He has done it. Trust him.

"A hungry man eats even though he does not understand the composition of his food, the anatomy of his mouth, or the process of his digestion. He knows that he lives because he eats. Another far more clever person understands thoroughly the science of nutrition, but if he does not eat, he will die with all his knowledge. There are, no doubt, many in hell at this hour who understood the doctrine of faith but did not believe. On the other hand, not one who has trusted in the Lord Jesus has ever been cast out, though he may never have been able to intelligently define his faith. Oh, receive the Lord Jesus into your soul, and you will live forever!"

-All of Grace by Charles Spurgeon

...

When asked, "How do you feel about the state of your soul today?", it is easy for me evaluate the purity and progress of my heart and mind as the basis for my answer. And though I pray I continue to grow in my understanding of doctrine and things of faith, my instinctual "self-based" evaluation feels like a haymaker to the gut sometimes. Only when we simply claim Jesus as our answer, is there life giving, peace bringing, and rest instilling confidence.

The Object of Our Faith

"See, then, that the weakness of your faith will not destroy you. A trembling hand may receive a golden gift. The Lord's salvation can come to us even though we have faith only as a grain of a mustard seed. The power lies in the grace of God and not in our faith. Great messages can be sent along slender wires. The peace-giving witness of the Holy Spirit can reach the heart by means of a threadlike faith that seems almost unable to sustain its own weight. Think more of Him to whom you look than of the look itself. You must look away even from your own looking and see nothing but Jesus and the grace of God revealed in Him."

- All of Grace by Charles H. Spurgeon

Piper and Keller on Justification, Sanctification, and the Dynamics of Faith

Great stuff from two guys who have had a huge influence on my life. This was originally posted on Desiring God.

Courage for Tomorrow

"Let me never be ashamed of the truth of the gospel, that I may bear its reproach, vindicate it, see Jesus as its essence, know it in the power of the Spirit.

Lord, help me, for I am often lukewarm and chill; unbelief mars my confidence, sin makes me forget thee.

Let the weeds that grow in my soul be cut at their roots; Grant me to know that I truly live only when I live to thee, that all else is trifling.

Thy presence alone can make me holy, devout, strong and happy."

- Valley of Vision

....

I could have used these words on my heart earlier today. There was a moment when in conversation with a non-believer, I nonchalantly went along with a few statements that were made which were contrary to the gospel. It was no debate. I was tempted to gain approval from this person by just agreeing, and that is what I chose. I felt the very real war inside me of my flesh vs. the conviction of the Spirit.

Opportunities to uphold or refute the gospel occur every day. Earlier today was probably tiny in the grand scheme of things, who knows...but anyway, it sent a shock through me, because I saw that in my sin, I could probably habitually answer with indifference in the future, maybe without realizing. Let this prayer lead us against indifference, and remind of us of incomparable strength that is ours when we proclaim Christ. He has won already.