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)

Question: What is thy only comfort in life and death?

Answer: That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not [...]]]> The most concise (and yet complete) summary of what it means to be a Christian ever written (or at least that I’ve read): Question 1 of the Heidelberg Catechism.  I think I’ll memorize this.

Question: What is thy only comfort in life and death?

Answer: That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.

I actually pulled this book off the shelf a couple of [...]]]> Each month Christianaudio.com offers one free audio book for download.  The last couple of years I’ve gotten some great books free and this month’s offer is Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s classic The Cost of Discipleship.  The book can be found here.  The coupon code to enter is “MAR2010″.

I actually pulled this book off the shelf a couple of weeks ago with the intention of working back through it again, so I’m very happy to get the audio version free.