Christ does not consult our likes and preferences. He always knows what is going on, what to say, and how best to approach a church. That can be very comforting to those who cling to Him in faithfulness, but at the same time very disturbing for those who do not.
– Joel Beeke on Revelation 2:18-29 in Revelation
The Lord Jesus has eyes that can burn through every conceivable façade and defense that we can devise to hide our true selves from others, eyes that penetrate right into our hearts. When his eyes are upon you, He sees right through you. He knows all things; nothing in my life is shielded from His gaze, even those things that I hide from myself. Nothing is hidden from Him.
– Joel Beeke on Revelation 2:18-29 in Revelation
It is only when we have a deep sense of our own personal sin against God that we fully grasp the wonder of his grace for us in Jesus Christ.– Phil Ryken in Loving Jesus More
A ship at sea is where it was designed to be – in the water. But once water starts to get into the ship, if no action is taken, it is only a matter of time before the ship sinks. Although the ship is meant to be in the water, the water is not meant to be in the ship. As Christians, we are meant to be in the world, but the world must not be in us.
– Joel Beeke on Revelation 2:12-17 in Revelation
– Joel Beeke on Revelation 2:12-17 in Revelation
Is it not true that we need a higher standard of personal holiness in this day? Where is our patience? Where is our zeal? Where is our love? Where are our works? Where is the power of religion to be seen, as it was in times gone by? – J.C. Ryle
The more trouble we have seeing Jesus, the more we wander into foolish thinking. The consequences are devastating: sinful patterns of self-indulgence, angry conflicts with other people, and bitter thoughts about ourselves as well as others. If these are some of the struggles that we have – habitual sin, broken relationships, self-loathing – then we must not be seeing the love of Jesus the way that God wants us to see it.
– Phil Ryken in Loving Jesus More
– James M. Hamilton, Jr. on Revelation 2:8-11 in Revelation (PTW)
– Joel Beeke on Revelation 2:8-11 in Revelation
To love Christ more is the deepest need, the constant cry of my soul…. Out in the woods and on my bed and out driving, when I am happy and busy, and when I am sad and idle, the whisper keeps going up for more love, more love, more love!– Elizabeth Payson Prentiss
Brian J. Mikul 