Are not our prayers so often ineffective and powerless—and sometimes even prayerless—becuase we rush unthinkingly and unpreparedly into God’s presence, without realizing the majesty and glory of the God whom we are approaching, and without reflecting upon the exceeding great riches of his glory in Christ Jesus, which we hope to draw upon? We must “think magnificently of God.”
– Unknown Christian –
from The Kneeling Christian
In a letter smuggled out secretly, the Underground Church said, ”We dont pray to be better Christians, but that we may be the only kind of Christians God means us to be: Christlike Christians, that is, Christians who bear willingly the cross for Gods glory.”
– Richard Wurmbrand –
from Tortured for Christ
I wish that men studied the praise they profess to present unto God more.
– Charles Spurgeon –
from Spurgeon on Praise
After the Crucifixion came the Resurrection. After the Resurrection the Ascension. Because Jesus wore a crown of thorns, He now wears a crown of glory. Because He came poor, He now sits enthroned. Because He made Himself of no reputation, He now has a name which is above every name. Because He was willing to become a slave, He is now Master of everything. Because He was obedient to death, He is Lord of Life and holds the keys of hell and death. Because He made Himself of no reputation, every knee will someday bow before Him. Every renunciation led to glory.
– Elisabeth Elliot –
from The Path of Loneliness
When the Messiah comes, many will try to play their own songs on His harp. The results will be tragically dissonant. On the Messiah’s harp, you must play His own song — the song of His eternal glory with God; the song of His humiliation as a babe in a manger; the song of a life in sorrow, opposition and poverty on Earth; the song of His being whipped and crucified and buried; and finally the song of His resurrection, ascension and enthronement in heaven. “Then the harp will give a beautiful sound. His congregation will shine like a sun.”
– Richard Wurmbrand –
Pray that the brief remaining time I have in this world may be employed to the best advantage, both for the profit of my own soul and for that of others. More especially may the time spent in company be laid out for Christ, and not lost in the common-places and frivolities of ordinary conversation. May my speech be leavened with religion and yet be adapted to the peculiarities and the needs of every man, so that all offence may, when possible, be shunned, yet many be won to the faith and the following of Jesus.
– Thomas Chalmers –
from Sabbath Scripture Readings
What is our knowledge and faith, but to know and believe that heaven consists in the glory and love of God there manifested, and that it was purchased by his covenant?
– Richard Baxter –
from Dying Thoughts, 1683
No flesh shall glory in His presence, and the religious flesh is no more acceptable than the irreligious.
–T. Austin-Sparks –