How much influence has the love of Christ had over us?

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    (Jared Waterbury, "Meditations and Prayers" 1840)

"The love of Christ constrains us!" 2 Corinthians 5:14
The love of Christ! What a motive to one who has felt its constraining influence! Can we say that we have not only experienced the love of Christ to us--but have felt in return, the outgoings of love to our blessed Savior?

How much influence has the love of Christ had over us?
Has it led us to practice self-denial for Jesus' sake?
Has it fed the flame of our devotions?
Has it been the secret spring of our charities?
Do we daily go up to Calvary, and study our obligations at the foot of the cross?

See, on that cross, the adorable Savior! Behold Him, who is the equal of the Father, stretched in bleeding agony--expiring under an inconceivable weight of sorrow--to redeem us wretched, guilty men! All this He does . . .
  to rescue us from sin and from Hell,
  to make us heirs of God,
  to purchase for us an unfading and incorruptible inheritance!

And what have we ever done for Him? Let us weep, that we have made such returns of ingratitude and sin.
Let us renew our vows at the foot of the cross.
O let us go forth to our work with increased diligence.
Be it ours, to say with Paul, "For whether we live--we live unto the Lord; and whether we die--we die unto the Lord. Whether we live therefore, or die--we are the Lord's!" Romans 14:8

PRAYER.
O, our adorable Savior, when we reflect on Your matchless love, which led You first to pity us, then to come into this polluted world to redeem us; when we think of all that You have done and suffered for us sinful worms--we are lost in wonder, and we cannot find language to express our infinite obligations! But O, what poor returns have we made for all Your love and compassion! Well might we bury our faces in the dust; nor, but for your mercy, could we venture to look up to You. 'Twas not enough that the sins of our unregenerate state were laid upon you; we have added to that oppressive load, by sinning against love and mercy--Your dying love and boundless mercy!

Yet does Your love, O Savior, overtop all these mountains of iniquity!
It says "Your sins, which are many, are all forgiven!"
May this love reach and melt our obdurate hearts.
May it constrain us to "live, not to ourselves, but to You, who has died for us and risen again."

And while the children of this world are laboring to aggrandize self--let us, forgetful of self, be absorbed in the work of glorifying our adorable Redeemer. "For us, to live may it be Christ." When we can no longer glorify You on earth--then, O Savior, let us have a place in that bright world where love--that grace which outlives faith and hope--shall endure forever!

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
February 28, 2017

My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me. (Psalm 63:8)

Praise the Lord that He lifts us up! When we are weak, it is then that He will be strong. Rely upon the Lord your God for He is your strength, defence, and guide in all your ways.

The most hideous blasphemy ever to be spewed from the pit of darkness!

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    (Don Fortner)

Universal atonement is the most hideous blasphemy ever to be spewed from the pit of darkness! No greater blasphemy ever spewed from the pit of Hell, than the blasphemous assertion that Christ died to redeem the multitudes who suffer the wrath of God there!

Universal love, universal grace, and universal redemption--is meaningless love, meaningless grace, and meaningless redemption. To preach such is to preach a meaningless gospel, a meaningless god, and a meaningless savior!

There is . . .
  no love except distinguishing love,
  no redemption except a particular redemption,
  no atonement except a limited atonement,
  no deliverance except an effectual deliverance, and
  no grace except irresistible, omnipotent, saving grace!

"Christ loved the church, and gave Himself up for her!" Ephesians 5:25

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
February 27, 2017

And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. (Exodus 33:19)

God's will is His own and no man may triumph over it. Nor can any man judge whom God ought show mercy or grace. The motives of God are His own. And they are good. How thankful we ought be when we recognize that we, the redeemed, are the objects of that very mercy! Rejoice, believer, that though undeserving, you have become the eternal recipient of such unmerited favour!

Sovereign Grace Missionary Baptist Church "Where The Truths Of God’s Word Have Been Taught For More Than Fifty-Five Years” 1217 Dillon Texarkana, Texas 75501 February 26, 2017            Newsletter Number 609 Brother Randy Johnson, Pastor                   Brother Ronnie Henderson Sr., Song Leader Pastor E-Mail: pastor@sgmbaptist.com                                          Web Site: www.sgmbaptist.com “A Church Seeking To Please God In Prayer, Song, Preaching, And Worship.”

Our Prayer Request: All of Our Military, Their Family’s & All the Civilian Workers in The Middle East, Zee Mink Fuller and Family, Her son’s Bryan Armstrong and Hunter Hackie, Daughter Shannon, and Brother Philip & Sondra Thornsberry,  Johnnie Stephens, Alecia Stephens, and children, Frankie Baldridge and daughter, Buckie Thompson, Frank & Sonya Trusty, Frank & Dawana Reigel, Andrew Preston, Larry & Martha Mollette and Her Family, Tyrell Loyd, Bonnie, Ted O'Bonion, Larry Mollette II & Family, Kerry Adcock, Kim Poole, Danny & Nita Mollette, The Muncy Family, Lee & Mary Mollette, Wendell Henderson, Joshua Kidd, Matthew Kidd, Ronnie and Sarah Henderson, Ronnie Henderson Jr. & Children, Ricky Henderson and Family, Jacie Henderson, Velma Hammond, Charles, Don Hammond and Families, Vickie Adkins, Archie & Barbara Griffin, Donna Johnson, James and Luann Reynolds, Timothy Fails, Nathan Fails, Jacob Ramsey, Jerry Hughes, Pastor G. L. Burr, Melody Carr, Janie Capps, Linda Hughes, Donna Jones, Brandy Sullivan, Gina, Tammy Hairston and family, Brother Kelley and Sister Hinson, Manual Seymour, Sr, The Harris Family, The Morris Family, Teresa Bookout, Little Titan Thomas (Trent and Tiffane Thomas child), James – Diane and Brooke Thomas, Jace Fails, Steve Sparks, Sister Ann McSwain, Brother Archie and Barbra Griffin, Brandy’s Mother, Elaine Sparks, James daughter’s mother-in-law,  Brother Curtis Pugh, Brother Dan Sullivan the work in Thailand, Brother Raul and the work in Romania, Bro. Sergey Mochalov and the Churches in Russia.

A Thought From our Pastor: Take Up Your Cross, And Follow Jesus. Matthew 16:24 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” In today’s time, most Christians have no idea what it is to be a real Christian. I know many will laugh and will ask who give you the right to judge other Christians, well no one. But let me ask you this question, are you properly following Jesus? Before, you answer that question, I would ask you to study this verse. Study it really good, and then ask yourself “am I rightly following Christ”. We have Christians who commit numerous sinful acts and they still attend church on regular basis, some even fill the pulpits. It is true that we are all sinners, and if we are saved then we are saved by the same God, through the same Saviour, or we are not saved. And please let us not forget, we are all sinners. Therefore, we should stop judging other Christians and start judging our own selves. Now, with that said, let me ask again, just how good of a Christian are you. Sometimes Christians are full of themselves instead of the Lord. Following Jesus is a most glorious thing, but to truly follow Jesus is very painful and miserable at time. If we think back at the life that Jesus lived, we should see just how horrible and painful of a life we ought to live. Christians who truly followed Jesus have lived miserable earthly lives. Peter was forced to lie about Jesus three time in denying Him. Paul lived a very hard life in his following of Jesus. Many of the Lord’s Apostles and disciples live hard lives and were even crucified for following the Lord. Millions of real followers of Christ have been murdered simply for their faith in Christ, and following Him. Many of Christians have lived in starvation, and died slow and horrible deaths just for the right to live for Jesus Christ. To farther the gospel, to keep the church in truth, and to preserve the doctrine of the scriptures. Today, Christians are weak, we have a hard time understanding the scriptures, we have a hard time following the scriptures. All of these past Christians gave everything to follow Jesus Christ, but in our day we look for excuses not to attend the church services. The Lord told us “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together…” Hebrews 10:25 but we look around and members are absent and some of them because they simply had something else to-do. Beloved, the first point we must all learn if we are going too pick-up our cross and follow the Lord, is the Lord is first. Jesus said “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” John 6:38 No matter where that will have led Him, even to the cross. So what does it mean to truly follow Jesus, well the first point is “let him deny himself”. Beloved, a Christians life is not about themselves, while many Christians believe they are to be happy in this life, happiness only comes if God gives it. Following Jesus normally does not mean a happy earthly life, except spiritually. So while we are to deny ourselves, the second point is “take up his cross” but what cross? That is our suffering, our suffering for the Lord, the truth, and the church is our cross. We must learn that this life is not about us being happy (in the flesh), but about God being blessed in us. It is about our following Jesus Christ no matter where that road leads nor how bumpy it may get. In Romans 8:28 it says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” But for who’s good? Our good, no, not at all, everything is for God’s good even if it means we will suffer, or even give our life to the Lord.  And the last thing our scripture says is “follow me.” Are you following Jesus Christ in your life, are you really? In order to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, we must deny ourselves, suffer our crosses in life, and follow Him. Now beloved, that is a tall order, examine yourself and then see if you are really following the Lord. Read this very carefully - "Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; (2) That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God." 1 Peter 4:1-2

TWICE THE CHILD OF HELLBy Elder Curtis Pugh    Jesus Himself spoke plain words to the most religious people alive in His day saying: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte  [convert], and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves,” (Matthew 23:15). Here Jesus spoke to the Pharisees about themselves and their missionary program. He first pronounced “woe” upon them. This word is used to express distress. He is saying that judgment without mercy is coming upon the religious leaders. Their expectation of happiness for eternity was not going to happen. Alas!     Next the Lord Jesus spoke of their missionary zeal. The lesson for us here is that the sending out of missionaries does not guarantee that either the senders or those sent are doing a good thing. Just because people go door to door in an effort to make converts does not mean what they are doing is right. Jesus uses a bit of hyperbole: intended and obvious exaggeration in speech to make a point. He said they would go around the world just to make one convert! That is zeal! That is dedication! That is sacrifice and commitment to a cause.    But Jesus is saying that their zeal, dedication, sacrifice and commitment are to the wrong message. Their goal is to make converts to their false religion! Oh, they made converts, but each convert was “twofold more the child of hell” than they were! In this statement Jesus first of all says directly to these religious leaders that they themselves were children of hell. They were headed for eternal punishment! They were religious, but lost! They had never been born again of the Spirit. This was the personal message to one of them who came to Jesus by night for Nicodemus was “a ruler of the Jews,” (John 4:1). Jesus told him “ye must be born again,” (John 3:7).    But these converts were twice the children of hell that those who evangelized them were! Their religious instructors were deceived deceivers and their end would be eternity in the Lake of Fire. But their converts were twice as bad. How can that be? How can these people be twice as bad off as the people who converted them?    While their instructors were religious hypocrites having only a false outward religion that was empty of any spiritual life or inward change, their converts only added to their former pagan ideas and practices the outward hypocrisy of their teachers. They continued in their observances of pagan feasts, celebrations and devotion as well as their old immorality and sinful lifestyle although they outwardly conformed and appeared to be changed.    It is also recorded that Jesus said to the Pharisees: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres   [tombs], which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness,” (Matthew 23:27). Outwardly clean, but inwardly corrupt! Beware of mere outward religion. It leads to hell!

Church Notices: Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday; March 12 Clocks will spring forward one hour.

He cannot love you more--and He will not love you less!

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    (Charles Spurgeon)

"Having loved His own who were in the world--He loved them to the very end!" John 13:1

Christian, God's love to you is always the same. He cannot love you more--and He will not love you less!

Never, when afflictions multiply, when terrors frighten you or when your distresses abound--does God's love falter or flag. Let the rod fall ever so heavily upon you--the hand that moves, like the heart that prompts the stroke, is full of love! Judge not the Lord by feeble sense--but trust Him for His grace. Whether He brings you down into the depths of misery, or lifts you up into the seventh Heaven of delight--His faithful love never varies or fluctuates--it is everlasting in its continuity!

"His faithful love endures forever!" Psalm 136:1
"I have loved you, My people, with an everlasting love!" Jeremiah 31:3

"The faithful love of the Lord never ends!" Lamentations 3:22 

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
February 26, 2017

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (Romans 5:1)

Life is turbulent. Even keeping our families clothed, a roof over our heads, and food in our mouths is a constant work. Deadlines are hectic. Trials come constantly. We need peace and that shall we find! Peace in Christ Jesus. Trust in the power of His resurrection and you shall see eternal heavenly rest! Rejoice in that rest and preach the redemptive power of His resurrection in all the earth.

Morning Devotional January 26, 2017

Psalm 56:10

“In God will I praise his word: in the Lord will I praise his word.”



I pray as we enter this new week that we will all praise God today for His abundant grace and mercies upon us. I know not all that read this are able to meet with God's people in person this morning. I know some who are able to listen to their pastor or others via the internet. And O what a blessing that is when you are not able to go in person. I hope you all will take time today and every day to read God's Word and to praise Him for all He has done to draw His children out of this world. To make us separate from the world of sin.
O what a love our Lord and Savior has for us!!! O what joy should fill our hearts when we think on these things!!! O child of God, Praise His Word today!!! Praise God He has given us His Word and made us to understand what He wills for us to understand.



Praise ye the Lord!!!

Stephen McCool Sr.

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors!

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    (Charles Spurgeon)

"Therefore, brethren, we are debtors!" Romans 8:12
Christian, stop and ponder for a moment, what a debtor you are to divine sovereignty! God could have destroyed you, if He had pleased--it is entirely of His own good pleasure that you are made one of His beloved children, while others are allowed to perish.

Consider, then, how much you owe to His sovereignty! If He had willed it--you would have been among the damned! If He had not willed your salvation--then all you could do would have been utterly powerless to deliver yourself from perdition!

Remember how much you owe to His sovereign love, which tore His own Son from His bosom--that He might die for you! Let the Cross and bloody sweat remind you of your obligation.

Consider how much you owe to His forgiving grace--that after ten thousand affronts, He loves you as infinitely as ever!

Consider what you owe to His power--how He has raised you from your death in sin; how He has preserved your spiritual life; how He has kept you from falling; and how, though a thousand enemies have beset your path--He has upheld you on your way!

Consider what you owe to His immutability. Though you have changed a thousand times--He has not changed once. Though you have shifted your intentions--yet He has not once swerved from His eternal purpose, but still has held you fast.

Christian, consider that you are as deep in debt as you can be to every attribute of God. To God you owe yourself, and all that you have! "Brethren, we are debtors!"

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
February 25, 2017   

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (James 1:5)

What an incredible promise! If we lack wisdom all we have to do is ask God and He promises to give it to us. He will not scold us for asking, for He gives it out freely!

My Prayer: Jesus, I am asking You, now, for Your wisdom. You have promised that you will freely give it and I trust in that promise!

 

Morning Devotional February 25, 2017

Romans 8:8

“So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”

O how often our fleshly lusts and desires brings us into displeasure with our Heavenly Father. Even as His chosen people, His adopted children we oft times do things in this life that are not pleasing to the one that saved us from death and hell. The one who sent His Son to die in our place as the ultimate sacrifice to save us from a horrible life of sin. Our constant rebellion is a poor witness of who we are and who's we are.

O child of God, follow the Lord in all you do. Leave the sinful lust and desires of this world behind and follow Christ.

Unsaved friend, Understand and know that there is nothing you can do that is good enough to please God. The greatest humanitarian efforts, all the great donations to the poor and needed, all the kind and good deeds you have done to your fellow man is a stench in the nostrils of God. The only real hope you have is to believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. If the Holy Spirit is pricking your heart and convicting you of your sins, believe. If all seems lost and your life is in great despair, believe. If death and hell greatly concerns you, believe. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and though shalt be saved!!!

Praise ye the Lord!!!

 

Stephen McCool Sr.

All that occurs in His wide empire!

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    ("The Sovereignty of God in Calamity!" Delivered on September 20, 1857, by Ebenezer Rogers--two days after the steamship 'Central America' sank during a hurricane. 560 of the 626 people on board lost their lives!)

Upon the whole history of this solemn event, is stamped the record of the absolute sovereignty of God. It is not an enemy who has done this! God is sovereign, and this is the hand of God!

All that occurs in His wide empire, from the falling of a leaf--to the extinction of a race; from the death of a sparrow--to the blotting out of a star; is only the fiat of Him, who is from everlasting to everlasting God--whose counsel shall stand and who will do all His good pleasure.

There is a God who reigns in the earth! "Affliction does not come forth from the dust; neither does trouble spring out of the ground"--but "the Lord God omnipotent reigns!"

God is sovereign on His throne! All the powers and processes of nature, are but the ministers who do His pleasure. Rising above the roaring of the ocean, above the moaning of the blast, above even the shrieks of drowning men--is heard the solemn voice of the Almighty, saying in tones of overwhelming majesty, "Be still and know that I am God!" Psalm 46:10

Let us enthrone above these scenes of apparent disorder and arbitrary infliction--a Sovereign God, a God of wisdom, a God of power, a God of love, who sees the end from the beginning, and orders all things according to the counsel of His will--and here at least we have an anchorage for Faith, a place where she can cling, and look up amid the jarring elements, and say, "Even so, Father, for so it seems good in Your sight!"

Who would not prefer, if called on to submit uncomplainingly and absolutely to the most trying circumstances and dealings--that these should be ordered by a wise, just and good Being--one whose infinite wisdom enabled Him to devise the best things, whose infinite power enabled Him to accomplish them, and whose infinite goodness disposed Him to exert that power. Who would not choose that a Father's hand should pour the bitter cup which he was to drink even to the dregs?

Oh! to be taught that a Sovereign God rides upon the billows, and directs the storms which have swept all our idols away and left us beggared and forlorn--is a lesson worth to the tried and tempted soul of man, all that it costs to learn it.

To my own mind this fearful event in all its horrors is full of teaching on that great point which lies at the foundation of all religion, but which men are so constantly prone to forget--that there is a Sovereign God in the heavens before whom all must bow, and to whom all must give account!

"All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing! He does according to His will in the army of Heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him: What have You done?" Daniel 4:35

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
February 24, 2017

Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. (Micah 7:7)

Bolster your faith! Call out to the very Lord of the heavens for strength! He will surely hear you! Ask of Him a measure more of faith and He shall surely grant it. He is the Lord of all and delights in blessing His children with every good thing!

Was there ever a better student in divine knowledge?

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      (George Everard, "At the Feet of Jesus!" 1884)

"Mary seated herself at the Lord's feet and was listening to His teaching." Luke 10:39
Holy Scripture abounds in promises to the humble.
"He exalts the humble and meek."
"He who humbles himself shall be exalted."
"God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

To take the lowest place, to sit down in the lowest room--is the sure road to true peace on earth and a throne of glory hereafter. By this path our Master went before--and we must endeavor to walk in His footsteps.

For this purpose, let us keep close to the Savior. For all that we need, let us abide "at His feet."

Let us look at the feet of Jesus, as the place for the LEARNER. And was there ever a better student in divine knowledge than Mary of Bethany? While her sister was hard at work, desiring to honor Christ by providing for His physical needs--Mary sat quiet and still, calmly drinking in the words of grace and wisdom and love that flowed from His lips. His words sank very deep. She was filled with faith and love and reverence and holy joy and strength of soul. She was prepared for days of sorrow that lay before her. She learned well the lesson of His love, which led her in future days to bring her box of ointment and anoint Him for His burial.

Like Mary, come to the footstool of Jesus. Be a willing pupil in His school. Ever hearken to the voice that speaks to us from God.

The written Word is to us, in place of the teachings of the Incarnate Word. And in the study of the Word, nourish a quietness and stillness of spirit as in the very presence of Jesus. Believe it, that Christ is as near to you, as to Mary as she sat at His feet. And in the consciousness of this--avoid all hurried, hasty reading. Watch against the mind being preoccupied with business or anything of earth. Realize Christ close beside you, and let this thought calm and refresh your spirit, and prepare you to receive whatever instruction you need.

And as you read, be ever looking to Jesus for divine illumination. We can imagine Mary looking up again and again to the Savior when anything seemed beyond her. Then He would open her understanding, give her some fresh word of explanation, and make it all plain.

Only catch the humble, teachable spirit of Mary--and doubtless you shall have Mary's blessing and reward.

It is a blessed thing to be with Christ, as a lowly, teachable learner, drinking in the words of eternal life.

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
February 23, 2017

But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (1 Peter 2:9)

As Christians, we have the tremendous privilege to be called "God's own possession." Although we were once lost with no identity as a people, we have come to know the excellent mercies of God. He has brought us together as a holy nation, set apart for His glory. For we certainly have become property of the almighty King, that we may proclaim His goodness and righteousness to all people.

Morning Devotional February 22, 2017

Romans 9:15-16

“For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.”

O how marvelous is the mercy of God!!! What compassion. What love. O what a Savior!!! All this for His glory.

In the verses above, like so many other places in God's Word, God reminds us that our salvation is not of ourselves. And praise God our salvation is not by our works but is by the the faith He has instilled within us for Himself.

O lost soul, through aside your “good works”. Through away your thoughts of self gratification. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ!!! Follow Christ!!!

Praise ye the Lord!!!

 

Stephen McCool Sr.

My portion!

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    (James Smith, "Gleams of Grace" 1860)

"You are my portion, O Lord!" Psalm 119:57

Many people are proud of their possessions, and boast of their wealth; yet their possessions are very limited, and their wealth has wings and may flee away at any time!

A Christian may not be proud--but he has great reason to be thankful.

He can look over the whole earth, and say, "My wealth exceeds all this!"

He can look up and gaze on the starry heavens and say, "My property exceeds this vast expanse!"

He may try to conceive of the greatness and glory of the created universe, and then say, "I claim more than all this!"

Looking up to the Author, Owner, and Disposer of all worlds--he can say, "You are my portion, O Lord!"

What a privilege! A portion--and such a portion.
God Himself in all His greatness, and in all His goodness.
God with all He is, and all He has--is my portion!

What kind of a portion is this? It is immense, for it comprehends all.

All the attributes of the Divine nature, are for us.
All the perfections of God's character, are on our side.
All the productions of the divine power, are for our good.
Therefore the apostle says, "All things are yours!"
Nothing good is withheld from us!

What the father of the prodigal said to his eldest son--our heavenly Father says to every one of His children, "Son, you are ever with Me--and all that I have is yours!"

We may adopt similar language in speaking to our heavenly Father, to that used by the angel to Abraham, "By this I know that You love me, because You have not withheld Your Son, Your only Son from me!" And from this fact, we may draw the same conclusion as Paul did, "He who spared not His own Son--but delivered Him up for us all, how shall he not with Him also, freely give us all things!"

O beloved, God in all the glory of His nature and perfections, God with all His unsearchable riches--is our portion!

What kind of a portion is this? It is immutable. It remains forever. Others may lose their property, or it may become deteriorated and comparatively valueless--but our portion is forever the same!

Speaking of the finest, noblest, and most durable works of creation, the Psalmist says, "In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain the same; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing You will change them, and they will be discarded. But You remain the same, and Your years will never end!" Psalm 102:25-27

Our portion can never be forfeited, or alienated, or reduced in value--because it is the unchangeable God Himself!

Blessed is the man that can say with Jeremiah, "The Lord is my portion, therefore will I hope in Him!"
Or with David, "The Lord is the portion of my inheritance!"

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever!" Psalm 73:26

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
February 22, 2017

He shall send from heaven, and save me [from] the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth. (Psalm 57:3)

The believer has three persistent enemies in this world: the devil, the wicked, and his own wicked nature. God has promised to deliver His people and trample their enemies. And so He shall! The devil's day is dawning-his time is soon come! The wicked shall be brought low and judged righteously for their lives of iniquity! And the Lord has already begun to tear the sin nature from the very being of His people! Praise God for His forbearance and His ultimate victory!

Morning Devotional February 21, 2017

1 John 3:14

“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.”

O what glorious love our Heavenly Father has given us for our dear brothers and sisters in Christ. To know that love comes from Him and not ourselves. To know the reason others love us is because God gave them a love for us. Even in all our wickedness and sin God still gives a love to His children for each other. A love unlike any we have ever known. A love that is second to only His own for us.

But O what a scary thought this verse brings out. That if we don't have that love for one another, are we truly His child?

We are commanded by God to love one another. A command that should not be grievous to us. A command that we should be so joyful to follow. And yet in our sin we oft times forget our love for one another and unknowingly cause hurt and pain and mistrust. O what a sad witness of our lord we can be at times. O what a shame to Him who gave His all for us when we deserved death and hell. Yet He still loved us and gave Himself for us. And all He asks is that we follow Him.

Child of God, I encourage you today to follow our Lord's command and love your brothers and sisters in Christ. Show them the love our Lord has given you for them. Let their be no doubt in their minds that you are of the family of God.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

 

Stephen McCool Sr.

We can't even imagine!

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(John Newton, "The Present and Future Rest of True Believers")

Our most enlarged ideas of our future glory are faint and imperfect.  Who can describe or conceive the happiness of Heaven? It will be as unlike as possible--to this wilderness of sin and sorrow where we are now confined. Here on earth, we are in a warfare--but then we shall enter into perfect rest. We now cry out, "O that I had wings like a dove! For then would I flee away and be at REST." (Psalm 55:6)

Heaven will be a rest from all SIN. No 'unclean thing' shall ever defile or disturb us forever! We shall be free from all indwelling sin. This alone would be worth dying for! Indwelling sin is a burden under which all the redeemed must groan, while they sojourn in the body.

And those who are most spiritual--are most deeply affected with shame, humiliation, and grief, on account of their sins--because they have the clearest views . . .
  of the holiness of God,
  of the spirituality of His law,
  of the love of Christ, and
  of the deceitfulness of their own hearts!
Therefore the Apostle Paul, though perhaps in grace and talents, in zeal and usefulness, was distinguished above all saints--accounted himself the 'chief of sinners,' (1 Timothy 1:15) 'less than the least of all saints,' (Ephesians 3:8) and cried out under the disparity he felt between what he actually was--and what he desired to be, "O wretched man that I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin!" (Romans 7:24)

But we shall not carry this burden of sin beyond the grave. The hour of death shall free us from our inbred enemies (the inseparable attendants of this frail perishing nature) which now trouble us, and we shall see them no more forever!

Heaven will also be a rest from all outward AFFLICTIONS, which, though necessary, and, under the influence of Divine grace, are profitable--yet they are grievous to bear. But in Heaven, they will no more be necessary. Where there is no sin--there shall be no sorrow. Then, "God will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever!" (Revelation 21:4)

Heaven will also be a rest from SATAN'S TEMPTATIONS. How busy is this adversary of God and man--what various arts and schemes he employs! What surprising force, what constant assiduity does he employ to ensnare, distress, and terrify those who by grace have escaped from his servitude! He says, like Pharaoh of old, "I will pursue, I will overtake, I will destroy!" (Exodus 15:9) He follows them to the last stage of life--but he can follow them no farther. The moment of their departure out of the body--shall place them beyond his reach forever!

Heaven will also be a rest from UNSATISFIED DESIRES. Here on earth, the more we drink--the more we thirst. But in heaven, our highest wishes shall be crowned and exceeded! We shall rest in full communion with Him whom we love, and shall no more complain of interruptions and imperfections, and a careless heart.

Here on earth--we obtain a little glimpse of His presence, when He brings us into His banqueting-house, and spreads His banner of love over us! And how gladly would we remain in such a desirable frame! How unwilling are we to 'come down' from the mount! But these pleasing and holy seasons are quickly ended, and often give place to some sudden unexpected trial, which robs us of all that sweetness in which we lately rejoiced. But when we ascend the holy hill of God above--we shall never again 'come down'! We shall be forever with the Lord, never offend Him, and never be separated from Him again! "I will see Your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be fully satisfied with Your presence!" (Psalm 17:15)

Here on earth--we find a mixture of evil in our most holy moments! When we approach nearest to God, we have the liveliest sense of our defilement, and how much we fall short in every branch of duty, and in every temper of our hearts. But when we shall see Jesus as He is--we shall be fully transformed into His image, and be perfectly like Him!

"Yes, dear friends, we are already God's children, and we can't even imagine what we will be like when Christ returns. But we do know that when He comes--we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He really is!" 1 John 3:2

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined--what God has prepared for those who love Him!" 1 Corinthians 2:9

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
February 21, 2017

That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:7)

Eternity to come shall show forth the evident proof of God's promise to give us part in immeasurable riches! To be sure, these are not the petty and childish riches of this present world, but only the best and truest gifts to reflect the Holy Nature of God Himself! Sing O children of the Most High: "Thou and Thou only, first in my heart-High King of Heaven, my treasure Thou art!"

As though it had never been!

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(Octavius Winslow)

Beloved, soon, O how soon! All that now loads the heart with care, and wrings it with sorrow--all that dims the eye with tears, and renders the day anxious and the night sleepless--will be as though it had never been!

Emerging from the entanglement, the dreariness, the solitude, the loneliness, and the temptations of the wilderness--you shall enter upon your everlasting rest, your unfading inheritance, where there is no sorrow, no sin, no sunset, no midnight darkness! But all is one perfect, cloudless, eternal day--for Jesus is the joy, the light, and the glory thereof!
"No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will serve Him. They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever!" Revelation 22:3-5

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
February 20, 2017

For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. (Revelation 7:17)

Christ has made good His claim of being the good shepherd. He has led us from the land of death to the holy city, the great Mount Zion, to green pastures. He has led us to calm waters, to the river of life everlasting! He has been faithful to draw us from the valley of death and install us upon thrones of glory in the city of life!

Morning Devotional February 20, 2017

Romans 3:23

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

O what wicked and evil and sinful creatures we are! To the unsaved man, sin has no meaning. The law of God means nothing. The unsaved man has no concept of sin or that his sin is what will send him to eternal hell.

But if not for the grace of God there go I!!! O child of God praise ye the Lord for His loving salvation through Jesus Christ!!! Praise ye the Lord for God the Father offering His only begotten Son as the sacrifice for all of our sins!!!

O praise ye the Lord that He has sent His Holy Spirit as our Great Comforter until He comes again!!!

Yet we fall so short of perfection in this life. Even with our salvation, we still sin. We still defy our very Heavenly Father. O what a shame we are. O what a stench we are in His nostrils. But God, in His grace and mercy still loves us. But God, chastises us as a father would his child then draws us to Himself and loves us. O what a love!!! Praise God for His never ending love for us His children!!!

 

Stephen McCool Sr.      

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional February 19, 2017

Romans 3:18

“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

O what a sad state to be in! To have no fear of God. O how wicked one must be to have no fear of their Creator.

We see the unsaved world going about their daily lives as if there is no life after death. We see them lying and cheating and deceiving and living out every imaginable sin known to man. All for “self” with no idea that they are dead in their trespasses and sins. No thought of their torment to come. No thought of having to one day answer to God for their works. O what a sad state to be in!

And yet if not for the grace of God go I!!! O child of God, where is your heart today? Are you following the Lord? Or are you still following after the world? Just because we are saved by God's grace does not mean we are free to roam the world as the world does. No, we are commanded to follow our Lord and Savior!!! We are ordered to march in the army of the Lord!!! We have heard the battle cry and we must go fight the good fight!!!

O child of God cling to our Lord. Follow the ways of Christ and not the ways of the world. Fear God in all things. Respect Him, honor Him and give Him the praise and honor for all things in your life. Though we suffer many trials and tribulations He will carry us through if we will only seek His face and trust in Him alone.

Fear not the world. Fear God only!!! Fore it is God who controls all things. Fore it is only God who truly loves His children.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

 

Stephen McCool Sr.

Contemplating God's greatness!

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(Charles Spurgeon)

"When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place--what is man that You are mindful of him, the son of man that You care for him?" Psalm 8:3-4

Lift up your eyes, behold the heavens, the work of God's fingers--behold the sun guided in his daily march! Go forth at midnight, and behold the heavens--consider the stars and the moon! Look upon these works of God's hands, and if you are men of sense, and your souls are attuned to the high music of the spheres--you will say, "What is man that You are mindful of him?"

My God! When I survey the boundless fields of ether, and see those ponderous orbs rolling therein; when I consider how vast are Your dominions--so wide that an angel's wing might flap to all eternity and never reach a boundary--I marvel that You should look on insects so obscure as man!

When I behold the Almightiness of Jehovah--I am so little that I shrink into nothingness! I am so little, that the difference between the molecule and man dwindles into nothing--when compared with the infinite chasm between God and man.

Let your mind rove upon the great doctrines of the Godhead; consider the existence of God from before the foundations of the world; behold Him who is, and was, and is to come, the Almighty.

Let your soul comprehend as much as it can of the Infinite, and grasp as much as possible of the Eternal--and I am sure if you have minds at all, that they will shrink with awe.

The tall archangel bows himself before his Master's throne--and we shall cast ourselves into the lowest dust when we feel what base nothings, what insignificant specks we are, when compared with our all-adorable Creator.

Labor, O soul, to know your nothingness--and learn it by contemplating God's greatness!

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
February 19, 2017

And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. (Isaiah 58:11)

The Lord promises us that even in the midst of the tumultuous, He will ever guide and protect us. Praise the Lord that though He fills the entire universe and is greater in stature than the entire created cosmos, He still is the constant comfort and companion to His people! Though insignificant of ourselves, in God's sovereign plan and act of loving sacrifice, we are made as important as His Son's death. Rejoice and sing His praises!

Sickness, trials and disappointments!

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 (J.C. Ryle)

Sickness helps to remind men of death. Most live as if they were never going to die. They follow business, or pleasure, or politics, or science--as if earth was their eternal home. They plan and scheme for the future, like the rich fool in the parable--as if they had a long lease of life. A heavy illness sometimes goes far to dispel these delusions. It awakens men from their day-dreams, and reminds them that they have to die, as well as to live. Now this I say emphatically is a mighty good.

We live in such a lovely and pleasant world--we are so surrounded with so much that is smiling and mirthful--that if we were not often obliged to taste of sickness, trials and disappointments--we would forget our heavenly home, and pitch our tents right in this Sodom!

Therefore it is that God's people pass through great tribulations. Therefore it is they are often called upon to suffer the sting of affliction and anxiety--or weep over the grave of those whom they have loved as their own soul.

It is their Father's hand that chastens them!

It is thus He weans their affections from things below--and fixes them on Himself!

It is thus He trains them for eternity, and cuts the threads one by one which bind their wavering hearts to this poor earth.

No doubt such chastening is grievous for the time--but still it brings many a hidden grace to light; and cuts down many a secret seed of sin.

The purest gold is that which has been longest in the refiner's furnace.

The brightest diamond is often that which has required the most grinding and polishing.

We shall see those who have suffered most--shining among the brightest stars in the assembly of Heaven.

The last night of weeping will soon be spent, the last wave of trouble will soon have rolled over us--and then we shall be at home forever with the Lord!

"Our light affliction endures but for a moment, and it works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory!" 2 Corinthians 4:17

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
February 18, 2017

And he said, The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; in him will I trust: [he is] my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. (2 Samuel 22:2-3)

My Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your protection, for being the Rock that I can stand on! Show me where I am to walk. You are so awesome and mighty! Thank you for Your great salvation.

There is no such thing as luck, chance, or accident, in the journey of our life!

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     (J.C. Ryle)

The future history of Christians, both in life and death, is foreknown by Christ. The Lord tells Simon Peter, "When you are old, you shall stretch forth your hands, and another shall gird you, and bring you where you do not want to go." These words, without controversy, were a prediction of the manner of the Apostle's death. They were fulfilled in after days, when Peter was crucified as a martyr for Christ's sake. The time, the place, the manner, the painfulness to flesh and blood of the disciple's death--were all matters foreseen by the Master.

The truth before us is eminently full of comfort to a true believer. To obtain foreknowledge of things to come would, in most cases, be a sorrowful possession. To know what was going to befall us, and yet not to be able to prevent it--would make us simply miserable. But it is an unspeakable consolation to remember that our whole future is known and fore-arranged by Christ. There is no such thing as luck, chance, or accident, in the journey of our life. Everything from beginning to end, is arranged by One who is too wise to err, and too loving to do us harm.

Let us store up this truth in our minds, and use it diligently in all the days of darkness through which we may yet have to pass. In such days we should lean back on the thought, "Christ knows this, and knew it when He called me to be His disciple."

It is foolish to repine and murmur over our troubles. We should rather fall back on the thought that Jesus does all things well. It is useless to fret and be rebellious, when we have bitter cups to drink. We should rather say, "This also is from the Lord--He foresaw it, and would have prevented it, if it had not been for my good."

Happy are those who can enter into the spirit of that old saint, who said, "I have made a covenant with my Lord, that I will never take amiss anything that He does to me." We may have to walk sometimes through rough places on our way to Heaven. But surely it is a comforting, soothing reflection, that "Every step of my journey was foreknown by Christ!"

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
February 17, 2017

Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

Ever blessed are those who put their trust in the strength of the Lord for He will bear them up. Labouring under the curse and by the sweat of his brow, man toils under a fell weight-and to his futility. Therefore, this promise of rest is a sure comfort to be felt by all of God's children. God, in His grace and beneficence, will bring all His people into an eternal Sabbath rest. No more, forever, need we worry that our work would be toilsome or labourious. His yoke is made easy and His burden made light-and so it is out of this rest that the child of the King will work joyfully for the welfare of the Kingdom. Praise the Lord for His ever-abounding goodness and mercy upon the saved!

How kind and merciful Christ is to dull and slow believers

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                     (J.C. Ryle)
"Then He said to Thomas: Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing." John 20:27

We should mark in this verse, how kind and merciful Christ is to dull and slow believers. Nowhere, perhaps, in all the four Gospels, do we find this part of our Lord's character so beautifully illustrated as in the story before our eyes.

It is hard to imagine anything more tiresome and provoking than the conduct of Thomas, when even the testimony of ten faithful brethren had no effect on him, and he doggedly declared, "Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side--I will not believe!" John 20:25
But it is impossible to imagine anything more patient and compassionate, than our Lord's treatment of this weak disciple. He does not reject him, or dismiss him, or excommunicate him. He comes again at the end of a week, and apparently for the special benefit of Thomas. He deals with him according to his weakness, like a gentle nurse dealing with a froward child, "Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side." If nothing but the plainest, coarsest, most material evidence could satisfy him--even that evidence was supplied. Surely this was a love that surpasses knowledge, and a patience that passes understanding.

A passage of Scripture like this, we need not doubt, was written for the special comfort of all true believers. The Holy Spirit knew well that the dull, and the slow, and the stupid, and the doubting--are by far the commonest type of disciples in this evil world. The Holy Spirit has taken care to supply abundant evidence that Jesus is rich in patience as well as compassion, and that He bears with the infirmities of all His people.

Let us take care that we drink into our Lord's spirit, and copy His example. Let us never set down men as godless, because their faith is feeble and their love is cold. Let us remember the case of Thomas--and be very compassionate and of tender mercy.

Our Lord has . . .
  many weak children in His family,
  many dull pupils in His school,
  many raw soldiers in His army,
  many lame sheep in His flock.
Yet He bears with them all, and casts none away.

Happy is that Christian who has learned to deal likewise with his brethren. There are many in the Church, who, like Thomas, are dull and slow--but for all that, like Thomas, are real and true believers.

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
February 16, 2017

But the salvation of the righteous [is] of the LORD: [he is] their strength in the time of trouble. (Psalm 37:39)

Rely upon the Lord your God and He shall not fail you. His strength and goodness are without bounds. His care for you is unrelenting and He will assure your salvation from the evil ways. Trust upon His promise to save you and follow Him unto every good thing.

When the Puritan Richard Baxter lay dying

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When the Puritan Richard Baxter lay dying, he said to his friends who visited him: "You come here to learn to die. I can assure you that your whole life, be it ever so long--is little enough to prepare for death. Beware of this vain deceitful world, and the lusts of the flesh. Be sure that you choose . . .
  God for your portion,
  Heaven for your home,
  God's glory for your end,
  His Word for your rule--
and then you need never fear but we shall meet with comfort."

He also said, "Lord, what is man? What am I? A vile worm to the great God! God may justly condemn me for the best duty I ever did. All my hopes are from the free mercy of God in Christ!"
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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
February 15, 2017

Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. (1 John 5:1)

How simple! How wonderful! How amazing! That true belief should be all that stands between us and the unquenchable love of God Himself. And better! That it is God Himself who grants us that very faith to believe is too sublime for words! Praise Him—praise Him with your whole and regenerated hearts!

God washes and scours, trains and nurtures them!

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    (The Preacher's Book)

Frankincense, when it is put into the fire--gives off the greater perfume.

Spice, if it is pounded and beaten--smells the sweeter.

The earth, when it is torn up with the plough--becomes more fruitful.

The seed in the ground, after frost and snow and winter storms--grows the thicker.

The nearer the vine is pruned to the stock--the larger grapes it yields.

The grape, when it is most pressed and beaten--makes the sweetest wine.

Linen, when it is washed and wrung and beaten--is so made fairer and whiter.

In the same way, the children of God receive great benefit by affliction--for by it God washes and scours, trains and nurtures them.

"Every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit!" John 15:2

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
February 14, 2017   

And hath put all [things] under his feet, and gave him [to be] the head over all [things] to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:22-23)

May His name be exalted forevermore! Christ reigns with complete control over all of the earth and the heavenlies! From the vast universe to the individual lives of His church, all is under His excellent supremacy. In His unsearchable greatness, God supplies all things to His creation, and especially to His children. By His fullness, we have received grace upon grace and blessing upon blessing (John 1:16). Whether by heaven or earth, all things have been made whole by the precious blood of Christ Jesus.