"If thou wouldst be faithful to do the work that God hath appointed thee to do in this world for His Name, then beware thou do not stop and stick when hard work comes before thee. The word and Spirit of God come sometimes like chain-shot to us, as if they would cut down all - as when Abraham was to offer up Isaac. Oh, how willingly would our flesh and blood escape the cross for Christ! With Ephraim, we like to tread out the corn, and to hear those pleasant songs and music that gospel-sermon make, where only grace is preached, and nothing of our duty as to works of self-denial." - Bunyan

- Excerpt from "The Cross-Bearer; A Vision (1861)"; American Tract Society; taken from pages 57 & 58

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Richie

If your opinion means more to you then the Holy Word of God, you are not born again! My pastor.

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Elijah

"I believe one of the ways that the enemy wears down the saints is to get them discouraged. When trials come, when distresses come, when temptations come, when adversity comes; we begin to look at our circumstances,... we begin to look at our present distress, and our spirits begin to sag." - Aaron Hurst (From his sermon, "Be Patient Therefore Brethren"; 6:17 into audio)

"Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the Name of the Lord, for example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy." - James 5:10-11

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Richie

"Thousands of correct, and smooth, and prim, and proper clergymen are creeping through this world, who never broke a canon of taste in the pulpit, never told an anecdote, never used a vulgar illustration, and never raised a smile. They have their reward! Their educated friends and relations admire them, and the world praises them. But they never prick a conscience, never frighten a sinner, never build up a saint, never pull down a single stone of the devil's kingdom - never save a soul."

- John C Ryle (Excerpt from his book, "Christian Leaders of the 18th Century"; First published 1885, this reprint edition 2002; Banner Of Truth Trust; Page 239)

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Richie

"All the world cannot pull down an humble man, because God will exalt him; and all the world cannot exalt a proud man, because God will pull him down." - #626

"He that sows not holiness in the seed-time of his life, cannot expect to reap happiness in the harvest of eternity." - #627

- Quotes compiled by Ralph Venning ("Milk and Honey; or, a miscellaneous collation of many Christian experiences, sayings, sentences, and several places of scripture improved"; Written in 1653; Sold by West & Hughs, London, 1800; from page 73)

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Richie

"It is good to acknowledge God to be just, and it is just to acknowledge God to be good in all his ways." - #1

"An heart without words, is better than words without an heart in the duty of prayer." - #2

"A good conscience without a good name, is better than a good name without a good conscience." - #3

"Goodness without greatness, is better than greatness without goodness." - #4

"A gracious heart desires not only to walk holily, but also to walk wholly with God." - #5

"Men judge of our hearts by our words and works, but God judgeth of our words and works by our hearts." - #7

"It is less painful to suffer than to sin; for one may suffer without sin, but one cannot sin without suffering." - #10

"He that walks only by the light of nature, walks in darkness." -#11
- "The lamp of nature lends
But a false light, and lights to her own ends"

"The vilest sinners once converted become the strictest saints." - #12

- Quotes compiled by Ralph Venning ("Milk and Honey; or, a miscellaneous collation of many Christian experiences, sayings, sentences, and several places of scripture improved"; Written in 1653; This edition 1800; from pages 3&4)

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Richie