"But When HE, The SPIRIT Of TRUTH Comes, HE Will Guide You Into All Truth."

 The teaching ministry of the HOLY SPIRIT

Various authors

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, 

as you READ the text below.)

 
"But the COMFORTER, the HOLY SOIRIT, 

whom the FATHER will send in MY name, 

HE will teach you all things, and bring to 

your remembrance all that I said to you."   

John 14:26.

One way in which the HOLY SPIRIT comforts us, is by HIS 

teaching. It is HIS work to help us understand the Scriptures.

The HOLY SPIRIT is the master teacher who takes the things of 

CHRIST and reveals them to us, making our hearts burn within us.

The SPIRIT'S work is not to deliver new truths, but to make 

the truths in the Word shine with living clarity before our eyes.

The SPIRIT does not merely teach us doctrine, but makes us 

feel its power and sweetness in the depths of our souls.

The SPIRIT'S teaching is heart-teaching. It is not learned 

in the intellect alone, but in the soul's deepest experience.

The SPIRIT is the great interpreter of GOD'S Word--

and without HIS teaching, we cannot rightly divide 

the Scriptures.

I can teach you the letter of GoOD'S Word, but there is 

only ONE who can teach you effectually and savingly.

The SPIRIT not only reveals, but transforms--for it is HIS 

nature to lead us from knowledge into holiness.

As the sun brings light to the natural world, so the  SPIRIT 

brings spiritual light to the darkened soul.

When the SPIRIT breathes upon the Word, the truth leaps 

from the page and fastens upon the heart, as an arrow 

of conviction or comfort.

When the SPIRIT comes with power, every doctrine sparkles 

like a diamond in the sunlight, and glows with divine warmth.

The SPIRIT of GOD gives us not only light, but sight. For what 

is the use of daylight to a blind man? The SPIRIT opens 

the eyes of our understanding.

When the SPIRIT works within, even the simplest truths of 

Scripture shine with divine brilliance, filling the soul with joy.

Without the SPIRIT of GOD, we can do nothing--we are as,

  ships without wind,

    branches without sap,

      and coals without fire.

The SPIRIT'S illumination goes beyond words, for HE makes 

us taste the sweetness of CHRIST, and feel the importance 

of eternal realities.

The SPIRIT of GOD first imparts light to the soul, by which 

we see,

  ourselves,

    our sin,

      and our SAVIOR.

The SPIRIT shows us our sin as exceedingly sinful, and JESUS 

as altogether lovely!

We are blind until the SPIRIT takes the scales from our eyes.

We are deaf until He unstops our ears.

We are dead until He gives us life.

The HOLY SPIRIT is the great revealer of CHRIST to the soul, 

making HIM known, loved, and adored--where HE was 

once despised.

By the SPIRIT'S enlightening, we see,

  the glory of the cross,

  the beauty of holiness,

  and the hope of Heaven--as never before!

Without the SPIRIT'S teaching, we are like travelers in 

the wilderness without a compass, wandering aimlessly in 

search of truth.

"But when HE, the SPIRIT of TRUTH 

comes, HE will guide you into all truth." 

John 16:13

 

GraceGems has published one of John Newton's most precious poems, 

'Tis a Point I Long to Know.

"For Wide Is The Gate And Broad Is The Road That Leads To Destruction."

 Enter through the narrow gate

Various authors

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, 

as you READ the text below.)  

"Enter through the narrow gate. 

For wide is the gate and broad is the road that 

leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

But small is the gate and narrow the road that 

leads to life, and only a fewfind it."  

 Matthew 7:13-14. 

In these verses, JESUS presents a sobering truth: the way 

to life is narrow, and few find it; while the way to destruction 

is broad and heavily traveled. This passage stands as a solemn 

warning against self-deception. It challenges us to examine 

whether we are truly walking in the narrow path, or merely 

following the religious crowd down the broad road of worldly 

ease and self-indulgence.

The broad road is appealing because it requires no self-denial, 

no submission to GOD'S Word, and no transformation of heart. 

It is the road of pride, worldliness, and self-sufficiency--

the very things that sinful man loves. Tragically, this road 

ends in eternal destruction.

Conversely, the narrow gate is the way of faith, repentance, 

and holiness. It is a path marked by trial, persecution, and 

self-denial--but it leads to eternal life.

The narrow road is not for the half-hearted or the double-

minded. Only those whom the SPIRIT has regenerated 

and drawn to CHRIST in true saving faith, 

walk in the narrow road.

This passage dismantles the false gospel of easy-believism 

that pervades much of modern Christianity. JESUS does not 

present the narrow road as an optional, higher-tier discipleship 

path for the especially devout. It is the only road to eternal life.

Many profess faith in CHRIST, yet walk the broad road, 

deceived into thinking they are saved, while refusing to 

submit to CHRIST'S Lordship!

True faith produces obedience; not perfection, but a life 

genuinely marked by repentance and growing holiness.

JESUS' words should cause us to examine ourselves.

Have we truly entered the narrow gate?

Let us not be numbered among the many who take the broad 

and easy road to destruction, but among the few who follow 

JESUS on narrow road that leads to eternal life.

"Then HE said to them all: If anyone 

would come after ME, he must deny 

himself and take up his cross daily 

and follow ME!" Luke 9:23

GraceGems has published Don Fortner's precious poem, 

"My Father's Loving Heart" 

What A Glorious State Will It Be . . . When We Shall Fully Enjoy GOD.

The Saints' Everlasting Rest!

Richard Baxter

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio,

as you READ the text below.) 

Heaven is the presence of GOD. It is . . .

  to be filled with HIS love,

  to partake of HIS infinite joys, and

  to be satisfied with HIS all-sufficient goodness.

What a glorious state will it be . . .

  when we shall fully enjoy GOD,

  when we shall be perfectly united in love 

with all the saints, and when we shall join

together with them in the perpetual praises of our 

CREATOR and REDEEMER!

There is no toil in Heaven. There is no weariness nor weakness. 

Their rest is not in idleness, but in sweet and perfect activity--

always delighting in the service of their KING.

Every holy desire shall find its fulfillment in Heaven.

All that the soul desires, shall there be fulfilled.

Every longing for beauty,

every craving for truth,

every thirst for love,

every holy aspiration,

shall be abundantly satisfied in the immediate enjoyment of GOD!

If one drop of heavenly joy could fall into this world, it would swallow up 

all earthly pleasures as the ocean swallows a grain of sand. What then must 

the infinite ocean of delight be, in its full and eternal measure?

In Heaven, the saints shall have no other activity but to worship the LORD. 

They shall continually behold HIS glory, and forever sing HIS praises.

Heaven is the place where the unveiled glory of GOD shall be fully 

displayed, where HIS perfections shall shine forth in their fullest splendor, 

and where every soul shall bask in the light of HIS countenance forever!

No more shall there be misunderstandings, divisions, or offenses among 

the saints. Perfect harmony, perfect love, and perfect joy shall reign in 

that blessed assembly, united forever in the presence of GOD.

All the pleasures of earth are but a drop, compared to the ocean of joys that 

await the saints in Heaven. Their joy shall never wane, but shall increase

 as they plunge ever deeper into the infinite treasures of GOD.

If the sight of CHRIST in HIS humiliation could ravish the souls of HIS disciples--

then how much more will the sight of HIM in HIS glory satisfy and delight us! 

If HIS love to us on earth was so sweet--then what will HIS glorious 

Heavenly love be?

To see the face of JESUS, to behold the scars by which we are saved, 

to gaze upon the KING in HIS beauty--this will be the crowning joy 

of Heaven, the height of blessedness, the satisfaction of every holy soul.

"There remains therefore a rest for 

the people of GOD." Hebrews 4:9.

 

GraceGems has published Anne Steele's comforting poem, 

"O Lovely Source of True Delight!"

Trust HIS Heart, When You Cannot Trace HIS Hand!

 The Necessity of Affliction

John MacDuff

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, 

as you READ the text below.)

"Though now for a little while, if necessary, 

you have been distressed by various trials" 

1 Peter 1:6

What a blessed motto and superscription over the dark lintels of sorrow: 

"There is a necessity for this!"  Every arrow from the quiver of GOD is feathered 

with it! Write it, child of affliction, over every trial that your GOD sees fit to send!

If HE calls you down from the sunny mountain-heights, to the darksome valleys--

hear HIM saying:   "There is a necessity for this!" 

If HE has dashed the cup of earthly prosperity from your lips, curtailed your 

creature comforts, diminished your "basket and store"--hear HIM saying: 

"There is a necessity for this!" 

If HE has plowed and furrowed your soul with severe bereavement, extinguished 

light after light in your dwelling--hear HIM thus stilling the tumult of your grief, 

"There is a necessity for this!" 

Yes, believe it--there is some profound reason for your trial, which at present 

may be indiscernible to you. No furnace will be hotter than HE sees to be needed.

Be still, and know that HE is GOD! 

That "necessity," remember, is in the hands of infinite Love, infinite Wisdom, 

and infinite Power! Trust HIM in little things, as well as in great things; 

in trifles as well as in disasters. Seek to have an unquestioning faith. 

Though other paths, doubtless, would have been selected by you, had the choice 

been in your hands--be it yours to listen to HIS voice at every turn of the road, 

saying, "This is the way, walk in it!

We may not be able to understand it now, but one day we shall find that 

affliction is one of GOD'S most blessed ministers, sent forth to 

"minister to those who are heirs of salvation."

Sorrowful one! There is a reason for your chastisement.

 "For the LORD disciplines those whom HE loves, 

and chastens every child whom HE accepts." 

Hebrews 12:6

What! GOD loves me, when HE is discharging HIS quiver upon me, emptying 

me from vessel to vessel, causing the sun of my earthly joys to set in clouds? 

Yes, afflicted, tempest-tossed one! HE chastens you, because HE loves you! 

This trial comes from HIS own tender, loving hand--from HIS own tender, 

unchanging heart!

Are you laid on a sick bed, are sorrowful months and wearisome nights 

appointed unto you? Let this be the pillow on which your aching head reclines: 

It is because GOD loves me!

Is it bereavement which has swept your heart and desolated your dwelling? 

GOD appointed that chamber of death, HE opened that tomb--because HE loves you!

Believer! Rejoice in the thought that the chastening rod is in the hands of the living, 

loving SAVIOR who died for you! Tribulation is the KING'S Highway, and yet 

that highway is paved with love. As some flowers require to be pressed before 

shedding their fragrance--so does your GOD see fit to bruise you,

 to bring out your graces.

If your heavenly FATHER'S smile has for the moment been exchanged for 

the chastening rod, be assured there is some deep necessity for the discipline. 

There is nothing capricious in HIS dealings. Love is the reason of all that HE 

does. There is no drop of wrath in that bitter cup you are called upon to drink!

Erring human wisdom has no place in GOD'S allotments. An earthly father may err--

yes, he is ever erring. But 

"as for GOD, HIS way is perfect!"  (Psalm 18:30)

This is the explanation of HIS every dealing: 

"Your heavenly FATHER knows that you have 

need of all these things!"  (Matthew 6:32b)

In our seasons of trial, when under some inscrutable painful dispensation, 

how apt is the murmuring thought to rise in our hearts: 

"All these things are against me!  ( Genesis 42:36e)

 Might not this overwhelming blow have been spared?

 Might not this dark cloud, which has shadowed my heart and my home 

with sadness, have been averted?

 Might not my trial have been less severe?

 Surely the LORD  has forgotten to be gracious!"

No! These afflictions are errands of mercy in disguise! 

"HE does not afflict willingly."   (Lamentations 3:33)

There is nothing capricious or arbitrary about your GOD'S dealings. 

Unutterable tenderness is the character of all HIS allotments! HE appoints no 

needless pang. HE has precious lessons that could not otherwise have been taught!

Afflicted one! Be assured that there is some deep necessity in all that HE does. 

In our calendars of sorrow we may put this luminous mark against every trying hour: 

"It was needed!" 

Some excess branch in the tree required pruning, to increase its fruitfulness.

Mourning one! HE might have dealt far otherwise with you! HE might have cut you

 down as a fruitless, worthless cumberer! HE might have abandoned you to drift--

disowned and unpiloted on the rocks of destruction, joined to your idols! 

HE might have "left you alone" to settle on your lees, and forfeit your eternal bliss! 

But HE loved you better. It was kindness--infinite kindness, which blighted 

your fairest blossoms, and hedged up your way with thorns!

Trust HIS heart, when you cannot trace HIS hand!

"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten." 

Revelation 3:19

"From The Fullness Of HIS Grace We Have All Received One Blessing After Another!"

 HE gives more grace

Annie Johnson Flint

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to this comforting hymn, 

as you READ the text below. Or you may want 

to WATCH the Video on YouTube)

HE gives more grace as our burdens grow greater,

  HE sends more strength as our labors increase.

To added afflictions HE adds HIS mercy,

  To multiplied trials HE multiplies peace.
 

      When we have exhausted our store of endurance,

    When our strength has failed ere the day is half done;

  When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,

Our FATHER'S full giving is only begun.

Fear not that your need shall exceed HIS provision,

  Our GOD ever yearns HIS resources to share.

Lean hard on the arm everlasting availing;

  The FATHER both you and your load will upbear.

HIS love has no limits HIS grace has no measure,

  HIS power no boundary known unto men;

    For out of HIS infinite riches in JESUS,

      HE gives and gives, and gives again!

 

"From the fullness of HIS grace 

we have all received one blessing 

after another!" John 1:16

"HE Could Not Do Many Mighty Works, Because Of Their Unbelief!"

 Ear stoppers!

Charles Spurgeon

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, 

as you READ the text below.)

"But they refused to pay attention; stubbornly 

they turned their backs and stopped up their ears!" 

Zechariah 7:11

Alas, men's ears are still stopped up! An old Puritan has mentioned 

seven kinds of what he calls "ear stoppers," which need to be 

taken out of the human ear.

They are frequently blocked up by ignorance.

They know not the importance and value of the truth, and therefore

 they refuse to give earnest heed to it. Judging the Gospel to be an 

idle tale, they go their ways to their farms and to their business.

Some ears are stopped up by unbelief.

They have heard the glad tidings of salvation, but they have not 

received it as an infallible revelation from GOD, a message 

backed by divine authority.

Skepticism and philosophy, falsely so called, barricade

 the Ear-gate against the assaults of the Gospel, so that even 

the great battering-rams of the gospel prove powerless to force 

an entrance. 

"HE could not do many mighty works, 

because of their unbelief!"  (Matthew 13:58)

Others ears are stopped up by impenitence.

The hardness of the heart, causes a deadness of the ear! You may 

discharge the great cannons of the law in the ears of some men, 

but they will not stir. The thunders of GOD startle the wild beasts 

of the forest, but impenitence is not moved thereby. The gospel 

itself sounds upon such ears with no more effect than upon 

a marble statue. The groans of Calvary are nothing to them.

Some ears are stopped by prejudice.

They have made up their minds as to what the gospel ought to be,

 and they will not hear it as it is. They have set up for themselves 

a standard of what the truth should be, and that standard is a false one, 

for they have put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter, darkness 

for light and light for darkness.

The entrance into many ears is also effectually barred 

by the love of sin.

He who loves vileness, will not hear of repentance. The lover of

 pleasure, detests holy mourning. The immoral think holiness to be 

another name for slavery. The man who finds delight in sin, is a deaf 

adder whom the wisest charmer cannot charm. The poison of asps 

is under his tongue, and he cannot renounce his deadly hatred 

of a gospel which rebukes his evil ways. It would be vain to teach 

cleanliness to the swine which wallows in the mire--it loves 

impurity, and after impurity will it go.

Some ears are stopped through pride.

The plain, unflattering, humbling gospel of the sinner's SAVIOR 

is not to their taste. The gospel for lost sinners, they think, is not 

addressed to them--for they imagine themselves to be good enough, 

and are by no means worthy of any great blame, or in danger of 

any great punishment. If the gospel flute could be tuned to notes 

of flattery, to praise the dignity of man--then they would attend 

to its music. But they will have nothing to do with a gospel for 

vulgar sinners! With their fine feathers all ruffled in disdain, 

they turn away in a rage.

Alas! how many ears are stopped through worldliness!

If you stand in a busy street where the constant thunder of 

rumbling wheels creates a din--it would be difficult to preach so 

as to command an audience, for the street noise would prevent 

all hearing. In the same way to a great extent, the mass of mankind 

are just in that position as to the joyful sound of the gospel. 

The rumbling of the wheels of commerce, the noise of trade and

 the cries of competition, the whirl of cares and the riot of pleasures--

all these drown the persuasive voice of heavenly love, so that men 

hear no more of it than they would hear a pin fall in the midst 

of a hurricane. Only when GOD unstops the ear, is the still small 

voice of truth heard in the chambers of the heart. 

"Whoever belongs to GOD hears what 

GOD says. The reason you do not hear, is that 

you do not belong to GOD!"   John 8:47

CHRIST In You, Is The Hope Bestowed, The Hope Of Glory.

    CHRIST is HIMSELF the vital thing

Don Fortner

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to this CHRIST-

exalting hymn, as you READ the text below. 

Or you may want to WATCH the Video on YouTube)

CHRIST is HIMSELF the vital thing.

  We must, we must have HIM!

My GOD, deny me anything,

  But give, oh give me HIM!

CHRIST in you, is what free grace brings,

GOD'S giving GIFT of gifts!

With CHRIST HE gives us everything.

With hope our souls HE lifts.

CHRIST in you, is the hope bestowed,

The hope of glory, HE. 

HE paid all that to GOD I owed,

      And gives glory to me!

"It is because of HIM that you are in CHRIST JESUS,

 who has become for us wisdom from GOD--that is,

 our righteousness, holiness and redemption."

     1 Corinthians 1:30