For every discouragement has been allowed to come to us in order that through it we may be cast in utter helplessness at the Saviour's feet.

When we get to the end of ourselves, we get to the beginning of God.

The conversion of a soul is the miracle of a moment, but the manufacture of a saint is the task of a lifetime.

We will only advance in our evangelistic work as fast and as far as we advance on our knees. Prayer opens the channel between a soul and God; prayerlessness closes it. Prayer releases the grip of Satan's power; prayerlessness increases it. That is why prayer is so exhausting and so vital. If we believed it, the prayer meeting would be as full as the church.

What we are is much more important to Him than what we do for Him. We mean far more to God than the work we do.

The immense step from the Babe at Bethlehem to the living, reigning triumphant Lord Jesus, returning to earth for His own people - that is the glorious truth proclaimed throughout Scripture. As the bells ring out the joys of Christmas, may we also be alert for the final trumpet that will announce His return, when we shall always be with Him.

The best place any Christian can ever be in is to be totally destitute and totally dependant upon God, and know it.