“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”–1 John 5:13

Pastor Stephen Davey wrote, Queen Victoria, sovereign of Great Britain from 1837-1901, attended worship in St. Paul’s Cathedral and listened to a sermon that piqued her interest. After the message she asked her chaplain the question, “Can one be absolutely sure in this life of eternal safety?” His answer was, “No, there is no way that anyone can be absolutely sure.”

This incident was published afterward in the Court News and came to the notice of a humble minister named John Townsend. After reading the Queen’s question and the answer given, he prayed for wisdom, and felt compelled to send these words:

“To Her Gracious Majesty, our beloved Queen Victoria, from one of your most humble subjects: With trembling hands, but heart-filled love, and because I know that we can be absolutely sure now for our eternal life in the home that Jesus went to prepare, may I ask Your Most Gracious Majesty to read the following passages of Scripture: John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10. I sign myself, your servant for Jesus’ sake, John Townsend.”

John Townsend took others into his confidence, and they offered up prayer to God on Her Majesty’s behalf. About two weeks later, he received the following letter:

“To John Townsend: I have carefully and prayerfully read the portions of Scripture referred to. I now believe in the finished work of Christ for me, and trust by God’s grace, to meet you one day in that place He has prepared for us in heaven. Victoria Guelph”

The Queen of England bowed her heart and surrendered her life to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords—the One whose majesty extends over all the earth. After she discovered the assurance of salvation through faith in Christ alone, she eventually carried copies of a small booklet to give to her subjects. Safety, Certainty, and Enjoyment contained the plan of salvation and the assurance that one could have in Christ. These were the very things she had discovered upon receiving the Truth.

My friend, don’t be deceived by the wisdom of the present age, which says that truth cannot be known, and that material, scientific evidence must be obtained before anything can be proven. As John writes, the proof is in our hearts, and only those who have tasted the everlasting water which God has so freely offered (John 6) can be assured of its never-ending benefit.

Here are the facts: Jesus was born; He died; He rose again on the third day; He is living in the hearts of all those who trust in Him.

And the Apostle John says . . . of this we can be assured!

“Whom having not seen ye love.” 1 Peter 1:8

We have never seen the glorified body of Jesus, but we have believed what His word declares of Him, and believing we love Him. As the only-begotten Son of God, who was exalted, dignified, and glorified from everlasting; as the voluntary Saviour of poor lost sinners, who became incarnate, suffered, bled and died for them. We love His adorable person, His countenance is majesty, His heart is love, His hand is omnipotence, His eye is bountifulness, His bowels are compassion, and His presence and smile are heaven. We love His precious salvation, in its freeness, completeness, and glory. We love His delightful promises, which anticipate our wants, meet all our wishes, and fill our souls with peace. We love His throne, where He meets us, attends to our requests, and blesses us indeed. We love His holy precepts, which exhibit His authority, display His love, and call us to holiness. We love His heaven-born family, who wear His likeness, are the excellent of the earth, and resemble the children of a king. Oh to love Him more! To love Him with all our hearts, minds, souls and strength! To manifest our love to Him by holy actions, and a useful life!

A bleeding Saviour, seen by faith;
A sense of pardoning love;
A hope that triumphs over death,
Give joys like those above.   —-James Smith

A. W. Tozer wrote,”The spiritual man wants to carry his cross. Many Christians accept adversity or tribulation with a sigh and call it their cross, forgetting that such things come alike to saint and sinner. The cross is that extra adversity that comes to us as a result of our obedience to Christ. This cross is not forced upon us; we voluntarily take it up with full knowledge of the consequences. We choose to obey Christ and by so doing choose to carry the cross. Carrying a cross means to be attached to the Person of Christ, committed to the Lordship of Christ and obedient to the commandments of Christ. The man who is so attached, so committed, so obedient — sees everything from God’s viewpoint. The ability to weigh all things in the divine scale and place the same value upon them as God does is the mark of a Spirit-filled life. God looks at and through at the same time. His gaze does not rest on the surface but penetrates to the true meaning of things. The carnal Christian looks at an object or a situation, but because he does not see through it he is elated or cast down by what he sees. The spiritual man is able to look through things as God looks and think of them as God thinks. He insists on seeing all things as God sees them even if it humbles him and exposes his ignorance to the point of real pain.”

“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”–1Cor. 4:2
The Latin phrase Semper Fi — short for Semper Fidelis — is well known to United States Marines and their families. It means “always faithful” or “always loyal,” and has served as the motto of the Marine Corps since 1883. On the Marine Corps emblem, an eagle holds a ribbon in its mouth inscribed with Semper Fidelis. The words “always faithful” suggest there is never a time when a Marine will not be faithful to his or her duty to country.

The Marine Corps motto could well serve as a motto for the Christian life. The apostle Paul makes the point that “ Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:2). And Christians are nothing if not stewards — of creation, of spiritual gifts, of the Gospel, of time, talent, and treasure, and of the grace of God. There is never a day when we are not expected to be faithful to God, never a day when we can allow fear of the future to replace faith in the God who knows the future. Abraham received amazing promises from God about the future, and Abraham was faithful — “he believed in the Lord.”

If you are a follower of Christ, let Semper Fidelis be your watchword today and every day: Always Faithful.– Turning Point

When faithfulness is most difficult, it is most necessary.—-Anonymous

Folks who fail often do exactly the opposite of what they should. The embarrassment of their sin causes them to with-draw from others, drop out of church, get depressed, quit trying, and other foolish things. They tend to run away from God rather than to Him. Then things go from bad to worse.The late Robert Murry M’Cheyne wrote:

“I feel when I have sinned an immediate reluctance to go to Christ. I am ashamed to go. I feel as if it would not do to go, as if it were making Christ the minister of sin, to go straight from the swine-trough to the best robe, and a thousand other excuses. But I am persuaded they are all lies direct from hell.

John argues the opposite way—‘If any man sins, we have an advocate with the Father.’ The holy sensitiveness of the soul that shrinks from the touch of sin, the acute susceptibility of the conscience at the slightest shade of guilt, will of necessity draw the spiritual mind frequently to the blood of Jesus. And herein lies the secret of a heavenly walk. Acquaint yourself with it, my reader, as the most precious secret of your life. He who lives in the habit of a prompt and minute acknowledgement of sin, with his eye reposing calmly, believingly, upon the crucified Redeemer, soars in spirit where the eagle’s pinion [wings] range not.“