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

"Whose names are in the book of life."   - Philippians 4:3 [KJV]   How did the apostle know that? Had he seen the book of life, when caught up to the third heavens? No: but he very plainly and evidently saw, the work of God’s Spirit upon these persons’ souls, by their fruits of faith, and labours of love, to the glory of the Lord Jesus. Hence, he speaks so confidently of them. This furnishes us with these glorious truths.    (1st.) That the names of all God’s chosen people are registered in the book of life, called the Lamb’s book of life (Revelation 21:27.) This implies the eternal love of God to them, His choice of them, personal knowledge of each of them, value for them, care over them, and their certain enjoyment of Him in heaven and glory. For, “...says the LORD of hosts, they shall be Mine in that day when I make up My jewels , ” (Malachi 3:17.) But may not the name of a believer in Christ be blotted out of this book of life, and be suffered to p...

"A ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes." -Acts 24:5 [KJV]   My soul! hast thou arrived at that station of dignity, to be reproached for Christ's sake? If so, thou wilt enter into a proper sense and enjoyment of the title Paul was branded with; a ringleader, or a standard-bearer of the cross. One who, not content with receiving Christ into his own heart, determines, let the cost be what it may, the loss of reputation or of life, to proclaim Jesus upon the house-top. This is to be a ring-leader! An honourable station! and one that Jesus loves! Jesus Himself was Jehovah's ringleader, for He saith, "In that day, there shah be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the gentiles seek, and His rest shall be glorious , " Isaiah 11:10 . And elsewhere, Jehovah saith, "Behold, I have given Him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people," Isaiah 55:4 .    My soul, hast thou taken ...

"One shall say, I am the LORD's: and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the LORD, and surname himself by the name of Israel." -Isaiah 44:5 [KJV]   "Another shall call himself by the name of Jacob." Jacob was a wrestler, for he wrestled all night with the angel; and by wrestling he obtained the blessing. So at present you may be a wrestling Jacob, but have not yet come off a prevailing Israel. You may not be without a sense of guilt and bondage at times in your conscience, and may often doubt and fear whether the root of the matter be in you, because you cannot use the language of assurance and say, "I am the LORD's." Still you may be a wrestling Jacob. The Lord may have put His Spirit in you to enable you to wrestle with Him for the blessing, and yet He may not have given you that appropriating faith whereby you can believe that He is yours, and can call Him such. How ful...