Heavenly Springs

Holding Fast The Doctrines of Grace

People with Sore and Bruised Hearts

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“When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house — she brought an alabaster jar of perfume” Luke 7:37 

“It is wonderful how genuine goodness draws to itself the unfortunate, the troubled, the friendless, the outcast, the fallen. Wherever Jesus went — these classes always found Him out and gathered about Him. It was because He was the true, unselfish friend of all men. They found sympathy in Him. He would listen to their story. Though He was the sinless One, there was yet no air of “I am holier than you” about Him. He was just as gentle to an outcast sinner — as to a religious Nicodemus. No matter who reached out a hand for help — He was ready to grasp it. One of the truest things ever said of Jesus, was the prophetic word concerning him, “He shall not break a bruised reed!” He always dealt most gently with sore spirits and with bruised hearts!

Those who want to be useful in this world — must have the same qualities as Jesus. There is a kind of false “holiness” which draws nobody to itself — but rather repels. Genuine holiness, however, wins its way everywhere into men’s hearts. The secret of it all, is in living “not to be served — but to serve;” in considering one’s self not too good to serve the unworthiest of God’s creatures. If we live in this world to be served — we shall be of no use to anyone. But if we live to minister to others, yearning to be of service to everyone we meet — then our life will be of great worth. The hungry-hearted and the soul-needy will be drawn to us — and God will love to put work into our hands.

We need, too, to train ourselves to exceeding gentleness in dealing with human souls in their spiritual crises. Many earnest people, in the excess of their zeal — do incalculable harm to those whom they greatly desire to help. People with sore and bruised hearts — usually need loving sympathy and strong, kindly friendship — much more than they need a lecture in theology.” – J.R. Miller, 1890

Source: Grace Gems!

The Blessing of Weakness

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“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will glory all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak–then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

“There is a blessing in weakness–because it nourishes dependence on God. When we are strong, or deem ourselves strong–we are really weak, since then we trust in ourselves, and do not seek Divine help. But when we are consciously weak, knowing ourselves unequal to our duties and struggles–we are strong, because then we turn to Christ, and get His strength.

Too many people think that their weakness a barrier to their usefulness; or make it an excuse for doing little with their life. Instead of this, however, if we give it to Christ–He will transform our weakness into strength. He says that His power is made perfect in weakness; that is, what is lacking in human strength–He fills and makes up with divine strength. Paul had learned this, when he said that he now gloried in his weaknesses, because on account of them–the strength of Christ rested upon him, so that, when he was weak–then he was strong–strong with Divine strength.

We need only to make sure of one thing–that we do indeed bring our weakness to Christ, and lean on Him in simple faith. This is the vital link in getting the blessing. Weakness itself is a burden; it is like chains upon our limbs. If we try to carry it alone–we shall only fail. But if we lay it on the strong Son of God–and let Him carry us and our burden, going on quietly and firmly in the way of duty–He will make our very weakness–a secret source of strength. He will not take the weakness from us–that is not His promise–but He will so fill it with His own power–that we shall be strong, more than conquerors, able to do all things through Christ, who strengthens us!

This is the blessed secret of having our burdening weakness, transformed into strength. The secret can be found only in Christ. And in Him–it can be found by every humble, trusting disciple.”

– J.R. Miller (GraceGems)

All Life’s Tangles by JR Miller

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Church window Zoom at night, originally uploaded by HamWithCam.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28

Our affairs are forever getting tangled, like threads in a child’s hands—and we cannot straighten out the tangles ourselves! We cannot see how anything beautiful or good can come out of our poor living, or our feeble striving.

Our days are full of disappointments, and our night’s rest is broken by anxieties. Yet it is the Christian’s privilege to commit all life’s tangles into the hands of Jesus Christ. He can take our broken things—and build them up into beauty.

One of the finest windows in a great cathedral is said to have been made out of the fragments of  broken glass which the workmen had thrown away as worthless. A skillful hand gathered them up—and wrought them into lovely form.

Just so, Jesus Christ can take our failures, our mistakes, our follies, our broken fragments of life, even our sins, and  make them into beautiful life and character!

“Commit your way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.” Psalm 37:5

“Morning Thoughts” 1906

The Rock that is Higher than I

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When my heart is likely to break,
When the surging billows shake
My feeble bark,
Lead me to the Rock most high
The Rock that higher is than I;
even in the dark.

When I see my sin so great,
When no comfort I can get,
No place to hide,
Lead me to the Rock most high
The Rock that higher is than I;
The smitten side.

When no refuge I can find,
No shelter for the weary mind,
No cooling shade,
Lead me to the Rock most high
The Rock that higher is than I;
No more afraid.

When thirsting for the living stream
Of that eternal life in Him,
No more to die,
Lead me to the Rock most high
The Rock that higher is than I;
To Him I fly.

In the cleft of that dear Rock,
From the surging billows’ shock,
I’ll hide me ever.
In His righteousness so pure,
In His covenant so sure,
I’ll dwell forever.

J.R. Miller