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

"... Christ's house are we, if we hold fast the confidence, and the rejoicing of the hope, firm unto the end." —Hebrews 3:6 [KJV] The tabernacle, with its furniture—the ark of the covenant— the institution of sacrifices, etc. were appointed by Jehovah, to shew the nature of His house—to typify God's dwelling in the human nature of Jesus—His sacrifice for and special presence with the household of faith. David asks, "Lord, who shall dwell with Thee?" —Psalm 15:1 . The answer is, Only those whose hearts are furnished with the graces of Jesus, and whose lives evidence it.   It bespeaks a person's propriety of and delight of residence in a house, when He adorns and furnishes it. This Jesus doth by the hearts of all His members. He is our brother in flesh. He complies with His own command, When thou lettest a servant go free, "thou shalt furnish him liberally." — Deuteronomy  15:14. Out of the fullness of Jesus, most liberally, His members receive ...

" The wicked flee when no man pursueth; but the righteous are bold as a lion." —Proverbs 28:1 [KJV] WATCHFUL and BOLD, is the Christian's motto. Watchful, to avoid sin; bold, to resist the enemies of his soul. For he is engaged in a righteous cause, animated by righteous hopes, made righteous by a righteous Lord; from whom he derives all his strength and courage. "In Jehovah (Jesus) have I righteousness and strength." —Isaiah 45:24 . This is the glorying of his soul. Not his own inherent strength, nor his own personal righteousness, are the cause of his fortitude; but the arm of Jehovah is his shield, and the perfect righteousness of Jesus is his breast-plate of defence against every enemy. Being cleansed from guilt by the blood of Jesus, and clothed with his righteousness, by faith the soul experiences a holy boldness at a throne of grace—appeals against the fury of the enemy and oppressor—and finds supplies of strength in every time of need . This is the lif...

" He that believeth on Him is not condemned." —John 3:18 [KJV]   Dost thou believe on the Son of God? is the most important question in the world. Faith in Jesus is the "one thing needful." Without this the day of life is a state of sin and condemnation. The night of death, full of terror; and the day of judgment, most dreadful. It cannot be otherwise. As we are all malefactors, under the sentence of the law, the thoughts of execution must be most alarming. But 'what the eye doth not see, the heart doth not rue.' Sin naturally blinds men's eyes, hardens their hearts; and vain self-righteous hopes deceive their souls into an insensibility of their undone state.   What a special mercy to know one's self! what distinguishing grace to know Jesus! what peculiar favor to know one is delivered from condemnation by Him! This is the joyful privilege of every believer. Though the law condemns him as a transgressor, yet God doth not impute sin, but imputeth r...

" Ye have need of patience; that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." —Hebrews 10:36 [KJV]  Are the Christian's exercises great, and his patience small? Yet can he ever be at a loss to know by Whom this grace is increased? Verily the Lord he serveth is "the God of patience." —Romans 15:5 . Hath he need of patience? Hear the Comforter's declaration, by St. Paul: "My God shall supply all your need, according to His riches in glory." Mind, disciple, this is covenant mercy; therefore, with every other grace it comes through a Mediator: hence it is added, "by Jesus Christ." —Philippians 4:19 . "We do the will of God when we believe on the name of His Son Jesus, and love one another." —I John 3:23 . "And all the promises are in Christ Jesus, yea and amen," sure and certain to every believing soul. "By faith we have the earnest of eternal life." "Having received the first fruits...

  Weekend Gospel message to follow for All Hands (27-29JAN23 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: “ Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me.” (John 5:39)   “ And He said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning Me. Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures” (Luke 24:44-45).   Jesus is the one great theme both of the Old and New Testaments. The whole Bible is designed to testify of Him (John 5:39). In Christ the Messiah, Jesus the Savior, the Son of God, the Redeemer, all trut...

" And Jesus said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father, which art in heaven ..." —Luke 11:2 [KJV]  Faith in the heart excites prayer from the lips. So the faith of God's elect manifests itself. It cometh from the Lord the Spirit. By it the soul is led to Jesus the mediator; and by Him to God the Father. So each person in the Godhead is known, worshipped, and glorified by believing souls. While we see and feel nothing of our misery and wants, no marvel prayer is an irksome task. From a sight of ourselves, and the knowledge of Jesus, we come to Him daily with simplicity of heart, Master, teach us to pray! It is the highest honor, the sweetest privilege, the most blessed exercise of the soul to draw nigh to God. What greater on earth than to come to the throne of the King of kings? And that fear and shame may not beset and keep us back, knowing our vile nature and sinful practice, hear our Lord and Saviour's encouraging direction, "When ye pray, say, Our Father...

  "... Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." —I Timothy 2:6 [KJV]    The gospel is quite sufficient to answer every objection, and to silence every cavil against salvation by Christ. This sacred oracle we are to consult day after day. Do we ask, Why are any sinners saved? It assures us God hath loved them; this is the cause. If we enquire how God doth save them? It tells us, It is in a way of strict justice, consistent with the honor of God's law, the perfection of His righteousness, holiness, and truth. Therefore redemption is, by stipulated price, the blood of the covenant, the precious blood of Christ as a Lamb without spot. Do we seek to know who are the redeemed of the Lord? Jesus assures us "He gave His life a ransom for many." — Matthew 20:28 —even for ALL whom the Father hath given Him.   The word of God mentions no one in particular; but sets forth salvation in general and extensive terms—it is exactly suited to the most vi...