Category: K. W. Osbeck

  • MUST JESUS BEAR THE CROSS ALONE?

    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 consecration for…

  • STAND UP FOR JESUS

    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 bold and…

  • 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

    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 involves motivation,…

  • LEAD ON, O KING ETERNAL

    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 have longed…

  • REVIVE US AGAIN

    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 membership and…

  • MORNING & EVENING

    The act of prayer teaches us our unworthiness, which is a very salutary lesson for such proud beings as we are. If God gave us favours without constraining us to pray for them we should never know how poor we are, but a true prayer is an inventory of wants, a catalogue of necessities, a…

  • WORK, FOR THE NIGHT IS COMING

    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 equal to…

  • YE CHRISTIAN HERALDS

    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. Seldom do…

  • ARE YE ABLE? SAID THE MASTER

    Earl Marlatt, 1892–1976 Can you drink the cup I am going to drink? (Matthew 20:22) A Christian is a person who, when getting to the end of his/her rope, ties a knot and determines to hang on, realizing that human extremity now becomes God’s opportunity.—Unknown The mission for each Christian is to proclaim and live…