Key Verse: "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."
- John 17:3 KJV
Jesus Christ said, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3). How do you obtain eternal life? Have you experienced the real thing? What is this knowledge of eternal life?
Key Verse: "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil."
- Ephesians 5:16 KJV
Life is a fleeting gift, filled with choices that echo beyond the present moment. Many people reach the end of their journey wishing they had loved deeper, forgiven quicker, or obeyed God sooner. To live a life of no regrets is to live daily in light of eternity, seeking to honor God with every word, thought, and deed.
Key Verse: "Looking unto Jesus the
author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before
him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right
hand of the throne of God."
- Hebrews 12:2 KJV
Be careful of making a savior of faith. There is a
danger, and it cannot be too vigilantly guarded against, of substituting the
work of the Spirit for the work of Christ; this mistake it is that leads so
many of God's saints to look within, instead of outside of themselves, for
the evidences of their calling and acceptance; and thus, too, so many are
kept, all their spiritual course, walking in a state of bondage and fear,
the great question never fully and fairly settled; or, in other words, never
quite sure of their sonship.
Key Verse: "He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ."
- John 1:41 KJV
This case is an excellent pattern of all cases where spiritual life is vigorous. As soon as a man has found Christ—he begins to find others. I will not believe that you have tasted of the honey of the gospel if you can eat it all yourself. True grace puts an end to all spiritual monopoly. Andrew first found his own brother Simon, and then others. Relationship has a very strong demand upon our first individual efforts. Andrew, you did well to begin with Simon.
Key Verse: "He that hath an ear, let
him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh
will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white
stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving
he that receiveth it."
- Revelation 2:17 KJV
How often God's word is to you a sealed book; how often
you hear from the pulpit the most encouraging preaching, yet get no
encouragement from it; how often you hear Christ held forth in his Person,
blood and righteousness, and go away as you came, without any sensible
relief. What is the reason? Because you are overcome. Unbelief, bondage,
darkness of mind, insensibility rest upon your spirit, and all these keep
you from feeding upon the manna.
Key Verse: "But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:" - Matthew 12:38-42 KJV
It was not with a sincere desire to be
convinced of the truth that the Pharisees wished for a sign. They had
already witnessed so many miracles that they could not avoid knowing that
Jesus was the Son of God. This was their great sin, that when they knew
the truth they would not confess it. As our Savior afterwards
said, (in John 15:24,) "If I had not done among them the works that no other
man did, they had not had sin—but now they have both seen and
hated both me and my Father."
Key Verse: "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" - Matthew 27:46 KJV
There is a picture which represents the after-scenes on that day of the crucifixion. It is all over. The crowds have gone away. The evening sun is shining out again on Calvary. The body of the Savior has been borne to the sepulcher. The cross has been taken down, and lies on the ground. A company of little children, bright with the glow of childhood's innocence, led to the place by accident or curiosity, are seen bending over the signs of the day's terrible work. One of the children holds in his hand a nail which a little time before, had pierced a hand or a foot of the patient Sufferer, and stands spellbound with horror as he gazes at it. His gentle heart is shocked at sin's dreadful work! On all the children's faces, the same expression of horror is depicted.
Key Verse: "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:"
- John 11:25 KJV
What a voice is this breaking over a world which for six
thousand years has been a dormitory of sin and death! For four thousand
of these years, heathendom could observe no light through the bars of
the grave; her oracles were speechless on the great doctrine of a future
state, and more especially regarding the body's resurrection. Even the Jewish
Church, under the Old Testament dispensation, seemed to enjoy little more than
fitful and uncertain glimmerings, like men groping in the dark!
Key Verse: "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations." - Jeremiah 1:5 KJV
From the very first moments of life, before human eyes can see or understand, God is already at work. The prophet Jeremiah was reminded that even before his birth and before he ever took a breath, God knew him, formed him, and set him apart for a divine purpose.
Key Verse: "Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me."
- Romans 7:17 KJV
There is a mysterious wisdom in the way of God with his people—to whom he grants to know but in part, and to be renewed but in part. Were they, while here, wholly delivered from sin, and had the unclouded vision of his glorious face, and full communion with God—there would be nothing reserved for the day of glory. It is with them, therefore, as with ancient Israel, among whom God wisely left some of the heathen nations undestroyed—to excite their faith, and stir up their endeavors to extirpate them, and to be a means of preserving them from sinning with security and impunity.
Key Verse: "When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?"
- John 5:2-9 KJV
Jesus saw a thirty-eight year old man lying on his mat at the pool of water at Bethesda and approached him asking, “ ...Wilt thou be made whole?” (John 5:6). Christ told the man to do the impossible. “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk” (v. 8) The apostle John tells us “And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked...” (v. 9).
Key Verse: "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."
- Colossians 3:2 KJV
To win heaven, the mind must become heavenly; and to be heavenly, it must habituate itself to heavenly things and heavenly pursuits. It is a law of our mental constitution, that the mind assimilates in its tone and habits of thought with the subject which most engrosses its study. Hence it is that we sometimes become men of one idea.
Key Verse: "Thus saith the Lord God; I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock."
- Ezekiel 36:37 KJV
Prayer is the forerunner of mercy. Turn to sacred history, and you will find that scarcely ever did a great mercy come to this world, unheralded by supplication. You have found this true in your own personal experience. God has given you many an unsolicited favor—but still great prayer has always been the prelude of great mercy with you. When you first found peace through the blood of the cross, you had been praying much, and earnestly interceding with God that He would remove your doubts, and deliver you from your distresses. Your assurance was the result of prayer. When at any time you have had high and rapturous joys, you have been obliged to look upon them as answers to your prayers. When you have had great deliverances out of sore troubles, and mighty helps in great dangers, you have been able to say, "I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." Prayer is always the preface to blessing. It goes before the blessing—as the blessing's shadow.
Key Verse: "But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples."
- Mark 4:34 KJV
What is the exact meaning of the word "disciple"? It
means "a learner", one who is under a teacher, whose submissive and devoted
pupil he has become, and from whom he receives continual instruction. And
thus a disciple of Christ is one who is admitted by the Lord Jesus into his
school, whom he himself condescends personally to instruct, and who
therefore learns of him to be meek and lowly of heart. A disciple of Jesus
is one who sits meekly at the Redeemer's feet, receiving into his heart the
gracious words which fall from his lips. This was Mary's happy posture, whom
the Lord commended for choosing the better part. Such is also the posture of
all the saints of God, according to the ancient declaration, "Yes, he loved
the people; all his saints are in your hand; and they sat down at your feet,
every one shall receive of your words" (Deut. 33:3).
Key Verse: "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment."
- Matthew 12:36 KJV
Behold an instance of the severe terms in which the meek
and gentle Jesus sometimes rebuked sinners. He called the Pharisees a
"generation of vipers." Thus he declared them to be the seed of the old
serpent, and the children of Satan. They had accused him of casting out
devils through the power of Satan, while they themselves belonged to the
family of the wicked one. It is to be expected that the children of the
devil should utter blasphemies, even as a bad tree brings forth bad
fruit.
Key Verse: "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."
- Psalms 37:4 KJV
When we think of delight, we often imagine moments of happiness — a warm sunrise, the laughter of loved ones, or a quiet victory after a long struggle. But in Psalm 37:4, David invites us to a deeper, richer joy, a delight in the Lord Himself. To delight in the Lord means to find our deepest pleasure, satisfaction, and fulfillment in who God is not merely in what He gives. It is a relationship built on love, trust, and nearness. The more we know Him, the more our hearts align with His will, and the more our desires begin to reflect His own.
Key Verse: "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted."
- Isaiah 53:4 KJV
Whatever the cause of grief may be, there is rich comfort in the remembrance of the sorrows of Christ. It assures us that Christ understands our pain. In the garden he went a stone's cast farther than any of his disciples went. The picture is a parable to us. It is always so. Wherever you bow in the deep shadows of grief, you have but to lift up your eyes, and you will see Jesus in still deeper shadows—a stone's cast beyond you. His sorrow was sorer than yours.
Key Verse: "Teaching them to observe
all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you
always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
- Matthew 28:20 KJV
Such were "the words of Jesus" when He was just about to ascend to Heaven. The mediatorial throne was in view — the harps of glory were sounding in His ears; but all His thoughts are on the pilgrim Church He is to leave behind. His last words and benedictions are for them. "I go," He seems to say, "to Heaven, to My purchased crown — to the fellowship of angels — to the presence of My Father; but, nevertheless, surely I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."
Key Verse: "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice."
- Philippians 4:4 KJV
No wonder that Paul doubles his admonition to the converted Philippians, "Rejoice in the Lord always—again I say rejoice;" for nothing better befits the saints than spiritual joy—though none are greater strangers to what they have so good a title, than they. The joy of the sinner and the laughter of the fool are alike—just as the crackling of thorns under a pot—nothing but a noise, and quickly gone. But it is not so with the saints, for there is more joy even in their penitential groans, more consolation in their mourning—than in all the gladness of the carnal world. What should make the children of a King sad—with such a Sovereign as Jesus—who is "the King eternal, invisible, immortal, dwelling in light inaccessible, and full of glory;" who alone has immortality essentially, and in the light of whose countenance saints commence their journey here towards his more immediate presence; and shall hereafter hold on their journey towards his adorable perfections forever!
Key Verse: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:"
- Deuteronomy 6:4 KJV
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is a person, and should be treated with the respect of a divine person. He is a member of the Trinity, equal to God the Father and God the Son. I am not saying there are three gods, but three divine persons who are also one. “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:” (Deut. 6:4).
Key Verse: "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law."
- Psalm 119:18 KJV
To the question often earnestly propounded- "What is the best method of reading, so as to understand the Scriptures?" I would reply- Read them with the one desire and end of learning more of Christ, and with earnest prayer for the teaching of the Spirit, that Christ may be unfolded in the Word. With this simple method persevered in, you shall not fail to comprehend the mind of the Holy Spirit, in portions which previously may have been unintelligible and obscure.
Key Verse: "I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,"
- Luke 15:18 KJV
It is quite certain, that those whom Christ has washed in
His precious blood need not make a confession of sin, as culprits or
criminals, before God the Judge, for Christ has forever taken away
all their sins in a legal sense, so that they no longer stand where they can
be condemned—but are once for all accepted in the Beloved. But having become
children, and offending as children, ought they not every day to go before
their heavenly Father and confess their sin, and acknowledge their iniquity
in that character? Nature teaches that it is the duty of erring children
to make a confession to their earthly father; and the grace of God in
the heart teaches us that we, as Christians, owe the same duty to our
heavenly father. We daily offend, and ought not to rest without daily
pardon.
Key Verse: "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness."
- 1 Corinthians 3:19 KJV
Human wisdom often sparkles on the surface, clever words, deep reasoning, and scholarly knowledge. Yet, compared to God’s eternal understanding, it is as brief and frail as a candle before the sun. Scripture teaches us that though learning and knowledge have their place, they must always submit to the wisdom of the One who created all things. In all our searching, there remains a truth that humbles even the brightest mind: human wisdom is limited.
Key Verse: "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:"
- Hebrews 12:14 KJV
To possess this holiness is a necessary and indispensable
fitness for the inheritance of the saints in light; but this fitness must be
wrought in us by the power of God's grace, for I am sure that in ourselves
of it we have none. But see its necessity. What happiness could there be in
the courts of bliss unless we had a nature to enjoy it? Unless we were made
capable of seeing Christ as he is, and enjoying his presence for evermore,
heaven would be no heaven to us. Nothing unclean or unholy can enter there.
Sanctification therefore must be wrought in us by the power of God, to make
us fit for the heavenly inheritance, and he therefore communicates of his
Spirit and grace to give us heavenly affections, holy desires, gracious
thoughts, tender feelings; and above all that love whereby he is loved as
the altogether lovely One.
Key Verse: "Wherefore I say unto
you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the
blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men."
- Matthew 12:31 KJV
This is a very dreadful part of our Savior's discourse to the Pharisees. There is a sin which cannot be forgiven, and it is a sin of the tongue. Certain words which may be spoken against the Holy Spirit, are called, "Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit." There is a mystery in this subject which we would not presume to attempt to remove. Yet we may form some idea of the nature of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, by examining the conduct of those whom Jesus now addressed. The Pharisees seem to have been convinced by the miracles of the Savior, that he was a true prophet; but though convinced, they were determined to reject him, and to set the people against him also. In this dreadful state of mind they accused him of working miracles by the power of Satan, and not by the Spirit of God. Had they really supposed he was assisted by Satan, their sin would not have been so enormous; then they would have sinned, as Saul of Tarsus did, "ignorantly, in unbelief;" but now they sinned against the convictions of their conscience, and with deliberate malice.
Key Verse: "The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:"
- Numbers 6:24 KJV
In the first days of a new year, we all say to our friends and neighbors, "Happy New Year!" Our hearts are full of generous feelings and wishes for all we meet. But what can we do to give them a happy new year? We cannot compel their circumstances into fortunate adjustments, so as to produce happiness. Besides, we cannot know what would be the truest and best blessings for our friends.
Key Verse: "Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also."
- John 14:19 KJV
God sometimes selects the most stable and enduring objects in the material world, to illustrate His unchanging faithfulness and love to His Church, "As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so does the Lord compass His people." But here, the Redeemer fetches an argument from His own everlasting nature. He stakes, so to speak, His own existence on that of His saints, "Because I live — you shall live also!"
Key Verse: "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:"
- Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV
Time is measured, and is alike at both ends; it began with a day, and will end with a day. Hence the evening and the morning were said to be the first day, as the universal judgment is called the last day. Eternity is the fountain from which it sprang, and the flood into which it shall fall. The most lasting duration of time is but short, and its greatest prolongations come to an end. A given moment is scarcely known, until it is past. A few moments—of which make a minute, which we but begin to enjoy when it is also gone; thus an hour flies away, a day hastens to its end, and a year, (as this year has done,) comes to its last day. As, therefore, at the end of the year trading people cast up their accounts, and regulate their books, let me ask myself—What have my talents gained these twelve months? For, whatever I may think, time itself is none of the least of talents, and another year is added to my account.
Key Verse: "And be not conformed to
this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye
may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
- Romans 12:2 KJV
What will it take in the Christian’s life to overcome broken resolutions and commitments? It will be a great benefit to realize that there is no such thing as instant godliness. There are no “one minute,” thirty days, or “three easy steps” to a life of righteousness that pleases God. That is not the way God planned for our sanctification.
Key Verse: "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
- Romans 5:8 KJV
The love of God is the foundation of our faith, the heartbeat of the gospel, and the greatest mystery ever revealed to humankind. It is not a love earned by merit or effort but a love freely given, unconditional, unchanging, and eternal. God's love is not merely an emotion but a divine, eternal, and unchanging reality that defines who God is and how He relates to humanity. So, let us explore what the Bible says about God's love.
Key Verse: "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."
- John 5:39 KJV
The word of God is full of Christ. He is the Sun of this divine system, the Fountain of its light and beauty. Every doctrine derives its substance from His person, every precept its force from His work, every promise its sweetness from His love. Is it not to be feared, that in the study of the Scriptures it is a much-forgotten truth, that they testify of Jesus? Are they not read, searched, and examined, with a mind too little intent upon adding to its wealth by an increased knowledge of His person, and character, and work?
Key Verse: "I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me." - Job 10:2 KJV
Perhaps, O tried soul, the Lord is doing this to develop
your graces. There are some of your graces which would never be discovered
if it were not for your trials. Do you not know that your faith never looks
so grand in summer weather—as it does in winter? Love is too
often like a glow-worm, showing but little light except it be in the midst
of surrounding darkness. Hope itself is like a star—not to be seen in
the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of
adversity. Afflictions are often the black foils in which God does
set the jewels of His children's graces, to make them shine the better.
Key Verse: "Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction."
- Isaiah 48:10 KJV
According to God's own testimony, it is "through much tribulation" that we are to enter into the kingdom; and therefore there is no entering into the kingdom of grace here, or the kingdom of glory hereafter, without it. But let this be ever borne in mind, that whatever affliction befalls the saints, it is laid upon them by the hand of God, and that for the express purpose of putting them into a situation and of making them capable of receiving those comforts which God only can bestow.
Key Verse: "But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils."
- Matthew 12:24 KJV
How dreadful was the accusation which the Pharisees
ventured to make against the Savior! They were not able to deny that he had
performed an astonishing miracle; therefore they accused him of casting out
devils through the power of Beelzebub, (or Satan,) the prince of the devils.
We see from this instance, that wicked men will always find some excuse for
not believing in God. Sometimes they say that there is not sufficient proof
that the Bible is true; but if their objections are answered, still they
refuse to believe, and find some other excuse, however absurd, rather than
give up their sins, and come to Christ for pardon. But we ought not to be
impatient with those that oppose themselves to the truth. We should imitate
Christ, who calmly answered the Pharisees. Jesus sometimes spoke severely to
them, but never in answer to their reproaches against himself. He always
behaved meekly when reviled by his enemies; thus setting us an example, that
we should follow his steps.
Key Verse: "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted."
- Isaiah 53:4 KJV
Whatever the cause of grief may be, there is rich comfort in the remembrance of the sorrows of Christ. It assures us that Christ understands our pain. In the garden he went a stone's cast farther than any of his disciples went. The picture is a parable to us. It is always so. Wherever you bow in the deep shadows of grief, you have but to lift up your eyes, and you will see Jesus in still deeper shadows—a stone's cast beyond you. His sorrow was sorer than yours.
Key Verse: "Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also."
- John 14:19 KJV
God sometimes selects the most stable and enduring objects in the material world, to illustrate His unchanging faithfulness and love to His Church, "As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so does the Lord compass His people." But here, the Redeemer fetches an argument from His own everlasting nature. He stakes, so to speak, His own existence on that of His saints, "Because I live — you shall live also!"
Key Verse: "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
- Mark 8:36 KJV
There is a haunting question in our key verse above, one that pierces through every generation: What is your soul worth to you? We live in a world obsessed with profit, success, fame, and pleasure. Yet Jesus asks a question that exposes the emptiness of it all. What good is it to have everything your heart could desire, such as wealth, power, and recognition, if in the end, you lose the one thing that lasts forever: your soul?
Key Verse: "Whereas
ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is
even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth
away."
- James 4:14 KJV
What is all this struggle in the world for? Why so many
attempts to be something, and have something—in the
sphere of nothing? This struggle for passing vanities, is as if the
foam and bubbles should contend for station on the rapid stream—but in a
moment they are are gone!
Key Verse: "But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness."
- 1 Timothy 4:7 KJV
What will it take in the Christian’s life to overcome broken resolutions and commitments? It will be a great benefit to realize that there is no such thing as instant godliness. There are no “one minute,” thirty days, or “three easy steps” to a life of righteousness that pleases God. That is not the way God planned for our sanctification.
Key Verse: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
- Psalm 46:1 KJV
It is one of the most blessed truths of the covenant of grace, that the God of the covenant is a very present help in every time of trouble. Loving His people as He does, dwelling in them by His Spirit, their people and circumstances continually before Him in the person and the intercession of His dear Son, how can He possibly lose sight of them for a single moment?
Key Verse: "Because thou hast said, These two nations and these two countries shall be mine, and we will possess it; whereas the Lord was there:"
- Ezekiel 35:10 KJV
Edom's princes saw the whole country left desolate, and counted upon its easy conquest; but there was one great difficulty in their way—quite unknown to them, "The Lord was there"; and in His presence lay the special security of the chosen land. Whatever may be the machinations and devices of the enemies of God's people, there is still the same effectual barrier to thwart their design. The saints are God's heritage, and He is in the midst of them, and will protect His own.
Key Verse: "That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ."
- Philippians
1:10 KJV
If divine light has enlightened your mind, and divine
life quickened your heart, and you love the Lord and his people, you must
approve of the things that are excellent. For they are so commended to your
conscience that you can no more do otherwise than you can tell a deliberate
lie or call black white. And as you approve of them, you will disapprove of
everything which is contrary to, or falls short of this excellency.
Key Verse: "And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,"
- Luke 8:2 KJV
In these verses we have a description of our Savior's diligence, of his poverty, and of his humility.His diligence was unwearied. He went as an itinerant (or a wandering preacher) from place to place. He knew the value of the souls of men, and the danger in which they lay; and being full of love, he delighted in declaring the glad tidings of salvation.
Key Verse: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."
- 1 John 2:15 KJV
When we look around us, it is easy to be captivated by the glitter and noise of this present world. Its pleasures call to us, its systems try to mold us, and its values often run contrary to the will of God. But as believers in Christ, we are reminded again and again that this world is not our home, we are pilgrims, strangers, and sojourners here, called to set our affection on things above.
Key Verse: "She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying."
- Mark 14:8 KJV
Many people would have kept the jar of perfume until Jesus was dead, and would then have broken it to anoint his cold body. At least, that is the way too many of us do in these days. We wait until our friend dies—and then send our flowers and speak our words of appreciation. Should we not learn a lesson from Mary?
Key Verse: "Father, I will that they
also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may
behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before
the foundation of the world."
- John 17:24 KJV
This is not the petition of a suppliant — but the claim of a conqueror! There was only one request He ever made, or ever can make — that was refused; it was the prayer wrung forth by the presence and power of superhuman anguish: "Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me!" Had that prayer been answered, never could one consolatory "word of Jesus" have been ours. "If it is possible" — but for that gracious parenthesis, we must have been lost forever! In unmurmuring submission, the bitter cup was drained; all the dread penalties of the law were borne, the atonement completed, an all-perfect righteousness wrought out; and now, as the stipulated reward of His obedience and sufferings — the Victor claims His trophies.
Key Verse: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen."
- 2 Corinthians 13:14 KJV
Though every child in the family of heaven has real fellowship with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ; yet there are happy times and pleasant moments, when a divine fellowship is carried on between the soul and God. A carnal world ridicules the idea; and no wonder, for the "natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God, because they are foolishness to him."
Key Verse: "And it came to pass,
that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will
follow thee whithersoever thou goest."
- Luke 9:57 KJV
The call to discipleship is on Christ’s terms, not ours. The cost of discipleship is determined by the Lord, and not by the servant. In our desperate attempt to play the numbers game in today’s churches we invite people to come and join without any regard to the cost of discipleship. Jesus Christ is Lord; He is the only Lord.
Key Verse: "And he said unto me, It is
done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto
him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely."
- Revelation 21:6 KJV
The grace that is in Christ Jesus must, from its very nature, be unpurchasable. It implies absolute poverty in the creature, and infinite affluence in God. Could it, by any possibility, be purchased, it would cease to be what it now is, the "grace of God." Because it is so great, so rich, and infinite, God has made it as free as the sun, the light, and the air.
Key Verse: "And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac dwelt by the well Lahairoi."
- Genesis 25:11 KJV
Hagar had once found deliverance there and Ishmael had
drank from the water so graciously revealed by the God who lives and sees
the sons of men; but this was a merely casual visit, such as worldlings pay
to the Lord in times of need, when it serves their turn. They cry to Him in
trouble—but forsake Him in prosperity. Isaac dwelt there, and
made the well of the living and all-seeing God, his constant source of
supply.
Bible Reading: John 17:1-8 KJV Key Verse: " And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Chr...
