Most of those who fail to experience the joy of the Lord have refused to take up a cross!
– Walter J. Chantry –
The Cross
How to Live – Martin Luther
Live as if Christ died yesterday, rose this morning, and is coming back again tomorrow.
– Martin Luther –
Everyone Was Happy – Richard Wurmbrand
It was strictly forbidden to preach to other prisoners. 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 [the communists’] 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 –
from Tortured for Christ
Delighted to be Brought to Your Knees – Billy Sunday
The backslider likes the preaching that wouldn’t hit the side of a house, while the real disciple is delighted when the truth brings him to his knees.
– Billy Sunday –
Don’t Preach Repentance Unless … – Joseph Parker
The man whose little sermon is “repent” sets himself against his age, and will for the time being be battered mercilessly by the age whose moral tone he challenges. There is but one end for such a man—”off with his head!” You had better not try to preach repentance until you have pledged your head to heaven.
– Joseph Parker –
You Are Dead Already – Lieutenant Speirs
The only hope you have is to accept the fact that you are already dead. And the sooner you accept that, the sooner you’ll be able to function as a soldier is supposed to function.
– Lieutenant Speirs –
from Band of Brothers
* Not a classic Christian quote but a great quote in light of living as a Christian
Godliness is a Joy and Pleasure – Richard Baxter
Will you say that godliness is unpleasant, because it makes a man sorry for his ungodliness?… Would you wish a man that hath lived so long in sin and misery, to have no sorrow for it in his return—especially when it is but a healing sorrow, preparing for remission, and not a sorrow joined with despair, as theirs will be that die impenitently?
– Richard Baxter –
1615-1691
Have a Strong Love for Perishing Sinners – Charles Spurgeon
Oh that you might have such a strong love for perishing sinners that you will put up with their rebuffs and rebukes, and say to them, “Strike me if you will, but hear me; ridicule me, but still I will plead with you; cast me under your feet as though I were the offscouring of all things, but at any rate, I will not let you perish, if it be in my power to warn you of your danger.”
– Charles Spurgeon –
from Council for Christian Workers
The Heavier Your Cross to Bear – Thomas Watson
Afflictions add to the saints’ glory. The more the diamond is cut, the more it sparkles; the heavier the saints’ cross is, the heavier shall be their crown.
– Thomas Watson –