Storm on the Sea of Galilee by Rembrandt

When asked to describe what is the “heresy of modernity,” J.I. Packer described it this way:

“The belief that…
the newer is the truer,
only what is recent is decent,
every shift of ground is a step forward,
and every latest word must be hailed as the last word on its subject.”

“Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.” (Jim Elliot)

“Good preaching should both…

  • sting and sing, 
  • wound and heal, 
  • convict and comfort.

Much preaching today is only focused on the ‘sing, heal and comfort’ part and is therefore not presenting the ‘whole counsel’ of God’s Word.” (D. A. Carson)

“A public man, though he is necessarily available at many times, must learn to hide. If he is always available, he is not worth enough when he is available.” (Elton Trueblood)

“I use the word routine because it is rarely the spectacular that makes us successful, but simply the regular, ongoing faithful cadence of our lives in terms of our commitment to Him in the routines of our existence.” 
(Joseph Stowell, from Shepherding the Church into the 21st Century)

“I have done less waiting than working, and my works would have been better had I waited more. But I have enjoyed God’s incomparable companionship. I have walked the world with God as my friend.” (Carl F.H. Henry)

“The most important thing I will do today is pray.”

“God has not bowed to our nervous haste nor embraced the methods of our machine age. The man who will know God must give time to Him.” (A.W. Tozer)

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

“You cannot impart what you do not possess.” (Howard Hendricks)

“The race is not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running.”

“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” (John Wesley)

“I would rather teach one man to pray than ten men to preach.” (Charles Spurgeon)

“Fly this banner over every wound and regret: ‘Satan meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.’“ (Genesis 50:20) (John Piper)

“Give me 100 men that hate nothing but sin, and love nothing but Jesus Christ, and we’ll shake England for God.” (John Wesley) 

“I was amazed once to hear a seminary graduate say how adequate he felt for the ministry after his years of schooling. This was supposed to be a compliment to the school. The reason this amazed me is that the greatest theologian and missionary and pastor who ever lived [referring to the Apostle Paul] cried out, “Who is sufficient [or adequate] for these things?” (2 Corinthians 2:16). Not because he was a bungler, but because the magnificent calling of emitting the fragrance of eternal life for some and eternal death for others was a weight he could scarcely bear. A pastor who feels competent in himself to produce eternal fruit – which is the only kind that matters – knows neither God nor himself. A pastor who does not know the rhythm of desperation and deliverance must have his sights only on what man can achieve…the proper goals of the life of a pastor are unquestionably beyond our reach. The changes we long for in the hearts of our people can happen only by a sovereign work of grace.” (John Piper from Brothers, We Are Not Professionals)

One final note – here is an excellent article recently written for pastors by Kevin DeYoung at TGC: “A Needed Reminder on Monday Morning”