He that would be saved by Christ, and not ruled by him, shall not be saved by him at all. —John Owen #faith #bible #christian

Spurgeon's Faith's Checkbook (December 11th) Trust and Do; Do and Trust Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed — Psalm 37:3 Trust and do are words which go well together, in the order in which the Holy Spirit has placed them. We should have faith, and that faith should work. Trust in God sets us upon holy doing: we trust God for good, and then we do good. We do not sit still because we trust, but we arouse ourselves, and expect the Lord to work through us and by us. It is not ours to worry and do evil, but to trust and do good. We neither trust without doing, nor do without trusting. Adversaries would root us out, if they could; but by trusting and doing we dwell in the land. We will not go into Egypt, but we will remain in Immanuel's land - the providence of God, the Canaan of covenant love. We are not so easily to be got rid of as the Lord's enemies suppose. They cannot thrust us out, nor stamp us out: where God has given us a name and a place, there we abide. But what about the supply of our necessities? The Lord has put a "verily" into this promise. As sure as God is true, His people shall be fed. It is theirs to trust and to do, and it is the Lord's to do according to their trust. If not fed by ravens, or fed by an Obadiah, or fed by a widow, yet they shall be fed somehow. Away, ye fears! #faith #bible #christian

“Faith is often diversified by doubt, but a man should not desert the conviction of his better moments because the dark moments come.” ~Machen #faith #bible #christian

"Christ upholds God’s Law. And this includes his upholding one of the laws most commonly misunderstood and employed today. This law is often used in arguing against the continuing relevance of God’s Law in the civil sphere. He upholds the law calling for capital punishment for incorrigible criminality. Even the parents of a dangerous individual are expected to turn him over to civil authorities for capital punishment."

Postmillennial Worldview

CHRIST AND THE REBELLIOUS SON LAW

PMW 2023-094 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr. Christ upholds God’s Law. And this includes his upholding one of the laws most commonly misunderstood and ...

#faith #bible #christian

Spurgeon's Faith's Checkbook (December 10th) God Is Our Ally But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries — Exodus 23:22 The Lord Christ in the midst of His people is to be acknowledged and obeyed. He is the vicegerent of God, and speaks in the Father's name, and it is ours implicitly and immediately to do as He commands. We shall lose the promise if we disregard the precept. To full obedience how large the blessing! The Lord enters into a league with His people, offensive and defensive. He will bless those who bless us, and curse those who curse us. God will go heart and soul with His people, and enter in deepest sympathy into their position. What a protection this affords us! We need not concern ourselves about our adversaries, when we are assured that they have become the adversaries of God. If Jehovah has taken up our quarrel we may leave the foemen in His hands. So far as our own interest is concerned we have no enemies; but for the cause of truth and righteousness we take up arms and go forth to conflict. In this sacred war we are allied with the eternal God, and if we carefully obey the law of our Lord Jesus, He is engaged to put forth all His power on our behalf. Wherefore we fear no man. #faith #bible #christian

There is no such thing as being too great a sinner to be saved. —Martyn Lloyd-Jones #faith #bible #christian

Leave out the cross and you have killed the religion of Jesus. Atonement by the blood of Jesus is not an arm of Christian truth; it is the heart of it. Charles Spurgeon #Faith #bible #christian

Spurgeon's Faith's Checkbook (December 8th) Following Leads to Honor If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor — John 12:26 The highest service is imitation. If I would be Christ's servant I must be His follower. To do as Jesus did is the surest way of bringing honor to His name. Let me mind this every day. If I imitate Jesus I shall have His company: if I am like Him I shall be with Him. In due time He will take me up to dwell with Him above, if, meanwhile, I have striven to follow Him here below. After His suffering our Lord came to His throne, and even so, after we have suffered a while with Him here below, we also shall arrive in glory. The issue of our Lord's life shall be the issue of ours: if we are with Him in His humiliation we shall be with Him in His glory. Come, my soul, pluck up courage, and put down thy feet in the blood-marked footprints which thy Lord has left thee. Let me not fail to note that the Father will honor those who follow His Son. If He sees me true to Jesus He will put marks of favor and honor upon me for His Son's sake. No honor can be like this. Princes and emperors bestow the mere shadows of honor; the substance of glory comes from the Father. Wherefore, my soul, cling thou to thy Lord Jesus more closely than ever. #faith #bible #christian

Spurgeon's Faith's Checkbook (December 7th) Gift of Strength; Peace to Bless The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace — Psalm 29:11 David had just heard the voice of the Lord in a thunderstorm, and had seen His power in the hurricane whose path he had described; and now, in the cool calm after the storm, that overwhelming power by which Heaven and earth are shaken is promised to be the strength of the chosen. He who wings the unerring bolt will give to His redeemed the wings of eagles; He who shakes the earth with His voice will terrify the enemies of His saints, and give His children peace. Why are we weak when we have divine strength to flee to? Why are we troubled when the Lord's own peace is ours? Jesus, the mighty God, is our strength; let us put Him on and go forth to our service. Jesus, our blessed Lord, is also our peace; let us repose in Him this day, and end our fears. What a blessing to have Him for our strength and peace both now and for ever! That same God who rides upon the storm in days of tempest will also rule the hurricane of our tribulation, and send us, before long, days of peace. We shall have strength for storms, and songs for fair weather. Let us begin to sing at once unto God our strength and our peace. Away, dark thoughts! Up, faith and hope! #faith #bible #christian

Spurgeon's Faith's Checkbook (December 6th) "Through" Not Engulfed When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee — Isaiah 43:2 Bridge there is none: we must go through the waters, and feel the rush of the rivers. The presence of God in the flood is better than a ferry-boat. Tried we must be, but triumphant we shall be; for Jehovah Himself, who is mightier than many waters, shall be with us. Whenever else He may be away from His people, the Lord will surely be with them in difficulties and dangers. The sorrows of life may rise to an extraordinary height, but the Lord is equal to every occasion. The enemies of God can put in our way dangers of their own making, namely, persecutions and cruel mockings, which are like a burning fiery furnace. What then? We shall walk through the fires. God being with us, we shall not be burned; nay, not even the smell of fire shall remain upon us. Oh, the wonderful security of the heaven-born and heaven-bound pilgrim! Floods cannot drown him, nor fires burn him. Thy presence, O Lord, is the protection of thy saints from the varied perils of the road. Behold, in faith I commit myself unto thee, and my spirit enters into rest. #faith #bible #christian

“The great thing about salvation is that we’ve been restored to know God in His glory and remember that we are but nothing in His sight and we exist to serve Him.” Greg Bahnsen #faith #bible #christian

Spurgeon's Faith's Checkbook (December 5th) High Places of Defense He shall dwell on high: his place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure — Isaiah 33:16 The man to whom God has given grace to be of blameless life dwells in perfect security. He dwells on high, above the world, out of gunshot of the enemy, and near to Heaven. He has high aims and motives, and he finds high comforts and company. He rejoices in the mountains of eternal love, wherein he has his abode. He is defended by munitions of stupendous rock. The firmest things in the universe are the promises and purposes of the unchanging God, and these are the safeguard of the obedient believer. He is provided for by this great promise, "Bread shall be given him." As the enemy cannot climb the fort, nor break down the rampart, so the fortress cannot be captured by siege and famine. The Lord, who rained manna in the wilderness, will keep His people in good store even when they are surrounded by those who would starve them. But what if water should fail? That cannot be, "his waters shall be sure." There is a never-failing well within the impregnable fortress. The Lord sees that nothing is wanting. None can touch the citizen of the true Zion. However fierce the enemy, the Lord will preserve His chosen. #faith #bible #christian

Spurgeon's Faith's Checkbook (December 4th) Covered and Protected He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler — Psalm 91:4 A condescending simile indeed! Just as a hen protects her brood and allows them to nestle under her wings, so will the Lord defend His people, and permit them to hide away in Him. Have we not seen the little chicks peeping out from under the mother's feathers? Have we not heard their little cry of contented joy? In this way let us shelter ourselves in our God, and feel overflowing peace in knowing that He is guarding us. While the Lord covers us we trust. It would be strange if we did not. How can we distrust when Jehovah Himself becomes house and home, refuge and rest to us? This done, we go out to war in His name and enjoy the same guardian care. We need shield and buckler, and when we implicitly trust God, even as the chick trusts the hen, we find His truth arming us from head to foot. The Lord cannot lie; He must be faithful to His people; His promise must stand. This sure truth is all the shield we need. Behind it we defy the fiery darts of the enemy. Come, my soul, hide under those great wings, lose thyself among those soft feathers! How happy thou art! #faith #bible #christian

Oh boy. A guy I follow has bought into flat earth. Watch his video. Are you convinced? Ep. 8 The Firmament, the Flat Earth, and the Glory of God #faith #bible #christian

Surely goodness and lovingkindness will pursue me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of Yahweh forever. — Psalm 23:6

Rejoice today at the beginning of the Advent season! The promised seed of the woman, Jesus Christ, crushed the head of the serpent. He was wounded but rose from the dead on the third day. He is God with us, the Lord almighty in the flesh. And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.--Genesis 3:15 #faith #bible #christian #advent

Spurgeon's Faith's Checkbook (December 1st) True Walking Posture He that walketh uprightly walketh surely — Proverb 10:9 His walk may be slow, but it is sure. He that hasteth to be rich shall not be innocent nor sure; but steady perseverance in integrity, if it do not bring riches, will certainly bring peace. In doing that which is just and right we are like one walking upon a rock, for we have confidence that every step we take is upon solid and safe ground. On the other hand, the utmost success through questionable transactions must always be hollow and treacherous, and the man who has gained it must always be afraid that a day of reckoning will come, and then his gains will condemn him. Let us stick to truth and righteousness. By God's grace let us imitate our Lord and Master, in whose mouth no deceit was ever found. Let us not be afraid of being poor, nor of being treated with contempt. Never, on any account whatever, let us do that which our conscience cannot justify. If we lose inward peace, we lose more than a fortune can buy. If we keep in the Lord's own way, and never sin against our conscience, our way is sure against all comers. Who is he that can harm us if we be followers of that which is good? We may be thought fools by fools if we are firm in our integrity; but in the place where judgment is infallible we shall be approved. #faith #bible #christian

Spurgeon's Faith's Checkbook (November 30th) God Is in the Front Line The Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed — Deuteronomy 31:8 In the presence of a great work or a great warfare, here is a text which should help us to buckle on our harness. If Jehovah Himself goes before us, it must be safe to follow. Who can obstruct our progress if the Lord Himself is in the van? Come, brother soldiers, let us make a prompt advance! Why do we hesitate to pass on to victory? Nor is the Lord before us only; He is with us. Above, beneath, around, within is the omnipotent, omnipresent One. In all time, even to eternity, He will be with us even as He has been. How this should nerve our arm! Dash at it boldly, ye soldiers of the cross, for the Lord of hosts is with us! Being before us and with us, He will never withdraw His help. He cannot fail in Himself, and He will not fail toward us. He will continue to help us according to our need, even to the end. As He cannot fail us, so He will not forsake us. He will always be both able and willing to grant us strength and succor till fighting days are gone. Let us not fear nor be dismayed; for the Lord of hosts will go down to the battle with us, will bear the brunt of the fight, and give us the victory. #faith #bible #christian

New article in the local paper by my pastor: Same law governs king and people. "Israel wandered in the wilderness for a full generation (40 years) without a king, at the beginning of its national history. In fact, in the first giving of the law, which occurred at Mount Sinai, there was no provision given for a king in Israel at all. Moses was certainly the leader of the new nation, but his governmental function was to serve as the judge of Israel’s supreme court. The law created an appeals court system, with Moses as the court of last appeal. He was not their king. Under that arrangement, which we call the Old Covenant, God himself was the king of Israel. Again, initially there was no allowance for a human king. A generation later, the nation stood on the banks of the Jordan River, about to cross over into the land of Canaan. God directed Moses to give the law a second time. This is our Bible book of Deuteronomy. The name combines two Greek words: “deutero” (or, second) and “nomos” (law). This is not a bare repetition, but contains some expansion here and there, with some additional statutes. Halfway through, we finally get a set of rules for a future, human king over Israel. This is at the end of chapter 17. Israel would make no use of those guidelines, however, for hundreds of years, until the book of 1 Samuel. It’s noteworthy, at least, that when they took the step of seeking a king, God was not pleased. It represented a rejection of his own rulership over them. However, since he is a God of grace and mercy, he gave the king rules to follow, for the sake of keeping him from becoming the sort of tyrant we all fear, and which, paradoxically, we keep voting into office every four years. A couple of those commands were meant to remind everybody that the king was accountable to keep the same laws as everyone else. As far as the law was concerned, he didn’t occupy a privileged status. He was bound by all the same rules. Just because you’re in office, you don’t get special powers or rights. If we can’t do it as citizens, then neither can you as part of the government. I can’t coerce money from my neighbor and call it taxation. You can’t either. No one has that right. Consequently, since that power doesn’t belong to any of us, we can’t get together and give that right to someone else. It’s not ours to give. This is the point at which our democratic republic has turned idolatrous. We think we, like little gods, can appoint representatives to do our bidding, even if that bidding is flatly immoral. We don’t care: we voted for it, after all, so it’s legal, which means it must be moral. But there is no magic to putting a man in office. He doesn’t then fall under a different scheme of morality. That official will have his or her own date with judgment and eternity, like the rest of us. And the basis of the judgment will be the same: Did we obey God, or find excuses for going our own way?" Gordan Runyan is pastor of Tucumcari’s Immanuel Baptist Church and author of “Radical Moses: The Amazing Civil Freedom Built into Ancient Israel.” Contact him at: reformnm@yahoo.com https://www.qcsunonline.com/story/2023/11/29/opinion/same-law-governs-king-and-people/25363.html #faith #bible #christian

Spurgeon's Faith's Checkbook (November 29th) Know How to Wait He that believeth shall not make haste — Isaiah 28:16 He shall make haste to keep the Lord's commandments; but he shall not make haste in any impatient or improper sense. He shall not haste to run away, for he shall not be overcome with the fear which causes panic. When others are flying hither and thither as if their wits had failed them, the believer shall be quiet, calm, and deliberate, and so shall be able to act wisely in the hour of trial. He shall not haste in his expectations, craving his good things at once and on the spot; but he will wait God's time. Some are in a desperate hurry to have the bird in the hand; for they regard the Lord's promise as a bird in the bush, not likely to be theirs. Believers know how to wait. He shall not haste by plunging into wrong or questionable action. Unbelief must be doing something, and thus it works its own undoing; but faith makes no more haste than good speed, and thus it is not forced to go back sorrowfully by the way which it followed heedlessly. How is it with me? Am I believing, and am I therefore keeping to the believer's pace, which is walking with God? Peace, fluttering spirit! Oh, rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him! Heart, see that thou do this at once! #faith #bible #christian