I think of the love of God as a great river, pouring through us even as the waters pour through our ravine at floodtime. Nothing can keep this love from pouring through us, except of course our own blocking of the river. Do you sometimes feel that you have got to the end of your love for someone who refuses and repulses you? Such a thought is folly, for one cannot come to the end of what one has not got. We have no store of love at all. We are not jugs, we are riverbeds.

Amy Carmichael

Categorized in : Thinking Rivers Block

Let us not be surprised when we have to face difficulties. When the wind blows hard on a tree, the roots stretch and grow the stronger, Let it be so with us. Let us not be weaklings, yielding to every wind that blows, but strong in spirit to resist.

Amy Carmichael

being-strong strength inspirational

When I consider the cross of Christ, how can anything that I do be called sacrifice?

Amy Carmichael

sacrifice crosses christ

Let nothing be said about anyone unless it passes through the three sieves: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?

Amy Carmichael

three kind said

If the praise of others elates me and their blame depresses me; if I cannot rest under misunderstandin g without defending myself; if I love to be loved more than to love, to be served more than to serve, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

Amy Carmichael

blame depressing praise

Sometimes when we read the words of those who have been more than conquerors, we feel almost despondent. I feel that I shall never be like that. But they won through step by step, by little bits of wills, little denials of self, little inward victories, by faithfulness in very little things. They became what they are. No one sees these little hidden steps. They only see the accomplishment, but even so, those small steps were taken. There is no sudden triumph, no spiritual maturity. That is the work of the moment.

Amy Carmichael

maturity taken spiritual

It is great to be faced with the impossible, for nothing is impossible if one is meant to do it. Wisdom will be given, and strength. When the Lord leads, He always strengthens.

Amy Carmichael

given lord impossible

All along, let us remember we are not asked to understand, but simply to obey.

Amy Carmichael

remember

We have all eternity to celebrate the victories but only a few hours before sunset to win them.

Amy Carmichael

sunset inspiration winning

Now you are deep in what seems to me a peculiarly selfless service. The spiritual training of children must be that. You work for the years you will not see. You work for the Invisible all the time, but you work for the Eternal. So it is all worthwhile.

Amy Carmichael

spiritual children years

Joy is not gush. Joy is not mere jolliness. Joy is perfect acquiescence ~ acceptance, rest ~ in God’s will, whatever comes.

Amy Carmichael

acceptance perfect joy

Thank God for the battle verses in the Bible. We go into the unknown every day of our lives, and especially every Monday morning, for the week is sure to be a battlefield, outwardly and inwardly in the unseen life of the spirit, which is often by far the sternest battlefield for souls. Either way, the Lord your God goes before you, He shall fight for you!

Amy Carmichael

fighting monday morning

If you have never been hurt by a word from God, it is probably that you have never heard God speak.

Amy Carmichael

speak hurt heard

If you would live in victory . . . you must refuse to be dominated by the seen and the felt.

Amy Carmichael

refuse victory felt

Our loving Lord is not just present, but nearer than the thought can imagine - so near that a whisper can reach Him.

Amy Carmichael

imagine lord

Give me the Love that leads the way The Faith that nothing can dismay The Hope no disappointments tire The Passion that'll burn like fire Let me not sink to be a clod Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God

Amy Carmichael

passion disappointment fire

If a sudden jar can cause me to speak an impatient, unloving word, then I know nothing of Calvary love. For a cup brimful of sweet water cannot spill even one drop of bitter water, however suddenly jolted.

Amy Carmichael

jars sweet water

Blessed are the single-hearted, for they shall enjoy much peace. If you refuse to be hurried and pressed, if you stay your soul on God, nothing can keep you from that clearness of spirit which is life and peace. In that stillness you will know what His will is.

Amy Carmichael

soul blessed blessing

Our enemy is more aware than we are of the spiritual possibilities that depend upon obedience.

Amy Carmichael

obedience spiritual enemy

He said "Love...as I have loved you." We cannot love too much.

Amy Carmichael

powerful inspiration christian

It is not the place where we are, or the work that we do or cannot do that matters, it is something else. It is the fire within that burns and shines, whatever be our circumstances.

Amy Carmichael

shining fire matter