Grace Gems

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

The Infinite Ocean of Christ's Love!
by Octavius Winslow, precious
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They cannot help seeing us walk!

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

"For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men!" 1 Peter 2:15

The ungodly are to be silenced by our deeds--rather than by our words. They may refuse to hear us speak--but they cannot help seeing us walk!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Love bound Him to the cross and held Him there!
by John Eadie, most precious
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That last river which we all must pass over!

(Thomas Sherman, "Divine Breathings; Or, a Pious Soul Thirsting after Christ")

The Israelites were necessitated first to pass over the Jordan River, before they could enter Canaan, the promised land. But no sooner had the feet of the priests, who bore the ark of the covenant, rested in the water--but the proud waves saw it and fled, and the swelling streams were driven back, and congealed in heaps to enable them to pass over with safety.

Every child of God resembles an Israelite in this respect; he is passing through the wilderness of this world, and traveling to the land of promise. DEATH is that Jordan River which runs between this wilderness world--and our heavenly Canaan. Death is that swelling stream which overflows the banks of every mortal creature. It is that last river which we all must pass over!

But this is the happiness which believers have--that Jesus Christ, our High Priest, who bears the everlasting covenant upon His shoulders, has already dipped His feet in the streams of this water, so that the streams of bitterness are diverted, the sting of death plucked out, the waters of the salt sea dried up; yes, the power of the curse cut off, so that death is but a sure step to glory!

Why then am I afraid to die? The channel is dry! I see the footsteps of my Savior at the bottom--and Heaven and happiness on the other side! The waters cannot overwhelm my soul!
They may go over my sins,
they may go over my foes,
they may go over my miseries,
they may go over my troubles,
but my soul shall pass over to its eternal rest!

Lord, therefore fit and sanctify me for death--and then take down my earthly tent. I cannot be with You too soon!

"I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far!" Philippians 1:23

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

What kind of bodies will they have?
by Islay Burns, very insightful
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An emblem of the aged believer

(William Schenck, "Nearing Home; Comforts and Counsels for the Aged" 1868 )

"The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green!" Psalm 92:12-14

The palm tree, to which God's people are compared in this Psalm, is remarkable for its lengthened and increasing fruitfulness. The best dates are said to be gathered when it has reached a hundred years of age. How beautiful an emblem of the aged believer, growing in grace and maturing in holiness to the close of his earthly existence! Each day, each year, added to his life--adds to the loveliness and perfection of his Christian virtues. His character has a mellowness and sweetness, which it lacked in earlier seasons.

He is ripening for Heaven! In knowledge, in wisdom, in love, in humility, in gentleness, in patience, in peace, in usefulness, in happiness--he is steadily and constantly advancing. He is filled with the Spirit, and therefore brings forth the fruits of the Spirit.

Is this portraiture of an aged Christian yours, reader? Alas, it does not belong to all who profess and call themselves by the Savior's name.

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

The poor Christian
James Smith, encouraging
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The sovereign decrees and allotments of Your infinite wisdom!

(John MacDuff, "Evening Incense" 1856)

"The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised!" Job 1:21

O my Father, let me feel, even amid the troublous changes of life, that what I am apt to call painful vicissitudes--are the sovereign decrees and allotments of Your infinite wisdom!

Let me rejoice that every bitter drop in the 'cup of life'--is appointed by my Heavenly Father! May I submissively drink it, saying, "May Your will be done!"

What I cannot now comprehend--be it mine to wait the disclosures of that blessed morning when, standing at the luminous portals of Heaven, I shall joyfully acknowledge that, "You have done all things well!"

I look forward to that time when all Your inscrutable dealings will be unfolded, when inner meanings and purposes now undiscerned by the eye of sense--will be brought to light, and all discovered to be full of infinite love! Other refuges may fail--but I am as secure in You, as everlasting love and wisdom and power can make me!

Blessed Jesus! I would seek to cleave closer and closer to Your cross! May I follow You, O Lamb of God--wherever You see fit to lead me. May I never feel as if I would wish one jot or tittle regarding me to be altered--when the reins of universal empire are in Your hands!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Trust His heart--even when you can't trace His hand!
John MacDuff, uplifting and comforting
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Run to your Father's arms and nestle in His bosom!

(James Smith, "Comfort for Christians!")

"Be still--and know that I am God!" Psalm 46:10

This is God's message to His people, even during the most terrible convulsions of nature, the most cruel wars, and the most painful trials! The Lord reigns and works, even in the most dreadful circumstances.

The Lord is constantly doing His will, and accomplishing His purposes--and He never forgets His promises.

Be childlike. Run to your Father's arms and nestle in His bosom! Realize safety in your Father's love and power. He will tenderly . . .
  hold you in the hollow of His hand,
  hide you under His wings, and
  carry you in His bosom as the shepherd does the lamb.

"Be still," for though painful at present--your trial will soon be over. Know that God is supreme and works all things after the counsel of His own will. Know that God never loses sight of you, or forgets your frame and your weakness. Exercise patience, relieve your burdened heart by prayer--and wait in full expectation of a blessing.

As the darkest cloud, often bears the most fruitful shower--so the darkest circumstances, often usher in the choicest mercies. Only . . .
  yield yourself to God,
  keep close to the loving heart of God,
  and submit to the will of God.
Then you will be able to . . .
  carry any cross,
  bear any trial, or
  endure any affliction!

Be silent, be calm, be still--the Lord rules as King forever!

Do not complain--for it will displease the Lord.
Do not murmur--for it will grieve Him.
Do not fear--for it will dishonor Him.

Instead, be still--for your safety is provided for.
Be still--for your needs shall be supplied.
Be still--for all things shall work together for your good.
Be still--for God bids you, and all will end well.

Take me into Your nearness, dear Lord, and help me to be still. Calm my foolish fears and my fearful imaginations. In all of life, help me, O Lord, to be still.

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

How His eyes will sparkle with delight!
by James Smith, precious
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The only fire which will burn away the dross!

(by J. C. Ryle)

"God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness." Hebrews 12:10

How would the great work of sanctification go on in a person--if they had no trials?

Trouble is often the only fire which will burn away the dross which clings to our hearts.

Trouble is the pruning-knife which Christ employs in order to make us fruitful in good works. The harvest of the Lord's field is seldom ripened by sunshine only. It must go through its days of wind and rain and storm.

"Before I was afflicted I went astray--but now I obey Your Word." Psalm 119:67

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

O suffering saint!
by John MacDuff, comforting
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A woman's hardest lot!

(Timothy Shay Arthur, "Lovers and Husbands. A Story of Married Life" 1847)

No man is able fully to meet and reciprocate a true woman's love. The best of men, with all their willingness, with all their efforts, fail. There are deep places of her heart unreached--aching voids unfilled. And yet it is astonishing how small a return will seem to satisfy a woman, and make her heart glow with sunlight. A pleasant word, a tender look, a kiss of love--ah! these seem but small returns for the deep tenderness that ever burns in her bosom! And yet, alas! too often even these are withheld--and the selfish, reserved, cold, and at times morose "lord of creation," comes in and goes out daily--never dreaming that by this very coldness, reserve, and moroseness--he is breaking the heart of her who loves him better than her own life!

But it is ever so. Hundreds, thousands, yes, tens of thousands of wives, are performing their round of duties hourly and daily--unblessed by smiles that warm the bosom, or words that make the heart tremble with inner joy; while, all unconscious of their cruel indifference--those who provide fine houses, fine furniture, and fine garments for their victims, proudly imagine that they are the best of husbands!

Maiden--innocent, loving maiden!--do not turn away from this picture now, or else the time may come when you will seek to turn from it, and shall not be able. When one comes asking your love--know well if he is worthy of such love as you can give. Do not look alone at his attractive exterior; seek to know what ends actuate him. It is the loveliness of pure, high principles that remains verdant the longest--yes, forever verdant. These, and these alone, can make you permanently happy. Without them, an angel's grace, an angel's form would lose its attractions; with them, the plainest exterior soon grows beautiful to the eye of a loving wife. Lay this up in your heart; think of it in the morning, and when your head presses your pillow at night. It may save you from a woman's hardest lot--that of being bound for life to a man who does not even try to make her happy!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

The temptation, and the opportunity
by James Smith, very insightful
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Should it be according to your mind?

(James Smith, "Food for the Soul" 1867)

"Should it be according to your mind?" Job 34:33

Thus the infinitely wise God appeals to us--His poor foolish creatures.

We want our own way.
We wish to carve for ourselves.
But God loves us too well, to allow us to do so!

He has drawn the plan of our lives.
He has marked out the paths we are to tread.
He has fixed the bounds of our habitation.
Yes, He has numbered the very hairs of our head!

He has arranged everything to secure our spiritual and eternal good. This He has told us in His Word--and yet we are not satisfied. But, "Should it be according to your mind?"

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

He may be on earth at noon,
 but in Hell at night!
by James Smith, powerful
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God's beauty!

(Stephen Charnock)

Power is God's hand or arm,
omniscience is God's eye,
mercy is God's delight,
eternity is God's duration,
but holiness is God's beauty!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

The reason why He is not loved
by James Smith, insightful
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What school shall I go to?

(J. C. Ryle)

"He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all--how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?" Romans 8:32

Would I learn how to be contented and cheerful under all the cares and anxieties of life? What school shall I go to? How shall I attain this state of mind most easily? Shall I look at the sovereignty of God, the wisdom of God, the providence of God, the love of God? It is well to do so; but I have a better argument still.

I will look at Calvary and the crucifixion. I feel that He who spared not His only begotten Son but delivered Him up to die for me--will surely with Him give me all things that I really need. He who endured that pain for my soul--will surely not withhold from me anything that is really good. He who has done the greater things for me--will doubtless do the lesser things also. He who gave His own blood to procure me a home in Heaven--will unquestionably supply me with all that is really profitable for me by the way. Ah, reader, there is no school for learning contentment that can be compared with Calvary and the foot of the cross!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Such lessons!
by Thomas Brooks, helpful
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If we are quick to perceive blemishes and faults in others

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

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye--
 and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" Matthew 7:3

It is strange how oblivious we can be of our own faults and blemishes--and how clearly we can see those of other people! One old writer says: "Men are rather more apt to use a magnifying glass to behold the faults of others--than a mirror to behold their own." A man can see a little speck of dust in his neighbor's eye--while utterly unaware of the great plank in his own eye! He observes the most minute fault in his brother--while unconscious of his own far greater fault!

We would say that a plank in a man's eye would so blind him--that he could not see the speck in another's eye. As our Lord represents it, however--the man with the plank, is the very one who sees the speck and thinks himself competent to remove it!

So it is in morals. No man is so sharp at seeing a fault in another--as he who has the same or a similar fault of his own!
A vain man--is the first to detect the indications of vanity in another.
A bad-tempered person--is most apt to be censorious toward a neighbor who displays bad temper.
One with a sharp uncontrolled tongue--has the least patience with another whose speech is full of poisoned arrows.
A selfish man--discovers even specks of selfishness in others.
Rude people--are the very first to be hurt and offended by rudeness in a neighbor.

So it is always. If we are quick to perceive blemishes and faults in others--the probability is, that we have far greater blemishes and faults in ourselves! This truth ought to make us exceedingly careful in our judgments, and exceedingly modest in our expressions of censure--for we really are telling the world our own faults! It is wiser, as well as more in accordance with the spirit of Christ--for us to find lovely things in others, and to be silent regarding their faults!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Love bound Him to the cross and held Him there!
by John Eadie, precious
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  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

Our good works instantly lose all their value!

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

"But when you give to the needy--do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret." Matthew 6:3-4

There are some people who want every good thing they do, to be well advertised. If they give money to some good cause--they want to have it noticed in the papers. If they are kind to the poor or relieve some case of distress--they are particular that the matter should be duly published. They take pains that their charities shall not fail to be credited to themselves.

But this is not the kind of spirit which our Lord enjoined on His disciples. He told them that seeking publicity marred the beauty of their charities; that instead of announcing to others what they had done--they should not even let their own left hand know that their right hand had been doing commendable things.

Of course, Christ did not mean that we should never give to charities--except where the act would be absolutely secret. It is the heart-motive that Christ was enforcing. His disciples should never give for the sake of men's praise. Our good works instantly lose all their value--when any motive but the honor of God and desire for His approval, is in our heart. We should not even think about our charities ourselves--but should forget them, as the tree forgets the fruits it drops.

We should train ourselves therefore to do our good deeds--without seeking the praise or recognition of men. We should not be so anxious to have our name posted on every gift we send. We ought to be willing to do good, and let Christ have all the glory--while we stay back unknown and unrecognized.

Florence Nightingale, having gone like an angel of mercy among the hospitals in the Crimea until her name was enshrined in every soldier's heart--asked to be excused from having her picture taken--that she might be forgotten, and that Christ alone might be remembered as the author of all the blessings which her hand had distributed!

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

If you meet that poor wretch who thrust his spear into My side!
by Benjamin Grosvenor, superb. Play Audio! Download Audio

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The best preacher of the gospel

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

An honest, consistent, holy character--is a sermon all the week. The godly Christian--pure of heart and unspotted by the world--is the best preacher of the gospel. The revival which is most urgently needed--is a revival of practical godliness. Sunday preaching is not enough; we need more "sermons all through the week."

Let us go down to the core. The only basis of good character is a renewed heart--a heart in which Jesus Christ lives, a heart which is in the habit of obeying Christ's commandments. Such a man draws his motives of action from his deep, abiding love to Jesus. Up from the very roots--comes his daily devotion to those things which are pure and honest and lovely and of good report. Rooted into Christ, he is not easily shaken. He does not bend to trickery or yield to temptation. The world cannot move such a man. What does he care for its changing, frivolous fashions; his fashion is to do the will of his holy Master.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:1-2

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

For you--a vile sinner, a rebel worm
by David Harsha, very comforting
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Sleepy saints!

(Arthur W. Pink)

"You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober!" 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6

Sleepy saints! What an anomaly! Drowsing on the verge of eternity!

A Christian is one who, in contrast to the unregenerate, has been awakened from the sleep of death in trespasses and sins, made to realize the unspeakable awfulness of endless misery in Hell and the ineffable joy of everlasting bliss in Heaven--and thereby brought to recognize the seriousness and solemnity of life!

[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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The loving heart of an actual living Christ!

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

I am afraid that many Christians in our day, have lost sight of Christ. They talk . . .
  more about salvation--than about their only Savior, and
  more about redemption--than the one true Redeemer, and
  more about Christ's work--than Christ Himself!

This is a great fault--one that accounts for the dry and shriveled spirit that infuses the religious lives of many who profess faith.

As ever you would grow in grace, and have joy and peace in believing--beware of falling into this error! Cease to regard the Gospel as a mere collection of dry doctrines. Look at it rather as the revelation of a mighty living Being in whose sight you are daily to live. Cease to regard the Gospel as a mere set of abstract propositions and abstruse principles and rules. Look at it as the introduction to a glorious personal Friend. This is the kind of Gospel that the apostles preached. They did not go about the world telling men of love and mercy and pardon in the abstract. The leading subject of all their sermons, was the loving heart of an actual living Christ!

This is the kind of Gospel which is most calculated to promote sanctification and fitness for glory. Nothing, surely, is so likely to prepare us for that Heaven where Christ's personal presence will be all, and that glory where we shall meet Christ face to face--as to realize communion with Christ, as an actual living Person. There is all the difference in the world, between an idea and a person.