I WILL GIVE ---

 There are six little words tucked away in the 109th Psalm  that are so desperately needed in our world today!  The devil hates them, and will do everything he can to hinder us from doing them.  The six little words are -- ". . .but I give myself unto prayer."  The devil hates these words because he knows there is power in prayer -- there is power in prevailing prayer to give success and victory!  So he tries to keep our minds filled with busyness -- with the cares of life --  anything to distract us and keep us away from the throne of grace where we need to come daily and pour out our heart to our Heavenly Father.

Sadly, it is difficult to close out everything, get alone with God, and pour out our heart to Him.  It has been said that no great work in literature or science was ever wrought by a man who did not love solitude.          Let us determine in these perilous times to often go to "The Beautiful Garden of Prayer."

"There's a garden where Jesus is waiting.  There's a place that is wondrously fair,                                           For it glows with the light of His presence.  'Tis the beautiful garden of prayer.                                             There's a garden where Jesus is waiting, and I go with my burden and care,                                                  Just to learn from His lips words of comfort in the beautiful garden of prayer.

 There's a garden where Jesus is waiting, and He bids you to come; meet Him there,                                       Just to bow and receive a new blessing in the beautiful garden of prayer.                                                       Oh, the beautiful garden, the garden of prayer!  Oh, the beautiful garden of prayer!                                      There my Saviour awaits, and He opens the gates to the beautiful garden of prayer."    

EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL!

 In the 3rd chapter of the book of Ecclesiastes, there is a very interesting list of "times".  These "times" are given in pairs of opposites, and they are introduced in the 1st verse which says -- "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven."  Then in verse 2, these "times" continue on with a number of pairs of opposites, some of which include --

"A time to be born, and a time to die;  a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace."  He then climaxes the list in the 11th verse where he tells us -- "He hath made everything beautiful in His time."

The Psalmist assures us in Psalm 31:15 -- "My times are in Thy hand."  We may not understand many things in "our" time (our way of thinking), but may our Heavenly Father help us to remember that the appropriate time for "every purpose under heaven" is His time -- God's time -- and His clock always keeps perfect time!  Then we will begin to comprehend and understand that everything in our life can become beautiful, and we can rest in the sweet assurance of God's wonderful promise in Romans 8:28 -- "We know that All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose."  Praise the Lord!

NEEDED VITAMINS!

Many people take a Daily Vitamin, but have you thought about the fact that we need spiritual vitamins, also.  There are many pressures of life that face us from day to day, so we need to carry these spiritual vitamins in our mind and heart.  And, you don't even have to have a prescription!!  These wonderful vitamins are from God's Holy Word, and you need to take them daily for your heart.

For your daily walk, I have found this to be a wonderful vitamin of Guidance -- "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."  (Proverbs 3:5,6)  There will be times when we need an extra vitamin of Patience, and this is one of my favorites -- "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)  Another good vitamin for patience is this sweet little admonition in Psalm 46:10 -- "Be still, and know that I am God."                                                                                 

If you encounter a time of doubt or discouragement, be sure and take this vitamin of Faith -- "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13)  If, at times you feel weak, this small, but powerful, little vitamin will strengthen you -- "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want." (Psalm 23:1)  And this wonderful vitamin found in Psalm 27:1 never fails to bring us new courage -- "The Lord is mu light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"

Praise the Lord for these wonderful vitamins from His Holy Word, and there are many, many more which you may want to add to your needed vitamin list.  Be sure to begin your day with a few spiritual vitamins - they will help you face the challenges that you encounter.  And don't forget -- "Sweeter gets the journey day by day; serving Jesus really pays!"

SMALL THINGS!

Today is Friday, and perhaps you feel like your week has been filled with "small things", and you have not accomplished anything worthy of note, but I read in the 4th chapter of the book of the prophet Zechariah these encouraging words -- "For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice . . . . ."  Little things are important!  There is always a place for the small and seemingly insignificant things in life.  Sometimes we need to remember that the things in our life don't have to make the headlines to be important!  I like this little story --

     "She had been canning all the afternoon.  One by one her children came up to her, knowing she was bone tired, and asked if she wanted them to finish up.  Each time she'd say, 'No, you go ahead.'  Then the sixth child walked up, took the spoon she was stirring with, and said, 'Now, you go ahead---and lie down."

The fact is that our lives are composed of many minor matters, and only a few major ones.  Our daily routine is made up mostly of details, but these are extremely important; because success depends, in a very large measure, on our ability and desire to make the most out of what we might consider the "humdrum" events of everyday living.  It is similar to putting together the pieces of a very large puzzle, or weaving a multitude of yarns into a beautiful tapestry.  We can't afford to be careless and spoil the design.

So let us remember -- some seemingly very insignificant details or duties could be so important that it would prove to be a major turning point in our life.  In The Song Of Solomon, we read these interesting words -- "Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines. . ."

So as we begin each new day of living for Jesus, may we be careful to "Watch the Little Things!"  

God Hath Not Promised --

Sometimes we, in our limited understanding, think how nice it would be if all of our days were filled with sunshine -- free from the cares and burdens of life.  But in reality, we know that God has not promised that we will never have any storms come into our lives.  And, sometimes, storms are a blessing!   My husband was raised in south Texas, and sometimes it would get very dry and the gullies and little streams would dry up and become filled with debris and trash.  Then, one day there would come an "old-fashioned gully washer" that would sweep away all the trash, etc., and the stream would be clear and flowing again.                                                                                                                                                    If you are going through a storm today, make sure that the root of your faith is grounded deep in God's blessed Holy Word and His wonderful love!  Here you will be held safe and strong as you draw nourishment from the never-failing promises of God!  And as you journey day by day, remember to hold this blessed song in your heart!

     "God hath not promised skies always blue,                                                                                                  Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;                                                                                                        God hath not promised sun without rain,                                                                                                    Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

      God hath not promised we shall not know                                                                                                    Toil and temptation, trouble and woe;                                                                                                                  He hath not told us we shall not bear                                                                                                            Many a burden, many a care.

      God hath not promised smooth roads and wide,                                                                                          Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;                                                                                                                 Never a mountain, rocky and steep,                                                                                                        Never a river, turbid and deep.

      But God hath promised strength for the day,                                                                                          Rest for the labour, light for the way,                                                                                                                 Grace for the trials, help from above,                                                                                                      Unfailing sympathy, undying love." 

JUST FOR TO-DAY!

 As we begin another week, faced with uncertainties, potential problems and difficulties -- I think it would be good for us to take a few moments every morning to meditate on the words of this little poem by Samuel Wilberforce:

     "Lord -- for tomorrow and it's needs, I do not pray;                                                                                           Keep me from stain of sin -- just for to-day.                                                                                                     Let me both diligently work and duly pray;                                                                                                       Let me be kind in word and deed -- just for to-day.                                                                                           Let me be slow to do my will -- prompt to obey.

      Help me to sacrifice myself -- just for today.                                                                                                     Let me no wrong or idle word unthinking say;                                                                                                 Set Thou a seal upon my lips -- just for to-day.                                                                                                  So for tomorrow and its needs, I do not pray;                                                                                                  But keep me, guide me, hold me, dear Lord -- just for to-day."  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                           

JUST AS I AM

     "Charlotte Elliott of Brighton  England was an embittered woman.  Her health was broken, and her disability had hardened her.  'If God loved me,' she muttered, 'He would not have treated me this way.'  Hoping to help her, a Swiss minister, Dr. Cesar Malan, visited the Elliott's in 1822.  Over dinner, Charlotte lost her temper and railed against God and family in a violent outburst.  Her embarrassed family left the room, and Dr. Malan was left alone with her.

     'You are tired of yourself, aren't you?' he asked.  'You are holding to your hate and anger because you have nothing else in the world to cling to.  Consequently, you have become sour, bitter, and resentful.'  'What is your cure?' asked Charlotte.  'The faith you are trying to despise.'  As they talked, Charlotte softened.  'If I wanted to become a Christian and to share the peace and joy you possess', she finally asked, 'what would I do?'  'You would give yourself to God just as you are now, with your fightings and fears, hates and loves, pride and shame.'  

     'I would come to God just as I am?  Is that right?'  Charlotte did come just as she was, and her heart was changed that day!  As time passed, she found and claimed John 6:37 as a special verse for her -- 'Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out.'  Years later, her brother was raising funds for a school for the children of poor clergymen.  Charlotte wrote a poem, and it was printed and sold across England---and has since become the most famous invitational hymn in history.  

      Charlotte lived to be 82, and wrote about 150 hymns, though she never enjoyed good health.  As her loved ones sifted through her papers after her death, they found over a thousand letters she had kept in which people expressed their gratitude for the way this hymn had touched their lives."

     "Just as I am, without one plea but that Thy blood was shed for me,                                                            And that Thou biddest me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come!                                                              Just as I am, and waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot,                                                                    To Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come!

      Just as I am, tho' tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt,                                                      Fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come!                                                                           Just as I am--Thou wilt receive, wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;

      Because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come!                                                                      Just as I am!  Thy love unknown hath broken every barrier down;                                                                   Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,                                                                                                         O Lamb of God, I come!  I come!"                                                                                                       

    

VALUE IN DISASTER?

Benjamin Franklin once said -- "The sentence which has most influenced my life is -- 'Some persons grumble because God placed thorns among roses; why not thank God because He placed roses among the thorns?'"  I have shared the following story on my Blog before, but it seems appropriate to share it again today, and I trust it will be a blessing and encouragement to your heart!

     "The great Edison industries in West Orange, New Jersey were practically destroyed by fire in December, 1914.  In one night, Thomas A. Edison lost two million dollars worth of equipment, and the record of much of his life's work went up in flames.                                                                                                His son, Charles, ran frantically about trying to find his father.  Finally, he came upon him, standing near the fire, his face ruddy in the glow, his white hair blown by the winter winds.  'My heart ached for him,' his son said.  'He was no longer young, and everything was being destroyed.'                                              When Thomas Edison spotted his son Charles, he shouted, 'Where's your mother?  Find her.  Bring her here.  She'll never see anything like this again, as long as she lives.'                                                                The next morning, walking about the charred embers of so many of his hopes and dreams, the 67 year old Edison said -- 'There is a great value in disaster.  All the mistakes are burned up.  Thank God we can start anew.'"

       "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee."  (Isaiah 43:2) 

  

LABOR DAY!

The calendar says it is Labor Day -- a National Holiday, but I am afraid it will not be observed and celebrated to day in the same way that we "have always done"!  How easy it is to take our blessings for granted, until something as small as a virus that we cannot see begins to attack our homes, our churches, our nation, and quickly spread across the world!

I trust that you will be able to enjoy a special holiday with your loved ones; but if not, perhaps it would be good for us to spend a little extra time "sitting at the feet of Jesus" and feasting on His Word!  What a sweet privilege it is to feast at His table and have fellowship with Him!  Or if you find yourself discouraged this morning, and weighed down with your burdens and cares, why don't you lift your heart to Jesus and meditate on the words of this sweet song---

     "Sometimes when my faith would falter, and no sunlight I can see,                                                             I just lift my eyes to Jesus, and I whisper, 'Pilot me!'                                                                                            Often when my soul is weary, and the days seem oh, so long,                                                                   I just look up to my Pilot, and I hear this blessed song.

       Fear thou not, for I'll be with thee,                                                                                                              I will still thy Pilot be.                                                                                                                                              Never mind the tossing billows,                                                                                                                 Take My hand, and trust in Me!"

Amen!  Keep your hand in God's hand -- follow where He leads, and pasture where He feeds!  He is a wonderful Shepherd and Guide!              

WHAT A FRIEND ---

Today, I am so very thankful that I have a Friend in Jesus who knows right where I am and just what I   need!

     "Joseph Scriven watched in shock as the body of his fiancee' was pulled from the lake.  Their wedding had been planned for the next day.  Reeling from the tragedy, he made up his mind to immigrate to America.  Packing up his belongings in Dublin, Ireland, he sailed for Canada, leaving his mother behind.  He was about 25 years old.  Ten years later, in 1855, he received word that his Mother was facing a crisis.  Joseph wrote this poem and sent it to her.  She evidently gave a copy to a friend who had it published anonymously, and it quickly became a popular hymn, though no one knew who had written it.  

      Meanwhile, Joseph fell in love again.  But tragedy struck a second time when his bride to be contracted tuberculosis and died in 1860 before their wedding could take place.  To escape his sorrow, Joseph poured himself into ministry, doing charity work for the Plymouth Brethren and preaching among the Baptists.  He lived a simple, obscure life in Port Hope, Canada, cutting firewood for widows, giving away his clothes and money to those in need.  Ira Sankey later wrote -- 

      Until a short time before his death it was not known he had a poetic gift.  A neighbor, sitting up with him in his illness, happened upon a manuscript copy of 'What A Friend We Have In Jesus'.  Reading it with great delight and questioning Bro. Scriven about it, he said that he had composed it for his mother, to comfort her in a time of special sorrow, not intending that anyone else should see it.  Some time later, when another Port Hope neighbor asked him if it was true he composed the hymn, his reply was, 'The Lord and I did it between us.'"

     "What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!                                                                 What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!                                                                                Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear,                                                              All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!

      Have we trials and temptations?  Is there trouble anywhere?                                                                       We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.                                                                   Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?                                                                 Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

      Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?                                                                     Precious Saviour, still our Refuge!  Take it to the Lord in prayer.                                                               Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?  Take it to the Lord in prayer.                                                           In His arms He'll take and shield thee; Thou wilt find a solace there."                                                                                                                                                                              

I love the last line of this beloved hymn written so many years ago!  Is Jesus your Friend today? 

SWEETNESS!

 I have not eaten yet this morning, but a yummy sweet roll sounds much more inviting than a dish of bitter herbs!  But sadly, I'm afraid there are way too many who are feeding on bitter herbs today instead of coming to the Master's table and feasting at His banquet table which is filled with wonderful and sweet promises from His Holy Word, beautiful music to encourage our souls, and plenty of room for all the family -- the young and the old -- plenty of joy -- plenty of love -- come and join us -- whosoever will may come!!

I read one of my favorite little quotes from Oswald Chambers again this morning!  I have used it before, and I will probably use it again, because we need to be reminded of it often when there are so many who seem to be existing on bitter herbs ---                                                                                                                       "If we believe in Jesus, it is not what we gain but what He pours through us that really counts.  God's purpose is not simply to make us beautiful plump grapes, but to make us grapes so that He may squeeze the sweetness out of us."  

And for a little added sweetness, let us remember and practice this admonition found in the 16th chapter of Proverbs ---                                                                                                                                                               "Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones."