"Salvation is of the LORD." -Jonah 2:9

     An elderly gentleman in the church had little formal education, but spent a lot of time with the Bible and was always finding things in the Scriptures that others missed.  At one service, the pastor asked those in the congregation for their favorite verses from the Bible.  When it was the man’s turn, he stated his favorite verse was, “And it came to pass."   All were puzzled, so the pastor asked if he would explain his selection a bit further.  The old gentleman responded, “When trouble comes and I don’t know what to do, I take heart that the Bible never says, ‘And it came to stay.’  But it is chocked-full of places where it says, ‘ And it came to pass .’” Excerpted from The Berea Baptist Banner, Milburn Cockrell, February 5, 1989 A.D.

" I will put a division between My people and thy people: to-morrow shall this sign be." -Exodus 8:23 [KJV] Thus speaks the sovereign Jehovah to the haughty, stubborn monarch Pharaoh. Loving children delight to treasure up in their memories the words of an affectionate father: they love to reflect on them, and draw comfort from them. O that we may do so to-night, by this speech of our heavenly Father! Consider,  (1st.) here is a people distinguished from a people. The Lord has a people among a people, chosen out of a people. These He particularly calls His own—My people. They are so, by everlasting love, eternal choice, and covenant grace.  (2d.) Though near and dear as they are to the Lord, yet they may for a season continue under the power of, and suffer oppression from their enemies. Though the love of the Lord’s heart is ever set upon you, and the eye of His providence is ever over you, yet He may seem to leave you. O! tarry the Lord’s leisure, and be strong

" Awake to righteousness, and sin not." -I Corinthians 15:34 [KJV] What St. Paul says of natural death, “Some are fallen asleep,” (verse 6,) may be applied, in a spiritual sense, to professors. There are many such in this day. It is a very bad frame to live in and indulge. Such bring no honour to God, credit to the gospel, or profit to their brethren. One would think, such sit all the year under that word, and heartily obey it, “Sleep on, and take your rest.” Can such be said to be running in the heavenly race, fighting the good fight of faith, wrestling with spiritual enemies, and pressing towards the mark, for the prize of their high calling of God in Christ Jesus? No; no more than a man in a midnight sleep, can be said to be active in worldly affairs.  But, what is worst of all, such sleepers dream that all is safe, and well with them. St. Paul, like a faithful watchman, cries out to such, Awake: “How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise ou

" Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him." -Genesis 42:8 [KJV] How affecting is the history of Joseph! Who can read it without emotion of soul? What amazing scenes of Providence open to our view! Spiritual minds may see many things in it typical of our beloved Saviour. Here, Joseph’s brethren are introduced to him, as governor of Egypt. He knew them: they knew not him. How does he deal with them? Does he instantly make himself known to them?  No: though he had the most tender affections of heart to them, and wept tears of joy at the sight of them; yet he speaks roughly, and sends them to prison. Why this? to bring their sin to their mind, and to affect them for their cruelty towards him, with a deep sense of their guilt. See we not somewhat typical of the conduct of Christ, our brother in the flesh, in all this?  (1st.) Christ knew us before we knew Him: He knew us from eternity, when we were chosen in Him, and given to Him.  (2d.) We never seek after Hi

What do you think of Christ? Part II   “What think ye of Christ? is the test To try both your state and your scheme; You can­not be right in the rest, Unless you think right­ly of Him.”   -John Newton Last time, in part one, we concluded that no one was ever born like Jesus. His birth was merely an incident in His life. He had been alive from all eternity.  He was and is the God-Man. Now in Part 2 we continue to discover Christ´s uniqueness by considering that no one ever lived like Jesus. He lived a sinless life. What a mouthful! Do you realise how staggering that truth is? Have you ever tried it? Tried what? Tried to live sinlessly. I urge you to attempt it and see how far you get. Test every thought of yours against the Glory of God.  Does every thought exalt and magnify the eternal God? Well, you say, that´s impossible...Of course it is. That´s one of the reasons why Jesus stands alone in a vast sea of humanity.  He actually lived a sinless life.  He was sinless in though

God’s wise and gracious providence Directs me on my way; And everything I truly need,   Is given day by day,   Is given day by day.     How comforting it is to know,   Whate’er my lot may be;   My steps were ordered by the Lord,   From all eternity,   From all eternity.     No matter what the future holds,   In this I find sweet rest;   My path is managed by the Lord,   His will I know is best,   His will I know is best.     The Christ Who governs all the world,   Has saved me by His grace;   And He will lead me on my way,   Until I see His face,   Until I see His face.     His hand shall guide me to that home,   Reserved for me above;   And then forever I will sing,   Of providential love,   Of providential love.     Tune: “Majestic Sweetness” CM Words by Jim Byrd