“He that hath slight thoughts of sin never had great thoughts of God.” – John Owen

“We know but little of true Christianity, if we do not feel a deep concern about the souls of unconverted people.” – J.C. Ryle

“When a Christian is weak, and can hardly pray for himself, Jesus Christ is praying for him; and he prays for three things.

First, that the saints may be kept from sin (John 17:15). “I pray that thou shouldest keep them from evil.” We live in the world as in a pest-house; Christ prays that his saints may not be infected with the contagious evil of the times.

Second, for his people’s progress in holiness. “Sanctify them” (John 17:17). Let them have constant supplies of the Spirit, and be anointed with fresh oil.

Third, for their glorification: “Father, I will that those which thou hast given me, be with me where I am” (John 17:24). Christ is not content till the saints are in his arms. This prayer, which he made on earth, is the copy and pattern of his prayer in heaven. What a comfort is this; when Satan is tempting, Christ is praying! This works for good.” – Thomas Watson: All Things for Good, 1663, (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth Trust, 2008), 23

“If you feel that you are empty, if you feel you are nothing, if you feel you are poor and wretched and blind, if you hate your inclination to sin and have any suspicion of a feeling of self-loathing and hatred, you can take it from me that you have eternal life, for no one ever experiences such things until the life of God comes into his or her soul.” – Martyn Lloyd-Jones

“If, however, you feel and are inclined to think you have made it, flattering yourself with your own little books, teaching, or writing, because you have done it beautifully and preached excellently; if you are highly pleased when someone praises you in the presence of others; if you perhaps look for praise, and would sulk or quit what you are doing if you did not get it—if you are of that stripe, dear friend, then take yourself by the ears, and if you do this in the right way you will find a beautiful pair of big, long, shaggy donkey ears.

Then do not spare any expense! Decorate them with golden bells, so that people will be able to hear you wherever you go, point their fingers at you, and say, “See, see! There goes that clever beast, who can write such exquisite books and preach so remarkably well.” That very moment you will be blessed and blessed beyond measure in the kingdom of heaven. Yes, in that heaven where hellfire is ready for the devil and his angels.” – Martin Luther, LW 34:287-288.

“Whatever works we perform are the results of our justification and in no way the grounds of it or the cause of it.” – R.C. Sproul

“Let God have your life; he can do more with it than you can.” – D.L. Moody

“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” – C.S. Lewis

“The article of justification must be sounded in our ears incessantly because the frailty of our flesh will not permit us to take hold of it perfectly and to believe it with all our heart.” – Martin Luther

“Even the best things we do have something in them to be pardoned.” – J.C. Ryle

“There is no sadder sight than a young pessimist.” – Mark Twain

“The specter of death haunts the symphony of life like a cello. The trumpet, however, herald of the King, will triumph in the end.” – R. C. Sproul, Jr

“No man ever fell into error through being too watchful.” – Charles Spurgeon

“If we could only see our souls as the ten afflicted lepers saw their bodies, we would pray far better than we do.” — J.C. Ryle
Continue reading →