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

"...be not conformed to this world." -Romans 12:2 [KJV] In proportion as we are conformed to the spirit of this world our understanding becomes dull in the things of God, our affections cold and torpid, and our consciences less tender and sensitive. There is an eternal opposition between God and the world lying in wickedness.  In order, then, that our spiritual experience of the truth of God should maintain its ground, it must not be dulled and deadened by conformity to the world. It is like the sabre that the soldier carries into battle; it must not trail unsheathed upon the ground lest point and edge be dulled; both must be kept keen and sharp, that execution may be done upon the foe. So it is with our enlightened understanding , with our tender conscience , and our heavenly affections . If we let them fall upon the world, it is like a soldier trailing his sabre upon the pavement; every step he takes dulls both edge and point. If we are conformed to this worl...

It is Finished , Part III by D G Miles McKee   If we wish to be effective in the Christian life, we must never tire of hearing and meditating upon the Gospel.  In the light of the cross, we can learn to agree with the old Puritan, John Flavell, who, referring to Christ, declared "The condemnation was Thine, that the justification might be mine.  The agony was Thine, that the victory might be mine. The pain was Thine, that the ease might be mine. The stripes Thine, that the healing balm issuing from them might be mine. The vinegar and gall Thine, that the honey and the sweet might be mine. The curse was thine, that the blessing might be mine. The crown of thorns was Thine, that the crown of glory might be mine. The death was Thine, that the life purchased by it might be mine. You paid the price, that I might enjoy the inheritance." We were lost and condemned by sin.  We could not satisfy the claims and demands of God's holiness, yet Christ's complete obedience ...

"Behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth." -Joshua 23:14 [KJV] Though fully assured of his near dissolution, yet with what calm composure doth Joshua utter these words! Though you are a sinner, and must fall under the sentence of death for sin, yet you need not be under bondage all your life time through fear of death. Why should you? Has not the sinner’s Friend gained a complete and everlasting victory over death, the sinner’s enemy?  Consider, (1st.) what Christ hath done for us sinners. For sinners we are, and shall be, though redeemed by the blood, and sanctified by the Spirit of Christ. When the messenger of death kills the body, and calls the soul to glory, then honour thy Lord’s work by the faith of thy heart. So fear and terror shall flee thy soul.  By His death, He has appeased divine Justice. As Jonah, His type, being cast into the sea, quelled the storm; so Christ, being cast into the furnace of divine wrath, quenched the flames. God is ju...

"Brethren, pray for us." -I Thessalonians 5:25 [KJV] My soul, mark how earnestly the apostle sought an interest in the prayers of the faithful. And if so eminent a servant in the church of Jesus thus entreated to be remembered by the brethren at the mercy-seat, how needful must it be that the brethren should remember one another; not only ministers to pray for the people, but the people for their ministers.  "Brethren, pray for us," should be the constant request of every lover of Jesus. Methinks I would ask every one that I knew to be a constant attendant at the heavenly court, to speak for me to the King when He was most near, and in the enjoyment of His presence. Tell the Lord, I would say, that His poor prisoner needs His alms, longs for His grace, and is waiting the anxious expectations of His visits. Beg for me, that I may live always under the blessed tokens of His love, that I may be ever living near the Lord, and strong in the grace which is ...

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."  -Romans 12:1 [KJV] If the Son of God has redeemed us by His blood, all that we are and have belongs to Him; our body, soul, and spirit are His. Nothing is our own; we are bought with a price. In laying down His precious life for us, He has redeemed us unto Himself, that we should be His peculiar people, and not only render to Him the calves of our lips, but give Him body, soul, spirit, substance, life itself; all that we are and have being His by sovereign right. He lays claim to them all, not only as our Creator, but as our Redeemer, having bought them by His precious blood. When we feel His mercy warm in our soul, can we keep body or soul back? Look at Abraham. When God called to him, and said, "Abraham!" what was his answer? Here I am. Here is my body, here is my soul, here is my subs...