If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the Word of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Him. Where the battle rages there the loyalty of the soldier is proved and to be steady on all the battle front besides, is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point.
– Martin Luther –
A true leader must have enough backbone to stand alone—even when the crowd wants to take the easy road home. A true leader cannot be dependent on companionship for his or her security, but must learn to trust in God alone.
– Leslie Ludy –
from When God Writes Your Life Story
I am afraid of only one thing—that I should become a grain of wheat not willing to die.
– Young Missionary Girl –
(as told by Corrie ten Boom)
Men are Gods method. The Church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men.
– EM Bounds –
My Lord was pleased to die for my sins; why should I not be glad to give up my poor life out of love for Him.
– Girolamo Savanarola –
(1452-1498 AD)
Have you any days of fasting and prayer? Storm the throne of grace and persevere therein, and mercy will come down.
– John Wesley –
Someone, then, must undertake the ungracious task of probing and laying bare the evils of the age; for men must not be allowed to congratulate themselves that all is well. If others will not, he will. If others shrink from the obloquy of such a work, he will not. He loves the age too well; he loves his nation too well; he loves his fellow-men too well. They may upbraid him; they may call him a misanthropist, or a prophet of evil; they may ascribe his warnings to the worst of motives, such as pride, or arrogance, or self-esteem, or malice, or envy; but he will give no heed to these unjust insinuations. He will prefer being thus misunderstood and maligned, to allowing men to precipitate themselves upon a ruin which they see not. Rather than that they should perish, he will allow his own good name to be spoken against. He will risk every thing, even the hatred of brethren, rather than withhold the warning.
– Horatius Bonar –
I am willing to go anywhere, anywhere, anywhere—provided it be forward.
– David Livingstone –
We should inquire once again as to what the life of faith is. It is one lived by believing in God under any circumstance: “If he slay me,” says Job, “yet would I trust in Him.” That is faith. Because I once believed, loved and trusted God I shall believe, love and trust Him wherever He may put me and however my heart and body may suffer. … Emotion begins to doubt when it senses blackness, whereas faith holds on to God even in the face of death.
– Watchman Nee –
from The Spiritual Man