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

True Love and Worship by D. G. Miles McKee Ref: Genesis 22:1-14   Have you ever heard of The Law of First Mention? It’s a principle of biblical interpretation which states that the first mention of something in the Scriptures is especially significant and sets the stage for how it is to be understood in the rest of the Word. It is of great interest, therefore, to notice that in this passage (Genesis 22:1-14), we get the first mention of the word “Love” in the Bible. It is found in verse 2, “ Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest.” Notice how love is first mentioned in the context of Abraham’s blood sacrifice of Isaac.  Love was not mentioned in the Garden of Eden where we would expect it to have been, but rather, first mentioned in the story whose central truth is that of substitution. Thus, we are, once again, pointed towards Calvary. It is there, at the cross, that we see the greatest proof of God’s love for us. God so loved that He substituted His Son

" Lord, remember me, when Thou comest into Thy kingdom." -Luke 23:42 [KJV] When Joseph had interpreted the chief butler’s dream, how pathetically does he plead with him! Think of me, when it shall be well with thee (see Genesis 40:14.) But, alas! such is the base ingratitude of man, all was in vain. When restored to his dignity at court, he thought no more of poor Joseph in prison. Exalted stations often elevate the mind above feeling for the distressed. But it is not so with the King of kings. He is ever the Friend of poor sinners. He remembers us in our low estate. Behold! for us He now hangs on the accursed tree, between two cursed sinners. One was taken, the other left. See your own state in both .  Behold the marvellous power of the Lord’s sovereign grace in one! Consider, (1st) Here is a reviler of Jesus changed into a petitioner to Him. There was no alteration in any outward circumstances. All things continued just the same. Christ hung, to all appearan

" Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is of God." -I John 4:2 [KJV] “You study too much, it will kill you,” says one and another. What! the study of Christ, Who is the life, health, and joy of the soul, kill one? Precious death, to die in such sweet exercise. It is only to fall asleep in Jesus, and awake with Him in glory. I am sure, (through grace) this delightful study will kill the life of sense, the power of sin, and the delusion of Satan. Christ help us to study Him more and more. The apostle here warns us against false spirits, which are not of God. He bids us believe not every spirit, but try (- test ) them. For many false prophets are gone out under a spirit of delusion.  We are in danger of being deceived by them. Here is a fixed rule to know whether they are of God or not. (1st.) Know ye the Spirit of God. Many pretend to have received Him: to preach by His inspiration: to glory in ecsta