iChristian

Better than wine!

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. Earthly joys 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. It may 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!

A new creation!

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

Judge not, lest you be judged!

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

The Ways ad Ends of the Wicked

Charles Spurgeon, et al.

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN 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!

If there were an ant at the door of your granary

Charles Spurgeon

(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 chose you 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 bought you with My sin-atoning blood.
 
What! not help you? Why, I have died for 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 well will 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

Worship at Immanuel’s feet

Isaac Watts, 1674-1748

(We highly suggest that you LISTEN to the audio as you READ the text below.
  This is perhaps the most Christ-exalting hymn that we have ever heard!)
 
1. Worship at Immanuel’s feet;

See in His face what wonders meet,

Earth is too narrow to express

His worth, His glory, or His grace.

2. The whole creation can afford

But some faint shadows of my Lord;

Nature, to make His beauties known,

Must mingle colors not her own.

3. Is He compared to Wine or Bread?

Dear Lord, our souls would thus be fed.

That flesh, that dying blood of thine,

Is bread of life, is heavenly wine.

4. Is He a Tree? the world receives

Salvation from His healing leaves;

That righteous branch, that fruitful bough,

Is David’s root and offspring too.

5. Is He a Rose? not Sharon yields

Such fragrancy in all her fields;

Or if the Lily He assume,

The valleys bless the rich perfume.

6. Is He a Vine? His heavenly root

Supplies the boughs with life and fruit;

O let a lasting union join

My soul to Christ, the living Vine!

7. Is He a Head? each member lives,

And owns the vital power He gives;

The saints below and saints above,

Joined by His Spirit and His love.

8. Is He a Fountain? there I bathe,

And heal the plague of sin and death;

These waters all my soul renew,

And cleanse my spotted garments too.

9. Is He a Fire? He’ll purge my dross;

But the true gold sustains no loss;

Like a Refiner shall He sit,

And tread the refuse with His feet.

10. Is He a Rock? how firm He proves!

The Rock of Ages never moves;

Yet the sweet streams that from Him flow,

Attend us all the desert through.

11. Is He a Way? He leads to God;

The path is drawn in lines of blood;

There would I walk with hope and zeal,

Till I arrive at Zion’s hill.

12. Is He a Door? I’ll enter in;

Behold the pastures large and green;

A paradise divinely fair;

None but the sheep have freedom there.

13. Is He designed the Cornerstone,

For men to build their heaven upon?

I’ll make Him my foundation too,

Nor fear the plots of hell below.

14. Is He a Temple? I adore

The indwelling majesty and power;

And still to His most holy place,

Whene’er I pray, I’ll turn my face.

15. Is He a Star? He breaks the night,

Piercing the shades with dawning light;

I know His glories from afar,

I know the bright, the Morning Star.

16. Is He a Sun? His beams are grace,

His course is joy and righteousness;

Nations rejoice when He appears

To chase their clouds and dry their tears.

17. O let me climb those higher skies,

Where storms and darkness never rise!

Where He displays His powers abroad,

And shines and reigns the incarnate God!

18. Nor earth, nor seas, nor sun, nor stars,

Nor heaven His full resemblance bears;

His beauties we can never trace,

Till we behold Him face to face!

The Christian’s grand ambition

Charles Spurgeon

(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

Walking with the King of kings!

Charles Spurgeon, “Enoch Walking with God“

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN 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.

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        When a lost man dies!

Charles Spurgeon, et al.

(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). 

Pierced by the living Word!

by Martin Luther, et al.

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN 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.”

Do not be afraid!

Charles Spurgeon, et al.

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN 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

Blessed are the meek

By Arthur Pink and others.

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN 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.”

To live is Christ, to die is even better!

By Charles Spurgeon and others

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN 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

A chosen people for God’s glory!

By Charles Spurgeon and others

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN 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!”

A great hospital

J.C. Ryle, “The Gospel of Mark” 1857

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN 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

The teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit

Various authors

(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

O the wonders couched in electing love!

James Smith, “God’s Special Treasure” 1860

“For you are a holy people who belong to the Lord your God. Of all the people on earth, the Lord your God has chosen you 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!

Grace denial

(Octavius Winslow, “The Glory of the Redeemer in His People”)  LISTEN to Audio!  Download Audio

Be cautious of grace denial.

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.”

A love letter sent to you from God!

(Thomas Watson, “Body of Divinity“)  LISTEN to Audio!  Download Audio

“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 majesty sparkling in every line of Scripture.

There is a melody in 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 divinity in 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 profitable for 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

Jesus, the believer’s treasure 

Jonathan Edwards

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