The Church Without a Foundation

I created this image because my heart breaks for all the churches out there not holding to sound doctrine. It's like a building without a solid foundation, and it is very dangerous. 

[Christian Digital Artwork]

www.ChristianPhotoshops.com

Titus 1:9 ... Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

2 Peter 2:1 ... But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. ❤

The Model Church

1 Thessalonians 1:6-10 ... 6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost. 7 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. 9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

The beauty of this Church did not consist of a gorgeous material building, but of a people who are said to be "In God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ" (v. 1). And that they were examples to all believers (v. 7). Note their character. 

I. They were Saved from Wrath. "They were delivered from the wrath to come" (v 10) It should never be forgotten that there is "wrath to come" (Revelation 6:17) Wrath against all ungodliness. Blessed are they whom "God has appointed to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 5:9) Christ our Refuge. "Flee from the wrath to come." 

II. They were Converted to God. "They turned to God from idols" (v. 9). Christ is the atoning sacrifice for the sin of the world, but that fact in itself does not save the world; there must needs be a personal turning to God from sin and unbelief. The idols of the unconverted are numerous and varied. To turn to God is to forsake everything that would divide our affections or hinder our whole-hearted trust. 

III. They were Receivers of the Word of God. "They received the Word in much affliction" (v. 6) These were troublous times, as we learn from Acts 17; but the antagonism of the worldly-minded did not hinder them from boldly receiving the Word. It is always a sign of a healthy soul or Church, which gladly drinks in the truth as revealed in God's Word Human philosophies may have their place, but they are the food to build up a model Church. Quickened spirits need the "Word of Life." 

IV. They were Devoted to the Service of God. "They turned from idols to serve the living and true God" (v. 9). What a change! Serving the Living God, instead of dead things that only mocked their needs with a silent indifference. "To whom, O Lord, can we go but unto You?" You are worthy of the service of every power and passion, every thought and feeling of the soul, which You have redeemed by Your Blood. "Serve the Lord with gladness." 

V. They were Looking for the Son of God. They had made up their minds to serve, and "to wait for His Son from Heaven" (v. 10). They believed Christ would come again, as all the early Christians did, and as He Himself had promised This was called "that blessed hope." (Titus 2:13) The prophets of old looked and waited for the Coming of the Messiah long ages before He came; but in the fullness of the time, He did come. The Church may have waited long, so long that many have lost the vision and the hope. But in the fullness of the time He will Come as He said.  (John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 1:7) 

VI. They were Joyful in the Spirit of God. They had the "joy of the Holy Spirit" (v. 6). With the Word of God in their hearts, and this glorious prospect before their eyes, and the power of the Spirit resting on them, their service was not a burdensome task, but a happy privilege and a growing delight. This was characteristic of the first Church members. "They were filled with joy, and with the Holy Spirit." (Acts 13:52) "How are the mighty fallen?" 

VII. They were Examples to Others. "You were examples to all that believe" (v. 7). This was certainly a prosperous Church, although there is nothing said regarding their financial position, no reference to their "Annual Balance Sheet." But their faith in God was known everywhere (v. 8), and the influence of their missionary enthusiasm, in sounding forth the Word of God, had been felt throughout Macedonia and Greece. They honored Christ as the Head of the Church, and they were honored by Him in doing things worthy of His great Name. 

This is what the Church of Christ should do. This is what every Church true to the Word of God is; and this is what every Christian should be an encouraging example to others. "Believe, and you shall see." 

[James Smith]

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"The MERCY of God"

Mercy is God's tender-hearted compassion toward the miserable and the guilty. It is the pity of a holy God stooping down to the helpless sinner not because He must, but because He delights to. Mercy is the overflow of His eternal love relieving the wretched, pardoning the guilty, and raising the fallen. From the beginning, God's mercy has been on display. It spared Adam and Eve in the garden. It delivered Israel from bondage in Egypt. It sent prophets to warn the rebellious nation. And in the fullness of time, it sent the Savior to redeem His people. Mercy is not a reluctant gesture it is the joy of God's heart. "God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ!" (Ephesians 2:4-5) 

God's mercy is not exhausted by repeated sins, nor limited by the depth of our guilt. The dying thief found mercy in his final breath and so may any who call on the Lord. Yet God's mercy never sets aside His justice. Mercy does not sweep sin under the rug it satisfies God's justice. This is the wonder of the cross where divine justice was upheld, and mercy was poured out. God did not overlook our sin He condemned it in Christ. At Calvary, mercy and justice met; righteousness and peace kissed! (Psalm 85:10)  

If we have received such undeserved mercy, then how can we withhold it from others? Shall we, who have been forgiven much remain unmerciful? Let us be as our father kind, compassionate, and forgiving. And let us never forget we stand by mercy alone. Here is our hope and our song that God delights in mercy, and His mercy never fails. 

[A. W. Pink] 

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Titus 3:5 ... Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Psalm 103:8 ... The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. ❤

God's True Grace

But if we attend to what the Bible says of grace, we shall discover that the True Grace of God is different from what man conceives. Instead of its being an enemy to holiness grace is the root on which holiness grows, the fountain from which holiness springs, and the principle that produces holiness in the heart. 

True grace brings home the Word with power, conviction, and demonstration to the soul! Acts 14:3 

True grace works faith in the hearts of poor sinners, who are said "to believe through grace!" Acts 18:27 

True grace calls its objects out of a state of nature, sin, and rebellion against God and teaches them to pray, and mourn before the Lord! Galatians 1:15; Zechariah 12:10 

True grace makes obedient to the faith and leads the soul to receive "grace upon grace" out of the fullness of Jesus! Romans 1:5; John 1:16 

True grace destroys the love and dominion of sin and leads us from the law to the gospel! Romans 6:14 

True grace brings home a sense of pardon to the soul and imparts everlasting consolation! Ephesians 1:7; 2 Thessalonians 2:16 

True grace removes condemnation, and justifies us freely, fully, and eternally! Romans 3:24; Titus 3:7 

True grace strengthens, supports, and carries the Christian through all his conflicts, tribulations, and trials! 2 Corinthians 12:9 

True grace builds up and establishes its possessor in truth, in faith, and in love! Acts 20:32; Hebrews 13:9 

True grace leads to holy, scriptural, and consistent practice! Titus 2:11-15 

True grace will make a man labor for God and the good of immortal souls! 1 Corinthians 15:10 

True grace will regulate his lifestyle according to gospel precepts! 2 Corinthians 1:12 

True grace will make him generous and liberal in the Lord's cause, and to the poor! 2 Corinthians 8:1-7; 9:6-14 

True grace flows in abundance, saves all its objects, and raises them to reign in life! Romans 5:17; Ephesians 2:6-8 

True grace is always a gift and is invariably free! Romans 11:6; Ephesians 4:7 

True grace communicates more and more to its possessor, until the victory and conquest is complete! James 4:6 

The man that possesses the True Grace of God and is living under its sacred influence mourns over his state as a sinner, longs for perfection as a believer, and cannot be perfectly happy until purged from all pollution. 

[James Smith]

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The Astonishing Love of Jesus For Us!

There is no greater wonder in all the universe than this: that the infinitely holy Son of God would set His heart upon vile, guilty, Hell-deserving sinners. "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us!" Not when we were seeking Him. Not when we were repenting. Not when we were bettering ourselves. But while we were rebels, with hearts full of enmity against Him, He loved us still. (Romans 5:6, 8, 10) 

Paul, once a blasphemer and persecutor of Christ's church, could only marvel: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinner of whom I am the worst!" (1 Timothy 1:15)   So, it is with all who have been given eyes to see their corruption, and hearts to feel their need. When we know ourselves rightly, we are utterly astonished that Jesus would save such ungodly ones as ourselves. 

Our salvation was not the fruit of our seeking, but of His. "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save those who are lost!" (Luke 19:10) It was the overflowing of His sovereign, unmerited love. Dead in sin, blind in mind, corrupt in heart yet He loved us, and by His great mercy made us spiritually alive. (Ephesians 2:4–5) 

What love is this, that stooped so low? "He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities." (Isaiah 53:5) The pure and spotless Lamb bore the filth and condemnation of our sin. He who knew no sin, was made sin for us, "so that in Him, we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21) It was not out of obligation, but out of sheer grace. "When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy." (Titus 3:4–5) 

Christian! Jesus loved you before the world began, He loves you now and He will love you forever! His love for you is unfathomable it is as boundless as infinity. Oh, the precious love of Jesus! It is the sun in the heavens of grace, the river in the garden of mercy, and the foundation of the temple of redemption! 

The love of Jesus is the most amazing thing under Heaven, if not in Heaven itself. Oh, what a Savior is ours! His love is not shallow or sentimental it is a love that bleeds, and bears wrath. It is a love that will never let us go. It is a love that astonishes us now and will be our wonder and song for all eternity. 

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

Revelation 1:5–6 ... And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

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Essential to Eminent Usefulness

A revived church is the best hope of a lost world. A revived ministry, the best hope of a dormant church. Under 'a great show of outward profession', there is a lamentable deficiency of vital godliness in our churches. Much of the prevailing benevolence and activity of the church, are a mere substitute for spiritual religion rather than the expression of vital godliness. 

In our churches, it is easy to perceive how much more welcome is the 'humorous' than the serious; how much more anxious the audience is to be 'entertained' than to be edified; how much greater homage is paid to the 'talent' of the preacher than to his piety! In fact, our public meetings sometimes assume rather the character of 'religious amusements' than pious worship! 

It ought never to be forgotten that a church meeting, if rightly understood, is a company of people brought together to carry out the design for which the Son of God expired upon the cross! Surely the frame of our minds, and the tone of the sermons, and the spirit and tendency of the whole worship service, ought to be in strict harmony with such a purpose. Yet many of our church meetings have rather lowered, than elevated the tone of our piety and thus enfeebled our real strength for carrying on this great work. 

Eminent piety is essential to eminent usefulness! It is eminent piety alone which will enable us to take a clear and impressive view of the object to be sought and supply the energies necessary for obtaining it. It is eminent piety alone which will purify our motives, and produce that spirit of profound humility, self-denial, dependence and entire consecration which are necessary to qualify us for the work. It is eminent piety alone which will keep up the spirit of faith and prayer, to which the divine promises are made. We must become more devout, more prayerful, more holy, more heavenly, more spiritual. 

[John Angell James] 

Titus 2:13-14 ... Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

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The Golden Thread of Grace!

Besides His grace, God manifests His other divine attributes in the salvation of every sinner: The wisdom of God devised the plan of salvation. The power of God executes in us the work of salvation. The immutability of God preserves and carries on salvation. In fact, all the attributes of God are magnified in the salvation of a sinner. But at the same time the text is most accurate, since grace is the fountainhead of salvation, and is most conspicuous throughout every aspect of it. 

Grace is to be seen in our election, for "there is a remnant according to the election of grace, and if by grace then it is no more of works." Grace is manifestly revealed in our redemption. It is utterly inconceivable that any soul could have deserved to be redeemed with the precious sin-atoning blood of Christ. The mere thought is abhorrent to every holy mind. Our effectual calling is also of grace, for "He has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before the world began." By grace also, we are justified. Over and over again, the apostle insists upon this grand and fundamental truth. We are not justified before God by our works in any measure, but by faith alone. We see the golden thread of grace running through the whole of the Christian's history, from his election before all worlds, to his admission into Heaven's glory. 

There is no point in the history of a saved soul, upon which you can put your finger and say, "In this instance, he is saved by his own deserving." Every single blessing which we receive from God, comes to us by the channel of free grace alone. Boasting is excluded, because deserving's are excluded. Merit is an unknown word in the Christian vocabulary! "By grace are you saved." This clear and unqualified statement sweeps away all supposition of any deserving on our part, or any thought of our meriting salvation. We stand before God as condemned criminals, when we come to Him for mercy. We are already lost, "already condemned," and our only course is to cast ourselves upon the sovereign mercy of God. "By grace are you saved." This is true of every saint on earth, and every saint in Heaven. 

It is altogether true, and without a single exception. No man is saved, except as the result of the free grace and unbought mercy of God. We are entirely and altogether saved, because the Lord "will have mercy on whom He will have mercy," and He wills to bestow His favor on unworthy men. Though I am as repulsive as the devil with sin, and as vile as the devil with innate depravity yet, if the Lord looked upon me in mercy, then He would forgive my every sin, and change my nature, and make me as bright a seraph as Gabriel before His throne! 

[Charles H. Spurgeon] 

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Titus 3:5 ... Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

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.

Ephesians 2:8-9 ... For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. ❤

All Short of This is Mercy!

In order to awaken self-abasement and gratitude I should consider both what I deserve, and what blessings I have in Christ. If the righteous Lord were to deal with me according to my deserving, I would at this moment be under the rack of excruciating pain; or under the pressure of most abject poverty thus experiencing the foretaste of eternal woe. If thus dealt with in strictest justice, Death would receive his commission to hurl my affrighted soul into the gulf of endless misery, there to remain an everlasting monument of the vengeance of a holy God! All short of this is mercy! 

Do I enjoy a portion of health? It is all mercy! Am I undergoing a sanctified affliction? It is all mercy! Do I partake of the bounties of Providence? It is all mercy! Do I possess affectionate friends? It is all mercy! Do I experience the love of God in Christ, pardoning my sins, and purifying my heart? Oh! this is mercy beyond the power of language to praise or to express! 

Rejoice in such a Savior, who mercifully snatched you as a brand out of the burning! 

[Thomas Reade] 

Ephesians 2:4-5 ... But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Titus 3:5 ... Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

1 Peter 1:3 ... Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ❤

God Bought You With a Very High Price!

Refresh in your souls a sense of the fact that "God bought you with a very high price!" There in the midnight hour, amid the olives of Gethsemane, kneels Immanuel the Son of God. He groans, He pleads in prayer, He wrestles. See the beady drops stand on His brow drops of sweat, but not of such sweat as pours from men when they earn the bread of life, but the sweat of Him who is procuring eternal life itself for us. It is blood! It is crimson blood! Great gouts of it are falling to the ground! 

O soul, your Savior speaks to you from Gethsemane at this hour, and He says: "Here and thus I bought you with a price!" Come, stand and view Him in the agony of the olive garden, and understand at what a cost He procured your deliverance! Track Him in all His path of shame and sorrow until you see Him at Gabbatha. Mark how they bind His hands and fasten Him to the whipping-post. See, they bring the scourges and the cruel Roman whips; they tear His flesh; the ploughers make deep furrows on His blessed body, and the blood gushes forth in streams; while rivulets from His temples where the crown of thorns has pierced them, join to swell the purple stream. 

From beneath the scourges, He speaks to you with accents soft and low, and says, "My child, it is here and thus I bought you with a very high price!" But see Him on the cross itself when the consummation of all has come. His hands and feet are fountains of blood, His soul is full of anguish even to heartbreak; and there, before the soldier pierces His side with a spear, bowing down He whispers to you and to me, "It was here and thus, I bought you with a very high price!" 

O by Gethsemane, by Gabbatha, by Golgotha, by every sacred name collected with the passion of our Lord; by sponge and vinegar, and nail and spear, and everything that enlarged the pain and increased the anguish of His death I implore you, my beloved brethren, to remember that you were "bought with a very high price," and that "you are not your own." 

[Charles H. Spurgeon] 

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1 Peter 1:18-19 ...  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

1 Corinthians 6:20 ... For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Acts 20:28 ... Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Titus 2:14 ... Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. ❤

The Constraining Love of Jesus!

The love of Jesus has a constraining power, which invincibly impels us to live unto Him. Let it once be "shed abroad in our hearts," and we shall instantly exclaim with rapture, "My Lord, and my God!" "What have I to do any more with idols?" will be the natural effusion of our souls! (Hosea 14:8)  

We will feel a holy indignation at the thought of having wickedly sinned against Him for so long and shall address Him in the language of His repenting people, "O Lord, our God, other masters besides You have ruled over us, but we will acknowledge and mention Your name alone!" (Isaiah 26:13)  

Walk with God as His dear children. Commit to Him your every care and expect from Him a supply of all your needs! Motivated by His all-constraining love, be ready to sacrifice every earthly consideration, and to even lay down life itself for Him! 

[Charles Simeon] 

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 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 ... For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

Titus 2:14 ...  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Galatians 2:20 ... I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. ❤

Do Any Startle at This Plain Assertion?

In the early Christian Church religion did not consist in talking finely, but in living well. We, alas! are not now what these primitive Christians were burning and shining lights. The lamentation of the prophet is sadly too descriptive of our state: "Our silver has become dross, and our wine is mixed with water." (Isaiah 1:22)  

The world has tainted the Church by its unhallowed admixture. Where is the simplicity, the self-denial, the zeal, the entire devotedness, of these first Christians to be found? Certainly not among the great mass of religious professors! Long continued prosperity has induced a spirit of slumber. Without any breach of that charity which hopes all things, we are compelled to declare this painful truth: that thousands who are moral, and regular in all the outward duties and decencies of religion are still as far distant from the spirit and practice, the principles and feelings, of the true believer, as the East is from the West! 

Do any startle at this plain assertion? Where, we would ask, is their deep contrition, their sincere repentance, their hatred of sin, their application to the Savior, their love to His name, their delight in His service, their attachment to Him, their self-denying obedience, their renunciation of the world, their patience under suffering for the Gospel's sake? Where, in short, is the new creature in Christ Jesus to be seen in them? It has no existence! They have a name to live, being called Christians, and professing to believe in Jesus but they are dead! 

The general truths of the Gospel may dwell in their understandings, but they have no abiding place in their hearts. The Apostle has well described the character of these nominal Christians: "They profess that they know God, but in works deny Him." (Titus 1:16) "They have the form of godliness but deny the power thereof." (2 Timothy 3:4-5) 

These are the people who, frequenting the house of God, sneer at 'conscientious piety'. Yet, they have full confidence in the mercy of God, and deem it most uncharitable, even to breathe a hint that they are in danger of eternal perdition. 

[Thomas Reade]

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Genuine Faith!!

Do not suppose that genuine faith in Christ, is a mere assent to Scripture truths which you have been taught by your parents! If you would not eternally perish, I charge you before God, to dismiss from your minds all such delusive expectations, and to seek from God that genuine faith which alone can save and sanctify the soul. True "faith is the gift of God!" (Ephesians 2:8) 

Nothing but the almighty power of God can form genuine faith in the soul. If ever you have believed to the saving of your soul, it must have been through the operation of divine grace! If we possess saving faith, then Christ will become our meditation and delight. The height and depth, and length and breadth of His unsearchable love will occupy our minds and inflame our hearts with love to Him! 

Genuine faith will always "work by love." Galatians 5:6 

Genuine faith will always "overcome the world." 1 John 5:4 

Genuine faith will always "purify the heart." Acts 15:9 

See then, whether your faith produces these effects! For, if it does not, it is but "a dead faith" and "the faith of devils!" (James 2:19) If your faith is not "the faith of God's elect," (Titus 1:1) then it will only deceive you to your everlasting ruin. If God has indeed granted saving faith to you, then you have the greatest gift that you can ever possess, in this world or the next. Crowns and kingdoms, in comparison with it are no more than a speck of dust on a scale! 

If God has indeed granted saving faith to you then you have obtained the forgiveness of all your sins! If God has indeed granted saving faith to you then you have within your own bosom a sanctifying principle which shall progressively transform you into the very image of the Lord Jesus! If God has indeed granted saving faith to you--then you have "a priceless inheritance, an inheritance that is reserved in Heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay!" (1 Peter 1:4) 

[Charles Simeon] 

James 2:19 ... Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 

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Bad Fruits...

Omens.

Religious Superstition.

Flat Earth.

Rapture hysteria.

Date setting.

Blood Moons.

Shemitah cycles.

Apocalyptic Paranoia.

AntiChrist Syndrome.

End Times Syndrome.

Tribulation paranoia.

These are the fruits of Dispensationalism.

We need to break away from this dangerous and harmful aspect of how we read into the bible.

[Christopher Gregory]

1 Timothy 1:4 ...  Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

Titus 1:14 ... Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

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He Gave His Entire Self!!

It is utterly impossible to savingly know Jesus, and not become inspired with a desire . to love Him supremely, to serve Him devotedly, to resemble Him closely, to glorify Him faithfully here, and to enjoy Him fully hereafter. And oh, how worthy is the Savior of our most exalted conceptions; of our most implicit confidence; of our most self-denying service; of our most fervent love! 

When He could give us no more, and the fathomless depths of His love and the boundless resources of His grace would not be satisfied by giving us less He gave us Himself! Robed in our nature, laden with our curse, oppressed with our sorrows, wounded for our transgressions, and slain for our sins.

He gave His entire self for us! 

[Octavius Winslow] 

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Galatians 2:20 ... I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Ephesians 5:2 ... And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Titus 2:14 ... Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. ❤

'Clods of Earth' into 'Stars of Glory'

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Thomas Watson] 

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

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Get Better?

Is the world going to get better?  NO, it's going to get worse.

The only hope for this world is God and His son, Jesus Christ, the LORD.

[Franklin Graham]

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Matthew 24:12 ... And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

2 Timothy 3:1 ... This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

Titus 2:13 ... Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; ❤

Empowered Life

There are seven new things, which all believers now possess:

Repentance—A new mind about God. Acts 20:21

Justification—A new state before God. Romans 4:25

Regeneration—A new life from God. Titus 3:5

Conversion—A new attitude toward God. Matthew 18:3

Sonship—A new relationship with God. 1 John 3:1

Sanctification—A new position before God. Jude 1

Glorification—A new place with God. Romans 8:30

[A.W. Pink]

1 Corinthians 4:20 ... For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. ❤

Lord, Smite This Sin!

Do we love the holiness of the Word? The Word is preached to beat down sin, and advance holiness. Do we love it for its spirituality and purity? Many love the Preached Word only for its eloquence and notion. They come to a sermon as to a performance (Ezekiel 33:31,32) or as to a garden to pick flowers but not to have their lusts subdued or their hearts purified.  These are like a foolish woman who paints her face but neglects her health! 

Do we love the convictions of the Word? Do we love the Word when it comes home to our conscience and shoots its arrows of reproof at our sins? It is the minister's duty sometimes to reprove. He who can speak smooth words in the pulpit but does not know how to reprove, is like a sword with a fine handle, but without an edge! "Rebuke them sharply!" (Titus 2:15) Dip the nail in oil reprove in love but strike the nail home! 

Now Christian, when the Word touches on your sin and says, "You are the man!" do you love the reproof? Can you bless God that "the sword of the Spirit" has divided between you and your lusts? This is indeed a sign of grace and shows that you are a lover of the Word. A corrupt heart loves the comforts of the Word but not the reproofs: "You hate the one who reproves and despise him who tells the truth!" (Amos 5:10). "Their eyes flash with fire!" Like venomous creatures that at the least touch, spit poison! "When they heard these things, they were enraged in their hearts and gnashed their teeth at him!" (Acts 7:54) 

When Stephen touched their sins, they were furious and could not endure it. How shall we know that we love the reproofs of the Word? When we desire to sit under a heart-searching ministry. Who cares for medicines that will not work? A godly man does not choose to sit under a ministry that will not work upon his conscience. When we pray that the Word may meet with our sins. If there is any traitorous lust in our heart, we would have it found out and executed! We do not want sin covered but cured! 

When we can open our heart to the sword of the Word and say, "Lord, smite this sin!" When we are thankful for a reproof. "Let a righteous man strike me it is a kindness; let him rebuke me it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it." (Psalm 141:5) David was glad for a reproof. 

Suppose a man were in the mouth of a lion, and another should shoot the lion and save the man would he not be thankful? Just so, when we are in the mouth of sin, as of a lion, and the minister by a reproof shoots this sin to death shall we not be thankful? A gracious soul rejoices, when the sharp lance of the Word has pierced his abscess of sin! He wears a reproof like a jewel on his ear: "Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear." (Proverbs 25:12) 

To conclude, it is convicting preaching which must do the soul good. As a nipping frost prepares for the sweet flowers of spring so a nipping reproof prepares the soul for comfort!

[Thomas Watson]

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Psalm 119:140 ...Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. ❤

The Mirror of My Mind!!

"Take a mirror and turn it toward Heaven and there you shall see the reflection of Heaven, the clouds and things above. Turn it downward toward the earth, you shall see the reflection of the earth, trees, meadows, men. Just so does the soul receive a reflection from the things to which it is set. If the heart is set toward Heaven, that puts you into a heavenly frame. If you set your heart on earthly objects, you are a man of the earth!" 

Are our thoughts and our affections full of worldliness? Let us make good use of the above figure and turn the mirror the other way. Our mind will readily enough reflect divine things, if we turn it in that direction. Let us see if it is not so. Prayerfully read your Bible, or some lively devotional book, and see if the heart is not immediately filled with holy and heavenly reflections. 

At any rate, if we spend our time on the newspaper, or sit hour after hour reading trashy novels, we have no reason to wonder that thought and heart go after vanity! The turning of the mind upward is half the battle. We cannot expect it to reflect that toward which it does not turn. Those who mind earthly things, are earthly. Those who set their affections upon things above, are heavenly. Paul shows how practically useful it is to turn the mind Godward, when he says that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, "looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ." (Titus 2:13)

We may well cry concerning this matter, "Turn us, O Lord, and we shall be turned!" (Lamentations 5:21) If we cannot see divine truth to our enjoyment, let us nevertheless look that way; for that eye is blessed which looks in the direction of the light. He who would behold the sun at its rising, must look to the east. Just so, he who would see God as his delight, must look Godward. If the mirror of the soul is resolutely set toward the Lord, we shall with open face behold, as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord, and be changed into the same image from glory to glory! (2 Corinthians 3:18)

O, my blessed Master, help me I beseech you, to keep the mirror of my mind in the right position that evermore I may see You! True, it will be but as in a dark mirror, but even that will be a marvelous preparation for beholding You face to face in glory! 

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

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Romans 8:5 ... For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

Colossians 3:1-2 ...  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Matthew 6:19-20 ... Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: ❤ 

I Have a Savior!!

My soul, meditate for a few moments on what Jesus is to you, and what Jesus has done for you. Look back and glance at the circumstances in which He found you, and the deliverance which He wrought for you. 

 1. The CIRCUMSTANCES in which Jesus found you. Jesus found me out of the way. God by His law had marked out a way in which His creatures should walk, its character was holiness, and its end His glory. But all we like sheep had gone astray, we had turned everyone to his own way. We were in the path of death and destruction, and on the way to Hell! We were not only out of the way, but we were enslaved. We were  slaves of sin, the drudges of the world, and led captive by the Devil at his will. We were diseased, as well as enslaved. We were leprous from head to foot. We had the plague of the heart! The whole head was sick, and the whole heart was faint. We were imprisoned, as well as diseased. We were shut up in unbelief and sin. Our cell was cold and damp, dark and narrow, and our imprisonment was not merely for a few years, it was forever! We were dead, though still conscious, and to some things alive. Dead in trespasses and sins! In this state we were, and we loved it well. We neither desired, nor sought deliverance. Left to ourselves . . . we would have wandered on in darkness, until we had perished in our sins; we would have continued the slaves of sin and Satan forever; our disease would have preyed upon our vitals to all eternity; our prison walls would have enclosed us still; we would have remained dead in sin, we would have suffered all the pangs of damnation forever! 

 2. The DELIVERANCE which Jesus wrought for you. Jesus saved me! He saved me from the roaring lion, who goes about seeking to devour me! He saved me from my raging lusts, so that sin shall not have dominion over me! He saved me from righteous wrath, and I, being justified by His blood, shall be saved from wrath through Him! He saved me from death, the 'king of terrors,' depriving the monster of his sting, and giving me the victory over him! He has also saved me from the flaming furnace of Hell, from that lake of fire, and those floods of flame in which the lost must welter forever! 

3.  See the cause of my happiness, I have a Savior! A Savior who is divine. A Savior who has ever loved me. A Savior who lived, labored, and died for me. A Savior who pleads for me before the throne of His Father. A Savior who is in His Father's house, preparing a place for me. A Savior who will soon come and receive me to Himself, that so I may be forever with Him! Yes, I have a Savior, one who watches over me, walks through the wilderness with me, and rejoices to do me good. 

Reader, have you a Savior? Can you use these two precious words, "My Savior"? Have you realized that you were lost? Have you fled to His cross? Have you fallen into His arms? Have you been cleansed by His blood, and clothed in His righteousness? Do you possess His Holy Spirit? Make sure work, O make sure work! Eternity is just at hand! Death is coming! Judgment follows! And then, an eternity of happiness or woe! Your eternal all depends on having Jesus for your Savior! No one can save you but Jesus. No one can support you in sickness, comfort you in death, or give you victory over the grave, but Jesus! 

[James Smith]

Titus 3:4-5 ... But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

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