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

The book of life, or decree of election, is the marriage-register of the saints; in which their  everlasting espousal to Christ stands indelibly recorded by the pen of God’s free and eternal love. As the gold of which money is made is the king’s property ever before it is struck into coin, and before it visibly bears the royal image and superscription; so the unregenerate elect are God’s own heritage, though they do not appear to be such, until the Holy Spirit has made them pass through the mint of effectual calling, and actually stamped them into current coin for the kingdom of Heaven.  The elect are betrothed to Christ from everlasting in the covenant of grace; they are actually married to Him, and join hands with Him, in conversion; but they are not taken home to the bridegroom’s house until death dismisses them from the body.     —Augustus Toplady (1640-1678 A.D.)

"I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before Him."   - Ecclesiastes 3:14 [KJV]   This is to be understood of all the decrees of God (Isaiah 46:9-12) , which are the eternal thoughts and will of His heart (Acts 15:18) . None can hinder His purpose nor change the counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:11; Malachi 3:6) . His pleasure is always executed (Isaiah 53:10) , His purposes and appointments are always accomplished, never frustrated nor made void (Galatians 2:21) . Nothing unexpected can turn up to delay the execution of them. Our great God sees the end from the beginning and works all His pleasure to His exact delight.   This is true of all His works of providence and grace (Romans 8:28) . God's eternal and unconditional election of grace is certain and sure, it can never be altered nor reversed, the blessings of it are the sure mercies of David (...

"BLESSED ARE THE DEAD, WHO  DIE IN THE LORD"  -Revelation 14:13 [KJV]     This is the message from heaven. It was a voice from heaven which COMMANDED JOHN TO WRITE, " Blessed are the dead, who die in the Lord. " The world will take you into slavish country clubs where wealth, power, and success abound. These peo­ple are laughing, singing, drinking, and making merry. Nothing on this earth is beyond their reach. The best is none too good.   The world will take you to a university where the scholars of the world delve deeper into the wisdom of the world; or to the Olympic games where men and women in excellent health vie for prestigious, precious medals; or to the field of battle where officers win a place in history; or to the halls of legislature; for the doctrine of men is "blessed are the living who are rich, wise, heal­thy, and powerful. "   The voice from heaven takes you into a darkened room. There is complete silence except for the breathi...

"I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known Thy faithfulness to all generations.  For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: Thy faithfulness shalt Thou establish in the very heavens.  I have made a covenant with My chosen, I have sworn unto David My servant, thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah."    - Psalm 89:1-4 [KJV] OUR COMPASSIONATE PRIEST   “...Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. ” -Hebrews 5:2    Thanks be unto God for our compassionate and faithful Great High Priest, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 2:17; 4:14) . Our blessed Saviour knows our frame; He knows that we are but sinful dust (Psalm 103:13-14) .    But in spite of all that we are (Psalm 39:5) and all that we have done (Romans 3:23) the Lord is long-suffering and compassionate toward...

"Let God be true, but every man a liar." -Romans 3:4 [KJV] I have read of one who was dumb; but, on seeing a violent attempt to murder his father, cried out with great vehemence, “My father!”  When his heavenly Father’s truth and faithfulness are attacked, St. Paul could not be mute. Fired with a holy emotion of spirit, he cries out, “Let God be true.”  Vain, arrogant man! Will you dare oppose your carnal reasonings, and fallacious arguments, against the covenant purposes, faithful word, and precious promises of the Lord? Every such man, be he ever so noble, mighty, wise, and learned, is a liar. St. Paul’s heart was too warm for the glory of his God, to pay any soft compliment to those who act under the influence of the father of lies. The keen satire of Mr. Pope is admirably adapted to such: Snatch from His hand the balance and the rod, Rejudge His justice, be the god of God! In reas’ning pride (my friend) our error lies; All quit their sphere, and rush into t...

"For Him hath God the Father sealed." -John 6:27 [KJV] My soul, hast thou ever remarked the peculiar glory of those scriptures, which comprise within a small compass all the persons of the Godhead, as concurring and co-operating in the grand business of salvation? No doubt, all scripture is blessed, being given by inspiration of God; but there is a peculiar blessedness in these sweet portions, which at one view, represent the Holy Three in One, unitedly engaged in the sinner's redemption. My soul, ponder over this divine passage, in thy Saviour's discourse, as thus: who is the Him here spoken of, but the Lord Jesus? And whom but God the Father could seal Christ? And with whom was Christ sealed and anointed, but by God the Holy Ghost? Would any one have thought, at first view, that in seven words, such a blessed testimony should be given to the glorious foundation-truth of the whole bible? "For Him hath God the Father sealed."  Precious Jesus! ...

"Without holiness no man shall see the Lord." -Hebrews 12:14 [KJV]   To possess this holiness is a necessary and indispensable meetness for the inheritance of the saints in light; but this meetness must be wrought in us by the power of God's grace , for I am sure that in ourselves of it we have none. But see its necessity. What happiness could there be in the courts of bliss unless we had a nature to enjoy it? Unless we were made capable of seeing Christ as He is, and enjoying His presence for evermore, heaven would be no heaven to us. Nothing unclean or unholy can enter there. Sanctification therefore must be wrought in us by the power of God, to make us meet for the heavenly inheritance, and He therefore communicates of His Spirit and grace to give us heavenly affections, holy desires, gracious thoughts, tender feelings; and above all that love whereby He is loved as the altogether lovely. By the sanctifying operations of His Spirit, He separates us from e...