Grace Gems

[nChrist]

The path of each day

(J. R. Miller, "Finding the Way", 1904)

"Show me the way I should go." Psalm 143:8

    We have a right to make this prayer. Our prayer will be answered, too. There will be a hand extended to guide us, to open the path for us, and to help us over the hard pinches of the road. God desires to lead us. His guidance includes not only our daily steps--but also the shaping of our circumstances and affairs. We cannot be thankful enough, that our lives are in God's hands, for we never could care for them ourselves.

    To us the path of each day is always new--we have not passed this way before, and we cannot tell what any hour may bring to us. But Jesus knows all the way--for He went over every inch of it. There is no human experience which Christ does not understand. No suffering can be ours--which He did not feel. No wrong can hurt us--but He was hurt far more sorely. Is the burden heavy? His burden was infinitely heavier, for He took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses, and bowed beneath the load of our sins! There is no phase of struggle, of suffering, of pain, of temptation--with which He is unfamiliar. And knowing thus the way, from having experienced it for Himself, He is able to guide us in it.

    Do we really need God's guidance? Are we not wise enough to decide what course it is best for us to take? Can we not find our own path in this world? There is a story of a tourist in the Alps who refused a guide. He said he could find the way himself. So he went out alone in the morning--but he never came back. Life in this world is far more perilous than mountain climbing.

    There are times when every star seems to have gone out, and when clouds and darkness appear to have gathered about us, hiding every way-mark, so that we cannot see any way out of the gloom and perplexity. We need then to have God's direction--or we shall perish. But while there are times when we need God's guidance in an unusual way--there is no day in all our brightest year, when we do not need it, when we dare to go forward one step without it. The day we do not seek and obtain God's leading, will be a day of disaster for us. The day we go forth without prayer for divine blessing, when we do not lay our hand in Christ's as we go out into the great world--is a day of peril for us. Indeed, we often need the divine guidance the most--when we think we do not need it at all.

    God's way does not always lie in the sunshine; sometimes it runs into deep glooms. We are not always out of His way--when we find ourselves facing obstacles and difficulties. When we cannot see where we are going--we may be in the everlasting way, because God is guiding us. He leads us away many a time, away from the path which we would have taken.

    The way on which God guides us--is a way of holiness. When we pray for guidance, we must surrender our will to God. If we ask Him to guide us--we must yield our own preference, and accept His. We are in this world--to grow into the likeness of Christ. If then, we have been growing a little more patient, gentle, thoughtful, humble--if the peace of our hearts has become a little deeper, quieter, sweeter--our "rough" path is God's way for us.

    God's way is a way of holiness--a pure, clean way. It is the road to heaven.

____________________________________________
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 new birth

(Octavius Winslow, "From Grace to Glory" 1864)

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

How comprehensive the words--how vast the
change! The effect produced by the new birth
is radical and thorough:

The HEART, once so hateful and hating--has now
become a fountain of sweet waters, transmitting
its pure and holy streams throughout the whole
soul, changing the entire conduct of the individual,
and working out, in its degree, a universal holiness
of his whole being.

The WORLD he once loved--is now as a crucified thing.

The PLEASURES he once indulged--have lost their charm.

The SINS he once committed--are now loathed and forsaken.

The SOCIETY he once enjoyed--no longer attracts or pleases.

The new birth will be manifest in our Christlike
temper and mind and spirit . . .
  the moroseness and churlishness,
  the pride and selfishness,
  the worldliness and frivolity,
  the levity and man-pleasing,
which cropped up so luxuriantly from the soil of our
unsanctified heart--will now, in a great measure be
supplanted by the fruits of righteousness springing
from a heart which has been changed, sanctified,
and occupied by the Spirit of God.

The walk and conversation of a renewed man,
will be the outward and visible reflection of an
inward and invisible grace.

As a parent, and as a child, as a brother, a sister--so let
your light shine, so let your life evidence its reality, so
let your religion be visible in its lowliness and gentleness,
its lovable and loving spirit, as to command from all who
see it, the admiring exclamation, "Behold! he is a new
creature; old things have passed away; all things are
become new!"

____________________________________________
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]

Your life preaches all the week!

(Robert Murray McCheyne)

A man is what he is on his knees before
God--and nothing more! In great measure,
according to the purity of the instrument,
will be success. It is not great talents which
God blesses--so much as great likeness to
Jesus! A holy minister is a powerful weapon
in the hand of God!

Study universal holiness of life. Your whole
usefulness depends on this; for your sermons
last but an hour or two--but your life preaches
all the week! If Satan can only make a minister
covetous; or a lover of praise, or of pleasure, or
of fine eating--he has ruined your ministry!

"Lord, make me as holy as a pardoned sinner can be!"

____________________________________________
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]

Unfathomable oceans of grace

(Robert Murray McCheyne)

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus!" Hebrews 12:2

For every look at self--take ten looks at Christ!
Live near to Jesus--and all things will appear
little to you in comparison with eternal realities.

How many millions of dazzling pearls and gems are
at this moment hidden in the deep recesses of the
ocean caves. Likewise, unfathomable oceans of
grace are in Christ for you. Dive and dive again--
you will never come to the bottom of these depths!

When you gaze upon the sun--it makes everything
else dark; when you taste honey--it makes everything
else tasteless. Likewise, when your soul feeds on Jesus
--it takes away the sweetness of all earthly things;
praise, pleasure, fleshly lusts, all lose their sweetness.
Keep a continued gaze! Run, looking unto Jesus. So
will the world be crucified to you--and you unto the world!

____________________________________________
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 hidden life

(J. R. Miller, "The Hidden Life" 1895)

"Man looks at the outward appearance, but
 the Lord looks at the heart!" 1 Samuel 16:7

Those who are striving to live near the heart of
Christ, must realize that it is the hidden life
which makes the character.

What we are in the depths of our being, where
no human eye can penetrate--that we are actually,
as God sees us. This inner life will ultimately work
its way through to the surface--transforming the
character into its own quality.

Nothing can be more important, therefore, than
that the hidden life be true, pure, beautiful, and
Christ-like.

"Man looks at the outward appearance, but
 the Lord looks at the heart!" 1 Samuel 16:7

____________________________________________
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]

How can we learn contentment?

(J. R. Miller, "The Hidden Life" 1895)

    "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am." Philippians 4:11

    How can we learn contentment?

    One step toward contentment, is patient submission to unavoidable ills and hardships. No earthly lot is perfect. No mortal ever yet in this world, has found a set of circumstances without some drawback. There are . . .
      trials which we cannot change into blessings,
      burdens which we cannot lay down,
      crosses which we must continue to carry,
      thorns in the flesh which must remain with their rankling pain.
    When we have such trials, why should we not sweetly accept them as part of God's best way with us?

    Discontent never made . . .
      a rough path smoother,
      a heavy burden lighter,
      a bitter cup less bitter,
      a dark way brighter,
      a sore sorrow less sore.
    It only makes matters worse! One who accepts with patience, that which he cannot change--has learned one secret of victorious living.

    Another part of the lesson, is that we can learn to moderate our desires. "Having food and clothing," says Paul again, "let us be content with these." Very much of our discontent arises from envy of those who seem to be more favored than ourselves. Many people lose most of the comfort out of their own lot--in coveting the finer, more luxurious things which some neighbor has. Yet if they knew the whole story of the life they envy for its greater prosperity, they probably would not exchange for it their own lowlier life, with its more humble circumstances. Or if they could make the exchange, it is not likely they would find half so much real happiness in the other position, as they would have enjoyed in their own.

    Contentment does not dwell so often in palaces--as in the homes of the humble. The tall peaks rise higher, and are more conspicuous--but the winds smite them more fiercely than they do the quiet valleys. And surely, the lot in life which God makes for us--is always the best which could be made for us for the time. He knows better than we do--what our true needs are.

    The real cause of our discontent is not in our circumstances; if it were, a change of circumstances might cure it. It is in ourselves, and wherever we go--we shall carry our discontent heart with us. The only cure which will affect anything--must be the curing of the fever of discontent in us.

    A fine secret of contentment, lies in finding and extracting all the pleasure we can get from the things we have--the common, everyday things; while we enter upon no mad, vain chase after impossible dreams. In whatever state we are in--we may find therein enough for our need.

    No earthly misfortune can touch the wealth which a Christian holds in the divine promises and hopes. Just in the measure, therefore, in which we learn to live for spiritual and unseen eternal realities--do we find contentment amid earth's trials and losses. If we would live to please God, to build up Christlike character in ourselves, and to lay up treasure in heaven--we shall not depend for happiness, on the way things go with us here on earth, nor on the measure of temporal goods we have. The earthly desires are crowded out by the higher and spiritual desires. We can do without childhood's toys--when we have manhood's better possessions. We desire the toys of this world less--as we get more of God and heaven into our hearts.

    Paul knew this secret. He cheerfully gave up all that this world had for him. Money had no power over him. He knew how to live in plenty; but he did not fret when poverty came instead. He was content in any trial, because earth meant so little--and Christ meant so much to him. He did not need the things he did not have. He was not made poor by the things he lost. He was not vexed by the sufferings he had to endure, because the sources of his life were in heaven--and could not be touched by earthly experiences of pain or loss.

____________________________________________
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]

Not one of us would ever be saved!

(J. R. Miller, "The Hidden Life" 1895)

"He always lives to intercede for them." Hebrews 7:25

Some speak as if all Christ's work in saving us, had
been done on the cross nineteen hundred years ago,
in His giving up of Himself to die for us. But His
actual work in saving us--is continued with us--
  in teaching us life's lessons,
  giving us grace to overcome in temptation,
  lifting us up when we have fallen,
  going after us and bringing us back when
     we have wandered away, and
  keeping us from the world's deadly evils.

Were it not for this patient, never-failing, watchful
love of Christ--not one of us would ever be saved!

"I give them eternal life, and they will never perish
 --ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand!"
     John 10:28

____________________________________________
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]

Satisfaction!

(Philpot, "Daily Words for Zion's Wayfarers", 1893)

"I will satisfy her poor with bread." Psalm 132:15

What a sweetness there is in the word "satisfy!"

The world cannot satisfy the child of God. Have
we not tried, some of us perhaps for many years,
to get some satisfaction from it?

But can wife or husband satisfy us?
Can children or relatives satisfy us?
Can all the world calls good or great, satisfy us?
Can the pleasures of sin satisfy us?

Is there not in all--an aching void? Do we not reap
dissatisfaction and disappointment from everything
that is of the creature, and of the flesh? Do we not
find that there is little else but sorrow to be reaped
from everything in this world? There is little else to
be gathered from the world but . . .
  disappointment,
  dissatisfaction, and
  "vanity and vexation of spirit."

The poor soul looks round upon the world and the
creature, upon all the occupations, amusements
and relations of life--and finds all one melancholy
harvest; so that all it reaps is sorrow, perplexity,
and dissatisfaction.

Now when a man is brought here, to desire satisfaction,
something to make him happy, something to fill up the
aching void, something to bind up broken bones, bleeding
wounds, and leprous sores--and after he has looked at
everything--at doctrines, opinions, notions, speculations,
forms, rites and ceremonies in religion; at the world with
all its charms, and at self with all its varied workings--and
found nothing but bitterness of spirit, vexation and trouble
in them all, and thus sinks down a miserable wretch; why,
then when the Lord opens up to him something of the bread
of life, he finds a satisfaction in that which he never could
gain from any other quarter.

And that is the reason why the Lord so afflicts His people;
why some carry about with them such weak, suffering
bodies; why some have so many family troubles; why
others are so deeply steeped in poverty; why others have
such rebellious children; and why others are so exercised
with spiritual sorrows, that they scarcely know what will
be the end.

It is all for one purpose--to make them miserable out
of Christ, dissatisfied except with gospel food; to render
them so wretched and uncomfortable--that God alone can
make them happy, and alone can speak consolation to
their troubled minds.

____________________________________________
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 knife!

(J. R. Miller, "Ministry of Comfort" 1898 )

    "He prunes every branch that produces fruit--so that it will produce more fruit." John 15:2

    The gardener prunes the branches--but not without wise purpose. The Master's words, referring to this process in spiritual husbandry, are rich in their comfort for those on whom the knife is doing its painful work.

    For one thing, we are told that "My Father is the gardener" (verse 1). We know that our Father loves us and would never do anything unloving or hurtful to His children. We know that He is infinitely wise, that He looks far on in our life, planning the largest and the best good for us, not for today only--but for all the future; and that what He does, is certainly the best which could be devised. In every time of sharp pruning, when the knife cuts deep and the pain is sore--it is an unspeakable comfort to read, "My Father is the gardener!"

    Another inspiring thought in all such afflictions--is that it is the fruitful branch which the Father prunes. Sometimes godly people say when they are led through great trials, "Surely God does not love me--or He would not afflict me so sorely!" But it takes away all distressing thoughts about our trouble, to read the Master's words, "He prunes every branch that produces fruit." It is not punishment to which we are subjected--but pruning; and it is because we are fruitful that we are pruned.

    Still another comfort here is revealed--in the object of the pruning, "He prunes every branch that produces fruit--so that it will produce more fruit." The one object of all God's pruning, is fruitfulness. The figure of pruning helps us to understand this. When one who knows nothing of such processes sees a man cutting away branch after branch of a tree or vine, it would seem to him that the work is destructive. But those who understand the object of the pruning--know that what the gardener is doing, will add to the vine's value and to its ultimate fruitfulness.

    Pruning seems to be destroying the vine. The gardener appears to be cutting it all away. But he looks on into the future and knows that the final outcome will be the enrichment of its life, and greater abundance of fruit.

____________________________________________
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 undressing from his sins and infirmities

(Charles Spurgeon)

"They will go away to eternal punishment, but
 the righteous to eternal life." Matthew 25:46

There is an essential difference between the death of the
godly--and the death of the ungodly. Death comes to the
ungodly man--as a penal infliction; but to the righteous--
as a summons to his Father's palace! To the sinner--it is
an execution; to the saint--it is an undressing from his
sins and infirmities! Death to the wicked is the King of
terrors. Death to the saint is the end of terrors--the
commencement of glory!

____________________________________________
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]

What are you living for?

(Horatius Bonar, "Self or Christ--Which Is It?")

What are you living for?

Most, perhaps, live to enjoy present things as
much as possible--and to escape hell at last.

Have your ideas, your hopes, your aspirings--ever
risen beyond these two things? Are you living only
for self? Is that all? What a poor object--what a
base and narrow aim! What an insignificant, empty,
hollow being is yours--wasted, shriveled, useless!

"My purpose is to give life in all its fullness."
    John 10:10

What stands between you and that life? It is self,
the accursed thing! What separates you from God?
It is SELF--your love of self, your admiration of self,
your confidence in self. It is SELF which is blinding
and bewildering you!

What is it that is dragging you down, and making
you cleave to the dust? It is SELF! And what is it that
will before long be your everlasting ruin? It is SELF!

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wants
to come with Me--he must deny himself, take up
his cross, and follow Me." Matthew 16:24

____________________________________________
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 school of suffering

(J. R. Miller, "Ministry of Comfort" 1898 )

"Before I was afflicted I went astray--but
 now I keep Your word." Psalm 119:67

Most of us need the chastening of affliction.
Pain is wonderful revealer. It teaches us many
things we never could have known, if we had
not been called to endure it. It opens windows
through which we see, as we never saw before
--the beautiful things of God's love.

Many of the finest things in character, are the
fruits of pain. Many a Christian enters trial--cold,
worldly, unspiritual--and emerges from the
experience a little later, with spirit softened,
mellowed, and spiritually enriched.

Sanctified afflictions soften the harshness and
sharpness of one's character. They consume the
dross of selfishness and worldliness. They humble
pride. They temper carnal ambitions. They quell
fierce passions. They show to us the evil of our
own heart, revealing our weaknesses, faults, and
blemishes--and making us aware of our spiritual
danger. They discipline the wayward spirit.

Sorrow draws its sharp ploughshare through the
heart, cutting deep and long furrows--and the
heavenly Sower follows with the seeds of godly
virtues. Then by and by, fruits of righteousness
spring up.

Sorrow has a tenderizing influence. It makes us
gentle and kindly toward each other. In no other
school, do our hearts learn the lessons of patience,
tolerance, and forbearance so quickly--as in the
school of suffering.

"It was good for me to be afflicted--so that
 I  could learn Your statutes." Psalm 119:71

____________________________________________
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]

He must increase--but I must decrease

(J. R. Miller, "Ministry of Comfort" 1898 )

    "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men--to be seen by them." Matthew 6:1

    One of the most difficult lessons to learn, is self-effacement. It seems to us, that we have a right to put our name on every piece of work we do, and to get full honor for it. We like people to know of the good and virtuous things we do--the kindnesses we show, our gifts, our sacrifices, and our services.

    SELF always dies hard.

    John the Baptist, in his life and ministry, illustrated the grace of self-effacement as few other men have done. When he first began to preach, great throngs flocked about him. But when Jesus came--the crowds melted away from John and went after the new preacher. John rejoiced in seeing Jesus thus honored, though at the cost of his own fame. "He must increase--but I must decrease" was his answer, when his disciples grew envious of the Galilean Rabbi. He understood that the highest use to which his life could be put--was to add to the honor of his Master. He was glad to be unnoticed, to have his own name extinguished, that the glory of Christ might shine the more brightly.

    Renunciation of self should characterize all who follow Christ. They should seek only to get recognition for Him, willing for themselves to be unrecognized and unhonored. Yet not always are the Master's friends content to be nothing--that the praise may be given to Christ. Too often do they insist upon having their own name written in bold letters on their work. It would be the mark of a higher degree in spiritual attainment, if we were willing to be anonymous in every service for Christ.

    Not only should we do all our work for the divine approval--but we should not be seeking to get our own name on what we do. If it is done solely for the honor of Christ, why should we be solicitous to have everybody know our part in it? Should it not be honor enough--to have Christ accept our work and use it?

    Only what we do for the honor of Christ--is really gold and silver and precious stones in the spiritual building; all the rest is but wood, hay, and stubble, which cannot abide.

    Are we willing to do deeds of service and love, and then keep absolutely quiet about what we have done? Is there not among us, too much of the spirit which our Lord so severely condemned--sounding a trumpet before us--when we are going out to do some deed of charity, some act of kindness?

    "Everything they do--is done for men to see." Matthew 23:5

____________________________________________
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]

A low state of piety

(William S. Plumer, "The Rock of Our Salvation" 1867)

A low state of piety paralyzes half the limbs of the body
of Christ. Cold and selfish--many never aim high. A low
estimate of evangelical doctrine, makes many indifferent
to the teachings of Christ Himself.

Love is too cold.

Faith too often staggers.

Repentance sheds too few tears.

Joy has but few spiritual feasts.

Pity for the perishing too seldom stirs the soul to its depths.

Adoring views of God have too little power over men's minds.

Hope is too feeble to impart much animation.

The standard of Christian living and morals is low.

Sadly is the Christian profession compromised.

Covetousness has fearful power.

The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the
pride of life--terribly prevail among professors.

Fashion is the Juggernaut of Christendom.

Christ and Belial are invited to the same feast!

A much deeper tone of piety is needed in all the churches.

It is a great fault in professors, that they do not
more earnestly strive to imitate Christ . . .
  in love,
  in gentleness,
  in tenderness of heart,
  in submission to the will of God,
  in zeal for the divine glory,
  in self-abnegation,
  in silence under unjust reproaches,
  in all His imitable virtues.

The highest honor which we can render to
the Lord Jesus--is honestly and earnestly
to pray and labor to be like Him.

____________________________________________
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]

What is the secret, grandmamma?

(J. R. Miller, "The Duty of Pleasing Others" 1904)

    "Each one of us must please his neighbor for his good, in order to build him up." Romans 15:2

    The Duchess of Kent was universally beloved. Once the Princess Alice, herself simple, sweet and unspoiled, asked her: "What makes everyone love to be with you? I am always so sorry to have to leave you--and so are all the others who come here. What is the secret, grandmamma?"

    It was not easy for the noble woman to answer such a personal question. But it was important that it should be answered for the sake of her who had asked it, and who was indeed hungry to know the secret. So the noble lady gave this memorable answer:

    "I was early instructed, that the way to please others--was to be sincerely interested in the things which interested them, namely their own affairs; and that this could be accomplished only by burying one's own troubles, interests, or joys completely out of sight. Forgetfulness of one's own concerns, a smiling face, a sincere word of sympathy, or unselfish help, where it is possible to give it--will always please others--and the giver equally so."

    "I try to please everyone in everything I do. I don't just do what I like or what is best for me, but what is best for them--so they may be saved." 1 Corinthians 10:33

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