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

" The nations shall bless themselves in Him, and in Him shall they glory." -Jeremiah 4:2 [KJV] “Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood, out of every kindred and tongue, and people and nation.” This is part of the new song, which is sung at the right hand of God, in honour and glory to the Lamb (Revelation 5:9.) Shall we not honour and glorify Him here below? What should be the employ of the redeemed and called, every day they live on earth, till they join their brethren in heaven? Why, to bless themselves in the Lord. Bless one’s self! Is not that boasting and vain glory?  Yes, if it arises from any merit, self-righteousness, or excellence, which we fancy we possess. But we are to bless ourselves, because we are in the Lord, and blessed by our God and Father, with all spiritual blessings, in Christ Jesus. Though a sinner, a miserable sinner, yea, a law-accursed sinner in thyself, yet bless thyself, as a rich saint, a holy, happy soul in Chri...

" We see Jesus." - Hebrews 2:2 [KJV] Fine sights of human pomp and worldly grandeur captivate carnal minds, and delight natural senses. It is common to hear persons say in an ecstasy, O, I could sit all night to see a fine play! But one sight of the matchless charms, and dazzling glories of our Saviour, makes all things appear mean and contemptible. We turn our eyes from them, and say, I put away these childish things: I have an heavenly object, infinitely superior to such low, mean, perishing vanities.  I know one, who, having heard that faithful minister of Christ, Mr. Whitefield, when he first preached in the fields, upwards of thirty years ago, on being asked which he liked best, to hear him preach, or see Vauxhall? profanely replied, “Whitefield only preaches of heaven, but Vauxhall is heaven itself.” Poor soul! he was then blind to his want of Christ, and to His glory and excellency. But, to the praise of His rich grace, that poor sinner is out of hell, a...

" Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you, from the foundation of the world." —Matthew 25:34 [KJV] This is a joyful word to our hearts now, "COME, let us reason together, saith the L ORD ; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow: though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." —Isaiah 1:18 . This is another precious word from Jesus to our souls, "COME unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." O, but this last COME, from the lips of our KING, will be the most joyful crowning word of all! The best wine is reserved for the last. Every soul who hath tasted of the first on earth, shall assuredly drink his fill at the fountain-head, in a blissful, never-ending eternity of glory.  "Ye blessed of My Father;" beloved from eternity, and blessed to eternity. Chosen in Me, blessed in Me with all spi...

" But thanks be to God Who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." —I Corinthians 15:57 [KJV] Death, though conquered by Jesus; though disarmed of its strength and sting by our victorious Lord, so that it cannot destroy, nay, not wound or hurt the soul of any one of His dear members; yet it is still an enemy, a formidable, disagreeable enemy to nature. When we are left to our natural conceptions, death appears to us with the grim visage of "the king of terrors." We cannot get rid of our fears, nor are we able to make Him put on a more amiable aspect. But when in the simplicity of little children, we go to our heavenly Father, and tell Him how we are affrighted and terrified at the thought and approach of that dreadful enemy, He drives away our fears and terrors, and relieves our minds.  But how does our affectionate Father effect this? by telling us we are perfect and sinless, and therefore we have overcome death, we shall never die, we...

" The end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer." —I Peter 4:7 [KJV] Yesterday we were born. To-day we live. To-morrow we die. The sum total of human life is justly calculated by the hoaryheaded patriarch, Jacob, "Few and evil have the days of the years of my life been."—Gen. 47:9. A truth this that lies level with the common observation and judgment of all men; but is admitted into the regenerate heart and conscience only with that importance it demands, so as suitably to affect the mind and influence the conduct. Hence, the absolute necessity of divine faith; the continual need of the believing soul exercising his meditations upon the sure and certain approaching dissolution of all things. So he learns to die daily to the perishing objects of time and sense; and to live like himself, as an immortal inhabitant of a city that hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. To live and lean upon our beloved Jesus as t...

" Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ." —Romans 13:14 [KJV] Man is an active being. Happiness is his pursuit. "Who will shew me any good?" is his continual enquiry. But to seek it from wrong objects is his constant practice. Hence naturally we are ever restless and uneasy. The new-born soul only has found the centre of true felicity, real good, and permanent happiness, in the knowledge and enjoyment of his Saviour! Here paradise is regained: a heaven of bliss is restored to his soul. It is the peculiar glory of the gospel, it ever presents a precious object to our mind, even the Lord Jesus, from Whom alone we derive peace of conscience, joy of heart, and transport of soul.  Is there, believer, a day in the year, an hour in the day, wherein thou wouldst pray to be excused from putting on the Lord Jesus Christ as the perfection of thy nature, and the adorning of thy soul? Surely not. As "one made alive from the dead," the Holy Ghost, by the word,...

  The Gospel and the Believer. Part 5 by D. G. Miles McKee   “ Just as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous" (Romans 5:19).   Ruin and redemption were the result of the actions of two men, Adam and Christ.  They were our representatives, Strictly speaking, ruin and redemption had nothing to do with our experience!  We were neither there in the Garden when Adam ruined us nor were we there at Calvary when Jesus rescued us. Christ Jesus is now our new representative man.  He is the last Adam (1 Corinthians 15:25) and the second man (1 Corinthians 15:27).   When Jesus lived and died He did so for us. All that He accomplished is now reckoned to us!  What a marvelous inheritance we have in Christ Jesus!  Just as our rejection before God was based upon the behaviour of one man, Adam, so our acceptance before God now depends on another man, Jesus! The big question, there...