The Daily Business of a Christian - Martin Luther

As a shoe maker makes a shoe, or a tailor makes a coat, so ought a Christian to pray. Prayer is the daily business of a Christian.

 

Martin Luther 1483 – 1546

The Only Proper Cause - Jonathan Edwards

The redeemed receive all their good from God. God is the author of it - the first cause of it, and the only proper cause.

Taken from the book The Best of Jonathan Edwards Jonathan Edwards 1703-1758

 

Love in the Small Things - George Macdonald

The things most readily to be done - those that lie not at the doorstep but on the very table of a man's mind - are often the most neglected and overlooked. Can a man become strong in righteousness without learning to perform ordinary acts of kindness for his neighbor? Will a man climb the last flight of the stair when he has never set foot on the lowest step? Could it be that the Lord, who demands high virtue of us, tests us first in little tasks before he entrusts to us bigger ones?

He who demonstrates love in the small things demonstrates love in all things. He who will do it only in great things, who neglects "small acts" and tasks, does not truly understand the nature of God's love.

Taken from the book The Best of George Macdonald

George Macdonald 1824-1905

The Matter of our Prayers - Matthew Henry

Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock. Ezekiel 36:37 King James Version

"Thus says the Lord GOD: This also I will let the house of Israel ask me to do for them: to increase their people like a flock. Ezekiel 36:37 ESV

 

God has spoken, and he will do it, and he will be sought unto for it. He requires that his people should seek unto him, and he will incline their hearts to do it, when he is coming towards them in ways of mercy. They must pray for it, for by prayer God is sought unto, and enquired after.

What is the matter of God's promises must be the matter of our prayers. By asking for the mercy promised we must give glory to the donor, express a value for the gift, own our dependence, and put honour upon prayer which God has put honour upon.

Taken from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible by Matthew

Henry 1662-1714

Do you Above all Things Aim at Saving Souls - Charles Spurgeon

"I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some." 1 Corinthians 9:22.

 

What was Paul's great object in his daily life and ministry?

He says it was, to save some.

There are ministers of Christ present at this hour, together with City missionaries, Bible-women, Sunday-school teachers, and other workers in my Master's vineyard, and I make bold to enquire of each one of them,—Is this your object in all your Christian service? Do you above all things aim at saving souls?

 

Taken from the book The Soul Winner by Charles Spurgeon 1834-1892

Expect Help - George Mueller

Trust in the Lord for help. You will honor Him if you expect help from Him in this matter. Pray for help, expect help, and you will have it.

Take from the book The Autobiography of George Mueller 1805-1898

Praise Without Ceasing 1-1-12 Charles Spurgeon

"Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually"- "continually" that is to say, without ceasing. Let us make an analogous precept to that which saith, "pray without ceasing," and say, "praise without ceasing."

 

Not only in this place or that place, but in every place, we are to praise the Lord our God. Not only when we are in a happy frame of mind, but when we are cast-down and troubled. The perfumed smoke from the altar of incense is to rise towards heaven both day and night, from the beginning of the year to the year's end.

 

Taken from the Book Spurgeon on Praise Charles Spurgeon 1834-1892