The question isn’t were you challenged. The question is were you changed?
– Leonard Ravenhill –
Hardship
God Takes Away the World – Thomas Watson
God takes away the world, that the heart may cleave more to Him in sincerity.
– Thomas Watson –
Secret Formula of the Saints – Samuel Rutherford
The secret formula of the saints: When I am in the cellar of affliction, I look for the Lord’s choicest wines.
– Samuel Rutherford –
Darkness, Loneliness, and Trouble – Robert Murray McCheyne
Every wise workman takes his tools away from the work from time to time that they may be ground and sharpened; so does the only-wise Jehovah take his ministers oftentimes away into darkness and loneliness and trouble, that he may sharpen and prepare them for harder work in his service.
– Robert Murray McCheyne –
Enduring Great Trials Leads to a Strong Faith – George Müller
The only way to learn strong faith is to endure great trials.
– George Müller –
An Endless Hope in Christ
A life without Christ is a hopeless end,
A life with Christ is an endless hope.
– Anonymous –
Strictly Forbidden to Preach – Richard Wurmbrand
It was strictly forbidden to preach to other prisoners, as it is in captive nations today. It was understood that whoever was caught doing this received a severe beating. A number of us decided to pay the price for the privilege of preaching, so we accepted their terms. It was a deal: we preached and they beat us. We were happy preaching; they were happy beating us—so everyone was happy.
– Richard Wurmbrand –
How Humility Grows Best – Samuel Rutherford
Humility is a strange flower; it grows best in winter weather, and under storms of affliction.
– Samuel Rutherford –
1600-1661
A Backbone to Stand Alone – Leslie Ludy
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