The Bible

This book contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.

It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's charter. Here paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.

Christ is its grand object, our good the design, and the glory of God its end.

It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life and will be opened at the judgment and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.

Anonymous

The Word of God

Here is the spring where waters flow,
To quench our heat of sin;
Here is the tree where truth does grow
To lead our lives therein;

Here is the judge that stints the strife
When men's devices fail:
Here is the bread that feeds the life
Which death cannot assail.

The tidings of salvation dear
Comes to our ears from hence;
The fortress of our faith is here;
The shield of our defense.

Then be not like the swine that has
A pearl at his desire,
And takes more pleasure in the trough
And wallowing in the mire.

Read not this book in any case
But with a single eye:
Read not, but first desire God's grace,
To understand thereby.

Pray still in faith with this respect
To bear good fruit therein;
That knowledge may bring this effect,
To mortify thy sin.

Then happy you shall be in all your life,
What so to you befalls;
Yes, double happy you shall be
When GOD by death you calls.

-- From the first Bible printed in Scotland - 1576

Prayer

"Prayer is an all-efficient panoply, a treasure
undiminished, a mine which is never exhausted, a sky
unobscured by the clouds, a heaven unruffled by the
storm. It is the root, the fountain, the mother of a
thousand blessings. . . . The potency of prayer hath
subdued the strength of fire, it hath bridled the rage
of lions, hushed anarchy to rest; extinguished wars,
appeased the elements, expelled demons, burst the chains
of death, expanded the gates of heaven, assuaged
diseases, repelled frauds, rescued cities from
destruction, stayed the sun in its course, and arrested
the progress of the thunderbolt."
--John Chrysostom

Mercy and Grace

Mercy withholds the knife from the heart of Isaac.
Grace provides a ram in the thicket
--Genesis 22:11-14

Mercy runs to forgive the prodigal.
Grace throws a party with a robe, a ring, and a fatted calf.
--Luke 15:20-24

Mercy hears the cry of the thief on the cross.
Grace promises paradise that very day.
--Luke 23:39-43

Mercy converts Paul on the road to Damascus.
Grace calls him to be the great apostle.
Acts 9:1-6, 17

Mercy closes the door to hell.
Grace opens the door to heaven.
--Ephesians 2:8-9

...and the difference between mercy and grace is this

Mercy withholds from us what we deserve (punishment).
Grace gives us what we do not deserve (eternal life).
--Romans 5:20


Source: David Jeremiah