Cloud of Witness

Who Was John Newton? What’s the Story Behind “Amazing Grace”

John Newton was the captain of slave ships and an investor in the slave trade. Later in life, He was converted and became an Anglican priest and an abolitionist.

Fear Not! I will strengthen you! by George Mylne, 1854

Powerless believer, “Fear not!” You have a war to wage and a race to run; an enemy to watch and a victory to gain.

Who Was Robert Robinson? What’s the Story Behind “Come Thou Fount”

Robert Robinson wrote “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” at age 22 after converting to Methodism. But what’s the rest of his story?

Who Can Tell Him What is to Come? by George Myine, 1859

God’s purposes have all their seasons of fulfillment. His judgments each have their time of visitation. What is to come?

Who Was Fanny Crosby? What’s the Story Behind “Blessed Assurance”

Blind from infancy, Fanny Crosby was an incredible woman and gifted hymn writer. Who was she? And what’s her story?

Is Your “Thorn” a Blessing or a Harm? by J.R. Miller, 1894

Paul tells us that his “thorn”(2 Cor 12:7) was given to him to keep him humble and save him from spiritual peril. A blessing? Or a harm?

Let Love Be Your Highest Goal! by George Everard, 1882

Love is the most beautiful of all graces. It comes down from above, for love is one of the first fruits of the Spirit.

The Life of Faith, by John Newton (1725-1807)

The life of faith is a happy life. Though it is attended with conflicts–there is an assurance of victory.

God Comforts as a Mother Who Comforts Her Child, by William Nicholson, 1862

"As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you shall be comforted." Isaiah 66:13 The condescending love of God to sinners is most astonishing. Though He is the High and Lofty One, yet He knows, pities, and cares for worms of the earth--sinful, frail,...

God’s Eye is Ever Upon Us! by J.R. Miller (1840-1912)

A flower blooms no more sweetly because it is gazed at by an admiring crowd. It would be just as lovely if it grew in the depths of a great forest where no eye ever saw it. The stars look down with as much brilliancy into the desert, where no one looks up at them--as...

What is a Christian? by J.R. Miller (1840–1912)

Christians should all be disciples of Christ and should ever be learning of Him, growing in grace and likeness of Him as we follow Him.

Jesus is able! An Address for the New Year, by Marcus Rainsford, 1872

The ability of the Lord Jesus, which was the grounds of Paul’s hope, is not an essential attribute, but an acquired privilege. Jesus is Able.

Only One Life, Twill Soon Be Past – by C.T. Studd (1860 – 1931)

You may have learned as a child: “Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.” But do you know the whole poem?

The god of popular Christianity! Milburn Cockrell (1941-2002)

Many pulpits preach a god of popular Christianity — a defeated God, a disappointed Christ, a defenseless Holy Spirit. Man has been deified, God dethroned.

How Do We Offer Ourselves a Living Sacrifice? By J.R. Miller (1908)

The godly life is not one of ease, pleasure, and self-indulgence. We are taught to present our bodies as a living sacrifice unto God. Rom 12:1

From Peter to Cephas–The process was not easy! by J.R. Miller (1840-1912)

“Jesus looked at him and said: You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas (which means ‘Rock’).” John 1:42

Who is the Richest Man in the World? by Thomas Brooks, 1662

There is a riddle that the world cannot understand. And it reveals the wealth of the richest man in the world.

Said the Robin to the Sparrow, by Elizabeth Cheney (1859)

Said the Robin to the Sparrow, “I should really like to know, Why these anxious human beings, Rush about and worry so!”…

Alone and Wrestling with God, by Lettie B. Cowman (1870–1960)

And Jacob was left alone, and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day (Genesis 32:24).

What is is the Greatest Possible National Blessing? J.C. Ryle, 1902

The good done by the Bible will probably not be known until the last day. But, possessing a Bible is the greatest possible national blessing.

My Home is God Himself. Christ brought me there. (Author Unknown)

My Home is God Himself, Christ brought me there.I placed myself within His mighty arms. He took me up, and safe from all alarms. READ MORE…

Who Am I? A Poem by Deitrich Bonhoeffer (1905-1945)

A beautiful poem expressing man’s search for identity and finding it in God.

Little Slips, by J.R. Miller (1840-1912)

A little slip hurts our own life! It leaves us a little weaker in our character, a little less able to resist …

A Lamp for My Feet and a Light on My Path, by J.R. Miller (1840-1912)

God’s Word is represented as a lamp for the feet that shines only on the one little bit of road on which the pilgrim’s feet are walking.

Satan Is Often Most Busy With Us, When… by William Plumer (1869)

“The god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers.” But what about you? When is he most busy deceiving you?

The Soul’s Portion, by John MacDuff (1818-1895)

The only rest of the soul is in God… The heart of man will rest with nothing short of the Rock of Ages. Its ancestral halls are the halls of Heaven. Its munitions of rocks are the attributes of God. The sweep of its majestic flight is Eternity!

The Battle Is Not Yours, by A. B. Simpson (1843-1919)

Because the battle is not yours, but God’s, we can have full assurance and confidence in His strength and protection.

Understanding the Everlasting Arms of God, by J.R. Miller (1840–1912)

The everlasting arms of God offer comfort far beyond what we might conceive. In His arms we find true rest. Learn about His everlasting arms.

The Essence of Unhappiness, by James Smith, 1865

The essence of unhappiness. “There is no peace to the wicked,” nor is there any happiness for the sinner in his sins.

As Sorrowful, Yet Always Rejoicing, by Lettie Cowman (Steams in the Desert)

Should Sorrow lay her hand upon thy shoulder, And walk with thee in silence on life’s way, While Joy, thy bright companion once, grown colder, Becomes to thee more distant day by day?