The spiritual world is a reality, and the godliness and Christlikeness that compose it must also be realities. Put away from you the fatuous [silly and pointless] idea that things will somehow come all right, and that your character will adapt itself to changed surroundings. It is not so; nothing that defiles can find entrance into the kingdom of God, but only those who are “sanctified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”

“The First Epistle to the Corinthians” by Marcus Dods in The Expositor’s Bible, Vol. 5, 659.

Each member of a Church in each day’s conduct in business and at home stakes, not only his own reputation, but the credit of the Church to which he belongs. Involuntarily and unconsciously men lower their opinion of the Church and cease to expect to find in her a fountain of spiritual life, because they find her members selfish and greedy in business, ready to avail themselves of doubtful methods; harsh, self-indulgent, and despotic at home, tainted with vices condemned by the least educated conscience. Let us remember that our little leaven leavens what is in contact with us [1 Corinthians 5:6 “Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?”]; that our worldliness and unchristian conduct tend to lower the tone of our circle, encourage others to live down to our level, and help to demoralise the community.

“The First Epistle to the Corinthians” by Marcus Dods in The Expositor’s Bible, Vol. 5, 652.

The singer is still far away from the appointed place of worship, lifting his eyes toward the distant mountains. He is not far away from Jehovah however. In His keeping, even though far away from the centre of external worship, the pilgrim realizes his safety.

G. Campbell Morgan, Notes on The Psalms, 250.

The LORD is thy keeper . . . We are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal life. They are indeed securely kept who are encircled by their omnipotent God. In their Zionward march they are exposed to scorching rays. But as the pillar of cloud spread sweet refreshments over Israel’s hosts, so the Lord wards off the adversary’s piercing darts.

Henry Law, Daily Prayer and Praise: The Book of Psalms Arranged for Private and Family Use, Vol. 2, 212.

The lesson is here taught that all protection comes directly from our Heavenly Father. With confidence let us uplift our eyes to Him. He is the fountain of all grace. He, whose omnipotent word called heaven and earth into existence, can by the same word make all providences to subserve His people’s good.

Henry Law, Daily Prayer and Praise: The Book of Psalms Arranged for Private and Family Use, Vol. 2, 211.

RP Testimony 23.1. “We reject the belief that civil government is unnecessary or essentially evil.”

RP Testimony 23.2. “God has given the exercise of all authority to the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ is the Divine Lawgiver, Governor and Judge. His will concerning the purpose of civil government and the principles regarding its functions and operation are revealed in the written Word of God. The Holy Spirit enables even unregenerate rulers to fulfill their proper functions. A true recognition of the authority and law of Christ in national life can only be the fruit of the Spirit’s regenerating power in the lives of individuals. Deut. 4:39; Dan. 4:25, 32, 35; Matt. 28:18; Phil. 2:10; Eph. 1:22; Isa. 33:22; Deut. 17:18-19; Isa. 45:1-7; Ezek. 36:27.”

RP Testimony 23.3. “God has assigned to people, both individually and collectively, the responsibility for establishing and maintaining civil government, and the people are accountable to Jesus Christ for the proper exercise of this responsibility. Deut. 1:13-14; Deut. 17:15; 1 Sam. 8:22; 2 Sam. 5:3; Hos. 8:1, 4; Eccl. 10:16-17.”

RP Testimony 23.4. “Every nation ought to recognize the Divine institution of civil government, the sovereignty of God exercised by Jesus Christ, and its duty to rule the civil affairs of men in accordance with the will of God. It should enter into covenant with Christ and serve to advance His Kingdom on earth. The negligence of civil government in any of these particulars is sinful, makes the nation liable to the wrath of God, and threatens the continued existence of the government and nation. Phil. 2:10; Rom. 13:4; Ps. 132:12; Ps. 103:17-19; Ps. 2:10-12.”

RP Testimony 23.5. “We reject the view that nations have no corporate responsibility for acknowledging and obeying Christ.”

RP Testimony 23.6. “It is the duty of every Christian citizen to labor and pray for his nation’s official and explicit recognition of the authority and law of Jesus Christ, Preserver and Ruler of nations, and for the conduct of all governmental affairs in harmony with the written Word of God. 1 Tim. 2:1-2; Phil. 2:9-10; Acts 2:1-39; Ps. 2:8-12; Esther 4:14.”

RP Testimony 23.7. “We deny that constitutional recognition of Jesus Christ means union of church and state.”

RP Testimony 23.8. “We reject the teaching that Christians should not seek the establishment of Christian civil government.”

RP Testimony 23.9. “No particular form of civil government is commanded in the Scriptures. Any form of civil government which observes the duties and limitations set upon it by God in His revealed Word is acceptable to God. Ex. 18:21-24; Prov. 29:14; Deut. 1:16-17.”

RP Testimony 23.10. “We deny that simply having a democratic or republican form of government insures God’s approval and blessing.”

RP Testimony 23.11. “All officers and employees of a civil government are to be servants of God for good. They are responsible to God for the discharge of lawful duties rightfully assigned to them by human authority. Neither their official position, however, nor the orders of their superiors, nor the will of the people, exonerates them from blame for any unscriptural action or inaction. Rom. 13:3-4; 2 Chron. 19:6-7; Prov. 29:26.”

We are again warned that, though our feed stand on the rock of salvation, we are not beyond the reach of trials. But let nothing shake our confidence. The praises of the Lord shall yet be our song.

Henry Law, Daily Prayer and Praise: The Book of Psalms Arranged for Private and Family Use, Vol. 2, 162.

If we preachers are men’s first sight and sound of a man of God, then our personal holiness and spiritual growth must be our primary vocation. If we are to effectively build sermons we ourselves must be built up day by day in our most holy faith.

“Building the Sermon” by Geoffrey Thomas in Pulpit Aflame, 162.

Christians are tempted to be like Sarai, who once said to Abram, “The LORD has restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her” (Gen. 16:2). There is no shortage of the devices that men will use in their attempts to build numerically the household of God. Like Sarai’s strategy, these devices flow from a lack of faith, and they result in declension. The Son of God will build His church in His way; there is no other way.

“Building the Sermon” by Geoffrey Thomas in Pulpit Aflame, 159.

It is a solemn truth, that the path of life is through a miry road. Our steps are in pollution’s land. How, then, can our feet be undefiled! How can our garments be unsoiled! We cannot guide ourselves. Unaided, we stumble into sloughs of defilement. But all help is near. Jesus is at hand to keep us by His mighty power. Let us lean on His supporting arm at every step, and when we fall let us rise and wash our robes in His all-cleansing blood.

Henry Law, Daily Prayer and Praise: The Book of Psalms Arranged for Private and Family Use, Vol. 2, 164.