r L n -- really LOVE now! : 2025

Saturday, March 1, 2025

'SALVATION IS Of GOD' -- Commentary by C.H. Spurgeon

"SALVATION IS the Work of GOD. It is HE alone Who QUICKENS (makes spiritually ALIVE) the Soul 'DEAD in Trespasses and SINs' (Ephesians 2:1), and it is HE also Who maintains the Soul in its SPIRITual LIFE. HE IS both 'ALPHA and OMEGA' (Revelation 1:8, 21:6, 22:13).

"'SALVATION IS Of The LORD' (Jonah 2:9). IF i am prayerful, GOD makes me prayerful; IF i have GRACEs, they are GOD's Gifts to me; IF i hold on in a consistent Life, it is because HE upholds me with HIS Hand. i do NOthing whatever towards my own preservation, EXCEPT what GOD Himself first does IN me.

"WHATever i have, ALL my goodness IS Of The LORD alone. Wherein i SIN, that is my OWN -- BUT wherein i act rightly, that IS Of GOD, wholly and completely. IF i have repulsed a spiritual enemy, The LORD's Strength nerved my arm. Do i live before men a consecrated LIFE? It is NOT i -- BUT CHRIST Who lives IN me (see Galatians 2:20).

"Am i SANCTIFIED? i did NOT cleanse myself: GOD's Holy SPIRIT sanctifies me. Am i weaned from the World? i am weaned by GOD's Chastisements -- SANCTIFIED to my GOOD. Do i GROW in Knowledge? The Great INSTRUCTOR teaches me.

"i find IN GOD ALL that i want -- BUT i find IN mySELF NOthing but SIN and Misery. 'HE only is my ROCK and my SALVATION' (Psalm 62:2). Do i feed on the Word? THAT Word would be NO food for me unless The LORD made it food for my Soul, and helped me to feed upon it. Do i live on the Manna which comes down from Heaven? WHAT IS that Manna but CHRIST JESUS Himself INCARNATE, Whose BODY and Whose BLOOD i eat and drink? (see John 6:53-58)

"Am i continually receiving fresh INCREASE of Strength? WHERE do i gather my MIGHT? My HELP comes from HEAVEN's Hills (see Psalm 121:1-2): without JESUS -- i can do NOthing. AS a branch cannot bring forth Fruit except it abide in The VINE, no more can i -- EXCEPT i abide IN Him (see John 15:5)."

(The above commentary is from C.H. Spurgeon's "Morning and Evening" -- 2/26/a.m.)

WHAT Jonah learned in the Great Deep, LET me learn also and NEVER forget: ALL of SALVATION IS OF The LORD -- The ONE TRUE Living TRIune Sovereign Creator-GOD. By the GRACE of GOD alone, through FAITH alone, IN JESUS CHRIST alone -- i have been quickened-ALIVE by The Holy SPIRIT, made an EVERlasting Citizen of GOD's Heavenly KINGDOM of GLORY, and a beloved Member of GOD's Eternal FAMILY. HalleluYAH! \o/

Thursday, February 13, 2025

The SPIRITual Outlook

HOW may a person KNOW whether The Holy SPIRIT is leading the Born-Again CHRISTian? Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones supplies RELEVANT Guidance on this VITAL question. He says The Holy SPIRIT Who INdwells the BLOOD-Bought Believer LEADS him or her to a total NEW Outlook on Life -- a SPIRITual Outlook.

WHAT is this NEW SPIRITual Outlook? It is that SPIRITual people, the Twice-Born of GOD, enjoy SPIRITual things and Fellowship with other CHRISTians. These who are LED by The SPIRIT desire to live for GOD's GLORY -- for this is the CHIEF end of man.

IF you have a SPIRITual Outlook, you'll have a deepening DESIRE for greater KNOWledge of GOD and CHRIST. This is actualized by reading the HOLY Scriptures, Prayer and longing for Holiness. You'll have a deepening concern over your lack of LOVE for GOD. The Holy SPIRIT leads you to this concern. You'll have an INcreasing awareness of your SINs. The SPIRIT withIN illuminates SIN in your life. Then your REaction to SIN is one of GRIEF over offending GOD's LOVE -- not just breaking rules. You'll experience personal "godly sorrow."

Having a SPIRITual Outlook, we'll experience an INcreasing SENSITIVITY to SIN and TEMPTATION. We'll become MORE watchful. We'll desire and long for more actual RIGHTEOUSness and HOLINESS withIN. We'll hunger and thirst for them. We'll take action to MORTIFY the deeds of the body. We'll AVOID SINful influences and provision for SIN.

Dr Lloyd-Jones encourages Believers to honestly examine their FAITH: whether they are truly SPIRITually ALIVE, with the NEW Life IN CHRIST -- or whether STILL spiritually DEAD, with the OLD Life ruled by SIN, SELF, Satan and his World System. Do you, as a professing CHRISTian, desire first and foremost GOD’s GLORY?

Do you LOVE the Redeemed of GOD? Do you HATE SIN? Do you actively mortify the deeds of your own Flesh? For the REgenerated Children of GOD -- the INdwelling Holy SPIRIT always LEADS to personal Holiness for the GLORY of The FATHER and The LORD JESUS CHRIST.

May GOD use this sermon on Romans 8:14 by Dr Lloyd-Jones, to provide you with the sweet EVERlasting JOY of ASSURANCE of your Salvation -- ETERNAL Life IS by the GRACE of GOD alone, through FAITH alone, IN CHRIST alone. May The SPIRIT withIN conform us INto more and More and MORE CHRISTlikeness as HE acts upon our Mind, Heart and Will. AMEN!

The SPIRIT and the Bride say -- MARANATHA... "COME, LORD JESUS!" (Revelation 22:17) HalleluYAH! \o/

(This blog was created from my notes from Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones' sermon on Romans 8:14, description and breakdown)

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

To LIVE IS CHRIST!

"This Believer did NOT always LIVE to CHRIST. She began to do so when GOD The Holy SPIRIT convinced her of SIN and, when by GRACE, she was brought to SEE the dying SAVIOR making a PROPITIATION for her guilt. From the moment of the NEW and Celestial REbirth, she began to LIVE to CHRIST.

"JESUS IS to this Believer -- THE One PEARL of Great Price, for Whom she is made SPIRITually willing to part with ALL that she has. CHRIST JESUS has SO completely won her LOVE, that it beats alone for HIM. To CHRIST's GLORY, she would LIVE -- and in defense of HIS Gospel, she would DIE. Her Beloved LORD JESUS IS The PATTERN of her NEW Life, and The MODEL after which she would sculpture her REgenerated Character by the SUPERnatural Holy SPIRIT withIN.

"The AIM and END of this Believer's Life IS CHRIST — nay, her very Life itself IS JESUS. In the words of an ancient saint -- she eats, drinks, and sleeps GOD's Eternal, Divine LIFE. Her Beloved JESUS IS her very Breath, The SOUL of her very Soul, The HEART of her very Heart, The LIFE of her very Life.

"CAN this Believer say, AS a professing CHRISTian, that she LIVEs up to this idea? CAN she honestly say -- 'for me to LIVE IS CHRIST'? Is she living her daily Life-101 FOR CHRIST? Is it not done for SELF-aggrandisement and for family advantage? Does she ask, "Is that a mean reason, a SELFish motive?" For this CHRISTian it is. She professes to LIVE for CHRIST -- how can she LIVE for ANOTHER Object without committing a spiritual ADULTERY?

"YET, for this 2X-Born Believer, CHRIST JESUS alone IS her TRUE LIFE. The LORDGODSPIRIT IS her LIFE-Source, her LIFE-Sustenance, her LIFE-Design, her LIFE-End, ALL gathered up in ONE altogether Lovely WORD — CHRIST JESUS! HalleluYAH!

"FatherGOD -- Thank YOU for accepting me just as i am -- Through CHRIST JESUS, The Sacrificial LAMB. Thank YOU for making me Your beloved daughter -- IN CHRIST, The LION of Judah, THE Risen LORD. Thank YOU for making me a citizen of Your heavenly Kingdom of GL0RY -- through Your SON CHRIST JESUS, The KING of GLORY.

"LORDGODSPIRIT -- i here present myself to YOU today (1/7/25), praying that by the emPOWERing, SUPERnatural Work of The Holy SPIRIT withIN -- LIVE ONLY IN YOU and TO YOU. LET me be as YOU Will -- to WORK for Your GLORY or to be SACRIFICED for Your GLORY. LET my Life-Motto be: READY FOR EITHER."

(CH Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, 1/7/a.m. -- personalized)

my Prayer For You

When i think of the wisdom and scope of GOD's plan, i fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. i pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will give you mighty inner strength through His Holy SPIRIT. i pray that CHRIST will be more and more at home in your heart as you trust in Him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of GOD's marvelous love.

And may you have the power to understand, as all GOD's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love really is. May you experience the love of CHRIST, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from GOD.

Now to Him Who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by CHRIST JESUS to all generations, forever and ever. AMEN!

(Ephesians 3:14-21)

The Great I AM

I AM the Bread of life. He who comes to Me will never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.
(John 6:35)

I AM the Light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the Light of life.
(John 8:12)

I AM the Door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I AM the Door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
(John 10:7, 9)

I AM the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep. I AM the Good Shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.
(John 10:11, 14)

I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. I AM the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
(John 15:1, 5)

I AM the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
(John 11:25)

I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
(John 14:6)

Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" JESUS answered, You say rightly that I AM a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the Truth hears My voice.
(John 18:37)

LOVE is...

Though i speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, i have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.

And though i have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though i have all faith, so that i could remove mountains, but have not love, i am nothing.

And though i bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though i give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;

does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;

does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;

bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

For we know in part and we prophesy in part.

But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

When i was a child, i spoke as a child, i understood as a child, i thought as a child; but when i became a man, i put away childish things.

For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now i know in part, but then i shall know just as i also am known.

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

(I Corinthians 13)

Rejoice!

Rejoice in the LORD always. i will say it again: Rejoice!

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The LORD is near.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to GOD. And the peace of GOD, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your mind in CHRIST JESUS.

Finally, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.

(Philippians 4:4-8)

How Great Thou Art!

O LORD, my GOD! When i in awesome wonder consider all the works thy hands have made.
i see the stars, i hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, my Savior GOD to Thee: how great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior GOD to Thee: how great Thou art! How great Thou art!

And when i think that GOD, His Son not sparing, sent Him to die, i scarce can take it in;
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul, my Savior GOD to Thee: how great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior GOD to Thee: how great Thou art! How great Thou art!

When CHRIST shall come with shout of acclamation and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then i shall bow in humble adoration and there proclaim, my GOD, how great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Savior GOD to Thee: how great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior GOD to Thee: how great Thou art! How great Thou art!

Amazing Grace

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! i once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now i see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; how precious did that grace appear the hour i first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares, i have already come; 'tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.

The LORD has promised good to me, His word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be, as long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease, i shall possess, within the veil, a life of joy and peace.

The world shall soon dissolve like snow, the sun refuse to shine; but GOD, who called me here below, shall be forever mine.

When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun; we've no less days to sing GOD's praise than when we'd first begun.

The Holy BIBLE -- The Word of GOD

The BIBLE contains the mind of GOD, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.

It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the CHRISTian's charter. Here is Paradise restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.

CHRIST is its grand subject, our good the design, and the glory of GOD its end.

It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.

(Foreword from The Gideons International)