Grace Gems

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Correcting in love--not smiting in wrath
By Arthur Pink  Play Audio! Download Audio

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That I may WIN Christ!

(James Smith, "Paul's Seven Wishes" 1856)

"That I may WIN Christ!" Philippians 3:8

Paul was not merely satisfied to know Christ, as the property of someone else; he wanted Christ as his own! He was not only willing to receive Christ as a free gift--but he would win Christ as a prize!

Was Christ to be run for--then he would run.
Was Christ to be wrestled for--then he would wrestle.
Were there any means by which Christ could be obtained, however painful, however costly, however difficult--then Paul would use them!

Did he believe? It was that he might win Christ.
Did he pray? It was that he might win Christ.
Did he preach? It was that he might win Christ.
Did he crucify the old man, mortify the flesh, beat his body and make it his slave? It was that he might win Christ.
Did he suffer the loss of all things, and count them but dung and dross? It was that he might win Christ.
Did he subject himself to stripes, imprisonment, hunger, cold, nakedness, and a martyr's death? It was that he might win Christ.

To possess Christ was his one object, his ruling desire!

Reader, is it your main object and desire?

Are you prepared to part with all to win Christ?

Would you take Christ--in exchange for ease, reputation, wealth, labors, sufferings, yes, even death itself? Paul was; and if you are not, his estimates of Christ and yours cannot be the same.

My soul, I charge you--let this be your object, let this be your aim, always and everywhere: to "win Christ!"

[nChrist]

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We have posted another choice VIDEO:
Living a Life that Matters--"Living Eternally!"
This 5 minute excerpt from a sermon by Francis Chan, is a powerful illustration on living life from the perspective of eternity.
WATCH Video   Download Video

   ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

Is this pleasing to God?

(James Smith, "The Proper Aim of a Christian's Life" 1856)

"Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus, to do this more and more!" 1 Thessalonians 4:1

In every place,
in every circumstance,
in every undertaking--
the Christian should ask, "Is this pleasing to God?"

God is pleased or displeased . . .
  with every thought we think,
  with every word we speak,
  with every action we perform,
  with every emotion we feel.

Perhaps we do not sufficiently realize this. We think, speak, feel, and act--without ever considering whether we are pleasing God, or not. But this ought not to be, for He . . .
  gave us our being,
  redeemed us from sin and damnation,
  called us by His grace, and
  has blessed us with innumerable and interminable blessings--
and all that we may glorify Him! And how can we glorify Him--but by habitually aiming to please Him? If we forget or lose sight of this--we forget and lose sight of the principal end of our being, and well-being.

For instance, the manner in which I employ my spare time--the amount of time I give to  recreation or entertainment. Many Christians seem never to think whether the way in which they spend their time, is pleasing to God or not. If they did, would they ever go to some entertainments, or indulge in certain pleasures? Would the world have so much of their time, and the prayer-closet so little? How much time is wasted in frivolous ways, which are neither conducive to the health of the body, nor calculated to promote the spirituality of the mind.

Also, how many squander their money on dress, ornaments, or delicacies for the body--who never relieve the poor, or contribute to establish God's cause in the world; or if they do so at all, it is not in due proportion to their means. The pence are given to the Lord--the pounds are spent in the gratification of SELF!

If, when I am going to lay out money in ornaments or dress, or indulgences for the table, I was to ask, "Is this pleasing to God?"--would it not check my lavish expenditure? Would it not often change the course in which my money flows?

"And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way." Colossians 1:10

My object in everything I do--should be to please God. The one grand end of my life, the grand thing I am to aim at--is to please my Heavenly Father. I have . . .
  nothing to dread, but His frown,
  nothing to fear, but His displeasure,
  nothing to seek, but His approbation.
If my Heavenly Father is pleased with me--it is enough.

What a comfort it is to know that my God is easily pleased--that it is not the amount of what I do--but the motive from which I do it, which He looks at! He is pleased with my poorest performances, with my most imperfect services, with only a cup of cold water given to one of His children--if my object is to please Him!

In everything I do, I should ask, "Is this pleasing to God?" If so, all is well.

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do--do it all for the glory of God!" 1 Corinthians 10:31. This is the rule--and we should walk by it.

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

A cross of their own choosing!
By Thomas Watson, on afflictions
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It will all end in mercy!

(James Smith, "It Will All End in Mercy!" 1856)

"We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God, and are called according to His purpose!" Romans 8:28

If you are a sincere believer in Jesus, whatever may be your present difficult circumstances, however trying, however perplexing, "It will all end in mercy!"
You may not think so now.
You may be writing bitter things against yourself.
You may be misinterpreting the designs of God's providence.
You may be doubting the precious promises of God's holy Word.
But, notwithstanding your mistakes, your doubts, your fears, your false conclusions--"It will all end in mercy!"

You do not think so--nor did Jacob once, nor did Joseph once, nor did Job once, nor did thousands once--who are now in glory!
They were mistaken--and so are you!
They judged by appearances--and so do you!
They changed their minds--and so will you!

All your troubles are appointed in infinite love!

They are all weighed out by sovereign goodness!

They are all limited by perfect wisdom!

There is no 'chance' in what happens to the Christian!

Everything is divinely arranged and appointed!

Cheer up, my poor weary fellow-traveler! You will soon arrive at Home, and then you will see clearly and enjoy sweetly the blessed truth--that to the believer "all will end in mercy!"

Take comfort, poor afflicted fellow-Christian! Your afflictions are God's furnace, in which He is refining you! He is only fitting you to occupy a mansion in Heaven, and to sing the sweet and everlasting song--the theme of which will be, "It all ended in mercy!"

Fear not, poor feeble, fickle, faltering follower of Jesus!
Though your faith is weak,
though your fears are strong,
though your doubts are painful,
though you conclude that your case is singular and your condition hopeless--"the year of release is at hand," and then . . .
  your doubts will expire,
  your fears will flee away,
  your groans will be silenced,
  your feeble hopes will be realized,
  for "It will all end in mercy!"

My brother, are you in poverty, under persecution, or in bodily sickness? Cheer up! Your light shall soon "break forth as the morning!" Write it down in your memorandum book, or impress it upon your memory, or, what is better still--pray the Holy Spirit to give you the sweet inward assurance of the fact, that "It will all end in mercy," for "we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God, and are called according to His purpose!" Romans 8:28

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

The trials and sufferings of the godly
By Thomas Watson
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My friend, how is it with you?

(James Smith, "Paul's Seven Wishes" 1856)

"That Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain!" Philippians 1:20, 21

Paul's third all-absorbing desire was to MAGNIFY Christ!

Paul desired to exhibit and exalt Christ!
If he wrote--he wrote of Christ.
If he spoke--he spoke of Christ.
If he suffered--he suffered for Christ.
If he sorrowed--it was because professors dishonored Christ.

Christ was to him dearer than the apple of his eye--and more precious than all things in earth or Heaven! He would live--if he could honor Jesus; or he would die for Him--if that would honor Him more.

He felt his obligation to Christ.
He was inflamed with Christ's love.
He was a sacrifice on Christ's altar.
He was a vessel for Christ's honor.
He would go anywhere, he would do anything--if he might but honor Christ. Heartily he would say, "Let the name of Paul perish, if the name of Christ can be magnified thereby!"

To him Christ was, in fact, all and all. He died for Christ; the honor of Christ was the end for which he laid down his life.

My friend, how is it with you?

Does your heart cry, "Oh, that I could honor Christ!"

Does your life make this impression on others: "That person aims to honor Christ!"

Is it your daily cry and prayer: "Let Christ be magnified in me, by me, and through me--in life, in death, in time, and forever!"

Oh my soul, let it be my constant desire and prayer--that Jesus, my Jesus, may be magnified by me!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Altogether lovely!
By Charles Spurgeon
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Paul desired to be exactly like Jesus!

(James Smith, "Paul's Seven Wishes" 1856)

"I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings--becoming like him in His death!" Philippians 3:10

Paul's next all-absorbing desire was to be CONFORMED to Christ! It was not enough to know Christ, to win Christ, to magnify Christ, or to be in Christ; Paul wishes to be LIKE Christ! He would . . .
  breathe His spirit,
  exhibit His temper,
  copy His example, and
  be just like Christ!

He desired to be . . .
  like Christ in poverty,
  like Christ in suffering,
  like Christ in death itself!

Paul desired to be exactly like Jesus!
Meek--as Jesus was meek.
Patient--as Jesus was patient.
Loving--as Jesus was loving.
Useful--as Jesus was useful.
In every point resembling Him!

What admiration of Christ is here!
What love to Christ!
What self-renunciation!
What power of grace!
What a wonderful transformation! How unlike 'Saul of Tarsus', the Pharisee of the Pharisees, the persecutor of the church, the blasphemer of the Nazarene! What could be more unlike?
Once he saw no beauty in Christ--now he sees nothing but beauty!
Once he could not bear the mention of His name--now he never seems happy, but when pronouncing it!
Once he was exceedingly violent against Christ and His people--now his heartfelt abiding cry is, "I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings--becoming like Him in His death!"

Dear reader, have you ever experienced any such change?
Are you panting, praying, striving to be like Jesus?
Are you willing to be anything that Jesus was--that you may be like Him?
Are you willing to suffer even death--that you may be conformed to Him?

My soul, this is a very high attainment--aspire to it! Seek grace day by day at the throne of grace--that you may so love, so admire, so adore the Savior--as to desire to be conformed to Him in life, in death, and forever!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

A house of fools!
By Thomas Brooks
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He felt himself in a great strait!

(James Smith, "Paul's Seven Wishes" 1856)

Paul's next all-absorbing desire was to be WITH Christ!

Paul dearly loved his work.
He was greatly attached to the church--which needed his presence, gifts, and labors.
He deeply sympathized with poor perishing sinners--who needed the gospel.
But such was his love to Jesus, that he felt himself in a great strait, "I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far!" (Philippians 1:23) He says nothing about place, or employment, the absence of sorrow, or the possession of joy; his heart was fixed on the person of Christ.

To be with Christ--this was his desire.
To be with Christ anywhere--was enough.
To be with Christ forever--was a sufficient Heaven!

Paul was willing to lay down his body--if by doing so, he may be with Christ.
To be with Christ, to him was far better than life with all its comforts.
To be with Christ, to him was far better than the world with all its privileges and pleasures.
To be with Christ! This is . . .
  the flower of bliss,
  the crown of glory,
  the perfection of happiness!

To be with Christ! Paul could desire nothing beyond this!

My friend, can you empathize with Paul here?

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Rattles and baubles!
By Thomas Brooks
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This is a sweet and precious truth!

(James Smith, "The Pleading Savior" 1861)

"I am glorified in them!" John 17:10

That is, I HAVE been glorified . . .
  by their faith, for they have exercised confidence in Me;
  by their choice, for they have left all and followed Me;
  by their ministry, for they went where I sent them, and served as I directed them;
  by their self-denial, for they have taken up their cross and have followed Me;
  by their perseverance, for they have adhered to Me when others forsook Me;
  by their holy character, for they have endeavored to imitate Me.

I SHALL be glorified . . .
  in their full redemption and perfect salvation,
  in their worship and services,
  in their motives and actions,
  by their undivided love and practical holiness!

Jesus gets glory by all that He does, or suffers, or procures for His people--and by all that they do and suffer for Him! This is a sweet and precious truth to the believer--full of comfort, and a source of the sweetest joy!

Jesus is glorified by all that He does for me--and by all that I do for Him!

Marvelous mystery! Glorious scheme! Worthy at once of the wisdom, majesty, and grace of God!

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Rattles and baubles!
By Thomas Brooks
Play Audio! Download Audio

  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

The world's politics, pleasures, and pursuits!

(James Smith, "The Wondrous Love of Christ, as Displayed in His Intercessory Prayer!" 1861)

The world and the Church are essentially and eternally distinct--and they ought to be distinguishable. The Church ought not to mix with the world--but to bear a practical testimony against it, that its works and ways are evil. All through our Lord's prayer, He keeps up the distinction, and twice over He asserts of His disciples, "They are not of the world--even as I am not of the world!"

Believers are not of the world. They are born from above, and possess a nature far superior to that of the world--which unfits them for its pleasures and pursuits, and qualifies them for the enjoyments and employments of the Heavenly world.

They are delivered from the thraldom of the world--and are raised above its pursuits and its joys.

They will not be conquered by the world--but overcome it by faith.

They will not be judged with it--but with Christ will sit in judgment upon it.

They will not be punished like it--neither in the present nor in the future state.

True believers are not of the world!

Look at the world's state--condemned; and theirs, justified!

Look at its condition--wretched; and theirs, happy!

Look at its character--enemies to God; and theirs, the friends of God!

Look at its course--sin; and theirs, holiness!

Look at its god--Satan, the most degraded, depraved, and despicable being in existence; and theirs, Jehovah, the high and lofty one, the holy and happy one, the great and glorious one!

Look at its end--destruction; and theirs, salvation.

The world is darkness--they are light.
The world is corrupt--they are purified.
The world is in chains--they are free.

We are not of the world, even as Christ is not of the world!

If we are poor--let us not, then, envy the world.

A saint in rags--is preferable to a sinner in robes!

A believer in a hovel--is happier than a worldling in a palace!

A Christian at the worst--is far better off than a worldling at the best!

Whatever we have--we have with God's blessing!
Whatever the world has--it has with God's curse!

We are training for greatness and grandeur!
The world is preparing for shame and everlasting contempt!

The world is no model for a Christian! We should . . .
  not dress so expensively,
  nor furnish our homes so extravagantly,
  nor live so luxuriously--as the world does!
But as strangers and pilgrims in the world--we should abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.

Let us not be dejected--if we are stripped of what we now have. We are not of the world--we do not have our portion here. We need but little of this world's goods, and our Heavenly Father will see to it that we have enough. He will not allow us to lose anything that is essential to our holiness or happiness. As our lives are insured by our Heavenly Father--so all our needs are anticipated, and provided for. Lose what we may--we shall never lose . . .
  our God,
  our title deed to our glorious inheritance, or
  our place at the marriage supper of the Lamb!

Let us not be much troubled about the world. As we are . . .
  chosen out of it,
  redeemed from it, and
  shall soon leave it--
we should not allow ourselves to be very much affected by any of its affairs. The world's politics, pleasures, and pursuits--should be looked upon by us with the eye of a foreigner--for we are strangers and pilgrims on the earth, as all our fathers were. We arrived in the world but yesterday--and we leave tomorrow!

Let us not, therefore, mix up with the world, or be much taken up with its schemes and cares, its speculations or its prospects.

Let us always keep up our distinction from the world. Not in a spirit of pride or self-righteousness, as if conscious of some supposed superiority in ourselves. But in a meek, lowly, and loving spirit--let us avoid all that is really evil, and abstain from what has the appearance of evil.

Heavenly Father, as You have chosen us out of the world--give us grace to live above the world, and enable us to glorify You in the world! Make us like your beloved Son, who was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners. Oh, to live in this world as strangers and pilgrims--as those whose treasure is above--and whose hearts are there also!

[nChrist]

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We have no 'text' quote today. Instead, we highly
encourage everyone to listen to the following audio
message by Horatius Bonar. The audio messages
really are the best thing on the whole website--but
some subscribers rarely listen to them. Just click
on the following link:

Are we Christians? Or are we worldlings?

[nChrist]

Your portrait!
From Timeless Grace Gems
(James Smith, "The Physician!" 1855)

"Those who are whole do not need a physician--but those who are sick!" Matthew 9:12

The world is one vast hospital. Jesus is the only physician in it; He has healed thousands, He will heal thousands more. But multitudes reject Him; they imagine they can do without Him; they think that they are whole--and therefore do not need a physician.

Sin is the disease of the soul. The sinner's state, is a diseased state. He is sick--mortally sick. His sickness is hereditary. He inherited it from his parents. He brought it into the world with him. That is true of all--which was spoken by David of himself, "Behold I was shaped in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me!"

Sin is increased by wicked habits. We go astray from the womb, speaking lies. We contract the habit of sinning--so that to sin becomes as natural to us, as to breathe.

The disease of sin is contagious. We contaminate others--and others increase our sickness. "Bad company corrupts good character."

The progress of this disease is constant--it spreads daily--almost insensibly, and especially from neglect.

Sin produces great weakness, so that the sinner cannot of himself, do anything really good.

Sin not only makes us weak, but stupid--so that we become careless and foolish. We are dying of disease--but are unconcerned about it! There is a skillful physician at hand--but we refuse to apply to Him!

Sin has destroyed all our moral beauty--and left us loathsome, unsightly, and wretched! It produces innumerable and horrendous pains--and surrounds us with sorrows, cares, and woes!

Sin brings us to death--not only separating the body from the soul--but separating the soul from God!

Sin is the forerunner of eternal and unmitigated weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth!

There is no sickness like sin--yet this disease is universal. All are sick! "Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good--not even one!" Romans 3:9-12

This disease affects every part of man, "The whole head is sick, and the whole heart is faint. From the sole of the foot, even unto the head, there is no soundness in it--only wounds and bruises and putrefying sores!" Isaiah 1:5, 6. Man is one mass of moral disease! Every power and faculty is disordered. All the elements of destruction are within himself. He deeply needs a physician, for he is dreadfully sick; so sick, that there is but a step between him and damnation!

My dear reader, this is your state! The Holy Spirit has given your portrait in the passages you have just read.
Can you recognize the likeness? If not--your eye is diseased!
Do you feel alarmed at the representation? If not--your conscience is diseased!
Are you determined at once to apply to the physician? If not--your heart is diseased!

The plague spot is upon you! You are very far advanced in a moral and spiritual cancer--which is secretly hurrying you to eternal death and damnation! O may the Lord . . .
open your eyes--that you may see your dreadful state;
enlighten your conscience--that you may be alarmed at your condition;
and quicken your soul--that you may flee to Jesus and receive health, healing, and everlasting soundness from His hands!

Jesus is the best physician. His work is to heal souls. He is every way qualified for His work.

He is a wise and skillful physician. All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Him--and He employs them for the good of souls. He has been employed in healing sinners for six thousand years--His skill has never been baffled, nor has one patient died under His hand yet!

He is a kind and tender physician. Not one harsh word is ever spoken by Him, to a poor broken-hearted sinner; nor does He ever refuse to attend to any case. His kindness is such--that He weeps with those who weep! And His tenderness is so great--that it is said in reference to all His patients, "In all their afflictions--He is afflicted."

He is a friendly and faithful physician. There is nothing forbidding or austere in His manner, nor does He ever deceive. Friendship has erected her throne in His heart, and built her mansion in His bosom; and He is ever faithful to His word, and to the poor sick sinner who applies to Him.

He is a willing and accessible physician. Willing to heal anyone who is willing to be healed by Him--and to go anywhere to perform His miracles of mercy. As when applied to of old, He said "I will come and heal him!" Just so now! He stoops to the beggar in the dust, and visits the needy on the dunghill. He is always ready at hand. You need no messenger to send and fetch Him--He is within hearing! He is nearer than anyone else--He can hear the softest whisper of the heart!

He is the great physician, no one can be compared to Him for qualifications or success.

He is the good physician, no one beside Him can be found--who so kindly, so freely, and so effectually heals every applicant! His blood is the true balm of Gilead.

It is not only His work--but His delight to heal sin-sick souls! And He heals them all freely, certainly, and perfectly!  His terms are, "No Money! No Price!" Those whom He restores to health--will enjoy health forever. He makes every one of His patients immortal--and surrounds them with all that can make them holy and happy forever!

PUBLIC DOMAIN - Permission is not required to reproduce this material. Feel free to forward this on to your friends.

[nChrist]

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Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Pleasure is not happiness
By D. R. Thomason
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  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

Will this please God?

(James Smith, "The Voice of Mercy in the House of Affliction!" 1855)

"So we make it our goal to please Him." 2 Corinthians 5:9

Our principal business on earth is to please God.
This is the grand end of our creation--we were formed to glorify Him.
This was the great design in our redemption--to show forth His praise.
On this one object--our attention should be fixed!
To this one end--all our efforts should be directed!

In every enterprise, our first inquiry should be--Will this please God? And after every engagement, the point we should strive to ascertain is--Have I pleased God in this?

And if this is true--then how have we been living? Day after day has passed away--and we have never once thought about pleasing God! One engagement has followed another--but it has never been our aim to please God! In this we are truly guilty!

And this, while it proves our depravity--also accounts for our unhappiness. We never can be happy--but as we have a well-grounded conviction that we are pleasing God!

Reader, has pleasing God been the main object of your life? Have you been habitually aiming at this one end? Or, rather have you not entirely forgotten it, and busied yourself about almost everything beside?

"That you may live a life worthy of the Lord, and may please Him in every way." Colossians 1:10

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

The plague of unsatisfiedness
By Thomas Brooks
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  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

To fill Heaven with Hells!

(Thomas Brooks, "The Crown and Glory of Christianity,
 or, HOLINESS, the Only Way to Happiness" 1662)

"Man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks up evil
 like water!" Job 15:16

A wicked man is a sin-lover; he is a sin-maker,
he lives in sin upon choice.

All profane people . . .
  give up themselves to wickedness,
  wallow in ungodliness,
  delight themselves in filthiness,
  commit wickedness with greediness,
  draw iniquity and sin with cords of vanity,
  weary themselves to commit iniquity, and
  are so desperately set upon wickedness--
that neither the rod of God, the lashes and checks of
their own consciences, nor the flashes of Hell upon their
souls--can stop them! They are resolved that they will
gratify their lusts--though they damn their souls; and
that will live wickedly--though they perish eternally!

By custom in sin, they have destroyed all conscience
of sin, and contracted such desperate hardness upon
their own hearts, as neither . . .
  God's smiles, nor frowns,
  God's promises, nor threatenings,
  life, nor death,
  Heaven, nor Hell,
can possibly hinder them!

The hearts and ways of wicked men are full of
Hells; and therefore to fill Heaven with such
men--would be to fill Heaven with Hells!

Certainly God will shut the gates of glory upon
such workers of iniquity. These souls are . . .
  sadly abandoned by God, and
  woefully blinded by Satan, and
  fully ripened for eternal ruin!

"All will be damned who have not believed the truth, but
 have delighted in wickedness." 2 Thessalonians 2:12

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Lopsided religion
By Harvey Newcombe
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  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

The mercy of God

(Charles Spurgeon)

"I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever!" Psalm 52:8

Meditate a little on the mercy of God.

It is tender mercy. With gentle, loving touch, He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds. He is as gracious in the manner of His mercy--as in the matter of it.

It is great mercy. There is nothing little in God; His mercy is like Himself--infinite. You cannot measure it. His mercy is so great--that it forgives great sins of great sinners, after great lengths of time; and then gives great favors and great privileges, and raises us up to great enjoyments in the great Heaven of the great God!

It is undeserved mercy, as indeed all true mercy must be, for deserved mercy is only a misnomer for justice. There was no right on the sinner's part, to the saving mercy of the Most High God. Had the rebel been doomed at once to eternal fire--he would have justly merited the doom; and if delivered from wrath, sovereign love alone has found a cause, for there was none in the sinner himself.

It is rich mercy. Some things are large--but have little efficacy in them--but this mercy is:
  a cordial to your drooping spirits;
  a golden ointment to your bleeding wounds;
  a heavenly bandage to your broken bones;
  a royal chariot for your weary feet;
  a bosom of love for your trembling heart!

It is manifold mercy. As Bunyan says, "All the flowers in God's garden are double." There is no single mercy. You may think you have but one mercy--but you shall find it to be a whole cluster of mercies.

It is abounding mercy. Millions have received it--yet far from its being exhausted, it is as fresh, as full, and as free as ever!

It is unfailing mercy. It will never leave you. If saved by sovereign mercy--mercy will be . . .
  with you in temptation--to keep you from yielding;
  with you in trouble--to prevent you from sinking;
  with you in living--to be the light and life of your countenance; and
  with you in dying--to be the joy of your soul when earthly comfort is ebbing fast!

"I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever!" Psalm 89:1

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

The acorns with which God feeds swine!
By Thomas Watson
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What God has prepared for those who love Him!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"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

Oh! what enlightenment, what joys, what consolation, what delight of heart--is experienced by him who has learned to feed on Jesus--and on Jesus alone. Yet the realization which we have of Christ's preciousness is, in this life, imperfect at the best. As an old writer says, "Tis but a taste!" We have but tasted "that the Lord is gracious," but we do not yet know how good and gracious He is; although what we know of His sweetness, makes us long for more. We have enjoyed the first fruits--and they have set us hungering and thirsting for the fullness of the heavenly vintage! Here on earth, we are like Israel in the wilderness, who had but one cluster from Eshcol--but there, we shall be in the vineyard!

We are but beginners now in spiritual education; for although we have learned the first letters of the alphabet, we cannot read words yet, much less can we put sentences together! As one says, "He who has been in heaven but five minutes--knows more than all the theologians on earth!"

We have many ungratified desires at present--but soon every wish shall be satisfied! All our powers shall find the sweetest employment in that eternal world of unbounded joy.

O Christian, within a very little time, you shall be rid of all your trials and your troubles! Your eyes which are now suffused with tears--shall weep no longer. You shall gaze in ineffable rapture upon the splendor of Him who sits upon the throne! Nay, more--you yourself shall sit upon His throne! The triumph of His glory shall be shared by you! His crown, His joy, His paradise--these shall be yours! You shall be co-heir with Him who is the heir of all things!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

True religion!
By John Angell James
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Fleeting earthly comforts and worldly trinkets!

(J. R. Miller, "Miller's Year Book--a Year's Daily Readings")

"Unto Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think!" Ephesians 3:20

God often does better for us--than we ask.
We go to Him--with our little requests.
We are in need--and ask for temporal relief.
We are suffering--and ask that our pain may cease.
We are poor--and ask Him for more money.

We are just like the beggar, holding out our hands for paltry alms to eke out the day's need. Then God looks down upon us and says, "My child, are these little trifles all you want Me to give to you--daily bread, clothing, fuel for your fire, medicine for your sickness, comfort for your grief? The small things to supply your common needs--are these the only gifts and blessings you want and ask from the hand of your heavenly Father, who has infinite treasures to give to you?"

Yet thousands never get beyond just such requests in their praying! Bowing daily before a God of infinite power and love, in whose hands are unsearchable riches--they never ask for anything but fleeting earthly comforts and worldly trinkets! They ask only for things for their bodies, or to beautify their homes--making no requests for the heavenly and spiritual gifts that God has for their souls! We should learn to ask for the best things in all God's treasure house!

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things!" Colossians 3:1-2