Sermons & Devotionals by Classic Christian Writings

God’s call to commitment costs something. It cost Jesus His life, and if we follow Him it will cost ours too. Jesus made it clear: "Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me" (Mark 8:34). Yet for some reason we do not like to believe it. The rugged obed... Read More

"I will watch to see what He will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved" (Hab. 2:1). The purpose in reproof is the recovery of them that may be out of the way of righteousness, but unaware of the fact. We Christians fall into error, and if left to ourselves many of us would never r... Read More

Let me tell you how God taught me to give. It was a lesson that has remained with me to this day. I had been pastor in a large Presbyterian church in the city of Toronto. One day I resigned and, finally, I became pastor of a church that knew how to give in a way I had never known. I commenced my pas... Read More

Believers everywhere are burdened for unsaved or backsliding loved ones. However, many are praying in a spirit of fear and worry instead of in faith. This has caused the writer to seek for definite light on how to pray, feeling the need of praying the right prayer, also the need for a definite promi... Read More

Spend much time alone in contemplating what He has done for you, and what He is, as the “Chiefest among ten thousand” and the “altogether lovely .” Stir the inner fire by means of memory, and let hope pile on it the fuel of promise till it begins to blaze. Cultivate the habit of speaking aloud to Hi... Read More

Spend much time alone in contemplating what He has done for you, and what He is, as the "Chiefest among ten thousand" and the "altogether lovely." Stir the inner fire by means of memory. Let hope pile on it the fuel of promise until it begins to blaze. Cultivate the habit of speaking aloud to Him in... Read More

One of the strangest and saddest stories of the Old Testament history is that of Samson. It is also one of the most instructive. He was by far the most remarkable man of his day. The grandest opportunities were open to him, but after striking temporary victories, his life ended in tragic failure--al... Read More

Hand over to Christ every temptation. When you feel temptation approaching you, as a bird by some quick instinct is aware that the hawk is hovering near, then instantly lift your heart to Christ for deliverance. He cannot rebuff or fail you. “He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wing... Read More

Avoid Long Prayers "The prayers should always be short. When individuals suffer themselves to pray long, they forget where they are, that they are only the mouth of the congregation, and that the congregation cannot be expected to go along and feel united in prayer if they are long and tedious, and ... Read More

The converted sinner loves God and is resolved to live for God. But he soon realizes that there are conflicts. We have an adversary, Satan, who seeks constantly to sidetrack us, and defeat us. We can overcome him and be victorious each day if we will -- 1. Yield to the Lordship of Christ. This is wh... Read More

The greatest stumbling block in the way of victory over prayerlessness is the secret feeling that we shall never obtain the blessing of being delivered from it. Often have we put forth effort in this direction, but in vain…If the question is put: "Is a change possible?" our sighing heart says: "Alas... Read More

The following suggestions are from my own experience: fresh orange juice, or other fruit juices, are good to break a fast. If a short fast, they may be taken undiluted. If a longer fast, dilute with water and take a glass every two hours the first day or so, depending upon the constitution. Thin sou... Read More

Jesus said, “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). When Scripture is memorized the mind has to meditate upon the words which are being mastered, and these often become the words of Jesus to the heart. These words come with life-giving force. The soul feeds... Read More

"He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death" (Phil. 2:8). Humility is the path to death, because in death it gives the highest proof of its perfection. Humility is the blossom of which death to self is the perfect fruit. Jesus humbled Himself unto death and opened the path in which we too mus... Read More

"He that humbleth himself shall be exalted" (Luke 14:11, 18:13). "God giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He shall exalt you" (James 4:10). "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time" (1 Peter 5:6). I was asked t... Read More

In an address I recently heard, the speaker said that the blessings of the higher Christian life were often like the objects exposed in a shop window--one could see them clearly and yet could not reach them. If told to stretch out his hand and take, a man would answer, I cannot; there is a thick pan... Read More

"Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weakness, that the strength of Christ may rest upon me. Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses: for when I am weak, then am I strong" (2 Cor.12:9-10). Lest Paul should exalt himself because of the exceeding greatness of revelations given him, a thorn... Read More

The blessed truths of holiness in Christ and holiness by faith are being emphasized today. The great test of whether the holiness we profess to seek or to attain is truth and life--will be whether it be manifest in the increasing humility it produces. In the creature, humility is the one thing neede... Read More

Humility is often identified with penitence and contrition. When it is thought of like this, there appears to be no way of fostering humility but by keeping the soul occupied with its sin. But humility is something else and something more. In the teaching of our Lord Jesus and the Epistles, often th... Read More

"He that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?" (1 John 4:20). What a solemn thought--that our love to God will be measured by our everyday dealings with men and the love it displays! Our love to God will be found to be a delusion except as its truth is... Read More