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The Preciousness of Jesus!

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“Unto you who believe, He is precious!” 1 Peter 2:7

In the bustling noise of our daily lives, amidst the clamor of distractions, there exists a priceless and sacred truth–the preciousness of Jesus! He is . . .
  the cornerstone of our faith,
  the embodiment of divine love,
  and the source of eternal hope!

In the moments of doubt and despair, when the shadows of affliction loom large–it is in Jesus that we find solace and strength! His presence is a beacon of light in the darkness, guiding us through life’s tumultuous seas.

Think of the moments when you felt broken-hearted, when the weight of your troubles seemed too heavy to bear. It is Jesus who gently lifts us up, wrapping us in His comforting embrace, whispering words of hope and grace.

His preciousness is not measured in gold or silver, but in . . .
  the depth of His compassion,
  the boundlessness of His mercy,
  and the unfailing constancy of His love.

In Him, we find . . .
  forgiveness for our failings,
  redemption for our sins,
  and the promise of eternal life!

As we journey through this wilderness world, let us treasure Jesus above all else! Let . . .
  His teachings be our guide,
  His example be our inspiration,
  and His presence be our greatest joy!

For in Him, we find the fulfillment of our deepest longings and the purpose of our existence.

May we never lose sight of the preciousness of Jesus, for in Him we find . . .
  true significance,
  lasting peace,
  and everlasting life!

“Yes, He is altogether lovely. This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend!” Song of Songs 5:16

Swine  wallowing in the mire, and dogs  devouring their own vomit!

(Charles Simeon)  LISTEN to Audio!  Download Audio

There are but two classes of people mentioned in the Scriptures, and to one or other of them we all belong. There is no intermediate category.

Indeed we cannot always determine to which of these classes men belong, because we cannot discern their hearts. But the all-seeing God, to whom all things are open and exposed, will differentiate them from each other, as easily as we distinguish cats from dogs.

It is of infinite importance that we should have this truth impressed on our minds, for we are ready to rank among the wicked, only those who are guilty of heinous crimes, whereas all are wicked, who are not truly converted to God.

God’s testimony respecting them is applicable to them all, whether they are more or less wicked in respect to gross sins.

The openly debauched are surely exceedingly loathsome in the sight of God!

Let anyone but notice their speech–and how replete is it with lewdness and blasphemy!

Let their character be marked–and what evil dispositions they manifest on all occasions!

Let their conduct be scrutinized, their drunkenness, their whoredoms, and all their other abominations–and who must not confess the justice of that scriptural representation, which compares them to swine wallowing in the mire, and dogs  devouring their own vomit!

The more decent people, it is true, do not appear so vile in the eyes of men. Yes, perhaps they are even honored and esteemed by others–yet they are loathsome in the sight of God!

What monsters of ingratitude are the very best of unregenerate men! What inconceivable mercies have they received from God, and yet they have never spent one hour in humble and grateful thanksgiving. How loathsome then must they be to the God of all grace!

We confess that their actions may have appeared good to men, but how have their hearts appeared to the all-seeing God? Have they not been a very sink of iniquity? Yes, so depraved are the very best of men, that there are few, if any, who would not rather die–than have all the secrets of their hearts known to men, as they are known to God! What then are such people, but white-washed grave-stones! No wonder that, however they are esteemed among men–both their persons and their works are an abomination to the Lord!

“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked! Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives!” Jeremiah 17:9-10

Why me, Lord?

(Charles Simeon)  LISTEN to Audio!  Download Audio

“The Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me!” Galatians 2:20

Well may every child of God exclaim with wonder, “What astonishing love is this,
  that You have loved me from eternity past,
  that You should give Your precious Son to redeem me,
  and Your eternal Spirit to sanctify me by His grace?”

In the review of his own life, he may well add, “Why me, Lord?” Why have You,
  chosen me,
  and redeemed me,
  and snatched me as a burning brand out of the fire!

Yes truly, in the review of all these mercies, I must of necessity exclaim: I praise You Lord, with all my soul! May I never forget the wondrous things which You have done for me! You have . . .
  forgiven all my sins,
  and redeemed me from damnation,
  and will crown me with Your love and tender mercies forever!”

Ephesians 1:3-6, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ! For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will, to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves!”

The Christian Journey

(Mary Winslow, “Life in Jesus”)  LISTEN to audio!  Download audio

Life is a journey, often a short one, and always uncertain.

But there is another journey. The believer is traveling through a waste howling wilderness, to another and a glorious region, where ineffable delight and happiness await us.

The road is narrow, the entrance strait–so strait that thousands miss it and perish in the wilderness. But true believers, under the teaching and convoy of the Holy Spirit, find it and walk in it.

The King, in His infinite love and compassion, has made a hedge about them–separating and defending them from the many beasts of prey that lurk around them; and although they hear their howlings and behold their threatenings, they are safe from their power.

But their strongest foe is within themselves–a heart deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. From this there is no escape but by constant watchfulness, and earnest cries to their best Friend and Guide for protection.

Were it not for this faithful Guide, how often, discouraged by reason of the way, would they turn back!  But He . . .
  watches over them by night and by day, 
  strengthens them when weak, 
  upholds them when falling, 
  encourages them when cast down, 
  defends them when attacked, 
  provides for them when in need, 
  leads them by living streams, and 
  causes them there to lie down in pleasant pastures, and on sunny banks.

And as they advance they obtain brighter views of the good land they are nearing. And they long to see the King in His beauty, and the land that is yet very far off, and to meet those that have already arrived on that happy shore.

The Holy Spirit

(David Harsha, “The Savior’s Ascension”)  LISTEN to Audio!  Download Audio 
 
The Spirit is given to supply the Savior’s absence, and to apply to our souls the redemption finished on Calvary. It is His blessed work to glorify Jesus–to testify of Him.

Through His power we are:
  renewed and sanctified,
  filled ‘with all joy and peace in believing,’
  and ‘abound in hope’ of a blissful immortality. 
 
The Spirit reveals the Savior to our souls in a manner that renders Him exceedingly precious in our estimation. He shows us . . .
  His excellence,
  the perfections of His divine nature, as the brightness of the Father’s glory
  His power, as the Creator of all things,
  His wisdom,
  His immutability,
  His eternity! 
 
The Spirit exhibits to us . . .
  the amazing love of Jesus to sinners,
  the wonders of His incarnation,
  the amiableness of His life on earth,
  the spotless purity of His character,
  the unparalleled sufferings of His life,
  the fruits of His death, resurrection, ascension and intercession! 
 
The Spirit shows us His suitableness to our needs as sinners. He points us to Calvary, and whispers in our ears the cheering truth that we have redemption through the blood of Jesus, even the forgiveness of sins! 
 
The Spirit comforts us amid all the tribulations of earth:
  by assuring us that our trials are but light and momentary,
  by perfecting His strength in our weakness,
  by bringing to our remembrance the many precious words of the Lord Jesus,
  by communicating to us the things of God,
  by lifting our hearts above the world, and
  by pointing us to a home of rest and glory beyond the skies–where tribulation, and anguish, and death, never come!

Yes, by His divine power thus operating on our minds, He enables us to look far beyond the present. He direct faith’s far reaching eye to our Father’s house, and the fountains of immortal life, flowing through those sweet fields beyond the swelling flood–the sight of which makes us long to be there, that we may see Jesus as He is, and taste His goodness on the shores of the promised land! 

Why?

(David Harsha, “Christ Crucified”)  LISTEN to Audio!  Download Audio

Why does the Lord of life and glory suffer?

Why does He endure that piercing agony and that bloody sweat in gloomy Gethsemane?

Why is He condemned to the death of Calvary?

Look at the crucified Jesus!

Why does He hang on that bloody cross?

Why are those blessed hands and feet nailed to the accursed tree?

Why is that dear side pierced with the soldier’s spear?

Why does the immaculate Lamb of God thus bleed?

Ah! believing sinner, it is for you! 

For you, Christ endured that indescribable agony in Gethsemane, and those excruciating pains on Calvary!

For you, the blood trickles down those pale cheeks, and streams from that pierced side.

For you, the Son of God endures the hidings of His Father’s face–until He is led to exclaim in the bitterness of His soul, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” 

For you, His last breath is drawn, and His last cry uttered, “It is finished!” 
 
O could you but see with faith’s vision, what Christ has done for you–surely your whole heart would burn with love to such a Savior, who, to ransom your precious soul from eternal woe, shed His own blood! That precious blood was poured out to cleanse you from the guilt of sin!

Sin, then, was the cause of the sufferings and death of God’s dear Son. Ah! sinner, you have slain the innocent Lamb of God! You have caused those wounds on Immanuel’s glorious person. Your sins pierced Him to the very heart!

Had any other condition been better for you than the one in which you are in

(Charles Spurgeon)

“He chooses our inheritance for us.” Psalm 47:4

“Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.” Psalm 25:12 

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8 

“As for God, His way is perfect. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him.” Psalm 18:30 

“He guides the humble in what is right, and teaches them His way.” Psalm 25:9 

“I guide you in the way of wisdom, and lead you along straight paths.” Proverbs 4:11 

Believer, if your place is a lowly one, you should be satisfied with your earthly portion–for you may rest assured that it is the fittest for you. Unerring wisdom ordained your lot, and selected the safest and best condition for you!

Christian! You would run aground and suffer shipwreck–if your divine Captain did not steer you into the depths of affliction where waves of trouble follow each other in quick succession.

It may be that you are planted where you get but little sunshine. Be assured that you are put there by the heavenly Gardener because only in that situation will you bring forth fruit unto perfection. Had any other condition been better for you than the one in which you are in–divine love would have put you there. You are placed by God in the most suitable circumstances.

Take up your own daily cross–it is the burden best suited for your shoulder and will prove most effective to make you perfect in every good work to the glory of God.

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Philippians 4:11-12 

They think they have all the religion they need!

(Charles Simeon)  LISTEN to Audio!  Download Audio

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation!
 Old things have passed away.
 Behold, all things have become new!” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Most people view Christianity as a superficial thing, consisting in a bare assent to certain notions, and a formal observance of certain religious rites. If they have some general views of Christianity; if they occasionally attend a church service; and finally, if they are not guilty of any scandalous sins–they think they have all the religion they need! But they merely substitute the shadow for the substance, and the external  for the internal.

True and saving religion is widely different from this! It is a radical conversion of the soul, turning from sin, and turning to God.

True religion, as it exists in the soul, is a heaven-born principle that pervades and operates in all our faculties. It . . .
  restrains our passions,
  corrects our desires,
  and purifies our affections.
It enters into all our motives, and subjects everything to itself.

Saving religion will endure no rival; nor will it make a truce with any sin–however dear and habitual.

It will reign over the whole man.
It brings its votary to the foot of the cross.
It constrains him to walk in the steps of his divine Master.
It progressively transforms him into the image of Christ!

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you.
 I will remove from you your heart of stone, and give you a heart of flesh.
 And I will put My Spirit in you, and cause you to follow My decrees, and be careful to keep My laws!” Ezekiel 36:26-27

A cross of their own choosing!

(Thomas Watson, “The Art of Divine Contentment”)  LISTEN to Audio!  Download Audio

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
 I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot.
 In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content;
 whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.”
Philippians 4:11-12

Paul knew how to manage in every state–he learned to be content whatever his circumstances.
If he was in prosperity, he knew how to be thankful.
If he was in adversity, he knew how to be patient.
He was neither lifted up with prosperity, nor cast down with adversity.

A Christian should be content in any and every situation.
Many are contented in some conditions–but not in every condition.
They can be content in a wealthy state.
When they have the streams of milk and honey–now they are content;
  but if the wind turns and is against them–now they are discontented.
While they have a silver crutch to lean upon–they are contented;
  but if God breaks this crutch–now they are discontented.

Many would be content with their affliction–if God would allow them to pick and choose! They could better endure sickness–than poverty; or bear loss of estate–than loss of children. If they might have a cross of their own choosing, they would be content!

But a contented Christian does not desire to choose his cross–but leaves God to choose for him! He is content both for the kind of the afflictions, and the duration of the afflictions, which God gives him. A contented man says, “Let God apply whatever medicine He pleases, and let it lie on as long as He desires. I know when it has done its cure, and eaten the venom of sin out of my heart–that God will take it away!”

A contented Christian, being sweetly captivated under the authority of the Word, desires to be wholly at God’s disposal, and cheerfully lives in whatever circumstances that God has placed him in. “I delight in weaknesses, in  insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.” (2 Corinthians 12:10) He does not only submit to God’s dealings, but rejoices in them!

O stand amazed at His free grace!

(Thomas Sherman, “Divine Breathings; Or, a Pious Soul Thirsting after Christ”)

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O precious saint! Three questions call for your answer:
   1. What were you? 
   2. What are you? 
   3. What shall you be?

1. What were you? 
  Dead in your transgressions and sins, 
  a rebel to your God, 
  a prodigal to your Father, 
  a slave to your lust, 
  the devil’s captive, 
  on the highway to Hell!

2. What are you? 
  Redeemed by Christ, 
  a royal child of God, 
  the spouse of Christ,
  the temple of the Holy Spirit, 
  the heir of a priceless eternal inheritance!

3. What shall you be? 
  A glorious saint, 
  a companion of angels, 
  a triumphant victor, 
  a crowned king, 
  an attendant on the Lamb, 
  a participant in those soul-ravishing and ineffable excellencies that are in God! 
You shall behold the King of Glory face to face, and enjoy immediate communion with Jesus Christ! 

Nay more, you are made one with Him:
  clothed with His excellencies,
  enthroned with His glories,
  crowned with His eternity,
  and filled with His felicity!

“No eye has seen, 
 no ear has heard, and 
 no mind has imagined . . .
what God has prepared for those who love Him!” 1 Corinthians 2:9

O stand amazed at His free grace–and render all the glory to God!

If you meet that poor wretch who thrust his spear into My side!

(Benjamin Grosvenor, “The Temper of Jesus Christ towards His Enemies, and His Grace to the Chief of Sinners”)  LISTEN to Audio!  Download Audio

“Repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” Luke 24:47

It is very affecting that the first offers of grace should be made to those who, of all people in the world–had done Him the most harm! 

One would rather have expected the apostles would have received another kind of charge, and that Christ wouldhave said: “Let repentance and forgiveness of sins be preached–but do NOT carry it to Jerusalem, that wicked city, that has been the slaughter-house of my prophets, whom I have often sent. Last of all, I myself, the Son, came–and with wicked hands, they have crucified and murdered Me! They may do the same to you! Do not let the gospel enter those wicked gates, through which they led Me, its Author, to crucifixion!”

But Christ singles out exactly these murderous people of Jerusalem–to make monuments of His mercy, and commands the first offer of eternal life to be made to them! 

As if our Lord had said: “Lest the poor house of Israel should think themselves abandoned to eternal despair–as cruel and vile as they have been–go, make the first offer of grace to them! Let those who spilled My blood–be welcome to its healing virtue. Tell them that there is repentance and forgiveness, even for them!

“Nay,  if you meet that poor wretch who thrust his spear into My side, tell him that there is another way, a better way of coming to My heart–even My heart’s love! Tell him, that if he will repent, and look upon Me whom he has pierced, and will mourn–then I will cherish him in that very bosom which he has wounded! Tell him that he shall find the blood which he has shed–to be an ample atonement for the sin of shedding it! And tell him from Me, that he will put Me to more pain and displeasure by refusing this offer of My blood–than when he first drew it forth!” 

“For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance!” Matthew 9:13

(John Fawcett, “Christ Precious“)

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“Leaving you an example so that you should follow in His steps.” 1 Peter 2:21

“He who says he abides in Him, should  walk just as He walked.” 1 John 2:6

We see, in our Divine Leader, the several precepts of God’s Word drawn out in living characters. We behold them reduced to practice, and represented to the life–in the whole of His conduct towards God and man. We see one in our nature, amidst all the assaults of temptation, amidst all the opposition which malignity could invent, and all the allurements of this glittering world–behaving in a manner exactly agreeable to the dictates of the Divine law, and leaving us an example that we should follow His steps. 

Surely it must be delightful, not only to contemplate His character–but to the utmost of our power to imitate the most perfect pattern which was ever exhibited. It must be desirable, by constant and strenuous exertions, according to our measure, to endeavor to trace the steps of His lovely feet.

It is impossible to contemplate the character of Jesus, with serious and devout attention–and not be charmed with it. We see in Him, all the human virtues in the highest perfection. His joys were grave, his griefs were just; his gentleness and his severity, his holiness and his humanity–were in perfect harmony with each other. He manifested great tenderness, and genuine affection, and sensibility to human woe–on all occasions.

As He did no sin–so, on the other hand, every shining virtue was exemplified in Him to highest degree.
His humility and meekness; 
His contempt of the world; 
His heavenly temper; 
His love to the Father, and zeal for His honor; 
His activity and diligence in doing good; 
His submission to the Father’s will; 
His patience amidst the heaviest and severest sufferings;
His constancy in the exercises of retired devotion; and 
His praying for His enemies who spilt His blood
–can never be sufficiently admired. 

When you are tempted to any vanity–set the blessed Redeemer before you, consider His example, and ask yourself, “How would Jesus, my Lord and Master, have acted in such a case? Would He have spent His time upon such trifles? Would He have spoken such and such; or done this or the other thing, which I am solicited to do? And shall I give way to that which would be a manifest deviation from His example? God forbid!”

O Christians, fix your eyes intensely on the great exemplar! Thus you will, through Divine grace, daily grow in love with meekness, patience, and lowliness of heart. 

The more I contemplate His lovely character while He sojourned on earth–the more I am delighted with it. To have the same mind in me which was in Christ Jesus, and to tread in His steps–should be my constant aim. Those who are received by Him to the possession of everlasting felicity in Heaven–have humbly traced His footsteps upon earth. Of them it is said, “These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes!” They are forevermore led by Him, even in the celestial world–to the enjoyment of ever-new delights and pleasures!