By affliction, Christ . . .
shows us our emptiness and weakness,
draws us to the throne of grace,
purifies our affections,
weans us from the world,
and makes us long for Heaven.
– JC Ryle –
Eternity
Where are you storing up treasure – Randy Alcorn
Many Christians dread the thought of leaving this world. Why? Because so many have stored up their treasures on earth, not in heaven.
– Randy Alcorn –
Understanding truth too late – JC Ryle
Hell is truth known too late!
– JC Ryle –
Are you a doer or a talker? – John Bunyan
At the day of Doom men shall be judged according to their fruits. It will not be said then, did you believe? But, were you doers or talkers only?
– John Bunyan –
Thinking about the Second Coming – Alexander MacLaren
The apostolic [early] church thought more about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ than about death and heaven. The early Christians were looking, not for a cleft in the ground called a grave but for a cleavage in the sky called Glory.
– Alexander MacLaren –
My plans are made – Reepicheep
My owns plans are made. While I can, I sail east in the Dawn Treader. When she fails me, I paddle east in my coracle. When she sinks, I shall swim east with my four paws. And when I can swim no longer, if I have not reached Aslan’s country, or shot over the edge of the world in some vast cataract, I shall sink with my nose to the sunrise.
– Reepicheep –
from CS Lewis’s Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Set your mind on heaven – DL Moody
If people would but read their Bibles more, and study what there is to be found there about heaven, they would not be as worldly-minded as they are. They would not have their hearts set upon things down here, but would seek the imperishable things above.
– DL Moody –
from Heaven, page 10
An eternity of holiness – JC Ryle
We could not be happy if we reached the kingdom of glory with a heart loving sin. The company of saints and angels would give us no pleasure. Our minds would not be in tune for an eternity of holiness. Let these things sink down into your hearts. We must repent as well as believe, if we hope to be saved.
– JC Ryle –
from Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, 1856
Death is the gate of endless joy – Charles Spurgeon
Death is no punishment to the believer: it is the gate of endless joy.
– Charles Spurgeon –