Grace Gems

[nChrist]

Looking for some victim to devour!

(Thomas Watson, "The Lord's Prayer")

"Deliver us from evil." Matthew 6:13

In this petition, we pray to be delivered from the
evil of Satan--"the wicked one." Matthew 13:19.

In what respect is Satan the wicked one?

He was the first inventor of evil. John 8:44.

His inclination is only to evil. Ephesians 6:12.

His constant practice is doing evil. 1 Peter 5:8.

He has some hand in all the evils and mischief
which happen in the world.

He hinders from all good.

He provokes to evil. The devil blows the fire of lust
and strife. When men are proud, the old serpent has
poisoned them, and makes them swell!

He is a restless adversary--he never sleeps.

Satan is a subtle contriver; there is no place that
can secure us from his assaults and inroads.

Satan is a mighty adversary. He is called the
"strong man." Luke 11:21. He takes men captive
at his pleasure. "Who are taken captive by him
at his will." 2 Tim 2:26.

The devil glories in the damnation of souls. His work
is to angle for men's souls; he lays suitable baits.

He allures the ambitious man with honor.

He allures the covetous man with riches;
he baits his hook with silver!

He allures allures the lustful man with beauty;
he tempts men to Delilah's lap--to keep them
from Abraham's bosom!

How needful then is this prayer, "Lord, deliver
us from the evil one!"

"Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the
 Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around
 like a roaring lion, looking for some victim
 to devour!" 1 Peter 5:8.

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[Def]

Looking for some victim to devour!

(Thomas Watson, "The Lord's Prayer")

"Deliver us from evil." Matthew 6:13

In this petition, we pray to be delivered from the
evil of Satan--"the wicked one." Matthew 13:19.

In what respect is Satan the wicked one?

He was the first inventor of evil. John 8:44.

His inclination is only to evil. Ephesians 6:12.

His constant practice is doing evil. 1 Peter 5:8.

He has some hand in all the evils and mischief
which happen in the world.

He hinders from all good.

He provokes to evil. The devil blows the fire of lust
and strife. When men are proud, the old serpent has
poisoned them, and makes them swell!

He is a restless adversary--he never sleeps.

Satan is a subtle contriver; there is no place that
can secure us from his assaults and inroads.

Satan is a mighty adversary. He is called the
"strong man." Luke 11:21. He takes men captive
at his pleasure. "Who are taken captive by him
at his will." 2 Tim 2:26.

The devil glories in the damnation of souls. His work
is to angle for men's souls; he lays suitable baits.

He allures the ambitious man with honor.

He allures the covetous man with riches;
he baits his hook with silver!

He allures allures the lustful man with beauty;
he tempts men to Delilah's lap--to keep them
from Abraham's bosom!

How needful then is this prayer, "Lord, deliver
us from the evil one!"

"Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the
 Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around
 like a roaring lion, looking for some victim
 to devour!" 1 Peter 5:8.

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AMEN

[nChrist]

A vexing vanity!

(Thomas Watson, "The Lord's Prayer")

"Deliver us from evil." Matthew 6:13

In this petition, we pray to be delivered from the
evil world. "He died for our sins, just as God our
Father planned--in order to rescue us from this
evil world in which we live." Galatians 1:4

It is an evil world, as it is a DEFILING world. The
opinions and examples of the world are defiling.
How easily are we hurried to sin, when we have the
tide of natural corruption, and the wind of example
to carry us! "You shall not follow a multitude to do
evil." Exodus 23:2. Bad examples are contagious.
"They mingled among the pagans--and adopted
their evil customs." Psalm 106:35.

Living in the world, is like traveling on a dirty road.
It requires a high degree of grace to keep ourselves
"unspotted by the world." James 1:27.

It is an evil world, as it is an ENSNARING world. The
world is full of snares. Company is a snare; recreation
is a snare; riches are golden snares. The apostle John
speaks of the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes
and the pride of life." 1 John 2:16. The lust of the flesh
is beauty; the lust of the eye is money; the pride of life
is honor. These are the natural man's trinity.

The world is a flattering enemy. Whom it kisses--it betrays;
it is a silken halter. The pleasures of the world, like opium,
cast men into the sleep of carnal security. Lysimachus sold
his crown for a cup of water. Just so, many part with heaven
--for the world. They are enslaved with the world's golden
fetters! The world bewitched Demas. 2 Timothy 4:10. One
of Christ's own apostles was caught with a silver bait. It is
hard to drink the wine of prosperity--and not be giddy. The
world, through our innate corruption, is evil, as it is a snare.

It is an evil world, as it is a DEADENING world. It dulls and
deadens the affections to heavenly objects. Earthly things
choke the seed of the Word. A man entangled in the world
is so taken up with secular concerns, that he can no more
mind the things above--than an elephant can fly in the air!
And even such as have grace in them--when their affections
are beslimed with earth, they find themselves much
indisposed to meditation and prayer; it is like swimming
with a heavy stone around the neck!

It is an evil world, as it is a DECEITFUL world. The
world makes us believe it will satisfy our desires--
but it only increases them!

It is an evil world, as it is a VEXING world. It is full of
trouble. "In this world you will have trouble." John 16:33.

Basil was of opinion that before the fall--the rose grew
without prickles; but now every sweet flower of our life
has its thorns! There are many things which cause trouble.
Some are troubled that they have no children, others that
they have children. The world is a vexing vanity! If a
man is poor--he is despised by the rich; if he is rich--he
is envied by the poor. If we do not find an ensnaring
world, we shall find it an afflicting world; it has more
in it to trouble us than tempt us.

The world is a sea, where we are tossed upon the surging
waves of sorrow, and often in danger of shipwreck!

The world is a wilderness, full of fiery serpents!

What great need then, have we to pray, "Lord,
deliver us from being hurt by this evil world!"

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[nChrist]

O the love of His royal heart!

(William Mason, "The Believers Pocket Companion")

"Christ is all!" Colossians 3:2

O for the pen of a ready writer, to set forth the matchless
glory and unparalleled excellence of the King--the King of
Kings--the King of saints, even King Jesus!

We were once stout-hearted rebels against His crown and
government! But, O the love of His royal heart! Instead
of executing fierce vengeance upon us, for our sins--lo, He
came from heaven to earth, with a flame of love in His
heart, and matchless grace on His lips--on purpose . . .
  to die for us,
  to wash us from our sins in His own blood,
  to conquer the rebellion of our hearts against Him,
  and to win our affections to Him!

Has He saved us by His precious blood? Has He made us
His willing, loving disciples, by His powerful grace? Surely
then, we should live in the sweet enjoyment of all the rich
blessings of his kingdom, and be holy and happy every
day, yes, every hour--IN HIM. This is His loving will
concerning us.

O for a single eye to look unto Jesus, a humble heart to
sit at His feet, and a simple soul to hear and believe every
word from His gracious lips, that we may know the love of
Christ--constantly know it by a heartfelt sense of it. This,
this is the one thing needful--to make poor sinners rich,
and miserable sinners happy in time, and joyful to all
eternity!

Remember your chief employment. It is not merely to
make a profession, and to keep up a form of godliness;
but to maintain and keep up a warm, lively, comfortable
sense of the love of Christ in your hearts, from day to
day, yes, from hour to hour!

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[nChrist]

If the eye is once inflamed

(Thomas Watson, "The Lord's Prayer")

If we would be kept from actual sins--let us be
careful to avoid all the inlets and occasions of sin.

Do not run into evil company. He who would not
catch the plague--must not go into an infected house.

Guard your senses, which may be the inlets to sin.
Keep the two portals--the eye and the ear. Especially
guard your eyes. Much sin comes in by the eye; the
eye is often an inlet to sin; sin takes fire at the eye.

The first sin in the world, began at the eye. "When
the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for
food and pleasing to the eye--she took some and ate
it." Genesis 3:6

Intemperance begins at the eye, "Do not gaze at wine
when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup. In the end it
bites like a snake and poisons like a viper!" Pr. 23:31-32

Covetousness begins at the eye. "When I saw among
the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and a wedge
of gold, I coveted them and took them." Joshua 7:21

The fire of lust begins to kindle at the eye. David walking
upon the roof of his house, saw a woman washing herself,
and she was, says the text, "beautiful to look upon," and
he sent messengers and took her, and defiled himself with
her. 2 Samuel 11:2. Looking begat lusting!

Therefore watch your eyes! Job made a covenant with
his eyes. Job 31:1. If the eye is once inflamed, it will
be hard to stand out long against sin. If the outworks
are captured by the enemy, there is great danger of the
whole castle being captured!

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[nChrist]

A continual supply of grace, comfort, and strength

(William Mason, "The Believers Pocket Companion")

"I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me
 and gave Himself for me!" Galatians 2:20

That the believer may live cheerfully and comfortably,
he is exhorted to the free and constant use of Christ.

O consider—Christ is given to us—to be enjoyed by us!

He is the bread of life. We are to feed upon Him daily.

He is the water of life, which our souls are to drink of
constantly.

He is our righteousness. We are to put Him on continually.

So then, we not only have a precious Christ—but we are
also to use Him—and enjoy His preciousness! He is not
only a well of salvation—but we must draw water out of
it with joy—and drink of it to the refreshing of our souls!

Deeply consider, that without this inward enjoyment
of Christ—you cannot be . . .
  happy in your soul,
  comfortable in your walk,
  nor holy in your life.

We must live by faith upon Christ—so as to derive a
continual supply of grace, comfort, and strength
from Him! "I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved
me and gave Himself for me!" Galatians 2:20

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[nChrist]

How is all this to be done?

(William Mason, "The One Thing Needful to Make
 Poor Sinners Rich—and Miserable Sinners Happy")

Before the believer arrives to the full enjoyment
of Christ in eternal glory, he has . . .
  many enemies to encounter;
  many trials and troubles to conflict with;
  a body of sin and death to be delivered from;
  many lusts to be mortified;
  many corruptions to be subdued;
  a legion of sins to strive against;
  graces to be exercised;
  duties to be performed;
in one word—he has to glorify Christ
in the world, by his life and walk.

How is all this to be done?

Only by Christ strengthening him. Therefore
he is constantly to put on Christ—to attain a
greater knowledge of Christ—more rich and
sweet experience of His grace and love—to be
more strongly rooted in His love. He must have
his heart, his hopes, his affections more with
Christ, and his soul more swallowed up in the
ocean of God's everlasting love in Christ—that
he may be more conformed to Christ's image;
and that thus, as a good soldier of Christ, he
may manfully fight under His banner against
the world, the flesh, and the devil, unto his
life's end.

"I can do all things through Christ, who
 strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

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[nChrist]

A little book, which contains only three pages

(William Mason, "The One Thing Needful to Make
 Poor Sinners Rich--and Miserable Sinners Happy")

I have read of a godly man who was once very dissolute.
When converted, his former companions sought to bring
him back to his former wicked courses. But he told them,
"I am deeply engaged in meditating on a little book,
which contains only three pages; so at present I
have no time for other business."

Sometime after, being asked if he had finished his book,
he replied, "No; for though it contains only three pages,
yet there is so much comprised in them, that I have
devoted myself to read therein, all the days of my life.

The first page is red. Here I mediate on the sufferings
of my Lord and Savior, His shedding His precious blood,
as an atonement for my sins, and a ransom for my soul,
without which I must have been a damned sinner in
hell, to all eternity!

The second page is white. This cheers my heart with
the wonderful consideration of the unspeakable joys
of heaven obtained for me by Christ--and of being
forever with Him!

The third page is black. Here I think of the horrible
state of the damned--and the perpetual torments
they are suffering in hell. O this excites thankfulness
to my Savior, for His wonderful love and rich grace,
in snatching me as a brand out of hell-fire, and
saving me from eternal destructions!"

Here is a good man, a good book, and a good
example for you and I. "Let us go and do likewise."
Constantly meditate upon Christ; upon the wrath He
has saved us from--and the glory He has saved us to!

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[nChrist]

Christ sin self

(William Mason, "The One Thing Needful to Make
Poor Sinners Rich--and Miserable Sinners Happy")

Where Christ is most precious--
  there sin is exceedingly sinful;
  and self is humbled and loathed!

But--do we not grow stronger in ourselves, and
find more help and power from ourselves--
  to withstand our enemies,
  to fight our good fight,
  to run our race, and
  to perfect holiness?

No! If we think so--it is plain that we are not
growing up into Christ--but growing down into
self! If the Lord has given me to know anything
of this matter, after being upwards of twenty
years in precious Christ, I sincerely declare, that
I find myself to be just that weak, helpless sinner
I was when I first came to Jesus with, "Lord help
me! Lord save me--or I perish!" Yes, I find myself
more helpless now--than I thought myself then.
I see more constant need to put on Christ, and
to say, "truly in the Lord (not in myself) I have
strength!"

I never more firmly believed than now, this truth
of my Lord, "Without Me, you can do nothing." John
15:5. Never, never did I see less cause to trust in
my own strength!

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

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[nChrist]

They lick the dust!

(Thomas Watson)

"For where your treasure is--there your heart
 will be also." Matthew 6:21

Covetous people make the world their treasure.
Their treasure does most command their hearts.
They can no more live above the world--than a
fish can live out of the water. They have the
serpent's curse upon them--they lick the dust!
"Cursed are you above all the livestock and all the
 wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you
 will eat dust all the days of your life!" Genesis 3:14

Without God--O how empty and insignificant
are all worldly things! They are . . .
    earthly in their matter,
    painful in their procuring,
    glutting in their fruition,
    fleeting in their duration,
    damning in their conclusion!

"But godliness with contentment is a great gain!"
     1 Timothy 6:6

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[nChrist]

We have been admiring our vile selves!

(William Mason, "The One Thing Needful to Make
Poor Sinners Rich--and Miserable Sinners Happy")

"I hate pride and arrogance!" Proverbs 8:13

What a monster of pride is man! How full of that
cursed venom, is human nature! We cannot receive any
grace or blessing from the Lord--but corrupt nature is
prone to be proud of it--and to boast in it! No one is
exempt from this. I appeal to your hearts. I refer to
your experience. When your heart has been enlarged
in prayer; when your soul has been carried out in
humblings, meltings, longings, aspirings, etc.; when
you have heard the Word with warm affections and
heavenly joy; when your tongue has with sweetness
and liberty, talked of Christ to others; when your hand
has been stretched forth to do any good work; now in
all these--have you not found pride very busy? Have
not you been ready to stroke yourself with pleasure,
and to reflect with delight: "Well, now the Lord loves
me indeed! Surely He loves me better--now that I
find myself so holy--and feel myself so heavenly!"

But where is our precious Jesus all this while? We have
looked at ourselves--until we have lost sight of Him!
We have been admiring our vile selves for our
graces--instead of being in raptures with Christ, who
is altogether lovely, in whom all fullness of grace
dwells, and out of whose fullness we receive grace
upon grace!

"The Lord detests all the proud of heart!" Proverbs 16:5

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[nChrist]

Death cannot hurt you!

(William Mason, "The One Thing Needful to Make
Poor Sinners Rich--and Miserable Sinners Happy")

Christian! Death cannot hurt you! Death is your
best friend--who is commissioned by Christ to summon
you from the world of vanity and woe, and from a body
of sin and death--to the blissful regions of glory and
immortality, to meet your Lord, and to be forever
with Him!

In the Marian persecution, a godly woman was
brought before "Bloody Bonner", bishop of London,
on account of her faith in Christ.

The bishop threatened he would take her husband.
Said she, "Christ is my husband!"

Said he, "I will take away your child."
Said she, "Christ is better to me than ten sons!"

Said he, "I will strip you of all your comforts."
Said she, "Christ is mine, and you cannot strip me
of Him! Take away whatever you will--you cannot
take away my Christ from me!"

Just so, death may threaten to take all from you.
But you may boldly put death at defiance, as she
did Satan's bishop. Having Christ in your heart,
you will take a smiling leave of the world, and (as
good old Simeon, with Christ in his arms) say,
"Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now
dismiss your servant in peace, for my eyes have
seen Your salvation!" Luke 2:29, 30.

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[nChrist]

A rod of love to whip you!

(William Mason, "The One Thing Needful to Make
Poor Sinners Rich—and Miserable Sinners Happy")

"The one who will not use the rod hates his son, but the
 one who loves him disciplines him diligently." Prov. 13:24

There are certain plants which grow in the Red Sea,
which, though they are covered with water, and beat
upon by the waves—they stand like an immovable rock.
They are bettered by the roughness of the sea.

Just so, a Christian planted in the Red Sea of Christ's
blood—is armored against all waves of trouble. He is
improved by afflictions; yes, the more he is beat
upon, and though overwhelmed with the billows of
distress and trouble—the better he thrives, and the
more his soul flourishes in spiritual grace! For this is
the loving design of our Lord in all our troubles and
afflictions—to wean us from the world, and to endear
Himself to us! Every affliction has its commission from
Him. It comes with the impress of His love upon it.

I have often found by experience, and confessed
with joy—that a sick bed has proved like a hotbed
to my soul. It has drawn up warm desires, and longing
affections to Christ. And I have sweetly found the Sun
of Righteousness arising upon me—reviving, cheering
and comforting my soul.

It is your wisdom to see the rod of chastisement, in
the hand of your loving heavenly Father. All your
afflictions are chastenings from the Lord—they are
all sent in love! He deals with you as with a son in
whom He delights, and whom He designs to profit.
He does not punish you with vindictive wrath—He
is not taking vengeance of you for your sins. Your
Father is not so much punishing you for your sins,
as from your sins. That is, in all His chastisements,
He intends your spiritual good . . .
  that you should be more a partaker of His holiness;
  that sin may be more exceedingly sinful;
  that you should more humble and vile in your own eyes,
  that Jesus should be more inestimably precious to you.

All affliction is a rod of love to whip you from the
world, self, and sin—into Christ, that you should more
love and enjoy Him, who is your righteousness, life
and salvation!

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[Def]

A rod of love to whip you!

(William Mason, "The One Thing Needful to Make
Poor Sinners Rich—and Miserable Sinners Happy")

"The one who will not use the rod hates his son, but the
 one who loves him disciplines him diligently." Prov. 13:24

There are certain plants which grow in the Red Sea,
which, though they are covered with water, and beat
upon by the waves—they stand like an immovable rock.
They are bettered by the roughness of the sea.

Just so, a Christian planted in the Red Sea of Christ's
blood—is armored against all waves of trouble. He is
improved by afflictions; yes, the more he is beat
upon, and though overwhelmed with the billows of
distress and trouble—the better he thrives, and the
more his soul flourishes in spiritual grace! For this is
the loving design of our Lord in all our troubles and
afflictions—to wean us from the world, and to endear
Himself to us! Every affliction has its commission from
Him. It comes with the impress of His love upon it.

I have often found by experience, and confessed
with joy—that a sick bed has proved like a hotbed
to my soul. It has drawn up warm desires, and longing
affections to Christ. And I have sweetly found the Sun
of Righteousness arising upon me—reviving, cheering
and comforting my soul.

It is your wisdom to see the rod of chastisement, in
the hand of your loving heavenly Father. All your
afflictions are chastenings from the Lord—they are
all sent in love! He deals with you as with a son in
whom He delights, and whom He designs to profit.
He does not punish you with vindictive wrath—He
is not taking vengeance of you for your sins. Your
Father is not so much punishing you for your sins,
as from your sins. That is, in all His chastisements,
He intends your spiritual good . . .
  that you should be more a partaker of His holiness;
  that sin may be more exceedingly sinful;
  that you should more humble and vile in your own eyes,
  that Jesus should be more inestimably precious to you.

All affliction is a rod of love to whip you from the
world, self, and sin—into Christ, that you should more
love and enjoy Him, who is your righteousness, life
and salvation!

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That Jesus Christ should be more inestimaly precious to me.
thank you Tom
Love in Jesus Def (';')

[nChrist]

That Jesus Christ should be more inestimaly precious to me.
thank you Tom
Love in Jesus Def (';')

Hello Sister Def,

You are most welcome. These truly are priceless treasures from the past, but they are just are true today, and they are still blessing those who read them. I really enjoy them and get good ideas for study from them.

Love In Christ,
Tom

1 Corinthians 12:27 NASB
Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it.