He Is Able!

The Epistle of Jude is a marvelous little book with only one chapter of 25 verses.  In the introduction, Jude tells us that he is writing "to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called."  Verse 3 says:  "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints."

Verses 8-19 are very sad as the Epistle describes the Apostate teachers, but I love the Beautiful Benediction given in the final verses of this book.
     "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
      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!"

Praise the Lord!  Our God is able---able to keep us from falling!  II Thessalonians 3:3 says:  "But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil."
When I think of the faithfulness of our wonderful Lord, my heart overflows with praise and thanksgiving, and I want to say with the Apostle Paul -- "Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever.  Amen!"

SUFFERING!

Suffering is not a word that brings joy, but I like this little story about suffering by Reuben Youngdahl.
     "I often think of the little boy I saw sitting outside of the walls of Versailles.  He was holding a little sparrow with a broken wing.  A kindly lady came along and she asked, 'Sonny, would you like me to take this sparrow home and nurse it back to health?  I promise I will bring it back to these gardens when it is healed and let it fly free again.'
      The little boy thought for a moment.  Then he said, 'If you don't mind, Madam, I will take care of the bird myself.'  He paused momentarily and added, 'Because, you see, I understand this bird.'  The woman could not quite get what that boy meant until he stood up.  Then she saw his left leg was in a cast.  Because he was crippled, he understood the suffering bird's problem.
      The God whom I know became incarnate in Jesus Christ and came into the world to learn what problems I must face in life, so that He can match the strength I may need in order to face those problems triumphantly.  That is why, when I walk with Him, I can have such confidence!"   Amen!

 If you are going through a time of suffering, I trust that you will be encouraged by this wonderful verse in Romans 8:18:  "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."  Praise the Lord!

     "Be not dismayed, what e'er betide---God will take care of you!"  Just "Hold to God's Unchanging Hand!  Build your hopes on things eternal -- Hold to God's Unchanging Hand!"
      And then when we've made it to the beautiful city of God -- Just one glimpse of His dear face, and all our sorrows will erase!  So let's bravely run the race, 'till we see Christ!!  

MEMORIAL DAY!

Today our Nation pauses to remember those who have given their lives for our freedom!  Helen Steiner Rice has written "A Memorial Day Prayer"!

     "They Served and Fought and Died so that we might be Safe and Free,
Grant them, O Lord, eternal peace and give them 'the Victory.'
      And in these days of unrest, filled with grave uncertainty,
Let's not forget the Price they paid to keep our Country Free ---

      And so, on this Memorial Day, we offer up a prayer --
May the people of All Nations be United in Thy Care,
      And grant us understanding, and teach us how to live
So we may lose our selfish pride, and learn to love and give --

      And keep us ever mindful of the fighting men who sleep
In Arlington and foreign lands, so we may ever keep
      The 'Light of Freedom' burning in their honor through the years,
And hear their cry for Peace on Earth resounding in our ears --

      Forgive us our Transgressions, and 'Oh, God, be with us yet'
Lest in our Pride and Arrogance, we heedlessly Forget."

      Today, as we remember those who gave their lives in the service of our nation, let us join our voices in song, and sing from our hearts --

     "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing:
Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride,
      From every mountain side, let Freedom ring!
   
Let music swell the breeze, and ring from all the trees sweet freedom's song;
      Let mortal tongues awake; let all that breathe partake;
Let rocks their silence break, the sound prolong.

      Our fathers' God, to Thee, Author of Liberty, to Thee we sing.
Long may our land be bright with Freedom's holy light;
      Protect us by Thy might; Great God, our King!"

And all the people said, "AMEN"!


     

I Will Follow!

In the fourth chapter of Matthew, we read:  "And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.  And He saith unto them, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.  And they straightway left their nets, and followed Him."  Praise the Lord!  How mighty, how blessed, and how wonderful are the transformations of divine grace!

     "Jesus calls me; I must follow, follow Him today.
When His tender voice is pleading, how can I delay?
      Jesus calls me; I must follow, follow every hour.
Know the blessing of His presence; fullness of His power.

      Follow, I will follow Thee, my Lord; follow every passing day.
My tomorrows are all known to Thee; Thou wilt lead me all the way."
                                                                                           ---Howard L. Brown

As a Christian, our daily testimony should be -- "Only to be what He wants me to be---every moment of every day."  And sometimes, if the way ahead looks a little dark and fearful, remember this wonderful little quote by S. D. Gordon:
     "Jesus never sends a man ahead alone.  He blazes a clear way through every thicket and wood, and then softly calls, 'Follow Me.  Let's go on together, you and I.'"

 

Loving One Another!

Today is Wednesday, and I look forward (as I do every week) to going to the mid-week Prayer and Praise service at my church tonight!  It brings to my mind the sweet verse in Psalm 133:1 -- "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity."  In I Thessalonians 4:9, the Apostle Paul admonishes us -- "But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another."

In a world full of unrest, division, turmoil, strife, etc., how blessed it is to live in peace, loving God supremely and our neighbor as ourselves.  There are many scriptures built around the beautiful phrase "one another".  I trust that these will be a blessing and encouragement to your heart today!

     "Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."  Ephesians 4:32
     We are to "serve one another".  Galatians 5:13
      We are also to "exhort one another daily."  Hebrews 3:13
We are also to "consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works".  Hebrews 10:24

We are told to "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."  Galatians 6:2
In times of sorrow, we are admonished to "comfort one another" and "pray one for another".  But the most frequently repeated command, by far,  is that we "Love one another"!  In fact, it is Christ's own new commandment which we read about in John 13:34-35 --
     "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another:  as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another."
      I trust that you will have a blessed day loving God and one another! 

Run to Jesus!

There is a very interesting little verse in Proverbs 18:10 which reads:  "The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe."  I think this is such an interesting verse, and what a blessed comfort -- the number of times is not limited, but anytime we have need we can run to Jesus and find refuge!  Praise the Lord!

It is interesting to note several instances in the New Testament where people actually "ran" to Jesus!  We recall the man who was possessed with a whole legion of demons.  Mark 5:6 tells us:  "But when he saw Jesus afar off, he "ran" and worshipped Him", and Jesus set him free!

Then, there was a wealthy man (whosoever will may come) -- In the 19th chapter of Luke, we read: "And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, and he was rich.  And he sought to see Jesus . . . And he "ran" before and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him; for He was to pass that way.  When Zacchaeus met the Master, his conversion was genuine, and he demonstrated it by a changed and sacrificial life!  (Luke 19:1-10)

In Jesus' terrible suffering on the cross and spoke of His terrible thirst, it was an unknown observer who "ran" and filled a sponge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave Him to drink.  After His burial, when Mary Magdalene told Peter and John that the tomb was empty, John tells us: "So they "ran" both together . . ."

How sweet and blessed it is to know that yet, today, if we will "run" to Jesus, sincerely seeking to love and serve Him, we will find salvation in His name, for there is still "none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
            Do you know Him today?  "With arms wide open, He'll pardon you!  It is no secret what God can do!"




















 

My Church!

Today is Friday, and I look forward with anticipation to going to God's House--my church-- on His Holy Day!  But then I thought --- maybe it would be good to spend a little time reflecting on this quote we have all heard:  "What would my church be if every member were just like me"?  It is quite a sobering thought!
I read the following thoughts in one of my husband's old Preacher's Magazines:

               "What Makes a Church Great"

NOT soft seats and subdued lights, but strong, courageous leadership.
NOT the sweet tones of the organ, but sweet personalities that reflect Jesus.
NOT tall towers with chimes and bells, but lofty vision of its people.
NOT big budgets, but large hearts.
NOT the amount of finances received, but the amount of service rendered.
NOT the large membership, but God's presence and direction and power.
NOT what it has done in the past, but what it is doing now, and planning to do tomorrow.

     "Help me, dear Jesus, to be one who helps to make my church great for Your Glory and the upbuilding of Your Kingdom".
     "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord."

The Month of May!

May is such a lovely month!  The little rhyme says -- "April showers bring May flowers"!  It is delightful to see pretty flowers blooming, smell the aroma of freshly mowed grass, and see the trees proudly displaying their new spring leaves!  Our Heavenly Father is good to give us so many blessings to enjoy.
There are also special events to enjoy in the month of May.  We just celebrated Mother's Day, and now excitement is mounting as many Seniors are anticipating the long-awaited day of Graduation!  I have enjoyed going to the mailbox the last few days and finding graduation announcements from relatives and friends.  As I read the announcements, I can almost feel the excitement of each young person as they anticipate turning their tassel.

Graduates, as you look forward to beginning a new chapter in your life, make sure that you are holding tightly to God's hand!  Follow where He leads; His way is Always the Best Way!  And to Live Abundantly, remember this little poem by Helen Steiner Rice:

     "The more you give, the more you get --
The more you laugh, the less you fret --
      The more you do Unselfishly,
The more you live Abundantly. . .

      The more of everything you share,
The more you'll always have to spare --
      The more you love, the more you'll find
That life is good and friends are kind. . .

      For Only What We Give Away,
      Enriches Us From Day to Day."

Special Congratulations to my granddaughter, Brooklynn, graduating from High School!  

INFLUENCE!

Someone has said that Influence is the most potent factor that accompanies life.  It is something we all exert, although some exert more influence than others.  We actually exert a twofold influence -- the conscious and the unconscious.  We do our greatest work (either for good or bad) in the realm of unconscious influence because we all accomplish more in what we are than by what we say or do.  So we will no doubt accomplish as much with our radiations as we will with our exhortations.

We remember that it was Stephen's radiations (his face shone like an angel), rather than his exhortations, that brought Saul under conviction and led to his conversion.

We are making the world better or worse by the life we live.  We are either a blessing or a blight; someone is sure to be lifted by our righteousness or contaminated by our unrighteousness.  What kind of an influence are you exerting?  A good influence is like loosing a white-winged dove that will be the messenger of love and good will, but a bad influence is like letting go of a black-winged bat.
Someone said it this way:  "Oh, influence, how solemn!  Oh, influence, how awful!  Oh, influence, how momentous!"
I like this story regarding Influence by William Barker:

     "A youthful giant slouched into an Illinois schoolroom one day after school.  The teacher, Mentor Graham, looked up and recognized the young husky standing there awkwardly as the new young buck who had recently moved to town and who had whipped the daylights out of all the local toughs.  Graham looked up and down the six-foot-four inches of muscle and ignorance before him and offered to help him read and to lend him a few books.  No one remembers Mentor Graham nowadays.  He was one of the quiet men, but his pupil will be remembered for a long time.  His name was Abraham Lincoln!"

Happy Mother's Day!

To meet the many demands of motherhood, it is so important to begin the day with Jesus.  I like the little quote that says, "If a day is hemmed in prayer, it is less likely to unravel."  I also love this one:  "Every morning lean thine arms awhile upon the window sill of heaven and gaze upon thy Lord.  Then, with this vision in thy heart, turn strong to meet thy day."  As Mothers, we must keep ever before us the vital importance of prayer and obedience to God.  According to Proverbs 31, this kind of Mother is invaluable.  The Scripture says her price is far above rubies; no quantity of precious stones can be equal to her worth! 

There is great joy in being a Mother, but there is great responsibility, also.  Sometimes there are tears, heartaches, and sorrows, but I believe some of life's greatest joys come from being a Mother!  I wonder what the Lord would like to do with the little ones you hold in your hand today, dear Mother?  Nothing is impossible with God!  I think of Moses -- how his Mother hid him as a baby, and then made a little ark for him and put it out on the water --how Pharaoh's daughter found him, spared his life --and later God used him to deliver His people out of Egyptian bondage.  As Mothers, may we realize anew that God has given us the secret weapon of prayer, and throughout His Word, has given us wonderful examples of the power of prayer.

I believe that, as a Mother, our responsibility for our family never ends, even though the children may be married and gone from home.  I think of Judah when he was pleading for Benjamin; he made quite a long plea, ending with -- "How shall I go up to my Father and the lad be not with me"!  That tugs at my heartstrings, and makes me want to fall on my knees and pour out my heart to God for my children and grandchildren.  Mothers--perhaps we need to be more like the prophet, Jeremiah, weeping day and night for the salvation of our families.

Mothers--we are the heart of the home -- the glue that holds the family together and makes the home a haven of peace and love and joy.  Sometimes your load may seem overwhelming, but God has promised His grace will be sufficient for the needs of each day.  Perhaps we can think of our children as little gardens that God has given us to oversee.  We want the best soil for our little gardens, which we might think of as the instructions in God's Word.  Then we need to fertilize our gardens with daily prayer.

In this little Blog, I have put a lot of emphasis on prayer, but I believe that godly, praying mothers are greatly needed today.  We are busy, and sometimes feel almost overwhelmed with the cares of life, but I believe Jesus would like to burn into our hearts this mystery -- that the most important work we have to do is that which must be done on our knees, alone with God, away from the bustle of the world.

In closing, I want to share this beautiful poem, "The Builder", by an unknown author.  I pray that it will speak to the heart of every Mother and deepen our desire and longing to be Mothers of prayer!

     "A builder built a temple; he wrought it with care and skill --
Pillars and doors and arches, all fashioned to work his will.
      And men said, as they saw its beauty, 'it shall never know decay.
Great is thy skill, O builder!  Thy fame shall endure for aye.'

      A Mother built a temple with infinite loving care,
Planning each arch with patience, laying each stone with prayer.
      None praised her unceasing effort, none knew of her wond'rous plan.
For the temple the Mother built was unseen by the eye of man.

      Gone is the builder's temple -- crumbled into the dust;
Low lies each stately pillar; food for consuming rust.
      But the temple the Mother built will last while the ages roll,
For the beautiful unseen temple, was a child's immortal soul."

Happy Mother's Day to each of you, with a special wish for the Mothers' I hold in my heart:
     My daughter, Paula
     My three daughter-in-laws: Barb, Jess, and Mandy
     My granddaughter-in-law, Brittany
  

Mother's Day!

When we say the word, "Mother", it brings a flood of loving memories to our hearts.  I am very thankful and blessed to be able to say with the Psalmist -- "I have a goodly heritage".  I thank the Lord that I was privileged to have a mother who instilled in me a love for God, His people, and His Holy Day!
Mother taught me obedience -- respect for others -- to be truthful -- and the value of a loving family.  She showed me by her example the importance of God's Holy Word -- to read it faithfully, to love it,  and to obey it! 
Mother was a wonderful cook -- a friend to all -- a great encourager; in short, a wonderful mother and wife.
I thank the Lord that I had the privilege of being raised in a Christian home filled with love and peace and happiness!

I consider being a Mother (and now a grandmother and great grandmother) one of the greatest joys in life, but it is also one of the greatest responsibilities!  To realize that God has entrusted to our care a never-dying soul should cause us to daily seek His face for wisdom and guidance.  I love the sweet story in the second chapter of Exodus where Pharaoh's daughter came to bathe at the river and saw the little ark holding baby Moses.  My favorite part is in verse 9 where she said to Miriam --"Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages."  To me, this is such a lovely picture of Jesus asking each of us mothers to train our children for Him, and He will reward us with joy and multiple blessings as we endeavor to do our best!

I love this little poem entitled, Mother's Altar:  "Many years ago I knelt and bowed my head in prayer upon a checkered apron as my mother stroked my hair.  I have knelt at many altars of wood, of gold, of stone; but that gingham-covered altar is the sweetest I have known."  It is certainly true that the value of a loving mother cannot be overestimated.  "Who taught my infant lips to pray, to love God's Holy Word and Day, and walk in wisdom's pleasant way?  My Mother!"

The importance of prayer cannot be over-emphasized!  Hannah is a great example of a praying Mother.  In half of all the verses about her in I Samuel, she is praying and her prayers produced one of the great heroes of the Bible -- her son, Samuel.

I read the story of a merchant ship named the Star of India which survived collision, a mutiny and a
terrible cyclone on 21 trips around the world.  Her cargo included coal, timber, sugar and salmon, but more significant than these was the human cargo she bore carrying immigrants to New Zealand.  Over 400 people would pack the airless steerage compartments and tiny wooden berths for four months on the tossing sea.  Those brave souls that sailed on the Star of India risked everything to begin a new life.  They were committed to facing the dangers and enduring the hardships in hope of making a safe harbor.  

As mothers, God has placed in our care the precious cargo of our children, and we are on a journey also.  We, too, will face some storms -- some sacrifice -- some self-denial -- but there is never a place to give up -- and if we will pay all the price to make it in to the safe harbor of heaven with the family in our hand, it will be worth a thousand times more than all the hardships of the journey!  Amen!  God bless you!

 
 
   

Monday Musings!

My heart is full of Praise and Thanksgiving on this lovely Monday morning!  The sun is shining so beautifully, and reminds me that the heavens declare the glory of God! 
Yesterday was a wonderful day in the house of the Lord -- singing God's praises---worshiping Him in the beauty of holiness---and gaining new insights from God's Word through the messages of my pastor.  How wonderful it is to be a "Child of the King"!

As we begin a new week of living for Jesus, our thoughts turn to Mothers, who we will be honoring next Sunday if Jesus tarries.  It has been said that Mother is the heart of the home, and if you have been blessed to have a godly mother who takes you often to the throne of God in prayer, you are rich indeed!
In Joshua 24:15, we read:  ". . .But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord".  I like this little quote by an unknown author:
          "The beauty of the home is order; the blessing of the home is contentment;
            The glory of the home is hospitality; the crown of the home is godliness".
I also like this song published in 1846:

     "Happy the home when God is there and love fills every breast,
when one their wish, and one their prayer, and one their heavenly rest.
      Happy the home where Jesus' name is sweet to every ear,
where children early lisp His name and parents hold Him dear.

      Happy the home where prayer is heard, and praise is wont to rise,
where parents love the sacred Word and all its wisdom prize.
      Lord, let us in our homes agree this blessed peace to gain;
unite our hearts in love to Thee, and love to all will reign."  Amen! 

We still Miss You!

The family and I are missing you today, sweet Papa!  It is hard to believe it has been four years ago today that we followed the hearse to the cemetery -- but how wonderful to know that you had already taken your flight past the sun, moon and stars -- up to where the golden bells were ringing to welcome you to the joys of heaven!  I'm sure if we could see you today, we would find you still shouting "Glory!" just outside your mansion door where you are living by Glory Boulevard on the Hallelujah Side!

After four years, our hearts are still flooded with sweet memories of the years we enjoyed together serving our wonderful Lord and sharing the joys and sorrows of life.  After four years we still miss you greatly, but the children and grandchildren all spoil me very much, and I am blessed!  But I still miss you -- I miss hearing you pray -- I miss your wise counsel and your leadership -- but I am endeavoring, by God's help and grace, to build the Ark according to God's perfect pattern, and I want to meet you in that City where they need no sun---just inside the Eastern Gate with the family in my hand!

I haven't heard your voice telling me you loved me for many days; but, perhaps, if you could speak to our family today, you would say these words by an unknown author, entitled:  "If Tomorrow Starts Without Me."

     "If tomorrow starts without me, and I'm not there to see;
If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me;
      I wish so much you wouldn't cry the way you did today,
While thinking of the many things we didn't get to say.

      I know how much you love me -- as much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me, I know you'll miss me too;
      But if tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name, and took me by the hand,
            And said my place was ready, in heaven far above,
         And that I'd have to leave behind all those I dearly love.

      But as I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my eye,
For all my life, I'd always thought, I didn't want to die.
      I had so much to live for -- so much yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible that I was leaving you.
      I thought of all the yesterdays -- the good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared, and all the fun we had.

      But when I walked through Heaven's gates, I felt so much at home,
When God looked down and smiled at me, from His great golden Throne,
      He said, 'This is eternity, and all I've promised you'.
Today your life on earth is past, but here it starts anew.
      I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last,
And since each day's the same way--there's no longing for the past.

       So if tomorrow starts without me--don't think we're far apart,
       For every time you think of me--I'm right here, in your heart."