(You will find it helpful toLISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)
Psalm 1:4-6, “Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish!”
“Not so the wicked!” With these solemn words, the Psalmist draws a sharp contrast between the godly and the ungodly. The righteous are like fruitful trees–rooted, nourished and prosperous. But “the wicked are like chaff that the wind blows away.” Chaff is the worthless husk separated from grain–light, dry, and empty. It is easily scattered and quickly forgotten. Such is every life lived apart from God: rootless, fruitless, and ultimately futile. However impressive the wicked may appear for a season, their prosperity is short-lived and their end is destruction! (Psalm 73:18-19)
The wicked “will not stand in the judgment.” They will have no defense, no covering, no hope. When they stand before the Judge of all the earth, their works will be burned up as stubble. All their excuses will be silenced. The day of judgment will reveal what they are: rebels against the Most High God, having rejected His Son and despised His Word. They will not be counted “in the assembly of the righteous.” They may have mingled with the godly on earth–but in the last day, the Shepherd will infallibly separate the sheep from the goats (Matthew 25:32). Their exclusion will be eternal.
“For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” Here is the final contrast.
The Lord lovingly and attentively watches over the path of His redeemed people. He guards their steps, directs their course, and brings them safely home.
But the way of the wicked, though it may seem smooth for a time–leads only to ruin! Their end is not annihilation, but everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46). The broad road may appear pleasant, but it descends into outer darkness, with weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth!
Reader, Psalm 1 presents only two ways: The way of life, and the way of death. One is watched over by God, ending in glory. The other is forsaken by God, ending in judgment.
Which way are you walking? The only escape from the perishing path, is found in Jesus. He bore the wrath for sinners, that all who turn from their wicked ways and trust in Him, may be counted among the righteous. “The Lord knows those who are His!” (2 Timothy 2:19) Let every soul flee to Him and find life!
Charles Spurgeon, “Three Crosses“ Galatians 6:14, “But as for me, may I never boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
The apostle Paul speaks with Spirit-given clarity: the world has been crucified to him. He looked upon the world–its pride, its rebellion, its mockery of God–as crucified and dead. The same world that crucified the Lord of glory (Acts 2:36) cannot be trusted, admired, or feared.
The world’s character is condemned. Paul saw a world that rejected Jesus, the eternal truth; and hated and murdered Jesus, the only Savior of sinners, in His perfect innocence. The world’s values, judgments, and opinions were worthless to Paul.
Just so, must the believer think biblically about the “spirit of the age.” Public opinion, cultural trends, and fashionable ideas–deserve no authority over a Christian conscience held captive to the Word of God (2 Corinthians 10:5). The Christian will never deny or soften Scripture truth, to satisfy a world that despises his Savior and Lord.
The world’s pleasures are rotten. Today’s entertainments spring from the same soil of depravity (Ephesians 5:11). The world’s pleasures are not neutral; they reveal a heart in rebellion towards God (James 4:4). Paul looked upon all the world’s pleasures as so much rottenness–a carcass nailed to a cross.
The world’s honors are empty. Most who possess power, wealth, and applause–are enslaved to lust and pride. Worldly status is but a chain of vanity (1 John 2:16–17). The Christian must never seek those painted vanities which the world desires.
The world’s riches are futile. Content with food and clothing (1 Timothy 6:8), Paul viewed mammon as temporary and ultimately useless. The world shouts, “Make money at all costs!” Scripture whispers a better wisdom: “Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death (Proverbs 11:4). Grasping, hoarding, and coveting are idolatry!
When Paul said that the world was crucified to him, he meant just this: “I am not enslaved by any of its pursuits. I care nothing for its maxims. I am not governed by its spirit. I do not court its smiles. I do not fear its threatenings. It is not my master, nor am I its slave.” So says every true believer.
To be a follower of Jesus is to nail the world to the cross, and to find in Him a new Master, new desires, and a new destiny.
Christian! Can you say that the world, in its riches and honors, as well as in its despicable vices, and its manifold vanities–is a crucified thing to you?
The necessity, source, effects, and end of regeneration!
Charles Spurgeon, et al. John 3:3, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is BORN AGAIN, he cannot see the kingdom of God!”
Regeneration (or the New Birth) is the sovereign act of God, performed by the Holy Spirit through the Word, bringing a Hell-deserving sinner from spiritual death, to life in Christ.
1. The NECESSITY of regeneration.
Every man and woman enters this world not as a blank slate, but as a fallen creature–“dead in trespasses and sins”. (Ephesians 2:1). Our hearts are deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked! (Jeremiah 17:9). By nature, we are enemies of God (Romans 8:7), children of wrath (Ephesians 2:3), and slaves to sin and Satan (John 8:34). In our natural state, we have no spiritual life, no spark of goodness, no inclination toward God. Our will is bound by sin, our affections are corrupt, and our understanding is darkened! (1 Corinthians 2:14).
Since this is the spiritual condition of every person, then nothing short of a new birth can save us. The words of Jesus to Nicodemus are absolute–unless one is born again, he cannot even see the kingdom of God. Neither reformation, education, morality, or religion; can produce spiritual life from spiritual death. The heart of man is a little Hell; full of sin, and only fit for the eternal fire. We are all born with a bias toward evil, and leave the womb as heirs of wrath!
“Do not be amazed that I told you, that you MUST be born again!” (John 3:7) To be born again is not a luxury, it is a necessity. There is no other way to Heaven. Without the new birth, you can never enter the kingdom of God.
2. The SOURCE of regeneration.
Regeneration is not man’s work, but the Spirit’s work from beginning to end. Man can no more create a new heart in himself, than he could create the world! It is the sovereign act of the Holy Spirit, applying the saving work of Jesus to the heart. The Spirit quickens whom He wills, through the preaching of the Word, according to the Father’s eternal decree, and the Son’s redeeming grace (Titus 3:5).
3. The EFFECTS of regeneration.
When the Spirit regenerates, He gives a new heart. The man now loves what he once hated–Jesus, holiness, and truth; and hates what he once loved–the world, the flesh, and the devil’s delights. In regeneration, the man becomes a “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17); his affections are transformed, his desires are sanctified, and his life is increasingly conformed to the Lord Jesus.
4. The eternal END of regeneration.
The life begun by regeneration on earth, is consummated in the glories of Heaven. The believer, once a child of wrath, is now an heir of God and a co-heir with Jesus (Romans 8:17). The end of regeneration, is eternal communion with Jesus, and the enjoyment of His presence forever! (Revelation 22:4–5).
Christian, marvel at the sovereign mercy of God–that when you were dead in sin, He made you alive in Jesus! (Ephesians 2:5). Let this truth humble you, sanctify you, and move you to worship Him who has rescued you from the dominion of darkness, and brought you into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom you have redemption, and the forgiveness of sins! (Colossians 1:13–14)
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be BORN AGAIN to a living hope!” 1 Peter 1:3
The message of the gospel stands as a divine declaration of absolute truth in a world that hates absolutes. In an age intoxicated with pluralism and compromise, few doctrines are more offensive to human pride than the exclusivity of the gospel. Yet Scripture is crystal clear: there is only one way to be reconciled to God, only oneMediator between God and man, and only one name under heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). This is not bigotry or arrogance, but divine revelation. The exclusivity of the gospel does not reveal God’s narrowness, but His mercy–for He has not left the world in confusion, but has clearly revealed the only way of salvation in His Son.
The Scriptural view of salvation rests upon three foundational truths. Together, they display both the gravity of man’s condition, and the glory of God’s grace.
1. All people without exception are lost sinners and in need of salvation.
The gospel begins with the bad news. Every man, woman, and child enters this world under the dominion of sin and the curse of damnation. “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God” (Romans 3:10–11). Sin has corrupted every faculty of human nature–the mind is darkened, the heart is hardened, the affections are perverted, and the will is enslaved. Humanity does not merely need forgiveness; it needs spiritual life. “You were dead in your transgressions and sins” (Ephesians 2:1).
All stand guilty before the bar of divine justice, and the sentence is eternal condemnation. Man cannot climb to God through morality, good works, or religion. All human virtue is tainted, all human merit is worthless, for “all our righteous acts are like filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6).
This first foundational truth strips man of every excuse and leaves him speechless before God. It prepares the heart to receive grace. Until a sinner sees that he is utterly lost, he will never value the Savior. Until the soul feels the depth of its ruin, it will never cling to the Redeemer. The exclusivity of the gospel begins with this: that apart from divine regeneration, all mankind is hopelessly lost.
2. There is no salvation without conscious faith in Christ.
The second foundational truth proclaims that salvation is found in Christ alone. “I am the way and the truth and the life,” Jesus said, “No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Every other so-called path to God is false. Every other foundation is sand. Jesus did not die to make many ways possible, but to open oneway to God–through His sin-atoning death.
He is the exclusive Redeemer because He alone met the demands of divine justice. On the cross, He borethe sins of His people, endured the wrath they deserved, and cried, “It is finished!” His resurrection is the Father’s declaration that full payment has been made and accepted. Therefore to seek salvation outside of Him, is to reject God’s provision and insult His grace.
Here the words of the apostle Paul ring with terrifying solemnity: “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!” (Galatians 1:8–9)
These verses underline the seriousness of tampering with the gospel. Paul does not leave room for multiple paths to Heaven. He twice pronounces a curse–anathema–upon anyone who alters, dilutes, or distorts the message of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
This second foundational truth, illuminated by Galatians 1:8–9, reminds us that the exclusivity of the gospel is not a secondary issue–it is the essence of Christianity. To alter it is to forfeit salvation itself.
From this passage flow several solemn principles:
(1) The gospel’s purity must be guarded. No message, no teacher, no experience, no dream is above the written Word of God. Even an angelic revelation is to be rejected, if it departs from Scripture. Truth does not evolve. The gospel proclaimed by the apostles remains the only saving message for all generations.
(2) The gospel’s exclusivity must be proclaimed. To say that Jesus is one of many ways, is to preach “another gospel.” To teach that moral effort or human goodness contributes to salvation, is to deny grace itself. There is only one gospel–and it centers on the crucified and risen Savior who alone saves sinners by His grace.
(3) The gospel’s enemies must be exposed. Paul’s words remind believers that the gravest threats to Scripture truth often come from within religious circles. False teachers preach “Christ,” but not the biblical Christ. They use the language of grace, yet deny its substance. The church must therefore test every spirit and measure every message by the Word of God.
(4) The gospel’s authority must be submitted to. If the true gospel alone saves, then every human philosophy, every religious sentiment, and every self-invented spirituality, must be rejected. God’s truth is not subject to man’s opinions. The gospel commands repentance and faith, not negotiation and compromise.
3. There can be no faith in Christ without first hearing the gospel message.
The third foundational truth reveals the necessity of gospel proclamation. “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the message about Christ” (Romans 10:17). God has ordained that His saving gospel be made known through preaching, teaching, and witnessing. He could have saved men through visions or nature, but He has chosen the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe.
“How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” (Romans 10:14). These rhetorical questions leave no doubt: there is no salvation apart from the hearing of the gospel. Sinners cannot believe in a Savior they have never known, and they cannot know Him unless someone tells them.
Therefore, the exclusivity of the gospel compels evangelism. If Jesus is the only Savior, and His gospel is the only saving message, then Christians must speak with urgency. Silence is cruelty. To know the truth that saves and to withhold it from others, is unthinkable. The narrowness of the way, demands the breadth of our witness.
Conclusion
The exclusivity of the gospel is not a man-made doctrine–it is the heartbeat of divine revelation. It humbles man’s pride, glorifies God’s grace, and exalts Jesus as the only hope for a lost world. All are sinners, none can save themselves, and only conscious faith in the crucified and risen Savior brings forgiveness and spiritual life.
Galatians 1:8–9 thunders across the ages as God’s unchanging verdict against every counterfeit gospel. It warns us that to corrupt the gospel is to be cursed; to cling to it is to be saved.
You must be saved by faith in Jesus Christ, or be lost forever. There is no other gate, no other way, no other door. All roads do not lead to Heaven. Some lead to perdition. Only one road has the blood-stained footprints of the Savior upon it.
Charles Spurgeon, et al. Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
The fear of God is not a mere emotion–it is the soul’s rightful posture before the majesty of the Almighty. It is the awe that grips the heart, when the creature truly beholds the Creator. It is the reverent submission that arises when one recognizes that, “our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases!” (Psalm 115:3). To fear God rightly, is not to cower as a slave before a tyrant–but to bow as a redeemed child before a holy Father who is infinitely glorious, righteous, and just.
In Scripture, the fear of God is the fountainhead of all true knowledge (Proverbs 1:7). It anchors wisdom in humility, restrains sin, and cultivates holiness. When Moses drew near the burning bush, he was told, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground!” (Exodus 3:5). That moment captures the essence of godly fear–an awareness of divine holiness that commands reverence and shapes obedience.
This fear is not abolished in the New Covenant, but deepened. Through the gospel, believers encounter God not only as Creator, but as Redeemer. Jesus bore the wrath which we deserved, and in Him God’s justice and mercy meet. The cross reveals that our holy God cannot be trifled with–our sin costs the blood of Jesus! Yet it also shows that in Jesus, the God who should consume us, has chosen to cleanse and forgive us. “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire!” (Hebrews 12:28–29).
To fear God is to live under the perpetual sense of His presence, which sanctifies our speech, our thoughts, and our actions. The fear of God purifies our hearts. It . . . slays pride, mortifies lust, silences worldly ambition, and fuels sincere worship. Those who fear God revere His majesty and walk in righteousness, because they love His holiness more than their sin.
It is this fear that drove Joseph to flee from Potiphar’s wife; that sustained Daniel in Babylon; and that emboldened the apostles to say, “We must obey God rather than men!” (Acts 5:29).
To live without the fear of God, is to live as though God were small and man were great. But to live in the fear of God, is to see Him rightly: He is infinite majesty–and we are creatures of the dust. And yet this same majestic God stoops to call us His beloved children.
Let us therefore cultivate a holy fear–a reverent joy that delights in God’s glory and obeys His Word. Such fear guards our souls, sanctifies our desires, and anchors us in wisdom. For only those who fear the Lord, truly know Him; and only those who truly know Him, can truly love Him.
Few words ever spoken by the Lord Jesus are more solemn or searching than this brief, three-word warning: “Remember Lot’s wife!” How striking it is that, out of all the women of Scripture, our Lord singled out one for us to remember–not Sarah for her faith, not Ruth for her devotion, not Hannah for her prayer, not Mary for her love–but Lot’s wife, for her destruction! The Spirit of God has placed this warning before us as a perpetual beacon, lest we too be deceived by the bewitching world and perish.
Yet all of this availed her nothing. She perished miserably because her heart was never truly separated from the world. Outwardly she fled Sodom, but inwardly she lingered. Her body was on the path to safety, but her affections were chained to the city of destruction. With one glance backward, she revealed the state of her soul. That look cost her eternal glory, and she was turned into a pillar of salt–a monument of God’s righteous judgment against hypocrisy and divided hearts.
The tragedy of Lot’s wife stands as a warning to all who imagine that religious advantages, spiritual associations, or outward privileges can save. Many think that because they were raised in a Christian home and attend church, that they are safe. Lot’s wife shows us that one may be surrounded by light and truth, and yet perish in eternal darkness. She had seen angels, heard warnings, and been led by the hand of mercy–yet she never savingly believed. The heart is what God is concerned with–and her heart was still in Sodom.
Her backward look was not a small matter. It was the outward expression of inward rebellion. God had said, “Do not look back” (Genesis 19:17). In disobeying, she revealed where her treasure lay. She longed for the life she left behind–the comforts, the pleasures, the society of Sodom–and in doing so she despised the salvation of her soul. Jesus declares, “No man having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). The danger of worldlinessand divided affection is real. How many professors of religion today claim to follow Jesus, yet their hearts cling to the world! They say they are bound for Heaven, but they look longingly at Sodom. They want to go to Heaven when they die, but they also want the soul-ruining world. The end of such double-mindedness is eternal destruction.
Scripture is full of warnings against this very danger. John writes, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). James tells us that “friendship with the world is hatred toward God” (James 4:4). The Savior Himself declared, “Remember Lot’s wife!” She was almost saved, yet lost forever! There are many in churches today who will come just that far–they will hear sermons and sing hymns, and yet their hearts remain with the world. Their empty profession will not hold up in the Day of Judgment.
Beloved reader, let us examine our hearts. Are we secretly longing for the very things that God calls us to forsake? Are we following Christ with a whole heart, or are we still glancing backward toward Sodom? When Jesus calls us to take up our cross, we must not look back to our Sodom. Salvation demands the forsaking of sin, and the forsaking of the world. It demands a heart fixed on Christ. “The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:17).
The warning of Lot’s wife is not written to terrify the believer, but to search the heart of the hypocrite and to awaken the careless professor. If you are resting in your church attendance, your upbringing, your knowledge–then remember Lot’s wife. If you are unwilling to forsake the world and to follow Christ–then remember Lot’s wife. If you are almost persuaded, almost a Christian, almost saved–remember Lot’s wife. If you are but almost saved–then you will be altogether damned!
“Remember Lot’s wife!” Let us take warning. Let us not dally with sin, linger in compromise, or toy with the world. Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2). For the soul that looks to Him in faith shall never be cast away, but the soul that loves the world will be lost forever.
Often, the best thing one man can give another is kindness. Oh, how sweet it is to hear a kind word, when your heart is breaking! How delightful it is to see a kind smile, when you have seen many growling faces! How pleasant it is to feel the kind embrace of a friend, when you have felt the betrayal of those you thought were your friends! Kindness is always right. Kindness is always in season. It is never wrong to be kind, but always good.
Kindness must have for its object: one who is weak, poor, fallen, outcast, down-trodden, or needy.
To be “kind” is to be useful, generous, sympathetic, and tender.
Kindness accommodates itself to the needs of its objects. If a man offends–kindness forgives him. If a person is fallen–kindness picks him up. If one is hungry–kindness feeds him. If a brother is lonely–kindness visits him. If a sister is downcast–kindness encourages her. If one is weak–kindness offers strength. If one is needy–kindness helps. If a person is afflicted, in trouble and hurting–kindness is tender-hearted.
Sometimes kindness is a word of appreciation, encouragement, or compliment. Sometimes it is a visit, a gift, or an expression of love. Everyone needs a little kindness. And those who love one another, are kind to one another. They overlook and find excuses for one another’s faults and failings. They speak well to one another, and about one another.
Kindness is never wrong.
God, give me grace to be kind to sinners like myself.
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12
Charles Spurgeon, et al. In an age of religious pluralism and tolerance of error, the biblical teaching on the exclusivity of the gospel is essential, even though most people find it to be offensive.
Scripture leaves no room for ambiguity: there is only one way of salvation. There are not manypaths to God, nor are there multiple gospels tailored to different groups. There is but one Savior, one gospel, and one way to eternal life. The way to Heaven is not left to our choice, but is revealed by God. And that way is Christ alone.
The apostle Paul, under divine inspiration, wrote with utmost clarity: “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel–which is really no gospel at all!” He immediately pronounced a curse upon anyone who preached a gospel contrary to the one he had delivered (Galatians 1:6-8). There is no allowance for alternative methods of salvation. There is no second gospel for Jews, Muslims, sincere religious people, moralists, the heathen or the young. The gospel is singular, exclusive, and absolute.
Jesus Himself declared the narrowness of the way when He said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me!” (John 14:6). He did not say He was A way, but THEway. Faith in Jesus and His sin-atoning death is not one option among many, but the only gospel by which sinners can be reconciled to God. Peter echoed this exclusive claim when he boldly proclaimed, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given to men by which we must be saved!” (Acts 4:12).
This one way of salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast!” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
To deny the exclusivity of the gospel, is to deny the very heart of the gospel. To suggest that sincere people in other religions can be saved apart from Jesus, is to make His sin-atoning death unnecessary, and His words untrue. It is a rejection of the only remedy for sin that God has provided.
There are not fifty ways to God–there is only one. The road is narrow, and it is marked with blood. Let us then stand firm, unashamed, and uncompromising in proclaiming the one true gospel–the only gospel that saves.
“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes!” Romans 1:16
Song of Solomon 5:16, “Yes, He is altogether lovely! This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend!”
The soul that has been awakened by grace, drawn by the Spirit, and brought to behold the Lord Jesus through the eyes of faith, cannot help but echo this exclamation: “Yes, He is altogether lovely!” In . . . every aspect of His person, every office He holds, every work He performs, and every word He speaks –Jesus is infinite in loveliness! The redeemed heart, taught by the Spirit, finds no flaw in Him, and no rival to Him.
Consider the beauty of His PERSON. He is fully God and fully man–God manifest in the flesh. In Him, all the fullness of Deity dwells bodily. He is the brightness of the Father’s glory, the exact representation of His being. And yet, He is tender and lowly, gentle and accessible. The glory of His majesty does not drive sinners away–it draws them near. The same hand that upholds the universe, was stretched out to touch lepers and lift fallen sinners.
His CHARACTER is equally lovely. His holiness is not austere, but beautiful. His righteousness is not harsh, but winsome. He was full of grace and truth–never compromising either. In Him, mercy and justice meet. He never turned away the penitent, never coddled the proud, never failed to glorify His Father. His every motive was pure, His every word was true, His every act was love.
The beauty of Jesus shines most in His sin-atoning sacrifice. He gave Himself for us. It was the grandest display of self-sacrificing love the world has ever seen! At the cross, we behold the perfection of His grace and justice meeting in breathtaking harmony. There is no beauty like the beauty of a bleeding Savior! None so lovely–as He who was scorned, despised, and crucified for us. Would you know the sweetness of Christ? Come near to Him–look into His wounds, sit beneath His cross, and ponder His dying love for you!
The beauty of His WORK is beyond comparison. Who else but the Son of God would willingly humble Himself to the death of the cross? Who else could bear the full weight of God’s wrath, and yet cry, “It is finished!” He loved His people to the uttermost. He purchased them with His own blood. He rose in triumph, intercedes with compassion, and will one day return in glory!
His beauty never fades. Unlike the passing charm of earthly things–Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The more He is known, the more He is loved. The more He is seen, the more He is desired. The more He is worshiped, the more the soul cries, “Show me more of Jesus!”
The longer we walk with Jesus, the more His beauty unfolds–dazzling us anew with His mercy, wisdom, and power. Beloved, take time today to meditate on the matchless beauty of Jesus. Look into His heart of love, His hand of power, His crown of glory. In each of these, He is altogether lovely!
Let us then join the voice of the bride in Song of Solomon: “This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend!” Not merely a doctrine, not merely a Savior–but our Beloved. The One our souls love, the One who has loved us with an everlasting love. Let us gaze upon Him with adoring hearts, worship Him with reverent love, and long for that day when we shall see Him as He is, and be with Him forever!
“Lord Jesus, You are the altogether lovely One. Captivate my heart with Your beauty. Help me to . . . know You more clearly, love You more deeply, and follow You more closely. Amen.”
Wilhelmus à Brakel, 1 Peter 2:7, “To you who believe, He is precious!”
To the regenerate soul, Jesus Christ is the chief delight and treasure of the heart.
The world may see no beauty in Him, but to the one born of God, Jesus is altogether lovely and worthy of all of our love, honor, and adoration.
His preciousness lies first inHis Person. In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and yet He took upon Himself true humanity. What mystery, that He who upholds all things by the word of His power, also humbled Himself to become obedient to death–even death on a cross! Who can fathom such condescension? Who is like this glorious Mediator, who is both the Son of God and the Son of Man?
Christ is also precious inHis offices.
As Prophet, He reveals the Father’s will, teaching us the way of salvation with divine authority and tenderness.
As Priest, He offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sins, and ever lives to intercede for us.
As King, He rules over us with perfect righteousness and protects us from all our enemies. Each office meets our deepest need, and each one displays His surpassing worth.
Further, He is precious inHis benefits. Who but Jesus can give . . . rest to the weary, peace to the troubled, righteousness to the guilty, and life to the dead?
His blood cleanses from all sin.
His Spirit renews the heart.
His intercession secures both our perseverance and preservation.
His promises are sure and sweet.
And His presence is the joy of the believer’s soul.
All the infinite treasures of grace are found in Him!
The more we grow in grace, the more Christ becomes our all. The soul cannot but long for Him, be satisfied with Him, and rejoice in Him above all things! This longing is not merely sentimental; it flows from a spiritual apprehension of His beauty through the Word and by the Spirit. This is the cry of every true Christian: “Whom have I in Heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You!” Psalm 73:25
Let us then prize Christ above all. Let us . . . seek Him diligently, love Him fervently, and trust Him implicitly.
Nothing but Jesus can truly satisfy the soul of men. In life and death, time and eternity–Jesus alone is the soul’s eternal portion and inheritance. O believer, cling to Him as your only treasure–for He is infinitely precious.
“Lord Jesus, open my heart more fully to see Your surpassing worth. Let the world grow dim, and let Your glory shine brighter in my heart. May I count all things loss for the sake of knowing You, and may my soul be ever ravished with Your loveliness. You are altogether precious. Amen.”
What are you doing, groaning through the world beneath a load of fears and cares?
Thomas Guthrie, 1803-1873 Matthew 10:29-31, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
There is no such thing as chance. All the reins that guide and govern the world, are gathered into the hands of Jesus. His care of His people extends to the most common, and apparently trivial matters; all are links in the golden chain of providence.
Divine Providence is a comforting doctrine, too precious to be parted with! Let the thought that Jesus . . . watches over all your affairs, and guards your welfare, and guides all your ways– banish your every anxious care.
I do not say that you will never be disappointed, but certainly you ought never to be discontented. Many things in your circumstances may occasion anxious thought, but nothing should cause or can excuse sinful repining.
Child of God! He has numbered the hairs of your head, as well as the stars of Heaven!
Believer, what are you doing, groaning through the world beneath a load of fears and cares? What should discourage you? What should disturb your peace? What can ruffle the calm spirit of a man who knows that the hands which were once nailed to the tree for him, now hold the helm of his destiny? The blessed Savior, who by love’s golden scepter reigns within his heart, holds sovereign sway over earth and Heaven; and . . . by both bitter and sweet providences, by both coffins and cradles, by both disappointments and joys, by both losses and gains, shall cause all things to work together for good to those who love Him, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Arthur Pink, Ephesians 4:22-24, “You were taught with reference to your former way of life, to lay aside the old man who is being corrupted in accordance with deceitful desires–to be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and to put on the new man who has been created in God’s image–in righteousness and holiness that comes from truth.”
The Christian life is not a playground, but a battlefield. We are called to take up arms against two mighty foes: the indwelling corruption of our flesh; and the sluggishness of our hearts toward God. Scripture speaks of this double duty as mortification of sin, and vivification of grace.
Whenever the Holy Spirit regenerates someone, He implants a holy principle within that person which always manifests itself in the ongoing work of mortification and vivification. That is, the practical putting off of the old man and the putting on of the new man. This mortification and vivification is continued throughout life, and will not end until glorification.
First, the mortification of sin. The flesh is a restless rebel, forever plotting treason against its rightful King. Pride, envy, lust, sloth, anger, impurity–these are no trifles, but serpents whose venom would destroy the soul if left unchecked. Our duty is not to pamperthem, but to slaythem. The believer must take the sword of the Spirit and pierce through every darling sin, however small it may appear. Yet we cannot mortify any sin by the sheer strength of our will. Only as we walk in the Spirit, will He enable us to mortify sin.
“Walk in the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh!” (Galatians 5:16)
Second, the vivification of our graces, so that we increase in strength and make further advances in true piety. To mortify sin is to pull up the weeds–but we must also nurture the flowers of holiness. We can do this, only as we vivify our graces: faith must be exercised, love must be kindled, hope must be nourished, prayer must be cultivated. A barren soul is not a safe soul. When our graces are not growing, then our sins will be spreading. But again, here is our weakness: left to ourselves, we can no more make faith flourish than we can make the lilies grow. It is the Spirit who breathes life, waters every grace, and makes the believer fruitful in every good work.
Thus the Christian is ever cast upon the Spirit. Only through Him, can we kill sin and cultivate holiness. Let us then walk by the Spirit, pray in the Spirit, and depend wholly on the Spirit–until that day when sin shall be no more, and grace shall blossom into glory!
“Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” (Romans 13:14)
J.C. Ryle “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” John 3:8 The workings of grace in the heart are utterly mysterious and unsearchable.
We cannot explain why the Word produces effects on one person in a congregation, and not upon another.
We cannot explain why, in some cases; with every possible advantage, and in spite of every entreaty–people reject the Word, and continue dead in trespasses and sins.
We cannot explain why in other cases; with every possible difficulty, and with no encouragement–people are born again, and become decided Christians.
We cannot define the manner in which the Spirit of God conveys life to a soul, and the exact process by which a believer receives a new nature.
All these are hidden things to us. We see certain results, but we can go no further.
This is deeply instructive. It is humbling no doubt to ministers, and teachers of others. The highest abilities, the most powerful preaching, the most diligent working, cannot command success.
God alone can give spiritual life!
But it is a truth at the same time, which supplies an admirable antidote to excessive anxiety and despondency. Our principal work is to sow the seed. That done, we may wait with faith and patience for the result. We may leave our work with the Lord. He alone can, if He thinks fit, give success.
Romans 9:15, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
This is an apt description of the whole of the Christian life. I consider it to be a complete picture of a saint, drawn with one stroke. In all circumstances and conditions, we are to come to Jesus alone.
The Christian life is begun, continued, and perfected altogether in dependence upon the Lord Jesus. He is both the author and the finisher of our faith.
If we begin aright, we begin with “Christ is all!” If we live aright, we live with “Christ is all!” And if we finish aright, we finish with “Christ is all!”
We are to be always coming to Him: coming to Him for spiritual nourishment; coming to Him for needed grace; coming to Him for cleansing, guidance, support and comfort; coming in fact, for everything.
The whole Christian life is drawn in one line–it is a continuous “coming to Jesus!”
I am persuaded that the only happy, holy, safe way for a Christian to live, is to live in daily dependence upon Jesus and to come to Him at all times, in all respects, under all circumstances, for everything!
May it be the habit of our lives to be incessantly coming to our loving and merciful Savior.
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior!” Isaiah 43:1-3
Charles Spurgeon, et al. Canticles 1:2, “Your love is better than wine!”
The believer finds his truest joy, not in the fleeting pleasures of this world, but in the enduring and soul-satisfying love of the Lord Jesus Christ. “Your love is better than wine,” says the Bride to her Beloved–and the heart of every redeemed soul echoes the same. Earthlyjoys may sparkle for a moment, but they soon fade. Christ’s love is better–it is . . . purer, deeper, richer, and forever satisfying.
Wine may gladden the heart of man, but it cannot quiet his conscience. Itmay brighten the face, but it cannot cleanse the soul. But the love of Christ–what comfort, what peace, what delight it brings! One moment in communion with Him, outweighs a lifetime of the world’s pleasures. We have tasted His love, and it is like honey from the comb–sweeter than anything earth can offer. His presence lifts the downcast. His fellowship strengthens the weary. His nearness satisfies every longing.
Beloved, consider how Christ has poured out His love for you. Not in word only, but in blood–love proven on the cross; love triumphant over sin, death, and Hell. He loved you when you were unlovable. He sought you when you were wandering. He died for you when you were madly rushing to Hell. And now He bids you to draw near and drink deeply of His love. He is the Fountain of living waters, the true Vine from which every drop of heavenly joy flows.
Has the world disappointed you? Has its wine turned sour in your mouth? Come again to the Savior. Let His love be your comfort, your song, and your strength. Here is no deceit, no regret, no after-bitterness–only pure delight, joy unspeakable and full of glory.
O believer, dwell often beneath the shadow of the Cross. Sit down under His banner of love, and feast on the riches of His grace. The love of Jesus is the joy of Heaven begun on earth, and the foretaste of eternal bliss! Drink to the full, and be satisfied in Him!
Charles Spurgeon, et al. 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
Whenever anyone is saved by the sovereign grace of God, and regenerated by the Holy Spirit–he becomes a new creation in Christ. This is not a mere moral improvement, nor a religious reformation, nor the adoption of a more wholesome lifestyle–but a supernatural work of the Spirit, producing a new nature.
Having experienced this miracle of salvation, the new man now has new views, new ambitions, new convictions, new desires, new notions, new hopes, new dreads, new pleasures, new aims, new principles, new affections, new joys, and new pursuits. Everything about him is changed. He does, as it were, live in a new world!
He was once spiritually dead, enslaved to sin, governed by the flesh, blind to truth, and hostile to God!
Now, his affections are changed–he loves what he once hated, and hates what he once loved!
Now, his mind is renewed–he no longer sees life through the lens of popular culture, but through the lens of Scripture.
Now, his will is liberated–he longs to do the will of God, though not without struggle. Though sin still remains in his flesh, it no longer reigns in his life.
The believer is brought into a new realm: from darkness, to light; from death, to life; from the kingdom of Satan, to the kingdom of God. He is adopted as God’s child, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and sealed for the day of redemption. In Christ, every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms is now his! (Ephesians 1:3-8).
His past is forgiven, his present is transformed, and his future is secured.
But the glory of this new creation lies not in the man himself, but in the One who made him new. Just as the original creation displayed the majesty of God–so this new creation displays the greatness of His sovereignty, mercy, and grace.
Christian, never forget who you are–you are not what you once were. And though you are not yet what you will be–you are already made new in Christ. Let this truth humble you, encourage you, and move you to walk in newness of life, to the glory of God who “has rescued us from the dominion of darkness, and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins!” Colossians 1:13–14
Charles Spurgeon, et al. Few verses are more misunderstood or misused than the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:1, “Judge not, lest you be judged!” In our day of moral relativism, blame-shifting, and self-justification, this verse is regularly pulled out of context to silence any voice that dares to call sin what it is. Yet such misuse turns the Lord’s words on their head, distorting both His meaning and His purpose.
First, what Jesus is NOT saying: He is not forbidding all forms of judgment. Scripture itself commands believers to discern between good and evil (Hebrews 5:14), to expose the fruitless deeds of darkness (Ephesians 5:11), and to confront a brother or sister who is in sin (Galatians 6:1). In fact, just a few verses later in Matthew 7, Jesus warns against giving what is sacred to dogs (verse 6), and identifying false prophets by their fruits (verses 15-20)–both of which require spiritual discernment and righteous judgment. Clearly then, Jesus is not promoting a blind tolerance of sin, or moral indifference.
Nor is He forbidding the correction of others. His very command, “then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye”–implies that helping a brother overcome sin is a necessary and loving work. But it must be done with humility, self-awareness, and sincerity.
What Jesus IS condemning, is self-righteous, hypocritical judgment–the kind that sees minor faults in others, while ignoring major ones in ourselves. He is exposing the pride that delights in criticizing others from a position of moral superiority, while remaining blind to our own sin.
The image which Jesus paints is intentionally exaggerated in order to make His point: a man with a plank sticking out of his eye, trying to remove a speck of dust from someone else’s eye. None are more unjust in their judgments of others, than those who have a high opinion of themselves.
Until we have first humbled ourselves before God, repented of our own sin, and been cleansed by His grace–we are not fit to help others. We must first judge ourselves rightly–only then will we be able to see clearly and act compassionately.
In the end, this passage is not a prohibition against loving confrontation. The real force of Jesus’ words is this: Judge yourself first. Deal with your own sinful heart, before you presume to deal with another’s. And when you do speak to others about their sin, let it be from a place of grace, truth, and godly love–never from hypocrisy.
Judgment that aligns with God’s Word, is exercised in humility and aims at restoration–is not only permitted–it is commanded. The problem is not judgment itself, but self-righteous, hypocritical, or unjust judgment.
“Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.” Galatians 6:1
(You will find it helpful toLISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)
Psalm 1:4-6, “Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish!”
“Not so the wicked!” With these solemn words, the Psalmist draws a sharp contrast between the godly and the ungodly. The righteous are like fruitful trees–rooted, nourished and prosperous. But “the wicked are like chaff that the wind blows away.” Chaff is the worthless husk separated from grain–light, dry, and empty. It is easily scattered and quickly forgotten. Such is every life lived apart from God: rootless, fruitless, and ultimately futile. However impressive the wicked may appear for a season, their prosperity is short-lived and their end is destruction! (Psalm 73:18-19)
The wicked “will not stand in the judgment.” They will have no defense, no covering, no hope. When they stand before the Judge of all the earth, their works will be burned up as stubble. All their excuses will be silenced. The day of judgment will reveal what they are: rebels against the Most High God, having rejected His Son and despised His Word. They will not be counted “in the assembly of the righteous.” They may have mingled with the godly on earth–but in the last day, the Shepherd will infallibly separate the sheep from the goats (Matthew 25:32). Their exclusion will be eternal.
“For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” Here is the final contrast.
The Lord lovingly and attentively watches over the path of His redeemed people. He guards their steps, directs their course, and brings them safely home.
But the way of the wicked–though it may seem smooth for a time–leads only to ruin! Their end is not annihilation, but everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46). The broad road may appear pleasant, but it descends into outer darkness, with weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth!
Reader, Psalm 1 presents only two ways: the way of life, and the way of death. One is watched over by God, ending in glory. The other is forsaken by God, ending in judgment.
Which way are you walking? The only escape from the perishing path, is found in Jesus. He bore the wrath for sinners, that all who turn from their wicked ways and trust in Him may be counted among the righteous. “The Lord knows those who are His!” (2 Timothy 2:19) Let every soul flee to Him and find life!
(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)
Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.”
“Do not be afraid . . . for I Myself will help you!” Isaiah 41:14
Today, let us hear the Lord Jesus speak to each one of us: “I Myself will help you!It is but a small thing for Me, your God, to help you. Consider what I have done already.
What! not help you? Why, before the world began, I choseyou to be My treasured possession.
What! not help you? Why, I laid aside My glory and became a man for you.
What! not help you? Why, I boughtyou with My sin-atoning blood.
What! not help you? Why, I have diedfor you! And if I have done the greater, then will I not do the lesser? I gave up My life for you! And if I have done all this for you, then I will surely help you now. If you had need of a thousand times as much help, then I would give it to you. You require little, compared with what I am ready to give. It is much for you to need–but it is nothing for Me to bestow.
What! not help you? Fear not! If there were an ant at the door of your granaryasking for help–it would not ruin you to give him a handful of your wheat! Just so, you are nothing but a tiny insect at the door of My all-sufficiency!”
“I Myself will help you!”O my soul, is not this enough?
Bring your empty pitcher here! Surely this wellwill fill it.
Hasten! gather up your needs, and bring them all here–your emptiness, your woes, your troubles. Behold, this river of God is full for your supply. What more can you desire? The Eternal God is your helper!
“The Lord is with me; He is my helper!” Psalm 118:7
“My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:2
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)
Psalm 42:1-2, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God!”
What the Christian longs for, is that he may so approach the Lord as to feel himself to be a friend of God, and know that God’s love is most surely his own.
Oh, the sweetness of knowing that there is nothing between God and you, but friendship and love; that all the sad and sinful past is forgiven and even blotted out of the Lord’s remembrance; and that now you may speak to Him without fear and trust in Him without dread.
Atonement has removed His righteous wrath and brought His boundless love. Now you may come and lie in His bosom for it is your Father’s bosom; and hide under the shadow of His wing for it is your Father’s wing, and it will cover you from all harm even as a hen covers her chicks. It is the prelude of Heaven to feel that:
“The God that rules on high, And thunders when He please, Who rides upon the stormy sky, And manages the seas; This awesome God is mine!”
All of His power is for my protection, all of His wisdom is for my direction, all of His tenderness is for my consolation, all of His truth is for my encouragement, all of His grandeur is for my ennobling, and all the infinity of His nature is for my eternal glorification.
The Christian’s grand ambition is to walk with God, and to dwell in communion with Him. He longs to abide in Him, to be forever God’s beloved, and to become daily more and more conformed to Him.
“Whom have I in Heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever!” Psalm 73:25-26
(You will find it helpful toLISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)
Genesis 5:24, “Enoch walked with God.”
A man who walks with God will necessarily grow in grace, and in the knowledge of God, and in likeness to Jesus. You cannot suppose a perpetual walk with God year after year, without the favored person being strengthened, sanctified, instructed, and rendered more able to glorify God.
When we read that Enoch walked with God, we are to understand that he realizedGod’s presence. Enoch’s faith was a realizing faith. He did not believe things as a matter of creed, and then put them up on the shelf out of the way, as most do. He was not merely orthodox in head, but the truth had entered into his heart, and what he believed was true to him, practically true–true as a matter of fact in his daily life.
Enoch walked with God. It was not that he merely thought of God, or that he speculated about God, or that he read about God, or that he talked about God. Enoch walked with God, which is the practical and experimental part of true godliness. In his daily life Enoch realized that God was with him, and he regarded God as a living friend in whom he confided, and by whom he was loved.
This is the very flower and sweetness of Christian experience. If you would taste the cream of Christian life, it is found in having a realizing faith, and entering into intimate fellowship with the heavenly Father.
Enoch did not commune with God by fits and starts, but he abode in the conscious love of God. He did not now and then climb to the heights of elevated piety, and then descend into the marshy valley of lukewarmness. He continued in the calm enjoyment of fellowship with God from day to day.
Enoch’s life must also have been a holy life, because he walked with the holy God. If we are to walk with God, then we must walk according to truth, justice and love. The Lord keeps no company with the wicked; so we know that Enoch who walked with God, must have been an upright and holy man.
Enoch’s life must, moreover, have been a happy one. Who could be unhappy with such a companion! With God Himself with us, the way can never be dreary. Since God was his companion, then Enoch’s life must have been a way of pleasantness, and a path of peace.
And oh, what an honorable thing it is to walk with the Eternal! Many a man would give thousands to walk with a king. Numbers of people are such worshipers of dignities, that if a king did but smile at them, they would be intoxicated with delight.
What then, is the honor of walking with the King of kings! How ennobling it was for Enoch to be enabled to be the King’s companion, to walk alone with Him, and to be His familiar friend.
No life can surpass that of a man who quietly continues to walk faithfully with God, in the place where providence has placed him.
Hi all! I’ve just designed this new ‘iChristian’ logo, to hopefully try and capture the vibe of this blog. I I think it includes the joy of praising, worshiping, the power of His Word and to give Him all the Glory! I hope you like it, and would you be so kind to let me know your thoughts either way in the comments below?! 🤔
(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)
Mark 8:36, “What will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, and loses his soul?”
When a lost man dies: his relatives scramble for his money; the worms scramble for his body; and the demons scramble for his soul!
What a fearful and sobering picture this is! The world may dress death in velvet and flowers, but God reveals its true horror for the unregenerate soul. The instant a man without Christ breathes his last, everything he loved is torn from him. His money is left behind, becoming a point of contention and greed among his relatives. The bodyhe once adorned and pampered, is claimed by corruption and decay. And his soul–the most precious part of his being–is cast into eternal Hell.
The world’s goods, its riches, its pleasures, its pomp, its fame–what are all these without Jesus? They are a painted pageantry to go to Hell in! They are a mockery to an immortal spirit. They are like a mirage in the desert, deluding the traveler, but not yielding one substantial drop of joy.
“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind!” (Ecclesiastes 1:14). Yes! This poor world is a heap of chaff; the only enduring treasure is to be found in Jesus. If you neglect Him, you neglect all that is worth having.
For the lost, death is not an escape–it is the doorway to everlasting punishment. Jesus spoke more often of Hell than of Heaven, warning us with great compassion: “Fear Him who, after killing the body, has power to throw you into Hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him!” (Luke 12:5). The man who lives for himself and dies without Jesus, does not rest in peace. He awakens to eternal torment, where hope never dawns, and mercy is no longer offered.
Dear reader, do not be deceived. Life is short! Death is certain! Eternity is near!
A golden coffin will be a poor compensation for a damned soul!
“It is appointed unto man once to die, and after that the judgment!” (Hebrews 9:27).
(You will find it helpful toLISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)
Hebrews 4:12, “For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword; it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
There is no book like the Bible. It is not a dead letter or a relic of the past, but the living voice of the living God. It speaks with divine authority, breathes with divine power, and works with divine precision. It does not merely inform the mind–it pierces the heart!
The above verse describes the Word of God as living and active–not stagnant, not silent, not powerless. The same Word that spoke galaxies into being, continues to speak, convict, and transform today.
Unlike the dull blade of human reasoning, the Word of God is sharper than any double-edged sword. Its edge is not dulled by time, culture, or resistance. It cuts with divine skill, reaching into the deepest recesses of our being. No other voice can penetrate so deeply, discerning what no eye can see and what no man can judge–the secret thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
God’s Word divides soul and spirit–terms that speak of the hidden and complex depths of man. It exposes what is natural and carnal, separating it from what is spiritual and holy. It . . . uncovers our hypocrisies, shatters our pride, and strips away all self-deception. This wounding of the Word is not to destroy–it is to heal. It convicts in order to cleanse. It wounds that it might restore. It rebukes to bring repentance.
We may hide from men, but we cannot hide from God’s Word. When it is wielded by the Holy Spirit, it lays us bare before Him to whom we must give account.
Let us never handle the Word deceitfully, carelessly or casually. Let us not harden our hearts to its searching truths. Rather, let us come before it humbly, reverently, and prayerfully–asking the Lord to use it to search us, sift us, and sanctify us. May we ever study the Word, as a love-letter from our merciful Savior-God. May we never merely read it–but meditate on it, and be transformed by it.
“When Your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight!” Jeremiah 15:16
The Reformer Martin Luther, wrote these profound truths regarding God’s Word:
“The Bible is alive, it speaks to me. It has feet, it runs after me. It has hands, it lays hold of me.”
“Let the man who would hear God speak, read Holy Scripture.”
“The Word of God is the greatest, most necessary, and most important thing in Christendom.”
“The Bible is the cradle wherein Christ is laid.”
“I have made a covenant with my God that He send me neither visions, dreams, nor even angels. I am content with this gift of the Scriptures, which teaches and supplies all that is necessary, both for this life and that which is to come.”
(You will find it helpful toLISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)
Isaiah 43:1-3 “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior!”
Fear often grips our hearts when we face uncertainty, suffering, and trials. But God speaks directly to His redeemed people: “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you!” This is not a mere suggestion–it is a divine command grounded in His sovereign grace. He has purchased us at the highest cost–the blood of His darling Son, Jesus Christ! 1 Peter 1:18-19
Because we are ransomed, we are also called by name. This is the personal love of God toward each of His redeemed people–He knows each of us intimately, and claims us as His own. What a comfort to know that our identity is not found in our struggles, failures, or circumstances–but in the unchanging truth that we are God’s redeemed children! Our trials may seem overwhelming, but they can never undo what Christ has secured for us. We belong to Him, and nothing can snatch us from His omnipotent and loving hand! John 10:28-29
The Christian life is not free from suffering, but it is never without God’s presence. The Lord does not say IF you go through deep waters, but WHEN. This world is filled with trials, but the promise is sure: “I will be with you!”
Deep waters will not drown you. When trouble comes like a flood, God holds us fast. The waves may crash, but they cannot pull us from His omnipotent grip! Psalm 93:4
Rivers of difficulty will not sweep you away. Temptations, sorrows, and hardships may rise–but our foundation in Christ remains forever firm.
Fires of oppression will not consume you. Just as God preserved Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace, He will sustain us through every trial. Daniel 3:25
We do not walk alone. The sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, is our Savior. He leads us, refines us, and upholds us by His wisdom and power. Every trial, though painful, is used by God to purify our faith and deepen our dependence on Him. 1 Peter 1:6-7
You may measure the heavens with a ruler, you may weigh the mountains in scales–but the love of Christ, who shall measure that!
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!” Romans 8:38-39
(You will find it helpful toLISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5
In a world that prizes self-assertion, self-promotion, pride, and personal rights–the meek are overlooked, even despised. Yet Jesus declares that it is the meek: the lowly, the humble–who are truly blessed.
This meekness is not natural to the human heart. It does not come from a gentle personality or a quiet temperament. True meekness is the fruit of the Spirit and springs from a heart humbled before a holy God. It flows from the soul that has been . . . emptied of self-righteousness, broken over sin, and made to bow before the majesty of divine holiness.
The meek man sees himself rightly–as a sinner saved by grace alone. He does not fight for his own importance or honor, because he knows he has none in himself. He is content to be little, because Christ is everything. Like Job, he says, “Behold, I am vile!” Job 40:4. And like the publican, he beats his breast crying, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner!” Luke 18:13
Yet far from being weak, meekness is a mark of true strength. It takes far more power to submit to God’s will, to quietly bear wrongs, and to put others before oneself–than to rise up in pride and retaliation. The meek do not demand their way–they trust God to order all things for their good and His glory.
And what is their reward? “They shall inherit the earth.” Though now they may be poor, obscure, and afflicted–they shall one day reign with Christ. The proud may rule for a season, but it is the meek who will possess the earth when Jesus returns to make all things new. The new heavens and the new earth are prepared not for the boastful, but for the lowly and humble in heart.
Oh what comfort this brings to weary, struggling saints! You who feel the weight of your unworthiness and marvel that God would save you–take heart! You are blessed. You may be despised by the world, but God almighty smiles upon you. Your Savior was meek and lowly, and you are being made like Him.
“Gracious Father, humble my heart before You. Let me not seek my own honor or insist on my own way, but teach me the beauty of meekness. Let my soul be quiet under Your hand, trusting that You will lift up the humble in due time. May I find all my delight and reward in Christ alone, in whose name I pray, Amen.”
(You will find it helpful toLISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)
Philippians 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
The apostle Paul saw his entire existence through the lens of his Savior. If he lived, it was for Christ’s glory. If he died, it was for Christ’s presence. Either way, he was wholly surrendered to Christ! Christ was the source, the substance, and the goal of his life.
“To live is Christ.” What does this mean? It means that Christ is . . . the purpose of our lives, the joy of our hearts, and the strength of our souls. Whether in trials or triumphs, in sorrows or joys, Christ is the center of all we do. Our lives are not our own–they are His! To a man who lives for Christ, nothing is secular–everything is sacred. To draw nearer to Christ is his life’s ambition; to glorify Christ is his daily business; to live for Christ is his greatest joy.
But then Paul adds, “to die is gain.” How can death–the dreaded enemy of mankind–be gain? To the world, death is the worst possible loss–it is the end of all earthly hopes and dreams. But for the believer, death is simply the doorway into eternal, unbroken fellowship with Christ! It is . . . the shedding of all sin, the end of all suffering, and the entrance into the fullness of joy in our Savior’s presence. To die is . . . to be with Christ, to behold Him in all His glory, and to rest in His love forever. No more pain, no more tears–only Christ, in the fullness of His beauty and glory!
Dear Christian, do not fear what the world fears. Your life is Christ’s, and your death is but a passage into His presence, to a glory beyond imagining. Take heart! Your life is Christ, your death is gain, and your eternity is secure in His loving hands.
Live for Christ today, and long for the day when you shall see Him face to face!
“I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far!” Philippians 1:23
“We know that when He appears, we shall be like Him–for we shall see Him as He really is!” 1 John 3:2
(You will find it helpful toLISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)
“You are . . . a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9
This verse is both a comfort and a challenge. It reminds every genuine Christian of their identity in Christ and the purpose for which they were redeemed.
First, Peter declares that believers are a chosen people.
Our election is not based on our merit, works, or foreseen faith–but solely on God’s sovereign grace! (Ephesians 1:4–5). This humbles us, for we were not chosen because of anything in us–but in spite of our unworthiness. God’s love is set upon His people from eternity past, and this should fill us with deep assurance and joy. If God has chosen us, He will surely keep us (John 10:28–29).
Next, Peter states that Christians are a royal priesthood.
Under the Old Covenant, priests were set apart to intercede before God. Now, in Christ, all believers are priests–we have direct access to God through our Mediator, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:16). But with this privilege comes responsibility. As priests, we are called to offer up spiritual sacrifices–our lives, our praise, and our obedience (Romans 12:1; Hebrews 13:15). We do not live for ourselves, but for the glory of our King.
We are also a holy nation.
Holiness is not optional for God’s people. To be holy means to be set apart from sin, and set apart unto God. In justification, He has made us holy in Christ. In sanctification, He is making us holy in our daily lives.
This verse challenges us–do we live as citizens of heaven, or are we entangled in the world’s ways? (Philippians 3:20; 1 John 2:15-17).
As Christians, we belong to God.
What a comfort to know that we are not our own! We belong to God by election, and are purchased by the sin-atoning death of Christ. This means we are secure in His love, but it also means we do not have the right to live for ourselves. Our purpose is not self-fulfillment, but God’s glory.
Lastly, all Christians are called into God’s marvelous light.
We were once in darkness: dead in sin, enslaved to the world, and blind to the beauty of Christ. But God has rescued us from the dominion of darkness, and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son! (Colossians 1:13). This was not a mere invitation, but an effectual summons that brought us from death to life (Ephesians 2:1–5).
Now, we walk in His light, seeing His truth, loving His ways, and reflecting His glory.
All of this–our election, priesthood, holiness, and belonging–has a purpose: that we may declare His praises! We are saved not merely for our benefit, but primarily to glorify God. Our lives should be a continual testimony to His grace. Our lips should be filled with His praises.
This verse is both a deep comfort and a weighty calling. Let us ever strive to live . . . as God’s chosen people, as His royal priesthood, as a holy nation, as a people belonging to God, and declaring His praises!
“God’s people are His peculiar treasure, His special portion. What greater honor can be conferred upon a man than this–to belong to God! The Lord values His saints more than all the world!”
(You will find it helpful toLISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)
Mark 14:27, “All of you will desert Me!” Jesus told them.
We see in this verse, how well our Lord knew the weakness and infirmities of His disciples. He tells them plainly what they were going to do: “All of you will desert Me!”
Let us take comfort in the thought that the Lord Jesus does not cast off His believing people because of failures and imperfections.
He knows exactly what they are. He takes them, as the husband takes the wife, with all their blemishes and defects; and once joined to Him by faith, He will never leave them. He is a merciful and compassionate Savior. It is His glory to pass over the transgressions of His people, and to cover their many sins.
He knew what they were before conversion: wicked, guilty, and defiled–yet He loved them.
He knows what they will be after conversion: weak, erring, and frail–yet He loves them.
He has undertaken to save them, notwithstanding all their deficiencies and failings. And what He has undertaken, He will perform.
Let us learn to pass a charitable judgment on the conduct of professing believers. Let us not set them down in a low place, and say they have no grace–because we see much weakness and sin in them. Let us remember that our Master in Heaven bears with their infirmities, and let us try to bear with them too.
The Church of Christ is little better than a great hospital. We ourselves are all, more or less, weak. We all daily need the skillful treatment of the heavenly Physician. There will be no ‘complete cures’ until the resurrection day.
“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:31-32
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are” Hebrews 4:15
(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.) John 14:26, “But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”
One way in which the Holy Spirit comforts us, is by His teaching. It is His work to help us understand the Scriptures.
The Holy Spirit is the master teacher who takes the things of Christ and reveals them to us, making our hearts burn within us.
The Spirit’s work is not to deliver new truths, but to make the truths in the Word shine with living clarity before our eyes.
The Spirit does not merely teach us doctrine, but makes us feel its power and sweetness in the depths of our souls.
The Spirit’s teaching is heart-teaching. It is not learned in the intellect alone, but in the soul’s deepest experience.
The Spirit is the great interpreter of God’s Word–and without His teaching, we cannot rightly divide the Scriptures.
I can teach you the letter of God’s Word, but there is only One who can teach you effectually and savingly.
The Spirit not only reveals, but transforms–for it is His nature to lead us from knowledge into holiness.
As the sun brings light to the natural world, so the Spirit brings spiritual light to the darkened soul.
When the Spirit breathes upon the Word, the truth leaps from the page and fastens upon the heart, as an arrow of conviction or comfort.
When the Spirit comes with power, every doctrine sparkles like a diamond in the sunlight, and glows with divine warmth.
The Spirit of God gives us not only light, but sight. For what is the use of daylight to a blind man? The Spirit opens the eyes of our understanding.
When the Spirit works within, even the simplest truths of Scripture shine with divine brilliance, filling the soul with joy.
Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing–we are as, ships without wind, branches without sap, and coals without fire.
The Spirit’s illumination goes beyond words, for He makes us taste the sweetness of Christ, and feel the importance of eternal realities.
The Spirit of God first imparts light to the soul, by which we see, ourselves, our sin, and our Savior.
The Spirit shows us our sin as exceedingly sinful, and Jesus as altogether lovely!
We are blind until the Spirit takes the scales from our eyes. We are deaf until He unstops our ears. We are dead until He gives us life.
The Holy Spirit is the great revealer of Christ to the soul, making Him known, loved, and adored–where He was once despised.
By the Spirit’s enlightening, we see, the glory of the cross, the beauty of holiness, and the hope of Heaven–as never before!
Without the Spirit’s teaching, we are like travelers in the wilderness without a compass, wandering aimlessly in search of truth.
“But when He, the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.” John 16:13
“For you are a holy people who belong to the Lord your God. Of all the people on earth, the Lord your God has chosenyou to be His own special treasure!” Deuteronomy 7:6
God highly prizes His people. Yes, it is impossible to say how highly He prizes them. Those are wondrous words, “For the Lord has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel for His own special treasure!” Psalm 135:4
Did the shepherd prize his flock? God calls His people, “His flock, His beautiful flock.”
Does the miser prize his wealth? God says of His people, “You shall be a special treasure unto Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.”
Does the prince prize his jewels? God says of His people, “They shall be Mine, in that day when I make up My jewels!”
Does the bridegroom prize his beloved and dearly purchased bride? It is written, “As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you!”
Does the reigning monarch prize his crown? God has said, “You shall be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.”
What wondrous love, such expressions as these represent! How precious must the Lord’s people be to Him! Truly they are His special treasure!
God chose them to be special unto Himself. He chose them out from among others. He chose them in preference to others.
He chose them out from others, on purpose that they may be a special people unto Himself. And in so doing, He acted FREELY. It was not on account of anything He saw in them, or on account of anything He expected from them; but in the exercise of His most free and holy sovereignty, He chose them to participate in the glory of His Son!
In choosing them, He acted also DELIBERATELY. It was no hasty choice. His thoughts had been eternally filled with them. His heart had been eternally set upon them. Therefore He chose them in Christ before the foundation of the world!
In choosing them, He acted WISELY, as He really desired to have them. For each one of them is ready to confess that if God had not chosen them, that they would never have chosen Him! The nature regulates the choice; and as our nature is carnal and impure, we would never have chosen God who is spiritual and holy.
His choice was just an early expression of His LOVE. The love which chose them, would do anything for them, and give anything to them! Therefore God spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for them all; and in so doing, gave them the assurance that He will also freely give them all things in Christ.
O the wonders couched in electing love!
This act of choosing such creatures as we are, to be a special people unto Himself, displays . . . such grace, such condescension, such infinite wisdom and love!
God’s election says, “The Lord loves you!” Loves us! Yes, and with a love that is eternal, immutable, sovereign, infinite, and free! All the love of God is lavished upon us as His special people in Christ. Oh, those wondrous words of Jesus, “You have loved them, even as You have loved Me!” John 17:23
But few among the worldly wise, But few of nobler race, Obtain the favor of Your eyes, Almighty King of grace!
You will need much holy wisdom here, lest you overlook the work of the Spirit within you.
You have thought, it may be, of the glory that Christ receives from . . . brilliant genius, and profound talent, and splendid gifts, and glowing zeal, and costly sacrifices, and extensive usefulness.
But have you ever thought of the glory–the far greater richer glory, that flows to Him from . . . the contrite spirit, the broken heart, the lowly mind, the humble walk, the tear of godly repentance that falls when seen by no human eye, the sigh of godly sorrow which is breathed when heard by no human ear, the sin abhorrence, the self loathing, the deep sense of vileness, and poverty, and infirmity that takes you to Jesus with the prayer:
“Lord, here I am; I have brought to You . . . my rebellious will, my wandering heart, my worldly affections, my peculiar infirmity, my besetting and constantly overpowering sin. Receive me graciously, put forth the mighty power of Your grace in my soul, and subdue all, and rule all, and subjugate all to Yourself! Will it not be for Your glory, the glory of Your great name . . . if this strong corruption were subdued by Your grace; if this powerful sin were nailed to Your cross; if this temper so volatile, if this heart so impure, if these affections so truant, if this mind so dark, if these desires so earthly, if these pursuits so carnal, if these aims so selfish –were all entirely renewed by Your Spirit, sanctified by Your grace, and made each to reflect Your image? Yes, Lord, it would be for Your glory, through time and through eternity!”
The infinite ocean of Christ’s love! (Octavius Winslow) The mind has often been sensible of a feeling of awe as we have stood upon the shore, and gazed upon the vast expanse of the ocean. With a similar, yet far transcending emotion–we approach the infinite ocean of Christ’s love!
Like the eternity of God–we cannot fathom where His love begins, or where it terminates.
There is no other solution to the marvelous mysteries of His Incarnation and Sacrificial Death but this, Christ has loved us!
Love originated all, explains all, illustrates all.
Love is the interpreter of every Divine mystery.
There is not a circumstance of our Lord’s history which is not another form or manifestation of love. His incarnation, is love stooping. His sympathy, is love weeping. His compassion, is love supporting. His grace, is love acting. His teaching, is the voice of love. His silence, is the repose of love. His patience, is the restraint of love. His obedience, is the labor of love. His suffering, is the travail of love. His cross, is the altar of love. His death, is the burnt offering of love. His resurrection, is the triumph of love. His ascension into Heaven, is the enthronement of love. His intercession in Heaven, is the prayer of love.
Such is the deep, the vast, the boundless ocean of Christ’s love! The soul muses in silent awe as it gazes upon this fathomless, limitless sea!
Nothing short of a divine love could or would have borne our sins, and the punishment of our sins. The weight of the one, and the terribleness of the other, would have crushed and annihilated a mere ‘created’ affection. There existed no love but the love of Jesus, which was equal to the work of salvation.
Who was willing, who was able–to bear that heavy load, to endure that overwhelming curse, but Jesus?
Oh, think, beloved reader, what the love of Christ has done and suffered for you: the burden it bore, the sorrow it felt, the humiliation it underwent, the insults, the ignominy, the privation through which it traveled; its groans, its sighs, its tears, its darkness; how inconceivably it agonized, how freely it bled, how voluntarily it died, the sins it has pardoned, the guilt it has cleansed, the declensions it has restored, the backslidings it has healed, the sorrows it has soothed, the patience it has exercised, the gentleness it has exhibited –and then ask: Could any other but the love of Jesus have done all this, and endured all this?
Such is the love of Christ!
To have saved us upon such terms: a stoop so low, a humiliation so profound, a labor so immense, mental anguish so acute, bodily suffering so agonizing, a death so ignominious! Was there ever a love like this? Was it ever equaled? Where shall we find its parallel?
Love less divine, less strong, less gentle, could never have won your heart, uprooted your enmity, torn you from your idols–enthroning Christ, all of Christ, Christ only, Christ supremely, Christ forever!
The love of Christ will be the wonder, the study, and the song of all pure, holy creatures through eternity!
Beloved, nothing shall take the love of Christ from you, or separate you from it. It does not ebb with the ebbing of your feelings; it does not chill with the chill of your affections; it does not change with the changing scenes and circumstances of your life.
The love of Christ has . . . depths we cannot sound, heights we cannot explore, an infinite fullness and freeness tiding over all the sins, infirmities, and sorrows of its blessed and favored objects!
Seek to know this love of Christ, though it is so vast that it ‘passes knowledge.’ Infinite though it is, you may . . . experience its reality, taste its sweetness, and be influenced by its all commanding, all constraining power!
Do not limit your heart experience of Christ’s love–for it is infinite in its nature, and boundless in its extent.
As yet, how many of us stand but upon the shore of this ocean!
How little do we know, experimentally, of the love of Christ in our souls!
Bring your heart with, its profoundest emptiness, its most startling discovery of sin, its lowest frame, its deepest sorrow, and sink it into the depths of the Savior’s love!
That infinite sea will flow over all, erase all, absorb all–and your soul shall swim and sport amid its gentle waves, exclaiming in your joy and transport, “Oh, the depths!”
May the Lord direct your heart into the love of God, just as it is: hard, cold, fickle, sinful, sad and sorrowful.
Christ’s love touching your hard heart, will dissolve it!
Christ’s love touching your cold heart, will warm it!
Christ’s love touching your sinful heart, will purify it!
Christ’s love touching your sorrowful heart, will soothe it!
Christ’s love touching your wandering heart, will draw it back to Himself!
Only bring your heart to Christ’s love!
Believe that He loves you, and just as love begets love–so the simple belief in the love of Jesus will inspire you with a reflected, responsive affection; and your soul, like the flower, will burst from its captivity, and bloom, and, soaring in life, liberty, and beauty–will float in the sunbeams of Gods full, free, and eternal love! And in a little while, will find itself in Heaven, where all is love!
“Blessed Jesus! Your love, like Your agonies, is an unknown and unfathomable depth! It surpasses knowledge. Let it rise and expand before me, until it . . . fills the entire scope of my soul’s vision; occupies every niche of my heart; and bears me onward by its all commanding, all constraining influence, in the path of a holy loving obedience and surrender.”
“Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly!” Colossians 3:16
STUDY the Scripture. It is a copy of God’s will. Be Scripture-men, Bible-Christians. Search the Scripture, as for a vein of silver. This blessed Book will fill your head with knowledge, and your heart with grace!
There is majestysparkling in every line of Scripture.
There is a melodyin Scripture. This is that blessed harp which drives away sadness of spirit. How sweetly does this harp of Scripture sound; what heavenly music does it make in the ears of a distressed sinner, especially when the finger of God’s Spirit touches this instrument!
There is divinityin Scripture. It contains the marrow and quintessence of true religion. It is a rock of diamonds, a manual of piety. The lips of Scripture have grace poured into them. The Scripture speaks of faith, self-denial, and all the graces which, as a chain of pearls, adorns a Christian.
Oh, then, search the Scripture! Had I the tongue of angels, I could not sufficiently set forth the excellency of Scripture. It is a spiritual telescope, in which we behold God’s glory! It is the tree of life, the oracle of wisdom, the rule of godliness–the heavenly seed of which the new creature is formed.
‘The two Testaments,’ says one, ‘are the two breasts which every Christian must suck, that he may get spiritual nourishment.’ These holy leaves of Scripture are for the healing of our souls.
The Scripture is profitablefor all things. If we are deserted, here is spiced wine that cheers the heavy heart. If we are pursued by Satan, here is the sword of the Spirit to resist him. If we are diseased with sin’s leprosy, here are the waters of the sanctuary, both to cleanse and cure. Oh, then, search the Scriptures!
Read the Bible with reverence. Think, in every line you read, that God is speaking to you! The ark wherein the Word was put was overlaid with pure gold, and was carried on bars, that the Levites might not touch it. Exodus 25:14. Why was this, but to give reverence to the Word?
Read with seriousness. It is matter of life and death! By this Word you must be tried and judged.
Read the Word with affection. Get your hearts quickened with the Word. Labor that the Word may not only be a lamp to direct, but a fire to warm.
Read the Scripture, not only as a history, but as a love letter sent to you from God, which may affect your hearts.
Pray that the same Spirit who wrote the Word may assist you in reading it; that God’s Spirit would show you the wonderful things of His law, so that the Word will become effectual.
“O how I love Your law! I meditate on it all day long!” Psalm 119:97
There is no treasure so satisfying as Christ, for He is the fountain of all happiness, and the source of eternal joy.
The believer values Christ above all, for He is the chief good–and in Him, all desires are fully satisfied.
Christ is the pearl of great price, for whom the believer gladly sells all to possess.
The true saint delights to behold the beauty and glory of Christ, for He is altogether lovely!
The true believer prizes Christ above the world, counting all things but loss for the excellence of knowing Him.
The love of Christ fills the soul as the sweetest treasure, making all earthly pleasures seem as nothing.
When Christ is our treasure, we rejoice in Him as our eternal inheritance–one that can never fade away.
The believer’s heart rests only in Christ, for He is the treasure that can never be exhausted.
Jesus Christ is . . . the sum of all good things, the fountain of all beauty, and the source of all joy to the soul.
There is an infinite excellence in Christ, which is worthy of our highest esteem and most ardent love.
The soul that has tasted the sweetness of Christ, sees that He is infinitely more glorious than all the world.
Christ is . . . a treasure that never diminishes, a fountain that never runs dry, and a Savior who is all-sufficient for every need.
He who has Christ, has a possession of infinite worth–for He is the eternal and unchangeable God, given to us as our eternal portion.
The soul that treasures Christ, finds all earthly possessions as nothing compared to the riches of His grace.
Christ is the great treasure-house of Heaven, from which all blessings flow to His people.
In Christ, the soul finds a Savior who is both the remedy for all its miseries, and the source of all its felicity.
A true saint will part with anything and everything for Christ, because He is the most precious treasure.
The love of Christ constrains the believer to count all things as loss, for the surpassing worth of knowing Him.
Christ is the most precious of all possessions, for He is an infinite good that can never be lost or taken away.
All the treasures of wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption are laid up in Christ for His people.
There is more value in one drop of Christ’s blood, than in all the gold and silver of the world.
The believer finds its greatest joy in the contemplation of Christ’s beauty, love and glory.
The soul that treasures Christ, looks with disdain upon the fleeting pleasures of this world–for they are as shadows compared to the reality of His love.
A heart that values Christ as its treasure, will not be drawn away by the vanities of the world, for it is satisfied in Him.
The riches of the world are like broken cisterns that hold no water, but Christ is a well-spring of eternal life.
Christ is the believer’s treasure, not only because of what He gives, but because of who He is–God Himself, dwelling with His people.
Christ is the key to the treasury of Heaven, and through Him, the believer gains access to boundless riches of grace and glory.
When Christ is the treasure of the heart–He transforms the soul, making it beautiful with His own holiness and love.
The more the soul treasures Christ, the more it is lifted above the cares and trials of this life, finding peace and joy in Him.
The believer who treasures Christ learns to view all things in light of eternity, for Christ becomes the measure of all value and worth. Christ is the eternal portion of His people, the inexhaustible treasure they will enjoy forever in Heaven.
In the world to come, the saints will rejoice in Christ as their treasure more fully, seeing Him as He is in His infinite glory and love.
The riches of Christ’s glory will never be exhausted, for He is an infinite fountain of joy that flows forever to His people.
The delight of the saints in Heaven, consists chiefly in the joy of beholding Christ as their everlasting treasure!
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also!” Matthew 6:21
I come before You with a heart overflowing with gratitude and awe. Thank You, my Savior, for the wondrous love You have shown in laying down Your life for me, a vile sinner. How can I comprehend the depth of Your sacrifice? You, the spotless Lamb of God, took upon Yourself the punishment I so rightfully deserved. You bore my sins and endured the agony of the cross, not because of anything that I have done to deserve it, but because of Your boundless love and grace.
I was lost and condemned, helpless and hopeless–yet You gave Your life to save me. Your love knows no limits, no boundaries, no conditions. It is overwhelming and immeasurable, and I am most grateful and humbled by it.
Thank You for taking my place, for giving Yourself to suffer and die as my sin-atoning sacrifice. Thank You for the gift of eternal life that You have freely given, not because I am worthy, but because You are merciful and full of grace. I can never begin to repay You, but I offer the love of my poor heart, in response to the marvelous mercy and grace which You have shown to me.
I thank You, precious Jesus, for bearing my eternal punishment so that I might know the peace of being reconciled to Father-God. My heart is forever Yours.
“Christ died for the ungodly”
“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”
“When we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son” Romans 5:6, 8, 10
by Octavius Winslow “And surely I am with you always, even to the very end of the world.” Matthew 28:20
Are you going through a sorrowful affliction?
What a Friend, what a Brother, what a Helper, is Jesus!
Never–no never, does He leave His suffering child to travel that mournful night unvisited and unsoothed by His presence.
He is with you now!
His faithfulnessnever falters. His lovenever changes. His tendernessnever lessens. His patiencenever wearies. His gracenever decays. His watchfulnessnever slumbers.
Jesus loves to visit us in the stormy night of affliction. He says, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand!” Isaiah 41:10
The incarnate God delights to be near His helpless and timid children. He is near to you, as the strength of your sinking soul.
“Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior!” Isaiah 43:1-3
“He will feed His flock like a Shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.” Isaiah 40:11
How soothing, in the hour of sorrow, or bereavement, or death–to have the countenance and sympathy of a tender earthly friend. Reader, these words tell you of One nearer, dearer, tenderer still–the Friend that never fails, a tender God!
By how many endearing epithets does Jesus exhibit the tenderness of His relation to His people.
Does a shepherd watch tenderly over his flock? “The Lord is my Shepherd.”
Does a father exercise fondest solicitude towards His children? “I will be a Father unto you.”
Does a mother’s love exceed all other earthly types of affection. “As one whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you.”
Is the ‘apple of the eye’ (the pupil) the most sensitive part of the most delicate bodily organ? He guards His people “as the apple of His eye!”
“He will not break the bruised reed.”
When the Shepherd and Guardian of souls finds the sinner, like a lost sheep, stumbling on the dark mountains–how tenderly He deals with him! There is no look of wrath; no word of upbraiding. In silent love “He lays him on His shoulders rejoicing!”
Reader, are you mourning over . . . the weakness of your faith, the coldness of your love, your manifold spiritual declensions?
Fear not. He knows your frame! He will give ‘feeble faith’ tender dealing. He will carry in His arms those that are unable to walk, and will conduct the burdened ones through a path less rough and rugged than others.
When “the lion” or “the bear” comes–you may trust the true David, the tenderest of Shepherds!
Are you suffering from outward trial? Confide in the tenderness of your God’s dealings with you. The strokes of His rod are gentle strokes–the needed discipline of a father yearning over his children the very moment He is chastising them. The gentlest earthly parent may speak a needlessly harsh word at times–but not so God. He may seem like Joseph to his brethren, to ‘speak roughly’–but all the while there is love in His heart!
The pruning knife will not be used unnecessarily. It will never cut too deeply.
The furnace will not burn more fiercely than is absolutely required. A tender God is seated by it, tempering the fury of its flames!
And what, believer, is the secret of all this tenderness? There is a Man upon the Throne! Jesus, the God-Man Mediator–combining with the might of Godhead, thetenderness of spotless humanity.
Is your heart crushed with sorrow? So was His!
Are your eyes dimmed with tears? So were His? “Jesus wept!” Bethany’s Chief Mourner still wears the Brother’s heart in glory!
Others may be unable to enter into the depths of your trial. Jesus can–Jesus does!
With such a tender God . . . caring for me, providing for me, watching my path by day, and guarding my couch by night, “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8
Jeremiah 6:14, “They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. ‘Peace, peace!’ they say, when there is no peace!”
Ezekiel 13:10, “They lead My people astray, saying, ‘Peace!’ when there is no peace!”
These verses are a scathing denunciation of every unfaithful minister!
In the Christian Church, there are many who, while professing themselves to be ambassadors of Heaven, are only deceivers of the people! Their habit has at all times been, to preach, “Peace, peace!” when there was no peace!
There are still many ministers who never teach their people: the desperate depravity of the human heart, the absolute necessity of a new birth, the impossibility of being saved by their own righteousness, and the indispensability of thorough devotion to God, as His redeemed people.
Instead, they tell their hearers, that there is a smoother and an easier way to Heaven, than what the Scriptures have marked out!
Whether seduced by others or not, all unbelievers are naturally prone to speak “peace” unto their own souls. “I have peace, even though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart!” Deuteronomy 29:19
The unsaved will not receive the plainest declarations of God concerning them. They cannot endure to think that they are in such danger as God’s Word declares them to be.
They do not believe that the way to Heaven is as strait and narrow as His Gospel represents it.
They persuade themselves that they shall be saved at last, even though they scoff at both the clearest principles and practices of Scripture.
Yet the holy Judge of every person is unmistakable, “There is no peace for the wicked! The wicked shall be turned into Hell, and all the nations that forget God!”Isaiah 57:21, Psalm 9:17
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners!”
What a gospel is this for a poor sinner! It speaks . . . of pardon, of acceptance, of peace with God, of full redemption here, and unspeakable glory hereafter!
This glorious gospel proclaims . . . a Savior to the lost, a Redeemer to the captive, a Physician to the sick, a Friend to the needy, an Advocate to the criminal.
All that a self-ruined, sin-filled, law-condemned, broken-hearted, justice-threatened sinner needs–this “glorious gospel of the blessed God” provides!
It reveals to the self-ruined, One in whom is his help. It reveals to the sin-filled, One who can take away all sin. It reveals to the law-condemned, One who saves from all condemnation. It reveals to thebroken-hearted,One who binds up and heals. It reveals to the justice-threatened, One who is a hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest!
That One is Jesus! O name that is ever dear. O name that is ever sweet. O name that is ever precious. O name that is ever fragrant. O name that is ever healing to broken-hearted sinners!
All you can possibly need, is treasured up in Christ!
You have no cross, but Christ can bear it. You have no sorrow, but Christ can alleviate it. You have no corruption, but Christ can subdue it. You have no guilt, but Christ can remove it. You have no sin, but Christ can pardon it. You have no need, but Christ can supply it!
Lift up your heads, you poor, you needy, you disconsolate!
Lift up your heads and rejoice that Christ is all to you . . . all you need, in this valley of tears; all you need, in the deepest sorrow; all you need, under the heaviest affliction; all you need, in lingering sickness; all you will need, in the hour of death; all you will need, in the day of judgment!
What more do you desire?
A merciful Father who loves you as the apple of His eye!
A gracious Savior to whom to go, moment by moment!
And a blessed indwelling, sanctifying, comforting Spirit!
Yes, “Happy indeed are those whose God is the Lord!”
“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners, and recovery of sight for the blind, and to release the oppressed.” Luke 4:18
“The disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 13:52
“The fruit of the Spirit is joy” Galatians 5:22
The Wise Man says that there is “a time to laugh.” That is, there is a time when laughter is right, when it is a duty–and when it would be wrong not to laugh. Perhaps we have not been accustomed to think of laughter in this way. We regard it as an agreeable exercise–but are not apt to class it among duties, like honesty or kindness.
It would be a sad thing, however, if laughter would be altogether crowded out of life. Think of a world of human beings with no laughter–men and women always wearing grave, serious, solemn faces. Think of the laughter of childhood departing from the world–how dull and dreary life would be! Nothing on earth is more beautiful, than the merry laugh of childhood.
Laughter has its place in every wholesome, healthy, holy life. The man who never smiles–is morbid! He has lost the joy-chords out of his life. He has trained himself to think only of unpleasant things, to look only and always at the dark side. He has accustomed himself so long to sadness–that the muscles of his face have become set in hard, fixed lines–and cannot relax themselves. His thoughts of life are gloomy–and the gloom has entered his soul and darkened his eyes!
Where there is no laughter–all evils nest. Demons do not laugh!
The man who never laughs, must not blame his fellows if they think there is something wrong with his life–something dark within.
If the streams which flow out are only bitter–the fountain cannot be sweet!
The Wise Man says: “A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.” Proverbs 15:13 “A cheerful heart has a continual feast.” Proverbs 15:15 “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22
“May the God of hope fill you with all joyand peace” Romans 15:13
“Rejoicein the Lord always! I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4
Hi all! Wow it seems like ages since i’ve connected with you guys on here. I’ve been having problems with WordPress on my ancient mac, so i’m trying to find ways of posting using my iPhone with the screenreader…Not easy!! 🤣
This is my first attempt to post using the WordPress app…So what better way to post than a fantastic praise song! Me and Sarah are loving this song and are playing along to it all the time. As you may know Sarah plays the flute and a whole variety of woodwind instruments so this song is fantastic and i love listening to her! Also i play the drums and the acoustic guitar to this song (not at the same time, lol) So please give it a listen and sing praise to our Lord with us!! 🙏 😀
I hope all of you guys are doing well too? I can’t wait to get things sorted out with this app so i can connect with you all again…Miss you lots and God bless! 😀
December 11, 2025 
iChristian 
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