July 2^nd 2023

9:30 am ------------------------------------------- Hail, Fire & Locusts – Exodus 9&10

10:00 am ---------------------------- The Garments & Robe of Christ – John 19:23-24

Wednesday: 7:00 pm ------------------ The Care of Christ for His Own – John 19:25-27

Tie The Scarlet Line – H.T.M.

In most circles it is unfashionable to believe in the old gospel of substitution and atonement. “Modern culture” and intellectualism have altered the Bible and religion until there is no real sin-offering and sacrifice left. The blood of his cross and the obedience of his life are only examples now, and not a propitiation, payment, nor imputed righteousness. As for me, I tie the scarlet line in my window; I put the blood on my door; I stand amazed as my great High Priest enters within the veil with his own blood to make atonement for my soul. In the midst of a thousand “new gospels” that aren’t worth the breath it takes to preach them, I hold in my heart and soul to the gospel of God concerning his Son, who was wounded for my transgressions, bruised for my iniquities, and by whose stripes I am healed. Like Rahab of old, tie the scarlet line in your window. If no one else sees it, God will! If no one else is pleased—God is!

“Ere since by faith, I saw the stream

Thy flowing wounds supply,

Redeeming love has been my theme,

And shall be ‘til I die.”

“Thy Word Is A Lamp Unto My Feet, And A Light Unto My Path." -- Psalm 119:105

O what a change takes place in the soul's feelings toward the word of God when God is pleased to quicken it into divine life! Nor, indeed, need we wonder why there is such a marked revolution in our feelings toward it; for it is by the power of God's word upon the heart that this wondrous change is effected. "Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth" (James 1:18). Other books may instruct or amuse; they may feed the intellect, charm the imagination, and cultivate the mind. But what more can they do? I do not mean by this to despise or set aside every other book but the Bible, for without books society itself, as at present constituted, could not exist; and to burn every book would be to throw us back into the barbarism of the Middle Ages. Let, then, books have their place as regards this life; but what can they do for us as regards the life to come? What can our renowned authors, our choice classics, our learned historians, our great dramatists, or our eloquent poets do for the soul in seasons of affliction and distress? How powerless all human writings are in these circumstances. Is it not as Joseph Hart well says . . .

"What balm could wretches ever find

In wit, to heal affliction?

Or who can cure a troubled mind

With all the pomp of diction?"