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

"An anchor of the soul." -Hebrews 6:19 [KJV] In the opening of a new month, look, my soul, at thine anchor! Surely it is good and profitable for thee to see thy safety, that thou mayest ride out all the storms which arise, and never make "shipwreck of faith and a good conscience." And what is thine anchor? Nay, who, or what can it be, but Jesus, and His finished righteousness? He hath accomplished redemption by His blood, and hath entered within the veil to prove its all-sufficiency. On Him, then, thou hast cast anchor; indeed, He is Himself the anchor of all thine hopes, and the rock of ages, on which thou restest thine eternal security, "both sure and stedfast."  True, it is unseen; and, like the sailor's anchor, thrown out into the deep. But, though unseen, it is not unenjoyed: for concerning Him, Who is the anchor of the soul, it is the blessed privilege of faith to say, "Whom having not seen, we love: and in Whom, though now we ...

"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." -Romans 8:2 [KJV] We by nature and practice are bond-slaves to sin and Satan. We are the sport of the prince of the power of the air, who takes us captive at his will. We are held down also by many hurtful lusts; or, if free from gross sin, are bond-slaves to pride, covetousness, or self righteousness. Perhaps some idol is set up in the chambers of imagery which defiles all the inner man; or some snare of Satan entangles our feet, and we are slaves, without power to liberate ourselves from this cruel slavery.    We groan under it, as the children of Israel under their burdens, but, like them, cannot deliver ourselves. But sooner or later the truth comes to our aid; the truth as it is in Jesus flies to the rescue of God's oppressed family; the blessed Spirit opens it up and seals it upon the heart with a divine power. As, then, under His gracious influences th...

Message from preacher Henry T. Mahan ( 25 minutes ): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytbH61m5ChQ   Why do men not come to Christ? Why do men not come to Jesus Christ? Christ is the light. Men live in darkness. Why won’t they come to the light? Christ is the life. And we are dead in trespasses and sin.  Why won’t men come to Him that they might have life? That is what He says in our text. He is speaking to the religious people and He says, “You search the Scriptures. For in them, in the Scriptures you think you have eternal life. And they are they which testify of Me and you will not come to Me that you might have eternal life.”

     God does not save any man because there is anything in that man that deserves salvation. He saves sinners because He delights to show mercy. The reason for redemption is found in Him, not in us . His mercy planned salvation, His grace chose us, His love gave Christ to redeem us, and His power keeps us. "So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy" (Romans 9:16).   -preacher Henry Mahan

"Peter was grieved, because He said unto him the third time, Lovest thou Me?"   - John 21:17 [KJV]   Peter had grieved his Lord by three denials of Him. Now his Lord grieves him with three questions, respecting his love to Him. We may often read our sin in our punishment. Peter’s Lord suffered him to fall, to lower his pride and self-confidence. Now He has caused him to descend to the valley of humiliation, He keeps him there. A little while since, he boasted of his superlative love to Christ, above all the rest of His disciples. “Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended—I am ready to go with thee both into prison and to death—Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee.” Bold words! who can doubt of the sincerity of Peter’s heart in all this? Hence learn,    (1st.) The warm frames of young converts, are often attended with great self-confidence. There is much of nature’s fire in them. My heart has often...

     We live in a most religious world. In every county, country and culture; among all people, without exception there is some form of religion. Did you know that all religions can be summed into two groups; the way of Cain or the way of Abel! Cain represents the way that seems right unto men (Proverbs 14:12) , the way of the flesh, works, self-righteousness, self-glory, do the best you can and God will be satisfied. Cain approached God with the best efforts of all his labors, " the fruit of the ground" and God had no respect unto him or his offering. It is recorded in the scriptures, “Woe unto them that have gone the way of Cain” (Jude 24) . Abel represents the way that God has established throughout scripture to show mercy to undeserving sinners. It is the way of free grace (Romans 3:24) , the way of effectual substitution by a blood offering (II Corinthians 5:21) , the way of faith (Hebrews 11:4) . Clearly, Abel and his offering is a picture of the only w...