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/
___________________________________________

O learn to look upon sin through the curse!

(Thomas Doolittle, "Love to Christ Necessary to Escape the Curse at His Coming!" 1693)

"If any man does not love the Lord Jesus Christ--let him be Anathema! (or accursed)." 1 Corinthians 16:22

Would you flee from the curse--and yet run into sin?

Would you escape the curse--and yet live in sin?

What is this, but that you would drink poison--and hope that you shall live?
That you would run into the fire--and imagine that you shall not be burned?

Do you cry out under the curse as a grievous pain--and yet look upon sin as the greatest pleasure?

Is the curse dreadful--and do you look upon sin as delightful?

Is the curse intolerable--and can sin be profitable?

O learn to look upon sin through the curse--and then sin will appear to be a cursed thing indeed!

[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/
___________________________________________

Ten thousand times more precious!

(William Dyer, "Christ's Famous Titles")

"To you who believe--He is precious!" 1 Peter 2:7

Christ is MOST precious! Oh, sirs! angels are precious, saints are precious, friends are precious, Heaven is precious--but Christ is ten thousand times more precious than these!

A believer had rather have Christ without Heaven--than Heaven without Christ! "Whom have I in Heaven but You? and there is none on earth that I desire besides You!" Psalm 73:25. Let a believer search Heaven and earth--and yet he will find nothing comparable to Christ. To be like to Him--is our happiness! To draw near to Him--is our holiness! You see, beloved, life is precious, freedom is precious, health is precious, peace is precious, food and clothing are precious, gold and silver are precious, kingdoms and crowns are precious. Indeed they are, in their places--but nothing is as precious as Jesus Christ!

Mark, sirs, what the apostle says, "But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ!" Philippians 3:7-8.

The believer is the only blessed man, the only happy man, the only rich man. Revelation 21:7, "He who overcomes shall inherit all things." Oh what a glorious inheritance are they born to--who are new-born! All things are theirs--and they shall inherit all things! What can they desire, more than all? All that Christ has, is theirs!
His wisdom is theirs to teach them,
His love is theirs to pity them,
His Spirit is theirs to comfort them,
His righteousness is theirs to justify them,
His power is theirs to protect them, and
His glory is theirs to crown them!

Oh, sirs! Christ cannot but be most precious to a believer--because all his precious comforts come from Christ. The Lord Jesus is . . .
  fairer than the fairest,
  sweeter than the sweetest,
  nearer than the nearest,
  dearer than the dearest,
  richer than the richest, and
  better than the best!

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

[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, to the believer!

(Mary Winslow)

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

Death, to the believer, is but passing out of a world of sorrow and of sin--and entering upon a world of indescribable glory!

If we lived more in anticipation of the happiness that waits us--earth would have less hold on our hearts' best affections.

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ--set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above--not on earthly things!" Colossians 3:1-2

[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/
___________________________________________

Infinite wisdom directs every event!

(John Dagg, 1857)

"The Lord does whatever pleases Him--in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths!" Psalm 135:5-6

It should fill us with joy, that God's infinite wisdom guides the affairs of the world!

Many of its events are shrouded in darkness and mystery, and inextricable confusion sometimes seems to reign.

Often wickedness prevails, and God seems to have forgotten the creatures that He has made.

Our own path through life is dark and devious, and beset with difficulties and dangers.

How full of consolation is the doctrine, that infinite wisdom directs every event, brings order out of confusion, and light out of darkness--and, to those who love God, His infinite wisdom causes all things, whatever their present aspect and apparent tendency is, to work together for good!

"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

[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/
___________________________________________

Let us try and not attend to its gewgaws!

(Mary Winslow)

"They are not of the world any more than I am of the world." John 17:14

The world and its 'nothings' are often a sad snare to God's saints! Oh that by faith we may overcome it all, and keep close to Jesus! We are not of the world--let us try and not attend to its gewgaws! Keep a more steadfast, unwavering eye upon Christ. He has gone a little before us, and stands beckoning us to follow Him.

Live for eternity! Let go of your hold upon the world! Receive this exhortation from an aged pilgrim, who, as she nears the solemn scenes of eternity, and more realizes the inexpressible joys that await us there--is anxious that all the believers who are traveling the same road might have their hearts and minds more disentangled from earth and earthly things, and themselves unreservedly given to Christ. Let us aim in all things to follow Him who, despising this world's show, left us an example how we should walk. Have your lamp trimmed and brightly burning, for every day and every hour brings us nearer and nearer to our eternal home!

"They are not of the world, even as I am not of it." John 17:16

[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/
___________________________________________

Moral and spiritual parasites!

(Frederick Marsh)

There are moral and spiritual parasites which throttle, kill, injure, or retard the growth of the spiritual life!

1. The parasite of sloth will hinder the grace of watchfulness, as it did the five virgins. Matthew 25:5

2. The parasite of worldliness will kill the grace of devotion, as it did in Demas. 2 Timothy 4:10

3. The parasite of pride will devastate the grace of humility, as it did with the Devil. 1 Timothy 3:6

4. The parasite of unbelief will keep down the grace of faith, as is seen in the children of Israel. Hebrews 3:17-19

5. The parasite of prestige will kill the grace of self-denial, as is stated of Diotrephes. 3 John 9

6. The parasite of covetousness will strangle the grace of generosity, as is evidenced in Achan. Joshua 7:21

[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/
___________________________________________

We need a lot of chipping!

(Frederick Marsh)

"They will be Mine--in the day when I make up My jewels!" Malachi 3:17

"We need a lot of chipping!" So said a saint as we were talking about the Lord's gracious dealings with His people. The saying suggested to my mind--the Lord Jesus as the loving Sculptor at work upon the marble of our fallen humanity. There is an angel in the marble--because the pierced hand of the Sculptor has it in His mind, and brings it out by His skill. But there is a "lot of chipping" to be done before the beautiful image of His holy character stands out, displaying the perfection of His work.

The hard stone of unbelief,
the rough points of self-will,
the prominence of worldly ambition,
the sharp angles of pride,
the ugly faults of temper,
the stubborn marks of bad habits,
and the dark veins of selfishness--
are some of the things He removes!

"Those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son!" Romans 8:29

"God cuts and polishes His jewels in order to make them shine more brightly and beautifully in the crown of His glory in Heaven. All of God's jewels need polishing!" (Richard Newton)

"God has many sharp-cutting instruments and rough files for the polishing of His jewels. Those He especially loves and means to make the most resplendent--He most often uses His tools upon!" (Robert Leighton)

[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/
___________________________________________

Worldliness!

(Frederick Marsh)

"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." 1 John 2:15-17

1. Worldliness is evil in its nature. Galatians 1:4

2. Worldliness is downward in its tendency. Ephesians 2:1-4

3. Worldliness is contaminating in its influence. James 1:27

4. Worldliness is antagonistic to God. James 4:4

5. Worldliness is corrupting in its association. 2 Peter 4:1; 2 Peter 2:20

6. Worldliness is unsatisfying in its pleasures. 1 Corinthians 7:31; 1 John 2:17

7. Worldliness is hateful in its opposition. 1 John 3:13

Separation from the world is the Lord's clear and definite direction. To be specific in our desires and efforts to be separate from the world--the following rules should be followed:

    1. Go to no place where the Lord would not take you.

    2. Be found in no company that is not helpful to your Christian life.

    3. Be no party to any transaction upon which you cannot seek your Lord's approval.

    4. Listen to no voice which would lead you away from the truth of God's Word.

    5. Allow no pleasure to interfere with your attendance at the means of Grace.

    6. Whatever you do--do all to the glory of God!

Strive to do the will of God, as found in His Word--nothing less, nothing more, nothing else!

[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/
___________________________________________

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined!

(Thomas Doolittle, "Love to Christ Necessary to Escape the Curse at His Coming!" 1693)

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined--what God has prepared for those who love Him!" 1 Corinthians 2:9

The lovers of Christ have great preparations made by God Himself, for their happiness in the eternal world.

For all the lovers of the world, and sin, and vanity--wrath and Hell are prepared!

But for the lovers of Christ, such things are prepared as transcend . . .
  the most refined mind to conceive,
  the most eloquent tongue to express,
  or the ablest pen to describe!

The eye of man has seen admirable things, coasts of pearl, golden mines, stately monuments, kingly palaces--but never has eye seen such things as God has prepared for those who love Him.

The mind of man can conceive more than the eye has seen, or the ear has heard. It can imagine . . .
  all pebbles to be pearls,
  all the earth to be a silver heap,
  the sea to be liquid gold,
  the air to be transparent crystal,
  and every candle to be a star!
And if all these were so--they would be but as . . .
  a grain of sand, compared to a mountain,
  a beam of light, compared to the sun,
  a drop, compared to the ocean,
  a grain, compared to a golden mine--
when compared with the things that are prepared for such as love God and Christ! For those things are . . .
  so great--that they cannot be measured;
  so many--that they cannot be numbered;
  so precious--that they cannot be valued;
  so durable and lasting--that they can never be ended!

They exceed our faith! They are beyond our hope--and above our desires! They might be possessed hereafter--but they cannot be comprehended here, because . . .
  for sublimity--they are incomprehensible,
  for transcendence--they are inexplicable,
  for glory--they are unutterable,
  for sweetness--they are inconceivable,
  for sureness--they are unquestionable,
  for fullness--they are immeasurable,
  for firmness--they are unmovable,
  for lastingness--they are unchangeable!

[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/
___________________________________________

Oh, what a blessed formula for us!

(John MacDuff)

"Nevertheless, at Your Word!" Luke 5:5

Oh, what a blessed formula for us!

This path of mine is dark, mysterious, perplexing! Nevertheless, at Your Word I will go forward.

This trial of mine is cutting, sore for flesh and blood to bear! It is hard to breathe through a broken heart, "May Your will be done!" But, nevertheless, at Your word I will say, "Even so, Father--for this is Your good pleasure!"

This besetting sin or bad habit of mine--is difficult to crucify. It has become part of myself--a second nature! To be severed from it would be like the cutting off of a right hand, or the plucking out of a right eye! Nevertheless, at Your Word I will lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily entangles me! This idol, I will utterly abolish!

"You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed!" Psalm 119:4

"Help me understand Your instruction--and I will obey it and follow it with all my heart!" Psalm 119:34

[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 the knife cuts deep and the pain is sore!

(J.R. Miller)

"My Father is the gardener!" John 15:1

It is comforting to think of trouble, in whatever form it may come to us--as a heavenly messenger, bringing us blessing from God. In its earthly aspect, it may seem hurtful, even destructive; but in its spiritual outworking, it yields blessing.

Many of the richest blessings which have come down to us from the past, are the fruit of sorrow or pain. We should never forget that redemption, the world's greatest blessing--is the fruit of the world's greatest sorrow.

In every time of sharp pruning, when the knife cuts deep and the pain is sore, it is an unspeakable comfort to read, "My Father is the gardener!"

One tells of being in a great hothouse where luscious clusters of grapes were hanging on every side. The owner said, "When my new gardener came, he said he would have nothing to do with these vines unless he could cut them clean down to the stalk. He did, and we had no grapes for two years--but this is the result."

There is rich suggestiveness in this illustration of the pruning process, as we apply it to the Christian life. Pruning seems to be destroying the vine, the gardener appears to be cutting it all away; but he looks on into the future and knows that the final outcome will be the enrichment of its life and greater abundance of fruit.

In the same way, there are blessings we can never have--unless we are ready to pay the price of pain. There is no way to reach them, but through suffering.

"Every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." John 15:2

[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 tempting worms hanging on the lips of the old serpent the devil!

(James Smith, "Handfuls on Purpose")

"The deceitfulness of sin!" Hebrews 3:13

The "fishing-frog" has been named the "sea-devil"--because it is supposed to allure and catch little fish by means of worm-like appendages at its mouth.


How many delusive appendages has the devil dangling at its mouth! Silly men catch at these, and get devoured!


The attractions of sin are but the tempting worms hanging on the lips of the old serpent the devil. Be not deceived.


"So that Satan will not outwit us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes." 2 Corinthians 2:11

[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/
___________________________________________

Divine Care!

("Comfort for the Desponding--Words to Soothe and Cheer Troubled Hearts!" 1864)

"Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you!" 1 Peter 5:7

The Christian's life is very much made up of cares and comforts.
Cares spring from earth--comfort comes from Heaven.
Cares prove him a sinner--holy comforts prove him a saint.
Cares flow in from a variety of quarters--true comfort from only one quarter.
Cares come naturally--but comforts come supernaturally.

We shall be sure to have earthly cares--but shall we have divine comfort?
This depends on God's grace, which gives it--and our faith, which receives it. Cares must be cast on our God--or they will prove a burden too heavy for us. They will depress us, bewilder us, and make us wretched. But here is our comfort--we have always ONE to care for us, and the very One which of all others we would wish to do so, "The Lord cares for you!"

God cares for whom?
For you, who are born again by the Spirit.
For you, who are strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
For you, who are placed in humble circumstances, being numbered with the poor of this world.
For you, who are compassed about with so many cares, and who enjoy so few comforts.
For you, who are surprised at your many fiery trials, as though some strange thing had happened unto you.
For you, who are worried and harassed by Satan, who, as a roaring lion, goes about seeking whom he may devour.
For you, who are persecuted by the world, and hated by men for your Savior's sake.
For you, to whom Christ is precious--as He is to every one who truly believes in Him.

God's care extends to every Christian . . .
  the young and the aged,
  the weak and the strong,
  the poor and the wealthy,
  the doubting and the confident.
Believer, He cares for you!

Who is it that cares for us?
It is the Lord, the high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, whose name is holy;
who is so great--that we have no adequate conception of His greatness;
who is so good--that it is impossible fully to set forth His goodness;
who is so glorious--that no sinner can see His face and live.
It is He who created all things with His word, who governs all by His wisdom, and upholds all by His power.
His resources are infinite,
His compassion is exquisite, and
His patience is surprisingly great.
He enters into all the circumstances of His redeemed people, is ever present with them, and rejoices over them to do them good. The angels obey Him, the seraphim adore Him, and all creation glorifies Him!

But though He is so exalted, so holy, and so unspeakably great . . .
  He cares for you--as base as you are.
  He cares for you--as sinful as you are.
  He cares for you--as depressed and discouraged as you are.
He cares for you. He cares for you individually, and according to the circumstances in which you are placed.

What does He do?
He cares for you!
He thinks of you!
He watches over you!
He sympathizes with you!
He feels the deepest interest in you!
He ever seeks your welfare!
He infallibly secures your good!

Your misery touches His heart,
your needs lie open to His view,
and your cries enter into His ears!

He cares for you more than for the proudest monarch on his throne!

He cares for you--and His care is CONSTANT! It is not fitful or occasional--but ever the same.

He cares for you--and His care is PATERNAL! It is the care of a father for his child--the child whom he tenderly loves, and for whose welfare he feels the deepest concern.

He cares for you, and His care is PERPETUAL! He will never care for you less than He does at present.
When old age weakens you,
when poverty pinches you,
when death appears just before you--
He will care for you as much as He does at this moment.

He cares for you--and His care is BENEFICIAL! It prevents innumerable evils--and secures the greatest possible amount of good. His care is more advantageous than the care of the kindest father, though that father were monarch of the mightiest empire, and possessed unbounded wealth. The care of God is of more value than the care of all His creatures combined.

He cares for you--but His care is MYSTERIOUSLY EXERCISED! It benefits us certainly--but secretly. It conceals itself behind the blessings it brings, and the evils it prevents.

He cares for you--and His care is SPECIAL! It is not the care which He has for the beasts which perish, or the unbelieving sinners who die under His frown.

He cares for you--and His care is PARTICULAR. It is care which extends to the very hairs of your heads, which, are all numbered--and to all the events and occurrences of your life, however minute or commonplace!

Beloved, here is our comfort. We may lose the care of an earthly relative or dear friend by death--but the Lord ever lives; and while He lives, He . . .
  ever loves us,
  thoroughly knows us, and
  never ceases to care for us!

Here is the ground of our confidence for the future. We know not where we shall be, nor what we shall be--for we know not what a day may bring forth. But this we know, that God will care for us, and, caring for us--He will fulfill His precious promises to us.

If God cares for us, then . . .
   let us cast all our cares upon Him;
   let us live in daily fellowship with Him;
   let us seek all our supplies from Him.

If God cares for us--let us not dishonor Him by nursing our doubts, or encouraging our fears--but let us trust in Him at all times, for . . .
  His love is true,
  His care is constant, and
  His knowledge is perfect.

We shall never be without a divine friend--however trying our circumstances may be. We shall never be without a divine guide--however perplexing or difficult our path may be. The care of God is more than the care of all the angelic hosts. If the care of God is not sufficient to preserve, supply, and satisfy us--then nothing is.

May the Lord help me to believe this precious truth, to realize it daily, and to pass through the present world under the impression, "I am the object of God's tender, paternal, and ceaseless care!"

"Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you. He will never let the righteous fall!" Psalm 55:22

[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/
___________________________________________

Take this medicine!

(Thomas Adam, "Private Thoughts on Religion" 1824)

In pain, sickness and trouble, methinks I hear God say: "Take this medicine! It is exactly suited to your case, prepared and weighed by My own hands, and consists of the choicest drugs which Heaven affords!"

[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/
___________________________________________

Put it into practice!

(Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice!" Philippians 4:8-9

You see the perfection of the Apostle's method. In verse 8 he has dealt with the realm of thought. Ah, but the Apostle knows the subtle danger that is always confronting us . . .
  the danger of being content with theoretical knowledge,
  the danger of being satisfied with doctrine only,
  the danger of failing to put into practice, that which we know.

You can be a great student even of the Bible--and live a life that is utterly contrary to it!

It is the masterpiece of Satan to make us put theory and practice into separate watertight compartments--to make men so interested in the Book, that they forget to apply its teaching. "Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me," says Paul, "put it into practice!"

"If you know these things--blessed and happy are you if you DO them." John 13:17

"It is not the knowing, nor the talking, nor the reading man, but the doing man--who at last will be found the happiest man!" Thomas Watson