Grace Gems

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Prepare to Meet the Monster!
by David Harsha, very sobering
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I am truly a marvel and miracle!

(John MacDuff, "Evening Incense" 1856)

O my Father, it is of Your compassions alone, that I am not consumed!

My way Zionward is well-studded with Ebenezers, testifying "Thus far the Lord has helped me!"

The pillar of Your presence has guided me through many a perplexing path!

Your love has smiled through many a threatening cloud!

Your restraining grace has arrested me in many a slippery way!

When "my soul was among lions"--how often have You "sent Your angel" to rescue me and shut the lions' mouths! I am truly a marvel and miracle of Your preservation, patience, and mercy!

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

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Not our home!
by David Harsha, encouraging
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As your days--so shall your strength be!

(James Smith, "Comfort for Christians!")

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

Here is a precious promise for a trying day! It belongs to every Christian who is traveling to the Celestial City. It provides for every part of life's journey; for every day--as each day may require.

It is especially suited to the dark days, the wintry days, and the trying days--when all our earthly props fail us; the days when our fellow man cannot help us.

Fellow pilgrim! Are you dispirited, depressed, and cast down? Are you looking back upon the past with sorrow--and forward into the future with fear? Cheer up! The Lord will not lay on you more than He will enable you to bear--nor will He allow any other to do so.

However weak you may feel in yourself,
however rough the road you may need to travel,
however heavy the burden you may have to carry--
God will supply you with sufficient strength for the day!

He has never allowed you to be crushed yet, though you may have staggered under some heavy burdens. He who has helped you in the past--is still your helper today. He will also help you in all the future. "As your days"--be they as troublesome as they may--"so shall your strength be."

Whether your day brings life or death, joy or trial--it does not matter. God will send you exactly what you need to pass through it! Do not look at your trials, do not dwell on your inability--but lay hold on the promises of God and seek His grace to exercise faith in Him.

Then let Satan suggest what he pleases, or the flesh object as it may--you will be able to say, "I will not fear; for as my day--so shall my strength be. He who has promised--will also fulfill His promise."

Blessed Lord, I praise You for this precious promise! Help, oh, help me to trust in it; and day by day as duty or trials may require--enable me to look to You and expect sufficient strength from You!

"On the day I called--You answered me; You increased strength within me!" Psalm 138:3

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

The Holy Spirit
by David Harsha, insightful
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Our 'lot' of afflictions

(Letters of John Newton)

My dear friend,
My wife has been very ill. But we are growing older, and may expect that as years increase--infirmities will increase also. Yet we are in His hands--and they are merciful hands.

His Word still gives us encouragement to trust in Him, and call upon Him as long as we live. May we cast all our cares upon Him--with a persuasion that He cares for us! May His grace be sufficient for us, and our strength be according to our day--and then all shall be well.

Time is short, and the sufferings of the present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed. A happy end will make amends for all the difficulties we meet with along the way. Oh that we could learn to live with the Lord by the day, and leave the unknown tomorrow, and all its needs--with Him.

The trials of yesterday are gone--to return no more. Those of tomorrow--are not yet come. The Lord mercifully parcels out to us our 'lot' of afflictions by minutes and moments--that we might not be overburdened. But we, foolishly looking back to the past, and forward to the future--load ourselves with an unnecessary and unprofitable weight! It is no wonder, therefore, that we are often weary!

The heaviest part of our trials is owing, not so much to the painful dispensations which cause them--as the self-will and unbelief of our hearts. And our relief depends more upon the cure of our wrong inward dispositions--than upon any change of our outward circumstances.

I have indeed had my trials, and some of them have been sharp; but their sharpness, as I have hinted, has been chiefly owing to my lack of faith and submission. I have reason to praise Him for my trials, for, most probably, I would have been ruined without them!

Your affectionate friend,
John Newton

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

True religion
by J.A. James, very insightful
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Humble souls

(Thomas Brooks, "The Unsearchable Riches of Christ!")

None on earth are so near to God, and so high in their communion with God--as humble souls. And as they have the clearest visions of God--so God gives them the fullest sight and knowledge of their own sinfulness and nothingness.

"I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear--but now my eye has seen You. Therefore I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes!" says Job.

In a vision the Lord reveals His glory to the prophet Isaiah, "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty!" Oh, the vision that I have had of the glory of God, has given me such a clear and full sight of my own vileness and baseness, that I cannot but loathe and abhor myself!

When Abraham draws near to God, then he accounts himself nothing but dust and ashes! Genesis 18:27.

When Peter saw that glorious miracle wrought by the Lord Jesus, he cries out as one very sensible of his own weakness and sinfulness, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" That is, "a man, a sinner"--a compound of dirt and sin! Ah! I am not worthy to be near such majesty and glory--who am a mere bundle of vice and vanity, of folly and iniquity!

The angels who are near God, who stand before Him, in humility cover their faces with two wings, as with a double scarf, in Isaiah 6:2.

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

That one majestic, inconceivable, and expressive word!
by J.A. James
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The secret sorrow

(Theodore Cuyler, "Beulah-Land or, Words of Cheer for Christian Pilgrims")

"I am the Good Shepherd. I know My own sheep--and they know Me." John 10:14

Jesus knows those who are His. He knows all about every one of them: their strong points--and their weak points; their besetting sins--and their graces.

The fact of Christ's perfect knowledge of all our needs and requirements, throws great light on some dark providences. It explains some mysteries--why one of us is put up, and another is put down; why one is prospered, and another is impoverished.

Our blessed Master, in His family discipline, commits no mistakes. When He takes an immortal soul under His loving care and into His training-school, He understands the character of each His pupils. He is a most forbearing and considerate of masters. He never lays on weak shoulders, the loads which only stalwarts can carry. All the while, too, how sweetly come the encouraging words, "I am with you always! My grace is sufficient for you! As your days--so your strength shall be." He calls us not slaves--He calls us His friends.

How perfectly acquainted He is, too, with all our weaknesses! He knows our frame; He remembers that we are but dust. Here is great encouragement for penitent sinners. He quenches no smoking flax--He breaks no bruised reeds.

The secret sorrow which I dare not breathe to the most intimate friend--I can freely unbosom to my Savior. Ah, how well He knows every thorn which pricks my foot, and every wound which trickles its silent drops from my bleeding soul! This is a wondrous encouragement to prayer. For my Physician will never administer the wrong medicine, nor fail to help us in the hour of sudden distress!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

He is both depraved and condemned!
by J.A. James, very insightful
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A day of great surprise!

(William S. Plumer, "Sinners Saved by Unmerited Kindness")

"The hopes of the godly result in happiness,
 but the hopes of the wicked are all in vain." Proverbs 10:28

"When the wicked die, their hopes all perish." Proverbs 11:7

The day of judgment will also be a day of great surprise, both to saints and sinners. So Christ expressly informs us: "Many will say to me on that day: 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!'" Matthew 7:22-23

Many will be saved, and many will be lost--contrary to the judgments formed of them by their neighbors. But more  will be saved, and more will be lost contrary to the opinions  they had of themselves!

Christians will wonder that they are saved, and how they are saved, and they will wonder that they should be commended for deeds full of imperfection.

The wicked will be amazed that they are lost, and how they are lost; and especially that God puts no value upon their self-righteousness.

The sons of God will receive more honor than they ever thought of claiming;
while the wicked will find their hopes perishing one by one, and their lamp going out in obscure
darkness.

Christians will wonder why they should be saved.
Unbelievers will wonder why they should not be saved.

The wicked will ask, "What have we done amiss?"
The saved will say, "All our righteous acts are like filthy rags!"

The wicked will say that he has done the best he can.
The righteous will say, "Behold, I am vile!"

"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." Matthew 25:46. Nothing can reverse, nor arrest the judgments of that day. Nothing can alter or vary the decree of the Judge. It shall stand forever. The judgment of the great day will be irrevocable and everlasting in its effects. It will bind forever. 

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Growing worse?
by J.A. James
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It would make him pull his hat down over his eyes!

(John MacDuff, "Heavenly Aspirations")

If the best man's sins were written on his forehead--it would make him pull his hat down over his eyes!

"Who can discern his errors? Cleanse me from my hidden faults!" Psalm 19:12

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Over-indulgence of fond and foolish parents!
by J.A. James, very insightful
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Trials and sorrows

(James Smith, "Comfort for Christians!")

"In the world, you will have many trials and sorrows." John 16:33

To be forewarned--is to be forearmed! Our divine Lord here assures His disciples that they will be tried, and teaches them that they must not expect a very smooth path.

The road to the kingdom, will always be more or less a rough road. Almost every day something or other will happen to . . .
  try our tempers,
  exercise our graces,
  or distress our minds.

At times, we shall have many trials and sorrows:
Within--a violent conflict between the flesh and the spirit.
Without--vexations, disappointments, heavy losses, or rugged crosses.
In the body--weakness and pain.
In the soul--temptation and a thousand fears.
In the church--much to depress, discourage, and cast us down.
In the world--enough to make us weep day and night.

If it were not for . . .
  the comforts of the Holy Spirit,
  the fullness of the Lord Jesus,
  the throne of grace, and
  the prospect of perfect peace and rest in our Father's house
--we would be of all men, the most miserable.

But as it is, we make some progress on the rough road. Though we may often sigh--we also raise a song, and rejoice in the persuasion that all will end well. When we reach the kingdom--all trials and sorrows will cease--and all will be holy and peaceful forever.

Heavenly Father, take me to Your house--where there are no more foes, no more fears, no more privations; and, best of all, where there is no more sin or temptation!

"They strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God!" Acts 14:22

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Is he a brute? Is he a maniac?
by J.A. James, insightful
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Distasteful temptations

("The Mute Christian Under the Smarting Rod" or, "The Silent Soul with Sovereign Antidotes" by Thomas Brooks, 1659, London)

No man is the less loved by God, because he is tempted. Those whom God loves best--are usually tempted most. Witness David, Job, Joshua, Peter, Paul, yes, Christ Himself--who, as He was beloved above all others, so he was tempted above all others!

God had but one Son without corruption--but He had none without temptation!

Those who were once glorious on earth, and are now triumphing in heaven--have been severely tempted and assaulted by Satan. It is as natural and common for the choicest saints to be tempted--as it is for the sun to shine, the bird to fly, the fire to burn. The eagle complains not of her wings, nor the peacock of her train of feathers, nor the nightingale of her voice--because these are natural to them. No more should saints complain of their temptations, because they are natural to them.

"Our whole life is nothing but a temptation!"

The best men have been the worst tempted!

Temptations which are resisted and bewailed, will never hurt you, nor harm you.

Distasteful temptations seldom or never prevail. So long as the soul distastes them and the will remains firmly averse against them--they can do no hurt. So long as the language of the soul is, 'Get behind me, Satan!' the soul is safe.

It is not Satan tempting--but my assenting; it is not his enticing--but my yielding; which undoes me!

Temptations may be troubles to my mind--but they are not sins upon my soul--while I am in arms against them. If your heart trembles and your flesh quakes when Satan tempts--your condition is safe enough. If Satan's temptations are your greatest afflictions--his temptations shall never conquer you nor harm you!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Though we mourn--we must not murmur!
by J.A. James, very comforting
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All things work together for good!

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

"All things work together for good!" Romans 8:28

What! Shall all my severe trials, troubles and afflictions work together for my good? Yes--but they are not good alone--but only in connection with other things.
Outward--and inward,
painful--and pleasant,
joyous--and grievous,
gains--and losses,
victories--and defeats,
all work together! And God superintends the working, so as to secure our good and prevent our injury! God aims at our real and lasting good in all that He does--and in all that He permits. He does nothing, nor allows anything to be done which affects us--but what we shall bless and praise Him for, when we see the entire whole in the light of glory!

"He has done all things well!" Mark 7:37

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Beware of the dog!
by J.A. James, challenging
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While we mourn over our many maladies

(Henry Law, "Family Prayers")

"This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith." 1 John 5:4

While we mourn over our many maladies--we see that increase of faith would be the grand remedy! Our hearts are often . . .
  the cage of every unclean bird,
  the fount of every loathsome desire,
  the deadly fruit of every poisonous tree,
  the open wayside of every earthly lust and passion.
This is because our faith sleeps. Awaken it, good Lord--give it more strength, until all impurity is cast out!

We now go forth to intermingle with the world. This foe is artful to entrap us. It will approach in an enchanting guise. It will extend many a gilded bait, and will present many a poisoned cup. Lord, increase our faith--and we shall scorn every painted bauble, and trample down every bewitching snare! We shall then be more than conquerors, for this is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith!

May our hearts be entirely weaned from the world, dead to its outward enticements, and wholly consecrated unto You. Help us by Your grace--that we may live with You, and to You, during the little speck of our earthly sojourn.

Oh! hear the cry of our anxious hearts, and increase our faith, through the merits and for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Essential to eminent usefulness
by J.A. James, very insightful
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The grass will be growing over our graves!

(J. C. Ryle)

"It is appointed unto men once to die, and after that to face judgment!" Hebrews 9:27

All things are growing older--the world is growing old; we ourselves are growing older. A few more summers, a few more winters, a few more sicknesses, a few more sorrows, a few more weddings, a few more funerals, a few more meetings and a few more partings--and then--what? Why, the grass will be growing over our graves!

"Prepare to meet your God!" Amos 4:12

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

The idol of our day!
by J.A. James, challenging
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  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

This life is a valley of tears!

("Solitude Sweetened" by James Meikle, 1730-1799)

"In the world you have trouble and suffering." John 16:33

This life is a valley of tears!

Have I mistaken this thorny wilderness--for a garden of flowers?
Have I mistaken this place of danger--for a palace of delight?
Have I mistaken this waste howling desert--for an enchanting grove?

If the world has joys, it has none for me--they are carnal or unlawful. My joys must be pure and spiritual. If the creature affords pleasures, they cannot suit my soul--
  its honey is mixed with gall,
  its sweet with wormwood,
  its wine with water,
  its gold with dross,
  and all are mixed with poison!

The pleasures I should seek are such as my soul may . . .
   feed on without danger,
   feast on without excess,
   and rejoice in without sin.

Again, why do I expect comfort in this world? Can I hope, or even desire, to go through the valley of tears--with singing? Can I hope to dwell in the house of mourning--with joy?

This sinful world is too barren a soil to bear true joy.

This is the night of weeping; and though weeping endures through the night of time, yet joy comes in the morning of eternity!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Holiness
by J.A. James, insightful
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What a beautiful picture of my poor, weak, hungry soul

(Theodore Cuyler, "God's Light on Dark Clouds")

"But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me!" 2 Corinthians 12:9

God's strength is made perfect in our weakness. This means that the Divine power is most conspicuous--when our weakness is the most thoroughly felt. We have got first to be emptied of all self-conceit and self-confidence. A bucket cannot hold air and water at the same time. As the water comes in--the air must go out. The reason of some hard trials--is to get the accursed spirit of SELF out of our hearts! When we have been emptied of self-trust--we are in the condition to be filled with might in the inner man, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

A Christian must not only realize his own utter feebleness--but he must give up what worldlings rely on, and admit that "vain is the help of man." That poor woman who had tried all the doctors in her neighborhood, and had only grown worse in body, and poorer in purse--is a touching illustration of our invalid souls. She, having despaired of human help--came crouching to the feet of the Son of God. One touch of His garments sent a new tide of health through her veins. Just so, contact with Christ brings currents of the Divine power into our souls--so that we can do all things through Christ who strengths us!

This is the real office of faith. It is simply the linking of our utter weakness--to the omnipotence of Christ! We furnish the weakness--and He furnishes the strength--and that makes the partnership! The baby furnishes a hungry little mouth--and the mother furnishes the nourishing milk. The mother is happy that she can give the full supply--and the rosy darling is happy as it draws in the sweet contentment. What a beautiful picture of my poor, weak, hungry soul--resting on the bosom of the Infinite Love! There is no danger that the supply will ever give out, for my Lord, my Feeder, my Supporter--is constantly saying unto me, "My grace is sufficient for you." In this way we are strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power.

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

This city has so aroused my anger and wrath!
by J.A. James, insightful and powerful
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  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

A kind of omnipotence in it!

(Thomas Brooks, "Heaven on Earth" 1667)

Faith is an appropriating grace.

Faith looks upon God, and says with David,
"This God is my God forever and ever!
 He shall be my guide unto the death!"

Faith looks upon Christ, and says with the spouse,
"I am my Beloved's--and my Beloved is mine!"

Faith looks upon an immortal crown, and says
"Henceforth is laid up for me a crown of glory."

Faith looks upon the righteousness of Christ,
and says, "This righteousness is mine to cover me."

Faith looks upon the mercy of Christ, and
says, "This mercy is mine to pardon me."

Faith looks upon the power of Christ, and
says, "This power is mine to support me."

Faith looks upon the wisdom of Christ, and
says, "This wisdom is mine to direct me."

Faith looks upon the blood of Christ, and
says, "This blood is mine to save me."

Faith has a kind of omnipotence in it;
it is able to do all things.