Grace Gems

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Heaven's great storehouse!
by James Smith, very comforting.
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If Jehovah is your God!

(by James Smith)

"I will be their God--and they shall be My people!" Hebrews 8:10

So has Jehovah purposed, in reference to those whom He has eternally loved and chosen. All of our present and future blessedness, is wrapped up in this holy and gracious purpose.

If Jehovah is your God--then all of His glorious attributes and perfections and engaged and employed for your eternal welfare!
  His mercy will supply all your needs.
  His power will conquer all of your foes.
  His wisdom will direct all of your ways.
  His faithfulness will answer all of your prayers.
  His justice will maintain your cause.
  His infinite love and mercy will be displayed in all of His gracious dealings with you!

If Jehovah is your God--then . . .
  His promises are your heritage;
  His precepts are your rule;
  His doctrines are your present paradise;
  His Son is your Savior and King;
  His Spirit is your sanctifier and Tutor; and
  He Himself is your everlasting portion! Psalm 119:57

If Jehovah is your God--then He will freely confer all really good things on you at present--and crown you at last with eternal glory! He will . . .
  guide you continually,
  chasten you occasionally,
  receive you graciously,
  and bless you indeed!

If Jehovah is your God--then all things are yours--things present and to come; life, death, the world, Heaven--all are yours!

If Jehovah is your God--then He will consider nothing too great to do for you--and nothing too glorious to give to you! All the treasures of time, and all the resources of eternity--will, if necessary, be employed for your spiritual and eternal benefit! You can lack nothing which is really for your good.

To have Jehovah for your God, is the highest blessedness and honor in the universe!

How blessed is the man--who has Jehovah as his God!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

The very best things--for the very worst of men!
by James Smith, very insightful and uplifting.
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Our Heaven, our glory, and our portion!

(James Smith, "The Love of Christ! The Fullness, Freeness, and Immutability of the Savior's Grace Displayed!")

"I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far!" Philippians 1:23

"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am!" John 14:3

We shall be forever with Christ!

Now, we have to mourn His absence. Now we exclaim, "O that I knew where I could find Him!" But He has provided something better for us--even to dwell forever in His presence--which will constitute our Heaven, our glory, and our portion!

O with what rapture shall we fix and feast our eyes upon Him, and how will the thought that we are to be forever with Him--thrill through our souls, and open ten thousand gushing streams of unutterable delight and joy! O with what joy shall we hear Him say, "Come, you who are blessed of my Father!"

The presence of Jesus will . . .
  dissipate all gloom,
  disperse all slavish fears,
  chase away all darkness,
  free from all pain,
  deliver from all sorrow,
  preserve from all sickness,
  raise us above all temptations, and
  fill us with unspeakably glorious joy.

Here on earth, we may be cast down--for the way is rough and our trials are many. Here we may mourn the absence of our God--but the love of Jesus will soon rescue us, and we shall be received into His presence to abide forever!

To be with Christ--to be with Christ forever--this comprises all that we now desire, and all  that we can wish!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

The Voice!
by James Smith, very insightful.
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We all have our Ashtareth!

(John MacDuff, "Brief Thoughts for the Followers of Jesus" 1855)

"And I said--this is my infirmity!" Psalm 77:10

The best of men--are but men at best! We all have many remaining corruptions; we are all encompassed, like the high priests of old, with many infirmities. And what effect should the consideration of this humiliating but undoubted truth, produce? Ought it not, among other results, to excite in us a spirit of constant watchfulness?

We are frail creatures--ever liable to fall! And being exposed, in addition, to the wiles of our spiritual adversaries--our danger is considerably greater. It is on our indwelling corruptions, that Satan works--and often, alas, with sad success!

In addition to our general infirmities, it is probable that there is some one, or more besetting sins--to which we are particularly liable; in which case it befits us to be doubly on our guard!

"If you are returning to the Lord with all your hearts--then rid yourselves of the foreign gods--and the Ashtoreths; and commit yourselves to the Lord and serve Him only--and He will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines." 1 Samuel 7:3

Samuel exhorts them to rid themselves of the foreign gods--and the Ashtoreths. But was not Ashtareth one of the many idols--an idol like all the rest? Would not one specification, therefore, do for all? It appears not. And why? It was because Ashtareth was their favorite idol, after whom they were specially liable to go! So that while they were to put away all their foreign gods--they were to put away their Ashtoreths in particular.

And just so with us. We all have our Ashtareth, of whom, by reason of . . .
  the temper of our minds,
  or the constitution of our bodies,
  or our circumstances in life--
we are in especial danger! And while we are to be on our guard against every sin--our spiritual forces must be mustered against this besetting sin, with more than ordinary energy and decision. We are to "lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us--looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith."

Compassed about, then, as we are, with infirmities--some of a more special, and others of a more general nature--we should continually be on our watch-tower! Let us never dream that we are free from danger; for when we imagine that there is the least danger--there may be the greatest!

Reader, remember therefore, and that continually, the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, "Watch and pray--lest you enter into temptation!"

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Do nothing rashly!
by J.R. Miller, very practical.
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When all the mysteries of Providence will be solved!

(John MacDuff, "Brief Thoughts for the Followers of Jesus" 1855)

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God--to those who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

The Scriptures contain many great and precious promises--and this is one of the foremost. It is a promise that has wiped away the tear of sorrow from many an eye; it has proved a balm to many a bleeding and almost broken heart; it has given to many a mourner in Zion "beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garments of praise for the spirit of heaviness." Many have sucked at its bosom--and have been consoled. Many have reposed upon its truth--and by so doing have found peace and joy. They have been enabled to glory in tribulations, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

The language of the apostle is particularly decisive. "We know"--not we suppose, not we hope, not we trust--but we know. It was not to him, a matter of any doubtful disputation; and neither should it be to us. God has said it--and let God be true, though all men are liars.

"We know that all things" O, how comprehensive is this ALL! Nothing whatever is excepted. All things . . .
  temporal and spiritual,
  prosperous and adverse,
  health and sickness,
  life and death!

And they all work together in the most complete and beautiful harmony. The various wheels in the great machine of divine Providence, may appear to be opposed to each other; and yet every movement is directed by infinite wisdom, and tends to the accomplishment of the end proposed. And what is that end? "For good to those who love God."

Is the believer cast into the furnace of affliction?
Are all his earthly prospects blasted?
Is the desire of his eyes taken away with a stroke?
Whatever the painful visitation may be--it is for our good. As it is the well-being of the patient, that the physician has in view in the mixing up of his bitter medicines--so it is the well-being of His people, that God has in view in all His afflictive dispensations towards them.

There may be much in the divine dealings that is above our comprehension; but what we don't understand now--we shall understand hereafter. Even should God's inscrutable dealings be shrouded in mystery as long as we live--yet in Heaven, all will be clear. For every tear we have shed, for every pang we have borne--the "needs-be" will then be apparent. We shall no longer wonder . . .
   why our path was so rugged;
   why our sun was so often obscured;
   why one wave of trouble should have followed another in almost constant succession
--but we shall then bless God for it all, with our whole hearts.

After the Savior had performed some of His miracles, the people were astonished beyond measure, and they cried out with one voice, saying, "He has done all things well!" Very similar to this will it be with us in Heaven--if, through rich and reigning grace, we shall reach that blessed world. When we shall gaze upon the eternal throne, and Him who sits upon it--we shall be astonished beyond measure!

And when the books will be opened;
and when all the mysteries of Providence will be solved;
and when the whole of our own history will be explained;
and when all the turnings of the wilderness will be accounted for;
and when all the dangers to which we have been exposed will be made clear;
oh, we shall then be astonished beyond measure! And if its greatness will allow us to give expression thereto--our adoring cry will also be, "He has done all things well!"

O believer, cherish high thoughts of God in all His dealings towards you.

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

The mortifying of your darling sins
by Thomas Brooks, very helpful.
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My helper!

(James Smith "The Sure Resource!")

"The Lord is my helper!" Hebrews 13:6

Creatures sometimes would help us--but they cannot;
and sometimes they could help--but they will not.

Yet the Christian need not be discouraged; he has a Friend who can, and is always willing to help him: it is his God--his sure resource. He may be disappointed by others--but this is divinely appointed, in order to lead him to trust only in his God.

Beloved, our God Himself loves to help us. It is His delight to do us good. He is pleased to see us coming to Him for assistance, or for grace, or for His blessing; especially if we come in a filial spirit, as children to a Father.

Help is sure to be needed--for we have . . .
   many difficulties to overcome,
   many foes to conquer,
   many trials to endure,
   many duties to perform,
   and many privileges to enjoy.
But not one of them can be attended to with success--without divine help.

We have to . . .
  maintain our profession,
  mortify sin,
  cultivate holiness,
  live above the world,
  exercise our graces,
  and labor for God--
but such is our ignorance, and such is our weakness--that unless we are assisted by divine wisdom and strengthened by divine power--we shall utterly fail in every point!

God is a powerful--an omnipotent helper; He has Heaven and earth at His command. It is nothing for Him to help. He can work deliverance by the weakest instruments; and often does, in order to confound the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

He is a wise and judicious helper, and affords His assistance in such a way as to . . .
   hide pride from men;
   exercise the graces of His people;
   try the sincerity of those who profess to rely upon Him;
   and keep His saints humble at His footstool.

He equally displays His grace, wisdom, and power in . . .
   the help He affords,
   the supplies He sends,
   and the deliverances He works.

Believer, see what you have to expect! You will be tried. You will feel your own weakness. You will learn more and more--your need of divine help. Yes, you will be brought to see that only the Lord can afford you the help you need--that you need a helper, who is . . .
   infinite in wisdom,
   omnipotent in power, and
   whose grace is immutable and free.

See to whom you are to look for help in every duty, trial or conflict--to the Lord, to the Lord always, for all that you need--and to Him alone.

"The Lord is my helper!" Hebrews 13:6

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

The best means to mortify sin
Thomas Brooks, another helpful gem on mortification.
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Doubly sweet!

(John MacDuff, "Evening Incense" 1856)

Blessed Lord! I desire to draw near this night with holy boldness to the footstool of Your throne, rejoicing that I can look up to You as my Father in Heaven.

Let this hour of prayer be doubly hallowed--by the thought that I am permitted to frequent my Heavenly Father's presence, and pour my needs into my Father's ear!

Let me feel every temporal blessing to be doubly sweet--as emanating from my Heavenly Father's hand, and being a proof and pledge of my Father's love! May every rill of temporal bliss be doubly precious to me--as flowing from Christ's atoning sacrifice!

Let this season of sorrow be sweetened by the thought that the rod is in my Heavenly Father's hand--and that the voice, through apparently rough--is the tender whispering of paternal wisdom and love! May I take refuge in the arms that are chastising me, and be enabled to say in unmurmuring submission, "May the Lord's will be done!"

Hear me, gracious Father, for the sake of Jesus Christ, my blessed Lord and Savior. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

God's love-letter!
Thomas Brooks, precious.
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I am fast borne along the 'stream of time'

(John MacDuff, "EVENING INCENSE" 1856)

"It is appointed unto all once to die--and after death, the judgment!" Hebrews 9:27

O my Father, You are daily loading me with Your benefits--giving me unnumbered causes for gratitude and thankfulness. No earthly friend could have loved and cared for me like You. Oh may the life You are thus preserving by Your unceasing bounty--be unreservedly dedicated to Your praise.

O my Father, keep me mindful that I am soon to be done with this fleeting world--that I am fast borne along the 'stream of time'--to the ocean of endless futurity!

May I be living in a constant state of preparedness for that solemn hour when small and great shall stand before You, and the books shall be opened. Train me for eternity! Let me not be frittering away these fleeting, but precious moments. Impress on me the solemn conviction that "as men live--so do men die;" that as death leaves me--so judgment will find me; and as judgment finds me--so eternity will keep me.

Oh let death leave me falling asleep in Jesus, united to Him by a living faith--so that judgment may find me seated at His right hand, listening to the joyous welcome, "Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world!"

Blessed Jesus, all my hope of a glorious resurrection centers in You. I look to You as the strong tower which cannot be shaken. I flee anew to the holy sanctuary of Your covenant love. Sheltered there, amid a dissolving earth, and burning worlds--I shall be able joyfully to utter the challenge, "Who shall separate me from the love of Christ?"

Keep me from all negligence and unwatchfulness. Trim my flickering lamp. Let me live with Your Judgment-throne in view. May I ever remember--that I must soon give an account of myself to You, the infallible searcher of all hearts. May I feel that all the talents and means which You have given me--are trusts to be laid out for You. When you come to demand a reckoning, may I not be among the number of those who have hidden their talent in the earth, and have the cheerless retrospect of a misspent life.

May every providential voice sound loud in my ears, "Arise and depart--for this is not your rest, because it is defiled--it is ruined, beyond all remedy!"

Make me more heavenly-minded. Give me more of a pilgrim attitude--and a pilgrim spirit. May I ever feel that my true home is above--and that I am here on earth, but a wayfarer and sojourner, as all my fathers were. May I attain, as I advance nearer to Heaven, the blessed habit of a holy life, declaring plainly that I am seeking "a better country."

I delight often to anticipate that happy time, when I shall suffer no more--and sin no more!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

You have been long a-gathering rust!
Thomas Brooks, on afflictions--outstanding.
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You have saved the best until now!

(J.R. Miller, "Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ" 1890)

"Everyone brings out the choice wine first . . . But you have saved the best until now!" John 2:10

The world gives its best first--and the worst comes afterwards!

It is so in all sinful pleasures: first exhilaration--and then bitter remorse.

It is so in the chase for wealth, power, and fame: gratification first--and then painful disappointment. At first money brings gladness--a sort of satisfaction. But as time rolls on and wealth increases--cares multiply, anxieties thicken, burdens grow heavier, and at last--the rich man finds that in all his riches, he has less satisfaction than he had in the days when he was just a poor boy!

It is so in all mere worldly ambitions: the first cups of fame are sweet--but soon they pall upon the taste.

This truth holds especially in the sinful life: we need not deny that at the beginning, sin is sweet--but bitterness is found at the bottom of the cup!

In grace, however, this is reversed--the good wine is kept to the last! Christ Himself first had humiliation, darkness, and the shame of the cross--and then exaltation, power, glory!

In the Christian life, the same law holds:

First there comes bitterness--but out of the bitterness, sweetness flows.

There is first the deep sorrow of penitence--but this gives way to the blessed joy of forgiveness.

First comes self-denial and cross-bearing--but out of these experiences comes a holy peace which fills all the heart.

Sorrows are to be endured--but the good wine of comfort is poured into the emptied cup.

There is also a constant progression in the blessings of the divine life. We never get to the end of them! Indeed, we never get to the best! There is always something better yet to come. Christ keeps the really best wine until the very last--in Heaven! As sweet as Christ's peace now is to the Christian--he will never know the fullness of the love of God, until he gets home to the Father's house!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

I bequeath my pastor's soul to the devil!
by Thomas Brooks, insightful
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When surrounded by an ungodly society!

(J.R. Miller, "Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ" 1890)

"In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah . . . and his wife Elizabeth . . . Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly." Luke 1:5-6

It makes a great deal of difference in what times and amid what circumstances and influences, a man lives. In days when godliness pervades society--it is not remarkable that one should live righteously. But when the times are ungodly, and the prevailing spirit is wickedness--the life which is holy and devout shines with rare splendor, like a lamp in the darkness!

Such were the times and the spirit of "the days of King Herod," and such were the lives of the blameless elderly people, who are here mentioned. Amid the almost universal corruption of the society and religious leaders--they lived in piety and godly simplicity!

The lesson is--that it is not necessary for us to be and live like other people--if other people are not holy. The prevailing standard of living ought not to satisfy us--if the prevailing standard is below Scripture. No matter how corrupt the times--we should strive to live righteous and godly lives!

Nor is this impossible. God is able and willing to give us all the grace we need, to enable us to live a true and holy life--in the most unfavorable circumstances! God makes no mistakes in planting His people in this world. He does not put any of us in a spiritual climate in which we cannot grow into spiritual beauty and strength; and wherever He plants us--He sends the streams of grace to refresh and nourish us.

So, whatever our circumstances may be--it is possible for us to live a godly life! The darker the night of sin around us--the clearer and steadier should the light which streams from our life and conduct be.

Any Christian should be able to live godly--in the midst of friendly influences and favoring circumstances; but it is doubly important that we be loyal and true to Christ--when surrounded by an ungodly society!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

All the whole volume of perfections!
by Thomas Brooks, on the preciousness of God to His people!
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We should learn a lesson from the old heathen artist!

(J.R. Miller, "Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ" 1890)

"In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah . . . and his wife Elizabeth . . . Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly." Luke 1:5-6

This is a beautiful thing which God said of them. Yet, after all, that is the test which every life must endure. It is not enough to have human commendation. The question is--How do we stand before God? How does our life appear to Him? It does not matter how men praise and commend us--if God sees that we are living wrong. The Pharisees were righteous before men; but if you would see how they stood in God's eye--read the twenty-third chapter of Matthew: "You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to Hell!" (verse 33)

We are in reality--just what we are before God--nothing less, nothing more! The question we should always ask ourselves is, "What does God think of me?" If we would meet His approval, we must first have our hearts right--and then we must be blameless and uptight in every part of our life.

One of the old heathen artists was chiseling the back part of his marble statue with great pains. "Why do you carve the tresses on back of the head of your statue so carefully?" asked one; "it will stand high in its niche against the wall--and no one will ever see its back." "The gods will see it," was the reply.

We should learn a lesson from the old heathen artist! We should do our work just as honestly, where it will be covered up and never seen by human eyes--as where it is to be open to the scrutiny of the world. For God will see it! We should live just as purely and beautifully in secret--as in the glare of the world's gaze!

There really is no such thing as secrecy in this world. We imagine that no eye is looking--when we are not in the presence of men. But really, we always have a spectator--we are living all our life in the presence God Himself! We should train ourselves, therefore, to live for the Divine eye in all that we do--that our life may stand the Divine inspection, and that we may have the approval and commendation of God Himself!

"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account!" Hebrews 4:13

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Such a Friend!
by Thomas Brooks, precious!
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When earth's wine runs out!

(J.R. Miller, "Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ" 1890)

"When the wine ran out, Jesus' mother said to Him: They have no more wine." John 2:3

This incident is a very fitting illustration of the failure of all this world's joys. The wine ran out at a wedding-feast. There was not enough of it to last through to the end of the feast.

It is just so with all earth's pleasures. It comes in cups--not in fountains; and the supply is limited--and soon exhausted.

It is especially so with sin's pleasures. The prodigal son soon ran out of money, and began to be in need. A poet compared the pleasures of sin to a snowflake on the river, "a moment white--then gone forever!"

But it is true in a sense also--of pure earthly pleasures. Even the sweetness of human love is but a cupful, which will not last forever. The joy which so fills us today--tomorrow is changed to sorrow. Amid the gladness of the marriage altar--there is the knell of the end, in the words "until death do us part." One of every two friends must hold the other's hand in farewell at the edge of the valley of the shadow of death--and must stand by the other's grave, and walk alone for part of the way. The best wine of earthly life and of love--will fail. If there were nothing better in this world--how sad it would be!

But it is here that we see the glory of Christ's gospel. When earth's wine fails--Jesus comes, and gives Heaven's wine to supply the lack. How beautiful and how true is the picture here: the failing wine--and then Jesus coming with power and supplying the need! That is what He is doing continually. He takes lives which have drained their last drop of earthly gladness--and He satisfies them with spiritual good and blessing, so that they need nothing more.

When human joy fails--Jesus gives new joy, better than the world's, and in unfailing abundance! How sad it is for those who have not taken Christ into their lives, and who have nothing but the empty cup--when earth's wine runs out!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Spit out the sweet morsels of sin!
by Thomas Brooks, very helpful
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Ah yes! He does!

(J.R. Miller, "Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ" 1890)

"The Mighty One has done great things for me!" Luke 1:49

It is astonishing that the mighty God, so great, so holy--should ever think of a poor, lowly sinner on this earth!

But does He really? It scarcely seems possible! Only consider how many millions of people there are in this world. Can it be, that the glorious God ever gives a personal, special thought--to any one person, among so many? He may give personal thought to a few great people--to kings and rulers, and to certain very good men and women; but surely He does not think of anyone so small and obscure as I am. Ah yes! He does!

You remember that a child was once dying of thirst in a desert--and God heard its cries amid all the noise of the world, and sent an angel to point out a spring of water, and thus save its life.

You remember, too, that story of the little baby, which the mother could no longer herself shelter, and which she put into a little basket and laid among the reeds beside the river; and you remember how God cared for that helpless infant and provided for it in a wonderful way.

Then you remember, that Jesus said that our heavenly Father even cares for each small sparrow and feeds it, and that He even clothes each little flower in the field.

If there is not a bird or a flower that God does not think of and care for--then surely He gives thought and care to us, His people! We are better than a sparrow, better than a flower. We have immortal souls. We are God's own children; and was there ever a true father who did not think of, and love and care for his children? God calls each one of us by name. He hears our prayers. He knows when anything is going wrong with us, or when we are in any trouble. He watches over us, and sends blessings to us every day. What a wonderful thought--that the awesome and almighty God thinks of each one of us, and does great things for us!

"I am poor and needy--yet the Lord thinks upon me!" Psalm 40:17

"Casting all your care upon Him--because He cares about you!" 1 Peter 5:7

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

A cooler Hell!
by Thomas Brooks, powerful
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You are My friends!

(J.R. Miller "The Book of Comfort")

"I have called you friends!" John 15:15

If Jesus is our Friend--then . . .
  no need can be unsupplied;
  no sorrow can be uncomforted;
  no evil can overmaster us;
  we are safe for time and eternity!

"You are My friends--if you do what I command." John 15:14

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

They will not believe it--until they feel it!
An insightful and powerful audio by Thomas Brooks.
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He asks for absolute surrender!

(J.R. Miller, "Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ" 1890)

"Follow Me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19

"They immediately left their nets, and followed Him." Matthew 4:20

Their nets were probably all that they owned! It was with these, that they earned their living. Yet at the call of Christ--they gave up all, cut themselves off from their means of support, and in simple obedience and faith, went with Him.

That is just what we all should do--when Christ calls us. We should obey instantly and without questioning. No matter how much the sacrifice involves--we should make it cheerfully for His sake. Though to obey cuts us off from all our ordinary means of livelihood, and leaves us without provision even for tomorrow--we should not hesitate. Christ takes care of His servants--when they are faithfully doing His will. He asks for absolute surrender to Him. He wants us to trust Him--while we obey Him unquestioningly.

The faith in Christ which the gospel requires--is the utter, unreserved devotement of the whole life to Him, and the unquestioning commitment to Him for time and for eternity--of every interest and hope. The question of what He will do with us or for us, or how He will provide for us--should not be raised for an instant. There must be no 'conditions'--in the following and the consecration. We may not 'bargain' with Jesus for an easy time, for 'smooth and pleasant paths'--but should simply give ourselves to Him absolutely and forever, to follow where and to whatever He may lead us.

The "immediately" is also important. Many people are forever postponing duties. But every call of Christ should be answered immediately. Many people obey so laggardly, so reluctantly, and so long after they are called--that half the value of their obedience is lost! Christ always wants instant obedience. There is no 'tomorrow' with Him. Tomorrow He may not have any need of us, or we may not be here to do the duty which He now asks of us.

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
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http://www.gracegems.org/
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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Holy, Holy, Holy!
Thomas Brooks, superb, on the nature of God.
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Study the 'two pictures' together--to see what grace can do for a man!

(J.R. Miller, "Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ" 1890)

"He appointed the Twelve: To Simon, He gave the name Peter" Mark 3:16

In an art gallery in Europe are shown, side by side--the first and the last works of a great artist. The first is very crude and most faulty; the last is a masterpiece. The contrast shows the results of long culture and practice.

These two names--are like those two pictures:

"Simon" shows us the crude fisherman of Galilee, with all his rashness, his ignorance, his imperfectness.

"Peter" shows us the apostle of the Acts and the Epistles; the firm and secure rock; the man of great power, before whose Spirit-filled eloquence, thousands of proud hearts bow; the gentle, tender soul whose words fall like a benediction; the noble martyr witnessing to the death for his Lord.

Study the 'two pictures' together--to see what grace can do for a man!

It is not hard to take roses, lilies, fuchsias, and all the rarest flowers--and make forms of exquisite beauty with them. But to take weeds, dead grasses, dried leaves, and trampled and torn and faded flowers--and make lovely things out of such base materials--is the severest test of skill.

It would not be hard to take an angel--and train him into a glorious messenger. But to take such a man as Simon, or as Saul, or as John Newton, or as John Bunyan--and make him into a holy saint or a mighty apostle--that shows great power and ability!

Yet that is exactly what Christ did with Peter--and has been doing ever since. He takes the poorest stuff, despised, worthless and vile--ofttimes the outcast of men; and when He has finished His gracious transforming work--we behold a saint whiter than snow!

The sculptor beheld an 'angel' in the rough, blackened stone, which had been thrown away. And when he was finished--behold! men saw an angel cut from the rejected block!

Just so, Christ can take us, as rough, as unpolished and as vile as we are--and in His hands, our lives shall grow into purity and loveliness, until He presents us at last before the celestial throne, faultless and perfect! "For those God foreknew--He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son!" Romans 8:29