The good education and godly examples set before a child, especially in the home, help prepare their heart for the reception of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, just as a field is made ready for good seed. For a parent to willfully neglect such an important matter is plain cruelty.

How sweet and blessed is the remembrance of approaching the Lord's table as contrite sinners coming to a bleeding Savior, and not just for formality's sake, or because others came, or because we thought it right to come, or because our friends expected us to come!

What great comfort to be assured that Jesus knows all the circumstances of our lives, both small and great! He knows what we shall be doing at this time tomorrow, and ten years from now. He knows whom we shall meet today, if we go out, and who will come to visit us, if we remain at home. And, if we love Him, He will cause all things to work together for our good.

How wonderful it is to be free! To break off the chains of former sin. To experience the freedom of a conscience cleansed from guilt. To have the freedom of access into the presence of God, as His beloved child, calling unto Him, “Abba, Father!”

The last day shall be very great in splendor; yet that is not what will make it important, but the verdicts that shall then be pronounced. All through eternity that day cannot be forgotten. The lost will date from that day their final separation from God, the source of all happiness. The saints will date from that day their entrance into the full enjoyment of the light of His presence.

One Christian working man, to his wife's surprise, used to rise earlier on Sunday than any other day in the week. Finally he told her why: “I like the day I give to my Savior to be the longest in the week.” If we have this attitude, every Sunday will be a step on the ladder, leading us nearer to our everlasting Home.

When you hear of any who have turned back from following the Lord, think of what He once spoke to His apostles: “Do you also want to go away?” I personally know some people who used to walk with Him for some time, and to love Him for a little while, but whose feet grew weary, and whose love grew cold. How they will wish that they had never been born!

We are apt to imitate those we admire. There are those who greatly admire some persons for their apparent good works, not detecting their motive. God keep us from those who do all just for show!

Some, content with their ignorance, and having preferred darkness to light, do not desire to come to know the truth. But in the end they shall understand it, only too late.

No sin hardens the heart so much as pride. Open sins, though capable of exposing people to shame and great unhappiness in this life, sometimes make them more willing to humble themselves before God.

Jesus came into the world as light, not for His own happiness, but that all who believe in Him should not remain in darkness. He had seen us lying in darkness; He had mercy on our terrible state, and had agreed to enter into our miserable world, to bring to us the light of life. What infinite love!

The young ruler refused to follow Christ, for he was a man of great wealth. Others did not openly acknowledge Him, having valued their reputation with men rather than the honour God gives. What various reasons people have for not obeying God, none of which shall justify their failure in the end!

On the cross Christ overcame satan, the prince of this world. That despised cross has done a far mightier deed than has ever been done by any conqueror's sword. Oh, bless God that He did not shrink back from the terrible conflict! He knew that by the conquest of satan His Father's name would be, and, indeed, was and still is being glorified in the salvation of His people.