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

"Perplexed, but not in despair." -II CORINTHIANS 4:8 [KJV]   OH! WHAT A MERCY, amidst every degree of inward or outward perplexity, to be out of the reach of Giant Despair; not to be shut up in the iron cage; not to be abandoned, as Judas or Ahithophel, to utter desperation and suicide, and, after a long life of profession, concerning faith to make awful shipwreck! Now the child of God, with all his doubts, fears, sinkings, misgivings, and trying perplexities is never really and truly in despair. He may tread so near the borders of that black country that it may almost be debateable land whether he is walking in despair or upon the borders of it; for I believe many children of God have at times come to the solemn conclusion that there is no hope for them, for they cannot see how they can be saved or have their aggravated sins pardoned. And though this be not black despair, nor such utter, irremediable desperation as seized Saul and Judas, for there still is a ...

“ How can we know whether we have gone, not only from ignorance to knowledge, but also from knowledge to submission? It is primarily revealed in this: we cease from establishing our own righteousness before God. We glory in nothing other than Christ's cross, soothe our conscience with nothing but His blood, and rest our hope for favor with God on nothing other than Christ's acceptance before the Father.” -Gospel report by preacher Joe Terrell  

Weekend Gospel message to follow for All Hands (2 8 - 30 JUN19) Heads-Up --- Please find enclosed encouragement in SO GREAT SALVATION by the perfect and finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ in saving poor, needy and wretched sinners by His sovereign free grace - God's unmerited favor - from their sins and from Hell: "But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: He is their strength in the time of trouble." -P SALM 37:39 Times of trouble try the saint of God, and they are meant to do so; that is the very purpose why they are sent, for "the Lord trieth the righteous." Still the promise holds good: "He is their strength in the time of trouble." When He breaks up the fountains of the great deep of sin and iniquity, He strengthens His people that they may not be carried away by the flood. When He hides his face, He strengthens them to say, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him." When temptation besets th...

"...and H e is the propitiation for our sins." - I JOHN 2:2 [KJV]   What is "propitiation?" By propitiation we are to understand, a sacrifice acceptable to Jehovah; by which God, or rather the attributes of God are propitiated; whereby God can be favourable; whereby mercy, grace, and pardon can freely flow forth. Now sin, and the law condemning sin, barred out, barred back, the favour of God. They were the opposing obstacle to the love of God. For God cannot, as God, love sin and sinners; therefore, the sin of man, and the holy law of God, the transcript of His infinite and eternal purity barred back, so to speak, THE FAVOUR OF GOD. It was needful, then, that this barrier should be removed, that a channel might be provided, through which the grace, favour, and mercy of God might flow: in a word, that sin might be blotted out, and that the law might be accomplished and fulfilled in all its strict requirements, that God "might be just," r...

"Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer...I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for Thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety." -P SALM 4:1, 8 [KJV] Reader! LET US NEVER LOSE SIGHT OF THE LORD JESUS while reading this Psalm. He is “ the L ORD our righteousness” and therefore, in all our approaches to the mercy seat, let us go there in a language corresponding to this which calls Jesus the Lord our righteousness. While men of the world, from the world are seeking their chief good, let us desire His favor which infinitely transcends corn and wine, and all the good things which perish in the using. Yes, Lord, Thy favor is better than life itself. Thou causest them that love Thee to inherit substance, and fillest all their treasure . Oh! Thou gracious God and Father, hast Thou in such a wonderful manner set apart one in our nature for Thyself? Hast ...

"And patience of hope." - I THESSALONIANS 1:3 [KJV]   What is meant by the expression "patience?" It means endurance; as though hope had to endure, faith to work, and love to labour. It is the "patience of hope" that proves its reality and genuineness. Hope does not go forward fighting and cutting its way. Hope is like a quiet sufferer, patiently bearing what comes upon it. Hope is manifested in enduring, as faith is manifested in acting. For instance: when the Lord hides H is face, when testimonies sink out of sight, when signs are not seen, when Satan tempts, when the work of grace upon the soul seems to be all obscured, and in consequence a feeling of despondency begins to set in, then the "patience of hope" is needed to endure all things—not to give way, but to maintain its hold. It acts in the same way, according to the beautiful figure of Paul, as the anchor holds the ship. What is the main value, the chief requisite in th...

How can we be sure that the ransom demanded by justice for the release of the Lord’s captive people has been rendered? What evidence is there that sin has been put away and everlasting righteousness has been brought in? What truth certifies that Christ crushed Satan’s head at the cross? What proof is there that the holy law of God has been honored, our transgressions have been punished and our souls are safe forevermore? How do we know that those in whose stead He died are reconciled to God and freely justified? What guarantee do we have that the work of redemption is finished and that all who believe Him are freed from all fear of condemnation? As we face the reality of physical death, what reason does our Lord give to enliven hope that these bodies will someday put off mortality and live again? The resurrection of our Savior is the answer to all these questions. No wonder, then, that this truth is set forth frequently in the Word of God and verified by many w...