I receive daily devotions from Grace Gems. That is a ministry that distributes devotional thoughts from the Puritans. I want to share one that I received. It is from James Smith (1802-1862). Hopefully it will encourage you as you consider and ponder the marvelous grace of God.
soli Deo gloria-
"God appeared in human nature--to save His people from their sins! He labored, and suffered, and died, the just for the unjust--to bring us to God with honor, and to Heaven with certainty. Jesus has . . .
made an infinite atonement;
completely paid His people's debt;
blotted out the handwriting that was against them;
overcome the world;
spoiled principalities and powers;
opened the way into the holiest by His blood;
procured the Holy Spirit to be the quickener, sanctifier, and teacher of His people;
and ascended to Heaven, to plead their cause--and silence their accusers!
The Holy Spirit comes in the name of Jesus, to honor His work by calling His people "out of darkness into His marvelous light."
Under His quickening--they live; by His teaching--they become wise unto salvation; through His operations--they are washed, sanctified, and justified. He makes them His temples--and fits them to be the dwelling place of the Father and the Son. He . . .
exalts Christ before them,
honors Christ in them, and
endears Christ unto them! "Unto you therefore who believe--He is precious!"
Thus the Father draws the plan of salvation, the Son executes it, and the Holy Spiritapplies it.
The Father chooses His people, the Son dies for their redemption, and the Spiritsanctifies and fits them for Heaven.
The Father gives them to His Son, the Son ransoms them at an infinite price, and the Holy Spirit claims them as personal property.
The Father employs His wisdom, the Son sheds His blood, and the Holy Spirit exerts Hispower.
The Father draws them, the Son receives them, and the Holy Spirit leads them into truth.
The work of salvation is wholly of God!
It is entirely of free and sovereign grace!
So also, our many deliverances as we travel through this 'wilderness'--are of the Lord. He delivers us . . .
from guilt,
from fear,
from Satan,
from the world, and
from the power of sin!
His eye is upon us for good, His heart beats towards us with love, and His hand is stretched out to help, relieve and befriend us!
He saves by . . .
His wisdom,
His power,
His providence,
and His graces!
For we are saved . . .
from despondency and despair--by hope;
from the world and the fiery darts of Satan--by faith;
from indifference and carnal security--by love.
"Salvation is of the Lord!" Jonah 2:9 - He is the author, worker, applier, and end of our Salvation!"
soli Deo gloria-
"God appeared in human nature--to save His people from their sins! He labored, and suffered, and died, the just for the unjust--to bring us to God with honor, and to Heaven with certainty. Jesus has . . .
made an infinite atonement;
completely paid His people's debt;
blotted out the handwriting that was against them;
overcome the world;
spoiled principalities and powers;
opened the way into the holiest by His blood;
procured the Holy Spirit to be the quickener, sanctifier, and teacher of His people;
and ascended to Heaven, to plead their cause--and silence their accusers!
The Holy Spirit comes in the name of Jesus, to honor His work by calling His people "out of darkness into His marvelous light."
Under His quickening--they live; by His teaching--they become wise unto salvation; through His operations--they are washed, sanctified, and justified. He makes them His temples--and fits them to be the dwelling place of the Father and the Son. He . . .
exalts Christ before them,
honors Christ in them, and
endears Christ unto them! "Unto you therefore who believe--He is precious!"
Thus the Father draws the plan of salvation, the Son executes it, and the Holy Spiritapplies it.
The Father chooses His people, the Son dies for their redemption, and the Spiritsanctifies and fits them for Heaven.
The Father gives them to His Son, the Son ransoms them at an infinite price, and the Holy Spirit claims them as personal property.
The Father employs His wisdom, the Son sheds His blood, and the Holy Spirit exerts Hispower.
The Father draws them, the Son receives them, and the Holy Spirit leads them into truth.
The work of salvation is wholly of God!
It is entirely of free and sovereign grace!
So also, our many deliverances as we travel through this 'wilderness'--are of the Lord. He delivers us . . .
from guilt,
from fear,
from Satan,
from the world, and
from the power of sin!
His eye is upon us for good, His heart beats towards us with love, and His hand is stretched out to help, relieve and befriend us!
He saves by . . .
His wisdom,
His power,
His providence,
and His graces!
For we are saved . . .
from despondency and despair--by hope;
from the world and the fiery darts of Satan--by faith;
from indifference and carnal security--by love.
"Salvation is of the Lord!" Jonah 2:9 - He is the author, worker, applier, and end of our Salvation!"