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« Reply #585 on: October 26, 2007, 07:36:39 PM » |
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Looking for some victim to devour!
(Thomas Watson, "The Lord's Prayer")
"Deliver us from evil." Matthew 6:13
In this petition, we pray to be delivered from the evil of Satan--"the wicked one." Matthew 13:19.
In what respect is Satan the wicked one?
He was the first inventor of evil. John 8:44.
His inclination is only to evil. Ephesians 6:12.
His constant practice is doing evil. 1 Peter 5:8.
He has some hand in all the evils and mischief which happen in the world.
He hinders from all good.
He provokes to evil. The devil blows the fire of lust and strife. When men are proud, the old serpent has poisoned them, and makes them swell!
He is a restless adversary--he never sleeps.
Satan is a subtle contriver; there is no place that can secure us from his assaults and inroads.
Satan is a mighty adversary. He is called the "strong man." Luke 11:21. He takes men captive at his pleasure. "Who are taken captive by him at his will." 2 Tim 2:26.
The devil glories in the damnation of souls. His work is to angle for men's souls; he lays suitable baits.
He allures the ambitious man with honor.
He allures the covetous man with riches; he baits his hook with silver!
He allures allures the lustful man with beauty; he tempts men to Delilah's lap--to keep them from Abraham's bosom!
How needful then is this prayer, "Lord, deliver us from the evil one!"
"Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour!" 1 Peter 5:8. ____________________ From Grace Gems: Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures. Everything is FREE and Public Domain.FREE E-mail Subscription: http://www.gracegems.org/____________________
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« Reply #586 on: October 27, 2007, 03:31:10 PM » |
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Looking for some victim to devour!
(Thomas Watson, "The Lord's Prayer")
"Deliver us from evil." Matthew 6:13
In this petition, we pray to be delivered from the evil of Satan--"the wicked one." Matthew 13:19.
In what respect is Satan the wicked one?
He was the first inventor of evil. John 8:44.
His inclination is only to evil. Ephesians 6:12.
His constant practice is doing evil. 1 Peter 5:8.
He has some hand in all the evils and mischief which happen in the world.
He hinders from all good.
He provokes to evil. The devil blows the fire of lust and strife. When men are proud, the old serpent has poisoned them, and makes them swell!
He is a restless adversary--he never sleeps.
Satan is a subtle contriver; there is no place that can secure us from his assaults and inroads.
Satan is a mighty adversary. He is called the "strong man." Luke 11:21. He takes men captive at his pleasure. "Who are taken captive by him at his will." 2 Tim 2:26.
The devil glories in the damnation of souls. His work is to angle for men's souls; he lays suitable baits.
He allures the ambitious man with honor.
He allures the covetous man with riches; he baits his hook with silver!
He allures allures the lustful man with beauty; he tempts men to Delilah's lap--to keep them from Abraham's bosom!
How needful then is this prayer, "Lord, deliver us from the evil one!"
"Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour!" 1 Peter 5:8. ____________________ From Grace Gems: Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures. Everything is FREE and Public Domain.FREE E-mail Subscription: http://www.gracegems.org/____________________ AMEN
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But to us There Is But one God, the Father, of whom Are all things, and we in Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ by whom Are all things and we by Him(1Cor 8:6 KJV) I believe that Jesus died for my sins was buried rose again and is sitting at the right hand of God Almighty interceding for me Amen
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« Reply #587 on: October 27, 2007, 11:54:55 PM » |
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A vexing vanity!
(Thomas Watson, "The Lord's Prayer")
"Deliver us from evil." Matthew 6:13
In this petition, we pray to be delivered from the evil world. "He died for our sins, just as God our Father planned--in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live." Galatians 1:4
It is an evil world, as it is a DEFILING world. The opinions and examples of the world are defiling. How easily are we hurried to sin, when we have the tide of natural corruption, and the wind of example to carry us! "You shall not follow a multitude to do evil." Exodus 23:2. Bad examples are contagious. "They mingled among the pagans--and adopted their evil customs." Psalm 106:35.
Living in the world, is like traveling on a dirty road. It requires a high degree of grace to keep ourselves "unspotted by the world." James 1:27.
It is an evil world, as it is an ENSNARING world. The world is full of snares. Company is a snare; recreation is a snare; riches are golden snares. The apostle John speaks of the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life." 1 John 2:16. The lust of the flesh is beauty; the lust of the eye is money; the pride of life is honor. These are the natural man's trinity.
The world is a flattering enemy. Whom it kisses--it betrays; it is a silken halter. The pleasures of the world, like opium, cast men into the sleep of carnal security. Lysimachus sold his crown for a cup of water. Just so, many part with heaven --for the world. They are enslaved with the world's golden fetters! The world bewitched Demas. 2 Timothy 4:10. One of Christ's own apostles was caught with a silver bait. It is hard to drink the wine of prosperity--and not be giddy. The world, through our innate corruption, is evil, as it is a snare.
It is an evil world, as it is a DEADENING world. It dulls and deadens the affections to heavenly objects. Earthly things choke the seed of the Word. A man entangled in the world is so taken up with secular concerns, that he can no more mind the things above--than an elephant can fly in the air! And even such as have grace in them--when their affections are beslimed with earth, they find themselves much indisposed to meditation and prayer; it is like swimming with a heavy stone around the neck!
It is an evil world, as it is a DECEITFUL world. The world makes us believe it will satisfy our desires-- but it only increases them!
It is an evil world, as it is a VEXING world. It is full of trouble. "In this world you will have trouble." John 16:33.
Basil was of opinion that before the fall--the rose grew without prickles; but now every sweet flower of our life has its thorns! There are many things which cause trouble. Some are troubled that they have no children, others that they have children. The world is a vexing vanity! If a man is poor--he is despised by the rich; if he is rich--he is envied by the poor. If we do not find an ensnaring world, we shall find it an afflicting world; it has more in it to trouble us than tempt us.
The world is a sea, where we are tossed upon the surging waves of sorrow, and often in danger of shipwreck!
The world is a wilderness, full of fiery serpents!
What great need then, have we to pray, "Lord, deliver us from being hurt by this evil world!" ____________________ From Grace Gems: Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures. Everything is FREE and Public Domain.FREE E-mail Subscription: http://www.gracegems.org/____________________
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« Reply #588 on: October 28, 2007, 07:53:54 AM » |
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O the love of His royal heart!
(William Mason, "The Believers Pocket Companion")
"Christ is all!" Colossians 3:2
O for the pen of a ready writer, to set forth the matchless glory and unparalleled excellence of the King--the King of Kings--the King of saints, even King Jesus!
We were once stout-hearted rebels against His crown and government! But, O the love of His royal heart! Instead of executing fierce vengeance upon us, for our sins--lo, He came from heaven to earth, with a flame of love in His heart, and matchless grace on His lips--on purpose . . . to die for us, to wash us from our sins in His own blood, to conquer the rebellion of our hearts against Him, and to win our affections to Him!
Has He saved us by His precious blood? Has He made us His willing, loving disciples, by His powerful grace? Surely then, we should live in the sweet enjoyment of all the rich blessings of his kingdom, and be holy and happy every day, yes, every hour--IN HIM. This is His loving will concerning us.
O for a single eye to look unto Jesus, a humble heart to sit at His feet, and a simple soul to hear and believe every word from His gracious lips, that we may know the love of Christ--constantly know it by a heartfelt sense of it. This, this is the one thing needful--to make poor sinners rich, and miserable sinners happy in time, and joyful to all eternity!
Remember your chief employment. It is not merely to make a profession, and to keep up a form of godliness; but to maintain and keep up a warm, lively, comfortable sense of the love of Christ in your hearts, from day to day, yes, from hour to hour! ____________________ From Grace Gems: Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures. Everything is FREE and Public Domain.FREE E-mail Subscription: http://www.gracegems.org/____________________
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« Reply #589 on: October 30, 2007, 12:32:00 AM » |
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If the eye is once inflamed
(Thomas Watson, "The Lord's Prayer")
If we would be kept from actual sins--let us be careful to avoid all the inlets and occasions of sin.
Do not run into evil company. He who would not catch the plague--must not go into an infected house.
Guard your senses, which may be the inlets to sin. Keep the two portals--the eye and the ear. Especially guard your eyes. Much sin comes in by the eye; the eye is often an inlet to sin; sin takes fire at the eye.
The first sin in the world, began at the eye. "When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye--she took some and ate it." Genesis 3:6
Intemperance begins at the eye, "Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup. In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper!" Pr. 23:31-32
Covetousness begins at the eye. "When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and a wedge of gold, I coveted them and took them." Joshua 7:21
The fire of lust begins to kindle at the eye. David walking upon the roof of his house, saw a woman washing herself, and she was, says the text, "beautiful to look upon," and he sent messengers and took her, and defiled himself with her. 2 Samuel 11:2. Looking begat lusting!
Therefore watch your eyes! Job made a covenant with his eyes. Job 31:1. If the eye is once inflamed, it will be hard to stand out long against sin. If the outworks are captured by the enemy, there is great danger of the whole castle being captured! ____________________ From Grace Gems: Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures. Everything is FREE and Public Domain.FREE E-mail Subscription: http://www.gracegems.org/____________________
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« Reply #590 on: October 30, 2007, 06:42:27 AM » |
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A continual supply of grace, comfort, and strength
(William Mason, "The Believers Pocket Companion")
"I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me!" Galatians 2:20
That the believer may live cheerfully and comfortably, he is exhorted to the free and constant use of Christ.
O consider—Christ is given to us—to be enjoyed by us!
He is the bread of life. We are to feed upon Him daily.
He is the water of life, which our souls are to drink of constantly.
He is our righteousness. We are to put Him on continually.
So then, we not only have a precious Christ—but we are also to use Him—and enjoy His preciousness! He is not only a well of salvation—but we must draw water out of it with joy—and drink of it to the refreshing of our souls!
Deeply consider, that without this inward enjoyment of Christ—you cannot be . . . happy in your soul, comfortable in your walk, nor holy in your life.
We must live by faith upon Christ—so as to derive a continual supply of grace, comfort, and strength from Him! "I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me!" Galatians 2:20 ____________________ From Grace Gems: Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures. Everything is FREE and Public Domain.FREE E-mail Subscription: http://www.gracegems.org/____________________
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« Reply #591 on: October 31, 2007, 07:54:44 PM » |
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How is all this to be done?
(William Mason, "The One Thing Needful to Make Poor Sinners Rich—and Miserable Sinners Happy")
Before the believer arrives to the full enjoyment of Christ in eternal glory, he has . . . many enemies to encounter; many trials and troubles to conflict with; a body of sin and death to be delivered from; many lusts to be mortified; many corruptions to be subdued; a legion of sins to strive against; graces to be exercised; duties to be performed; in one word—he has to glorify Christ in the world, by his life and walk.
How is all this to be done?
Only by Christ strengthening him. Therefore he is constantly to put on Christ—to attain a greater knowledge of Christ—more rich and sweet experience of His grace and love—to be more strongly rooted in His love. He must have his heart, his hopes, his affections more with Christ, and his soul more swallowed up in the ocean of God's everlasting love in Christ—that he may be more conformed to Christ's image; and that thus, as a good soldier of Christ, he may manfully fight under His banner against the world, the flesh, and the devil, unto his life's end.
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13 ____________________ From Grace Gems: Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures. Everything is FREE and Public Domain.FREE E-mail Subscription: http://www.gracegems.org/____________________
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« Reply #592 on: November 01, 2007, 01:31:58 PM » |
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A little book, which contains only three pages
(William Mason, "The One Thing Needful to Make Poor Sinners Rich--and Miserable Sinners Happy")
I have read of a godly man who was once very dissolute. When converted, his former companions sought to bring him back to his former wicked courses. But he told them, "I am deeply engaged in meditating on a little book, which contains only three pages; so at present I have no time for other business."
Sometime after, being asked if he had finished his book, he replied, "No; for though it contains only three pages, yet there is so much comprised in them, that I have devoted myself to read therein, all the days of my life.
The first page is red. Here I mediate on the sufferings of my Lord and Savior, His shedding His precious blood, as an atonement for my sins, and a ransom for my soul, without which I must have been a damned sinner in hell, to all eternity!
The second page is white. This cheers my heart with the wonderful consideration of the unspeakable joys of heaven obtained for me by Christ--and of being forever with Him!
The third page is black. Here I think of the horrible state of the damned--and the perpetual torments they are suffering in hell. O this excites thankfulness to my Savior, for His wonderful love and rich grace, in snatching me as a brand out of hell-fire, and saving me from eternal destructions!"
Here is a good man, a good book, and a good example for you and I. "Let us go and do likewise." Constantly meditate upon Christ; upon the wrath He has saved us from--and the glory He has saved us to! ____________________ From Grace Gems: Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures. Everything is FREE and Public Domain.FREE E-mail Subscription: http://www.gracegems.org/____________________
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« Reply #593 on: November 02, 2007, 09:53:38 PM » |
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Christ sin self
(William Mason, "The One Thing Needful to Make Poor Sinners Rich--and Miserable Sinners Happy")
Where Christ is most precious-- there sin is exceedingly sinful; and self is humbled and loathed!
But--do we not grow stronger in ourselves, and find more help and power from ourselves-- to withstand our enemies, to fight our good fight, to run our race, and to perfect holiness?
No! If we think so--it is plain that we are not growing up into Christ--but growing down into self! If the Lord has given me to know anything of this matter, after being upwards of twenty years in precious Christ, I sincerely declare, that I find myself to be just that weak, helpless sinner I was when I first came to Jesus with, "Lord help me! Lord save me--or I perish!" Yes, I find myself more helpless now--than I thought myself then. I see more constant need to put on Christ, and to say, "truly in the Lord (not in myself) I have strength!"
I never more firmly believed than now, this truth of my Lord, "Without Me, you can do nothing." John 15:5. Never, never did I see less cause to trust in my own strength!
"Hold me up--and I shall be safe!" Psalm 119:117 ____________________ From Grace Gems: Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures. Everything is FREE and Public Domain.FREE E-mail Subscription: http://www.gracegems.org/____________________
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« Reply #594 on: November 04, 2007, 01:50:46 AM » |
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They lick the dust!
(Thomas Watson)
"For where your treasure is--there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:21
Covetous people make the world their treasure. Their treasure does most command their hearts. They can no more live above the world--than a fish can live out of the water. They have the serpent's curse upon them--they lick the dust! "Cursed are you above all the livestock and all the wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life!" Genesis 3:14
Without God--O how empty and insignificant are all worldly things! They are . . . earthly in their matter, painful in their procuring, glutting in their fruition, fleeting in their duration, damning in their conclusion!
"But godliness with contentment is a great gain!" 1 Timothy 6:6 ____________________ From Grace Gems: Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures. Everything is FREE and Public Domain.FREE E-mail Subscription: http://www.gracegems.org/____________________
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« Reply #595 on: November 04, 2007, 01:52:52 AM » |
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We have been admiring our vile selves!
(William Mason, "The One Thing Needful to Make Poor Sinners Rich--and Miserable Sinners Happy")
"I hate pride and arrogance!" Proverbs 8:13
What a monster of pride is man! How full of that cursed venom, is human nature! We cannot receive any grace or blessing from the Lord--but corrupt nature is prone to be proud of it--and to boast in it! No one is exempt from this. I appeal to your hearts. I refer to your experience. When your heart has been enlarged in prayer; when your soul has been carried out in humblings, meltings, longings, aspirings, etc.; when you have heard the Word with warm affections and heavenly joy; when your tongue has with sweetness and liberty, talked of Christ to others; when your hand has been stretched forth to do any good work; now in all these--have you not found pride very busy? Have not you been ready to stroke yourself with pleasure, and to reflect with delight: "Well, now the Lord loves me indeed! Surely He loves me better--now that I find myself so holy--and feel myself so heavenly!"
But where is our precious Jesus all this while? We have looked at ourselves--until we have lost sight of Him! We have been admiring our vile selves for our graces--instead of being in raptures with Christ, who is altogether lovely, in whom all fullness of grace dwells, and out of whose fullness we receive grace upon grace!
"The Lord detests all the proud of heart!" Proverbs 16:5 ____________________ From Grace Gems: Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures. Everything is FREE and Public Domain.FREE E-mail Subscription: http://www.gracegems.org/____________________
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« Reply #596 on: November 06, 2007, 01:44:50 AM » |
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Death cannot hurt you!
(William Mason, "The One Thing Needful to Make Poor Sinners Rich--and Miserable Sinners Happy")
Christian! Death cannot hurt you! Death is your best friend--who is commissioned by Christ to summon you from the world of vanity and woe, and from a body of sin and death--to the blissful regions of glory and immortality, to meet your Lord, and to be forever with Him!
In the Marian persecution, a godly woman was brought before "Bloody Bonner", bishop of London, on account of her faith in Christ.
The bishop threatened he would take her husband. Said she, "Christ is my husband!"
Said he, "I will take away your child." Said she, "Christ is better to me than ten sons!"
Said he, "I will strip you of all your comforts." Said she, "Christ is mine, and you cannot strip me of Him! Take away whatever you will--you cannot take away my Christ from me!"
Just so, death may threaten to take all from you. But you may boldly put death at defiance, as she did Satan's bishop. Having Christ in your heart, you will take a smiling leave of the world, and (as good old Simeon, with Christ in his arms) say, "Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss your servant in peace, for my eyes have seen Your salvation!" Luke 2:29, 30. ____________________ From Grace Gems: Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures. Everything is FREE and Public Domain.FREE E-mail Subscription: http://www.gracegems.org/____________________
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« Reply #597 on: November 06, 2007, 01:46:39 AM » |
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A rod of love to whip you!
(William Mason, "The One Thing Needful to Make Poor Sinners Rich—and Miserable Sinners Happy")
"The one who will not use the rod hates his son, but the one who loves him disciplines him diligently." Prov. 13:24
There are certain plants which grow in the Red Sea, which, though they are covered with water, and beat upon by the waves—they stand like an immovable rock. They are bettered by the roughness of the sea.
Just so, a Christian planted in the Red Sea of Christ's blood—is armored against all waves of trouble. He is improved by afflictions; yes, the more he is beat upon, and though overwhelmed with the billows of distress and trouble—the better he thrives, and the more his soul flourishes in spiritual grace! For this is the loving design of our Lord in all our troubles and afflictions—to wean us from the world, and to endear Himself to us! Every affliction has its commission from Him. It comes with the impress of His love upon it.
I have often found by experience, and confessed with joy—that a sick bed has proved like a hotbed to my soul. It has drawn up warm desires, and longing affections to Christ. And I have sweetly found the Sun of Righteousness arising upon me—reviving, cheering and comforting my soul.
It is your wisdom to see the rod of chastisement, in the hand of your loving heavenly Father. All your afflictions are chastenings from the Lord—they are all sent in love! He deals with you as with a son in whom He delights, and whom He designs to profit. He does not punish you with vindictive wrath—He is not taking vengeance of you for your sins. Your Father is not so much punishing you for your sins, as from your sins. That is, in all His chastisements, He intends your spiritual good . . . that you should be more a partaker of His holiness; that sin may be more exceedingly sinful; that you should more humble and vile in your own eyes, that Jesus should be more inestimably precious to you.
All affliction is a rod of love to whip you from the world, self, and sin—into Christ, that you should more love and enjoy Him, who is your righteousness, life and salvation! ____________________ From Grace Gems: Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures. Everything is FREE and Public Domain.FREE E-mail Subscription: http://www.gracegems.org/____________________
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« Reply #598 on: November 06, 2007, 03:35:06 PM » |
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A rod of love to whip you!
(William Mason, "The One Thing Needful to Make Poor Sinners Rich—and Miserable Sinners Happy")
"The one who will not use the rod hates his son, but the one who loves him disciplines him diligently." Prov. 13:24
There are certain plants which grow in the Red Sea, which, though they are covered with water, and beat upon by the waves—they stand like an immovable rock. They are bettered by the roughness of the sea.
Just so, a Christian planted in the Red Sea of Christ's blood—is armored against all waves of trouble. He is improved by afflictions; yes, the more he is beat upon, and though overwhelmed with the billows of distress and trouble—the better he thrives, and the more his soul flourishes in spiritual grace! For this is the loving design of our Lord in all our troubles and afflictions—to wean us from the world, and to endear Himself to us! Every affliction has its commission from Him. It comes with the impress of His love upon it.
I have often found by experience, and confessed with joy—that a sick bed has proved like a hotbed to my soul. It has drawn up warm desires, and longing affections to Christ. And I have sweetly found the Sun of Righteousness arising upon me—reviving, cheering and comforting my soul.
It is your wisdom to see the rod of chastisement, in the hand of your loving heavenly Father. All your afflictions are chastenings from the Lord—they are all sent in love! He deals with you as with a son in whom He delights, and whom He designs to profit. He does not punish you with vindictive wrath—He is not taking vengeance of you for your sins. Your Father is not so much punishing you for your sins, as from your sins. That is, in all His chastisements, He intends your spiritual good . . . that you should be more a partaker of His holiness; that sin may be more exceedingly sinful; that you should more humble and vile in your own eyes, that Jesus should be more inestimably precious to you.
All affliction is a rod of love to whip you from the world, self, and sin—into Christ, that you should more love and enjoy Him, who is your righteousness, life and salvation! ____________________ From Grace Gems: Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures. Everything is FREE and Public Domain.FREE E-mail Subscription: http://www.gracegems.org/____________________ That Jesus Christ should be more inestimaly precious to me. thank you Tom Love in Jesus Def (';')
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But to us There Is But one God, the Father, of whom Are all things, and we in Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ by whom Are all things and we by Him(1Cor 8:6 KJV) I believe that Jesus died for my sins was buried rose again and is sitting at the right hand of God Almighty interceding for me Amen
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« Reply #599 on: November 08, 2007, 01:44:56 AM » |
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That Jesus Christ should be more inestimaly precious to me. thank you Tom Love in Jesus Def (';')
Hello Sister Def, You are most welcome. These truly are priceless treasures from the past, but they are just are true today, and they are still blessing those who read them. I really enjoy them and get good ideas for study from them. Love In Christ, Tom 1 Corinthians 12:27 NASB Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it.
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