A still, small Voice!

The ministry of God's prophet, Elijah, in the book of I Kings is always thrilling to read!  It is exciting to see how the Lord mightily used His prophet!  And I think it is intriguing to see that Elijah is still being talked about way over near the end of the Bible in the book of James, and it is a very interesting scripture:
     "Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.  And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit."

I have wondered why that scripture begins with --"Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are", but maybe it is because when we read of the mighty ministry of Elijah in I Kings, chapters 17 and 18, we are a little disappointed to see the great prophet fleeing from Jezebel in chapter 19.  Even though God had spectacularly answered Elijah's prayer with fire from heaven, Jezebel swore she would kill him.

So we find Elijah in hiding for his life.  In I Kings 19:11, we read about the great, strong wind, the earthquake and the fire, but God was not in these things.  But verse 12 says:  "And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice."  Praise the Lord for this "still small voice", and that Voice assured his prophet that God was still well in control of all circumstances!

So let us, in 2019, keep our hearts in tune to hear God's voice -- whether it be in an earthquake or a whisper!

The Warrior's Armour!

The book of Ephesians is a marvelous book of only six chapters.  In the last chapter, the Apostle Paul writes to us about warfare.
     "Finally, my brethern, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 
      For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
      Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

As Christians, we certainly need "the whole armour of God" to be able to stand, and beginning in verse 14, the Apostle tells us how to stand --
     "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
      Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
      Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit."

You will notice that there is no armour given for the back, for, as a Christian, we are never to retreat, but "to stand" and go forward!  Our chief offensive weapon is the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God!  Praise the Lord for His wonderful word which is such a blessed lamp for our feet and light for our path.  And the wonderful privilege of prayer is both an offensive and a defensive weapon.
My friend, do you have on the whole armour of God today?  If you do, you can have "Victory All The Time" --

     "They who know the Saviour, shall in Him be strong,
Mighty in the conflict of the right 'gainst wrong;
      This the blessed promise given in God's Word,
Doing wondrous exploits, they who know the Lord.

      In the midst of battle, be thou not dismayed,
Though the powers of darkness 'gainst thee are arrayed;
      God, thy Strength, is with thee, causing thee to stand,
Heaven's allied armies wait at thy command.

      Brave to bear life's testing, strong the foe to meet,
Walking like a hero midst the furnace heat;
      Doing wondrous exploits with the Spirit's Sword,
Winning souls for Jesus, praise, oh, praise the Lord!

      Victory!  Victory!  blessed Blood-bought victory!
Victory!  Victory!  Victory all the time!
      As Jehovah liveth, strength divine He giveth,
Unto those who know Him, victory all the time!"             

H O M E --

"It isn't the chairs and the books and things, or the pictures that hang on the walls;
    And it isn't the bird, although gaily he sings -- it's the laughter that rings in the halls;
It's the smile on the face of the Mother at night, and the joy in the little one's eyes,
    And our love for each other with all its delight that makes up the home that we prize."

     It is, perhaps, impossible to express in words the beauty and blessing of a truly Christian home where father and mother are devoted to God and each other, and the children are brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 

     I remember reading a story some years ago about a young man raised in a godly home.  He was a brilliant young man, and in college had a professor whom he greatly admired for his intellect, but who professed to be an atheist.  The young man told of the great struggle he had as the professor tried to destroy his faith, but the thing that held him steady and kept him from denouncing his faith was the sweet picture in his mind of his dear father praying at the family altar each morning.  He could not get away from those prayers, nor could he forget the glory of God he had seen on his father's face many times.  He knew it was real, and it held him steady when the storm was raging!

     As parents, our children and grandchildren are all that we can take to heaven with us.  Everything else will be left behind.  Let us ask the Lord to help us build strong, Christian homes where Prayer and Praise are as natural as breathing -- the Bible, God's Holy Word, is loved and obeyed -- the precious hymns are still sung -- our conversations are like "apples of gold in pictures of silver" -- and then let us humbly ask the Lord to help us live so that all who enter our homes will know that we belong to Jesus  and find us singing, "Sweeter Gets the Journey Day by Day"!!

President's Day!

The calendar tells us that today is President's Day.  I am thankful that God has blessed our nation with many great leaders who recognized that "blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord".
Yesterday in our Sunday School paper there was a little article telling about a few of our good presidents who honored God and His Holy Day.  I thought I would share it with you today.

     "The policy of our presidents, with rare exception, has been to respect the Lord's Day in peacetime and in war.  Washington in the Revolutionary War, Lincoln in the Civil War, and Wilson in the  First World War gave orders relieving troops as far as possible "from fatigue duty on Sunday giving them opportunity to attend public worship."  They based those orders on "the necessity to man and beast of the weekly rest", "the sacred rights of  Christian sailors and soldiers," and "a due regard to the divine will."

     When Garfield was nominated, twelve o'clock Saturday night found people in the midst of balloting; yet all was adjourned until Monday.  Hayes and Garfield habitually walked to church that their servants might rest and worship on the Lord's Day. 
      At the opening of the State Centennial of Tennessee, McKinley refused to take a trip to Lookout Mountain, saying, "No, I do not go sightseeing on Sunday."
      Theodore Roosevelt said, "Experience shows that the day of rest is essential to mankind.  It is demanded by civilization as well as Christianity."
      Coolidge said, "I profoundly believe in the Sabbath and feel that we should give attention not only to the physical aspects, but also to the moral and spiritual phases of the Holy Day."
      Hoover, when invited to join a fishing party on Sunday, replied, "The Hoover's never fish on Sunday."

      Our fathers built our republic upon Christian foundations, one of which is the Lord's Day.  Our Presidents held to a Sunday of rest and worship as essential to America's spiritual and material greatness, and opposed a holiday and labor day Sunday with their dissipation and fatigue.  Our heavy task of reconstruction and moral leadership and righteous adjustments require the blessing of God's Day."
           --The United Presbyterian

Are you praying for our President, Vice President, Congress, and all those in places of leadership and authority, and are you keeping the Sabbath Day holy?  What a challenge for us today!  

Sweet Memories!

According to the calendar, Valentine's Day is officially over, but isn't it wonderful that sweet memories can linger in the heart to bring joy and happiness as we journey onward toward heaven and home!  This morning as I walked through the kitchen and saw the beautiful bouquet of roses sitting on the table from my grandson and his sweet wife,  my heart was very humbled.  I thought how many people there are, 78 years old like me, living in a nursing home with no family to love them and spoil them like I was spoiled yesterday by children, grandchildren and great grandchildren!!

Then I thought of how wonderful it is to belong to Jesus and have a Christian home where God's presence is real and sweet.  I would rather be an "Old Time Christian" than anything I know!  And I love this beautiful little quote:  "Keep the home near heaven--let it face the Father's house."

As we look to the coming Lord's Day, may we not burden our minds with the problems of tomorrow.  Let us live moment by moment, kept in His love, and remember -- "If God be for us, who can be against us"?  May God bless you as you love and serve Him today! 

Valentine's Day!

As we think about Valentine's Day tomorrow, I think about an old song -- "Love Is A Many Splendored Thing!"  God's Word says:  "Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it."  In this sad day, when many substitute Lust for Love, may we who know the Author of Love show to the world how God defines it in the 13th chapter of I Corinthians.
        Love suffereth long.          Love is kind.       Love envieth not.            Love vaunteth not itself.
        Love is not puffed up.       Love doth not behave itself unseemly.       Love seeketh not her own.
        Love is not easily provoked.         Love thinketh no evil.                  Love rejoices not in iniquity.
        Love rejoices in the truth.
This kind of love "beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."

I like this poem, entitled "What Is Love" by Helen Steiner Rice:

     "What is love?  No words can define it.
It's something so great, only God could design it --
      Wonder of Wonders---beyond man's conception---
And only in God can love find true perfection.

      For love means much more than small words can express,
For what man calls love is so very much less---
      Than the beauty and depth and the true richness of
God's gift to mankind --- His compassionate love . . .

      For  love has become a word that's misused,
Perverted, distorted, and often abused,
      To speak of "light romance" or some affinity for
A passing attraction that is seldom much more
      Than a mere interlude of inflamed fascination --
A romantic fling of no lasting duration.

      But love is enduring and patient and kind,
It judges all things with the heart, not the mind;
      And love can transform the most commonplace
Into beauty and splendor and sweetness and grace . . .

      For love is unselfish, giving more than it takes,
And no matter what happens, love never forsakes;
      It's faithful and trusting and always believing,
Guileless and honest and never deceiving.

      Yes, love is beyond what man can define,
For love is Immortal and God's Gift is Divine!"

And God's Word says:  "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."




 
        
     

Don't Quit!

Perhaps. on this Monday, you feel overwhelmed with the tasks awaiting you.  I trust that this little story by W. Clement Stone will challenge and encourage your heart today.

     "I was six years old and scared.  Selling newspapers on Chicago's tough South Side wasn't easy, especially with the older kids taking over the busy corners, yelling louder, and threatening me with clenched fists.  The memory of those dim days is still with me, for it's the first time I can recall turning a disadvantage into an advantage.  It's a simple story, unimportant now --- and yet, it was a beginning.
      Hoelle's Restaurant was near the corner where I tried to work, and it gave me an idea.  It was a busy and prosperous place that presented a frightening aspect to a child of six.  I was nervous, but I walked in hurriedly and made a sale at the first table.  Then diners at the second and third tables bought papers.  When I started for the fourth, however, Mr. Hoelle pushed me out the front door.
      But I had sold three papers.  So when Mr. Hoelle wasn't looking, I walked back in and called at the fourth table.  Apparently, the jovial customer liked my gumption; he paid for the paper and gave me an extra dime before Mr. Hoelle pushed me out once again.  But I had already sold four papers and got a "bonus" dime besides.  I walked into the restaurant and started selling again.  There was a lot of laughter.  The customers were enjoying the show.  One whispered loudly, "Let him be", as Mr. Hoelle came toward me.  About five minutes later, I had sold all my papers.
      The next evening I went back.  Mr. Hoelle again ushered me out the front door.  But when I walked right back in, he threw his hands in the air and exclaimed, "What's the use"!  Later, we became great friends, and I never had trouble selling papers there again." 

Perhaps you feel the only song you can sing today is "The Fight Is On"!  But don't forget the last words of this great song --- "If God be for us, His banner o'er us, We'll sing the victor's song at last."
And also --- "Hast thou not known?  hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary?  there is no searching of His understanding.  He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength."

               "Nothing is impossible when we put our trust in God"!

Traveling Uphill

Perhaps you have heard this story about a boy, a bicycle, and a steep hill.  The boy was attempting to pedal uphill, against the wind, and found that it was very difficult!  He was considering just giving up and quitting, when along came a trolley car going up the same hill in the same direction!  The boy suddenly had a wonderful inspiration -- the car was not going too fast for him to get behind it and with one hand lay hold of the bar at the back!  And then, of course, he went up the hill as easily as a bird on wing!!

Sometimes I'm afraid we are tempted to feel like that boy.  Perhaps, today, you find yourself pedaling up a steep hill against all kinds of difficulties, temptations and trials, with the enemy of your soul needling you to give up, turn around and go back down the hill.  But don't listen to the devil!  God's Word tells us to resist the devil and he will flee from us!  We should Never be discouraged -- we can take it to the Lord in prayer -- He has never lost a battle -- He has promised His grace would always be sufficient for our every need and Nothing is impossible with Him!  Praise the Lord!!

And if you feel like you still need a little extra grace and strength, read the 4th chapter of the wonderful book of Philippians.  It is packed full of wonderful, victorious verses; and don't forget verse 13:  "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

                 "Stay firm.  He hath not failed thee in all the past,
            And will He go and leave thee to sink at least?
                  Nay!  He said He will hide thee beneath His wing;
            And sweetly there in safety thou mayest sing." 
                                                                                         --Unknown

OBEDIENCE!

At the Dr.'s office a few days ago, he handed me a paper with a list of instructions to be followed.  He did not ask me if there were any I didn't like, or if there were any I thought were unnecessary -- he just told me what to do and to come back at the appointed time.  There was one instruction that I wasn't very "blessed" or excited about doing, but I didn't argue or even question because I knew it was for my benefit.

Then, on the way home, I started thinking about how sad it is that we are quick to obey the orders of the Dr. (who sometimes might make a mistake), but hesitate to obey our Heavenly Father -- the One who never has and never will make a mistake -- the One who "has loved us with an everlasting love -- the One who has given unto us "great and precious promises" -- and the One who was willing to die that you and I might live!

The Apostle John tells us that "His commandments are not grievous"!  How blessed it is to trust Him with ALL of our heart -- not lean upon our own understanding -- in all our ways acknowledge and follow Him as He directs our paths.  Every commandment -- every law -- every instruction -- is for our good, so that one day we can hear our Master say:  "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."  Praise the Lord!

     "There's a holy and beautiful city, whose Builder and Ruler is God;
John saw it descending from heaven, when Patmos in exile he trod.
      Its high, massive wall is of jasper; the city itself is pure gold.
And when my frail tent here is folded, mine eyes shall its glory behold.

      No sin is allowed in that city, and nothing defiling nor mean;
No pain and no sickness can enter; no crape in that city is seen.
      Earth's sorrows and cares are forgotten; no tempter is there to annoy;
No parting words ever are spoken; there's nothing to hurt and destroy.

      No heartaches are known in that city; no tears ever moisten the eye;
There's no disappointment in heaven, no envy and strife in the sky.
      The saints are all sanctified wholly; they live in sweet harmony there.
My heart now is set on that city, and someday its blessings I'll share.

                      In that bright city, pearly white city,
                   I have a mansion, a harp, and a crown.
                      Now I am watching, waiting, and longing
                   For the white city John saw coming down."

"My Hand In God's"

Today is the first day of February!  The first month of 2019 has quickly come to an end.  The words of the songwriter come to mind -- "I wonder --- have I done my best for Jesus, when He has done so much for me!"  What a sweet privilege it is to love and serve Him!  The cross you may be called upon to bear is never greater than His grace -- there's no storm that can hide His blessed face!  Praise the Lord!!  I agree with the songwriter -- "It is Glory just to walk with Him!"

So as I begin a new month -- not knowing what lies in store for me -- in the words of an unknown author -- this is my testimony.

     "Each morning when I wake, I say, 'I place my hand in God's today.'
I know He'll walk close by my side, my every wandering step to guide.
      He leads me with the tenderest care, when paths are dark and I despair --
No need for me to understand if I but hold fast to His hand.

      My hand in His!  No surer way to walk in safety through each day,
By His great bounty I am fed, warmed by His love and comforted.
      When at day's end I seek my rest and realize how much I am blessed,
My thanks pour out to Him, and then -- I place my hand in God's again.
       He holds me"!!   Amen.