The Bible cannot quicken, nor sanctify, nor comfort! by Octavius Winslow (1808 – 1878)

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

“Our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction!” 1 Thessalonians 1:5 Apart from the Spirit, the Bible cannot quicken, nor sanctify, nor comfort. It may be . . . read constantly, searched...

True Consecration, by J.R. Miller, 1911

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

True consecration, by J.R. Miller, from “The Shining Light” 1911 “It is the Lord’s will. Let Him do what He thinks best.” 1 Samuel 3:18 The heart of consecration is not devotion to this or that kind of service for Christ–but...

Was Moses a wise man or a fool? by James Smith (1802—1862)

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

“Moses chose to suffer affliction along with the people of God–rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time!” Hebrews 11:25 The choice was done. Moses was determined. He had counted the cost: Instead of honor–shame; instead of...

Sin So Bewitches The Soul, That It Makes… by Thomas Brooks (1608 – 1680)

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

Sin so bewitches the soul, that it makes the soul call . . .   evil good, and good evil;   bittersweet, and sweet bitter;   light darkness, and darkness light. Ah, souls! When you shall lie upon a dying bed, and stand before a judgment-seat sin shall be unmasked, and...

What are all your sorrows, your cares, and your losses? by John Angell James (1785-1859)

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

“Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him!” Romans 5:9 What are all your sorrows, your cares, and your losses viewed in the light of this happy condition? You tell me of your . . ....

Christ is Mine, by Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

Whatever trials you have, Christ is all in all to meet them. Are you: Poor? He will make you rich in your poverty by His consoling presence. Sick? He will make your bed in your sickness, and so will make your sick-bed better than the walks of health. Persecuted? If it...

The Lord is My Shepherd! by J.R. Miller, 1905

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

“The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need!” Psalm 23:1 “He will feed His flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in His arms, holding them close to His heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young!” Isaiah 40:11...

“When disaster comes to a city, has not the LORD caused it?” by Samuel Davies, 1755

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

(Excerpted and abridged from Samuel Davies’ sermon, “The Justice of God—and the Sins of Our Country” (1755) in which he addressed the question, “When disaster comes to a city–has not the LORD caused it?” Amos 3:6)  It concerns us...

No Night in Heaven! by George Conder (1821-1874)

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

“There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever!” Revelation 22:5 This vision of Heaven, how wondrous it is! What a contrast to this...

How Do All Things Work Together for Our Good? by Daniel Rowlands (1713-1790)

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

​Romans 8:28  All things work together for good to those who love God. Observe what Paul says and make no exception. ALL things work together for good! Even affliction is very useful and profitable to the godly. Be confirmed in your faith. Give glory to God, and...

The Day of Adversity has Purpose, by James Buchanan (1840)

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

“Affliction does not come from the dust, nor does trouble spring from the ground. Yet man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward!” Job 5:6-7 As affliction proceeds neither from blind necessity, nor from casual accident — but from the hand of your...

Consider the Hand of the Lord, by John Flavel (1627-91)

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

Go thy way, Christian, to thy God.  Get thee to thy knees in the cloudy and dark day. Retire from all creatures, that thou mayest have thy full liberty with thy God, and there pour out thy heart before Him in free, full, and broken-hearted confessions of sin…Surely,...

Blessed Assurance by Fanny Crosby, 1873

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

Fanny Crosby is not remembered for sermons or theological treatises.  But just as the words of the great writers live on, the words of this great hymn writer have survived the test of time. Blind from infancy, Fanny Crosby wrote more than 9,000 hymns, including...

Every Event is Under Divine Control, by James Smith 1802—1862

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

“My times are in Your hand!” Psalm 31:15 Every event is under Divine control. Nothing is left to ‘chance’. The hand of God is in all that occurs: directing, overruling, and sanctifying everything to our good and His glory. He appointed all that...

Oh, That the Grace of God May be Sufficient for Me, by Matthew Henry (1662-1714)

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

“My times are in Your hand!” Psalm 31:15 Firmly believing that my times are in God’s hand, I here submit myself and all my affairs for the ensuing year, to the wise and gracious disposal of God’s divine providence. Whether God appoints for...

O, stand amazed at His free grace! by Thomas Sherman, 1812

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

From “Divine Breathings: Or, ” Pious Soul Thirsting after Christ” O, precious saint! Three questions call for your answer:    1. What were you?    2. What are you?    3. What shall you be? 1. What were you? Dead in your transgressions and sins,...

Life is like a painted dream! by Octavius Winslow (1808-1878)

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

“For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.” (Psalm 48:14)  The world passes away. Everything here in this present world is changing. Life is like a painted dream,Like the rapid summer stream, Like the fleeting...

Comfort in Afflictions, by AW Pink (1886-1952)

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

Everyone suffers, but how people suffer varies. AW Pink tells how to lighten the afflictions of this life and persevere in faith. 2 Corinthians 4:17 “For our light affliction which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of...

COVID-19 and “This is the Finger of God!” by J.C. Ryle

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

In 1865,  England experienced a devastating epidemic of foot and mouth disease that threatened their food supply by killing their cattle. It is remembered as “The Great Cattle Plague of England,” 1865-1867.  J.C. Ryle, a vicar in the Anglican church at...

Waiting on God in Humble Hope and Fear by Andrew Murray (1828-1917)

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith... Heb 12:1-2 Words...