If a commission from an earthly kin is considered an honor, how can a commission from a heavenly king be considered a sacrifice?
– David Livingston –
Hardship
No Sacrifice Too Great – CT Studd
If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.
– CT Studd –
Context of Persecution – Leon Morris
The work of the Holy Spirit in the church is done in the context of persecution. The Spirit is not a guide and a helper for those on the straight way perfectly able to manage on their own. He comes to assist people caught up in the thick of battle and tried beyond their strength. Jesus makes it quite plain that the way before his followers is a hard and difficult way.
– Leon Morris –
A Place of Difficulty and Hardship – Elisabeth Elliot
This is the very place meant by God to turn your eyes to Him.
– Elisabeth Elliot –
The Strength to Stand – Richard Sibbes
With the freedom of spirit, there is courage and strength of faith against opposition… It gives him courage and strength to resist. The more opposition, the more courage he has. When the early Christians had the Spirit of God (Acts 4:23ff), they resisted opposition, and the more they were opposed, the more they grew. They were cast in prison, and rejoiced. And the more they were imprisoned, the more courageous they were still.
– Richard Sibbes –
from Glorious Freedom, 1639
Made in the Fire of Affliction – JT Crane
Saints are made in the furnace of affliction. Great times of trials provide a chance to prove and demonstrate the supernatural!
– JT Crane –
Humility, Zeal, Love, and Focus – George Whitefield
God give me a deep humility, a well-guided zeal, a burning love and a single eye—and then let men or devils do their worst.
– George Whitefield –
No Problems, Only Plans – Corrie ten Boom
God has no problems, only plans.
– Corrie ten Boom –
An Inconvenience Reconsidered – GK Chesterton
An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered.
– GK Chesterton –
from On Running After One’s Hat