Affirmation of Faith for January 1, 2012

We believe that God freely justifies the persons whom He effectually calls. He does this, not by infusing righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins and by accounting them, and accepting them, as righteous. This He does for Christ's sake alone, and not for anything wrought in them or done by them.The righteousness which is imputed to them, that is, reckoned to their account, is neither their faith nor the act of believing nor any other obedience to the gospel which they have rendered, but Christ's obedience alone. Christ's one obedience is twofold-His active obedience rendered to the entire divine law, and His passive obedience rendered in His death. Those thus justified receive and rest by faith upon Christ's righteousness; and this faith they have, not of themselves, but as the gift of God. (11.1)

Affirmation of Faith for December 25, 2011

We believe that the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, is at once complete in Godhead and complete in manhood, truly God and truly man, consisting also of a reasonable soul and body; of one substance with the Father as regards His Godhead, and at the same time of one substance with us as regards His manhood; like us in all respects, yet apart from sin as regards His Godhead, begotten of the Father before the ages, but yet as regards His manhood begotten, for us men and for our salvation, born of Mary the Virgin, He Himself being the God-bearer; one and the same Christ, Son, Lord, Only-begotten, recognized in two natures, without confusion, without change, without division, without separation, indeed God in the flesh.

(based upon Council of Chalcedon - 451 A.D)

Affirmation of Faith for December 18, 2011

We believe God's effectual call is the outcome of His free and special grace alone. Until a man is given life, and renewed by the Holy Spirit, he is dead in sins and trespasses, so is entirely passive in this work of salvation, a work that does not proceed from anything good foreseen in him, nor from any power or agency resident in him. The power that enables him to answer God's call and to embrace the grace offered and conveyed in it, is no less than that which effected the resurrection of Christ from the dead. (10.2)

Adapted from the London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689 rewritten modern English (click here for full confession)

Affirmation of Faith for December 11, 2011

We believe that at a time appointed by and acceptable to God, those whom God has predestinated to life are effectually called by His Word and Spirit out of the state of death in which they are by nature, to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ. Their minds are given spiritual enlightenment and, as those who are being saved, they begin to understand the things of God. God takes away their heart of stone and gives them a heart of flesh. He renews their will, and by His almighty power He sets them to seek and follow that which is good, at the same time effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ. And to all these changes they come most freely, for they are made willing by divine grace. (10.1)

Adapted from the London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689 rewritten modern English (click here for full confession)

Serving?

• Are you thinking about serving to the glory of God (mindset)?
• Who are you noticing that you may serve to the glory of God (eyesight)?
• Will you seek to serve as if you were serving Christ Himself (motivation)?
• How will you specifically, purposely serve that person(s) to the glory of God today (application)?

To know God is to keep His word. Are you obeying the Word of God? (John 8:55)

The Four Pillars of Redemption

• If Jesus had only come to the earth (incarnation) but did not die on the cross for our sins (crucifixion); we would not be saved. 
• If Jesus had only died on the cross for our sins (crucifixion) but He did no rise from the dead on the third day (resurrection); we would not be saved. 
• If Jesus had only raised from the dead on the third day (resurrection) but He did not ascend into heaven (ascension); we would not be saved.

J. Oswald Sanders, in his book, “The Incomparable Christ” stated it this way:

"An ascension such as the gospels record was essential for a number of reasons…His redemptive work required such a consummation. Without it, it would have remained incomplete for it rests on four pillars —incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. The ascension was a complete and final demonstration that His atonement had forever solved the problem created by man's sin and rebellion. Only thus could He be constituted Head of the church (Ephesians 1:19-23)."

A commitment to God is not to contradict a commandment of God.

God takes away the world, that the heart may cleave more to Him in sincerity. -Thomas Watson

When we grow careless of keeping our souls, then God recovers our taste of good things again by sharp crosses. -Richard Sibbes

How sweet is rest after fatigue! How sweet will heaven be when our journey is ended. -George Whitefield

Fallen man is not simply an imperfect creature who needs improvement: he is a rebel who must lay down his arms-CSLewis

The riches of His free grace cause me daily to triumph over all the temptations of the wicked one... -George Whitefield

All I can say is I look for perpetual conflicts and struggles in this life and I hope for no other peace, only a cross...on this side of eternity. Whitefield

A definition of love for consideration: constant, self-forgetting, faithful. This is the love of Jesus.

So live that men may take knowledge of you that you have been with Jesus... CHS

Read the Scriptures more earnestly and constantly. CHS

Live nearer to God. CHS

There is nothing in this world to foster a Christian's piety, but everything to destroy it. CHS

Spend longer time in holy adoration. CHS