God provides the men and women needed for each generation.
– Mildred Cable –
Christian Life
July 28, 2011
Closet communion needs time for the revelation of God’s presence. It is vain to say, ‘I have too much work to do to find time.’ You must find time or forfeit blessing. God knows how to save for you the time you sacredly keep for communion with Him.
– Arthur T. Pierson –
July 27, 2011
When the prayer-life of the people of God comes to be the dominant feature of Christian experience, the power of God will sweep the earth with the victories of grace.
– Howard Agnew Johnston –
July 26, 2011
Prayer is the greatest force that we can wield. It is the greatest talent which God has granted us. He has given it to every Christian. There is a democracy in this matter. We may differ among ourselves as to wealth, social position, educational equipment, natural ability, inherited characteristics; but in this matter of exercising the greatest force that is at work in the world today, we are on the same footing. It is possible for the most obscure person in a church, with a heart right toward God, to exercise as much power for the evangelization of the world, as it is for those who stand in the most prominent positions.
– John R. Mott –
July 25, 2011
Above all, we must be especially alert against the beginnings of temptation, for the enemy is more easily conquered if he is refused admittance to the mind and is met beyond the threshold when he knocks. — Someone has said very aptly: Resist the beginnings; remedies come too late, when by long delay the evil has gained strength. First, a mere thought comes to mind, then strong imagination, followed by pleasure, evil delight, and consent. Thus, because he is not resisted in the beginning, Satan gains full entry. And the longer a man delays in resisting, so much the weaker does he become each day, while the strength of the enemy grows against him.
– Thomas a Kempis –
from The Imitation of Christ
July 24, 2011
I tremble for those who are preaching the truth – the truth as it is in Jesus, the gospel in its simplicity, in its purity, in its fullness – but preaching it “in persuasive words of wisdom” and not “in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Cor 2.4), preaching it in the energy of the flesh and not in the power of the Holy Spirit. There is nothing more deadly than the gospel without the Spirit’s power.
– RA Torrey –
from The Baptism with the Holy Spirit, 35-36
July 23, 2011
God’s work of refining and purifying the soul must go on until his servants are so humbled, so dead to self, that when called into active service, they may have an eye single to the glory of God.”
– EG White –
in Review and Herald April 10, 1894
July 22, 2011
But how is it possible that a believer, having sin in him–sin of such intense vitality, and such terrible power as we know the flesh to have–that a believer having sin should yet not be doing sin? The answer is: “In Him is no sin. He that abideth in Him sinneth not.” When the abiding in Christ becomes close and unbroken, so that the soul lives from moment to moment in the perfect union with the Lord its keeper, He does, indeed, keep down the power of the old nature, so that it does not regain dominion over the soul. We have seen that there are degrees in the abiding. With most Christians the abiding is so feeble and intermittent, that sin continually obtains the ascendency, and brings the soul into subjection. The divine promise given to faith is: “Sin shall not have dominion over you.” But with the promise is the command: “Let not sin reign in your mortal body.” The believer who claims the promise in full faith has the power to obey the command, and sin is kept from asserting its supremacy. Ignorance of the promise, or unbelief, or unwatchfulness, opens the door for sin to reign.
– Andrew Murray –
July 21, 2011
Dear Christian, in affliction abide in Christ. When you see it coming, meet it in Christ; when it is come, feel that you are more in Christ than in it, for He is nearer you than affliction ever can be; when it is passing, still abide in Him. And let the one thought of the Saviour, as He speaks of the pruning, and the one desire of the Father, as He does the pruning, be yours too: “Every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth, that it may bring forth more fruit.” So shall your times of affliction become your times of choicest blessing–preparation for richest fruitfulness.
— Andrew Murray –
from School of Obedience