Humility and love are precisely the graces which the men of the world can understand, if they do not comprehend doctrines. They are the graces about which there is no mystery, and they are within reach of all classes… [The poorest] Christian can every day find occasion for practicing love and humility.
~ J.C. Ryle (1816-1900)
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The Father’s Dream
You [Christian] have within you now all the elements that are necessary to make you all that the Father dreamed that you would be in Christ.
~ E. W. Kenyon (1867-1948)
God With Us
They shall call his name Emmanuel…
~ Matthew 1:23b (KJV)
The most wonderful thing about Advent is the Incarnation of God. The birth of Jesus was God taking on human flesh, intimately identifying with mankind, and entering into our condition. He did so in order to redeem us. Jesus’ life, and ultimately His death opened the door of peace and hope pronounced at His Advent. Emmanuel is God with us. He came to us so that by faith, we will one day go to Him.
~ apl
Faith Makes Us
Other graces make us like Christ, faith makes us members of Christ.
~ Thomas Watson (1620-1686)
Welcome the Judge
For He is coming to judge the earth.
~ Psalm 98:11 (NKJV)
The average Christian can turn on their local news and be very discouraged at the sheer amount of hatred, violence, and evil they see in the world today. There seems to be a great inequity between good and evil with evil having the upper hand.
Yet, beloved, let us take heart. God is coming to judge the world. Balance will be restored. The scales will be set right. Good will ultimately triumph because the God of Righteousness has the final say. Therefore, have faith. Trust in the Lord and be ready to welcome the Judge.
How Long?
I wonder how long a man ought to thank God for forgiving his sins? Is life long enough? Is time long enough? Is eternity too long? How long ought a man to thank God for saving him from going down to hell? Would 50 years suffice? Oh no, that would never do, the blessing is too great to be all sung of in a millennium. Suppose you and I never had a single mercy except this one, that we were made the children of God and co-heirs with Christ Jesus – suppose we had nothing else to enjoy! We ought to sing about that alone forever and ever.
~ Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)
Simple Words
[C]ome, take up the cross, and follow Me
Mark 10:21 (NKJV)
Jesus gives those who would belong to Him three short imperatives here: come, take and follow. First, we come to Christ with nothing in order to receive everything. Second, He offers us the cross, the emblem of a true Christian. And in taking up the cross, we take up all it represents: both it’s difficulty and delight, burden and blessing, trial and triumph. But finally, in doing so, we show ourselves to be true followers of His. What do these words mean to you? Come, take and follow. Three simple words that can change your life, both now and for eternity.
~ apl
Deluged With Love
There, in heaven, this infinite fountain of love — this eternal Three in One — is set open without any obstacle to hinder access to it, as it flows forever. There this glorious God is manifested and shines forth in full glory, in beams of love. And there this glorious fountain forever flows forth in streams, yea, in rivers of love and delight, and these rivers swell, as it were, to an ocean of love, in which the souls of the ransomed may bathe with the sweetest enjoyment, and their hearts, as it were, be deluged with love!
~ Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)
Wisdom & Knowledge
Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding…
~ Proverbs 14:33 (NAS)
Wisdom is understanding in action. Wisdom is applied knowledge. And while knowledge may reside in the head, wisdom rests in the heart. Bare knowledge left to itself creates pride. But when filtered through the wisdom of the heart, understanding and knowledge are wonderful things that can a blessing and used to serve the Lord. Therefore never leave knowledge to itself. Let us always allow the thoughts of our head to flow through the wisdom of our heart before applying it in our life. For whosoever does this, is the one who has true understanding.
~apl
Poetic Prayer
As in poetry, so in prayer, the whole subject matter should be furnished by the heart, and the understanding should be allowed only to shape and arrange the effusions of the heart in the manner best adapted to answer the end designed. From the fullness of a heart overflowing with holy affections, as from a copious fountain, we should pour forth a torrent of pious, humble and ardently affectionate feelings; while our understandings only shape the channel and teach the gushing streams of devotion where to flow, and when to stop.
~ Edward Payson (1783-1827)
A Prayer Life 