Everlasting Love of Christ

On one of his seven trips from Britain to America, George Whitefield was battling depression and feelings of failure and was stabilized finally only with meditation on God's love in Jesus Christ:

 Nothing could possibly support my soul under the many agonies which oppressed me when on board, but a consideration of the freeness, eternity and unchangeableness of God's love to me.

I need not fear the sight of sin when I have a perfect, everlasting righteousness wrought out for me by . . . Jesus Christ. The riches of His free grace cause me daily to triumph over all the temptations of the wicked one. . . .

 May he enlighten me more and more to know and feel the mystery of his electing, soul-transforming love. Nothing like that, to support us under present and all the various future trials. . . . But the Lord has apprehended us and will not let us go. Men and devils may do their worst; our Jesus will allow nothing to pluck us out of His Almighty hands.

--quoted in Arnold Dallimore, George Whitefield: The Life and Times of the Great EVangelist of the 18th Century Revival (2 vols; Banner of Truth, 1970, 1980), 1:407

HT: Thoughts On The Way 

Paul Tripp Quotes

I've been extremely encouraged by many of Paul Tripp's tweets, so I thought I would make a blog post about them.  Enjoy chewing on these!


Faith in God is more than believing the right things. It's living the right way because you believe the right things.


Love is more than being nice to people. It's loving God above all else so that you love people as he commands you to.


When you're defensive when a wrong is pointed out you are preaching to yourself an self-righteous anti-gospel that devalues the cross.


Tear up your wish list and throw it away, what God has planned for you is better than anything you've dreamed for yourself.


The sin of unbelief will always cause you to load onto your shoulders things that only God is able to do.


If the righteousness of Christ allows me stand before a holy God utterly unafraid, why would I be haunted by what you think of me?


Temptation is always a lie. It always offers what it cannot deliver. It promises life, but delivers death.


The opening of your eyes to see yourself with accuracy is one of the long-term projects of transforming grace.


You'll never find deep fulfillment of heart on the far side of rebellion. True rest of heart is always found in submission to the Savior.


Grace doesn't free you from the need to obey, grace frees so you are willing and able to obey.


The transformative power of grace will be one of the divine wonders that we will celebrate forever when eternity is our final home.


There's not a more God-honoring way to celebrate grace than to give yourself to live a joyfully obedient life.

Great Sermon

This was a very edifying sermon. Well worth your time.

Great Books

I’ve wanted to compile a list of the most important books I’ve read that have profoundly impacted my walk with Christ. This list is by no means exhaustive, but I don’t believe this list will change too much over the years. I do plan to update this every once in awhile.

1.  ESV Bible 

The Bible is and will simply be the best book ever. The dusts of the hills of this book are gold. I love the ESV translation. (Thanks to my brother in Christ, Luke Gorsett, for helping me switch from KJV to ESV a couple years ago.)

2.  Fountain of Life by John Flavel (Volume 1 of works)

These are outstanding sermons from Flavel; the way he talks about Jesus Christ is astounding.

3. Holiness by J.C. Ryle

This is a Christian classic that deserves more reads from modern Christians. I doubt a better book will be written on the topic of sanctification than this one by Ryle. Truly a blessing from God. Happy is the person who reads and lives this book out, as the bishop would say.

4. Studies in the Sermon on the Mount by Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones

No book has taught me the glorious yet challenging way of the Christian life like this one.

5. Overcoming Sin and Temptation by John Owen (Edited by Kelly Kapic and Justin Taylor) I doubt there is a better or ever will be a better book on overcoming sin and temptation. Owen was a great gift to the church.

6. The Precious Things of God by Octavius Winslow

This book is experimental religion as its best, an absolutely wonderful joyful read.

7. Knowing God by J.I. Packer

This book covers a lot of material about God, every Christian should read. Will be encouraged and convicted.

8. The Sovereignty of God by A.W. Pink

This was one of the main books that first introduced me to the doctrines of grace. This was one of my first reads as a young Christian. I thank God tremendously for this book.

9. The Doctrine of Repentance by Thomas Watson

I learned much about the evil of sin in this book. This book has helped me a great deal.

10. Thoughts For Young Men by J.C. Ryle

Every Christian young man should read this book.

11. The Godly Man’s Picture by Thomas Watson

Godliness with contentment is great gain. Watson did a great job exhorting me to pursue godliness and explaining what are the marks of the godly.

12. The Complete works of E.M. Bounds on Prayer

This book has really helped me to see how important prayer is to walk with Christ.

13. Desiring God by John Piper

Modern classic which has helped me to pursue God with joy.

14. Morning and Evening Devotional by C.H. Spurgeon

This is my favorite devotional to read. Spurgeon can take one verse and do wonders to comfort our souls.

15. Christless Christianity by Michael Horton

This book has helped me to see the many problems of 21^st century evangelicalism. It should be read by everyone who loves Christ and cares about his truth.

What do you think of my list? What books have been most impactful in your Christian pilgrimage thus far? I am blessed and humbled that God has brought these books into my life.

Study God in the cross of Jesus!

Oh, do not study God in the jeweled heavens- in the sublimity of the mountain- in the beauty of the valley- in the grandeur of the ocean- in the murmurs of the stream- in the music of the winds. God made all this, but all this is not God. Study Him in the cross of Jesus! Look at Him through this wondrous telescope, and although, as through a glass darkly, you behold His glory- the Godhead in awful eclipse, the Sun of His Deity setting in blood- yet that rude and crimsoned cross more fully reveals the mind of God, more harmoniously discloses the perfections of God, and more perfectly unveils the heart of God, and more fully exhibits the glory of God, than the combined power of ten thousand worlds like this, even though sin had never marred, and the curse had never blighted it. 


Study God in Christ, and Christ on the cross! Oh, the marvels that meet in it- the glory that gathers round it- the streams of blessing that flow from it- the deep refreshing shadow it casts, in the happy experience of all who look to Jesus and live- who look to Jesus and love- who look to Jesus and obey-who look to Jesus and embrace that blessed "hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before the world began."


-Octavius Winslow from The Precious Things of God

The Deep Deep Love of Jesus

Sovereign Grace Music


Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus
Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free
Rolling as a mighty ocean
In its fullness over me
Underneath me, all around me
Is the current of Your love
Leading onward, leading homeward
To Your glorious rest above

Oh the deep, deep love
All I need and trust
Is the deep, deep love of Jesus

Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus
Spread His praise from shore to shore
How He came to pay our ransom
Through the saving cross He bore
How He watches o’er His loved ones
Those He died to make His own
How for them He’s interceding
Pleading now before the throne

Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus
Far surpassing all the rest
It’s an ocean full of blessing 
In the midst of every test
Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus
Mighty Savior, precious Friend
You will bring us home to glory
Where Your love will never end

He is Just the Christ I Need!

The believer, too, beholds a suitability in Christ, sees Him to be just the Savior adapted to the necessities of his soul; and this renders Him peculiarly precious.

“I see Him,” exclaims the believer, “to be exactly the Christ I need- His fulness meets my emptiness- His blood cleanses my guilt- His grace subdues my sin- His patience bears with my infirmities- His gentleness succours my weakness- His love quickens my obedience- His sympathy soothes my sorrows- His beauty charms my eye.

He is just the Savior, just the Christ I need, and no words can describe His preciousness to my soul!”

–Octavius Winslow

HT: Erik Raymond