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

"But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” -I John 1:7 [KJV] Is the apostle John saying here that our fellowship with God is based on our conduct of life? That all depends on what is meant by “if we walk in the light.” First, stop and think about it, could we as sinners ever have fellowship with the thrice holy God on the basis of our conduct here in this world? Is not sin ever present in us? Is not everything about us in ourselves yet polluted with sin? Absolutely! So what is it to “walk in the light?” I believe it is to walk by faith in Christ. To trust Christ alone as He is revealed in the light of the truth. It is to believe the gospel that reveals God in His grace and shows the one way He can meet sinners in mercy. I say that because it also says, “as H e is in the light.” Light is often used to describe truth, the truth as it is in Ch...

"The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the L ORD alone shall be exalted in that day ." -I SAIAH 2:11 [KJV]   How does the Lord humble? By discovering to man what he is; by opening up the depth of his fall; by making him feel what a vile and guilty wretch he is before the footstool of mercy; by breaking him to pieces; by slaughtering and laying him low; by making him abhor himself in dust and ashes. Was not that the way the Lord took with the saints of old? How did He humble Isaiah? Was it not by some discovery of His divine Majesty, to make him cry, "I am a man of unclean lips!" How did He humble Daniel? Was it not by manifesting Himself in His almighty purity, and turning his comeliness into corruption? How did He humble Hezekiah? By laying him upon a sick-bed, and laying his sins and iniquities with weight and power upon his conscience. None of these men produced humility in themselves. Ho...

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." -I J OHN 4:18 [KJV] That perfect love that casts out fear is not our love for one another or our love for God, but God's love for His elect. Perfect love is God's love. It is everlasting love [JEREMIAH 31:3 ] , free, unconditional love [ H OSEA 14:4 ] , electing love [ R OMANS 9:13-18 ] , predestinating love [ E PHESIANS 1:3-6 ] , redeeming love [ J OHN 3:16; R OMANS 5:6-8; I JOHN 3:16; 4:9-10 ] , immutable love [ M ALACHI 3:6 ] , and indestructible, unquenchable love [ S ONG OF SOLOMON 8:7 ] . If ever you come to know the Lord Jesus Christ and are given the sweet assurance of God's perfect love for you in His darling Son, the knowledge of that love will cast out fear from your soul. No Fear in Love! I do not suggest that God's saints in this world live without fear, but I am saying that we should. And I ...

"Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment." - I SAIAH 1:5-6 [KJV] I have heard many say over the years that they agree with all but one of the doctrines of grace. Some will have none of unconditional election. Others reject the thought of particular redemption. But these are not the real issue. These things are not the main point at which they rebel. The point at which at they really rebel is the first. They reject the doctrine of total depravity ! By nature they resist the clear teaching of the Bible with regards to the real condition of all men . If they believed what God says that they are, they would believe in the necessity of the other points. If man is totally depraved, that is,...

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." -M ATTHEW 5:6 [KJV] Hunger is a painful sensation. It is not merely an appetite for food; but an appetite for food attended with pain. So spiritually. It is not merely a desire after Christ that constitutes spiritual hunger. "The sluggard desireth, and hath nothing." But it is a desire attended with pain; not merely a wish for spiritual food, but also with such painful sensations, that unless this appetite is satisfied, the soul must perish and die. Nothing short of this constitutes spiritual hunger. There are many who say, "I have a desire." If it be a spiritual desire, it will be granted. But spiritual desire is always attended with painful sensations which many are completely ignorant of who profess to have a desire. "The desire of the slothful killeth him." Why? Because he rests satisfied with a desire, and never takes the kingdom of heaven...

Believers can never be found guilty of giving too much honor, praise, and all glory unto our sovereign God. David sits in the temple of God and prays and rejoices in his heart because of the multitudes of grace and mercy revealed and experienced in his life. He prays, "Who am I, O Lord God? And what is my house, that Thou hast brought me hitherto?" [II SAMUEL 7:18 ] . Truly, every believer can identify with David. When we consider who we are, sinners by birth, choice, and practice [ I J OHN 1:7-9 ] and when we consider who God is, holy, just, and almighty [ I SAIAH 45:21 ] , it is amazing and astounding that He would show mercy to any, even more so that God would show mercy to me , the chief of sinners [ I T IMOTHY 1:15 ] . Every believer can say with David, "Thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like Thee, neither is there any God besides Thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears" [II SAMUEL 7:22 ] . The scriptures plainly r...

Behold the Savior from on high, Descended here to live and die; He suffered on the cross alone, And shed His blood sin to atone. The sins which Jesus bore that day, His precious blood has washed away; His death has satisfaction made, Redemption’s price He fully paid. "‘Tis finished," God our Savior cried, Then Jesus bowed His head and died; The temple’s veil in twain He rent, Then to the tomb His body went. Within the sepulchre He lay, Until the resurrection day; Then Jesus came forth from the tomb, And scattered all our fear and gloom. Christ Jesus who for us once died, Now lives and we are justified; The universe is His domain, And evermore our Lord shall reign. Though to the grave we too shall go, We have no fear for this we know; Since Jesus lives no more to die, We too shall live with Him on high. WORDS BY JIM BYRD TUNE: "SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER" LM/DOUBLE ...