Grace Gems

[nChrist]

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

The annals of Hell--or the biography of devils!
Samuel Davies, very powerful
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WWJD

(J.C. Ryle, "Holiness, Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots")

A holy man will strive to be like our Lord Jesus Christ. He will not only live the life of faith in Him, and draw from Him all his daily peace and strength--but he will also labor to be conformed to His image (Romans 8:29). It will be his aim . . .
  to bear with and forgive others--even as Christ forgave us;
  to be unselfish--even as Christ pleased not Himself;
  to walk in love--even as Christ loved us;
  to be lowly-minded and humble--even as Christ humbled Himself.

A holy man will remember . . .
that Christ would continually deny Himself in order to minister to others;
that He was meek and patient under undeserved insults;
that He thought more of godly poor men, than of kings;
that He was full of love and compassion to sinners;
that He was bold and uncompromising in denouncing sin;
that He sought not the praise of men, when He might have had it;
that He went about doing good;
that He was separate from worldly people;
that He continued instant in prayer;
that He would not let even His nearest relations stand in His way, when God's work was to be done.

All these things, a holy man will try to remember. By them, he will endeavor to shape his course in life.

He will lay to heart the saying of John: "He who says he abides in Christ, ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked" (1 John 2:6); and the saying of Peter, that "Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example that you should follow His steps" (1 Peter 2:21).

Happy is he who has learned to make Christ his "all," both for salvation and example! Much time would be saved, and much sin prevented--if men would oftener ask themselves the question: "What would Jesus have said and done--if He were in my place?"

[nChrist]

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From Grace Gems:
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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Well, when you are suffering the punishment of this sin in Hell!
Samuel Davies, very powerful
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Growth in grace

(J.C. Ryle, "Growth in Grace" 1879)

"Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" 2 Peter 3:18

When I speak of growth in grace, I only mean an increase in the degree, size, strength, vigor and power--of the graces which the Holy Spirit plants in a believer's heart. I hold that every one of those graces admits of growth, progress and increase. I hold that repentance, faith, hope, love, humility, zeal, courage and the like--may be . . .
  little--or great,
  strong--or weak,
  vigorous--or feeble, and
may vary greatly in the same person at different periods of his life.

When I speak of a man growing in grace, I mean simply that . . .
  his sense of sin is becoming deeper,
  his faith is becoming stronger,
  his hope is becoming brighter,
  his love is becoming more extensive,
  his spiritual-mindedness is becoming more marked,
  he feels more of the power of godliness in his own heart--and he manifests more of it in his life.

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Are we in reality, what we are in name?
Samuel Davies, convicting
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One mark of growth in grace

(J.C. Ryle, "Growth in Grace" 1879)

"Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" 2 Peter 3:18

One mark of growth in grace, is increased HUMILITY. The man whose soul is growing, feels his own sinfulness and unworthiness more every year.

He is ready to say with Job, "I am vile!"

And with Abraham, "I am dust and ashes!"

And with Jacob, "I am not worthy of the least of all Your mercies!"

And with David, "I am a worm!"

And with Isaiah, "I am a man of unclean lips!"

And with Peter, "I am a sinful man, O Lord!"

The nearer the Christian draws to God, and the more he sees of God's holiness and perfections--the more thoroughly is he sensible of his own countless sins and imperfections. The further he journeys in the way to Heaven--the more he understands what Paul meant when he says,
  "I am not already perfect!"
  "I am not fit to be called an apostle!"
  "I am less than the least of all the saints!"
  "I am the chief of sinners!"

The riper the Christian is for glory, the more, like the ripe corn--he hangs down his head with humility. The brighter and clearer his gospel light--the more he sees of the shortcomings and infirmities of his own heart. When first converted, he would tell you he saw but little of them--compared to what he sees now.

Would anyone know whether he is growing in grace? Be sure that you look within for increased humility.

[nChrist]

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From Grace Gems:
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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Your conscience will not always sleep!
Samuel Davies, very powerful
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Another mark of growth in grace

(J.C. Ryle, "Growth in Grace" 1879)

Another mark of growth in grace, is increased spirituality of taste and mind. The man whose soul is growing, takes more interest in spiritual things every year.

He does not neglect his duty in the world. He discharges faithfully, diligently and conscientiously--every relation of life, whether at home or abroad. But the things he loves best, are spiritual things.

The amusements and recreations of the world, have a continually decreasing place in his heart. He does not condemn them as downright sinful--he only feels that they have a constantly diminishing hold on his own affections--and gradually seem smaller and more trifling in his eyes. Spiritual companions, spiritual occupations, spiritual conversation--are of ever-increasing value to him. Would anyone know if he is growing in grace? Then let him look within for increasing spirituality of taste.

[nChrist]

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From Grace Gems:
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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

What is it to be a Christian?
Samuel Davies, insightful
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Another mark of growth in grace

(J.C. Ryle, "Growth in Grace" 1879)

Another mark of growth in grace, is increase in LOVE to others. The man whose soul is growing, is more full of love every year--of love to all men--but especially of love towards the brethren.

His love will show itself actively--in a growing disposition to do kindnesses, to take trouble for others, to be good-natured to everybody, to be generous, sympathizing, thoughtful, tender-hearted and considerate.

His love will show itself passively--in a growing disposition to be meek and patient towards all men, to put up with provocation and not stand upon his rights, to bear and forbear much rather than quarrel. A growing soul will try to put the best construction on other people's conduct; and to believe all things and hope all things, even to the end. There is no surer mark of backsliding and falling off in grace--than an increasing disposition to find fault, pick holes, and see weak points in others. Would anyone know if he is growing in grace? Then let him look within for increasing love to others.

[nChrist]

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From Grace Gems:
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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Well, trifle a little longer!
Samuel Davies, very powerful
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Personal intimacy with the Lord Jesus

(J.C. Ryle, "Growth in Grace" 1879)

Regular and habitual communion with the Lord Jesus, is absolutely essential to growth in grace! I mean that daily habit of communion between the believer and his Savior, which can only be carried on by faith, prayer and meditation.

It is a habit, I fear, of which many believers know little. It is possible to have "union" with Christ--and yet to have little "communion" with Him. Communion . . .
  between the Bridegroom--and His bride,
  between the Head--and His members,
  between the Physician--and His patients,
  between the Advocate--and His clients,
  between the Shepherd--and His sheep,
  between the Master--and His scholars.
Communion implies a habit of daily application for things needed, and of daily pouring out and unburdening our hearts and minds. It is getting close to Him and laying hold on Him with confidence--as a loving, personal Friend.

Now I believe that no man will ever grow in grace, who does not know something experimentally of the habit of communion. We must seek to have personal intimacy with the Lord Jesus, and to deal with Him as a man deals with a loving friend. We must realize what it is . . .
  to turn to Him first in every need,
  to talk to Him about every difficulty,
  to consult Him about every step,
  to spread before Him all our sorrows,
  to get Him to share in all our joys,
  to do all as in His sight, and
  to go through every day leaning on, and looking to Him!

[nChrist]

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From Grace Gems:
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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

This is the 'Hell' of Hells!
by Samuel Davies
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True Christianity is a fight!

(J.C. Ryle, "The Fight!")

"Fight the good fight of faith." 1 Timothy 6:12

True Christianity is a fight!

True Christianity! Let us mind that word "true." There is a vast quantity of religion current in the world which is not true, genuine Christianity. There are thousands of men and women who go to churches and chapels every Sunday and call themselves Christians. They make a "profession" of faith in Christ. Their names are in the baptismal register. They are reckoned Christians while they live. They are married with a Christian marriage service. They mean to be buried as Christians when they die.

But you never see any "fight" about their religion! Of spiritual strife and exertion and conflict and self-denial and watching and warring--they know literally nothing at all. Such Christianity may satisfy man, and those who say anything against it may be thought very hard and uncharitable; but it certainly is not the Christianity of the Bible. It is not the religion which the Lord Jesus founded, and His apostles preached. It is not the religion which produces real holiness. True Christianity is "a fight!"

The principal fight of the Christian is with . . .
  the world,
  the flesh, and
  the devil.
These are his never-dying foes! These are the three chief enemies against whom he must wage war. With a corrupt heart, a busy devil and an ensnaring world--he must either "fight" or be lost!

To be at peace with the world, the flesh and the devil--is to be at enmity with God and in the broad way that leads to destruction! We have no choice or option. We must either fight--or be lost!

It is a fight of universal necessity. No rank or class or age can plead exemption, or escape the battle--all alike must carry arms and go to war.
All have by nature a heart full of pride, unbelief, sloth, worldliness and sin!
All are living in a world beset with snares, traps and pitfalls for the soul.
All have near them a busy, restless, malicious devil.
All, from the queen in her palace down to the pauper in the workhouse--all must fight, if they would be saved.

We may take comfort about our souls, if we know anything of an inward fight and conflict. It is the invariable companion of genuine Christian holiness.

The saddest symptom about many so-called Christians, is the utter absence of anything like conflict and fight in their Christianity. They eat, they drink, they dress, they work, they amuse themselves, they get money, they spend money, they go through a scanty round of formal religious services once or twice every week. But of the great spiritual warfare--its watchings and strugglings, its agonies and anxieties, its battles and contests--of all this they appear to know nothing at all.

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

The bitterest ingredient in the 'cup of divine displeasure'
Samuel Davies, insightful and powerful
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It is not the man who hides himself in a cave

(J.C. Ryle, "The Fight!")

True sanctification does not consist in retirement from our place in life, and the renunciation of our social duties. In every age it has been a snare with many, to take up this line in the pursuit of holiness. Hundreds of hermits have buried themselves in some wilderness, and thousands of men and women have shut themselves up within the walls of monasteries and convents--under the vain idea that by so doing, they would escape sin and become eminently holy.

They have forgotten that no bolts and bars can keep out the devil; and that, wherever we go, we carry that root of all evil our own hearts!

True holiness does not make a Christian evade difficulties--but face and overcome them. Christ would have His people show that His grace is not a mere hot-house plant, which can only thrive under shelter--but a strong, hardy thing which can flourish in every relation of life. It is doing our duty, in that state to which God has called us--like salt in the midst of corruption, and light in the midst of darkness--which is a primary element in sanctification.

It is not the man who hides himself in a cave--but the man who glorifies God in the family and in the street, in business and in trade--who is the Scriptural type of a sanctified man.

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

The causes of the stupid unconcernedness
Samuel Davies, challenging
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Dim or indistinct views of sin

(J.C. Ryle, "Holiness, Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots" 1879)

He who wishes to attain right views about Christian holiness--must begin by examining the vast and solemn subject of sin. He must dig down very low--if he would build high. A mistake here is most mischievous. Wrong views about holiness--are generally traceable to wrong views about human corruption.

The plain truth is, that a right understanding of SIN lies at the root of all saving Christianity. Without it, such doctrines as justification, conversion, sanctification, are "words and names" which convey no meaning to the mind.

The first thing, therefore, that God does when He makes anyone a new creature in Christ, is to send light into his heart and show him that he is a guilty sinner!

Dim or indistinct views of sin are the origin of most of the errors, heresies and false doctrines of the present day! If a man does not realize the dangerous nature of his soul's disease--you cannot wonder if he is content with false or imperfect remedies. I believe that one of the chief needs of the contemporary church has been, and is--clearer, fuller teaching about sin!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

All will be pure, unmingled happiness--or pure, unmingled misery!
Samuel Davies, insightful and powerful.  Play Audio!  Download Audio

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Sound doctrine is useless!

(J.C. Ryle, "Holiness, Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots" 1879)

"The doctrine which is according to godliness" 1 Timothy 6:3

Sound doctrine is useless--if it is not accompanied by a holy life!

It is my firm impression that we need a thorough revival of Scriptural holiness.

I have had a deep conviction for many years, that practical holiness and consecration to God are not sufficiently attended to by modern Christians. Worldliness has eaten out the heart of vital piety in too many of us! The subject of personal godliness has fallen sadly into the background. The standard of Christian living has become painfully low in many quarters. The immense importance of "adorning the doctrine of God our Savior" (Titus 2:10), and making it lovely and beautiful by our daily habits and tempers--has been far too much overlooked!

The details and particular ingredients of which holiness is composed in daily life--ought to be fully set forth and pressed on believers. True holiness does not consist merely of believing--but of doing and a practical exhibition of the active and passive graces.

Our tongues,
our tempers,
our natural passions and inclinations,
our conduct at home and abroad,
our dress,
our employment of time,
our behavior in business,
our demeanor in sickness and health, in riches and poverty
--all, all these are matters which are fully treated by inspired writers. They go into particulars. They specify minutely, what a holy man ought to do an be in his own family, by his own fireside, and at the work-place.

True holiness is something of "the image of Christ" which can be seen and observed by others in our private life, and habits, and character, and doings!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

A bottomless, boundless, endless ocean!
Anne Dutton
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We have a brother in heaven!

(James Smith, "Our Father and Comforter")

"For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven--is My brother and sister and mother." Matthew 12:50

Every relation in which Jesus stands to His people, is precious. But there are some peculiarly so, especially under certain peculiar circumstances. He is not only our Savior--but our brother. Possessing our nature, being part of the same family, He watches over us with a brother's eye, and loves us with a brother's love.

Jesus is the "brother born for adversity." Proverbs 17:17. He takes the deepest interest in all our affairs, and watches over us to do us good. We may go to Him in all our troubles--and open our hearts to Him without the least reserve. We cannot go to one who loves us more--or one who is more able or willing to help us! He laid down his life for us, thereby proving the intensity of His love to us. He is gone into heaven, there to appear in the presence of God for us.

My tried Christian friend . . .
  the eye of Jesus is upon you in your trial;
  the ear of Jesus is open, to listen to your cries;
  the heart of Jesus is affected with your griefs and woes; and
  the tongue of Jesus is employed to intercede with His Father for you!

Sweet thought! We have a brother in heaven! A brother who knows all that we suffer, and who will . . .
  frustrate the designs of our foes,
  sanctify our troubles and trials to us, and
  eventually make all things work together for our good!

His strong arm will defend us,
His merciful hand will supply us, and
His tender heart will ever sympathize with us!

He will guide us through life and death by His counsel, and afterwards receive, us to glory! Let us, therefore . . .
  go to Him in every trouble,
  plead with Him to supply our needs,
  trust Him in every dark and dreary hour,
  and expect Him to show a brother's love!

"Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers." Hebrews 2:11

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

The great day of His wrath has come!
William Dyer, powerful
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God's child

(James Smith, "Our Father and Comforter")

"I will be a Father unto you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." 2 Corinthians 6:18

Tried Christian, you are not an orphan! You have a Father! God, in all the glory of His nature and perfections, is your Father! He has adopted you for his own. He has regenerated you by his Spirit. He has called you out of the world, and has promised to do a father's part unto you. He says, "I will be a Father unto you!"

Do you need advice? Consult your Father.

Do you need supplies? Ask them of your Father.

Are you tormented with cares? Cast them on your Father.

Are you alarmed at foes? Cry unto your Father.

Do your difficulties appear insurmountable? Appeal to your Father.

We should . . .
  exercise confidence in His love;
  trust in His Word;
  appeal to His paternal heart;
  look for our supplies from His hand.

He loves to see His children . . .
  confide in His care,
  rely on His word,
  expect His communications,
  and acquiesce in His will.

Believer,
whatever trials may befall you,
whatever troubles may come upon you,
whatever enemies may rise up against you,
whatever changes may take place in your circumstances,
one thing can never befall you--you can never be fatherless; therefore you can never be friendless. You are God's child, however poor your circumstances, or trying your path.

What an unspeakable mercy!

[nChrist]

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From Grace Gems:
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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

The most lovely Christian!
William Dyer, insightful
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I will be their God!

(James Smith, "The Believer's Companion in Seasons of Affliction and Trouble" 1842)

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

So has Jehovah purposed in reference to all the chosen of His love! In this gracious and holy purpose, is wrapped up all present and future blessedness. He who has God to be his God--cannot lack any good thing; but he who has not God for his God--lacks everything really and truly good.

If Jehovah is your God--then all His glorious perfections are engaged and employed for your welfare:
  His mercy will supply all your needs;
  His power will conquer all your foes;
  His wisdom will direct your way;
  His faithfulness will answer your prayers;
  His justice will maintain your cause; and
  His infinite love and grace will be displayed in all His dealings with you!

If God 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!

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

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

If God is your God, then all the resources of eternity and all the treasures of time--will, if necessary, be employed in your spiritual and eternal benefit. This is the highest point of blessedness and honor--and this honor have all His saints.

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

The whore of Babylon's golden goblet!
William Dyer, very insightful
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Many a blemish, many a defect, many an infirmity

(J.C. Ryle, "Holiness, Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots" 1879)

"I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out." Romans 7:18

"O What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?" Romans 7:24

Let us always remember that a true Christian may have many a blemish, many a defect, many an infirmity--and yet be a true Christian nevertheless. We do not despise gold--because it is mixed with much dross. We must not undervalue grace--because it is accompanied by much corruption.

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

And when He draws us--we run!
William Dyer, very comforting
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Do not be afraid!

(James Smith, "The Believer's Companion in Seasons of Affliction and Trouble" 1842)

"So do not be afraid--for I am with you;
 do not be dismayed--for I am your God.
 I will strengthen you and help you;
 I will uphold you with My righteous right hand!"
    Isaiah 41:10

God has arranged all our concerns with consummate wisdom, in the very best possible manner.

He overrules all events by His omnipotent power.

He directs all things by His paternal love.

If infinite wisdom, omnipotent power, and paternal love, are engaged for our present and eternal welfare--then our fears must be groundless, and our anxiety folly. Our fears only . . .
   dishonor God,
   distress the mind,
   please Satan,
   and grieve the godly.