God Hears Me!

It is so wonderful to know that God hears my prayers--even those uttered in silence!  The Psalmist said:  "O Lord, Thou hast searched me, and known me.  Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off."
In the 94th Psalm, he said:  "He that planted the ear, shall He not hear?  He that formed the eye, shall He not see"?

I like this verse in I Peter 3:12 -- "The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers."

However, in order for the Lord to hear our prayers, we must keep the way clear and let nothing between our soul and the Saviour.  Psalm 66:18 says:  "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me."
Isaiah 59:1-2 tells us -- "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear: but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear."

Let us heed the words of the Psalmist -- "To day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your heart."
May God bless you as your prepare your heart for the coming Lord's Day if Jesus tarries. 

What Do You Think On?

We often fail to realize how powerful the mind is, and how important it is for us to guard it carefully, and be careful what we think on, for the mind is the gateway to the soul.  I have a little quote written in my Bible that says:
         "The battle for man's soul is won or lost in the mind."

Isaiah 26:3 says:  "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee."
I love the beautiful verse in Philippians 4:8---"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."  It seems like we need to add a heartfelt "Amen"!!

I like this thought:
        "Your mind is a garden.  Your thoughts are the seeds. 
           You can grow flowers, or -- you can grow weeds!"

So let us go often -- and spend some time -- in the "Beautiful Garden of Prayer".

LIGHT!

Today is Monday, and as I look out my windows, it is rather dark and dreary this morning.   It is raining and a little depressing -- the sunlight just can't seem to break through the clouds.  When we have a dreary day like today, we are always glad when, at last, we see the sunshine begin to break through the clouds.

Yesterday morning at church, our pastor preached a wonderful message about "Walking in the Light."  It is such a blessed privilege to walk in the "Beautiful Light of God", and enjoy sweet fellowship with Him!  In the First Epistle of John, we read these wonderful words:
    
     "This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.  If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:  But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."

What a beautiful scripture!!  Let's keep walking in the Light -- it is still shining brightly today!  And remember -- "The darker the night---the brighter the light shines!"

Never Alone!

As we walk the road of life with its twists and turns, how blessed it is to know that we do not have to walk it alone!  It is so sweet to walk with Jesus and enjoy fellowship with Him each day.  I am so very thankful that we can know, beyond doubt, that there is nothing between our soul and the Saviour!  We may be sorely tried, as was Job, but "Faith is still the Victory" that overcomes the world!
I like this little poem by an unknown author:

     "I'm never alone in the morning
As I rise at the break of day,
      For Jesus who watched through the darkness
Says, 'Lo, I am with you alway.'

      I'm never alone at my table,
Though loved ones no longer I see;
      For dearer than all who have vanished,
Is Jesus who breaks bread with me.

      I'm never alone through the daylight,
Though nothing but trials I see;
      Though the furnace be seven times heated,
The 'form of the fourth' walks with me.

      I'm never alone at the twilight
When darkness around me doth creep;
      And specters press hard 'round my pillow,
He watches and cares while I sleep.

      I'm walking and talking with Jesus,
Each day as I journey along;
      I'm never alone, Hallelujah!
The joy of the Lord is my song."

May God bless you as you prepare your heart for the coming Lord's Day!

     

The Tongue!

Proverbs 10:19 says:  "In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise."
The Book of Proverbs has quite a bit to say about the tongue.  It contains some sober warnings against lying and gossiping.  Proverbs 11:13 says:  "A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter."  There are warnings, also, against using the tongue to criticize, to slander, or to hurt.  For example, in chapter 12:18, we read: "There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.  And, in Chapter 18:8, we read: "The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly."

As we see in the text, too much talking is also dangerous, for it often results in sin.  The virtues of silence are shown us in 17:27-28.  "He that hath knowledge spareth his words. . . Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding."
The above scriptures are pretty strong warnings concerning the use of our tongues!  However, I am thankful that there are many sweet blessings promised to those who speak carefully and graciously!  Let's look at a few of them:

     "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver."  Proverbs 25:11

     "The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning."  Proverbs 16:21
     "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life."  Proverbs 15:4

     "The tongue of the just is as choice silver."  Proverbs 10:20

     "A soft answer turneth away wrath."  Proverbs 15:1

     "A word spoken in due season, how good is it!"

May we prayerfully follow the admonition in Colossians 4:6 --
             "Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."

Getting Used to the Dark!

A few weeks ago when I came out of church after the evening service -- it just suddenly struck me -- Day is dying in the West -- the shadows are lengthening -- the long, summer days are slipping away!  But now, after a few weeks of the days gradually getting shorter, I hardly notice it; and after I have been in the house for a little while, I will suddenly realize that it is almost dark!

It brought to my mind again the great change that occurred when I had cataract surgery on both of my eyes a few months ago.  After surgery, I was amazed that my vision was so clear---not hazy and blurry like it had been before.  I did not realize how "used to the dark" I had become!
 
It was quite a spiritual lesson for me!  Just like our physical eyesight can become blurred and hazy until we become accustomed to the darkness and hardly notice it, the same can happen to our spiritual vision.  That is a very fearful thought to me!  I want to do my best to keep my spiritual vision bright and clear, for "getting used to the dark" can have very sad consequences!

Let us be careful to heed the warning Jesus gives us in John 12:35-36:
     "Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you.  Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.  While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light." 
























            

Happy Birthday, Kaylee!

Many memories flood my heart today, Kaylee, as I look back over the years!  After being blessed with two special grandsons, Grampy and I were very excited to welcome our first granddaughter, 21 years ago today!

The years have passed swiftly by, and today finds you in your 3rd year of college!  Some time ago, I was asked to give a little devotional about "Heirlooms".  The Dictionary defined it as "a valuable object that has belonged to a family for several generations."  These heirlooms help to keep history alive.  They connect us to our past.  You are blessed to have some spiritual heirlooms---both of your grandfathers being holiness preachers---but you must bear responsibility, also, remembering the younger granddaughters and great granddaughters who come behind you.

You have a sweet smile, a tender and loving spirit -- always willing to let the other person "have his way", and even though you have had some "storms" to weather, I believe down deep in your heart Grammy can hear you say, "God's Way is My Way", and I pray it will always be so!
On this, your 21st birthday, Kaylee, this quote is my prayer and desire for you:

     "If we believe in Jesus, it is not what we gain, but what He pours through us that really counts.  God's purpose is not simply to make us beautiful, plump grapes, but to make us grapes so that He may squeeze the sweetness out of us."

On this special birthday, Kaylee, I thank the Lord for sending you to our family 21 years ago today!
Keep holding to God's hand, keep your eyes upon Jesus, and never forget that God's Way is Always the Best Way!!!
     Love and Prayers, Grammy   

"I Have Been Born Again"!

It is Monday morning, and my heart is rejoicing as I reflect on the Lord's Day yesterday!  How wonderful it was to be in God's presence as He moved in our midst!  In my opinion, there is no substitute for the glory of God!  I praise Him for the good messages from our pastor, and for the precious souls who sought God at the altar of prayer!

Sometimes my boys like to sing songs they remember their Dad singing years ago. Yesterday morning,  my oldest son sang this wonderful song of testimony by Rev. R. H. McDaniel that he heard his Dad sing many times when we traveled in the field of evangelism fifty plus years ago.

     "My heart glows with rapture, my cup runneth o'er,
Such joy, so transporting, I ne'er knew before;
      It flows through my soul from God's heavenly store,
For I have been born again.

      I know I'm redeemed, I've the witness within,
That Jesus has saved me and cleansed me from sin;
      And now I'm rejoicing and living in Him,
For I have been born again.

      I love my dear Saviour, His work I will do;
I love all God's people, I love sinners too;
      I love now the way of the Cross to pursue,
For I have been born again.

      I now have communion with God every day,
He graciously listens, and hears when I pray;
      His smiles rest upon me, I know He is mine,
For I have been born again.

      I have a bright prospect of glory divine,
For Jesus is with me, I know He is mine;
      And some day in glory with Him I shall shine,
For I have been born again.

      I'll sing it and tell it where ever I go,
I want all to hear it, I want all to know,
      The joy of salvation that makes the heart glow,
For I have been born again!"

Praise the Lord!!  Do you have this wonderful joy of salvation thrilling your soul today?  I'm so glad that I can tell you -- "Whosoever will may come"!!      

"Sweet Will of God!"

Jesus prayed long ago in the Garden -- "Father, . . . not My will, but Thine be done."  Since that memorable day so long ago, multitudes have come, as Jesus did, to that moment of decision -- weighing the cost of surrendering all to the Father's will!  
Lelia Morris expresses it much better than I can in the words of her beautiful song:

     "My stubborn will at last hath yielded;
I would be Thine, and Thine alone.
      And this the prayer my lips are bringing:
Lord, let in me Thy will be done.

      I'm tired of sin, foot-sore and weary;
The dark-some path hath dreary grown.
      But now a light has risen to cheer me;
I find in Thee my Star, my Sun.

      Thy precious will, O conquering Saviour,
Doth now embrace and compass me;
      All discords hushed -- my peace a river,
My soul -- a prisoned bird set free.

      Shut in with Thee, O lord, forever.
My wayward feet no more to roam;
      What power from Thee my soul can sever?
The center of God's will -- my home!

      Sweet will of God, still fold me closer,
Till I am wholly lost in Thee."

A. W. Tozer has said:
     "Outside of the will of God there is nothing I want -- and in the will of God there is nothing I fear."  Praise the Lord!  What a blessed place to be --- right in the center of the Sweet Will of God!  

Prayer!

Prayer -- the wonderful and blessed privilege of communion with our Heavenly Father!  This blessed fellowship makes us glad and happy all the day.  Even when the storms of life are raging, we can have a deep, settled peace in our hearts!  I love the song that says:  "Just keep on praying until light breaks through!  The Lord will answer---He'll answer you!  God keeps His promise, His Word is true!  Just keep on praying until light breaks through!"
     Joyce Roder has written a poem, entitled, "If I Had Prayed":

     "Perhaps the day would not have seemed so long --
The skies would not have seemed so gray,
      If on my knees in humble prayer I had begun the day.

Perhaps the fight would not have seemed so hard --
      Prepared, I might have faced the fray,
If I had been alone with Him, upon my knees, to pray.

      Perhaps I might have cheered a broken heart,
Or helped a wanderer on the way,
      If I had asked to be a light to some dark soul today.

I would remember just the pleasant things.
      The harsh words that I meant to say
I would forget, if I had prayed when I began the day.

      I think I would have met life's harder trials
With hopeful heart and cheerful smile,
      If I had spoken with my Lord for just a little while.

And, if I pray, I find that all is well --
      All cares at His dear feet are laid.
My heart is glad; the load is light , because I first have prayed."

Let us never forget as we journey through the week that our Master is always aware of our needs, and He is never at a loss for ways and means to answer the prayers and supply the needs of His children!  Praise the Lord!!  What a blessed assurance to know that I am His and He is mine!  What a joy to trust Him for the future---He knoweth all the way -- and has promised that He will never leave us alone!  Let us keep a prayer on our lips and a song in our hearts!        

Labor Day!

The Calendar tells me that today is Labor Day!  However, most people are not laboring, but are enjoying a day off from their labors----spending time with family, perhaps enjoying the last picnic of the summer.  And while we do sometimes need a vacation, change of pace, etc., labor is both good and needful.

When God first made man, He gave him work to do.  The Lord God planted a garden for man, but it was up to Adam to take care of it.  Genesis 2:15 tells us: "And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it."  We see, then, that it is a God-given privilege to be able to do useful work.  In Ecclesiastes, we read:  "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might."

No matter what the job is that has been provided for us to do, it is important for us to remember and obey the admonition given us in the 3rd chapter of Colossians:  "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ."  And again, in I Corinthians, the Apostle Paul tells us "....your labor is not in vain in the Lord."

Praise the Lord!!  "Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun"!