iReminisce: Sarah & The Dolphin

As iReminisce…Facebook Memories says it’s been 4 years(wow, where did that time go?) since Sarah met her amazing new friend….I have copied the post below from a day on our first cruise as it gives a lovely story of the day. Hope you enjoy as you join us on our loving and warm memories. šŸ˜ŽĀ 

Road town logo

🌓 Day Navigator 🌓

1Ā –Ā 2Ā –Ā 3Ā –Ā 4Ā –Ā 5Ā –Ā 6Ā –Ā 7Ā –Ā 8Ā –Ā 9Ā –Ā 10Ā –Ā 11Ā –Ā 12Ā –Ā 13Ā –Ā 14Ā –Ā 15Ā –Ā 16Ā –Ā 17Ā –Ā 18Ā –Ā 19

Absorbing Ā The Landscapes…

As we were at anchor during our visit to Road Town, with local ship’s tender boats transferring us to, and from the shore. We had a little time to take some photos before we left the ship. It was so calm and peaceful as we stood in front of this beautiful landscape.

A view of the front tip of the boat in front of a beautiful landscape

Me on the left taking a photo of the coastline, whilst a boat enters the image from the right. Also the image has a overkill blue filter

⇧ Sorry…i couldn’t resist the overkill blue filter effect! šŸ™‚ ⇧ Ā 

A beautiful image of the small islands of Road Town

⇧ The beautiful coastline of Road Town ⇧ Ā 

A boat leaving its stream from left to right with the coastline behind it

 ⇧ I listened patiently until the boat that i couldn’t see was hopefully on the right of my shot! šŸ™‚ ⇧ 

Road Town hillside

⇧ The rolling green hills of Road Town ⇧ Ā 

After having a fun(bobbing up and down) tender boat ride, we were driven along the coastal road covered in vivid green trees which stroked the tops of brightly coloured bungalows.

The Dolphin Encounter…

We had now arrived at the Prospect Reef Resort where Sarah got into the water to splash around with dolphins that call this place home.

As Sarah’s eye had been closed to keep out infections, we thought it was best to choose the ā€œDolphin Encounterā€ instead of the fully immersed Ā ā€œSwim with Dolphinsā€. We just couldn’t risk it!Ā 

I booked the ā€œDolphin Observerā€ which didn’t turn out well. Sarah & i were separated and i had no way of knowing which pool she was entering, so i waited on the nearest seats i could find, quietly listening for her name to be called out. Then as i’d hear it, i’d whip out my camera and get some shots. I didn’t hear her name as i was sat at completely the wrong pool. 😦

But all is not lost…i bought the fantastic photos taken by their photographer. Yay! šŸ™‚Ā 

Sarah wearing swim suit and life jscket, stood in front of a large surf board promoting the dolphins

 ⇧ Sarah stood in front of the surf board logo sign ⇧ 

Ā  Sarah had never done anything like this before, she was excited and apprehensive at the same time. But as soon as she got into the water and met her new friend, she was blown away! šŸ™‚

Step 1: Meeting the dolphin…Ā 

Sarah on the right touching the dolphins nose

Sarah now looking at the camera with a huge smile on her face, whist still touching the dolphins nose

 ⇧ Sarah’s first touch of the dolphin ⇧ 

Step 2: Dancing with the dolphin…Ā 

Sarah said as she took hold of both flippers, the dolphin started a funky wiggle dance! šŸ™‚Ā 

Sarah stood on the right holding both flippers whilst having a dance with the dolphin

 ⇧ Sarah dancing with her new friend ⇧ Ā 

Step 3: The Kiss…Ā 

Sarah getting a kiss from the dolphin

 ⇧ Sarah receiving a kiss on the cheek from the dolphin ⇧ 

Dolphin totally out of the water half way through a jump

⇧ Dolphin showing its excitement after meeting Sarah! šŸ™‚  ⇧ Ā 

Once Sarah was dried off and changed, and we collected the photo CD, it was time to catch the bus back and head for Road Towns pretty main street and market.Ā 

We had one place in mind(if we could find it) ā€œSunny Caribbeeā€. Everybody was talking about this place and the incredible local spices, sauces, coffee, artwork…everything! šŸ™‚Ā 

We got off the bus and walked into town. We walked for a while longer, then we did(what we always did) when we got lost on our trip…listen for a broad northern accent! It was only seconds until we found some people from our ship who pointed us in the right direction! šŸ™‚Ā 

Sunny Caribbee…

Sunny Caribbee

⇧ Photo of the shop front of Sunny Caribbee ⇧ Ā Ā 

Sunny Caribbee Hot Spices

⇧ Bottled sauces with fantastic hats! šŸ™‚ ⇧

Once inside the shop we were amazed by the variety and beauty of the products, and how lovely and helpful the ladies were, We just wanted to take everything! Once we saw the sauce bottles with the hats, we just had to get them as presents! šŸ™‚ Ā 

We were sad to leave Sunny Caribbee, but it was time to head off to the main street market as Sarah had seen some beautifully coloured dresses!

Sarah bought a lovely bright dress, but no photos yet. 😦  

After getting lost again in the town, we managed to find directions (yes another northern couple) back to the tender boats. It was another bobbing boat ride back to the ship.

We then took our usual seats in the Coffee Port, while drinking our favourite double espresso macchiato’s, we watched the islands disappear as the ship sailed away.

Our Route 4 2day…

This afternoon Thomson Dream sails to Philipsburg, St Maarten. We’ll arrive tomorrow morning having travelled 92 nautical miles at an average speed of 8 knots.

ā‡ Previous DayĀ –Ā Next Day ā‡

🌓 Day Navigator 🌓

1Ā –Ā 2Ā –Ā 3Ā –Ā 4Ā –Ā 5Ā –Ā 6Ā –Ā 7Ā –Ā 8Ā –Ā 9Ā –Ā 10Ā –Ā 11Ā –Ā 12Ā –Ā 13Ā –Ā 14Ā –Ā 15Ā –Ā 16Ā –Ā 17Ā –Ā 18Ā –Ā 19

šŸ‡¬šŸ‡© Tropical Delights Tour: Day 4 St. George’s, Grenada

One of my first attempts at a Time-Lapse video…

The Marella Explorer

Yay, Safe On The Dock….

Island of Grenada from the sea

Once we found and boarded our coach ready for our excursion to the Nutmeg factory, then on to the Chocolate factory..We settled in and Sarah took a lovely photo of the bay of Grenada. We came to the Nutmeg factory last year as it’s Sarah’s fave place, as the incredible smell of nutmeg fills her with warm memories of her Nan Peters when she used it in her cooking.

View of the bay of Grenada

The Nutmeg Factory….

Inside Nutmeg factory

Inside nutmeg factory 2

Inside nutmeg factory 3

Inside nutmeg factory 4

After Sarah stocked up on Aloe Vera oils etc…She had missed getting some of this last year when we had a similar tour…Our Tui tour guide showed us how the Cocoa bean is grown and how they produce it ready for the chocolate.

IMG 4915

The Chocolate Factory…

Sorry but didn’t get any photos or videos of the factory. But the local Mango & Lemon punch was amazing and refreshing…But that was a shadow of the ginger & dark chocolate bar! I saved it until we were back in the UK but i now wished i’d bought about 10 of them instead of 1, i think we need to go back next year!! šŸ˜Ž Ā 

🌓DayĀ 1Ā –Ā 2Ā –Ā 3Ā – 4 –Ā 5 🌓

Ā Join the ā€œBlind Sightseersā€ on more adventuresĀ HERE

Commanded to love

wordpicturesbydlink's avatar-Word- pictures by DLink

Romans 13;8

Believers are commanded to love not only other Christians, but also non-Christians.

Commentary from the MacArthur study Bible, notes for Romans 13:8.

View original post

šŸ‡§šŸ‡¶ Tropical Delights Tour: Day 3 Kralendijk, Bonaire

YAY…HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH!!!

Today was the birthday excursion for Sarah. It was a second choice as the first choice was sold out weeks before we’d even started our cruise. We were thinking about the 4×4 Land Rover trip we’d done in the Azores(see here) but couldn’t really get excited…As it was much hotter here and the thought of being crammed in the back of a Land Rover really wasn’t doing anything for us today. So what we thought was going to be an anticlimax…Turned out to be the best trip of the whole holiday! Oh and i’d just travelled in my best vehicle of all time! šŸ˜ŽĀ 

The 1961 Yellow Unimog…

Awww friends….Let me introduce you to this Yellow, 1961 Unimog…..have you seen the tires, lol! It threw us around like crazy and i still can’t believe that he didn’t slow down for anything. There is no way a vehicle can hit rocks, huge pot holes, climb cracked hills and go around tight bends whilst travelling at break neck speed, it would have destroyed anything else and left them in a pile of spare parts, lol. I’m not sure they issued these with brake pedals! šŸ˜Ž

Sarah & i infront of the yellow 1961 Uniog

Arawak Off-road Safari…Ā 

Ā First, we Ā climbed into the Subi Rincon hills, where the amazing yellow Unimog stopped at a set of time-worn Indian caves.

Cave in Bonaire
Ā 
Ā Bertrand was our fantastic guide, and even better rally driver, lol. He said he had a PHD(pot hole dodger) although he didn’t dodge anything but drove straight over everything which made the ride so much fun…We were all hanging on for dear life!! šŸ˜Ž Ā 

view overlooking the island of Bonaire

Ā The Bonaire Donkey’s…Ā 

The Bonaire Donkeys

Panorama of the lakes and saltflats with the wind turbines in the centre on the horison

the beauty spot, Seru Largu. This cross-topped monument sits on a raised platform, setting Sarah up with panoramic views of the capital, Kralendijk.

Panorama of the island of Bonaire
Ā Ā 
Sarah & i overlooking the island of Bonaire
Ā 
Ā Back at the ship…
Ā 
After the incredible and mind bending ride in the Unimog, we quickly went onboard and had an iced coffee before heading out into the town to see what goodies we could find.
Yay, we managed to buy another bauble for our Christmas tree…Oh and i bought another bright and colourful shirt.
Ā 
The Evening Meal…
Ā 
We had a lovely Italian meal and the highlight for Sarah were the sugar free Profiteroles…Now that was a fantastic ending to an even greater day! Happy Birthday Sarah!!
Profiteroles

🌓DayĀ 1Ā –Ā 2Ā –Ā 3Ā –Ā 4Ā –Ā 5 🌓

Ā Join the ā€œBlind Sightseersā€ on more adventuresĀ HERE

Ā 

šŸ‡ØšŸ‡¼ Tropical Delights Tour: Day 2, Willemstad, Curacao

Ā šŸ‡ØšŸ‡¼Ā Welcome toĀ Willemstad, Curacao!!!

Me stood on the right of a panorama with the boat in the centre and the colourful buildings behind me.

Our ship in the dock looking down from the bridge with the surrounding town

Ā After we boarded the coach and met our tour guide, we drove past the island’s salt flats and on to the Hato Caves that are full of stalagmites and stalactites.

Unfortunately as we arrived, and after climbing about 50 steep and uneven steps to the mouth of the cave…It was way too dark for Sarah & i, so we had to carefully go back down the steps on a tactical withdrawal. On the plus side, we had a coffee in a lovely yellow local coffee shop. šŸ˜Ž Ā 

bottles of Curacao hanging on a display wall

Next up, we headed over to the Chobolo Liqueur Factory, passing the Queen Juliana Bridge on the way. At the factory, we got to see how the island’s famous Blue Curacao Liqueur is made. The drink is distilled from the dried peel of bitter oranges, and you’ll get to taste it for yourself.

Sarah was excited to see where this drink was from and how it was made, as she and her friend Caroline used to like this drink back in the day.

Lastly, we headed back to the ship via downtown Willemstad and had a look around.

Ā The shop, houses and buildings here were Sarahs fave of all! Wow those colours! We really couldn’t decide on a few photos, so we posted them all. Hope you enjoy!

View of Curacao colourful Buildings 1

View of Curacao sock 1

IMG 4816

IMG 4819

IMG 4811

IMG 4800

Me stood in front tof the colourful Curacao buildings wearing a Curacao orange shirt

 ⇧ Yay i managed to find a new orange shirt! ⇧ Ā 

IMG 1759

IMG 1761

Back onboard the Marella Explorer…Ā 

Ā On our return to our centre front cabin we found our first towel art. Sarah thought is was a rabbit sniper…Please let us know what you think it is in the comments below?! šŸ˜ŽĀ 

IMG 4838

IMG 1766

 ⇧ Sarah saying goodbye to the best buildings ever from our cabin ⇧ 

IMG 4826

Ā And finally we were blessed with a beautiful sunset from our cabin window, wow what a day!

🌓DayĀ 1Ā –Ā 2Ā –Ā 3Ā –Ā 4Ā –Ā 5 🌓

Ā Join the ā€œBlind Sightseersā€ on more adventuresĀ HERE

Ā 

šŸ‡±šŸ‡ØTropical Delights Tour: Day 5 Castries, St. Lucia

šŸ‡±šŸ‡ØThe Incredible Pitons At Saint Lucia!

The Pitons of Saint Lucia from our Catamaran

Sarah & i booked a Catamaran cruise to the Pitons…What a stunning trip. Last year we had booked a trip through the multiple layers of the rain forest so we thought we would see Saint Lucia by sea this time….Wow, we were not disappointed.Ā 

View of a posh resort in Saint Lucia from the Catamaran

Sarah & i onboard the Catamaran with Saint Lucia in the background

🌓DayĀ 1Ā –Ā 2Ā –Ā 3Ā –Ā 4Ā –Ā 5 🌓

Ā Join the ā€œBlind Sightseersā€ on more adventuresĀ HERE

Ā 

šŸ‡¦šŸ‡¼ Tropical Delights Tour: Day 1 Oranjestad, Aruba

Hi all! Thanks for joining Sarah & i on our Birthday celebration holiday, it’s great to have friends along for the ride.

Marella Explorer…

Unbelievably this is the Blind Sightseers 6th cruse! We have never been on the Marella Explorer and Sarah had booked cabin 8001 which is dead centre and right at the front of the ship. She chose this cabin as she thought the views from the window would be fantastic….She’s right again! šŸ˜ŽĀ 

All it was missing is a steering wheel, lol.

A view of a sunset from our cabin on the Marella Explorer looking directly forward and centre at the front of the ship

⇧ View from our cabin NĆø 8001 ⇧ 

Day at Sea…

Before getting to Aruba we had a day at sea. We were pleased with this as it gave us time to walk about 80,000 steps to find out where we could get Breakfast and the evening meal…But most of all find the Coffee Port to see if they made lovely strong coffee!

Ā šŸ‡¦šŸ‡¼ Aruba…

As usual we had booked an excursion for each of the 5 islands we were visiting and todays excursion is: De Palm Island – Full Day, Aruba.

De Palm Island has got it all. Set adrift off the Aruban coastline, this private reef offers up pristine waters and a huge variety of exotic marine life, it’s a first-class spot for an underwater exploration. Your day will start off with a short boat trip over to the island, where the friendly staff will be waiting to meet you. After a short safety briefing, you’re ready to slip on your mask and wade into the warm, clear waters. Expect to meet friendly blue parrotfish and angelfish. Back on dry land, there’ll be time to sprawl out on the sand, take your seat for a banana boat ride or visit the island’s small waterpark before heading back to the ship. Don’t forget that a full buffet lunch and refreshments throughout the day will be included.Ā 

My lovely wife Sarah

 ⇧ My lovely Wife Sarah catching some long awaited sunshine ⇧ 

Me stood on the left in a orange caribbean shirt carrying a black backpack with views of palm island, Aruba in the background

Ā Yay…It was the first time in a while that i’d been able to wear the bright orange shirt i bought in Saint Kitts from our first cruise…Read all about it here.

Ā Sarah & i had a great time wondering around this beautiful little island and we also found our fave place….The gift shop! We love to find some things that help us remember the amazing journeys/adventures we have conquered. Ā 

Back at the dock…

After a short boat ride back to the ship, we had enough time to get changed, leave our bags and have a well needed iced-coffee before heading out to explore as much as we can without getting lost before the ship leaves.

We walked up one street and turned right before Sarah stopped and said ā€œWow, she’s having her photo taken in front of that cool wall art/sign. Quick get one of meā€ ā€œOk my lovely, you’re wearing your new yellow Michael Kors t-shirt too, i hope i get everything inā€. Sarah had bought this t-shirt for our holidays and couldn’t wait to put on the lovely bright colours and flowers.

Sarah stood on a surf board in her new yellow Michael Kors t-shirt.

Ā This is one of my fave photos as it shows Sarah’s smile is as bright as her t-shirt.Ā 

We have started collecting Christmas Tree Baubles too since i started going abroad 5 years ago. We love unpacking them at Christmas and filling the tree with all Ā of the places we visit. We think its a lovely idea to fill the tree with our lives journeys and give thanks to God for everything.

Walking back to the ship we finally found a local Bauble maker…Her daughter makes and paints them herself. We bought it(photo later when Sarah finds where we put them on our return home)

Our wonderful new friends…Ā 

Photo of 6 of us after a lovely evening meal. Sarah & i meeting 5 new friends

Ā Going back to our day at sea…Sarah & i like to share a table with other passengers, mainly to take this opportunity to try and be sociable( being blind and trapped in your very small world & not having any eye contact it’s almost impossible to be sociable. or start conversations). So asking someone to read the menu for you because we are blind is a great ice breaker, lol!Ā 

We met 2 lovely couples that night and you will hear about them throughout this trip!

Tomorrow…Curacao…Ā 

Thanks once again for joining us on our adventure, i hope you’ll join us tomorrow for our trip around Curacao.Ā 

🌓DayĀ 1Ā –Ā 2Ā –Ā 3Ā –Ā 4Ā –Ā 5 🌓

Ā Join the ā€œBlind Sightseersā€ on more adventuresĀ HERE

Ā 

šŸ‡§šŸ‡§ Celebrating Our Birthdays On Holiday! šŸ‡§šŸ‡§

Sarah with arms in the air on the far left of the photo, running along an empty beach in Barbados

⇧ Whoopppooo….Freeddoooommmmm!  ⇧ 

Hi all!! The Blind Sightseers(Sarah & i) are just back from an amazing holiday for the last 2 weeks. We celebrated our birthdays whilst we were away too. šŸ˜ŽĀ 

I hope you don’t mind?? But for Ā a week or so i’ll be posting some of the photos from our time away. We really were blown away with the beauty of God’s creation!Ā 

Thanks for all of your patience & friendship….I hope you enjoy the photos as much as we enjoyed capturing them. šŸ˜Ž

🌓DayĀ 1Ā –Ā 2Ā –Ā 3Ā –Ā 4Ā –Ā 5 🌓

Ā Join the ā€œBlind Sightseersā€ on more adventuresĀ HERE

He who trifles with it is a fool!

Grace logo

He who trifles with it is a fool!

(J.A. James, “The Practical Believer Delineated“)

“Show me, O LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life!” Psalm 39:4Ā 

If the man whoĀ tremblesĀ at death is a coward–thenĀ he whoĀ triflesĀ with it is a fool!Ā 
There is a thousand times more rationality in the trembler–than in the trifler!Ā 

There is a phenomenon in the rational world well worthy of consideration, inquiry and solution–the strange and fatal insensibility of men to the grand fact that they are mortal! Since it is infallibly certain that they must and will die, and since death is so solemn an event–how does it happen that so few ever seriously think of it or really prepare for it?Ā 

One would think that so grand and solemn a fact as death, especially viewed in connection with the events which are to immediately follow it–Heaven, Hell and eternity–along with theĀ uncertaintyĀ how soon it may be realized–might operate with an unlimited and altogether overpowering influence upon men’s minds and hearts!

But men wish to forget death–and alas, too often succeed in accomplishingĀ this fatal oblivion!Ā Yet we can scarcely wonder at this, when we consider what their spiritual condition is–and what death is!Ā 

It is theĀ commonnessĀ of death, which deprives it of its extreme dreadfulness. If death happened in our world only once in a century, it would be felt like the shock of an earthquake–and would hush the inhabitants of earth into a breathless silence, while the echoes of the knell of the departed soul were reverberating around the globe!

Death is . . .
Ā  the moment of destiny;
Ā  the seal of eternity;
Ā  the cessation of probation;
Ā  the commencement of retribution and judgment!Ā 

TheĀ accompanimentsĀ of death are solemn, and so are theĀ consequences!Ā 

To everyĀ sense–death is revolting!

To everyĀ social affection–death is harrowing!

ToĀ reason–death is perplexing!

To everything but saving faith–death is overwhelming!

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom!” Psalm 90:12Ā 

The more I see of Jesus

Grace logo

The more I see of Jesus

(Mary Winslow)

“My ears hadĀ heardĀ of You, but now my eyes haveĀ seenĀ You! Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:5-6Ā 

The more I see of Jesus, the more He opens to me His loving heart–the deeper is my sorrow for sin. I lie down in the dust at His feet closer than ever I did before. I can truly say I abhor myself in dust and ashes before Him. My heart seems ready to melt into contrition in view of the ten thousand thousand sins, willful and aggravating–that I have committed against Him who loved me with an everlasting love, and with loving kindness drew me to Himself.Ā 

So eternal and deep, so sovereign and boundless is the love of Jesus, that angels cannot fathom it! He is nothing but sincere, constant, and unabating love–to the weakest, the most unworthy of all His little flock.Ā 

I feel such a weariness of this world that nothing here gives me anything more than a momentary, passing pleasure–and it is gone at a glance.

Oh, to have such a Friend as Jesus, who feels all our sorrows, carries all our burdens, and has promised to bring us safely through this trying world, and place us at last at His own right hand, where neither sickness nor sorrow shall ever come!

Oh for Heaven! Nothing else will satisfy my longing soul, but the sight of Him it loves.

Jesus is all in all to me, and He will be all in all through eternity!

Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name!Ā 

Ā Ā  ~Ā  ~Ā  ~Ā  ~Ā 

For those who desire additional devotional reading, here is an uplifting short article byĀ J.R. Miller, “Heavenly Worship”Ā 

One continued dream and delusion!

Grace logo

One continued dream and delusion!

(Thomas Boston, “Human Nature in its Fourfold State“)

“There is no one who understands.” Romans 3:11

“The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14

“They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.” Ephesians 4:18

The natural man’s apprehension of divine things is corrupt. TheĀ understanding, that leading faculty, is despoiled of its primitive glory, and covered over with confusion.Ā 

Tell them how they may advance their worldly wealth, or how they may gratify their lusts–and they will quickly understand these things. But it is very hard to make them know how their souls may be saved, or how their hearts may find rest in Christ. They are veryĀ stupid and unteachableĀ in the matters of God. What woeful delusions prevail over them! Do we not often see those, who in other things are the wisest of men–yet are notorious fools with respect to their soul’s eternal interests?Ā 

Many who are eagle-eyed in theĀ trifles of time–yet are like owls and bats in the light ofĀ eternal realities. Nay, truly, the life of every natural man is butĀ one continued dream and delusion, out of which he never awakes, until either, by a divine light darted from Heaven into his soul, he comes to himself–or, in Hell he lifts up his eyes in torment!

Sin has closed the windows of the soul, and darkness covers the whole. The prince of darkness reigns there, and nothing but the works of darkness are framed there. We are born spiritually blind–and cannot be restored without a miracle of grace!

“For though your hearts were once full ofĀ darkness, now you are full ofĀ lightĀ from the Lord!” Ephesians 5:8

The chief dangers which will confront the church in the coming century!

Grace logo

The chief dangers which will confront the church in the coming century!

(William Booth, 1829-1916)

The chief dangers which will confront the church in the coming centuryĀ will be . . .
Ā  religion without the Holy Spirit,
Ā  Christianity without Christ,
Ā  forgiveness without repentance,
Ā  salvation without regeneration,
Ā  Heaven without Hell.Ā 

The humble Christian

Grace logo

The humble ChristianĀ 

(John Newton)

“By the grace of God, I am what I am!” 1 Corinthians 15:10

The humble ChristianĀ will not be easily angered–nor will he be dogmatic and judgmental.Ā 

He will be compassionate and tender towards the infirmities of his fellow-sinners; knowing, that, if there is any difference between himself and others–it is grace of God that has made it.Ā He knows that he has the seeds of every evil in his own heart!

Also, under all trials and afflictions, the humble Christian will look to the hand of the Lord, and lay his mouth in the dust–acknowledging that he suffers much less than his iniquities have deserved.Ā 

These are some of the advantages and good fruits which the Lord enables us to obtain fromĀ that bitter root, indwelling sin.

We have seen such a tragic repetition of it in our own days

Grace logo

We have seen such a tragic repetition of it in our own days

(Arthur Pink)

“With their silver and gold they make idols for themselves to their own destruction!” Hosea 8:4Ā 

Sad indeed is the above passage–and the more so, becauseĀ we have seen such a tragic repetition of it in our own days.Ā 

Oh what earthly-mindedness, what indulging of the flesh, what sinful extravagance–are now seen among professing Christians today!

How practical godliness has waned;Ā 
how the denying of self has disappeared;Ā 
how covetousness, pleasure and worldliness now possess the great majority of those calling themselves the people of God.Ā 

Yet as great as the sin of the people is–far greater is that of most of the preachers, who, instead of warning, admonishing, rebuking, and setting before their people an example of sobriety and contentment–criminally remain silent upon the crying sins of their hearers, while they themselves encourage the reckless indulgence of worldly lusts.

Experimental conformity to the image of Christ

Grace logo

Experimental conformity to the image of Christ

(Arthur Pink)

“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word–that you mayĀ growĀ thereby” 1 Peter 2:2

It behooves each one of us to honestly and diligently examine himself, so as to discover whether or not we are growing in grace.Ā 

We are not to be content with an increase ofĀ mere head-knowledge of Scripture. What we need to be most concerned about is ourĀ practical growth–ourĀ experimental conformity to the image of Christ.Ā 

One point at which we may test ourselves is:Ā “Does my reading and study of God’s Word make me less worldly?”

“ButĀ growĀ in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18Ā 

The object of God’s tender, perfect and ceaseless care!

Grace logo

The object of God’s tender, perfect and ceaseless care!

(James Smith, “Divine Care!” 1865)

“Casting all your care upon Him–forĀ He cares for you!”Ā 1 Peter 5:7

OurĀ caresĀ must be cast upon our God, or they will prove a burden too heavy for us–they will depress, bewilder, and make us wretched!Ā 

WHO is it that cares for us?Ā 

It is theĀ Lord Almighty–the high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, whose name is holy!Ā 
It is He whom the angels obey, the seraphim adore, and all creation glorifies!Ā 
It is the Lord–who is soĀ great, that we have no adequate conception of His greatness!Ā 
It is He who is soĀ good–that it is impossible fully to set forth His goodness!Ā 
It is He who is soĀ glorious–that no sinner can see His face and live!Ā 
It is He whoĀ createdĀ all things with His Word!
It is He whoĀ governsĀ all things by His wisdom!
It is He whoĀ upholdsĀ all things by His power!Ā 
It is He whoseĀ resourcesĀ are infinite!
It is He whoseĀ compassionĀ is exquisite!
It is He whoseĀ patienceĀ is without limit!Ā 

But though He is so exalted, so happy, and so unspeakably great–He cares for you!

He cares for you–as base as you are.Ā 
He cares for you–as sinful as you are.Ā 
He cares for you–as depressed and discouraged as you are.Ā 

HE cares for YOU!

May I pass through the present world under the impression, “I amĀ the object of God’s tender, perfect and ceaseless care!

“Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.” Psalm 55:22Ā 

The worldling’s Bible!

Grace logo

The worldling’s Bible!

(Charles Spurgeon)

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.” Matthew 5:16Ā 

The worldling’s BibleĀ is the Christian. He never reads the Book–but he reads the disciple of Christ, and he judges the Christian religion by the lives of its professors!Ā 

The world does not read the Bible–the world reads Christians!

“For it is God’s will that by doing good, you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men!” 1 Peter 2:15Ā 

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:1-2

God would be voted out of the world!

Grace logo

God would be voted out of the world!

(Thomas Boston, “Human Nature in its Fourfold State“)

“The world . . . hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil.” John 7:7Ā 

“They have hated both Me and my Father!” John 15:24Ā 
“They hated Me without a cause!” John 15:25Ā 

“Haters of God.” Romans 1:30

“Crucify Him!”Ā they shouted.Ā 
“Why? What crime has He committed?” asked Pilate.
Ā But they shouted all the louder,Ā “Crucify Him!”Ā Mark 15:13-14

Men set up for themselves anĀ idolĀ of their own imagination, instead of the true God–and then fall down and worship it.

Every natural man is an enemy to God–as He is revealed in His Word. The infinitely holy, just, powerful, and true God–is not the God whom he loves, butĀ the God whom he loathes!Ā The Pagans finding that they could not be like God inĀ holiness, made their gods like themselves in filthiness; and thereby they show what sort of aĀ godĀ the natural man would have. God is holy and just; can an unholy creature love His unspotted holiness?Ā 

There is not a man, who is wedded to his lusts, as all the unregenerate are–but would desire to blot outĀ the God of justice. Can the malefactor love his condemning judge? Can a heinous sinner love a just and holy God? No, he cannot!

Men naturally would rather have aĀ blind idol–than the all-seeing God! They no more love the all-seeing, everywhere present God–than the thief loves to have the judge witness to his evil crimes. If it could be carried by votes,Ā God would be voted out of the world; for the language of the carnal heart is, “Leave us alone! We have no desire to know Your ways!” Job 21:14

“The carnal mind is a mass of downright, undiluted enmity to the Most High God. Such a mind is opposed, not merely to theĀ thingsof God, theĀ lawsĀ of God, and theĀ truthĀ of God–but to God Himself!” Spurgeon

The secret desire of every unconverted heart!

Grace logo

The secret desire of every unconverted heart!

(Robert Murray M’Cheyne, 1813-1843)

“The fool says in his heart,Ā ‘There is no God!’Ā They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good.” Psalm 53:1Ā 

It is in hisĀ heartĀ that he says this. This isĀ the secret desire of every unconverted heart. If the bosom of God were within the reach of men, it would be stabbed a million times in one moment!

When God was manifest in the flesh, He was altogether lovely. He did no sin, and went about continually doing good. Yet they they mocked Him and spat upon Him and crucified Him on the accursed tree! Unconverted men would do the same with God again–if they could.Ā 

Learn the fearful depravity of your heart. I venture to say that there is not anĀ unconvertedĀ man present, who has the most distant idea of theĀ monstrous wickednessĀ that is now within his bosom. When you are in Hell, it will break out unrestrained.Ā 

Yes, you have a heart that would kill God if you could. If the bosom of God were nor within your reach, and one blow would rid the universe of Him–you have a heart fit to do the heinous deed!Ā 

Do not pay too dear for a feast for worms!

Grace logo

Do not pay too dear for a feast for worms!

(Richard Baxter, “Directions against Gluttony“)

“Dust you are, and to dust you will return!” Genesis 3:19Ā 

“Side by side they lie in the dust, and worms cover them both.” Job 21:26Ā 

“When You take away their breath, they die and return to the dust!” Psalm 104:29Ā 

“All come from dust, and to dust all return!” Ecclesiastes 3:20Ā 

Remember what your body is, and what it will shortly be, and how loathsome and vile it will be in the grave. And then think how far such a body should be pampered and pleased–and at what a price.Ā Do not pay too dear for a feast for worms!Ā Look into the grave, and see what the end of all of all your pleasant foods and drinks is; of all your dainty and costly fare. You may see there the skulls cast up, and the ugly hole of that mouth which devoured so many sweet, delicious morsels–but there is none of the pleasure of it now left!

Oh astonishing folly! that men can so easily, so eagerly, so obstinately, waste their estates, and neglect their souls, and displease their God, and in effect even sell their hopes of Heaven–for so small and sordid a delight, as the pleasing of such a piece of flesh, which must shortly have so vile an end!

Was it worth so much care, and toil, and cost, and the casting away of your salvation–to pamper that body a little while, which must shortly be such a loathsome carcass? Methinks one sight of a skull or a grave, would make you look upon gluttony and luxury as madness.

The case will be altered with you when all your wealth and friends cannot keep your pampered carcass from corruption, nor procure your soul a comfort equal to a drop of water to cool your tongue, tormented in the flames of God’s displeasure! Then all the comfort you can procure from God and conscience will be but this sad memento, “Remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony!” Luke 16:25Ā 

The Sympathy of Christ!

Grace logo

The Sympathy of Christ!

(Francis Bourdillon)

“We do not have a high priest who is unable toĀ sympathizeĀ with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are” Hebrews 4:15

In all our infirmities and troubles of every kind–in pain and sickness, in poverty and need, in anxiety and grief–Jesus has a sympathetic heart for us. Is not this comforting? Does it not cheer us in a time of suffering, when some kind friend comes in and sits down beside us and shows most plainly that though he is unable to help us, he does sincerely feel for us? How much more cheering it is to know that Jesus in Heaven sympathizes with us in all our troubles here below! Does not this thought, this blessed truth–take the edge off the sharpest suffering, and lift us for the time above our sorrows?Ā 

Jesus Christ Himself was afflicted when He was on earth. He is called a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. No sorrows were ever equal to His. We know that He was tired and hungry and sad. He was besides, the poorest of the poor–He had nowhere to lay His head. He led what would be called a very hard life.Ā 

Our greatest sufferings are light when compared with His. He had some afflictions which we cannot fully understand, as when He prayed in the garden, “If it is possible, let this cup pass from Me!” And as when He cried upon the cross, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me!”Ā Ā 

He can sympathize with the poor–because He was poor Himself.Ā 
He can sympathize with the sad–because He was a man of sorrows.Ā 
He can sympathize with all who suffer–because His own sufferings were so many and so great.Ā 

He was tempted; He was tried; He was afflicted; He went through what we have to go through–and much more. In this very world in which we live now–He lived and suffered; and therefore He can and does sympathize with His suffering people.Ā 

“He was despised and rejected by men–a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces–He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows–yet we considered Him stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace, was upon Him–and by His wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:3-5

Our clumsy hands!

Grace logo

Our clumsy hands!

(J.R. Miller)

“I do not practice what I want to do–but I do what I hate!” Romans 7:15Ā 

Think of the brokenness, the incompleteness, the littleness–of these lives of ours!Ā 

We getĀ glimpsesĀ of beauty in character–which we are not able to attain!Ā 
We have spiritualĀ longings–which seem to us too great ever to come true.Ā 
WeĀ dreamĀ of things we want to do–but when we try to work them out,Ā our clumsy handsĀ cannot put them into realizations!Ā 

We have glimmerings of aĀ loveĀ that is very rich and tender, without a trace of selfishness, without envy or jealousy, without resentment–a love which does not seek its own, nor is not provoked, and bears all things. We get the vision from the life of Christ Himself. We say, “I will learn that lesson of love–I will be like that!”Ā But we fail.

We strive to be sweet-spirited, unselfish, thoughtful, kind–but we must wet our pillow with tears at the close ofĀ our marred days, because we cannot be what we strive to be! We have glimpses of an inner peace which is very beautiful. We strive after it strive with intense effort–but do not reach it!

So it is in all our living. Life is ever something too large for us. We attain onlyĀ fragmentsĀ of living. Yet take heart, “TheĀ desireĀ of the righteous shall be granted!” Proverbs 10:24

“We know that when He appears–we shall be like Him!” 1 John 3:2

For a rational man to be so attached to a bubble, is a most irrational thing!

Grace logo

For a rational man to be so attached to a bubble, is a most irrational thing!

(Don Fortner)

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15Ā 

Worldliness is an undue attachment to this world. It is living for this world–its riches, its honor, its joys and its cares. It is living by theĀ principlesĀ of this world: greed, covetousness, deceit and lust.

Nothing is more dangerous to the souls of men–than the love of the world.Ā 
Nothing more effectually chokes out the influence of the gospel in a man’s heart–than the cares of this world.Ā 
Nothing is more difficult to avoid–than an undue attachment to this world.Ā 

Therefore, John sets these four words up as a beacon. They stand in blazing letters to warn us of great danger: “LOVE NOT THE WORLD!”

Beloved, this world and all that it offers, is no more than aĀ bubbleĀ that soon must burst! Your money, your farms, your houses, your influence, your families–everything here is temporary. It will all vanish away!Ā 

We laugh at the small child who cries when the bubbles he is playing with burst. But,Ā for a rational man to be so attached to a bubble, is a most irrational thing!

What fools they are who love and seek this world! I cannot warn you enough of the danger of worldliness–of loving, seeking, and living for this world!

Are you God’s child? Are you risen with Christ? Do you live in the hope of eternal glory?Ā 

Then count this world to be a dead thing.Ā 
Live no longer for this world.Ā 
Set your heart on things above.Ā 
Live above this pile of rubbish that must soon burn.Ā 
Live to do the will of God, seek the glory of Christ, further the gospel of the grace of God, and serve the people of God. Quit seeking those things for which unbelieving men live, and seek those things which are above–life, immortality, and glory.

Wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked!

Grace logo

Wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked!

(Francis Bourdillon, 1864)

There is One who knows just what we are. The Lord Jesus Christ says, “I know your works!” His eye is always upon us. He knows us exactly as we are–each one of us. Mere profession does not deceive Him. Mere head knowledge does not pass with Him for repentance, faith, and holiness. He knows our hearts–and He knows our lives.Ā 

The mockery of an empty profession,Ā 
the mere pretense of a religion that is all in the head or on the lips,Ā 
the unhumbled heart,Ā 
the coldness, the hardness, the lack of faith and gratitude and love
–He knows them all!

“You do not realize that you areĀ wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked!” Revelation 3:17

The very first lesson we must learn–is what weĀ are.Ā 

What are we, then? Just what the Laodiceans were, but did not know themselves to be: “Wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked!”Ā 

What–allĀ of us?Ā 
Yes–allĀ of us!

We are “wretched,” for we are in great misery and danger–and all the more wretched because we do not know it.Ā 

We are “miserable,” worthy to be pitied, even while we flatter ourselves that all is well with us, for we are but deceiving ourselves.

We are “poor,” for we have no spiritual wealth–no supply whatever for the needs of our souls.

We are “blind,” ignorant of our own hearts–ignorant of God–ignorant of truth and of the way of life.Ā 

We are “naked,” with no righteousness of our own in which we can appear–no covering, no defense, no refuge.

We are all this–and, worst of all,Ā we do not know it!Ā If we knew it and bewailed it–then our case would not be so bad. In other words, if we knew ourselves to be sinners–then it might be hoped that we would seek the Savior of sinners. But we shall never seek Him–until we feel ourĀ needĀ of Him!

Because the Lord loves you

Grace logo

Because the Lord loves you

(Letters of John Newton)

“For the Lord disciplines the one HeĀ loves, and chastises every son whom He receives.” Hebrews 12:6Ā 

“Those whom IĀ loveĀ I rebuke and discipline.” Revelation 3:19Ā 

My Dear Friend,
Because the Lord loves you–He appoints trials for you. Like most effectual medicines, they are neither pleasant to the taste nor in their operation, when first taken–but afterwards they yield a harvest of righteousness and peace. He sends them not for His own pleasure, but for our profit.Ā 

He could relieve you in a moment, but He does not. The plain inference is, that it is good, it is best for us to be afflicted!

I have had my trials, and I can from experience bear testimony to His all-sufficiency and faithfulness.Ā 

He does all things well.Ā How can He who is infinitely wise and good, do otherwise?

“My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline and do not resent His rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those HeĀ loves, as a father the son he delights in.” Proverbs 3:11-12Ā 

Later you will understand

Grace logo

Later you will understand

(Charles Naylor, “When Adversity Comes” 1944)

“You do not realizeĀ nowĀ what I am doing, butĀ later you will understand.” John 13:7Ā 

A few years ago a young preacher came to me and told me his troubles. He was passing through a time of darkness that he could not understand. Several months ago he called upon me again, and in the course of our conversation he referred to the time of trouble through which he had passed. He said, “Those things that I could not understand at that time, have taught me lessons which have prepared me to help many souls as I never could have, had I not had those severe trials.”Ā 

Yes, things look different now.Ā He can now see God’s hand in it. He can see that those difficult things were a blessing to his own soul and to the souls of others. He can see that he had been inĀ God’s school of adversityĀ and knew it not. He thought these things were destructive to him, but when he looked back upon them with clear vision and a knowledge of God’s purpose–he saw real blessing in them. He saw them as manifestations of the wisdom and kindness of God, and he thanked God for those things which had been bitter and hard to bear.

Are you passing through difficult things which you cannot now understand?Ā 

Does it look as if these things are ruining you?Ā 

Just trust God and be patient. Out of yourĀ night of bitterness, out of your darkness and woe–will come strength of character, a blessed realization of God’s faithfulness, and a knowledge of Him and yourself which can come to you in no other way. You will look back in time to come, and thank God for His wise care and tender love for you which brought you to these things, and realize that it was His hand leading you to better and richer things beyond.

My last words shall be

Grace logo

My last words shall be

(William Grimshaw)

When I come to die, I shall have my greatest grief and my greatest joy.

My greatestĀ grief–that I have done so little for Jesus.

My greatestĀ joy–that Jesus has done so much for me!Ā 

My last words shall be: “Here goes an unprofitable servant!”

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus!

Grace logo

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus!

(Octavius Winslow)

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith!”

We cannot keep our eyes too exclusively or too intently fixed on Jesus.Ā 

All salvation isĀ inĀ Him.Ā 
All salvationĀ proceeds fromĀ Him.Ā 
All salvationĀ leads toĀ Him.Ā 
And for theĀ assuranceĀ andĀ comfortĀ of our salvation, we are to repose believingly and entirely on Him.Ā 

Christ must be all!Ā 
Christ the beginning,Ā 
Christ the center,Ā 
Christ the end.Ā 

Oh sweet truth to you who are sensible of your poverty, vileness, and insufficiency, and of the ten thousand flaws and failures of which, perhaps, no one is cognizant but God and your own soul!Ā 

Oh the blessedness–to turn from self, and rest in Christ:Ā 
Ā  aĀ fullĀ Christ,Ā 
Ā  aĀ lovingĀ Christ,Ā 
Ā  aĀ tenderĀ Christ,Ā 
whose heart’s love never chills,Ā 
from whose eye darts no reproof,Ā 
from whose lips breathes no sentence of condemnation!Ā 

“He whose daily life is a fixing his eyes on Jesus, has heaven on his way to heaven!”Ā Henry Law

“And when Christ, who is your life, appears–then you also will appear with Him in glory!” Colossians 3:4Ā 

We’re in a War, Folks!

Amen.

Peter Cockrell's avatarAlready Not Yet

Approaching_OmahaSam Storms:

The Apostle Peter tells us that ā€œthe passions of the fleshā€ are waging ā€œwar againstā€ our ā€œsoulsā€ (1 Peter 2:11). Don’t underestimate the significance of this daily battle for our souls. So, how are we to fight? With what weapons do we wage this war? Peter says we do so ā€œas (or because we are) sojourners and exilesā€ (v. 11a; seeĀ 1 Peter 1:1,17).

His point is that we should draw strength to say No to fleshly passions becauseĀ they belong to this world and we don’t!Ā We are citizens of a heavenly kingdom that operates under the Lordship of Christ. The culture of heaven is governed by a different ethic, a different spirit, a different morality. So remind yourself often of where you belong. We belong to the Lord Jesus, not to this world, so take your cues from him…

View original post 275 more words

May Good Overflow

Amen.

Revelations in Writing's avatarRevelations In Writing

Ā A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart. – (Luke 6:45, NLT)

Good people have good things saved in their hearts. That’s why they say good things. But those who are evil have hearts full of evil,Ā andĀ that’sĀ whyĀ theyĀ sayĀ thingsĀ thatĀ areĀ evil.Ā WhatĀ peopleĀ sayĀ withĀ theirĀ mouthsĀ comes

View original post 421 more words

Here we see what is in every human heart by nature!

Grace logo

Here we see what is in every human heart by nature!

(Don Fortner)

“What shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked.Ā 
They shouted back,Ā “Crucify Him!”Ā Matthew 27:22Ā 

Oh, what a revelation of man the cross is!Ā 
Man hating God, and hating Him most when God displayed His love most fully.Ā 
Man acting like the devil, taking Satan’s side against God!Ā 

Yes, the cross was a public declaration of man’s hatred for God and His Son.Ā 

The cross is proud man spitting in God’s face and saying, “I am holy. I need no Savior. To Hell with God and His Son!”Ā 

Our Savior asked,Ā “What do you think you of Christ?”Ā 
Man’s answer was,Ā “Crucify Him!”Ā 

Man’s heart, his hands, his tongue all combine to scream out hatred for God and His Son.Ā 

Calvary’s hill displays man’s utter hatred for God!

How deep, bitter, universal, and vile is the hatred of the human heart for God! Oh, how fallen man hates God!Ā 

The arrest, the scourging, the mockery, the spitting, the smiting, the cries, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”, the wagging the heads, the cruel nails, the thieves’ railing–everything was butĀ the outpouring of man’s utter hatred for God.Ā 

Here we see what is in every human heart by nature!

Man declared his heart, in the crucifixion of God’s darling Son.

God seems to have said, “Vent the feelings of your heart.” And he did, taking God by the throat, as it were, man snatched the only begotten Son from His Father’s heart and crucified Him with hellish delight.

Reckoning the death of the cross the worst of all deaths, man said, “This is the best way to show my contempt for God. This is exactly what I think of the Son of God!” Thus, the enmity of the natural heart speaks out, and man not only confesses publicly that he is a hater of God, but he takes pains to show the intensity of his hatred.Ā 

The cross interprets what is in man’s heart.Ā 

The cross rips theĀ mask of pretended religionĀ off of the face of our race.Ā 

The cross of Christ exhibits man’s heart as a cesspool overflowing with the malignity of Hell.Ā 

Brethren, we have two faults

Grace logo

Brethren, we have two faults

(Charles Spurgeon)

Brethren, we have two faults
:Ā 

Ā Ā  1. We do not think God to be asĀ greatĀ as He is. (His transcendence)
Ā Ā  2. We do not think God can be asĀ littleĀ as He can be. (His immanence)

We err on both sides. We neither know the height of His glory–nor the depth of His grace!

He who counts the brilliantĀ stars–also numbers the veryĀ hairsĀ of our head!Ā 
He never fails to hear the heart-lispings of His redeemed people.

I dare say that we think that we magnify Him, but in realityĀ we belittle Him with our highest thoughts.

When the bird of thought was let go!

Grace logo

When theĀ bird of thoughtĀ was let go!

(A.W. Tozer)

Anyone who wishes to check on his true spiritual condition may do so, by noting what hisĀ voluntary thoughtsĀ have been over the last hours or days.Ā 
What has he thought about, when free to think of whatever he pleased?Ā 
Toward what has his inner heart turned, when it was free to turn wherever it desired?

When theĀ bird of thoughtĀ was let go, did it fly out like theĀ ravenĀ to settle upon floating carcasses–or did it like theĀ doveĀ circle and return again to the ark of God?Ā 

Such a test is easy to run, and if we are honest with ourselves–we can discover not only what weĀ are, but what we are going tobecome. We will soon be the sum of our voluntary thoughts!

Hang this question up in your houses!

Grace logo

Hang this question up in your houses!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“Whoever claims to live in Him, must walk as Jesus did.” 1 John 2:6Ā 

Hang this question up in your houses,Ā “What would Jesus do?”Ā 

And then think of another,Ā “How would Jesus do it?”Ā 

ForĀ whatĀ Jesus would do, andĀ howĀ He would do it–will always stand as the best guide to us.

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

A statue of a stone lamb!

Grace logo

AĀ statue of aĀ stone lamb!

(J.R. Miller)

“Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us!” 1 Corinthians 5:7Ā 

On a little church in Germany standsĀ aĀ statue of aĀ stone lamb, which has an interesting history. When some workmen were engaged on the roof of the building, one of them fell to the ground. His companions hastened down, expecting to find him dead. They were amazed, however, to see him unhurt. AĀ lambĀ had been grazing just where he struck the ground, and falling upon it, the little creature was crushed to death, while the man himself escaped injury. He was so grateful for this wonderful deliverance, that he had a statue of the lamb carved in stone, and placed on the building as a memorial. The lamb saved his life, by dying in his place.Ā 
Ā 
In the same way, every saved soul can point to the Lamb of God, and say, “I am saved–because Jesus died in my stead!”Ā 

What memorial have we set up to witness to our gratitude and love?Ā 

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

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain–to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” Revelation 5:12Ā 

You must keep the circus going!

Grace logo

You must keep the circus going!Ā 

(Ernest Reisinger)

Whatever means you use toĀ getĀ people into the church, is precisely what you must use toĀ keepĀ them.

If you get them with a ‘religious circus’ thenĀ you must keep the circus going–you must keep up the entertainment.

If you get them with biblical preaching and teaching, then that will keep them and you will not need the entertainment.Ā 

“Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” 2 Timothy 4:2-3Ā 

If you saw Christ standing beside you all the time

Grace logo

If you saw Christ standing beside you all the time

(J.R. Miller, “Intimate Letters on Personal Problems”)

Scripture says of Moses, thatĀ “he endured as seeing Him who is invisible!”Ā Hebrews 11:27. That is, Moses always remembered that God was right beside him, his friend toĀ helpĀ him–and this made him strong. He did not actuallyĀ seeĀ God–but it wasĀ as ifĀ he saw Him. That is, heĀ realized the divine presenceĀ in all of his life.

If you saw Christ standing beside you all the time–it would not be hard for you to keep sweet, or to keep control of your temper and speech.Ā 

Well, ChristĀ ISĀ beside you–just as really as He was beside Mary when she sat at His feet in Bethany, or beside Peter and the other disciples as they walked together over the hills of Judea and Galilee. What you need, is toĀ realize this fact.Ā 

We know that Jesus is present with us all the time, at every moment, by day or by night. He is closer than any human friend can be to us. Indeed, we are toĀ practice His presence–that is, we are to live all the time, as if we actually saw Him!

You must remember that ChristĀ isĀ always besidesĀ you, not only toĀ seeĀ you–but toĀ helpĀ you, as your truest and best Friend!

A hazardous game!

Grace logo

A hazardous game!

(Charles Spurgeon, “Flowers from a Puritan’s Garden” 1883)Ā 

“Avoid every kind of evil!” 1 Thessalonians 5:22Ā 

“If we play around the viper’s hole–it no wonder that we are bitten!”

An old proverb advises usĀ not to play with sharp-edged tools, lest we cut our fingers.Ā 

It is a sin to trifle with sin!Ā If we must play, we had better find harmless toys!Ā 

That evil which caused Christ a bloody death, is no fit theme for any man’s sport.Ā 

Playing with wickedness isĀ a hazardous game!Ā Sooner or later, we willĀ pluck the lion of sin by the beard, and we shall be torn in pieces!Ā 

This is true of indulgence in strong drink: “Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly!Ā In the end it bites like a snake, and poisons like a viper!”Ā 

This is equally true of all other forms of evil, especially ofĀ the lusts of the flesh. LewdĀ words, soon lead to foulĀ deeds. Yet such is the folly of men, that they run dreadful risks in sheer wantonness, as though vipers and cobras were fine playmates, and devils were merry-makers!

“Keep your servant fromĀ deliberate sins!Ā Do not let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin.” Psalm 19:13

Do not judge a minister . . .

Grace logo

Do not judge a minister . . .

(Thomas Brooks, “The Unsearchable Riches of Christ!“)

“If you point these things out to the brethren, you will beĀ a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in theĀ truthsĀ of the faith and of theĀ good teachingĀ that you have followed.” 1 Timothy 4:6Ā 

It is sad to see how many preachers in our days make it their business to enrich men’sĀ headsĀ with lofty, empty, airy notions–instead of enriching theirĀ soulsĀ with holy truths.Ā 

Fix yourself under that man’s ministry who makes it his business, his work–to enrich the soul, to win the soul, and to build up the soul; not to tickle the ear, or please the fancy. This age is full of such light, vain souls–who dislike everything but what is empty and airy.

Do not judge a minister . . .
Ā  by his voice, nor
Ā  by the multitude who follow him, nor
Ā  by his affected tone, nor
Ā  by his rhetoric and flashes of wit;
but by the holiness, heavenliness, and spiritualness of his teaching!Ā 
Many ministers are like empty orators, who have aĀ floodĀ of words–but aĀ dropĀ of matter!

Some preachers affect rhetorical strains; they seek abstrusities and love to hover and soar aloft in dark and cloudy expressions, and so shoot their arrows over their hearers’ heads–instead of bettering their hearers’ hearts.Ā 

Mirthful thingsĀ in a sermon are only for men to gaze upon and admire.Ā 

He is the best preacher, not who tickles the ear–but who breaks the heart!


“My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power!” 1 Corinthians 2:4-5

A diligent pupil in the College of Contentment

Grace logo

A diligent pupil in the College of ContentmentĀ 

(Charles Spurgeon)

“I have learned in whatever state I am, therewith to beĀ content.” Philippians 4:11Ā 

These words show us that contentment is not aĀ natural propensityĀ of man. Grumbling, discontent, and murmuring are as natural to man–as weeds are to the soil. We need not sow thistles and weeds; they come up naturally enough, because they are indigenous to earth. Just so, we need not teach men toĀ complain; they complain fast enough without any education.Ā 

“Ill weeds grow quickly.” But the preciousĀ things of the earth must be cultivated. If we would haveĀ wheat, we must plough and sow; if we wantĀ flowers, there must be the garden, and all the gardener’s care.Ā 

Now,Ā contentmentĀ is one of theĀ flowers of Heaven, and if we would have it–then it must be cultivated, as it will not grow in us by nature. It is the new nature alone which can produce contentment–and even then we must be especially careful and watchful, that we maintain and cultivate the grace which God has sown in us.Ā 

Paul says, “I have learned… to be content;” as much as to say, that he did not know how at one time. It cost him some pains to attain to the mastery of that great truth. No doubt he sometimes thought he had learned, and then broke down. And when at last he had attained unto it, and could say, “I have learned in whatever state I am, therewith to be content,” he was an old, grey-headed man, upon the borders of the grave–a poor prisoner shut up in Nero’s dungeon at Rome.

We might well be willing to endure Paul’s infirmities, and share the cold dungeon with him–if we too might by any means attain unto his high degree of contentment. Do not indulge the notion that you can learn contentment without discipline. It is not an ability that may be exercised naturally–but a grace to be acquired gradually. We know this from experience. Brother, hush that murmur, natural though it be–and continueĀ a diligent pupil in the College of Contentment.

The blessed man!

Grace logo

The blessed man!

(James Smith, “Comfort for Christians!”)

BlessedĀ is the man YouĀ chasten, O Lord–the man YouĀ teachĀ from Your law!” Psalm 94:12Ā Ā Ā 
Ā Ā Ā Ā 
The chastenings of the LordĀ often appear severe–but they areĀ merciful. They . . .
Ā  correct our follies,
Ā  subdue our proud wills, and
Ā  soften and humble our hard hearts before Him.

When GodĀ chastens–HeĀ teaches. TheĀ lessonsĀ are found in His Word–but we never learn many of them, until we go through theĀ furnace of affliction!Ā We often learn more truth from one short, sharp affliction–than we do from many books and sermons!

In affliction, God teaches us . . .
Ā  our own emptiness and vanity,
Ā  our dependence on Himself, and
Ā  the insufficiency of all our earthly things!Ā 

In affliction, God . . .
Ā  endears the Lord Jesus and His great salvation to us;
Ā  shows us the value of the provision of grace;
Ā  makes our consciences tender and honest;Ā 
Ā  qualifies us for usefulness on earth; and
Ā  fits us for the enjoyment of Himself in Heaven.

WeĀ needĀ chastening. If we do not receive it–we become . . .
Ā  carnal and worldly,
Ā  light and trifling,
Ā  unsavory and useless in both the world and the church!Ā 

It is aĀ blessedĀ thing to be chastened of the Lord, especially when theĀ rodĀ teaches us such important and invaluable lessons! Chastened Christians are generally the most useful and attractive Christians.Ā 

“Heed theĀ rod–and the One who appointed it!” Micah 6:9Ā 
Chastened Christian! Seek grace . . .
Ā  toĀ bearĀ the rod,Ā 
Ā  toĀ blessĀ the rod, andĀ 
Ā  toĀ kissĀ the hand that holds the rod!

BlessedĀ is the man whom GodĀ corrects–so do not despiseĀ the chastening of the Almighty!” Job 5:17

People never reject the Bible because they cannot understand it

Grace logo

People never reject the Bible because they cannot understand it

(J.C. Ryle,Ā Thoughts For Young Men)

“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed!” John 3:19-20Ā 

Be very sure of this–people never reject the Bible because they cannot understand it.Ā 

They understand it only too well! They understand that it condemns their own behavior. They understand that it witnesses against their own sins, and summons them to judgment! They try to believe it is false and useless–because they don’t like to believe it is true.

An evil lifestyle must always raise an objection to this holy book.Ā 

Men question theĀ truthĀ of Christianity–because they hate theĀ practiceĀ of it!

“For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie, and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12Ā 

What a pavilion of comfort is this!

Grace logo

What a pavilion of comfort is this!

(Octavius Winslow)

“As the Father has loved Me–so have I loved you!” John 15:9Ā 

Believer, you have a home in the heart of Jesus!Ā What a pavilion of comfort is this–the love of Christ! To know that the affections of Jesus embrace and entwine around us, to be assured that He loves us each one as though we were the only one whom He loved–what a privilege and a bliss!

And yet so it is, Jesus loves you, cares for you, watches over and sympathizes with you–as if you were the only one whom He loved. “He lovedĀ me–and gave Himself forĀ me!” Seek this individual consciousness of Christ’s love, and you will be supremely happy!

Faithful Fun On A Friday: Joke 5

Ā 

Joke Logo

Question: Who was the smartest man in the Bible?
Answer: Abraham. He knew a Lot

Ā 

The Bible is always a new book to those well acquainted with it!

Grace logo

The Bible is always a new book to those well acquainted with it!

(Arthur Pink, “The Divine Inspiration of the Bible“)

Although one may know, word for word, the entire contents of some chapter of Scripture; and although he may have taken the time to thoughtfully ponder every sentence therein–yet, on every subsequent occasion, provided one comes to it again in the spirit of humble inquiry, each fresh reading will reveal newĀ gemsĀ never seen there before and newĀ delightsĀ will be experienced never met with previously. The most familiar passages will yield as much refreshment at the thousandth perusal–as they did at the first!Ā 

The Bible has been likened to a fountain of living water–the fountain is ever the same, but the water is always fresh!

O for a spirit of habitual prayer!

Grace logo

O for a spirit of habitual prayer!

(James Smith, “The Evening Sacrifice; Or, A Help to Devotion” 1859)

“But I call to God, and the LORD saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress–and He hears my voice!” Psalm 55:16-17Ā 

The well taught Christian carries everything to God–and in so doing, obtains relief, enjoys peace, and grows in grace.Ā 
For all that weĀ need–we should call upon God.Ā 
And from all that weĀ fear–we should flee unto God.Ā 

At theĀ closeĀ of every day, it is our mercy to call upon the Lord.
We must make confession of sin–and obtain pardon.Ā 
We must carry to Him our burdens–and obtain relief.Ā 
We must tell out before Him our needs–and obtain a supply.

Oh, how precious it is to go to the Lord at theĀ closeĀ of each day, and tell Him all that has . . .
Ā  vexed us,
Ā  grieved us,
Ā  cast us down, or
Ā  disquieted our spirits!Ā 

And how blessed to go to him eachĀ morning, and seek grace to live holily and happily through the day!Ā 

Nor is it less blessed to have a few minutes with God atĀ noon–breaking, as it were, the day in two, and keeping short accounts with God.Ā 

O for a spirit of habitual prayer
, that at evening, and at morning, and at noon–we may pray, and cry aloud to God!Ā 

If we were more with the Lord in prayer, we would have . . .
Ā  moreĀ strengthĀ to carry our crosses,
Ā  moreĀ patienceĀ to bear our troubles,
Ā  and moreĀ comfortĀ amidst life’s sorrows.Ā 

Holy Spirit, take up your residence in my heart as a Spirit of prayer, and lead me daily, hourly, yes, very often–to the mercy-seat. Let me find the hours of prayer to be precious seasons. And especially at eventide, when worn and exhausted with the toils and troubles of the day–let me find sweet solace and refreshment in pouring out my soul unto God.Ā 

Precious Lord Jesus, draw our souls to You evening by evening, and lead us into the presence of Your Father, that we may have sweet and hallowed fellowship with God! Let our devotions ascend as sweet incense to God.


They seek to banish such a God from their thoughts!

Grace logo

They seek to banish such a God from their thoughts!

(Arthur Pink)

You have done these things, and I kept silent.Ā You thought that I was just like you!Ā But I will rebuke you and accuse you to your face.” Psalm 50:21

The only God against whom the natural man is not at enmity–is one of his own imagination! The deity whom he professes to worship, is not the living God–for He is truth and faithfulness,Ā holinessĀ andĀ justice, as well as being gracious and merciful.

It is a god of their own devising–and not the God of Holy Writ, whom the ungodly believe in!Ā 

“They say: How can God know? Does the Most High even know what is happening?” Psalm 73:11
They would strip Deity of HisĀ omniscienceĀ if they could!Ā 
The wicked wish that there might be . . .
Ā  noĀ WitnessĀ of their sins,
Ā  noĀ SearcherĀ of their hearts,
Ā  noĀ JudgeĀ of their deeds!
They seek to banish such a God from their thoughts!

What a proof that “the carnal mind is enmity against God!”Ā 

Such is theĀ portionĀ awaiting the lost:Ā 
Ā  eternal separation from the fountain of all goodness;Ā 
Ā  everlasting punishment;Ā 
Ā  torment of soul and body;Ā 
Ā  endless existence in the Lake of Fire;
Ā  forever locked up with demons and the vilest of the vile;Ā 
Ā  every ray of hope excluded; and
Ā  utterly crushed and overwhelmed by the wrath of a sin-avenging God!
“Consider this, you who forget God–or I will tear you to pieces, with none to rescue!” Psalm 50:22

The line between the Church and the world seems completely effaced and forgotten!

Grace logo

The line between the Church and the world seems completely effaced and forgotten!

(J.C. Ryle, 1884)

“For if the trumpet makes anĀ uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle?” 1 Corinthians 14:8Ā 

We need a moreĀ certain soundĀ aboutĀ personal holiness. I fear thatĀ the standard of holy livingĀ is lower just now than it has been for many years. Professing Christians seem unable to realize that there is anything inconsistent in ball-going, theater-going, gambling, card-playing, excessive dressing, novel-reading, andĀ an incessant round of gaiety and amusements!Ā 

The line between the Church and the world seems completely effaced and forgotten!

A crucified life of self-denial and close walking with God, a life of real devotedness and zeal for holy living–is hardly ever to be seen!Ā 

Yet surely our Lord meant something when He spoke of “taking up the cross!”Ā 

Surely Paul meant something when he said,Ā 
Ā  “Come out from among them and be separate!”Ā 
Ā  “Be not conformed to this world!”Ā 
Ā  “Without holiness no man shall see the Lord!”Ā 

If Christ returns the second time in this generation, we shall find His words about the days ofĀ NoahĀ andĀ LotĀ fully verified. Those days are upon us!

“Just as it was in the days ofĀ Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all!”
“It was the same in the days ofĀ Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all!” Luke 17:26-29Ā 

“Ask for theĀ old paths, where the good way is–and walk in it. Then you will find rest for your souls.” Jeremiah 6:16

His mercy is a boundless, fathomless, endless ocean!

Grace logo

His mercy is a boundless, fathomless, endless ocean!

(James Smith, “The Evening Sacrifice; Or, A Help to Devotion” 1859)

“You, O Lord, are good, and ready to forgive–and abundant in mercy to all who call upon You.” Psalm 86:5Ā 

What a beautiful representation of God is this! How comforting, at the close of another day’s cares and troubles, sorrows and sins–to be reminded that our “God is good,” and especially that He is “ready to forgive”–ready to pardon all the faults and follies of this day–ready to pass them by, and still treat me as His beloved child!

He only requires me to confess and be sorry for my sins–and in a moment, all is forgiven, all is forgotten, and forgotten forever!Ā 

Then He is “abundant in mercy.” TheĀ fountain of His mercyĀ has not yet run dry. Run dry! It is not in the least diminished!Ā His mercy is a boundless, fathomless, endless ocean!

God has plenty of mercy for miserable sinners . . .
Ā  mercy toĀ pardonĀ them,
Ā  mercy toĀ purifyĀ them,
Ā  mercy toĀ comfortĀ them,
Ā  mercy toĀ saveĀ them–
mercy for all who call upon Him!

O my soul, take home tonight this lovely representation of your God, and believing that He is good, ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy–go to Him, call upon Him, and plead with Him. Then you may obtain mercy, and find grace to help you in every time of need.Ā 

Good and gracious God, I adore You for Your goodness; I bless You that You are ready to forgive; I rejoice that You are abundant in mercy. And now, O Lord, glorify Your mercy in me–show Your readiness to forgive, in me! Let my heart be eased of every sorrow–and let my conscience be cleansed from every sin! Let me lie down to rest tonight guiltless–rejoicing in the glorious fact that You have blotted out my sins as a cloud, and my transgressions as a thick cloud, and are now at eternal peace with me!

Ā 

Whence does it come?

Grace logo

Whence does it come?

(Francis Bourdillon, “Man is Born to Trouble!” 1864)

AfflictionĀ does not come from the dust–nor doesĀ troubleĀ sprout from the ground. For man is born unto trouble–as surely as sparks fly upward.” Job 5:6-7

Affliction does not come of itself; it does not spring up from the dust of the earth, nor grow naturally from the ground, as plants do; nor hasĀ chanceĀ anything whatever to do with it. AsĀ commonĀ as it is–affliction does not come without a cause, or without being sent on purpose by God.

Yet affliction does fall to the lot of all. No one, however prosperous, is without sorrow and trial. Sooner or later: “Man is born unto trouble–as surely as sparks fly upward.” As surely as sparks go up from anything burning, or from iron beaten on the anvil–so surely does trouble in some shape befall every man who is born into the world.

Whence does it come?Ā God sends it–or at least allows it to come. But it is not saying too much, to say that HeĀ sendsĀ it.

When Adam fell andĀ sinĀ and death entered into the world–thenĀ troubleĀ came too. This was God’s appointment. He said to Adam, “Because you have listened unto the voice of your wife, and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you–cursed is the ground for your sake; in sorrow shall you eat of it all the days of your life; thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to you; in the sweat of your face shall you eat bread, until you return unto the ground; for out of it were you taken–for dust you are, and unto dust shall you return.”

And not only is troubleĀ in generalĀ appointed to man by God–butĀ each man’s particular troubleĀ is of God’s appointment as well. Your troubles and mine do not come forth of the dust or spring out of the ground. They do not arise byĀ chanceĀ orĀ accident. God sends them! Sickness and sorrow are ordained for us by Him–each sickness and each sorrow as it comes. We do not see the hand that sends them, but a hand there is–the hand of God!

Job’s troublesĀ were many and great–yet let him not despair. Everything was in God’s hand. All that happened was ordered by Him–all was subject to His control. “At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said:Ā “Naked I came from my mother’s womb,Ā and naked I will depart.Ā The LordĀ gave–and the Lord hasĀ taken away;Ā may the name of theĀ LordĀ be praised.”Ā Job 1:20-21Ā 

To all who truly know God–it is a most comforting thought thatĀ their affliction comes from Him. It seems to take away theĀ strangenessĀ and theĀ bitternessĀ of it. When once they can realize His hand, then in all their sorrowful thoughts about their afflictions–they think about God too, and this comforts them. It is no longer mere trouble–but trouble whichĀ GodĀ has sent. If He has sent it–then it isĀ wiselyĀ andĀ kindlyĀ sent. Is there not a hidden blessing in it? Then the heart goes in search of the blessing and begins to askĀ whyĀ the trouble was sent, what it was meant to do, and how far it has done what it was sent for. And this is the very way to find the blessing.

Besides, when the sufferer thus sees the hand of God in trouble–he reasons thatĀ God will never let the trouble be too great. If He sends it–He will not send it too sharply, nor too heavily. There isĀ no chanceĀ about it.Ā All is measured and dealt out by an omnipotent hand of wisdom and love!Ā The affliction, therefore, cannot become too sore. When the right point has been reached, when the fit time has come–then He who sent it will say, “Hitherto shall you come, but no further!”