#GraceGems

[ichristian-news]

The man who never laughs

The man who never laughs (J. R. Miller, “The Duty of Laughter”)  LISTEN to Audio!  Download Audio“The disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 13:52“The fruit of the Spirit is joy” Galatians 5:22The Wise Man says that there is “a time to laugh.” That is, there is a time when laughter is right, when it is a duty–and when it would be wrong not to laugh. Perhaps we have not…

[masongoodknight]

#Hell #GraceGem #JamesSmith https://www.instagram.com/p/CpvcspzPHbM/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[carlosmroxas]

Happy 2nd Birthday, @laurasophiasjroxas we love you so much. May you learn to acknowledge him in all your ways, to pray to him for his blessing, and to praise him daily for his mercies; and then you will do well. This is a great privilege, which distinguishes us from the beasts of the field—they likewise owe their preservation to his providence; but then they are not capable of knowing him or thanking him. There are many young people who are contented to live without God in the world; but this is not only their sin—but their shame likewise. They thereby renounce the chief honor they are capable of, and degrade themselves to a level with the beasts! But let it not be so with you. Pray to the Lord to teach you to love him; and, when you think of him, fix your thoughts upon Jesus Christ, upon him who conversed on earth as a man. The great God has manifested himself in a way suited to us, as weak creatures and poor sinners. God is everywhere present; but only those who look to him in Christ—can love, trust, or serve him aright. When you read our Savior's discourses in Scripture, pay attention as if you saw him with your own eyes standing before you. And when you pray, assure yourself, before you begin, that he is actually in the room with you, and that his ear is open to every word you say. This will make you serious, and it will likewise encourage you, when you consider that you are not speaking into the air, or to one who is a great way off; but to One who is very near you, to your best Friend, who is both able and willing to give you everything that is good for you. #GraceGems #LauraSophiaRoxas #keepingupwithatoddler #sevenemiratesseries #wewonderaswewander (at United Christian Church of Dubai) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrGUiHBl0wY/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=hbl2zrbt5ppd

[courtography1]

Grace Gems

Home happiness depends on the wife (J.R. Miller) Home is the true wife's kingdom. There, first of all places, she must be strong and Christly. She may touch life outside in many ways--if she can do it without slighting the duties that are hers within her own doors. But if any calls for her service must are declined--they should not be the duties of her home. These are hers alone--and not another's. Very largely does the wife hold in her hands, as a sacred trust--the happiness and the highest good of the hearts that nestle in the home. The best husband--the truest, the noblest, the gentlest, the richest-hearted--cannot make his home happy, if his wife is not, in every reasonable sense, a helpmate to him. In the last analysis, home happiness depends on the wife. Her spirit gives the home its atmosphere. Her hands fashion its beauty. Her heart makes its love. And the end is so worthy, so noble, so divine--that no wife should consider any price too great to pay--to be the light, the joy, the blessing, the inspiration of her home! The woman who makes a sweet, beautiful home, filling it with love and prayer and purity--is doing something better than anything else her hands could find to do beneath the skies! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ We have published Grace Gems for the month of OCTOBER in one file! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

[kylefyffe]

The Cynic

(Henry Ward Beecher, "Lectures to Young Men on Various Important Subjects" 1849) The Cynic is one who never sees a good quality in a man--and never fails to see a bad one. He is the human owl, vigilant in darkness--and blind to light; mousing for vermin--and never seeing noble game. The Cynic puts all human actions into only two classes--openly bad, and secretly bad. To him, all virtue and generosity and unselfishness are merely the appearance of good--but selfish at the bottom. He holds that no man does a good thing, except for profit. The effect of his conversation upon your feelings, is to chill and sear them; to send you away sour and morose. His criticisms and innuendos fall indiscriminately upon every lovely thing, like frost upon flowers. The live-long day, he will coolly sit with sneering lip, uttering sharp speeches in the quietest manner, and in polished phrase--crucifying every character which is presented. His words are softer than oil--yet are they drawn swords. He indulges himself in flippant sneers; and with supercilious brow, and impudent tongue, wagging to an empty brain--as he deprecates the wise, the long tried, and the venerable. It is impossible to indulge in such habitual severity of opinion upon our fellow-men--without injuring the tenderness and delicacy of our own feelings. A man will be what his most cherished feelings are. If he encourages a noble generosity--every feeling will be enriched by it. If he nurses bitter and envenomed thoughts--his own spirit will absorb the poison, and he will crawl among men as a burnished adder, whose life is mischief, and whose errand is death. He who hunts for flowers--will find flowers; and he who loves weeds--will find weeds. Let it be remembered, that no man, who is not himself mortally diseased, will have a relish for disease in others. A swollen wretch, blotched all over with leprosy, may grin hideously at every wart or excrescence upon beauty. A wholesome man will be pained at it, and seek not to notice it. Reject, then, the morbid ambition of the Cynic--or cease to call yourself a man!

[ichristian-news]

The Preciousness of Jesus!

The Preciousness of Jesus! (anonymous) LISTEN to Audio!  Download Audio“Unto you who believe, He is precious!” 1 Peter 2:7In the bustling noise of our daily lives, amidst the clamor of distractions, there exists a priceless and sacred truth–the preciousness of Jesus! He is . . .  the cornerstone of our faith,  the embodiment of divine love,  and the source of eternal hope!In the moments of doubt…

[ichristian-news]

Swine  wallowing in the mire, and dogs  devouring their own vomit!

Swine  wallowing in the mire, and dogs  devouring their own vomit! (Charles Simeon)  LISTEN to Audio!  Download AudioThere are but two classes of people mentioned in the Scriptures, and to one or other of them we all belong. There is no intermediate category.Indeed we cannot always determine to which of these classes men belong, because we cannot discern their hearts. But the all-seeing God, to…

[ichristian-news]

Why me, Lord?

Why me, Lord? (Charles Simeon)  LISTEN to Audio!  Download Audio“The Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me!” Galatians 2:20Well may every child of God exclaim with wonder, “What astonishing love is this,  that You have loved me from eternity past,  that You should give Your precious Son to redeem me,  and Your eternal Spirit to sanctify me by His grace?”In the review of his own life,…

[ichristian-news]

The Christian Journey

The Christian Journey (Mary Winslow, “Life in Jesus”)  LISTEN to audio!  Download audioLife is a journey, often a short one, and always uncertain. But there is another journey. The believer is traveling through a waste howling wilderness, to another and a glorious region, where ineffable delight and happiness await us. The road is narrow, the entrance strait–so strait that thousands miss it…

[ichristian-news]

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit (David Harsha, “The Savior’s Ascension”)  LISTEN to Audio!  Download Audio  The Spirit is given to supply the Savior’s absence, and to apply to our souls the redemption finished on Calvary. It is His blessed work to glorify Jesus–to testify of Him.Through His power we are:  renewed and sanctified,  filled ‘with all joy and peace in believing,’  and ‘abound in hope’ of a blissful…

[ichristian-news]

Why?

Why? (David Harsha, “Christ Crucified”)  LISTEN to Audio!  Download AudioWhy does the Lord of life and glory suffer?Why does He endure that piercing agony and that bloody sweat in gloomy Gethsemane?Why is He condemned to the death of Calvary?Look at the crucified Jesus!Why does He hang on that bloody cross?Why are those blessed hands and feet nailed to the accursed tree?Why is that dear side…

[ichristian-news]

Had any other condition been better for you than the one in which you are in

Had any other condition been better for you than the one in which you are in (Charles Spurgeon) “He chooses our inheritance for us.” Psalm 47:4 “Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.” Psalm 25:12  “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8  “As for God, His way is…

[ichristian-news]

They think they have all the religion they need!

They think they have all the religion they need! (Charles Simeon)  LISTEN to Audio!  Download Audio“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation! Old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new!” 2 Corinthians 5:17Most people view Christianity as a superficial thing, consisting in a bare assent to certain notions, and a formal observance of certain religious rites. If they have…

[ichristian-news]

A cross of their own choosing!

A cross of their own choosing! (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 4:11-12Paul knew…

[ichristian-news]

O stand amazed at His free grace!

O stand amazed at His free grace! (Thomas Sherman, “Divine Breathings; Or, a Pious Soul Thirsting after Christ”) LISTEN to audio!  Download audioO precious saint! Three questions call for your answer:   1. What were you?    2. What are you?    3. What shall you be?1. What were you?   Dead in your transgressions and sins,   a rebel to your God,   a prodigal to your Father,   a slave to your…

[ichristian-news]

If you meet that poor wretch who thrust his spear into My side!

If you meet that poor wretch who thrust his spear into My side! (Benjamin Grosvenor, “The Temper of Jesus Christ towards His Enemies, and His Grace to the Chief of Sinners”)  LISTEN to Audio!  Download Audio“Repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” Luke 24:47It is very affecting that the first offers of grace should be made to those…