God knew what we were before conversion—wicked, guilty, and defiled—yet He loved us.
He knows what we will be after conversion—weak, erring, and frail—yet He loves us.

—J.C. Ryle

Is this world dreary?
Then think of the next.

—Charles Spurgeon

Luke 6:12
And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

If ever one of woman born might have lived without prayer, it was our spotless, perfect Lord, and yet none was ever so much in supplication as he! Such was his love to his Father, that he loved much to be in communion with him: such his love for his people, that he desired to be much in intercession for them.

The fact of this eminent prayerfulness of Jesus is a lesson for us—he hath given us an example that we may follow in his steps.

The time he chose was admirable, it was the hour of silence, when the crowd would not disturb him; the time of inaction, when all but himself had ceased to labour; and the season when slumber made men forget their woes, and cease their applications to him for relief. While others found rest in sleep, he refreshed himself with prayer.

The place was also well selected. He was alone where none would intrude, where none could observe: thus was he free from Pharisaic ostentation and vulgar interruption. Those dark and silent hills were a fit oratory for the Son of God. Heaven and earth in midnight stillness heard the groans and sighs of the mysterious Being in whom both worlds were blended.

The continuance of his pleadings is remarkable; the long watches were not too long; the cold wind did not chill his devotions; the grim darkness did not darken his faith, or loneliness check his importunity. We cannot watch with him one hour, but he watched for us whole nights.

The occasion for this prayer is notable; it was after his enemies had been enraged—prayer was his refuge and solace; it was before he sent forth the twelve apostles—prayer was the gate of his enterprise, the herald of his new work.

Should we not learn from Jesus to resort to special prayer when we are under peculiar trial, or contemplate fresh endeavours for the Master's glory? Lord Jesus, teach us to pray.

A bad king is the Lord’s wrath upon the earth.

—John Calvin

The worst moment for an atheist is when he is really thankful and has no one to thank.

—G.K. Chesterton

The greatest sorrow and burden you can lay on the Father, the greatest unkindness you can do to Him, is not to believe that He loves you.

—John Owen

Every temptation you overcome makes you stronger to overcome others, while every temptation that defeats you makes you weaker.

—D.L. Moody

Child of God, you cost Christ too much for Him to forget you.

—Charles Spurgeon

How wonderful are your Scriptures! How profound! We see their surface and it attracts us like children. And yet, O my God, their depth is stupendous.

—Augustine

As long as we cannot escape from ourselves we cannot escape from incitements to sin.

—Charles Spurgeon

Already in creation God made himself like human beings when he created them in his image. But in re-creation he became human and entered totally into our nature and situation.

—Herman Bavinck

"Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
Isaiah 7:14

Let us today go down to Bethlehem, and in company with wondering shepherds and adoring Magi, let us see him who was born King of the Jews, for we by faith can claim an interest in him, and can sing, "Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given." Jesus is Jehovah incarnate, our Lord and our God, and yet our brother and friend; let us adore and admire.

Let us notice at the very first glance his miraculous conception. It was a thing unheard of before, and unparalleled since, that a virgin should conceive and bear a Son. The first promise ran thus, "The seed of the woman," not the offspring of the man. Since venturous woman led the way in the sin which brought forth Paradise lost, she, and she alone, ushers in the Regainer of Paradise. Our Saviour, although truly man, was as to his human nature the Holy One of God.

Let us reverently bow before the holy Child whose innocence restores to manhood its ancient glory; and let us pray that he may be formed in us, the hope of glory.

Fail not to note his humble parentage. His mother has been described simply as "a virgin," not a princess, or prophetess, nor a matron of large estate. True the blood of kings ran in her veins; nor was her mind a weak and untaught one, for she could sing most sweetly a song of praise; but yet how humble her position, how poor the man to whom she stood affianced, and how miserable the accommodation afforded to the new-born King!

Immanuel, God with us in our nature, in our sorrow, in our lifework, in our punishment, in our grave, and now with us, or rather we with him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph, and Second Advent splendour.

I am sure, if you have not gone back from Christ, he will not from you; he will root out the accursed things of this world and dwell in your hearts.

—George Whitefield

We do not have to wait for eternal life until we are dead; we have it now.

—Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Salvation is deliverance from sin, and accordingly it is deliverance from all the evils that find their roots in sin.

—B.B. Warfield

The God of the past has blotted out your sin.

The God of the present makes all things work for your good.

The God of the future will never leave you nor forsake you.

—Charles Spurgeon

O you scoffers, come and see this Jesus, this Lord of glory whom you have despised; and if you will but come to Christ, he will be willing to receive you

—George Whitefield

All our infirmities, whatever they are, are just opportunities for God to display his gracious work in us.

—Charles Spurgeon