Grace Gems

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He will go on sinning and suffering forever!

(Jared Waterbury, 1840)

"Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to the flesh, will from the flesh reap corruption; but the one who sows to the Spirit, will from the Spirit reap eternal life." Galatians 6:7-8

"He who is unjust--let him be unjust still;
 he who is filthy--let him be filthy still.
 He who is righteous--let him be righteous still;
 he who is holy--let him be holy still." Revelation 22:11

How solemn is the thought that at death not only will the soul meet its final destiny--but that destiny will be irreversible. Then we must appear before our holy and righteous Judge without disguise. He who has "sowed to the flesh"--will then reap his dread reward of eternal condemnation. The one who sows to the Spirit, will reap eternal life.

The holy will exult in the approach of their inflexibly holy Judge.
The wicked, trembling with horror, will "call upon the rocks and the mountains to fall upon them!"

Yes, the true believer will rejoice that his full redemption from sin is drawing near. Weak as may have been the principle of holiness within him--he is sure that when his Savior comes, it will be both increased and perpetuated. All will then be purity. No clouds will come between him and his adorable Redeemer.

What child of God can look at the happiness and holiness of Heaven, and not long to experience them? What but sin embitters his life, and makes his pilgrimage a weary way? Should he not then rejoice when this hateful and polluting thing shall be gone forever?

But while the godly man has reason to rejoice--the wicked may well be alarmed. O, what an appalling prospect! Filthy, and still more filthy, through eternity! His eternity must not only be wretched--but increasingly wretched. He will go on sinning and suffering forever! In Hell there will be no change but from bad to worse, and from suffering to still deeper anguish.

"They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues--but they refused to repent and glorify Him." Revelation 16:9

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Prayer

(John Bunyan)

Prayer is a sincere, affectionate pouring out of the soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Spirit, for such things as God has promised in His Word.

Prayer opens the heart to God, and it is the means by which the soul, though empty, is filled with God's grace.

The truths that I know best, I have learned on my knees.
I never know a thing well, until it is burned into my heart by prayer.

Sincere prayer is . . .
  a shield to the soul,
  a scourge to Satan, and
  a fragrant and pleasing sacrifice to God.

Prayer will make a man cease from sin, or sin will entice a man to cease from prayer.

When you pray, rather let your heart be without words--than your words be without heart.

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It is radical, revolutionary, lasting!

(Arthur Pink)

"For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring Word of God!" 1 Peter 1:23

The new birth is very much more than simply shedding a few tears due to a temporary remorse over sin.

It is far more than changing our course of life, the leaving off of bad habits and the substituting of good ones.

It is something different from the mere nourishing and practicing of noble ideals.

It goes infinitely deeper than coming forward to take some popular evangelist by the hand, signing a pledge-card, or joining a church.

The new birth is no mere turning over a new leaf--but is the inception and reception of a new life.

It is no mere reformation, but a radical transformation.

Regeneration consists in a radical change of heart, for a new disposition is implanted as the foundation of all holy exercises . . .
  the mind being renovated,
  the affections elevated, and
  the will emancipated from the bondage of sin.

In short, the new birth is a miracle, the result of the supernatural operation of God. It is radical, revolutionary, lasting!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

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Total strangers to a work of divine grace in their hearts!

(Arthur Pink)

"Come, and hear, all you who fear God, and I will declare what he has done for my soul!" Psalm 66:16

It is greatly to be feared that there are multitudes in Christendom who truly imagine and sincerely believe that they are among the saved, yet who are total strangers to a work of divine grace in their hearts.

It is one thing to have clear intellectual conceptions of God's truth--it is quite another matter to have a personal, real heart acquaintance with it.

It is one thing to believe that sin is the awful thing that the Bible says it is--but it is quite another matter to have a holy horror and hatred of it in the soul.

It is one thing to know that God requires repentance--it is quite another matter to experimentally mourn and groan over our vileness.

It is one thing to believe that Christ is the only Savior for sinners--it is quite another matter to really trust Him from the heart.

It is one thing to believe that Christ is the sum of all excellency--it is quite another matter to love Him above all others.

It is one thing to believe that God is the great and holy One--it is quite another matter to truly reverence and fear Him.

It is one thing to believe that salvation is of the Lord--it is quite another matter to become an actual partaker of it through His gracious workings.

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A strict, close, assiduous, diligent search!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Search the Scriptures." John 5:39

The word here rendered "search" signifies a strict, close, assiduous, diligent search--such as men make when they are seeking gold, or hunters when they are in earnest after game. We must not rest content with having given a superficial reading to a chapter or two; but with the candle of the Spirit, we must deliberately seek out the depth of the Word.

Holy Scripture requires searching--much of it can only be learned by careful study.
There is milk for babes--but also meat for strong men.

The rabbis wisely say that a mountain of matter hangs upon every word of Scripture.
Tertullian exclaims, "I adore the fullness of the Scriptures."

No man who merely skims the book of God, can profit thereby.
We must dig and search until we obtain the hidden treasure.

The door of the Word only opens to the key of diligence!

The Scriptures claim searching. They are the writings of God, bearing His divine stamp and sanction--who shall dare to treat them with levity? He who despises them, despises the God who wrote them! God forbid that any of us should leave our dust-covered Bibles to become swift witnesses against us in the great day of account!

The Word of God will repay searching. God does not bid us sift a mountain of chaff with here and there a grain of wheat in it. The Bible is winnowed grain--we have but to open the granary door, and find it.

Scripture grows upon the sincere searcher. Under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, to the searching eye--it glows with God's splendor, like a vast temple paved with wrought gold, and roofed with rubies, emeralds, and all manner of precious gems.

Lastly, the Scriptures reveal Jesus, "The Scriptures point to Me!" No more powerful motive can be urged upon Bible readers than this--he who finds Jesus finds life, Heaven, all things. Happy he who, searching his Bible, discovers his Savior!

"If you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God!" Proverbs 2:4-5

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The advantages and blessings of family worship

(Arthur Pink)

An old writer well said, "A family without prayer is like a house without a roof--open and exposed to all storms." All our domestic comforts and temporal mercies issue from the loving-kindness of the Lord. The best we can do in return is to gratefully acknowledge His goodness to us as a family.

Family worship should be conducted reverently, earnestly and simply. It is then that the little ones will receive their first impressions and form their initial conceptions of the Lord God. Great care needs to be taken lest a false idea be given to them of the Divine Character. For this, the balance must be preserved between dwelling upon . . .
  His holiness, and His mercy,
  His power, and His tenderness,
  His justice, and His grace.

Worship should begin with a few words of prayer invoking God's presence and blessing.
A short passage from His Word should follow, with brief comments thereon.
Two or three verses of a Psalm or hymn may be sung.
Close with a prayer of committal into the hands of God. Though we may not be able to pray eloquently, we should pray earnestly. Prevailing prayers are usually brief ones. Beware of wearying the young ones.

The advantages and blessings of family worship are incalculable. Family worship . . . .
  will prevent much sin,
  conveys a sense of God's majesty and authority,
  sets solemn Scripture truths before the mind,
  brings down benefits from God on the home.

Personal piety in the home is a most influential means, under God, of conveying piety to the little ones.

Children are largely creatures of imitation, copying what they see in their parents--so good instructions must always be accompanied by godly example. That teaching which issues only from the lips alone, is not at all likely to sink any deeper than the ears. Children are particularly quick to detect inconsistencies, and despise hypocrisy. How Christian parents need to be constantly on their guard against anything which might render them contemptible in the eyes of those who should respect and revere them!

"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Deuteronomy 6:5-7

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That dead man or dead woman

(Thomas Brooks, "A Believer's Last Day, His Best Day")

"What the wicked dreads will overtake him;
 what the righteous desire will be granted." Proverbs 10:24

"The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
 but the hope of the wicked only in wrath." Proverbs 11:23

We should lament over that dead man or dead woman . . .
  whom Hell harbors,
  whom the devil devours,
  whom divine justice torments!

But let us rejoice over those departed believers whom Christ embosoms, and whom all the court of Heaven comes forth to welcome!

"Let me die the death of the righteous, and may my end be like theirs!" Numbers 23:10

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints!" Psalm 116:15

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Oh, the atrocity of the sin of a pardoned soul!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"O Lord, we are covered with shame--because we have sinned against You!" Daniel 9:8

A deep sense and clear sight of sin--its heinousness and the punishment which it deserves--should make us lie low before God's throne. As Christians--we have sinned! Alas! that it should be so. Favored as we have been--we have yet been ungrateful. Privileged beyond most--we have not brought forth fruit in proportion. What Christian is there--who will not blush when he looks back upon his past sins?

As for our days before we were regenerated, may they be forgiven and forgotten; but since then, though we have not sinned as before, yet we have sinned against light and against love--spiritual light which has really penetrated our minds, and the love of Jesus which we have experienced.

Oh, the atrocity of the sin of a pardoned soul! An unpardoned sinner sins cheaply--when compared with the sin of one of God's redeemed ones, who has had communion with Christ and leaned his head upon Jesus' bosom.

Look at David! Many will talk of his sin--but I beg you to look at his repentance, and hear his broken bones, as each one of them moans out its dolorous confession! Mark his tears, as they fall upon the ground, and the deep sighs with which he accompanies the softened music of his harp! We have erred--let us, therefore, seek the spirit of penitence.

Look, again, at Peter! We speak much of Peter's denying his Master. But remember that it is written, "He wept bitterly!" Have we no denials of our Lord to be lamented with tears?

Alas! these sins of ours would consign us to the place of inextinguishable fire--if it were not for God's sovereign mercy which has made us to differ, snatching us like brands from the burning! My soul, bow down in humility under a sense of your natural sinfulness, and worship your God. Admire . . .
  His grace which saves you;
  His mercy which spares you;
  His love which pardons you!

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The Sovereignty of God

(Arthur Pink)

"Our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases!" Psalm 115:3

"Whatever the LORD pleases, He does--in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps!" Psalm 135:6

The Sovereignty of God may be defined as the exercise of His supremacy. Being infinitely elevated above the highest creature, He is the Most High, Lord of Heaven and earth. Subject to none, influenced by none, He is absolutely independent. God does . . .
  as He pleases,
  only as He pleases,
  always as He pleases.
None can thwart Him--none can hinder Him.

God's sovereignty is not the sovereignty of a tyrannical Despot, but the exercised pleasure of One who is infinitely wise and good!
Because God is infinitely wise, He cannot err.
Because He is infinitely righteous, He will not do wrong.
Here then is the preciousness of this truth. The mere fact itself that God's will is irresistible and irreversible fills me with fear--but once I realize that God wills only that which is good, my heart is made to rejoice.

God's purpose cannot fail.
God's plans cannot miscarry.
God's will must be done.

A "god" . . .
  whose will is resisted,
  whose designs are frustrated,
  whose purpose is checkmated,
possesses no title to Deity--and so far from being a fit object of worship, merits nothing but contempt!

"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

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When the creature failed, he flew to the Creator!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Help, Lord! For the godly are no more." Psalm 12:1

The prayer itself is remarkable, for it is short, seasonable, pithy, and suggestive. David mourned the fewness of godly men, and therefore lifted up his heart in supplication. When the creature failed, he flew to the Creator! He evidently felt his own weakness—or he would not have cried for help.

There is much of directness, clearness of perception, and distinctness of utterance in this petition of two words; much more, indeed, than in the long rambling outpourings of certain professors. The Psalmist runs straight-forward to his God, with a well-considered prayer; he knows what he is seeking, and where to seek it. Lord, teach us to pray in the same blessed manner.

The occasions for the use of this prayer are frequent:

  In providential afflictions, how suitable it is for tried believers who find all helpers failing them.

  In doctrinal difficulties, may often obtain aid by lifting up this cry of "Help, Lord!" to the Holy Spirit, the great Teacher.

  Spiritual warriors in inward conflicts may send to the throne for reinforcements, and this will be a model for their request.

  Workers in heavenly labor may thus obtain grace in time of need.

  Seeking sinners, in doubts and alarms, may offer up the same weighty supplication.

In fact, in all cases, times, and places, this prayer will serve the turn of needy souls.

"Help, Lord!" will suit us . . .
 living and dying,
 suffering or laboring,
 rejoicing or sorrowing.

In Him our help is found—let us not be slack to cry to Him.

The answer to the prayer is certain, if it is sincerely offered through Jesus. The Lord's character assures us that He will not leave His redeemed people; His gift of Jesus is a pledge of every good thing. His promise stands sure, "Fear not—I will help you!" Isaiah 41:13

"I cry to you for help, O Lord; in the morning my prayer comes before you!" Psalm 88:13

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Walk in the Spirit!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Be filled with the Spirit." Ephesians 5:18

"Walk in the Spirit (let your steps be guided by the Spirit,) and you will not gratify the evil desires of the flesh." Galatians 5:16

Rich would the blessings of this day be, if we were filled with the Holy Spirit. The consequences of this sacred filling of the soul, would be impossible to overestimate. Life, comfort, light, purity, power, peace; and many other precious blessings are inseparable from the Spirit's gracious presence.

As sacred oil--He anoints the head of the believer, sets him apart to the priesthood of saints, and gives him grace to execute his duties aright.

As the only truly purifying water--He cleanses us from the power of sin and sanctifies us unto holiness, working in us to will and to do of the Lord's good pleasure.

As the holy light--He reveals the Lord Jesus to us, and guides us in the way of righteousness. Enlightened by His pure celestial ray, we are no longer walk in darkness--but in the light of Scripture truth.

As purifying fire--He both purges us from dross, and sets our consecrated nature ablaze. He is the sacrificial flame by which we are enabled to offer our whole souls as a living sacrifice unto God.

As heavenly dew--He removes our barrenness and nourishes our lives. O that He would drop from above upon us at this early hour! Such morning dew would be a sweet commencement for the day.

As the heavenly Dove, with wings of peaceful love--He broods over the souls of believers; and as a Comforter He dispels the cares and doubts which mar the peace of His beloved ones. He descends upon His chosen people, and bears witness to their sonship by working in them a filial spirit by which they cry Abba, Father!

As the wind--He brings the breath of spiritual life to men. He performs the quickening operations by which the spiritual creation is animated and sustained.

O that we might feel the Spirit's presence and influence this day and every day!

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Christ's garden!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"I have come into My garden--My sister, My bride!" Song of Solomon 5:1

The heart of the believer is Christ's garden. He bought it with His precious blood, and He enters it and claims it as His own.

A garden implies separation. It is not the open common, nor is it a wilderness. A garden is walled around, or hedged in. Would that we could see the wall of separation between the Christian and the world made broader and stronger. It makes one sad to hear Christians saying, "Well, there is no harm in this; there is no harm in that," thus getting as near to the world as possible. Grace is at a low ebb in that soul, which can even raise the question of how far it may go in worldly conformity!

A garden is a place of beauty, it far surpasses the wild uncultivated fields. The genuine Christian must seek to be more excellent in his life than the best moralist, because Christ's garden ought to produce the best flowers in all the world. Even the best is poor--compared with Christ's deservings. Let us not put Him off with withered and dwarf plants. The rarest, richest, choicest lilies and roses--ought to bloom in Christ's own garden!

The garden is a place of growth. The saints are not to remain undeveloped, always mere buds and blossoms. We should grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Growth should be rapid where Jesus is the Gardener, and the Holy Spirit is the dew from above.

A garden is a place of retirement. So the Lord Jesus Christ would have us reserve our hearts as a place in which He can manifest Himself, as He does not unto the world. O that Christians were more retired, that they kept their hearts more closely shut up for Christ! We often worry and trouble ourselves, like Martha, with much serving--so that we have not the room for Christ that Mary had, and do not sit at His feet as we should.

Lord grant the sweet showers of Your grace to water Your garden this day!

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The practice of truth is the most profitable reading of it!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Immediately they forsook their nets, and followed Him." Mark 1:18

When Simon and Andrew heard the call of Jesus, they obeyed immediately and without hesitation.

In the same way, if we would always punctually and with resolute zeal put in practice what we hear--then our attendance at preaching, and our reading of Scripture and good books, could not fail to enrich us spiritually.

He will not lose his bread, who has taken care at once to eat it. Neither can you be deprived of the benefit of the teaching you read or hear, if you immediately put it into practice.

Most readers and hearers become moved so far as to purpose to amend. But, alas! their resolution is a blossom which never buds, and therefore no fruit comes of it. They wait, they waver, and then they forget.

That fatal tomorrow is blood-red with the murder of fair resolutions!

We are very concerned that our little book of devotions should not be fruitless, and therefore we pray that readers may not be readers only--but doers of the Word.

The practice of truth is the most profitable reading of it! Should the reader be impressed with any duty while perusing these devotionals, let him hasten to fulfill it before the holy glow has departed from his soul. Do not give place to the devil by delay! Hasten while opportunity and desire are in happy conjunction. Happy is the writer who shall meet with readers resolved to carry out his teachings--his harvest shall be a hundredfold, and his Master shall have great honor. Would to God that such might be our reward upon these brief devotional meditations. Grant it, O Lord, unto your servant!

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says!" James 1:22

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A sight of God!

(James Smith, "Food for Hungry Souls")

"I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear--but now my eye sees You!
 Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes!" Job 42:5, 6.

Job now saw God in another manner than he had ever done before. He saw more . . .
  of His greatness and glory,
  of His power and majesty,
  of His holiness and sovereignty,
  of His grace and mercy.

The effect of seeing God: "Therefore I abhor myself." Job had disgusting and humiliating views of himself. Having a clearer and more correct view of his God--led him to despise himself, and he turned from himself with loathing! He now abhorred . . .
   the rashness he had displayed,
   the impatience He had manifested,
   the complaints he had uttered,
   the self-righteousness he had indulged,
   and the aspersions he had cast on his God.

Now he says, "I repent." My mind is changed, and I am sorry for my misconduct. According to the custom of the country, and the times in which he lived--he sat down on ashes, put dust on his head, humbling himself before God--loathing himself in his own sight for all his abominations.

A sight of God always humbles us!

It humbled the prophet Isaiah, who when he saw God, cried out, "Woe to me, for I am ruined! For my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty!"

It humbled the apostle Peter, who when he perceived the dignity and glory of Jesus, exclaimed, "Depart from me--for I am a sinful man, O Lord!"

It humbled the beloved John, who when Jesus appeared to him in Patmos, fell at His feet as dead!

God's glory always lays the believer in the dust of self-abasement.

Those who know the most of God--think the least of themselves.

Pride cannot live in the presence of God. His glory . . .
  consumes our self-righteousness,
  dries up our self-admiration, and
  spoils all our supposed moral beauty.

The higher we rise in our knowledge and enjoyment of God--the lower we shall sink in our estimation of ourselves.

"Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes!"
True repentance is always attended with self-abhorrence.
We abhor not only sinful self; but righteous self!

The more we understand God's love to us--the more we mourn over our sin and sinfulness. The tear of penitence will drop from the eye of faith, on the crystal threshold of the gate of the New Jerusalem. And then the light of glory will extinguish the light of faith--and there shall be no more sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain--for the former things will have passed away!

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Liquid prayers!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"The LORD has heard the voice of my weeping!" Psalm 6:8

Is there a voice in weeping? Does weeping speak?

In what language does it utter its meaning? Why, in that universal tongue which is known and understood in all the earth, and even in Heaven above. When a man weeps, whether he is a Jew or Gentile, Barbarian, Scythian, bond or free--it has the same meaning in it.

Weeping is the eloquence of sorrow. It is a wordless orator, needing no interpreter, but understood by all.

Is it not sweet to believe that our tears are understood by God, even when words fail?

Let us learn to think of tears as liquid prayers, and of weeping as a constant dropping of importunate intercession which will surely trickle its way into the very heart of divine mercy.

My God, I will "weep" when I cannot plead--for You hear the voice of my weeping.