I will be quick to admit that I do not fully understand all the verses in the 45th Psalm, but I have many times contemplated the lovely words in verse 13:
"The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold."
Perhaps this is a picture of the Princess -- the King's daughter -- sitting within her palace, adorned with her beautiful clothing befitting the daughter of a King. But it speaks to me of a deeper spiritual meaning also. If we profess to be daughters of the Heavenly King, we are to be all glorious within--our hearts made clean and pure by the precious blood of Jesus and our clothing (our outward appearance, demeanor, actions, etc.) reflecting like shining gold what we profess to have within.
May God help us to live so that the glory within will shine through to a needy world who is searching for something to satisfy the deep longing of their heart!
Perhaps you would like to join me in praying -- "Let the Beauty of Jesus be Seen in Me."
* * * * *
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Brook!!! It is hard to believe that Grampy's little "lefty" is 15 today! I love you and pray that you will always live and act so that those looking on will know, beyond doubt, that you are a Daughter of the Heavenly King!
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Friday, January 22, 2016
IT'S A BOY!!!
The Hood family is in a great deal of excitement this evening!! The first boy in 23 years was born today! I am especially excited that he is a red-head like his Dad! Maybe great grandpa up in heaven spoke to the angel who does the hair coloring and asked if his first great grandson could have red hair like his first grandson!
Psalms 127:3 says: "Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is His reward." In my Bible, I added a little benediction and wrote "AMEN" in red letters!!
"Thank You, Heavenly Father, for my 12 precious grandchildren and great grandchildren -- each one unique---each one endowed with special gifts and talents to be used for Thy glory---each one a delight---each one a blessing and each one a responsibility given me to help point them to Thee at the earliest possible age! Help me to be the godly example Thou dost want me to be.
---I humbly ask in Jesus' Name, Amen."
Psalms 127:3 says: "Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is His reward." In my Bible, I added a little benediction and wrote "AMEN" in red letters!!
"Thank You, Heavenly Father, for my 12 precious grandchildren and great grandchildren -- each one unique---each one endowed with special gifts and talents to be used for Thy glory---each one a delight---each one a blessing and each one a responsibility given me to help point them to Thee at the earliest possible age! Help me to be the godly example Thou dost want me to be.
---I humbly ask in Jesus' Name, Amen."
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Happy Birthday, dear friend!
As I think about my friend today on her Birthday, I think about how wonderful it is to have a friend -- a real, true friend -- someone who "comes in when the rest of the world has gone out."
A friend like it speaks about in Proverbs 25:11 whose words are like "apples of gold in pictures of silver."
A friend that you can talk to about your burdens and cares, and know that they will be shared with no one else but God.
A friend who is a beautiful example of Proverbs 31:26 -- "She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness."
A friend who has gone through some deep valleys of sorrow and suffering, but has shown me that the cross is never greater than God's grace!
A friend who has lived a beautiful and consistent life of holiness before me.
A friend who inspires me to want to dig deeper and climb higher in my walk with God.
Thank You for your friendship, Sis. Scott. May God richly bless you today on your Birthday, and continue to use you in the coming days for His glory and the upbuilding of His Kingdom!
A friend like it speaks about in Proverbs 25:11 whose words are like "apples of gold in pictures of silver."
A friend that you can talk to about your burdens and cares, and know that they will be shared with no one else but God.
A friend who is a beautiful example of Proverbs 31:26 -- "She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness."
A friend who has gone through some deep valleys of sorrow and suffering, but has shown me that the cross is never greater than God's grace!
A friend who has lived a beautiful and consistent life of holiness before me.
A friend who inspires me to want to dig deeper and climb higher in my walk with God.
Thank You for your friendship, Sis. Scott. May God richly bless you today on your Birthday, and continue to use you in the coming days for His glory and the upbuilding of His Kingdom!
Monday, January 18, 2016
My Testimony --
"I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold; I'd rather be His than have riches untold;
I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands; I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand.
I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause; I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I'd rather have Jesus than world-wide fame; I'd rather be true to His holy name.
He's fairer than lilies of rarest bloom; He's sweeter than honey from out the comb;
He's all that my hungering spirit needs; I'd rather have Jesus and let Him lead--
Than to be the king of a vast domain and be held in sin's dread sway;
I'd rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today!"
Do you know Him today? "WHOSOEVER will may come!"
I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands; I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand.
I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause; I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I'd rather have Jesus than world-wide fame; I'd rather be true to His holy name.
He's fairer than lilies of rarest bloom; He's sweeter than honey from out the comb;
He's all that my hungering spirit needs; I'd rather have Jesus and let Him lead--
Than to be the king of a vast domain and be held in sin's dread sway;
I'd rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today!"
Do you know Him today? "WHOSOEVER will may come!"
Friday, January 15, 2016
"Have Mercy On Me!"
I love the beautiful and thrilling passage recorded in Mark 10:46-52. I picture myself among that great number of people going out of Jericho with Jesus. Suddenly, we hear a loud voice crying out, but we soon realize it is just that old beggar, blind Bartimaeus, sitting by the wayside begging like he always does!! Sooo disgusting!!! We want to hurry on by so Jesus doesn't have to see such a dreadful sight, but Bartimaeus begins to cry louder and louder!!!
Many are demanding that he hush, but he will not! He cries even more loudly and will not stop!!
Then -- an amazing thing happened! "JESUS STOOD STILL!" Those three little words just thrill and bless my heart! The Master cared for this poor wretched beggar. Our wonderful Saviour is no respecter of persons! Whosoever will may come to Him!!
If you are in need today -- sitting by the wayside of life -- perhaps feeling your life is hopeless -- that no one cares or understands -- I have good news for you!
"JESUS IS STANDING STILL" right where you are at this very moment and calling for you just like he did for blind Bartimaeus so long ago!
Many are demanding that he hush, but he will not! He cries even more loudly and will not stop!!
Then -- an amazing thing happened! "JESUS STOOD STILL!" Those three little words just thrill and bless my heart! The Master cared for this poor wretched beggar. Our wonderful Saviour is no respecter of persons! Whosoever will may come to Him!!
If you are in need today -- sitting by the wayside of life -- perhaps feeling your life is hopeless -- that no one cares or understands -- I have good news for you!
"JESUS IS STANDING STILL" right where you are at this very moment and calling for you just like he did for blind Bartimaeus so long ago!
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
God's Holy Word -- A Priceless Treasure!
I love my Bible!! It is such a sweet and blessed lamp for my feet and light for my path! It brings me joy, guidance, comfort, encouragement, blessing, and is filled with wonderful and precious promises. I like the little verse in Psalm 119:97 -- O how love I Thy law! It is my meditation all the day."
However, we will have to exercise discipline, for the enemy of our souls will try to rob us of prayer and meditation in God's Word. J. Hudson Taylor once said -- "Satan will always find you something to do when you ought to be praying or studying God's Word---if it is only arranging a window blind." I also like this little quote and have found it to be true: "If your day is hemmed with prayer, it is less likely to unravel."
In the beginning days of 2016, let us not forget that we have a Heavenly Father whose Holy Word contains wonderful promises of His care and provision for us! Remember, He even keeps a record of the number of hairs on your head! Read the wonderful promises in Matthew 6:25-34, and let us determine to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness!"
I predict that you will be singing down through the coming days -- "It is Glory Just to Walk With Him!"
However, we will have to exercise discipline, for the enemy of our souls will try to rob us of prayer and meditation in God's Word. J. Hudson Taylor once said -- "Satan will always find you something to do when you ought to be praying or studying God's Word---if it is only arranging a window blind." I also like this little quote and have found it to be true: "If your day is hemmed with prayer, it is less likely to unravel."
In the beginning days of 2016, let us not forget that we have a Heavenly Father whose Holy Word contains wonderful promises of His care and provision for us! Remember, He even keeps a record of the number of hairs on your head! Read the wonderful promises in Matthew 6:25-34, and let us determine to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness!"
I predict that you will be singing down through the coming days -- "It is Glory Just to Walk With Him!"
Monday, January 11, 2016
"God Likes to Hear You Sing!"
Martin Luther once said: "Music, next to theology, is God's greatest gift to man!" It was he who gave us the moving and majestic hymn - "A Mighty Fortress is Our God!" There are many references in God's Holy Word that talk about music being used for worship--both vocal and instrumental. I am very thankful that God inspired so many people (Fanny Crosby, for example) to write beautiful hymns of encouragement, blessing, comfort, etc. And, even though we may not have a lovely voice, what does our title say -- God still likes to hear us sing! So, let us practice the lovely verse in Psalms 34:1:
"I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth."
Today I was thinking about an old song that my Daddy used to sing when I was a girl at home entitled, "Bless This House" by Helen Taylor. It is my prayer that in the beginning days of this New Year, the Lord will bless your home and draw you ever closer to Him!
"Bless this house, O Lord we pray, make it safe by night and day;
Bless these walls, so firm and stout, keeping want and trouble out;
Bless the roof and chimneys tall, let Thy peace lie over all;
Bless this door, that it may prove ever open to joy and love.
Bless these windows shining bright, letting in God's heavenly light;
Bless the hearth a - blazing there, with smoke ascending like a prayer;
Bless the folk who dwell within; keep them pure and free from sin;
Bless us all that we may be fit, O Lord, to dwell with Thee,
Bless us all that one day we may dwell, O Lord, with Thee."
"I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth."
Today I was thinking about an old song that my Daddy used to sing when I was a girl at home entitled, "Bless This House" by Helen Taylor. It is my prayer that in the beginning days of this New Year, the Lord will bless your home and draw you ever closer to Him!
"Bless this house, O Lord we pray, make it safe by night and day;
Bless these walls, so firm and stout, keeping want and trouble out;
Bless the roof and chimneys tall, let Thy peace lie over all;
Bless this door, that it may prove ever open to joy and love.
Bless these windows shining bright, letting in God's heavenly light;
Bless the hearth a - blazing there, with smoke ascending like a prayer;
Bless the folk who dwell within; keep them pure and free from sin;
Bless us all that we may be fit, O Lord, to dwell with Thee,
Bless us all that one day we may dwell, O Lord, with Thee."
Friday, January 8, 2016
I Love Wednesday!
No doubt you are thinking -- "What a strange title! Why should I love Wednesday?" Well, I will be happy to share it with you! When I awake on Wednesday mornings, I find my heart singing and beating with joyful anticipation as I eagerly look forward to the Wednesday evening Prayer & Praise service! To me, it is like a Booster shot -- it lifts me up, renews my strength and gives me new courage for what may await me on the morrow.
I know the mid-week service is very fragmented in many churches with the teens in one place, the choir in another, the children in yet another, etc. Soooo, if you want to call me "old-fashioned", it's fine (since I am 75), but I love to have the church family all together for this one hour of the week! I think it is important for the young people to hear the testimonies of the older saints---how the Lord has kept them true, never failed them and never been a disappointment! They need to be in the service when "the glory of the Lord fills the house!" And my heart is always thrilled and blessed when a young person testifies how God has answered prayer for them. Our pastor brings a short, encouraging devotional, and we take the needs of the church family to the throne of grace in prayer. No wonder I love Wednesday!!!
I wonder -- if your church does not have a mid-week service, perhaps the Lord would want You to be a Committee of One to talk with your Pastor about beginning one---I think you will soon love Wednesday, too!!
I know the mid-week service is very fragmented in many churches with the teens in one place, the choir in another, the children in yet another, etc. Soooo, if you want to call me "old-fashioned", it's fine (since I am 75), but I love to have the church family all together for this one hour of the week! I think it is important for the young people to hear the testimonies of the older saints---how the Lord has kept them true, never failed them and never been a disappointment! They need to be in the service when "the glory of the Lord fills the house!" And my heart is always thrilled and blessed when a young person testifies how God has answered prayer for them. Our pastor brings a short, encouraging devotional, and we take the needs of the church family to the throne of grace in prayer. No wonder I love Wednesday!!!
I wonder -- if your church does not have a mid-week service, perhaps the Lord would want You to be a Committee of One to talk with your Pastor about beginning one---I think you will soon love Wednesday, too!!
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
It is quite interesting to notice how Birthday's affect people! When the little ones have their first birthday, everyone gets excited and takes multiple pictures as they dig their little hand (or hands) into their birthday cake and then smear it all over their face! By the time they turn 12, they are no longer a little child. They are almost a teen-ager and very eager to hurry to Birthday #16 when they can get that coveted piece of paper called a Drivers License!
But after they obtain their Drivers License, they want to hurry on to Birthday #21 when they will become an "adult", ready to spread their wings and fly! But suddenly, they come to a screeching halt -- it doesn't seem possible, but it is true -- there are 30 candles on the cake!! We've got to turn back the clock, but time waits for no man. So we catch our breath and find we are at 40 (the age most women seem to dread), and even though many quit telling their age, there soon will be tell-tale signs that we have passed 50, 60, and even 70 as we try to avoid coming face to face with reality.
I think a Birthday is a wonderful time to look back over the previous year -- have we made every circumstance a stepping stone to draw us closer to God or have we let it become a stumbling block to pull us downward? As we celebrate our Birthdays this year, let us remember that we have:
"Only one life, 'twill soon be past;
Only what's done for Christ will last."
And, by the way -- HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Randy!! Thank you for being a wonderful son!!
But after they obtain their Drivers License, they want to hurry on to Birthday #21 when they will become an "adult", ready to spread their wings and fly! But suddenly, they come to a screeching halt -- it doesn't seem possible, but it is true -- there are 30 candles on the cake!! We've got to turn back the clock, but time waits for no man. So we catch our breath and find we are at 40 (the age most women seem to dread), and even though many quit telling their age, there soon will be tell-tale signs that we have passed 50, 60, and even 70 as we try to avoid coming face to face with reality.
I think a Birthday is a wonderful time to look back over the previous year -- have we made every circumstance a stepping stone to draw us closer to God or have we let it become a stumbling block to pull us downward? As we celebrate our Birthdays this year, let us remember that we have:
"Only one life, 'twill soon be past;
Only what's done for Christ will last."
And, by the way -- HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Randy!! Thank you for being a wonderful son!!
Friday, January 1, 2016
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I know there are always challenges as we face a New Year, but this is a challenge I was very hesitant to try. I know basically nothing about writing a BLOG, but the children have been encouraging (perhaps I should say "pushing") me to do it, and since a New Year brings new beginnings, I am going to attempt it.
The word "Blog" is NOT exciting to me. I wanted the word to be meaningful--a challenge for this New Year. So my Blog will consist of a word for each letter:
Believe
Love
Obey
God
On this very first day of 2016, if we will determine to Believe God, Love God and Obey God, our days will be filled with contentment, joy and peace.
As I close my little thoughts on this New Year's Day, I would like to end with this beautiful blessing found in Numbers 6:24-26:
"The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace."
The word "Blog" is NOT exciting to me. I wanted the word to be meaningful--a challenge for this New Year. So my Blog will consist of a word for each letter:
Believe
Love
Obey
God
On this very first day of 2016, if we will determine to Believe God, Love God and Obey God, our days will be filled with contentment, joy and peace.
As I close my little thoughts on this New Year's Day, I would like to end with this beautiful blessing found in Numbers 6:24-26:
"The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace."
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