Sometimes after a dry spell, the Lord will send a wonderful shower of rain. It is such a blessing, for all the dust is removed from the air -- everything smells clean and refreshing -- the sun shines and makes the raindrops glisten on the grass, the trees, the flowers!
It is kind of like that spiritually, also. Our church just had a week-end revival, and the messages of the evangelist challenged us to dig deeper and climb higher to new heights -- to plant our feet on higher ground!
In Isaiah 44:3, we read: "For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring."
In Ezekiel 34:26, we see: "And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing." Praise the Lord!
I don't want to settle for a few raindrops -- I need a refreshing shower -- even an occasional downpour!! So I want to keep my umbrella handy as I walk with my Lord---trusting Him, obeying Him, walking with Him through the sunshine and the shadows--and drawing ever nearer to the heart of God!
Monday, April 29, 2019
Friday, April 26, 2019
Upon the Mountain Top!
The Bible tells us that Jesus went up into a mountain to pray, and that He took Peter, James and John with Him. In the 9th chapter of Luke, we read:
"And as He prayed, the fashion of His countenance was altered, and His raiment was white and glistering. And, behold, there talked with Him two men, which were Moses and Elias: who appeared in glory . . .But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw His glory, and the two men that stood with Him.
Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias."
It must have been wonderful to be up there on the mountain with Jesus, but they could not stay there on the mountain top -- they had to come back down! It made me think of the mountain top experiences I have enjoyed this week as God's people from all over the nation, and several other countries, gathered in Dayton, Ohio for another International Holiness Convention! It seemed we were on the mountain top with Jesus as the Bible College Choirs sang, the men of God preached holiness, and the saints shouted the victory! But we couldn't stay up there on the mountain of blessing -- we had to come down, and return to our places of responsibility in our local churches.
But my heart is blessed and encouraged when I remember that the God on the mountain is still God in the valley!! Praise the Lord! If we will bless the Lord at all times, trust Him, walk humbly with Him, love Him, and give Him everything -- one glad day we shall "enter gates of Pearl to walk on streets of shining Gold in that City where they need no sun"! And -- we'll Never have to come down!!
"And as He prayed, the fashion of His countenance was altered, and His raiment was white and glistering. And, behold, there talked with Him two men, which were Moses and Elias: who appeared in glory . . .But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw His glory, and the two men that stood with Him.
Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias."
It must have been wonderful to be up there on the mountain with Jesus, but they could not stay there on the mountain top -- they had to come back down! It made me think of the mountain top experiences I have enjoyed this week as God's people from all over the nation, and several other countries, gathered in Dayton, Ohio for another International Holiness Convention! It seemed we were on the mountain top with Jesus as the Bible College Choirs sang, the men of God preached holiness, and the saints shouted the victory! But we couldn't stay up there on the mountain of blessing -- we had to come down, and return to our places of responsibility in our local churches.
But my heart is blessed and encouraged when I remember that the God on the mountain is still God in the valley!! Praise the Lord! If we will bless the Lord at all times, trust Him, walk humbly with Him, love Him, and give Him everything -- one glad day we shall "enter gates of Pearl to walk on streets of shining Gold in that City where they need no sun"! And -- we'll Never have to come down!!
Friday, April 19, 2019
Holy Week Meditations
This morning we find ourselves standing near a Roman Cross on the hill of Golgotha. Our Redeemer is hanging there dying for our sin. Two thieves are hanging with Him, and the crowd passing by is reviling Him, and shouting, "If thou be the Son of God, come down from the Cross!" The chief priests, scribes and elders mocking Him, said -- "He saved others; Himself he cannot save."
Kenneth Osbeck has written: "Death by crucifixion was one of the worst forms of dying. No Roman citizen was ever crucified; this horrible death was reserved only for Rome's enemies. The Roman scourge was a most dreadful instrument of torture and suffering. It was made of sinews of oxen, and sharp bones were inter-twisted among the sinews so that every time the lash came down upon a body, these pieces of bone inflicted fearful lacerations and literally tore off chunks of flesh from the person's bones. This is what Christ endured in accomplishing our Redemption. But the physical suffering was not the worst. Rather, the weight of human sin and the separation from God the Father because of His wrath against sin were the real causes of the Saviour's death."
I think it is impossible to fully realize the depth of love for you and me that the death of Christ on the Cross revealed on that Good Friday so long ago. When I meditate upon this deeply moving and amazing love, I think about this magnificent hymn by Isaac Watts:
"When I survey the wondrous Cross on which the Prince of Glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ, my God;
All the vain things that charm me most -- I sacrifice them to His blood.
See, from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down;
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?
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."
"Thank you, dear Jesus, for dying that I might live"!
Kenneth Osbeck has written: "Death by crucifixion was one of the worst forms of dying. No Roman citizen was ever crucified; this horrible death was reserved only for Rome's enemies. The Roman scourge was a most dreadful instrument of torture and suffering. It was made of sinews of oxen, and sharp bones were inter-twisted among the sinews so that every time the lash came down upon a body, these pieces of bone inflicted fearful lacerations and literally tore off chunks of flesh from the person's bones. This is what Christ endured in accomplishing our Redemption. But the physical suffering was not the worst. Rather, the weight of human sin and the separation from God the Father because of His wrath against sin were the real causes of the Saviour's death."
I think it is impossible to fully realize the depth of love for you and me that the death of Christ on the Cross revealed on that Good Friday so long ago. When I meditate upon this deeply moving and amazing love, I think about this magnificent hymn by Isaac Watts:
"When I survey the wondrous Cross on which the Prince of Glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ, my God;
All the vain things that charm me most -- I sacrifice them to His blood.
See, from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down;
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?
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."
"Thank you, dear Jesus, for dying that I might live"!
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Holy Week Meditations
The thrilling scene of the crowd waving their Palm branches and shouting "Hosanna!" is behind us now as we continue on this journey to Calvary. As we walk with Jesus today toward Gethsemane, I wonder what He is thinking. 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 was going to deny Him, saying, "I know Him not"! Or, perhaps He is thinking of Judas, one of His own, who had made a covenant with the chief priests and captains to betray Jesus unto them.
It is very hard to walk with Jesus to the Garden and see Him agonizing there. God's Holy Word says:
"And He came out, and went, as He was wont, to the mount of Olives; and His disciples also followed Him. And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed. Saying, Father, if Thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not My will, but Thine be done. And there appeared an angel unto Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in an agony He prayed more earnestly: and His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling to the ground." Luke 22:39; 41-44
This scene grips my heart as I see Jesus, in His humanity, agonizing in prayer and pleading with His Father to remove the cup if it be possible. But then He adds the blessed words of complete surrender to the Father's will -- "Nevertheless not My will, but Thine, be done"! God's Word says Jesus was in such travail of soul that an angel from heaven came and strengthened Him.
Jesus rose up from prayer, went to the disciples and found them sleeping. There must have been great sadness in His heart and voice as He said, "Could you not watch with Me one hour?" Jesus went back to the place of prayer again, but when He rose up from prayer this time--it was settled!!
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 would say from the Cross--"Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."
This shows me a beautiful picture of complete and humble surrender to the Father's will. I'm so thankful I've been to the Garden, and today --
"He speaks, and the sound of His voice is so sweet the birds hush their singing:
and the melody that He gave to me within my heart is ringing.
And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known."
Have you been to the Garden? Nothing sweeter can be known than full surrender!
It is very hard to walk with Jesus to the Garden and see Him agonizing there. God's Holy Word says:
"And He came out, and went, as He was wont, to the mount of Olives; and His disciples also followed Him. And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed. Saying, Father, if Thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not My will, but Thine be done. And there appeared an angel unto Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in an agony He prayed more earnestly: and His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling to the ground." Luke 22:39; 41-44
This scene grips my heart as I see Jesus, in His humanity, agonizing in prayer and pleading with His Father to remove the cup if it be possible. But then He adds the blessed words of complete surrender to the Father's will -- "Nevertheless not My will, but Thine, be done"! God's Word says Jesus was in such travail of soul that an angel from heaven came and strengthened Him.
Jesus rose up from prayer, went to the disciples and found them sleeping. There must have been great sadness in His heart and voice as He said, "Could you not watch with Me one hour?" Jesus went back to the place of prayer again, but when He rose up from prayer this time--it was settled!!
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 would say from the Cross--"Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."
This shows me a beautiful picture of complete and humble surrender to the Father's will. I'm so thankful I've been to the Garden, and today --
"He speaks, and the sound of His voice is so sweet the birds hush their singing:
and the melody that He gave to me within my heart is ringing.
And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known."
Have you been to the Garden? Nothing sweeter can be known than full surrender!
Monday, April 15, 2019
Holy Week Meditations
Yesterday, Palm Sunday, was such a blessed day as we waved our palm branches, shouted "Hosanna" and sang "In the New Jerusalem"!! We almost felt like we were among the crowd in Jerusalem so long ago adding our voices to the throng and shouting --"Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord"!
Even though we were not in the crowd that day over 2,000 years ago, the Master sees you and me today. Psalm 139:1-4, says: "O Lord, Thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path, and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, Thou knowest it altogether."
I cannot grasp even a fraction of what it cost Jesus to purchase my salvation on Calvary's Cross, but as I walk with Jesus through this Holy Week, I want these words to be the longing of my heart and the prayer on my lips --
"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Amen!
Even though we were not in the crowd that day over 2,000 years ago, the Master sees you and me today. Psalm 139:1-4, says: "O Lord, Thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path, and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, Thou knowest it altogether."
I cannot grasp even a fraction of what it cost Jesus to purchase my salvation on Calvary's Cross, but as I walk with Jesus through this Holy Week, I want these words to be the longing of my heart and the prayer on my lips --
"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Amen!
Wednesday, April 10, 2019
Start -- Never Stop!
In the 10th chapter of the Gospel of Mark, we read about the rich young ruler.
"And when He (Jesus) was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to Him, and asked Him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou Me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
And he answered and said unto Him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him: One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.
And he was sad at that saying: and went away grieved: for he had great possessions."
Notice these important words in this scripture passage -- "Go" -- "Sell" -- "Give" -- "Come" -- "Take" -- "Follow". --Mark 10:21. Oswald Chambers has written a sobering and challenging devotional thought from this verse:
"The look of Jesus will require breaking your heart away forever from allegiance to any other person or thing. Once the call of God comes to you, start going and never stop!" Amen!
Let us sing with the songwriter:
"Trust in His promises, faithful and sure;
Lean upon the Saviour, and thy soul is secure.
Where He leads I'll follow, follow all the way.
Where He leads I'll follow, follow Jesus every day."
"And when He (Jesus) was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to Him, and asked Him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou Me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
And he answered and said unto Him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him: One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.
And he was sad at that saying: and went away grieved: for he had great possessions."
Notice these important words in this scripture passage -- "Go" -- "Sell" -- "Give" -- "Come" -- "Take" -- "Follow". --Mark 10:21. Oswald Chambers has written a sobering and challenging devotional thought from this verse:
"The look of Jesus will require breaking your heart away forever from allegiance to any other person or thing. Once the call of God comes to you, start going and never stop!" Amen!
Let us sing with the songwriter:
"Trust in His promises, faithful and sure;
Lean upon the Saviour, and thy soul is secure.
Where He leads I'll follow, follow all the way.
Where He leads I'll follow, follow Jesus every day."
Monday, April 8, 2019
Glory Land --
This morning, about 5:30, my daughter-in-law's father (one of the great saints in our church) went sweeping through the gates of glory to enter his mansion on Glory Boulevard!! What a reunion it must have been to greet my husband (who was his pastor for many years) right nearby in his mansion on the Hallelujah Side! It makes me think of that wonderful old song that says --
"When we're inside the gates of pearl, we'll learn a lot of things. We'll have a harp that's made of gold--perhaps a thousand strings! We'll sing and shout and dance about; the Lamb will dry our tears. We'll have a grand Home-coming week the first ten thousand years."
"What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see -- and I look upon His face, the One who saved me by His grace! When He takes me by the hand, and leads me through the promised land -- What a day, glorious day that will be."
I thank the Lord today for wonderful memories of Bro. Crosley -- his testimonies, his shouts of victory, his encouragement to young Christians, and his consistent example of the beautiful experience of holiness of heart and life!
Bro. Crosley heard his daughter and son-in-law sing these words many times --
". . .They say those walls are Jasper and those gates are made of Pearl,
And in that land, there will never come a night --
There with the flowing river, and the streets all made of gold --
Jesus Christ, Himself, will be the light!
Glory land! Glory land! Wondrous city built by God's own hand!
Cares all past; home at last! Come and go with me to Glory land!
Praise the Lord!
Remember -- Just one glimpse of His dear face -- ALL sorrow will erase --
So bravely run the race -- 'Till we see Christ!"
"When we're inside the gates of pearl, we'll learn a lot of things. We'll have a harp that's made of gold--perhaps a thousand strings! We'll sing and shout and dance about; the Lamb will dry our tears. We'll have a grand Home-coming week the first ten thousand years."
"What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see -- and I look upon His face, the One who saved me by His grace! When He takes me by the hand, and leads me through the promised land -- What a day, glorious day that will be."
I thank the Lord today for wonderful memories of Bro. Crosley -- his testimonies, his shouts of victory, his encouragement to young Christians, and his consistent example of the beautiful experience of holiness of heart and life!
Bro. Crosley heard his daughter and son-in-law sing these words many times --
". . .They say those walls are Jasper and those gates are made of Pearl,
And in that land, there will never come a night --
There with the flowing river, and the streets all made of gold --
Jesus Christ, Himself, will be the light!
Glory land! Glory land! Wondrous city built by God's own hand!
Cares all past; home at last! Come and go with me to Glory land!
Praise the Lord!
Remember -- Just one glimpse of His dear face -- ALL sorrow will erase --
So bravely run the race -- 'Till we see Christ!"
Friday, April 5, 2019
Forgetting ----
Strangely -- it seems that sometimes we have a tendency to remember the things we should forget, and forget the things we should remember. The Apostle Paul admonished us in Philippians 3:13-14:
"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
As we look to the coming Lord's Day, let us heed the advice given in this little paragraph I read in an old Preacher's Magazine of my husband's, entitled "Things to Forget".
"If you would increase happiness --
Forget your neighbor's faults.
Forget all the slander you ever heard.
Forget the fault-finding, and give but little thought to the cause which provoked it.
Forget the peculiarities of your friends, and only remember the good points which make you fond of them.
Forget all personal quarrels or history you may have heard by accident, and which, if repeated, would seem worse than they are.
Blot out, as far as possible, all disagreeables of life. They will come, but will only grow larger when you remember them; and the constant thought of the acts of meanness -- or worse still -- malice, will tend to make you more familiar with them.
Start out with a clean sheet today, and write upon it only those things which are lovely and lovable."
"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."
"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
As we look to the coming Lord's Day, let us heed the advice given in this little paragraph I read in an old Preacher's Magazine of my husband's, entitled "Things to Forget".
"If you would increase happiness --
Forget your neighbor's faults.
Forget all the slander you ever heard.
Forget the fault-finding, and give but little thought to the cause which provoked it.
Forget the peculiarities of your friends, and only remember the good points which make you fond of them.
Forget all personal quarrels or history you may have heard by accident, and which, if repeated, would seem worse than they are.
Blot out, as far as possible, all disagreeables of life. They will come, but will only grow larger when you remember them; and the constant thought of the acts of meanness -- or worse still -- malice, will tend to make you more familiar with them.
Start out with a clean sheet today, and write upon it only those things which are lovely and lovable."
"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."
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
This Moment . . .
The songwriter said -- "Yesterday's gone, sweet Jesus, and tomorrow may never be mine" ---
The poet said -- "All I Have Is Now" ---
"I do not have the yesterdays; for they are past and gone.
I could not change them if I would, since they have traveled on.
I cannot cancel out their ills; increase the joys they gave --
For they are gone; their memory is all that I can save.
I do not have the promise of the light of one tomorrow.
I cannot order future joys -- evade oncoming sorrow.
And sooner than I think may come the ending of the way.
I cannot count on what may be -- I only have today.
I have this present golden hour, and that is all I ask;
For if I live this hour for God, then I am at my task.
This hour -- and then the next one -- and each hour He may allow --
Oh, let me live them all for Him! For all I have is now."
-- Lois Eades
We are reminded in the Epistle of James: "...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."
"So help me today -- show me the way -- one day at a time"!
The poet said -- "All I Have Is Now" ---
"I do not have the yesterdays; for they are past and gone.
I could not change them if I would, since they have traveled on.
I cannot cancel out their ills; increase the joys they gave --
For they are gone; their memory is all that I can save.
I do not have the promise of the light of one tomorrow.
I cannot order future joys -- evade oncoming sorrow.
And sooner than I think may come the ending of the way.
I cannot count on what may be -- I only have today.
I have this present golden hour, and that is all I ask;
For if I live this hour for God, then I am at my task.
This hour -- and then the next one -- and each hour He may allow --
Oh, let me live them all for Him! For all I have is now."
-- Lois Eades
We are reminded in the Epistle of James: "...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."
"So help me today -- show me the way -- one day at a time"!
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