Love Boundf Him To The Cross And Held Him There!

 Love Bound Him To The Cross And Held Him There!

"Christ loved the Church - and gave Himself up for her!" (Ephesians 5:25).

Thoughts of love nestled in His heart;

words of love lingered on His lips;

deeds of love flew from His hands; and

His steps left behind them, the impress of love!

Love threw its soft halo over His cradle at Bethlehem - and it fringed with its mellow splendors, the gloom of the cloud under which He expired on Calvary.

Love gave bounds to His reproofs - and pathos to His invitations.

Love was the magnet that guided Him in all His wanderings.

Love bound Him to the Cross and held Him there - and not the iron nails which pierced His hands and His feet!

Love thrilled in His bosom, and glistened in His eye!

Love prompted Him to impart miraculous aid on every opportunity. His meekness was but one of its features. It clothed itself in forgiveness toward His enemies, and its last pulsation was in a prayer for His murderers.

Love was the spiritual atmosphere in which He lived, moved, and had His being. And all this love had His own people for its central object, around whom it ever hovered with sleepless tenderness and assiduity! "Christ loved the church - and gave Himself up for her!"

But those exhibitions of love during His life - are eclipsed by the displays of it in His death! Love shines out with novel charms amidst the gloom of death, for it did not shrink from the shame and woe of the Cross!

His severest anguish was that of His soul. Oh! it was not shame, persecution, or crucifixion - for these terrible sufferings could have been easily borne! It was not the rage and malice of satan - these also  could have been trampled on! The travail of His soul was induced by vicarious pangs!

Who can estimate the depth and fervor of a love which gave itself to such agonies; laid itself on the altar as a perfect atoning sacrifice; suffered that we should not eternally suffer; and died - that we might live forever? The Divine Lover gave Himself! Surely the voice of the Redeemer's love, speaks in thrilling accents from the Cross!

What an amazing gift!

You members of His blood-bought church, as you look to His Cross, when you see Him groaning, bleeding, and dying in agony and shame - under the deepest, most mysterious and terrible sufferings - will you not be always reassured of His love? Will it not glow in your bosoms, and thrill in your praises?

"Unto Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood - to Him be glory and power forever and ever! Amen"

~John Eadie~

How Does the Holy Spirit Seal Us? What is the Seal of the Holy Spirit?

How Does the Holy Spirit Seal Us? What Is the Seal of the Holy Spirit?

In biblical times, a seal was a guarantee. Ephesians 1:13-14 shares regarding the Holy Spirit, "In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory." According to this passage, the seal of the Holy Spirit takes place at the point of salvation. It is a promise or guarantee of the Christian's future, eternal inheritance with Jesus Christ.

The Greek word translated as "seal" is "shragizo" that means "to set a seal upon, mark with a seal". A seal could be used to guarantee a document or letter (Esther 3:12), or protect against tampering (Matthew 27:66 (Revelation 5:1). The Holy Spirit is our seal in every sense of this word.

First, the Holy Spirit in the believer's life helps to guarantee he or she isa child of God. Romans 8:16 shares, "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God."

Second, the seal of the Holy Spirit serves as a mark that we truly belong to Christ. Romans 8:9-10 teaches, "You however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 also notes, "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."

Third, the seal of the Holy Spirit helps protect against tampering or attack. Romans 8:13 declares, "For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit, you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." In a very real sense, God's Spirit protects us and guarantees our eternity with the Lord.

At what point does the sealing of the Holy Spirit take place? It takes place when a person believes the gospel. At that point, God's seal offers the promise of eternal life because of salvation based on God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).

The seal of the Holy Spirit offers a wonderful glimpse of God's role in salvation. When we receive salvation in Christ, we are given a guarantee, exchange our ownership for His, and are protected against forces of evil. This seal should provide wonderful encouragement for the believer against the spiritual battles in this life (Ephesians 6:12) and anticipation for the life to come.

~Compelling Truth~

If God Gives Christ, What Can He Withhold?

 If God Gives Christ, What Can He Withhold?

Are believers in the valley of tears? Is their dwelling place Bochim and Baca? Well, God's mercy outstretches all their misery! Promises of grace dispel the mental gloom, and bear away the ponderous loads of grief! The soft handerchief of love wipes off the furrowing tear! An inspired penman begins the glorious sentence with an unanswerable question. "If God spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up to for the death of us all, how shall He not also with Him give us all things?" (Romans 8:32). Comfort, then; you sons of sorrow; comfort, my soul! There is more in this verse than can be comprehended! And there is more love in the heart of God, than any language, or idiom of speech, can convey to finite creatures!

If, for my sake, He has given His Son, what will He withhold in all the creation? Is His creation - the breath of His mouth - better to Him than His eternal, co-eternal Son? Is the work of His hands dearer to Him than His well-beloved bosom Son? And has He given Him to die for you - and then will He deny you any necessity? No! He who feeds the soul with heavenly manna - will support the body with daily bread! He who gives drink out of the wells of salvation - will not fail to afford a cup of cold water! He who has provided a robe of righteousness, to cover the shame of my sin - will also give wool in the cold season. He who furnishes my inner man with all the armor of God, will put a covering on my head in the day of battle and war. He who, in the counsel of peace, from eternity, secured my peace, will also shine upon my path, and decree what shall come to pass. He who has written my name among the living in Jerusalem, will also preserve, (this my faith pleads and expects), my character, that I shall not shame what I profess in the world. He who has destroyed spiritual death, will also for me unsting natural death, and spoil the grave of its victory!

Again, how can it be possible that God should give His Son, Himself, His all - and yet deny me any good thing? Will not He who is to corwn me with glory above - strengthen me with grace below? Will He not bless me with peace of mind - who is to be my peace forever? Triumph, O my faith! all things are Christ's, and Christ is God's! And God, Christ, and all things, are yours! Time is His, and in it I have my years numbered! The air is His, and in it I breathe! The world is His - and on it I dwell; its fullness is His - and I am fed! Grace is His and in it I stand! Faith is His gift - and by it I overcome the world! Tribulations are from Him - and in them I glory! Perfection is His - and towards it I press! Death is His - and by it I arrive at home! Heaven is His - and there is my sansion! Eternity is His, and there is my treasure and glory forevermore!

~James Meikle~

God Is In Control Of Our Salvation (and others)

 God Is In Control Of Our Salvation (and others)

God Is in Control of Our Salvation

Ephesians 1:3-14

God’s sovereignty extends over all things. He is omniscient (all-knowing), so nothing is hidden from His sight. And since He is omnipotent (all-powerful), no plan of His can be thwarted. Everything in both the natural and spiritual realms—including our salvation—is under His complete control.

Since sin has darkened minds and hardened hearts, man is excluded from the life of God (Eph. 4:17-18). Therefore, we can take no credit for our salvation. Our rescue began in the heart and mind of God, who chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4). God is the one who opened our minds to understand the truth of the gospel, convicted us of our sin, and gave us the faith to believe in Jesus as Savior. From first to last, all of salvation is God’s gift to us.

Why did He reach out to save us? Several repeated phrases in today’s passage give the reason. It was “according to the kind intention of His will” and “to the praise of the glory of His grace” (Eph. 1:5-6). We are the beneficiaries of God’s kindness and salvation, by which the spotlight falls on His glorious grace—not on us.

~Dr. Charles F. Stanley~

______________________________

God’s Purpose

Romans 8:28-30

What is the purpose of life? Throughout human history, people have been trying to answer that question. Books have been written on the subject, and philosophers have postulated many answers. But for Christians, God’s purpose is concisely outlined in today’s passage.

Believers are called according to His purpose and are foreknown by Him. God’s foreknowledge is much more than His ability to see future events in advance. It also includes bringing to pass what He has chosen to do for those He has called. He has predestined them to be conformed to the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29). This will be fully accomplished in the resurrection, but until then, God is progressively transforming His children right now. These are the ones He calls, justifies (declares righteous), and ultimately glorifies.

If you are a Christian, this is God’s purpose for you. That means everything He allows into your life is designed to shape you into a glorious reflection of Christ. Although you cannot fully understand how God brings about salvation and how believers are responsible to respond in faith, there is great comfort in knowing that He who began this good work in you will be faithful to complete it (Phil. 1:6).

~Dr. Charles F. Stanley~

____________________________

“Hide Thy face from my sins and blot out all mine iniquities….Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation.”

(Psalm 51:9, 12)

 

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT

Do you want to find out whether you’re backslidden or not? Let's take your spiritual temperature with the joy test. Do you have joy in your heart all the time? “Joy unspeakable and full of glory”—whatever may happen?

You say, “Pastor, no, I don't have joy that kind of joy. Nobody is supposed to be joyful all the time. I've had some tough times.”

I think you’re thinking about happiness, not joy.

True joy doesn’t depend upon your circumstances. Happiness depends on circumstances—what “happens” to you. We’re not talking about happiness. Joy, on the other hand, is an inside job. True joy shines best in tough times. You can radiate joy in spite of circumstances or what happens.

Did you know that the New Testament book that radiates the most joy—Philippians—was written by Paul from a Roman prison? He said (Philippians 4:4), “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice.” And you rejoice not in your circumstances but in the Lord.

ACTION POINT

Paul didn't say “be happy always.” He did say, “Rejoice always” (1 Thessalonians 5:16). You can’t be happy always, because your circumstances change. Joy comes from your relationship with Jesus. You can have joy all the time because you can have Jesus all the time. Remember, “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:1). Turn your eyes upon Jesus and away from your circumstances, and in Him you can “rejoice always.”

~Adrian Rogers~

Jesus Came Leaping! (and others)

 Jesus Came Leaping! (and others)

"The voice of my Beloved! Look! Here He comes, leaping over the mountains, bounding over the hills!" (Song of Songs 2:8).

The Scriptures tell us that Jesus came leaping! He came with such love - that He came leaping! When a man goes leaping - you may know that it was with a great eagerness.

Jesus came leaping! How so? He came leaping from the throne - to the womb, from the womb - to the cradle, from the cradle - to the Cross, and from thence, to the throne again!

This was His great leap! Oh! sirs, Oh! sirs - how eagerly did Jesus suffer and die for poor believers!

"Christ loved us - and gave Himself up for us!" (Ephesians 5:2).

~William Dyer~

____________________

Fiery Trials Make Golden Christians

"For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory." (2 Corinthians 4:17).

Oh Christians! under your greatest troubles, lie your greatest treasures!

"It is good for me to be afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes." (Psalm 119:71).

By the greatest affliction, God teaches us the greatest instruction.

When a believer lies under God's hand which afflicts him, he lies in God's heart which loves him.

Afflictions are good, but not pleasant. Sin is pleasant, but not good.

There is more evil in a drop of sin, than there is in a sea of afflictions.

God by affliction separates the sin He hates so deadly, from the soul He loves so dearly.

The believer studies more how to adorn the Cross, than how to avoid the Cross.

Tell me, oh believer - is not Christ with His Cross, better than the world with its crown?

"God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness." (Hebrews 12:10).

Suppose, Christian, that the furnace is hot, seven times hotter, it is but to make you seven times more holy. Fiery trials make golden Christians. Sin has brought many a believer unto suffering, and suffering has kept many a believer from sinning. It is better to be preserved in brine, to rot in honey.

"I know, O Lord, that Your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness You have afflicted me." (Psalm 119:75).

~William Dyer~

Worse Than The Devil

 Worse Than The Devil

"He who covers his sins shall not prosper - but whoever confesses and forsakes them, shall have mercy." (Proverbs 28:13).

Loathe sin - and leave sin.

There must be a falling out with our sins - before there be a falling off from our sins. There must be a loathing of sin in our affections. Oh, is it not a thousand times better to part with sin - though ever so sweet - than to part with God, and Christ, and Heaven? One of them, you must part with.

One sin will damn a soul out of Christ - but no sin can damn a soul in Christ.

Sin is the evil of evils. Sin is worse than the devil - for it was sin which made the devil to be a devil. Oh! the love of sin, and the lack of grace - will ruin and destroy your soul forever. It is better not to be - than to be an unrepentant sinner. Oh, therefore kill sin - that sin may not kill you. Mourn for sin - and flee from sin. Do not commit new sins - but repent of old sins.

"Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices." (Ezekiel 36:31). Oh, poor soul - have you not served the flesh and the devil long enough? Yes! Have you not had enough of sin? Is sin so good to you - or is it so profitable for you?

Oh, what a place will you shortly be in - of joy or torment.

Oh, what a sight will you shortly see - in Heaven or hell.

Oh, what thoughts will shortly fill your hearts - with unspeakable delight or horror.

What work will you be employed in: to praise the Lord with the saints and angels, or to cry out in unquenchable fire with devils.

Oh, therefore, die unto sin, confess it, mourn for it, and be ashamed of it; hate and loathe it, and flee from it as from a deadly serpent. Though your sins are more than you can number - yet they are not more than God can pardon. "If we confess our sins - He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9).

~William Dyer~

Get Out Of My Sight!

 Get Out Of My Sight!

Many today say that there is no hell. Multitudes thing that all that is spoken of hell in Scripture is false and mythical. They will not believe that there is a hell.... until they come to feel themselves in hell, until they find everlasting flames about their ears, until they are sentenced to the fire, until they are doomed to everlasting fire!

The last words that Christ will ever speak to the ungodly will be the most tormenting and horrifying, the most killing and damning, the most stinging and wounding! "Then He will also say to those on the left: Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons!" (Matthew 25:41).

This terrible sentence breathes out nothing but fire and brimstone, terror and horror, dread and woe!

"Depart from Me!" Here is utter rejection: "Pack! Be gone! Get out of My sight! Let Me never see your face again!"

"You who are cursed!" Here is malediction. You shall be cursed in your bodies and cursed in your souls! You shall be cursed of God, and cursed of angels, and cursed of saints, and cursed of devils, and cursed of your companions! Yes, you shall curse your very selves, your very souls. All your former curses, all your maledictions - shall at last recoil upon your own souls!

Now you curse every man and thing which stands in the way of your lusts, and which cross your designs! But at last all the curses of Heaven and hell shall meet in their full power and force upon you! There is the vengeance and everlasting fie, which will neither consume itself, nor consume you! Eternity of exterme punishment is the hell of hells.

"I am afraid of hell," says one, "because the worm there never dies, and the fire never goes out!" It is called "unquenchable fire," and "eternal fire." The torments of the damned are very grievous for the bitterness of them, and more grievous for the diversity of them, but most of all grievous for the eternity of them!

Wronged justice can never be satisfied, and therefore the sinner must be forever tormented. The sinner in hell will sin forever, and therefore must be punished forever. It will not stand with the unspotted justice and righteousness of God to cease punishing - while the sinner ceases not sinning.

"But, Lord, if I must go into fire, into everlasting fire - then oh, let me have some good company in my misery!"

"No! The devil and his demons shall be your companions!" Ah! who can conceive or express the misery of living with devils and damned spirits and hellish fiends and furies forever!

"For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath, but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ!" (1 Thessalonians 5:9).

~Thomas Brooks~