Healthy Bounderies

Forgiveness does not always mean reconciliation. You can forgive someone and still recognize that they no longer have a place in your life. Forgiveness is about releasing bitterness and choosing peace, not granting unlimited access to your heart or your future. We forgive and we pray for those who have hurt us, but the decision about whether someone remains in our lives belongs to us not to them, and not to the pressure of appearing humble or accommodating.

Christian faith calls us to forgive, but it does not call us to live in a victim mentality or continually place ourselves in harm’s way. Christ teaches mercy, but He also teaches wisdom, discernment, and transformation. Choosing healthy boundaries is not unchristian it is often an act of spiritual maturity.

Healthy boundaries are not a lack of grace; they are wisdom. You can walk in compassion while also protecting your well-being and the life you are building. Forgiveness releases the past, but faith calls us to grow stronger, wiser, and more faithful moving forward.

So, forgive freely, pray sincerely, refuse to live as a victim, and trust that God can bring strength, healing, and purpose out of every chapter of your life. Walk forward with courage your peace, your faith, and your future are worth protecting.

[Christopher Gregory]

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Luke 17:3 ... Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

2 Corinthians 6:14 .... Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

Ephesians 5:11 ...  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. ❤

Seeing God's Greatness and His Own Vileness

What a staggering confession Job makes at the end of his long trial. This man, once described by God Himself as blameless and upright, now lies in the dust, broken not merely by suffering but by a clearer vision of the holy God. He had spoken much about the Almighty before, and he had held fast to his integrity. But now, having encountered the grandeur, power, and sovereignty of the Lord; Job is utterly undone.

"My ears had heard of You." Like many, Job had known about God. He had right theology. He had heard of God's justice and righteousness. He had offered sacrifices and lived in reverent fear of God. But this knowledge, though sincere, was still inadequate. Now, through the furnace of affliction and the Lord's searching questions, Job sees with the eyes of his soul. "Now my eyes have seen You!" Not physically, but spiritually his understanding has been illuminated. He sees not only God's greatness, but his own vileness. Not only God's glory, but his own guilt.

True sight of God always humbles a man. It silences his arguments, shatters his pride, and brings him to his knees.  This is what happened to Isaiah: "Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips!" (Isaiah 6:5)

It happened to Peter: "Go away from me Lord; I am a sinful man!" (Luke 5:8) And here it happens to Job: "I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes." Those who truly know God will be humble and those who know themselves, cannot be proud.

When a soul truly sees God, it sees itself rightly. Self-righteousness dies. Complaints vanish. Boasting is silenced. What remains is worship and repentance a heart bowed low in the dust, not just because of sorrow, but because it now sees the holiness, wisdom, and majesty of God as never before. May we too move from hearing to seeing from a mere notional knowledge of God to firsthand experience of God's greatness. And may that vision lead us to the same place as Job: humbled, repentant, and silent before the Lord of glory.

[John Flavel]

Job 42:5-6 ... I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

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Don't Look Back!!

Fire was falling, mercy was moving, and deliverance had already been given. God had taken Lot and his family by the hand and pulled them out of a place that was moments away from judgment. The command was simple, clear, and urgent: do not look back. Yet, in one moment, one glance, one longing for what God had already called her out of, everything was lost. 

Luke 17:32 reminds us that Jesus himself gave the warning in the gospels: remember Lot's wife. Two words, not 'remember Sodom' or 'remember Lot,' but 'remember Lot's wife,' because her body left Sodom, but her heart did not. She was delivered physically, but she was still attached spiritually, and many are in that same place today. 

God brought you out of addiction, out of relationships, out of bondage, out of the sin that was slowly destroying your soul. He broke chains you could not break yourself, silenced voices that tormented you, and set you free, putting your feet on solid ground. But now, the enemy whispers, 'Just look back, just a small visit, just entertain it, just once.' But what you look back to, you will eventually walk back into, and what you walk back into can destroy you.

Genesis 19:26 says, 'But his wife looked back from behind, and she became a pillar of salt, a monument, a witness, a warning to every generation that would come after her.' God's grace delivered her, but her longing betrayed her. Here's the truth clearly: grace is not permission to return to what God saved you from; grace is the power to walk away and never go back. Many today want a watered-down message that makes room for the flesh, a message that says holiness is optional, a message that says you can live however you want and still walk in the fullness of God. But God's word has not changed. 

1 Peter 1:5-16 says, 'Be ye holy, for I am holy.' Holiness is not punishment; holiness is protection. It keeps you free, keeps your vision clear, and keeps your heart from hardening. The same God who calls you to holiness gives you his Spirit to help you walk in it. You were never meant to overcome the flesh alone. 

Galatians 5:16 says, 'Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.' Notice it didn't say you might not; it says you shall not, because the Spirit gives you power the flesh never had. The enemy wants you to believe you're missing something, but the truth is, you were dying there. God didn't bring you out to watch you go back; he brought you out to bring you into life, freedom, purity, and purpose. Sodom was behind her, safety was ahead of her, but she chose to look back. 

Jesus said, remember her, because in these last days, many who have been delivered will be tempted to return to old chains, old identities, old sin. But here's the truth: you are not who you were, you are not where you were, and there is nothing behind you worth losing your soul over. The fire is falling, mercy is still leading, but don't look back. 

[End Times Prophecy]

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Doggie Still Went!!

Dear friend, if you have been praying for a long time for the salvation of one who is near and dear to you, and your prayer has not been answered, and that person has even gone from bad to worse than I want you to never give up praying. Remember that Jesus can save any man, while he is yet out of Hell. No case is absolutely hopeless, while Jesus lives.

We sometimes meet with amazing instances where prayer is answered at last. I have read of a woman who prayed long for her unsaved husband. She used to attend a certain meeting-house in the north of England, but her husband never went with her. He was a drinking, swearing man, and she had much anguish of heart about him. She never ceased to pray, and yet she never saw any result. She went to the meetinghouse alone, and her dog always went with her. This faithful animal would curl himself up under her seat and lie quiet during the service.

When she was dead, her husband was still unsaved, but doggie still went to the meetinghouse. Curiosity made him follow the dog one Sunday. The dog led him down the aisle to the seat of his dear old mistress. The man sat on that seat, and the dog curled himself up as usual. God guided the minister that day; the Word came with power, and that man wept until he found the Savior.

Never give up hope for your loved ones; for the Lord may even use a dog to bring them to Jesus, when you are dead and gone. Never give up praying, hoping, and expecting.

Others have been converted to God under very extraordinary circumstances. Two vile fellows planned to rob the house of a minister, who was accustomed on Sunday evenings to gather people together in his parlor, and preach the gospel to them. The thieves thought that if they could get into the house with the people during the evening and hide themselves away then they could rob the house easily during the night; and so, they snuck into the room next to that in which the Word was being preached. But they never robbed that house, for through the godly minister's sermon, the Lord Jesus conquered their hearts, and they came forth to confess their sin, and to become followers of the Savior!

Let the same truth be fully believed as to yourselves. O my dear reader, you may think you have gone too far into sin to be saved, but you have not. You may imagine that your case is altogether hopeless; but you are just the sort of person that Jesus saves.

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

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1 Timothy 1:15 ...  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Luke 5:32 ...  I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. ❤

Third Day ...

 A lot can happen in three days!

 www.ChristianPhotoshops.com

Luke 24:6-7 ... He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 ... For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Matthew 20:19 ... And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again. ❤

Names Written in Heaven!!

This blessed title the Savior gives to his disciples, is above all present gifts in value. They returned with joy from a successful exercise of their ministry. He lifted their minds to a higher privilege than that. He himself rejoiced over their possession of this privilege. It was the father's gift. It was a special gift to his elect. The Lord knew those who were his. Their record was on high. 

But it belongs equally to the whole church of the firstborn. They are all written in heaven an imperishable record the Lamb's book of life. (Revelation 21:27) They are called by his Spirit on earth, according to this record. They are acknowledged, when their earthly pilgrimage is passed, as the children of God, thus chosen and registered. He will own them as his, when he makes up his jewels. (Malachi 3:17)

It is an inestimable privilege a glorious prospect! Am I one of this recorded company? If I believe in Jesus, and love him, and follow him, I am. And how great are the blessings of it!

[Unknown Author]

Luke 10:20 ... Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

Hebrews 12:23 ... To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Psalm 87:6 ... The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah. ❤

Time to Pray!!

As the war in Iran rages on, experts are warning that World War III may be closer than ever. Scientists have moved the Doomsday Clock to just 85 seconds before midnight the closest it has ever been to symbolic global catastrophe.

Not surprisingly, fear and anxiety are surging. Among adults under 30, depression rates have nearly doubled since 2017. Almost one in five American adults experienced an anxiety disorder last year alone. Millions are glued to their phones, doomscrolling, constantly looking down, absorbing one alarming headline after another.

But Jesus told us to do something very different. He said, “When you see these things begin to happen, look up, for your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28)

In other words... don’t panic. Look up.

Don’t panic. Pray.

[Greg Laurie]

Philippians 4:6-7 ... Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ❤

Most Damning Sin!!

Self-righteousness is the worst sin, the most damning sin!

Self-righteousness is utter blasphemy. God is holy. Here comes this base imposter and boasts, "And I am holy too." Is not that a ludicrous and contemptible form of blasphemy?

The heavens are not pure in God's sight. He charges His angels with folly and does you, who are defiled from head to foot with loathsome sin, dare to talk about righteousness? Righteousness, indeed! You are a mixture of dust and sin.

Self-righteousness is idolatry, for the man who imagines himself to be righteous by his own works worships himself. Practically, the object of his adoration is his own dear, delectable, excellent self. All of his confidence is in himself. All of his boasting is in himself. What is this, but idolatry in its worst form?

Self-righteousness is profanity, for it calls God a liar. The Lord declares, "there is none righteous no, not one!" (Romans 3:10) To this divine assertion, the self-righteous man claims himself to be holy, and virtually declares that God is a liar. Though God says that "by the works of the law, shall no man be justified" (Galatians 2:16) yet this man says, "By the works of the law, I shall be justified!" And so, he profanes the Word of the Most-Highest God.

The gospel regards all men as sinners and comes to them with pardon. It treats men as hopelessly lost in sin and comes to save them. If there is a man who is righteous in himself, then the gospel has nothing to say to him. Its medicines are not for those upon whom the sickness of sin has never come. "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners!" (Mark 2:17)

Jesus came to wash away sin's stains, not to flatter men into a notion of their righteousness. He came to heal the sick, not to applaud the vigorous. To such as are righteous in themselves, there is not a single syllable of promise in the entire gospel.

The world hates both Christ and Christians, because they preach that all people are Hell-deserving sinners in God's sight!

Self-righteousness is most abominable in the sight of God! He is always provoked with pride, and says, "The proud in heart are an abomination to the Lord!" "I hate pride and arrogance!" (Proverbs 21:4, 8:13)

Moreover, self-righteousness also denies the wisdom of God's salvation and is utterly opposed to it. God's plan of salvation is based on the fact that we are guilty sinners. And being guilty, He provides a sin-atoning Savior to save sinners. But His whole system of salvation is a gigantic blunder, if we are or can be righteous in and of ourselves. The man who says, "I am righteous;" virtually casts a slur upon a work which is meant to be the highest display of God's love and wisdom.

Self-righteousness most effectually bars a man from all hope of salvation. Soul-poverty and spiritual destitution alone, bring a man to Jesus to be saved.

The self-righteous man never repents. Why should he, if he has never sinned?

Those who never trust in Jesus for salvation, are always self-righteous hence they see no need for a Savior.

Jesus brings the water of life to the self-righteous man; but he is not thirsty.

Jesus brings the bread of life to him, but he is not hungry.

Jesus offers a spotless robe of righteousness to him, but he has no need for it.

Jesus offers to enrich him, but he is already wealthy.

Jesus offers to pardon him, but he is not guilty.

What does the self-righteous man need from Jesus? Nothing at all. And he will get nothing from Jesus, but the damnation which he justly deserves.

Yet in the heights and depths of the dying love of Jesus, the true Christian reads the heights and depths of his accursed sin. In the infinity of the sin-atoning sacrifice of Jesus, he reads the boundless blackness of his guilt; and unwilling even to lift up his eyes to Heaven, beats his bosom and says: "God, have mercy on me, a sinner!" (Luke 18:13)

Heinous sins have damned their thousands, but self-righteousness has damned its tens of thousands!

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

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Living in the Light of Christ's Return

I am afraid that the subject of the second coming of Jesus is not sufficiently thought of and studied by many Christians. I must say that the greater number of believers are not like the early Christians in this matter. The early Christians made it a principal part of their religion to look for the second coming of Jesus. They looked backward to the cross and the atonement and rejoiced in Christ crucified. But they also looked forward to the coming of Christ and lived in a state of expectation."

The New Testament continually presses upon believers the certainty and suddenness of the return of Jesus. Again and again, we are exhorted: "Keep watch. Be ready. Be alert!" These are not gentle suggestions, but urgent commands from the lips of our Lord.

 

1. Keep Watch!

"Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." (Matthew 24:42)

To keep watch is to live with eyes lifted heavenward, weighing every choice in the light of eternity. The world lulls souls to sleep with its vanities, but the Christian must remain awake, knowing that at any moment the skies may part and the Son of Man may appear.

"Let us live like men who believe in the reality of Hell and Heaven, the near coming of Christ, the value of the soul, the vanity of this world, and the importance of holiness. Our time is short our days are numbered. We are on our way to the final judgment!"

 

2. Be Ready!

"You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him." (Luke 12:40)

To be ready is to have our sins forgiven, our hearts cleansed, and our lamps filled with oil. It means walking in daily faith and repentance, clinging to Jesus, and living as pilgrims bound for glory.

"The great question is whether we have saving grace in our hearts whether we have been born again and are ready to meet the bridegroom. The saddest sight in the day of Christ's appearing will be unready professors, with lamps gone out and no oil to be found."

 

3. Be Alert!

"Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come." (Mark 13:33)

Alertness is the vigilance of a soldier who knows the enemy is prowling around him. It is to resist sin, redeem the time, and serve faithfully as stewards who long to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant… Come and share your Master's happiness!"

"Nothing is of such importance, as to be found "in Christ" when He comes. Riches, rank, health, honors, pleasures all will be worthless then. To be a true servant of Christ, ready for His appearing this will be the only thing that matters."

Keep Watch. Be Ready. Be Alert. Let us live wisely, walk in holiness, and long for His appearing.

"So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him." (Matthew 24:44)

Even so, come, Lord Jesus! 

[J. C. Ryle]

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Our Constant Habit!!

The believer must ever conduct himself with kindness and love towards the wicked. Yet there is in many religious professors, almost the same acrimony against the ungodly world as there is in the ungodly world against them! 

How unfitting this is! For if there is any difference between us and others it is God alone who has made us to differ! We must set the Lord Jesus Christ ever before us, and endeavor to drink into His spirit, and to walk in His steps. This must be our constant habit. 

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

Romans 12:19-21 ... Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 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. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. 

Matthew 5:43-45 ... Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 

Luke 6:27-29 ... But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also. ❤

"Your Daughter is Dead"

"While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. 'Your daughter is dead!' he said." Luke 8:49 

Let us notice in this verse how universal is the dominion which death holds over mankind.  We see death coming to a rich man's house and tearing from him the desire of his eyes with a stroke!  Such tidings as these, are the bitterest cups which we have to drink in this world. Nothing cuts so deeply into man's heart as to part with beloved ones and lay them in the grave.  Few griefs are so crushing and heavy as the grief of a parent over the death of an only child.  

Death is indeed a cruel enemy! He makes no distinction in his attacks. He comes to the rich man's mansion as well as to the poor man's cottage.  He does not spare the young, the strong, and the beautiful any more than the old, the infirm, and the grey haired.  Not all the gold of Australia, nor all the skill of doctors can keep the hand of death from our bodies, in the day of his power.  When the appointed hour comes, and God permits him to smite then our worldly schemes must be broken off, and our darlings must be taken away and buried out of our sight. 

These thoughts are melancholy, and few like to hear of them. The subject of death is one that men shut their eyes at and refuse to look at. "All men think all men mortal, but themselves!"  But why should we treat this great reality in this way?  Why should we not rather look the subject of death in the face, in order that when our turn comes, we may be prepared to die?  Death will come to our houses, whether we like it or not. Death will take each of us away despite our dislike to hearing about it. Surely it is the part of a wise man to get ready for this great change. Why should we not be ready? 

There is one who can deliver us from the fear of death. Christ has overcome death, and "brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel." He who believes on Him, has everlasting life. Though he dies yet shall he live. Let us believe in the Lord Jesus and then death will lose his sting. We shall then be able to say with Paul, "To me, to die is gain!" (Philippians 1:21) 

[J. C. Ryle]

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Romans 8:13 ...  For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

John 5:24 ... Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Galatians 6:8 ... For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. ❤

Ready For the Bridegroom?

The Christian should be prepared for all that can happen.  As one that is dead to the world, and risen with Christ, as one that is united to Christ, and living in fellowship with Christ; as one that witnesses for Christ and is to share in the coming glory of Christ, he should be ready for anything, and everything. Especially should he be ready for the coming of his Lord. 

His life, in one view of it, should be a going forth to meet and to welcome his Lord; that so when he comes he may share in the happiness and honor of the wise virgins, of whom we read, "But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut!" (Matthew 25:10) 

THE EVENT. It is called a wedding banquet, one of the most joyous events among men. Jesus has married our nature, when he took it into union with himself, in the womb of the virgin. So that now he is one with us, bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh. God and man are one Christ. He has betrothed our persons, this was done through the gospel, and by the agency of the Holy Spirit. We are solemnly engaged to him, and he is pledged to us. We are to be his and his forever. He is to be ours and ours to all eternity. He will come to be publicly wedded to his glorious and glorified church. Then shall she be beautiful and glorious indeed. Then as represented in the song, she will look forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun. Then he will display all his riches and honors, shining forth as the heir of all things, as the brightness of glory, as the image of the invisible God. Then, all his beloved people, will be filled with joy unspeakable and pleasure inconceivable. O it will be a glorious day, when Jesus looks upon the Church he has loved, and for which he laid down his life, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing the perfection of beauty, the very counterpart of himself. 

THE HAPPY VIRGINS. They were ready. As cleansed from all sin in his precious blood and purified from every stain by the operation of the Holy Spirit. As clothed with the magnificent robe of the Savior's righteousness, and the beautiful garments of salvation. As anointed with the holy unction, or the Spirit's grace and gifts. As adorned with all the virtues that can beautify humanity, and the graces that can dignify the Christian name. Having a well-trimmed lamp, shining with the light of knowledge, supplied with the oil of grace. Thus, washed and robed, anointed and adorned, and letting their light shine before men they were ready. Therefore, they went in with him to the wedding banquet and enjoyed what they had long wished and prayed for a full sight of him in all his glory and beauty! It was now their privilege to stand before him accepted, approved, and blessed. They were now acknowledged as his and honored as his beloved bride. They were now to be everlastingly shut in with him, free from sin, and filled with holiness, while sorrow, sickness, pain and death, Satan and every foe are shut out! Full of holiness, light, and love they are happy; perfectly and eternally happy.

THE DISMAL DOOM OF ALL BESIDE. "The door was shut!" Saints are shut in. Sinners are shut out. All within are safe and safe forever. All without are miserable eternally and unspeakably miserable. Forever excluded from God's presence, shut out from the Savior's wedding feast, they can never take part in the celestial service. Worse than this; they are shut out where hope expires, and black despair forever reigns; where rest can never be enjoyed, or comfort be ever tasted. They will be shut in with devils, and the souls of the damned, and shut in with them forever! How sad, to be so near to Christ and yet to be separated from him forever!  To be so near, even at the door of the wedding chamber and yet never allowed to enter it. 

How searching is this subject, how it urges upon us the duty of self-examination, and presses home upon us the solemn question, Am I ready? How glorious, how unutterably glorious, it will be, to be admitted with Jesus, to share in all the happiness and the honors of Jesus, and to be forever with the Lord. Holy Spirit, am I ready? Am I prepared for an event so solemn, so sublime, so glorious? Heart searching God, search, O search my heart, and see if all is right there, and as a display of your infinite grace, prepare me for that glorious day, so that when Jesus, as the Bridegroom comes I may be ready and go in with him to the marriage, before the door is forever shut. 

If anyone reads these lines, who is not ready, O Lord prepare that soul and let not one of my readers come too late, and find the door shut and shut forever! 

[James Smith]

Matthew 25:13 ... Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Matthew 24:44 ... Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Revelation 19:7 ...  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. ❤

Encouragement to a Burdened Soul

My Very Dear,

Grace, mercy, and peace be with you, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, by the anointing and teaching of the Holy Comforter. "For," said our Lord, "He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatever I have said unto you." "He will guide you into all truth." "He will bring me glory by revealing to you whatever he receives from me." The Holy Spirit is the living guide to Jesus. It is He who says, with power, "Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." It is He who convinces of sin, who wounds, and probes the wound, and lays open the evil of our nature, causing us to know that we are corrupt within and without. But He not only thus discovers the malady, but He also applies the remedy. He abases the sinner; and exalts the Savior. He gives the deep sense of sin that the great salvation may be more appreciated and enjoyed. We are as bad as we can be, and it is needful to know it; but the knowledge of our depravity will not save us. It is, "Look unto ME, and be saved, all the ends of the earth." Some seem to glory in their deep discoveries of depravity; but nay, rather "let him that glories, glory in the Lord."

The end of a thing is better than the beginning: the beginning of the Lord's teaching is to know ourselves; the end to know Him, whom to know is life eternal, and happy is it for those who tarry not in all the plain, but amidst all the sense of sin and the loathing of self, are kept pressing on, crying, "That I may know Him;" "that I may find Him;" "that I may be found in Him;" "I press towards the mark;" "I long for the prize."

We read, Luke 6:19, "The whole crowd was trying to touch Him, because power was coming out from Him and healing them all." Their miseries pressed them on to seek His mercies; and so, the poor woman with the issue of blood; it seemed incurable; it made her unclean. How dare she approach the Holy Jesus? How dare she presume to touch His unspotted garment? Ah, but she believed that He had power, and that that power was to be received by faith; and thus, she obtained the cure. "Somebody did touch Me; I know that power has gone out from Me." She had believed with the heart, and thus He drew her on to confess with the mouth, and then He openly gave her the full reward of her faith "Daughter, be of good comfort: your faith had made you whole; go in peace." (Luke 8:43-48)

Ah, many are now thronging and pressing Jesus by noisy profession, but only a few are getting the healing virtue, and those are unclean diseased ones who think themselves most unlikely of all. But of Him they hear; and "faith comes by hearing." To Him they are brought, for "all that the Father gives me shall come to me." And they do not come in vain, for "he who comes to me I will never cast out." "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." Yes, power to forgive sins also. Yes, my precious Savior, with hand and heart do I subscribe thus--You have power to save those whom no one else could or would; for You have clothed such a vile sinner as I am with the garments of salvation. You have covered me with the robe of righteousness. Therefore, my soul does greatly rejoice in the Lord and is joyful in my God. Oh, those words, "My God!" when lawfully and feelingly uttered, have in them a world of blessedness!

Well, you see how it is with me. I am still delighting in the love of the altogether lovely Jesus; but not half enough. What do you think of Christ? Surely my heart's desire is, that He may be enthroned in your affections, for "He is worthy," and the more unworthy you feel, the better He will suit you! In your flesh "dwells no good thing." While you dwell in that tent you will find evil, only evil. Like the father of the faithful, you will have to go forth into the land (Deuteronomy 8:7-9) which the Lord will show you; but He must order all your journeying, as He says, "I will guide you with my eye, I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go."

It seems, however, that at present you are under the ministry of condemnation, because you are resting in your own righteousness, which you will never establish, as it is contrary to the law of faith. (Romans 10:3) The contrast is, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not alter the flesh, but after the Spirit." This is the ministry of righteousness which follows the other and exceeds in glory; for the work of righteousness is peace, "and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever." Here is that which establishes us. "You have set my feet upon a rock and established my goings." "Believe in the Lord your God, so shall you be established." (2 Chronicles 20:20) "In righteousness shall you be established." (Isaiah 54:14) "He that establishes us in Christ and has anointed us is God, (2 Corinthians 1:21) who also seals us with that Holy Spirit of promise, who is the pledge of our inheritance." (Ephesians 1:13, 14)

All the operations of that Spirit in the soul are either to make known or make way for Christ; the latter seems at present His work in your heart. He is discovering your evil and shaking your movable things. (Hebrews 12:27) Like John, He goes before the Lord to prepare His way. Be of good cheer, this Divine Messenger betokens that the Lord is at hand. He would not have showed you all these things if He meant to destroy you. "I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified" "through faith which is in Christ Jesus."

The Lord blesses you and grants you the instructions of wisdom for the training of your dear child, and all else you are called to. And now, farewell! May you be brought home at the appointed season in safety, and with dew resting upon your branch. As your husband is a lover of husbandry, he perhaps will not be offended with the Christian love and greeting of a gleaner, who can feelingly say, "The Lord bless you," (Ruth 2:4) and make you a blessing. (Micah 5:7) This is the true wish of my heart for you both.

Your very affectionately,
Ruth

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God Causes the Temptations of the Godly

Among the many trials the Lord appoints for His people, few are as relentless and distressing as temptation. The Christian is not merely opposed by the world and the flesh; but by a personal, malicious enemy. Satan is rightly called "the tempter." (Mark 4:15) He is restless, strategic, and cruel, ever watching, ever waiting, ever laying snares for the saints. Yet even here, Scripture speaks with settled certainty: temptation itself, is sovereignly overruled by God for the good of those who love Him. 

The devil's methods are both violent and subtle. As a dragon, he assaults the soul with fiery darts, blasphemous thoughts, doubts of God's goodness, and suggestions that strike at the very foundations of faith.  (Ephesians 6:16) Like the old serpent, he is cunning beyond measure. He studies temperament, times his attacks, disguises sin in religious language and sometimes delivers poison in a golden cup! (2 Corinthians 11:14) Yet for all his craft, Satan remains a creature under restraint. He can propose objects, stir the imagination, and excite remaining corruption but he cannot force the will, nor can he move one inch beyond the limits God has set. (Job 1:12)

Here the comfort of Romans 8:28 shines with peculiar brightness. Temptation does not escape God's providence. The same Lord who permits the assault, also governs its outcome. Like a tree shaken by fierce winds, the believer becomes more deeply rooted. What Satan intends for ruin, God intends for refinement. 

First, temptation drives the soul to prayer. When the enemy presses hard, the saint flees faster to the throne of grace. "For this I implored the Lord three times," Paul says of Satan's buffeting. (2 Corinthians 12:8) Temptation exposes our weakness, strips away self-confidence, and teaches us to cry, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." (Matthew 6:13) That which sends us to prayer cannot ultimately harm us. 

Second, temptation strengthens resistance to sin. The more fiercely the devil urges, the more clearly the believer learns to hate the evil set before him. Joseph's refusal was sharpened, not softened, by the persistence of temptation. (Genesis 39:9) God turns Satan's spur into a bridle, making the soul recoil from the very sins it is urged to commit. 

Third, temptation humbles pride. Paul's "thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan" was given was given so that he would not exalt himself. (2 Corinthians 12:7) Far better to be humbled by temptation, than proud of success. God will sooner allow a saint to feel their frailty than to trust their own strength. 

Fourth, temptation tests and proves grace. The devil tempts to destroy, but God permits temptation to reveal sincerity. Faith is shown not in the absence of battle, but in steadfast resistance. Courage shines brightest when the conflict is fiercest. (James 1:12)  

Fifth, temptation equips believers to comfort others. Those who have wrestled with the enemy are best suited to warn, guide, and encourage fellow pilgrims. "We are not ignorant of his schemes." (2 Corinthians 2:11) The scars of battle become instruments of mercy. 

Sixth, temptation draws forth the tender compassion of Jesus. "He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered; He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted." (Hebrews 2:18) When the soul is bruised, Christ intercedes; when the battle rages, grace is supplied. 

Seventh, temptation loosens our attachment to this world and makes us long for Heaven. Here on earth the fight never ends; there the enemy is forever silenced. The weary soldier looks for the crown. (2 Timothy 4:7-8) Even when a believer is temporarily overcome, it works for his spiritual good. Peter's fall shattered his pride and produced deeper humility, greater watchfulness, and truer dependence on Jesus. (Luke 22:62; John 21:15-17)

Thus, the old serpent is continually outwitted by divine wisdom. Temptation becomes a crosswind that carries the saints toward glory. The enemy rages, but Jesus reigns. And the God who permits the battle, ensures the victory. 

[Thomas Watson] 

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1 Corinthians 15:57 ... But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

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. ❤

"When The Herds Were Watching"

In the midnight chill,
Came a spotless lambkin
From the heavenly hill.

Snow was on the mountains,
And the wind was cold.
When from God's own garden
Dropped a rose of gold.

When it was bitter winter,
Houseless and forlorn
In a star-lit stable
Christ the Babe was born.

Welcome, heavenly lambkin.
Welcome, golden rose.
Alleluia, Baby,
In the swaddling clothes!

[William Canton]

Luke 2:12 ... And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. ❤

"Christmas Day"

Lord, we will extol You, O God, our King. We will bless Your name forever and ever. But especially on this hallowed morn, we desire to pour forth floods of adoring praise. O our souls, bless the Lord. O every faculty within us, magnify His boundless love. We bring our thanks for the gift of gifts. Your only begotten Son is born into this world. He is made bone of our bones, flesh of our flesh. The least gift from heaven to guilty earth exceeds all praise. 

What shall we render unto You for sending Your own dear Son to take upon Him our nature, and truly to be one of the family of man! Utterance cannot express due gratitude. But accept, we beseech You, the breathings of Your Spirit in our hearts. Mark how fervently we love You, and how we strive to testify thanksgiving. "Wonder of wonders! The Son of God comes down from heaven that to heaven we poor sinners may be raised. Our Lord Jesus Christ takes the manhood into God that we may become partakers of the divine nature. He is born one with us that we may be one with Him forever. 

Herein is love, when we could not rise to Him, He flies down on the wings of grace to raise us to Himself. Herein is power, that when Deity and humanity were infinitely apart, God has joined them in indissoluble oneness. He has united infinite opposites in one Christ. Herein is God's wisdom in the highest, that when we were utterly undone by sin, without will to return, without intellect to devise recovery Jesus appears on earth, able as God to save us to the uttermost, and qualified as man to die our death, to shed sin-atoning blood in our stead, and to work out perfect righteousness in our behalf. 

Father, God most merciful, help us to bless You more. In spirit we take our station by the watching shepherds. So, we strive to expand our contracted hearts. We hear, "Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people for unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord!" (Luke 2:10-11)

We hear, we believe, we rejoice, we give thanks, we adore. We bid all fears to flee away. We call upon our consciences to bathe in an ocean of repose. We look up with filial confidence. We see You our reconciled Father. Separation has ceased. We draw near, because You have thus drawn near to us. We love You because we have this proof that You have so loved us. A Redeemer has come! We put all our trust in Him. We believe that we are fully and forever redeemed from sin, and all sin's penalties and woes. You have raised up a horn of salvation for us. We see its all-sufficient might. We embrace it with undoubting faith. We realize that You have saved us. Like Simeon we clasp the new-born Savior to our hearts. 

We exult that He is ours, and we are His. We are one with Him. Therefore, You are our Father because His Father, and His God because our God. Father, again we say, help us to bless You for all the benefits of this wondrous birth. Give us grace, that our lives may praise You better than our lips. Keep our thanksgiving free from every blot. You have given so much for us, that heaven itself could give no more. Here we present ourselves to Your undivided service. Accept us. Preserve us. Rule within us. 

May Your dear Son indeed be born within us. May His continual indwelling sanctify every movement of our minds. May the good tidings of this day have free course and be glorified throughout earth's length and breadth. Wherever man lives, may he rejoice in the Child born, the son given. Hasten the time when He who as at this time came to visit us in great humility, shall come again in His glorious majesty with all His saints. Holy Father, we offer our prayers and praises in the way which You have ordained Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

[Henry Law]

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Merry Christmas!

The True Meaning of Christmas

... as told by Linus.

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~ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.  Luke 2:8-14

Something In It!!

A stable had something in it that was bigger than our whole world.

[C. S. Lewis]

Luke 2:11-12 ...  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. ❤

Under The Blood!

You may be under an attack but remember you are also under His Blood!

Isaiah 54:17 ... No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.

Luke 10:19 ... Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Revelation 12:11 ... And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Psalm 27:1-3 ... The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

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