Just so take Christ away, and the whole arch of truth becomes a heap of rubbish. The very same truths may be there; but they are all fallen without coherence, without order, without end.
– Robert Murray M’Cheyne –
The Heart of Christian Truth – Charles Spurgeon
Atonement by the blood of Jesus is not an arm of Christian truth; it is the heart of it.
– Charles Spurgeon –
As to the Lord and Not to Men – Charles Spurgeon
Whether we are servants or masters, whether we are poor or rich, let us take this as our watch-word, ‘As to the Lord, and not to men.’ Henceforth may this be the engraving of our seal and the motto of our coat-of-arms; the constant rule of our life and the sum of our motive.
– Charles Spurgeon –
from Council for Christian Workers
Jesus is the Center of History – HG Wells
I am a historian, I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very center of history. Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history.
– HG Wells –
Do Not Strive In Your Own Strength – Andrew Murray
Do not strive in your own strength; cast yourself at the feet of the Lord Jesus, and wait upon Him in the sure confidence that He is with you, and works in you. Strive in prayer; let faith fill your heart—so will you be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.
– Andrew Murray –
The Purity of Gold – Amy Carmichael
The goldsmith never leaves his crucible once it has entered the fire. He periodically lifts out the gold, lets it cool, rubs it between his fingers, and if not satisfied puts it back … This time he blows the fire hotter than it was before, and each time he puts the gold back into the crucible, the heat of the fire is increased, “It could not bear it so hot at first, but it can bear it now; what would have destroyed it then helps it now.” “How do you know when the gold is purified?” we asked, and he answered, “When I can see my face in it, then it is pure.”
– Amy Carmichael –
from Gold Cord
Living for the Glory of God – Jonathan Edwards
Resolved: that all men should live for the glory of God.
Resolved second: That whether others do or not, I will.
– Jonathan Edwards –
Pressed Into Living a Christ-life Outpoured – Lettie Cowman
Pressed out of measure and pressed to all length;
Pressed so intensely it seems, beyond strength;
Pressed in the body and pressed in the soul,
Pressed in the mind till the dark surges roll.
Pressure by foes, and a pressure from friends.
Pressure on pressure, till life nearly ends.
Pressed into knowing no helper but God;
Pressed into loving the staff and the rod.
Pressed into liberty where nothing clings;
Pressed into faith for impossible things.
Pressed into living a life in the Lord,
Pressed into living a Christ-life outpoured.
– Lettie Cowman –
Conformed to and Confident in Christ – Thomas Brooks
The more the soul is conformed to Christ, the more confident it will be of its interest in Christ.
– Thomas Brooks –
from Smooth Stones taken from Ancient Brooks: Selections from the Writings of Thomas Brooks