Monthly Archives: February 2024
This great treasure is not to be found amongst the earthly caverns where men dig for precious things. The man of the world cannot discover that which is truly precious, for he can only perceive something of value which will increase his net worth. “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh.” (Romans 8:5). For such, it will remain an unknown path. It is a path… Read More
The Last Battle (Ezekiel 38:1-9, Ezekiel 39:17-20, Revelation 19:17-18, 2nd Peter 3:10) The purpose of God in the prophecy of Ezekiel is to show us the transition from the Old Testament temple in Jerusalem, to the New Testament temple of God in the souls of the New Testament believers, and then after this earth has been destroyed to the new creation, which will be God’s final dwelling place. In this prophecy God… Read More
The Great Imitator (Hebrews 11:9-10, Hebrews 12:22) Even as the Devil aims at establishing a counterfeit kingdom, so he also establishes a counterfeit “church”. The church as an institution was designed to be the army of the Kingdom of Christ. But during the little season, when Satan is loosed and the abomination of desolation is set up, that “church” will be used by the Devil as an army in his service. And… Read More
Mystery Babylon (Revelation 17:5; Genesis 11:9) We presently are living in an era that is unprecedented in the history of the world. An era where even the people in the congregations have little tolerance for religious concepts and principles taught in the Bible. It is an era where people do not want to know the Gospel of Jesus Christ as it is given to us in the Bible. It is an era… Read More
“And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.” (Revelation 20:9) There are many passages where God is the great Avenger of His people.God says in 2nd Thessalonians 1:8, “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of… Read More
“For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” (Ephesians 5:5) What is Covetousness? Covetousness is a besetting sin, from which few people are entirely free. Covetousness is eminently a deceitful sin! It is decried and condemned in others—by multitudes who live in the habit of it themselves! It is very difficult to fix a conviction of… Read More
“Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:69) From the standpoint of God’s eternal decree, it may be truly said that believing sinners will not turn away from Christ because they CANNOT; but from the standpoint of the believer’s experience, it may just as truly be said that believers… Read More
“…and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” (Ephesians 2:3) Is there any sense in which it may be said that those whom God has purposed to save and Christ did save by His death on the cross, were at one time children of wrath? The answer is, ‘NO!’ The Scripture says that we were “by nature” children of wrath but that is different from stating that we are children… Read More
“He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.” (Proverbs 13:3) “A guard upon the lips is a guard to the soul—he who is careful, who thinks twice before he speaks once, that, if he has thought evil, lays his hand upon his mouth to suppress it; he who keeps a strong bridle on his tongue, and a strict hand on the bridle—he keeps his soul from a great… Read More
At the very beginning of human history, God Himself declared, “It is not good that the man should be alone” (Genesis 2:18). He was not made for solitude, but society, not to live in isolation, but in company with others. Yet since God spoke those words — sin has entered the world and human nature has become depraved. But Christ too has entered it, and His Spirit is conforming a chosen people… Read More
“Neither give place to the devil.” (Ephesians 4:27) The verse just quoted sets before us an exhortation which every Christian needs to take seriously to heart. Many believers give place to the devil unconsciously, because they are ignorant of his devices. But this ought not to be. The Scriptures clearly expose them — but unless we diligently study the Word, we shall neither be forewarned nor forearmed. In order to fight successfully against a subtle and powerful enemy, it… Read More
“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) This brings before us an aspect of the truth concerning which many christians are largely ignorant. Oftentimes they are unaware that it is “the devil” who is attacking them and needs to be resisted. Many suppose that Satan’s assaults are confined unto tempting us to sin. Not so; in many cases his object is to oppose and hinder us in the… Read More
The spirit of the world is eating out the very heart and life of true godliness! In the matter of friendships, of recreations, of converse in social life, the Christian needs to be very watchful, if he would follow the Saviour. Christians should be very careful as to the scenes of recreation which they frequent. As we find them at the present day, the Theater, the Ball-room, and the Race-course are hot-beds of… Read More
“Remove from me the way of lying.” (Psalm 119:29) How we should be humbled by such a prayer as this, for it is evidently an appropriate one for all the LORD’s people. The fact that it is not only recorded in Holy Writ, but here in the 119th Psalm, rather than in the prayer of a particular individual on some special occasion, plainly intimates this. There is nothing in all the Old… Read More
“Why is there so much about enemies in the Psalms?” is a question sometimes raised. One responds, “Because in the covenant, God put enmity between the wicked and the righteous.” Undoubtedly that is the basic, true, and satisfying explanation of why the saint is assailed and menaced by so many foes, though it scarcely accounts for the numerous references thereto in the Psalter itself. From the beginning (Genesis 3:15), the LORD Himself placed an inveterate… Read More
“Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?” (Hebrews 12:9) By nature we are not in subjection to God. We are born into this world filled with the spirit of insubordination. As the descendants of our rebellious first parents, we inherit their evil nature. “though man be born like… Read More
“The LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.”(Psalm 132:13-14) The church of the living God is not an organization founded by man and inhabited by those who choose to join its ranks. God’s church on earth (and in Heaven) is the spiritual body of the Lord Jesus Christ, consisting of those whom He… Read More
“Brethren, pray for us” is a frequent plea made by those who preach the gospel, as Paul wrote in 2nd Thessalonians 3:1. But PAUL’S MAIN CONCERN (and ours should be) was not so much for himself nor for the safety and welfare of the ministers themselves, but for THE SUCCESS AND GLORY OF THE GOSPEL he preached. When we urge you to pray for us and for our brethren, of course we should pray… Read More
“Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth. And I will cause the captivity of Israel to return, and will build them, as at the first. And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have… Read More
“And she bound the scarlet line in the window.” (Joshua 2:21) Rahab’s obedience to bind the line of scarlet thread in the window, that thread which pictured the Lord Jesus, the One who’s blood was shed for the redemption of His people, may have seemed to be a foolish or even a small and insignificant thing to everyone else in Jericho, but to Rahab, it was the token of life promised through the… Read More
“You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32) Scripture says that men and women are “taken captive by him (Satan) at his will” (2nd Timothy 2:26), and all God’s people know it is so by experience. The natural man is easy prey for Satan, the god of this world, for he is the master of deception and guile. Satan has so many devices (the chief one being false religion) and human… Read More
1. He knows and rejoices that all of his sin and sins are pardoned, paid for, and put away by the sacrifice of Christ The Lord. 2. He condemns sin in himself! While sin does not reign, it does remain in the believer, but he does not excuse or justify it. He grieves over it and daily confesses his sins before God. He hates a bad attitude as much as evil actions…. Read More
Christ is the mystery of the scripture–grace the mystery of Christ. Believing is the most wonderful thing in the world. Put anything of your own to it, and you spoil it. Christ will not so much as look at it for believing. When you believe and come to Christ, you must leave behind you your own righteousness and bring nothing but your sin (Oh, that is hard!); leave behind all your holiness, sanctification, duties, humblings, etc.;… Read More
“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1st Thessalonians 5:16-18) It is God’s revealed will that we rejoice always; pray continually for ourselves and one another and GIVE THANKS! What we are, have and in WHOM we are, is ALL of God’s sovereign, perfect, unerring will for us therefore it is to be prayerfully received with rejoicing and… Read More
“That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.” (Ephesians 2:12) If we have Christ, we have His blood for pardon, His righteousness for justification, His fulness to supply all our needs, His promises to cheer us, His strength to support us, His wisdom to guide us in all our… Read More
“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us…” (2nd Corinthians 4:6-7) The work of the Spirit of God, by the mercies of God, is to call His… Read More
Any view of our being in Christ or being righteous by our union with Him that minimizes our death with Him and His death for us is error. If we could have been saved simply by being “in Him,” He would not have needed to come into this world and die the death of the cross in our place. He had to come and die because of our sins. The wages of… Read More
There are two vital things the Holy Spirit reveals to all whom He brings to faith in Christ Jesus. 1). He will reveal OUR NEED OF CHRIST! “I need Thee, precious Jesus, for I am full of sin, my soul is dark and gloomy, my heart is dead within; I need the cleansing fountain, where I can always flee, the blood of Christ most precious, the sinner’s perfect plea.” 2). He will reveal… Read More
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are m of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8) Brethren, give yourselves to meditate on these things of the gospel of Jesus Christ. As Paul says in other scripture, “Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.” (1st Timothy 4:15). Take note of these eight… Read More
“He Brought Him To Jesus.” (John 1:42) Yes, salvation is all of grace. It is the Good Shepherd who goes out to seek His sheep. He finds them, and He brings them home. But according to His infinite wisdom and condescending grace, it is our Lord’s good pleasure to employ men in this heavenly work. Andrew was present when John said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” And Andrew beheld Him. Immediately, Andrew… Read More
Salvation and submission are inseparable things. When we are saved by grace, we are brought to submit to God’s way of saving us and forsake our way. Thus any and all religious zeal and outward righteousness apart from the truth of the Gospel of Christ is rebellion against God! This is because it is a failure to submit to the righteousness of God in Christ! This is what Paul said of his… Read More
“David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” (1st Samuel 30:6) David found himself in a very discouraging situation. Ziklag had been burned with fire, the families of David and his army had been taken captive and his men were ready to stone him… Read More
“Godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1st Timothy 6:6) Unless we have vital, living religion in our hearts, unless our hearts and our minds are continually set before God, then all our religion is false, and will perish at last. And we will be found among the goats, rather than the sheep. Real, true, vital religion is that which discerns between the righteous and the ungodly. Then we must haste to see… Read More
A people very bad – A God very good A people very sinful – A God very merciful A people very foolish – A LORD all-wise A people very fickle (changing) – A LORD Who never changes A people very small – A God very great A people very poor – A LORD very rich A people completely helpless – A God with all power A people very finite – A LORD… Read More
We preach the gospel of God’s sovereign, free grace in Christ Jesus the Lord; that salvation is in Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith alone, according to the word alone. For the most part, the message is rejected, but do not be discouraged, it has ever been so! Elijah thought he was the only one left who believed God; Isaiah wrote, “Who hath believed our report and to whom is the… Read More
“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son.” (1st Corinthians 1:9) In the previous verse promise was made that God would confirm unto the end His own people. The Apostle’s confidence in the absolute security of believers was founded not on the strength of their resolutions or ability to persevere, but on the veracity of Him that cannot lie. Since God has promised to His Son… Read More
“It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.” (Psalm 119:71) How are afflictions good for me? 1). They conform me to the image of Christ. Need I say more? 2). They turn me to God’s word for instructions. They make me teachable. I learn the promises of God by experience. 3). They teach me my dependence on Christ. John 15; “Without me ye can do nothing.” 4). They… Read More
As I had the happiness of being born of believing parents, I imbibed the sound doctrines of the Gospel from my infancy; nor was I without touches of heart, checks of conscience, and meltings of affections, by the secret strivings of God’s Spirit within me while very young; but the impressions were not deep, nor the influences lasting, being frequently defaced and quenched by the vanities and vices of childhood and youth. About the twenty-first year… Read More
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers, for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” (2nd Corinthians 6:14) This metaphor is taken from horses or oxen which, being joined together by a common yoke, must walk and pull together in the same direction and with the same goal or have serious problems. Believers and unbelievers do not have the same principles, natures, nor goals. They… Read More
“We were BOLD in our God to speak unto THE GOSPEL OF GOD with much contention.” (1st Thessalonians 2:2) As much as we desire to see men and women come to a knowledge of the living God in Christ Jesus our Lord, as much as we long for them to embrace the gospel and receive Christ as Lord and Saviour, we dare not, cannot, and will not labor to present that glorious gospel… Read More
The Bible is a bloody book. From the first book to the last, a stream of blood flows. Its importance is seen by the testimony of God Himself. “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” (Leviticus 17:11) “For it is… Read More
Our birthplace is recorded—Psalm 87:6. Your steps are counted (Job 31:4). Your days are determined; the number of your months are with God. He has appointed your bounds that you cannot pass (Job 1:5). You can change nothing. You cannot make one hair black or white. You cannot add one cubit to your stature no matter how much thought you give to the task (Matthew 6:27). Stature . . . the word… Read More
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” (Ephesians 1:7) God’s mind and purpose is in Christ. It was/is IN THE CROSS. 1. God cannot be known or understood apart from the cross. 2. Men in their sinfulness cannot be understood apart from the cross…the cross is God’s judgment on all unrighteousness. 3. The cross is where the decrees from eternity were realized (transacted),… Read More
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