Monday, April 30, 2018

Life Is Too Brief --

In the little book of the Epistle of James, we find these words of admonition:
     "Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
      Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow.  For what is your life?  It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.  For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that." 

Yesterday was a blessed day as I worshiped with the family of God in the house of the Lord on His holy day!  Our pastor preached a wonderful message about heaven, and I thought of what a glorious day it will be when the saints go marching in.  We cannot fathom all the joys that await us in the Beautiful City of God!

My heart was full of thanksgiving and rejoicing all through the day, and in the afternoon I read this little poem by Kathryn Blackburn Peck in the Sunday School paper.  It is so very true!  Let us be careful to walk in obedience to God's Holy Word, and let nothing between our soul and the Saviour!

     "Life is too brief for holding bitterness within us -- for complaints, demanding why
the clouds of sorrow poured their heavy rains often upon us--passing others by.
      Life is too fleeting to let hate and spite possess our souls --- oh, even for an hour!
The understanding word, the kindly smile, can clear the way for love--and love is power.

      Life is too great for letting petty things encumber us.  Soon earthbound eyes shall see,
And feet so stumbling here shall walk with grace through endless vistas of eternity.
      Then look above the turbulence of now.  Press on to that fair haven of relief.
Center thy trust in loving Providence, and give no place to doubt --- life is too brief!"

May God bless you as you walk humbly -- moment by moment with Him !     

Friday, April 27, 2018

We Remember -- We are Blessed!

The family and I have traveled down memory's lane this week as we have remembered that night three years ago when Dad took his flight to heaven and laid down the cross for a crown! 
Today on my Blog, I just want to say "Thank You" --

Thank You to my Heavenly Father who doeth all things well!
Thank You to dear friends who took the time to post on Facebook very kind words about Dad.  They were a great blessing to me, and encouraged my heart.  I thanked my Heavenly Father again for the sweet promise I felt He gave me when Dad went to heaven.  I have written in my Bible -- "The Holy Spirit seemed to impress these words on my heart."  The words are from the 11th chapter of Hebrews (Dad's favorite book) -- ". . .he being dead yet speaketh."

I would like to share some of the words Bro. Wane Ninjipa, Chairman of the Papua New Guinea Bible Church, who is here in the States, sent to his daughter:

     "I am in Indianapolis without my friend, Dr. Gene Hood.  I missed seeing him at the airport where he usually picked up my suitcase and my laptop bag too.  I missed staying at his place.  I missed having lunch with him at the Cracker Barrel or McDonald's.  I miss him for the role he played in supporting PNG Bible Church and finally leaving me on that fateful Friday morning without saying anything. 
     I got up that morning and watched a video clip from EMTV of the people coming for the presentation of the 1611 Original King James Bible to the PNG National Parliament Speaker.  Bro. Hood was so excited when he got a phone call, and said -- "The men are already in California!  We need to clean this place for those very important officials to sit and use it tomorrow to eat the Mumu!"  He took out the lawnmower and gave two rakes to Ivan and myself to rake leaves from the front of the house while he mowed.
     The last I saw him alive was when he was talking to someone on the phone.  A few minutes later, I did not see him standing and thought that he must have gone into the house.  I did not see my friend fall and lay along side of the road.  Win called the ambulance and they rushed him to the hospital.  We tried everything we could, but it did not do anything to bring Bro. Hood back.  He was taken from among us and all he told me was that "he had a wonderful family, and that he squared up everything, and waited for me and a telephone call."
     A great man was taken from among us, and here I wish that he was alive to see me being elected to the International Church Holiness Convention!"

Thank you, Brother Wane, for your kind words, and I have a feeling that Dad knows all about your election to the IHC Board and is counting on you to continue to be a godly leader as you represent the New Guinea people that Dad loved so well.  

My heart is full of thanksgiving and praise today!  It is so wonderful to know that there is nothing between my soul and the Saviour!  Let us keep our hearts tender, walk in the beautiful light of God, love and obey His Holy Word, and keep the glory on our souls until our faith becomes sight and we enter the city of God where "we'll have a grand home-coming week the first ten thousand years!"  

Monday, April 23, 2018

Discard -- Keep?

It is Springtime, and that means many ladies are thinking about Spring cleaning -- what to discard--what to keep, etc.  I have a very difficult time with the discard part.  I have a tendency to want to keep everything--thinking I might need it or use it sometime.  But the one thing I want to keep above all others and never discard -- that far exceeds any earthly treasure -- is God's Holy Word which is such a blessed lamp unto my feet and light unto my path!

As you begin your work week, may I share a few sweet promises with you to brighten your days.

"He will keep the feet of His saints . ."  I Samuel 2:9

"He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways."  Psalm 91:11

"He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber."  Psalm 121:3

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.  Trust ye in the Lord forever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength."  Isaiah 26:3-4

"Blessed are they that hear the Word of God, and keep it."  Luke 11:28

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:7

The little book of Jude, the next to the last book in the Bible, has only one chapter containing 25 verses, but Jude tells us in the third verse -- "it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith . ."  He closes the chapter with these two precious verses of assurance and comfort!

     "Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy---
      To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever.  Amen."

     "Blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book."  Revelation 22:7

Friday, April 20, 2018

As for God . . .

The songwriter said:  "God's ways are best ways, I've found it so!  Where ever He leads me, there I will go.  And never question when comes the test--for I know, Always, God's ways are best!"
God's Holy Word says:  "As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler to all them that trust in Him." 

This wonderful verse, II Samuel 22:31 is found in David's great song of deliverance!  The Lord evidently considered this wonderful verse important enough to include it twice in His Holy Word!  You will find it again in Psalm 18:30. 
What a wonderful blessing and encouragement it is when we take time to reflect upon circumstances in our lives that we may not understand to remember that God's ways are higher than our ways!  He often reminds us in His blessed Word that His way is always perfect, and it is a sweet comfort to know that His Word has been tried and proven true, over and over again!

Psalm 33:4 says:  "For the word of the Lord is right; and all His works are done in truth."
Psalm 19:7 says:  "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul."
We must have it settled in our heart that God's ways are always perfect!  What He does is always right!  And it is important to remember that His ways are always in the context of eternity!

God's way for us may lead into suffering and opposition, but we can have the blessed assurance that as for God--His way is always perfect, and His Word has been tried and proven true over and over again!  And one more sweet verse of assurance from Proverbs 30:5.
              "Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him."  


Monday, April 16, 2018

Yesterday's Gone --

There's a song that says:  "Yesterday's gone, sweet Jesus, and tomorrow may never be mine!  So help me today--show me the way-- one day at a time."
Yesterday was a blessed day as the Family of God gathered together in His house on His holy day to worship Him!  How wonderful to sense His presence in our midst, and open our hearts to receive and obey the truth of His Holy Word.

Now yesterday is gone -- we are beginning a new week, so as we walk with Jesus this week may we be careful to remember that nothing in our lives is just a little insignificant detail to our Heavenly Father!  Let us love Him, trust Him, obey Him, and He will direct our paths -- one day at a time!   

Friday, April 13, 2018

What Do They See?

I stopped by the home of a friend this morning.  I had never been there before, and while she was showing me around the house -- telling me about different "treasures", I noticed these beautiful words above the picture window:

      "Live in such a way that those who know you--but don't know God--will come to know God because they know you"!
What a challenge for us as we walk this road of life!

I wonder --- Can the world see Jesus in you -- in me?

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

1 ------- 1,000

My pastor read this most interesting poem, entitled, "The Thousandth Man", by Rudyard Kipling in his message a few weeks ago.  It is based upon some very sad words from "The Preacher" in Ecclesiastes 7:28:  "one man among a thousand have I found."  I trust that you will take time to read it thoughtfully, contemplate upon it, and humbly ask the Lord to help you be "the Thousandth Man."

     "One man in a thousand, Solomon says, will stick more close than a brother.
And it's worth while seeking him half your days if you find him before the other.
      Nine hundred and ninety-nine depend on what the world sees in you,
But the Thousandth Man will stand your friend with the whole round world agin you.

      'Tis neither promise, nor prayer, nor show, will settle the finding for 'ee.
Nine hundred and ninety-nine of 'em go by your looks, or your acts, or your glory,
      But if he finds you and you find him--the rest of the world don't matter;
For the Thousandth Man will sink or swim with you in any water.

      You can use his purse with no more talk than he uses yours for his spendings,
And laugh and meet in your daily walk as though there had been no lendings.
      Nine hundred and ninety-nine of 'em call for silver and gold in their dealings;
But the Thousandth Man----he's worth 'em all, because you can show him your feelings.

      His wrong's your wrong, and his right's your right -- in season or out of season.
Stand up and back it in all men's sight---with that for your only reason!
      Nine hundred and ninety-nine can't bide the shame or mocking or laughter,
But the Thousandth Man will stand by your side to the gallows--foot --- and after!"

This poem stirred my heart, and I thought how, in these perilous times, we need men -- mighty men of valour -- men of courage who are willing to stand alone, if need be, for the cause of holiness and righteousness in these days of great compromise!

     "Heavenly Father, I pray for my own boys -- my grandsons -- Help them to determine anew today to be 'The Thousandth Man' that You can own for your glory and the upbuilding of your kingdom."
In Jesus' name, Amen.     

Monday, April 9, 2018

A Refuge!

How often as we go through life, we find ourselves in need of a refuge -- something or someone to help us through the storms of life, whatever they may be -- physical, spiritual, emotional, etc.
Perhaps, today, you find yourself in need of a refuge, but everywhere you turn seems to be a dead-end street.  I'm glad I can tell you that there is a Refuge in whom you can hide until the storms of life are all past.
I love these beautiful words from the 46th Psalm:  "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea."

Psalm 9:9 says:  "The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble."  And what a blessed comfort is the verse in Isaiah 25:4 that reminds us in these days of turmoil, tragedy and trouble, that our Lord is "a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat".
It makes me think of the wonderful song -- "A Shelter in the Time of Storm"!

     "The Lord's our Rock; in Him we hide -- Secure whatever ill betide;
A Shade by day, Defense by night -- No fears alarm, no foes affright;
      The raging storms may round us beat -- We'll never leave our safe retreat;
O Rock divine, O Refuge dear -- Be Thou our Helper ever near.

                        Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land --
                              A Shelter in the time of storm."

Do you know Him today?  Jesus wants to be your Refuge -- your hiding place through every storm of life!  

Friday, April 6, 2018

A Sunbeam!

Today I thought of a little Chorus I sang as a child --
     "A sunbeam!  A sunbeam!
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam to shine for Him each day;
      A sunbeam!  A sunbeam!
I'll be a sunbeam for Him!"

A we walk along the road of life, there may be many people looking to us -- hoping to see sunbeams radiating through our smile, but, sadly, they see only dark clouds and shadows.  Let us ask Jesus to help us be more like the person described in this lovely little poem by Helen Steiner Rice:

     "I've never seen God, but I know how I feel --
It's people like you who make Him so real!
      It seems that I pass God so often each day
In the faces of people I meet on my way.

      I wish I might meet Him much more than I do ---
I would, if there were more people like you!"

"Dear Father, help us to walk humbly with you in the Beautiful Light of God.  May our lives show forth your beauty and grace, until those watching our lives might be able to say with the apostle Paul in Philippians 1:3 -- "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you!"  Amen.

















Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Retirement?

In Joshua 13:1, we read:  "Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the Lord said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed."  I think my husband thought these words were for him, personally, as well as Joshua!  The word "retirement" didn't seem to be in his vocabulary -- he was always looking ahead -- envisioning greater things for the kingdom of God -- excited about new challenges -- never allowing the family to say, "I can't", but "I can do all things through Christ . . ."

It is true that there is no set "retirement age" for the Christian, for there is always "yet very much land to be possessed".  The Lord told Joshua he was old (probably at least 80 years of age), but instead of allowing him to settle down, the Lord sent him out once again for further conquests!  I think this should always be the case with those who love and serve the Lord.  Even though you may be retired from active service, or be confined at home, you can still accomplish much for the kingdom of God in the secret place of prayer!

Psalm 92:12-14 says: "The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.  Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.  They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing."
  I love these sweet verses, and they beautifully show us that old age does not mean it is time to sit down and do nothing!  Praise the Lord!
        
And don't forget these wonderful words from the book of Daniel:  ". . .the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits."

Monday, April 2, 2018

Resurrection Reflections!

My heart is still rejoicing this morning as I count and consider my many blessings!  What a blessed privilege it was to be in the house of the Lord yesterday on Resurrection Sunday!  The beautiful music in both the morning and evening services thrilled my soul, and the messages from our pastor  ministered to my heart.

When I left the church last night after the evening service, it was just beginning to snow, and this morning when I got up the trees and bushes were laden with beauty!!  It was quiet -- there was no breeze -- it spoke of wonderful peace!  My evergreen trees and bushes had been touched by the Master's hand, and were beautiful beyond description!

It seemed to me like a little special gift and reminder from my Heavenly Father of "How Beautiful Heaven Must Be"!
Resurrection Sunday is behind us now, but our Father still sees us, still loves us, and still has the whole world in His hands!  So let us keep digging deeper and climbing higher until our faith becomes sight and we hear the blessed words from Matthew 25:21--

     "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord"!