"Never be sympathetic with the soul whose case makes you come to the conclusion that God is hard. God is more tender than we can conceive and every now and then He gives us the chance of being the rugged one that He may be the tender one." MUFHH -12/19
Matthew 10:34 - 'I came not to bring peace, but a sword.'

'If a man cannot get through to God, it is because there is a secret thing he does not intend to give up.' 'People want the blessing of God, but they will not stand the thing that goes straight to the quick.' His message is merciless insistence on whatever keeps us from all He has for us.
'There must be a sense of need before the message of use.' I must see myself as he sees me and be desirous and willing to say 'take my life and let me be, consecrated Lord to Thee.'

1Peter 1:16 - 'Be ye holy as I am holy.' - a command. He does not give commands that we cannot keep. So? usually my problem is that I do not want to 'give something up' - usually my 'right' or myself. God wants us to be willing to give it ALL up - yet that does not mean that He will TAKE it or them - just that we must be willing to lay it all at His feet. All that we have comes from and returns to Him. why don't I? - I do not really believe that God is good. If I did understand and believe the depth of His goodness and love and plan.

Matthew 5:48 - "Therefore, you must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.'

2 Cor. 12:9 - 10 .."My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
It is all about DEPENDENCE on Him and the Holy Spirit!!
1 Cor. 9:22 - 'when I am weak, then I am strong.'

Phil. 4:13 - 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.'