Use duty, but trust to Christ and free grace for acceptance. Be like Noah’s dove: she made use of her wings to fly, but trusted to the ark for safety.
– Thomas Watson –
from The Lords Supper, 1665
Work
Time is Short – Charles Spurgeon
Time is short. Eternity is long. It is only reasonable that this short life be lived in the light of eternity.
– Charles Spurgeon –
Dependency Upon the Lord – Henry Scougal
Let us neither presume on our own strength, nor distrust thy divine assistance; but while we are doing our utmost endeavours, teach us still to depend on thee for success.
– Henry Scougal –
from The Life of God in the Soul of Man
We Can Do Nothing Without God – Charles Spurgeon
A soul-winner can do nothing without God. He must cast himself on the Invisible, or be a laughing-stock to the devil, who regards with utter disdain all who think to subdue human nature with mere words and arguments. To all who hope to succeed in such a labour by their own strength, we would address the words of the Lord to Job, “Canst thou draw out leviathan with a hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down? Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens? Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more. Behold, the hope of him is in vain: shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him?” Dependence upon God is our strength, and our joy: in that dependence let us go forth, and seek to win souls for Him.
– Charles Spurgeon –
Satan Dreads Nothing But Prayer – Samuel Chadwick
Satan dreads nothing but prayer … The one concern of the devil is to keep the saints from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray.
– Samuel Chadwick –
How You Spend Your Time Prior to Eternity
We shall have eternity in which to celebrate our victories, but we only have one swift hour before sunset in which to win them!
– Anonymous –
Don’t Be Weary In Doing Good – John Wesley
Unless God has raised you up for this very thing, you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils. But if God be for you, who can be against you? Are all of them together stronger than God? O be not weary of well doing!
–
Improve the Present Moment (Poem)
Improve the present moment! Why delay?
Why wait tomorrow when you have today?
Why plan for something that is hours hence?
You own no future hour—come, friend, commence!
Now is the time for working—now, right now—
Work in the present moment, never bow
To some dim future with its beckoning hand.
Your promise is the present—take command!
Grip your life, and hold with strength your mind.
Know your purpose, leave all doubts behind.
Wait not a moment though the skies be grey.
Wait not tomorrow–make your start today!
Now is the time to toil to gain a crown;
Put in your best endeavor, cast sin down.
Wait not till feet stumble on the mountain dark.
Up! Gird your loins tighter; press for the mark!
If you would work for God it must be now;
If you would win the garlands for your brow,
Redeem the time. Know you not the time is short?
‘Tis now for Christ your labor must be wrought.
Forget the past, and live the present hour,
God has designed to test your utmost power.
Be brave today; yield not to craven fears.
Who conquers now shall rule through endless years!
– Unknown –
No Use to God if We are Lazy – Oswald Chambers
The discipline of our mind is the one domain God has put in our keeping. It is impossible to be of any use to God if we are lazy. God won’t cure laziness, we have to cure it.
– Oswald Chambers –