Jesus said it this way:

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be [...]]]> Right on…couldn’t have said it better myself:

Jesus said it this way:

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple… So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”

Thy glory o’er creation shines yet in Thy sacred word I read in fairer brighter lines my bleeding, dying Lord Oh my bleeding, dying Lord

‘Tis here whene’er my comforts droop and sin [...]]]> Thou lovely source of true delight whom I unseen adore
Unveil Thy beauties to my sight that I might love Thee more
Oh that I might love Thee more

Thy glory o’er creation shines yet in Thy sacred word
I read in fairer brighter lines my bleeding, dying Lord
Oh my bleeding, dying Lord

‘Tis here whene’er my comforts droop and sin and sorrows rise
Thy love with cheering beams of hope my fainting heart supplies
My fainting heart’s supplied

And ah too soon the pleasing scene is clouded over with pain
My gloomy fears rise dark between and I again complain
Oh and I again complain

Jesus my Lord, my life, my light, oh come with blissful ray
Break radiant through the shades of night and chase my fears away
Won’t you chase my fears away

Then shall my soul with rapture trace the wonders of Thy love
But the full glories of Thy face are only known above
They are only known above

Oh come let us adore
My bleeding dying Lord

The secret of the early Christians, the early Protestants, Puritans and Methodists was that they were taught about the love of Christ, and they became filled with a knowledge of it. Once a man has the love of Christ in his heart you need not train him to [...]]]> D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, The Unsearchable Riches of Christ, 253:

The secret of the early Christians, the early Protestants, Puritans and Methodists was that they were taught about the love of Christ, and they became filled with a knowledge of it. Once a man has the love of Christ in his heart you need not train him to witness; he will do it. He will know the power, the constraint, the motive; everything is already there. It is a plain lie to suggest that people who regard this knowledge of the love of Christ as the supreme thing are useless, unhealthy mystics. The servants of God who have most adorned the life and the history of the Christian Church have always been men who have realized that this is the most important thing of all, and they have spent hours in prayer seeking His face and enjoying His love. The man who knows the love of Christ in his heart can do more in one hour than the busy type of man can do in a century. God forbid that we should ever make of activity an end in itself. Let us realize that the motive must come first, and that the motive must ever be the love of Christ.

HT: [...]]]> Simply magnificent.

HT: Justin Taylor

I’ve seen several videos over the years with the Rev. S.M. Lockridge’s famous description of Jesus Christ.  This is one of my favorites.

The Story [...]]]> Zac Smith is dying of cancer.  In fact, unless God chooses to miraculously heal him, he probably won’t live to see 2011.  This video is the inspiring and challenging testimony of a man who knows how to live and–even more importantly–knows how to die.  I strongly encourage you to take the time to watch it.

The Story of Zac Smith from NewSpring Media on Vimeo.

HT: Phil Gons

Written by Pat Sczebel © 2003 Sovereign Grace Worship

Verse 1:

The mystery of the cross I cannot comprehend The agonies of Calvary You, the perfect Holy One, crushed your [...]]]> This song is exceedingly precious to me.  We sing it frequently at our church and I often find myself singing it to Christ during times of personal worship.

Jesus, Thank You

Written by Pat Sczebel
© 2003 Sovereign Grace Worship

Verse 1:

The mystery of the cross I cannot comprehend
The agonies of Calvary
You, the perfect Holy One, crushed your Son
Drank the bitter cup reserved for me

Chorus:

Your blood has washed away my sin
Jesus, thank you
The Father’s wrath completely satisfied
Jesus, thank you
Once your enemy, now seated at your table
Jesus, thank you

Verse 2:

By your perfect sacrifice I’ve been brought near
Your enemy you’ve made your friend
Pouring out the riches of your glorious grace
Your mercy and your kindness know no end

Bridge:

Lover of my soul, I want to live for you

“Regardless of our performance, we are always dependent on God’s grace, his undeserved favor for those who deserve his wrath.” (p. 17)

“Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace.  And your best days are never so good that [...]]]> Some quotes from Jerry Bridges’ excellent book The Discipline of Grace:

“Regardless of our performance, we are always dependent on God’s grace, his undeserved favor for those who deserve his wrath.” (p. 17)

“Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace.  And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace.” (p. 18)

“Every day of our Christian experience should be a day of relating to God on the basis of His grace alone.” (p. 18)