Grace Gems

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From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
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The one indispensable book!

(Daniel March, 1870)

The Bible is the oldest--and the newest of books.

The Bible surveys the whole field of time--and it looks farthest into the infinite depths of eternity.

The Bible lends the most vivid and absorbing interest to the scenes and events of the past--and it keeps us in the most active sympathy with the time in which we live.

The Bible gives us the most reliable record of what has been--and it affords us our only means of knowing what is yet to be.

The Bible is holy enough to denounce the very shadow and semblance of sin--and it is merciful enough to save the chief of sinners.

The Bible is full of God--and must therefore be read with a pure heart, or its true glory will not be seen.
The Bible is full of man--and must therefore always be interesting and instructive to all who would know themselves.

The Bible is the plainest of books--and yet it has depths of wisdom which no created mind can fathom.

The Bible is set up as a beacon to show all wanderers the safe way--and yet its light shines forth from thick clouds of mystery, and from abysses of infinite darkness.

The Bible describes all conditions of life--and it gives utterance to all desires and emotions of the soul.

The Bible has a song of triumph for the overcomer--and a wail of defeat for the overcome.

The Bible . . .
  sparkles with the fervor and gladness of youth,
  celebrates the strength and glory of manhood,
  bewails the sorrows and infirmities of old age.

The Bible . . .
  exults in the mighty deeds of kings and conquerors,
  sympathizes with the poor and lowly,
  lifts up the fallen,
  delivers the oppressed, and
  breathes the blessing of peace upon the quiet homes of domestic life.

The Bible describes with startling clearness . . .
  the seductions of temptation,
  the conflicts of doubt and
  the miseries of skepticism.

The Bible . . .
  searches the secret chambers of the heart,
  brings to light its purest love and its darkest hate,
  reveals its highest joy and its deepest grief.

The Bible compasses the utmost range of thought and feeling and desire--and it sounds the utmost depth of motive and character and passion.

Thus in the Bible,
  God and man,
  earth and heaven,
  time and eternity--
speak with one voice and teach the same truth.

The Bible sets forth the most spiritual and heavenly truths--in the lights and shadows of earthly scenes and human characters.

Thus the Bible is the one indispensable book . . .
  for all ages--and all nations,
  for all classes of men--and all states of society,
  for all capacities of intellect--and all necessities of the soul!

[nChrist]

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From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
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The great business of a Christian's life!

(John Flavel)

"Guard your heart above all else--for it determines the course of your life!" Proverbs 4:23

The heart is the seat of principles--and the fountain of actions. The eye of God is, and the eye of the Christian ought to be--principally fixed upon it.

The greatest difficulty in conversion--is to win the heart to God.
The greatest difficulty after conversion--is to keep the heart with God.

Here lies the very pinch and stress of religion; here is that that makes the way to life a narrow way, and the gate of Heaven a straight gate.

The keeping and right managing of the heart in every condition--is the great business of a Christian's life!

"Oh, for a holier heart!
 Oh for a heart to hate sin more!
 Oh for a heart to love God more--and to walk more closely with Him!
 Lord, whatever you deny me--do not deny me such a heart!
 Give me a heart to fear You, love You and delight in You!"

[nChrist]

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From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
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O what a melting consideration is this!

(John Flavel)

"The Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me!" Galatians 2:20

Out of Christ's condemnation--flows my justification!

Out of His agony--comes my victory!

Out of His pain--comes my ease!

Out of His stripes--comes my healing!

Out of His gall and vinegar--comes my honey!

Out of His curse--comes my blessing!

Out of His crown of thorns--comes my crown of glory!

Out of His sin-atoning death--comes my eternal life!

O what a melting consideration is this!

[nChrist]

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From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
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Every step along the path of life

(John Newton)

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith!" Hebrews 12:2

Every step along the path of life, is a battle for the Christian to keep the eyes of the heart on Jesus.

If I may speak my own experience, I find that to keep my eye simply upon Christ, as my peace, and my life--is by far the hardest part of my calling.

Hungering and thirsting for Christ, is the central daily Christian discipline.

We depend on Him for hourly supplies of wisdom, strength, and comfort!

To know Jesus, is the shortest description of true grace;
to know Him better, is the surest mark of growth in grace;
to know Him perfectly, is eternal life.

This includes all I can wish for my dear friends--that you may grow in grace, and in the knowledge of Jesus.

[nChrist]

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From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
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I would refer it back to Him again!

(John Flavel)

It was an excellent reply that a Christian mother once made to a friend--when her beloved and only child lay in a dangerous sickness at the point of death.

The friend asked the mother, "What would you now ask of God, in reference to your child? Would you beg Him for your child's life?"

The mother answered, "I refer that to the will of God."

"But," said her friend, "if God would refer it to you--what would you choose then?"

"Why truly," said she, "if God would refer it to me--I would refer it back to Him again!"

"He is the LORD. Let Him do what seems good to Him." 1 Samuel 3:18

"Suddenly, a powerful wind swept in from the wilderness and hit the house on all sides. The house collapsed, and all your children are dead!" Job 1:19
"The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away--may the name of the LORD be praised." Job 1:21

"Father, if You are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from Me. Nevertheless, I want Your will to be done, not Mine." Luke 22:42

"May the Lord's will be done." Acts 21:14

[nChrist]

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From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
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The greatest problem we face as a nation is . . .

(John Newton)

The greatest problem we face as a nation is our sin; and the only ultimate solution is Christ crucified!

[nChrist]

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From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
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The duty, the privilege, the safety, the unspeakable happiness!

(John Newton)

"Looking unto Jesus!" Hebrews 12:2

Look unto the Lord Jesus Christ!

Look unto Him as He hung exposed, wounded, bleeding, dead, and forsaken upon the cross!

Look unto Him again as He now reigns in glory, possessed of all power in Heaven and in earth, with thousands of thousands of saints and angels worshiping Him! And then compare . . .
  your sins--with His blood,
  your needs--with His fullness,
  your unbelief--with His faithfulness,
  your weakness--with His strength,
  your inconstancy--with His everlasting love!
If the Lord opens the eyes of your understanding, you would be astonished at the comparison!

"Looking unto Jesus" is the duty, the privilege, the safety, the unspeakable happiness, of a believer--are all comprised in that one sentence!

It is by looking to Jesus, that the believer is enlightened and strengthened, and grows in grace and sanctification.

[nChrist]

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From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
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If we could but grasp this in the depth of our being!

(John Newton)

"The LORD does whatever pleases Him--in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths. He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from His storehouses." Psalm 135:6-7

God's sovereignty is but another name for the unlimited exercise of wisdom and goodness and power. Nothing can hinder Him.

Every drop of rain hits its appointed target--and every particle of dust is carried by the wind to its appointed resting place.

If we could but grasp this in the depth of our being, our souls would be liberated to depend fully on God's governance over our lives, and to learn to count trials, all joy!

"Our God is in heaven--He does whatever pleases Him." Psalm 115:3

"All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as He pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back His hand or say to Him: What have you done?" Daniel 4:35

[nChrist]

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From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
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Religion is not to be confined to devotional exercises

(John Newton)

Religion is not to be confined to devotional exercises--but rather consists in doing all that we are called to do, with a single eye to His glory and will, from a grateful sense of His love and mercy to us. This is the chemistry which turns every mundane thing into gold, and stamps a value upon common actions!

When a mother is making or mending the children's clothes, or teaching them, or cleaning the kitchen, or a saucepan--she may be as well employed, as when she is upon her knees or at the Lord's Table.

It is an great mistake to think that all time is lost--which is not spent in bible-reading, or hearing sermons, or prayer.
These are properly called means of grace--and should be attended to in their proper season.
But the fruits of grace--are to appear in our common daily course of conduct.

It would be wrong for a mother to neglect the house of God--and it would be equally wrong to neglect the prudent management of her own house. It is chiefly as a wife and mother of a family, that she can let her light shine to His praise. I would not have her think that she could serve the Lord better in any other station, than in that in which God in His providence has placed her.

A simple desire to please God, to walk by the rule of His Word, and to do all to His glory . . .
  like the fabled magic stone, turns all to gold,
  consecrates the actions of common life, and
  makes everything that belongs to our situation and duty in domestic life, a part of our religion.

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

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From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
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As many heads as a Hydra, and as many lives as a cat!

(John Newton)

Beware of SELF! This is the worst enemy we have to deal with!
  Self-will,
  self-wisdom,
  self-righteousness,
  self-seeking,
  self-dependence,
  and self-boasting.
It is a large family--and I cannot count up all the branches! They are all nearly related to Satan--and they are all a sworn enemy to our peace.
If we lie low--then the Lord will raise us up.
But if we will be something--then His arm will surely pull us down.

That monster SELF has as many heads as a Hydra, and as many lives as a cat! It is more than twenty-five years since I hoped it was fast nailed to the Cross! But alas, it is alive--and still mixing with and spoiling everything I do!

(N.B. The Hydra was a serpentine mythological water monster with many heads.
 For every head chopped off--the Hydra would re-grow a couple of new heads.)

[nChrist]

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From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
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The foundation of all true knowledge of God

(Arthur Pink)

The foundation of all true knowledge of God, must be a clear mental apprehension of His perfections as revealed in Holy Scripture. An unknown God can neither be trusted, served nor worshiped. Something more than a theoretical knowledge of God is needed by us. God is only truly known in the soul, as we . . .
  yield ourselves to Him,
  submit to His authority, and
  regulate all the details of our lives by His holy precepts and commandments.

[nChrist]

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From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
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Last week we had a lion in town!

(Letters of John Newton)

July 7, 1778
My dear friend,
Last week we had a lion in town. I went to see him. He was astonishingly tame--as friendly with his keeper, and as docile and obedient as a pet dog. Yet the man told me he had his surly fits, when they dared not go near him.

No looking-glass could show my face more justly--than this lion shows my heart! I could trace every feature--as wild and fierce by nature; yes, much more so--but grace has in some measure tamed me. I know and love my Keeper, and sometimes watch His looks that I may learn His will. But, oh! I have my surly fits too! Seasons when I relapse into the savage again, as though I had forgotten all.

[nChrist]

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From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
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How may I pass through life with the least inconvenience?

(John Newton)

If I am redeemed from eternal misery by the death of Jesus; and if He is now preparing a glorious mansion for me near Himself, that I may drink of the rivers of pleasure at His right hand for evermore--then the question is not (at least ought not to be), "How may I pass through life with the least inconvenience?"

Rather it should be: "How may my little span of life be made most subservient to the praise and glory of Him who loved me, and gave Himself for me?"

"Live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers--but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect!" 1 Peter 1:17-19

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From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
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Everything is necessary--Nothing is necessary

(John Newton)

Everything is necessary, which God sends.

Nothing is necessary, which God withholds.

How happy are those . . .
  who can resign all to Him,
  who see His hand in every trying dispensation, and
  who believe that He chooses better for them--than they could possibly choose for themselves!

Faithful are the wounds of that Friend who was Himself wounded and slain for us, and who now reigns over all!

Christ is sovereign over all of our trials.

He is the Supreme Disposer of all that concerns us, that He . . .
  numbers the very hairs of our heads,
  appoints every trial we meet with--in number, weight, and measure,
  and will allow nothing to befall us, but what shall contribute to our good.

The view of trials as a necessary medicine suited to our disease--powerfully reconciles us unto every cross.

What a comfort to be assured that our afflictions do not happen to us at random--but are all under the direction of infinite wisdom and love, and all engaged to work together for good to those who love the Lord!

"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]

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From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
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Men as well as children, may be pleased with trifles!

(John Newton)

Men as well as children, may be pleased with trifles. However one object may drive out another--it is but an exchange of trifles.

A believing view of the land that is far off, where the King reigns in His beauty--will wean our affections from the trifles of this world!

Nothing can turn out the love of the world, but the love of God shed abroad in the heart. Wherever the love of God is so shed abroad in the heart as to become the ruling principle--there the world loses its hold. The light of His glory, as it shines in the face of Jesus Christ--casts shame and disgrace on all worldly vanities!