An Unerring Chart By Which To Steer Through The Dangerous Sea Of Life!

 An Unerring Chart By Which To Steer Through The Dangerous Sea Of Life!

God has placed His Word in our hands for an intensely practical purpose - namely, to direct our walk and to regulate our deportment. The primary purpose for which God gave the Scriptures, is to make a practical use of them - ordering the details of our lives by its rules and regulations.

"Your Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119:105). The metaphor used here is taken from a man walking along a dangerous road on a dark night, in urgent need of a lantern to show him where to walk safely and comfortably, to avoid injury and destruction.

God, in His infinite condescension and transcendent grace, has given us His Word for this very purpose, so that we need not stumble along blindly, ignorant of what pleases or displeases Him - but that we might know His mind. That divine Word is not given to us simply for information, but to regulate our conduct, to enlighten our minds, and to mold our hearts.

The Word supplies us with an unerring chart by which to steer through the dangerous sea of life. If we sincerely and diligently follow, it will deliver us from disastrous rocks and submerged reefs - and direct us safely to the heavenly harbor. That Word has all the instructions we need for every problem, and every trouble we may be called upon to face. That Word has been given to us "that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:17). How thankful we should be, that God has favored us with such a Word!

This world is a dark place, and it is only as we take heed to the Word, to the light God has given us, that we shall be able to perceive and avoid "the broad road which leads to destruction," and discern the narrow way which alone "leads unto eternal life."

Our first duty, and our first aim, must be to take up the Scriptures to ascertain what is God's revealed will for us - what are the paths He forbids us to walk, what are the ways pleasing in His sight.

The Scriptures are not given us, primarily, for our intellectual gratification, nor for emotional admiration, but for life's regulation. Nor are the precepts and commands, the warnings and encouragements contained therein, simply for our information. They are to be reduced to practice - they require unqualified obedience. He who treasures the divine precepts in his heart, and diligently seeks to walk by their rule, will escape those evils which destroy his fellows.

~A. W. Pink~

The Babylonian Books Of The Present Day!

 The Babylonian Books Of The Present Day!

The history of that human ignorance which calls itself "philosophy", is absolutely identical with the history of fools! If ones were to write the history of folly, he would have to give several chapters to philosophy, and those chapters would be more revealing than any others.

Beware of the Babylonian books of the present day! The truth of God is the only treasure for which we seek, and the Scripture is the only field in which we dig for it! If you keep close to the inspired book, you can suffer no harm; you are at the fountain-head of all moral and spiritual good. This is fit food for the people of God - this is the bread which nourishes the highest life.

The prayerful study of the Word is not only a means of instruction - but an act of devotion wherein the transforming power of grace is often exercised, changing us into the image of Christ, of whom the Word is a mirror.

Within the  Scripture, there is a balm for every wound, a slave for every sore. Oh, the wondrous power in the Scripture to create a heart of hope, within the ribs of despair! Amidst sharp and strong temptations, and fierce and bitter trials, the Word of the Lord has preserved us. Amidst discouragements which damped our hopes, and disappointments which wounded our hearts, our Bibles have brought us a secret, unconquerable consolation.

There is no true doctrine which has not been fruitful in good works. Payson wisely said, "If there is one fact, one doctrine, or promise in the Bible, which has produced no practical effect upon your temper or conduct - be assured that you do not truly believe it!"

The doctrines of grace produce a fine morality, a stern integrity, a delicate purity, a devout holiness, consecration in life, calm resignation in the hour of suffering, joyful confidence in the article of death. This must be a true gospel - which can produce such lives as these!

~Charles Spurgeon~

What Stupid Blockheads!

 What Stupid Blockheads!

"Are you still so dull?" Jesus asked them. (Matt.15:16).

What lessons we need day by day to teach us anything aright, and how it is for the most part "line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little." O what slow learners! what dull, forgetful scholars! what ignoramuses! what stupid blockheads! what stubborn pupils!

Surely no scholar at a school, old or young, could learn so little of natural things as we seem to have learned of spiritual things after so many years instruction, so many chapters read, so many sermons heard, so many prayers put up, so much talking about religion.

How small, how weak is the amount of growth compared with all we have read and heard and talked about!

But it is a mercy that the Lord saves whom He will save, and that we are saved by free grace, and free grace alone!

~Joseph Philpot~

Altogether Lovely!

 Altogether Lovely!

"Yes, He is altogether lovely! This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend!" (Song of Solomon 5:16).

Why does the world reject the wondrous Saviour? Why do they abhor Him who is altogether lovely, and hate Him who is the best Friend of sinners?

O men of the world! what good can you desire which is not in Christ? The excellencies of earth are but His footstool; the excellencies of Heaven are but His throne! How excellent, then, must He Himself be!

His treasures are infinite - and open for you!

In Jesus are riches, honor, friendship, help, mercy, joy, protection, deliverance, life, and all things - if you have nothing at all.

Time and eternity are His - and He can give you all the glorious things of eternity!

Moreover, He can deliver you from all your fears; from sin, from self, from death, from satan, from hell, and from wrath to come. Now, where will you find such a one as Jesus?

Why, then, refuse life, and seek after death and damnation?

All Heaven is enamored with His beauty!

The longer we look on created gaieties, the leaner and less lovely they grow; so that by the time we have viewed them forty, fifty, or sixty years - we see nothing but vanity in the creature! But when ten thousand ages are employed in beholding the perfection of beauty of Jesus - He still appears more and more lovely - even altogether lovely!

Alas! I can say nothing of His true excellencies! They overwhelm my laboring thought, and are too vast for my feeble conception to bring forth!

~James Meikle~

We Have Need To Use This Prayer At All Times!

 We Have Need To Use This Prayer At All Times!

"Do not forsake me, O Lord! Do not be far from me, O my God!" (Psalm 38:21).

Frequently we pray that God would not forsake us in the hour of trial and temptation - but we too much forget that we have need to use this prayer at all times. There is no moment of our life, however holy - in which we can do without His constant upholding. Whether in light or in darkness, in communion or in temptation - we alike need the prayer, "Do not forsake me, O Lord!" "Hold me up - and I shall be safe!"

A little child, while learning to walk - always needs the parents aid. The ship left by the navigator - drifts at once from her course. We cannot do without continuous aid from God!

Let this be your prayer every day:

"Do not forsake me, O Lord! Do not be far from me, O my God!

Father, do not forsake Your child - lest he fall by the hand of the enemy.

Shepherd, do not forsake Your lamb - lest he wander from the safety of the fold.

Great Gardener, do not forsake Your tender plant - lest it withere and die!

Do not forsake me now, O Lord! And do not forsake me at any moment of my life.

Do not forsake me in my joys - lest they absorb my heart. Do not forsake me in my sorrows - lest I murmur against You. Do not forsake me - for without You I am weak, but with You I am strong.

Do not forsake me - for I cannot travel without Your guidance.

Do not forsake me, O Lord! Do not be far from me, O God of my salvation!"

~Charles Spurgeon~

The Mariner's Chart As He Sails The Sea Of Life!

 The Mariner's Chart As He Sails The Sea Of Life!

The Bible is a book which calls not so much for the exertion of our intellect - as it does for the exercise of our affections, conscience and will. God has given His Word to us not for our entertainment, but for our education - to make known what He requires from us. It is to be the traveler's guide as he journeys through the maze of this world, and the mariner's chart as he sails the sea of life.

Therefore, whenever we open the Bible, the all-important consideration for each of us to keep before him is: "What is here for me today? What bearing does the passage now before me have upon my present case and circumstances - what warning, what encouragement, what information? What instruction is there to direct me in the management of my business, to guide me in the ordering of my domestic and social affairs, to promote a closer walking with God?"

I should see myself addressed in every precept - and included in every promise.

But it is greatly to be feared that, through failure to appropriate God's Word unto our own case and circumstances - there is much Bible reading and study which is of little or no real benefit to the soul.

Nothing else will secure us from the pollutions of this world, deliver from the temptations of satan, and be so effectual a preservative from sin - as the Word of God received into our affections. "The law of his God is in his heart - none of his steps shall slide." (Psalm 37:31) can only be said of the one who has made personal appropriation of the Word, and is able to say with the Psalmist, "Your Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against You." (119:11).

Just so long as the Word is actually working in us, influencing us in a practical way, loved and revered by us, and stirs the conscience - are we kept from falling into open sin!

And only as we personally go out and daily gather our portion of manna, and feed upon the same - will there be strength provided for the performing of duty and the bringing forth of fruit to the glory of God.

~A. W. Pink~

He Is The Infinite, Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent, Gracious, Just, Holy, And Unchangeable I Am!

 He Is The Infinite, Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent, Gracious, Just, Holy, And Unchangeable I Am!

"Having loved His own who were in the world - He loved them unto the end!" (John 1:3-1).

The Lord Jesus Christ is God - possessed of all divine attributes, and entitled to all divine honors. He is one with the Father and the Holy Spirit - God over all, and blessed for evermore! He is naturally, essentially, perfectly, and eternally possessed of everything peculiar to Deity.

He owes His existence to none. He says, "I am Jehovah, and beside Me there is no Saviour!" He is God - and there is no other. There is no other name given under Heaven, or among men, whereby we can be saved. He is the Rock of Ages. He is the infinite, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, gracious, just, holy, and unchangeable I Am!"

Angels worship Him, devils obey Him, saints love Him, and sinners will bow to Him!

He is the Author of Creation, Providence, Redemption, and Glorification!

He produced all things by His power, formed them by His wisdom, supplies them by His bounty, rules them by His instruments, and employs them according to His sovereign will.

He is above all - in the glory of His nature.

He possesses all - by essential right. He will judge all - according to His righteousness.

All things are dependent upon Him, and all rational beings are accountable to Him.

Nothing can escape His eye; none can escape out of His hand!

He is the King of kings, the Lord of lords, and the only supreme Law-giver of the universe!

He is naturally, essentially, and eternally God; one with the Father, equal to the Father; and infinite as the Father.

Thus the Scriptures reveal Him; as such, saints acknowledge Him, and join the angelic host in worshiping, praising, and adoring Him! 

As such, He loves all His people. As such, they love Him - and trust their eternal interests into his hands!

He is all-loving - and altogether lovely!

"Yes, He is altogether lovely! This is my Beloved, this is my Friend!" (Song of Solomon 5:16).

~James Smith~