Today is Good Friday which speaks of agony, betrayal, arrest with swords and staves; even saying in Matthew 26:65-68 -- "Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard His blasphemy.
What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.
Then did they spit in His face, and buffeted Him; and others smote Him with the palms of their hands, saying, Prophesy unto us, Thou Christ, who is he that smote Thee?"
The Scripture continues with the denial of Peter, the Sanhedrin delivering Jesus to Pilate, and Jesus being interrogated by Pilate. Matthew goes on to give us Barabbas being released, and our King, Jesus, being crowned with thorns and led away to crucifixion!
But as I have read and meditated on these last events in Jesus' earthly ministry this week, I have been drawn over and over to Jesus standing before Pilate at the judgment seat. Verse 19 of chapter 27 says: "When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just Man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of Him". But the multitude was screaming for the release of Barabbas!
The answer of Pilate is what has haunted my mind down through the week -- "What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ"? It is a personal question that each of us must answer!
I trust that as we look forward to celebrating the Resurrection this Sunday morning, you will be able to sing from the depths of your heart:
"You ask me how I know He lives -- He lives within my heart"!!!
Friday, March 30, 2018
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
The Garden!
It is very hard to walk with Jesus today to the Garden and see Him agonizing there. This scene (Luke 22:39-44) grips my heart as I see Jesus, in His humanity, agonizing in prayer and pleading with His Heavenly Father to remove the cup, if it be possible -- but then, the Scripture says He adds these blessed words of complete surrender to the Father's will -- "Nevertheless not My will, but Thine, be done". God's Word says that Jesus was in such travail of soul that an angel from heaven came and strengthened Him.
He then rose up from prayer, went to His disciples and found them sleeping. There must have been great sadness in Jesus' heart and voice when He said -- "Could you not watch with me one hour"? Jesus went back to the place of prayer again, and was in great agony -- praying even more earnestly until He sweat great drops of blood! But when He rose up from prayer this time, it was settled! Praise the Lord!
He was ready for the multitude, the betrayal kiss of Judas, the denial of Peter, the sentencing of Pilate, the deriding of the rulers, the mockery of the soldiers, until He could say from the Cross -- "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."
I have often meditated on this scene in the Garden. It shows me a beautiful picture of complete and humble surrender to the Father's will! I'm so very thankful today that I've been to the Garden, and found that "Nothing Sweeter can be known than Full Surrender to the Perfect Will of God"!
Have you had a Gethsemane?
Monday, March 26, 2018
Walking With Jesus!
Yesterday was such a blessed day at church as the crowd waved their Palm branches and sang "In the New Jerusalem"! But today, as I walk with Jesus on the journey to the Cross, He seems very quiet. I wonder -- What is He thinking? Is His heart grieved and sad because He knows that many, perhaps most, of the same people who were shouting "Hosanna" yesterday will soon be shouting "Crucify Him"!
Is He looking ahead to the agony in the Garden -- the mob coming to arrest Him with swords and staves -- mocking Him -- smiting Him -- striking Him on the face? Is He thinking of Peter, one of the inner circle, who would soon be denying Him, saying, "I know Him not"?
Or -- was He looking beyond Calvary at me, and thinking:
"I gave My life for thee; My precious blood I shed.
That thou mightest ransomed be, and quickened from the dead.
I gave, I gave, My life for thee. What hast thou given for Me"?
It humbles me, and makes me want to kneel reverently and answer --
"Not just a part or half of my heart; I will give All to Thee"!
Is He looking ahead to the agony in the Garden -- the mob coming to arrest Him with swords and staves -- mocking Him -- smiting Him -- striking Him on the face? Is He thinking of Peter, one of the inner circle, who would soon be denying Him, saying, "I know Him not"?
Or -- was He looking beyond Calvary at me, and thinking:
"I gave My life for thee; My precious blood I shed.
That thou mightest ransomed be, and quickened from the dead.
I gave, I gave, My life for thee. What hast thou given for Me"?
It humbles me, and makes me want to kneel reverently and answer --
"Not just a part or half of my heart; I will give All to Thee"!
Friday, March 23, 2018
Palm Sunday!
It is such a beautiful day---"let everything that hath breath, praise the Lord"! The sun is shining so beautifully, and the birds have been singing so sweetly! I am reminded of the lovely words in the first chapter of The Song of Solomon:
"For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come. . ."
And that reminds me that this Sunday is Palm Sunday! Can't you just picture in your mind how thrilling it would have been to be among the crowd that day in Jerusalem when they heard that Jesus was coming! The Bible tells us in the 11th chapter of Mark's gospel that Jesus sent two of His disciples into the village to bring a colt that no man had ever sat upon.
"And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and He sat upon him.
And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way.
And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna: Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord:
Blessed be the kingdom of our Father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest"!
I wasn't in the crowd that day so long ago, but I am in the crowd today, and this Palm Sunday, the Lord willing, I plan to be waving my Palm branches and singing, "In the New Jerusalem"!
"There'll be singing, there'll be shouting when the saints come marching home,
In Jerusalem, in Jerusalem;
Waving palms with loud hosannas as the King shall take His throne,
In the new Jerusalem"!
"For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come. . ."
And that reminds me that this Sunday is Palm Sunday! Can't you just picture in your mind how thrilling it would have been to be among the crowd that day in Jerusalem when they heard that Jesus was coming! The Bible tells us in the 11th chapter of Mark's gospel that Jesus sent two of His disciples into the village to bring a colt that no man had ever sat upon.
"And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and He sat upon him.
And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way.
And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna: Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord:
Blessed be the kingdom of our Father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest"!
I wasn't in the crowd that day so long ago, but I am in the crowd today, and this Palm Sunday, the Lord willing, I plan to be waving my Palm branches and singing, "In the New Jerusalem"!
"There'll be singing, there'll be shouting when the saints come marching home,
In Jerusalem, in Jerusalem;
Waving palms with loud hosannas as the King shall take His throne,
In the new Jerusalem"!
Thursday, March 22, 2018
A Burning Heart!
Today when I opened my little devotional calendar containing quotes from Oswald Chambers, my eyes fell upon these words -- "We must learn to maintain the secret of the burning heart----a heart that can go through anything."
My eyes filled with tears, and I thought about how we need burning hearts and how Jesus warned us to guard against lukewarmness!
In the 24th chapter of Luke we find Jesus walking with two disciples on the road to Emmaus. "And it came to pass, as He sat at meat with them, He took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
And their eyes were opened, and they knew Him: and He vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the Scriptures"?
The entire quote says: "We must learn to maintain the secret of the burning heart---a heart that can go through anything. It is the simple, dreary day, with its commonplace duties and people, that smothers the burning heart----unless we have learned the secret of abiding in Jesus."
"Heavenly Father, may we keep the fire burning continually on the altar of our hearts, ever digging deeper and climbing higher until the day we see your blessed face! In Jesus' name, Amen."
My eyes filled with tears, and I thought about how we need burning hearts and how Jesus warned us to guard against lukewarmness!
In the 24th chapter of Luke we find Jesus walking with two disciples on the road to Emmaus. "And it came to pass, as He sat at meat with them, He took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
And their eyes were opened, and they knew Him: and He vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the Scriptures"?
The entire quote says: "We must learn to maintain the secret of the burning heart---a heart that can go through anything. It is the simple, dreary day, with its commonplace duties and people, that smothers the burning heart----unless we have learned the secret of abiding in Jesus."
"Heavenly Father, may we keep the fire burning continually on the altar of our hearts, ever digging deeper and climbing higher until the day we see your blessed face! In Jesus' name, Amen."
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
A Friend!
What a blessing it is to have a true friend -- someone you know will "come in" when all the rest of the world seems to have "gone out"! I am thankful to have a friend like that, and several years ago she sent me a little card with a beautiful picture of the majestic Matterhorn in Switzerland lifting its lofty peak up to the heavens! At the foot of the mountain are these words:
"THANKS For Helping Me Climb The Mountains In My Life"!
Perhaps you have a friend that needs your help to climb a mountain in their life today; or, perhaps you have a mountain in your own life and feel there is no answer and no way to climb it!
I'm glad I can tell you that Jesus is still the answer -- He still specializes in things we think are impossible, and He can still do what no other power can do!!
And, by the way, it would probably encourage you in your climb up the mountain to remember past victories, thank the Lord for His faithfulness and praise Him for the blessed privilege of living for Jesus! Maybe you could testify about it in your mid-week Prayer and Praise service tonight! The Lord may want to use you to encourage someone else who is struggling to climb the Mountain!!
"THANKS For Helping Me Climb The Mountains In My Life"!
Perhaps you have a friend that needs your help to climb a mountain in their life today; or, perhaps you have a mountain in your own life and feel there is no answer and no way to climb it!
I'm glad I can tell you that Jesus is still the answer -- He still specializes in things we think are impossible, and He can still do what no other power can do!!
And, by the way, it would probably encourage you in your climb up the mountain to remember past victories, thank the Lord for His faithfulness and praise Him for the blessed privilege of living for Jesus! Maybe you could testify about it in your mid-week Prayer and Praise service tonight! The Lord may want to use you to encourage someone else who is struggling to climb the Mountain!!
Monday, March 19, 2018
Anxiety!
Anxiety! Not a word that brings joy and peace to our hearts, but it does seem to be a word that often tries to find a lodging place in our minds. Well, I have good news for you! Jesus has a wonderful cure for anxiety that He gives to us in His sermon on the mount in the 6th chapter of Matthew. Listen to His beautiful words:
"Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your Heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
And why take ye thought for raiment? consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin.
And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? Or, what shall we drink? Or, wherewithal shall we be clothed?
(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek): for your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness: and all these things shall be added unto you.
Take therefore no thought for the morrow; for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."
Praise the Lord for these wonderful promises of our Heavenly Father's care and provision! I like these words from Oswald Chambers:
"Showing no concern for the uncertainties that lie ahead is the secret of walking with Jesus."
The songwriter said:
"All your anxiety -- All your care. Bring to the mercy seat -- Leave it there!
Never a burden He cannot bear -- Never a friend like Jesus!"
"Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your Heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
And why take ye thought for raiment? consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin.
And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? Or, what shall we drink? Or, wherewithal shall we be clothed?
(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek): for your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness: and all these things shall be added unto you.
Take therefore no thought for the morrow; for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."
Praise the Lord for these wonderful promises of our Heavenly Father's care and provision! I like these words from Oswald Chambers:
"Showing no concern for the uncertainties that lie ahead is the secret of walking with Jesus."
The songwriter said:
"All your anxiety -- All your care. Bring to the mercy seat -- Leave it there!
Never a burden He cannot bear -- Never a friend like Jesus!"
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
ALL THINGS POSSIBLE
In the first book of the Bible -- Genesis 18:14 -- we find this interesting question. "Is anything too hard for the Lord"? Then the prophet Jeremiah seems to answer the question in Jeremiah 32:17: "Ah Lord God . . . there is nothing too hard for Thee"! What a wonderful promise!
Again in Matthew 19:26, we read: ". . . But with God all things are possible"! And closely related in Luke 1:37 is this blessed promise -- "For with God nothing shall be impossible"!
Aren't these wonderful promises to claim in these days of uncertainty? But sometimes as we look at the "impossible" things facing us, we are tempted to think that these promises were great for these men of old, or even for others today, but not me. We seem to sometimes think our situation is a little bit different---more complex---no one understands---and well, it's just---just impossible!!
But God is no respector of persons! It's true that "Every promise in the Book is mine; every chapter, every verse, every line!" These precious promises are not just for my pastor, or my Sunday School teacher, or my friends, or the missionaries --- they are for ME! So let's claim them! It is our blessed privilege and our God-given right!
"Got any rivers you think are uncrossable; got any mountains you can't tunnel through;
God specializes in things thought impossible, and He will do what no other power can do"!
Yes, "He makes all things possible and He's a friend of mine---Blessed Jesus, He's the one!"
Again in Matthew 19:26, we read: ". . . But with God all things are possible"! And closely related in Luke 1:37 is this blessed promise -- "For with God nothing shall be impossible"!
Aren't these wonderful promises to claim in these days of uncertainty? But sometimes as we look at the "impossible" things facing us, we are tempted to think that these promises were great for these men of old, or even for others today, but not me. We seem to sometimes think our situation is a little bit different---more complex---no one understands---and well, it's just---just impossible!!
But God is no respector of persons! It's true that "Every promise in the Book is mine; every chapter, every verse, every line!" These precious promises are not just for my pastor, or my Sunday School teacher, or my friends, or the missionaries --- they are for ME! So let's claim them! It is our blessed privilege and our God-given right!
"Got any rivers you think are uncrossable; got any mountains you can't tunnel through;
God specializes in things thought impossible, and He will do what no other power can do"!
Yes, "He makes all things possible and He's a friend of mine---Blessed Jesus, He's the one!"
Monday, March 12, 2018
More Than Conquerors!
I love this beautiful scripture from the 8th chapter of Romans:
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
As it is written, For Thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Praise the Lord for this blessed and encouraging promise!!
This scripture brings to mind this wonderful quote by Oswald Chambers:
"Huge waves that would frighten an ordinary swimmer produce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden them. Let's apply that to our own circumstances. The things we try to avoid and fight against --- tribulation, suffering, and persecution --- are the very things that produce abundant joy in us."
We find this very hard to "swallow" -- like bitter medicine -- but we probably all know some dear saints who have used their sufferings as a stepping stone to draw them closer to Jesus! Let us determine to make our circumstances "stepping stones" and not "stumbling blocks!"
I am very thankful that the words of this wonderful song can be a reality in your heart today:
"Nothing sweeter can be known than full surrender to the perfect will of God eternally!
Like a bird that's found its nest -- so my soul has found its rest;
In the center of the will of God!"
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
As it is written, For Thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Praise the Lord for this blessed and encouraging promise!!
This scripture brings to mind this wonderful quote by Oswald Chambers:
"Huge waves that would frighten an ordinary swimmer produce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden them. Let's apply that to our own circumstances. The things we try to avoid and fight against --- tribulation, suffering, and persecution --- are the very things that produce abundant joy in us."
We find this very hard to "swallow" -- like bitter medicine -- but we probably all know some dear saints who have used their sufferings as a stepping stone to draw them closer to Jesus! Let us determine to make our circumstances "stepping stones" and not "stumbling blocks!"
I am very thankful that the words of this wonderful song can be a reality in your heart today:
"Nothing sweeter can be known than full surrender to the perfect will of God eternally!
Like a bird that's found its nest -- so my soul has found its rest;
In the center of the will of God!"
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
"Taking The Next Step"
I like this devotional thought by Oswald Chambers --
"The thing that really testifies for God, and for the people of God, in the long run is steady perseverance---even when the work cannot be seen by others. And the only way to live an undefeated life is to live looking unto God. Ask God to keep the eyes of your spirit open to the risen Christ, and it will be impossible for drudgery to discourage you."
What a challenging quote! We must persevere and press on! It really doesn't matter what others think or see -- it is our Master that we are endeavoring to please. So "let us run with patience the race that is set before us; looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith: who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Such wonderful words from the 12th Chapter of Hebrews.
And when I think of looking unto Jesus, I think of the beautiful hymn by C. F. Weigle -- "Living For Jesus".
"Living for Jesus, oh, what peace! Rivers of pleasure never cease.
Trials may come, yet, I'll not fear. Living for Jesus--He is near.
Living for Jesus, oh, what rest! Pleasing my Saviour, I am blest.
Only to live for Him alone--Doing His will till life is done.
Living for Jesus, everywhere. All of my burdens He doth bear.
Friends may forsake me; He'll be true. Trusting in Him, He'll guide me through.
Living for Jesus, till at last into His glory I have passed;
There to behold Him on His throne--Hear from His lips, "My child, well done!"
Let's Keep Taking the Next Step!!
"The thing that really testifies for God, and for the people of God, in the long run is steady perseverance---even when the work cannot be seen by others. And the only way to live an undefeated life is to live looking unto God. Ask God to keep the eyes of your spirit open to the risen Christ, and it will be impossible for drudgery to discourage you."
What a challenging quote! We must persevere and press on! It really doesn't matter what others think or see -- it is our Master that we are endeavoring to please. So "let us run with patience the race that is set before us; looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith: who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Such wonderful words from the 12th Chapter of Hebrews.
And when I think of looking unto Jesus, I think of the beautiful hymn by C. F. Weigle -- "Living For Jesus".
"Living for Jesus, oh, what peace! Rivers of pleasure never cease.
Trials may come, yet, I'll not fear. Living for Jesus--He is near.
Living for Jesus, oh, what rest! Pleasing my Saviour, I am blest.
Only to live for Him alone--Doing His will till life is done.
Living for Jesus, everywhere. All of my burdens He doth bear.
Friends may forsake me; He'll be true. Trusting in Him, He'll guide me through.
Living for Jesus, till at last into His glory I have passed;
There to behold Him on His throne--Hear from His lips, "My child, well done!"
Let's Keep Taking the Next Step!!
Monday, March 5, 2018
PEACE!
The Apostle Paul was writing to his "dearly beloved son" and greets him: "To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord."
Multitudes are running to and fro today seeking for peace --- something that will satisfy that longing in their soul, not realizing that peace is much more than just a lack of anxiety. True, lasting peace is a contentment that comes from God. Jesus said in John 14:27 -- "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you." This peace is "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding" and shall keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus!
I love these beautiful words from the hymn, "Wonderful Peace", by W. D. Cornell.
"Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight rolls a melody sweeter than Psalm:
In celestial like strains it unceasingly falls o'er my soul like an infinite calm.
What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace, buried deep in the heart of my soul:
So secure that no power can mine it away while the years of eternity roll.
I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace, resting sweetly in Jesus' control:
For I'm kept from all danger by night and by day, and His glory is flooding my soul.
Peace! Peace! wonderful peace -- coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray, in fathomless billows of love."
Are you searching for peace today? There's still room at the Cross for you!
Multitudes are running to and fro today seeking for peace --- something that will satisfy that longing in their soul, not realizing that peace is much more than just a lack of anxiety. True, lasting peace is a contentment that comes from God. Jesus said in John 14:27 -- "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you." This peace is "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding" and shall keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus!
I love these beautiful words from the hymn, "Wonderful Peace", by W. D. Cornell.
"Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight rolls a melody sweeter than Psalm:
In celestial like strains it unceasingly falls o'er my soul like an infinite calm.
What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace, buried deep in the heart of my soul:
So secure that no power can mine it away while the years of eternity roll.
I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace, resting sweetly in Jesus' control:
For I'm kept from all danger by night and by day, and His glory is flooding my soul.
Peace! Peace! wonderful peace -- coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray, in fathomless billows of love."
Are you searching for peace today? There's still room at the Cross for you!
Friday, March 2, 2018
Teach Us . . .
As we look to the coming Lord's Day, perhaps it would be well for us to spend some time in God's presence, searching our hearts, and meditating on this challenging prayer:
"Teach us, dear Lord, to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labor and not to ask for any reward save that of knowing that we do Thy will"!
And perhaps we should add this wonderful admonition also:
"A loving disposition leads us to pass by the faults of others; to forgive offences against ourselves."
Remember -- "The toils of the road will seem nothing, when we get to the end of the way!"
"Teach us, dear Lord, to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labor and not to ask for any reward save that of knowing that we do Thy will"!
And perhaps we should add this wonderful admonition also:
"A loving disposition leads us to pass by the faults of others; to forgive offences against ourselves."
Remember -- "The toils of the road will seem nothing, when we get to the end of the way!"
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