A Little Cloud!

A few days ago, I was driving through the countryside.  It was a lovely morning, and as I drove along I noticed that the sky was a beautiful blue with not a single cloud in sight!  I looked in every direction as far as I could see, and could not see even one tiny cloud!  I started thinking about the prophet, Elijah, up on Mt. Carmel.  It had not rained for three years, but after many days the Lord spoke to His prophet and told him that He was going to send rain!

King Ahab was instructed to gather all Israel, and the 850 prophets of Baal and the groves, and go to the top of Mt. Carmel.  What a contest they had there between Jehovah and Baal!  The prophet Elijah said in I Kings 18:24 -- "Call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God."

The prophets of Baal called on their god from morning until the time of the evening sacrifice; even cutting themselves with knives and lancets "till the blood gushed out upon them".  Then Elijah "repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down."  After he finished repairing the altar, it was time for the good prophet to pray.  Praise the Lord!  "And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that Thou art God in Israel.  Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that Thou art the Lord God.  Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt-sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.  And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, He is the God; the Lord, He is the God.  And Elijah said unto Ahab,  Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.  So Ahab went up to eat and to drink.  And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees.

I wonder if Elijah was thinking, "Where is God"?  The sky was still a beautiful blue -- not even a hint of a cloud rising up out of the West -- but Elijah said to his servant, "Go up now, look toward the sea.  And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing."  But Elijah said, "Go again"!  Still Nothing!  But Elijah answered -- Go again and again and again and once again --- Nothing!  I really don't know what was going through Elijah's mind by this time, but in spite of the devil, the crowd, the king -- he knew God had spoken, and he said to his servant -- "Go again!"  And the seventh time, the servant came back and said -- "Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand."  That was enough for God's prophet!  Praise the Lord!  "And he said, go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not.  And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain."

What a mighty God we serve!  Nothing is impossible when we put our trust in Him!  Let us be strong in faith, knowing that what He has promised, He is able to perform!
May we pray with the songwriter --

     "Oh, for a faith that will not shrink, though pressed by every foe,
That will not tremble on the brink of any earthly woe.
      That will not murmur nor complain beneath the chastening rod
But in the hour of grief or pain, will lean upon its God.

      A faith that shines more bright and clear when tempests rage without;
That when in danger knows no fear, in darkness feels no doubt.
      Lord, give us such a faith as this; and then, whatever may come,
We'll taste, even here, the hallowed bliss of an eternal home."


        

Sweet Peace!

In the 13th chapter of John's Gospel, Jesus is with His disciples at the Feast of the Passover.  He washes their feet, tells of His betrayal, and the denial of Peter.  Then, in the opening verses of chapter 14, Jesus says:
     "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.
      In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.
      And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."  Again, in verse 27, Jesus said:
     "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
I like this little quote from Oswald Chambers:

     "When a person confers with Jesus Christ, the confusion stops, because there is no confusion in Him.  Lay everything out before Him, and listen to Him say, "Let not your heart be troubled . . . ."

Then, you will be able to sing with P. P. Bilhorn:
                "Peace, peace, sweet peace!
                            Wonderful gift from above!
                 Oh, wonderful, wonderful peace!
                             Sweet peace, the gift of God's love"!

Be Strong!

It is a rainy Monday morning, but how wonderful it is to have "sunshine in my soul".  Praise the Lord!  In I Timothy 2:1, we read: "Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."  Often when we talk about strength or being strong, we are thinking of someone who is physically strong, or perhaps the strength of our military, etc., but a Christian is strong when they are a person of gracious character -- strong in the grace manifested by the Lord in word and deed.  The Lord told the Apostle Paul, "My strength is made perfect in weakness", and in Colossians 1:11 prayed that we would also be "strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness."

But if we are going to "be strong in grace", we will have to discipline ourselves to spend time with the Lord in prayer and also take time to read and meditate upon His Holy Word -- such a blessed lamp for our feet and light for our path!  In the book of Isaiah, we read:  "Their strength is to sit still ..... in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength."  Isaiah also says -- "they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength."  Nehemiah 8:10 says "the joy of the Lord is your strength"!  Praise the Lord-- I love that blessed thought!

So as we begin another week of living for Jesus, let us add this sweet promise in Deuteronomy 33:25 -- "And as thy days, so shall thy strength be".

August 23, 1937!

Way down in Pecos, Texas a baby boy was born 82 years ago today!  Almost three years later, a baby girl was born in Lexington, Missouri, and they both attended Bible College in Bethany, Oklahoma.  The very first day she arrived on campus, she "just happened" to sit at the same table to eat lunch where that Texan was sitting -- and I guess the rest is history!!
It was a joy and privilege to serve the Lord in ministry for over 50 years, and now that Dad has gone to heaven, I can still be in the battle "in the secret place of prayer".

Today as our family thinks about Dad -- about happy times shared together -- about singing together -- playing games together -- praying together --  about the grandchildren who were his pride and joy -- and, perhaps, most of all about his longing and desire to "build an ark" for the saving of his house -- it makes me want to sing:


     "I am blessed!  I am blessed!  Every day that I live, I am blessed!
When I wake up in the morning, until I lay my head to rest --
      I am blessed!  I am blessed!

  

I Will Not Be Afraid!

If you feel like you are walking in darkness today and have no light, I trust these beautiful words by Annie Johnson Flint will greatly encourage your heart!

     "I will trust Him, yea, I will trust, for He never hath failed me yet;
And never a day nor an hour but mine uttermost need is met.
      Though I dwell in the midst of foes, yet there is my table spread --
And His presence wraps me 'round, and His wings are over my head.
      Father and Infinite God, my Refuge and Fortress Rock,
Where I hide from the tempest's wrath, and feel not the earthquake shock.
      So I bide with a soul serene, and a heart that is undismayed;
He is my Strength and my Shield -- of whom shall I be afraid?

      I will not be afraid, for I know that He keeps me safe from harm,
And He shall defend His own with a strong and stretched-out arm.
      Though I grope in perilous paths -- in darkness, in danger, and doubt,
I know, as He brought me in, so He surely will bring me out!
      For the God I serve today is one with the God of old;
Still doth He guide my steps, and still doth His hand uphold.
      He giveth me rest from fear; for on Him my mind is stayed;
He is the Strength of my life -- of what shall I be afraid?

      I will trust and not be afraid; I have seen, I have heard, I have known;
This mighty and terrible God hath called me and made me His own.
      "Dread not!  Faint not!"  He hath said, "For the battle belongs to me.
Go forth with a song of praise, and My victory thou shalt see."
      And where I go, He will go -- and He knoweth the way I take;
He is with me unto the end, and He will not fail nor forsake.
      They that trust in the Lord shall never be moved nor swayed.
"Fear not!"  He hath said unto me -- and why should I be afraid?"

And our Lord said in the 44th chapter of Isaiah:  "I am the first, and I am the last; and beside Me there is no God. . . . . Fear ye not, neither be afraid."
     

School Days!

Summer is drawing to a close -- family vacations are ending -- the blessings of the summer Camp Meetings will soon be just a memory -- the groups representing the Bible Colleges have finished their summer travels -- and young people from Kindergarten to College are beginning another school year!
Some will be going to Christian Day schools -- others will be home-schooling -- some will be in public school -- some will be going to Bible College, and others to Universities, etc.

Many are beginning this new school year with great excitement and anticipation, while there are others who face it with some fear and uncertainty.  Then there are other wonderful young people, recently graduated, who are planning to enter uncharted paths they have never traveled before!  Some will be working on advanced degrees---excited about the vocation they plan to pursue!  Some will be saying "I do", and pledging to live "Each for the other and both for the Lord".  Others will be going into ministry as Pastors, Missionaries, Christian School teachers, etc.

As I think of my own grandchildren (and one great grandchild) in school this year, I think of what a blessed privilege and responsibility we have as parents, grandparents, church family, and Christian friends to encourage them---faithfully pray for them, and let them know that no matter how old or young they are, God wants to use them to be a bright and shining light for Him!

And, young people, I would challenge you as you begin this new school year, to "Give of your best to the Master" and "Study to shew thyself approved unto God. . .".  (II Timothy 2:15).  And may you sense God's sweet presence especially near you day by day as you Trust Him,  Obey Him, and walk close by His side!    

Praising the Lord!

I trust that you have had a blessed week as you have walked with Jesus and endeavored to let Him "Make You a Blessing" to others.  Psalm 100 is a lovely little Psalm of Praise, containing only five verses.  I memorized this Psalm as a child, and it still often comes to my mind.  It is always a blessing as I think upon it --
     "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
      Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing.
      Know ye that the Lord He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
      Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.
      For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations." 
And then, after I quote this lovely little Psalm, it makes me want to sing, "No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus" by Charles Weigle.

     "I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus
Since I found in Him a friend so strong and true.
      I would tell you how He changed my life completely;
He did something that no other friend could do.

      All my life was full of sin when Jesus found me;
All my heart was full of misery and woe.
      Jesus placed His strong and loving arms around me,
And He led me in the way I ought to go.

      Every day He comes to me with new assurance;
More and more I understand His words of love.
      But I'll never know just why He came to save me,
Till some day I see His blessed face above.

      No one ever cared for me like Jesus;
There's no other friend so kind as He.
      No one else could take the sin and darkness from me;
O how much He cared for me!"


  

"Make Me A Blessing"

These words, by Ira Wilson, were probably written down as he expressed the longing of his heart to be a blessing to others.  Fifteen years later, George Schuler added music to the prayer of Bro. Wilson, and it is the prayer of my heart today!

     "Out in the high-ways and by-ways of life, many are weary and sad.
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife, making the sorrowing glad.
      Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love; tell of His power to forgive.
Others will trust Him if only you prove true every moment you live.

      Give as 'twas given to you in your need; love as the Master loved you.
Be to the helpless a helper indeed; unto your mission be true.
      Make me a blessing; make me a blessing.  Out of my life may Jesus shine.
Make me a blessing, O Saviour, I pray.  Make me a blessing to someone today."

And may we join in with the Psalmist:  "I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth."
 

I Like Monday!

Perhaps you think it is a little strange to say, "I like Monday", because many people, for various reasons, seem to dread it as they face the responsibilities awaiting them.  But I like Monday because throughout the day I love reflecting on the services of the previous day -- the beautiful hymns that spoke to my heart -- the messages from God's Holy Word that challenged me, blessed me and encouraged me -- the fellowship of God's people -- and realizing anew what a sweet privilege it is to be part of the family of God!  And then, I also like Monday because I wonder -- what does Jesus have ahead for me this week?  If He tarries and lends me breath, what does Jesus want me to do for Him this week? 
It is sometimes easy for me, if I am not careful, to feel like I am accomplishing very little for Jesus.  But this morning when I awakened, this little chorus came into my mind and spoke to my heart. 

     "Only to be what He wants me to be, every moment of every day.
Yielded completely to Jesus alone, every step of this pilgrim way.
      Just to be clay in the Potter's hand; ready to do what His will demands--
Only to be what He wants me to be, every moment of every day."

May God bless you on this Monday, and may you know the joy that comes from giving all to Jesus -- every moment of every day!

God -- A Very Present Help

The 46th Psalm is a lovely Psalm, and begins with these words of assurance in verses 1-3.  "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; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof."
It is interesting to note the word "very" in the first verse.  The Lord seems to want to assure us that He is not "just a helper" in our time of trouble, but intensely present to guide us through the difficult times in our lives!  Our Lord is not far away, and in this same Psalm, verse 11 says:  "The Lord of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our refuge."  Jesus speaks to us in John 14:27, and says:  "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  What a sweet promise to know that the Lord of all is with me, personally, right now!

Let us go back and read again our key verses in Psalm 46:1-3.  The Psalmist must have been speaking of the great world-wide, catastrophic flood in the days of Noah, but even then, our God had provided a refuge for His people --- the Ark that he instructed Noah to build!  And God's Word says:  "Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he."  When the flood came, "the Lord shut him in", along with his wife, his three sons and their wives, along with male and female of all flesh.  And God's Word tells us:  "And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered . . . . and the mountains were covered."
And in II Peter 3:6, we read:  "the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished."

But the Lord didn't forget His faithful servant, for the Bible says -- "And God remembered Noah."  Praise the Lord!  How wonderful it is to know that if we belong to Jesus, He will not forget us either -- He knows where we are every moment of every day!  Yes, He is a very present help to His people!

      

Giving God the Glory

The very first verse of the 115th  Psalm says:  "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mercy, and for Thy truth's sake."  One of the wonderful words in the Bible is the word, "glory", and it should be very evident that the glory belongs to God, not man.  Psalm 19:1 says the very "heavens declare the glory of God".  And not only do the heavens declare His glory, but "His glory is above the heavens" (113:4).  And I like (104:31) that tells us "the glory of the Lord shall endure forever."
The Lord, speaking through his prophet, Jeremiah, says in chapter 9:  "Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord."

This Old Testament exhortation is echoed again in the New Testament book of I Corinthians:  "God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; .  . .that no flesh should glory in His presence.  But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."
These wonderful scriptures make me want to sing, along with Fanny Crosby, To God Be the Glory!

     "To God be the glory -- great things He hath done:
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
      Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life-gate that all may go in.

      O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood --
To every believer, the promise of God!
      The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.

      Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus, the Son!
      But purer and higher and greater will be
Our wonder, our transport when Jesus we see!

      Praise the Lord!  Praise the Lord!  Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord!  Praise the Lord!  Let the people rejoice!
      O come to the Father through Jesus, the Son,
And give Him the glory -- great things He hath done!" 

Hidden Peace!

It is a beautiful Monday morning!  The birds have been singing so sweetly to their Creator this morning and letting me listen too.  It makes me want to say with the Psalmist -- "Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord."  When I awakened this morning, this beautiful song by John S. Brown came to my mind.  It is one of my favorite songs, and my testimony this morning.

     "I cannot tell thee whence it came, this peace within my breast;
But this I know, there fills my soul a strange and tranquil rest.
      Beneath the toil and care of life this hidden stream flows on;
My weary soul no longer thirsts, nor am I sad and lone.

      I cannot tell the half of love, unfeigned, supreme, divine,
That caused my darkest, inmost self with beams of hope to shine.
      I cannot tell thee why He chose to suffer and to die;
But if I suffer here with Him--I'll reign with Him on high.

           There's a deep, settled peace in my soul.
      There's a deep, settled peace in my soul.
           Tho' the billows of sin near me roll,
      He abides; Christ abides."

While my heart rejoices in this sweet, abiding peace; at the same time it is sad as I think of the multitudes who don't experience this blessed peace.  Jesus said we are the light of the world.  Let us shine brightly as we love and serve Him every hour of every day!

Fearing the Lord!

In the 25th Psalm, we read these words:  "What man is he that feareth the Lord?  Him shall He teach in the way that He shall choose.  His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.  The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He will shew them His covenant."  What a sweet promise to them that fear the Lord!

I think this quote by Oswald Chambers would be a good one for us to meditate upon as we prepare our hearts for the coming Lord's Day.
     "The total being of our life inside and out is to be absolutely obsessed by the presence of God.  If we are obsessed by God, nothing else can get into our lives -- not concerns, tribulation, nor worries.  To be obsessed by God is to have an effective barricade against all the assaults of the enemy."   Is this song by Mary James the prayer of your heart today?   

     "All for Jesus!  All for Jesus!  All my being's ransomed powers:
All my thoughts and words and doings, all my days and all my hours.
      Let my hands perform His bidding; let my feet run in His ways;
Let my eyes see Jesus only; Let my lips speak forth His praise.

      Since my eyes were fixed on Jesus, I've lost sight of all beside,
So enchained my spirit's vision, looking at the Crucified.
      Oh, what wonder!  how amazing!  Jesus, glorious King of Kings,
Deigns to call me His beloved, lets me rest beneath His wings."

      All for Jesus!  All for Jesus!  I'm resting now beneath His wings!