Grace Gems for OCTOBER 2023

"I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live!" John 5:25

There is the special, direct, and effectual call of the Spirit in the elect of God, without which all other calling is in vain. The Spirit effectually works in the soul with an inward, supernatural, secret power. There is an energy put forth with the call, which . . .
awakens the conscience,
breaks the heart,
convinces the judgment,
opens the eye of the soul, and
pours a new and an alarming sound upon the hitherto deaf ear!

Mark the blessed effects . . .
the scales fall from the eyes,
the veil is torn from the mind,
the deep fountains of evil in the heart are broken up.

The sinner sees himself as . . .
lost and undone,
without pardon,
without a righteousness,
without acceptance,
without a God,
without a Savior,
without a hope!

"What shall I do to be saved?" is his cry! "I am a wretch undone!
I look within me—all is dark and vile.
I look around me—everything seems but the image of my woe.
I look above me—I see only an angry God.
Whichever way I look, is Hell!
And were God now to send me there—just and right would He be."

But, blessed be God, no poor soul that ever uttered such language, prompted by such feelings—ever died in despair! That faithful Spirit who begins the good work—effectually carries it on, and completes it!

Presently He leads him to the cross of Jesus and unveils to his glimmering eye of faith a . . .
suffering,
wounded,
bleeding,
dying Savior;
and yet a Savior with outstretched arms!

That Savior speaks; oh, did ever music sound so melodious?
"All this I do for you . . .
this cross for you,
these sufferings for you,
this blood for you,
these stretched out arms for you.
Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Look unto Me, and be saved!
Are you lost? I can save you!
Are you guilty? I can cleanse you!
Are you poor? I can enrich you!
Are you sunk low? I can raise you!
Are you naked? I can clothe you!
Have you nothing to bring with you?
No price?
No money?
No goodness?
No merit?
I can and will take you to Me, just as you are . . .
poor,
naked,
penniless,
worthless;
for such I came to seek,
for such I came to die!"

"Lord, I believe!" exclaims the poor convinced soul.
"You are just the Savior that I need.
I needed one that could and would save me . . .
with all my vileness,
with all my rags,
with all my poverty.
I needed one that would . . .
save me fully,
save me freely,
save me as an act of mere unmerited, undeserved grace!
I have found Him whom my soul loves; and will be His through time, and His through eternity!"

Thus effectually does the blessed Spirit call a sinner—by His especial, invincible, and supernatural power; out of darkness into marvelous light!

"I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live!" John 5:25

"Just as I am," a sinner bankrupt of all righteousness, vile, self-destroyed, lost—I come!

"Just as I am," my soul steeped in the deepest guilt, laden with sins as innumerable as the sands, and red like crimson—I come!

"Just as I am," with all my atheistic thoughts and infidel principles, and rebellious opposition, and carnal lusts, and worldly attachments—I come!

"Just as I am," a wreck tossed to and fro upon life's murky waters, and ready to perish—I come!

"Just as I am," a moral parricide, having broken a pious mother's heart, and bowed a godly father's grey hairs in sorrow to the grave, beggared of all, bereft of all, abandoned of all—I come!

"Just as I am," without one atom of worthiness, or one plea of merit, or one ray of hope springing from myself, and with nothing to pay—I come!

"Just as I am," reeking from the swine's trough, starving, bankrupt, covered with guilt and poverty and shame—"I come, O Lamb of God, to You!"

Could Gabriel, "standing in the presence of God," awaken his trumpet to a sentiment more sublime, a truth more precious, a hope more glorious—than is embodied in the very first stanzas of this magnificent hymn? Impossible!

Are you desiring to reach the Savior? Are you struggling through a crowd of opposition and temptation and difficulty—so that you might but touch the fringe of His flowing robe descending to His feet, and within the reach of the lowliest penitent and the weakest faith, and be saved?

Oh, let the voice of the dear departed one, speaking as from the tomb, aid and encourage you in your blessed and holy endeavor to get to Christ, "just as you are!"

With a nature full of grace,
and with a heart overflowing with love,
and with outstretched hands pierced for your sins
—He is prepared to receive and save you, to wash your sin-soiled, guilt-stained soul in His all-cleansing blood; and to cover your spiritual nakedness with the robe of His all-justifying and imputed Righteousness, "which is unto all and upon all those who believe."

Oh, then, take up the last stanza of this inimitable hymn, and in its glowing language proclaim, as from the house-top—your deliberate and solemn vow of dedication to King Jesus:

"Just as I am! Your LOVE alone
Has broken every barrier down;
Now to be Thine, and Thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come!"

Vegetating in selfishness?

(Octavius Winslow, "The Sensitiveness of Christ to Suffering") LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

Every believer, however limited and veiled from human eye in his sphere of life—will create a public sentiment respecting himself. His relations, his friends, his neighbors, will form their opinion of his character, doings and life.

Few pass through life incognito to eternity!
Few slide through society unseen, unnoticed, unfelt.

Each individual Christian should especially live for an object. He should so live as to make his talents, influence, and example count upon the present and eternal well-being of all with whom He comes in contact.

"No man lives to himself."
As a light, he is to shine.
As salt, he is to influence.
As a witness, he is to testify for Christ.

In a world like this, where there is . . .
so much evil to correct,
so much temptation to resist,
so much sorrow to soothe,
so much need to supply,
so much misery to counteract,
so much ignorance to instruct,
so much good to be done
—none need be all the day idle, dreaming away existence, vegetating in selfishness—not living for man, or laboring for God.

Oh, be an earnest, active Christian. Be up and doing!

Life is too momentous, too solemn, too responsible—for sluggishness, inactivity and selfishness!

We are gliding down the stream onward to eternity!

Shall we spend our fleeting moments in grasping at the floating straw—when for every moment and act of our present course, we shall soon be cited at Christ's judgment bar?

Souls are perishing!
Ignorance of the gospel is prevailing!
Iniquity is abounding!
Satan is unslumbering!

Death plies its scythe, and the grave yawns each moment! An eternity of bliss or of woe is with every stroke of the pendulum, gathering deathless beings to its bosom!

Shall we not then, be active and earnest in a world like this?

"Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." Romans 12:11

"Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58

"Surely I was sinful at birth—sinful from the time my mother conceived me!" Psalm 51:5

David's account of himself in this verse was true, and it is equally true of all the human race.

Just so, Paul declares of himself, as well as all the rest of the human race that, "We were dead in our transgressions and sins . . . Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath!" Ephesians 2:1, 3

Why is it that every child, from the first moment that he begins to act at all, manifests corrupt tempers and dispositions?

Since this has been the state of every child that has been born into the world, we are constrained to acknowledge that our very nature is corrupt; and that, as David tells us, we are estranged from the womb and go astray as soon as we are born! Psalm 58:3

Further, how can we account for the sufferings and death of infants, but on the supposition that they are partakers of Adam's guilt and corruption? Sufferings and death are the penalty of sin; and we cannot conceive that God would inflict that penalty on millions of infants, if they were not in some way or other liable to His wrath.

Paul notices this, as a compelling proof that all of Adam's posterity fell in him, and through him are partakers of guilt and misery. "Just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin; and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned." Romans 5:12

We find no intimation in the Scriptures that any are saved without faith in Christ. Christ is the only door by which we must enter into Heaven. He is the only way to the Father; nor, as long as the world shall stand, shall any come unto the Father but by Him!

"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me!" John 14:6

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12

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Bereavement is often the season of revived spirituality:
eternity is more solemnly realized;
the mind is more withdrawn from the affairs of the present life;
the heart is disengaged from the shadows of earth; and
the things that are seen and temporal—give place to the things that are unseen and eternal.

Oh, see that this is one hallowed fruit of your present sorrow! God has sent it to revive His work in your soul; to draw off your thoughts and affections from those earth-born things which have too much absorbed the vitality, and impaired the vigor of your higher life—your life for God; for Heaven; for eternity!

Bereavement is a time of prayer. If ever the solace of prayer is felt, and the preciousness of the Mercy Seat is realized—it is now. Your heart, stricken with grief, turns to God. The sad and startling discovery is made; unsuspected while the light of God was upon your tabernacle—that too far and too long your heart had roved from God. Your communion had grown distant, and your affections chilled; and, shyness of God and leanness of soul have supervened, as the natural consequence of your remote and careless walk.

But now the shadow of death has darkened the sunshine of your life. The destroyer has invaded the sanctuary of your home, and has plucked a cherished flower from your bosom; or, has broken a 'strong and beautiful staff' at your side; or, has laid low a venerable oak spreading its branches over your dwelling. And your heart, bowed with grief, now bows itself in prayer to God—and the spiritual life of your soul throbs with a newer and more quickened pulse!

Oh hail that as a heaven-sent blessing, robed though it be with the dress of mourning; which wakes the slumbering spirit of prayer, and sets you upon the work of calling upon God!

The human idol is removed, but the Divine Savior takes its place!

Oh, it is so hard to yield what was most dear; to give back to God a loan—the possession of which seemed intertwined with every fiber of the heart, and the existence of which had become essential to life itself!

But tracing a Father's hand and a Father's heart—His all wise and righteous government appointing the event, and His infinite and unchanging love sending it—your bewildered mind and bleeding heart bows in submission, with the words of Christ breathing from your lips, "My Father, if this cup may not pass from me unless I drink it—may Your will be done."

And thus, in this submission of your will to God—this terrible calamity has issued in such a development and growth of your spiritual life as leaves its reality without a doubt, and its luster without a cloud. And, as music sounds the sweetest in the still of night; and as flowers, when bruised, breathe their richest perfume—so your night of weeping and crushing grief, has issued in the sweetest song of your bruised spirit, and in the holiest fragrance of your spiritual life.

Oh, who can adequately portray . . .
the perfect calm,
the hallowed repose,
the ecstatic joy
—when the Divine will is supremely enthroned in the soul; and the sad heart nestles itself, as a child weaned of its mother, in the very bosom of God!

(Octavius Winslow, "The Burden Cast upon God") LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

"Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain you." Psalm 55:22

It is by an act of simple prayerful faith, that we transfer our cares and anxieties, our sorrows and needs—to the Lord.

Jesus invites you to come and lean upon Him, and to lean with all your might upon that arm that balances the universe, and upon that bosom that bled for you upon the soldier's spear!

But you doubtingly ask, "Is the Lord able to do this thing for me?"
And thus, while you are debating a matter about which there is not the shadow of a shade of doubt—the burden is crushing your gentle spirit to the dust!

And all the while Jesus stands at your side and lovingly says:
"Cast your burden upon Me, and I will sustain you. I am God Almighty. I bore the load of your sin and condemnation up the steep of Calvary, and the same power of omnipotence, and the same strength of love that bore it all for you then—is prepared to bear your need and sorrow now. Roll it all upon Me!
"Child of My Love! Lean hard! Let Me feel the pressure of your care. I know your burden, child! I shaped and formed it in My own hand, and made no proportion of its weight to your unaided strength. For even as I laid it on, I said 'I shall be near;' and while you lean on Me, this burden shall be Mine, not yours. So shall I keep My child within the circling arms of My own love. Here, lay it down! Do not fear to impose it on a shoulder which upholds the government of worlds! Yet closer come! You are not near enough! I would embrace your burden, so I might feel My child reposing on My bosom. You love Me! I know it. Doubt not, then. But, loving Me, lean hard!"

Sweet in the mouth, but bitter in the belly!

(Thomas Watson, "Body of Divinity") LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

See the evil effects of sin!

Sin has degraded us of our honor. God made us in His own image, but sin has debased us. Sin has plucked off our coat of innocence—and now it has debased us, and turned our glory into shame.

Sin disquiets the peace of the soul. "But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud." "There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked." Isaiah 57:20-21. Whatever defiles, disturbs. As poison corrupts the blood—so sin corrupts the soul. Sin breeds a trembling at the heart—it creates fears, and there is "torment in fear."

Sin makes sad convulsions in the conscience. Judas was so terrified with guilt and horror, that he hanged himself to quiet his conscience. In order to ease his conscience, he threw himself into Hell.

Sin produces all temporal evil. It is the Trojan Horse, which has sword, and famine and pestilence, in its belly! Sin is a coal, which not only blackens, but burns! Sin creates all our troubles—it puts gravel into our bread, and wormwood in our cup. Sin rots the name, consumes the estate, and buries loved ones.

Sin unrepented of, brings final damnation. The canker which breeds in the rose, is the cause of its perishing. Just so, the corruptions which breed in men's souls, are the cause of their damning. Sin's pleasure will turn to sorrow at last. Like the book the prophet ate—sin is sweet in the mouth, but bitter in the belly! Sin brings the wrath of God, and what tears can quench that fire?

It is in times of soul abasement, that the love, tenderness, and grace of the Holy Spirit are better known.

As a Comforter, as a Revealer of Jesus—we are perhaps more fully led into an acquaintance with the work of the Spirit in seasons of soul abasement than at any other time. The mode and time of His divine manifestation are thus beautifully predicted: "He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass—as showers that water the earth." Psalm 72:6

Observe . . .
the gentleness,
the silence, and
the sovereignty of His operation.
"He shall come down like rain." How characteristic of the blessed Spirit's grace!

Then mark the occasion on which He descends. It is at the time of the soul's deep prostration . . .
the waving grass is mowed,
the lovely flower is laid low,
the fruitful stem is broken;
that which was beautiful, fragrant, and precious is cut down . . .
the fairest first to fade,
the loveliest first to die,
the fondest first to depart.

Then, when . . .
the blessing is gone,
and the spirit is bowed,
when the heart is broken,
the mind is dejected, and
the world seems clad in wintry desolation and gloom
—the Holy Spirit, in all the . . .
softening,
reviving,
comforting, and
refreshing influence of His grace—descends, speaks of the beauty of Jesus, leads to the grace of Jesus, lifts the bowed soul, and reposes it on the bosom of Jesus!

Precious and priceless, then, beloved—are the seasons of a believer's humiliation. They tell . . .
of the soul's emptiness,
of Christ's fullness;
of the creature's insufficiency,
of Christ's all-sufficiency;
of the world's poverty,
of Christ's affluence.

They create . . .
a necessity which Jesus supplies,
a void which Jesus fills,
a sorrow which Jesus soothes,
a desire which Jesus satisfies.

They endear the cross of the incarnate God,
they reveal the hidden glory of Christ's humiliation,
they sweeten prayer,
they lift the soul to God!

Oh never, perhaps, were you so truly beautiful; never did your grace send forth such fragrance, or your prayers ascend with so sweet an odor; never did faith, and hope, and love develop their hidden glories so richly, so fully as now!

In the eyes of a wounded, a bruised, and a humbled Christ—you were never more lovely, and never more precious to His heart than now:
pierced by His hand,
smitten by His rod,
humbled by His chastisement,
laid low at His feet,
condemning yourself,
justifying Him,
taking to yourself all the shame, and
ascribing to Him all the glory!

(Thomas Watson, "Body of Divinity") LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

"Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly!" Colossians 3:16

STUDY the Scripture. It is a copy of God's will.
Be Scripture-men, Bible-Christians.
Search the Scripture, as for a vein of silver.
This blessed Book will fill your head with knowledge, and your heart with grace!

There is majesty sparkling in every line of Scripture.

There is a melody in Scripture. This is that blessed harp which drives away sadness of spirit. How sweetly does this harp of Scripture sound; what heavenly music does it make in the ears of a distressed sinner, especially when the finger of God's Spirit touches this instrument!

There is divinity in Scripture. It contains the marrow and quintessence of true religion. It is a rock of diamonds, a manual of piety. The lips of Scripture have grace poured into them. The Scripture speaks of faith, self-denial, and all the graces which, as a chain of pearls, adorns a Christian.

Oh, then, search the Scripture! Had I the tongue of angels, I could not sufficiently set forth the excellency of Scripture.
It is a spiritual telescope, in which we behold God's glory!
It is the tree of life, the oracle of wisdom, the rule of godliness—the heavenly seed of which the new creature is formed.

'The two Testaments,' says one, 'are the two breasts which every Christian must suck, that he may get spiritual nourishment.' These holy leaves of Scripture are for the healing of our souls.

The Scripture is profitable for all things.
If we are deserted, here is spiced wine that cheers the heavy heart.
If we are pursued by Satan, here is the sword of the Spirit to resist him.
If we are diseased with sin's leprosy, here are the waters of the sanctuary, both to cleanse and cure.
Oh, then, search the Scriptures!

Read the Bible with reverence. Think, in every line you read, that God is speaking to you! The ark wherein the Word was put was overlaid with pure gold, and was carried on bars, that the Levites might not touch it. Exodus 25:14. Why was this, but to give reverence to the Word?

Read with seriousness. It is matter of life and death!
By this Word you must be tried and judged.

Read the Word with affection. Get your hearts quickened with the Word. Labor that the Word may not only be a lamp to direct, but a fire to warm.

Read the Scripture, not only as a history, but as a love letter sent to you from God, which may affect your hearts.

Pray that the same Spirit who wrote the Word may assist you in reading it; that God's Spirit would show you the wonderful things of His law, so that the Word will become effectual.

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

(Octavius Winslow, 1852) LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

It has been the distinctive aim, and the sincere desire of my ministry—to make known and to endear the Savior to your hearts.

Oh, how worthy is He . . .
of your most exalted conceptions,
of your most implicit confidence,
of your most self-denying service,
of your most fervent love!

When He could give you no more, and the fathomless depths of His love and the boundless resources of His grace would not be satisfied by giving you less—He gave you Himself!

Robed in your nature,
laden with your curse,
oppressed with your sorrows,
wounded for your transgressions,
and slain for your sins—
He gave His entire self for you!

His redeeming work now finished, He is perpetually engaged in meting out blessings to His people from the exhaustless treasures of His love! He constantly woos your affection, invites your grief, and bids you flee with your daily trials to His sympathy; and with your hourly guilt to His blood. You cannot be too covetous in your drafts upon Christ's fullness! Nor can you be too extravagant in your expectations of supply! You may fail, as, alas! the most of us do, in making too little of Christ—but you cannot fail in making too much of Him!

It is utterly impossible to know Christ, and not become inspired with a desire . . .
to love Him supremely,
to serve Him devotedly,
to resemble Him closely,
to glorify Him faithfully here,
and to enjoy Him fully hereafter!

(Thomas Watson) LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

"How I love Your teaching! It is my meditation all day long." Psalm 119:97

Chrysostom compares the Scripture to a garden—every truth is a fragrant flower which we should wear, not on our bosom, but in our heart!

David counted the Word "sweeter than honey and the honeycomb".
There is that in Scripture which may breed delight. It shows us the way . . .
to riches, Deuteronomy 28:8, Proverbs 3:30;
to long life, Psalm 34:42;
to a Kingdom, Hebrews 12:28.

Well then may we count those the sweetest hours, which are spent in reading the holy Scriptures. Well may we say with the prophet, "Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words became a delight to me and the joy of my heart!"

Conform to Scripture.
Let us lead Scripture lives.
Oh that the Bible might be seen printed in our lives!
Do what the Word commands.

Obedience is an excellent way of commenting upon the Bible.
"Teach me Your way, O Lord, and I will walk in Your truth."
Let the Word be the sun-dial by which you set your life.

What are we the better for having the Scripture,
if we do not direct all our speech and actions according to it?

What are we the better for the rule of the Word,
if we do not make use of it, and regulate our lives by it?

What a dishonor is it to religion, for men to live in contradiction to Scripture!

The Word is called a "light to our feet". It is not only a light to our eyes to mend our sight—but to our feet to mend our walk. Oh let us lead Bible lives!

Be thankful to God for the Scriptures. What a mercy is it that God has not only acquainted us what His will is, but that He has made it known by writing!

The Scripture is our pole-star to direct us to Heaven—it shows us every step we are to take. When we go wrong—it instructs us; when we go right—it comforts us.

Adore God's distinguishing grace, if you have felt the power and authority of the Word upon your conscience—if you can say as David, "Your Word has quickened me." Christian, bless God that He has not only given you His Word to be a rule of holiness—but His grace to be a principle of holiness. Bless God that He has not only written His Word, but sealed it upon your heart, and made it effectual. Can you say it is of divine inspiration, because you have felt it to be of lively operation?

Oh free grace!
That God should send out His Word, and heal you.
That He should heal you, and not others!
That the same Scripture which to them is a dead letter, should be to you a savor of life!

There are many roaring devils around us!

(Thomas Watson, "Body of Divinity") LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

There is nothing that more troubles a child of God, than that he fears he shall never hold out.
"These weak legs of mine," he says, "will never carry me to Heaven!"
But he is kept by the power of God!
Once in Christ—forever in Christ!
A believer may fall from some degrees of grace, but not from the state of grace.

How despairing is the Arminian doctrine of falling from grace!
Today a saint, tomorrow a reprobate; today a Peter, tomorrow a Judas!
This is like boring a hole in a vessel, to make all the wine of his joy run out.
Were the Arminian doctrine true, what comfort would it be to have one's name written in the book of life—if it might be blotted out again? But be assured, for your comfort—that grace, if it is true, though ever so weak—shall persevere.

"Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation." 1 Peter 1:5.
See whence it is, that believers persevere in holiness.
It is to be ascribed solely to the power of God.

It is a wonder that any Christian perseveres, if you consider:

Corruption within.
There is more sin than grace; yet grace is habitually predominant.
Grace is like a spark in the sea—it is a wonder that it is not quenched!
It is a wonder that sin does not destroy grace.

Temptations without.
Satan envies us happiness, and he raises his militia and stirs up persecution. He shoots his fiery darts of temptations—which are called darts for their swiftness, fiery for their terribleness. We are every day beset with devils! As it was a wonder that Daniel was kept alive in the midst of the roaring lions—so there are many roaring devils around us, and yet we are not torn in pieces! Now, whence is it, that we stand against these powerful temptations? We are kept by the power of God!

The world's old snares—riches and pleasure.
How many have been shipwrecked upon these golden rocks!
"Demas has deserted me, because he loved this present world." 2 Timothy 4:10

What a wonder any persevere in holiness—that the earth does not choke the fire of all holy affections! Whence is this, but from the power of God? We are kept by His power.

"My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me.
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, ever!
No one will snatch them out of My hand.
My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all.
No one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand!" John 10:27-29

(Charles Simeon) LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath!" Ephesians 2:1-3

The heart of an unregenerate man is as spiritually dead and senseless as the nether millstone!

The Gospel, with all its alluring promises, may be proclaimed to him—but the unregenerate man does not receive it. The Gospel has no allurements for him. Nor do the denunciations of judgment and Hell excite any alarm in him.

But when God gives him a new heart, and puts a new spirit within him, and takes away his heart of stone—then all of his views, desires, and pursuits, become changed! Being alive to God—he will be alive to all holy exercises, and find his happiness in the enjoyment of his God!

"But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved!" Ephesians 2:4-5

"I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean;
I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols.
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you;
I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
And I will put my Spirit in you and cause you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws." Ezekiel 36:25-27

"This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins." 1 John 4:10

Deal much and closely with a crucified Savior! This is the grand secret of a constant ascending of the affections to God. If you find it difficult to comprehend the love of God towards you—then read it in the cross of His dear Son!

Dwell upon this amazing fact,
drink into this precious truth,
muse upon it,
ponder it,
search into it,
pray over it
—until your heart is melted down, and broken, and overwhelmed with God's wondrous love to you—in the gift of Jesus!

Oh, how will this rekindle the flame that is ready to die in your bosom! How it will draw you up in a holy and unreserved surrender of body, soul and spirit!

Whenever you detect . . .
a waning of love,
a reluctance to take up the daily cross,
a shrinking from the precept
—go immediately to Calvary!

Get your heart warmed with ardent love by contemplating Him upon the cross—and soon will the frosts that gather round it melt away, and the congealed current shall begin to flow!

(Charles Simeon) LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

"My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness and Your salvation all the day long, though their number is past my knowledge!" Psalm 71:15

David penned this Psalm and gave it to the church, as a memorial of God's unbounded mercy and faithfulness towards him.

Here we see what the subjects of our daily contemplation should be. Like David, we have numberless blessings from God's hands. Could we realize but one half of the mercies we have received, we would be overwhelmed with wonder and astonishment!

From our youth up, even to the present moment, God's care of us has been unintermitted, and His interpositions truly wonderful. But still greater has been His care for our souls. Behold the multitudinous blessings of salvation which He has given to us; truly their number surpasses knowledge!

How inestimable are our numberless mercies! Who can ever declare the value of pardon or peace, or holiness or eternal glory?

Go down to the dread abodes of Hell, and see the misery of unpardoned sin!

Or go up to the regions of bliss in Heaven, and see the joys that are at God's right hand for evermore!

Or ponder the state of God's redeemed people here on earth, and contrast the liberty enjoyed by His children—with the bondage endured by the slaves of Satan!

Then you will see what unspeakable obligations we owe to God for His electing, redeeming, and regenerating grace!

How incalculable is the price which Jesus paid for our numberless mercies! "You know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed. It was with the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God!" In comparison with this, ten thousand worlds would have been a worthless sacrifice. How inconceivable is the cost which Jesus paid for our salvation! All the angels in Heaven could not count the mighty sum!

All of our unsearchable mercies are the fruits of God's Sovereign Grace! And all are bestowed on the very chief of sinners. Yes, all of them are not only unmerited by us, but unsought! They were not given to us according to our works, but according to God's purpose and grace, which He purposed from all eternity in Christ Jesus our Lord!

It seems astonishing, that men so indebted to their God, should be able to find time for everything but praise. David in his Psalms, sets a good example for us, "I will extol You, my God, O king; and I will bless Your name forever and ever!"

Let us only learn to rightly appreciate the mercies which we have received, and there will be no bounds to our gratitude, and no end to our praise!

David said, "My mouth shall tell of your righteousness and your salvation all the day long!" How unlike David are the generality of professors!

What other subject of conversation can we ever find so interesting, so useful, so worthy of a rational being—and, above all, so suitable to a redeemed soul!

The apostles "preached to men the unsearchable riches of Christ!" So filled with this subject was the apostle Paul, that "he resolved to know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified!"

This subject is utterly inexhaustible! In it "are contained all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge!"

The creature has a little honey in its mouth, but it has wings!

(Thomas Watson, "A Divine Cordial" 1663) LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

"Do not love the world, or anything in the world." 1 John 2:15

It is better to love God, than the world.

If you set your love on worldly things, they will not satisfy. You may as well satisfy your body with air, as your soul with earth! If the globe of the world were yours, it would not fill your soul. Will you set your love on that which will never give you contentment? Is it not better to love God? He will give you that which shall satisfy your soul to all eternity!

If you love worldly things, they cannot remove trouble of mind. If there is a thorn in the conscience, all the world cannot pluck it out. King Saul, being perplexed in mind, all his crown jewels could not comfort him 1 Samuel 28:15. But if you love God, He can give you peace when nothing else can. He can apply Christ's blood to refresh your soul. He can whisper His love by the Spirit, and with one smile scatter all your fears and disquiets.

If you love the world, you love that which may keep you out of Heaven. "How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" Mark 10:23. Prosperity, to many, is like a large sail to a small boat, which quickly overturns it.

By loving the world, you love that which will endanger you. But if you love God, there is no fear of losing Heaven. He will be a Rock to hide you, but not to hurt you. By loving Him, we come to enjoy Him forever.

You may love worldly things, but they cannot love you in return. You love gold and silver, but your gold cannot love you in return. You give away your love to the creature, and receive no love back. But if you love God, He will love you in return. "If any man loves Me, My Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him" John 14:23. God will not be behindhand in love to us. For our drop of love to Him—we shall receive an ocean of His love!

While you love the world, you love that which is infinitely below the worth of your souls. When you lay out your love upon the world, you hang a pearl upon a swine—you love that which is inferior to yourself. As Christ speaks in another sense of the birds of the air: "Are you nor much better than they?" Matthew 6:26. So I say of worldly things: "Are you not much better than they? You love a fair house, or a beautiful garment, are you not much better than they?" But if you love God, you place your love on the most noble and sublime object, you love that which is better than yourselves. God is better than the soul, better than angels, better than Heaven!

You may love the world, and receive hatred for your love. Would it not vex one to lay out money upon a piece of ground which, instead of bringing forth grain or fruit, should yield nothing but nettles? Thus it is with all earthly things—we love them, and they prove nettles to sting us! We meet with nothing but disappointment. But if we love God, He will not return hatred for love. "I love those who love Me!" Proverbs 8:17. God may chastise His children, but He cannot hate them. Every believer is part of Christ—and God can as well hate Christ, as hate a believer.

You may over-love the creature. You may love wine too much, and silver too much; but you cannot love God too much. It is our sin that we cannot love God enough. How weak is our love to God! If we could love God far more than we do—yet it can never be proportionate to His worth; so that there is no danger of excess in our love to God.

You may love worldly things, and they die and leave you. Riches take wings! Relations drop away! There is nothing here abiding. The creature has a little honey in its mouth, but it has wings! It will soon fly away! But if you love God, He is "a portion forever!" Psalm 73:26. As He is called a Sun for comfort, so a Rock for eternity.

Thus we see, that it is better to love God than the world.

"Do not love the world, or anything in the world." 1 John 2:15

God's family is a sorrowing family. "I have chosen you," He says, "in the furnace of affliction!" The history of the church finds its fittest emblem in the burning, yet unconsumed bush, which Moses saw.

Man is "born to sorrow;" but the believer is "appointed thereunto."
If he is a "chosen vessel"—it is in the "furnace of affliction."
If he is an adopted child of God—"chastening" is the mark.
If he is journeying to the heavenly kingdom—his path lies through "much tribulation."

But if his sufferings abound, much more so do His consolations. To be comforted by God, may well reconcile us to any sorrow with which it may please our heavenly Father to visit us with.

In each season of affliction, to whom can we more appropriately look—than to Jesus? He was preeminently the Man of sorrows—and acquainted with grief.

If you would tell your grief to one who knew grief as none ever knew it;
if you would weep upon the bosom of one who wept as none ever wept;
if you would disclose your sorrow to one who sorrowed as none ever sorrowed;
if you would bare your wound to one who was wounded as none ever was wounded
—then, in your affliction, turn from all creature sympathy and succor—and look to Jesus! You could not take . . .
your trial,
your affliction,
and your sorrow . . .
to a kinder nature,
to a tenderer bosom,
to a deeper love,
to a more powerful arm,
to a more sympathizing friend!
Go and breathe your sorrows into His heart, and He will comfort you!

Blessed sorrow if, in the time of your bereavement, your grief, and your solitude—you are led to Jesus, making Him your Savior, your Friend, your Counselor and your Shield.

Blessed loss, if it is compensated by a knowledge of God; if you find in Him a Father now, to whom you will transfer your ardent affections, upon whom you will repose your bleeding heart, and in whom you will trust.

(Thomas Watson, "The Art of Divine Contentment") LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

"I envied the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked!" Psalm 73:3

It is often that the evil enjoy all the good—and the good endure all the evil.

Be contented, for remember: Worldly goods are not the only things, nor the best things. They are mere temporal blessings. These are but the acorns with which God feeds swine!

You who are believers have more choice fruit—the olive, the pomegranate, the fruit which grows on the true vine, Jesus Christ! Others have the fat of the earth—you have the dew of Heaven! They have muddied puddles; but you have those springs of living water which are purified with Christ's blood, and filled with His love!

To see the wicked flourish is rather a matter of pity, than of envy! This is all the Heaven they will have! "Woe to you who are rich, for you have your only happiness now!" Luke 6:24. Hence it was, that David made it his solemn prayer, "Deliver me from the wicked, from men of the world, who have their portion in this life!" Psalm 17:14

When the wicked have eaten of their dainty dishes—there comes in a sad reckoning, which will spoil all!

We should not envy a man who will fry and blaze in Hell—let him have enough of the fat of the earth. O remember: for every sand of mercy which runs out to the wicked, God puts a drop of wrath into His vial! "You are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath, when God's righteous judgment is revealed." Romans 2:5

Do you envy the wicked? Alas! Their prosperity is like Haman's banquet, before his execution!

If a man were to be hanged—would you envy to see him walk to the gallows through pleasant fields, or to see him go up the ladder in expensive clothing?

"I will curse your blessings!" Malachi 2:2. Whatever a sinner enjoys, he has a curse with it! And shall we envy him?

Would we envy a dog, if poisoned food was given to it!

(Octavius Winslow, "The Fragrance of Christ's Name") LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

We have need to be on our watch against the powerful influence of spiritual mentors—lest, fascinated by the fame of some popular leader, we become the willing dupes of a childish superstition, or the blind followers of a fatal error.

Do not take your views of Divine truth from man; draw them primarily from God's Word. Do not study the Bible through your theological system—but let your system be taken from, and faithfully weighed with, the Bible. Our theological system must not be allowed to give its complexion to, or to be the interpreter of, revealed truth. But on the contrary, God's Word is to suggest and mold and tint all our thoughts and opinions and systems.

We must not set the sun by our watch; but our watch by the sun. In other words, we must not attempt to make God's Word dovetail with our creed, but must test . . .
every doctrine we hold,
every opinion we receive,
every principle we maintain,
the hope we cherish—
by the unerring standard of revealed truth!
This will give a Divine and proper complexion to our views.

If we receive the light of the sun through a tinted lens—the light will necessarily reflect the hue of the medium through which it passes. So, if we receive the light of God's Word through any theological system whatever—it will necessarily reflect the error and imperfection, if such there be, of that system. And thus we shall fail to receive the teaching of God as it flows pure and simple from His Word—as light flows from the sun, and as streams from the fountain.

The Bible is our rule of faith, and our only and ultimate appeal. By the law and the testimony let every doctrine, and system, and hope for eternity be tried!

Do not be, then, carried away by the learning, the influence, or even the piety attaching to a popular name. Allow no human leader the mastery of your mind and conscience.

Yield yourself meekly and obediently to the authority and teaching of Christ—accepting human guidance only so far as it comes with a "thus says the Lord" as its divine endorsement.

Our only safeguard in a matter of such infinite moment as our future well being, is God's pure Word; our only secure place, the feet of the Savior. Sitting there as His lowly disciple, the Holy Spirit will lead our minds into the truth, even "the truth as it is in Jesus" . . .
as it emanates from Jesus,
as it speaks of Jesus,
as it strengthens our faith in, and inspires our love to, Jesus;
and as it prepares us to go and be with Jesus forever!

The trials and sufferings of the godly

(Thomas Watson, "Body of Divinity") LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

God's own people often suffer great afflictions!

"This is what the wicked are like—always carefree, they increase in wealth. Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence. For I am afflicted all day long!" Psalm 73:12-14

How can this be consistent with God's justice?

God's ways of judgment are sometimes secret, but never unjust! The Lord never afflicts His people without a cause; He cannot be unjust towards them.

There is some good in the godly—therefore the wicked afflict them.
There is some evil in them—therefore God afflicts them!

God's own children have their blemishes. "But aren't you also guilty of sins against the Lord your God?" 2 Chronicles 28:10. These spiritual diamonds—have they no flaws? Do we not read of the spots of God's children? Are not they guilty of much pride, passion, worldliness? Though, by their profession, they should resemble the birds of paradise, to fly above, and feed upon the dew of heaven—yet, as the serpent, they often lick the dust!

The sins of God's people, do more provoke God than the sins of others. "The Lord saw this and was filled with loathing. He was provoked to anger by His own sons and daughters." Deuteronomy 32:19
The sins of others pierce Christ's side.
The sins of His people wound His heart!

Therefore is not God just in all the afflictions which befall them? "You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your sins." Amos 3:2. I will punish you sooner, surer, sorer—than others.

The trials and sufferings of the godly, are to refine and purify them. God's furnace is in Zion. Is it any injustice in God to put His gold into the furnace to purify it?

Is it any injustice in God, by afflicting His people, to make them partakers of His holiness? What more proclaims God's faithfulness—than to take such a course with them as may make them more holy?

"I know, O Lord, that Your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness You have afflicted me!" Psalm 119:75

(Octavius Winslow, "The Precious Things of God") LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

The Word of God must ever be transcendently precious to the believer. The Bible is, from its commencement to its close, a record of the Lord Jesus. Around Him the divine and glorious Word centers; all its wondrous types, prophecies and facts gather.
His Promise and Foreshadowing,
His holy Incarnation, Nativity and Baptism,
His Obedience and Passion,
His Death, Burial and Resurrection,
His Ascension to Heaven,
His Second coming to judge the world—
are the grand and touching,
the sublime and tender,
the priceless and precious
truths interwoven with the whole texture of the Bible, to which the Two Witnesses of Revelation, the Old and the New Testaments bear their harmonious and solemn testimony.

Beloved, let this be the one and chief object in your study of the Bible—the knowledge of Jesus!

The Bible is not a history, a book of science or a poem—it is a record of Christ. Study it to know more of Him—His nature, His love, His work. With the magnanimous Paul, "count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus your Lord." Then will God's Word become increasingly precious to your soul, and its truths unfold.

In every page you will:
trace the history of Jesus,
see the glory of Jesus,
admire the work of Jesus,
learn the love of Jesus, and
hear the voice of Jesus!

The whole volume will be redolent of His name, and luminous with His beauty!

Oh, what is the Bible to us apart from its revelation of a Savior!

Is there not great danger . . .
of studying it merely intellectually and scientifically,
of reveling among its literary beauties and its grandeur
—blind to its true value, and without any desire to know . . .
that precious Savior who died for sinners,
that Divine Redeemer who purchased the ransom of His Church with His own blood;
that Friend who loves us;
that Brother who sympathizes with us,
that enthroned High Priest who intercedes for us within the veil?

Do we study the "Word of Christ" spiritually and honestly—as those whose souls hunger and thirst for this, the bread and water of life?

Do we search it diligently and earnestly as for hidden treasure—treasure beyond all price?

Can we say with David, "O how love I Your law! It is my meditation all the day!"

Do we:
read it with a child-like mind,
receive it with a believing heart,
bow to its teaching with reverence of soul, and
receive its decisions in all questions of faith and practice as decisive and ultimate?

In a word, do we search the Scriptures humbly, prayerfully, depending upon the guidance of the Spirit—to find Jesus in them?

Of these Scriptures He is . . .
the Alpha and the Omega,
the substance,
the sweetness,
the glory,
the one, precious, all absorbing theme!

Yes, Lord! Your word is precious to our souls, because it reveals to us Your glory, and tells us of Your love!

(Thomas Watson, "The Art of Divine Contentment") LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot.
In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content;
whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need."
Philippians 4:11-12

Paul knew how to manage in every state—he learned to be content whatever his circumstances.
If he was in prosperity, he knew how to be thankful.
If he was in adversity, he knew how to be patient.
He was neither lifted up with prosperity, nor cast down with adversity.

A Christian should be content in any and every situation.
Many are contented in some conditions—but not in every condition.
They can be content in a wealthy state.
When they have the streams of milk and honey—now they are content;
but if the wind turns and is against them—now they are discontented.
While they have a silver crutch to lean upon—they are contented;
but if God breaks this crutch—now they are discontented.

Many would be content with their affliction—if God would allow them to pick and choose! They could better endure sickness—than poverty; or bear loss of estate—than loss of children. If they might have a cross of their own choosing, they would be content!

But a contented Christian does not desire to choose his cross—but leaves God to choose for him! He is content both for the kind of the afflictions, and the duration of the afflictions, which God gives him. A contented man says, "Let God apply whatever medicine He pleases, and let it lie on as long as He desires. I know when it has done its cure, and eaten the venom of sin out of my heart—that God will take it away!"

A contented Christian, being sweetly captivated under the authority of the Word, desires to be wholly at God's disposal, and cheerfully lives in whatever circumstances that God has placed him in. "I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties." (2 Corinthians 12:10) He does not only submit to God's dealings, but rejoices in them!

The life of our adorable Lord was a life of continuous trial. From the moment He entered our world, He became leagued with suffering. He identified Himself with it in its almost endless forms. He seemed to have been born with a tear in His eye, with a shadow of sadness on His brow. He was prophesied as "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief." And, from the moment He touched the horizon of our earth, from that moment His sufferings commenced.

He did not come to indulge in a life of tranquility and repose.
He did not come to quaff the cup of earthly sweets.

He turned His back upon . . .
the pleasures,
the riches,
the luxuries,
and even the common comforts of this world;
preferring a life of . . .
obscurity,
penury,
and suffering.

He . . .
was scourged,
was bruised,
was mocked,
was smitten,
was spit upon,
was nailed to the tree,
was pierced,
was slain!

(Charles Simeon, LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio)

"In spite of all this, they kept on sinning;
in spite of His wonders, they did not believe.
So He ended their days in futility,
and their years in terror!" Psalm 78:32-33

The state of Israel in the wilderness was one continued contest between God and them:
God endeavoring, by both His mercies and judgments, to reclaim them from their evil ways.
And Israel determinately persisting in one continued series of murmurings and rebellions against Him.
Yet neither God's mercies nor God's judgments could prevail upon them to yield themselves sincerely unto Him.

The mercies which God had given to them were innumerable.
The judgments which He inflicted upon them were most dreadful.
Yet "in spite of all this, they kept on sinning!"

These verses are pre-eminently instructive. They serve as a mirror to show us what is actually passing in our own hearts!

The mirthful, the worldly, the sensual, the profane—all follow their respective courses as much as ever; equally unallured by Divine mercies, and unawed by Divine judgments.

Nor have all the wonders of redeeming love, though so fully and faithfully proclaimed—wrought any proportionate change in us!

A parallel to the Jews will be found in the state of professing Christians at this day. Our guilt resembles theirs. Let me ask:
Are not their sins of murmuring and unbelief as prevalent among ourselves, as ever they were in the days of Israel?
Are not we loaded with benefits, even as the Jews were?

Our temporal mercies, public, social and personal—have been equal to any that have been given to any people under Heaven. But what shall I say of our spiritual mercies? Truly, if a preached Gospel is the greatest of all mercies—then we have indeed abundant reason to acknowledge the transcendent goodness of God to us.

But where do we find hearts today, which are duly sensible of God's tender mercies to themselves?

Where do we find people today, who are rendering to Him the honor due unto His name?

Who among us is in the daily habit . . .
of acknowledging God in everything,
and of committing everything to His disposal,
and of living only to His glory?

If instead of living with Heaven ever in our view, and proceeding towards that as our desired rest, we are mainly occupied with the things of time and sense—then are we really any better than the Jews of old? In many ways, the aggravations of our guilt are far greater!

We have sinned against greater light than they.
What did they know of the mind of God, in comparison with us? The most ignorant person in the midst of us, is better informed than they; and, consequently, our violations of duty are proportionately more heinous in the sight of God.

We have sinned, too, against richer mercies than they.
What is their redemption from Egypt—in comparison with that redemption which has been given to us from sin and damnation?
Their redemption was by power only; but who can estimate the price that has been paid for us—even "the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot!"

They indeed ate manna, and drank water from the rock.
But we have Christ Himself, who is the true bread from Heaven; and we have the Holy Spirit, whom Christ pours out abundantly upon us, for the refreshing of our thirsty souls.

They had the guidance of the pillar and the cloud.
But we have the Word of God, which is both "a light to our feet in general, and a lantern to our paths," for our direction and preservation, every step we take!

We have sinned, also, against stronger inducements than they.
To them was promised the enjoyment of the land of Canaan, as a land flowing with milk and honey; and the loss of it was threatened as the punishment of disobedience.
But Heaven and Hell are set before us—even Heaven with all its glory; and Hell with all its inconceivable terrors, as the recompense of impenitence and unbelief.

Say, then, whether the guilt of Israel can be compared with ours? And whether, while we are ready to cast reflections on the Jews of old as a race of unparalleled impiety, we have not reason to acknowledge ourselves their equals—or rather their superiors in iniquity!

Allow me to apply this subject to your hearts!

Reader! What is your state before God at this time?

Do you really live . . .
in dependence on God,
in communion with Him,
in devotedness to Him?
Your heads possibly may be instructed in these things, but your hearts and lives are unchanged!

Reader! What will your eternal state very shortly be?
O! Could we but follow the spirits of departed men into the eternal world, as we follow their bodies to the grave—what scenes would we behold!

In some happy cases, we would behold them seated on thrones of glory, and crowned with immortal bliss!

But in how many cases would we see them hurled from the tribunal of God into the bottomless abyss of Hell, and cast forever into the lake that burns with fire and brimstone—sad monuments of their folly, and objects of God's everlasting wrath and indignation!

This is a dire reality! This is an event that is taking place every moment; and in the space of another day, may be realized by you!

There is a world to come—a world in which we shall reap in its full extent, the fruit of our unbelieving and sinful conduct!

I beg you, do not despise your mercies, as the Israelites did in the wilderness, and as thousands around us do today!

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A godly man considers the mischief which one sin lived in, will do.

1. One sin lived in, gives Satan as much advantage against you as more sins.
The fowler can hold a bird by one wing.
Satan held Judas fast by one sin!

2. One sin lived in, proves that the heart is not sound.
He who hides one rebel in his house, is a traitor to the crown.
The person who indulges one sin, is a traitorous hypocrite!

3. One sin lived in, will make way for more—as a little thief can open the door to more. Sins are linked and chained together.
One sin will draw on more.
David's adultery made way for murder.
One sin never goes alone!
If there is only one nest egg, the devil can brood on it!

4. One sin lived in, is as much a breach of God's law as more sins.
"Whoever keeps the entire law—yet fails in one point, is guilty of breaking it all." (James 2:10)
The king may make a law against felony, treason and murder.
If a man is guilty of only one of these, he is a transgressor.

5. One sin lived in, prevents Christ from entering.
One stone in the pipe keeps out the water.
One sin indulged in, obstructs the soul and keeps the streams of Christ's blood from running into it!

6. One sin lived in, will spoil all your good duties.
One dead fly will spoil the whole box of precious ointment.
A drop of poison will spoil a glass of wine.
Abimelech, a bastard-son, destroyed seventy of his brethren. Judges 9:5
One bastard-sin will destroy seventy prayers.

7. One sin lived in, will be a cankerworm to eat out the peace of conscience.
Alas! What a scorpion lies within!
One sin is a pirate, to rob a Christian of his comfort.
One jarring string puts all the music out of tune.
One sin lived in, will spoil the music of conscience.

8. One sin lived in, will damn, as well as more sins.
One disease is enough to kill.
If a fence is made ever so strong, and only one gap is left open; the wild beast may enter and tread down the corn. If only one sin is allowed in the soul, you leave open a gap for the devil to enter!
A soldier may have only one gap in his armor, and the bullet may enter there. He may as well be shot there, as if he had no armor on at all. So if you favor only one sin, you leave a part of your soul unprotected, and the bullet of God's wrath may enter there, and shoot you!
One sin lived in, may shut you out of Heaven! What difference is there, between being shut out of heaven for one sin, or for many sins?
One millstone will sink a man into the sea, as well as a hundred!

Therefore, beware of cherishing one sin!
Give a certificate of divorce to every sin.
Kill the Goliath sin!
"Let not sin reign over you." Romans 6:12
In the original it is "Let not sin king it over you."

Grace and sin may be together, but grace and the love of sin cannot. Therefore parley with sin no longer, but with the spear of mortification, spill the heart-blood of every sin!

"For if you live after the flesh, you shall die: but if you through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, you shall live." Romans 8:13

"So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you." Colossians 3:5

(Octavius Winslow, "Christ is Ever With You!" 1863)
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"Lo, I am with you always—even unto the end of the world!" Matthew 28:20

Whose presence is thus promised and pledged?

It is the presence of Christ!
The Christ who is God.
"Immanuel, God with us!"

The Christ who . . .
made all worlds,
created all beings,
governs all empires,
and controls all events!

The Christ who replenishes . . .
earth with beauty,
Heaven with glory,
eternity with song!

The Christ before whom angels and archangels, principalities and powers bend—and at whose name every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that He is Lord!

The Christ . . .
whose glory is divine,
whose beauty is peerless,
whose wealth is boundless,
whose love is as infinite as His being!

The Christ who . . .
bore and put away your sins forever,
uplifted and forever removed your curse,
paid all your great debt to Divine justice,
sorrowed for you in the garden,
suffered and expired in your stead on the cross,
rose from the grave, ascended up to Heaven, lives and intercedes for you, representing your person and presenting your prayers and praises with ineffable acceptance and delight—to His Father and your Father, to His God and your God.

"Lo, I am with you always! Mark! Behold! I the Incarnate God, I who opened my bleeding heart for your redemption on Calvary, I who am your dearest Friend—I am with you always, in all places, and at all times, unto the end of the world!"

O honored saint of God! You have . . .
the Divinest in the universe to love you,
the Mightiest in the universe to shield you,
the Loveliest in the universe to delight you,
the Dearest in the universe to soothe, cheer, and gladden you!
O favored disciple of Jesus—you have such a One ever at your side!

This is the promise of promises—the richest pearl of all the promises, exceeding in its mightiness and preciousness; while it is the substance, sweetness, and pledge of all the rest!

What if we have more of the rough file—if we have less rust!
Afflictions carry away nothing but the dross of sin.

Time is short! 1 Corinthians 7:29
If our lives are short, then our trials cannot be long!

Afflictions quicken our pace in the way to Heaven.
Though the cross is heavy, we have but a little way to carry it.

Affliction is the touch-stone of sincerity. "You, O God, have proved us. You have tried us as silver is tried . . . You laid affliction upon us" Psalm 66:10, 11. Hypocrites may embrace religion in prosperity, but he is a true Christian who will keep close to God in a time of suffering. "All this is come upon us, yet have we not forgotten You!" Psalm 44:17

The stones which are cut out for a building are first hewn and squared. The godly are called "living stones" 1 Peter 2:5. God first hews and polishes them by affliction, that they may be fit for the heavenly building. The house of bondage prepares for the house not made with hands.

Afflictions on the godly make them better—but afflictions on the wicked make them worse.
The godly pray more. Psalm 130:1.
The wicked blaspheme more, "Men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God!" Revelation 16:9

Affliction of the godly is like bruising spices, which are most sweet and fragrant.
Affliction of the wicked is like pounding weeds, which makes them more unsavory.

When affliction or death comes to a wicked man, it takes away his soul.
When it comes to a godly man, it only takes away his sin, "We are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world!" 1 Corinthians 11:32

It is one heart-quieting consideration in all the afflictions that befall us, that God has a special hand in them: "The Almighty has afflicted me!" Ruth 1:21

Instruments can no more stir until God gives them a commission—than the ax can cut of itself without a hand.

Job eyed God in his affliction. He does not say, "The Lord gave—and the devil took away;" but "The Lord gave—and the Lord has taken away." Whoever brings an affliction to us, it is God who sends it!

Afflictions work for good. "It is good for me that I have been afflicted!" Psalm 119:71
Joseph's brethren throw him into a pit;
afterwards they sell him;
then he is cast into prison
—yet all this worked for his good!
"You thought evil against me—but God meant it unto good!"

King Manasseh was bound in chains; this was sad to see—a crown of gold, exchanged for fetters. But it wrought for his good, for, "So the LORD sent the commanders of the Assyrian armies, and they took Manasseh prisoner. They put a ring through his nose, bound him in bronze chains, and led him away to Babylon. But while in deep distress, Manasseh sought the LORD his God and sincerely humbled himself before the God of his ancestors. And when he prayed, the LORD listened to him and was moved by his request. So the LORD brought Manasseh back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh finally realized that the LORD alone is God!" 2 Chronicles 33:11-13
Manasseh was more indebted to his iron chain, than to his golden crown!
The one made him proud—the other made him humble.

God sweetens outward pain, with inward peace.
"Your sorrow shall be turned into joy!" John 16:20

David says, "My times are in Your hand!" Psalm 31:15
If our times were in our own hand—we would have deliverance too soon.
If they were in our enemy's hand—we would have deliverance too late.
But my times are in God's hand—and God's time is ever best.
Deliverance may tarry beyond our time; but it will not tarry beyond God's time.

Afflictions work for good, as they conform us to Christ. His life was a series of sufferings—"a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief" Isaiah 53:3. He wept, and bled!
Was His head crowned with thorns—and do we think to be crowned with roses?
It is good to be like Christ—though it be by sufferings!

God loves a thankful Christian. Job thanked God when He took all away: "The Lord has taken away—blessed be the name of the Lord!" Job 1:21. Many will thank God when He gives. Job thanks Him when He takes away, because he knew God would work good out of it.

Every bird can sing in spring—but some birds will sing in the dead of winter.
A Christian will bless God, not only in the spring—but in the winter of affliction.

"His mercies are new every morning!" Lamentations 3:23
Mercy comes in as constantly as the tide.
Nay, how many tides of mercy do we see in one day!
We never eat—but mercy carves every bit to us.
We never drink—but in the golden cup of mercy.
We never go abroad—but mercy guards our steps.
We never lie down in bed—but mercy draws the curtains of protection close around us.
Shall we receive so many good things at the hand of God—and shall we not receive evil? Job 2:10

Our mercies far outweigh our afflictions.
For one affliction—we have a thousand mercies!
The sea of God's mercy swallows up our few drops of affliction!

Affliction quickens the spirit of prayer. Jonah was asleep in the ship—but at prayer in the whale's belly! Perhaps in a time of health and prosperity we pray in a cold and formal manner—we put no coals to the incense; we scarcely minded our own prayers, and how should God mind them?
Then God sends some cross or other affliction to make us take hold of Him. "They poured out a prayer, when Your chastening hand was upon them!" Isaiah 26:15. Now their prayers pierced the heavens! In times of trouble, we pray earnestly and fervently.

When God puts His children to the school of the cross, He deals with them tenderly.
He will not lay a giant's burden upon a child's back.
Nor will He stretch the strings of the instrument too much, lest they should break.
If God sees it good to strike with one hand—He will support with the other.
Either He will make our faith stronger—or render the yoke lighter.

God loves His people, when He is giving the bitter drink of affliction.
God's rod and God's love—they both stand together.
Let us feel God's hand—so that we may have His heart.

Afflictions add to the saints' glory.
The more the diamond is cut—the more it sparkles!
The heavier the saints' cross is—the heavier shall be their crown!

Prayer keeps the heart open to God, but shut to sin.

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Prayer is the key which unlocks God's treasures of mercy!

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Prayer is the arrow, and faith is the bow—by which our requests go up to Heaven. A faithless prayer is a fruitless prayer: "The father of the child cried out and said with tears: Lord, I believe!" When his tear dropped to the earth—his faith reached Heaven!

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It is a saying of one of the ancients, "The saints carry the keys of Heaven at their belt."

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Prayer opens the door of Heaven, and takes the blessings from God's hand!

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God comes down to us by His Spirit—and we go up to Him by prayer.

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The tree of the promise will not drop its fruit—unless shaken by the hand of prayer.

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That prayer is most likely to pierce Heaven, which first pierces one's own heart. Prayer without fervency is no prayer. Lifeless prayer is no more prayer than the picture of a man, is a man.

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A godly man will as soon live without food, as without prayer.

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Prayer . . .
delights God's ear;
melts His heart;
and opens His hand.

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"We cry, Abba, Father!" Romans 8:15
"We cry"—there is the fervency.
"Abba, Father!"—there is the faith.

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Fervency in prayer is as fire to the incense, it makes it ascend to Heaven as a sweet perfume. To induce believers to pray in faith, let them remember the bountifulness of God. He often exceeds the prayers of His people:
Hannah asked a son, God gave her not only a son, but a prophet.
Solomon asked wisdom, God gave him not only wisdom, but riches and honor besides.
Jacob asked that God would give him food and clothing, but the Lord increased his riches to two bands.
The woman of Canaan asked but the life of her child, but Christ not only gave her that, but the life of her soul also!

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Prayer is the key of Heaven, and faith is the hand that turns it!