Grace Gems

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A real influence!

(Letters of John Newton)

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17

The saving grace of God has a real influence upon the whole man. It . . .
  enlightens the understanding,
  directs the will,
  purifies the affections,
  regulates the passions, and
  corrects the different excesses to which different people are by constitution or habit inclined. It does not impart any new natural powers, though it teaches the use and improvement of those we have received.

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Through a wilderness of sins, sorrows, trials and temptations!

(Edward Payson, 1783-1827)

"Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years!" Deuteronomy 8:2

"Remember how He . . .
  pitied us,
  awakened us,
  convinced us of sin, and
  drew us to Himself by the cords of love!

Remember how often He has since . . .
  healed our backslidings,
  pardoned our sins,
  borne with our unbelief, ingratitude, and stubborness,
  supplied our needs,
  listened to our complaints,
  alleviated our sorrows, and
  revived our drooping spirits when we were ready to faint.

In short, we must remember all the way which He has led us, these many years, through a wilderness of sins, sorrows, trials and temptations!

"He led you through the vast and dreadful desert, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions!" Deuteronomy 8:15

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The Divine Gardener!

"Every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit!" John 15:2

(J.C. Ryle)

The Father is ever training the members of this family for their everlasting abode with Him in Heaven. He acts as a gardener pruning his vines, that they may bear more fruit. He know the character of each of us . . .
  our besetting sins,
  our weaknesses,
  our peculiar infirmities,
  our special needs,
  our trials,
  our temptations,
  and our privileges.

He knows all these things, and is ever ordering all for our good. He allots to each of us, in His providence, the very things we need, in order to bear the most fruit. He gives us . . .
  as much of sunshine as we can stand--and as much of rain;
  as much of bitter things as we can bear--and as much of sweet.

Trials are intended . . .
  to make us think,
  to wean us from the world,
  to send us to the Bible, and
  to drive us to our knees!

"The Christian grows by tears--and withers by smiles. God's vines thrive the better for pruning." (Stephen Charnock)

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I find afflictions to be good for me!

(Letters of Joseph Williams, 1822)

"It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn Your decrees." Psalm 119:71

I find afflictions to be good for me. I have always found them so. Afflictions are happy means in the hands of the Holy Spirit to subdue . . .
  my corruptions,
  my pride,
  my evil passions, and
  my inordinate love to the creature.

Afflictions . . .
  soften my hard heart,
  bring me to my knees,
  increase faith,
  increase love,
  increase humility,
  increase self-denial.
Afflictions make me poor in spirit, and nothing in my own eyes!

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

"I know, O LORD, that in faithfulness You have afflicted me." Psalm 119:75

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The cricket!

(A.B. Jack, "God's Providence" 1879)

We are all very apt to believe in divine Providence when we get our own way; but when things go awry, we think that God is only in Heaven and not upon the earth.

The cricket, in the spring, builds his house in the meadow, and chirps for joy because all is going so well with him. But when he hears the sound of the plough a few furrows off, and the thunder of the oxen's tread--then his sky begins to darken, and his young heart fails him! By-and-by the plough comes crunching along, turns his dwelling bottom-side up, and he goes rolling over and over, without a house and without a home! "Oh," he says, "the foundations of the world are breaking up, and everything is hastening to destruction!"

But the gardener, as he walks behind the plough--does he think the foundations of the world are breaking up? No. He is thinking only of the harvest that is to follow in the wake of the plough; and the cricket, if it will but wait, will see the gardener's purpose.

We are all like crickets! When we get our own way, we are happy and contented. When we are subjected to disappointment, we despair and murmur against God and His providence.


"We must confide in the judgment of God, and distrust our own. We are short-sighted creatures, and easily imposed upon by appearances, and know not what is good for us in this vain life which we spend as a shadow. But God cannot be mistaken. A wise father will choose far better for his infant, than the infant can choose for himself." (William Jay)

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You have lately been in the furnace!

(Letters of John Newton)

"Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows!" John 16:33

Dear friend,
You have lately been in the furnace--and are now brought safely out. I hope you have much to say of the grace, care, and skill of the great Refiner, who watched over you; and that you have lost nothing but dross. Let this experience be treasured up in your hearts for the use of future times. Other trials will come--but you have found the Lord faithful to His promise, and have good encouragement to trust Him again.

I doubt not, but you will have your share of trials; but when the love of God is shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Spirit, it sweetens what bitter things the Lord puts into our cup, and enables us to say, "None of these things move me!"

Yes, the life of faith is a happy life, and
  if attended with conflicts--there is an assurance of victory;
  if we sometimes get a wound--there is healing balm near at hand;
  if we seem to fall--we are raised again; and
  if tribulations abound--consolations shall abound likewise.

Is it not happiness--to have an infallible Guide, an invincible Guard, an almighty Friend! to be able to say of the Maker of heaven and earth, "He is my Beloved, my Shepherd, my Savior, and my Husband!"

Oh the peace that flows from believing . . .
  that all events in which we are concerned, are under His immediate disposal;
  that the hairs of our head are all numbered;
  that He delights in our prosperity;
  that there is a need-be, if we are in heaviness, and
  that all things shall surely work for our good!

How happy to have such views of God's sovereignty, wisdom, love, and faithfulness--as will enable us to meet every painful dispensation with submission, and to look through the changes of the present life--to that unchangeable inheritance to which the Lord is leading us, when all evil shall cease, and where joy shall be perfect and eternal! "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away!" Revelation 21:4

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Worldly prosperity!

(Archibald Alexander)

"In my prosperity, I said: I shall never be moved!" Psalm 30:6

Worldly prosperity has ever been found an unfavorable soil for the growth of piety. It . . .
  blinds the mind to spiritual and eternal things,
  dries up the spirit of prayer,
  fosters pride and ambition,
  furnishes the appropriate food to covetousness, and
  leads to a sinful conformity to the spirit, maxims, and fashions of the world!

In general, God in mercy refuses to give worldly prosperity to His children. He has chosen the poor of this world, to be rich in faith. That is, He has commonly chosen poverty as the safest condition for His children!


"We have seen many professed Christians make shipwreck. In ten cases to the one, it has been attributable to worldly prosperity. It is hard to carry a full cup without a spill." (Charles Spurgeon)


"To see a man humble under prosperity, is one the greatest rarities in the world!" (John Flavel)


"Pray in prosperity, that you may not be ensnared by your prosperity!" (William Gurnall)


"I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Heaven!" Matthew 19:23

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One reason why the church has so little influence over the world

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind!" Romans 12:2

I believe that one reason why the church has so little influence over the world--is because the world has so much influence over the church!

It is overwhelming to see the growing worldliness of the visible church. Many professed Christians--the Lord alone knows whether they are true believers or not--give us grave cause for apprehension. We see them tolerating practices which would not have been endured by their fathers; my blood chills when I think of how far some fashionable professors go astray!

When the Church descends to the world's level, her spiritual power is gone. Jesus said, "Preach the gospel to every creature!" But men are getting tired of the divine plan; they are going to be saved by the music, or by the theatricals, or by the amusements! Well, they may try these things as long as ever they like; but nothing can ever come of the whole thing, but utter disappointment and confusion:
  God is dishonored,
  the gospel is travestied,
  hypocrites are manufactured by thousands, and
  the church is dragged down to the level of the world!


"The world has absorbed the Church, and the church was content that it should be so!" (Horatius Bonar)


"Conformity to the world, in all ages, has proved the ruin of the church!" (Rowland Hill)

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Oh, welcome sorrow! welcome suffering!

(Ashton Oxenden, "The Blessings and Trials of Sickness" 1863)

"I know their sorrows!" Exodus 3:7

Thank God for this! I have often said within myself, "No one knows my sorrows--no one can tell what I suffer!" But now I hear, as it were, a voice from Heaven, saying to me, "I know your sorrows!"

It is my heavenly Father who speaks these words. He measures out every sorrow to me. There is not one too many. There is not one heavier, or sharper, than is needful. Neither am I called upon to bear them one day longer than is good for me.

No matter what my sorrow is; whether it arises from pain of body or anguish of heart--it is the cross that my Father has laid upon me, and I will cheerfully bear it. I will kiss the hand that smites me, for it is my heavenly Father's hand!

It is no small comfort to feel that the Lord "knows our sorrows." Therefore we may be quite sure He will not lay upon us more than we can bear. As the refiner of silver carefully watches the metal while it is in the hot furnace--so does Jesus watch over His suffering people. There is no trial too small, and no pang too hidden--for His eye to reach, and His heart to pity. He feels for them, and tenderly loves them.

Oh, welcome sorrow! welcome suffering--if it only weans me from this treacherous world, and drives me to my Savior's arms!

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Why does God afflict us?

(Ashton Oxenden, "The Blessings and Trials of Sickness" 1863)

"Affliction does not come forth from the dust, neither does trouble spring forth out of the ground!" Job 5:6

"Just as a parent disciplines a child, the LORD your God disciplines you for your own good." Deuteronomy 8:5

"I know, O Lord, that Your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness You have afflicted me!" Psalm 119:75

"As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline!" Revelation 3:19

"For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives." Hebrews 12:6

"I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for You are the one who has done this!" Psalm 39:9


Dear Reader, I have come into your sick-room, as it were, and wish to tell you a few things for your comfort and profit.

God has seen fit to stop you in the midst of your busy life, and to lay you aside for a while. It is not by chance that His afflicting hand has fallen upon you. It is not at random that He has chastened you. It may seem to be a mere accident that you are afflicted, and not another. But no; God has done it purposely!

Learn this then--that your present sickness or affliction is from God. It is His doing. He it is, who has brought this present chastisement upon you. Not even a sparrow falls to the ground without our heavenly Father's ordering, and He prizes His redeemed children more than many sparrows.

Sickness usually comes as a messenger of divine love--it is sent to be a blessing, and may be made, by God's grace, a very great blessing to the soul. God afflicts His children because He desires to do them some great good.

The gardener cuts and prunes his tree, to make it grow better, and bear more precious fruit. In the same way, God often uses His sharp knife for some gracious purpose.

The wise and loving father thwarts his child, and sometimes scourges it, for its good. Just so, God uses His chastening rod for the very same reason.

The skillful physician prescribes nauseous medicines to restore his patient's health. In the same way, God makes us take His bitter medicines, though at the time they are very distasteful to us.

Why does God afflict us?

Because He loves us, and wishes to make us holy as He is holy, and happy as He is happy. For, as it has been well said, "Fiery trials make golden Christians!" God had one Son without sin--but He never had any son without sorrow.

God chastens purposely and lovingly. Affliction comes from Him; and He afflicts, not as a stern Judge, but as a Father and a Friend.

Before then you go a step further, ask God to convince you of this precious truth: "It is my Father who corrects me--even He who loves me! I will receive this chastisement then from Him, and remember that it is a loving hand that smites. I will kiss the very rod that scourges me. Father, not my will, but may Your will be done!"

A true Christian will receive affliction with submission. It is his Father's doing; and therefore he quietly submits. It comes from Him, and must therefore be well. He feels that there is a needs-be for it. What a sweet pillow is this, on which to rest his weary head!

"We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose!" Romans 8:28

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Troubles, troubles, troubles!

(Henry Smith)

"Man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward." Job 5:7

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous!" Psalm 34:19

"Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows!" John 16:33

"We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God!" Acts 14:22

Since we are not in paradise--but in the wilderness, we must expect one trouble after another. As in the case of David . . .
  first he fought a lion,
  and then a bear,
  and then a giant,
  and then the Philistines,
  and then a King!
In the same way, believers may . . .
 first fight with poverty,
 and then with envy;
 and then with slander;
 and then with sickness.
They shall be like a laborer who is never out of work.


"While I continue on this side of eternity, I never expect to be free from trials and hardships--only to change them. Every new scene brings its new trials!" (George Whitefield)


"Troubles come, and then a respite is granted; and then new troubles follow on the heels of the old ones." (Arthur Pink)


"Expect daily trouble while in the flesh. Something or other happens every day that will grieve us. Perhaps events concerning ourselves, our families, or friends, that are matters of sorrow. Perhaps we have some bodily pain or sickness every day; or, some cross and disappointment in our affairs." (Matthew Henry)


"God has appointed this whole life to be as a race or a battle. The state of rest, wherein we shall be so out of danger as to have no need of watching and fighting, is for the eternal world." (Jonathan Edwards)


"My own experience is a daily struggle with the evil within." (Charles Spurgeon)


"O dear friends, make up your minds to carry the cross daily. To be fore-warned is to be fore-armed. All God's children go through these tribulations." (Robert Murray M'Cheyne)


"You will have your trials and crosses before you will have your crown--and they will not come in the way most suited to your natural wishes. A cross is to be a cross! You will have trials with your church, trials with your family, and trials with the world. But that monster SELF will be your worst trial! Nevertheless, as the sufferings abound, so also the consolations; and as your day is, so your strength shall be." (William Tiptaft)

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God's tools and instruments!

(J.C. Ryle)

"If the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us?" Judges 6:13

Let all true Christians lay these things to heart, and take courage. We live in a world where all things are ordered by a hand of perfect wisdom; and where in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him.

The powers of this world are only tools in the hand of God--He is always using them for His own purposes, however little they may be aware of it. They are the instruments by which He is forever cutting and polishing the living stones of His spiritual temple--and all their schemes and plans will only turn to His praise.

Let us be patient in days of trouble and darkness, and look forward. The very things which now seem against us--are all working together for our good and God's glory!

"God is to be trusted when His providences seem to run contrary to His promises." (Thomas Watson)

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose!" Romans 8:28

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What an amazing stoop of love is that!

(Arthur Pink, 1952)

"He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the beggar from the dunghill--to set them among princes, and make them inherit the throne of glory!" 1 Samuel 2:8

What an amazing stoop of love is that--from His throne in the Heaven of heavens, the Lord reaches down to the dunghills of earth--that He may deliver those who are in a lost and loathsome estate!

But this verse tells us of something yet more wonderful than the grace which seeks out filthy objects who are a mass of corruption--making known how high it elevates them: "To set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory."

God does nothing by halves. He exalts beggars to the status of "beloved children." He takes them into the place of nearness unto Himself. He brings them into union with His dear Son, making them "heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ!" (Romans 8:17). He takes them out of the miry clay of an unregenerate state--and sets them upon the rock. Marvelous transition and exaltation is that! Translated from the most abject condition--to the highest possible dignity!
Shame is replaced by the highest honor;
filthy rags are replaced by the spotless robe of righteousness,
poverty is replaced by the unsearchable riches of Christ!

We rightly marvel at the goodness and power of God in raising poor beggars from such depths to such heights--but let us also be awed and solemnized by recalling afresh the dreadful price which had to be paid before that could righteously be done. The abasement of the Son of God was necessary--in order to the advancement of vile worms of the earth. He who was rich had to sound the lowest level of poverty--before we could be made rich. The Beloved of the Father had to be made an object of shame--before we could be raised. The Lord of glory must die--in order for Hell-deserving sinners to be made alive!

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My portion!

(Jonathan Edwards)

"The LORD is the portion of my inheritance!" Psalm 16:5

The redeemed have all their good in God. God Himself is the great good which they are brought to the possession and enjoyment of by redemption. He is the highest good, and the sum of all that good which Christ purchased. God Himself is the inheritance of the saints; He is the portion of their souls. God Himself is their wealth and treasure, their food, their life, their dwelling place, their ornament and diadem, and their everlasting honor and glory! "Whom have I in heaven but You? And I have no delight or desire on earth besides You!" Psalm 73:25

The glorious excellencies and beauty of God will be what will forever entertain the minds of the saints. The love of God will be their everlasting feast. The redeemed will indeed enjoy other things; they will enjoy the angels, and will enjoy one another. But that which they shall enjoy in the angels, or each other, or in anything else whatsoever, which will yield them delight and happiness--will be what will be seen of God in them!

"You are my portion, O LORD!" Psalm 119:57

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He shall never see death!

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

"He shall never see death!" John 8:51

"Death has been swallowed up in victory!" 1 Corinthians 15:54

Believer, you have nothing to do with death--for you can never die! For you, Jesus has abolished death, by dying for you, and in your stead. You are in Him, and in Him you may fall asleep--but you shall never die! Death can have no dominion over you.

As to  . . .
  when you shall physically die,
  where you shall die,
  or how you shall die--
you have no more to do, than you had with when, where, and how you would be born!

Life is your business--not death!
Your only concerns are . . .
  living on Christ;
  living for Christ;
  living like Christ; and then,
  living forever with Christ!

"And so we will be with the Lord forever!" 1 Thessalonians 4:17