Grace Gems

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Pity your foolish child!
by Newman Hall, precious
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Each one had six wings!

(J.R. Miller, "Devotional Hours with the Bible")

"In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above Him were seraphim, each one had six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying." Isaiah 6:1-2

There is something unusual and very impressive in the description of the seraphim in this vision. "Each one had six wings!" Wings are for flight--it is the mission of angelic beings to fly on God's errands. The six wings would seem to signify special readiness to do God's will. But they suggest here, more than their normal use--to fly.

The modern Christian would probably use them all for flying--and would be intensely active. We live in an age when everything inspires to activity. We are apt to run, perhaps too greatly, with our 'wings'.

But we should notice that two of the seraphim's wings were used in covering his face when before God--teaching reverence. Two of them also were used in covering his feet--humility. The other two were used in flying--activity. Reverence and humility--are quite as important qualities in God's service, as activity!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

The Voice of Jesus in the Storm
by Newman Hall, superb
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Live much in Heaven

(Mary Winslow, "Life in Jesus")

"Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated
 at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above,
 not on earthly things." Colossians 3:1-2

Live much in Heaven--and earth will grow less attractive.

Jesus, You are my chief joy, my life, my all. Without You
this world would be wretchedness itself. Keep, oh keep me
near Yourself, nearer, nearer still; and allow no earthly
idol to occupy Your place in my heart.

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

For you--a vile sinner, a rebel worm!
by David Harsha, precious
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Following Christ!

(J.C. Ryle)

"If anyone would come after Me--he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me!" Luke 9:23

O that Christians, the very best of them, were not so slack in following Christ!

Some stop to trifle with the perishable things of earth.

Some stop to pick up the gaudy, scentless flowers by the wayside.

Some stop to sleep, forgetting that this is not our rest--it is cursed ground.

Some stop to pick holes and find fault with their fellow-travelers.

Few of Christ's sheep hold on their way as steadily as they might. But still, compared with the world--they are following Jesus Christ. Oh that they would only remember, that those who follow Him most fully--shall follow Him most comfortably!

They are following Christ, and they know where they are going. And even in the dark river, in the valley of the shadow of death--they feel a confidence that their Shepherd will be with them, and that His rod and His staff will comfort them. They would all tell you that they are poor wandering sheep, ashamed of the little fruit they bear. But still, as weak as they are, they are determined to follow on to the end, and to say, "None but Christ--in life and in death, in time and in eternity!"

"Leaving you an example--so that you should follow in His steps!" 1 Peter 2:21

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Look at the King in His beauty!
by David Harsha, precious
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Weary mariner on life's tempestuous ocean

(David Harsha)

"My child, don't ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don't be discouraged when He corrects you. For the Lord corrects those He loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights." Proverbs 3:11-12

To the children of God, afflictions are sent in mercy.

They are directed by love.

They are designed . . .
  to unite us more closely to the Savior,
  to mortify indwelling sin,
  to purify our hearts,
  to wean us from earth,
  to elevate our affections to that blessed world where there shall be no more pain.

Every breeze of earthly sorrow is only wafting us to those high and heavenly abodes, where temporal ills are forever unknown.

"The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble." Psalm 9:9

Oh, then, when ready to sink under the accumulated ills of life, let us come to the Savior in the time of trouble.

Our help is from Him.

He is our defense.

He will not allow our foot to be moved.

He will keep our souls in safety.

His eye will ever watch over us.

He will preserve us from all evil.

"For You are my hiding place;
 You protect me from trouble.
 You surround me with songs of victory."
     Psalm 32:7

Weary mariner on life's tempestuous ocean, when afflictions cloud your sky, and billows roar around you--cling to the Savior in grateful, confiding love.

Amid all your difficulties and dangers, He will whisper consolation to you, and support your fainting soul with the richest consolation and the choicest promises. You will then be enabled to bear the trials of life with composure, knowing that, like the Captain of our salvation, you must also be made perfect through suffering; and that these light and momentary afflictions are working for you a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory!

You will then experience the sweetness of the divine promises, and in the midst of outward trouble, enjoy inward peace.

"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve my life!" Psalm 138:7

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

I am fast borne along the stream of time!
by John MacDuff, very uplifting
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I would soon fall into gross sins!

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

"The deceitfulness of sin!" Hebrews 3:13

September, 1850.
I have been the subject of very powerful temptations, and have reason to mourn, that though kept from outward sin--I have felt my heart going out after secret evil. I as much need keeping now--as at any former period of my life! The flesh is so powerful, that if God were to withdraw His hand--I would soon fall into gross sins!

How difficult it is to reconcile what I feel, with a 'growth in grace,' or with anything like a deep work of inward sanctification. Sin seems to lose all its deformity at such times, and appears to be a mere trifling act. O the self-deluding power of sin!

If any of God's people ought to be humble--I ought to; and to lie lower before God than any of them. Still, pride works mightily in me. I strive to do good, my heart is set upon it--and yet at present, I seem to make very little progress.

"Hold me up--and I shall be safe!" Psalm 119:117

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

My Helper!
by James Smith
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Conducting their children to the bottomless pit!

(J.A. James, "The Duties of Parents" 1828 )

On parents it depends in a great measure, what their children are to be . . .
  happy--or miserable in themselves,
  a comfort--or a curse to their relationships,
  an ornament--or a deformity to society,
  a seraph--or a fiend in eternity!

It is indeed a fearsome thing to be a parent, and is enough to awaken the anxious, trembling inquiry in every parent's heart: "Lord, who is sufficient for these things?"

A graceless parent is a most dreadful character! Oh! to see the father and mother of an expanding family, with a crowd of young immortals growing up around them--and teaching worldliness to their offspring, and leading them to perdition by the power of their own example!

A sheep leading her lambs into a den of hungry tigers, would be a shocking sight! But to see parents conducting their children to the bottomless pit--is most horrible!!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Let us often think of home!
by James Smith
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Will worrying make matters any better?

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

"Who of you by worrying, can add a single cubit to his height?" Matthew 6:27

So it is useless to worry! A short person cannot, by any amount of anxiety, make himself an inch taller. Why, therefore, should he waste his energy and fret his life away--in wishing he were taller?

One worries because he is too short--another because he is too tall;
one worries because he too lean--another because he is too heavy;
one worries because he has a lame foot--another because he has a mole on his face.
No amount of fretting will change any of these things!

People worry, too, over their circumstances. They are poor, and have to work hard. They have troubles, losses, and disappointments which come through causes entirely beyond their own control. They find difficulties in their environment which they cannot surmount. There are hard conditions in their lot which they cannot change.

Now why should they worry about these things? Will worrying make matters any better? Will discontent . . .
  cure the blind eye, or
  remove the ugly mole, or
  give health to the infirm body?

Will chafing make . . .
  the hard work, lighter;
  or the burdens, easier;
  or the troubles, fewer?

Will anxiety . . .
  keep the winter away, or
  keep the storm from rising, or
  put coal in the cellar, or
  put bread in the pantry, or
  get clothes for the children?

Even human reason shows the uselessness of worrying, since it helps nothing, and only wastes one's strength and unfits one for doing one's best!

The Christian gospel goes farther, and says that even the hard things and the obstacles, are blessings--if we meet them in the right spirit. They are stepping-stones lifting our feet upward--disciplinary experiences in which we grow.

So we learn that we should quietly, and with faith in God's Providence, accept life as it comes to us--fretting at nothing, yet changing hard conditions to easier ones if we can. And if we cannot--then we must use them as means for growth and advancement.

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

We must continually come to Him!
by James Smith, insightful and helpful
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All the children of God have a cross to carry

(J.C. Ryle)

"If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me." Matthew 16:24

All the children of God have a cross to carry. They have trials, troubles, and afflictions to go through for the Gospel's sake. They have . . .
  trials from the world,
  trials from the flesh,
  trials from the devil.

They have trials from relations and friends--hard words, hard conduct, and hard judgment.

They have trials in the matter of character--slander, misrepresentation, mockery, suggestion of false motives--all these often rain thick upon them.

They have trials from their own hearts.

They have each generally their own thorn in the flesh, which is their worst foe.

This is the experience of the children of God. Some of them suffer more--and some less. Some of them suffer in one way--and some in another. God measures out their portions like a wise physician, and cannot err. But never, I believe, was there one child of God, who reached Heaven without a cross!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Open wide your mouth--and I will fill it!
by James Smith, most uplifting
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Growth in grace

(Archibald Alexander, "Growth in Grace" 1844)

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen." 2 Peter 3:18

Growth in grace is evidenced by a more habitual vigilance against besetting sins and temptations, and by greater self-denial in regard to personal indulgence. A growing conscientiousness in regard to what may be called minor Christian duties is also a good sign. (The counterfeit of this is an over-scrupulous conscience, which sometimes haggles at the most innocent gratifications, and has led some to hesitate about taking their daily food.)

Increasing spiritual-mindedness is a sure evidence of progress in piety; and this will always be accompanied by increasing deadness to the world.

Continued aspirations for God, indicate the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, by whose agency all progress in sanctification is made.

Increasing solicitude for the salvation of men, sorrow on account of their sinful and miserable condition, and a disposition tenderly to warn sinners of their danger--evince a growing state of piety.

It is also a strong evidence of growth in grace, when you can bear injuries and provocations with meekness, and when you can from the heart desire the temporal and eternal welfare of your bitterest enemies.

An entire and confident reliance on the promises and providence of God, however dark may be your horizon, or however many difficulties environ you--is a sign that you have learned to live by faith.

Humble contentment with your condition, though it is one of poverty and obscurity--shows that you have profited by sitting at the feet of Jesus.

Diligence in the duties of our secular calling, with a view to the glory of God, is an evidence not to be despised.

Indeed, there is no surer standard of spiritual growth than a habit of aiming at the glory of God in everything.

Increasing love to the brethren is a sure sign of growth; for as brotherly love is a proof of the existence of grace, so is the exercise of such love a proof of vigor in the divine life.

A victory over besetting sins by which the person was frequently led away--shows an increased vigor in grace.

Sometimes the children of God grow faster when in the fiery furnace than elsewhere. As metals are purified by being cast into the fire--so saints have their dross consumed and their graces brightened--by being cast into the furnace of affliction.

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

The life-boat of free grace!
by James Smith, insightful
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  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

Do not be anxious about anything!

(James Smith, "Daily Food for the Lord's Flock!" 1848 )

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God!" Philippians 4:6

Prayer is . . .
  always seasonable,
  always necessary,
  and always profitable!

We should do with our cares as we do with our sins--carry them to Jesus, and cast them on Him.

In every place the throne of grace is near--at all times God is accessible to us. Every trouble furnishes us with a message to Him!

"Cast all your care upon Him, for He ever cares for you!" 1 Peter 5:7

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

When His influence is put forth within us
by James Smith, very insightful
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It mightily alters and changes a man!

(Thomas Brooks, "A Cabinet of Choice Jewels")

"Thanks be to God that, though you used to be
 slaves to sin--you wholeheartedly obeyed the
 form of teaching to which you were entrusted."
     Romans 6:17

Certainly, gospel-obedience is a grace of much
worth, and of great force upon the whole man;
for when it is once wrought in the heart, it works
a conformity to all God's holy will.

That obedience which springs from saving faith,
is a transforming obedience. It mightily alters
and changes a man:
  from impurity--to purity,
  from sin--to sanctity,
  from unrighteousness--to righteousness,
  from earthly-mindedness--to heavenly-mindedness,
  from pride--to humility,
  from hypocrisy--to sincerity, etc.

Those who are not savingly changed, are still
in the gall of bitterness, and bond of iniquity.

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

If God had not helped us
by James Smith, comforting
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  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

Our godless society!

(Theodore Cuyler, "Wayside Springs from the Fountain of Life" 1883)

"Do not be conformed to the world." Romans 12:2

The sin of modern civilization has been well described as "making more of status than it does of character." But the very essence of Bible religion, is to make character everything--and conduct the test and evidence of character.

Our godless society needs a strict, pure, honest, self-denying, godly-minded church! Conformity to the world--will never convert the world! We are not to accommodate Christianity to the thought and fashion of the times--but to keep it stoutly and steadily up to its original standards. We must stand fast, not only to the faith once delivered to the saints, but to the practices which are enjoined in God's Word.

Social life, with increase of wealth, has a trend towards demoralization. Luxury weakens morality. Popular amusements become sensualized and offer their temptations to the church. "Do not be conformed to the world" applies to the theater, the ball-room, the wine-cup, and to everything that would turn God's earth into a "Vanity Fair." Conformity to the world amounts, in the end, to more than the corruption of Christ's church. It puts out the light which Christ has kindled; it destroys the very leaven which He has prepared to purify and sweeten and save a "world lying in wickedness."

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

When earth's wine runs out!
by J.R. Miller, very insightful
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  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

It will cost you something!

(J. C. Ryle)

"And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow Me, cannot be My disciple." Luke 14:27

Do you wish your soul to be saved?

Then remember, you must choose who you will serve.
You cannot serve both God and mammon.
You cannot be on two sides at once.
You cannot be a friend of Christ--and a friend of the world at the same time.

You must come out from the people of this world, and be separate; you must put up with much ridicule, trouble, and opposition--or you are lost forever. You must be willing to think and do things which the world considers foolish, and to hold opinions which are only held by a few. It will cost you something! The stream is strong--and you have to stem it. The way is narrow and steep--and it is no use saying it is not. But depend on it, there can be no saving religion without sacrifices and self-denial.

"Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." 2 Corinthians 6:17-18

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

We should learn a lesson from the old heathen artist!
by J.R. Miller, very helpful.  Play Audio!   Download Audio

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Two signs

(Richard Baxter, "The Saints' Everlasting Rest")

Let DESERVED! be written on the door of Hell;
but on the door of Heaven, THE FREE GIFT!

"For the wages of sin is death--but the gift of
 God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord!"
    Romans 6:23 

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

You have saved the best until now!
by J.R. Miller, very comforting
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  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

He is never too busy!

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

"Our Father in Heaven!" Matthew 6:9

This is the 'golden gate' of the temple of prayer!

When our Lord taught His disciples how to pray--it was thus He said they should begin. They were not to come to infinite power, or to unknowable mystery, or to inaccessible light--but to tender fatherhood. This precious name "Father" at the gateway--makes the approach to God easy and sure.

The name "Father" assures us of divine love and care. Does a true parent have care for his child? Much more does our Father in Heaven care for His children on the earth! He even cares for the birds--feeding them their daily food. He even cares for the flowers--weaving, with colorful threads, the lovely robes which they wear. He surely cares more for His children! So the precious name "Father" assures us that we shall never be neglected nor overlooked in this great world.

The name "Father" also gives us assurance of unhindered access to the Divine presence. The children of a great earthly king are not kept waiting at their father's door, as strangers are. Just so, God's children have perfect liberty in His presence. They can never come at an untimely hour. He is never too busy to see them and to listen to their words of love and prayer. In the midst of the innumerable affairs of the vast universe--He thinks of His lowliest child! Amid all the confusion and noise of this great world--He hears and recognizes the faintest cry that rises from the lips of the least and lowliest of His little ones.

The name "Father" also interprets for us, the grace and mercy of our God. We are always conscious of sin. How, then, can we gain access to a holy God? Ah! He is our Father! We know that even an earthly father does not shut the door on his erring child. The candle is left burning in the window through the long dark nights--that the wanderer out in the blackness and longing to return, seeing the bright beams--may be assured of love and a waiting welcome. Infinitely more gracious, is "our Father in Heaven!"