Est.

"Believe me, you cannot stand still in your souls. Habits of good or evil are daily strengthening in your hearts. Every day you are either getting nearer to God, or further off. Every year that you continue unrepentant, the wall of division between you and heaven becomes higher and thicker, and the gulf to be crossed deeper and broader. Oh, dread the hardening effect of constant lingering in sin! " From J. C. Ryle's "Thoughts for young men". (In which authority do you trust? Man's opinion or God's Word?)

 I heard most of this story earlier today and thought it was powerful so wanted to share.  God is willing to forgive, cleanse and save all who call to Him in truth, recognising their need of Him. CHRIST SAVES. D. L. Moody in Prison.  I have good news to tell you--Christ is come after you. I was at the Fulton-street prayer-meeting, a good many years ago, one Saturday night, and when the meeting was over, a man came to me and said, "I would like to have you go down to the city prison to-morrow, and preach to the prisoners. I said I would be very glad to go. There was no chapel in connection with that prison, and I was to preach to them in their cells. I had to stand at a little iron railing and talk down a great, long narrow passageway, to some three or four hundred of them, I suppose, all out of sight. It was pretty difficult work; I never preached to the bare walls before. When it was over I thought I would like to see to whom I had been preaching, and how they had receiv...

 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CHJUtUewPMo

 Abundant mercy, praise His Name, For His gift we don't deserve. Glorious salvation, through His blood. God has been so good to us! Obey His statutes, keep His Word, In your life, He'll be glorified. Choose to walk His way, He will give you strength,  Rejoice in Him all your days.  Beloved, accepted, child of God, By His Grace, He has set you free So be diligent to be found in peace By the Lord Who reigns over all. Reserved in Heaven, kept for us; An inheritance undefiled. He has granted us this living hope. Blessed be our Heavenly King!

 "Heaven is a wonderful place Filled with Glory and Grace I want to see my Saviour's face Heaven is a wonderful place." (written by Debby Kerner & Ernie Rettino)  I remember hearing this chorus as a child and singing along.  I think it means more to me now than it did then.  I'm also looking forward to seeing again the faces of the dear saints I knew and loved who are already experiencing the joy of seeing the Lord Jesus Christ face to face.  As I looked through many references about Heaven, I was encouraged.  He is the One who keeps us and has reserved a place for us.  (I had only heard this partially quoted previously; I'm glad I found the fuller version as I find it encouraging and hope you do too.)  There are many things we don't know, but we do know that Heaven is wonderful. How could it not be when we remember Who created it? His Name is Wonderful so everything He does must also be wonderful! (even though it might not always feel like th...

I came across part of this lovely old hymn in a book I'm re-reading.  I don't recall noticing it very much last time. I'm very glad I looked it up this time.  (Most versions I found had been altered and only 3 verses.) Have you come across it before?  I hope you are also encouraged by it.   

  When I read this verse, it challenged me.  Do I actually wait on Him continually? Waiting implies that sometimes I will have to be patient. Do I struggle to submit to the Lord patiently?  Am I listening moment by moment for His voice? Or do I too often allow other voices to crowd my mind so hearing His voice is more difficult?  I found the first phrase encouraging.  It is only by His help that I can do anything! If I try to do things without His help, I will fail, but when He directs, He also gives the wherewithal to accomplish the task. What a great blessing it is to have His promises and to know He is holding us every step of the way. Nothing escapes His notice. He sees and knows what is around each corner. If we will simply trust Him and wait on Him continually, He will guide us safely home, no matter what unexpected hills or valleys we may have to traverse. He is so gracious and merciful and His way really is the best way. These words of an old chorus came...

 Keep thine eye simply on Him; let His death, His sufferings, His merits, His glories, His intercession, be fresh upon thy mind; when thou wakest in the morning look to Him; when thou liest down at night look to Him. Oh! let not thy hopes or fears come between thee and Jesus; follow hard after Him, and He will never fail thee. Charles  Spurgeon I thought these were rather good encouraging reminders.  How blessed we are who accept the Lord's wonderful offer of grace and mercy! How much He loves those He bought with His own blood!