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

"At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: notwithstanding, the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me." -II Timothy 4:16, 17 [KJV] My soul, think of the apostle's situation, when brought as a prisoner, for Jesus's sake, before the council, and deserted by all. Nay, look to an infinitely greater than Paul, when hurried away to Pilate, and when all His disciples forsook Him and fled. Make improvement of the view of both, as it may be profitable to thyself and thine own circumstances. There is a period coming, and, for aught thou knowest, may be near indeed, in which no man can stand with thee; in which the kindest earthly friend, if thou hast any, or the tenderest-hearted neighbour, cannot minister to thy safety. When thou art going down to the valley of the shadow of death, and the Lord is undressing thee for Jordan's river, think of that season, and how blessed must it then be to say, with Paul, I though no man hath stood with me, or can ...

"...Seek meekness" - Zephaniah 2:3 [KJV] How are we to follow after this grace of meekness? By learning the contrary. How often have we mistaken false fire for the light and fire of God's Spirit! and have contended more for our own views, in our own spirit, with many rash and unbecoming words, rather than for the glory of God. But after a time we are led to see that strife and contention, in our own spirit, are contrary to the spirit and temper of the gospel, and are brought to see what a blessed grace the spirit of meekness is. Nay, the very want of it, the risings up of an excited temper, the anger, strife, envy, and jealousy that often work in our bosoms convince us how little we know of "the meekness and gentleness of Christ." We thus feel what a blessing it is to be made humble and submissive; and how impossible it is to enter into communion with a broken-hearted Jesus, till the soul is in some measure meekened by His Spirit.   But it is by having a succes...

"For I know that this shall turn to my salvation, through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ."   -Philippians 1:19 [KJV] Blessed frame of mind! when, like Paul, however unpromising circumstances are, to be able to say, `I know that this exercise, be it what it may, is among the all things which work together for good to them that love God, and are the called according to His purpose!' My soul, do thou, once for all, mark down this one certain and never-to-be-questioned truth: that thy God, thy Jesus, hath but one end in view from all the providences He appoints to His people, and is invariably and everlastingly promoting it, however to thy apprehension at times, things seem to run counter. And when thou hast settled this in thy mind, as a certain fixed principle, next take into the account all, or (at least as thou canst not know all,) some of the many foundations on which the certainty, for the accomplishment of a final issue of good to the people ...

"Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people."   - Hebrews 2:17 [KJV] What heart can conceive or tongue express the infinite depths of the Redeemer's condescension in thus being made like unto His brethren—that the Son of God should assume a finite nature, subject to the sinless infirmities necessarily connected with a timestate and a dwelling on earth; that He should leave the bosom of His Father in which He had lain before all worlds, and should consent to become a denizen of this world of tears; to breathe earthly air; to be an eye-witness of, and Himself share in human sorrows; to have before His eyes the daily spectacle of human sins; to be banished so long from His native home; to endure hunger, weariness, and thirst; to be subject to the persecutions of men, the flight of all His disciples, and the treache...

"A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked." - Psalm 37:16 [KJV] Hard may be your lot here below, ye suffering saints of the most High, as regards external matters; painful may be the exercises through which you almost daily pass, through the rebellion and desperate wickedness of your carnal mind; grievous temptations may be your continual portion; many a pricking thorn and sharp brier may lie in your path; and so rough and rugged may be the road, that at times you may feel yourself of all men to be the most miserable; and so indeed you would be but for the grace of God in your heart now and the glory prepared for you beyond the grave.   Yet with it all, were your afflictions and sorrows a thousand times heavier, well may it be said of you— "Happy, thrice happy, art thou, O Israel!" Whom upon earth need you envy if you have the grace of God in your heart? With whom would you change, if ever the love of God has visited your soul? L...

  Weekend Gospel message to follow for All Hands (28-30OCT22 A.D.) 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 - Almighty God's unmerited favor - from our sins and from Hell: “ So Great Salvation” -Hebrews 2:3 [KJV] The salvation which Christ accomplished, which we have experienced and are now experiencing, the salvation which we rejoice to proclaim to lost and ruined sinners is a great salvation, “so great salvation” that no words can adequately express its greatness. It is salvation from the great God, by H is great Son, freely bestowed upon great sinners by H is great Spirit. Salvation is great in its planning. It sprang from the heart and mind of the infinite, all-wise God. From old eternity H e determined to save a people whom H e chose in everlasting love, found a way to save them by the sacrifice of H is own darling Son...

"And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled." -Acts 4:31 [KJV]  Think, my soul, what a blessed testimony this must have been, in confirmation to the disciples, that their God was a prayer-hearing, and a prayer-answering God! And what a full reply to all they had been praying for! The enemies of God, and of His Christ, had threatened the poor disciples what they would do to them, if they persisted in preaching Jesus to the people. The purport, therefore, of the apostles prayer was, not that the Lord would stop their malice, and silence all their opposition: this they sought not to avoid. But the single prayer was, that their souls might be animated to go on, let the malice of their foes manifest itself as it might. In answer, "the place is shaken." As if the Lord had said, "He that shakes the place, can make your enemies hearts tremble." And so it proved.   Now, my soul, take thine improvement from it. Jesus sees all, knows ...