How much you have been loved
“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us!” Romans 5:8
The CROSS is the pledge and standard of divine love!
The Father’s love is here–for God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son! Christ’s love is here–the love that passes knowledge, the love which many waters could not quench, nor the floods drown; love to the uttermost; love grudging no toil, nor pain, nor weariness, nor reproach–for us!
Believer! If you want to know how much you have been loved, look to the cross of Jesus! That meets and answers all our doubts!
ht Grace Gems (Horatius Bonar, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ”)
Read MoreLooking for a Church?
Something reminded me lately of how I found my current church, River City Grace (RCG). RCG has been a crucial means by which God has brought about repentance and sanctification in my life. I have been extremely blessed by God through my church.
I just want to encourage you if you aren’t attending church, please do! If you do, be sure to find one that is faithful to the preaching of the Word of God. One excellent scripture-based measure of a healthy church is the 9 Marks of a Healthy Church from 9Marks Ministries (Book; Kindle; Summary). These 9 marks will help guide you in finding that church where God will grow you through the preaching of His Word. They also have a Church Search you can use to find a good church in your area. If you’re not currently attending a good church give it a try! All it takes is a few seconds and a Sunday 😉
Read MoreA kind of omnipotence in it!
Read MoreFaith is an appropriating grace.
Faith looks upon God, and says with David,
“This God is my God forever and ever!
He shall be my guide unto the death!”Faith looks upon Christ, and says with the spouse,
“I am my Beloved’s–and my Beloved is mine!”Faith looks upon an immortal crown, and says
“Henceforth is laid up for me a crown of glory.”Faith looks upon the righteousness of Christ,
and says, “This righteousness is mine to cover me.”Faith looks upon the mercy of Christ, and
says, “This mercy is mine to pardon me.”Faith looks upon the power of Christ, and
says, “This power is mine to support me.”Faith looks upon the wisdom of Christ, and
says, “This wisdom is mine to direct me.”Faith looks upon the blood of Christ, and
says, “This blood is mine to save me.”Faith has a kind of omnipotence in it;
it is able to do all things.(Thomas Brooks, “Heaven on Earth” 1667)
In Need of a New Heart
Excellent quote from J.C. Ryle on the necessity of a new nature.
Read MoreLife is the mightiest of all possessions. From death to life is the mightiest of all changes. And no change short of this will ever avail to fit a person’s soul for heaven. It is not a little mending and alteration – a little cleansing and purifying – a little painting and patching – a little whitewashing and varnishing – a little turning over a new leaf and putting on a new outside that is needed. It is the bringing in of something altogether new – the planting within us of a new nature, a new being – a new principle – a new mind. This alone, and nothing less than this, will ever meet the necessities of person’s soul. We need not merely a new skin, but a new heart.
