Grace Gems

[nChrist]

Daily supplies

(Thomas Vincent, "Love to the Unseen Christ")

Such as are very wealthy, are greatly loved by the
poor and indigent—if they find them also to have
large hearts and open hands—ready to distribute
unto their needs and necessities.

Consider Christ's fullness and all-sufficiency. None
have such fullness and plenty as the Lord Jesus
Christ—and none are so willing to give unto the
needs of such as are poor in spirit, and sensible
of their need.

"It has pleased the Father, that in Him all fullness
should dwell!" Colossians 1:19. There is not only
fullness in Him—but all fullness! Not the fullness
of the cistern—but the fullness of the fountain!
Not the fullness only of sufficiency for Himself—but
the fullness of redundancy for His people! Not some
fullness for some good things—but all fullness for
all good things! Not fullness for some time, and to
continue but for awhile—but all fullness dwells in
Him, and abides for all His people throughout all
generations!

Christians have need of daily supplies of
Christ's grace. They have need of Christ . . .
  when they are dark—to enlighten them;
  when they are deadened—to quicken them;
  when they are straitened—to enlarge them;
  when they are weak—to strengthen them;
  when they are sad—to comfort them;
  when they are tempted—to support them;
  when they are fallen—to raise them;
  when they are in doubts—to resolve them;
  when they are under fears—to encourage them;
  when they stagger—to establish them;
  when they wander—to restore them!
None but Christ can do all this—and more
than this, for them!

You are empty—Christ is full!
You are poor—Christ is rich!
You are indigent—Christ is all-sufficient!

Christians, will not you love Christ—who is able
to do for you beyond what you are able to ask
or think; and is as willing as He is able to supply
all your spiritual necessities? Will you not love
Christ—who is an overflowing and everflowing
fountain of goodness; who has inexhaustible
treasures of graces and comforts in Him, which
are set open before you, and unto you—and
every day you may freely come and fetch such
jewels out of His treasury as are of higher worth,
and of greater use, than any earthly riches!

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[nChrist]

Consider what Christ is to you!

(Thomas Vincent, "Love to the Unseen Christ")

Christian! Consider what Christ is to you!

Christ is your Shepherd—He feeds you in green
pastures. He has laid down His life for His sheep.
Will you not love such a Shepherd?

Christ is your Captain—who has conquered all
your enemies for you, and leads you on to take
the spoils. Will you not love such a Leader?

Christ is your Prophet—who teaches you the
most excellent things which ever were taught,
the highest mysteries, the most glorious truths,
which are of the greatest concern to know and
believe! He teaches you in the most excellent
way—by His Word and Spirit; opening your
understandings as well as His truths, giving
you light and an eye to discern this light.
Will you not love such a Teacher?

Christ is your High Priest—who has made an
atoning sacrifice for your sins to reconcile you
unto God. He now makes intercession for you
—which is incessant and prevalent. Will you
not love such an Advocate?

Christ is your King—who rules you most wisely,
powerfully, righteously and graciously. Will you
not love such a Sovereign?

Christ is your Benefactor—the most kind and
bountiful. No gifts are comparable unto His gifts!
Will you not love such a Friend?

Christ is your Brother—if He is not ashamed
to own you for His brothers and sisters—will it
not be a shame if you should withhold from
Him your hearts?

Christ is your Husband—and you are joined
to Him in such bonds as cannot be broken.
Will not you embrace Him in the arms of
your dearest love?

Christ is your Redeemer—who rescued and
delivered you from sin and Satan, from death
and wrath! He has redeemed you by price, the
price of His blood. Has He not, then, given the
greatest price for your love? He has redeemed
you also by conquest. Shall He not make a
conquest of your hearts?

Surely you are altogether unworthy of these
relations—if you do not present Christ with
your most endeared and choicest affections.

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[nChrist]

Undeserving, ill-deserving, hell-deserving!

(Thomas Vincent, "Love to the Unseen Christ")

        How may I attain great degrees of love to Christ?

        Be much in holy contemplation of Christ. Spend time in secret retirement, and there think and think again — of the superlative excellencies and perfections which are in Christ. Think how wonderful and matchless His love is: what heights of His love — which cannot be reached; what depths of His love — which cannot be fathomed; what dimensions of His love — which cannot be comprehended!

        O the ravishments of love! O the transports of soul, which some believers have found in their retired thoughts and views of Christ!

        "O dear Jesus, how lovely are You in Yourself — the darling of heaven! The delight of the Father! The admiration of angels! O what brightness of glory, what shining luster are You arrayed with! You are clothed with most excellent majesty and honor! You are girded with infinite might and power! The beauty of Your face is most wonderful! The smiles of Your countenance are most sweet and delightful!"

        "And does this beauteous One, this fairest of ten thousand, this most excellent and altogether lovely One — bear a special love to me? To such a vile worm as me! To such a dead dog as me! To such an undeserving, ill-deserving, hell-deserving sinner as me! O what marvelous kindness in this! What infinite riches of free grace! Has He given Himself for me, and given Himself to me — and shall not I give Him my heart! Am I written in His book, redeemed with His blood, clothed with His righteousness, beautified with His image! Has He made me His child, and prepared a place in the Father's house for me! O how wonderful! O how astonishing!"

        "What shall I render unto Him? What returns shall I make? Had I a thousand tongues — should I not employ them all in speaking His praise? Had I a thousand hearts — should I not present them all, as too poor for a thank-offering unto Him? And yet am I slow — slow of heart, to love this dear and sweet Jesus! Awake, O my soul! Awake from your dullness and stupidity! Shake out the dust of the earth which has gotten into your eyes — and keeps you from the view of your matchless Beloved! Arise, O my soul, unfetter yourself, take the wing, and mount up above the sky and visible heavens — to the place where my lovely and dear Jesus is! Bid farewell to the flattering honors, the deceitful riches, the glancing pleasures — which are here below! Bid adieu to them, and leave them to those who place their chief happiness in them!"

        "Why do you hang downwards, O my soul? Why do you bend so much to the earth and earthly things? Everything here below — is altogether unworthy of your love. How empty and vain and thorny — are these worldly things! Do not waste your time — and weary yourself for every vanity! Do not sting and wound yourself with these things anymore!"

        "Come, O my soul! Ascend, and soar aloft — with your thoughts, and desires, and loves, and hopes, and joys — unto the heavens! There you may see, and view, and admire, and embrace your dearest Lord Jesus!"

        Such retired contemplations of Christ, and soliloquies, and pleadings with your own souls, when alone by yourselves — will tend exceedingly to the promotion of your love unto Christ.

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[nChrist]

Oh, the height! Oh the depth!

(Thomas Vincent, "Love to the Unseen Christ")

"Because of His great love that He had for us!"
    Ephesians 2:4

"We love Him—because He first loved us."
    1 John 4:19

Christian! Christ loves you with the FREEST love.
There are many motives and attractions for your
love to Christ—but Christ's love to you is most free.

There is nothing in yourselves to draw and engage
His love—except your deformity and enmity to Him;
except filthiness which He loathes, and wickedness
which His soul hates; these are the only motives.

There is no man in the world who loves you, but
he finds or fancies something to be a motive to
draw his love to you.
Wit is a motive to some,
wealth is a motive to others,
beauty is a motive to some,
strength is a motive to others,
near relation is a motive to some,
dear love is a motive to others,
liberality is a motive to some,
service is a motive to others,
greatness is a motive to some,
goodness is a motive to others,
likeness, whether it is in good or evil,
is a motive to the love of the most.

But Christ's love to you is altogether free!
That which is a motive to men, and induces
their love to you—is no motive to incline the
love of Christ.

The sin which you brought into the world with
you, and the many sins which, since you came
into the world, have been committed by you,
are enough to shut out all motives of love in
Christ, unto whom all sin is so odious and
abominable!

Whatever motive induces Christ to love you,
it was not drawn from yourselves—but it was
drawn from His own affectionate heart!

Will not this free love of Christ to you—incline
you to love Him? Does He love you most freely,
and will you not love Him most dearly? Did
Christ love you without any motive to draw
His love—and will you not love Christ, in whom
there are so many motives to draw your love?
Did Christ love you with all your sinfulness
and vileness—and will you not love Him in
whom there is such perfect beauty?

Christ's free and sovereign love, is a matter
of the greatest admiration—and should be a
motive for the greatest affection unto Him.

Christ loves you with the TRUEST love.
The love of Christ is not in the least selfish,
and for His own ends. He does not love you
to receive good from you—but that He might
do good unto you. He chiefly He evidences His
love in affliction and adversity. He is a present
help in the time of trouble, and then gives the
most tender demonstrations of His love. He is
touched with the feelings of your infirmities
when you are tempted; and sympathizes with
you in your sorrows when you are afflicted.
He shows His love in visiting you under your
troubles, in supporting you, in relieving you,
and in delivering you. Oh! What love should
you have unto the Lord Jesus Christ—who
loves you with such a true and sincere love!

Christ loves you with the STRONGEST love.
His love is stronger than death. The strength
of Christ's love to you, shows itself in what
He has done for you! It was the strong love of
Christ, which brought Him down from heaven
for you, to assume your nature. What kind of
love was this—that God should become man!
That He who made the world—should be born
of a poor virgin, and all for your sakes!

It was the love of Christ, which made Him lay
down His life for you. John 15:13-14, "Greater
love has no man than this, that a man lay down
his life for his friends. You are My friends!" That
such a person as Christ, so excellent, so innocent
—should undergo death, and such a death as that
of the cross—so disgraceful, so painful; that He
should submit to such ignominy, and endure such
agony—and with such resolution and willingness,
with such submission and patience—and that for
such as you, who were His enemies—here was
love stronger than death! Oh, the height! Oh
the depth of this love! There are such depths
in this love of Christ, as the longest line of your
most extended thoughts and imaginations, can
never be able to reach and measure!

"May you experience the love of Christ, though
 it is so great you will never fully understand it!"
     Ephesians 3:19

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[nChrist]

Your hearts have gone a-whoring from Him!

(Thomas Vincent, "Christ's manifestation of Himself
unto those who love Him")

"I hold this against you: You have forsaken your
 first love!" Revelation 2:4

Time has been, when worldly affections seemed
to be mortified within you—to be dead and buried.
Many a sore thrust and wound you had given unto
them—and how they bled, and fainted, and grew
so weak—that they seemed to be dying, and you
have thought surely they would never stir much
in you any more. Then your love to Christ was
strong and active—it burned and flamed within
you! And O the zeal which you then had for your
Master's honor!

But now—your affections to Christ are strangely
cooled! If there is the fire of love to Christ still
within you—it is not fire in burning coals, or in
a vehement flame—but it is a fire in a few
scattered sparks, which give neither light nor
heat, and are hardly, if at all, discernable! Your
worldly affections, which seemed to be dead—
have gotten life, and vigor, and strength! O the
eager desire which you now have after the world
and the things in the world! Now the world has
your thoughts in plans about it; and the world
has your tongues in your frequent discourse of it.
Now the world has your hand and your time—but
that which is worst of all—is that the world has
your heart too! The world has jostled Christ
off His throne! And is it then a wonder—if your
Beloved is offended, because your hearts have
gone a-whoring from Him—unto the world!
You have lost your first love to Christ! Now your
spiritual joys and comforts are fled out of sight;
they are lost and gone! Your worldly delights
have expelled and banished your spiritual delights!

Your minding and savoring so much the earth and
earthly things—has disrelished your spiritual appetite!
O the mischief which indulged sin has done unto you!
O the deep and dangerous wounds—which sin has
given you! O the defilements of sin in your consciences,
and the stains and blots which sin has cast upon your
profession! O the havoc which sin has made among
your graces, and among your spiritual comforts!

You have still leaves of an outward profession—but
where is your fruit? If you have some fruit—it is
withered and sour fruit—not such ripe and mellow
and sweet fruit, as before in your flourishing estate!

"Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God. Your sins
 have been your downfall! Take words with you and
 return to the Lord. Say to Him—Forgive all our sins
 and receive us graciously!" Hosea 14:1-2

"Remember the height from which you have fallen!
Repent and do the things you did at first!" Rev. 2:5
Ransack your hearts to find out your sins! Humble
yourselves deeply! Repent, and grieve, and mourn!

Then plead with Christ, "Come, Lord Jesus, come
quickly! Make haste, O my Beloved! Make haste to
my soul that thirsts for You—as the wounded deer
thirsts after the cooling and refreshing streams of
the water brooks! O When shall I see You again,
and feed, and feast my soul again with Your love!
When, Lord, O when will You come unto me? Will
You cast me off forever? Shall this curtain always
be drawn before Your face? Truly, Lord, I have
grievously sinned, and greatly offended You; but
do I not truly repent? Is there anything in the
world so grievous unto me—as the remembrance
of my sins against You? I acknowledge my offense,
my folly, and horrid ingratitude! Shall my sins be
always a wall of separation between me and my
Beloved? Are not Your mercies plentiful? Is there
not forgiveness with You—that You may be feared,
and the more dearly beloved? Do You not forgive
freely, without upbraiding? Have You not promised
to be found by all those who diligently seek You?
And did You ever fail in Your word unto any? And
shall I be the first! I am grieved for my sin—and
ashamed of my folly! Have You not promised to
manifest Yourself unto those who love You? And
do not I love You? You know all things—You know
that I love You! Though my love is imperfect—yet
it is true! Though it is weak—yet it is sincere!
Hasten, my Beloved! O hasten unto me! And be
as a deer upon the mountains of spices! Do not veil
Your face from me any longer! Do not conceal Your
love! O now, draw near, and make me exceeding
glad in the beauty of Your face, and in Your loving
embrace!"

Such desires and pleadings as these, might prevail
with the Lord to return and say unto you, "My dear
child, I have heard your prayers, your desires, and
your cries! Your pleadings have prevailed with Me,
and I am now come unto you—be it done to you
according to your desires! Come, child, and look up!
Here I am! behold Me, behold Me! I assure you that
I am yours—and you are Mine—and shall be Mine
forever!"

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[nChrist]

There must be a difference

(J. C. Ryle, "The Gospel of Matthew" 1856)

"You are the salt of the earth." Matthew 5:13

"You are the light of the world." Matthew 5:14

Surely, if words mean anything, we are meant
to learn from these two figures, that there must
be something marked, distinct, and peculiar
about our character, if we are true Christians.

It will never do to idle through life, thinking
and living like others, if we mean to be owned
by Christ as His people.

Have we grace? Then it must be seen.

Have we the Spirit? Then there must be fruit.

Have we any saving religion? Then there
must be a difference of habits, tastes, and
turn of mind, between us and those who think
only of the world.

It is perfectly clear that true Christianity
is something more, than being baptized
and going to church.

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[nChrist]

This cruel foe will surely seize you!

(Henry Law, "The Gospel in Numbers" 1858 )

Satan claims the sinning soul as his. He has
commission to destroy all who are sin-stained.

His eye is keen.

His steps have lightning speed.

His hate is bitter.

He delights to slaughter souls, and
drag them to the beds of flames!

Ah! sinner, tremble!

This cruel foe will surely seize you—unless
you reach some shelter higher far than earth;
some fortress stronger than human arm can
raise.

Where shall you flee? Is there a refuge?

Draw near, you guilty sons of men. You need
not die! Approach, all you whom sin oppresses,
whom conscience terrifies, and whom torturing
memory scares.

You may be safe! Flee, all who tremble, lest
your souls should perish! You may have peace.
Fears may be lulled. Anguish may proceed to
joy. You may face every foe, and laugh to
scorn their every threat.

There is a Refuge! It is Christ the Lord.

God has been pleased, in wondrous love, in
overflowing grace, to set Jesus as a sheltering
sanctuary. The word is pledged, that all in Him
are everlastingly secure. "There is therefore
now no condemnation to those who are in
Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1.

Flee to Him! Flee!

Rush to Jesus!

The vilest sinner, nestling in His arms, is safe.
He is as safe as the inhabitants of the highest
heaven; as safe as Jehovah on His throne!

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[nChrist]

Life is too short; Love is too sacred

(J. R. Miller, "About Temper", 1912)

    "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

    The ideal Christian life, is one of unbroken kindliness. It is dominated by love—the love whose portrait is drawn for us in the immortal thirteenth chapter of First Corinthians. We have but to turn to the gospel pages, to find the story of a Life in which all this was realized. Jesus never lost his temper. He lived among people who tried Him at every point—some by their dullness, others by their bitter enmity and persecution, but He never failed in sweetness of disposition, in long-suffering patience, in self-denying love. Like the flowers which give out their perfume only when crushed, like the odoriferous wood which bathes with fragrance the ax which hews it—the life of Christ yielded only the tenderer, sweeter love to the rough impact of men's rudeness and wrong. That is the pattern on which we should strive to fashion our life and our character. Every outbreak of violent temper, every shade of ugliness in disposition, mars the radiant loveliness of the picture we are seeking to have fashioned in our lives.

    The perfect beauty of Christ, should ever be envisioned in our hearts, as that which we would attain for ourselves. The honor of our Master's name, should impel us to strive ever toward Christlikeness in spirit and in disposition.

    We represent Christ in this world; people cannot see Him, and they must look at us to see a little of what He is like. Whatever great work we may do for Christ, if we fail to live out His life of patience and kindness, we fail in an essential part of our duty as Christians. "The servant of the Lord must be gentle." Only as our own lives shine in the brightness of holy affectionateness, and our hearts and lips distill the sweetness of patience and gentleness, can we fulfill our mission in this world as Christ's true messengers to men.

    Life is too short to spend even one day of it in bickering and strife. Love is too sacred to be forever lacerated and torn by the ugly briers of sharp temper. Surely we ought to learn to be patient with others, since God has to show every day such infinite patience toward us. Can we not, then, train our life to sweeter gentleness? Can we not learn to be touched even a little roughly, without resenting it? Can we not bear little injuries and apparent injustices, without flying into an unseemly rage? Can we not have in us something of the mind of Christ which will enable us, like Him—to endure all wrong and injury and give back no word or look of bitterness?

    There is no temper so obdurately bad—that it cannot be trained into sweetness. The grace of God can take the most unlovely life—and transform it into the image of Christ!

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[nChrist]

A little picture of Christ!

(J. R. Miller, "Transformed by Beholding" 1912)

No sooner do we begin to behold the lovely face of Christ, which looks out at us from the gospel chapters, than a great hope springs up in our hearts. We can become like Jesus! Indeed, if we are God's children, we shall become like Him. We are foreordained to be conformed to His image. It matters not, how faintly the divine beauty glimmers now in our soiled and imperfect lives—some day we shall be like Him! As we struggle here with imperfections and infirmities, with scarcely one trace of Christlikeness yet apparent in our life, we still may say, when we catch glimpses of the glorious loveliness of Christ, "Some day I shall be like that!" "For those He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son!" Romans 8:29. "We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him as He is!" 1 John 3:2.

But how may we now grow into the Christlikeness of Christ? Not merely by our own strugglings and strivings. We cannot make ourselves Christlike by any efforts of our own. Nothing less than a divine power is sufficient to produce this transformation in us.

The Scripture describes the process. "Beholding the glory of the Lord, we are changed into the image of the glory." That is, we are to find the likeness of Christ, and are to look upon it and ponder it, gazing intently and lovingly upon it—and as we gaze we are transformed and grow like Christ!

It is not merely a brief glance now and then that is here implied, not the turning of the eye toward him for a few hurried moments in the early morning or in the late evening—but a constant, loving and reverent beholding of Him through days and years, until His image burns itself upon the soul. If we thus train our heart's eyes to look at Christ, we shall be transformed into His image.

"Beholding we are changed." The verb is passive. We do not produce the change. The marble can never carve itself into the lovely figure which floats in the artist's mind—the transformation must be wrought with patience, by the sculptor's own hands. Just so—we cannot change ourselves into the image of Christ's glory. The work is wrought in us by the Holy Spirit. We simply look upon the image of the Christ, and His blessed light streams in upon us and prints its own radiant glory upon our hearts!

We have nothing to do, but to keep our eyes fixed upon Christ's beauty (as the flowers hold up their faces toward the sun,) and the transformation is divinely wrought in us. It is not wrought instantaneously. At first there are but dimmest glimmerings of the likeness of Christ. We cannot in a single day learn all the long, hard lessons of patience, meekness, unselfishness, humility, joy and peace. Little by little the change is wrought, and the beauty comes out as we continue to gaze upon Christ. Little by little the glory flows into our lives from the radiant face of the Master—and flows out again through our dull lives, transforming them!

If we continue ever beholding the glory, gazing upon it—we shall be mirrors, reflecting Him into whose face we gaze! Then those who look upon our lives will see in us—a dim image at least—a little picture of Christ!

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[nChrist]

Does God really care for us?

(J. R. Miller, "Does God Care?" 1912)

    "I am poor and needy—yet the Lord thinks upon me!" Psalm 40:17

    Did God really care for him? And does God care for us, and think upon us—when we are poor and needy? Does God really care for us, as individuals? Does He give personal thought to any of us—to you, to me—according to our condition? Does pain or trouble in us—cause pity in His heart? Does God care? Does He see the individual in the crowd? When you are passing through some great trouble, enduring pain or adversity—does God know it, and does He care?

    A daughter had a bitter sorrow, a sore disappointment. The mother knew just what her daughter was passing through. Her love for her child, entered into and shared all the child's experiences. The mother cared. Is there ever anything like this in the heart of God—as He looks upon His children and knows that they are suffering?

    When we turn to the Bible, we find on every page the revelation—that God does care—and has personal interest in His people.

    Christ assured His disciples, that the very hairs of their heads are all numbered; meaning that God personally cares for all the minutest affairs of our lives—He cares for us as individuals. His love is as personal and individual, as the love of a mother for each one of her children.

    Paul took the love of Christ to himself—as if he were the only one Christ loved! "He loved me—and gave Himself up for me!" God's love is personal. He cares for us—for me!

    Whatever your need, your trial, your perplexity, your struggle may be—you may be sure that God knows and cares—and that when you come to Him with it, He will take time amid all His infinite affairs, to help you—as if He had nothing else in all the world to do!

    God cares! His love for each one of His children is so deep, so personal, so tender—that He has compassion on our every pain, every distress, every struggle. "As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him." Psalm 103:13. God is our Father, and His care is gentler than a human father's—as His love exceeds human love.

    Much human care has no power to help—but when God cares—He helps omnipotently. When human friendship can give no relief—then God will come. When no one in all the world cares—then God cares! "Cast all your cares upon Him, because He cares about you!" 1 Peter 5:7

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Our Father is taking care of us!

(J. R. Miller, "Don't Worry!" 1912)

"Cast all your cares upon Him, because He cares about you!" 1 Peter 5:7

If this world were governed by chance — no amount either of philosophy or of common sense could keep us from worrying; but we know that our Father is taking care of us! No little child in the best and most caring home, was ever carried so carefully or so safely in the love and thought and care of earthly parents — as is the least of God's little ones in the heavenly Father's heart! "So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them!" Matthew 6:31-32. The things we cannot help or change are in His hand, and belong to the "all things" which, we are assured, "work together for good, to those who love God."

In the midst of all the great rush of events and circumstances, in which we can see no order and no design — we well know that each believer in Christ, is as safe as any little child in the arms of the most loving mother!

Amid all life's trials and disappointments — our faith rests upon the character and the infinite goodness of God! We should have the faith of a little child — in a Father whose name is "Love" and whose power extends to every part of His universe! Here we find solid rock upon which to stand, and good reason for our lesson that we should never worry. Our Father is taking care of us!

In a world like ours, there are many things which incline us to worry. There are disappointments which leave the hands empty after days and years of hope and toil. There are resistless thwartings of fondly cherished plans and purposes. There  are bereavements which seem to sweep away every earthly joy. There are perplexities through which no human wisdom can lead the feet. There are experiences in every life — whose natural effect is to disquiet the spirit and produce deep and painful anxiety.

If we are never to worry, what are we to do with these things which naturally tend to cause us worry? The answer is easy — we are to put all these disturbing and distracting things — into the hands of our Father!

"Cast all your cares upon Him, because He cares about you!" 1 Peter 5:7. God is taking care of you — not overlooking the smallest thing, and you have but to cast all your cares and anxiety upon Him — and then be at peace. It is trying to carry our own cares, which produces worry! Our duty is to cast them all upon Christ! This is the secret of heart-peace in the time of distress, from whatever cause.

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[nChrist]

No vague sentiment

(J. R. Miller, "Being Christians on Weekdays" 1912)

We are too apt to imagine that holiness consists in mere good feeling toward God. It does not! It consists in obedience in heart and life to the divine requirements. To be holy is to be set apart for God and devoted to God's service, "The Lord has set apart him who is godly for himself." But if we are set apart for God in this sense, it necessarily follows that we must live for God. We belong wholly to him, and any use of our life in any other service is sacrilege, as if one would rob the very altar of its smoking sacrifice, to gratify one's common hunger.

Our hands are God's—and can fitly be used only in doing his work. Our feet are God's—and may be employed only in walking in his ways and running his errands. Our lips are God's—and should speak only words which honor him and bless others. Our hearts are God's—and must not be profaned by thoughts and affections which are not pure.

Biblical holiness is no vague sentiment—it is intensely practical. It is nothing less than the bringing of every thought and feeling and act—into obedience to Christ.

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[nChrist]

Reader!

(Matthew Mead, "The Almost Christian")

"God has set a day on which He is going to judge the world in righteousness." Acts 17:31

Reader! Meditate much on the strictness and suddenness of that judgment-day, through which you must pass, into your everlasting state; wherein God, the impartial judge, will require an exact account at your hands of all your talents and blessings. You must then account . . .
 

for time—how you have spent that;
  for estate—how you have employed that;
  for strength—how you have laid out that;
  for afflictions and mercies—how they have been improved;
  for the duties—how they have been discharged;
  and for means of grace—how they have been improved.

Look! how we have sowed here on earth—we shall reap for eternity!

Reader, these are things which above all others, deserve most of, and call loudest for—our utmost care and endeavors; though they are least minded, by most people.

Consider what a spirit of atheism (if we may judge the tree by the fruits—and the principle by the practice) the hearts of most men are filled with, who live, as if

  God were not to be served,
  nor Christ to be sought,
  nor lust to be mortified,
  nor self to be denied,
  nor the Scripture to be believed,
  nor the judgment-day to be minded,
  nor hell to be feared,
  nor heaven to be desired,
  nor the soul to be valued;

but give up themselves to a worse than brutish sensuality, "Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more!" (Ephesians 4:19). This is a reflection fit enough to break our hearts!

"Know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment!" Ecclesiastes 11:9

"Remember, each of us will stand personally before the judgment seat of God!" Romans 14:10

 "Don't be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows he will also reap!" Galatians 6:7[/color]

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[nChrist]

All God's dealings with us

(J. R. Miller, "Home Beautiful", 1912)

"Be silent before the Lord." Psalm 37:7

We are not to speak back to God, when He speaks to
us. We are not to reason with Him or dispute with Him;
but are to bow in silent and loving acquiescence before
Him. "Be still, and know that I am God." It is in those
providences which cut sorely into our lives, and require
sacrifice and loss on our part—that we are especially
called to this duty.

There is a moving illustration of silence to God, in the
case of Aaron when his sons had offered strange fire,
and had died for their disobedience and sacrilege. The
record says, "And Aaron held his peace." He made no
natural human outcry of grief. He accepted the terrible
penalty as unquestionably just—and bowed in the
acquiescence of faith.

This silence to God, should be our attitude in all times
of trial, when God's ways with us are bitter and painful.
Why should we complain at anything that our Father
may do? We have no right to utter a word of murmuring,
for He is our sovereign Lord; and our simple duty is instant,
unquestioning submission. We have no reason to complain
—for we know that all God's dealings with us are in
loving wisdom. His will is always best for us—whatever
sacrifice or suffering it may cost.

"I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for You
 are the one who has done this!" Psalm 39:9

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[nChrist]

Two heavens

(Thomas Brooks, "Heaven on Earth" 1667)

Communion with Christ is that which will make you stand
fast, and triumph over all enemies, difficulties, dangers,
and deaths. Communion with Christ will make a man as
courageous and bold as a lion, yes, as a young lion
which is fearless of any creature.

Communion is a reciprocal exchange between Christ
and a gracious soul. Communion is Jacob's ladder,
where you have Christ sweetly descending down into
the soul—and the soul by divine influences sweetly
ascending up to Christ.

Communion with Christ is . . .
  a sword to defend you,
  a staff to support you,
  a balm to heal you,
  a cordial to strengthen you.

High communion with Christ will yield you two
heavens—a heaven upon earth, and a heaven
after death.

He enjoys nothing—who lacks communion with Christ.

He lacks nothing—who enjoys communion with Christ.

Therefore above all gettings, get communion with
Christ; and above all keepings, keep communion
with Christ. All other losses are not comparable to
the loss of communion with Christ. He who has lost
his communion, has lost his comfort, his strength,
his all, and it will not be long before the Philistines
capture him, and put out his eyes, and bind him
with fetters of brass, and make him grind in a
prison, as they did Samson, in Judges 16:20-21.

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