Grace Gems

nChrist · May 19, 2018

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The greatest sinner that you know!

(William Law, "A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life")

"This is a true saying, and worthy of all acceptance: 'Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners'--and I am the worst of them all." 1 Timothy 1:15

You may truly look upon yourself to be the greatest sinner that you know in the world. For though you may know many people to be guilty of some gross sins with which you cannot charge yourself--yet you may justly condemn yourself as the greatest sinner that you know, because you know more of the folly of your own heart, than you do of other people's hearts. You can charge yourself with various sins, that only you know of yourself, and cannot be sure that others are guilty of them.

So that as you know more of the folly, the degradation, the pride, the deceitfulness and vileness of your own heart, than you do of any one's else--so you have just reason to consider yourself as the greatest sinner that you know; because you know more of the greatness of your own sins, than you do of other people's sins.

God Almighty knows greater sinners than you are; because He sees and knows the circumstances of all men's sins. But your own heart, if it is faithful to you, can discover no guilt so great as your own.

Perhaps that person who appears so odious in your eyes, would have been much better than you are--had he been altogether in your circumstances, and received all the same favors and graces from God that you have. And therefore the greatest sinner that you know, must be yourself.

This is a very humbling thought.

A serious and frequent reflection upon this will mightily tend to . . .
humble us in our own eyes,
make us very sensible of the greatness of our own guilt,
and very tender in censuring and condemning other people.

nChrist · May 20, 2018

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The best sermon!

(Charles Naylor)

"He who says he abides in Him, ought himself also to walk just as He walked." 1 John 2:6

We must pattern our lives after our Lord, and follow in the way which He trod.

God's will for His people, is that they set before the world a worthy example of Christian character.

A blameless character is the best sermon!

In all our relations with others, we should manifest a sweet temper, kindness, meekness, gentleness, forbearance, patience, reasonableness, cheerfulness, magnanimity and all the other things that go to make up Christian character.

In our lives we should be examples of holiness, consistency and moderation. We should be free from worldliness, ostentation, and the vanities that are ruining the world. We should not be not of the world . . .
in the tenor of our lives,
in the motives that move us,
in the purposes that actuate us.

God's will for His people regarding . . .
the vanities of this world,
the desires that have their root in worldliness,
and the sinful customs of the world,
is that we do not imbibe them.

Jesus said of His own, "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." He has chosen us out of the world. Un-worldliness is a characteristic of true Christianity, and is found in all genuine believers.

The multitude of worldly professors who call themselves by Christ's name, but who, in their lives, and in the worldliness of their hearts, deny Him--are not Christians at all. They are Christians in name only. Their religion is only a veneer that covers a heart of sin. They are actuated by the spirit of the world, and they love the things of the world.

To be a true Christian, means to be severed in spirit . . .
from the vanities of the world,
from the pride, fashion, display and pretense of the world,
from the world's love of pomp and power, and its hypocritical pretensions.

We must strive to be separated from the spirit, desires, aspirations, and hopes of this world--as really and as truly as Jesus was.

We must desire to live out in the life, those things that definitely mark one as having his hopes set on something higher, his aspirations set on something nobler, and his interests aimed at something greater and more lasting than . . .
the perishable things of the world,
the popular opinions of the world,
the sinful customs of the world,
the fashions and frivolities of the world, and
the pleasures and amusements of the world.

"Just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do. For it is written: Be holy, because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:15-16

nChrist · May 21, 2018

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Let us abhor the very idea of play-acting and mask-wearing in our Christianity!

(J.C. Ryle, "The Gospel of Luke" 1858.)

Let us observe how abominable hypocrisy is in the eyes of Christ. We are told that in the presence of all the people, Jesus said unto His disciples, "Beware of the teachers of the law! They like to walk around in flowing robes--and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows' houses--and pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public." Luke 20:46-47

This was a bold and remarkable warning. It was a public denunciation, we must remember, of men who were the recognized teachers of the Jewish people.

No sin seems to be regarded by Christ as more wicked, than hypocrisy. None certainly drew forth from His lips such frequent, strong and withering condemnation, during the whole course of His ministry.

He was ever full of mercy and compassion for the chief of sinners. "Fury was not in Him" when He saw Zacchaeus; the penitent thief; Matthew the tax-collector; Saul the persecutor; and the sinful woman in Simon's house.

But when He saw Scribes and Pharisees wearing a mere cloak of religion, and pretending to great outward sanctity, while their hearts were full of wickedness--His righteous soul seems to have been full of indignation. Eight times in one chapter (Matthew 23) we find Him saying, "Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees! You hypocrites!"

Whatever else we are in religion--let us be true. However feeble our faith, and hope, and love, and obedience may be--let us see to it that they are real, genuine, and sincere. Let us abhor the very idea of play-acting and mask-wearing in our Christianity. At any rate, let us be genuine.

The hypocrite will have the lowest place in Hell! "You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape the damnation of Hell?" Matthew 23:33

nChrist · May 22, 2018

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This alone is the vexed soul's refuge!

(Horatius Bonar, 1808-1889)

"In Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge!" Colossians 2:3

The one true resting-place where doubt and weariness, the stings of a pricking conscience, and the longings of an unsatisfied soul would all be quieted--is Christ Himself!

Not the church, but Christ.

Not doctrine, but Christ.

Not religious forms and ceremonies, but Christ.

Christ the God-man . . .
giving His life for ours,
sealing the everlasting covenant, and
making peace for us through the blood of His cross!

Christ the divine storehouse of all light and truth, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge!

Christ the infinite vessel--the enlightener, the teacher, the quickener, the comforter--so that out of His fullness we may receive grace upon grace.

This, this alone is the vexed soul's refuge, its rock to build on, its home to abide in--until the great tempter is bound and every conflict ended in victory.

nChrist · May 24, 2018

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I cannot think little of sin, when . . .

(J.C. Ryle)

"My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" Matthew 27:46

Would I know how exceedingly sinful and abominable sin is in the sight of God? Where shall I see sin most fully brought out?

Shall I turn to the history of the flood, and read how sin drowned the world?

Shall I go to the shore of the Dead Sea, and mark what sin brought on Sodom and Gomorrah?

No! I can find a clearer proof still! I look at the cross of Christ!

There I see that sin is so filthy and damnable, that nothing but the blood of God's own Son can wash it away!

There I see that sin has so separated me from my holy Maker, that all the angels in Heaven could never have made peace between us. Nothing could reconcile us, short of the death of Christ.

If I listened to the wretched talk of proud people, I might sometimes imagine that sin was not so very sinful! But I cannot think little of sin, when I look at the cross of Christ!

"A bleeding Savior I have viewed--and now I hate my sin!" John Newton

nChrist · May 24, 2018

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Gather your manna fresh every morning!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Oh, how I love Your law! I meditate on it all day long!" Psalm 119:97

The Bible in the pulpit, must never supersede the Bible at home. Let us read our Bibles in private more, and with more pains and diligence.

There is less private Bible reading than there was fifty years ago. I never would have believed that so many men and women would have been tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine, some falling into skepticism, some rushing into the wildest and narrowest fanaticism, and some going over to the Roman church. With many, there was a habit developed of lazy, superficial and careless reading of God's Word.

Read the Bible daily. Make it part of your everyday business to read and meditate on some portion of God's Word. Gather your manna fresh every morning! Choose your own seasons and hours. Do not scramble over and hurry your reading. Give your Bible the best, and not the worst, part of your time. But whatever plan you pursue, let it be a rule of your life to visit the throne of grace and the Bible every day.

Next to praying there is nothing so important in practical religion as Bible reading. By reading that Book we may learn . . .
what to believe,
what to be,
what to do,
how to live with comfort,
and how to die in peace.

Happy is that man who possesses a Bible!

Happier still is he who reads it!

Happiest of all is he who not only reads it, but obeys it, and makes it the rule of his faith and practice!

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness--that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17

nChrist · May 25, 2018

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I am fast borne along the stream of time!

(John MacDuff, "Evening Incense" 1856)

"It is appointed unto all once to die--and after death, the judgment!" Hebrews 9:27

O my Father, You are daily loading me with Your benefits--giving me unnumbered causes for gratitude and thankfulness. No earthly friend could have loved and cared for me like You. Oh may the life You are thus preserving by Your unceasing bounty--be unreservedly dedicated to Your praise.

O my Father, keep me mindful that I am soon to be done with this fleeting world; that I am fast borne along the stream of time--to the ocean of endless futurity!

May I be living in a constant state of preparedness for that solemn hour when small and great shall stand before You, and the books shall be opened. Train me for eternity! Let me not be frittering away these fleeting, but precious moments. Impress on me the solemn conviction . . .
that as men live--so do men die;
that as death leaves me--so judgment will find me;
and that as judgment finds me--so eternity will keep me.

Oh let death leave me falling asleep in Jesus, united to Him by a living faith--so that judgment may find me seated at His right hand, listening to the joyous welcome, "Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world!"

Blessed Jesus, all my hope of a glorious resurrection centers in You. I look to You as the strong tower which cannot be shaken. I flee anew to the holy sanctuary of Your covenant love. Sheltered there, amid a dissolving earth, and burning worlds--I shall be able joyfully to utter the challenge, "Who shall separate me from the love of Christ?"

Keep me from all negligence and unwatchfulness. Trim my flickering lamp. Let me live with Your Judgment-throne in view. May I ever remember--that I must soon give an account of myself to You, the infallible searcher of all hearts. May I feel that all the talents and means which You have given me--are trusts to be laid out for You. When you come to demand a reckoning, may I not be among the number of those who have hidden their talent in the earth, and have the cheerless retrospect of a misspent life.

May every providential voice sound loud in my ears, "Arise and depart--for this is not your rest, because it is defiled--it is ruined, beyond all remedy!"

Make me more heavenly-minded. Give me more of a pilgrim attitude--and a pilgrim spirit. May I ever feel that my true home is above--and that I am here on earth, but a wayfarer and sojourner, as all my fathers were. May I attain, as I advance nearer to Heaven, the blessed habit of a holy life, declaring plainly that I am seeking a heavenly home.

I delight often to anticipate that happy time, when I shall suffer no more--and sin no more!

"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12

nChrist · May 28, 2018

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God deals mysteriously with me!

(Alexander Smellie, "The Secret Place" 1907)

"Your path led through the sea, Your way through the mighty waters--though Your footprints were not seen!" Psalm 77:19

Just so, God deals mysteriously with me. His footsteps, His judgments, His methods, are often untrackable, like the untried sea. What though I cannot comprehend all His winding mazes? It is enough that He comprehends. I rest in His wise-heartedness and love.

I know that if He surrounds me with change, He gives me a hold on what is permanent and stable. Every breath of wind, every passing shadow, every ray of sun, alters the sea. And, meanwhile, by God's will, nothing in my life continues unchangeable. The very mutableness of things, drives me into closer communion with Himself. Standing on the Rock of Ages, I am rooted in an element that is indestructible.

I know that if He permits me to be assailed by storm, He can keep my heart in peace. It is His decree that I am driven hither and thither over moonless waters by contrary winds. But the certainty is mine, that He makes all things to work together for my good.

He is my holy Father, my unerring Father, my Father of immeasurable grace. He makes no mistakes now, and, by and by He will bring me to His house not made with hands, where I will sing with everlasting joy!

nChrist · May 29, 2018

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Trust His heart--even when you can't trace His hand!

(John MacDuff, "The Promised Land!" 1859)

"And He led them forth by the right way--that they might go to a city of habitation." Psalm 107:7

God's thoughts are not as our thoughts--neither are His ways as our ways! This truth is strikingly exemplified in the manner in which He led the Israelites from Egypt to the promised land. We would have chosen the way that was nearest and most direct--but God decided otherwise. He led them round about through the wilderness, and that for the space of forty years! And not merely was it the most distant way--but it was the most dangerous way as well. It was a land of deserts and of pits--a land of drought and death--a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt.

But, as strange as it appeared, we are fully justified in saying that it was wisely arranged.
Their long detainments;
their tiresome and circuitous wanderings;
their fierce conflicts with the Moabites and the Amalekites;
the bitter waters which they had to drink; and
the fiery serpents with which they were stung--
all fulfilled the high purposes of Him who is excellent in counsel, as well as wonderful in working. However contrary His way might have been to theirs--yet "He led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation."

His dealings with His people now are still as unusual, and as much opposed to all their preconceived plans--as were His dealings with the Israelites! He has crossed their own schemes, and thwarted their most fondly-cherished purposes! He always effects His own ends--in His own way!

Christian, what is your duty?

It is to cherish high thoughts of God in all His inscrutable dealings towards you.

It is to trust His heart--even when you can't trace His hand; believing that "all the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, unto such as keep His covenant and His testimonies."

It is to follow His guidance continually; for as He led His people of old with "the cloud by day, the pillared fire by night"--so He has promised to direct all your steps, and preserve all your goings.

It is to wait His time; for although the way may appear long and tedious--yet remember, "all is well, that ends well." And what will the end be? "And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs, and everlasting joy upon their heads! They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away!"

nChrist · May 31, 2018

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A book full of Christ!

(J.C. Ryle)

"Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." Luke 24:44

We have probably little idea how much deep truth is contained in the book of Psalms. No part of the Bible perhaps is better known in the letter--and none so little understood in the spirit. We err greatly if we suppose that it is nothing but a record of David's feelings, of David's experience, David's praises, and David's prayers. The hand that held the pen was generally David's. But the subject matter was often something far deeper and higher than the history of the son of Jesse.

The book of Psalms, in a word, is a book full of Christ:
Christ in humiliation,
Christ suffering,
Christ dying,
Christ rising again,
Christ coming the second time,
Christ reigning over all.

Both of Christ's advents are here: His coming in suffering to bear the cross--and His second coming in power to wear the crown.

Both of Christ's kingdoms are here--His kingdom of grace, during which the elect are gathered--and His kingdom of glory, when every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord.

Let us always read the Psalms with a peculiar reverence. Let us say to ourselves as we read, "A greater than David is here!"

nChrist · May 31, 2018

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The chain of redeeming love now holds them!

(Henry Law)

"For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect!" 1 Peter 1:18-19

Your time is redeemed--use it as a consecrated talent in His cause.

Your minds are redeemed--employ them to learn His truth, and to meditate on His ways.

Your eyes are redeemed--let them not look on vanity; close them on all sights of folly and evil.

Your feet are redeemed--let them trample on the world and climb the upward hill of Zion and bear you onward in the mark of Christian zeal.

Your tongues are redeemed--let them only sound His praise, and testify of His love, and call sinners to His cross.

Your hearts are redeemed--let them love Him wholly, and have no place for rivals.

A redeemed flock should live in redemption's pastures. The Redeemer's freedmen should evidence, that they are called to holy liberty, and that their holy liberty is holy service. The chain of sin is broken--and the chain of redeeming love now holds them!

nChrist · Jun 1, 2018

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The sword of His pure, infinite and incensed wrath!

(Thomas Brooks, "The Golden Key to Open Hidden Treasures")

"Yet it was the Lord's will to crush Him and cause Him to suffer." Isaiah 53:10

To see God thrust the sword of His pure, infinite and incensed wrath through the very heart of His dearest Son, notwithstanding all His supplications, prayers, tears, and strong cries--is the highest manifestation of the Lord's hatred and indignation of sin--which ever was, or ever will be!

It is true, God revealed His great hatred against sin . . .
by casting the angels down to hell,
by turning Adam out of paradise,
by drowning the old world, and
by raining hell out of heaven upon Sodom and Gomorrah,
and by the various and dreadful judgments which He has been a-pouring forth upon the world in all ages. But all this hatred is but an emblem of hatred--compared to that hatred which God manifested against sin, in causing the whole curse to meet upon our crucified Lord!

It is true that God reveals His hatred of sin by those endless, easeless, and remediless torments, which He inflicts upon devils and damned men. But this is no hatred--compared to that hatred against sin, which God revealed when He opened all the floodgates of His envenomed wrath upon His Son--His own Son, His only Son, His Son who always pleased Him.

Suppose there was a father who had but one son--and he was such a son in whom he always delighted, and by whom he had never been provoked. Now suppose you should you see this father inflicting the most intensified pains and punishments, tortures and torments, calamities and miseries upon this, his dearest son. Would you not wonder at the cause of the father's exercising such amazing, such matchless severity, fury and cruelty upon his only beloved son?

Now cast your eye upon the actings of God the Father towards Jesus Christ--and you will find that He has inflicted more and greater torments upon the Son of His dearest love--than all mortals ever have or could inflict upon others. God made all the penalties and sufferings that were due to us--to fall upon Jesus Christ. God Himself inflicted upon dear Jesus, whatever was requisite to the satisfying of His justice, to the obtaining of pardon, and to the saving of all His elect!

"He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5

nChrist · Jun 2, 2018

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You have not yet come to the rest and the inheritance which the Lord your God is giving you!

("Every Day!" Author unknown, 1872)

"You have not yet come to the rest and the inheritance which the Lord your God is giving you!" Deuteronomy 12:9

These words were addressed to the people of Israel in reference to their entrance into Canaan. A better rest and a more glorious inheritance are in reserve for the people of God--and they are freely bestowed. As Canaan was given to the Jews--so is Heaven, with all its joys, given to believers! God has, in unspeakable grace, given His only begotten Son--and with Him, He freely gives all things.

Christian pilgrim, you have not yet come to the rest and inheritance which the Lord your God will give you. You have yet a little longer to tread the wilderness course:
your work is not yet done,
your battles are not all fought,
your trials are not all endured.
But praise your God and take courage!

"He who has helped you hitherto
Will help you all your journey through!"

You have not yet come to your rest--but you are coming to it! It is a little nearer now, than it was yesterday.

You are not yet in possession of your eternal inheritance--but Christ is in possession, and you are a joint heir with Him. Where the forerunner is--there all His followers will be!

"Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance--an inheritance that is kept in Heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay!" 1 Peter 1:3-4

nChrist · Jun 4, 2018

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The aged believer's cordial

(James Smith)

"Hearken unto Me! I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime--until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you!" Isaiah 46:3-4

This passage of Scripture is the aged believer's cordial. Let us look at the beautiful images employed.

God is our parent--a kind and tender-hearted parent. He is peculiarly attached to His people--they are dear to Him, and precious in His sight. They are His portion. He prizes them above all creation. He is strong to sustain, to defend and support them. His strong arm, tender heart, and watchful eye--are all employed for them--and especially so in old age.

The aged believer is as a child. He is weak. He feels exposed and defenseless. He is timid and fearful. But the Lord, as a tender parent, engages to take him up in the arms of His power--and carry him in the bosom of His love! Like a tender lamb in the shepherd's bosom on a cold and frosty night, borne across a bleak and snow-covered wasteland--so the believer, in the winter of old age, shall be carried in the bosom of his God, across the bleak and cheerless desert of time.

God will carry him tenderly--hushing the weak one's fears.
He will bear him carefully--so that nothing shall harm or hurt him.
He will soothe him with gentle words, and encourage him with kind acts--until He safely brings him Home!

Dear aged Christian, you have nothing to fear! Your God says, "I will be your God throughout your lifetime--until your hair is white with age! I am your Father--your Friend--your solace--and your confidence! Look unto Me, even to old age--I will carry you. I will bear you up under all that you feel and fear. I will carry you through all that discourages or distresses you. I will deliver you from foes, fears, dangers and death itself! Nothing shall by any means hurt you! My arm is strong enough--trust in it. My bosom is your resting-place--lean on it, lean hard! Do not be afraid . . .
love dwells there,
pity rules there,
your name is engraved there!
Trust me, I will never leave you nor forsake you!

"Hearken!" Believer, your God bids you to "hearken." His words are true and faithful.
He speaks to banish your fears.
He speaks to strengthen your faith.
He speaks to comfort your poor drooping heart.
He speaks to clothe your care-worn brow, with the light of hope, with the cheerfulness which confidence imparts.

Hearken to Him--not to unbelief or carnal reason.
It is the Guide of your youth who addresses you.
It is your tender Parent who seeks to cheer your heart.
Hearken, it is your Savior who speaks!

"As one whom his mother comforts"--so does your God comfort you.
He is near you--near you every moment;
He will carry you--carry you every step;
He will deliver you--deliver you from every danger, trouble and foe!

nChrist · Jun 5, 2018

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The greatest unkindness they could possibly do the child!

(J.R. Miller)

"Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.
Punish him with the rod--and save his soul from death!" Proverbs 23:13-14

To leave the roots of weeds growing in the garden among the flowers--is to insure the springing up of those weeds by and by, to mar the beauty of the garden.

In the same way, some parents have such foolish hearts that they cannot bear to correct a child lest they cause it pain. They forget that to leave an uncorrected fault in a child, or to allow any wrong habit to grow up in its life unchecked--is the greatest unkindness they could possibly do the child!

No tender feeling should ever prevent a parent from trying to correct a fault in a child. Love must always seek the best.

"Chasten your son while there is hope--and do not set your heart on his destruction!" Proverbs 19:18

nChrist · Jun 6, 2018

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These rare pictures!

(J.R. Miller)

"Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things!" Isaiah 40:26

They miss many a tender joy--who do not have a heart in sympathy with nature.

They lose many a whisper of love which drops from God's lips--who do not have ears open to hear the voices of nature.

They fail to see many lovely visions of beauty--who have not learned to use their eyes in admiring the exquisite things that God has scattered everywhere in such glorious variety.

Yet most of us walk amid these inspirations, these rare pictures, these sweet voices--and neither feel nor see nor hear them! God meant us to get comfort and joy from the lovely things with which He has filled our earth.

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.
There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world!" Psalm 19:1-4

nChrist · Jun 7, 2018

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The Holy Spirit

(James Smith, "The Way of Salvation Set Forth")

"That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." John 3:6

The Holy Spirit is the author of the great work of regeneration. He takes up His abode in the renewed heart, as His temple. He dwells in us, and shall be with us. Jesus does all for us, in our justification; and the Holy Spirit does all in us, for our sanctification.

The Holy Spirit is the source of all holy desires, consistent purposes and good works. There is no good thing in us, but what He produces. He dwells within us as the Teacher, the Comforter and the Advocate of the soul. He leads us . . .
into truth,
against Satan,
and to labor for God.

He . . .
warns us of evil,
directs us to Jesus, and
applies the blessings of salvation to our souls.
He is in us as a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Without the Holy Spirit there is not, there cannot be, genuine religion; for He is its author, guardian, and guide.

To Him we are indebted . . .
for every good desire,
for every holy thought,
for every good word, and
for every fruitful work.
He works in us to will and to do of His own good pleasure.

Every tear of penitence,
every contrite sigh,
every fervent prayer,
every ray of spiritual light,
every holy emotion toward God
--is from the Holy Spirit.

If He left us--our graces would soon wither, fade and die.

When we grieve Him . . .
our comforts decline,
our evidences are beclouded,
and our hands wax feeble.
But . . .
if we sow to the Spirit,
if we walk in the Spirit,
if we aim in all things to please Him--then . . .
our souls are vigorous,
our graces are lively, and
we are enabled to find our joy in God.

nChrist · Jun 8, 2018

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God has three hands!

(The sermons of Matthew Mead, 1629-1699)

"It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God!" Hebrews 10:31

What is meant by God's hands?

1. There is God's protecting hand, which is sweet and comfortable.

2. There is God's chastening hand, which is bitter, but profitable.

3. There is God's revenging hand, which is neither comfortable nor profitable, but astonishing and fearful. This is the hand of God's wrath, by which He executes judgment on unrepentant sinners, without remedy, and without mercy. This is the hand which the text points at: "It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God!"

Now men go on in their sins securely--and God is quiet and lets them alone. Now they speak peace to themselves in the midst of their sin and rebellion. But when God's hand takes hold of them in judgment--then He will repay sinners for all the wrongs they have done Him all their lives long, "As surely as I live forever, when I sharpen My flashing sword and My hand grasps it in judgment--I will take vengeance on My adversaries and repay those who hate Me!" Deuteronomy 32:41

God being the living God, is matter of great terror to those who hate Him--as it is of comfort to those who love and fear Him!

He is the living God, and if you fall into His hands--then you must be the eternal prisoner of His wrath! As long as God lives--you will be miserable, and damned and undone! He is the living God, and as long as He lives--so the sinner shall live under the weight of His wrath and vengeance. The unrepentant sinner will bear His wrath as long as He is the living God!

God lives forever, and therefore, the believer's Heaven shall be forever!
And because God lives forever--the sinner's Hell shall be forever!

The life of God is eternal, and therefore He can punish us eternally. So Christ says: "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into Hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him!" Luke 12:4-5

O! that you would seriously consider that God is a living God! Think of this when you are about to sin: "This sin is done in the sight of the living God! I must give an account of this sin before the living God!"

It would be an awakening thing if we would but let this thought dwell in our minds--that God is a living God, and that I must have to deal with this living God forever, either in Heaven or Hell!

Nothing is so dreadful to a soul under wrath, as to consider that God lives forever. It is that which puts a terror into all those attributes of God which are engaged against the lost soul. The justice of God and the wrath of God are terrible--and the power of God is that which makes them so. God's wrath is made even more terrible, by its being eternal. It is His power that makes His justice terrible--and eternity that makes His power dreadful. The eternity of Hell, makes Hell more dreadful than His power; His power makes it sharp and painful--His life makes it everlasting--and everlastingness is the sharpest sting in Hell's misery!

nChrist · Jun 9, 2018

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Are we Christians--or are we worldlings?

(Horatius Bonar, "Self-Denial Christianity")

"Woe to those who are at ease in Zion!" Amos 6:1

What do we say to . . .
our self-indulgence,
our spiritual sloth,
our love of ease,
our avoidance of hardship,
our luxury,
our pampering of the body,
our costly feasts,
our silken couches,
our brilliant furniture,
our gay attire,
our expensive jewelry,
our idle mirth,
our voluptuous music,
our jovial tables, loaded with every variety of rich viands?

Are we Christians--or are we worldlings?

Where is the self-denial of the New Testament days?

Where is the separation from a self-pleasing luxurious world? Where is the cross, the true badge of discipleship, to be seen--except in useless religious ornaments for the body, or worse than useless decorations for the sanctuary?

"Woe to those who are at ease in Zion!" Is not this the description of multitudes who name the name of Christ? They may not be "living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry." But even where these are absent, there is 'high living'--luxury of the table or the wardrobe--in conformity to this present evil world.

"At ease in Zion!" Yes! there is the shrinking . . .
from hard service;
from spending and being spent;
from toil and burden-bearing and conflict;
from self-sacrifice and noble service;
for the Master's sake.

There is conformity to the world, instead of conformity to Christ!
There is a laying down of the cross, instead of a taking up of the cross.
Or there is a lining of the cross with velvet, lest it should gall our shoulders as we carry it!
Or there is an adorning of the cross, that it may suite the taste and the manners of our refined and intellectual age.

Anything but the bare, rugged and simple cross!

We think that we can make the strait gate wider, and the narrow way broader--so as to be able to walk more comfortably to the heavenly kingdom. We try to prove that modern enlightenment has so refined 'the world and its pleasures', that we may safely drink the poisoned cup, and give ourselves up to the inebriation of the siren song.

"At ease in Zion!" Even when the walls of our city are besieged, and the citadel is being stormed!

Instead of grasping our weapons, we lie down upon our couches!

Instead of the armor, we put on the silken robe!

We are cowards, when we should be brave!

We are faint-hearted, when we should be bold!

We are lukewarm, when we should be fervent!

We are cold, when we should be full of zeal!

We compromise and shuffle and make excuses--when we should lift up our voice like a trumpet! We pare down truth, or palliate error, or extenuate sin--in order to placate the world, or suit the spirit of the age, or 'unify' the Church.

Learn self-denying Christianity. Not the form or name, but the living thing.

Let us renounce the lazy, luxurious, self-pleasing, fashionable religion of the present day!

A self-indulgent religion has nothing in common with the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ; or with that cross of ours which He has commanded us to take up and carry after Him--renouncing ease and denying self.

Our time,
our abilities,
our money,
our strength--
are all to be laid upon the altar.

"Woe to those who are at ease in Zion!" Amos 6:1

nChrist · Jun 10, 2018

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From Grace Gems:
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We are not expected to like it--but we are told not to despise it

(J.R. Miller)

"My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord." Proverbs 3:11

The Bible always talks to us as children. Chastening comes with a Father's authority--and also a Father's gentleness.

Of course, it is not possible that we should really find pleasure in being chastened. That is not natural. Indeed the Bible says, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful." Not even the grace of God in our hearts can take the sting out of chastening. We are not expected to like it--but we are told not to despise it. That is, we are to accept it without murmuring, without complaining, and submissively--as God's messenger to us, bringing a blessing.

It will help us to receive chastening meekly, in faith and love--if we remember that it is our heavenly Father who sends it. We know that He loves us with infinite affection. He does not take pleasure therefore in causing us pain, nor would He do it at all--were it not in some way for our good. It is because He loves us and would do us good--that He sends or permits the suffering.

We should never despise any instruction our Father gives us, however costly and painful it may be. He lets us suffer because He loves us--and would make our lives beautiful and holy.

We should be willing to endure any pain or trial, in order to have the likeness of Christ fashioned in our life.

"God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:10-11

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