He chose you to be trophies of His grace!

Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

"Feeding Sheep--or Amusing Goats?"
 by Charles Spurgeon
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He chose you to be trophies of His grace!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"You yourselves, as living stones, are being built into a spiritual house for a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 2:5

God builds a palace for Himself in heaven, made of 'living stones'. Where did He get them? Has He brought forth the richest and the purest marble from the fine quarries of Paris? No! Christians, look to "the hole of the pit where you were dug out of, and to the rock where you were cut from!" You were full of sin. Far from being stones that were white with purity--you were black with defilement, seemingly utterly unfit to be stones in the spiritual temple, which would be the dwelling-place of the Most High God. And yet, He chose you to be trophies of His grace!

Goldsmiths make exquisite jewelry from precious materials; they fashion the bracelet and the ring from gold. But God makes His jewels out of base materials. From the black pebbles of the defiling brooks--He has taken up stones, which He has set in the golden ring of His immutable love, to make them gems to sparkle on His finger forever. He has not selected the best--but apparently the worst of men--to be the monuments of His grace!

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Lord of the Rings

I have subscribed to a variety of blogs.  One such blog is challies.com, posted by Tim Challies.  I enjoy reading these blogs and gleaning things from them.  The article below was a recent post on his blog.  I enjoyed the insight from it and wanted to share it here.  Thanks for the insight.

 

Good, Evil and the Ring of Power

If you've read this blog for a while, I guess you know that I'm a fan of The Lord of the Rings. I'm not one of those Tolkien fanboys who is going to react with offense when you get a fact wrong. Rather, I'm a fan of a good story and it's beyond dispute, I think, that in The Lord of the Rings Tolkien has crafted an epic story. I mentioned recently that I've been reading the book with my family and that as I've been doing so, certain components of the story have been jumping out at me. Today I want to point to one more of these.

One thing that sets The Lord of the Rings apart from just about every other fantasy series I've ever tried reading is that it does not confuse good with evil. It never glamorizes evil. Tolkien carefully separates the good from the evil and avoids blurring distinctions between the two. It is always fascinating to keep an eye on Tolkien's portrayal of these the two opposing forces.

One aspect of this that has stood out to me recently is the inability of evil to understand good and, conversely, good's ability to understand evil. Here Tolkien has tapped into a crucial reality about good and evil.

As I'm sure you know, the whole book is based on a long and dangerous quest to destroy the Ring of Power. Many years before the commencement of the story, Sauron had created a ring and into this ring he had invested much of his strength and will. This ring was his greatest strength and potentially his greatest weakness. With it he was nearly unapproachable in his power; without it he was weakened; if it were to be destroyed, he too would be destroyed. Through a series of unlikely events the ring has ended up in the hands of Frodo Baggins, a hobbit, who has now been given the task of venturing to Mount Doom to destroy this ring. All the forces of evil are arrayed against him as he does this. And yet, somehow, he succeeds (sorry to give away the ending, but I'm sure you already know all of this). How then does Frodo succeed in so unlikely a quest?

He succeeds because Sauron, powerful though he may be, never understands what Frodo plans to do. Sauron sees good through the lens of evil. He cannot conceive of anyone actually destroying something as powerful as his ring. He assumes that everyone would do what he would do--use the ring to rule over others. Had he understood good, he would have known that the forces of good would destroy the ring and, in so doing, destroy him. He could simply then have surrounded Mount Doom with his armies and intercepted anyone who approached. But instead he projected his evil thoughts onto the forces of good and determined that they must be doing what he would do--using the ring as a means of power. And thus his actions, his attempts to find and retrieve the ring, were all wrong. In his evil he completely misunderstood good. And really, this is the way it had to be. How can evil understand good?

Here Tolkien has displayed in fictional form an important reality. Evil cannot understand good. When I communicate with an unbeliever, as I've been doing in my letters to Luke (another of which is coming soon) I can have confidence that I understand him better than he understands me. Why? Because I have been brought from darkness into light, from evil into good. I've known evil and now know good. Through the Bible I am given God's eyes to see evil as he sees it and to understand it as he understands it. This gives me a whole new clarity. But one who has never turned to Christ has known only evil. He can see what is good but can understand it only through that lens of evil. I know what it is to be lost in a way that he cannot know what it is to be saved. Tolkien got this one right.

Suffering

Much of what I have been reading lately has been reminding me that suffering is a necessary part of our life and Christian growth.  If we never endured suffering, we would be weak, soft, and immature.  Suffering produces strength, consistency, persistence, endurance, and character in us as beleivers that we would othewise not have.  This is rarely pleasant or fun, but it is essential to the lfie of the beleiver. 

 

Perhaps this is the reason God is allowing our nation to be headed in the direction that it is.  For far too long, we have had it easy as the church.  We have had the freedom and comfort of being able to worship Him as we will.  We have met with little opposition and it has had little or no cost to us. We have gotten soft and we have allowed worldly influences to creep in our lives and our churches.  We have allowed unbeleivers to come into our churches and proclaim they are Chrisitans and become members.  We have loosened our standards of Christian maturity and growth and sought only to be comfortable and have the easy life.  It is time for our churches to be purged and cleaned. 

 

I was informed by a member of my church this past Sunday that some states have already begun to pass the Hate Speech Bill that prohibits anyone from speaking out against Homosexuality.   Meaning, pastors can now be arrested for preaching out against homosexuality from the pulpit in some states.  The moves and direction we see President Obama taking is certainly not in favor of the church.  While he is not the anti-Christ of Revelation necessarily, he is a anti-Christ.  He cares not for God or His church and will see an increased attack against the church.

 

Suffering may become even more familiar to each of us as believers before the year 2010 is over.  In one way, we need to thank God for the opportunity that He is giving for us to be strengthed and purged as a church.  We need to look at suffering as He does; a method and means by which His bride, the church, is brought to strength and maturity and a wholeness and soundness of Christ-like character. 

 

Even as I write this, I dread the reality that suffering is already in our lives and may yet be coming in greater levels.  Yet, I pray that when it hits me personally, I can see it through His eyes and gladly, willingly, and boldly accept it and strive for God's will to be accomplished through it.  I pray that is my attitude.  No biblical attribute or virtue was every attained without opposition, struggle, or suffering.  The Fruit of the Spirit grows the best and the strongest through oppostition and suffering.  The attributes and character qualities are most clearly revealed through opposition and suffering.  It is a necessary evil that we must face if we desire to be Christ-like in every aspect of our lives. 

 

So, in the words of Steven Curtis Chapmans song, "Bring it On."

The Babylonian books of the present day!

Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

"Inviolable attachment"
 by John MacDuff
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The Babylonian books of the present day!

(Charles Spurgeon, "The Greatest Fight in the World")

The history of that human ignorance which calls itself "philosophy", is absolutely identical with the history of fools! If ones were to write the history of folly, he would have to give several chapters to philosophy, and those chapters would be more revealing than any others.

Beware of the Babylonian books of the present day! The truth of God is the only treasure for which we seek, and the Scripture is the only field in which we dig for it! If you keep close to the inspired book, you can suffer no harm; you are at the fountain-head of all moral and spiritual good. This is fit food for the people of God--this is the bread which nourishes the highest life.

The prayerful study of the Word is not only a means of instruction--but an act of devotion wherein the transforming power of grace is often exercised, changing us into the image of Christ, of whom the Word is a mirror.

Within the Scripture, there is a balm for every wound, a salve for every sore. Oh, the wondrous power in the Scripture to create a heart of hope, within the ribs of despair! Amidst sharp and strong temptations, and fierce and bitter trials, the Word of the Lord has preserved us. Amidst discouragements which damped our hopes, and disappointments which wounded our hearts, our Bibles have brought us a secret, unconquerable consolation.

There is no true doctrine which has not been fruitful in good works. Payson wisely said, "If there is one fact, one doctrine, or promise in the Bible, which has produced no practical effect upon your temper or conduct--be assured that you do not truly believe it."

The "doctrines of grace" produce . . .
  a fine morality,
  a stern integrity,
  a delicate purity,
  a devout holiness,
  consecration in life,
  calm resignation in the hour of suffering,
  joyful confidence in the article of death.
This must be a true gospel--which can produce such lives as these!

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The smallest trifles

Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

"Invisible harmonies"
 by John MacDuff
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The smallest trifles

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered!" Matthew 10:29-30

It is most important for us to learn, that the smallest trifles are as much arranged by the God of Providence, as the most startling events. He who counts the stars--has also numbered the hairs of our heads. Our lives and deaths are predestined--but so, also, are our sitting down and our rising up!

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Blogging

Here is my attempt to be better at doing blogging of my own. If you have been following my blog for any length of time, you will find that I have not always been consistent. There are a great deal of benefits to blogging, both personally and for the sake of my ministry. John Piper proposes some very good reasons for blogging. I believe it will be a good exercise if I can commit to doing so, even if it is only once a week or so. If you have been following recently, you will see that I do have Grace Gems posting daily. I have been incredibly blessed by these daily emails over the past year or so that I have received them. Thus, I have been reposting them here and will continue to do so. I pray that they will be a blessing to you as they have been to me. However, it is also my goal to begin blogging myself at least once a week to begin with. I pray that you will be challenged and encouraged from this ministry. It is not for my sake that I do this, but for yours. I desire to see God use this to be a blessing to others. I welcome comments and feedback, but most importantly, I value your prayer. May God richly bless you as you continually seek Him!

Teach me how to pray, mother!

Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

"Sleeping and waking"
 by John MacDuff
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Teach me how to pray, mother!

(J. R. Miller, "The Wider Life" 1908)

"Lord, teach us to pray!" Luke 11:1

A little child missed her mother at a certain time every day. The mother's habit was to slip away upstairs alone, and to be gone for some time. The child noticed that the mother was always gentler, quieter and sweeter after she came back. Her face had lost its weary look--and was shining! Her voice was gladder, more cheerful.

"Where do you go, mother," the child said thoughtfully, "when you leave us every day?"

"I go upstairs to my room," said the mother.

"Why do you go to your room?" continued the little questioner. "You always come back with your face shining. What makes it shine so?"

"I go to pray," replied the mother reverently.

The child was silent for a little while, and then she said softly: "Teach me how to pray, mother!"

"When you pray, say: Our Father . . ." Luke 11:2

That one word is the key to the whole mystery of prayer. When Jesus taught his disciples to speak to God, calling Him by that blessed name--He gave them the greatest of all lessons in prayer. When we can look into God's face and honestly say 'Father,' it is easy to pray. God loves to be called 'Father'. It opens His heart to hear all that we say--and to grant all that we ask.

Such power has the word 'father' spoken by a child, to open a human heart. Such power too, has the name 'Father' to find and open the heart of God! If we can sincerely say 'Father' when we come to the 'gate of prayer', we shall be sure to find entrance. If God is really our Father, we will no longer have any question as to whether we may pray to Him, or as to how to pray.

Some of us find life hard. It is full of cares and questions, of tasks and duties, of temptations and dangers. There are thorns and briers, among its roses. There are pitfalls in its sunniest paths. If we do not know how to pray--we can never get through the days. The privilege of prayer is always ours. The 'gate of prayer' is always open! Any moment we can look up and say 'Father', lay our need before the throne of mercy--and God will answer us as He desires!

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We have published J. R. Miller's superb book, "The Wider Life".

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No sin, no sinner, no devil!

Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

"Strength for the day" John MacDuff
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No sin, no sinner, no devil!

(Thomas Brooks, "A Word in Season to Suffering Saints")

"An undefiled inheritance." 1 Peter 1:4

There are few earthly inheritances--but some defilement or other sticks close to them. Many times they are gotten by fraud, oppression, violence, injustice, etc. And as they are often wickedly gotten--so they are as often wickedly kept!

The heavenly inheritance is the only undefiled inheritance. No sin, no sinner, no devil--can enter to defile or pollute the heavenly inheritance, the incorruptible crown! The serpent got into the earthly paradise, and defiled Adam's crown--yes he robbed him of his crown! But the subtle serpent can never enter into the heavenly paradise!

"Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life." Revelation 21:27

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A poor shoemaker in his dreary little shop

Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

"The abiding Friend"
 by John MacDuff
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A poor shoemaker in his dreary little shop

(J. R. Miller, "The Wider Life" 1908)

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." 2 Corinthians 4:16

"For our perishable earthly bodies must be transformed into heavenly bodies that will never die!" 1 Corinthians 15:53

The lesson of the imperishable life, has a special application to those who suffer from sickness or from any bodily affliction. It will help us to endure physical sufferings quietly and unmurmuringly, if we will remember that it is only the outward man that can be touched and affected by these experiences, and that the inward man may not only be kept unharmed, but may be growing all the while in beauty and strength, being spiritually renewed through pain and suffering.

A poor shoemaker in his dreary little shop in a great city, one day noticed that there was one little place in his dark room, from which he could get a view of green fields, blue skies and faraway hills. He wisely set up his bench at that point, so that at any moment he could lift his eyes from his dull work--and have a glimpse of the great, beautiful world outside.

Just so, from the darkest sick-room, and from the midst of the keenest sufferings, there is always a point from which we can see the face of Christ and have a glimpse of the glory of heaven. If only we will find this place and get this vision--it will make it easy to endure even the greatest suffering.

"For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down--when we die and leave these bodies--we will have a home in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God Himself and not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long for the day when we will put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing." 2 Corinthians 5:1-2

Sickness is discouraging and is hard to bear. But we should remember that the doing of the will of God is always the noblest, holiest thing we can do any hour--however hard it may be for us. If we are called to suffer--let us suffer patiently and sweetly. Under all our sharp trials--let us keep the peace of God in our hearts. The outward man may indeed decay--but the inward man will be renewed day by day.

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Our conception of Christian life

"The grave spoiled"
by John MacDuff
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Our conception of Christian life

(J. R. Miller, "The Wider Life" 1908)

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus!" Philippians 2:5

Paul tells us that we ought to have the same spirit as Jesus, the same temper and disposition as Jesus, and the same principles as Jesus.

The life of Christ--must be the pattern of our lives.

We can learn what were the qualities of Christ's life, by a study of the Gospels. These precious books not only tell us about Christ, of the facts of His life, the works He did, the words He spoke--they also show us His sympathy, His kindness, His helpfulness, how He lived, how He interacted with people, how He bore enmity, unkindness and persecution.

Perhaps we do not think enough of Christ's beauty of character and disposition--in forming our conception of Christian life. It is one thing to profess to be a Christian; and another thing to grow into the loveliness of Christ. One may be altogether sincere in confessing Christ--and yet be full of faults, only a beginner, having everything of Christian duty yet to learn; and all the beautiful qualities of Christian character yet to acquire.

"Whoever claims to live in Him--must walk as Jesus did." 1 John 2:6

He had to 'learn the lesson' just as we do!

Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

"The reason for chastisement" by John MacDuff
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He had to 'learn the lesson' just as we do!

(J. R. Miller, "The Wider Life" 1908)

"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in need." Philippians 4:11-12

Life is a 'school'. All its experiences are 'lessons'.

We are all in 'Christ's school'--and He is always 'educating' us.

Disciples are 'learners' and all true Christians are disciples. We enter the lowest grade when we begin to be Christians. We have everything to learn. Each new experience, is a new lesson set for us by the great Teacher.

The business of noble Christian living--is learning. We know nothing when we begin. Learning is not confined to what we get from reading books. All of life is a school. 'Christ's books' are ever being put into our hands, and 'lessons' are set for us continually.

Paul tells us of one of the lessons he had learned in the 'school of experience'. "I have learned," he said, "the secret of being content in any and every situation." We are glad to know that Paul had to learn to be contented. We are apt to think that such a man as he was--did not have to learn to live as we common people do; that he always knew, for instance, how to be contented. Here, however, we have the confession that he had to 'learn the lesson' just as we do. He did not always know 'the secret of contentment'. He was well on in years when he said this, from which we conclude that it took him a long time to learn the lesson--and that it was not easy for him to do it. Christ's school is not easy.

Sorrow is a choice lesson in Christ's school. Sorrow is not an accident breaking into our life, without meaning or purpose. God could prevent the coming of the sorrow--if He so desired. He has all power, and nothing can touch the life of any of His children--unless He is willing. Since we know that God loves us and yet permits us to suffer--we may be quite sure that there is a blessing, something good, in whatever it is that brings us pain or sorrow.

We shrink from pain. We would run away from afflictions. We would refuse to accept sorrow. But there are things worth suffering for, things dearer than ease and pleasure. We learn lessons in pain, which repay a thousand times--the cost of our tears!

The Bible tells us that God preserves the tears of His children, putting them in His tear-bottle. Tears are sacred to God, because of the blessings that come through them, to His children. In heaven, we will look back on our lives of pain and sorrow on the earth--and will find that our best lessons have come through our tears!

All the 'Christian graces' have to be learned in 'Christ's school'. There Paul had learned contentment. He never would have learned it, however, if he had had only pleasure and ease all his life. Contentment comes from learning to do without things, which we once supposed to be essential to our comfort. Paul had learned contentment through finding such fullness of blessing in Christ--that he did not need the 'secondary things' any more.

Perhaps we would succeed better in learning this same grace--if we had fewer of life's comforts--if sometimes we had experience of need. The continuity of blessings that flow like a river into our lives--gives us no opportunity to learn contentment.

When sufferings come into our life . . .
  disagreeable things--instead of pleasant things;
  hunger and poverty--instead of plenty;
  rough ways--instead of flower-strewn paths;
God is teaching us the 'lesson of contentment', so that we can say at length, that we have learned the secret of being content!

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We have just published two most challenging 5 page articles by J. R. Miller:

   Nevertheless, Afterward

   Being a Comfort to Others

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Objections to the Believability of the Bible

Some links to some good articles refuting the objections that the bible is not believable.

Objection One - No one really knows what Bible says because the original manuscripts are lost.

Objection Two - The Bible has been copied so many times, with so many variations, there’s no way to know what was originally scripted.

Objection Three - The books of the Bible were chosen arbitrarily by councils of men in highly political processes. As a result, they left out some very good books – perhaps some equally inspired writings.

Objection Four - It’s silly to assume that one book – the Bible – contains all of God’s truth and that other great writings, from the Vedas to the Book of Mormon, do not come from God.

Objection Five - The Bible is full of contradictions.

Objection Six - The Bible can’t be true because it depicts a different God in the Old and New Testaments.

Objection Seven - There are so many translations of the Bible today, it’s impossible to know which translation is the right one.

Objection Eight - There are so many Christian denominations today, it’s clear that Christians can’t agree on what the Bible teaches.

He saw that they were in serious trouble!

Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

"It Will Cost You Everything!"

Superb 11 minute video clip by Steve Lawson

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He saw that they were in serious trouble!

(J. R. Miller, "Miller's Year Book--a Year's Daily Readings")

"Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side. After leaving them, He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray.
He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o'clock in the morning He came to them, walking on the water." Mark 6:45, 46, 48

Jesus did not come immediately; indeed, it was almost morning when He came, and the disciples had been struggling all night in the storm. Yet He had not been indifferent to them meanwhile. From the mountainside where He was praying--He kept His eye upon them. "He saw that they were in serious trouble." All that dark night, He kept a watch upon that little boat that bore His disciples in the midst of the waves.

There is something very suggestive in the narrative. This 'boat in the storm', is a picture of 'Christ's friends in this world, in the storms of life'. Sometimes we think we are forgotten--but from His place in glory, Christ's eye is always on us! He sees us struggling, battling with the waves, beaten, and distressed. He has full sympathy with us in all our struggles. It ought to be a great strength and comfort to us in trial, to know this. Jesus intercedes for us in our distresses!

It may not be best always to deliver us immediately--but His prayer continually ascends, that our faith may not fail in the struggle. This also should encourage us.

Then, He always comes in time. He may delay long--but it is never too long. If we call upon Him in trouble--we may be sure that He hears and sees us, and knows just how hard it is for us to endure; that He prays for us that we may not fail, and that He will come at the right time for our deliverance!

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Then the worm became a splendid butterfly

Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

"The supporting Presence" by John MacDuff
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Then the worm became a splendid butterfly

(J. R. Miller, "The Wider Life" 1908)

"Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your hearts on things above! Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things!" Colossians 3:1-2

Paul reminds us that those who believe on Christ--should live a risen life.

We live on the earth at present. We walk on earth's streets. We live in material houses, built of stones, bricks, or wood. We eat earth's fruits, gathering our food from earth's fields, orchards and gardens. We wear clothes woven of earthly fabrics. We adorn our homes with works of art that human hands make. We engage in the business of earth. We find our happiness in the things of this life.

But there will be a life after this! We call it heaven. We cannot see it. There is never a rift in the sky, through which we can get even a glimpse of it. We have in the Scriptures hints of its beauty, its happiness, its blessedness. We know it is a world without sorrow, without sin, without death. Paul's teaching is that the Christian, while living on the earth--ought to begin to live this heavenly life.

One day a friend sent me a splendid butterfly, artistically mounted, known as the Lima Moth. This little creature is said to be the most beautiful of North American insects. Its color is light green with variegated spots. In its caterpillar state, it was only a worm. It died and entered its other or higher state, as we would say--and then the worm became a splendid butterfly.

This illustrates the two stages of a Christian's life. Here we are in our earthly state. After this will come the heavenly condition. "The things that are above" belong to this higher, spiritual life. But the Christian is exhorted to seek these higher things--while living in this lower world. We belong to heaven, although we are not yet living in heaven.

Paul presents the same truth in another form, when he says, "Our citizenship is in heaven." Though we are in this earthly world--but we do not belong here. We are only strangers and pilgrims.

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Love in Action

It is not enough to state one's love for another, it must be acted upon. True love involves action. I was refreshed with this truth last evening as I was speaking with the deacon in my church. True love will not, indeed cannot, stop at simply expressing the truth in word, it must be followed by action. In the same way that faith must be followed by action or else it is not faith, so it is true of love. To state that I love my wife but never act upon that truth by loving her in action, my statement is false and empty. The greatest act of love in history is revealed to us in an ACT of Jesus dying upon the cross on our behalf; on behalf of His enemies. This act of love is and will always be the greatest act of love. Hollywood loves to show the act of heroism that involves somebody dying in the act of saving someone else. This person that they are saving is usually a loved one or one they deem worthy of life; so worthy that they are willing to give up their very own life in order to give them life. However, I have never seen Hollywood portray someone dying for their vilest of enemies. I have never seen anyone die for the bad guy in the movies. No, rather, it is usually portrayed that when the bad guy dies or gets what he deserves, there is a sense of satisfaction and delight over the outcome. So that truth that Christ died for us, His enemies, and the implication that we should do the same for our enemies, flies in the face of everything this world teaches us is right and good. It is contradictory to the philosophies of the world. And sadly, it reveals to us how much of the world has seeped into our churches that we often espouse the same view as the world. The truth is that we should be willing to pursue and love our enemies at all costs in order to win them to Christ and to save them from their own destructive paths. Christ pursued His enemies and what did it get Him? Ridicule; mocking; Spit in the face; Beatings; Humiliation (from hanging naked on the cross); the burden of our sins; the weight and wrath of God's anger and vengeance on sin; separation from His father; and a cursed death upon the cross.

ALL FOR AN EMEMY.

Do we not think that we should also love our enemies this way?

Do we not think that God wants us to love them this way?

Do we not think that God will enable us to love this way?

And the truth is, when we do love this way, we may not ever see it reciprocated or returned. We may love like this, at great personal cost and loss to ourselves and never see it reciprocated by them. However, when we love like this, God is pleased. God is glorified. And God, who sees all will reward in His own time and way. We do not love people for their sake. We love people for God's sake and with God's love. Thus when we love like God loves, even if it is never returned, it is okay because we were not doing it for them anyway, we were doing it for God. And God's approval is the only approval that we should be seeking.

True love requires action. True love and the deepest love is manifested when we love at 100% cost towards the unlovable, the ungodly, our enemies. This is when true love is revealed.

Tangles which our fingers cannot unravel

Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

"The unchanging Name"
 by John MacDuff
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Tangles which our fingers cannot unravel

(J. R. Miller, "For a Busy Day" 1895)

"Show me the way I should walk, for I have come to you in prayer." Psalm 143:8

We cannot know the way ourselves. The path across one little day seems very short, but none of us can find it ourselves. Each day is a hidden world to our eyes, as we enter it in the morning. We cannot see one step before us, as we go forth. An impenetrable veil covers the brightest day, as with night's black robes. It may have joys and prosperities for us--or it may bring to us sorrows and adversities. Our path may lead us into a garden--or the garden may be a Gethsemane. We have our plans as we go out in the morning--but we are not sure that they will be realized. The day will bring duties, responsibilities, temptations, perils, tangles which our fingers cannot unravel, intricate or obscure paths in which we cannot find the way.

What could be more fitting in the morning than the prayer, "Show me the way I should walk!" God knows all that is in the day for us. His eye sees to its close--and He can be our guide.

There is no promise given more repeatedly in the Bible, than that of divine guidance. We have it in the shepherd psalm, "He leads me in the paths of righteousness." Paths of righteousness are right paths. All God's paths are clean and holy. They are the ways of His commandments. But there is another sense in which they are right paths. They are the right ways--the best ways for us. Ofttimes they are not the ways which we would have chosen. They do not seem to be good ways. But nevertheless they are right--and lead to blessing and honor. We are always safe, therefore, in praying this prayer on the morning of any day, "Show me the way I should walk!"

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We have posted J. R. Miller's superb 5 page article, "Loyalty to Christ".

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It kisses--and kills!

Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

"A heaven unto me!"
 by Thomas Brooks
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It kisses--and kills!

(George Swinnock)

"The deceitfulness of sin." Hebrews 3:13

Sin goes in a disguise--and thence is welcome.

Like Judas, it kisses--and kills!

Like Joab, it salutes--and slays!

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The process was not easy!

Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

"It is utterly impossible!" 
by Octavius Winslow
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The process was not easy!

(J. R. Miller, "The Friendships of Jesus" 1897)

"Jesus looked at him and said--You are Simon, son of John.
You will be called Cephas (which means 'Rock')." John 1:42

"You are Simon." That was his name then.
"You will be called Cephas." That was what he would become.

This did not mean that Simon's character was changed instantly into the quality which the new name indicated. It meant that this would be his character by and by--when the work of grace in him was finished. The new name was a prophecy of what he was to become--the man that Jesus would make of him. Now he was only Simon--rash, impulsive, self-confident, vain--and therefore weak and unstable.

The process was not easy!

Simon had many hard lessons to learn!

Self-confidence had to be changed into humility.

Impetuosity had to be disciplined into quiet self-control.

Presumption had to be awed and softened into reverence.

Heedlessness had to grow into thoughtfulness.

Rashness had to be subdued into prudence.

Weakness had to be tempered into calm strength.

Thus lesson after lesson did Simon have to learn, each one leading to a deeper humility.

It took a great deal of severe discipline to make him into the strong, firm man of rock, that Jesus set out to produce in him. The price which he had to pay to attain this nobleness of character and this vastness of holy influence--was not too great.

But how about ourselves? It may be quite as hard for some of us to be made into the image of beauty and strength, which the Master has set for us. It may require that we shall pass through experiences of loss, trial, temptation and sorrow.

Life's great lessons are very long, and cannot be learned in a day; nor can they be learned easily. But at whatever cost, they are worth while. It is worth while for the gold to pass through the fire--to be made pure and clean. It is worth while for the gem to endure the hard processes necessary to prepare it for shining in its dazzling splendor. It is worth while for a Christian to submit to whatever severe discipline may be required--to bring out in him the likeness of the Master, and to fit him for noble living and serving.

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The rose taught me a lesson

Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

"The wrath of God!"

Powerful 5 minute video clip by Al Martin

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The rose taught me a lesson

(J. R. Miller, "Miller's Year Book--a Year's Daily Readings")

"Turn my eyes from looking at what is worthless." Psalm 119:37

We must be always turning--if we would keep our life true and according to God's commandments.

There are some flowers which always turn toward the sun. There was a little potted rose-bush in a sick-room which I visited. It sat by the window. One day I noticed that the one rose on the bush was looking toward the light. I referred to it; and the sick woman said that her daughter had turned the rose around several times toward the darkness of the room--but that each time the little flower had twisted itself back, until again its face was toward the light. It would not look into the darkness.

The rose taught me a lesson--never to allow myself to look toward any evil--but instantly to turn from it. Not a moment should we permit our eyes to be inclined toward anything sinful. To yield to one moment's sinful act--is to defile the soul. One of the main messages of the Bible is, "Turn from the wrong, the base, the crude, the unworthy--to the right, the pure, the noble, the godlike!" We should not allow even an unholy thought to stay a moment in our mind--but should turn from its very first suggestion, with face fully toward Christ, the Holy One.

"I will set before my eyes no vile thing!" Psalm 101:3

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things!" Philippians 4:8

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A threefold cord which cannot be broken!

Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:
"The continued teachings of the Spirit" J. C. Philpot
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A threefold cord which cannot be broken!

(J. R. Miller)

"When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven!" Nehemiah 1:4

TEARS were not all. Nehemiah also carried the burden to God in prayer. He did this before he took any step himself for the relief of the suffering, and the advancement of his work. Compassion is Christlike; but tears alone are not enough. This is a lesson we should not forget in our compassion for others: God cares more for them than we do, and His compassion is deeper than ours; we may, therefore, be sure of interest upon His part--when we speak the names of our friends into His ear. Besides, He knows best how to help. We should take the burden to Him first--and then be ready to do whatever He may tell us to do.

The best way for us to help others--usually is to PRAY for them. Of course praying is not all we should do; Nehemiah did not stop with tears and prayers. He gave himself to the work in behalf of his people. He left the luxurious palace, and journeyed away to Jerusalem, and took earnest hold with both hands, giving all his energy and influence to the cause.

Likewise, more than tears and prayers are needed; there is something for us to DO. Many people can weep over distress, and then pray fervently for the relief that is needed--but never DO anything themselves!

Nehemiah's way is better: sympathy, prayer, work.

This makes a threefold cord which cannot be broken!

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Only a 'kiss'

Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

"Sovereign supreme disposal!" 
by J. C. Philpot
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Only a 'kiss'

(J. R. Miller, "The Friendships of Jesus" 1897)

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends--if you do what I command. . . . I have called you friends." John 15:13-15

The central fact in every true Christian life, is a personal friendship with Jesus. Men were called to follow Him, to leave all and cleave to Him, to believe on Him, to trust Him, to love Him, to obey Him; and the result was the transformation of their lives into His own beauty! That which alone makes one a Christian, is being a friend of Jesus.

Friendship transforms--we become like those with whom we live in close, intimate relations. Life flows into life, heart and heart are knit together, spirits blend, and the two friends become one.

We have but little to give to Christ; yet it is a comfort to know that our friendship really is precious to Him, and gives Him joy--poor and meager though its best may be. But He has infinite blessings to give to us. The friendship of Jesus includes all other blessings for time and for eternity! If Christ is our friend, all of life is made rich and beautiful to us.

"I have called you friends." No other gift He gives to us--can equal in value, the love and friendship of His heart.

When King Cyrus gave Artabazus, one of his courtiers, a 'gold cup'; he gave Chrysanthus, his favorite, only a 'kiss'. And Artabazus said to Cyrus, "The gold cup you gave me, was not so precious as the kiss you gave Chrysanthus."

No good man's money is ever worth as much as his love. Certainly the greatest honor of this earth, greater than rank or station or wealth--is the friendship of Jesus Christ.

The stories of the friendships of Jesus when He was on the earth, need cause no one to sigh, "I wish that I had lived in those days, when Jesus lived among men--that I might have been His friend too--feeling the warmth of His love, my life enriched by contact with His, and my spirit quickened by His love and grace!" The friendships of Jesus, whose stories we read in the New Testament, are only patterns of friendships into which we may now enter--if we are ready to consecrate our life to Him in faithfulness and love.

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It is only a heathen lodging-place!

Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

"Growing worse?" by J. A. James
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It is only a heathen lodging-place!

(J. R. Miller, "Our New Edens")

Parents are the custodians of their children's lives. If they would meet their responsibility and be able to look God and their children in the face at the judgment, they must make their homes as nearly 'gardens of Eden' as possible.

The way to save your children from the temptations of the streets--is to make your home so bright, so sweet, so beautiful, so happy, so full of love, joy and prayer--that the streets will have no attractiveness for them--no power to win them away. "Do not be overcome by evil--but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:21

The place of the home-life among the influences which mold and shape character, is supreme in its importance. Our children are given to us in tender infancy--to teach them and train them for holy, worthy, beautiful living.

It is not enough to have an opulent house to live in! It is not enough to have fine foods, and luxurious furniture, and expensive entertainments! Most of the world's worthiest men and women, those who have blessed the world the most--were brought up in plain homes, without any luxury!

It is the tone of the home-life, that is important. We should make it pure, elevating, refining, inspiring. The books we bring in, the papers and magazines, the guests we have at our tables and admit to our firesides, the home conversation, the pictures we hang on our walls--all these are educational. As in everything, LOVE is the great master-secret of home happiness.

The religious influences are also vitally important. In that first 'garden home', the Lord came and went as a familiar friend. Christ must be our guest--if our home is to be a fit place either for our children or for ourselves. If there is no sincere prayer in it, it is not a true home at all--it is only a heathen lodging-place!

How can we make 'new Edens' of our homes? What are some of the secrets of home happiness? I might gather them all into one word and say--CHRIST! If we have Christ as our guest--our home will be happy! He must be welcomed into all our life. He must be in each heart. He must sit at our tables and mingle with us in all our family interaction. Christ can bless our home, only through the lives of those who make the home circle.

Make your home so sweet, so heavenly, with love and prayer and song and holy living--that all through it, there shall be the fragrance of the heart of Christ!

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We have posted J. R. Miller's "Our New Edens", a choice ten page article on Christian home-life.

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Subscribers regularly ask where they can purchase printed copies of the fine books we offer electronically. Unfortunately, most of of our books are not currently available--having not been re-published since their original editions in the 1800's or before.

Sovereign Grace Treasures is a modest attempt to publish a choice selection of our books in print, through a quality 'on-demand' internet printer. All of the books are large, top quality paperbacks.

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Nice funnies

These are nice, enjoy!

 

How good I am! What fine things I have done!

Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

"For the ungodly!" Henry Law  Play Audio  Download MP3

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How good I am! What fine things I have done!

(J. R. Miller, "The Beauty of Quietness" 1903)

"They will be like dew sent by the Lord." Micah 5:7

The lives of godly people are sometimes compared to the dew. One point of likeness, is the quiet way in which the dew performs its ministry. It falls silently and imperceptibly. It makes no noise. No one hears it dropping. It chooses its time in the night when men are sleeping, when none can see its beautiful work. It covers the leaves with clusters of pearls. It steals into the bosoms of the flowers, and leaves new cupfuls of sweetness there. It pours itself down among the roots of the grasses and tender herbs and plants. It loses itself altogether, and yet it is not lost. For in the morning there is fresh life everywhere, and new beauty. The fields are greener, the gardens are more fragrant, and all nature is clothed in fresh luxuriance!

Is there not in this simile, a suggestion as to the way we should seek to do good in this world? Should we not wish to have our influence felt--while no one thinks of us; rather than that we should be seen and heard and praised? Should we not be willing to lose ourselves in the service of self-forgetful love, as the dew loses itself in the bosom of the rose--caring only that other lives shall be sweeter, happier, and holier--and not that honor shall come to us? We are too anxious, some of us, that our names shall be written in large letters on the things we do, even on what we do for our Master; and are not willing to sink ourselves out of sight--and let Him alone have the praise.

Our Lord's teaching on the subject is very plain. He says: "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full." That is, they have that which they seek--the applause of men.

"But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." The meaning would seem to be, that we are not to wish people to know of our good deeds, our charities, our self-denials; that we should not seek publicity, when we give money or do good works; indeed, that we are not even to tell ourselves what we have done; that we are not to think about our own good deeds so as to become conscious of them; not to put them down in our diaries and go about complimenting ourselves, throwing bouquets at ourselves, and whispering: "How good I am! What fine things I have done!"

This is an insightful test of our lives. Are we willing to be as the dew--to steal abroad in the darkness, carrying blessings to men's doors, blessings that shall enrich the lives of others and do them good--and then steal away again before those we have helped or blessed awaken, to know what hand it was that brought the gift? Are we willing to work for others  . . .
  without gratitude,
  without recognition,
  without human praise,
  without requital?

Are we content to have our lives poured out like the dew--to bless the world and make it more fruitful--and yet remain hidden away ourselves? Is it enough for us to see the fruits of our toil and sacrifice--in others' spiritual growth, and deeper happiness; yet never hear our names spoken in praise or honor--perhaps even hearing others praised for things we have done?

If you go about doing good in simple ways, in gentle kindnesses, not thinking of reward, not dreaming of praise, not hoping for any return--you are enshrining your name where it will have immortal honor! Our lesson teaches us that this is the way we are to live--if we are followers of Christ!

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We have published J. R. Miller's insightful article, "A Parable of Christian Growth".

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