Grace Gems

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

You shall love him!

(J. R. Miller, "Loving Your Neighbor")

"You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Mark 12:31

What is it to love our neighbor? It is the loving that is hard. We could do almost anything else, short of loving unpleasant neighbors.

But love is the word--and no revised version changes it. No matter how disagreeable, unlovely, unworthy, our neighbors may be--still the commandment persistently and relentlessly says to us, "You shall love him!"

Our neighbors are around us all the time, needing our love. Indeed, they touch our lives so continually, that we must guard our every look, word, and act--lest we hurt some sensitive spirit.

Some people seem to forget that other people have feelings. They are constantly saying words and doing things which give pain. True love is thoughtful. We ought to train our hearts to the most delicate sense of kindness, that we may never, even jokingly, give pain to any other human being.

Our neighbors have hearts, and we owe to every one of them--the beggar we meet on the street, the degraded wretch we find crawling in the mire of sin's debasement, the enemy who flings his insults in our face--to every one, we owe the love that is thoughtful, gentle, and gives no hurt.

Our love ought also to be patient. Our neighbor will have his faults. But we are taught to bear with one another's infirmities. If we knew the story of men's lives, the hidden burdens they are often carrying, the unhealed wounds in their heart--we would have most gentle patience with them. Life is hard for most people, certainly hard enough without our adding to its burdens--by our criticisms, our jeering and contempt, and our lack of love.

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

All glittering glow-worm glories

(Anne Dutton's Letters on Spiritual Subjects)

"O Israel, stay away from idols! I am the one who
 looks after you and cares for you." Hosea 14:8

As to our heart-idolatry, it is a very great iniquity
of which the Lord's own people are deeply guilty.

Let us bring our every idol unto Him to be entirely
slain, so shall our hearts be separated from them,
and our admiration of, and sinful affection to, all
glittering glow-worm glories sink and die before
the rising attracting display of His all-transcendent
and infinite excellencies!

"Little children, keep yourselves from idols!" 1 John 5:21

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

When others were at their amusements

(Thomas Watson, "The Lord's Prayer")

The more pains we have taken for Heaven--the
sweeter Heaven will be when we come there.
When a farmer has long been working hard--it
is pleasant to enjoy the fruit his labors. Just so,
when in Heaven, we shall remember our former
zeal and earnestness for the kingdom--which
will sweeten Heaven.

It will add to the joy of heaven, for a Christian to
ponder, "Such a day I spent in examining my heart.
Such a day I was weeping for sin. When others
were at their amusements--I was at prayer.
And now, have I lost anything by my devotion? No!
My tears are wiped away, and the wine of paradise
cheers my heart. I now enjoy Him whom my soul
loves! I am possessed of a glorious kingdom! My
labor is over--but my joy remains forever!"

"Better is one day in Your courts than a
 thousand elsewhere!" Psalm 84:10

Heaven will make amends for all!

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

My politics

(Letters of John Newton)

The whole system of my politics is summed up in this one verse, "The Lord reigns! Let the nations tremble!" Psalm 99:1

The times look awfully dark indeed; and as the clouds grow thicker--the stupidity of the nation seems proportionally to increase. If the Lord had not a remnant here, I would have very formidable apprehensions. But He loves His children; some are sighing and mourning before Him, and I am sure He hears their sighs, and sees their tears. I trust there is mercy in store for us at the bottom; but I expect a shaking time before things get into a right channel--before we are humbled, and are taught to give Him the glory.

The state of the nation, the state of the churches--both are deplorable! Those who should be praying--are disputing and fighting among themselves! Alas! how many professors are more concerned for the mistakes of government--than for their own sins!

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

We are never out of danger--while we are out of Heaven!

(James Smith, "Daily Bible Readings for the Lord's Household")

"The Lord is your keeper" Psalm 121:5

"He shall preserve your soul" Psalm 121:7

What being in creation needs such close and constant keeping--as a Christian. If God was not our keeper--we would never arrive safely in Heaven!
Our foes are so powerful;
our spiritual maladies so numerous;
our dangers so great;
our depravity so deep!

O to keep this fact daily before the mind, that we may evermore cry unto the Lord to keep us! He has promised to do so--but He will have us plead with Him, and daily cry unto Him.

We are never out of danger--while we are out of Heaven!

If we are healthy this morning--we may be diseased before night.

If we are sound in the faith today--we may be led away by some pernicious error tomorrow.

If we are walking at liberty now--we may be entangled with the yoke of bondage before long.

How kind, how gracious then, for our Lord to undertake to keep us, and to promise to preserve our souls.

Let us therefore, this day, feel . . .
  that we are in danger,
  that we need an omnipotent preserver,
  that the Lord preserves through fellowship with Himself,
  and let us endeavor to walk closely with God.

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

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

The influence of home

(Timothy Shay Arthur, "The Home Mission" 1853)

"Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old he will not depart from it!" Proverbs 22:6

If it were possible to trace back to their beginnings, in each individual, those good or evil impulses which have become ruling affections--in most cases the origin would not be found until we had reached the home of childhood. Here it is that impressions are made, which become as enduring as existence itself. But the influence of home is not  beneficial or baneful in early years alone. Wherever a home exists, there will be found the nursery of all that is excellent in social or civil life--or of all that is deformed.

Every man and woman we meet in society, exhibit, in unmistakable characters--the quality of their homes. The wife, the husband, the children--bear with them daily a portion of the spirit pervading the little circle from which they have come forth. If the sun shines there--a light will be on their countenances; but shadows--if clouds are in the sky of home.

If there is disorder, defect of principle, discord among the members, neglect of duty, and absence of kind attentions--then the sphere of those who constitute that home, can hardly be beneficial. They will add little to the common stock of good in the social life around them. We need not say how different will be the influence of those whose home-circle is pervaded by higher, purer, and truer principles.

"Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old he will not depart from it!" Proverbs 22:6

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

My creed

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

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

March 12, 1854.
In a variety of ways, I hear that the Lord is using me; blessed be His holy name for this. He never used a more unworthy instrument! May it bring glory to His free and sovereign grace! My eyes are up unto the Lord, and all my expectation is from Him. He is all my salvation--and all my desire.

I learn daily more of the depravity of my own heart--and consequently see more and more of the necessity of Christ's free, full, and complete salvation. Jesus must save me. I have no merit, but His; no righteousness, but His; no name to plead before God, but His!
His blood must cleanse me,
His obedience must clothe me,
His Spirit must purify me,
His Word must direct me, and
His grace must qualify me for the enjoyment of the inheritance of the saints in light.

My creed is: Jesus all--self nothing!

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

Saws and hammers!

(Letters of John Newton)

"Assyria--the rod of My anger!" Isaiah 10:5

Dear Mrs. Hannah More,
I consider all second causes and instruments--as mere saws and hammers in the Divine Workman's hands! They can neither give us pleasure nor pain--but as our Lord and Savior is pleased to employ them.

I am firmly assured that He has done, still does, and will do--all things well.

How little can we judge of this great drama of this world--by a single scene! But when we see the glorious outcome--how shall we love and praise and wonder!

As for myself, this old man of seventy-six is still favored with perfect health, and can still preach as loud, as long, and as often as formerly. He is still heard with acceptance and has cause to hope that the Lord blesses his ministry. "Oh to grace how great a debtor"--is the poor African blasphemer and profligate!

I am, my dear madam, your much obliged friend,
John Newton

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

He determined to go to Jerusalem!

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

"He determined to go to Jerusalem!" Luke 9:53

And Jesus well knew the sufferings which would befall Him there! But such was His zeal for God, and such His love to us--that He was willing to go anywhere, suffer anything, or do anything--that would honor God or do us good.

He went to Jerusalem--that we might not go to Hell.
He was condemned--that we might be justified.
He was punished--that we might go free.
He died--that we might have eternal life.

Precious Lord Jesus, may I ever be willing . . .
  to go anywhere for You,
  to do anything for You, or
  to suffer anything in Your cause.

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

The love God has for us!

(James Smith, "Comfort for Christians!")

"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us! God is love." (1 John 4:16)

The sweeter the truth--the more backward we often are to receive and believe it. Therefore it must be presented to us again and again. What is more pleasant, than the fact that "God is love"?

Yet so quickly we doubt it, or forget it, or fail to realize it. Therefore the Gospel presents it to us again and again, and in almost every possible form. Twice within the scope of a few verses, John tells us that "God is love" (1 John 4:8,16).

Belief in this portrayal of God lies at the root of our holiness, happiness, and peace. To the extent that we believe that "God is love"--we will . . .
   consecrate ourselves to His service,
   enjoy peace in our consciences,
   and be happy in His ways.

God loves us, and therefore He planned our salvation, sending His one and only Son to take away our sins by the sacrifice of Himself. He also sent His Holy Spirit to teach us our need of Christ and lead us to Him. And, finally, He has put His blessed Word in our hands so that through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures, we might have hope.

God loves us--and therefore He . . .
   chastens us,
   strips us, and
   empties us.
He will not let us live satisfied without Himself.

God is love--therefore He has provided an atonement for all our sins. His justice is satisfied, and Heaven is prepared for us!

Yes, though we were sinners by nature, and deeply feel it--though we are not all that we wish to be, and deeply deplore it--yet God loves us!

Bless the Lord, O my soul, who in His love and in His pity has redeemed me!

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins!" (1 John 4:10)

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

It is a part of the cross!

(J.C. Ryle)

Let it be a settled principle in our minds, that the true Christian must always enter the kingdom of God "through much tribulation" (Acts 14:22). If we are faithful and decided servants of Christ--the world will certainly hate us, as it hated our Master. In one way or another, true grace will always be persecuted. No consistency of conduct, however faultless; no kindness and amiability of character, however striking--will exempt a believer from the world's dislike, so long as he lives. It is foolish to be surprised at this. It is mere waste of time to murmur at it. It is a part of the cross, and we must bear it patiently. The children of Cain will hate the children of Abel, as long as the earth continues.

"Marvel not, my brethren," says John, "if the world hates you." "If you were of the world," says our Lord, "the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world--therefore the world hates you!" (1 John 3:13; John 15:18-19)

This world is not our home!

Our best things are yet to come!

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

I will uphold you with My righteous right hand!

(James Smith, "Comfort for Christians!")

"So do not fear--for I am with you; do not be dismayed--for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand!" Isaiah 41:10

What a precious promise this is for all God's feeble children, who are daily fearing that they shall fall or be crushed under the weight of their troubles and trials!

O believer, what comfort is here! This promise is confirmed to you in Jesus, by His death. Yes, it is yours--as much so as if it was spoken to you directly by the mouth of God!

Oh, what a mercy! God says that He will uphold you. He will put strength into you; He will enable you to bear your afflictions and will bring you safely through all your troubles.

Satan may say, "I will trip you up."
God says, "I will uphold you!"

Unbelief may say, "You will one day fall and perish."
God says, "I will uphold you!"

Your flesh may cry out, "I can never bear up under this cross."
God says, "I will uphold you!"

Your feeble heart may say, "How can I endure such privations, such bereavements, such buffetings of Satan, such temptations, such losses, such fiery trials?"
God says, "I will uphold you!"

The Bible testifies that all believers "go from strength to strength, until each appears before God in Zion" Psalm 84:7

In weakness--the Lord strengthens them;
in poverty--the Lord supplies their needs;
in sickness--the Lord sustains them; and
in death--the Lord gives them the final victory!

O Father, I am weak--but You are strong. Give me of Your strength so that I may serve You and walk with You all the days of my life on this earth.

"If the Lord delights in a man's way--He makes his steps firm; though he stumbles, he will not fall--for the Lord upholds him with His hand!" Psalm 37:23-24

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

Death will soon lay his long icy fingers upon me!

(The following is an excerpt from the diary of James Smith, 1862)

Time flies with rapid wing! Eternity, with all its solemnities approaches! My soul, are you ready? Are you willing to launch away?

I realize more than ever that my time below is growing short; that death will soon lay his long icy fingers upon me, and take me away. May my latter days be . . .
  crowned with peace,
  characterized by holiness, and
  honored with extensive usefulness
--this is all my desire.

Another week has run into eternity, and here I am, left on the sands of time, with opportunities to do good, and get good for my own soul. May . . .
  my poor dull mind be enlightened,
  my hard heart be softened, and
  my irregular life be made to accord exactly with the holy Word of God.

I want to be as holy as Jesus is holy; and to be employing all my powers in God's service. Every moment, I would give to the Lord. I am hastening to Heaven--and there all my powers, faculties, and talents will be employed for God forever!

Nothing but the presence, power, and work of the Holy Spirit, will make me what I ought to be; or produce the change I wish to see.

O for entire consecration to God!

My life and all my abilities, I have consecrated to Your service and praise. I wish to live only for You on earth--and to spend eternity with You in Heaven!

I do solemnly, and deliberately, with my whole heart, give up myself to You--body, soul, and spirit.
Every talent I consecrate to Your service;
every day I would spend in Your work;
in every action I would seek Your glory.
Lord, take me more sensibly and evidently than ever into Your own hand, and give me grace in greater measure than I have ever received it--that I may . . .
  become more like You,
  do more for You, and
  bring more glory and honor to You. Amen.

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

He sees countless evils in each one of us!

(J.C. Ryle, "The Gospel of Mark" 1857)

See what a black catalogue of evils the human heart contains!

"For from within, out of a person's heart, come . . .
  evil thoughts,
  sexual immorality,
  theft,
  murder,
  adultery,
  greed,
  wickedness,
  deceit,
  eagerness for lustful pleasure,
  envy,
  slander,
  pride, and
  foolishness.
All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you and make you unacceptable to God." Mark 7:21-23

Let us distinctly understand, when we read these words, that our Lord is speaking of the human heart universally. He is not speaking only of the notorious profligate, or the prisoner in the jail. He is speaking of all mankind. All of us, whether . . .
  high or low,
  rich or poor,
  masters or servants,
  old or young,
  learned or unlearned
--all of us have by nature such a heart as Jesus here describes! The seeds of all the evils here mentioned, lie hidden within us all. They may lie dormant all our lives. They may be kept down by . . .
  the fear of consequences;
  the restraint of public opinion;
  the dread of discovery; or
  the desire to be thought respectable.

But every person has within him, the root of every sin!

How humble we ought to be, when we read these verses! "We are all as an unclean thing" in God's sight. He sees countless evils in each one of us, which the world never sees at all, for He reads our hearts. Surely of all sins to which we are liable, self-righteousness is the most unreasonable.

How thankful we ought to be for the Gospel, when we read these verses! That Gospel contains a complete provision for all the needs of our poor defiled natures. The blood of Christ can "cleanse us from all sin." The Holy Spirit can change even our sinful hearts, and keep them clean, when changed. The man that does not glory in the Gospel, can surely know little of the plague that is within him.

How watchful we ought to be, when we remember these verses! What a careful guard we ought to keep over our imaginations, our tongues, and our daily behavior! At the head of the black list of our heart's contents, stand "evil thoughts." Let us never forget that. Thoughts are the parents of words and deeds! Let us pray daily for grace to keep our thoughts in order, and let us cry earnestly and fervently, "lead us not into temptation!"

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

I know your sorrows!

(John MacDuff, "The Faithful Promiser")

"I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you."
    John 14:18

Blessed Jesus! How Your presence . . .
  sanctifies trial,
  takes loneliness from the chamber of sickness,
  and the sting from the chamber of death!

Bright and Morning Star! precious at all times,
You are never so precious as in "the dark and
cloudy day!"

The bitterness of sorrow is well worth enduring,
to have Your promised consolations. How well
qualified, Man of Sorrows, to be my Comforter!
How well fitted to dry my tears, You who shed
so many Yourself! What are . . .
  my tears,
  my sorrows,
  my crosses,
  my losses,
compared with Yours, who shed first Your tears,
and then Your blood for me!

Mine are all deserved, and infinitely more than
deserved. How different, O Spotless Lamb of God,
are those pangs which rent Your guiltless bosom!

How sweet those comforts You have promised to the
comfortless, when I think of them as flowing from . . .
  an Almighty Fellow Sufferer;
  a Brother born for adversity;
  the Friend that sticks closer than any brother;
one who can say, with all the refined sympathies of a
holy exalted human nature, "I know your sorrows!"

My soul! calm your griefs! There is not a sorrow
you can experience, but Jesus, in the treasury of
grace, has an exact corresponding solace: "In the
multitude of the sorrows I have in my heart, Your
comforts delight my soul!"