Grace Gems

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems - Free and Public Domain:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

This abominable thing that I hate!

(J.C. Philpot, 1858)

As no heart can sufficiently conceive, so no tongue can adequately express--the state of wretchedness and ruin into which sin has cast guilty, miserable man. In separating him from God, sin has severed him from the only source and fountain of all happiness and all holiness. Sin has ruined him, body and soul:
  it has filled the body with sickness and disease
  it has defaced and destroyed the image of God in which man was created.

Sin has:
  shattered all of man's mental faculties;
  broken his judgment,
  polluted his imagination,
  and alienated his affections.

Sin has made man love evil and hate God!

"Oh, do not do this abominable thing that I hate!" Jeremiah 44:4

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems - Free and Public Domain:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

Do not fix your love upon your money bags!

(Charles Spurgeon, "Treasury of David")

"If riches increase, do not set your heart upon them!" Psalm 62:10

Do not fix your love upon your money bags!

To bow your immortal spirit to the constant contemplation of fading possessions, is extreme folly.

Shall those who call the Lord their glory--glory in yellow earth?

Shall the image of Caesar on coins, deprive them of communion with Him who is the image of the invisible God?

As we must not rest in men, so neither must we repose in money.

Gain and fame are only so much foam of the sea! All the wealth and honor which the whole world can afford, would be too slender a thread to bear up the happiness of an immortal soul.

Our misery is that we thirst so little for heavenly realities--and so much for the mocking trifles of time and sense.

"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his soul?
 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" Mark 8:36-37

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems - Free and Public Domain:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

Divine upholding!

(Charles Spurgeon, "Treasury of David")

"You uphold me in my integrity." Psalm 41:12

Our integrity and virtue are the result of the divine upholding. We would fall, and blunder and spoil all--if left to ourselves. The Lord should be praised every day, if we are preserved from gross sin. When others sin--they show us what we would do, but for preserving grace.

"He fell today--and I may fall tomorrow!" was the exclamation of a holy man, whenever he saw another falling into sin.

"When I said, 'My foot is slipping!' Your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up!" Psalm 94:18

"Hold me up, and I shall be safe!" Psalm 119:117

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am Your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems - Free and Public Domain:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

Who can tell the misery that unbelief has brought on the world!

(J.C. Ryle)

Who can tell the misery that unbelief has brought on the world!

Unbelief made Eve eat the forbidden fruit. She doubted the truth of God's word: "You will surely die!"

Unbelief made the old world reject Noah's warning, and so perish in their sin.

Unbelief kept Israel in the wilderness--it was the barricade that kept them from entering the Promised Land.

Unbelief made the Jews crucify the Lord of glory--they did not believe the voice of Moses and the prophets, even though they were read to them every day.

Unbelief is the reigning sin of man's heart down to this very hour . . .
  unbelief in God's promises,
  unbelief in God's wrath,
  unbelief in our own sinfulness,
  unbelief in our own danger,
  unbelief in God's method of salvation,
  unbelief in everything that runs counter to the pride and worldliness of our evil hearts.

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems - Free and Public Domain:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

The ways, and fashions, and amusements, and recreations of the world

(J.C. Ryle)

"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John 2:15

There is a common, worldly kind of Christianity in this day, which many have, and think they have enough--a cheap Christianity which offends nobody, and requires no sacrifice; which costs nothing, and is worth nothing.

The standard of the world, and the standard of the Lord Jesus--are indeed widely different. They are more than different--they are flatly contradictory one to the other. Never be satisfied with the world's standard of Christianity!

A crucified Savior will never be content to have a self-pleasing, self-indulging, worldly-minded people!

It costs something to be a true Christian. It will cost us our sins, our self-righteousness, our ease and our worldliness!

The ways, and fashions, and amusements, and recreations of the world--have a continually decreasing place in the heart of a growing Christian. He does not condemn them as downright sinful, nor say that those who have anything to do with them are going to Hell.

He only feels they have a constantly diminishing hold on his own affections, and gradually seem smaller and more trifling in his eyes.

"For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world." 1 John 5:4

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems - Free and Public Domain:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

They were yet ready to go to school to the filthy Canaanites!

(Charles Spurgeon, "Treasury of David")

"But they mingled among the heathen, and learned their customs!" Psalm 106:35
 
When they settled in the land of promise, Israel found evil company and delighted in it. Those whom they should have destroyed, they made their friends. Having enough faults of their own, they were yet ready to go to school to the filthy Canaanites and educate themselves still more in the arts of iniquity. It was certain that they could learn no good from men whom the Lord had condemned to utter destruction. Israel sat at the feet of accursed Canaan, and rose up proficient in every abomination.

This, too, is a grievous but common error among professors. They court worldly company and copy worldly fashions, and yet it is their calling to bear witness against these things. None can tell what evil has come to the church, because of the folly of worldly conformity!

"And they served their idols, which were a snare unto them." Psalm 106:36

They were fascinated by the charms of idolatry, though it brings misery upon its votaries. A man cannot serve sin without being ensnared by it. It is like pitch, and to touch it is to be beslimed by it. Samson laid his head in the Philistine woman's lap--but before long he woke up shorn of his strength. Dalliance with sin is fatal to holy living.

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems - Free and Public Domain:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

The poor Christian!

(James Smith, "Comfort for Christians!")

"Hearken, my beloved brethren, has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He has promised to those who love Him?" James 2:5

Poverty is not spirituality--but sanctified poverty is a great friend to it.

Poverty is no sin--but it is sometimes a preventive to sin.

Poverty has its temptations--but it has also its consolations.

The poor ought not to repine at poverty--because God in His infinite wisdom has appointed it, and is able to render it the greatest blessing.

God's chosen are generally found among the poor. Not that He chose them because they were poor; but choosing them in Christ--He appointed poverty as the best thing for them.

God's enemies have their full portion in this life--here, they have their good things. Not so with God's children! Here on earth, they have their evil things--and their best things are yet to come!

The poor Christian has . . .
  a rich Father in whom to trust;
  the fullness of Jesus to supply him;
  the precious promises on which to depend;
  the Holy Spirit to be his Comforter; and a
  glorious inheritance to anticipate and forever dwell in!

All Christians are "heirs of the kingdom"--
the kingdom of grace here--and of glory hereafter;
the kingdom in which Jesus will reign;
the kingdom where they will be princes--yes, kings and priests;
the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world!

My poor brother, my poor sister! Look up! Look forward!

Your cottage will soon be exchanged for a kingdom!

Your sickness will soon be exchanged for health!

Your poverty will soon be exchanged for wealth!

Your sin will soon be exchanged for perfect holiness!

Your earth will soon be exchanged for Heaven!

You will not always be poor! You will not be poor for long.
Jesus will soon come--and then you will reign with Him!

For you--an inheritance is reserved in Heaven!

For you--a mansion is being prepared!

For you--glory, honor, immortality, even eternal life, are in reserve!

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems - Free and Public Domain:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

When I die I shall then have my greatest grief and my greatest joy

(J.C. Ryle, Christian Leaders of the Last Century)

William Grimshaw was, above all, a man of rare humility. Few gifted men, perhaps, ever thought so humbly of themselves, or were so truly ready to honor others.

"What have we to boast of?" he once said. "What do we have, that we have not received? Freely by grace we are saved. When I die I shall then have my greatest grief and my greatest joy: my greatest grief that I have done so little for Jesus; and my greatest joy that Jesus has done so much for me. My last words shall be, "Here goes an unprofitable servant!"

On his deathbed he said, "Alas! what have my wretched services been. I have now need to cry, at the end of my unprofitable course: God be merciful to me a sinner!"

Shortly after, laying his hand on his heart, he said, "I am quite exhausted; but I shall soon be at home, forever with the Lord--a poor miserable sinner redeemed by His precious blood!"

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems - Free and Public Domain:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

The sweetest and the loudest note in our songs of praise should be . . .

(Charles Spurgeon)

"O that we would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to men." Psalm 107:8

If we complained less and praised more--we would be happier, and God would be more glorified.

Let us daily praise God for common mercies. They are common as we frequently call them, and yet so priceless, that when deprived of them--we imagine that we are ready to perish! Let us bless God . . .
  for the eyes with which we behold the sun;
  for the health and strength to walk abroad;
  for the bread we eat;
  for the clothing we wear;
  for public and religious liberty;
  for friends and family associations; and
  for countless other comforts and blessings.

Let us praise Him, in fact, for everything which we receive from His bounteous hand; for we deserve little, and yet are most plenteously endowed.

But beloved, the sweetest and the loudest note in our songs of praise should be of redeeming love! God's redeeming acts towards His chosen people, are forever the favorite themes of their praise. If we know what redemption means, let us not withhold our sonnets of thanksgiving.

We have been redeemed from the power of our corruptions, and uplifted from the depth of sin in which we were naturally plunged.

We have been led to the cross of Christ, and our shackles of guilt have been broken off.

We are no longer slaves of sin--but children of the living God.

We shall shortly be presented before the eternal throne without spot or wrinkle or any such thing.

Shall we not unceasingly give thanks to the Lord our Redeemer?

Child of God, can you be silent?

Awake, awake, O inheritors of eternal glory, and cry out with David, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me--bless His holy name!"

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems - Free and Public Domain:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

Bold, unblushing audacity!

(Horatius Bonar, "Divine Love and Human Rejection of It")

Jeremiah 8:6, "I listen to their conversations, and what do I hear? Is anyone sorry for sin? Does anyone say, 'What a terrible thing I have done'? No! All are running down the path of sin as swiftly as a horse rushing into battle!"

Man is blind, madly blind, both to his danger and to his sin.
Furiously he plunges on in evil,
  from sin to sin,
  from lust to lust,
  defying God,
  braving His anger,
  ridiculing His threats,
  scoffing at His judgments,
  rushing against His sword,
  mocking at His Hell.

How much recklessness there is among us!
Recklessness in . . .
  sin,
  crime,
  self-indulgence,
  pleasure,
  lust.

Utter defiance of God!

Bold, unblushing audacity, which nothing will daunt; which mocks at . . .
  judgments,
  sorrows,
  trials,
  sermons,
  and plunges on in evil,
  treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath!

"I listen to their conversations, and what do I hear? Is anyone sorry for sin? Does anyone say, 'What a terrible thing I have done'? No! All are running down the path of sin as swiftly as a horse rushing into battle!"

(The only cure is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.)

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems - Free and Public Domain:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

Grimshaw's Covenant with God, December 1752

(J.C. Ryle, William Grimshaw)

Eternal and unchangeable Jehovah! Great Creator of Heaven and earth, and adorable Lord of angels and men! I desire with the deepest humiliation and abasement of soul to fall down at this time in Your solemn presence, and earnestly pray that You will penetrate my heart with a suitable sense of Your unutterable and inconceivable glories.

To You I now come, invited by Your love, and trusting Jesus' righteousness alone, laying myself at Your feet with shame and confusion of face; and smiting on my bosom, saying with the publican, God be merciful to me a sinner!

Glory be to You, O my Triune God! I desire and resolve to be wholly and forever Yours! Blessed God, I most solemnly surrender myself unto You. Hear, O Heaven, and give ear, O earth! I avow this day, the Lord to be my God, my Father, my Savior, and my portion forever! I am one of His covenant children forever. Record, O eternal Lord, in Your book of remembrance, that henceforth I am Yours forever. From this day I solemnly renounce all former lords--the world, the flesh, and the devil--in Your name. This day I give up myself to You, a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto You; which I know is my reasonable service.

To You I consecrate all my worldly possessions. In your service I desire and purpose to spend all my time, desiring You to teach me to spend every moment of it to Your glory and the setting forth of Your praise, in every station and relation of life I am now or may hereafter be in.

Nor do I only consecrate all that I have to your service, but I also most humbly resign and submit to Your holy and sovereign will all that I am. I leave, O Lord, to Your management and direction--all that I possess and all that I wish. I set my every enjoyment and interest before You to be disposed of as You please. Continue or remove what You have given me. Bestow or refuse what I imagine I need--as You see best. And though I dare not say that I will never repine--yet I hope I may say that I will labor not only to submit, but to cheerfully acquiesce to Your sovereign providence; not only to bear Your heaviest afflictions on me, but to consent to them and praise You for them; contentedly resolving, in all Your appointments, my will into Yours; esteeming myself as nothing--and You, O God, as the great Eternal All, whose word shall determine, and whose power shall order all things in the world.

Dispose my affairs, O God, in a manner which will be wholly subservient to Your glory and my own true happiness. And when I have done, borne, and endured Your will upon earth--call me home at whatever time and in whatever manner You please.


Grimshaw's last words were, "Here goes an unprofitable servant!"

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems - Free and Public Domain:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

Good News for Pilgrims!

(Don Fortner)

Here is good news for weary, heavy-hearted pilgrims from our homeland in Heaven. Do you have heartaches and troubles too numerous to count? It will do you good to receive some good news from home.

The Lord our God is still on His throne.

Our Savior is still in Heaven, preparing a place for you, representing you, interceding for you.

There are many in Heaven just like you and me already. There is . . .
  a fallen David there,
  a doubting Thomas there,
  an angry Moses there,
  a feeble Philip there,
  an impetuous Peter there,
  and a righteous Lot there.
All are there by grace alone, through the merits of Christ's blood and righteousness.

And, soon, the Lord Jesus Christ will come again to take you there!

John 14:1-3, "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems - Free and Public Domain:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

When we eat an apple

(John Newton)

Acts 17:11, "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."

Brethren, remember your exalted privilege--you have the Bible in your hands, and are not bound to follow books or preachers any farther than what they teach agrees with the Oracles of Truth. We have great reason to be thankful for the instructions and writings of spiritual men--but they are all fallible, even as ourselves. One is our master, even Christ--what He says, we are to receive implicitly. We do not owe implicit subjection to the best of our fellow-creatures. The Bereans were commended because they would not implicitly believe even the Apostle Paul--but searched the Scriptures to see whether the things which he taught were true. May the Lord give us a spirit of humility and discernment in all things.

When we eat an apple--we usually first cut out the blemishes, then eat what is good, and lastly throw the core away. Such a rule I would observe in reading human authors--the best may be defective, and the wisest may be mistaken. We are not only permitted, but enjoined, to call no man master!

2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems - Free and Public Domain:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

Even affliction is very useful and profitable to the godly!

(Daniel Rowlands)

Romans 8:28, "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."

Make no exception, when Paul makes none. ALL! Remember Paul excepts nothing.

Give glory to God, and resolve with Job, "Though He slays me--yet will I trust in Him."

The Almighty may seem for a season to be your enemy, in order that he may become your eternal friend.

Oh! Believers, after all your tribulation and anguish, you must conclude with David, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes."

Under all your disquietudes you must exclaim, "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!"

Even affliction is very useful and profitable to the godly!

The prodigal son had no thought of returning to his father's house until he had been humbled by adversity.

Hagar was haughty under Abraham's roof, and despised her mistress; but in the wilderness she was meek and lowly.

Jonah sleeps on board ship; but in the whale's belly he watches and prays.

Manasseh lived as a libertine at Jerusalem, and committed the most enormous crimes; but when he was bound in chains in the prison at Babylon his heart was turned to seek the Lord his God.

Bodily pain and disease have been instrumental in rousing many to seek Christ, when those who were in good health have given themselves no concern about Him.

The ground which is not rent and torn with the plough, bears nothing but thistles and thorns.

The vines will run wild in process of time, if they are not pruned and trimmed. So would our wild hearts be overrun with filthy, poisonous weeds--if the true Vine-dresser did not often check their growth by crosses and sanctified troubles.

See, therefore, that all the paths of the Lord are mercy, and that God causes ALL things to work together for good to those who love Him.

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems - Free and Public Domain:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

Oh, Christians, see what a harvest of blessings ripens from this text!

(Daniel Rowlands)

Romans 8:28, "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."

All the events that take place in the world carry on the same work--the glory of the Father and the salvation of His redeemed people.

Every illness and infirmity that may seize you,
every loss you may meet with,
every reproach you may endure,
every shame that may color your faces,
every sorrow in your hearts,
every agony and pain in your flesh,
every aching in your bones
--are for your good!

Every change in your condition . . .
  your fine weather and your rough weather,
  your sunny weather and your cloudy weather,
  your ebbing and your flowing,
  your liberty and your imprisonment
--all work for good.

Oh, Christians, see what a harvest of blessings ripens from this text!

The Lord is at work; all creation is at work; men and angels, friends and foes--all are busy working together for God's glory and your good.

Oh, dear Lord Jesus, what have you seen in us that you should order things so wondrously for us, and make all things to work together for our good?