We read in God's Word that "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." We are admonished in God's Word to "Pray without ceasing." (I Thessalonians 5:17) Earnest, intercessory prayer is, perhaps, one of the greatest needs of the church today. Without prayer, we are powerless and fruitless! I think the verse in Ezekiel 22:30 is such a sad verse. I picture the Master looking -- seeking -- longing -- for a man to pray -- to intercede -- to stand in the gap for the land, but He found none. Can you feel God's longing and disappointment in these sad words --
"And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none."
I trust this poem by Harper Welch will challenge your heart today, as it has mine.
" I failed to pray --
And icy chords of earth slipped round my soul.
My heart, once warm with love, turned chill --
And dead toward Him who gave Himself and died for me.
The needy souls of men about me touched me not.
No surges of compassion filled my being,
No springs of human kindness for the helpless;
No joy, no peace, no satisfaction for my portion,
Because I failed to pray.
But then, I prayed --
And heaven's warmth burned in my once cold heart,
And God's great love was mine in fullest measure.
The needs of men weighed heavily upon me;
My obligations to my Lord were clear and plain.
And 'Peace which passeth understanding' --
Joy, and life abundant, and a glow deep settled:
These I knew through God, my Heavenly Father,
Because I prayed.
Help me, dear Lord, to pray as I ought, always,
Not fainting with the tensions of my life;
But strong, and stalwart, and courageous in the faith,
Supported by the Spirit, and the grace which can and shall be mine,
Because I pray!"
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Monday, October 28, 2019
Turn Back ---
Yesterday was a blessed day in the house of the Lord, but I wonder -- where do you find yourself on the road of life this Monday morning? Are you traveling down the broad way that leadeth to destruction, or are you walking in the narrow way which leadeth unto life?
Last night at church, my son sang a song which my husband used to sing. It always touched my heart, and still does, as I picture the Good Shepherd searching for the lost sheep. Do you need to turn back today?
"I strolled along the road one day -- but it was not the narrow way;
I met a stranger -- He spoke to me.
He said, 'My child, where goest thou?' I said --
'I seek the road just now to wordly pleasures along the way.'
I said, 'There is so much to see -- I cannot turn, I must be free --
New fields to conquer as on I go.
I never shall forget that day -- How sad He looked as He turned away!
He bowed His head -- and He dropped a tear.
And as I journeyed on my way, I stooped to pick a lovely spray,
But it was sorrow that looked so gay.
And then a dark cloud rolled my way; twas then I heard the Saviour say,
'Turn back, my child -- come home with Me.'
'Turn back my child, for the way is very steep --
The things you'll find out there you cannot keep --
The way is filled with thorns, and the things you'll find are cheap --
Turn back, my child -- come home with Me.'
And then He gently took my hand -- He lifted me from sinking sand;
He said, 'My child--believe in Me' --
And then such beauty I beheld! I'm sure that I could never tell
Just why He saved a wretch like me.'
Turn back, my child, for the way is very steep --
The things you'll find out there you cannot keep --
The way is filled with thorns, and the things you'll find are cheap --
Turn back, my child -- come home with Me.'"
Jesus is calling to you this morning --"Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
Amen!
Last night at church, my son sang a song which my husband used to sing. It always touched my heart, and still does, as I picture the Good Shepherd searching for the lost sheep. Do you need to turn back today?
"I strolled along the road one day -- but it was not the narrow way;
I met a stranger -- He spoke to me.
He said, 'My child, where goest thou?' I said --
'I seek the road just now to wordly pleasures along the way.'
I said, 'There is so much to see -- I cannot turn, I must be free --
New fields to conquer as on I go.
I never shall forget that day -- How sad He looked as He turned away!
He bowed His head -- and He dropped a tear.
And as I journeyed on my way, I stooped to pick a lovely spray,
But it was sorrow that looked so gay.
And then a dark cloud rolled my way; twas then I heard the Saviour say,
'Turn back, my child -- come home with Me.'
'Turn back my child, for the way is very steep --
The things you'll find out there you cannot keep --
The way is filled with thorns, and the things you'll find are cheap --
Turn back, my child -- come home with Me.'
And then He gently took my hand -- He lifted me from sinking sand;
He said, 'My child--believe in Me' --
And then such beauty I beheld! I'm sure that I could never tell
Just why He saved a wretch like me.'
Turn back, my child, for the way is very steep --
The things you'll find out there you cannot keep --
The way is filled with thorns, and the things you'll find are cheap --
Turn back, my child -- come home with Me.'"
Jesus is calling to you this morning --"Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
Amen!
Friday, October 25, 2019
My Pastor!
October has been designated as "Pastor Appreciation" month, and this Sunday, the 27th, is the last Sunday of the month. Of course, if your pastor is a man of God, he is worthy of your support-- your prayers--your encouragement--your faithfulness in giving and attendance all through the year!
Lisa Morgan, in 1994, wrote a tribute to her pastor in the following words:
"Your willingness to follow God's leadership inspires us to do the same.
Your walk of faith encourages us to walk along unafraid.
Your desire for wisdom prompts us to read and study our Bible more.
Your belief that all things are possible gives us wings to soar.
Your humble, loving, spirit, lets us know you care.
Thank you, our good pastor, for always being there."
"We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father." I Thessalonians 1:2-3
Special Appreciation to my own pastor, Bro. Wallace Thornton, for his faithful ministry to our church family!
Lisa Morgan, in 1994, wrote a tribute to her pastor in the following words:
"Your willingness to follow God's leadership inspires us to do the same.
Your walk of faith encourages us to walk along unafraid.
Your desire for wisdom prompts us to read and study our Bible more.
Your belief that all things are possible gives us wings to soar.
Your humble, loving, spirit, lets us know you care.
Thank you, our good pastor, for always being there."
"We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father." I Thessalonians 1:2-3
Special Appreciation to my own pastor, Bro. Wallace Thornton, for his faithful ministry to our church family!
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
"So much the more . . ."
It is a beautiful morning here in Indiana where I live! I love the beautiful sunshine streaming through my windows, and I am thankful for the sunshine in my soul that warms my heart this morning. And--for a little extra blessing this morning, I am looking forward to the mid-week service at my church tonight as I do every Wednesday! It's like a needed "booster shot" to give me extra guidance and help for the rest of the week as my heart is blessed and encouraged by the singing of the sweet little children, the testimonies of the saints, and the devotional from our pastor.
It makes me sad when I hear that churches don't have the mid-week service anymore, and I think of this scripture in Hebrews 10:23-25--
"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised);
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
The Bible also contains a special promise that where even just two or three are gathered together in Christ's name, He will be in the midst of them! Praise the Lord!
Frances Ridley Havergal wrote a beautiful hymn of consecration in 1874. I trust it will be the desire and prayer of our hearts today --
"Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord to Thee.
Take my moments and my days -- let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold -- not a mite would I with-hold.
Take my intellect and use every power as Thou shalt choose.
Take my will and make it Thine -- it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart -- it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love -- my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself -- and I will be ever, only, all for Thee." Amen!
It makes me sad when I hear that churches don't have the mid-week service anymore, and I think of this scripture in Hebrews 10:23-25--
"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised);
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
The Bible also contains a special promise that where even just two or three are gathered together in Christ's name, He will be in the midst of them! Praise the Lord!
Frances Ridley Havergal wrote a beautiful hymn of consecration in 1874. I trust it will be the desire and prayer of our hearts today --
"Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord to Thee.
Take my moments and my days -- let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold -- not a mite would I with-hold.
Take my intellect and use every power as Thou shalt choose.
Take my will and make it Thine -- it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart -- it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love -- my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself -- and I will be ever, only, all for Thee." Amen!
Monday, October 21, 2019
PRAYER
The other day I was looking in a Bible my husband had given me in 1976, and I found this very sobering quote -- convicting me, and reminding me again of the supreme importance of intercessory prayer!
"When I stand before God on the judgment day -- saved at a fearful cost,
Will someone be there, who for lack of prayer, must go to the world of the lost?
Will somebody's eyes look up at me, with hopeless, accusing stare?
Will somebody say, 'I might have been saved if you had been instant in prayer?'
Will someone go down to endless despair, to spend the eternal years
Where hope is unknown, and rest never, in anguish too bitter for tears,
Because I neglected to mind the Lord, neglected to fast and pray?
For the Lord of the harvest plainly said that this was the only way.
Lord, help me now to improve the time -- O, help me, Lord to see --
That no one may say at the judgment day -- 'Why did you not pray for me?'"
God's Word tells us in the book of James: "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
Dwight L. Moody said: "Behind every great movement of God there is a kneeling figure."
May the following little quote challenge our hearts as we begin another week of living for Jesus, our wonderful Lord!
"Every day God leaves us here on earth, we are to be like Salt (making others thirsty for God), a Magnet (drawing others to God), and Light (pointing the way to God)."
"When I stand before God on the judgment day -- saved at a fearful cost,
Will someone be there, who for lack of prayer, must go to the world of the lost?
Will somebody's eyes look up at me, with hopeless, accusing stare?
Will somebody say, 'I might have been saved if you had been instant in prayer?'
Will someone go down to endless despair, to spend the eternal years
Where hope is unknown, and rest never, in anguish too bitter for tears,
Because I neglected to mind the Lord, neglected to fast and pray?
For the Lord of the harvest plainly said that this was the only way.
Lord, help me now to improve the time -- O, help me, Lord to see --
That no one may say at the judgment day -- 'Why did you not pray for me?'"
God's Word tells us in the book of James: "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
Dwight L. Moody said: "Behind every great movement of God there is a kneeling figure."
May the following little quote challenge our hearts as we begin another week of living for Jesus, our wonderful Lord!
"Every day God leaves us here on earth, we are to be like Salt (making others thirsty for God), a Magnet (drawing others to God), and Light (pointing the way to God)."
Friday, October 18, 2019
AMEN!!
In II Corinthians 1:20, we find a wonderful little verse -- "For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us." That wonderful little four letter word, "Amen", is quite a remarkable word and is practically a universal word. It has been called the best-known word in human speech. I read in a little devotional that it is almost identical to the Hebrew word for believe or faithful. It is a beautiful expression of absolute trust and confidence, so that when we pray according to God's will we know He will answer, so we close our prayer with "Amen".
This wonderful little word, "Amen", is even a title of Christ Himself, for we see that the last of His letters to the seven churches in Revelation begins with a beautiful salutation by the glorified Lord:
"These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God" (Revelation 3:14). As our text verse reminds us -- every promise of God in Christ is "yea and amen", so it seems very meaningful that the entire Bible closes with an "amen" in Revelation 22:21 --
"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." Praise the Lord! It makes me want to sing along with the songwriter --
"Hallelujah! Amen! Hallelujah! Amen!
Hallelujah! Amen! Amen! Amen!"
This wonderful little word, "Amen", is even a title of Christ Himself, for we see that the last of His letters to the seven churches in Revelation begins with a beautiful salutation by the glorified Lord:
"These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God" (Revelation 3:14). As our text verse reminds us -- every promise of God in Christ is "yea and amen", so it seems very meaningful that the entire Bible closes with an "amen" in Revelation 22:21 --
"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." Praise the Lord! It makes me want to sing along with the songwriter --
"Hallelujah! Amen! Hallelujah! Amen!
Hallelujah! Amen! Amen! Amen!"
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
PROBLEMS!!
I suppose everyone has a few problems from time to time, so let us look in God's Word for a few moments. The 55th Psalm seems to be a Psalm of "complaint" as David tries to deal with the great problems and burdens that are overwhelming him. His first instinct seems to be to run away from them, for he says in verse 6: "And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest." He continues his lament in verse 7 and 8 --
"Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest." However, we know the prophet, Jonah, tried that same strategy of fleeing years later, and encountered worse problems. We must remember that we do not solve problems by fleeing from them!
The Psalmist continued to complain, saying in verse 9 --
"Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues ..." His burdens were no doubt heavier because those whom he had trusted as friends were now using deceit and guile against him (verses 11-14).
Finally, after all of David's fretful searching and complaining, near the end of the Psalm, the Lord gave him a beautiful answer in this wonderful promise -- "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." Praise the Lord!!
So we see that the way to deal with burdens and problems is not to flee from them -- not to fret about them -- but to turn them over to our wonderful Lord, for we read in I Peter 5:7 --- "Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you."
"What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer"!
"Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest." However, we know the prophet, Jonah, tried that same strategy of fleeing years later, and encountered worse problems. We must remember that we do not solve problems by fleeing from them!
The Psalmist continued to complain, saying in verse 9 --
"Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues ..." His burdens were no doubt heavier because those whom he had trusted as friends were now using deceit and guile against him (verses 11-14).
Finally, after all of David's fretful searching and complaining, near the end of the Psalm, the Lord gave him a beautiful answer in this wonderful promise -- "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." Praise the Lord!!
So we see that the way to deal with burdens and problems is not to flee from them -- not to fret about them -- but to turn them over to our wonderful Lord, for we read in I Peter 5:7 --- "Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you."
"What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer"!
Monday, October 14, 2019
PERFECT LOVE
The 13th chapter of I Corinthians has been called the Love Chapter, and is such a beautiful picture of the blessed experience of perfect love or holiness of heart and life which is still for us all today! I like this little summary of the chapter taken from Knight's Master Book of New Illustrations.
Slow to suspect -- quick to trust,
Slow to condemn -- quick to justify,
Slow to offend -- quick to defend,
Slow to expose -- quick to shield,
Slow to reprimand -- quick to forbear,
Slow to belittle -- quick to appreciate,
Slow to demand -- quick to give,
Slow to provoke -- quick to conciliate,
Slow to hinder -- quick to help,
Slow to resent -- quick to forgive.
Perhaps it would be good for us to post this little quote where we would see it often as we go about our duties from day to day:
"Duty makes us do things well, but love makes us do them beautifully."
"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."
Slow to suspect -- quick to trust,
Slow to condemn -- quick to justify,
Slow to offend -- quick to defend,
Slow to expose -- quick to shield,
Slow to reprimand -- quick to forbear,
Slow to belittle -- quick to appreciate,
Slow to demand -- quick to give,
Slow to provoke -- quick to conciliate,
Slow to hinder -- quick to help,
Slow to resent -- quick to forgive.
Perhaps it would be good for us to post this little quote where we would see it often as we go about our duties from day to day:
"Duty makes us do things well, but love makes us do them beautifully."
"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."
Friday, October 11, 2019
Go Forward!
The 14th chapter of Exodus begins with the Lord talking to Moses and giving him instructions to speak unto the children of Israel concerning the Egyptians and Pharaoh, the king of Egypt! You can read this "message" in the first 12 verses of the chapter. Then we read on ---
Verse 13: "And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever."
Verse 14: "The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace." I don't know what happened between verse 14 and verse 15, but verse 15 reads: "And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto Me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward." Moses obeyed, and God gave them victory, until in verse 25, we read: ". . .the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the Lord fighteth for them against the Egyptians."
So it seems from these challenging verses that the Lord does not want us to be satisfied with where we are right now in our spiritual journey -- He wants us to be scaling the utmost heights where we can catch a gleam of glory bright! There are new challenges to accept -- new difficulties to overcome -- new victories to be won -- new doors to be entered -- new knowledge to be gained -- new doors that need to be entered and new souls all around us who need Jesus!
Let us not be like many people are when getting into the water -- let us never be satisfied with just sticking our toes in gradually, but let us plunge in and wade out deeper into the challenges that face us in these perilous times!
"Onward, Christian soldiers! Marching as to war,
With the Cross of Jesus going on before."
Verse 13: "And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever."
Verse 14: "The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace." I don't know what happened between verse 14 and verse 15, but verse 15 reads: "And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto Me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward." Moses obeyed, and God gave them victory, until in verse 25, we read: ". . .the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the Lord fighteth for them against the Egyptians."
So it seems from these challenging verses that the Lord does not want us to be satisfied with where we are right now in our spiritual journey -- He wants us to be scaling the utmost heights where we can catch a gleam of glory bright! There are new challenges to accept -- new difficulties to overcome -- new victories to be won -- new doors to be entered -- new knowledge to be gained -- new doors that need to be entered and new souls all around us who need Jesus!
Let us not be like many people are when getting into the water -- let us never be satisfied with just sticking our toes in gradually, but let us plunge in and wade out deeper into the challenges that face us in these perilous times!
"Onward, Christian soldiers! Marching as to war,
With the Cross of Jesus going on before."
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
Mid-week Musings!
It is a beautiful fall morning, and I trust that your day is off to a good start! I thought perhaps it would be beneficial for us to spend a little time thinking about these seven quotes as we journey through the week. Perhaps you might need to jot one down and put it where you can refer to it often.
"Sign in a grocery store: CLERK WANTED to work eight hours a day (to replace one that didn't.)"
"Be careful with half-truths. You may have been told the wrong half."
"Every time you graduate from the school of experience, somebody thinks up a new course."
"Human beings, like chickens, thrive best when they have to scratch for what they want."
"Ambition never gets anywhere until it forms a partnership with work."
"A reputation once broken may possibly be repaired, but, sad to say, the world will always keep its eye on the spot where the crack was."
"Character is the sum total of what a man is after he has won all -- and it is the sole thing left after he has lost all."
"Sign in a grocery store: CLERK WANTED to work eight hours a day (to replace one that didn't.)"
"Be careful with half-truths. You may have been told the wrong half."
"Every time you graduate from the school of experience, somebody thinks up a new course."
"Human beings, like chickens, thrive best when they have to scratch for what they want."
"Ambition never gets anywhere until it forms a partnership with work."
"A reputation once broken may possibly be repaired, but, sad to say, the world will always keep its eye on the spot where the crack was."
"Character is the sum total of what a man is after he has won all -- and it is the sole thing left after he has lost all."
Monday, October 7, 2019
Blessings We Have . . .
On this Monday morning, the blessings we have in Christ are far too many to number, but I trust your heart will be blessed as we note just a few of those in God's Word indicated by the words "we have" or "ye have".
"We have" redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Ephesians 1:7). And as a result, "being justified by faith, "we have" peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).
Then, through promises such as these, God's Holy Word assures us of salvation. I love this beautiful verse in I John 5:13 -- "These things have I written unto that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that "ye have" eternal life". And Romans 8:15 says -- "Ye have" received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father".
Ephesians 1:11 tells us -- "we have" obtained an inheritance, for we are joint-heirs with Him. Praise the Lord! Hebrews 4:14 tells us that "we have" a great High Priest who intercedes for us at the throne of God! And in the 6th chapter of Hebrews we read about God confirming His promises and the blessed hope that "we might have" a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: which hope "we have" as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast."
Let us end with this wonderful promise in II Corinthians 5:1 -- "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, "we have" a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." These are just a very few of the blessings we have in Christ! Surely we can sing with the songwriter today --
"I am blessed! I am blessed! Every day that I live, I am blessed!"
"We have" redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Ephesians 1:7). And as a result, "being justified by faith, "we have" peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).
Then, through promises such as these, God's Holy Word assures us of salvation. I love this beautiful verse in I John 5:13 -- "These things have I written unto that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that "ye have" eternal life". And Romans 8:15 says -- "Ye have" received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father".
Ephesians 1:11 tells us -- "we have" obtained an inheritance, for we are joint-heirs with Him. Praise the Lord! Hebrews 4:14 tells us that "we have" a great High Priest who intercedes for us at the throne of God! And in the 6th chapter of Hebrews we read about God confirming His promises and the blessed hope that "we might have" a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: which hope "we have" as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast."
Let us end with this wonderful promise in II Corinthians 5:1 -- "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, "we have" a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." These are just a very few of the blessings we have in Christ! Surely we can sing with the songwriter today --
"I am blessed! I am blessed! Every day that I live, I am blessed!"
Friday, October 4, 2019
The KING of GLORY!
The songwriter said: "I belong to the King, I'm a child of His love, and He never forsaketh His own. He will call me some day to His palace above. I shall dwell by His glorified throne."
The Apostle Paul said in I Timothy: "Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and Glory for ever and ever. Amen!"
The Psalmist, David, said in the 24th Psalm: "Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory."
We live in a very busy age, and our days are filled with the "cares of life", but if we really take time to "see" the King of Glory -- our lives should bear witness of the fact that we have been with Jesus! May we walk carefully in the light of God's Holy Word, anticipating the day when King Immanuel shall reign for-ever-more as King of Kings and Lord of Lords!!
The Apostle Paul said in I Timothy: "Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and Glory for ever and ever. Amen!"
The Psalmist, David, said in the 24th Psalm: "Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory."
We live in a very busy age, and our days are filled with the "cares of life", but if we really take time to "see" the King of Glory -- our lives should bear witness of the fact that we have been with Jesus! May we walk carefully in the light of God's Holy Word, anticipating the day when King Immanuel shall reign for-ever-more as King of Kings and Lord of Lords!!
Wednesday, October 2, 2019
"The Creation"
You have probably read, or perhaps even memorized, this wonderful poem by James Weldon Johnson, but I just ran across it again last evening and it always thrills my soul to read it! I trust that it will be a blessing to your heart as you reflect again on "What a Mighty God We Serve"!
"And God stepped out on space, and He looked around and said:
I'm lonely -- I'll make Me a world.
And far as the eye of God could see darkness covered everything,
Blacker than a hundred midnights down in a cypress swamp.
Then God smiled, and the light broke,
And the darkness rolled up on one side,
And the light stood shining on the other,
And God said: That's good!
Then God reached out and took the light in His hands,
And God rolled the light around in His hands until He made the sun;
And He set that sun a-blazing in the heavens.
And the light that was left from making the sun--
God gathered it up in a shining ball and flung it against the darkness,
Spangling the night with the moon and stars.
Then down between the darkness and the light
He hurled the world; And God said: That's good!
Then God Himself stepped down --
And the sun was on His right hand, and the moon was on His left;
The stars were clustered about His head, and the earth was under His feet.
And God walked, and where He trod --
His footsteps hollowed the valleys out and bulged the mountains up.
Then He stopped and looked and saw that the earth was hot and barren.
So God stepped over to the edge of the world and He spat out the seven seas --
He batted His eyes, and the lightnings flashed --
He clapped His hands, and the thunders rolled --
And the waters above the earth came down, the cooling waters came down.
Then the green grass sprouted, and the little red flowers blossomed,
The pine tree pointed his finger to the sky, and the oak spread out his arms,
The lakes cuddled down in the hollows of the ground --
And the rivers ran down to the sea; And God smiled again --
And the rainbow appeared, and curled itself around His shoulder.
Then God raised His arm and He waved His hand
Over the sea and over the land, and He said: Bring Forth! Bring Forth!
And quicker than God could drop His hand,
Fishes and fowls and beasts and birds swam the rivers and the seas,
Roamed the forests and the woods, and split the air with their wings.
And God said: That's good!
Then God walked around, and God looked around on all that He had made.
He looked at His sun, and He looked at His moon --
And He looked at His little stars;
He looked on His world with all its living things --
And God said: I'm lonely still!
Then God sat down --- on the side of a hill where He could think;
By a deep, wide river He sat down;
With His head in His hands, God thought and thought,
Till He thought: I'll make me a man!
Up from the bed of the river God scooped the clay;
And by the bank of the river He kneeled Him down;
And there the Great God Almighty who lit the sun and fixed it in the sky,
Who flung the stars to the most far corner of the night,
Who rounded the earth in the middle of His hand --
This Great God, like a mammy bending over her baby,
Kneeled down in the dust -- toiling over a lump of clay --
Till He shaped it in His own image!
Then into it He blew the breath of life, and man became a living soul.
Amen! Amen!"
"And God stepped out on space, and He looked around and said:
I'm lonely -- I'll make Me a world.
And far as the eye of God could see darkness covered everything,
Blacker than a hundred midnights down in a cypress swamp.
Then God smiled, and the light broke,
And the darkness rolled up on one side,
And the light stood shining on the other,
And God said: That's good!
Then God reached out and took the light in His hands,
And God rolled the light around in His hands until He made the sun;
And He set that sun a-blazing in the heavens.
And the light that was left from making the sun--
God gathered it up in a shining ball and flung it against the darkness,
Spangling the night with the moon and stars.
Then down between the darkness and the light
He hurled the world; And God said: That's good!
Then God Himself stepped down --
And the sun was on His right hand, and the moon was on His left;
The stars were clustered about His head, and the earth was under His feet.
And God walked, and where He trod --
His footsteps hollowed the valleys out and bulged the mountains up.
Then He stopped and looked and saw that the earth was hot and barren.
So God stepped over to the edge of the world and He spat out the seven seas --
He batted His eyes, and the lightnings flashed --
He clapped His hands, and the thunders rolled --
And the waters above the earth came down, the cooling waters came down.
Then the green grass sprouted, and the little red flowers blossomed,
The pine tree pointed his finger to the sky, and the oak spread out his arms,
The lakes cuddled down in the hollows of the ground --
And the rivers ran down to the sea; And God smiled again --
And the rainbow appeared, and curled itself around His shoulder.
Then God raised His arm and He waved His hand
Over the sea and over the land, and He said: Bring Forth! Bring Forth!
And quicker than God could drop His hand,
Fishes and fowls and beasts and birds swam the rivers and the seas,
Roamed the forests and the woods, and split the air with their wings.
And God said: That's good!
Then God walked around, and God looked around on all that He had made.
He looked at His sun, and He looked at His moon --
And He looked at His little stars;
He looked on His world with all its living things --
And God said: I'm lonely still!
Then God sat down --- on the side of a hill where He could think;
By a deep, wide river He sat down;
With His head in His hands, God thought and thought,
Till He thought: I'll make me a man!
Up from the bed of the river God scooped the clay;
And by the bank of the river He kneeled Him down;
And there the Great God Almighty who lit the sun and fixed it in the sky,
Who flung the stars to the most far corner of the night,
Who rounded the earth in the middle of His hand --
This Great God, like a mammy bending over her baby,
Kneeled down in the dust -- toiling over a lump of clay --
Till He shaped it in His own image!
Then into it He blew the breath of life, and man became a living soul.
Amen! Amen!"
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