry] 

God's providence is like a skilled artisan who, though unseen, is weaving our lives into a masterpiece, with every thread serving His holy purpose! 

[John Bunyan] 

All that befalls us, whether sweet or bitter, is ordained by God, who works all things in concert for the good of those who are called according to His purpose. 

[William Perkins]

Trust in the Lord, for He has a wise design in every affliction, transforming our pain into a pathway of grace. Trust the divine Designer; He weaves even our pain into His purpose. 

[Samuel Rutherford] 

We may often walk through the valley of shadows, but remember, dear believer, that God is sovereignly guiding our steps toward a glorious end! We may rest assured that even the harshest providences are part of God's plan, working towards a good that we may not yet see. 

[John Flavel]

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.

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"Afflictions"

Afflictions teach us to value the blessings of God which in prosperity we are apt to forget.

God's afflictions are not to destroy us, but to wean us from the world and bring us closer to Christ.

It is folly to doubt God's goodness because of His chastening rod, for the rod is in the hand of infinite love.

[Richard Baxter]

Afflictions are but God's furnace to refine His gold. 

Christ's school of affliction is the best school in this world.

God would not rub so hard, if it were not to fetch out the dirt that is ingrained in our natures.

Afflictions are God's medicines to cure His people.

[ Thomas Brooks]

As the winter prepares the earth for the spring, so affliction prepares the soul for glory.

The greatest afflictions are less than we deserve.

God empties us of worldly comfort to fill us with heavenly joy.

[William Bridge]

God's people are like gold they are purified by fire. 

God does not strike as an enemy to destroy, but as a father to correct.

[Jeremiah Burroughs]

Sanctified afflictions are better than unsanctified prosperity.

The furnace of affliction is where God polishes His jewels.

[John Flavel]

God's wounds cure sin's kisses kill.

[William Gurnall]

Afflictions quicken our desires for eternal things.

Afflictions are blessings to the soul, though they seem bitter to the flesh.

[John Owen]

Your afflictions are your father's love-tokens.

When I am in the cellar of affliction, I look for the Lord's choicest wines.

[ Samuel Rutherford]

God breaks the cistern to drive us to the fountain.

The fire does not destroy the gold, but only refines it.

God's hammer breaks us in pieces, that He may fashion us into His own likeness.

God squeezes the sins out of His saints by affliction.

It is better to go limping to Heaven, than leaping to Hell.

[ Richard Sibbes]

A sick bed often teaches more than a sermon.

God's rod is a pencil to draw Christ's image more distinctly upon us.

[Thomas Watson]

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Come As You Are!!

Come to Jesus as you are. Some of us had to crawl, others ran. I promise you, He came to save people like you and me. (Luke 5:32) With trauma, addiction, fear, abandonment, depression, hopelessness, poor, miserable, broken, lost. Once you do come to Him, He will change you forever. Maybe you think you’re born this way but, God causes us to be born again. (John 3:3) 

Repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ! He takes wretched sinners and transforms them into trophies of His Amazing Grace. “And such were some of you...” (1 Corinthians 6:11) 

Come to Him with your identity confusion. Come to Him with your sexual brokenness. Come to Him with your bitterness and heartbreak. Come to Him with your emptiness and search for love. Come to Him with your rejection and desires to be accepted. Come to Him with your insecurities and shame. Come to Him with the molest and abuse. Come to Him with the trauma and mental illness. (Matthew 11:28-30) 

The Lord Jesus Christ is the only Physician for sick souls. The world is a great hospital, full of sick and dying souls, all wounded by one and the same mortal weapon: sin.

[John Flavel]

John 6:37-40 ...  All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.  For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.  And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.  And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. ❤

What Astonishing Love!!

Let it be considered, to what the Father gave His only begotten Son: even to death, and that of the cross; to be made a curse for us; to be the scorn and contempt of vile men; to the most unparalleled sufferings that were ever inflicted or borne by any! It melts our affections, it breaks our heart, to behold our children striving in the pangs of death. But the Lord beheld His Son struggling under such incomparable agonies. He saw Him falling to the ground, groveling in the dust, sweating blood and amidst those agonies turning Himself to His Father, and with a heart-rending cry beseeching Him, "Father, if You are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from Me!" (Luke 22:42) 

To wrath, to the wrath of an infinite God without mixture; to the very torments of Hell was Christ delivered, and that by the hand of His own Father! What kind of love is this, which made the Father of mercies deliver His only Son to such miseries for us! In giving Christ to die for poor sinners, God gave the richest jewel in His cabinet! This is a mercy of the greatest worth and most inestimable value. Heaven itself is not so valuable and precious as Christ is! 

Ten thousand thousand worlds, as many worlds as angels can number would not outweigh Christ's love, excellency and sweetness! O what a lovely One! What an excellent, beautiful, ravishing One is Christ!  Put the beauty of ten thousand paradises, like the garden of Eden, into one; put all flowers, all pleasing fragrances, all colors, all delicious tastes, all joys, all sweetnesses, all lovelinesses into one; O what a lovely and excellent thing would that be! 

And yet it would be less compared to that loveliest and dearest well-beloved Christ than one drop of rain compared to all the seas, rivers, lakes, and fountains of ten thousand earths! Now, for God to bestow this mercy of mercies, the most precious thing in Heaven or earth, upon poor sinners; and, as great, as lovely, as excellent as His Son was what astonishing love is this!

 [John Flavel]

John 3:16 ... For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

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Found of in Him

Jesus is bread to the hungry, water to the thirsty, a garment to the naked, healing to the wounded. Whatever a soul can desire is found in Him!

 [John Flavel]

2 Peter 3:14 ... Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.  ❤

Sin!!

When the believer considers and remembers, that sin put Christ to all that shame and ignominy, he is filled with hatred of sin and cries out, O sin, I will revenge the blood of Christ upon thee! thou shalt never live a quiet hour in my heart!

[John Flavel]

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Romans 12:9 ... Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

Yours! Mine!

The condemnation was Yours, that the justification might be mine! 

The agony was Yours, that the victory might be mine! 

The pain was Yours, that eternal pleasure might be mine! 

The stripes were Yours, and the healing balm issuing from them were mine! 

The vinegar and gall were Yours, that the honey and sweet issuing from them might be mine! 

The curse was Yours, that the blessing might be mine! 

The crown of thorns was Yours, that the crown of glory might be mine! 

The sin-atoning death was Yours, that the heavenly life purchased by it might be mine! 

You paid the price, that I might enjoy the priceless inheritance! 

[John Flavel]

Romans 5:10 ... For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

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O This is The Cutting Consideration!

How many children there are among us who are drawn headlong to Hell by their cruel and ungodly parents, who teach them to curse and swear as soon as they can speak! There are many families in which little other language is heard but what is the dialect of Hell. These, like dry logs are preparing for the fire of Hell, where they must burn together.

And how many families there are, though not so profane, who yet breed up their children vainly and worldly, and take no care of what becomes of their eternal souls so long as they can but provide for their bodies! If they can but teach them how to prosper their bodies it is no concern to them that the devil has their souls. If they can but leave them lands or monies, they think they have very fully discharged their duties.

If you neglect to instruct them in the way of holiness, will the devil neglect to instruct them in the way of wickedness? No, no! If you will not teach them to pray then he will teach them to curse, swear and lie.

What shall comfort you at the the time of their death, if they die in a Christless condition through your neglect? O this is the cutting consideration! "My child is in Hell, and I did nothing to prevent it! I actually led him there!"

O, what will the language be, when such parents and children shall greet each other at the judgment-seat, and in Hell forever!

[John Flavel]

Proverbs 22:6 … Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

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Gave His Only...

Let it be considered, to what the Father gave His only begotten Son: even to death, and that of the cross; to be made a curse for us; to be the scorn and contempt of vile men; to the most unparalleled sufferings that were ever inflicted or borne by any!

It melts our affections, it breaks our heart, to behold our children striving in the pangs of death. But the Lord beheld His Son struggling under such unparalleled agonies. He saw Him falling to the ground, groveling in the dust, sweating blood and amidst those agonies turning Himself to His Father, and, with a heart-rending cry, beseeching Him, "Father, if You are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from Me!" (Luke 22:42)

To wrath, to the wrath of an infinite God without mixture; to the very torments of Hell was Christ delivered, and that by the hand of His own Father!

What kind of love is this, which made the Father of mercies deliver His only Son to such miseries for us!

In giving Christ to die for poor sinners, God gave the richest jewel in His cabinet! This is a mercy of the greatest worth, and most inestimable value.

Heaven itself is not so valuable and precious as Christ is! Ten thousand, thousand worlds, as many worlds as angels can number would not outweigh Christ's love, excellency and sweetness! O what a lovely One! What an excellent, beautiful, ravishing One is Christ!

Put the beauty of ten thousand paradises, like the garden of Eden, into one; put all flowers, all pleasing fragrances, all colors, all delicious tastes, all joys, all sweetness, all loveliness into one; O what a lovely and excellent thing would that be! And yet it would be less compared to that loveliest and dearest well-beloved Christ than one drop of rain compared to all the seas, rivers, lakes, and fountains of ten thousand earths!

Now, for God to bestow this mercy of mercies, the most precious thing in Heaven or earth, upon poor sinners; and, as great, as lovely, as excellent as His Son was what kind of love is this!

[John Flavel]

John 3:16 … For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

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Cheer Up!!

The way to Heaven lies through much tribulation. All our troubles are not over when we are saved by Christ; nay, then commonly our greatest sorrows begin! Nor are we to expect freedom from our troubles, until harbored in Heaven.

This winter weather shall be useful to destroy those noxious weeds, which the summer of prosperity bred. By wintry trials, God will mortify and purge our corruptions!

At present we are tossed upon an ocean of troubles, fears and temptations but these will make Heaven all the sweeter. Cheer up, then, O my soul, your salvation is now nearer than when you first believed! Yet a few more days, and then comes that blessed day you have so long waited and panted for!

God will shortly put a blessed end to all of your soul troubles, cares and watching. The time is coming, when your heart shall be as you would have it, when you shall be discharged of all these cares, fears and sorrows, and never more cry out: "O my hard, my proud, my vain, my earthly heart!"

The time is coming, when all vanity shall be purged perfectly out of your thoughts and they will be everlastingly, ravishingly, and delightfully entertained and exercised upon that supreme goodness and infinite excellency of God!

[John Flavel]

John 16:33 … These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

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Fear of God or Man?

The ungodly person fears man not God.

"An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes." (Psalm 36:1)

The strong Christian fears God not man.

"Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." (Job 2:3)

The weak Christian fears man too much and God too little.

"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

[John Flavel]

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A Melting Consideration

Out of Christ's condemnation flows my justification!

Out of His agony comes my victory!

Out of His pain comes my ease!

Out of His stripes comes my healing!

Out of His gall and vinegar comes my honey!

Out of His curse comes my blessing!

Out of His crown of thorns comes my crown of glory!

Out of His sin-atoning death comes my eternal life!

O what a melting consideration is this!

[John Flavel]

 Colossians 2:9 ... For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.❤

Refer it Back to Him

It was an excellent reply that a Christian mother once made to a friend when her beloved and only child lay in a dangerous sickness at the point of death.

The friend asked the mother, "What would you now ask of God, in reference to your child? Would you beg Him for your child's life?"

The mother answered, "I refer that to the will of God."

"But," said her friend, "if God would refer it to you, what would you choose then?"

"Why truly," said she, "if God would refer it to me, I would refer it back to Him again!"

[John Flavel]

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1 Samuel 3:18 ... And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good.

Job 1:21 ... And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

Luke 22:42 ... Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

Acts 21:14 ... And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.❤

Sentenced!

The design and end of God in the infusion of the Spirit of grace, is practical holiness and obedience. The indwelling Spirit of God elevates their minds, sets their affections upon heavenly things, purges their hearts from earthly dross, and  fits them for a life of holiness and obedience.

None are more forward to claim the privileges of religion than those who reject the duties of it. Multitudes hope to be saved by Christ who yet refuse to be governed by Him. But such hopes have no Scripture warrant to support them yes, they have many Scripture testimonies against them!

[John Flavel]

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Ezekiel 36:27 ... And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

Psalm 37:30-31 ... The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.   The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.

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

Sea of Gifts

If ye know Christ, and the truth as it is in him, one drop of your knowledge is worth a whole sea of gifts.

[John Flavel]

Romans 11:33 ... O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

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

Proverbs 4:7 ... Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.❤

Adorn The Gospel

Your duty is to adorn the gospel by your life.  The words signify to deck or adorn the gospel, to make it attractive and lovely to the eyes of  beholders. When there is a beautiful harmony and lovely proportion between Christ’s doctrine  and our practice then do we walk suitably to the Lord of glory.

[John Flavel]

Titus 2:10 ... Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.❤

Flavel Quotes

The soul is of more value than ten thousand worlds!

Whatever we have over-loved, idolized, and leaned upon. God has from time to time broken it, and made us to see the vanity of it. So that we find the readiest course to be rid of our comforts is to set our hearts inordinately upon them!

Brethren, it is easier to declaim against a thousand sins of others than to mortify one sin in ourselves!

Those who know God, will be humble. Those who know themselves, cannot be proud.

Affliction is a bitter pill, which, being enrapt up in patience and quiet submission, may be easily swallowed. But discontent chews the pill, and so embitters the soul.

When God gives you comforts it is your great evil not to observe His hand in them.

Jesus Christ is in every way sufficient to the vast desires of the soul.

[John Flavel]



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Divine Care

Christ is the very essence of all delights and pleasures, the very soul and substance of them! As all the rivers are gathered into the ocean, which is the meeting-place of all the waters in the world so Christ is that ocean in which all true delights and pleasures meet!

Are our desires for Christ ARDENT? Has Christ the supreme place in our hearts? Do we esteem all things but dung that we may win Christ and be found in Him?

Are our desires for Christ UNIVERSAL? Is everything about Christ desirable in our eyes? The hypocrite is for a divided Christ. The true believer loves both His government and His grace, both His sovereignty and His mercy, both His Lordship and His priesthood.

Do our desires after Christ lead us to EFFORT to use all the means of grace to accomplish His will?  He is revealed in His Word, do we read it?  He is preached in the gospel, do we hear it?  He will be found by those who seek Him, do we earnestly seek Him?

Are our desires after Christ PERMANENT or only a sudden fit of emotion, fear or impulse? If our hearts and our longing for communion with Him, we will only be satisfied when we awake with His likeness. Nothing that this world affords can possibly take us from this goal!

Do our desires after Christ spring from a DEEP SENSE OF OUR NEED of Christ? Has conviction of sin opened our eyes to see our misery, to feel our burden of sin, to understand our inability, and to make us sensible that the only remedy lies in the Lord Jesus Christ? Bread and wine are made necessary by hunger and thirst. Christ is only precious to those who need Him!

[John Flavel]

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Song of Solomon 5:16 ... His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.

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

Isaiah 26:9 ... With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.❤

The Most Precious Thing in Heaven or Earth

In giving Christ to die for poor sinners, God gave the richest jewel in His cabinet! This is a mercy of the greatest worth, and most inestimable value.

Heaven itself is not so valuable and precious as Christ is! Ten thousand thousand worlds, as many worlds as angels can number would not outweigh Christ's love, excellency and sweetness! O what a lovely One! What an excellent, beautiful, ravishing One is Christ!

Put the beauty of ten thousand paradises, like the garden of Eden, into one; put all flowers, all pleasing fragrances, all colors, all delicious tastes, all joys, all sweetness, all loveliness into one; O what a lovely and excellent thing would that be! And yet it would be less compared to that loveliest and dearest well-beloved Christ than one drop of rain compared to all the seas, rivers, lakes, and fountains of ten thousand earths!

Now, for God to bestow this mercy of mercies, the most precious thing in Heaven or earth, upon poor sinners; and, as great, as lovely, as excellent as His Son was what kind of love is this!

[John Flavel]

Song of Solomon 5:16 ...  His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.❤