Grace Gems

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Our besotted faculties are dull to comprehend You
by Henry Law
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Take these three spears!

(Thomas Watson, "The Mischief of Sin")

Do with your sin--as Joab did with Absalom. He took three spears and thrust them through the heart of Absalom! 2 Samuel 18:14. Just so, take these three spears--the Word of God, prayer, and mortification--and strike through the heart of your lusts, so that they die!

What is the end of all a Christian's duties, praying, and hearing--but to weaken and mortify lust! Why is this spiritual medicine taken--but to kill the child of sin! Sin will insinuate itself and plead for a reprieve--but show it no mercy!

Saul's sparing Agag lost him the kingdom--and your sparing sin will lose you the kingdom of Heaven. Do with your sin, what Samuel did to Agag, "He hacked Agag to pieces before the Lord at Gilgal." 1 Samuel 15:33

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Our hearts are Yours!
by Henry Law, precious
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Countless little blemishes and flaws

(J.R. Miller, "Things That Endure")

"Little things make perfection." In nothing is this more true, than in character and conduct. There are many people who in great matters of principle, and in the cardinal virtues--are without fault; yet the luster of whose life is dimmed, by their countless little blemishes and flaws.

One man who is upright and steadfast, with the firmness of a rock--is hard to live with at home, because of his irritability or his despotic disposition.

Another is full of great benevolent and philanthropic schemes, doing good in many ways--yet those who know him most intimately, discover in him an almost utter lack of the sweet graces and amenities, which are the true adornment of a Christlike life.

It is in the little things, that most of our failures are made. Little faults thoroughly penetrate our characters.

Little sins ruin many a life.

There is a species of little white ants in Africa, which work desolation wherever they go. One may leave his chair at night and go to bed. In the morning the chair is there, apparently in good condition--but let him sit down on it, and it falls with him, in a heap on the floor! During the night, the white ants have eaten the inside out of the legs, seat and frame. Houses are in like manner destroyed. The timbers are bored through and through--until one day the building tumbles to the ground!

Just so, there are human lives which seem strong and right to men's eyes--but countless infinitesimal faults and sins, eat away their substance, until they fall at last in hopeless ruin!

There is no doubt that the largest part of the pain and heartache endured in the world, is caused by multitudinous little failures in lovingness--by little, needless hurts and unkindnesses--rather than by life's great and conspicuous sorrows.

It is not enough, therefore, that we seek to be true, honest and just, in all our life. We should learn all the lessons of love, so that in every disposition and temper and word, in every shade of expression--we shall be Christlike.

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Our tears of penitence cannot remove one blot!
by Henry Law, insightful Play Audio! Download Audio

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The goal of living in this world

(J.R. Miller, "Things That Endure")

The goal of living in this world, is ever to grow into more and more radiant and lovely Christ-like character--whatever our conditions or experiences may be.

We cannot escape temptations--but we are so to meet them and pass through them, as not to be hurt by them--to come out of them with new strength and new radiancy of soul.

We cannot escape trials and difficulties--but we are to live victoriously, never defeated, always overcoming.

We cannot find a path in which no sorrow shall come into our lives--but we are to live through the experience of sorrow, without being hurt by it.

Many people receive harm from the fires which pass over them. Many fall in temptation and lie in dust and defeat, not rising again. Many are soured and embittered by the difficulties, the irritations, the frictions, the cares of life. But the problem of Christian living, is to keep a sweet Christ-like spirit amid all that might embitter us--to pass through the fires, and not have the flames kindle upon us.

We live in the midst of the countless dangers through which we must pass in this world. Danger lurks in every shadow, and hides in every patch of sunshine. There are tempters all around us. Only by committing our lives day by day into the hands of Christ, can we be kept in safety amid the perils of this world. He is able to keep us from falling, to guard us from stumbling, and to set us before His presence without blemish, in exceeding joy!

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No book is really worth reading

(J.R. Miller, "Things That Endure")

"Avoid every kind of evil!" 1 Thessalonians 5:22

Much is said in commendation of books. But, as in other matters, there is need for wise discrimination in what one reads. Not all books are worth reading.

There are many which are utterly empty of anything that is noble or worthy. One might read them continually all one's life--and yet be no wiser and no better. A hundred of them do not contain a dozen sentences that it is worthwhile to keep in one's memory, or that can be of any help or cheer or strength in one's life.

Then, there are books which are most pernicious in their influence. There are all grades and degrees of evil in this class. Some of them carry a subtle poison in their atmosphere which is noxious to those who breathe it. We need to keep most careful watch over our heart, so that nothing shall ever tarnish its purity. Any corrupt thought, dallied with even for a moment, leaves a stain upon the mind which may never be effaced.

If we would keep the tender joy of our heart experiences unbroken, we must hold rigid watch over our reading, conscientiously excluding not only whatever is obviously impure--but all in which lurks even a suggestion of evil.

A writer says: "Never read a book which is not worth reading, for some noble end, beyond the short-lived pleasure of a little excitement."

When we think of the influence which our reading has upon our lives, we see at once the importance of selecting only books that are worthwhile. At the best, none of us can read one book in a thousand of those which are within our reach. Surely then, this one book ought to be the best in all the thousand.

Every year, a flood of really worthless publications is poured over the country. People go into ecstasies over trivial works which please or excite them for a day--and are then old and forgotten; while books in every way admirable, are passed by unnoticed.

No book is really worth reading, which does not either impart valuable knowledge; or set before us some ideal of beauty, strength, or nobility of character.

There are enough great books to occupy us during all our short and busy years. If we are wise, we will resolutely avoid all but the richest and the best.

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An honest heathen--or a fake Christian?

(George Swinnock)

He who seems to be righteous toward men, but is
impious towards God--is but an honest heathen!

He who seems to be pious towards God, but is
unrighteous toward men--is but a fake Christian!

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A race to the sepulcher!

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

"What is your life? You are a vapor that appears for a little while--and then vanishes!" James 4:14

To speak the truth, our life is but a lingering death!

The poet being asked what he did; answered insightfully, "I am dying, little by little!"

We do but begin to live indeed--when we begin to live to God; our life before, is but a race to the sepulcher! But when we live to God--then we are on our way to eternity!

Our life contains a thousand springs,
And dies, if one goes wrong!
Strange! that a harp of a thousand strings,
Should keep in tune, so long!

"What is your life? You are a vapor that appears for a little while--and then vanishes!" James 4:14

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Your good things are all yet to come!

(J.C. Ryle)

"Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God!" Hebrews 12:1-2

We must run with perseverance--or we shall never obtain. There may be many things we cannot understand, much that the flesh could perhaps wish otherwise--but let us endure unto the end, and all shall be made clear, and God's arrangements shall be proved best. Think not to have your reward on earth--do not draw back, because your good things are all yet to come.
Today is the cross--but tomorrow is the crown.
Today is the labor--but tomorrow are the wages.
Today is the sowing--but tomorrow is the harvest.
Today is the battle--but tomorrow is the rest.
Today is the weeping--but tomorrow is the joy.

And what is today, when compared to tomorrow?
Today is but seventy years--but tomorrow is eternity!

"Run in such a way as to get the prize!" 1 Corinthians 9:24

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You do not know what a day may bring forth!

(James Smith, "Ignorance of the Future" 1856)

"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth!" Proverbs 27:1

We are totally ignorant of the future!
It may be prosperous--or it may be adverse.
We may suffer much from sickness--or we may enjoy sound health.
We may meet with accidents--or we may be graciously preserved from them.
We may be losers by calamity or wicked men--or God may set a hedge about us, as He did about Job.
We may be bereaved of our children, other near relatives or dear friends--or we may be summoned by death to appear before God ourselves!

We do not know what our lot may be in future. We are profoundly ignorant of it. But all is arranged--and arranged by our good, gracious, and infinitely wise God. Nothing is left to 'chance'.

Whatever may happen in the future, into whatever circumstances we may be brought--we should exercise confidence in God, hope still in His mercy, and plead earnestly at His throne of grace, believing that He has . . .
  ordered all things in His love,
  arranged all in His infinite wisdom, and
  will overrule all for our ultimate good!

"My times are in Your hands!" Psalm 31:15

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Oh, you who want unfailing comfort

(J.C. Ryle)

"Yes, He is altogether lovely! This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend!" Song of Songs 5:16

Oh, you who want unfailing comfort--I commend you to Christ! In Him alone, there is no failure.

Rich men are disappointed in their treasures.

Learned men are disappointed in their books.

Husbands are disappointed in their wives.

Wives are disappointed in their husbands.

Parents are disappointed in their children.

Statesmen are disappointed when, after many a struggle, they attain place and power. They find out, to their cost, that it is more pain than pleasure--that it is disappointment, annoyance, incessant trouble, worry, vanity, and frustration of spirit.

But no one was ever disappointed in Christ!

"Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life!" John 6:68

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It is mercy that he is out of Hell!

(Thomas Watson, "The Art of Divine Contentment")

"I know what it is to be in need--and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation--whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in need." Philippians 4:12

The humble man is the contented man; if his estate is low, his heart is lower than his estate, therefore he is content. If his esteem in the world is low--he who is little in his own eyes will not be much troubled to be little in the eyes of others. He has a lower opinion of himself, than others can have of him.

The humble man studies his own unworthiness. He cries out with Paul, that he is the chief of sinners, therefore does not murmur--but admire.

A little will content him! He does not complain that his comforts are small. He thinks it is mercy that he is out of Hell, therefore he is contented. He knows that the worst piece which God carves out for him here on earth--is better than he deserves.

A proud man is never contented--he has a high opinion of himself. Therefore under small blessings, he is disdainful; and under small crosses, he is impatient.

The humble man is the contented man; if his cross is light--he reckons it the inventory of his mercies; if his cross is heavy--yet he takes it up in humble submission. Where humility is laid for the foundation, contentment will be the superstructure.

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They love it!

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

"Man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks up evil like water!" Job 15:16

The unconverted live in sin--they sin all the time. It is their trade--they work hard at it. They love it, and are greedy for iniquity. They "dig up evil." They "fill up their sin ALWAYS." They "ALWAYS resist the Holy Spirit." Never for an hour, do they love God supremely. Unregenerate men sin always--they do nothing but sin against God!

All the unconverted do nothing but sin. If for a while they seem to reform--they soon return to their wickedness, as the dog to his vomit; or the sow that was washed, to her wallowing in the mire.

Neither mercies,
nor judgments,
nor promises,
nor threatenings,
nor hopes,
nor fears
--without the grace of Christ--will or can ever cure the love of sin, or arrest the practice of sin.

"The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Romans 8:7

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Bruised reeds!

(Horatius Bonar)

"He will not break a bruised reed, and He will not put out a smoldering wick" Matthew 12:20

We have but one life, and it must be lived for God. But we need preparation for usefulness. We need a thorough breaking down, a thorough emptying, a thorough bruising. God cannot trust us with success, until we are thus laid low. We are not fit to receive it; nor would He get the glory. Therefore He sends sore and heavy trials in order to make us vessels fit for the Master's use.

Oftentimes we see that the heaviest trials, are forerunners of our greatest usefulness. When we are entirely prostrated and crushed--then it is safe for God to grant us success, for then He gets all the glory.

And oh, what wonders has God often done by bruised reeds! Yes, it is the bruised reed which is most often the instrument in His hand for working His mighty signs and wonders.

What consolation is this! Suffering is stripped of half its bitterness, if it thus brings with it a double portion of the Spirit, and fits for double usefulness on earth.

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Shall we complain? Shall we repine? Shall we murmur?

(James Smith, "To the Bereaved" 1856)

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

So spoke the patriarch Job, when stripped of all his property and bereaved of all his children in one day. Reduced at once from affluence--to poverty; from the highest elevation--to the lowest point of human suffering--he exclaimed, "Blessed be the name of the Lord!"

Such language befits us; for all that we have is from the goodness of God; it is from His free favor--and not because we have a right to it. All claim upon God was forfeited by sin; therefore all that we receive, is a proof of His kindness. All we that have--He gave to us; or rather, lent to us. And whatever He has lent to us--He may recall--may recall at any time, and in any way which pleases Him. There is nothing upon which we can lay our hand and say, "This is absolutely mine!" All is lent to us by a gracious God--lent us to enjoy, improve, and return to its proper Owner.

Shall we complain? Shall we repine? Shall we murmur if God takes from us any one thing which He has lent to us, especially when He leaves us with so much?

"The Lord gave--and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord!"

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When you stand over your child's dead body!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4

Parents! May you so live, that when you stand over your child's dead body, you may never hear a voice coming up from that clay: "Father, your negligence was my destruction! Mother, your prayerlessness was the instrument of my damnation!"

"But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people; and the sword comes and takes the life of one of them--that man will be taken away because of his sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for his blood!" Ezekiel 33:6

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Many are the hindrances, and
many the snares!

(Thomas Reade, "Christian Experience")

"By the grace of God, I am what I am!"
     1 Corinthians 15:10

Nothing but the grace of God can keep us
from falling, either partially or finally.

Many are the hindrances, and many the
snares which beset us on our way to glory.

The corruption of the heart;
the subtlety of Satan;
the power of temptation;
the fear of man;
the allurements of the world--
are continually, in one way or other,
opposing our journey heavenward.

But Christ is our Savior. His wisdom is
engaged to guide us--and His power to
uphold and defend us.

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