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

 You know this doctrine I contend for is the doctrine of grace. In the knowledge whereof you find sweetness, BECAUSE THE WORK OF YOUR SALVATION IS FINISHED BY CHRIST, WHOSE WORKS ARE ALL PERFECT. This delights your hearts and keeps your souls from fainting. This removes all objections that otherwise would discourage us.  This is the fountain that cannot be drawn dry that ever flows with sweet and strong consolation and is full of Spirit and life where our souls may drink freely at all times and be refreshed with this marrow and fatness THAT ALL IS FINISHED.   —preacher Samuel Richardson ( Justification by Christ Alone , 1647 A.D.)

"...w hose names are in the book of life." -Philippians 4:3 [KJV] How did the apostle know that? Had he seen the book of life, when caught up to the third heavens? No: but he very plainly and evidently saw, the work of God’s Spirit upon these persons’ souls, by their fruits of faith, and labours of love, to the glory of the Lord Jesus. Hence, he speaks so confidently of them. This furnishes us with these glorious truths.  (1st.) That the names of all God’s chosen people are registered in the book of life, called the Lamb’s book of life (Revelation 21:27.) This implies the eternal love of God to them, His choice of them, personal knowledge of each of them, value for them, care over them, and their certain enjoyment of Him in heaven and glory. For, says the L ORD of hosts, "they shall be Mine in that day when I make up My jewels” (Malachi 3:17.) But may not the name of a believer in Christ be blotted out of this book of life, and he suffered to perish? No...

" For He endured, as seeing Him Who is invisible." -Hebrews 11:27 [KJV] What a paradox! “Seeing Him Who is invisible.” Is not this deemed the very height of enthusiasm? I dearly love that word. It signifies, being in God. And I love it, in the very sense carnal men use it too, for they mean, one who evidences the zeal and fire of godliness in his soul. Give me that man for my companion, who is cast off by the world, as an enthusiast. Is it any marvel that scriptural, experimental truths, are foolishness to the spiritually blind, and that they can neither endure the persons, nor the language of the children of faith?  Consider, (1st.) What did Moses endure? What you and I, and every enlightened soul is called to endure, “the reproach of Christ, and suffering affliction with the people of God.” Now this is opposed, by “enjoying the pleasures of sin for a season.” So that if you will but enjoy the pleasures of sin with the men of the world, you may escape the re...

"Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry ... " -Colossians 3:5 [KJV] "When it is no longer a duty to grow in grace, it is so not to mortify sin.  No man under heaven can at any time say that he is exempted from this command, nor on any pretense; and he who ceaseth from this duty lets go all endeavours after holiness.  And as for those who pretend unto an absolute perfection, they are of all persons living the most impudent, nor do they ever in this matter open their mouths but they give themselves the lie ..." -preacher John Owen

"Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace, to the end that the promise might be sure to all the seed." -Romans 4:16 [KJV] Men come to earthly inheritances, either by heirship, gift, or purchase. Each one can tell how he came by his estate, and by what right he holds it. Come, Christian, examine thy heavenly inheritance to-night. See how thou camest possessed of it, and by what means thou dost hold and enjoy it.  (1st.) It is thine by purchase. Not that thou didst ever contribute one mite to buy it; but Christ thy elder Brother paid the full price for it. Therefore it is called “the purchased inheritance” (Ephesians 1:14.)  (2d.) It is thine by gift: “...it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom,” (Luke 12:32.)   (3d.) It is thine by heirship: thou wast born to inherit it: not by thy natural, but by thy spiritual birth. Now thou art “an heir of God, and a joint-heir with Christ , ” thy elder Brother. (Romans 8:17.)   (4th.) Ho...

" Most men love to hear of the doctrine of grace, of the pardon of sin, of free love, and suppose they find food therein; however, it is evident that they grow and thrive in the life and notion of them.  But to be breaking up the fallow ground of their hearts, to be inquiring after the weeds and briers that grow in them, they delight not so much, though this be no less necessary than the other." -preacher John Owen

  Storms, Sinking Ships and the Sleeping Saviour. Part 1 by D.G. Miles McKee In Mark 4 we encounter a great storm story where it seemed to the disciples that they were about to die.  It is interesting to observe the rulership and majesty of Jesus displayed throughout the whole narrative.   There was something about Jesus, a compelling, divine majesty, that moved and conquered the hearts of men.  These disciples were experienced fishermen and I’m sure some of them must have smelt the storm brewing.  They were fishermen; they knew how to read the signs.  Yet, they followed Jesus right into the storm.    We see this divine majesty demonstrated all through the Master´s life. Consider how, for example, Christ walked up to Matthew the businessman/tax collector and simply said, “Follow Me” and Matthew instantly got up and left everything…except his pen.  Christ did the same to Peter and the fisherman instantly left his nets. If y...