Grace Gems

[nChrist]

Four walls do not make a home

(J. R. Miller, "Home-Making" 1882)

    Four walls do not make a home--though it is a palace filled with all the elegances which wealth can buy! The home-life itself is more important than the house and its adornments. By the home-life, is meant the happy art of living together in tender love. We enter some homes, and they are full of sweetness--as fields of summer flowers are full of fragrance. All is order, beauty, gentleness and peace. We enter other homes, where we find jarring, selfishness, harshness and disorder. This difference is not accidental. They are influences at work in each home, which yield just the result we see in each. No home-life can ever be better than the life of those who make it.

    Homes are the real schools in which men and women are trained--and fathers and mothers are the real teachers and builders of life!

    Sadly, the goal which most parents have for their home--is to have as good and showy a house as they can afford, furnished in as rich a style as their means will warrant, and then to live in it as comfortably as they are able, without too much exertion or self-denial.

    But the true idea of a Christian home, is that it is a place for spiritual growth. It is a place for the parents themselves to grow--to grow into beauty of character, to grow in spiritual refinement, in knowledge, in strength, in wisdom, in patience, gentleness, kindliness, and all the Christian graces and virtues. It is a place for children to grow--to grow into physical vigor and health, and to be trained in all that shall make them true and noble men and women.

    A true home is set up and all its life ordered--for the definite purpose of training, building up and sending our human lives fashioned into Christlike symmetry, filled with lofty impulses and aspirations, governed by principles of rectitude and honor, and fitted to enter upon the duties and struggles of life with spiritual wisdom and strength.

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

Our children

(J. R. Miller, "Home-Making" 1882)

Parents! You are fashioning the destinies of immortal souls!

    What we want to do with our children, is not merely to control them and keep them in order--but to implant true principles deep in their hearts which shall rule their whole lives; to shape their character from within into Christlike beauty, and to make of them noble men and women, strong for battle of life. They are to be trained rather than governed. Growth of character, not merely good behavior--is the object of all home governing and teaching. Therefore the home influence is far more important than the home laws; and the parents' lives are of more significance than their teachings. Whatever may be done in the way of governing, teaching or training--theories are not half as important as the parents' lives. They may teach the most beautiful things--but if the child does not see these things modeled in the life of the parent--he will not consider them important enough to be adopted in his own life.

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

Absolutely and without question

(J. R. Miller, "Home-making" 1882)

    "If you love Me, you will obey what I command." John 14:15

    God is our Father and we are His children. We are to obey Him absolutely and without question. Yet it is no blind obedience. We know that He loves us with a deep, tender, unchanging love. We know that He is wiser than we, infinitely wiser, and can never err. We know that when He denies a request--that the granting of it would be unkindness. We know that when He leads us in another path than the one we had marked out--that His is the right way. We know that when He chastens or corrects--that there is love in His chastisement or correction. We know that in all His government and discipline--that He is seeking only our highest good. Our whole duty therefore as God's children, is to yield ourselves to His will.

    "If anyone loves Me, he will obey My teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." John 14:23

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

You are complete in Him

(James Wells, 1839)

"They will say of Me--In the Lord alone are
 righteousness and strength." Isaiah 45:24

Those who are taught of God feel that they are
but dust and ashes, that they are vile, carnal,
sold under sin, helpless, and have no might of
their own. Where this experience is--the great
truths of the Gospel become interwoven in their
souls, mingled with their minds, and so entwined
about their hearts--that they are carried away in
their affections . . .
  from earthly things--to heavenly things;
  from sin--to salvation;
  from this world--to that which is to come.

Their hope is in heaven, they have no confidence
in the flesh--but in the Lord alone, they have
righteousness and strength, life and light, joy and
gladness, glory and honor. Unto these things they
look; for these things they seek; upon these things
they live; of these things they boast; and by these
things they defy death, hell and the grave! They
thus put on Christ, walk in Him, commune with
Him--and rest ALL their hopes upon HIS holy life,
and sin-atoning death.

His life is our justification.
His death is . . .
  our redemption,
  our pardon,
  our sanctification,
  our victory, and
  our peace with God.

"You are complete in Him." Colossians 2:10

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

Books and magazines

(J. R. Miller, "Home-making" 1882)

    In considering the influences in the home-life which leave deep and permanent impressions on character, thought must be given to the books and magazines which are read. On the printed pages which fly everywhere like the leaves of autumn, drifting to our doors and swept into our innermost chambers--are borne to us the golden thoughts of the best and wisest men and women of all ages. The blessings which the printing press scatters, are infinite and rich beyond all estimates. But the same press which today gives us pure and holy thoughts, words of truth and life; tomorrow gives us veiled suggestions of evil, words of honeyed sweetness--but in which deadly poison is concealed!

    It is fabled that a soldier found a casket which was reported to be full of valuable treasures. It was opened, and out of it came a poisonous atmosphere which caused a terrible plague in the army. Just so--many a book which is bound in bright colors, has stored within those covers, the most deadly moral influences! To open it in a pure home, among young and tender lives, is to let loose evils which never can be gathered back and locked up again!

    The printing press puts into the hands of parents a means of good, which they may use to the greatest advantage in the culture of their home-life, and in the shaping of the lives of their household. But they must keep a most diligent watch over the pages which they introduce. They should know the character of every book and magazine which comes within their doors, and should resolutely exclude everything which would defile. Then, while they exclude everything whose influence would be for evil, if they are wise they will bring into their home as much as possible of pure, elevating, and refining literature. Every beautiful thought which enters a child's mind, adds to the strength and loveliness of the character in after days. The educating influence of the best books and magazines is incalculable, and no parent can afford to lose it in the training of his family.

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

An ideal Christian home

(J. R. Miller, "Home-making" 1882)

    An ideal Christian home ought to be a place where love rules. It ought to be beautiful, bright, joyous, full of tenderness and affection, a place in which all are growing happier and holier each day. There should never be any discord, any wrangling, any angry words or bitter feelings. The home-life should be a harmonious song without one marring note, day after day. The home, no matter how humble it is, how plain, how small--should be the dearest spot on the earth to each member of the family. It should be made so happy a place, and so full of life, that no matter where one may wander in after years, in any of the ends of the earth--his home should still hold its invisible cords of influence about him, and should ever draw resistless upon his heart. It ought to be the one spot in all the earth, to which he would turn first, when in trouble or in danger. It should be his refuge, in every trial and grief.

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

The life of all our graces and comforts

(John Fawcett, "Christ Precious")

"Yes, He is very precious to you who believe!"
    1 Peter 2:7

Jesus is the life of all our graces and comforts.
By the knowledge and contemplation of Him, and of
His death in our stead--faith lives, and is strengthened
from day to day. All the springs of repentance are
opened, and flow freely, when the heart is melted by
views of a dying Savior! Love feels the attractive power
of its glorious object, and is kindled into a holy flame.
Sin is mortified. The world is subdued. The hope of
future glory is supported, enlivened, and confirmed,
so as to become sure and steadfast, like an anchor of
the soul. But without Him--whom having not seen, we
love--these graces would wither and die; or, to speak
more properly, they would have no existence.

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

A tumor and swelling in the mind

(Thomas Brooks, "The Unsearchable Riches of Christ")

"The Lord Almighty has done it to destroy your pride
 and show His contempt for all human greatness."
    Isaiah 23:9

Pride is the original and root of most of those notorious
vices which are to be found among men.

Of all sins, pride is most dangerous to the souls of men.

Pride is . . .
  a gilded misery,
  a secret poison,
  a hidden plague.

Pride is . . .
  the conceiver of deceit,
  the mother of hypocrisy,
  the parent of envy,
  the moth of holiness,
  the blinder of hearts,
  the turner of medicines into maladies.

Of all sins, spiritual pride is most dangerous, and must
be most resisted. Spiritual pride is the lifting up of the
mind against God; it is a tumor and swelling in the
mind, and lies in despising and slighting of God--and in
the lifting up of a man's self, by reason of birth, breeding,
wealth, honor, place, relations, abilities or graces--and in
the despising of others.

Spiritual pride is a white devil, a gilded poison--by which
God is robbed of his honor, and a man's own soul of his
comfort and peace.

Pride is a sure forerunner of a fall. "Pride goes before
destruction, and a haughty mind before a fall."
Herod fell from a throne of gold--to a bed of dust.
Nebuchadnezzar fell from a mighty king--to be a beast.
Adam fell from innocence--to mortality.
The angels fell from heaven--to hell; from felicity--to misery.

"The day is coming when your pride will be brought low
 and the Lord alone will be exalted. In that day the Lord
 Almighty will punish the proud, bringing them down to
 the dust!" Isaiah 2:11-12

"The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this:
 They will not go unpunished!"  Proverbs 16:5

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

An unerring chart by which to steer
through the dangerous sea of life

(Arthur W. Pink, "The Attributes of God")

God has placed His Word in our hands for an
intensely practical purpose--namely, to direct
our walk and to regulate our deportment. The
primary purpose for which God gave the Scriptures,
is to make a practical use of them--ordering the
details of our lives by its rules and regulations

"Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light
unto my path." (Psalm 119:105). The metaphor
used here is taken from a man walking along a
dangerous road on a dark night, in urgent need
of a lantern to show him where to walk safely
and comfortably, to avoid injury and destruction.

God, in His infinite condescension and transcendent
grace, has given us His Word for this very purpose,
so that we need not stumble along blindly, ignorant
of what pleases or displeases Him--but that we might
know His mind. That divine Word is not given to us
simply for information, but . . .
  to regulate our conduct,
  to enlighten our minds, and
  to mold our hearts.

The Word supplies us with an unerring chart by
which to steer through the dangerous sea of
life. If we sincerely and diligently follow, it will deliver
us from disastrous rocks and submerged reefs--and
direct us safely to the heavenly harbor. That Word
has all the instructions we need for every problem,
and every trouble we may be called upon to face.
That Word has been given to us "that the man of
God may be complete, equipped for every good
work" (2 Tim. 3:17). How thankful we should
be, that God has favored us with such a Word!

This world is a dark place, and it is only as we take
heed to the Word, to the light God has given us, that
we shall be able to perceive and avoid "the broad
road which leads to destruction," and discern the
narrow way which alone "leads unto eternal life."

Our first duty, and our first aim, must be to take up
the Scriptures to ascertain what is God's revealed will
for us--what are the paths He forbids us to walk, what
are the ways pleasing in His sight.

The Scriptures are not given us, primarily, for our
intellectual gratification, nor for emotional admiration,
but for life's regulation. Nor are the precepts and
commands, the warnings and encouragements
contained therein, simply for our information. They
are to be reduced to practice, they require unqualified
obedience. He who treasures the divine precepts in his
heart, and diligently seeks to walk by their rule, will
escape those evils which destroy his fellows.

Thus the great business of the Christian, is to regulate
his life by, and conform his conduct--to the precepts of
the written Word, and the example left us by the Incarnate
Word. As he does so, and in proportion as he does so, he is
  emancipated from the darkness of his natural mind,
  freed from the follies of his corrupt heart,
  delivered from the mad course of this world,
  and escapes the snares of the devil.

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

Our momentary light affliction

(Arthur Pink)

"Our momentary light affliction is producing
 for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight
 of glory!" 2 Corinthians 4:17

Afflictions are light--compared with what we really
deserve. They are light when--compared with the
sufferings of the Lord Jesus. But perhaps their real
lightness is best seen--by comparing them with the
eternal weight of glory which is awaiting us!

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

Infinite fullness

(J. C. Ryle, "The Gospel of John")

"And of His fullness have all we received."
    John 1:16

It is Christ alone, who supplies all the
spiritual needs of all believers.

There is an infinite fullness in Jesus Christ.

There is laid up in Jesus, as in a treasury,
a boundless supply of all that any sinner
can need--either in time or eternity.

He is rich in . . .
  mercy,
  grace,
  wisdom,
  righteousness,
  sanctification,
  and redemption.

Out of Christ's fullness, all believers in every age
of the world, have been supplied. Every saint in glory
will at last acknowledge that he is Christ's debtor for
all that he is.

__________________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________________

[nChrist]

True faith

(John Fawcett, "Christ Precious")

True faith transforms the temper and frame of our
souls into another image, even the image of Christ.
This is done, in some degree, in the first saving
discovery which we have of Him; so that he who
truly believes in Jesus, is a new creature.

"If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: old
 things are passed away; behold, all things are
 become new!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

We hence infer, that to be a real believer, is to
be a new creature. Our very tempers are changed
into Christ's holy likeness. The meek and lowly,
the devout and heavenly mind, which was in
Christ Jesus--in some degree, takes place in us.

Such is the efficacy of saving faith--that . . .
  it is the vigorous root to all holy obedience;
  it bears up the soul amidst the severest trials;
  it strengthens it for the most arduous services;
  enables it to overcome the world, and to lay
hold upon eternal life.

Faith genuinely influences all the powers of the
soul, and all the actions of the life, according to
the degree of its vigor, strength, and liveliness.
The more we live by faith in Jesus--the more
steadily we look to him--the more we shall be
transformed into His likeness.

True faith sets all things in a different light before
the eyes of the soul. It alters the view and appearance
of all the great and mirthful things of this world. The
treasures, the splendors and the entertainments of this
world--were once the most inviting objects upon which
we could look. But now we look on the world, with all
its most glittering and the richest scenes--as trifling,
poor, and despicable things. We are crucified to the
world, by the cross of Christ. We seek the things which
are above, where our Redeemer sits; and when the
world begins to flatter us again, and to appear great
and tempting in our eyes--renewed discoveries of
Christ's glory, who is the chief among ten thousand,
and altogether lovely--eclipse the splendor of all
below the skies. "This is the victory which overcomes
the world, even our faith."

__________________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________________

[nChrist]

The comforts of grace and godliness

(Matthew Mead, "The Almost Christian" 1661)

"The Father of compassion and the God of all comfort." 2 Corinthians 1:3

There are no comforts which can compare to the comforts of grace and godliness.

1. Worldly comfort is only external. It is but skin-deep, "In the midst of laughter, the heart is sorrowful." But the comfort which flows from godliness is an inward comfort, a spiritual joy; therefore it is called gladness of heart. "You have put gladness in my heart." Other joy smoothes the brow--but this fills the heart.

2. Worldly comfort is always mixed. The spring of worldly comfort is in the creature, in some earthly enjoyment; and, therefore, the comfort of worldly men must needs be mixed and muddy. "An unclean fountain cannot send forth pure water." But spiritual comfort has an upper spring. The comfort which accompanies godliness, flows from the manifestations of the love of God in Christ, from the workings of the blessed Spirit in the heart--who is first a Counselor, and then a Comforter. Therefore the comforts of the saints must needs be pure and unmixed comforts--for they flow from a pure spring.

3. Worldly comfort is very fading and transitory. "The triumphing of the wicked is but short, and the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment." Solomon compares it to the "crackling of thorns under a pot," which is but a blaze--and soon out. So is the comfort of carnal hearts. But the comfort of godliness is a durable and abiding comfort, "your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man shall take from you." The comfort of godliness is lasting--yes everlasting; it abides by us in life, in death, and after death!

____________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
_____________________________________________

[nChrist]

Sad blots!

(Octavius Winslow, "None Like Christ" 1866)

How much is true religion shorn of its strength
by the lack of more spiritual-mindedness in its
professors! The worldly amusements to which
many addict themselves . . .
  the opera,
  the card-playing,
  the ball,
  the gay party,
  the novel-reading,
  the luxurious living,
  the extravagant customs,
in which multitudes of religious professors indulge,
are sad blots upon their avowed Christianity, and
great hindrances to the advancement of religion in
their own souls and in the world.

Oh! that with us vital religion--the pure, simple,
self-denying, unearthly religion of Christ--might
be paramount; its holy influence permeating our
whole being, and giving form and tint and direction
to all our engagements and conduct.

____________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
_____________________________________________

[nChrist]

My sheep

(J. C. Ryle, "The Gospel of John")

"My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and
 they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they
 shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of
 My hand." John 10:27,28

Christ calls His people, "My sheep."

The word "sheep," no doubt, points to something
in the character and ways of true Christians. It
would be easy to show that weakness, helplessness,
harmlessness, usefulness--are all points of resemblance
between the sheep and the believer. But the leading
idea in our Lord's mind was the entire dependence
of the sheep upon its Shepherd.

Just as sheep hear the voice of their own shepherd,
and follow him--so do believers follow Christ. By faith
they listen to His call. By faith they submit themselves
to His guidance. By faith they lean on Him, and commit
their souls implicitly to His direction.

The expression, "My sheep," also points to the close
connection which exists between Christ and believers.
They are His by gift from the Father, His by purchase,
His by election and effectual calling, and His by their
own consent and heart submission.

In the highest sense they are Christ's property; and
just as a man feels a special interest in that which he
has bought at a great price and made his own--so does
the Lord Jesus feel a peculiar interest in His people.

We should notice the vast privileges which the Lord
Jesus Christ bestows on true Christians. He uses
words about them, of singular richness and strength.

Christ "knows" His people with a special knowledge of
interest and affection. By the world around them they
are comparatively unknown, uncared for, or despised.
But they are never forgotten or overlooked by Christ.

Christ "gives" His people "eternal life." He freely bestows
on them--a right and title to heaven, pardoning their many
sins, and clothing them with a perfect righteousness.

Money, and health, and worldly prosperity He often
wisely withholds from them. But He never fails to
give them grace, peace, and glory.

Christ declares that His people "shall never perish."
Weak as they are--they shall all be saved. Not one of
them shall be lost and cast away; not one of them shall
miss heaven. If they err--they shall be brought back; if
they fall--they shall be raised. The enemies of their souls
may be strong and mighty--but their Savior is mightier;
and none shall pluck them out of their Savior's hands!
"My sheep shall never perish; no one can snatch them
out of My hand."

____________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
_____________________________________________