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Wisdom from the Proverbs:

My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

Proverbs 3:1-4

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Gems from Robert Murray McCheyne

1) How many millions of dazzling pearls and gems are at this moment hid in the deep recesses of the ocean caves. Just so, unfathomable oceans of grace are in Christ for you. Dive and dive again — you will never come to the bottom of these depths!

2) One gem from the ocean of Christ's preciousness, is worth all the pebbles from earthly streams.

3) Learn much of the Lord Jesus. For every look at yourself — take ten looks at Christ. He is altogether lovely. Live much in the smiles of God. Bask in his beams. Feel his all-seeing eye settled on you in love — and repose in his almighty arms.

4) God has an infinite sense of justice. When He sees the blood of His Son sprinkled on any soul, He sees that justice has had its full satisfaction in that soul—that that man's sins have been more fully punished than if he had borne them himself eternally!

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Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. He was the disclosure to man of what God is, so man was left without an excuse. Christ came and showed God to man, and man hated God with a perfect hatred. The fullest exhibition of Divine love was answered by the fullest exhibition of human hatred….THE CROSS!

Scott Richardson

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Blessed Bible Truth of Election

Who chose whom? When was this choice made? Why did God choose us? How did God choose us? Does the Bible teach election? These are easy questions to answer. The word "elect" or "election" is found 23 times in the New Testament alone. You cannot be honest with the Word of God and deny the Bible teaches it. Now, let’s consider the bigger question. What does election mean? The word "elect" means "to choose out, to pick, to select" I have heard people say, "Election is hard to understand." I don't believe that! It may be hard to receive, but it is not hard to understand. Paul defines this truth quite simply in the first chapter of Ephesians...."According as he hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world.” God literally chose who would be saved before time began (Romans 9:ll, II Thess. 2:13, II Tim. 1:9).

Ephesians Chapter 1 answers four questions about election:

1. WHO chose whom? It says "He hath chosen us" If you are a believer, it is not because you chose God, but because He chose you. Did not the Lord say in John 15:16 "For ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you."

2. WHEN was this choice Made? Many try to sidestep the truth of election by saying God chose us when we chose Him. But Eph. 1:4 says, “He hath chosen us before the foundation of the world.” The Biblical doctrine of election clearly states that God's choice preceded ours. He made the choice "before the foundation of the world."

3. WHY did God choose us? Again many say that He chose us because He foresaw we would believe. God choose us simply because He willed to, not because of any foreseen faith or good works in us Romans 9:11 says. "For the children, being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil that the purpose of God according to election might stand."

4. HOW did God choose us? In Christ. Election is God's sovereign choice of His people in Christ. He chose them in His Son before the foundation of the world to be saved. Election is in Christ and cannot be understood apart from Him. The elect were not chosen arbitrarily but "in the Beloved” (Eph. I: 6). They were redeemed by Him and they all come to Him... "All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37).