This morning I found myself singing a little chorus I used to sing as a little girl -- "I'm so happy! I'm so happy! I'm so happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy! I'm so happy! I'm so happy! For Jesus is a Friend of mine!" Praise the Lord!!
On this Monday morning, as we begin a new week, how wonderful and sweet it is to have a happy heart and be walking with Jesus! The Psalmist tells us in Psalm 144 -- "Happy is that people, whose God is the Lord." So if we belong to Jesus, let us not only be happy ourselves, but endeavor to bring happiness to others as we walk with the King this week!
Monday, October 30, 2017
Friday, October 27, 2017
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Today is my youngest son's birthday! He, his two older brothers, my two grandsons, and my great grandson are all very special gifts from God! I am very proud of them and thank the Lord for each of them.
I have read this prayer by General Douglas MacArthur many times, and pray that the Lord can use my boys for His glory and the upbuilding of His kingdom!
"Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.
Build me a son whose wishbone will not be where his backbone should be; a son who will know Thee---and that to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge.
Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge. Here, let him learn to stand up in the storm; here, let him learn compassion fror those who fail.
Build me a son whose heart will be clear, whose goal will be high; a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men; one who will learn to laugh, yet never forget how to weep; one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.
And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor, so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously. Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of true greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, the meekness of true strength.
Then I, his father (mother), will dare to whisper, "I have not lived in vain." Amen!
I have read this prayer by General Douglas MacArthur many times, and pray that the Lord can use my boys for His glory and the upbuilding of His kingdom!
"Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.
Build me a son whose wishbone will not be where his backbone should be; a son who will know Thee---and that to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge.
Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge. Here, let him learn to stand up in the storm; here, let him learn compassion fror those who fail.
Build me a son whose heart will be clear, whose goal will be high; a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men; one who will learn to laugh, yet never forget how to weep; one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.
And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor, so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously. Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of true greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, the meekness of true strength.
Then I, his father (mother), will dare to whisper, "I have not lived in vain." Amen!
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
The Wilderness!
The 16th chapter of Genesis begins quite sadly, for we find Sarah deciding that she is going to "help" the Lord since she is still barren. (Do we sometimes forget that God doesn't need our help? His promise is true---He will not forget you)!
Sadly, Abraham hearkened to her voice -- and you know the rest of the story -- Sarah gave her maid, Hagar, to Abraham to be his wife; and when she conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes. Then when Sarah dealt hardly with her, she fled to the wilderness where the angel of the Lord found her.
Yes, it was several thousand years ago that this incident in scripture occurred, but I think there have probably been a few times in all of our lives when we felt like doing what Hagar did that day---fleeing to the wilderness!
The storms of life come to all of us, and there are times when we hurt; when we are misunderstood; when we suffer loneliness; when we are mistreated; when no one seems to care -- but it is so comforting to remember that Jesus always knows right where we are, and delights in sending His angel to comfort us in all our distresses.
Take courage, dear friend! It doesn't matter where you have fled to -- it doesn't matter how deep in the wilderness of doubt, despondency, and despair you may be. There is hope! You can look up and say with Hagar in the wilderness -- "Thou, God, seest me"! And, remember, God knows what we have need of before we even tell Him all about it! Praise the Lord!
Has one of God's angels found you in the wilderness today? If so -- Don't Stay There!! God's wonderful grace is sufficient for life's severest circumstances!
Get out of the wilderness today and return to your place of service! Jesus will meet you there!
Sadly, Abraham hearkened to her voice -- and you know the rest of the story -- Sarah gave her maid, Hagar, to Abraham to be his wife; and when she conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes. Then when Sarah dealt hardly with her, she fled to the wilderness where the angel of the Lord found her.
Yes, it was several thousand years ago that this incident in scripture occurred, but I think there have probably been a few times in all of our lives when we felt like doing what Hagar did that day---fleeing to the wilderness!
The storms of life come to all of us, and there are times when we hurt; when we are misunderstood; when we suffer loneliness; when we are mistreated; when no one seems to care -- but it is so comforting to remember that Jesus always knows right where we are, and delights in sending His angel to comfort us in all our distresses.
Take courage, dear friend! It doesn't matter where you have fled to -- it doesn't matter how deep in the wilderness of doubt, despondency, and despair you may be. There is hope! You can look up and say with Hagar in the wilderness -- "Thou, God, seest me"! And, remember, God knows what we have need of before we even tell Him all about it! Praise the Lord!
Has one of God's angels found you in the wilderness today? If so -- Don't Stay There!! God's wonderful grace is sufficient for life's severest circumstances!
Get out of the wilderness today and return to your place of service! Jesus will meet you there!
Monday, October 23, 2017
GIVING ALL!
Music is one of God's sweetest gifts to us, and across the years many beautiful songs have lodged in my mind. Quite often I will find myself singing a wonderful old hymn that blesses my heart and deepens my desire to make it to that beautiful city where they need no sun!
Our pastor is preaching a series of messages on Sanctification, and I am so thankful this blessed experience is still for us all today! From my heart, I like to sing -- "Nothing sweeter can be known than full surrender to the perfect will of God ----."
I was looking through the hymnal a few days ago and came across this old song, "Is Your All on the Altar" by Elisha Hoffman. I trust the words will speak to your heart.
"You have longed for sweet peace, and for faith to increase,
And have earnestly, fervently prayed.
But you cannot have rest or be perfectly blessed
Until all on the altar is laid.
Would you walk with the Lord, in the light of His Word,
And have peace and contentment always?
You must do His sweet will, to be free from all ill,
On the altar your all you must lay.
Oh, we never can know what the Lord will bestow
Of the blessings for which we have prayed
Till our body and soul He doth fully control,
And our all on the altar is laid.
Who can tell all the love He will send from above,
And how happy our hearts will be made;
Of the fellowship sweet we shall share at His feet,
When our all on the altar is laid!
Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?
Your heart does the Spirit control?
You can only be blessed, and have peace and sweet rest
As you yield Him your body and soul"
Dear friend -- Have you yielded all? ---- Nothing sweeter can be known!
Our pastor is preaching a series of messages on Sanctification, and I am so thankful this blessed experience is still for us all today! From my heart, I like to sing -- "Nothing sweeter can be known than full surrender to the perfect will of God ----."
I was looking through the hymnal a few days ago and came across this old song, "Is Your All on the Altar" by Elisha Hoffman. I trust the words will speak to your heart.
"You have longed for sweet peace, and for faith to increase,
And have earnestly, fervently prayed.
But you cannot have rest or be perfectly blessed
Until all on the altar is laid.
Would you walk with the Lord, in the light of His Word,
And have peace and contentment always?
You must do His sweet will, to be free from all ill,
On the altar your all you must lay.
Oh, we never can know what the Lord will bestow
Of the blessings for which we have prayed
Till our body and soul He doth fully control,
And our all on the altar is laid.
Who can tell all the love He will send from above,
And how happy our hearts will be made;
Of the fellowship sweet we shall share at His feet,
When our all on the altar is laid!
Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?
Your heart does the Spirit control?
You can only be blessed, and have peace and sweet rest
As you yield Him your body and soul"
Dear friend -- Have you yielded all? ---- Nothing sweeter can be known!
Friday, October 20, 2017
EBENEZER!
This word, Ebenezer, means, "Stone of Help", so we sing: "Here I raise my Ebenezer; hither by Thy help I'm come: And I hope, by Thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home."
In I Samuel 4:1, we read:
"Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Ebenezer, -- And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines."
In the 7th chapter, we again see the Philistines going up against Israel, "And the children of Israel said to Samuel: Cease not to cry unto the Lord our God for us, that He will save us out of the hand of the Philistines. -- And Samuel cried unto the Lord for Israel, and the Lord heard him! (Praise the Lord! He still hears today.) And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near, but the Lord thundered with a great thunder upon the Philistines, and they were smitten before Israel. Then Samuel took a stone and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, 'Hitherto hath the Lord helped us'!
I like this little poem by Mabel Haldeman, simply titled -- 'Ebenezer'!
"Hitherto the Lord has helped us -- all our way with Him below:
And with courage -- on we journey -- in the face of every foe.
Hitherto the Lord has helped us -- over rugged mountain way;
Through the valleys dark and dreary, He has been our strength and stay.
Hitherto the Lord has helped us -- through the storm and through the calm;
Never has nor shall forsake us -- All our life has been a Psalm,
Hitherto the Lord has helped us -- Through the flood and through the flame;
Though our circumstances varied, He has always been the same!
Hallelujah! what a Saviour!
He's the fairest of the fair;
He will keep us till we gather
At the meeting in the air!"
"Oh, to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be!
Let that grace now, like a fetter, bind my yielded heart to Thee.
Let me know Thee in Thy fullness; guide me by Thy mighty hand;
Till, transformed in Thine own image, in Thy presence I shall stand."
Amen!
In I Samuel 4:1, we read:
"Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Ebenezer, -- And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines."
In the 7th chapter, we again see the Philistines going up against Israel, "And the children of Israel said to Samuel: Cease not to cry unto the Lord our God for us, that He will save us out of the hand of the Philistines. -- And Samuel cried unto the Lord for Israel, and the Lord heard him! (Praise the Lord! He still hears today.) And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near, but the Lord thundered with a great thunder upon the Philistines, and they were smitten before Israel. Then Samuel took a stone and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, 'Hitherto hath the Lord helped us'!
I like this little poem by Mabel Haldeman, simply titled -- 'Ebenezer'!
"Hitherto the Lord has helped us -- all our way with Him below:
And with courage -- on we journey -- in the face of every foe.
Hitherto the Lord has helped us -- over rugged mountain way;
Through the valleys dark and dreary, He has been our strength and stay.
Hitherto the Lord has helped us -- through the storm and through the calm;
Never has nor shall forsake us -- All our life has been a Psalm,
Hitherto the Lord has helped us -- Through the flood and through the flame;
Though our circumstances varied, He has always been the same!
Hallelujah! what a Saviour!
He's the fairest of the fair;
He will keep us till we gather
At the meeting in the air!"
"Oh, to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be!
Let that grace now, like a fetter, bind my yielded heart to Thee.
Let me know Thee in Thy fullness; guide me by Thy mighty hand;
Till, transformed in Thine own image, in Thy presence I shall stand."
Amen!
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
Come and See!
In the first chapter of the gospel of John, in verse 35 we see John the Baptist talking with two of his disciples -- "And looking upon Jesus as He walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto Him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest Thou?
He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where He dwelt, and abode with Him that day: for it was about the tenth hour."
Just one night of abiding with Jesus changed their lives forever. Soon afterwards, Jesus extended to them another special invitation: "Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men."
Praise the Lord! What a thrill it must have been for these humble fishermen to leave their nets and follow the Master to become fishers of men!
Jesus gave so many sweet invitations to "Come" to Him. In Matthew 11:28, He said, "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest," And just to make sure we understand, Jesus tell us, "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out."
Jesus also gave some personal invitations! He spoke to Zacchaeus up in the sycamore tree and said, "Come down: for today I must abide at thy house."
Jesus spoke to His friend, Lazarus, when he was dead and bound in a tomb. When the Master cried, "Lazarus, come forth", not even the grave could prevent Lazarus from accepting his Master's call!
What a thrill it must have been for Lazarus to again look upon the face of his Master.
The final invitation of God's Word is in the last chapter of Revelation. "And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."
Perhaps you have received some gracious invitations requesting the honor of your presence at very special occasions, but you have never received an invitation to compare with this one! And you can be very certain that you are included, for "whosoever will" may come!
And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto Him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest Thou?
He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where He dwelt, and abode with Him that day: for it was about the tenth hour."
Just one night of abiding with Jesus changed their lives forever. Soon afterwards, Jesus extended to them another special invitation: "Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men."
Praise the Lord! What a thrill it must have been for these humble fishermen to leave their nets and follow the Master to become fishers of men!
Jesus gave so many sweet invitations to "Come" to Him. In Matthew 11:28, He said, "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest," And just to make sure we understand, Jesus tell us, "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out."
Jesus also gave some personal invitations! He spoke to Zacchaeus up in the sycamore tree and said, "Come down: for today I must abide at thy house."
Jesus spoke to His friend, Lazarus, when he was dead and bound in a tomb. When the Master cried, "Lazarus, come forth", not even the grave could prevent Lazarus from accepting his Master's call!
What a thrill it must have been for Lazarus to again look upon the face of his Master.
The final invitation of God's Word is in the last chapter of Revelation. "And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."
Perhaps you have received some gracious invitations requesting the honor of your presence at very special occasions, but you have never received an invitation to compare with this one! And you can be very certain that you are included, for "whosoever will" may come!
Monday, October 16, 2017
Joseph & his Master!
In the 39th chapter of Genesis, we read: "And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.
And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house and in the field.
And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand: and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured."
Perhaps you are thinking that this is a rather strange scripture to use for a devotional thought, but when I read it recently, it grabbed my attention and caused me to do a little thinking.
Joseph's master was a man of high position with wealth and authority. He had many important duties and responsibilities, yet he so trusted Joseph that he put everything he had in Joseph's hand -- never doubting his ability to take care of every detail in the proper way!
Oh, what a lesson for us! Joseph was just a man -- a captive brought down to Egypt -- but his master trusted him implicitly! And to think that we sometimes seem afraid to trust our blessed Heavenly Father who sees all, knows all, and desires only the very best for us as His children!
However, we cannot be blessed and have peace and sweet rest unless we leave all--absolutely everything that we have in the hand of Jesus, and trust Him completely to guide us in the way He knows is best for us!
If you will do it, God will be with you as He was with Joseph, and you will experience the joy of trusting and following Jesus every moment of every day!
And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house and in the field.
And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand: and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured."
Perhaps you are thinking that this is a rather strange scripture to use for a devotional thought, but when I read it recently, it grabbed my attention and caused me to do a little thinking.
Joseph's master was a man of high position with wealth and authority. He had many important duties and responsibilities, yet he so trusted Joseph that he put everything he had in Joseph's hand -- never doubting his ability to take care of every detail in the proper way!
Oh, what a lesson for us! Joseph was just a man -- a captive brought down to Egypt -- but his master trusted him implicitly! And to think that we sometimes seem afraid to trust our blessed Heavenly Father who sees all, knows all, and desires only the very best for us as His children!
However, we cannot be blessed and have peace and sweet rest unless we leave all--absolutely everything that we have in the hand of Jesus, and trust Him completely to guide us in the way He knows is best for us!
If you will do it, God will be with you as He was with Joseph, and you will experience the joy of trusting and following Jesus every moment of every day!
Friday, October 13, 2017
"CONSOLATION"!
I do not know what you have been through this week, but Jesus does--and He delights in reaching down His hand to help you through!
I trust this lovely poem, titled simply with one word by an unknown author -- "Consolation" -- will be a blessing and an encouragement to you as you prepare your heart for the coming Lord's Day if Jesus tarries.
"There is never a day so dreary but God can make it bright,
And unto the soul that trusts Him, He giveth songs in the night.
There is never a path so hidden but God can lead the way,
If we seek the Spirit's guidance and patiently wait and pray.
There is never a cross so heavy but the nail-scarred hands are there,
Outstretched in tender compassion, the burden to help us bear.
There is never a heart so broken but the Loving Lord can heal --
The heart that was pierced on Calvary doth still for His loved ones feel.
There is never a life so darkened, so hopeless and unblessed
But may be filled with the light of God and enter His promised rest.
There is never a sin or a sorrow, there is never a care or a loss--
But that we may bring it to Jesus and leave it at the foot of the Cross!"
Heartaches? Give them all to Jesus!
I trust this lovely poem, titled simply with one word by an unknown author -- "Consolation" -- will be a blessing and an encouragement to you as you prepare your heart for the coming Lord's Day if Jesus tarries.
"There is never a day so dreary but God can make it bright,
And unto the soul that trusts Him, He giveth songs in the night.
There is never a path so hidden but God can lead the way,
If we seek the Spirit's guidance and patiently wait and pray.
There is never a cross so heavy but the nail-scarred hands are there,
Outstretched in tender compassion, the burden to help us bear.
There is never a heart so broken but the Loving Lord can heal --
The heart that was pierced on Calvary doth still for His loved ones feel.
There is never a life so darkened, so hopeless and unblessed
But may be filled with the light of God and enter His promised rest.
There is never a sin or a sorrow, there is never a care or a loss--
But that we may bring it to Jesus and leave it at the foot of the Cross!"
Heartaches? Give them all to Jesus!
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Contentment -- Chaos
The Apostle Paul said in the wonderful little book of Philippians -- "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."
It seems, that even for the great Apostle, contentment was not always automatic. Even Paul had to take a few courses in the School of Learning, but he didn't quit or give up along the way -- he didn't stop short of the victory!
He pursued in the course until he could say in Philippians 4:12-13:
"I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Praise the Lord!! What a wonderful testimony, and a great challenge for us to make sure we finish the course and graduate with honors from the School of Contentment!!
Today, sadly, our world seems to be filled with Chaos -- confusion and strife of every kind. Don't become a part of this School -- the Lord has some special blessings awaiting you in the School of Contentment!
If you have not yet enrolled -- do it today! You will Love this Wonderful School!!
It seems, that even for the great Apostle, contentment was not always automatic. Even Paul had to take a few courses in the School of Learning, but he didn't quit or give up along the way -- he didn't stop short of the victory!
He pursued in the course until he could say in Philippians 4:12-13:
"I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Praise the Lord!! What a wonderful testimony, and a great challenge for us to make sure we finish the course and graduate with honors from the School of Contentment!!
Today, sadly, our world seems to be filled with Chaos -- confusion and strife of every kind. Don't become a part of this School -- the Lord has some special blessings awaiting you in the School of Contentment!
If you have not yet enrolled -- do it today! You will Love this Wonderful School!!
Monday, October 9, 2017
Monday Morning Praises!
"I am blessed! I am blessed! Every day that I live I am blessed! When I wake up in the morning until I lay my head to rest -- I am blessed! I am blessed!" Praise the Lord! What a sweet reality to know that I belong to the King of the Ages and, along with the little tiny sparrow, He watches over me and never leaves me alone! I'm 'Living by Faith' and 'It is Glory just to walk with Him.'
And my heart overflows with thankfulness and praise when I remember that "Jesus is Still the Answer" for your every need today!
"Some men try so hard to prove that God's not really real,
While others say they know for sure His love you cannot feel;
But I know He's real within my soul, for one day He cleansed and made me whole;
And Jesus is still the answer for that longing deep in your soul.
Some men pretend that things of this world have brought them peace of mind,
But with the dawn of each new day, new thrills they try to find;
Not until they meet the Prince of Peace can they ever hope to find relief;
For Jesus is still the answer for a world that's seeking for peace.
Jesus is still the answer, and though time and ages roll,
Jesus is still the answer -- He's the answer for your soul;
And though some may say He doesn't fit with their philosophy,
I know Jesus is still the answer: He's always been and always will be!
--Lanny Wolfe
Will you 'Let Him Have His Way With Thee'?
And my heart overflows with thankfulness and praise when I remember that "Jesus is Still the Answer" for your every need today!
"Some men try so hard to prove that God's not really real,
While others say they know for sure His love you cannot feel;
But I know He's real within my soul, for one day He cleansed and made me whole;
And Jesus is still the answer for that longing deep in your soul.
Some men pretend that things of this world have brought them peace of mind,
But with the dawn of each new day, new thrills they try to find;
Not until they meet the Prince of Peace can they ever hope to find relief;
For Jesus is still the answer for a world that's seeking for peace.
Jesus is still the answer, and though time and ages roll,
Jesus is still the answer -- He's the answer for your soul;
And though some may say He doesn't fit with their philosophy,
I know Jesus is still the answer: He's always been and always will be!
--Lanny Wolfe
Will you 'Let Him Have His Way With Thee'?
Friday, October 6, 2017
A Rock -- A Shelter!
I want to share with you today part of an article I read by Mrs. Arnold Hodgin:
"We were in the wilds of Africa, headed for a mission station in Northern Rhodesia. The head missionary, Bro. Taylor and his wife, had been there many years laboring for souls.
Bro Taylor had killed many lions. He was fearless and bold, but just before our visit there, one of the lions was too strong for him. The lion had bothered the natives, and Bro. Taylor went out to kill it. Sadly, he was mauled to death -- brought in, bleeding and broken. With the help of missionaries and his dear wife, they tenderly cared for him, but soon he passed away and was buried in the little courtyard.
It was just about this time that we were headed for that station. We became lost in the jungle! We were in an old, broken-down car that would not go, getting stuck in the mud. We had to leave the car and try to find our way to the mission station. We did not know what direction to go and could not speak a word of the language. Ir was late at night. We had a flashlight, and we tried to find a path. We found that we were about five miles from the mission station. It was a hard journey. I nearly fainted when I heard the bark of a dog. I never was so glad to hear a dog bark as I was then, and I said to my husband --'That is the bark of a missionary's dog?'
'What makes you think it is a missionary's dog?'
'Well, he has a sort of satisfied bark. He is a white man's dog. A heathen man's dog has an angry, snarling bark. He never has enough to eat."
(Hmmm! I wonder about our 'bark' -- our speech and conversation! Is our speech filled with love and kindness, or do we have an angry 'bark'? Well, Jesus has plenty for us to eat -- just Come and Dine at the Master's table -- there's plenty of room for the family and plenty of love to go around!!)
Well, it was a missionary's dog, and soon through the darkness we saw a white fence. We knew we were nearing a mission station. We had walked five miles through the lion infested country.
The following day during morning prayers, the little widow who had laid her husband away in the mission yard told us to open the meeting with a hymn, and said: 'Let us all sing, A Mighty Fortress is our God; A Bulwark never failing.'
Truly -- our God is a mighty fortress; A Rock in a weary land, and a shelter in the time of storm!"
"We were in the wilds of Africa, headed for a mission station in Northern Rhodesia. The head missionary, Bro. Taylor and his wife, had been there many years laboring for souls.
Bro Taylor had killed many lions. He was fearless and bold, but just before our visit there, one of the lions was too strong for him. The lion had bothered the natives, and Bro. Taylor went out to kill it. Sadly, he was mauled to death -- brought in, bleeding and broken. With the help of missionaries and his dear wife, they tenderly cared for him, but soon he passed away and was buried in the little courtyard.
It was just about this time that we were headed for that station. We became lost in the jungle! We were in an old, broken-down car that would not go, getting stuck in the mud. We had to leave the car and try to find our way to the mission station. We did not know what direction to go and could not speak a word of the language. Ir was late at night. We had a flashlight, and we tried to find a path. We found that we were about five miles from the mission station. It was a hard journey. I nearly fainted when I heard the bark of a dog. I never was so glad to hear a dog bark as I was then, and I said to my husband --'That is the bark of a missionary's dog?'
'What makes you think it is a missionary's dog?'
'Well, he has a sort of satisfied bark. He is a white man's dog. A heathen man's dog has an angry, snarling bark. He never has enough to eat."
(Hmmm! I wonder about our 'bark' -- our speech and conversation! Is our speech filled with love and kindness, or do we have an angry 'bark'? Well, Jesus has plenty for us to eat -- just Come and Dine at the Master's table -- there's plenty of room for the family and plenty of love to go around!!)
Well, it was a missionary's dog, and soon through the darkness we saw a white fence. We knew we were nearing a mission station. We had walked five miles through the lion infested country.
The following day during morning prayers, the little widow who had laid her husband away in the mission yard told us to open the meeting with a hymn, and said: 'Let us all sing, A Mighty Fortress is our God; A Bulwark never failing.'
Truly -- our God is a mighty fortress; A Rock in a weary land, and a shelter in the time of storm!"
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
The Almighty God!
In Genesis 17:1, we read these wonderful words: "And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God: walk before Me, and be thou perfect."
I read in a little devotional booklet published by the Institute for Creation Research that this is the first of 48 occurrences of God by the term "Almighty" in the Old Testament! There are also nine times in the New Testament where God is called "Almighty", and once where He is called "omnipotent".
The last time it occurs is very near the end of the Bible, where it tells us that there is no special temple in the Holy City. Revelation 21:22 says: "And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it."
So we see that in the very first and the very last books of God's Holy Word, and often in between, we are reminded that our God is an omnipotent God. I love the wonderful verse in Jeremiah 32:17:
"Ah Lord God! behold, Thou hast made the heaven and the earth by Thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for Thee." (Praise the Lord)
Sarah "laughed" when God said that she would bear a son in her old age, but God answered her with these wonderful words: "Is anything too hard for the Lord"?
Many years later, the angel spoke similar words to the Virgin Mary concerning the birth of Jesus -- "With God nothing shall be impossible."
Maybe we can sum up our thoughts today in these words of the Lord to His prophet, Jeremiah:
"Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for me?"
I read in a little devotional booklet published by the Institute for Creation Research that this is the first of 48 occurrences of God by the term "Almighty" in the Old Testament! There are also nine times in the New Testament where God is called "Almighty", and once where He is called "omnipotent".
The last time it occurs is very near the end of the Bible, where it tells us that there is no special temple in the Holy City. Revelation 21:22 says: "And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it."
So we see that in the very first and the very last books of God's Holy Word, and often in between, we are reminded that our God is an omnipotent God. I love the wonderful verse in Jeremiah 32:17:
"Ah Lord God! behold, Thou hast made the heaven and the earth by Thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for Thee." (Praise the Lord)
Sarah "laughed" when God said that she would bear a son in her old age, but God answered her with these wonderful words: "Is anything too hard for the Lord"?
Many years later, the angel spoke similar words to the Virgin Mary concerning the birth of Jesus -- "With God nothing shall be impossible."
Maybe we can sum up our thoughts today in these words of the Lord to His prophet, Jeremiah:
"Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for me?"
Monday, October 2, 2017
The Ant!
Good Morning! I trust you awakened this morning with your heart full of Praise and Thanksgiving to our wonderful Lord! What a sweet and blessed privilege it is to be "A Child of the King"!
The book of Proverbs contains many wonderful little sayings concerning wisdom. In the 6th chapter, we find this interesting bit of instruction: "Go to the ant -- consider her ways, and be wise."
A story is related in "Cassell's Natural History" of a gentleman who laid a piece of sweetmeat on the table, and then picked up an ant and placed it on the sweetmeat. He was surprised to see the little creature go down by one of the legs of the table and seek his fellows. They appeared to have understood the news. He then at once turned back, followed by a long train of his fellow citizens and took them to the prize.
I believe there is a lesson that we can learn from the little ant in this story. If we know the sweetness of salvation -- if we have tasted and know that the Lord is good -- we will desire to share it with others! Let us ask the Lord to use us and make us a blessing to someone today!
The book of Proverbs contains many wonderful little sayings concerning wisdom. In the 6th chapter, we find this interesting bit of instruction: "Go to the ant -- consider her ways, and be wise."
A story is related in "Cassell's Natural History" of a gentleman who laid a piece of sweetmeat on the table, and then picked up an ant and placed it on the sweetmeat. He was surprised to see the little creature go down by one of the legs of the table and seek his fellows. They appeared to have understood the news. He then at once turned back, followed by a long train of his fellow citizens and took them to the prize.
I believe there is a lesson that we can learn from the little ant in this story. If we know the sweetness of salvation -- if we have tasted and know that the Lord is good -- we will desire to share it with others! Let us ask the Lord to use us and make us a blessing to someone today!
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