A New Week!

Yesterday was a blessed and wonderful day in the house of the Lord!  Hearts were encouraged and blessed as "we came into the house of the Lord, and gathered in His name, to worship Him"!
But today is Monday, and we must pick up again the cares and burdens of life as we begin a new week, not knowing the things that may befall us.  But what a sweet comfort it is to know that "we can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth us."  And why don't we determine to live this week by these wonderful words from the book of Philippians --
     "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."  If we will heed this admonition, the Lord will deliver us out of every test and trial!

     "If hurt today by what men say --- if wounded by a friend ---
Oh, let tonight set all things right --- let trouble have an end.
      Life is too short to let report or rumor long annoy ---
Today has had so much so glad --- we need it all for joy.

      God's world, God's Word, His breeze, His bird---no hand can rob you of ---
Wrong comes too late for hearts to hate --- there is so much to love ---
      Life isn't long, just time for song --- and love, and things sublime ---
Be not concerned with thoughts that burned -- Good friend, there isn't time."
                                                                                                                ----Selected
And may we remember this quote by William Arnot ---

    "The gentleness of Christ is the loveliest ornament that a Christian can wear."

God's Faithfulness!

In the 36th Psalm, we read these wonderful words --
     "Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; and Thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.  Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; Thy judgments are a great deep: O Lord, Thou preserveth man and beast.  How excellent is Thy loving-kindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Thy wings.  They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Thy house; and Thou shalt make them drink of the river of Thy pleasures.  For with Thee is the fountain of life: in Thy light shall we see light.  O continue Thy loving-kindness unto them that know Thee; and Thy righteousness to the upright in heart.

As we look to the coming Lord's Day, if Jesus tarries, I am so very thankful for the faithfulness of our wonderful Lord!  The beautiful hymn, "Great is Thy Faithfulness" has been a blessing, a comfort, and encouragement to my heart many times.  The author of this hymn, Thomas Chisholm, was born in a log cabin in Kentucky.  His health was very unstable, but through all the ups and downs, he discovered new blessings from God every morning.  The 3rd chapter of Lamentations became very precious to him ---
     "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness."

Bro. Chisholm sent several of his poems to his friend, William Runyon, who was a musician.  Bro. Runyon was so moved by this one that he prayed earnestly for special guidance in composing the music.  The hymn was published in 1923 in Bro. Runyon's private song pamphlets.  It went rather slowly for several years, until Dr. Will Houghton of the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago discovered it, and would say in chapel --
     "Well, I think we shall have to sing "Great is Thy Faithfulness."  It became a theme song for the Institute, and when Bro. Houghton passed away, it was sung at his funeral.
I trust that the words of this beautiful hymn will be a great blessing and encouragement to your heart today!
     "Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
      Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be.

      Summer and winter and spring-time and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above;
      Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

      Pardon for sin, and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
      Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

      Great is Thy faithfulness!  Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
      All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!"

     
    

      
      

FAITHFULNESS!

I am quite sure if you asked any one of my four children today the one word their Dad instilled in them and insisted upon, they would answer "faithfulness" --- faithfulness to the house of God every time the doors were open---Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night and every night of revival!  I'm sure they remember Dad saying many times -- when you stand before God at the judgment, He is going to ask you two things---"Have you been good?  Have you been faithful?"
     "Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

I like these words from J. H. Jowett --
     "People who are faithful in that which is least wear very radiant crowns.  They are the people who are great in little tasks.  They are scrupulous in the rutty roads of drudgery.  They win triumphs amid small irritations.  They are as loyal when wearing aprons in the kitchen as if they wore purple and fine linen in the visible presence of the king.
      They finish the most obscure bit of work as if it were to be displayed before an assembled heaven by Him who is the Lord of light and glory.  Great souls are those who are faithful in that which is least."  And our Lord said in Revelation 2:10 --
                        "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."   

Higher Ground!

I love the wonderful book of Philippians!  In the 3rd chapter, the Apostle Paul writes --- "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."
 When I think of this great song by Johnson Oatman, it makes me think of a little child in the swing who is never satisfied with just a little push, but continually calls -- "higher--push me higher!"  May Higher Ground be the desire and prayer of our hearts today !

     "I'm pressing on the upward way, new heights I'm gaining every day;
Still praying as I'm onward bound, 'Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.'
      My heart has no desire to stay where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where these abound---my prayer, my aim is higher ground.

      I want to live above the world, though Satan's darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound---the song of saints on higher ground.
      I want to scale the utmost height, and catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I'll pray 'til heaven I've found, 'Lord, lead me on to higher ground.'

      Lord, lift me up and let me stand by faith on heaven's table-land,
A higher plain than I have found: Lord, plant my feet on higher ground."

Let us never be satisfied until we become "at ease in Zion", but may our hearts keep crying out, "Push me higher", ever longing to know Jesus better and love Him more deeply!  Amen!
 

FATHER'S DAY!

This coming Sunday, June 21, is Father's Day!  It is a special and wonderful day to honor our fathers!  As this special day approaches, I like to walk back down memory's lane and think of how very blessed I am to have had a wonderful father who loved God, loved His Holy Word, and honored His Holy Day!  It is heart-breaking to think of the many little children today who have no father in their home.  If you have a godly father, you are very blessed!  He is worthy of you honor on this very special day set aside to especially remember and honor him!
 When I think of the very troubled times in our nation and world today, of think of how the fathers need wisdom and courage to be the leaders of their homes that God intends for them to be.  I trust that this poem, entitled, 'The End Of The Road Is But A Bend In The Road',  by Helen Steiner Rice will be an encouragement to you this Father's Day!

     "When we feel we have nothing left to give
And we are sure that the 'song has ended'  ---
      When our day seems over and the shadows fall,
And the darkness of night has descended ---
      Where can we go to find the strength
To valiantly keep on trying ---
      Where can we find the hand that will dry
The tears that the heart is crying ---
      There's but one place to go, and that is to God,
And dropping all pretense and pride ---
      We can pour out our problems without restraint,
And gain strength with Him at our side!

      And together, we stand at life's crossroads
And view what we think is the end ---
      But God has a much bigger vision,
And He tells us it's Only A Bend ---
      For the road goes on and is smoother,
And the 'pause in the song' is a 'rest' ---
      And the part that's unsung and unfinished,
Is the sweetest, and richest, and best!
      So rest and relax and grow stronger ---
Let Go, and Let God share your load,
      Your work is not finished or ended ---
You've just come to 'A Bend In The Road'"!

And on this Father's Day, I want to especially thank the Lord for my three boys -- Randy, Jonathan, and Joel; my son-in-law, Tommie, and my grandson, Adrian!  I hold you in my heart, and pray that God will help you to be strong and courageous leaders, fathers who are fully surrendered to God --
fathers who can say to my precious grandchildren and great grandchildren -- "Follow me, as I follow Christ"!

A Prayer For Fathers!

As I look out my windows upon my Father's world this morning, everything is so beautiful and peaceful -- hardly a leaf is moving , and the quietness seems to speak to my soul---"Be still, and know that I am God."  From my vantage point this morning, it is difficult to imagine the turmoil going on in our nation and all around the world! And then my thoughts turn to the coming Lord's Day, which is Father's Day! 

As I think of Father's Day, I think of how desperately our nation and our homes need godly fathers who are men of courage -- strong leaders -- men of sterling character -- men of valor --  men of vision -- men who love their wife, their children, their God, and can say to them---"Follow me, as I follow Christ." 
I pray that this prayer of General Douglas MacArthur for his son will speak to the heart of every father today --

     "Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.
      Build me a son whose wishbone will not be where his backbone should be; a son who will know Thee -- and that to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge.
      Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge.  Here, let him learn to stand up in the storm; here, let him learn compassion for those who fail.
      Build me a son whose heart will be clear, whose goal will be high; a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men; one who will learn to laugh, yet never forget how to weep; one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.
      And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor, so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously.  Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of true greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, the meekness of true strength.  Then I, his father, will dare to whisper, 'I have not lived in vain.'"

W A I T !!

This little word of only four letters is such a difficult word!  We seem to much prefer the little word of only three letters -- NOW!  However, this difficult job of waiting begins at birth and continues on throughout our lives if we do not practice discipline and learn to wait on the Lord!  In the second chapter of Habakkuk, we read --
     "The vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry."

In the little booklet, "Expectation Corner", Adam Slowman was led into the Lord's treasure houses, and there revealed to him was the "Delayed Blessings Office", where God kept certain things that had been prayed for until the wise time came to send them.
It seems to take a long time for most of us to learn that delays are not denials.  Our Lord has secrets of love and wisdom in the "Delayed Blessings Department" which we cannot see.  We would, no doubt, be tempted to pluck our mercies while they are still green, when the Lord wants us to wait until they are ripe!
In Isaiah 30:18, we read -- "And therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you, and therefore will He be exalted, that He may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for Him."  We can rest assured that He is watching us in the difficult places, and will not allow one trial too many!  Praise the Lord!

     "O thou of little faith, God hath not failed thee yet!
When all looks dark and gloomy, thou dost so soon forget ---
      Forget that He has led thee, and gently cleared thy way;
On clouds has poured His sunshine, and turned thy night to day.

      And if He's helped thee hitherto, He will not fail thee now;
How it must wound His loving heart to see thy anxious brow!
      Oh! doubt not any longer; to Him commit thy way,
Whom in the past thou trusted, and is 'just the same today.'"

     "He stilled the storms, and calmed my fears --
Forgave my sins, and dried my tears --
      He is the same through endless years --
He will not fail you now!"      

God's Holy Day!

In Exodus 20:8, we read -- "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy."  The scripture says God "made" for six days, and rested and ended His work on the seventh day.  "Wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it."  And the Lord Jesus clearly told us in Mark 2:27 that He made the sabbath for man -- "The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath."

It is very interesting to note, when we analyze the commands of God, they are all for our benefit and well-being.  In the beginning, Jesus showed us by example the importance of the Sabbath Day.  God's Word tells us that after the Lord had worked diligently for six days to create our magnificent world, He rested on the seventh day and blessed it and sanctified it!  It is a special day and a holy day!
Our Lord knew that both physically and spiritually we would need one day out of seven to rest -- to worship -- to be refreshed in body, mind and soul.

I think the great heart of God must be very sad today when He sees so much desecration of His Holy Day.  And I'm afraid He weeps when He sees those who profess His name treating His holy day lightly and carelessly!  In these very troubled times in our nation, and all over the world, faithful attendance in the house of God every time the doors are open should be a top priority for us!    
In the 10th chapter of Hebrews, we read --

     "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."
Remember ---
                          God made the Sabbath for us --- let's keep it holy for Him!    

More About Jesus!

Good morning to each of you on this lovely Wednesday morning!  I trust you are looking forward to the mid-week service at your church tonight.  I am very thankful for this time when we can gather together with the family of God and be encouraged by the devotional from our pastor, lift our voices in praise and thanksgiving to God, pray together, and testify to victories won as we have walked in the beautiful light of God!  Don't allow other things to rob you of this special service -- God's Word has commanded us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together and "so much the more, as we see the day approaching" for Christ's return!
This wonderful old song is my prayer and desire this morning, and I trust the words will be a challenge and encouragement to your heart today.

     "More about Jesus would I know, more of His grace to others show;
More of His saving fullness see, more of His love who died for me.
      More about Jesus let me learn, more of His holy will discern;
Spirit of God, my Teacher be, showing the things of Christ to me.

      More about Jesus; in His Word, holding communion with my Lord,
Hearing His voice in every line, making each faithful saying mine.
      More about Jesus on His throne, riches in glory all His own;
More of His Kingdom's sure increase; more of His coming, Prince of Peace.

      More, more about Jesus; More, more about Jesus;
More of His saving fullness see, more of His love who died for me."

The beautiful phrase in the second verse -- "Spirit of God, my Teacher be"  is very often the cry of my heart.  In the Apostle Paul's second epistle to Timothy, he warns us that "in the last days, perilous times shall come -- evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse -- for the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."
So let us be careful about listening or heeding to the many voices calling today.  Rather, let us turn our eyes upon Jesus, walk with Him, and often pray from the depths of our soul --  "Spirit of God, my Teacher be"!      
                                

The Shelter!

Yesterday was a blessed day in the house of the Lord -- a holy day when we laid aside the cares and burdens of life and worshiped the Lord in the beauty of holiness!  But today is Monday, and we must again pick up the cares and burdens of life.  However, I am so thankful we do not need to carry them or bear them alone!  Jesus wants to walk with us and be to us all we need Him to be!  Praise the Lord for the glory of His presence!

In the past few days, I have found myself humming or singing the words of this song, and they have been a blessing to me.  I trust that they will be a blessing to you as you face the storms that you may be facing today!

     "I feel the touch of hands so kind and tender.
They're leading me in paths that I must trod.
      I'll have no fear when Jesus walks beside me,
For I'm sheltered in the arms of God.

      Soon I shall hear the call from heaven's portals.
Come home my child, it's the last mile you must trod.
      I'll fall asleep, and wake in God's new heaven,
Sheltered safe within the arms of God.

      So let the storms rage high -- the dark clouds rise --
They won't worry me --
      For I'm sheltered safe within the arms of God.
He walks with me, and naught of earth shall harm me,
      For I'm sheltered in the arms of God."

Praise the Lord -- and remember as you walk with Jesus this week, this wonderful assurance from the book of Deuteronomy:
     "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms."

God's Blessed Assurance!

Today is Friday, and as we look to the coming Lord's Day, what a blessed comfort it is to be able to say with Fanny Crosby -- "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine"!!  Or maybe you would like to sing with Haldor Lillenas this morning --
     "Faith is resting on the promise strong and sure;
Hope is anchored safe and cannot falter;
      Peace has found a haven from the storms, secure---
In the Word of God that cannot alter!"  Praise the Lord today for His inspired, unchanging, steadfast Word of God that changeth never!!!

In the 13th chapter of the wonderful book of Hebrews, we read these words --
     "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
      So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."
And I love the beautiful benediction in the concluding verses of that chapter --

     "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 well-pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever.  Amen."

As we look to the coming Lord's Day, if Jesus tarries, may we be challenged by this quote from Oswald Chambers --
     "My assurance is to be built upon God's assurance to me.  Take a deep spiritual breath.  Take hold of the Father's assurance, and then say with strong courage, 'I will not fear."'  Amen!  God bless you!  

Are We Hearing?

In Revelation 3:22, we read these words -- "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."  When we think about this verse, we realize that it actually makes an eternal difference whether a person hears---yet doesn't hear --- or really, truly hears what he hears, especially if it is God speaking!  In Christ's seven letters to the seven churches (Revelation 2 and 3), which represents all churches, each letter concludes with His words from the above text!  How very important it is to "Really" hear when God speaks!

If we are one of God's sheep, we will hear His voice and follow Him as He leads!  In John 10:27, we read -- "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me."  In John 10:3, we see -- "He calleth His own sheep by name, and leadeth them out."  How blessed it is to be one of God's sheep, pasture where He feeds, and follow where He leads!  And if we "really hear" when God speaks through His Word, we will do what He says! 
Matthew 7:24 says -- Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock!

I am thankful that still today, in these wicked and perilous times, God is calling, for we read in the book of Hebrews -- "To day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts." 
May we be like the child, Samuel, who opened his heart, and when he heard God's voice, he answered -- "Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth."     

Pentecost Sunday!

Pentecost is celebrated the 49th day (the seventh Sunday) after Easter Sunday, commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks, as described in the book of Acts (Acts 2:1-31).  The Monday after Pentecost is a legal holiday in many European countries.  (Wikipedia)

It was a great privilege and blessing to be in the house of the Lord yesterday on Pentecost Sunday!  It is thrilling to read in the first chapter of Acts that Jesus commanded his disciples "that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of Me.  For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost, not many days hence.  Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

Praise the Lord for this wonderful promise!  Our pastor preached two wonderful messages that challenged our hearts yesterday, and I like this song -- "Bring Your Vessels, Not a Few" -- based on the thrilling story in the 4th chapter of II Kings!

     "Are you longing for the fullness of the blessing of the Lord --
In your heart and life today?
      Claim the Promise of Your Father; come according to His Word,
In the blessed old-time way!

      Bring your empty earthen vessels, clean through Jesus' precious blood.
Come, ye needy, one and all;
      And in human consecration wait before the throne of God
Till the Holy Ghost shall fall!

      Like the cruse of oil unfailing is His grace forevermore --
And His love is unchanging still;
      And according to His promise -- with the Holy Ghost and power --
He will every vessel fill!

      He will fill your heart today to over-flowing!
As the Lord commandeth you, 'Bring your vessels--not a few'!
      He will fill your heart today to over-flowing,
With the Holy Ghost and power!"


And today, as we see our world all around us raging and out of control, what a sweet comfort it is to have this blessed peace -- a deep settled peace in our soul-- a calm in the midst of the storm -- testifying with the Apostle Paul --
     "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me."
Do you have this blessed experience this morning?  It is still for us all today!  Praise the Lord!