At times, the Lord asks His people to engage in assignments that seem to make no sense at all. Perhaps, it is a task that we have never undertaken. Perhaps, it is preparation for a problem that we have never encountered previously. One of the most profound examples from such categories was Noah building an ark, by faith. His example is profound both in the circumstances that he faced and the extent of the impact of his faithful response.
Abraham provides one of the most profound studies concerning the extensive consequences of walking by faith. One lesson he offers is that trusting God enables us to obediently leave familiar settings to follow the Lord into new, uncertain situations. Beyond this, Abraham's example sheds light on how to face our entire journey on earth. We see this in Abraham's obedient, earthly sojourn, by faith.
Now, we will see Abraham's patient, heavenly pilgrimage, by faith. His previous testimony concluded with this pilgrimage theme: "For he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God" (Hebrews 11:10). Early in the present continuing testimony, the two themes are coupled. "They were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." A stranger (sojourner) is one who does not belong to the given locale. The pilgrim is one who is marching toward a given spiritual destination.
The secret is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances.
Elisabeth Elliot
in many cases, God has heard the prayers of unregenerate persons because he meant eventually to save them; and hearing their prayers led them to believe in him, and helped them to exercise that real spiritual faith which brought salvation to their souls." -
Charles Spurgeon
Dear saint, do not be too proud to go back and learn the basic precepts of the gospel if you have not yet mastered them. Too many are more concerned about their reputation (of appearing knowledgeable in theology) than their salvation. —William Gurnall
"Lay siege to your sins, and starve them out by keeping away the food and fuel which is their maintenance and life. The longer you delay, the more your sin gets strength and rooting. If you cannot bend the twig, how will you be able to bend it when it is a tree?" -
Richard Baxter
A Christian is seldom at ease for very long. The believer in Jesus Christ inherits the kingdom through much tribulation. Charles Spurgeon
"If I thought that God did not hear sinners, that is to say, those who have any sin, then would it be of no use for me to open my lips in prayer, or to lift my eyes to heaven." -
Charles Spurgeon
"Christ is not knocking on the door of a sinner's heart, but on the door of a wayward church." -Paul Washer.
Begin at once, Christian, to redeem your time. The devil says, ‘tomorrow’, God says ‘today’. Whom will you obey? —William Gurnall
The second coming of Christ isn’t a secondary doctrine but a vital reality of our faith that anchors our souls in the assurance that all things are moving inexorably to the return of the King of kings, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Let me take courage. It is of God's unmerited Grace & Goodness that I am selected as the agent of Usefulness. - William Wilberforce
"We cannot commune with God, who is a consuming fire, if there is no fire in our prayers." — Charles Spurgeon
"Shut your ear to God, and he will shut his ear to you; but incline your ear, and come unto him, and, sinner as you are, your soul shall live, for God will hear you." -
Charles Spurgeon
"If you delight more in God's gifts than in God himself, you are practically setting up another God above him." — Charles Spurgeon
"Why family worship? 1. To bring glory to God. 2. To protect your children from sin. 3. To produce real joy in the home. 4. To console during times of trial. 5. To influence society." -Merle D'Aubigne.
The Reformation was never about Luther, Calvin, Tyndale, or others. The Reformation was about recovering, articulating, and applying the gospel of Christ. The same recovery and articulation are needed in every generation. Reformation is never over.
Our pride is also the reason we receive so little good from the gifts of other Christians. Pride fills us with notions of our own spiritual sufficiency. —William Gurnall
Those who have left the deepest impression on this sin-cursed earth have been men and women of prayer.
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