GOD FIRST!!

It's a lovely Monday morning -- the sunshine is so very beautiful streaming in my windows!  I thought of the song, "What a Beautiful day for the Lord to come again"!  One day He is coming, and I want to keep walking with Jesus until I look upon His blessed face---what a day, glorious day, that will be!

In the meantime, I want to follow the challenge of this little poem by an unknown author and be careful to "Put God First"!

           "Don't wait until the house is all kept,
            The beds are made, the floors are swept:
            Put PRAYER first.

            Don't wait until the newspaper is read,
            Your books are balanced, and you are in bed:
            Put the BIBLE first.

            Don't wait until the cupboards are bare,
            There's nothing to depend on but God and prayer:
            Put FASTING first.

            Don't wait until the last bill is paid,
            The account is large; vacation is made:
             Put the CHURCH first.

             Don't wait until you've nothing to do,
             Until all is finished -- for we never get through:
             Put GOD first!"

Praise the Lord!!  Let us seek FIRST the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and He will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus!  No wonder the songwriter said, "It is Glory just to walk with Him"!

The Psalms!

I guess it's appropriate for my Blog to be from the Book of Psalms today, since this is also the birthday of my son, Jonathan David!  Best Wishes, Bud, for a blessed birthday!

The Book of Psalms is made up of 150 wonderful spiritual songs and poems!  These beautiful Psalms are filled with Prayer and Praise about the Word of God.  I love the excellent admonitions in the 19th Psalm! 
     "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handywork.
      Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
      There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
      Their line is gone out through all the earth; and their words to the end of the world.  In them hath He set a tabernacle for the sun,
      Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
      His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
      The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 
     The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
      The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are pure and righteous altogether.
      More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
      Moreover by them is Thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
      Who can understand his errors?  Cleanse thou me from secret faults.
      Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. 
      Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my Redeemer."

What a wonderful Psalm for us to meditate upon as we prepare our hearts for the coming Lord's Day!   May God bless you and His Presence be especially near you is my prayer.

Building up the Temple

The children sometimes sing, "We're building up the Temple, building up the Temple, building up the Temple of the Lord - - -"
It is very interesting to read about the construction of the Tabernacle in the book of Exodus (chapters 35-40).  In chapter 35, verse 4, we read:  "And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the Lord commanded---
The Lord gave Moses very detailed and explicit instructions for the building.  In chapter 39, when they were making the holy garments for Aaron, it often says---"as the Lord commanded Moses". 
In verses 42 and 43, we find these words:
     "According to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work.  And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the Lord had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them."
In chapter 40, the Lord gave instructions to Moses for setting up the Tabernacle.  At least seven times in this last chapter of Exodus, it repeats the words -- "as the Lord commanded Moses",  and in verses 33-35, we read: 
     "And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate.  So Moses finished the work.
      Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle!"  Praise the Lord!!

If we will do ALL that the Lord commands, He will lead us and His glory will fill us!
      
   

President's Day!

God has blessed our nation with many great Presidents, but Abraham Lincoln, in my opinion, was one of the greatest.  He suffered from great disappointments and losses before he came to the office of  President.  Perhaps these sorrows helped to shape and mold his character into a humble man of sterling character -- a man of prayer -- a man who loved, and sought to govern by, God's Holy Word.
On this President's Day, let us take a little time to meditate on "The Creed of Abraham Lincoln".

"I believe in God, the Almighty Ruler of Nations, our great and good and merciful Maker, our Father in heaven, who notes the fall of a sparrow and numbers the hairs of our heads.
 I believe in His eternal truth and justice.
 I believe that it is the duty of nations, as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the over-ruling power of God, and to invoke the influence of His Holy Spirit; to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon.
 I believe that it is meet and right to recognize and confess the presence of the Almighty Father equally in our triumphs and in those sorrows which we may justly fear are a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins to the needful end of our reformation.
 I believe that the Bible is the best gift which God has ever given to men; all the good from the Saviour of the world is communicated to us through this Book.
 I believe the will of God prevails.  Without Him, all human reliance is vain.  Without the assistance of that Divine Being I cannot succeed; with that assistance, I cannot fail.
 Being a humble instrument in the hands of our heavenly Father, I desire that all my works and acts may be according to His will; and that it may be so, I give thanks to the Almighty and seek His aid.
 I have a solemn oath registered in heaven to finish the work I am in, in full view of my responsibility to my God, with malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness to the right as God gives me to see the right, commending those who love me as to His care, as I hope in their prayers they will commend me.  I look, through the help of God, to a joyous meeting with many loved ones gone before."

Today, we see our nation experiencing "Perilous Times"!  Have you prayed for President Trump and the leaders of our nation today?

"Jesus is still the answer -- He's always been and always will be"!!! 

"Speak Out For Jesus"

This poem, by an unknown author, challenges my heart today!

     "You talk about your business, your bonds and stock and gold;
And in all worldly matters, you are so brave and bold.
      But why are you so silent about salvation's plan?
Why don't you speak for Jesus, and speak out like a man?

      You talk about the weather, and the crops of corn and wheat;
You speak of friends and neighbors that pass along the street;
      You call yourself a Christian, and like the gospel plan ----
Then why not speak for Jesus, and speak out like a man?

      Are you ashamed of Jesus and the story of the Cross,
That you lower His pure banner and let it suffer loss?
      Did you forget His suffering?  Did He die for you in vain?
If not, then live and speak for Jesus, and speak out like a man?

      I'd like to tell the story sweet of Jesus, wouldn't you?
To help some other folks to meet their Saviour, wouldn't you?
      I'd like to travel all the way to where I'd hear my Jesus say,
"You've helped my work along today."  I'd like that.  Wouldn't you?"

So let us keep telling the sweet story of Jesus, and as we prepare our hearts for the coming Lord's Day, may we listen for the Master's voice and be quick to answer -- "Here am I, Lord, send me"!

Valentine's Day!

I may forget lots of things, but I still remember about 60 years ago what a special and wonderful night it was when sweet Papa asked me to be his Forever Valentine!  The song says -- "Love is a Many Splendored Thing", and God's Holy Word says -- "Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it."

In today's society, when many people substitute lust for love, may we who know the Author of love show to the world how our Lord defines love in the 13th chapter of I Corinthians.  Among other things, it is kind -- it does not envy -- it does not boast -- it is not provoked -- it thinketh no evil, but rejoices in the truth.

I have read that the male EMPEROR PENGUIN demonstrates genuine love by standing almost motionless for over two months in below zero temperatures to provide the warmth necessary to incubate a single egg.  During the nesting sequence, he goes up to 120 days without eating.

Amy Carmichael once said:  "You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving."  And on this Valentine's Day, let us all remember that if we want to have happy marriages, happy homes, and happy relationships with one another, we must remember that "genuine love is giving without any expectation of personal gain."  God's Word says:  "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

God bless you, and Best Wishes for a very "sweet" and lovely Valentine's Day!
 

NOT YET!

I think I would be safe in saying that most of the time people, for whatever reason, are not very happy when they hear the two little words, "Not Yet"!  However, there are many references in the Bible that speak about "waiting on the Lord", so may the Lord help us to know when to go forward and when to be still and wait.

In John 8:20, we find these words:  "These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as He taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on Him; for His hour was NOT YET come."  This is the last of seven times in the gospel of John that the phrase "Not Yet" is used in reference to the coming death of Christ.  Even though this was the very reason Jesus came into the world, it could not be hurried.

When the mother of Jesus wanted Him to provide wine for the wedding, He said: "Mine hour is NOT YET come."  John 2:4 
When He was urged to show His mighty works in Jerusalem, He answered:  "My time is NOT YET come."  John 7:6,8
When His enemies tried to take Him at the Feast of Tabernacles, "no man laid hands on Him, because His hour was NOT YET come."  John 7:30
Even when Jesus preached His great promise of living water, John noted that "the Holy Ghost was NOT YET given; because that Jesus was NOT YET glorified."

But we know that His hour did come -- they did lay hands upon Him -- they did put Him to death -- He was glorified -- the Holy Spirit was given!  Praise the Lord!
And now -- with anticipation -- we are awaiting another great event that has NOT YET come.  "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth NOT YET appear what we shall be: but . . . . we shall be like Him."  I John 3:2
Hebrews 2:8 tell us:  "But now we see NOT YET all things put under Him", but in that great time to come, all things will be made subject to Christ! 

There is coming a day when we will hear the words, NOT YET, no more and what a glorious day it will be!  For "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him."

Won't you "Come and go with me to Glory Land"!! 

"I Will"

Sometimes people say "I Will" and then, due to circumstances or various reasons, fail to follow through on their commitment.  But it is so comforting and assuring to know that when Jesus makes a promise, it is sure to be fulfilled!! 
     In Mark 1:41, we read:  "And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth His hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I WILL; be thou clean."  God's Word says the leprosy departed from him immediately.  God's promise of "I Will" may not always come immediately, but it will come.  Don't surrender your faith!
     Matthew 4:19 says:  "Follow Me, and I WILL make you fishers of men." 
     Jesus also says in in John 6:37:  "Him that cometh to Me I WILL in no wise cast out."
     In Matthew 11:28, we find another wonderful promise to all who come to Jesus:  "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I WILL give you rest."
     John 14:21 tells us of special love to all who obey the Master.  "He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them . . . shall be loved of my Father, and I WILL love him, and will manifest Myself to him."
     There is another amazing promise in John 14:13.  "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my Name, that WILL I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."  He went on to emphasize it in the very next verse:  ""If ye shall ask anything in My Name, I WILL do it."
     And what a blessed hope we have in Jesus' promise to come back again!  John 14:3, says:  "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I WILL come again, and receive you unto Myself, that where I am, there ye may be also."
     Probably the most beautiful of all His "I Will" promises is given in His intercessory prayer in the 17th chapter of John where Jesus prays -- "Father, I WILL that they also, whom Thou hast given me, be with me where I am, that they may behold My glory."

It makes me want to sing with the songwriter:

    "Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all."

     "I WILL serve Thee because I love Thee."

PRAYER CHANGES THINGS!

Isn't it amazing that the mighty God, maker and ruler of our vast universe, wants to fellowship with you and me?  And to know that prayer is the mightiest force in the universe -- no wonder the enemy of our souls tries to hinder us in the use of it -- but sometimes we must draw in the wanderings of our mind and pray till the light breaks through!
I like this poem by an unknown author --

     "Skies seemed dark to me one morning and my thoughts were tinged with gloom,
But my eye fell on a motto that was hanging in the room.
      Silvery letters in blue background, heavenly thought on shining wings,
Brought me hope in one brief message -- it was this, "Prayer Changes Things."

      Things surround like iron mountains, things that make a thorny way--
Things that curtain cloud with doubting, things that make it hard to pray;
      Dreadful things that never happen dog our steps, but faith still sings
In our ears this golden message -- "Don't forget: Prayer Changes Things."

      We have seen some things prayer changes; greater things we yet may see.
When the Hebrews came from Egypt, prayer made pathways thru the sea.
      In the hot and dusty desert, Moses prayed and cooling springs
Gushed out from their rocky prisons, just because "Prayer Changes Things."

      We should be so very careful lest some things should change our prayers.
Pleasing things -- like lotus perfumes -- steal in on us unawares
      Until we loiter in a dreamland---slaves, but thinking we are kings.
There's a golden key to freedom -- it is this, "Prayer Changes Things."

      When we think that our surroundings keep us from the heavenly way,
Or that wealth or change will help us in some distant place or day,
      Let's remember---'tis our Saviour, not environment, that brings
Strength and blessings, peace and pleasure -- here's the way, "Prayer Changes Things."

Let's keep attending the "school of prayer".  Jesus will meet us there!

No One . . .

Last night when I came out of church, it was bitter cold, and a very strong wind had blown the snow and made little drifts across the parking lot.  When someone would open the door, frigid cold air would come rushing in.  It was not a pleasant night!
But this morning when I awakened, it was very quiet and peaceful, and my Heavenly Father had covered my world with His beautiful sunshine!  What a transformation it makes when the Master says to the stormy wind -- "Be Still"!  And how the heavens declare His glory when He erases the stormy skies and pours out His beautiful sunshine upon His creatures here below!

Perhaps there are storms raging in your life today -- open your heart to these beautiful words by Charles Weigle,  They are my testimony today!

     "I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus
Since I found in Him a friend so strong and true.
      I would tell you how He changed my life completely;
He did something that no other friend could do.

      All my life was full of sin when Jesus found me;
All my heart was full of misery and woe.
      Jesus placed His strong and loving arms around me,
And He led me in the way I ought to go.

      Every day He comes to me with new assurance,
More and more I understand His words of love.
      But I'll never know just why He came to save me,
Till some day I see His blessed face above.

      No one ever cared for me like Jesus;
There's no other friend so kind as He.
      No  one else could take the sin and darkness from me;
Oh how much He cared for me!"

      

Be Still --

In Psalm 94:19, we read:  "In the multitude of my thoughts within me Thy comforts delight my soul."  It is 4:00 on Friday afternoon, and when I think of things that need to be done before the Lord's Day, I feel a little overwhelmed!  It is in these times that I love to think of that beautiful hymn, "Be Still, my Soul."  Just the title quiets my mind and heart!

This hymn was originally written in German by Katharina von Schlegel in 1752.  Even though it was written over 300 years ago, the desires of the heart and the needs of human conditions are timeless.  I love these words -- "Leave to thy God to order and provide.  In every change, He faithful will remain."  What comforting and wonderful truth -- Jesus is providing for me, and He will Always be faithful.  Life brings many unpredictable changes, but Jesus remains the same!  His "goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life..."

So -- "Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side.  In every change He faithful will remain.  Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly Friend through thorny ways leads to a joyful end."  Amen!