In the economy of Heaven, God does not send thunder if a still, small voice is enough, or a prophet if a priest can do the job.

Coming unto the Lord is not a negotiation, but a surrender.

Celestial criteria measures service, not status.

Patience is tied very closely to faith in our Heavenly Father. Actually, when we are unduly impatient, we are suggesting that we know what is best—better than does God. Or, at least, we are asserting that our timetable is better than His. We can grow in faith only if we are willing to wait patiently for God's purposes and patterns to unfold in our lives, on His timetable.

Let us have integrity and not write checks with our tongues which our conduct cannot cash.

The cavity which suffering carves into our souls will one day also be the receptacle of joy.

Our afflictions brothers and sisters often will not be extinguished, they will be dwarfed and swallowed up in the joy of Christ. That’s how we overcome, most of the time. It’s not their elimination, but the placing of them in that larger context.