Grace Gems

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Believing that God rules all, that He governs wisely, that He brings good out of evil

(Charles Spurgeon)

"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

The Christian does not merely hold this truth as a theory, but he knows it as a matter of fact. Everything has worked for good as yet.

The poisonous drugs mixed in fit proportions, have worked the cure.

The sharp cuts of the lancet, have cleansed out the infected flesh and facilitated the healing.

In every event of your life, God has always worked out the most divinely blessed results.

Believing that God rules all, that He governs wisely, that He brings good out of evil--the believer's heart is comforted, and he is enabled calmly to meet each trial as it comes. The believer can in the spirit of true resignation pray, "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want Your will to be done, not mine! Send me what You will, my Father, so long as it comes from You!"

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The Weaver!

(J.R. Miller)

The life that is given up to God in true devotion, need fear nothing. We may have our sorrows, our disappointments, our losses, but all of our life is in the hands of God--and no real harm can come to us. In all the events and experiences of our most difficult days--God is developing our graces and character!

Very beautiful is the figure of the loom. God is the Weaver. He has before Him the pattern into which He would fashion our lives. Some threads are white, some are dark--but the great Weaver will blend them so that the finished work will be beautiful.

    The Weaver!
    (Author unknown)

    My life is but a weaving
    Between my God and me.
    I cannot choose the colors
    He weaveth steadily.

    Ofttimes He weaveth sorrow;
    And I in foolish pride,
    Forget He sees the upper
    And I the under-side.

    Not til the loom is silent
    And the shuttles cease to fly,
    Will God unroll the canvas
    And reveal the reason why.

    The dark threads are as needful
    In the weaver's skillful hand,
    As the threads of gold and silver
    In the pattern He has planned.

    He knows, He loves, He cares;
    Nothing this truth can dim.
    He gives the very best to those
    Who leave the choice to Him.

"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

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It is your duty to assure him that he is not saved

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in Heaven." Matthew 7:21

"I will tell them plainly: I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!" Matthew 7:23

If a professed convert distinctly and deliberately declares that he knows the Lord's will, but does not mean to obey it--then you are not to pamper his presumption, but it is your duty to assure him that he is not saved.

Do not suppose that the Gospel is magnified or God glorified, by going to religious worldlings and telling them that they are saved--while they are still wedded to their idols, and their hearts are still in love with sin. If I do so, I . . .
  tell them a lie,
  pervert the Gospel,
  insult Christ, and
  turn the grace of God into a license for sin!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

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Pride cannot live beneath the cross!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"He humbled Himself." Philippians 2:8

Jesus is the great teacher of 'humility of heart'. We need daily to learn of Him. See the Master taking a towel and washing His disciples feet! Follower of Christ--will you not humble yourself? See Him as the Servant of servants--and surely you cannot be proud!

Is not this sentence the compendium of His biography: "He humbled Himself." Was He not on earth, always stripping off first one robe of honor and then another--until, naked, He was fastened to the cross. There He not emptied out His inmost self, pouring out His life-blood, giving up for all of us, until they laid Him penniless in a borrowed grave.

How low was our dear Redeemer brought! How then can we be proud?

Stand at the foot of the cross and count the scarlet drops by which you have been cleansed. See the thorny crown and His scourged shoulders still gushing with the crimson flow of blood. See His hands and feet given up to the rough iron, and His whole self mocked and scorned. See the bitterness, the pangs, and the throes of inward grief show themselves in His outward frame. Hear the chilling shriek, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me!"

If you do not lie prostrate on the ground before that cross--you have never seen it! If you are not humbled in the presence of the sin-atoning Savior--you do not know Him. You were so lost that nothing could save you, but the sacrifice of God's only begotten Son. Think of that, and as Jesus stooped for you--bow yourself in humility at His feet.

A realization of Christ's amazing sacrificial love has a greater tendency to humble us than even a consciousness of our own guilt. May the Lord bring us in contemplation, to Calvary. Then our position will no longer be that of pompous pride--but we shall take the humble place of one who loves much, because much has been forgiven him.

Pride cannot live beneath the cross!
Let us sit there and learn our lesson.
Then let us rise and carry it into practice.

"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:29

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Nothing in this world is more beautiful

(J.R. Miller)

A ship is made to go in the water, and no matter how deep the sea nor how wild the tempest--all goes well as long as the water does not get into the ship. The problem of managing a ship, is not to keep the ship out of the water--but to keep the water out of the ship!

In this sinful world, we cannot avoid all cares and trials and temptations. The goal of of true Christian living is to keep these cares and trials and temptations from getting into our souls. Some people let all their frets and worries at once into their hearts--and they soon live out their lives in sourness, irritability, and discontent. They become thus miserable themselves--and they make all around them miserable. They cast, not cooling, healthful, refreshing shade on others--but melancholy, darksome, chilling shadows.

Learn to keep your cares in your hands--and out of your hearts. Nothing in this world is more beautiful than a Christian life with many trials and cares--yet remaining ever peaceful and joyous amid them all. This is the real goal of noble Christian living.

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Short pithy gems from Spurgeon! #1

   ~  ~  ~  ~

There is enough dust on some of your Bibles, to write "Damnation!" with your fingers!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

The joys of Heaven will surely compensate for the sorrows of earth.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

An unholy church! It is useless to the world--and of no esteem among men. It is an abomination, Hell's laughter, and Heaven's abhorrence. The worst evils which have ever come upon the world--have been brought upon her by an unholy church!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Does the world satisfy you? Then you have your reward and portion in this life. Make much of it--for you shall know no other happiness.

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He is a bad preacher!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation." Joel 1:3

In this simple way, by God's grace, a living testimony for truth is always to be kept alive in the land. The beloved of the Lord are to hand down their witness for the gospel to their heirs, and these again to their next descendants.

This is our first duty--we are to begin at the family hearth. He is a bad preacher, who does not commence his ministry at home. The heathen are to be sought by all means, and the highways and hedges are to be searched--but home has a prior claim, and woe unto those who reverse the order of the Lord's arrangements.

To teach our children is a personal duty. We cannot delegate it to Sunday School Teachers, or to the church. These can assist us--but cannot relieve us from the sacred obligation. Mothers and fathers must, like Abraham, command their households in the fear of God, and talk with their offspring concerning the wondrous works of the Most High God.

Parental teaching is a natural duty. Who is so fit to look to after child's well-being, as those who are the authors of his actual being? To neglect the instruction of our offspring is worse than brutish!

Family instruction is necessary for the nation, for the family itself, and for the church of God. By a thousand plots, atheism is covertly advancing in our land, and one of the most effectual means for resisting its inroads is left almost neglected, namely, the instruction of children in the faith. Would that parents would awaken to a sense of the importance of this matter.

It is a pleasant duty to talk of Jesus to our sons and daughters, and the more so because it has often proved to be an accepted work, for God has often saved the children through the parents' prayers and admonitions.

May every house into which this counsel shall come, honor the Lord in this matter and receive His smile!

"These commandments that I give to 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. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates!" Deuteronomy 6:6-9

"Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4

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I would rather have my soul soaking in a few verses all day!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long." Psalm 119:97

Some people like to read so many chapters every day. I would not dissuade them from the practice, but I would rather have my soul soaking in a few verses all day, than rinse my hand in several chapters.

Oh, to be bathed in a text of Scripture, and to let it be sucked up into your very soul, until it saturates your heart!

Set your heart upon God's Word! Let your whole nature be plunged into it as a cloth into a dye!

"His delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night!" Psalm 1:2

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Short pithy gems from John Newton #3


The Lord Jesus, and the world that crucified Him--are competitors for our hearts.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

The storms of our life are guided by the hands which were nailed to the cross!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

We have work to do in the world, more to do in the Church and in our homes--but most of all, in our own hearts.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Wonderful are the effects when a crucified, glorious Savior is presented to the eye of faith.
This sight destroys the love of sin!

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Tis but a taste!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"A pledge of our inheritance." Ephesians 1:14

Oh! what enlightenment, what joys, what consolation, what delight of heart--is experienced by that man who has learned to feed on Jesus, and on Jesus alone.

Yet the realization which we have of Christ's preciousness is, in this life, imperfect at the best. As an old writer says, "Tis but a taste!" We have but tasted "that the Lord is gracious," but we do not yet know how good and gracious He is. We know somewhat of His sweetness, and this makes us long for more. We have enjoyed the first fruits--and they have set us hungering and thirsting for the fullness of the heavenly vintage. Here on earth, we are like Israel in the wilderness, who had but one cluster from Eshcol--there we shall be in the vineyard!

We are but beginners now in spiritual education; for although we have learned the first letters of the alphabet, we cannot read words yet, much less can we put sentences together. As one says, "He who has been in heaven but five minutes--knows more than all the theologians on earth combined!"

We have many ungratified spiritual desires at present--but soon every wish shall be satisfied; and all our powers shall find the sweetest employment in that eternal world of joy.

O Christian, within a very little time you shall be rid of all your trials and your troubles.
Your eyes which are now suffused with tears, shall weep no longer.
You shall gaze in ineffable rapture upon the splendor of Him who sits on His glorious throne.
Nay, more--you shall sit with Him upon His throne!

The triumph of His glory shall be shared by you! His crown, His joy, His paradise--these shall be yours!
You shall be co-heir with Him who is the heir of all things!

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--reserved in Heaven for you!" 1 Peter 1:3-4

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Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"I am married unto you." Jeremiah 3:14

Christ Jesus is joined unto His people in marriage-union. In love He espoused His Church as a chaste virgin, long before she fell under the yoke of sin. Full of burning affection He toiled, like Jacob for Rachel, until the whole of her purchase-money had been paid; and now, having sought her by His Spirit, and brought her to know and love Him--He awaits the glorious hour when their mutual bliss shall be consummated at the marriage-supper of the Lamb!

Not yet, has the glorious Bridegroom presented His betrothed--perfected and complete, before the Majesty of Heaven. Not yet, has she actually entered upon the enjoyment of her dignities as His wife and queen. She is as yet--a wanderer in a world of woe, a dweller in the tents of Kedar; but she is even now . . .
 the bride of Jesus,
 His beloved spouse,
 dear to His heart,
 precious in His sight,
 written on His hands,
 and united with His person!

On earth He exercises towards her, all the affectionate offices of Husband. He makes rich provision for her spiritual needs, pays all her debts, allows her to assume His name and to share in all His wealth. Nor will He ever act otherwise to her. The word divorce He will never mention, for "He hates divorce."

Death must sever the marital tie between the most loving mortals--but it cannot divide the union of this immortal marriage. In Heaven they do not marry, but are as the angels of God; yet there is this one marvelous exception to the rule, for in Heaven Christ and His Church shall celebrate their joyous nuptials. This union of Jesus with His beloved spouse, as it is more lasting--so is it more near and dear than earthly wedlock. Let the love of an earthly husband be ever so pure and fervent--it is but a faint picture of the flame which burns in the heart of Jesus!

"Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!" Revelation 19:9

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Lest Madam Bubble bewitch them with her vile suggestions!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"She grabbed him by his garment and said, 'Sleep with me!'
But leaving his garment in her hand, he escaped and ran from the house." Genesis 39:12

In contending with certain sins, there remains no mode of victory, but by flight.

He who would be safe from acts of evil--must hasten away from occasions of it.

A covenant must be made with our eyes--not even to look upon the cause of temptation; for such sins only need a spark to begin with--and a blaze follows in an instant!

Who would wantonly enter the leper's hut--and sleep amid its horrible corruption? He alone who desires to be leprous himself--would thus court contagion.

If the mariner knew how to avoid a storm, he would do anything rather than run the risk of weathering it.

Cautious navigators have no desire to try how near the quicksand they can sail, or how often they may touch a rock without springing a leak; their aim is to keep as nearly as possible in the midst of a safe channel.

Today I may be exposed to great peril--let me have wisdom to keep out of it and avoid it. The wings of a dove may be of more use to me--than the jaws of a lion. I may be an apparent loser by declining evil company--but I had better leave my cloak, than lose my character!

It is not needful that I should be rich--but it is imperative upon me to be pure. No ties of friendship, no chains of beauty, no flashings of talent, no shafts of ridicule--must turn me from the wise resolve to flee from sin.

I am to resist the devil--and he will flee from me.
But the lusts of the flesh, I must flee--or they will surely overcome me!

O God of holiness, preserve your Josephs, lest Madam Bubble bewitch them with her vile suggestions.

May the horrible trinity of the world, the flesh, and the devil--never overcome us!

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What's on your Bucket List?

(Curtis Knapp)

A few years ago, a movie came out entitled, "The Bucket List." Since then, this has become a household term. The phrase refers to the list of things a person would like to do or experience or see before he dies. Though I have not seen the movie, I have heard several people use the expression. For most it seems, the bucket list consists of things such as go to the Grand Canyon; go to Niagara Falls; go to Hawaii; go to Alaska; go to Europe; go sky-diving; go bungee jumping; go to New England in the fall; etc. Such is the mind-set of worldly people who have minimal hopes for a glorious eternal life.

The Christian looks at life much differently. As he ponders his life, he sees many tokens of God's goodness to him and has a fond remembrance of much of his past. But he does not consider that his good times are coming to an end. He does not dread death and privately fear that it will bring an end to all pleasure. On the contrary, he expects death to bring him into the presence of his beloved Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Death will bring about the fulfillment of his long cherished dreams.
Death will bring an end to his transgressions.
Death will bring perfect holiness.
Death will mean Paradise.

Consequently, the Christian feels no need to cram his retirement years with various trips and experiences before it's too late. With respect to the beauty of the earth, the Christian knows he will have all eternity to explore a new earth that will far exceed the current one in beauty and majesty. A Christian's bucket list does not consist of worldly pleasures, but on Scriptural imperatives such as:

    "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God . . . Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:1-2

    "So we make it our goal to please Him!" 2 Corinthians 5:9

    "One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14

    "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things!" Colossians 3:1-2

What's on your Bucket List?

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Like grapes in the wine-press!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"He has given us His exceeding great and precious promises!" 2 Peter 1:4

If you would experimentally know the preciousness of the promises, and enjoy them in your own heart, you must meditate much upon them. There are promises which are like grapes in the wine-press; if you will tread them--the juice will flow. While you are musing upon them, the blessing which you are seeking will insensibly come to you. Many a Christian who has thirsted for the promise--has found the favor which it ensured gently distilling into his soul, even while he has been considering the divine record; and he has rejoiced that ever he was led to lay the promise near his heart.

But besides meditating upon the promises, seek in your soul to receive them as being the very words of God. Speak to your soul thus, "If I were dealing with a man's promise, I would carefully consider the ability and the character of the man who had covenanted with me. So with the promise of God; my eye must not be so much fixed upon the greatness of the promise--that may stagger me; as upon the greatness of the Promiser--that will cheer me.

My soul, it is God, even your God, God who cannot lie--who speaks to you! This Word of His which you are now considering, is as true as His own existence!

He is an unchangeable God. He has not altered the thing which has gone out of His mouth, nor called back one single consolatory sentence.

Nor does He lack any power; it is the God who made the heavens and the earth--who has spoken thus.

Nor can He fail in wisdom as to the time and way in which He will bestow the favors, for He knows when it is best to give and when better to withhold.

Therefore, seeing that it is the Word of a God so true, so immutable, so powerful, so wise--I will and must believe the promise."

If we thus meditate upon the promises, and consider the Promiser, we shall experience their sweetness, and obtain their fulfillment.

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Half-hearted Christianity!

(Horatius Bonar)

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money!" Matthew 6:24

If you are a Christian, then be a consistent Christian!
Be a Christian every hour, in every place. Beware . . .
  of half-hearted discipleship,
  of compromise with evil,
  of conformity to the world,
  of trying to serve two masters,
  of attempting to walk in both the narrow and the broad ways.
It is impossible!

Half-hearted Christianity will only end in misery!

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14