“Received It Not” (Esther 4:3-4)

“And in every province, wheresoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.  So Esther’s maids and her chamberlains came and told it her.  Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not” (vs3-4).

While the world of God’s elect are lost and ruined, while terror comes on the church and saints are distressed, while there is sin in the world and people need saving, we cannot “chill” and act like everything is OK, because we are happy.

If you want to destroy your prosperity, then use it as an occasion to the flesh, and the liberty will be gone - “For, brethren, you have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another” (Gal 5:13).  We must serve God, even as our Lord’s interest is in His kingdom, so we must involve ourselves, too.  If we believe unto SERVING the Lord Jesus, then we’ll have the joy of His Spirit, using His blood for what He appoints.  But, if we please ourselves and CARE NOT for His cause, then the joy will dissipate, we’ll grieve the Spirit, and He’ll grieve us too.

Do not think that indifference is tolerable; be on fire for Christ and His people, and God will bless your joy increasingly. Serve yourself and lose the blessing you had.

Many say, “I love the gospel”, but they don’t love the people who believe, they don’t gather and worship, and they deceive themselves.

God gives space to repent; repent or perish.

Don't Waste Your Life (John Piper)

There is a warning. The path of God-exalting joy will cost you your life. Jesus said, “Whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.” In other words, it is better to lose your life than to waste it. If you live gladly to make others glad in God, your life will be hard, your risks will be high, and your joy will be full. This is not a book about how to avoid a wounded life (Don’t Waste Your Life), but how to avoid a wasted life. Some of you will die in the service of Christ. That will not be a tragedy. Treasuring life above Christ is a tragedy.

Confessing Christ in Baptism (Young People)

by Librae Jackson, Deacon, The Gospel Church

The seriousness of taking up one's cross, and following King Jesus caused me to have some apprehension regarding the kids - like do they fully understand what it means - a life of surrender to Christ? It's enough of a struggle for us adults! Are they ready? But then the thought came to me - They're ready to think about college & stuff; surely they're ready to think about their souls! They're ready to consider their futures; surely they're ready to consider eternity! That thought encouraged me greatly, as I was reminded that the same Gospel that we live and thrive under is being preached to these smaller ears. Their frames may be smaller, but their souls are no less valuable, vulnerable, sinful or eternal.

I'm very thankful that they are under the sound of the true Gospel. This is the message that saves sinners! They need it just as much as I do! As I'm typing, I'm remembering when Christ said "Suffer the little children to come unto Me." I'm encouraged to pray and live for these little people with more importunity......God may save them!

I also rejoiced in the possibilities of their shining witness to the world. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have some young people who really believed?! Words can't express how splendid that would be! I would be very happy to see these youngsters follow Christ, and not squandering their young years on the world's deceitful, oppressive, temporary vanities. Didn't The Lord save Charles Spurgeon in his youth?

What a great thing to have: life! A couple of scriptural phrases that pop into my mind now are "more abundantly," "newness of life," and "he that has The Son has life."

That They May be Saved (I Cor 10:23-11:1)

“The Earth is the Lord’s and the Fullness Thereof” (I Cor 10:23-26)

If it is legally sold in the market, then participate, if you are inclined. There is no holiness in meat and drink. Use moderation, and don’t inquire about people’s motives. Eat because it is legal, and enjoy yourself in this world because it is God’s. He put everything here, sanctifies it by His word, and it is for good, whether it be for the mind, body, or spirit.

“Not seeking my own profit but the profit of many, that they may be saved” (I Cor 10:27-33).

The Lord Jesus left us an example to follow. Live for God’s glory in doing people good, and you live the high life and the most enjoyable life before God. Nothing is higher than seeing others saved and living for people. So, if a man asks me to eat meat offered to a false god, in the name of any god but Jesus Christ, then I cannot - “But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that showed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof” (I Cor 10:28). I can eat freely whatever is legal, but I cannot give the indication that I worship a false god, even if I know he is nothing (I Cor 8:5-6). Have nothing to do with false religion and give no indication that you do, so that others can be saved. It is better to help them than to eat a meal. Live for Christ as Christ lived for God. Paul says, “Be you followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (I Cor 11:1)