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

"Is the L ORD among us or not?" -Exodus 17:7 [KJV] A very awful question to proceed from the lips of any child of God. What was the cause of it? Why, the Lord tried their faith. That fails them: nature murmurs: the flesh wants gratification: they are athirst: they tempt the Lord: they chide Moses: he is in distress: he cries to the Lord, “What shall I do unto this people? they be ready to stone me.” Mr. Henry judiciously observes here, “They do in effect suppose, that Moses was an impostor: Aaron a deceiver: the pillar of cloud and fire a mere sham and illusion, which had imposed on their senses; that long series of miracles, which had saved, rescued, and fed them, a chain of cheats; and the promise of Canaan, a banter upon them.  It was all so, if the Lord was not among them . Observe, it is a great provocation to God for us to question His presence, providence, or promise; especially for His people to do it, who are so much obliged to trust Him. Well might M...

1. HIS NATURE is to show mercy! God is love. He must be merciful to some because as He is holy, He is love (1 John 4:16). 2. HIS DESIRE is to show mercy! " He delights to show mercy ." (Micah 7:18).   3. HIS GLORY is to show mercy! When Moses asked to see His glory, He said, " I will be merciful." (Exodus 33:18-19).   4. HIS NAME is the mercy-giver! JESUS means; “Saviour, De­liverer" or " He will save " (Matthew 1:21).   5. HIS CALL is to mercy! " Come, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)   -preacher Henry Mahan

" The interpretation of God’s word is not a playful pastime, but frighteningly serious business for Christians." -preacher J. Whitcomb

" They crucified Him." -Matthew 27:35 [KJV] A short sentence, replete with the greatest importance to a world of sinners: each word in it contains matter of sorrow, wonder, and joy. Here is a fund for meditation. O Christian, time can never explore its depths. It will be the glory of eternity to sing of, wonder, and adore a once crucified Jesus. Let us consider the agents—the work—and the subject.  (1st.) The agents—they. Who? Angels? No: they gaze and wonder at the cruel, awful deed; but share not in it. Devils? No: they instigate to it; they shout and applaud the deed, but effect it not. No, the work is done by beings, little lower than the angels; yet not devils, but men. Men of devilish natures, cursed passions, and wicked hands. With these they seize the innocent victim, doomed to direful agonies, and an ignominious death.  (2d.) The work. They crucified. O the bloody deed! Heaven that hour let fall a tear. There hangs— who? A man like us? Yes, but immacul...

  "How can we who are sinners have any assurance of salvation? It is by looking to and trusting in our sinless Savior and Lord Who stood in our place and gave Himself a ransom, dying on the cross for all whom the Father had given Him in covenant grace before the world began. To look elsewhere and find assurance is nothing more than self- righteousness." —unknown preacher of righteousness

“And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” -Romans 8:10 [KJV] Christ’s righteousness imputed is not only the ground of our justification before God, it is the source and power of our regeneration and conversion (new birth) by the Holy Spirit. Christ resides within His people by His Spirit and His Word, and this is only possible because they are justified legally before God by His grace “through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord”   (Romans 5:21) . This is how the justified “live by faith”   (Romans 1:17) , i.e. looking to, trusting in, and depending upon Christ, “the Author and Finisher of our faith”   (Hebrews 12:2) .    —preacher Bill Parker

" Why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou?" -John 20:15 [KJV] Profession of Christ, without affection to Him, leaves the heart in dead formality. What is religion without the affections? What the highest pretension, the greatest depth of knowledge, without love to our dear Saviour? Here poor Mary discovers her affection to her Lord, by weeping for, and seeking after His crucified body. The fire of love in the heart carries out the soul beyond itself.  Tell me, Sir, says she to Jesus (supposing Him to be the gardener) where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Poor weak being, her affections went beyond her strength. But to her inexpressible joy and comfort, Jesus manifested Himself to her. This was written for our instruction. Come ye weeping, seeking souls, learn a lesson of encouragement and comfort to-night, from your sister’s conduct, and your Lord’s dealings with her.  Observe, (1st.) Christ’s beloved disciples have their weeping and their seeking seas...