Category: K. W. Osbeck

  • AM I A SOLDIER OF THE CROSS?

    Amazing Grace Isaac Watts, 1674–1748 Endure hardship with us like a good solder of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. (2 Timothy 2:3, 4) The Church founded by Christ has been built on the blood of martyrs. It has been estimated that…

  • MY SOUL, BE ON THY GUARD

    Amazing Grace George Heath, 1750–1822 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:26, 27)…

  • MUST JESUS BEAR THE CROSS ALONE?

    Amazing Grace Thomas Shepherd, 1665–1739 Then He called the crowd to Him along with His disciples and said: “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.” (Mark 8:34) The scriptural qualifications for discipleship are very clear: Self-denial and a resolve to bear a cross of…

  • STAND UP FOR JESUS

    Amazing Grace George Duffield, 1818–1888 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. (Ephesians 6:10) A great city-wide revival swept across Philadelphia in 1858. It was called “the work of God in Philadelphia.” Of the participating ministers none was more powerful that the 29-year-old Episcopalian, Dudley Tyng, who was known as a…

  • A CHARGE TO KEEP I HAVE

    Amazing Grace Charles Wesley, 1707–1788 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. (Ephesians 4:1) All of us as Christians have been given a general charge—a God to glorify. We have also been given a particular charge or calling that is unique.…

  • ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS

    Amazing Grace Sabine Baring-Gould, 1834–1924 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (2 Timothy 2:3 KJV) The Christian life is often compared in Scripture to a warfare—the struggle of sin against righteousness and of the flesh versus the spirit. Each follower of Christ is called to be a “good” soldier. This…

  • LEAD ON, O KING ETERNAL

    Amazing Grace Ernest W. Shurtleff, 1862–1917 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who…

  • REVIVE US AGAIN

    Amazing Grace William P. Mackay, 1839–1885 Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? (Psalm 85:6) The most desperate need of our day is a spiritual and moral renewal. This revival must begin with God’s people, you and me—the Church. It must be more than a mere increase in church…

  • WORK FOR THE NIGHT IS COMING

    Amazing Grace Annie L. Coghill, 1836–1907 As long as it is day, we must do the work of Him who sent Me. Night is coming when no one can work. (John 9:4) Do not pray for easy lives; pray to be stronger men! Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers…

  • YE CHRISTIAN HERALDS

    Amazing Grace Bourne H. Draper, 1775–1843 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “your God reigns!” (Isaiah 52:7) Many of us are often guilty of taking our pastors, missionaries, and Christian leaders for granted.…