Grace Gems for MAY 2025

[N.B. Today we are starting a new series on God's Attributes. This will be a "devotional" study, aimed more at the heart than at the head.]

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

From all eternity, God dwelt all alone: self-contained, self-sufficient, self-satisfied. In need of nothing, dependent upon no one, He was infinitely blessed in Himself. Before the first angel was formed, before the heavens were stretched forth, before the earth was fashioned and peopled--God dwelt in solitary glory. He had no rival, no equal, and no companion. He existed in the majestic fullness of His own infinite Being.

Had a universe been necessary to His satisfaction, it would have been brought into existence from all eternity. But He is independent of all His creatures.

God is solitary in His majesty.
He is unique in His perfections.
He is supreme in His authority.
He is unrivaled in His glory.

Heaven and earth, time and eternity, are but the unfolding of His eternal purpose and sovereign will. He does all that He pleases--and nothing can thwart Him.

In the works of creation, in the unfolding of providence, and in the accomplishment of redemption--God acts alone. He needed no counselor when He laid the foundations of the world. He sought no aid when He decreed salvation. From beginning to end, ALL is of Him, through Him, and to Him.

What folly, then, for puny man--formed from the dust and stained with sin--to imagine himself to be essential to the plans of God. He is not served by human hands as if He needed anything. Let every mouth be stopped, and let the whole world bow in silence before Him.

The solitariness of God should . . .
humble our pride,
still our complaints,
silence our questions,
and draw us to worship.
He alone is God--eternally exalted, infinitely glorious, and worthy of all praise.

"Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been His counselor?
Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?
For from Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things.
To Him be the glory forever! Amen." Romans 11:34-36

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

"The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations." Psalm 33:11

Before time began--when nothing existed but the self-sufficient, triune God--He, in infinite wisdom and sovereign pleasure, ordained ALL that would come to pass. His decrees are not guesses or reactions, for the Almighty is never caught unaware. Rather, they are the eternal expressions of His will, the fixed and flawless blueprint by which all things are brought to fulfillment.

God's decrees are absolute and all-encompassing.
From the revolutions of galaxies, to the fall of a single leaf;
from the rise of nations, to the salvation of souls--
nothing occurs apart from His sovereign purpose.
Not one atom moves, nor one heartbeat beats--except by His sovereign appointment.

These divine decrees are not mechanical laws, but the wise and holy counsels of the living God. They are called His "counsel "to reflect their consummate wisdom, and His "will" to show that He acts with absolute freedom--subject to none but Himself. Every decree is . . .
rooted in infinite understanding,
guided by perfect love, and
executed with flawless precision.

Such a truth crushes the pride of man--we are not autonomous beings charting our own course. All our days were written in His book, before one of them came to be. What we call circumstances are but the unfolding of His eternal plan. To rebel against God's providence is to question His goodness; to murmur at His will is to deny His wisdom.

Yet for the believer, this same truth is a wellspring of deep assurance. Our salvation is no accident. It is not a divine reaction to human faith--but the outworking of God's eternal choice. As it is written, "He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world" (Ephesians 1:4). The cross of Christ was not a hastily devised rescue plan, but "by God's set purpose and foreknowledge." (Acts 2:23)

This is the bedrock of our peace. If our lives are governed by the immutable counsel of the Most High, then . . .
every trial has meaning,
every sorrow is measured, and
every joy is a gift from His hand.
All is working together, not randomly, but redemptively--for the glory of God, and the good of those who love Him.

Let us then bow in reverence before His sovereign majesty. Let us rest in the wisdom of His plan and rejoice in the certainty of His purposes. The Lord has spoken--and His counsel shall stand.

"O Sovereign Lord, how majestic are Your ways, and how perfect are Your decrees! Teach us to bow before Your wisdom, and to trust in Your providence. Forgive our doubts and our pride. Grant us grace to rejoice in Your purposes, even when we do not understand them. May we live each day in humble submission, confident that You are working all things for Your glory and for our eternal good. In Jesus' name we pray."

"The Lord Almighty has sworn:
Surely, as I have planned, so it will be,
and as I have purposed, so it will stand." Isaiah 14:24

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

“Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit.” Psalm 147:5

The knowledge of God is infinite, eternal and unchangeable. There is no increase or decline in His understanding, for He has never learned and will never forget. His knowledge is not acquired--it is essential to His very Being. He knows all things because He is the all-knowing God.

From eternity past to eternity future, God has known perfectly all that was, is, and will be. More than that, He knows all that could be. Every possibility lies open before Him. Every thought in every heart, every word on every tongue, every event in all of time--He has known them all, from everlasting to everlasting. “O LORD, You have searched me and You know me... Before a word is on my tongue You know it completely, O LORD.” Psalm 139:1,4

There is no hiding from Him:
the secrets we mask,
the sins we rationalize,
the motives we veil behind piety
--He sees them all! “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13). Such truth should strip us of every pretense, and crush every proud thought.

And yet, for the believer, this is not a cause for terror--but for comfort. Our Lord knows . . .
our every sorrow,
our every weakness,
our every faltering step.
He understands us, when we do not understand ourselves.
While others may misjudge us, He never errs.
He is never confused, never deceived and never surprised.
His knowledge is perfect--and so is His care.

God’s omniscience is not passive; it is intricately bound to His sovereign providence. He does not merely foresee--He foreordains. He governs history not as a bystander, but as its all-wise Author. Nothing happens by chance. Every moment of our lives unfolds beneath the gaze and guidance of the God who makes no mistakes. He declares, “I make known the end from the beginning” (Isaiah 46:10), because He has ordained both the end and every means to bring it to pass.

Let us, then, bow low before this glorious God. We, who are so prone to error and blind to tomorrow, must cast ourselves wholly upon the wisdom of the One who knows the end from the beginning.

How small we are! How little we comprehend! And yet, the One who knows us fully is the same One who, knowing all our sin, chose us in love and sent His Son to redeem us!

Stand in awe of this God!
Trust His Word.
Yield to His will.
Worship Him as the One whose understanding is without limit.

"All-knowing Father, how great is Your knowledge! You see the end from the beginning, and You have known me from all eternity. Forgive my prideful confidence in my own limited understanding. Teach me to walk humbly, to trust fully, and to rest joyfully in the hands of Him who knows all. May Your omniscience lead me to fear You rightly and love You deeply--for the sake of Christ my Savior. Amen."

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

“For those whom God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son.” Romans 8:29

To “foreknow,” in the language of Scripture, is far more than mere foresight. It is not a passive awareness of future events, as though God simply looked down the corridors of time to discover who would believe. No! God’s foreknowledge is sovereign, intimate, and effectual. It means that He set His love upon His chosen ones from all eternity. He foreknew because He foreordained. He foreordained because He delighted to do so according to His good pleasure.

When the Lord declared, “You only have I known of all the families of the earth” (Amos 3:2), He meant, “You only have I loved and chosen.” To be foreknown by God is to be the object of His everlasting affection—personally, purposefully, and eternally. It is not that He saw something in us worth loving, but that He loved us because He chose to do so. His love is not reactive; it is causative. It is not drawn forth by anything in us, but flows solely from the depths of His sovereign grace.

If God’s foreknowledge were dependent upon our future faith, then salvation would ultimately rest upon man. But Scripture allows no such thought. The Lord is not a spectator in redemption—He is the Author. His foreknowledge is not based on human decisions, but upon His eternal decree. He has chosen His people in Christ before the foundation of the world, and He is conforming them to the image of His Son, to the praise of His glorious grace. How this truth humbles the sinner, and exalts the Savior!

Why am I in Christ today? Not because I was more inclined, more teachable, or more spiritual—but because God, in His infinite mercy, set His heart upon me long before I ever sought Him. He called me by name, gave me faith, and keeps me by His power. My security lies not in my hold on Him, but in His omnipotent hold on me.

What deep peace this brings to the trembling soul! God’s foreknowing love is unchanging, and His purposes are unshakable. He will finish what He began. To be foreknown by the Almighty is to be . . .
eternally loved,
eternally kept,
and eternally His.

Let us therefore bow in wonder and worship. Let us lay our pride in the dust. We are known—not merely as names on a page, but as beloved children, purposed in Christ before time began.

“O LORD, how glorious are Your eternal purposes and how unfathomable is Your electing love! That You would set Your affection on a sinner like me, overwhelms my soul. Keep me ever low in my own eyes, and high in praise of Your sovereign grace. May I rest in Your eternal will, walk humbly before You, and rejoice that I am Yours—forever loved, forever secure, forever conformed to Christ. In His precious name I pray, Amen.”

#5. The SUPREMACY of God

By Arthur Pink et al.

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

"I am God, and there is no other. I am God, and there is none like Me!" Isaiah 46:9

God alone reigns in absolute supremacy. He is . . .
unmatched in majesty,
unchallenged in authority,
and unrivaled in glory.

He does not seek permission, accept counsel, or share His throne. All things--from the highest archangel, to the smallest particle--exist by His will and for His praise.

He is not an accessory to human ambition, nor a servant to man's desires. He is the One who declares the end from the beginning, who works all things according to the counsel of His own will. "Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor--for everything in Heaven and earth is Yours!" 1 Chronicles 29:11

To acknowledge the supremacy of God, is to be brought low before Him. It crushes the pride of man and silences every boast. We are not in control. Our plans, our wisdom, our strength--all vanish before the One who sits enthroned above the circle of the earth. He is not a passive observer, but the living King--actively ruling every moment of history.

Nothing is outside of His dominion. Every breath drawn, every drop of rain that falls, every ruler who rises or is cast down--each moves in exact obedience to His eternal decree. "The Lord does whatever pleases Him, in the heavens and on the earth!" Psalm 135:6. There is not a stray molecule in the universe, not a single event outside His sovereign hand.

This truth devastates human pride--and it anchors the believer's soul. The God who upholds the galaxies is the same God who numbers the hairs on our head. He who governs the cosmos, also holds our hearts. His supremacy is not cold or distant--it is filled with covenant love. The same hand that directs the universe, was pierced for our redemption!

To the one who trusts in Christ, God's supremacy is the ground of deepest peace. No foe can triumph, no trial can overwhelm, no promise can fail--for the Sovereign Lord of all, is also our Father in Heaven. He is . . .
never frustrated,
never surprised,
never overruled.
Every joy and every sorrow flows from His wise and loving will.

Let us therefore worship--not merely for what He gives, but for who He is. Let us bow in reverence, trust in His providence, and rejoice that this infinitely great and glorious God has made Himself ours.

"All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as He pleases with the powers of Heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back His hand or say to Him: What have You done?" Daniel 4:35

"Lord, You are King, and I am dust. Yet You reign for my good and Your glory. Help me to trust You completely. Sovereign Lord, who reigns over all things in power and majesty, humble my heart before You. Silence every fear and every doubt with the knowledge that You do all things well. Let me rest in Your supreme rule, trusting that Your will is always wise, always just, and always good. Amen."

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

“Our God is in heaven; He does whatever pleases Him.” Psalm 115:3

To affirm that God is sovereign, is to proclaim that He is truly God--not only in theory, but in fact! Sovereignty is not merely one of His attributes—it is the expression of His Godhood. He reigns with absolute supremacy, unlimited authority, and unchallenged power. Nothing comes to pass apart from His eternal decree; no one can stay His hand, or question His purposes. He does not try to rule—He does rule, and all creation is under His feet.

This sovereignty is all-encompassing. It stretches from the greatest movements in the heavens, to the tiniest detail on earth. He directs the flight of every sparrow, numbers every hair on our heads, and ordains the rise and fall of nations. There is no such thing as chance! The believer’s confidence does not lie in luck, nor in the will of man, but in the wise and holy providence of an all-powerful God.

This doctrine is both humbling and comforting. To the proud heart, it is a rebuke—for it leaves no room for human boasting. To the one who bows in humble submission, it is a place of deep peace—reminding us that our lives are not in our own hands, but in the hands of the Almighty. Every trial, every sorrow, every joy is woven into His perfect plan. “I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things!” Isaiah 45:7. He is never the author of sin, yet He sovereignly ordains even the wrath of men to praise Him.

To know that God is sovereign, is to be assured that nothing can thwart His purpose or frustrate His will. His eternal decree is not subject to change, nor is His dominion ever threatened. He opens, and no one can shut; He shuts, and no one can open. Every event, every breath, every heartbeat unfolds exactly as He has appointed!

Let us therefore yield to His rule with joyful reverence. Let us . . .
trust Him in the darkness,
worship Him in the storm,
and rest beneath the shadow of His throne.
For the same God who governs galaxies, has pledged Himself in covenant love to His redeemed people. One day, every knee will bow before His majesty—let us bow now, gladly and in awe, and declare with trembling joy: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns!" Revelation 19:6

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

"I the Lord do not change." Malachi 3:6

What a glorious and awe-inspiring truth: God never changes! He is eternally the same--yesterday, today, and forever. While the world reels under constant change, while men rise and fall like the tide, and while creation groans and decays--God stands as the unshakable Rock, towering above all that fluctuates.

There is no shadow of turning with Him. His essence knows no improvement, for He is already infinitely perfect. His knowledge admits no increase, for He is all-wise. His purposes require no adjustment, for they were decreed in eternity past with unerring wisdom and almighty power.
He does not evolve, revise, or retreat.
What He has purposed, He will accomplish.
What He has promised, He will fulfill.

This immutable nature of God is terrifying to the rebellious. The God who has declared that "the wages of sin is death"--will not amend His justice to suit the sinner. His holy wrath remains upon those who reject His Son. He will not compromise His righteousness to appease a changing world.

But for the believer--redeemed by sovereign grace--this attribute is a sanctuary of comfort. The God who set His love upon us from before the foundation of the world, will never abandon His redeemed people.
The blood of Christ will never lose its power.
The righteousness imputed to us will never be withdrawn.
The hand that began the good work of salvation, will never fail to complete it.

Let men change, let kingdoms crumble, let feelings falter--our God remains unaltered. His mercy is from everlasting to everlasting to those who fear Him. His truth endures to all generations. His covenant stands firm, sealed with the sin-atoning blood of His Son.

Here is rest for the weary soul; an anchor in every storm. Let us . . .
bow before this changeless God with reverent worship,
find quietness beneath the shadow of His wings,
and set our hope fully on Him who is forever the same.

"Unchanging Lord, in a world of relentless change--You remain ever faithful. Teach me to . . .
rest in Your unchanging character,
trust in Your unfailing Word,
and rejoice in Your everlasting covenant.
May Your immutability be the foundation of my peace, and the song of my worship. Amen."

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory." Isaiah 6:3

Holiness is not merely one attribute of God, it is the very beauty of all that He is. It is the totality of His moral perfection. God's holiness is the infinite distance between His purity, and all that is defiled. God is not just sinless, He is utterly "other"--exalted above all creation in majestic sanctity. "God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all" 1 John 1:5

In Heaven's courts, the seraphim cry, not love, love, love--nor power, power, power--but Holy, holy, holy! This threefold repetition is not poetic flourish; it is the language of awe. His holiness is absolute, incomparable, and consuming. It strikes terror in the hearts of the guilty, and causes the redeemed to fall in humility and reverent wonder before Him.

When Isaiah beheld the LORD high and lifted up, he did not marvel at God's wisdom or rejoice in His love--he was undone by His holiness. "Woe to me!" he cried. For in the presence of perfect purity . . .
every sin is seen as vile,
every excuse is silenced,
and every boast is laid in the dust.

The cross alone unveils the cost of approaching such a God. Divine love did not lower the standard--divine holiness demanded that the sinless Son suffer in the place of the guilty. There, righteousness and mercy met. There, the Holy One made a way for the unholy.

What glory--that sinners, once rebels, may now draw near! Clothed in the righteousness of Christ, we are called not only to behold God's holiness--but to reflect it. "Without holiness no one will see the Lord!" Hebrews 12:14

Let us then . . .
worship with trembling,
walk with purity, and
hate every stain of sin.

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

"Ah, Sovereign LORD, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for You!" Jeremiah 32:17

The power of God is infinite, eternal and unchanging. With a word, He brought the universe into being. By His command, stars were set in their courses and oceans were told where to stop. There is no force that can resist Him, no purpose of His that can be thwarted.

This almighty power is not confined to the vastness of creation--it is at work in providence and redemption as well. He upholds all things by the word of His power, governs every atom, and directs every event to accomplish His sovereign will. He breaks the power of sin, awakens dead hearts, and preserves His redeemed people unto glory.

And yet this power is not distant or detached. It is near, personal, and active in the lives of His children. "He gives strength to the weary, and increases the power of the weak." Isaiah 40:29 When we are crushed by trials, or overwhelmed by temptation--His strength sustains us. No weakness can exhaust Him, no burden can outweigh Him.

We are dust--but He is the everlasting God. We falter--but He never fails. His power is perfected in our weakness--that we may not boast in ourselves, but in Him alone. Let every trembling saint take heart: the God who holds the galaxies holds you! Trust His mighty hand, rest in His unfailing strength, and echo the psalmist’s song: "Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit! Psalm 147:5

"Almighty God, You are strong and sovereign. I confess my frailty, and depend upon Your strength. Work through my weakness, to glorify Yourself. Uphold me by Your power, and cause me to rest in the greatness of who You are. Amen."

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love." Deuteronomy 7:9

Faithfulness is not merely one of God's attributes--it is the very essence of who He is. He is infinitely and immutably trustworthy. From everlasting to everlasting . . .
His Word stands firm,
His promises are sure,
and His purposes never fail.

What God has said, He will surely do.
What He has decreed, none can overturn.
He is the covenant-keeping God who cannot lie, whose steadfast love endures forever.

Though the winds of providence may fiercely blow, and the path may lie shrouded in mystery--God’s faithfulness is the believer's rock. When we stumble, He sustains us. When we grow weary, He does not. When we are unfaithful, still He remains faithful--for He cannot deny Himself. He does not forget the cry of the humble, nor overlook the tears of the broken-hearted. He remembers every promise made to His people--and He fulfills them all, in His perfect time and way.

The whole of redemptive history bears witness to this glorious truth; not one word of His has ever fallen to the ground. Every prophecy is fulfilled, every elect sinner is effectually drawn, every saint is preserved, and every redeemed soul is brought safely home--all proclaim the unchanging fidelity of our God.
His mercy is everlasting.
His truth is unshakable.
His Word is forever settled in Heaven.

Therefore, let us not trust Him only in days of ease, but especially in the hour of darkness. Let our souls anchor in the depths of His unwavering commitment to save His people from their sins.
Trust Him in the storm--He is the anchor of your soul.
Though all else fails, He remains.

Let us . . .
rest in His immutable grace,
stand upon His unfailing promises,
and lift our hearts in worship to the God who is ever faithful, world without end.

"Your faithfulness continues through all generations." Psalm 119:90

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever." Psalm 107:1

The goodness of God is not a passive trait--it is His benevolence in motion; His kindness expressed in countless ways. Every breath we take, every ray of light, every moment of peace--is a token of His abundant goodness. He opens His hand and satisfies the desires of every living thing--not because we deserve it, but because He is good.

God is not merely good in what He does--He is good in who He is. His very essence is the fountainhead of all goodness. From His nature flows every blessing, both temporal and eternal. The world may be marred by sin, but the beauty of His goodness still shines through creation and providence, sustaining and upholding all things.

Nowhere is His goodness more clearly seen than at the cross. There, the Just One bore the penalty for the unjust. There, wrath and mercy converged. "For God so loved the world that He gave..."--gave what? Not merely gifts or comforts, but His beloved Son! This is the supreme revelation of divine goodness: the holy God making a way for sinners to be reconciled to Himself at infinite cost.

Even in affliction, God is good. He ordains trials not to harm, but to purify--to wean us from the world, and draw us nearer to Himself. "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey Your Word!" Psalm 119:67. His goodness is not diminished by our suffering; rather, it often shines brightest in the dark.

How this should humble us! We have earned judgment--yet He grants mercy. We bring nothing to the table--yet He fills our lives with good things. Let us not respond to such kindness with forgetfulness or complaint, but with awe, gratitude, and worship.

Let us trust His heart, when we cannot trace His hand. Let us praise Him, when we do not understand Him. For this we know beyond all doubt: "The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD!" Psalm 33:5

"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him." Psalm 34:8

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

"Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, tolerance and patience--not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?" Romans 2:4

The patience of God is the majestic restraint of the Almighty--His sovereign forbearance in the face of human sin. Though His justice burns with holy intensity, He delays His wrath. Not because He is powerless to act, but because He is rich in mercy. His patience is not indifference--it is compassion. It is not apathy--it is love.

From the days of Noah, when the Lord waited 120 years while the ark was prepared, to the wilderness wanderings of Israel, where He bore their continual murmuring--God has proven Himself astoundingly patient. Even now, as this present world mocks His name and defies His laws, He holds back the flood of judgment that is surely deserved. Every moment of delay, is a miracle of mercy.

For the believer, this patience is deeply humbling. How often have we provoked Him--and yet He has not cast us off! How many times have we wandered--and yet He has pursued us still! His patience calls us not to presumption, but to purity. It is not a license to sin, but a summons to holiness.

"The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise... He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9. Every sunrise is a fresh invitation to turn from sin and walk more closely with Him. For the unconverted, it is a solemn warning--do not trample His mercy beneath your feet. His forbearance will not last forever.

Let us therefore bow before Him with reverent awe. Let us . . .
praise Him for His longsuffering,
plead with sinners to flee from the wrath to come,
and reflect His patience in how we deal with others.

The patience of God is not to be trifled with--it is to be treasured!

"The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love." Psalm 103:8

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8

Grace is the free and sovereign favor of God, lavished on those who deserve nothing but wrath. It is not earned by merit, stirred by effort, or repaid by deeds. It flows from the eternal love of the Father, secured by the blood of the Son, and applied by the power of the Spirit. Grace does not merely offer a helping hand--it descends into the pit, and raises the dead to life!

Grace pardons the guilty, purifies the defiled, and preserves the redeemed. Grace is not a passive sentiment but a divine force that saves, sanctifies and secures. Grace finds the sinner helplessly lost in sin--clothes him in Christ's righteousness, and crowns him with everlasting joy.

From Genesis to Revelation, grace is the melody of redemption. The law exposes our ruin--but grace reveals our Redeemer. And what a Redeemer He is! Full of grace and truth, Jesus Christ is the fountainhead of every spiritual blessing. All that we are and all that we hope to be flows from Him.

To magnify grace, is to magnify God. To rest in grace, is to abandon every confidence in self. Let us wonder with trembling joy that we were chosen, called, justified, and will be glorified--all of grace! As Paul confessed, so may we: "By the grace of God I am what I am!" Let grace strip us of pride, anchor us in Christ, and move us to live wholly for the glory of the One who gave us everything--freely.

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

"The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy." Psalm 103:8

Mercy is God's tender-hearted compassion toward the miserable and the guilty. It is the pity of a holy God stooping down to the helpless sinner--not because He must, but because He delights to. Mercy is the overflow of His eternal love--relieving the wretched, pardoning the guilty, and raising the fallen.

From the beginning, God's mercy has been on display. It spared Adam and Eve in the garden. It delivered Israel from bondage in Egypt. It sent prophets to warn the rebellious nation. And in the fullness of time, it sent the Savior to redeem His people. Mercy is not a reluctant gesture--it is the joy of God's heart.

"God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ!" Ephesians 2:4-5. God's mercy is not exhausted by repeated sins, nor limited by the depth of our guilt. The dying thief found mercy in his final breath--and so may any who call on the Lord.

Yet God's mercy never sets aside His justice. Mercy does not sweep sin under the rug--it satisfies God's justice. This is the wonder of the cross--where divine justice was upheld, and mercy was poured out. God did not overlook our sin--He condemned it in Christ. At Calvary, mercy and justice met; righteousness and peace kissed! Psalm 85:10

If we have received such undeserved mercy, then how can we withhold it from others? Shall we, who have been forgiven much--remain unmerciful? Let us be as our Father--kind, compassionate, and forgiving. And let us never forget: we stand by mercy alone.

Here is our hope and our song--that God delights in mercy, and His mercy never fails.

"He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy." Titus 3:5

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

"Because Your loving-kindness is better than life, my lips will glorify You." Psalm 63:3

The loving-kindness of God is not a fleeting sentiment, but His steadfast and covenantal love manifested in gracious action. It is the sovereign outflow of His mercy and faithfulness, pledged to His chosen people from eternity past, and manifested throughout time. It does not arise from anything in us--but from everything in Him.

Unlike the fragile affections of man, God's loving-kindness is unchanging. It met us in our rebellion, drew us to the cross, and now preserves us through every trial. It was His loving-kindness that patiently bore with our waywardness, that remained true when we were false, and that continually supplies our every need in Christ.

God's loving-kindness reaches to the heavens, surrounds the believer, and never lets go! It comforts in sorrow, and disciplines in love.

This divine love never wanes. It is not altered by our failures, nor diminished by our weaknesses. Rooted in His eternal purpose, it remains a sure anchor for the soul. In Christ, we are not merely pardoned--we are embraced. God rejoices over us, surrounds us with favor, and holds us fast in His everlasting arms!

When the heart is heavy, remember His loving-kindness. When the night is long, rest in its unshakable assurance. And let our lips glorify Him--not only for what He bestows, but for who He is: the unchanging God whose loving-kindness is indeed better than life.

Let this truth lead us to reverent worship, joyful obedience, and unwavering peace.

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

"God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us!" Romans 5:8

The love of God is not merely something He possesses--it is what He is in His very essence. Yet how rarely is this love rightly understood! It is not sentimental softness or passive approval.

God's love is holy--never at odds with His righteousness.

It is sovereign--freely bestowed upon whom He chooses.

It is unchanging--eternally fixed upon His elect, unshaken by their failures or fluctuations.

Before the foundation of the world, He set His love upon His chosen people. "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness!" Jeremiah 31:3. His love was not drawn out by any beauty or merit in us--for we were dead in trespasses, and enemies of God. Yet, from the depths of His own goodness and for the praise of His glorious grace, He loved us still.

The cross stands as the supreme demonstration of this divine love. "This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him!" 1 John 4:9. There, at Calvary, love and justice met in perfect harmony. The wrath we deserved, was poured upon Christ--that the love of God might be lavished upon us!

O the wonder of the love that chose us, redeemed us, and will never forsake us! Let the redeemed . . .
rest in this eternal affection,
rejoice in its security,
and be constrained by it to holiness.

May we reflect such love to others--sacrificial, pure, and steadfast.

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that . . .
neither death nor life,
neither angels nor demons,
neither the present nor the future,
nor any powers,
neither height nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!" Romans 8:35, 37–39

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

"Christ loved us, and gave Himself up for us!" Ephesians 5:2

The love of God to sinners is an ocean without shore, a mystery that stretches beyond the grasp of the highest angel. That the infinitely holy God--before whom seraphim cover their faces--should set His heart upon those who were defiled, defiant, and dead in sin--is the most humbling truth in all of Scripture. His love was not merited by anything in us, for we were altogether sinful and unlovely. Yet He loved us!

And His love was not a mere sentiment--it took action. He gave His Son--His only, His beloved--to bear the curse we deserved. The Father did not spare Him, but handed Him over to be mocked, scourged, and nailed to a cross! There, the spotless Lamb of God endured the sin-atoning wrath due to the very ones who hated Him. What tongue can express such love? What mind can fathom its depth?

This love is not a relic of the past--it is alive and active this very moment. He loves us still. In discipline and direction, in provision and pain--His love sustains and sanctifies us. It is unchanging, invincible, and ever near. No failure of ours exhausts it; no affliction removes it. His love is as eternal as He is.

This love is the well-spring of every spiritual blessing. Let this melt the pride of our hearts, still our restless fears, and ignite a life of glad obedience. Nothing strengthens faith, calms the soul, or drives us to holiness--like the felt reality of Christ's astonishing love in dying for such vile, undeserving sinners like us!

"He was pierced for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him,
and by His wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5

O believer, marvel and rejoice--you are loved with a love that never began, will never fade, and can never be broken!

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

"The wrath of God is being revealed from Heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men." Romans 1:18

The wrath of God is the expression of His infinite holiness, stirred to action against sin. It is not a sudden or irrational fury, but the steady and righteous opposition of a God who is light, in whom there is no darkness at all. A God who does not hate sin cannot be holy--and a God who does not judge sin cannot be just.

Though men recoil at the thought of divine wrath, Scripture never hesitates to declare it. God's wrath fell upon Sodom, devastated Egypt, consumed rebellious Israel--and it will fall again with perfect justice upon all who remain in their sin. "Our God is a consuming fire!" Hebrews 12:29

This wrath, however, is never arbitrary. It is always measured, and always just. Nowhere is this more clearly seen than at the cross. There, the spotless Son stood in the place of the guilty. The cup of divine fury was not withheld--but was drained by the Savior on behalf of those He came to redeem. In that awful hour, the depths of human depravity and the majesty of divine justice met. Christ bore not merely the punishment of Hell--but the wrath of Almighty God.

Let lost sinners tremble--and flee to the only Refuge. Let the redeemed bow in reverent wonder. We were not merely spared from eternal ruin--we were rescued from the wrath of God Himself! All glory to the Lamb, who endured the curse, that we might receive the blessing.

"All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath!" Ephesians 2:3

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

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

Psalm 63:6, "I lie awake thinking of You, meditating on You through the night."

Psalm 104:34, "My meditation of Him shall be sweet!"

In an age of ceaseless noise and constant distraction, few pursuits are more neglected, or more necessary, than the quiet contemplation of God. To fix the "eye of faith" upon Him, is to rise above the temporal, and touch the Eternal. It is to hush the clamoring voices of the world, and hear the One who speaks from Heaven!

When we meditate on God's attributes, as found in His Word--His holiness, His love, His sovereignty, His faithfulness--our hearts are lifted from fear to faith, and from anxiety to adoration! The more we know Him, the more we love and trust Him. The clearer we see Him, the smaller our trials appear.

To contemplate God, is the highest occupation of the soul! In beholding His glory, we are transformed. The more we meditate on His attributes, the more we are lifted from this world's vanities. Let your thoughts be filled with His greatness. You become what you behold—gaze on God and be changed!

Set apart time for this sacred exercise. Withdraw from the world, and draw near through His Word. Let your thoughts be saturated with His truth. No other pursuit so . . .
fortifies the believer,
purifies the heart,
or ignites the affections,
as the contemplation of the Most High.

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

Ephesians 1:3, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ."

While the world hungers after fleeting vanities, the believer possesses imperishable riches--secured in Heaven, reserved by God, and flowing freely through the sufferings and death of Jesus:
from pardon of sin--to peace with God;
from salvation by grace--to a priceless eternal inheritance.

In Christ, we are blessed with:
election before the foundation of the world,
redemption through His sin-atoning blood,
adoption into the family of God,
justification by grace,
sanctification by the Spirit,
and the hope of eternal glory.

These blessings are not wages earned, but gifts bestowed:
flowing from the sovereign love of the Father in eternity past,
accomplished by the Son on the cruel cross,
and applied by the Spirit in regeneration and sanctification.

Temporal blessings may come and go: health may fail, wealth may vanish, relationships may change--but the spiritual blessings given in Christ are unshakable and everlasting.

Even our trials are transformed into mercies, in the hands of our wise and loving God, who uses them to refine our faith and draw us nearer to Himself.

Let our gratitude rise--not chiefly for the gifts, but for the Giver Himself. Let us live as those who are truly blessed:
seeking first His kingdom,
treasuring His promises,
and rejoicing in His unsearchable riches.

"Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name.
Praise the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget any of His benefits!" Psalm 103:1–2

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

Matthew 25:41, "Then He will say to those on His left: Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels!"

The curse of God is no empty threat--it is the solemn declaration of His inflexible holiness and righteousness. It proceeds not from cruelty, but from His perfect justice. As His blessings are tokens of mercy towards every redeemed saint, so His curses are expressions of His holy wrath against every unbelieving sinner.

From birth, every soul stands beneath this dreadful sentence, "All have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God!" Not merely gross wickedness, but every failure to love the Lord wholly and perfectly, places the sinner under condemnation. God's Word demands uninterrupted and entire obedience--and anything less invokes His curse.

Yet in the midst of such terrifying truth, shines the wonder of redeeming grace: "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, by becoming a curse for us!" Galatians 3:13

The weight of Divine wrath fell upon the spotless Lamb! The sword of vengeance was sheathed in His holy soul. He bore what we deserved--so that we might be pardoned, justified, and made heirs of eternal life.

Believers! We were once dead in our transgressions and sins, in which we used to live when we followed our father Satan, and the evil ways of this world. Like the perishing people around us, we were by nature children of wrath, and on our way to eternal perdition! But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, saved us by His wondrous grace!

Such a marvelous salvation should strip us of all pride, and fill us with reverent awe and unceasing gratitude.

Since we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone--let us hate sin, cling to the cross, and tremble at His Word. And let us warn others with compassion and urgency--for outside of Christ, the curse yet abides. The only refuge is found at Calvary, where God's unfailing love and truth have met together--and where righteousness and peace have kissed!

"He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him!" John 3:36

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

Romans 8:32, "He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all--how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?"

God is the fountainhead of all goodness. Every breath we take, every drop of rain, every morsel of food, every kindness we taste, every joy we experience, every provision we receive--flow from His sovereign grace. He gives, not because He must, but because it pleases Him to do so. All that is good originates in Him, and apart from Him, there is no good at all.

He grants the gift of life and sustains it with breath. He bestows family, health, daily bread, and shelter. Yet these temporal blessings, however generous, pale in comparison to the spiritual riches which He lavishes upon His people in His beloved Son: election, redemption, regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification!

These gifts are never random. They are sovereignly appointed, wisely measured, and lovingly given. Sometimes God's gift is joy--and at other times His gift is sorrow. Sometimes it is abundance--and other times affliction. But always, they are suited to the eternal good of those who love Him. All His gifts serve His purpose--to conform us to the image of His darling Son, and to magnify the glory of His grace.

How then should we respond? With awe. With gratitude. With humble trust. "What do you have, that you did not receive?" 1 Corinthians 4:7. Everything we possess is a trust from God, to be used for His glory and the good of others. We are God's stewards, not owners of all the good things He has blessed us with.

He gives freely, fully, and forever. The gift of His Son is the fountain of every other gift. In Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge and salvation. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

In ourselves, we deserve nothing but Hell--yet in Christ, and by His grace, He has given us everything we could either need or desire--for time and eternity!

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

Psalm 32:8, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you."

Left to ourselves, we are blind wanderers in the maze of this world--inclined to err, and unable to discern the way. But the Lord, in His wondrous mercy, does not abandon His people to their own devices. He is our Shepherd, wise and watchful, ever guiding those who trust in Him. His direction comes through . . .
the unchanging truths of His Word,
the inner witness of His Spirit,
the workings of His providence,
and often through the godly counsel of those who walk closely with Him.

His leading is never hurried, never late, always tender, and always sure. Sometimes He brings us beside quiet waters--at other times He takes us through the valley of deep shadows. Yet in every season, His purpose stands--to conform us to Christ and to glorify His Name. "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight!" Proverbs 3:6

Often, His guidance is veiled in delay, or revealed through a closed door. But He is . . .
never mistaken,
never indifferent,
never unaware.

By withholding immediate answers, He teaches us to not lean on our understanding, but to rest in His perfect wisdom. His call is not merely to know the path--but to trust the Guide.

So then, believer, walk in quiet confidence.
Fix your gaze on your infallible Shepherd.
Hear His voice in the Scriptures.
Seek His face in prayer.
He will never mislead you--for He is the unfailing God . . .
infinitely wise,
perfectly good,
and sovereign over every step you take.

"You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will take me into glory." Psalm 73:24

"In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling." Exodus 15:13

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

Acts 20:24, "I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task... the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."

The gospel is not human counsel, a moral code, or religious sentiment. It is the divine proclamation that the thrice-holy God saves guilty sinners--freely, sovereignly, and eternally--through the sin-atoning death of Jesus on the cruel cross. It is the gospel of grace: unmerited, unprovoked, and unconditional.

Grace authored salvation in eternity past.
Grace sent the eternal Son, clothed in frail humanity.
Grace . . .
sustained Him in Gethsemane,
nailed Him to the cross,
and raised Him in triumph!

That same grace now . . .
calls the unworthy,
convicts the hard-hearted,
converts the dead in sin,
and preserves them to the end.

The gospel lays man in the dust, and crowns Christ with glory.
It shuts every mouth, and opens hearts to worship.
It declares with finality, that salvation is of the Lord--from beginning to end.

The condemned are pardoned.
The dead are made alive.
Rebels are adopted as sons and daughters.

Let us . . .
proclaim it with boldness,
treasure it with reverence,
and walk in its power daily.

In the hands of the omnipotent Spirit, the gospel is God's gracious message that saves un-deserving, ill-deserving, and Hell-deserving sinners!

The Gospel is . . .
the refuge of the desperate,
the song of the redeemed,
and the everlasting praise of Heaven.

Amazing grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

The proper study of God's elect, is God. The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God--is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father! There is something exceedingly improving to the mind in a contemplation of the Divinity. It is a subject so vast, that all our thoughts are lost in its immensity; so deep, that our pride is drowned in its infinity!

Other subjects we can compass and grapple with, in them we feel a kind of self-contentment, and go our way with the thought, "Behold I am wise!" But when we come to this master-science, finding that our plumb-line cannot sound its depth, and that our eagle eye cannot see its height--we turn away with the thought that vain man would be wise, but he is like a wild donkey's colt; and with the solemn exclamation, "I am but of yesterday, and know nothing!" No subject of contemplation will tend more to humble the mind, than thoughts of God.

The most excellent study for expanding the soul, is the science of Christ and Him crucified, and the knowledge of the Godhead in the glorious Trinity. Nothing will so enlarge the intellect, nothing will so magnify the whole soul of man--as a devout, earnest, continued investigation of the great subject of the Deity. While humbling and expanding, this subject is eminently consolatory.

Oh, there is in contemplating Christ, a balm for every wound.
In musing on the Father, there is a quietus for every grief.
In the influence of the Holy Spirit, there is a balsam for every sore.

Would you lose your sorrows?
Would you drown your cares?
Then go, plunge yourself in the Godhead's deepest sea!
Be lost in His immensity, and you shall come forth as from a couch of rest--refreshed and invigorated.

I know nothing which can . . .
so comfort the soul,
so calm the swelling billows of grief and sorrow,
so speak peace to the winds of trial,
as a devout musing upon the subject of the Godhead

Charles Spurgeon, et al.

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

Philippians 1:23, "My desire is to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far."

The life of a believer is a journey through time, toward eternity. Each day that passes, each trial endured, each breath drawn in this fallen world--moves the child of God one step nearer to the full enjoyment of what has been secured by sovereign grace--eternal life in the presence of Christ. For the person redeemed by the blood of the Lamb--the end is not loss, but gain. The grave is not a prison, but a passage. Death is not a defeat, but the door into everlasting joy--when faith gives way to sight, and hope blossoms into eternal delight! The Christian looks forward to this not with fear, but with longing. For to be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord. The anticipation of Heaven is not centered on what will be enjoyed there, but Who will be seen there. The glory of Heaven is not in its beauty only, but mainly in its King!

The true believer understands that Heaven is glorious, because Christ is there. Heaven is not merely rest, but fellowship--the unhindered communion of the saved sinner with his Savior. That which is begun now by faith, will be perfected in that day when we behold His face. The Christian's joy is not ultimately in a crown, but in the pierced hand that places it upon the brow. It is not the throne that satisfies, but the One who sits upon it.

The pathway to that glory is often darksome. God, in His wisdom and mercy, weaves sorrow and affliction into the lives of His people. Yet even the midnight of suffering, is governed by the hand of a loving Father--and every moment of pain has a divine purpose. The believer, upheld by the Spirit, walks through the valley with a steady gaze, trusting the One who leads. Every storm, every tear, every hardship--is part of the journey toward the city that has foundations, whose Builder and Maker is God.

This world will never satisfy the heart that has been awakened to the beauty of Christ. Earthly comforts, though sometimes enjoyed, cannot rival the riches of eternal life. The believer presses on--not because the path is easy, but because the destination is sure. He is going to a kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world, a place where righteousness dwells, a land where sin and sorrow are no more.

The nearer we come to the end of our pilgrimage, the more clearly we see what truly matters. Not reputation. Not possessions. Not pleasure. Not earthly success. But Christ. Only Christ. In Him is all our righteousness, all our hope, all our joy. In Him we live, and in Him we shall rise. And in Him, we shall dwell forever!

"The sight of Christ is the very heaven of Heaven. To behold Him is the longing of every sanctified soul."

"Not merely shall we see His glory--we shall see Him.
His person, His face, His smile--that is our portion forever."

"The King in His beauty! No veil, no cloud, no distance--only the unveiled splendor of incarnate Deity!"

"A sight of Christ now, is Heaven begun below.
A sight of Him above, is Heaven perfected."

"They will see His face!" Revelation 22:4

"Your eyes will see the King in His beauty!" Isaiah 33:17

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

You cannot have God as your Savior, unless you will have Him as your Sovereign.

Will you waste your life chasing shadows, while your eternity hangs in the balance?

Life is short,
death is certain,
judgment is final!
Repent while the door of mercy is open!

To trifle with your soul is the greatest folly.
Eternal joy or eternal misery are before you.

To delay repentance, is to gamble with your soul on the verge of eternity.

The heart that refuses to bow to God now, will be crushed under His justice in eternity.

The sinner's refusal of grace is the highest madness, for it exchanges Heaven for Hell.

The door of mercy is open now, but it will not always remain so--enter while you can.

Sin deceives, but it will not excuse.
Sin entices, but it will destroy.

If you love your sin more than your soul, then you shall have your sin--and lose your soul.

Mercy pleads with you now, but justice will have the last word.

The cost of following Christ is nothing, compared to the cost of rejecting Him.

If you love your sin, then you do not love God.
And if you do not love God, then you are lost forever.

To live without Christ, is to live without hope.
To die without Christ, is to die without mercy.

You may escape the world's condemnation,
but you cannot escape the wrath of God without Christ.

To reject Christ, is to reject the only hope for your soul.

He who will not repent now, will wish that he had in eternity.

Your life is but a vapor, and your soul is everlasting.
Why will you trade eternity, for the passing pleasures of sin?

Time is short, and eternity is long.
To neglect your soul's salvation, is the greatest of follies.

The devil offers sin as sweet, but it leaves bitterness and damnation in its wake.

What will it avail you to have the world--and yet lose your soul, which is more precious than the whole world?

You may ignore God now, but you will not be able to ignore Him when you stand before Him in judgment.

To sin against God is madness, but to remain in sin is to choose your own eternal ruin.

The unconverted think they are free, but they are slaves to sin and the devil.

The unrepentant man is like a man asleep in a burning house--unaware of the danger until it's too late.

The world offers a temporary pleasure, but the gospel offers eternal joy in the presence of God.

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

When a man is absorbed by a new master-passion, what a different man he becomes. The passion for wealth will work marvels! We have known idle people become very diligent, and profuse voluptuaries become even self-denying to their flesh--in their ambition to acquire riches.

In the same way, whenever God really saves a person, He gives that person a new master-passion--the passion of gratitude to Christ, along with love to the God who saved him. These always become a new master-principle which rules the entire man.

From the moment that a man sincerely believes in Jesus, his nature becomes different from what it was before. He receives a new heart. Another influence takes possession of him--and another love engrosses him.

He who once loved sin--now loves God and lives for Him.

By the saving grace of God, this supernatural change is possible even to the most vile and degraded people.

If a man has committed every crime in the whole catalog of villainy, and his heart has become as hard as the nether millstone, and his disposition altogether vile and detestable, and groveling, and sensual, and devilish--the Spirit can turn that man in a single moment, into a lover of that which is true, and right, and just! Yes, the Spirit can passionately inflame him with the desire to be perfectly holy!

We do not teach that Christ forgives men, and then lets them continue to live in the hog pens as before! We assert that the moment He gives the pardon of sin, He gives the new nature as well. The gospel hospital is not merely a place where lepers are harbored, but where lepers are healed!

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances!" Ezekiel 36:26–27

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

"As I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears--many live as enemies of the Cross of Christ.
Their destiny is destruction,
their god is their stomach,
and their glory is in their shame.
Their mind is on earthly things!" Philippians 3:18–19

How grievous is the spectacle of men who claim to serve Christ, yet crave the world! They mount the pulpit, carry the Bible, and speak much of love--but their affections are chained to the world. Their prayers are polished, their platforms are popular, and their names are praised--yet they are lost! They are enemies of the Cross, and the Apostle writes of them with tears.

Such men are not pagans.

Their god is not Jehovah--it is their belly. That is, their god is their appetite, comfort, fame, security, applause. They speak of glory, but it is their own, not His.

There is scarcely a more loathsome evil, than the perversion of the Gospel by those entrusted to preach it. The Lord does not take lightly, those who dare to trade His truth for treasure, or reduce His blood-bought Gospel into a scheme for gain.

Micah thundered in his day, "Her priests teach for a price… yet they lean on the LORD and say, 'Is not the LORD among us?'" (Micah 3:11). The same spirit pervades much of modern ministry. "God is here," they say, while their lives deny Him. Smooth sermons, wide smiles, and packed churches--cannot hide the stench of compromise. God sees the heart. He knows who serves Him--and who serves Mammon.

Jesus left no room for divided loyalty: "You cannot serve both God and Money." The servant of Christ must be crucified to this world (Galatians 6:14), emptied of self-interest, and consumed with the glory of God. He is a herald of the King, sent to preach repentance, judgment, and grace--whether men will hear or refuse.

Dear reader, do not be seduced by outward success in ministry.
Measure a man, not by his popularity, but by . . .
his faithfulness to Scripture,
his fear of God,
and his detachment from the world.

And if you are in ministry yourself, tremble before these words: "In their greed, these teachers will exploit you… Their condemnation has long been hanging over them!" 2 Peter 2:3

Oh, that God would purge His Church of hirelings, and raise up faithful, God-fearing men!

"Are you seeking great things for yourself?
Do not seek them!" Jeremiah 45:5

"O Holy Father, deliver us from every snare of worldly ambition. Cleanse Your Church of those who traffic in truth for gain. Raise up a remnant of God-centered, Christ-exalting, Spirit-filled men--who will preach the Word in season and out, with no concern for fame or fortune. Let the Cross be our only boast, and Heaven our only reward. Amen."

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

Luke 24:5-6, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!"

There is no greater proclamation in all the universe than this: Jesus Christ is risen from the dead! This singular truth distinguishes Christianity from every religion. Our Redeemer is not buried in a tomb, but He is reigning from His throne in Heaven. The One who was crucified in weakness, now lives in resurrection power and eternal glory.

The resurrection of Jesus is not a peripheral truth--it is the very bedrock of our hope. Without it, the cross would be meaningless, and our hope would be in vain. The resurrection . . .
affirms His deity,
authenticates His mission,
and guarantees the salvation of His people.

Consider the comfort this brings to the believer. In a fallen world where suffering, sorrow, and death are ever present--we cling to a living Savior. Our faith is not an intellectual adherence to a dry dogma, but a vital relationship with a living Savior. His victory over the grave is our assurance that . . .
sin's penalty has been paid,
God's wrath has been satisfied,
and eternal life has been secured!

Moreover, the same Spirit who raised Jesus, now indwells every child of God, empowering him to . . .
mortify sin,
pursue holiness,
and persevere in the Christian life.

Is your heart weary today? Fix your eyes on the risen Christ! He is not distant or detached--He walks with His people, just as He walked with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. He . . .
opens the Scriptures,
warms the heart,
and strengthens the soul.
He intercedes for us at the right hand of God, bearing our names upon His heart and pleading the merits of His blood.

Even more, His resurrection assures us of our own. The grave is not the end. For those in Christ, death has become God's gentle usher to conduct us to Heaven. "We eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body."

Let us, then, live as resurrection people. Let . . .
joy replace despair,
faith replace fear,
and holiness replace ungodliness.
Let us not live for the fleeting vanities of this poor world, but for the glory of our reigning King, for He has risen indeed!

Let this great reality . . .
awaken our dull affections,
warm our cold hearts,
and set our feet running in the path of obedience.

Let every temptation be resisted with this truth: "My Savior lives."

Let every duty be performed with this strength: "My Savior is with me."

We do not serve a dead prophet, but a living Redeemer! Soon He shall return in glory--not as the suffering Lamb, but as the conquering Lion. And soon, so very soon--He shall return, not in weakness but in glory, to gather His ransomed bride.

Until then, we should . . .
live by the power of His resurrection,
laboring for His kingdom,
resting in His finished work,
and longing for the day when faith shall become sight!

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

"Who makes you different from anyone else?
What do you have, that you did not receive?
And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?"
1 Corinthians 4:7

1. "Who makes you different from anyone else?"

This question strikes at the very root of pride. It reminds us that we are not self-made. If we are in the least way better than others--it is not ultimately due to our efforts or virtue, but to the sovereign blessing of God. He ordains our birth, abilities, opportunities, and circumstances. If we are more gifted, more knowledgeable, or more useful than others--it is not because we earned or deserved it. The moment we imagine that we are inherently better, we dethrone God as the Author of all that we are and have. Pride blinds us to the fact that every distinction between one sinner and another, is the result of God's gracious and undeserved choice. As Paul says elsewhere, "By the grace of God, I am what I am!" 1 Corinthians 15:10

2. "What do you have, that you did not receive?"

Pride feeds on the delusion of self-sufficiency. But this question exposes the truth: everything we possess--physical health, intellectual capacity, spiritual understanding, and every earthly or heavenly blessing--has been received. We brought nothing into this world, and we will take nothing out. Even the faith by which we are saved is "not from yourselves, it is the gift of God!" (Ephesians 2:8)

If we are saved, sanctified, and sustained, it is only because God has blessed us. The truly humble heart acknowledges that all is of grace, and therefore gives God all the glory. To boast in your superiority, is to forget the sovereign Potter, and exalt the vile clay!

Who gave you health, while others waste away?
Who gave you a sober mind, while others live in delusion?
Who gave you the knowledge of salvation, while others grope in darkness?
Surely it was not yourself!

3. "And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?"

Boasting is the outward expression of inward pride. To take credit for what we have received, is to steal God's glory. It is an insult to God--and an exaltation of self. Such boasting reveals a heart that refuses to see itself as it truly is: utterly dependent upon God. Pride is not only foolish--it is wicked! The proud man steals the glory from God, and exalts himself!

Let us then repent of all pride and self-esteem, whether in word or thought, and fall before the Giver of every good and perfect gift. Let us boast only in Jesus, who humbled Himself to save proud wretches like us. May His humility silence our pride, and teach us to walk gratefully before our God. May we flee from pride as from a deadly viper, and cling instead to the cross, where the proud are humbled by divine grace.

"The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished!" Proverbs 16:5

“Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.” — Psalm 90:2

Before there was time, before there was light, before there was an angel in Heaven or a speck of dust in the cosmos—God was. He dwelt in solitary majesty, needing nothing, lacking nothing, desiring nothing outside Himself. He was eternally perfect in all His glorious attributes. There was no heaven for Him to inhabit, no earth to govern, no creatures to praise Him—and yet He was altogether blessed.

2. The Decrees of God

"The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations." — Psalm 33:11

Before the foundation of the world, in the infinite recesses of eternity, God established His eternal decrees. These decrees are the manifestation of His sovereign will, the blueprint by which all creation unfolds. They are not formed in response to events, for nothing takes the Omniscient by surprise. Instead, they are the cause of all that transpires, the predetermined plan that governs the universe.

“Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit.” — Psalm 147:5

The knowledge of God is infinite, perfect, and eternal. There is no learning with God, for He has always known all things. He never discovers, never forgets, never improves in understanding. His knowledge is not acquired—it is essential to His very nature. He knows Himself fully and knows all things outside Himself perfectly, from eternity past to eternity future.

4. The Foreknowledge of God

"For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son." —Romans 8:29

To "foreknow," in the language of Scripture, is not merely to foresee but to fore-love. God's foreknowledge is not detached observation of future events—it is His eternal, sovereign delight set upon His chosen people before the foundation of the world. He knows all because He has ordained all.

5. The Supremacy of God

“I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me.” — Isaiah 46:9

God is unrivaled in majesty, authority, and glory. His supremacy means He rules over all, answers to none, and is accountable only to Himself. Every creature—from angels to atoms—was created by His will and exists for His glory. The heart that sees this truth is laid low. He is not a deity to be invited into our plans, but the One who ordains all things from eternity. Worship Him, for none can stay His hand or say to Him, "What have You done?"

6. The Sovereignty of God

“Our God is in heaven; He does whatever pleases Him.” — Psalm 115:3

God's sovereignty means He reigns with absolute control over all that is and ever will be. He governs the flight of every bird, and the rise of every king. There is no detail too small, no power too great. The believer rests securely in this—our lives are not ruled by luck or fate, but by the perfect wisdom and power of our God. Let us yield to His rule with reverence, trust, and joyful submission.

7. The Immutability of God

God is unchanging in His essence, purposes, and promises. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. In a world of constant shifting, He alone is the Rock. His love will not fade, His Word will not fail, His will cannot be overturned. Trust Him when everything around you crumbles, for His character is steadfast and His covenant is sure.

8. The Holiness of God

God's holiness is the crown of all His attributes—He is morally perfect, separate from all sin, and infinitely pure. His justice flows from His holiness; His grace magnifies it. To approach Him lightly, is spiritual suicide. And yet, through Christ's atonement, the Holy One calls sinners to Himself. Stand in awe, tremble in worship, and pursue holiness, for without it, no one will see the Lord.

9. The Power of God

“Ah, Sovereign LORD, You have made the heavens and the earth… Nothing is too hard for You.” — Jeremiah 32:17

God's power is infinite, irresistible, and never exhausted. He speaks, and it is done. He raises the dead, subdues the proud, and upholds the universe by His Word. This power works for us who believe—guarding, strengthening, and transforming us. When you are weak, remember: His strength is made perfect in your weakness. Nothing is impossible with God.

10. The Faithfulness of God

God never forgets, never fails, never falters. What He promises, He performs. Men change; God does not. He is faithful in affliction, faithful in blessing, faithful in correction, faithful in His threatenings. His covenant cannot be broken, and His Word stands forever. Trust Him in the storm—He is the anchor of your soul.

11. The Goodness of God

God's goodness is His kindness, generosity, and benevolence in action. Every sunrise, every meal, every comfort, is a token of His goodness. But the supreme display is in the gift of His Son. Even in trials, He works for our good. Let us not doubt His heart, even when we cannot trace His hand.

12. The Patience of God

“The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” — Psalm 103:8

How long God has endured our rebellion! His patience holds back the wrath we deserve, giving space for repentance. Yet it is not weakness—it is holy restraint. Those who reject His longsuffering, invite judgment; those who embrace His mercy, bow in grateful wonder. Praise Him for His forbearance—and plead with others not to presume upon it.

13. The Grace of God

God's GRACE is His freely giving salvation and Heaven to un-deserving, ill-deserving and Hell-deserving sinners. It was grace that chose us, grace that redeemed us, grace that sustains us. We contributed nothing but sin. Grace shatters pride and fuels worship. The believer lives by grace, serves by grace, and will be glorified by grace. Soli Deo Gloria!

14. The Mercy of God

God's MERCY is His not giving damnation and Hell to un-deserving, ill-deserving and Hell-deserving sinners. It is God's tender heart moved to act on behalf of the miserable. The cross is the mercy seat where justice and mercy met. Every sinner awakened to his dreadful plight must flee there. Let us thank God daily that He delights in mercy—and extend that mercy to others.

15. The Loving-kindness of God

God's loving-kindness is His steadfast, covenant love expressed in action. It reaches to the heavens, surrounds the believer, and never lets go. It comforts in sorrow, and disciplines in love. The soul that rests in His loving-kindness knows a joy deeper than any worldly pleasure. Let it lead you to praise, obedience, and peace.

16. The Love of God

God's love is holy, sovereign, and everlasting. He does not love because of who we are, but because of who He is. This love sent Christ to die for enemies, to purchase a people for Himself. It is a love that transforms and keeps. Rest in it. Rejoice in it. Reflect it to others.

17. The Love of God to Us

That the holy God would love sinful men, is staggering. His love to us is personal, sacrificial, and unbreakable. It is the fountain of every spiritual blessing. Not even death can separate us from it. When all else fails, His love remains. Cling to it in the dark; rejoice in it in the light.

18. The Wrath of God

God's wrath is His holy hatred of sin. It is not uncontrolled rage, but righteous justice. It burned against sin at the cross, and it will be poured out eternally on the unrepentant. Tremble before it—but run to Christ, who bore it for all who believe. To ignore God's wrath is spiritual suicide.

19. The Contemplation of God

To contemplate God is the highest occupation of the soul. In beholding His glory, we are transformed. The more we meditate on His attributes, the more we are lifted from this world's vanities. Let your thoughts be filled with His greatness. You become what you behold—gaze on God and be changed.

20. The Blessings of God

All blessings flow from God's fatherly hand—spiritual and temporal, earthly and eternal. But the greatest blessing is Himself. To have God is to have all. Blessings are not earned, but graciously given in Christ. Receive them with gratitude, steward them with faithfulness, and let them turn your heart to the Giver.

21. The Cursings of God

“If anyone does not love the Lord, that person is cursed!” — 1 Corinthians 16:22

God's curse is the solemn sentence upon sin. It reveals the seriousness of transgression. Yet Christ became a curse for us, that we might be freed from condemnation. The believer no longer fears the curse, for it has fallen on Another. But let us warn others, for outside of Christ, the curse remains.

22. The Gifts of God

God gives freely, fully, and forever. The gift of His Son is the fountain of every other gift. He gives wisdom, strength, righteousness, and eternal life. We deserve nothing—yet He gives us everything in Christ. Receive His gifts with reverence, and use them for His glory.

23. The Guidance of God

God does not leave His people to wander. He guides by His Word, His Spirit, and His providence. His paths may not be smooth, but they are always good. Seek His direction in prayer, submit to it with joy, and trust that He leads with perfect wisdom and fatherly care.

24. The Gospel of the Grace of God

“The gospel… is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” — Romans 1:16

The gospel is not advice, but divine announcement—God saves sinners! It is grace from first to last: planned by the Father, accomplished by the Son, applied by the Spirit. It humbles the proud, exalts Christ, and transforms the heart. Proclaim it, cherish it, and never move beyond it.