Grace Gems

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Strange that a harp of thousand strings, should keep in tune so long!

("Every Day!" Author unknown, 1872)

"Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life." Psalm 39:4

Is not the measure of my days a mere hand's breadth? How short is the longest span of life! How many do not reach half that length!

And then, too, how frail is the human frame! Even the most healthy and robust, carry in them the seeds of decay! Their breath is in their nostrils--their heart at any moment may cease to beat.

How fearfully and wonderfully are we made! How mysterious is the circulation of the vital blood; how delicately arranged are the air-cells of the lungs; how finely strung are the nerves of sensation. On how many strings is the harmony of the human frame dependent!

"Strange that a harp of thousand strings,
 Should keep in tune so long!"

Lord, help me not only to realize how frail is my earthly tenement--but to remember with joy how glorious and enduring will be my heavenly abode. "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved--we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens!" 2 Corinthians 5:1

"So teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom!" Psalm 90:12

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When we find the path thorny, and the journey toilsome!

("Every Day!" Author unknown, 1872)

"They were longing for a better country--a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them." Hebrews 11:16

"Here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come!" Hebrews 13:14

"Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city!" Revelation 22:14

God has prepared a city for His redeemed people. Towards that city we are ever journeying. And as we are but sojourners, as our citizenship is in Heaven--let us manifest the pilgrim spirit. While we thankfully use and enjoy the accommodations along the way, let it plainly appear that we do not regard this transient world as our home--but that our affections are set supremely on things which are above. Let it be manifest that we act from higher principles than those which govern the men of this poor world. May our companions, our pleasures, and our spirit plainly show that we are not of the earth--but that we are citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem.

As sojourners, let us patiently endure the trials of the way. If we are faithful witnesses for the Lord--we must expect the world's scorn. But like Moses, may we esteem reproach for Christ as greater riches than the treasures of Egypt. And when we find the path thorny, and the journey toilsome--let us remember that it is short, and that,

"Nightly we pitch our moving tent
 A day's march nearer home!"

"Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims--abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul!" 1 Peter 2:11

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The searching, burning, purifying fires of Christ's furnace!

(Octavius Winslow, "Daily Need Divinely Supplied" 1870)

"He will sit as a Refiner and Purifier of silver--He will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. " Malachi 3:3

"I will refine them like silver and purify them like gold!" Zechariah 13:9

O my soul, what deep need is there for this refining and purifying of your Lord . . .
  what inward corruption,
  what carnality,
  what worldliness,
  what self-seeking,
  what creature idolatry,
  what God dishonoring unbelief!
All these imperatively demand the searching, burning, purifying fires of Christ's furnace!

My soul--your Refiner and Purifier is Jesus!

It is a consolatory thought that our refining is in the hands of Jesus--in the hands that were pierced for us on the cross!

Jesus shapes all your trials!

Jesus sends all your afflictions!

Jesus mixes all your sorrows!

Jesus shapes and balances all the clouds of your pilgrimage!

Jesus prepares and heats the furnace that refines you as silver and purifies you as gold!

Then, O my soul, tremble not . . .
  at the knife that wounds you,
  at the flame that scorches you,
  at the cloud that shades you,
  at the billows that surge above you.
Jesus is in it all--and you are as safe as though you had reached the blissful climate . . .
  where the vine needs no pruning,
  and where the ore needs no purifying,
  where the sky is never darkened, and
upon whose golden sands where no storms of adversity ever blow, or waves of sorrow ever break.

Mark the Refiner's position. "He will SIT as a refiner and purifier of silver." It would be fatal to is purpose, if the human refiner were to leave his post while the liquid mass was seething in the cauldron. But there he patiently sits, watching and tempering the flame, and removing the refuse and the dross as it floats upon the surface of the molten ore.

Just so, Christ sits as a Refiner . . .
  and with an eye that never slumbers,
  and with a patience that never wearies,
  and with a love that never chills,
  and with a faithfulness that never falters,
He watches and controls the process that . . .
  purifies our hearts,
  burnishes our graces,
  sanctifies our nature, and
  impresses more vividly His own image of loveliness upon our soul.

If He places you in the fire, He will bring you through the fire, "that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ."

But sweet and soothing is the truth that the believer is not alone in the fire! The Refiner is with us, as with the three Hebrew children passing through the king's burning furnace.

The Lord will have us be polished stones. As some believers are more rusty and some more alloyed than others--they need a rougher file, and a hotter furnace!

This may account for the great severity of trial through which some of the Lord's precious jewels are called to pass. Not less dear to His heart, are they for this refining.

Look up, my soul, to your Refiner!

The knife is in a Father's hand!

The flame is under a Savior's control!

Be still, be humble, be submissive.

"Heed the rod--and the One who appointed it!" Micah 6:9

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

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The infinitely wise and gracious God!

("Every Day!" Author unknown, 1872)

"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

We love Him--because He first loved us! When we know and believe the love that God has to us--then we love Him in return. And as we increase in the knowledge of Him--we love Him not only on account of what He has done for us, but also on account of what He is in Himself. As we see His glory in the face of Jesus Christ--we adore Him and delight in Him.

Happy is the state, and glorious are the privileges of all who love God.

God causes all things to work together  together for their good . . .
  all their trials and their comforts,
  all their sorrows and their joys,
  all their temptations and their consolations,
are so arranged by the wisdom and goodness of God, their Father, that they contribute . . .
  to their spiritual good,
  to the humbling of their spirit,
  to their deliverance from sin and self,
  and to their glorying only in the Lord.

In themselves, many of the things which befall the Lord's people would be evil--even as in medicine, some of the ingredients are poisonous. But as a skillful physician so mixes the toxic ingredients that they work together for the health and cure of the patient--so the infinitely wise and gracious God makes all things work together for the final and eternal well-being of His people!

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Everybody craves for it, like a babe for its rattle!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Leaving you an example--that you should follow in His steps." 1 Peter 2:21

"This is how we know we are in Him: Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did!" 1 John 2:5-6

"But," says one, "are we not to have amusements?" Yes, such amusements as you can practice in the fear of God. You may do whatever Jesus would have done.

I have nothing to say against recreation in its proper place. Certain forms of recreation are needful and useful--but it is a wretched thing when amusement becomes a lifestyle! Amusement should be used to do us good like a medicine--it must never be used as the Christian's food.

From early morning till late at night, some spend their time in a round of frivolities--or else their very work is simply carried on to furnish them funds for their pleasures. This is wicked. Many have had all holy thoughts and gracious resolutions stamped out by perpetual trifling. Pleasure, so called, is the murderer of thought!

This is the age of excessive amusement--everybody craves for it, like a babe for its rattle!

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The humblest laborers in His vineyard!

("Every Day!" Author unknown, 1872)

"Whoever serves Me must follow Me; and where I am--My servant also will be.
 My Father will honor the one who serves Me!" John 12:26

What an honor it is to be a servant of the Lord Jesus! It is an honor that is not confined to any particular condition in outward life. Not only are ministers and missionaries Christ's servants--but also the humblest laborers in His vineyard! Nor is service to Christ confined to direct efforts in spiritual work:
  the mother in the midst of her family, endeavoring by her spirit and example to train her children aright;
  the servant in the kitchen, doing her work heartily as to the Lord;
  the hard working laborer in the field;
  the attentive mechanic in the shop;
  the honest clerk in the office--
not rendering eye-service as a men-pleasers, but doing their work faithfully and well, as the Lord's redeemed people.
All of these are as truly Christ's servants--as those who are occupied more exclusively in spiritual work!

All who serve Jesus faithfully here--will dwell with Him hereafter. All who follow Him on earth in the path of self-denying love and obedience--will share His glory in Heaven.

Servant of Christ, called now to suffer reproach and shame--let the assurance of your Savior cheer you: "Whoever serves Me must follow Me; and where I am--My servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves Me!"

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Medicine for the soul!

("Every Day!" Author unknown, 1872)

"Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name--you are Mine. When you go through deep waters--I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty--you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression--you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior!" Isaiah 43:1-3

The people of God are not promised exemption from trial--but support under it!

The Lord does not engage to lead His children by a smooth path--but to furnish them with shoes of iron and brass, that they may safely walk the rugged and thorny road.

He does not promise to bridge over the waters of sorrow and the rivers of tribulation--but assures them of His presence as they pass through them. "I will be with you!" He says, "When you go through rivers of difficulty--you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression--you will not be burned up."

Christian pilgrim--will not this suffice?

Support in trial, will suit you better than exemption from it.

Affliction and sorrow, in the hands of the great Physician--are medicine for the soul!

The wounds He inflicts--are for the healing of the spirit!

The fire He may lead you through will not burn--but only purify and brighten you!

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The path by which He will conduct you will not always be smooth and pleasant

("Every Day!" Author unknown, 1872)

"He led them forth by the right way--that they might go to a city of habitation." Psalm 107:7

Just so will the Lord will lead you, beloved reader, by the "right way"--if you truly yield yourself to His guidance. The path by which He will conduct you will not always be smooth and pleasant. You will have some "Hill Difficulty" to climb, and some "Valley of Humiliation" to walk in. You will have some thorny steps to tread--and occasionally you may have to pitch your tent by Marah--the waters of bitterness.

As you are led by a mysterious and circuitous way amidst perplexity and conflict--you may be ready to think that you are traveling by a needlessly painful and trying path, and that you may safely walk by some smoother one to the home of eternal rest. Do not yield to the temptation of turning aside from the path which the Lord plainly marks for you in His Word, and by the footprints of Christ. Still follow as He leads. He designs to exercise your faith, and patience, and self-denial. The way to the crown--is by the cross!

Trust, then, your All-wise Leader--and depend on His faithfulness and grace. He will surely bring you by the right way . . .
  to the city of habitation,
  to the home of the redeemed,
  to the abode of endless rest, and peace, and love!

"Jesus, on You our hope depends,
 To lead us on to Your abode,
 Assured our Home will make amends
 For all our toil while on the road!"

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Grace, 'tis a charming sound--harmonious to the ear!

("Every Day!" Author unknown, 1872)

"By grace are you saved through faith--and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God--not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8, 9

"Grace, 'tis a charming sound--harmonious to the ear!"

Grace pitied us in our guilty, helpless condition--and provided a Savior for us.

Grace instituted the ministry of gospel reconciliation--and brought the tidings of divine mercy to our ears.

Grace opened our blind eyes--and led us to see and feel our need of the precious blood of Christ.

Grace led us to cast away the filthy rags of our own righteousness--and to receive with thankfulness and joy, the spotless robe that Jesus wrought for us.

Grace brought us to the footstool of mercy, with the cry of the publican, "God be merciful to me a sinner!"

Grace enables us to live a life of dependence on Jesus alone, for all spiritual supplies.

Grace has begun a good work within us--and grace will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

By grace we are saved! "We are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus!" Romans 3:24

  'Tis not by works of righteousness
  Which our own hands have done.
  But we are saved by sovereign grace,
  Abounding through His Son!

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To him who overcomes!

("Every Day!" Author unknown, 1872)

"To him who overcomes . . ." Revelation 2:7

The pathway to glory is not one of flowery ease. There are . . .
  trials to be endured,
  difficulties to be surmounted,
  temptations to be resisted,
  and enemies to be encountered!

The Christian is called . . .
  to endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ,
  to put on the whole armor of God,
  and to fight the fight of faith.

To stimulate and cheer him in the conflict, many encouraging assurances are given--especially made to those who press forward through all difficulties, and in the strength of Christ overcome all their spiritual foes:

"To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God!" Revelation 2:7

"He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death!" Revelation 2:11

"To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it!" Revelation 2:17

"He who overcomes will be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before My Father and His angels!" Revelation 3:5

"Him who overcomes--I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God; and I will also write on him My new name!" Revelation 3:12

"To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with Me on My throne!" Revelation 3:21

"He who overcomes will inherit all this--and I will be his God and he will be my son!" Revelation 21:7

O Lord, be my strength, give me courage, endurance, and holy fortitude! Increase my faith--that I may overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil, and at last come off more than conqueror through Him who has loved me!

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Whenever our heavenly Father uses the rod of correction!

("Every Day!" Author unknown, 1872)

"Do not despise the chastening of the Lord--nor faint when you are rebuked by Him." Hebrews 12:5

Whenever our heavenly Father uses the rod of correction--it is in love, and for our profit. We should not, therefore, on the one hand make light of it--and on the other hand, we should not sink under it in despondency.

If we err by treating Divine correction with indifference--we thereby ask for severer treatment, for the strokes of the rod must be repeated until we feel them and submit to them!

And if we err by fainting under rebuke--it is a proof that we forget how pitiful and tender a Father corrects us, and that He intends nothing but our present profit and everlasting good. Chastening only benefits us as we are "exercised" by it--and therefore we must feel it. But if we faint--we shall fail to apprehend the gracious purposes of it.

O my Father, let me ever turn to You, when You use the rod--in submission, in trust, and love. Do not allow me to slight Your gentler rebukes, and permit me not to faint under Your severer discipline. May I remember that, though "no chastening for the present seems to be joyous but grievous--nevertheless, afterwards it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto those who are exercised thereby."

"Heed the rod--and the One who appointed it." Micah 6:9

"Trials make the promise sweet,
 Trials give new life to prayer;
 Trials bring me to His feet,
 Lay me low, and keep me there!"

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The striped-candy technique!

(A.W. Tozer)

"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers." Acts 2:42

Without Biblical authority, or any other right under the sun--carnal religious leaders have introduced a host of attractions that serve no purpose except to provide entertainment for the retarded saints!

It is now common practice in most evangelical churches to offer the people, especially the young people, a maximum of entertainment and a minimum of serious instruction. It is scarcely possible in most places to get anyone to attend a meeting where the only attraction is God. One can only conclude that God's professed children are bored with Him--for they must be wooed to meetings with a stick of striped candy, in the form of religious movies, games and refreshments.

This has influenced the whole pattern of church life, and even brought into being a new type of church architecture, designed to house the golden calf. So we have the strange anomaly of orthodoxy in creed--and heterodoxy in practice. The striped-candy technique has been so fully integrated into our present religious thinking, that it is simply taken for granted. Its victims never dream that it is not a part of the teachings of Christ and His apostles!

A church fed on worldly excitement is no New Testament church at all. The desire for surface stimulation is a sure mark of the fallen nature--the very thing Christ died to deliver us from. A curious crowd of baptized worldlings waiting each Sunday for the quasi-religious stimulant to give them a lift--bears no relation whatever to a true assembly of Christian believers. And that its members protest their undying faith in the Bible, does not change anything.

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The never-failing Fountain of blessing!

("Every Day!" Author unknown, 1872)

"He gives us more grace!" James 4:6

Come, then, my soul, to Him--as an empty vessel to be filled. A supply is waiting for you in Christ Jesus. "It has pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell." He is the never-failing Fountain of blessing! Out of His fullness, you may receive grace upon grace. Whatever you need--come to God in Christ for it.

Is your faith weak? He can strengthen it.

Is your hope dull? He can enliven it.

Is your love cold? He can warm it.

Is your patience failing? He can sustain it.

Is your zeal languishing? He can invigorate it.

And observe, the Lord gives not only a new supply of grace, but He also gives it in a larger measure: "He gives more grace!" He came not only that we might have life--but that we might have it "more abundantly."

Come, then, to Him with enlarged desires.
He can fill you with joy and peace in believing.
He can enable you to bear much fruit to the glory of the Father.
He can bless you, and make you a blessing to many.

O Lord, enlarge my desires, raise my expectations, and help me to receive, not only constant supplies of grace--but increased supplies out of Your fullness! For You give "more grace!"

"Open your mouth wide--and He will fill it!" Psalm 81:10

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The most accessible and precious spot!

(Octavius Winslow)

"Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother." John 19:25

Take your place with Mary--near to the cross of Jesus.
There meet and blend . . .
  suffering--and love,
  sorrow--and sympathy.

Standing in faith near the cross--you are near . . .
  the suffering Savior,
  the loving Son,
  the sympathizing Brother born for your present grief.
Jesus, in the depth and tenderness of His love, is at this moment all that He was when, in soul travail--He cast that ineffable look of filial love and sympathy upon His anguished mother.

Likewise, He can enter into your circumstances, understand your grief, and sustain and soothe your spirit--as one only can, who has partaken of the cup of woe which now trembles in your hand. Drink that cup submissive to His will--for He drank deeply of it before you, and has left the fragrance of His sympathy upon its brim. Your sorrow is not new to Christ. Stand close to the cross of Jesus! It is the most accessible and precious spot on this side of Heaven--the most solemn and awesome spot on this side of eternity!

The cross of Jesus is the focus of . . .
  divine love,
  divine sympathy,
  and divine power.

Stand by it in suffering, in persecution, and in temptation. Stand by it in the brightness of prosperity--and in the gloom of adversity.
Go to Christ's cross in trouble,
repair to it in weakness,
cling to it in danger, and
hide beneath it when the wintry storm rushes fiercely over you.

Near to the cross, you are near your Father's heart, and your Savior's side. You seem to enter the gate of Heaven--to stand beneath the vestibule of glory!

Nothing but love will welcome your approach to the cross of Jesus--divine love that . . .
  pardons all your sins,
  flows over all your unworthiness,
  heals all your soul-wounds,
  soothes all your sorrows,
  and will shelter you within its blessed pavilion--until earth is exchanged for Heaven, and you lay down the warrior's sword for the victor's palm, and spring from the foot of the cross to the foot of the throne--to be forever with the your precious Lord!

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I will hold you up with My victorious right hand!

("Every Day!" Author unknown, 1872)

"Having obtained help from God--I continue until this day." Acts 26:22

This is the testimony of the great apostle of the Gentiles. Many were the perils to which he was exposed, and many were the hardships which he endured--but he was borne up and carried through them all by the help of God his Savior.

Just so, He who was the Helper of the great apostle--is the Helper of the feeblest child in His family, or the weakest lamb in His flock. He is your Helper, beloved Christian reader! He who has redeemed you, not with corruptible things, such as silver and gold, but with His precious blood--will assuredly afford you seasonable aid. Look then to Him, in the discharge of your daily duties--for all needful wisdom and strength.

In domestic cares and trials--remember that your Helper is near.

In every hour of weakness and sorrow--cast yourself on His sustaining grace.

In the hour of your extremity, when human help avails nothing--then cling to Him, and listen to Him as He says,
"Do not be afraid, for I am with you!
 Do not be discouraged, for I am your God.
 I will strengthen you and help you.
 I will hold you up with My victorious right hand!" Isaiah 41:10

May this be your daily prayer, "Hold me up--and I shall be safe!" Psalm 119:117