Grace Gems

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Our continual and absolute need of Christ
John Fawcett, precious
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Thoughtful, sleepless, loving care

(J. R. Miller, "Weekday Religion" 1880)

There is no comfort like the fact of God's infinite, unchanging and eternal love for us! If we can but get this truth into our minds and hearts--it will sustain us in every trial. All the universe is under God's personal sway, and He is our tenderest and dearest Friend, carrying each one of us close in His heart.

Providence is not merely the outworking of a mechanical system, or the beneficent operation of wise and good laws. It is rather--the thoughtful, sleepless, loving care of our Heavenly Father!

"The Lord who created you says: Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you go through deep waters and great trouble--I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty--you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression--you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior!" Isaiah 43:1-3

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

God's most stubborn enemy!
by Jonathan Edwards, insightful
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And what are my troubles?

(James Smith's autobiography, "Marvelous Mercy!" 1862)

The following in an excerpt from the diary of James Smith:

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all!" 2 Corinthians 4:17

And what are my troubles?
A furnace to purge my dross,
a rod to correct my folly,
a burden to roll on my Lord,
a whip to drive me from man,
a medicine to cure me of sin,
a bridle to check my pride,
a knife to probe my wounds, and
a mirror to give me a faint view of my deserts.

But I want to be sweetly submissive to my lot. I want to acknowledge the love, justice, and compassion of my God in these things. I want . . .
  to take honey out of the carcass of this lion,
  to suck honey from the end of this rod, and
  to find oil flowing out of this apparently flinty rock!

But, alas! I often rebel, murmur, and repine at the rebukes of the Lord. I too often look at man working, instead of looking to the Lord over-ruling. I am apt . . .
  to quarrel with the human instrument--and forget the divine agent;
  to bite the stone--instead of looking for the hand which threw it!

[nChrist]

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From Grace Gems:
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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Christ, the example of ministers
by Jonathan Edwards
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Godly sorrow

(Thomas Sherman, "Aids to the Divine Life--A Series of Practical Christian Contemplations" 1680)

"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death." 2 Corinthians 7:10

As sin is the greatest evil--so sorrow for sin is the greatest sorrow.

Godly sorrow in a saint is the greatest sorrow, being that which flows from faith, whereby we see sin to be the greatest evil--as exemplified in the crucified Savior!

True repentance is a continual work. So long as we have sin to repent of--so long we must be repenting of sin.

The believer's sorrow for sin becomes more evangelical than formerly; for whereas, before there was much of self-love, and fear of wrath and Hell in his mourning; now, having a clear view of the love of God in pardoning him, and of the distinguishing grace and favor of God extended to him--he comes to mourn, loathe, and abase himself more deeply than before, and to melt with filial sorrow before the Lord--that he should act so unworthily and unthankfully towards such a gracious, tender, and loving Father. "Then, when I make atonement for you for all you have done--you will remember and be ashamed." Ezekiel 16:63

The believer's hatred of sin becomes more refined.
He hates sin on account of its defiling nature--as well as its damning nature!
He hates sin for the evil that is IN it--as well as for the evil that comes BY it!
He hates sin not only because it is ruinous--but because it is wicked!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

An inexhaustible fullness!
John Fawcett, precious
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Faith does not only justify--but sanctify

(Thomas Watson, "The Christian's Charter")

"Having purified their hearts by faith." Acts 15:9

Faith is a heart-purifying grace. Faith is a virgin grace, of a pure and heavenly nature. Faith is in the soul, as medicine in the body, which works out the disease. Faith works out pride, self-love, and hypocrisy.

Faith consecrates the heart. That which was before the devil's thoroughfare--is now made into God's enclosure.

Faith is a heavenly plant, which will not grow in an impure soil.

Faith does not only justify--but sanctify. He who before was under the power of some debasing corruption--as soon as faith is wrought, there is a sacred virtue coming from Christ, for the enervating and weakening of that sin. The woman who did but touch the hem of Christ's garment, felt virtue coming out of Him. The touch of faith has a healing power! Faith casts the devil out of the castle of the heart. This is "the faith of God's elect."

You who say you believe--has your faith removed the mountain of sin, and cast it into the sea? What! a believer--and yet a worldling! Shame! Either leave your sins--or leave your profession! Faith and the love of sin can no more exist together, than light and darkness!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Communion with Jesus
John Fawcett, very helpful
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Ah, the sharpest thorns are unseen by mortal eyes!

(The following in an excerpt from the diary of James Smith)

 "Oh, what wretched man I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death!" Romans 7:24

My journey lies along a thorny road--and yet few see the thorns but myself! Ah, the sharpest thorns are unseen by mortal eyes!

God knows, that I do wish, and long, and pray, and strive--to be what His Word requires me to be. But I am continually baffled, frustrated in my designs, and beaten back! And if at any time, I seem to feel that I am progressing, and yield myself unto God--I am sure to be overtaken with some trial, and am made to feel my own weakness and vileness more than ever!

The carnal desires of the flesh work--and often very powerfully. Old sinful propensities, which appeared to be subdued, if not destroyed--revive and appear as lively as ever!

I revive--and then sink down into the same carnal state again! I turn forwards--and then backwards, without progress or improvement.

What a mercy that grace is free, and that salvation is wholly of grace! Upon this principle, I will arrive at Heaven, but on no other. May I be privileged to stand among God's little ones before His throne, and eternally lift up my voice in honor of His precious name!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

All the afflictions of God's people
John Fawcett, very comforting
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God's servants do not promote themselves

(Don Fortner)

"For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake." 2 Corinthians 4:5

No work is so great, no labor is so noble, no burden is so heavy, no honor is so humbling--as preaching the gospel of the grace of God to eternity bound sinners!

Let every man called of God to preach the Gospel, disentangle himself from the affairs of this world with determined consecration to Christ and His Gospel and His Church, addicting himself to prayer, study and preaching.

God's servants do not promote themselves, their ministry, or their church. They promote Christ, His Gospel, and His Kingdom. The man who promotes himself--serves no one but himself!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Supremely precious
John Fawcett, Christ-exalting
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It would be a kind of Heaven to the damned!

(Richard Baxter, "The Saints Everlasting Rest")

"Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels!" Matthew 25:41

Alas! what heart can now possibly conceive, or what tongue express--the pains of those souls who are under the wrath of God!

Is it an intolerable thing to burn part of your body by holding it in the fire? What, then, will it be to suffer ten thousand times more, forever in Hell!

As the joys of Heaven are beyond our conception--so are the pains of Hell. Everlasting torment--is inconceivable torment.

It would be a kind of Heaven to the damned--had they but hope of eventually escaping.

O happy souls in Hell--should they but escape after millions of ages!

But this word 'eternal', contains the perfection of their torment!

O that the sinner would study this word; methinks it would startle him out of his dead sleep!

FOREVER is an intolerable thought!

"And these shall go away into eternal punishment!" Matthew 25:46

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

The most precious thing in heaven or earth
by John Flavel, very uplifting
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Sufficient to each day

(Theodore Cuyler)

"As your days--so shall your strength be."
    Deuteronomy 33:25

Sufficient to each day are the duties to be
done--and the trials to be endured. God never
built a Christian strong enough to carry today's
duties and tomorrow's anxieties piled on the
top of them!

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,
 for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each
 day has enough trouble of its own."
   Matthew 6:34

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

My unstable soul
John Fawcett, insightful
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It is not better preaching!

(J. C. Ryle)

"When the Spirit of truth comes--He will guide you into all truth." John 16:13

Does anyone of us desire to help the Church of Christ? Then let him pray for a great outpouring of the Spirit. Only the Holy Spirit can . . .
  give edge to sermons,
  and point to advice,
  and power to rebukes,
  and can cast down the high walls of sinful hearts!

It is not better preaching, and finer writing that is needed in this day--but more of the presence of the Holy Spirit!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Which of our senses shall be most enthralled?
by the Puritan Andrew Gray, very inspiring
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The making of a beautiful and happy home!

(J.R. Miller)

A true home is one of the most sacred of places. It is a sanctuary into which men flee from the world's perils and alarms. It is a resting-place to which, at close of day--the weary retire to gather new strength for the battle and toils of tomorrow. It is the place . . .
  where love learns its lessons,
  where life is schooled into discipline and strength,
  where character is molded.

Few things we can do in this world are so well worth doing--as the making of a beautiful and happy home! He who does this--builds a sanctuary for God, and opens a fountain of blessing for men.

Far more than we know--do the strength and beauty of our lives, depend upon the home in which we dwell. He who goes forth in the morning from a happy, loving, prayerful home--into the world's strife, temptation, struggle, and duty--is strongly inspired for noble and victorious living.

The children who are brought up in a true home--go out trained and equipped for life's battles and tasks--carrying a secret of strength in their hearts, which will make them brave and loyal to God, and will keep them pure in the world's severest temptations!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

The Lord is my portion
by Octavius Winslow, part 1
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A heaven of comfort in this world of sorrow!

(William Mason, "A Spiritual Treasury for the Children of God")

You worldlings disdain us--but we pity you!

As you are now--so once were we.

Far too long--we enjoyed your carnal gratifications, and feasted on your vain delights. We confess it--and grieve for it. Now we have found Jesus! We have another and a better life. We have divine pleasures, spiritual joys from Christ, and sweet communion with Him! We anxiously wait for future glory. We enjoy a heaven of comfort, in this world of sorrow!

He who walks most by faith, will be the happiest, and most comfortable Christian. He who lives nearest to Christ in faith--will follow Him closest in love. Consequently, he will keep at the greatest distance from the world's vain pleasures, and the carnal delights of the flesh.

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

The Lord is my portion
by Octavius Winslow, part 2
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The school of Heaven!

(Octavius Winslow, "Evening Thoughts")

"The Lord has done great things for us, and we
 are filled with joy. Those who sow in tears, will
 reap with songs of joy."  Psalm 126:3, 5

We can praise God for trials!

We can thank God for sorrows!

These have been to us, though a painful--yet
a much needed and a most blessed school.

The 'wilderness' has been a heavenly place on earth . . .
  the lessons which we have been taught,
  the truths which we have learned,
  the preciousness of Jesus which we have experienced,
  the love of God which we have felt,
  the sweetness in prayer which we have tasted,
  and the fitness for labor which we have derived,
all, all testify, as with one voice--to the unutterably
precious blessings that flow through the channel of
sacred and sanctified sorrow.

Dear reader, as painful and sad as may be the path
you now are treading--fear not; the outcome will
be most glorious. The seed you are sowing in tears,
shall yield you a golden harvest of joy!

Adversity is the school of Heaven!

And in Heaven . . . .
  where no sorrow chafes,
  where no tears flow,
  where no blight withers,
  where no disappointment sickens, and
  where no sad change chills, wounds, and slays,
the sweetest praises will be awakened by the
recollection of the sanctified sorrows of earth!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

The flood came and swept them all away!
by Edward Griffin, powerful
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The presence of a compassionate God!

(Thomas Brooks, "A Word in Season to Suffering Saints")

"His compassions never fail!" Lamentations 3:22

Each believer has the presence of . . .
  a God of mercy,
  a God of tenderness,
  a God of compassion.

Mercy is as essential to God--as light is to the sun,
or as heat is to the fire. He delights in mercy. Patience,
and mildness, and mercy, and compassion, and peace
--are the fruits of His heart. God's compassions are . . .
  fatherly compassions, Psalm 103:13;
  motherly compassions, Isaiah 49:15;
  brotherly compassions, Hebrews 2:12;
  friendly compassions, Canticles 5:1-2.

Oh, how sweet must the presence of a God of mercy, a
God of compassion--be to the saints in a day of trouble!
The presence of a compassionate friend in a day of distress
is very desirable and comfortable; what then is the
presence of a compassionate God!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

If you meet that poor wretch who thrust his
spear into My side! Benjamin Grosvenor, precious
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Especially beautified

(William Plumer, "Vital Godliness: A Treatise
 on Experimental and Practical Piety" 1864)

"Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility." 1 Peter 5:5

Humility is lowliness of mind--the opposite of pride and
arrogance. It belongs to the essence of experimental
religion. A humble spirit is the opposite of a lofty one.
True humility is an inward grace based on a view of our
own guilt, weakness, vileness, and ignorance--as
compared with the infinite excellence and glory of God.

Humility is one of the most lovely of all the traits of a
child of God. It is opposed to all ostentation. It hides
the other graces of the Christian from the gaze of
self-admiration. Its aim is not to be thought humble,
but to be humble. The godly man loves to lie low--and
cares not to have it known.

Humility will not disfigure, but adorn you. As Rebecca
was not the less lovely, but the more so, when she took
a veil and covered her beauty and all her jewels; so the
child of God is especially beautified when arrayed in
humbleness of mind.

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

It is I!
Octavius Winslow, comforting
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My portion!

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

"You are my portion, O Lord!" Psalm 119:57

This is the language of every Christian's heart and life! The generality of the Lord's family are poor in this world--they have no portion of an earthly kind. He who has God for His portion--must not expect much besides. The Lord is enough to make them happy in the absence of all things besides; but nothing can make the spiritual mind happy in His absence.

He is the sun which enlightens, enlivens, and quickens them!
He is the shield which guards, protects, and preserves them!
He is the bread which sustains, strengthens, and revives them!
He is all they want--and without Him they have nothing.

They are often surprised when Providence strips them, and they are left as Job was--naked, friendless, poor, and destitute. But this is just the Lord bringing them to the test. They had said, "You are my portion, O Lord!" Whereas it is now evident that they reckoned those things of which God has stripped them--as a part of their portion. They considered them as necessary; whereas, however much they may add to our outward comfort, they are not absolutely essential to our well-being.

The Lord is an all-sufficient portion; he who possesses the Lord, may say as Jacob to Esau, "Take the present, my brother--seeing I have all things."

The Lord is an all-comprehensive portion; all things are in Him, from Him, by Him, and for Him.
While He is rich--how can we be poor?
While He is able--how can we be left to want?
While He is love--how can we be miserable?

Is God your portion? If so, your light afflictions are but for a moment; and they will work out for you a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

All your trials--are mercies!

Every cross--is a real blessing!

God is dealing with you as with a child which He loves tenderly. He is now, in this affliction, doing you good with His whole heart, and with His whole soul. Oh, believe that God, your God, is love! He . . .
  declares it in His word,
  proves it in all His dealings, and
  will fully reveal it to your soul's eternal satisfaction in Heaven!

Take up your home then in your God; make Him . . .
  the subject of your meditation,
  the center of your joy,
  the object of your love,
  your soul-satisfying portion!
So shall you sing at the last, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever!" Psalm 73:26