Grace Gems

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Christ, the example of ministers

(Jonathan Edwards)

It is not only our great duty, but will be our greatest honor, to imitate Christ, and do the work that He has done--and so act as co-workers with Him.

The ministers of Christ should be persons of the same spirit that their Lord was of--the same spirit of humility and lowliness of heart; for the servant is not greater than his Lord.

They should be of the same spirit of heavenly-mindedness, and contempt of the glory, wealth, and pleasures of this world.

They should be of the same spirit of devotion and fervent love to God.

They should follow the example of His prayerfulness; of whom we read from time to time of His retiring from the world, away from the noise and applause of the multitudes, into mountains and solitary places, for secret prayer, and holy converse with His Father.

Ministers should be persons . . .
  of the same quiet, lamb-like spirit that Christ was of;
  of the same spirit of submission to God's will, and patience under afflictions, and meekness towards men;
  of the same calmness and composure of spirit under reproaches and sufferings from the malignity of evil men;
  of the same spirit of forgiveness of injuries;
  of the same spirit of charity, of fervent love and extensive benevolence;
  of the same disposition to pity the miserable, and to weep with those who weep;
  of the same spirit of . . .
    condescension to the poor and lowly,
    tenderness and gentleness toward the weak,
    and great and sincere love to enemies.

They should also be of the same spirit of zeal, diligence, and self-denial for the glory of God, and advancement for his kingdom, and for the good of mankind; for which things sake Christ went though the greatest labors, and endured the most extreme sufferings.

And in order to our imitating Christ in the work of the ministry, in any tolerable degree--we should not have our hearts weighed down, and time filled up with worldly affections, cares, and pursuits.

The duties of a minister that have been recommended, are absolutely inconsistent with a mind much taken up with worldly profit, glory, amusements and entertainments.

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The true recipe for miserable existence is this:

(James W. Alexander, "Consolation" 1852)

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

"When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other." Ecclesiastes 7:14

The first law of true religion is submission to God's will. Where it does not exist, there is no piety--and just as truly there is no tranquility of soul.

What a hideous sight to see a human creature in full rebellion against God's providence . . .
  repining at His allotments;
  fighting against His dispensations;
  and cursing His judgments!

The true recipe for miserable existence is this: Quarrel with Providence!

When God means to make us happy, He teaches us submission--a resignation of everything into His hands, and an acknowledgment that whatever He does is wisest and best.

O how sweetly even afflictions fall, when there is such a temper to receive them! "Shall we accept good from God--and not trouble?" Job 2:10. Such a disposition tends to tranquility of soul; and even amidst chastisement, there is internal quiet.

"The Lord gave--and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1:21

"He is the Lord--let Him do what is good in His eyes." 1 Samuel 3:18

"In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

"We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

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May our thoughts seldom wander from the Cross!

(Henry Law, "Psalms" 1878.)

"My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from saving Me--so far from the words of My groaning?" Psalm 22:1

We take our stand at Calvary.

The Cross is erected.

Jesus, the God-man, our substitute, our Redeemer, hangs there.

We look, and we receive assurance that truly He is . . .
  bearing our curse,
  drinking to the dregs our cup of wrath,
  receiving into His inmost soul the sword of justice, and
  suffering the extremities of anguish as the penalty for our sins.

Oh! what a sight of wonder!

Views of redemption, lead to grateful love. It is far easier to count ocean's drops, than to portray . . .
  the Savior's love,
  His matchless worth,
  His righteousness, and
  the glories which He has purchased.

How precious is that expiating blood! Let us ponder its worth, and the marvels it has wrought--until our hearts become one blaze of love, and our lips one note of praise!

May our thoughts seldom wander from the Cross!

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Christianity does not apply to the mundane duties of life

(J.R. Miller)

"Whatever your hand finds to do--do it with all your might!" Ecclesiastes 9:10

Christ never asks for anything which we are not able to do. But let us not forget, that He always expects and requires of each of us, the best that we can do. The faithfulness which Christ wants and approves, implies the doing of all our work, our business, our trade, our daily toil--as well as we can.

Let no one think that Christianity does not apply to the mundane duties of life. It applies to the way you do your most common work--just as really as to your praying and keeping of the commandments. Whatever your duty is, you cannot be altogether faithful to God, unless you do your best. To slur any task, is to do God's work badly. To neglect it, is to rob God.

The faithfulness which Christ requires, must reach to everything we do. It impacts the way . . .
  the child learns his lessons and recites them,
  the dressmaker and the tailor sew their seams,
  the blacksmith welds the iron, and shoes the horse,
  the plumber puts in his pipes,
  the carpenter builds the house,
  the clerk represents the goods, and measures or weighs them.

How soon would genuine Christian living put a stop to all dishonesty, all fraud, all skimping, all false weights and measures, all shams, all neglects of duty--if this lesson were only learned and practiced everywhere!

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do--do it all for the glory of God!" 1 Corinthians 10:31

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Do not trifle with God!

(J.H. Thornwell)

"You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain." Exodus 20:7

It is enough to make one's blood curdle, to think of the name of God bandied about as a bauble and plaything of fools. It is the very spirit and essence of all evil--the very core of iniquity. This offence cannot go unpunished. If there is a God, He must vindicate His own majesty and glory. If you could see it as it is, in the naked enormity of its guilt--you would flee from it as from the very pestilence of death!

You may sport with the whirlwind and trifle with the hurricane,
you may lay your hand upon the lion's mane and play with the leopard's spots,
you may go to the very crater of a burning volcano, and laugh at the lava which it thunderously belches out,
you may trifle with any and everything--but do not trifle with God!
Let there be one holy thing upon which you dare not lay a profane hand--and let that be the name of God.

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You may think that I am unloving, narrow-minded, bigoted!

(J.C. Ryle)

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12

Man is a sinful creature. All children born into the world, whatever their name or nation is--are corrupt, wicked, and defiled in the sight of God.

Human nature is so tainted and corrupt that, left to himself, no man could be save.

There is only one way in which a man or woman must be saved. It is only by our Lord Jesus Christ, through faith; never by our own works and righteousness.

One golden thread runs through the whole Bible--no salvation except by faith in Jesus Christ.

You may think that I am unloving, narrow-minded, bigoted, and so forth; so be it. But you cannot tell me that my doctrine is not that of the Word of God. That doctrine is, "Salvation in Christ to the very uttermost!" But without Christ, there is no salvation at all.

Let it be called intolerant and unloving. No salvation, no way to Heaven--except through Jesus Christ!

"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6

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The secret of a holy life!

(Frederick Marsh)

Prayer is the secret of a holy life!

Prayer is a sin-killer. No one can sin and pray, for prayer will make us cease from sin--or sin will make us cease from prayer.

Prayer is a power-bringer. It is the hand that touches the hem of the garment of Divine grace, and causes the life which is in the Divine One to flow into us.

Prayer is a victory-giver. Bunyan's Christian found that the weapon of all-prayer was sufficient to wound and defeat the adversary who would stop him in his progress as a pilgrim.

Prayer is a holiness-promoter. It is like the gentle dew which falls upon the thirsty plants, and causes them to be refreshed and to fructify.

Prayer is a dispute-adjuster. Let any two brethren who are at loggerheads get on their knees, and ask the Lord about any disputed matter--and they will find the Lord saying to their troubled spirits: "Peace, be still!"

Prayer is an  obstacle-remover, as Peter found when the angel came in answer to the prayers of the saints, and delivered him from the prison.

Prayer is a Christ-revealer--for it clarifies our vision and enables us to see the unseen Christ!

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We must test all our pleasures and amusements by this rule:

(J.R. Miller)

"Lovers of pleasure--rather than lovers of God; having a form of godliness--but denying its power." 2 Timothy 3:4-5

Is the love of pleasure and amusement growing on you--gaining the power and authority over you?

Is it dulling the keenness of your zest for spiritual pleasures?

Is it making Bible study, prayer, communion with Christ, and meditation upon holy themes--less sweet enjoyments than they once were?

Is it making your hunger and thirst for righteousness and for God--less intense?

Is it interfering with the comfort and blessing which you used to find in church services, or in Christ's work?

If so, there is only one thing to do--hurry . . .
  to return to God,
  to abandon the pleasure or amusement which is imperiling your soul, and
  to find in Christ, the joy which the world cannot give, and which never harms any aspect of life.

We must test all our pleasures and amusements by this rule: Are they helping us to grow into Christ-likeness and spiritual beauty?

"All things are lawful--but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful--but not all things edify." 1 Corinthians 10:23

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If God is our Father

(James Smith, "The Children's Privileges!")

"You are sons of the living God!" Hosea 1:10

To have God for our Father, is the greatest honor conceivable--and it is an infinite source of comfort and joy!

If God is our Father--He will love us with a strong and tender love! He may try us and hide His face from us, to correct us for our follies--but He will still love us. Nothing shall separate His child from His love, or sever the bond which unites us to Himself.

If God is our Father--He will bear with our numerous and painful infirmities. Because we are His children--He will put the best construction upon everything. For, "Like as a Father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who love Him. He knows our frame. He remembers that we are dust." He will accept our imperfect services, because we are but children. He knows our weakness, ignorance, and failings; and He also knows our desire to please Him. And when we can only desire--He accepts the will for the deed.

If God is our Father--He will provide for and take care of us--making provision for us on earth, while He reserves our portion for Heaven. Will an earthly father leave his child to lack--while he has plenty, and can supply him with the greatest ease? He will not! Neither will our Heavenly Father; but He will supply all our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus!

If God is our Father--He will also protect us from all evils--spiritual and temporal.
Sin shall not have dominion over us,
Satan shall not overcome us,
the world shall not destroy us
--for God will protect us!
He will keep us by His power, through faith unto salvation.

If God is our Father--He will reveal His mind and will to us for our comfort and salvation. He may hide the mysteries of the kingdom from the wise and prudent--but He will reveal them unto His babes. (Matthew 11:25) He will send the Comforter, even the Spirit of truth, who will guide us into all truth.

If God is our Father--He will give us freedom of access into His presence with confidence--so that we may carry all our sins, sorrows, troubles, and temptations to Him, and lay them at His feet; feeling that we have to do with a Father--one who loves us, pities us, and delights to bless us!

If God is our Father--He will make all things work together for our good.
Good things--such as mercies, blessings, and comforts.
Bad things--such as sickness, poverty, reproach, persecution, bereavements, death.
ALL shall work our good, and issue in our eternal welfare.

If we are children of God--we are heirs of every promise in His Book, and joint-heirs with Jesus Himself! He will give us a Father's blessing--a blessing worthy of His greatness, majesty, and glory. And He will keep us safe in every danger, and from every foe; so that we shall never perish--but possess and enjoy eternal life.

"'I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters,' says the Lord Almighty." 2 Corinthians 6:18

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We so imperfectly read the engravings of His heart!

(Octavius Winslow)

"Christ died for the ungodly!" Romans 5:6

"God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners--Christ died for us!" Romans 5:8

It is because we have such shallow views of God's love--that we have such defective views of God's dealings. We blindly interpret the symbols of His providence--because we so imperfectly read the engravings of His heart.

"When we can't trace His hand--we must trust His heart!"

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Short pithy gems from the Puritan Thomas Brooks!

    ~  ~  ~  ~

Christian! Consider that the trials and troubles, the calamities and miseries, the crosses and losses that you meet with in this world--are all the Hell that ever you shall have!

    ~  ~  ~  ~

There is the seed of all sins--the vilest and worst of sins--are in the best of men!

    ~  ~  ~  ~

He who will play with Satan's bait--will quickly be taken with Satan's hook!

    ~  ~  ~  ~

A preacher's life should be a commentary upon his doctrine.
Heavenly doctrines should always be adorned with a heavenly life.

    ~  ~  ~  ~

The greatest and the hottest fires that ever were on earth are but ice--in comparison to the fire of Hell!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

The two poles could sooner meet--than the love of Christ and the love of the world.

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Short pithy gems from Jonathan Edwards!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Lord, stamp eternity on my eyeballs!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Almost every man who hears of Hell--flatters himself that he shall escape it.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

The godly are destined for inconceivable happiness!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Remember that pride is the worst viper in the heart--and the greatest disturber of the soul's peace and sweet communion with Christ. Pride was the first sin that ever was. Pride is the most difficult sin to root out. It is the most hidden, secret and deceitful of all lusts. It often insensibly creeps into the midst of religion, and sometimes under the disguise of humility!

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Short pithy gems from the Puritan Richard Baxter!

  ~ ~ ~ ~

Nothing below Heaven is worth setting our hearts upon!

  ~ ~ ~ ~

Keep up a humble sense of your own faults--and that will make you compassionate to others.

  ~ ~ ~ ~

Unity in things necessary,
Liberty in things unnecessary,
and Charity in all things.

  ~ ~ ~ ~

Speak to your people as to those who must be awakened, either here--or in Hell!
We must screw the truth into men's minds!

  ~ ~ ~ ~

What we most value--we shall think no pains too great to gain.

  ~ ~ ~ ~

Be of good cheer, Christian, the time is near when God and you shall be as near as you can desire. You shall dwell in His family! You shall then have joy without sorrow--and rest without weariness!

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Short pithy gems from Charles Spurgeon!

  ~ ~ ~ ~

If Christ has died for me--then I cannot trifle with the sin which killed my best Friend!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

An ounce of heart knowledge--is worth more than a ton of head learning!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Amusement should be used to do us good 'like a medicine." It must never be used as the food of the man. 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!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Long ago I ceased to count heads. Truth is usually in the minority in this evil world!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Look to the cross, and hate your sin--for sin nailed your Well-Beloved to the tree!

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Short pithy gems from the Puritan John Owen!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

The more I see of the glory of Christ--the more the painted beauties of this world wither in my eyes!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

The seed of every sin--is in every heart!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

In the divine Scriptures, there are shallows and there are deeps.
Shallows where the lamb may wade--and deeps where the elephant may swim!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Never was sin seen to be more abominably sinful, than when the burden of it was upon the shoulders of the Son of God! Would you, then, see the true demerit of sin? Take the measure of it from the cross of Christ!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Nothing shall be lost--which is done for God or in obedience to Him.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Satan's greatest strategy is in making people think they have plenty of time before they die to consider their eternal welfare.