There are disasters to be faced by the one who is in real fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ. God has never promised to keep us immune from trouble; He says “I will be with him in trouble,” which is a very different thing.
– Oswald Chambers –
Trials
Let Us Trust God in the Dark – Ichabod Spencer
We are unable to penetrate God’s designs; and the things which seem to us most severe are often to be numbered among our most remarkable mercies. Let us take them submissively at his hand. If there is goodness anywhere, it is to be found in God. Let us trust him. Let us trust him in the dark.
– Ichabod Spencer –
from Practical Sermons
In The Dark, Listen – Oswald Chambers
When you are in the dark, listen, and God will give you a very precious message for someone else when you get in the light. … Now he gives you the gift of humiliation which brings the softness of heart that will always listen to God now.
– Oswald Chambers –
Guard Against Flattery – JC Ryle
It becomes all professing Christians to be much on their guard against flattery. We mistake greatly if we suppose that persecution and hard usage are the only weapons in Satan’s armory. That crafty foe has other engines for doing us mischief, which he knows well who to work. He knows how to poison souls by the world’s seductive kindness, when he cannot frighten them by the fiery dart and the sword. Let us not be ignorant of his devices. By peace he destroys many.
– JC Ryle –
from Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, 1856
Obedience and Love – Oswald Chambers
Our Lord’s first obedience was to the will of His Father, not to the needs of men: his obedience brought the outcome of the saving of men. If I am devoted to the cause of humanity only, I will soon be exhausted and come to the place where my love will falter; but if I love Jesus Christ personally and passionately, I can serve humanity though men treat me as a doormat.
– Oswald Chambers –
How to Live Victoriously – Samuel Logan Brengle
Sin does not leap upon us fully armed. It steals in through a look, a swift, silent suggestion or imagination, but love and loyalty to Jesus will make you watchful and swift to rise up and cast out the subtle enemy. Do this and you shall live, and live victoriously.
– Samuel Logan Brengle –
Love to God – Jonathan Edwards
Love to God disposes us meekly to bear injuries from others, because it sets us very much above the injuries of men. … It sets above the reach of injuries from others, because nothing can ever really hurt those that are the true friends of God. Their life is hid with Christ in God; and he, as their protector and friend, will carry them on high as on the wings of eagles ; and all things shall work together for their good (Rom. 8:28); and none shall be permitted really to harm them, while they are followers of that which is good (1 Pet. 3:13).
– Jonathan Edwards –
taken from the book Charity and its Fruits
Thomas Watson on Prayer
Christ was in an agony at prayer (Luke 22: 44). Many when they pray are rather in a lethargy, than in an agony. When they are about the world they are all fire; when they are at prayer, they are all Ice.
– Thomas Watson –
August 14, 2015
I don’t budge just because the devil growls.
– Chad Mann –