Grace Gems

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Upon that short time, eternity depends!

(Jeremy Taylor)

"You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning--though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered." Psalm 90:5-6

"The length of our days is seventy years--or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away." Psalm 90:10

God has given to man a short time here on earth--and yet upon that short time, eternity depends!

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

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Pilfering of another's time

(Hannah More)

"Redeeming the time." Ephesians 5:16

Christians should especially be on their guard against a spirit of idleness, and a slovenly habitual wasting of time. We must guard against a habitual frivolousness at home; and an abundance of unprofitable small-talk, idle reading, inane drowsiness, and a dull frittering away of time.

We must seriously consider: what a large portion of life we have unwisely squandered; what days and nights we have wasted, if not sinfully--yet selfishly; if not loaded with evil--yet destitute of good. In the day of judgment, the thin disguise which our treacherous heart now casts over indolence and sloth, will then be torn off.

We are guilty of the strange inconsistency of being most wasteful of what we best love--and of throwing away what we most fear to lose--that TIME of which life is made up. It is not so much a lack of time--as a wasting of our time--which prevents life from answering all the ends for which God has given it to us. Few things make us so useful in the world, as the prudent use of our precious time.

We should not only be careful not to waste our own time--but that others do not rob us of it! The "stealing of our purse" is a serious wrong to us. But the "stealing of our time" should grieve us even more! Pilfering of another's time is a felony for which no restitution can be made--for time is not only invaluable, but irrecoverable!

Every particle of time is valuable. No day can be insignificant--when every day is to be accounted for. Each one possesses weight and importance. What a scene will open upon us, when, from our eternal state--we shall look back on the use we have made of time--when we shall take a clear retrospect of all we have done, and all we ought to have done!

"Almighty God, I adore Your infinite patience, which has not cut me off in the midst of my follies. Let me no longer abuse that precious treasure, time. Let me bid adieu to all those vain amusements, those trifling entertainments and sinful diversions--which have robbed me of many valuable hours. Let me no longer waste my time in ease and pleasure, in unprofitable studies and conversation; but grant, that by moderation and temperance in my enjoyments, I may be able to give a good account of it in the day of judgment, and be accepted in and through the merits of Jesus Christ, my only mediator and advocate. Amen."

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

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I have just been informed of the loss of your dear wife

(Letters of John Berridge)

Dear friend,
I have just been informed of the loss of your dear wife. She was mortal--but she has now become immortal! Should this cause you to grieve immoderately? O that I was where she is now!

"Safe landed on that peaceful shore,
 Where pilgrims meet to part no more."

She was once a mourning sinner in the wilderness--but is now a glorified saint in Zion! The Lord has become her "everlasting light, and the days of her mourning are ended!" She was once afflicted with bodily pains and weakness, encompassed with family cares, and harassed with a crowd of anxious, needless fears. She is now arrived at her Father's house! Jesus has wiped away all tears from her eyes, and freed her in a moment from pain, and care, and fear, and want! Shall this make you sorrow, as those who have no hope?

You have not left your wife--she has only left you for a little moment. She has left her husband on earth--to dwell with her glorious Father in Heaven. She expects your arrival there soon, to join her Hallelujahs for redeeming love.

And are you still weeping? Weeping because your wife can weep no more; weeping because she is happy--eternally, gloriously happy? Are you weeping because she is joined to the blessed assembly where all are kings and priests--weeping, because she is where you would be, and long to be eternally?

The Lord Jesus has called her home to His kingdom, to draw your soul more ardently thither! He has broken up a cistern--to bring you nearer, and keep you closer to the overflowing fountain of all felicity!

"Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst.
 The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat.
 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their Shepherd;
 He will lead them to springs of living water.
 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes!" Revelation 7:16-17

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The grand repository of truth!

(Letters of John Newton)

"Examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good." 1 Thessalonians 5:21

The Bible is the grand repository of truth. It is the complete system of divine truth, to which nothing can be added, and from which nothing can be taken, with impunity. Every attempt to disguise or soften any branch of this truth, in order to accommodate it to the prevailing taste around us--either to avoid the displeasure, or to court the favor, of our fellow mortals--must be an affront to the majesty of God, and an act of treachery to men!

Many respectable writers and preachers consider certain things to be essential. But we have the Scripture in our hands, and are not bound to abide by the decisions of any man--any farther than as they agree with this standard.

An awakened mind that thirsts after the Savior, and seeks wisdom by reading and praying over the Scripture--has little necessity for a library of human writings. The Bible is the fountain from whence every stream that deserves our notice is drawn! We have personally an equal right with others to apply immediately to the fountain-head, and draw the water of life for ourselves.

The purest streams of human wisdom are not wholly freed from a taint of the soil through which they run. A mixture of human infirmity is inseparable from the best human composition; but in the fountain, the truth is unmixed!

"Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." Acts 17:11


"The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul.
 The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart.
 The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever.
 The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.
 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold.
 They are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.
 By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward." Psalm 19:7-11

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The awesome, holy, glorious beauty of Christ!

(Charles Spurgeon)

Come here gracious souls, and behold the Man in the garden of Gethsemane.

Behold His heart so brimming with love that He cannot hold it in--so full of sorrow that it must find a vent.

Behold the Man as they drive the nails into His hands and feet.

Look up and see the sorrowful ravishing image of your suffering Lord.

If we would live right, it must be by the contemplation of His death.

If we would rise to dignity, it must be by considering His humiliation and His sorrow.

The sight of Christ's loveliness, and that alone--shows the soul its own ugliness.

The sense of the awesome, holy, glorious beauty of Christ kills pride and humbles the soul.

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

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Look unto Jesus in the Scriptures

(Theodore Monod, "Looking Unto Jesus!" 1874)

"Looking unto Jesus!" Hebrews 12:2

Only three words, but in these three words is the whole secret of spiritual life.

Look unto Jesus in the Scriptures, to learn there . . .
  who He is,
  what He has done,
  what He gives,
  what He desires.

Looking unto Jesus in the Scriptures, we find . . .
  in His character--our pattern;
  in His teachings--our instruction;
  in His precepts--our law;
  in His promises--our support;
  in His person and in His work--a full satisfaction provided for every need of our souls.

"You study the Scriptures thoroughly because you think in them you possess eternal life, and it is these same Scriptures that testify about Me!" John 5:39

    Oh! the bitter pain and sorrow,
    That a time could ever be,
    When I proudly said to Jesus,
    "All for self--and none for Thee!"

    Yet He found me; I beheld Him,
    Bleeding on the accursed tree;
    And my wistful heart said faintly,
    "Some for self--and some for Thee."

    Day by day His tender mercy,
    Healing, helping, full and free,
    Brought me lower, while I whispered,
    "Less for self--and more for Thee."

    Higher than the highest heavens,
    Deeper than the deepest sea;
    Lord, Thy love at last has conquered,
    "None for self--and all for Thee!"

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Should it be according to your mind?

(James Smith, "Important Questions!" 1858.)

"Should it be according to your mind?" Job 34:33

We are prone to be fretful, to complain of the dispensations of Divine Providence, and to reflect harshly upon the Lord's dealings with us.

We want our own way.

We wish to carve for ourselves.

We would be treated as God's favorites.

We want our ease, and prosperity, and pleasure, consulted in all things. And if this does not appear to be done--if our wills are crossed, if our schemes are frustrated, if our purposes are broken off--then we stumble, think ourselves badly treated, and look for everybody to sympathize with us.

Under these circumstances, God comes to us--as we sit among our broken cisterns, surrounded by our dethroned idols--and puts this question to us: "Should it be according to your mind?"

  Are you wiser than God?

    Are you kinder than God?

      Are you holier than God?

    Are you more just than God?

  Are you better informed than God?

May not your mind be dark, or selfish, or foolish?

Should it then be according to your mind?

Should you reign--or God?

Remember that . . .
  God acts in the highest wisdom,
  His motives are grace and justice,
  and all His purposes are worthy of Himself.

The least the Christian can do is to submit--and to prefer God's perfect wisdom, ways, and works--to his own. Seeing God has so arranged all events, that all things must work together for the good of His people--they, at least, should daily say, "Father, may Your will be done!"

O my soul, seek grace from God, not only to submit and be resigned to the dispensations of Divine Providence--but to acquiesce in them, and be pleased with the whole of them! Your good is consulted--your best interests are secured. Soon, very soon, it will be seen that infinite wisdom and mercy, grace and goodness, have marked out every step of your road!

"Jesus replied: You do not understand what I am now doing--but someday you will." John 13:7

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There is no sweeter pillow than providence!

(Charles Spurgeon, "Israel at the Red Sea")

How sweet is providence to a child of God, when he can reflect upon it!

He can look out into this world, and say, "However great my troubles, they are not so great as my Father's power. However difficult may be my circumstances, yet all things are working together for my good."

He who holds up yonder unpillared arch of the starry heavens--can also support my soul without a single apparent prop.

He who guides the stars in the well-ordered courses, even when they seem to move in hazy dances--surely He can overrule my trials in such a way that out of confusion He will bring order; and from seeming evil, produce lasting good.

He who bridles the storm, and puts the bit in the mouth of the tempest--surely He can restrain my trial, and keep my sorrows in subjection.

I need not fear . . .
  while the lightnings are in His hands,
  and the thunders sleep within His lips;
  while the oceans gurgle from His fist,
  and the clouds are in the hollow of His hands;
  while the rivers are turned by His foot,
  and while He digs the channels of the sea.

Surely, He whose might gives wings to the angels, can furnish a worm with strength.
Surely, He who guides a cherub, will not be overcome by the trials of a speck like myself.

He who makes the most ponderous orb roll in dignity, and keeps its predestined orbit--can make a little atom like myself move in my proper course, and conduct me as He pleases.

Christian! there is no sweeter pillow than providence! And when providence seems adverse, believe it still, and lay it under your head. For depend upon it--there is comfort in its bosom.

There is hope for you, child of God! The great trouble which is to come in your way in your pilgrimage, is planned by divine love--the same love which shall interpose as your protector.

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At the cross!

(Charles Spurgeon)

The cross, that deepest revelation of the glory of God--is the great weapon which breaks down the heart's defenses! It is especially the love of Jesus  shown in the cross, which turns and transforms the hearts of sinners.

In the horrifying torture and crucifixion of Jesus, we see the highest proof of the highest love. His bleeding, makes our hearts bleed. His shame, makes us ashamed. In the cross we see the divine disgust at sin, which makes sin appalling in our eyes as well. But further, through the cross we see a love so unfathomable, that it pierces our apathy and overwhelms our desires for earthly trinkets.

At the cross . . .
  our pride and sinfulness are mortified,
  our self-deifying efforts are destroyed,
  our wandering hearts are exposed,
  the beauty of Christ in His humility and holiness are held before us,
  and the glory of God shines brightest in all its transforming power.

The atoning work of Jesus is the great gun of our battery. The cross is the mighty battering-ram with which to break in pieces the bronze gates of human prejudices and the iron bars of sinful obstinacy!

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The most excellent study for expanding the soul!

(Charles Spurgeon, "The Immutability of God!")

The proper study of God's elect, is God. The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God--is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father! There is something exceedingly improving to the mind in a contemplation of the Divinity. It is a subject so vast--that all our thoughts are lost in its immensity; so deep--that our pride is drowned in its infinity!

Other subjects we can compass and grapple with; in them we feel a kind of self-contentment, and go our way with the thought, "Behold I am wise!" But when we come to this master-science, finding that our plumb-line cannot sound its depth, and that our eagle eye cannot see its height--we turn away with the thought that vain man would be wise, but he is like a wild donkey's colt; and with the solemn exclamation, "I am but of yesterday, and know nothing!" No subject of contemplation will tend more to humble the mind, than thoughts of God.

The most excellent study for expanding the soul, is the science of Christ, and Him crucified--and the knowledge of the Godhead in the glorious Trinity. Nothing will so enlarge the intellect, nothing will so magnify the whole soul of man--as a devout, earnest, continued investigation of the great subject of the Deity. While humbling and expanding, this subject is eminently consolatory.

Oh, there is in contemplating Christ, a balm for every wound!
In musing on the Father, there is a quietus for every grief.
In the influence of the Holy Spirit, there is a balsam for every sore.

Would you lose your sorrows?
Would you drown your cares?
Then go, plunge yourself in the Godhead's deepest sea!
Be lost in His immensity--and you shall come forth as from a couch of rest, refreshed and invigorated.

I know nothing which can . . .
  so comfort the soul;
  so calm the swelling billows of grief and sorrow;
  so speak peace to the winds of trial--
as a devout musing upon the subject of the Godhead!

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He does whatever pleases Him!

(The sermons of Matthew Mead, 1629-1699)

"I know that the LORD is great, that our Lord is greater than all gods. 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 135:5-7

Every creature is God's subject, and even the devils themselves are at His beck.

It is so with the most inanimate beings. God bids the winds be silent and the seas be still--and how readily they obey His voice!

If God calls for a famine on a sinning nation--then how suddenly does the earth become iron and the heavens brass!

Flies and lice shall infest thrones and kingdoms, if armed with a commission from Almighty God. "All are Your servants!" Psalm 119:91

What the centurion said of his soldiers and servants--is much more true of God:
"I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes;
 and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and
 to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." Matthew 8:9

God has a power and dominion over all of His creatures, and a sovereign right to dispose of them at His own pleasure.

Sometimes He governs things according to the course of second causes. Sometimes He governs them in an extraordinary way--above or beyond nature. As when He made, "the sun to stand still in Gibeon, and the moon in the valley of Aijalon." Joshua 10:12

At the word of God, the sea divides for Israel to pass over on dry land.

He makes the earth open to swallow up Korah and his companions.

He shuts the mouth of hungry lions! Daniel 6:22

He commands the fiery furnace not to burn! Daniel 3:25

The angels, those inhabitants of the glorious world--do His commandments, hearkening to the voice of His word.

All the creatures in Heaven and earth are controlled by His sovereign power! Psalm 135:6 says, "Whatever the Lord pleased, that he did in the Heaven and earth, in the sea and all deep places."

It is so with all sicknesses, trials, and diseases. Matthew 8:8

God's sovereign will and power governs all.

No creature can evade the power of His dominion, for all are at His command!

"Our God is in Heaven; He does whatever pleases Him!" Psalm 115:3

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Suppose I have fallen into some great sin--what then?

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Ah!" says one, "Suppose I have fallen into some great sin--what then?"

Why then, that is all the more reason why you should cast yourself upon Him.

Do you think Jesus Christ is only for little sinners?

Is He a doctor who only heals finger-aches?

Beloved, it is not faith to trust Christ when I have no sin--but it is true faith to trust Him when I am foul, and black, and filthy!

"The blood of Jesus, God's Son, cleanses us from all sin!" 1 John 1:7

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It is but a little sin!

(Thomas Brooks, "Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices!")

"So that Satan will not outsmart us--for we are familiar with his evil schemes." 2 Corinthians 2:11

"Ah!" says Satan, "It is but a little sin--a little pride, a little worldliness, a little lust, etc. You may commit it without any danger to your soul. It is but a little one; you may commit it, and yet your soul shall live."

Consider, that there is great danger, yes, many times most danger--in the smallest sins.
"A little leaven leavens the whole lump!" 1 Corinthians 5:6
If the serpent sneaks in his head--he will draw in his whole body after him.

Greater sins sooner startle the soul, and awaken and rouse up the soul to repentance, than lesser sins do. Little sins often slide into the soul, and breed, and work secretly and indiscernibly in the soul, until they come to be so strong, as to trample upon the soul, and to cut the throat of the soul!

Many are eternally undone by the 'little sins', as they call them, that are nourished in their own bosoms.

A little hole in the ship, sinks it.

A small breach in a dyke, carries away all before it.

A little stab at the heart, kills a man.

A little sin, without a great deal of mercy, will damn a man!

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Short quotes from the Puritan Thomas Manton

   ~  ~  ~  ~

The more affected we are with our sinful misery--the fitter we are for Christ's marvelous mercy.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

God has a bottle for all the tears of His people--and a book wherein He records all their sorrows!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

If Christ shall be precious to you--then you must be vile in your own eyes!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

It is easy for Him who made all things out of nothing to help His redeemed children.
The Almighty Creator, ruler, and governor of the world--what can He not do?

   ~  ~  ~  ~

A man's greatest care should be for that place where He dwells longest; therefore eternity should be in his scope!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

By the same divine power by which Christ made all things--He preserves and sustains all things.
All creatures owe their continuance and preservation to Him.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Hell and damnation are no vain scarecrows!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

It is a hard matter to enjoy the world, without being entangled with its cares and pleasures!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

A man who is satisfied with his own righteousness, does not prize Christ.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Sin is sweet in commission, but bitter in its wages.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Excess in food and drink clouds the mind, chokes good affections, and provokes lust. Many a man digs his own grave with his teeth! "Put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony!" Proverbs 23:2

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Christ does not save us because we are holy--but that we may be holy!

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The richest pearl of all the promises!

(Octavius Winslow, "Christ is Ever With You!" 1863)

"Lo, I am with you always--even unto the end of the world!" Matthew 28:20

Whose presence is thus promised and pledged?

It is the presence of Christ! The Christ who is God. "Immanuel, God with us!"

The Christ who . . .
  made all worlds,
  created all beings,
  governs all empires,
  and controls all events!

The Christ who replenishes . . .
  earth with beauty,
  Heaven with glory,
  eternity with song!

The Christ before whom angels and archangels, principalities and powers bend--and at whose name every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that He is Lord!

The Christ . . .
  whose glory is divine,
  whose beauty is peerless,
  whose wealth is boundless,
  whose love is as infinite as His being!

The Christ who . . .
  bore and put away your sins forever,
  removed and forever canceled your curse,
  paid all your great debt to Divine justice,
  sorrowed for you in the garden,
  suffered and expired in your stead on the cross,
  rose from the grave, ascended up to Heaven, lives and intercedes for you, representing your person and presenting your prayers and praises with ineffable acceptance and delight--to His Father and your Father, to His God and your God.

"Lo, I am with you always! Mark! Behold! I the Incarnate God, I who opened my bleeding heart for your redemption on Calvary, I who am your dearest Friend--I am with you always, in all places, and at all times, unto the end of the world!"

O honored saint of God! You have . . .
  the Divinest in the universe to love you,
  the Mightiest in the universe to shield you,
  the Loveliest in the universe to delight you,
  the Dearest in the universe to soothe, cheer, and gladden you!
O favored disciple of Jesus--you have such a One ever at your side!

This is the promise of promises--the richest pearl of all the promises, exceeding in its mightiness and preciousness; while it is the substance, sweetness, and pledge of all the rest!