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« Reply #1980 on: November 21, 2011, 01:51:54 PM » |
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__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
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___________________________________________ Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:
Carry your troubled heart to Jesus!
James Smith, precious
Play Audio! Download Audio
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
And there He hung!
(Frederick Whitfield, "Christ Our Life!" 1885)
"He loved me--and gave Himself for me!" Galatians 2:20
Mark the expression, "He loved ME!"
Not my sins;
not my many transgressions;
not my willfulness, waywardness and obstinacy;
not my past life of ingratitude and provocation!
No! He looked upon all these with righteous and holy abhorrence! He hated all these things--but He loved ME--He loved my soul.
And what proof did He give of this? The Apostle answers, "He loved me--and gave Himself for me!" Oh wondrous gift! He did not give . . .
His kingdom,
nor His crown,
nor His glory,
nor His boundless wealth!
He gave up these indeed, for "though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor, that we, through His poverty, might become rich!" But marvelous grace, "He gave Himself!" He gave Himself . . .
to Pilate's skewed judgment,
to Herod's cruel mockery,
to the soldiers' debased scorn,
to the people's mad frenzy!
And there He hung between two thieves--His piercing cry rending the blackened vault above, "My God, my God--why have You forsaken Me!"
There He hung--His face marred more than any man's!
There He hung--His head, His hands, and His feet pierced and bleeding, torn and mangled, with the iron fangs and the thorny crown!
There He hung--under the frown of Heaven!
There He hung--cast out by the world--the taunt and sneer of the passer-by, and the song of the drunkard in the street!
He gave Himself to this!
Oh, the love of God! Oh the grace of Jesus! Oh that these words were written on the portals of the sky, in the hues of the rainbow and the brightness of the sun--so that every Christian on earth might read them: "He loved me--and gave Himself for me!" Precious, precious words!
Christian! Perhaps you look back on your past life and see it stained with crimes of the deepest dye. You see your sins--the very thought of which suffuses your countenance with a blush! You see your . . .
sins against light,
willful sins,
secret sins,
open sins--
a multitude of sins which no man can number, rising like a mountain to your view--and you are ready to exclaim, "Can God love me? Impossible!" Yes, He does--He loves you! He hated all these things--but He loved you, and loves you still. "He loved you--and gave Himself for you!"
The secret of my love to You
By time and change unmoved,
Its spring, its steadfastness, is this:
I know that I am loved!
Forever! Yes, forever loved,
And evermore to be,
In ages past, in days to come,
Throughout eternity! |
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« Reply #1981 on: November 22, 2011, 01:55:27 PM » |
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__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________ Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:
What would you ask for?
Joseph Alleine, very insightful
Play Audio! Download Audio
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
My jewels!
(James Smith, "The Love of Christ! The Fullness, Freeness, and Immutability of the Savior's Grace Displayed!")
"They shall be Mine, says the Lord Almighty--in the day when I make up My jewels!" Malachi 3:17
Jewels are of themselves costly and are highly valued by their owners.
We, though worthless in ourselves--cost our adorable Savior an immense price! To procure our release, to purchase our freedom--He left His Father's bosom, came into our world, labored, suffered, bled, and died! He gave Himself for us! We are bought at a very high price! We are His purchased possession, intended . . .
to deck His mediatorial crown,
to reflect His praise, and
to shine to His glory for evermore!
He highly values us. "Since you were precious in My sight!" He says. We are valued not according to our intrinsic excellence--but according to His estimation of us.
For our safety--He employs . . .
His watchful eye,
His powerful arm,
His numerous angelic hosts!
For our security and preservation--He arranges, directs, and controls all things; so that all things work together for the best, to those who love God and are the called according to His purpose.
Soon we shall shine as the gemstones of His crown!
How strange, that He should value us so highly! That He should compare us to all that is beautiful, desirable, or costly in nature! But He really does so!
We are not only His subjects--His friends--His children--His brethren--His bride--but His ornaments--His jewels!
Men may despise us--the Savior will not! |
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« Reply #1982 on: November 24, 2011, 10:08:11 AM » |
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__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________ Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:
The path of the scissors!
Lewis Bayly, very insightful!
Play Audio! Download Audio
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Thanksgiving is never out of season!
(James Smith)
"In everything give thanks!" 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Everything we enjoy, should be viewed as coming from the gracious and liberal hand of our sovereign God.
All was forfeited by our sin.
All that we receive is by His grace.
The providence that supplies us--is the wisdom, benevolence, and power of God in operation for us--as expressive of His infinite love and unmerited grace!
Our talents to provide supplies,
our opportunities to obtain them,
and our abilities to enjoy them,
--are alike from the Lord.
Every mercy increases our obligation--and deepens our debt to free grace!
Thanksgiving is never out of season, for we have always much to be grateful for.
We must view all things as . . .
arranged by His wisdom,
dependent on His will,
sanctified by His blessing,
according with His promises,
and flowing from His love!
"In everything give thanks!" |
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« Reply #1983 on: November 28, 2011, 08:44:32 AM » |
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__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________ Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:
The heaviest afflictions on this side of hell!
By John Berridge, very uplifting
Play Audio! Download Audio
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Let but the trough be full--and the swine are happy!
(Charles Spurgeon, "Multitudinous Thoughts and Sacred Comforts" 1869)
If man were a mere animal--his joy and sorrow would depend entirely upon outward things. Let but the trough be full--and the swine are happy! Let the pasture be abundant--and the sheep are content! In the sunshine--every sparrow will be twittering on the trees; but let the heavens weep--and every wing is drooping. In long drought, or severe frost, or pinching famine--the animal creation languishes and pines.
You cannot, however, be sure of making a man happy--by surrounding him with abundance. Nor can you plunge a Christian into wretchedness--by any deprivations which you may cause him.
Man's greatest joy or sorrow--must arise from inner springs. The mind itself is the lair of misery--or the nest of happiness. Thoughts are the flowers from which we must distill the essential flavorings of life. Paul and Silas sing in the stocks, because theft minds are at ease; while Herod frets on his throne, because of an accusing conscience. |
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« Reply #1984 on: November 28, 2011, 08:45:46 AM » |
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__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________ Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:
Man acting like a devil!
Horatius Bonar, powerful
Play Audio! Download Audio
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Jellyfish Christianity
(J.C. Ryle)
"The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin!" 1 John 1:7
One plague of our age, is the widespread dislike to sound doctrine. In the place of it, the idol of the day is a kind of jellyfish Christianity--a Christianity without bone, or muscle, or sinew--without any distinct teaching about the atonement, or the work of the Spirit, or justification, or the way of peace with God--a vague, foggy, misty Christianity, of which the only watchwords seem to be, "You must be liberal and kind. You must condemn no man's doctrinal views. You must think everybody is right--and nobody is wrong."
And this spineless kind of religion, we are told, is to give us peace of conscience! And not to be satisfied with it in a sorrowful, dying world--is a proof that we are very narrow-minded! Satisfied, indeed! Such a religion might possibly do for unfallen angels! But to tell sinful, dying men and women to be satisfied with it--is an insult to common sense and a mockery of our distress. We need something far better than this. We need the sin-atoning blood of Christ! |
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« Reply #1985 on: December 05, 2011, 01:40:37 PM » |
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__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________ Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:
The house appointed to all the living
Thomas Boston, very solemn
Play Audio! Download Audio
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
When you find 'thorns' in your path!
(James Smith, "Daily Bible Readings for the Lord's Household")
"I will hedge up your way with thorns!" Hosea 2:6
These words are spoken to the backslider; they flow from God's love, and indicate painful opposition in the path of spiritual declension. It is a fearful thing to be allowed to choose, and pursue our own way--without divine obstruction!
But if God loves us--He will oppose us, when we are found in forbidden paths!
He will lay the 'thorns' in our way!
He will wound us--in order to restore us!
The wounded child will go home for healing--for the sense of pain and danger will humble its proud and haughty spirit.
Beloved, when you find 'thorns' in your path, just stop and ask,
"Am I in the right road?
Is this the true pilgrim's path?
Does this way lead to my Father's house?"
For the 'thorns' are intended to . . .
awaken inquiry,
produce reflection, and
bring to repentance.
We often see and feel the thorns--but we do not see the hand that laid them in our path. Perhaps we do not dream that it is our heavenly Father--but are ready to say, "An enemy has done this!"
These thorns are . . .
sometimes bodily afflictions,
sometimes losses and crosses, and
sometimes opposition from worldly men.
But whatever may be the nature of the thorns--our Father Himself laid them in our path!
"I will hedge up your way with thorns!" Hosea 2:6 |
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« Reply #1986 on: December 06, 2011, 11:02:55 AM » |
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__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________ Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:
The wrath of God!
Thomas Boston, sobering
Play Audio! Download Audio
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Our portion!
(James Smith, "Daily Bible Readings for the Lord's Household")
"They shall rejoice in their portion!" Isaiah 61:7
The Lord's people often appear to have very little to rejoice in on earth--as the ground of their joy is invisible.
The Lord is their portion now--and in possessing Him--they really possess all things. The Lord Himself is their inheritance.
They shall possess the glorious land also, as their portion soon. It is a land . . .
where storms never arise,
where diseases never come,
where sorrow is never known,
where pain is never felt,
where the Lamb shall be their light,
and a present God their glory!
But they may and do rejoice along their way to this glorious land!
They rejoice that they have infallible direction--so that they can never miss their road!
They rejoice that they have omnipotent protection--so that they shall safely arrive at the end!
They rejoice that they have unfailing supplies--so that they shall never be left to necessity!
They rejoice that they have a sovereign God--who overrules everything for their good!
They shall rejoice in their PORTION:
in its greatness--for it is as vast as infinity;
in its goodness--for it is the best in existence;
in its permanence--for it shall never pass into other hands;
in its purity--for it is perfect holiness;
and in its certainty--for it can never be forfeited or lost!
"They shall rejoice in their portion!" |
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« Reply #1987 on: December 07, 2011, 02:09:34 PM » |
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__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________ Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:
His unwearied care and concern!
Thomas Bradbury, very comforting
Play Audio! Download Audio
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A thorough hatred
(Charles Spurgeon, "Treasury of David")
"You hate all workers of iniquity!" Psalm 5:5
"It is not a little dislike--but a thorough hatred which God bears to workers of iniquity. To be hated by God is an awful thing. O let us be very faithful in warning the wicked around us, for it will be a terrible thing for them to fall into the hands of an angry God!" Charles Spurgeon
"What a vile thing is sin, which makes the God of love and Father of mercies--into an enemy to His creatures; and which could only be purged by the blood of the Son of God!" Thomas Adams
"Not only the work--but worker of iniquity also becomes the object of His hatred." William Gurnall
"Those whom the Lord hates, must perish. What is more due to such impenitent sinners, than hatred? What is more proper than wrath--since they treasure up wrath? Will He entertain those in the bosom of His love--those whom His soul hates? No! Destruction is their portion. What is that which Christ hates? As Christ hates iniquity, so also the "workers of iniquity." David Clarkson
"If God's hatred is against the workers of iniquity--then how great is it against iniquity itself! If a man hates a poisonous creature--he hates poison much more. The strength of God's hatred is against sin--and so should we hate sin, and hate it with all our strength! Sin is an abomination unto God--let it be so unto us!" William Greenhill |
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« Reply #1988 on: December 08, 2011, 02:05:54 PM » |
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__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________ Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:
It is true--I do love my sins, my lusts and pleasures
John Bunyan, very powerful. Play Audio! Download Audio
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Only another name for "Trouble"
(J.C. Ryle, "Happiness" 1878)
It is an utter mistake to suppose that RICHES alone can give happiness. They can enable a man to command and possess everything--but inward peace! They cannot buy a cheerful spirit and a light heart. There is . . .
care in the getting of them,
care in the keeping of them,
care in the using of them,
care in the disposing of them,
care in the gathering of them,
and care in the scattering of them!
He was a wise man who said that "Money" was only another name for "Trouble," and that the same English letters which spelled "acres" would also spell "cares."
Are you poor? Are you tempted to imagine that if you had the rich man's place--that you would be quite happy? Resist the temptation, and cast it behind you. Do not envy your wealthy neighbors--be content with such things as you have. Happiness does not depend on houses or lands! Silks and satins cannot shut out sorrow from the heart! Castles cannot prevent anxiety and care coming in at their doors. There is as much misery riding and driving about in splendid carriages--as there is walking about on foot! There is as much unhappiness in large mansions--as in poor cottages! |
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« Reply #1989 on: December 10, 2011, 10:54:34 PM » |
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__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________ Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:
He will guide us to the end of the journey!
James Smith, very comforting
Play Audio! Download Audio
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Prayer for weanedness from the world
(John MacDuff, "Evening Incense" 1856)
"They are not of the world--even as I am not of the world." John 17:16
O my God, I desire to come into Your gracious presence. May the incense-offering of gratitude and thanksgiving ascend from a grateful heart. How manifold are the proofs I have to recount of kindness on Your part! How deep the ingratitude I have to mourn on my own! My sins have reached unto the clouds--they are more in number than the sands of the sea! You are of purer eyes than to behold iniquity. I cannot evade Your righteous scrutiny--all things are naked and open unto the eyes of Him with whom I have to do!
Lord, I mourn the debasing influence of earthly things--the fascinating power of a present evil world. How inclined I am to conform to its evil maxims and unholy practices! How often I am found among those who "mind earthly things"--my soul cleaving to the dust, instead of soaring upwards to Yourself, my sole satisfying portion!
O Lord, it is my earnest prayer that You would wean me from the world. Keep me from over-anxiety about the things that are seen--from being over-careful and troubled about earth's "many things"--to the exclusion of the one thing needful!
Break every alluring worldly spell!
Disenchant temporal things of their false and delusive charm!
By all the beneficial discipline of Your providence--disengage me from what is fleeting, uncertain, transient, perishable; and unite me to the things which cannot be shaken--but which remain forever! May my heart be more in Heaven--imbibing more of the pilgrim spirit. May I declare plainly that I seek a better country.
May I be driven nearer and closer to Him who is the true refuge and portion and Savior of His people. I rejoice to think that He has . . .
a balm for every wound,
a comfort for every bosom,
a solace for every tear!
May it be mine to go up through this 'wilderness world'--leaning on His loving and omnipotent arm! |
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« Reply #1990 on: December 11, 2011, 02:05:30 PM » |
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__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________ Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:
Reader, let me ask you a very important question
James Smith, very challenging!
Play Audio! Download Audio
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A proud Christian
(John MacDuff, "The Footsteps of Jesus" 1856)
"I hate pride and arrogance!" Proverbs 8:13
Humility may be defined as consisting in:
1. a profound self-abasement before God, arising from a deep sense of our sinfulness;
2. and in a low estimation of ourselves, as we stand related to our fellow creatures, whatever is the extent of our attainments, or the importance of the station we occupy.
Upon this subject, too much stress cannot be laid--for without humility, true religion cannot possibly exist. A proud Christian is a contradiction in terms. We might as well speak of a wise fool, of a wicked saint, of a sober drunkard, or of a chaste harlot--as of a proud Christian! We may as soon expect delicate flowers to flourish in the frozen and barren regions of Siberia--as that true piety should grow in the heart that is proud and haughty. A vine might as well thrive when a worm is gnawing at its root--as that the soul should prosper and be in health, when its arrogance and pride are not subdued.
One of the Fathers of the Church, when asked which was the first principle in religion, replied, Humility. When asked which was the second, he said, Humility. And when asked which was the third, he again answered, Humility. So important was this grace in his estimation, that he regarded it as the beginning, the middle, and the end of true godliness. And we may truly say that where humility is absent, everything else in religion, is in vain. A person may possess the most splendid talents--he may have the gift of miracles, and the knowledge of all mysteries--but without true humility he is, in the sight of God, nothing but sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.
"God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." 1 Peter 5:5 |
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« Reply #1991 on: December 13, 2011, 03:06:51 PM » |
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__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
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___________________________________________ Soon I must go down that road from which I will never return!
(William Schenck, "Nearing Home; Comforts and Counsels for the Aged" 1868 )
"Soon I must go down that road from which I will never return!" Job 16:22
An approaching journey lies before me. I have to pass from time--to eternity; from this world--to the next. And the time of my departure, although to me uncertain, cannot be very far distant. A few years--perhaps a few days--will close my stay on earth!
It is an unavoidable journey. I must go. There is no choice. Willing or unwilling, when God's summons for me arrives--I shall have to set off.
It is an unknown journey, I have never taken it before. I have no practical acquaintance with the road, the mode of transit, the dangers or the discomforts which await me. And there is no one who can clearly explain them to me. Those of my friends who have traveled that way, have never come back to relate their experience.
It is a solitary journey. I must accomplish it alone. The most beloved of my present companions cannot accompany me. They may think of me, feel for me, pray for me--but they cannot be with me. We must separate; they to remain behind--and I go forward.
It is a momentous journey. For at its termination, I enter upon my everlasting destiny! It will convey me either to the mansions of happiness--or to the abodes of misery! The narrow boundary between the present and the future state once crossed--there will be no possibility of change. "He who is unjust--let him be unjust still; and he who is righteous--let him be righteous still." Revelation 22:11
It is a final journey. "Soon I must go down that road from which I will never return." My pilgrimage will be forever ended. It will be my last journey. And if I am a Christian, how welcome is this fact! I shall be done forever with sin and sorrow. Eternal felicity will be mine--perfect holiness, and perfect happiness. This journey leads me . . .
to my eternal home,
to my Father's house,
to my everlasting rest!
Then I will not shrink from its approach, nor complain of its accompaniments. It may be linked with much that is painful and unpleasant--but it is my way home; and therefore, although life has many ties and many joys, I feel an earnest desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better than being here. "For this is not my resting place, because it is polluted, it is ruined, beyond all remedy!" Micah 2:10
Death is a solemn journey--but it is a safe journey to Christ's people; for He will not only receive and welcome them at its close--but He will be them as they are passing through it. Oh, it will not be lonely with Him! And He is a guide who is well acquainted with the way, for He has trodden it Himself. He went for the purpose of smoothing its difficulties, clearing its dangers, dispersing its terrors--and He fully accomplished His purpose. Therefore when I walk through the dark valley, I will fear no evil; for you, O Jesus, will be with me, and Your rod and your staff shall comfort me! |
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« Reply #1992 on: December 14, 2011, 04:38:50 PM » |
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__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________ Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:
My nature is the same as in the harlot, the drunkard, the murderer!
James Smith, insightful and humbling. Play Audio! Download Audio
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Christ is exalted--and Self is abased!
(Thomas Bradbury)
The longer a redeemed sinner lives--the more he will want to know Christ.
The brighter the revelation of Christ to his soul--the blacker SELF will be in his apprehension.
The more his heart is warmed with a sense of the love of his God--the more he will mourn because of his coldness and deadness.
This is a paradox which no hypocrite or mere professor can understand. As the child of God grows in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and . . .
sees more of His beauty,
enjoys more of His bounty, and
feels more of His blessedness--
the more he is brought into a true conception of what he is in himself--as a wretched, ruined, undeserving, and Hell-deserving sinner!
Yet he discovers something else--a heart, yearning, longing, panting and desiring after communion with a glorious God, and fellowship with a precious Christ! As he grows in grace, Christ is exalted--and Self is abased! |
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« Reply #1993 on: December 15, 2011, 12:30:18 PM » |
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__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________ Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:
Reader, are you a Christian?
James Smith, thought-provoking
Play Audio! Download Audio
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Our everlasting All!
(James Smith)
"I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may win Christ!" Philippians 3:8
The aim of men in general--is to make a fortune, enjoy the world, and live luxuriantly. The aim of the true believer is to win Christ. Jesus possesses all that he desires, and to possess Christ would satisfy his every wish.
We now receive much from Him, and we often enjoy His love; but we want to be present with Him, and to have full possession of Him as our everlasting All! He is set before us as our mark; He is held out as the prize; and is promised as the everlasting portion of every overcomer!
Where is your heart this morning?
Which way do your desires tend?
What is the object of your pursuit today?
If Jesus is the principal object, failing in our pursuit after other things, losses or crosses--will not much affect us; but our conduct will say, "I aim to win Christ! If He is mine--all is well; other things are but trifles compared with Him!"
Keeping Jesus in view thus, will . . .
prevent murmuring,
cure our impatience, and
keep our hearts in comparative peace.
O may our every action cry in the ears of every observer, "THAT I MAY WIN CHRIST!" He who has Christ, has . . .
an infinite portion;
unsearchable wealth;
and boundless resources!
"In Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures!" Psalm 16:11 |
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« Reply #1994 on: December 18, 2011, 06:14:54 PM » |
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__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________ Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:
Should it be according to your mind?
James Smith, on the Kingship of Jesus, superb
Play Audio! Download Audio
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Death is a change of company
(Thomas Brooks, "A Believer's Last Day, His Best Day")
"I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far!" Philippians 1:23
A believer's last day is his best day! Death is a change of company. In this world, the godliest man must live with the wicked, and converse with the wicked, etc. This is a part of their misery; it is their Hell on this side Heaven! This worked upon the heart of David: "Woe to me that I dwell in Meshech, that I live among the tents of Kedar!" Psalm 120:5
I have read of a godly woman, who, being near death, cried out, "O Lord, do not let me go to Hell where the wicked are, for You know that I never loved their company while in this life!"
"Oh, that I had in the desert, a lodging place for travelers--so that I might leave my people and go away from them; for they are all adulterers, a crowd of unfaithful people!" Jeremiah 9:2
And this was that which vexed and tore Lot's righteous soul, "Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)." 2 Peter 2:7-8
Oh, but death is a change of company. A godly man does but change the company of profane people, of vile people, etc.--for the company of God and angels; and the company of weak Christians--for the company of just men made perfect.
"Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful--but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life." Revelation 21:27
"Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood." Revelation 22:15 |
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