I must lament and confess my omissions of duty, my neglect of it and triflings in it; and that I have done so little since I came into the world of the great work I was sent into the world about, so very little to answer the end of my creation or of my redemption, of my birth and of my baptism; and that I have profited no more by the means of grace.

I have been as a fig tree planted in the vineyard, and You have come many years looking for fruit from me without finding any; and therefore I might justly be cut down and thrown into the fire for using up the ground: Luke 13:6-7(NASB) You have come looking for good grapes, but behold worthless ones; Isaiah 5:4(NASB) for I have been an empty vine bringing forth fruit for myself. Hosea 10:1(NASB)

I have known the right thing to do, but have not done it. James 4:17(NASB) I have hid my Master’s money, Matthew 25:18(NASB) and therefore deserve the doom of the wicked and lazy servant. Matthew 25:26(NASB)

I have been an unfaithful steward who has squandered my Lord’s possessions, Luke 16:1(NASB) for one sinner destroys much good. Ecclesiastes 9:18(NASB)

Many a price has been put in my hands to buy wisdom, which I have had no sense to; Proverbs 17:16(NASB) or like the fool my heart has been directed toward the left. Ecclesiastes 10:2(NASB)

My childhood and the prime of life were fleeting, Ecclesiastes 11:10(NASB) and I have finished my years like a sigh. Psalm 90:9(NASB)

I have not recognized or improved the day of my visitation; Luke 19:44(NASB) have not prepared my food in the summer nor gathered my provision in the harvest, though I have had chiefs, officers, and rulers. Proverbs 6:7-8(NASB)

I am slow of heart to understand and believe; Luke 24:25(NASB) and whereas by this time I might have been a teacher of others, I have yet to learn the elementary principles of the oracles of God: I need milk and not solid food. Hebrews 5:12(NASB)

I have done away with reverence and hindered meditation before God; Job 15:4(NASB) have not called on Your name, nor aroused myself to take hold of You. Isaiah 64:7(NASB)

I have come to You as Your people come and have sat before You as Your people sit and have heard Your words, when my heart at the same time has been going after my gain. Ezekiel 33:31(NASB) And thus have I brought the torn and the lame and the sick for sacrifice; have offered that to my God which I would not have offered to my governor; Malachi 1:8(NASB) and have vowed and sacrificed to the Lord a blemished animal, when I had a male in my flock. Malachi 1:14(NASB)

Jesus loved, labored, suffered, bled, died, rose, ascended, and intercedes–to save His people from their sins! He is the perfect husband who . . .
brings us into marriage-union with Himself,
provides for all our necessities, and
assures us of His unalterable love!
He gives us . . .
His arm to support us,
His fullness to supply us,
His name to entitle us,
His robe to cover us,
His angels to guard us,
His Word to assure us, and
His Heaven to be our habitation at last!

To know Christ–is true wisdom;
to love Him–is the evidence of grace; and
to walk with Him–is the highest honor that can be put upon a sinful creature!

It is the delight of a truly spiritual mind to think of Jesus, feed on Him, and rejoicein Him. There is nothing in Christ–but what is precious to him. Christ is the objectof his faith, love, and desire; and the subject of his meditation, boast, and song in the house of his pilgrimage. To a Christian, Christ is ALL!

The believer is knit to Jesus, walks in fellowship with Him, and desires above all things to exalt and glorify Him. Jesus is just suited to the believer, and he thinks on Him with great delight and satisfaction!
via Grace Gems (James Smith, “The Glories of Christ!” 1864)

Click here to view the embedded video.

I can’t believe they used a Julian Smith video to do it, though!  On second thought… I can.  It’s Todd, haha!

“He came unto His own–but His own did not receive Him.” John 1:11

We say that the Jews, “His own,” were very ungrateful to treat their Messiah in this way; and also that their rejection was a terrible wrong to themselves, for they thrust away in Christ, the most glorious things of Heaven and eternity!

But how is it with ourselves? Christ comes to us. He is continually coming. His hands are full of blessings. Do we really take from the hand of Christ–all that He offers to us? Do we not daily grieve Him and rob ourselves of blessings–by declining what He brings?

Especially do we reject Christ often–when He comes to us in the garb of pain or sorrow. Many times the blessings which He brings to us then–are the very richest and the most precious in all His treasury of grace!

But how many of us receive Christ as gladly, and take the gifts from His hand as cheerfully and gratefully, when He comes in grief or suffering–as when He comes in the garb of joy or worldly prosperity?

Why should we not do so? Can we not trust His love and wisdom?

He never sends pain–unless pain is best for us.

He never chastens us–unless there is a blessing in the chastening.

Thanks Grace Gems! (J.R. Miller, “Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ” 1890)

Click here to view the embedded video.

“I hate pride and arrogance!” Proverbs 8:13

It is a dreadful fact, whether we like to allow it or not–that PRIDE is one of the common sins which beset human nature. We are all born Pharisees. We all naturally think far better of ourselves than we ought. We all naturally imagine that we deserve something better than we have.

Pride is an old sin. It began in the garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve thought they had not got everything that their merits deserved.

Pride is a subtle sin. It rules and reigns in many a heart without being detected, and can even wear the garb of humility.

Pride is a most soul-ruining sin. It prevents repentance, keeps men back from Christ, checks brotherly love, and nips spiritual desires in the bud.

Let us watch against pride, and be on our guard.

Of all garments, none is so graceful, none wears so well, and none is so rare–as true humility. “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, God opposes the proud–but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5

Thanks Grace Gems! (J. C. Ryle)