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Thought for the Day ~ 13 March, 2026 A.D.

"For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin." -Romans 7:14 [KJV] ‘A man may be subject to a power which, of himself, he cannot effectually resist; against which he may and does struggle, and from which he earnestly desires to be free; but which, notwithstanding all his efforts, still asserts its authority.  This is precisely the bondage to sin of which every believer is conscious. He feels that there is a law in his members bringing him into subjection to the law of sin; that his distrust of God, his hardness of heart, his love of the world and of self, his pride, in short his indwelling sin, is a real power from which he longs to be free, against which he struggles, but from which he cannot emancipate himself.  This is the kind of bondage of which the apostle here speaks, as is plain from the following verses, as well as from the whole context and from the analogy of Scripture.’   -preacher Charles Hodge, Commentary on the Epistle...

A Sure Foundation ~ Rejoice!

The decree of election stands upon an unchangeable Foundation, to wit, that Rock of Ages, “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8.) As the first Adam was the foundation stone in the decree of creation, so the last Adam, even Jesus, is the foundation stone in the decree of  election.  God hath blessed us in Him, yea and we shall be blessed; He hath chosen us in Him; pardoned us in Him; sealed us in Him; built us up and completed us in Him: “According to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” (II Timothy 1:9.)   All those acts of grace are said to be in Christ: “hath blessed us in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3); “chosen us in Him” (Ephesians 1:4); “in Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Ephesians 1:7); “in Whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed” (Ephesians 1:13); “rooted and built up in Him” (Colossians 2:7,)  “and we are complete in Him” (Co...

The Power of Christ’s Resurrection

In describing his confidence in Christ, Paul wrote, “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death” (Philippians 3:10) .  The power of Christ’s resurrection is His power to save and bring to glory all sinners for whom He has forever stood Surety, all  for whom He died and arose again, and all for whom He now sits at the right had of the Father as their Intercessor and Advocate.  His resurrection was because of their justification by God’s grace, and those who are justified in Him ( cleansed from all sins by His blood and declared righteous by His merits imputed ) cannot be forever lost  and condemned (Romans 4:25) .  Those who preach that multitudes for whom Christ died and arose will die in their sins and perish because they did not do their part deny the power both of His death and resurrection. But Christ is the sure Savior of His sheep, and He will bring them to glory in ...

TRUST GOD, NOT SELF (II Corinthians 1:8-11 KJV)

Gospel sermon. Preacher Clay Curtis. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CM80ZL3bpfc  

A Serious Look at Our Sinfulness

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”   -Isaiah 64:6 [KJV]   ISAIAH bemoaned the fact that; " Even our righteous­nesses are filthy rags " (Isaiah 64:6) . GEORGE WHITEFIELD said, "A man hasn't truly repented until he can repent even of his best deeds, which are all imperfect." BISHOP BEVERIDGE wrote: "Because of the evil root in our hearts, there is evil fruit in our nature. The root poisons even our so-called righteousness. We cannot pray without sin; we do not hear nor preach a sermon without sin; we do not give alms without sin; we cannot even confess our sins but that our very con­fession is an aggravation of sin.” Our repentance needs to be repented of, and our tears need to be washed in His blood. Not only the worst behavior, but OFTEN THE BEST DUTIES of our lives prove us to be sons of Adam. Oh, the exce...

Great Encouragement in Christ JESUS ~ 13 March, 2026 A.D.

"Only believe." - Mark 5:36 [KJV]   A short answer to a case of great distress. A simple recipe from the greatest physician. A grand catholicon, or universal remedy that suits all cases, states, and circumstances, and is seasonable at all times. Look at this history. Look to the Author of faith to profit by it. Here a ruler falls at Christ’s feet, beseeching help for his daughter, who is at the point of death. Jesus went with him. Before He arrives at the house, news is brought that the child is dead. The Lord of life and death forbids the father’s fears. Be not afraid. He encourages his hope: Only believe . Fears are natural to sinners. Faith expels them. Christ restores her to life. Joyful news for us.    (1st.) Here is precious encouragement for our faith, in every application to Christ.    For, (2d.) here is a marvellous display of His great love, ready will, and almighty power, to help and relieve us. He not only restores at the last gasp, but...

Originating in GOD's Grace

"Whose heart the Lord opened." -Acts 16:14 [KJV]   It is always blessed to trace mercies to their source! And blessed when, through grace, we are enabled to give God His glory, and not put down to man's merit what wholly originates in God's grace. The opening of the heart can only be the province of Him that made it. Renewing work, as well as creating work, is His. He that hath the key of David, is He alone "that openeth, and none shutteth; and shutteth, and none openeth." What a beautiful illustration hath the Holy Ghost given the church of this precious truth, in the instance of this woman, whose heart the Lord opened!   We are told in her history, that she was of the city of Thyatira, a place remote from Philippi, where this sovereign act of mercy was shewn towards her. How long she had remained in a state of unrenewed nature, or what predisposing providence it was that brought her to Philippi, with other circumstances which we might have ...