Grace Gems

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

They are preaching up the devil's old, favorite doctrine!
by J.C. Ryle  Play Audio!  Download Audio

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Surely there was no more royal moment in all of Christ's life!

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

"Today you shall be with Me in paradise!" Luke 23:43

This was the second saying of the Savior on the cross. Something touched the heart of one of the robbers--may it not have been the Savior's prayer for His murderers? He became penitent in his dying hour, and cried to Jesus for mercy: "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." Quickly from the lips of the dying Redeemer, came the gracious response, "Today you shall be with Me in paradise!" The words are full of meaning, of which only broken hints can here be given.

Though in the agony of death Himself--Jesus could yet give life to a dead soul. Though draining the dregs of the cup of woe--He could give a cup of blessedness to a penitent sinner. Though His hand was nailed to the cross--it yet carried the key of paradise, and opened the gate to allow a repentant soul to enter. Surely there was no more royal moment in all of Christ's life, than this!

The promise itself, tells us what death is for the believer. "Today you shall be with Me!" There is no long, dark passage, therefore, through which the freed soul must go to reach blessedness. There is no "purgatory" in which it must punished for its sins for many years--before it can enter Heaven. At once, the redeemed spirit goes into the presence of Christ!

Paul teaches us the same truth when he describes death as departing to be with Christ; and says that to be absent from the body--is to be at home with the Lord. That same day, said Jesus--this penitent thief would be in paradise! We ought not then, to be afraid to die--if we are Christ's redeemed and holy ones.

The words tell us also, what Heaven's blessedness really consists of. "You shall be with Me." Being with Christ--is glory! No sweeter, more blessed Heaven can be conceived of!

We know but little about Heaven as a place--where it is, what it is like; but this much we know--that there, we shall be with Christ! Is not that enough to know?

[nChrist]

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Dear unsaved friend,
Could you please read the following carefully, and then sign it--if you agree to it.


I am resolved to persevere in sin, and follow the maxims and customs of those around me--though it costs me the loss of my soul, and exposes me to everlasting damnation.

I am resolved to reject the Son of God--I will not embrace Him as my Savior, or have Him reign over me. I am resolved that I will not accept the pardon which God presents to me in the gospel, though it cost Jesus His life to procure it--and I know I must eternally perish without it. I am determined not to submit to God's way of salvation, and I consent to be lost forever! I have made up my mind, that I will never consent to receive a free salvation by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ--I will not have it!

I am resolved . . .
to reject God's message,
to dare His justice,
to defy His power,
to refuse His mercy,
to brave His threatened wrath, and
to harden myself against all His invitations, expostulations, exhortations, and promises!

I am resolved that I will not . . .
bow to His authority,
yield to His entreaties,
believe on His Son,
repent of my sins,
love His name,
or obey His precepts!

I am determined that there shall never be joy in Heaven among the angels of God--on account of my conversion.

I will never . . .
desert the ranks of Satan,
give up my sinful practices,
ask for mercy at God's hands,
or take up my cross and follow Christ!

I am resolved . . .
to keep on in my old wicked course,
to persevere in my present sinful path,
to associate with my carnal companions--
and if it secures my eternal damnation--then let it do so!

I will not receive salvation on God's terms,
I will not stoop to be saved by grace alone,
I will not take the yoke of Christ upon me, and engage to be His subject and servant--even though Heaven and all the glories of eternity would be secured by it.

If I cannot escape the wrath of God--but by faith, repentance, and holiness--why, I am determined go to Hell, for I am resolved not to yield to any such terms!

It is of no use for the preacher to spend His breath upon me! My mind is made up, I will be my own master, I will take my own course! No one has any right to interfere with me--for I shall injure no one but myself!

I have no objection to going to church, or to attending to some religious forms--but to give my heart to God, to be crucified to the present world, and to make God's glory the end of life--will never do for me; therefore I gladly take the consequences.

If this is required of those who would be true Christians--then you must stop urging me--for I will not yield! You must stop all attempts to convert me, for my mind is made up! I have heard hundreds of sermons, I have read the Bible myself--but I have hardened myself against the whole, and I am not going to yield now!

Tell me no more of the Savior's love,
tell me no more of the pleasures of holiness,
tell me no more of the terrors of death,
tell me no more of the dreadful judgment,
tell me no more of the joys of Heaven,
tell me no more of the agonies of Hell--
for you will never induce me to yield myself unto God, and seek the salvation of my soul. For my mind is made up, and my daily conduct is enough to convince you of it, if anything would. I am resolved not to yield--let the consequences be what they may!

I will go on just as I have done!

I will not be Christ's servant!

I will not be God's child!

I will obey only Satan!

I will follow the course of this evil world!

I will serve my lusts and pleasures!

In proof thereof, witness my signature, ____________.



Will you now sign your name?

Will you now solemnly put your seal to this statement?

Why are you so afraid?

Do not your actions speak louder than your words? Is not your daily practice stronger proof--than just putting your name to a statement once? If you do not say the above in words--yet if you do so in your actions--then where is the difference? Does not God read the language of your life? If you say it in your daily practice--then why not boldly take the pen and openly sign your name?

Soon the judgment shall be set, and the books shall be opened--and your criminality and folly shall be published before assembled worlds!

Well, will you sign the above? Why not? Is it true of you--or is it not?

(by James Smith)

[nChrist]

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From Grace Gems:
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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Everything short of Hell is a mercy!
by James Smith, very comforting.
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Where are you going?

(James Orr, "How to Live a Holy Life")

We have only one life to live--only one. Think of this for a moment.

Here we are in this world of time, making the journey of life. Each day we are farther from the cradle--and nearer to the grave! Solemn thought! See the mighty concourse of human lives; hear their heavy tread in their onward march. Some are just beginning life's journey; some are midway up the hill, some have reached the top, and some are midway down the western slope. But where are we all going? Listen, and you will hear but one answer, "Eternity!" Beyond the fading, dying gleams of the sunset of life--lies a boundless, endless ocean called Eternity! There, you and I are daily traveling.

Time is like a great wheel going its round. On and on it goes. Some are stepping on--and some are stepping off. But where are these latter stepping? Into eternity! See that old man with bent form, snow-white locks, and tottering steps. His has been a long round, but he has reached his end at last. See the middle-aged man. His round has not been so long, but he must also step off. See the youth. He has been on only a little while--but he is brought to the stepping-off place. He thought his round would be much longer. He supposed that he was just getting started--when that icy hand was laid upon him and the usher said, "Come, you have made your round, and you must go!" The infant that gave its first faint cry this morning--may utter its last feeble wail tonight. And thus they go. But where? Oh, where? Eternity!

If you were to start today and ask each person you met the question, "Where are you going?" and, if possible, you were to travel the world over and ask each one of earth's inhabitants--there could be but one answer, "Eternity!"

"Oh, eternity, Long eternity!
Hear the solemn footsteps of eternity!"

Only one life to live! Only one life--and then we must face vast, endless eternity! We shall pass along the pathway of life but once. Every step we take--is a step that can never be taken again.

This world is not a play-ground--or a place to trifle with time. Life is not given us to squander nor fritter away. To trifle away time, is indeed, to be the greatest of spendthrifts. If you squander a dollar--you may regain it; but a moment wasted--can never be regained. God gives us all the time we need to accomplish all that He purposes us to accomplish--but He does not give us one moment to trifle away.

We have only one life to live--only one.

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

By the fire which burnt down our city!
by Thomas Vincent, very challenging.
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The threatenings of God!

(James Smith, "The Threatenings of God")

"What will you say when He punishes you?" Jeremiah 13:21

God has threatened to punish lost sinners--every sinner who lives and dies in unbelief.
His threatenings are written in His Word--that we may read them;
they are published by His ministers--that we may hear them;
they are often repeated--that we may not forget them;
some of them are fulfilled in this world--that we may believe and fear them.

No unbelieving, impenitent, careless sinner shall escape! The whole of the wicked shall be turned into Hell--and all the nations that forget God.

Every one will be punished . . .
  justly--in exact proportion to the nature and number of his sins;
  universally--in every part of body and soul;
  fearfully--without any mixture of mercy;
  eternally--without cessation or end!

The threatenings of God are backed and sustained . . .
  by His omnipotent power;
  by His unchangeable purpose;
  by His impartial justice;
  by His inflexible holiness;
  and by His solemn oath.
They cannot be more sure--nor can they be more dreadful.
Lost sinner, they are all pointed at you! They speak . . .
  of snares,
  of fire and brimstone,
  of a never-dying worm,
  of a lake of fire,
  of blackness and darkness,
  of gnashing of teeth,
  of eternal separation from God, and
  a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire, that will consume the enemies of God! Hebrews 10:27

Punishment is in store for you! You are warned of it, and invited to escape from it! But if you do not, then "What will you say when He punishes you?"

Can you say that you did not believe that God would be true to His Word? This would be to insult Him to His face, and to tell Him plainly that you thought Him to be a liar!

There is but one alternative; you must make up your mind to suffer the torments of quenchless flames forever--or flee to the Lord Jesus Christ for life and salvation! He is the only way of escape--there is salvation in no other.
There is pardon in His blood.
There is mercy at His throne.
There is pity in His heart.
There is veracity in His Word.
There is hope for you.

Flee to Him--and you are safe!
Reject Him, persevere in sin, prefer the world--and you must forever . . .
  be lashed by an accusing conscience,
  be tormented by a cruel and remorseless devil,
  be punished by a just and holy God, and
  condemn yourself throughout eternity!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Sudden destruction, and that without remedy!
by Thomas Vincent, very powerful.
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O hard heart, O blind eyes, O poor dull sluggish soul!

(Susannah Spurgeon, "Free Grace and Dying Love!")

"Not that we loved God--but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." 1 John 4:10

As the precious balm of Gilead--these blessed words came into my dull and aching heart this morning. Dear Lord, I thank You for them; You have taken them from Your own Book, and spoken them to me with Your living, loving voice--and they have quickened me to love You!

With shame and sorrow, I had brought to You my hard and insensible heart. I could only groan out my utter lack both of faith and feeling before You. The very desire to love You--seemed to lie fettered and powerless within me; only an occasional struggle revealing its bare existence. Then, Lord, while I knelt in Your presence, with bowed head and troubled spirit--tears and sighs my only prayers--You whispered those sweet words in my ear, and they brought light and liberty to my captive soul! Blessed be Your dear Name for this glorious deliverance!

It is not my poor, cold, half-hearted love--which is to satisfy and comfort me; but Your love--great, and full, and free, and as eternal as Yourself! Surely, I had known this before, Lord; but I had shut myself up in unbelief until, in Your sweet mercy--You spoke the Word which released me from my bonds, opened my prison doors, and led me out into the sunshine of true peace in believing!

"Not that we loved God!" Ah, dearest Lord, You know how deeply, sadly true this was of me--and how I mourn over the years spent without love to You, and at a distance from You! O hard heart, O blind eyes, O poor dull sluggish soul--which could see no beauty in the One who is "altogether lovely!"

"But that He loved us!" Here is . . .
  a blessed contrast,
  the antidote for sin's sting,
  light after darkness,
  hope after despair,
  life after death!

Lord, my soul flings itself on this glorious fact, this saving truth--as a drowning man seizes upon a life-belt thrown to him in the surging sea! If You do not love me and save me--I must perish forever! But there is no question of sinking--when Jesus saves; no fear of losing life--when He loves.

O my Lord, how I thank You for this precious Word upon which You have caused me to hope! Now, all the day long, my heart shall sing over the safety and blessedness of being freely loved--instead of fretting about the sad lack of my poor love to You.

"Not that we loved God"--is darkness, and bitterness, and eternal destruction!

"But that He loved us!"--is light and pardon, peace and everlasting life!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Every creature has some rock!
by James Smith, very comforting.
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Be sure to shut the door!

(Charles Orr, "How to Live a Holy Life")

"But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret." Matthew 6:6

It is as impossible to live and prosper spiritually without prayer--as it is to live and prosper physically without food. Those who enjoy a close walk with God and have power with Him--are those who pray. Natural abilities and intellect can never supply any lack in spirituality. Unless you are spiritual--you are of but little use to God; and to be spiritual--you must live much in prayer.

It is not those who are on their knees the oftenest or the longest--who do the most praying. Some may pray more real prayer in one hour--than others in two or three hours. Too many people leave the door open. Prayer that feeds the soul, must be offered with the door shut. "But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret."

God is in secret. He is hidden from the world. You can never reach God in your prayers--unless you shut out the world. Shutting the door means something more than closing the door of your literal closet. People may enter the literal closet and close the door--and yet have the world in their hearts and thoughts! Such have not closed the door, in the true sense.

Even in the public assembly you must enter your closet when you pray, and shut the door--or your prayers avail not with God. You must talk from your heart--to the heart of God.

There is a blessing in such praying; there is a joy that cannot be told. Such prayer feeds the soul upon the divine life, and lifts us into realms of holiness and happiness. Thank God for the sweet privilege of secret communion with Him.

O beloved, when you pray, enter into your closet--and be sure to shut the door!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Life quickly glides away!
by James Smith, most insightful.
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The sweetest and most sacred spot on earth!

(Charles Orr, "Christianity in Home Life")

Nowhere is Christianity more beautifully displayed, than in the home. It changes the home of wickedness, strife, and contention--into a peaceful and delightful Eden. It converts the home of the wicked--into a palace. It drives away discontentment, uneasiness, fear, and darkness--and showers contentment, peace, and sunlight into every heart.

Christianity in home life--makes all . . .
  love and kindness--between brothers and sisters;
  love and dutifulness--between parents and children;
  love, peace, harmony, honesty, and faithfulness--between husband and wife.

Christianity makes a home--a Heaven! A Christian home where all is love and tenderness and devotion--is the sweetest and most sacred spot on earth! A home where Christianity is crowned a queen in every heart--is an Eden. The heart of God is filled with delight as He looks down upon such a home! His presence dwells there, and causes this home to be a beautiful oasis in this wilderness world of sin.

Alas, that such homes are so few! Sin destroys the happiness of man, and makes many a home--a hotbed of contention, strife, and confusion!

When the husband and wife are kind, loving, and gentle toward each other; when she in her weakness feels her dependence upon him, and lovingly, trustingly looks unto him as her defense; and he in his strength and delight enfolds her in his strong arms of protection with a feeling of responsibility to nourish and cherish her--then they can testify, that they have a Heaven in their home!

Unless we have attained unto such a life--we have not attained to Bible Christianity, nor to domestic joy and happiness.

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Our sins forged the nails!
by James Smith, precious!
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We are all writing a book!

(Charles Orr, "Divine Realities")

"The dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works!" Revelation 20:12

Every person has their book. You have yours--and I have mine. In our text, we are told that we are going to be judged out of the books, according to our works. We are all writing a book! We are writing in our own book. I cannot write in yours--nor you in mine.

You are responsible for what is in your book. You are writing out your own record every moment! What you think, what you say, and what you do--are all being recorded. There will be no false entries in your book. The record is self recording. Every deed records itself.

"You must give an account on judgment day--for every idle word you speak!" Matthew 12:36. If you do not want an idle word recorded against you--then do not speak it!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

The glorious effects produced by it!
by James Smith, insightful and uplifting.
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It will be hard to remove the scar!

(Charles Orr, "Divine Realities")

"Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity!" 1 Timothy 4:12

It is a serious thing to live!

The book of our life is not the making of our own character and destiny only--but it is also helping to make that of others.

There is a wondrous power in personal influence. Your life is helping to mold some other life--and often the one that is dearest to you. What we are--goes to help make another what they are. What we are--engraves itself upon the life of our friend or family. The conduct of the parents--is being written in the lives of the children!

We are either contributing to the world's good--or evil. An evil man is a dangerous man--for he influences others.

We have no right to live as we please. Our children, our friend, our neighbor--has a right to demand a holy life from us--for their own sake.

The child has a right to say, "Father, for my sake I demand that you to live a pure life." It is a wicked thing to start a child wrong in life--by our unholy conduct!

It is not an easy thing to heal the wound which our wrong conduct has made in the life of another. We may, by repentance and begging forgiveness, heal the wound--but it will be hard to remove the scar!

By God's grace--you can make your future record clean and pure. Will you do it?

"And you yourself must be an example to them--by doing good works of every kind." Titus 2:7

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Beloved, are you in the fire?
James Smith on afflictions, comforting.
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Bottled in Heaven!

(Charles Orr, "Incense from Golden Vials")

"The Lord has heard the voice of my weeping!" Psalm 6:8. There is a prayer of tears. What speaks more loudly to our hearts, than tears?

Israel's sweet psalm-singer once said when in earnest, tearful prayer, "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your bottle! You have recorded each one in your book!" Psalm 56:8. Tears add much to the fragrance of prayer. The tears which are set flowing by the emotions of the heart--are bottled in Heaven and written in God's book!

O dear praying saint, pray on! Never will one tear be lost! It is too precious! Diamonds and pearls are mere trifles--compared with your tears! Never a word of your prayer, however feeble it may seem to be--will fail to reach the ear of God! Amid the many prayers that are ascending to the throne of grace from this lower world, and amid the noise of angels' shouts and songs--He will catch the sweet strain of your feeble heart-cry, and record it in Heaven! The perfume of a prayer is never lost!

[nChrist]

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Away with such an old-time Christianity!

(Charles Orr)

Satan has robed a harlot, named her 'Christianity' and succeeded in imposing her upon many. They are fondling with her. She indulges them in sensuality, while encouraging them to hope for a blissful immortality. The kings of the earth have committed fornication with her. They are reveling, feasting and banqueting with her--crazed by her seductive charms. She has neither purity, peace, nor power. Her robes are defiled by sin. She scoffs at pure Christianity, and calls her old-fashioned.

This strange young woman is using every device to allure souls into her wanton chamber. She is most subtle of heart. She "flatters with her words. In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night--she walks in the streets, and lies wait at every corner, that she might catch and kiss him who is void of understanding." With a beguiling, impudent face, she says to him: "I have peace offerings with me; I have decked my bed with tapestry and fine linen of Egypt. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come let us take our fill of love until the morning; let us enjoy each other's caresses."

Such is the mirthful, shallow, frivolous Christianity of the popular present day religions! The generality of professors (we speak in love) desire a Christianity which will go with them to the halls of pleasure; which will dine with them at their rich banquets; which will smile on them as they walk in the ways of sin and worldliness--calming their fears with her flattering words of 'peace, peace'.

Primitive Christianity, they consider, was good enough for primitive days--but she would be a horrid old maid in these days of progress. In this fast-moving age, the Christianity that crowned the life of Christ and the holy apostles, is altogether too antiquated.
She drew men from the world;
she crucified their lusts;
she taught them to practice self-denial;
she brought them in humility to her feet;
she led them in the paths of virtue and holiness;
she upbraided them for sin, and told them of the vengeance and wrath of God against every evil.

The Christian world today, in general, is saying, "Away with such an old-time Christianity! She has no charms for us! She is too common and plain--too grave and sober! We will not walk with her! Give us the mirthful and dashing young harlot--that we may walk with her amid the pleasures of the world, and with her gratify our lusts! She never chides us for sin, nor troubles us about the anger of God nor the torments of Hell. She invites us into her bosom and gives us a sweet opiate drink of 'stolen waters', and bids us take our fill of love.

We desire to tear off the sacrilegious robes of the harlot of false Christianity--and expose her shame to the gaze of every honest soul.

Dear reader, "Do not go after her! Do not let your heart incline to her ways! Do not go astray in her paths. For she has cast down many wounded--yes, many strong men have been slain by her. Her house is the way to Hell, going down to the chambers of death!"

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

More than being our friend, helper, or benefactor!
by James Smith, insightful and helpful.
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His yearning heart awaits you!

(Charles Orr, "Incense from Golden Vials")

"He delights in the prayers of the upright!" Proverbs 15:8

If we comprehend the love that God has for communion with His redeemed children, if we conceived the intense desire that He has for us to come to Him--we would not be so neglectful of prayer. Surely, too, our hearts would thrill with joy if we, by the eye of faith--could see with what eagerness and delight He receives us, when we do come to Him in prayer.

It is the Bridegroom going out to meet His bride--love is beating in His heart! In His love, He gave His life for you--and now you have stepped aside from the world for a time, purposely to be alone with Him in some secluded place, and there talk with Him and pillow your head upon His bosom. It is His joy. His yearning heart awaits you!

God rejoices to have us seek Him in the solitary place, that the soul may be freed from the entanglements of material things--and be enabled to soar aloft on the wings of holy prayer into the embrace of its Beloved!

"O My dove in the clefts of the Rock . . . show Me your face, let Me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely!" Song of Songs 2:14

Will you go?

Alas! the world engages you, and gives you no time to be alone with God!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

The Christian's walk!
by James Smith, practical
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  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

Devilanity!

(Charles Orr)

Christian character is the same whether it is in Christians--or in Christ. The character of the Savior--is also the character of those in whom He dwells. Their nature is the same, and henceforth their character and behavior are the same. This is what is meant when it is said: "We should walk--even as He walked."

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man abides in Me and I in him--he will bear much fruit." John 15:5

Christ is the vine; Christians are the branches. The vine and the branches are of the same nature. The branches retain life by abiding in the vine. Those who abide in Christ--walk (or live) even as Christ walked (or lived). That is, the vine and the branches bear the same kind of fruit! This is the teaching of true Christianity.

Anything bearing fruit contrary to Gospel truth, or Christ's example--is not Christianity--but is devilanity! "You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father will you do;" or sinful fruit you will bear.

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Everything in this world is liable to change!
by James Smith, insightful and helpful
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You are trespassing on forbidden ground!

(Charles Orr, "Divine Realities")

"Whatever is not of faith--is sin!" Romans 14:23

This is one of Paul's hard sayings. While these words were spoken with reference to the eating of foods--they contains a principle which covers the whole of the Christian life. This is an excellent direction for holy living. It means that if you engage in anything which cannot be done with implicit faith and confidence in God--it is sin!

In the building and furnishing of your home; in the buying of any merchandise; in the clothing and feeding of your body; in your conversations, recreations, amusements, entertainments, and social gatherings--if there is not innocent, child-like, heart-felt faith in Christ--then you are trespassing on forbidden ground!

All must be surrendered to God. There is to be no wishing for this or that. There are to be no choosings of what we shall do, or what we shall have--nor any self-seeking, self-love, or self-desire.

"Whatever is not of faith--is sin!"

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Jesus is only precious to believers
by James Smith, very insightful
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A beauteous grace!

(Charles Orr)

"The fruit of the Spirit is . . . gentleness" Galatians 5:22-23

GENTLENESS is one of the fruits of the Spirit. If we have the Spirit of Christ--we bear this fruit. "Well," says one, "in my very make-up--I am rough, harsh, and severe." If so, you need to be made anew. When God finds a man who is rough, harsh, and severe in his make-up--He will, as the man yields to the operation of the Holy Spirit--make him mild, gentle, and peaceful.

People go to a hospital and by an operation, have abscesses and tumors removed from the internal parts. Just so, God, by a blessed, wonderful, and successful operation of the Holy Spirit--will take that roughness, harshness, and severity out of your nature--and instill mildness, tenderness, softness, and gentleness instead. Harshness and roughness are a corruption that God, in His gracious plan of salvation--is pleased to remove. As the Holy Spirit works in you that which is pleasing in God's sight--He will make you gentle.

What is gentleness? It is humility, softness, mildness and meekness. It is the opposite of harshness, roughness, severeness etc. It is sweetness of disposition, mildness of temper, softness of manner, kindness, tenderness, etc. Those who are of a gentle disposition--act and speak without harshness. They are not morose, sour, crabbed, and wavering--but are smooth, mild, and steadfast. Good manners are intimately connected with gentleness, and good manners are no dishonor to Christianity. The apostle Paul by way of testimony said to the Thessalonian saints, "We were gentle among you--like a mother caring for her little children." 1 Thessalonians 2:7. Such was his manner. As a kind mother is to a delicate child--so was he to those whom he loved.

Vastly different was he then--from what he was when he was persecuting and destroying the church of God! He had been changed by grace. He exhorts pastors to "be gentle unto all men" (2 Timothy 2:24) and to be "gentle, showing all meekness unto all men" (Titus 3:2). David, in his sublime tribute of praise to God in 2 Samuel 22:36 says, "Your gentleness has made me great."

Would you, my reader, like to be more gentle in your manner? Are you too harsh and rough? Are you, if a parent--as gentle to your children as you should be, at all times? Husband, are you as kind and gentle toward your wife as you should be? Do you believe that you come up to the Bible measure in this particular? Or do you have impatient feelings and act in a hasty, abrupt manner towards them? If you meet with something quite provoking from your wife or the children--do you keep as mild and sweet as you know you should?

Now, I hope you will examine closely. I do not mean to condemn you; I want to help you. There are many professing saints today, who are not nearly as gentle as they should be. Why not be in earnest, and seek God for help, and make improvement? Why go along with crossness, and coldness and snappishness in your life? Be gentle toward all.

Gentleness is a beauteous grace. Her excellence is great. By culture, this grace is capable of much improvement. Too few saints experience it to the extent that they should. I beseech you by the gentleness of Jesus (2 Corinthians 10:1)--to be in earnest and improve upon your gentleness. Never allow a frown or a scowl to settle for a moment upon your brow! It will leave its mark, if you do so. Learn to be gentle--especially in your home.

"Learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart." Matthew 11:29

"Be completely humble and gentle." Ephesians 4:2

"Let your gentleness be evident to all." Philippians 4:5

"But you, man of God . . . pursue . . . gentleness." 1 Timothy 6:11

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved--clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12