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

When we look upon ourselves, we often see ourselves – the most stupid – the most ignorant – the most vile – the most unworthy – the most earthly and sensual wretches that God can permit to live! At least, that is the view we take of ourselves when we are really humbled in our own eyes.   But when God looks upon His elect, He does not look upon them as they often look upon themselves – but as they stand in Christ – accepted in the Beloved  - without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing!  He does not see His people as they often see themselves – full of wounds, and bruises and putrefying sores, but clothed in the perfection, beauty, and loveliness of their Head and Husband.         -preacher J. C. Philpot

A RIGHT MIND I often think, after hearing the Gospel of grace preached in the power of the Spirit, “Why would anyone in their right mind not rejoice in this blessed Truth, that salvation is accomplished, salvation is free, there is nothing for the sinner to do, because everything God requires of the sinner, He (-the Father) looks to Christ for?”              And then I realize why.  Only a believer has a right mind, and all men by nature have a wrong mind.  Just look at examples in Scripture…the religious Pharisee (me and you by nature) spent his “prayer time” impressing God with his sincerity, his devotion, his fasting, his tithing, his holier-than-thou attitude with his wrong mind, and went down to his house not justified.  And way off in the corner, the despised publican (-given a right mind, just like the prodigal son returning to his father) bowed his head in shame, beating upon his chest – filled with a sinful heart,...

“Nevertheless, when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away.”   -II Corinthians 3:16 [KJV] From our perspective, it generally looks as though the moon has a light of its own.  But during an eclipse – when the moon comes between Earth and the sun – the moon is shown for what it is: a dark and dead body.  Rather than adding light to the sun, it actually diminishes  the sunlight that reaches us.              So it is with doctrine.  While in its proper position, it shines with a brilliant light or glory.  But, just as with the moon, the glory of doctrine is not its own, it is Christ .  The proof of this is simple.  Let any doctrine occupy a place between Christ and us, and it will ‘eclipse’ the glory of Christ and become a dead and darkening thing to our souls.              Election is a glorious and wonderful doctrine.  But its glory is wholly borro...

“Even so might grace reign through righteousness.”     –Romans 5:21 [KJV] If a human judge extended grace and pardon to a convicted criminal, he would be removed as an unjust judge putting convicted criminals back on the street. God’s grace is not like that.  God’s grace is righteous grace.   The penalty of the law for disobedience is carried out.   Justice was satisfied by Christ dying for sin on the cross.  The law demands that the sinner go free for whom Christ died because there is now no sin for him to be condemned for!      Christ put that sin away!  Oh, the beauty of His righteous grace, that made the way for Him to be just and justify the ungodly.   -copied 

  Brethren, join your hearts for worship, Let us now our Lord adore; Sing the honors of Jehovah, Praise His Name forevermore. He is God, there is no other, And He governs everywhere; Lift aloud your voice and praise Him, None with Him can e’er compare.   Sing the praises of the Savior, Jesus Christ, our God and King; He is worthy of our worship, Come, your homage to Him bring. He redeemed His chosen people, When upon the cross He died; All the law He fully honored, Justice - Jesus satisfied.   By the Spirit of the Savior, Faith in Christ we have obtained; We are saved by mighty power, As the Lord Himself ordained. Soon He’ll call us home to heaven, Where His chosen, ransomed race; Will forever sing His praises, For His free and sovereign grace . COMPLETE REDEMPTION         “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His...

"But one thing is needful."   -Luke 10:42 [KJV] Happy, most happy for that soul, who can simply bring all things into a unit, to centre in one point. More than one object perplexes the mind. If, to double business bent, we stand and pause where we shall first begin, and perhaps both neglect. What is the one thing needful? It is plain our Saviour means, the soul keeping close company with Himself. This Mary did. She sat at His feet and heard His word. Every thing else is but cumbering work, compared with this. For this one thing comprises all the holiness, happiness, and heavenly-mindedness of the soul.  O if we have the presence of Jesus, guilty tears vanish—dejecting doubts are scattered—legal terrors are silenced—anxious cares subside—strong temptations lose their force—Satan is resisted—afflictions sweetened—turbulent passions calmed—raging corruptions subdued—pride is brought down—humility is excited—peace with God is enjoyed—holiness is promoted—the fear of...

"Christ is all, and in all." -Colossians 3:11 [KJV] Hail, Thou great, Thou glorious, Thou universal Lord. To Thee, blessed Jesus, every knee shall bow. Thou art all in all in creation, redemption, providence, grace, glory. Thou art all in all in Thy church, and in the hearts of Thy people: in all their joys, all their happiness, all their exercises, all their privileges. Thou art the all in all in Thy word, ordinances, means of grace, the sum and substance of the whole bible. Speak we of promises?— Thou art the first promise in the sacred word, and the whole of every promise that follows-for all in Thee are yea and amen. Speak we of the law? "Thou art the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth."  Speak we of sacrifices? "By Thy one sacrifice Thou hast for ever perfected them that are sanctified." Speak we of the prophecies?— "To Thee give all the prophets witness, that whosoever believeth in Thee shall receive remissi...

  "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."   -II Timothy 2:3 [KJV] How is the Christian soldier made? By going to chapel, by reading the Bible, by singing hymns, by talking about religion? Just as much as the veteran warrior is made at Aldershot or Southsea. He must go into the battle and fight hand to hand with Satan and the flesh; he must endure cruel wounds given by both outward and inward foes; he must lie upon the cold ground of desolation and desertion; he must rush up the breach when called to storm the castles of sin and evil, and never "yield or quit the field,"  but press on determined to win the day or die. In these battles of the Lord, in due time he learns how to handle his weapons, how to call upon God in supplication and prayer, to trust in Jesus Christ with all his heart, to beat back Satan, to crucify self, and live a life of faith in the Son of God. Religion is not a matter of theory or of doctrine: it is to...