Yesterday was Reformation Sunday, and today is known as Reformation Day.
Our pastor, Bro. Thornton, preached an excellent message yesterday morning, and he closed the service last night with the congregation singing Martin Luther's majestic hymn, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God!"
Bro. Thornton loaned me an old book of his published in 1870 which contains notices of the most eminent reformers. It is most interesting, so I will try to give a very brief highlight.
Martin Luther was born on November 10, 1483. He seemed destined to be a pillar of the Roman Catholic church, and a patron of all its corruption. However, he had a daring spirit and loved nothing as well as truth. He spoke more boldly when he was assailed by menace and insult. He rejected the despotism of the Pope; he refused obedience to an unlimited and usurped authority.
This was the origin of the Reformation. His friends were few and of no great influence; his enemies were numerous and powerful, and eager for his destruction. He was summoned to plead his cause before the diet at Worms. The assembly soon issued the "Edict of Worms" in which Luther was denounced as an excommunicated heretic, but he allowed no moderation or concession in any matter where Christian truth was concerned.
During the 29 years he was in public life, the principles of the gospel were deeply rooted, so that when he died in 1546, he could depart in peaceful confidence that the objects of his mission were accomplished!
On this Reformation Day, I trust you will take some time to read and meditate again on Martin Luther's powerful hymn, written in 1529 -- eight years after the "Edict of Worms"!!
Monday, October 31, 2016
Saturday, October 29, 2016
PSALM 100!
"Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing.
Know ye that the Lord He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His
people, and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and
bless His name.
For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations."
I love this lovely little Psalm of praise!! It is so good to serve the Lord with gladness and keep a song in our hearts. How wonderful to know that He hath made us and we belong to Him.
May God bless you today as you take a little time to meditate on this blessed Psalm of Praise in preparation for God's Holy Day tomorrow!
Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing.
Know ye that the Lord He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His
people, and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and
bless His name.
For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations."
I love this lovely little Psalm of praise!! It is so good to serve the Lord with gladness and keep a song in our hearts. How wonderful to know that He hath made us and we belong to Him.
May God bless you today as you take a little time to meditate on this blessed Psalm of Praise in preparation for God's Holy Day tomorrow!
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Doubt Not!
We must never doubt God's Word, even when it seems impossible!
Look at Moses in the 11th chapter of Numbers. The children of Israel were complaining in the wilderness, and Moses was discouraged.
He said in verses 21 and 22:
And Moses said unto the Lord, "The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand footmen: and Thou hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month.
Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice them? Or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them?"
I love the Lord's answer to Moses in verse 23: "And the Lord said unto Moses, Is the Lord's hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether My word shall come to pass unto thee or not."
Let us never forget that nothing is impossible with God; nothing is too hard for Him and He knows how and when to send the answer! Praise the Lord!
"And there went forth a wind from the Lord, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth.
And the people stood up all that day, and all that night, and all the next day, and they gathered the quails: he that gathered least gathered ten homers: and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp."
What a mighty God we serve and He is just the same today!!
Look at Moses in the 11th chapter of Numbers. The children of Israel were complaining in the wilderness, and Moses was discouraged.
He said in verses 21 and 22:
And Moses said unto the Lord, "The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand footmen: and Thou hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month.
Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice them? Or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them?"
I love the Lord's answer to Moses in verse 23: "And the Lord said unto Moses, Is the Lord's hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether My word shall come to pass unto thee or not."
Let us never forget that nothing is impossible with God; nothing is too hard for Him and He knows how and when to send the answer! Praise the Lord!
"And there went forth a wind from the Lord, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth.
And the people stood up all that day, and all that night, and all the next day, and they gathered the quails: he that gathered least gathered ten homers: and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp."
What a mighty God we serve and He is just the same today!!
Monday, October 24, 2016
"I Would Be True"!
This morning I was thinking about many things, and this old song came to my mind. I can't remember the last time I heard it, but the words caused me to stop and prayerfully search my heart.
"I would be true, for there are those who trust me.
I would be pure, for there are those who care.
I would be strong, for there is much to suffer.
I would be brave, for there is much to dare.
I would be friend of all -- the foe, the friendless.
I would be giving, and forget the gift.
I would be humble, for I know my weakness.
I would look up, and laugh, and love, and lift.
I would be prayerful through each busy moment.
I would be constantly in touch with God.
I would be tuned to hear His slightest whisper.
I would have faith to keep the path Christ trod."
As the Apostle Paul admonished Timothy, let us "be an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."
"I would be true, for there are those who trust me.
I would be pure, for there are those who care.
I would be strong, for there is much to suffer.
I would be brave, for there is much to dare.
I would be friend of all -- the foe, the friendless.
I would be giving, and forget the gift.
I would be humble, for I know my weakness.
I would look up, and laugh, and love, and lift.
I would be prayerful through each busy moment.
I would be constantly in touch with God.
I would be tuned to hear His slightest whisper.
I would have faith to keep the path Christ trod."
As the Apostle Paul admonished Timothy, let us "be an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."
Thursday, October 20, 2016
A Favorite "Vitamin"!
Lots of people take different kinds of vitamins that they hope will enhance the health of their mind and body. Well---okay---I take a few too; Calcium for healthy bones, Vitamin C, low-dose aspirin, and of course, the daily multi-vitamin for women over 50!
But my favorite "vitamin" that 'picks me up' and gives me new vigor is the mid-week prayer and praise service! Last night it was so good to pray with the family of God around the altar before we went home to listen to the last Presidential debate before the election.
Our pastor had shared with us that he had awakened at 4 am that morning, very burdened by these words---"What if the results of the election depended on your prayers?"
He then read to us from the 22nd chapter of Ezekiel, ending with the very sad words in verses 30 and 31:
"And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them: I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord God."
Perhaps we need to think deeply on this quote from O. Hallesby:
"It is necessary for the Spirit of God to burn into our hearts this mystery, that the most important work we have to do is that which must be done on our knees, alone with God, away from the bustle of the world and the plaudits of men."
But my favorite "vitamin" that 'picks me up' and gives me new vigor is the mid-week prayer and praise service! Last night it was so good to pray with the family of God around the altar before we went home to listen to the last Presidential debate before the election.
Our pastor had shared with us that he had awakened at 4 am that morning, very burdened by these words---"What if the results of the election depended on your prayers?"
He then read to us from the 22nd chapter of Ezekiel, ending with the very sad words in verses 30 and 31:
"And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them: I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord God."
Perhaps we need to think deeply on this quote from O. Hallesby:
"It is necessary for the Spirit of God to burn into our hearts this mystery, that the most important work we have to do is that which must be done on our knees, alone with God, away from the bustle of the world and the plaudits of men."
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
". . .Take My Hand"
I trust the story that inspired the words of "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" by Tommy Dorsey will be an encouragement to some hurting soul today.
"Back in 1932, I was a fairly new husband. My wife, Nettie and I were living in a little apartment on Chicago's south side. One hot August afternoon I had to go to St. Louis where I was to be the featured soloist at a large revival meeting. I didn't want to go. Nettie was in the last month of pregnancy with our first child, but a lot of people were expecting me. I kissed Nettie good-bye, clattered downstairs to our Model A and in a fresh Lake Michigan breeze, chugged out of Chicago on Route 66.
Outside the city, I discovered that in my anxiety at leaving I had forgotten my music case. I wheeled around and headed back. I found Nettie sleeping peacefully. I hesitated by her bed; something was strongly telling me to stay, but eager to get on my way, and not wanting to disturb Nettie, I shrugged off the feeling and quietly slipped out of the room.
The next night, in the steaming St. Louis heat, the crowd called on me to sing again and again. When I finally sat down, a messenger boy ran up with a Western Union telegram. I ripped open the envelope. Pasted on the yellow sheet were the words: YOUR WIFE JUST DIED!
People were happily singing and clapping around me, but I could hardly keep from crying out. I rushed to a phone and called home. All I could hear on the other end was 'Nettie is dead. Nettie is dead.'
When I got back, I learned that Nettie had given birth to a boy. I swung between grief and joy. Yet that same night, the baby died. I buried Nettie and our little boy together in the same casket. Then I fell apart.
For days I closeted myself. I felt that God had done me an injustice. I didn't want to serve Him anymore or write gospel songs. I just wanted to go back to that jazz world I once knew so well. But then, as I hunched alone in that dark apartment those first sad days, I thought back to the afternoon I went to St. Louis. Something kept telling me to stay with Nettie. Was that something God? Oh, if I had paid more attention to Him that day, I would have stayed and been with Nettie when she died.
From that moment on I vowed to listen more closely to Him. But still I was lost in grief. Everyone was kind to me, especially one friend. The following Saturday evening he took me up to Maloney's Poro College, a neighborhood music school. It was quiet; the late evening sun crept through the curtained windows.
I sat down at the piano, and my hands began to browse over the keys. Something happened to me then. I felt at peace. I felt as though I could reach out and touch God. I found myself playing a melody, and once into my head the words just seemed to fall into place:
'Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, help me stand. I am tired, I am weak, I am worn. Through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light. Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.'
The Lord gave me these words and melody. He also healed my spirit. I learned that when we are in our deepest grief, when we feel farthest from God; this is when He is closest, and when we are most open to His restoring power.
And so I go on living for God willingly and joyfully, until that day comes when He will take me and gently lead me home."
--Tommy Dorsey
"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee: yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness."
--Isaiah 41:10
"Back in 1932, I was a fairly new husband. My wife, Nettie and I were living in a little apartment on Chicago's south side. One hot August afternoon I had to go to St. Louis where I was to be the featured soloist at a large revival meeting. I didn't want to go. Nettie was in the last month of pregnancy with our first child, but a lot of people were expecting me. I kissed Nettie good-bye, clattered downstairs to our Model A and in a fresh Lake Michigan breeze, chugged out of Chicago on Route 66.
Outside the city, I discovered that in my anxiety at leaving I had forgotten my music case. I wheeled around and headed back. I found Nettie sleeping peacefully. I hesitated by her bed; something was strongly telling me to stay, but eager to get on my way, and not wanting to disturb Nettie, I shrugged off the feeling and quietly slipped out of the room.
The next night, in the steaming St. Louis heat, the crowd called on me to sing again and again. When I finally sat down, a messenger boy ran up with a Western Union telegram. I ripped open the envelope. Pasted on the yellow sheet were the words: YOUR WIFE JUST DIED!
People were happily singing and clapping around me, but I could hardly keep from crying out. I rushed to a phone and called home. All I could hear on the other end was 'Nettie is dead. Nettie is dead.'
When I got back, I learned that Nettie had given birth to a boy. I swung between grief and joy. Yet that same night, the baby died. I buried Nettie and our little boy together in the same casket. Then I fell apart.
For days I closeted myself. I felt that God had done me an injustice. I didn't want to serve Him anymore or write gospel songs. I just wanted to go back to that jazz world I once knew so well. But then, as I hunched alone in that dark apartment those first sad days, I thought back to the afternoon I went to St. Louis. Something kept telling me to stay with Nettie. Was that something God? Oh, if I had paid more attention to Him that day, I would have stayed and been with Nettie when she died.
From that moment on I vowed to listen more closely to Him. But still I was lost in grief. Everyone was kind to me, especially one friend. The following Saturday evening he took me up to Maloney's Poro College, a neighborhood music school. It was quiet; the late evening sun crept through the curtained windows.
I sat down at the piano, and my hands began to browse over the keys. Something happened to me then. I felt at peace. I felt as though I could reach out and touch God. I found myself playing a melody, and once into my head the words just seemed to fall into place:
'Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, help me stand. I am tired, I am weak, I am worn. Through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light. Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.'
The Lord gave me these words and melody. He also healed my spirit. I learned that when we are in our deepest grief, when we feel farthest from God; this is when He is closest, and when we are most open to His restoring power.
And so I go on living for God willingly and joyfully, until that day comes when He will take me and gently lead me home."
--Tommy Dorsey
"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee: yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness."
--Isaiah 41:10
Monday, October 17, 2016
Food For Thought!
As we begin another week of living for Jesus, we know not what the day will bring forth!
Let us take some time to meditate on the following little quotes:
"A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both."
"They who fear God must fear men least."
"Anytime a man takes a stand, there will come a time when he'll be tested to see how firmly his feet are planted."
"None are ever too low for God to lift up, or too high for God to cast down."
"Duty is ours; results are God's."
--John Quincy Adams
"Can God trust us to be completely obedient without questioning and without understanding so that He can perform His will and work, and use us for His glory?"
.
Let us, throughout the week, think often on the lovely little benediction in II Corinthians:
"Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen."
Let us take some time to meditate on the following little quotes:
"A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both."
"They who fear God must fear men least."
"Anytime a man takes a stand, there will come a time when he'll be tested to see how firmly his feet are planted."
"None are ever too low for God to lift up, or too high for God to cast down."
"Duty is ours; results are God's."
--John Quincy Adams
"Can God trust us to be completely obedient without questioning and without understanding so that He can perform His will and work, and use us for His glory?"
.
Let us, throughout the week, think often on the lovely little benediction in II Corinthians:
"Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen."
Friday, October 14, 2016
Autumn!
Today as I drove into town, my heart was thrilled and blessed as I viewed the magnificent handiwork of God! The trees, shimmering in the sunlight, were dressed in their beautiful autumn colors -- brilliant reds, glowing oranges and lemon yellows!
The seasons are a sweet reminder of the faithfulness of our God! The Lord spoke to Noah when he came out of the Ark and told him: "While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease."
It is a blessed comfort in this fast-paced, ever-changing, morally-corrupted world that we live in to know that God is still on the Throne; He still keeps count of the number of hairs in our heads; He is still the Almighty God; He changes not; His way is still perfect, and He is still the Ruler of this mighty universe!
So --- let's open our hearts, drink in the Autumn beauty all around us, and remember that "this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death." Amen!
The seasons are a sweet reminder of the faithfulness of our God! The Lord spoke to Noah when he came out of the Ark and told him: "While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease."
It is a blessed comfort in this fast-paced, ever-changing, morally-corrupted world that we live in to know that God is still on the Throne; He still keeps count of the number of hairs in our heads; He is still the Almighty God; He changes not; His way is still perfect, and He is still the Ruler of this mighty universe!
So --- let's open our hearts, drink in the Autumn beauty all around us, and remember that "this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death." Amen!
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
My Sabbatical
I'm not exactly sure what a Sabbatical is, but I think it is where you leave your present post of duty and do something else for a period of time. (I probably don't know much about it because I don't think Papa liked the word -- he never wanted to leave his "present post of duty")!! :)
But I have many sweet and wonderful memories of my Sabbatical---including revival services which encouraged and deepened me spiritually; the lovely wedding of my grandson, Ashton, to sweet Kayla; riding to Kansas with my sister after the wedding and enjoying a few days with her and my brother-in-law; then ending up at my son, Jonathan's, home in Kansas City and being there to see my two sweet grand-daughters, Zoe and Emma, be baptized during the church service on Sunday morning. It was a very special and precious time!
Now I am back home in my little "nest", but I am never alone for Jesus walks with me and talks with me, and He tells me that I am His own!
What a blessed privilege to love and serve Him!
Do you know Him today?
Whosoever will may come!
But I have many sweet and wonderful memories of my Sabbatical---including revival services which encouraged and deepened me spiritually; the lovely wedding of my grandson, Ashton, to sweet Kayla; riding to Kansas with my sister after the wedding and enjoying a few days with her and my brother-in-law; then ending up at my son, Jonathan's, home in Kansas City and being there to see my two sweet grand-daughters, Zoe and Emma, be baptized during the church service on Sunday morning. It was a very special and precious time!
Now I am back home in my little "nest", but I am never alone for Jesus walks with me and talks with me, and He tells me that I am His own!
What a blessed privilege to love and serve Him!
Do you know Him today?
Whosoever will may come!
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