Day: December 16, 2011

No Other Gods

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Vance Havner 90x115by Vance Havner

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3

Our Lord made it clear that all other loves must be as hate compared to our love for Him (see Luke 14:26). This does not mean we love dear ones less, but that we love Him more. We must not water down this word until it loses its meaning. A departed dear one can become an idol at whose shrine we worship-so can our work, our reputation, our pleasures, some human friendship, our possessions. We must live as though these did not exist, so far as our supreme love and loyalty are concerned. When anything else eclipses our devotion to Jesus Christ, it must go and sometimes God takes it. He will not share the throne room of our hearts with anyone or anything else. But when He is first and last, all other legitimate and proper interests and affections find their places. But they must never hold the status of gods or idols.

by Vance Havner

It Is The Same Hand!

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J.C. Ryle 90x115by J.C. Ryle

Are you a distressed believer? Is your heart . . . pressed down with sickness, tried with disappointments, overburdened with cares?

To you I say, "Behold the cross of Christ!" Think whose hand it is that chastens you; think whose hand is measuring to you the ‘cup of bitterness’ which you are now drinking. It is the hand of Him who was crucified! It is the same hand which, in love to your soul, was nailed to the accursed tree! Surely that thought should comfort and hearten you. Surely you should say to yourself, "My crucified Savior will never lay upon me anything that is not for my good. There is a needs be. It must be well."

by J.C. Ryle 

HT Grace Gems