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

"Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace, to the end that the promise might be sure to all the seed." -Romans 4:16 [KJV] Men come to earthly inheritances, either by heirship, gift, or purchase. Each one can tell how he came by his estate, and by what right he holds it. Come, Christian, examine thy heavenly inheritance to-night. See how thou camest possessed of it, and by what means thou dost hold and enjoy it.  (1st.) It is thine by purchase. Not that thou didst ever contribute one mite to buy it; but Christ thy elder Brother paid the full price for it. Therefore it is called “the purchased inheritance” (Ephesians 1:14.)  (2d.) It is thine by gift: “...it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom,” (Luke 12:32.)   (3d.) It is thine by heirship: thou wast born to inherit it: not by thy natural, but by thy spiritual birth. Now thou art “an heir of God, and a joint-heir with Christ , ” thy elder Brother. (Romans 8:17.)   (4th.) How dost th

" Most men love to hear of the doctrine of grace, of the pardon of sin, of free love, and suppose they find food therein; however, it is evident that they grow and thrive in the life and notion of them.  But to be breaking up the fallow ground of their hearts, to be inquiring after the weeds and briers that grow in them, they delight not so much, though this be no less necessary than the other." -preacher John Owen

  Storms, Sinking Ships and the Sleeping Saviour. Part 1 by D.G. Miles McKee In Mark 4 we encounter a great storm story where it seemed to the disciples that they were about to die.  It is interesting to observe the rulership and majesty of Jesus displayed throughout the whole narrative.   There was something about Jesus, a compelling, divine majesty, that moved and conquered the hearts of men.  These disciples were experienced fishermen and I’m sure some of them must have smelt the storm brewing.  They were fishermen; they knew how to read the signs.  Yet, they followed Jesus right into the storm.    We see this divine majesty demonstrated all through the Master´s life. Consider how, for example, Christ walked up to Matthew the businessman/tax collector and simply said, “Follow Me” and Matthew instantly got up and left everything…except his pen.  Christ did the same to Peter and the fisherman instantly left his nets. If you don’t think there’s anything special in that,

" 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 rejoiced, and