Grace Gems

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How long will you love vanity?

(James Smith, "Rills from the Rock of Ages", 1860)

"How long will you love vanity?" Psalm 4:2

The Lord is often represented in His word as expostulating with us. He manifests the deepest interest, shows intense pity, and uses many means to draw us back from the vortex of ruin.

But man, thoughtless man, silly man--rushes on his way, trifles with his soul, and plays on the brink of the most dreadful precipice! He is in love with his sin--and therefore in love with his own destruction! But God does not abandon him to despair--but touchingly, tenderly, lovingly--He expostulates with him and asks, "How long will you love vanity?"

Man by nature sets his heart upon what is vain and worthless--that which is not suited to, or required by, his immortal nature. Vanity represents that which is light, changeable, and of brief duration. Man displays his love of vanity . . .
  by preferring human friendship--to God's friendship,
  by thinking much more of the creature--than the Creator;
  by preferring earthly riches--to heavenly felicities;
  by preferring carnal pleasures--to spiritual delights!

Nor only so--but he manifests his foolishness by indulging in sin--the worst of vanities!

Look at the profane swearer, the drunkard, the glutton, the proud, the lover of pleasure. They are in love with vanity! They imagine that they shall have pleasure and enjoy happiness--but they never ponder the questions, "What shall it profit a man--if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"

God asks the lover of vanity, "How Long!" "How long will you love vanity?" You have been doing so for years. Some for twenty, some for forty, and some for sixty years! You have manifested love to vanity--though warned, though convinced you were doing wrong, though you have often promised to reform. You are still loving vanity . . .
  though mortality is at work within you,
  though death is very near to you,
  though eternity is within a step of you,
  though hell is ready to receive you!

You persevere in loving vanity . . .
  while a pardon is presented to you,
  while peace with God may be enjoyed by you,
  while holiness may be obtained by you, and
  while heaven is within your reach!

How long will you love vanity?
Until some affliction unfits you to seek the world?
Until God's Spirit no longer strives with you?
Until Satan fills your heart?
Until God laughs at your calamity?
Until some sudden stroke takes you away to hell?

How long?

Let your past foolishness suffice, and now, while the door of mercy is open, enter!

Now, while the way of escape is clear--flee for your life!

No one ever came too soon--thousands have delayed too long! No one ever regretted that he was saved too early--millions have cursed their folly that they were not saved at all! Myriads wish that they had never been born--because they persevered in such folly. Beware then, beware--lest you rue your folly too late! Love vanity no longer!

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Jesus and the Sinner

(James Smith, "Rills from the Rock of Ages", 1860)

All that Jesus does for lost sinners--He does freely, out of pure pity, kindness, and love.

Yet we are always looking for something in ourselves--to encourage us! On the other hand, we tend to look at some sin committed by us--which discourages us. Whereas we should look only to Jesus. I want now, for a few minutes, to fix the eye of your mind on what Jesus does for sinners--how He acts toward them at the present day.

Jesus calls the sinner. He says, "Come unto Me. Come, just as you are. Come, this moment. Come, for all that you need. Come, for all that you desire. Come, and be saved. Come, and I will satisfy you. Come, and commit all your concerns to Me, and I will make all things that occur, work together for your good."

Jesus receives the sinner when he comes. He receives every sinner, however base, vile, or unworthy he may be! He receives the sinner graciously--pardoning every sin, forgiving and forgetting all that he has done amiss, and treating him with the utmost kindness.

Jesus cleanses the sinner. In the fountain of His precious blood, and in the laver of His holy Word--He cleanses him from guilt and pollution--fitting him for holy service on earth, and for holier service in heaven. Nor is there any getting rid of guilt--but by His blood; nor of impurity--but by His Spirit working with His Word!

Jesus clothes the sinner. Cleansed from guilt and filth--we are clothed in His garments of salvation, and are covered with His robe of righteousness. All that is necessary for our honorable appearance in heaven among the glorified--He undertakes to provide.

Those who trust in Him, are completely nourished by Him. Jesus feeds the sinner. His flesh and blood becomes our daily food. We can no more live and be healthy, without nourishing food for the body--than we can live and be happy, without sweet and frequent nourishment from Christ. There is in the renewed soul--a craving for Christ, and it is never satisfied--but as it realizes His presence, meditates on His Word, or is solaced with His love!

Jesus employs the sinner. Having called, received, cleansed, clothed, and nourished him--He sets him to WORK. He gives him a cross to carry, and a plot in his vineyard to cultivate. He sends him to speak to others of His grace, and to manifest to others His temper and disposition. He sends him to the poor widow's cottage, to the sick man's chamber, and to the ignorant soul's home--and says, "Feed them for Me; comfort them for Me; and teach them for Me!"

Jesus comforts the sinner. Yes, when he is depressed and discouraged, when he is low and cast down. He consoles by some special providence, by some seasonable portion of His Word, by the counsel of some friend, or by the sweet whispers of His Spirit.

Jesus assures the sinner. Assures him of His love to him, of a saving interest in His finished work, and of a title to heavenly mansions! When Jesus assures us--our doubts and fears depart, our unbelief is destroyed, and our souls are filled with peace and joy.

Jesus visits the sinner. He says, "I will come unto him." And He does come, and brings with Him--pleasant light, precious fruits, and joy and peace. He says, "I will come and sup with him--and he with Me." And He draws him out into such sweet, near and dear communion with Himself--that no costly meal, no delightful company--can be compared to it.

Jesus restores the sinner. For as astonishing as it may appear, it is nevertheless true--that we are prone to wander!
We leave light--for darkness!
We leave plenty--for poverty!
We leave joy--for sorrow!
We leave a paradise--for a desert!
And having wandered, we would never find our way back--if He did not come after us! But, blessed be His holy name--He does! And then He restores our souls, and again feeds us in green pastures, causing us to lie down beside the still waters!

Jesus reproves the sinner. However He may spare our persons--He never spares our sins! He visits our transgressions with the rod, and our iniquities with stripes! His reproofs are often sharp. Cutting convictions, heavy losses, severe trials, perplexing troubles, bodily sickness, and painful bereavements--are some of the RODS which He employs. But however numerous and heavy His strokes--they are lighter than our guilt, and fewer than our sins! He deals with us as with sons. He chastens us for our profit--and to make us partakers of His holiness!

Jesus glorifies the sinner. Glorifies him with Himself--and confers on him an eternal weight of glory! What it is to be glorified--we do not fully know. At the least, it is to be freed from all that is sinful, painful, and degrading--and to be invested with all that is bright, beautiful, and blessed. It is to be made as like Jesus as possible, and to be with Him where he is forever!

O wondrous grace, of a wondrous Savior!

Believer, this precious Savior is yours!

Will you not love Him then?

Will you not bear witness to the power and sweetness of His love, to the joy and happiness that are found in His ways?

Will you not observe His statutes and keep His laws?

Will you not come out of the world, which is peopled by His enemies--and be separated to Him? Can you mingle with the carnal, and frequent places of worldly amusement? Must you go to the world to be gratified and amused?

Beware how you wound your precious Savior's loving heart!

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The work of the Holy Spirit

(James Smith, "Rills from the Rock of Ages", 1860)

I love to meditate on the work of the Holy Spirit, to whom we are so much indebted, and from whom we receive such great and invaluable blessings. To Him, I feel that I am indebted, for every good thought, and for every good work. How wonderful His patience--that He should bear with me so long; and how wonderful His loving-kindness--that He should confer on me so much! O that I was more deeply sensible of my obligations!

It was the Holy Spirit who quickened me when I was dead in trespasses and sins--imparting a new life, infusing new thoughts, and producing new desires in my soul.

Having quickened me, He conquered me--subduing the enmity of my heart, the obstinacy of my will, the worldliness of my affections--and bringing every thought into subjection to the obedience of Christ.

Having quickened and conquered me, He comforted me, assuring me of a saving interest in--the love of God, the perfect work of Jesus, the precious promises of the Word, and the eternal rest which remains for the people of God.

Having quickened, conquered, and comforted me, He sanctified me--separating me from the world, and setting me apart for my Redeemer's glory and praise.

As my Sanctifier, He became my Guide--leading me into the truth, conducting me out of the paths of danger, and directing me into the everlasting way.

Not only my guide, but He became my Guard--preserving me from danger, protecting me from foes, and becoming a wall of fire round about me.

Whenever I wander--He reproves me; when I willfully go astray--He corrects me, and makes me smart for my folly.

The work He began so long ago--He carries on, nor will He withdraw His hand from it, until it is perfected, and I am fully fitted for glory.

Reader, what do you experimentally know the work of the Holy Spirit?
Has He quickened you?
Has He conquered you?
Does He comfort you?
Are you sanctified by His presence, power, and operation in your heart?
Does He . . .
  guide you by His counsel,
  guard you by His power, and
  correct you for your follies?

The work of the Spirit within us--is as necessary as the work of Jesus for us! For if the atonement of Christ entitles us to glory--it is the work of the Holy Spirit that prepares us to possess and enjoy it. We must be washed, justified, and sanctified, in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of God--or we cannot be saved!

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Home, sweet home! There is no place like home!

(James Smith, "Rills from the Rock of Ages", 1860)

"These all died in faith . . . they confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth" Hebrews 11:13

The day of life with them is ended. Its duties are ended. Its responsibilities are past. Its hours are fled away.

What a trying day some of them had! How stormy. How sultry. How often overcast. How gloomy. But it is now past--and past forever! The toils of the wilderness are over! They had much to afflict and pain them . . .
  a difficult and dangerous journey,
  a long wearisome march,
  many a heavy cross to carry,
  many a stubborn foe to face,
  many a painful doubt,
  numerous gloomy fears.

But now the wilderness is all behind them! The afflictions of the pilgrimage are terminated. Those sufferings were sharp, and some of them continued long. Many of them were endured in secret without sympathy, and without relief. They were soul sorrows, agony of mind--as well as sharp pains of body. But however multiplied, however severe, however protracted those sorrows--they are past and gone, never, never to return!

The sweetest repose is now enjoyed. The poor tabernacle has been taken down, and is laid in a quiet resting-place, until the resurrection morning. The soul is gone to be with Jesus. It has traveled through the rough path of life--and is now in God's presence, where there is fullness of joy, and pleasures for evermore!

As Christians, we are going to the same place. The graves will soon be ready for our bodies--and the mansions of glory for our souls. We are going home! Home to our Father's house! Home where our hearts have long been. Home where all our prayers will be answered, and all our best desires will be gratified. "Home, sweet home! There is no place like home!" Especially our home! A paradise without a tempting serpent! A paradise where all are holy, all are safe, all are happy. Those pure and perpetual joys, which are at God's right hand, await us! We taste them now, and are delighted with a sip--but there we shall soon drink full draughts of eternal glory, eternal joy, and eternal blessedness!

Amidst present toils and trials, dangers and distresses--when wearied, way-worn, and tempted to fret--remember that you will soon be HOME! Think, think, O my soul, of an eternity of enjoyment--when the sufferings of time are ended! "Weeping may remain for a night--but rejoicing comes in the morning!" Psalm 30:5

(Please forward this uplifting post to all of your Christian friends who are going through times of affliction.)

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I am God--and not man!

(James Smith, "Rills from the Rock of Ages", 1860)

"I will not carry out My fierce anger, nor will I turn and devastate Israel. For I am God--and not man; the Holy One among you. I will not come in wrath!" Hosea 11:9

Thus spoke the Lord, when assigning a reason for not executing the fierceness of His wrath upon guilty and rebellious Israel. A God can do--what a man cannot; and a God can bear--what a man cannot. God always acts in accordance with the grandeur, glory, and greatness of His nature.
Every thought of His heart,
every word of His mouth, and
every work of His hand--
is worthy of Himself!

If we bear this in mind, it will . . .
  fortify our minds,
  strengthen our faith,
  and comfort our souls.

Why does God not cut down the wicked immediately? Because He is God--and not man.

Why does He chasten His people so greatly, and allow them to suffer so much? Because He is God--and not man.

Let us meditate on this declaration of our God for a few moments.

"I am God--and not man," and therefore I am infinitely patient, and not soon moved to take vengeance upon My sinful and rebellious creatures!

"I am God--and not man," and therefore I am ready to forgive, and receive back the returning prodigal to My heart and home!

"I am God--and not man," and therefore I receive great sinners, taking to My heart, and putting among My children--such despicable ones as no one else would notice or regard!

"I am God--and not man," and therefore I pardon again and again, not only first offences--but repeated transgressions, forgiving and forgetting them forever!

"I am God--and not man," and therefore bear with such numerous affronts, such gross ingratitude, such inexcusable conduct--in My own people!

"I am God, and not man," and therefore I invite, entreat, and beseech such base backsliders to return unto Me, and prove the power and freeness of My forgiving love!

"I am God--and not man," and therefore I save freely, fully, and forever--such degraded, depraved, and desperate sinners, to the praise of the glory of My grace!

"I am God--and not man," and therefore I remain faithful to My promises and covenant engagements, amidst all the changes and faithlessness of My fickle people!

"I am God--and not man," and therefore I give such rich, costly, priceless gifts--to the poor, destitute, and unworthy sinners!

"I am God--and not man," and therefore I hear, accept, and answer, such poor, imperfect, and worthless prayers--which, no one else could tolerate, much less approve!

"I am God--and not man," and therefore I work such wonders--wonders in providence, and wonders in grace; wonders in the world, and wonders in the heart!

"I am God--and not man," and therefore, I have prepared such mansions, and will confer such a glorious kingdom--on sinners who have no claim upon Me, nor the least reason to expect any good thing from Me!

Yes, because He is Jehovah, and changes not--therefore we poor, sinning, changeable creatures are not consumed!

Believer, to you the Lord says, "I am God--and not man!" Therefore expect from Him as God--and act toward Him as God! He can do exceedingly and abundantly, above all that you can ask or think! Do not measure His heart by yours--but remember that as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are His thoughts higher than your thoughts, and His ways than your ways!

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A Seasonable Prescription

(James Smith, "Rills from the Rock of Ages", 1860. This one is longer--but choice. Please forward it to all Christian parents.)

As we Christians advance in life, and know more of human nature, and the power of temptation--the greater interest should we take in the young, and the more urgently should we seek their salvation. It is a lovely sight to see aged Christians endeavoring to bring young people to the Savior. And this we ought constantly to see--for they know the power . . .
  of youthful lusts,
  of the world's attractions,
  of Satanic influence,
  of the deceitfulness of the heart,
  and the value of the immortal soul!

Aged friends, do you feel and act, as you should for the young? Do you do all that you can to snatch them as brands from the burning?

Solomon was an old man when he wrote the book of Ecclesiastes, and in that book he manifests great solicitude for the young. Again and again he addresses them in different ways--but with what touching and subtle irony, does he speak to them in one place, "Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see. BUT KNOW that for all these things--God will bring you to judgment!" Ecclesiastes 11:9

The Youth's Practice. He is happy in his youth--in his physical vigor, personal attractions, and newly acquired liberty. Feeling strong, he puts the day of judgment far from him. Vain of his person--he is proud of his appearance and abilities. Freed from the restraints of home--he removes the reins from the neck of his lusts. His heart cheers him on--and urges him forward in the pursuit of folly! He walks in the way of his heart--which is always evil. He is ignorant of its powers of deception. He is therefore deceived by the corrupt principles that work within it. He hushes his conscience to sleep, or by violence constrains it to be silent.

He then yields to the alluring influence of the world. And while so doing, Satan tempts him to proceed farther and farther--plotting his eternal damnation!

He does what he thinks best in his own eyes--allowing them to mislead him. He walks by sight--not according to God's Word. He is led away by appearances, and despises the counsel and example of the godly. He refuses to listen to, or be guided by the advice of parents. He despises, or slights, the preacher's admonition, and will be a law unto himself. He chooses vain people for his companions, and follows the example of the foolish! Let us now listen to,

The Preacher's Prescription. "Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see. BUT know that for all these things--God will bring you to judgment!"

Take your own course--if you are determined.

Go on in the way which you prefer--if you think it best.

Persevere in the path that you have chosen.

BUT KNOW that there is an end to your course--and that end is a judgment!

The judgment day is fixed--and it is therefore certain.

The judge stands at the door--it is therefore near.

The dead, small and great, shall stand before God--it is therefore universal.

Every one of us shall give account of himself before God--it is therefore personal.

Before this final judgment, shall be gathered all nations--it will therefore be open and public.

God will judge in justice and uprightness--it will therefore be righteous.

It will be the great day, the last day--and will therefore be final.

"BUT KNOW that for all these things--God will bring you to judgment!"

You will not be able to escape!

You will not be overlooked or forgotten!

You will be personally summoned--and there will be no evading!

Death will arrest and cast you into prison. From thence, the angels will bring you out--and Jesus will judge you! For "He has set a day when He is going to judge the world in righteousness, by the Man He has appointed!" Acts 17:31

Young man! Young woman! To you is this word of solemn admonition sent! See how many young people are being called away by death! Fatal diseases and accidents--how common. Sudden deaths--how frequent. It is very probable that God may soon call for YOU! How necessary then that you be ready, for death very often gives but a short notice--or no notice! God . . .
  warns you by His providence;
  He directs you in His Word;
  He invites you by His ministers;
  and He will judge you by His Son!

Whenever therefore you are tempted to indulge in any unholy amusement or practice, remember these words: "BUT KNOW that for all these things--God will bring you to judgment!"

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The glorious gospel of Christ!

(James Smith, "Rills from the Rock of Ages", 1860)

"The glorious gospel of Christ!" 2 Corinthians 4:4

The gospel is a glorious revelation of divine grace--a manifestation of the purpose and good pleasure of God, to save sinners in harmony with, and to the honor of--all His divine perfections.

The gospel contains . . .
  the loftiest doctrines,
  the largest promises, and
  the freest invitations conceivable!

The gospel exhibits the Lord Jesus Christ, in . . .
  the glory of His person,
  the depth of His love,
  the vastness of His merit, and
  His infinite willingness to save the vilest sinners!

The gospel is a proclamation . . .
  of peace by the blood-shedding of God incarnate;
  of a full, free, and complete salvation--for all who truly believe on His name;
  of a glorious inheritance, an everlasting kingdom, and a crown of glory--as a free gift for the vilest of men! Or in other words, the gospel is the good news of pardon, peace, protection, and everlasting life--for all who are willing to receive and enjoy them!

In the gospel . . .
  God's heart is laid bare,
  the fullness of Christ is thrown open, and
  miserable souls are invited to come and be made eternally happy!

The gospel contains . . .
  God's kindest thoughts,
  God's wisest plans,
  God's most gracious promises, and
  God's fullest revelation of Himself!

The gospel is . . .
  balm for sinners' wounds,
  solace for the troubled conscience,
  and the remedy for a sin-broken heart!

The gospel is God's powerful instrument, through which He . . .
  raises the dead in sin,
  enlightens the blind mind,
  pardons the guilty,
  cleanses the filthy heart,
  heals the sin-sick soul, and
  makes the miserable, eternally happy!

In a word, the gospel reveals . . .
  all that God can give,
  all that man can need, and
  all that the child of God can enjoy!

Yet many spurn the gospel . . .
 some on account of its simplicity,
 some on account of its spirituality,
 and some on account of its purity.

The gospel lays man in the dust--and places God on the throne! It places man as a sinner, at the sovereign disposal of God. It will yield nothing to man's pride, and pays no compliment to man's supposed goodness or abilities.

If a man is saved at all . . .
  it is of grace alone,
  it is by Christ alone,
  it is to God's honor alone!

The gospel despises the wisdom of the world, and puts the rich and the poor, the moral and immoral, the learned and illiterate--on the same level! The pride of man cannot tolerate this!

The gospel must be experimentally known by the teaching of the Holy Spirit--before it will be loved, prized, and practiced as it ought!

Do WE personally and experimentally know the gospel? Have we tasted its sweetness--as well as felt its power? Is it to us, more desirable than gold--even the finest gold? Is it sweeter than honey--even honey dripping from the comb?

Have we received the gospel with a demonstration of the Spirit's power?
Has it . . .
  enlightened our judgments,
  purified our hearts, and
  corrected our lives?

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Dear fellow-sinners

(The following letter was written by Pastor William Burns to the youth Sunday School class in Edinburgh, on March 10, 1840.)

Dear fellow-sinners, if you take refuge by faith in this sacrifice of Emmanuel, you are saved, and cannot come into condemnation. But if you despise and reject it, then sooner may heaven and earth pass away--than that you should escape being in hell to all eternity for your sins!

I rejoice to hear that some of you seem to have gotten a glimpse of the love of Jesus, and of the preciousness of His atoning blood. To such I would say--remain at Calvary, be there sleeping and waking, at work or at play, living and dying. Gaze upon that great sight--until your conscience enjoys perfect peace with God, until your heart is filled with Emmanuel's love, and your whole soul is transformed into His image, and becomes as a mirror, finely polished to reflect the rays of His grace and glory--to all eternity!

"Look unto Jesus!" is the whole of the gospel. Look and wonder, look and live, look and love, look and adore, look and admire, look and be blessed, look and be glorified, look eternally--and your hearts will be filled with everlasting love, and your mouth with an unending hallelujah!

But what can I say to those among you, who have heard of Jesus, and whose hearts are given to another--to the world, to themselves, to a lust, to a passion, to an idol, to sin, to Satan! Ah! to hell-fire you will go--if the Lord, in infinite mercy, does not interpose for you! Children, young people, who have not yet come to Jesus--realize that you are under the wrath of God--and that every moment it is coming nearer and nearer to your poor souls! Awake, arise, flee without a moment's delay to Jesus, and take refuge below His atoning cross--and enjoy now and to all eternity--His free, infinite, and unchangeable love to perishing sinners!

Shall I meet you in heaven--or see you going away in your impenitence and unbelief to hell?

Yours in Emmanuel,
William Burns

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The sin of sacrilege!

(Octavius Winslow, "The Officer's Daughter" 1861)

"I, the Lord, have spoken! I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at My Word." Isaiah 66:2

Alas! how prevalent the sin of sacrilege is--even with some professing Christians! The common use which is sometimes made of sacred words, the light and flippant manner in which holy phrases are employed, the carnal use which is frequently made of the words of Scripture itself, the interlarding of vain conversation with Scripture phraseology, and what are intended to be witticisms--at the expense of God's holy Word. These are sins of greater prevalence and magnitude than, perhaps, many who are beguiled into their commission are aware!

We can scarcely conceive of anything more grieving to the Holy Spirit--than the manner in which some people deal with His inspired Word. Nor is the low spirituality which this solemn trifling with the Bible betrays, less painful.

A heavenly mind will guard the sacredness and purity of God's Word with holy jealousy! How can it be otherwise? To the Bible, the instrumentality of God's truth--the believer is indebted for his quickening, for his sanctification, and for his comfort! To trifle, then, with that holy Word, to quote it flippantly, to speak of it irreverently, to jest with it profanely--would seem a crime from which a mind stored with its precious treasures, and imbued with its hallowed spirit--would recoil with holy dread!

Oh, beware, reader, how you sport with, or trifle with--God's holy Scriptures! Oh, it is a fearful thing to quote with sportive lip, to touch with unhallowed hands--the holy Word of God!

"My heart stands in awe of Your Word! I rejoice in Your Word like one who discovers a great treasure!" Psalm 119:161-162

(Editor's note: It is truly lamentable, that many professing Christians use the holy Word of God to amuse others with 'bible jokes' and in other trifling and irreverent ways. Much of today's pseudo-Christian music, movies and literature--use the Word of God in a flippant manner, if not in a downright profane and sacrilegious way.)

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All this jewelry!

(Octavius Winslow)

Those bright constellations--Christ created them.
Those burning suns--Christ kindled them.
Those snow wreathed alps, those cloud capped mountains--Christ raised them.
Those verdant valleys--Christ spread them.
That blushing rose,
  that graceful lily,
  that exquisite fern,
  that curious sea flower tossed upon the shore,
  that wayside violet that screens the dew drop from the sun,
  that winding stream,
  that leafy grove--
Christ formed and penciled them all.

Yes, Christ is the one who . . .
  clad that magnificent landscape with its robe of living green;
  scented the air with its fragrance, and
  hollowed out the depth of that expansive ocean, dimpled with beauty by the gentle breeze--or awesome in its grandeur, when trod by the storm.

Truly, He has made everything beautiful in its time.

Oh! I delight to see the Incarnate God, who died to save--scattering from the opulence of His own boundless resources--all this jewelry; making man's sinful home so rich, so lovely, so attractive!

[nChrist]

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What a treacherous foe dwells in our bosom!

(Mary Winslow, "Words of Loving Counsel and Sympathy")

We live in a dangerous world--a world lying in wickedness! And when we remember what a treacherous foe dwells in our bosom, ever prompting us to evil--we need to cry mightily to God to save us from Satan, and from our own selves! "Hold me up--and I shall be safe!" Psalm 119:117

I have lately had a very sweet humbling view of my own hateful self--and a soul-melting view of the wonderful and over-whelming goodness of God, in loving and saving one so vile! "Christ died for the ungodly!" Romans 5:6

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[nChrist]

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Our Almighty Friend!

(Mary Winslow, "Words of Loving Counsel and Sympathy")

"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16

The Lord knows what we require every step we take through this poor, trying, wilderness world--and stands ready to supply our needs, small and great. He is concerned in all that concerns us. Let it be our daily habit to cast our care upon Him--who cares for us.

We must be growing in a better acquaintance with our own souls--as poor and needy; and with Christ--who is all and everything to us. For in Him all fullness dwells--and that fullness is for us! He is our rich storehouse. We need only to go and tell Him--and His heart is open to us in a moment. Let us live upon Him--and go to Him constantly! He is our Almighty Friend!

Could we look into His heart, and see how precious we were to Him, and how truly He is near to us, watching over us, directing all things for our good and His glory--how would our present grievances vanish from our minds, as we sit as beloved children at the feet of Jesus.

[nChrist]

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Engraved!

(by John MacDuff)

"Behold! I have engraved you on the palms of My hands!"  Isaiah 49:16

"Behold," says Immutable One, "I have engraved you on the palms of My hands!"
Not on the mountains, as colossal as they are--for they shall depart;
on no page of nature's vast volume--for the last fires shall scorch them;
not on blazing sun--for he shall grow dim with age;
not on glorious heavens--for they shall be folded together as a scroll.
But on . . .
  the hands of might and love,
  the hands which made the worlds,
  the hands which were transfixed on Calvary,
--I have engraved you there!

No corroding power can efface the writing, or obliterate your name!

You are Mine now--and Mine forever!

"I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish;
 no one can snatch them out of My hand!" John 10:28

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[nChrist]

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All this, and unspeakably more!

(John MacDuff)

"Receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of
 your souls." 1 Peter 1:9

The full and final salvation of our souls, embraces
the whole of what God has in reserve for His people
through eternity! It includes the enjoyment of
those pleasures . . .
  which no sin can ever pollute,
  which no sorrow can ever becloud,
  which no time can ever impair,
  which no change can ever affect,
  which no calamity can ever destroy!

The full and final salvation of our souls, includes . . .
  whatever the infinite wisdom of God can devise;
  whatever the infinite love of God can prepare;
  whatever the infinite power of God can secure;
  complete deliverance from the bondage of corruption;
  entire emancipation from the power of every foe;
  the body of sin and death forever left behind;
  every grace, grown to perfect maturity;
  all the ineffable treasures of eternal glory;
  all this, and unspeakably more!

Welcome shame and sorrow--if such an end shall at
length be ours! The ungodly world may despise us;
even our nearest friends may forsake us. Yet we can
well afford to bear their opposition without a single
murmur, if we are only permitted to cherish the hope
that our course will eventually terminate in so blissful
a consummation!

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has
 imagined--what God has prepared for those who love
 Him!" 1 Corinthians 2:9

[nChrist]

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He groaned, bled, and died for you!

(John MacDuff, "Encouragements to Patient Waiting" 1864)

"Yes, I have loved you, My people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to Myself!" Jeremiah 31:3

Christian, think on what Christ has already done for you.

He groaned, bled, and died for you!

You were lost and on your way to Hell--but He found you!
You were His enemy--but He reconciled you!
You were a captive of the devil--but He freed you!
You were blind to your desperate condition--but He cured you!
You were dead in sin--but He quickened you!

As deep as is the mountain of our guilt--deeper, far deeper is that ocean of infinite love in which God has promised to bury it forever, and to remember it no more against us!

Oh! when you reflect how He has watched over you, since He has saved you--how He has . . . .
  preserved you from dangers,
  supported you in seasons of temptation,
  sustained you in times of trial,
  nourished you in days of sickness,
  comforted you in the hours of despondency!
Surely, you cannot surely imagine that He will now desert you; you cannot believe that He will so mar the work of His own hands--the labor of His own love--as to cast you off, and leave you to perish! If He sought you when His enemy--will He not take care of you when His child?

"May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully!" Ephesians 3:19