PRAYER

Prayer is the very life-breath of true Christianity. ---- J. C. Ryle

On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us (Psalm 62:7-8).

Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full (John 16:23-24).

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

A hymn to read, sing, play, hum, or whistle, to the glory of God: Come, my Soul, Thy Suit Prepare.(John Newton, 1779.)

FEEL

Jesus Christ is not only the Son of God mighty to save, but the Son of man able to feel. ---- J. C. Ryle

 

Therefore He had to be like His brothers in every respect, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because He Himself has suffered when tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted (Hebrews 2:17-18). 

WICKED

The wickedest enemies of God are only axes and saws and hammers in His hands, and are ignorantly His instruments for doing His work in the world. -- J. C. Ryle

 

The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble (Proverbs 16:4).

 

For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. So then He has mercy upon whomever He wills, and hardens whomever He wills (Romans 9:17-18).

HOLINESS

There is not a brick nor a stone laid in the work of our sanctification, till we go to Christ. Holiness is His special gift to His believing people. Holiness is the work He carries on in their hearts by the Spirit whom He puts within them. He is anointed a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance as well as remissions of sins. ---- J. C. Ryle

To as many as receive Him, He gives power to become sons of God (John 1:12).

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle, to the glory of God:  That Man is Blest Who, Fearing God (From Psalm 1. The Psalter, 1912).   

TRIALS

Trials and Tribulations. The grace of God exempts no one from trouble [J. C. Ryle].

I have said these things to you that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world (John 16:33).

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle, to the glory of God: Day by Day and with Each Passing Moment (Carolina Berg, 1865).

UNITY

Unity in the Faith.  Nothing does so much harm to the cause of religion as the quarrels of Christians. -- J. C. Ryle

 

I therefore...urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit...(Ephesians 4:1-4a)

 

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle, to the glory of God: How Beautiful the Sight (James Montgomery, 1771-1854).

FOLLOW

As the soldier follows his general, as the servant follows his master, as the scholar follows his teacher, as the sheep follows its shepherd, just so ought the professing Christian to follow Christ. ---- J. C. Ryle

 

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me....and the sheep follow [me] for they know [my] voice (John 10:14, 4).

Sufficiency

 

The sufficiency of Christ. They lose nothing who gain Christ. J. C. Ryle

 

I eagerly expect...that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain (Philippians 1:20-21).

 

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle, to the glory of God: Christ, of All My Hopes the Ground, Ralph Wardlaw, 1817.

The Holy Spirit

Good morning!

It is one great mark of the unbelieving and worldly that they neither receive, nor know, nor see anything of the Holy Ghost. The indwelling of the Spirit is the true dividing point between the wicked and the godly. ---- J. C. Ryle

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know Him, for he dwells with you and will be in you (John 14:16-17). 

A hymn to read, sing, hum or whistle to the glory of God: Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart.

Trials and Tribulations

Good morning!

Trials and Tribulations

Even the best Christian drinks from many bitter cups between grace and glory. ---- J. C. Ryle

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed (I Peter 4:12-13). 

A hymn to read, sing, hum or whistle to the glory of God: THY WAY, NOT MINE, O LORD.

Thy way, not mine, O Lord,
However dark it be;
Lead me by Thine own hand,
Choose out the Path for me.

Christ Alone Saves

Good morning!

In Christ alone God's rich provision of salvation for sinners is treasured up. By Christ alone God's abundant mercies come down from heaven to earth. Christ's blood alone can cleanse us. Christ's righteousness alone can clothe us. Christ's merit alone can give us a title to heaven. Jews and Gentiles,--- learned and unlearned, --- kings and poor men, --- all alike must either be saved by Jesus, or lost forever (J. C. Ryle). 

There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). 

A hymn to read, sing, hum or whistle to the glory of God:ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS' NAME

All hail the power of Jesus' name! Let angels prostrate fall; bring forth the royal diadem, and crown him Lord of all. Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown him Lord of all.

Ye chosen seed of Israel's race, ye ransomed from the fall, hail him who saves you by his grace, and crown him Lord of all. Hail him who saves you by his grace, and crown him Lord of all.

Sinners, whose love can ne'er forget the wormwood and the gall, go spread your trophies at his feet, and crown him Lord of all. Go spread your trophies at his feet, and crown him Lord of all.

Let every kindred, every tribe on this terrestrial ball, to him all majesty ascribe, and crown him Lord of all. To him all majesty ascribe, and crown him Lord of all.

Crown him, ye martyrs of your God, who from his altar call; extol the Stem of Jesse's Rod, and crown him Lord of all. Extol the Stem of Jesse's Rod, and crown him Lord of all.

O that with yonder sacred throng we at his feet may fall! We'll join the everlasting song, and crown him Lord of all. We'll join the everlasting song, and crown him Lord of all.

Dead in Sin

Good morning!

 

This is the true explanation of sin not felt, --and sermons not believed, -- and good advice not followed, -- and the Gospel not embraced, --and the world not forsaken, --and the cross not taken up, --and self-will not mortified, --and evil habits not laid aside, --and the Bible seldom read, --and the knee never bent in prayer. Why is all this on every side? The answer is simple. Men are dead. (J. C. Ryle).

 

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience --- among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath... (Ephesians 2:1-3).

Covenant Promises

Good morning!

It is never too soon to strive and pray for the salvation of the souls of [our] children --- never too soon to speak to them as moral beings, and tell them of God, and Christ, and right, and wrong. ---- J. C. Ryle.

Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth! I will open my mouth in a parable, I will utter dark sayings from of old...we will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and His might, and the wonders that He has done (Psalm 78:1a, 2-4).

The promise is for you and your children (Acts 2:39).

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A hymn to be read or sung aloud and offered to God in worship: AROUND THE THRONE OF GOD IN HEAVEN.

Zealous Disciples

Good morning!

ZEALOUS DISCIPLES

A zealous Saviour ought to have zealous disciples.

                                                                           ---- J. C. Ryle

"Doing"

Good morning!*

Doing, and not shedding tears, is the best proof of love. ---- J. C. Ryle

If you love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15).

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A hymn to read or sing aloud to the glory of God: JESUS CALLS US.