CHRISTMAS IS COMING!

 Today is the last day of November!  The Thanksgiving feast has been put away -- the Thanksgiving table linens and decorations have been put away, soon to be forgotten.  But let us be careful not to lay aside our thankful heart, but may we daily take time to "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving" and begin each day remembering (in spite of some sorrows and difficulties) how very blessed we are!  

As we turn our thoughts toward the blessed Christmas season, it is so easy for our minds to be filled with shopping lists, holiday baking, etc., that we almost forget that JESUS is the reason for this blessed season!  So I, personally, just feel a need as I view the world around me to spend more time at Jesus' feet, trying to comprehend a little of the love He had for you and me, that He would be willing to leave the splendor of heaven and be born as a lowly babe in a manger!

There is an old song in our hymnal, "In Life's Quiet Hours".  I don't remember ever singing it or hearing it, but the words have been speaking to my heart, and I trust that you will join me in having some "quiet hours" as we begin our journey to Bethlehem this year.

"Often while in meditation on His love so free, comes a message from my Father spoken just to me.              Or it may be I have struggled thro' some trial sore; when my struggling turns to trusting, Lo, the trial is    o'er.  Or perchance while I am waiting still on bended knee, comes a quiet revelation of His love for me.   At my work or in my closet---almost anywhere---if in quietness I listen, I find Jesus there.

In life's quiet hours I find Him waiting for my call.  It is there He meets me, greets me, holds me lest I fall."  Amen!  

THANKSGIVING EVE --

It is Thanksgiving Eve, so let us take a few moments before we get too involved with our cooking and preparations for tomorrow to reflect upon this glorious knowledge and "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 let us sing from our hearts -- "Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost."  Amen!

And from my home to yours -- "The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: the Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: the Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace."

THE MONDAY BEFORE ---

It is Monday morning of Thanksgiving Week, and it just seems appropriate as we begin this special week to say with the Psalmist, "Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord."  Amen!                         I agree with Martin Luther who said, "Next to Theology, Music is God's greatest gift to man!"  So I thought it might be a blessing to you to keep a song in your heart, and on your lips, throughout this Thanksgiving Week!  Perhaps you would like to begin and end your day by singing one of these wonderful hymns!

T -- Take Time to be Holy 

H -- Have Thine Own Way, Lord

A -- At Calvary

N -- Near the Cross

K -- King of My Life, I Crown Thee Now

S -- Standing On The Word

G -- Glory to His Name

I -- Is Your All On The Altar

V -- Victory In Jesus 

I -- I Have Settled the Question

N -- No Not One

G -- Glorious Freedom

May you sense the sweet presence of the Master as you Thank Him and Praise Him throughout this special week!!  God Bless You!                                                                                                                                

THANKSGIVING SUNDAY!

 As we look to the coming Lord's Day, Thanksgiving Sunday, it may be, for various reasons, that you will not be able to be in the house of the Lord!  But even though you may not be able to be present, physically, I am thankful that we can be together in spirit, and can lift our hearts in praise, and Thanksgiving, and worship to our wonderful Lord who has invited us to "enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise -- to be thankful unto Him, and bless His name, for He is good: His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations."

And if you are not able, physically, to be in God's House this Thanksgiving Sunday, you can "Gather Together" wherever you are, lift your voice in praise to God and sing this beautiful Thanksgiving Hymn!  This hymn, "We Gather Together", was written sometime in 1597 to celebrate Holland's freedom from Spain.  Its author, an unknown Dutchman, was full of thanksgiving that his people were finally free from Spanish tyranny, and free to worship as they chose.  I trust it will bless and challenge your heart today!

"We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing; He chastens and hastens His will to make known;    The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing -- Sing praises to His Name: He forgets not His own.           Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining -- Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;                     So from the beginning, the fight we were winning: Thou, Lord, wast at our side, all glory be Thine!

We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant, and pray that Thou still our Defender wilt be.                       Let Thy congregation escape tribulation; Thy Name be ever praised!  O Lord, make us free!"

And Jesus said in St. John 8:36 -- "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."             

GIVE THANKS!

It is a beautiful Wednesday morning, and I hope you have not forgotten that one week from tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day!  I'm so grateful that we have this National Holiday when we can lay aside the cares of life and just "give thanks"!  In the midst of very trying and difficult times in our nation, I think it is important that we take time to reflect on our many, many blessings and name them one by one!  You may be surprised to discover how blessed you really are!  In fact, you'll probably want to start singing---   

"I am blessed!  I am blessed!  Every day that I live, I am blessed!  When I wake up in the morning 'till I lay my head to rest--I am blessed!  I am blessed!"  I trust that you will join me this Thanksgiving week, and take some time to "Give thanks with a grateful heart; Give thanks to the Holy One; Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son.  And now let the weak say, 'I am strong'!  Let the poor say, 'I am rich', because of what the Lord has done for us.  Give Thanks"!

The last five Psalms, 146-150, each begin and end with "Praise ye the Lord".  So as we begin this Thanksgiving week, let's take a Psalm each day and make sure we begin and end the day with praising our wonderful Lord!                                                                                                                                                 "Praise ye the Lord.  Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise Him in the heights.  Praise ye Him, all His angels: praise ye Him, all His hosts!  Praise ye Him, sun and moon: praise Him, all ye stars of light.  Praise Him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.  Let them praise the name of the Lord: for He commanded, and they were created.  He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: He hath made a decree which shall not pass.                                                                                                          Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: fire and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling His word: mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars: beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl: Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: let them praise the name of the Lord: for His name alone is excellent: His glory is above the earth and heaven.  He also exalteth the horn of His people, the praise of all His saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto Him.  Praise ye the Lord."   

SAIL ON!!

It was a blessed privilege to worship the Lord in His sanctuary on His Holy Day yesterday, but today is Monday, and perhaps you are facing a duty in which you see no way you can go forward.  We would like to see the difficulties removed before we have to pass through them!  It is sometimes easy to want to stand still and wait for the obstacle to be removed, when our Lord wants us to go forward as if there were no obstacles!  I have been thinking about this thrilling poem, and what a tremendous lesson of perseverance Columbus gave to the world in the face of tremendous difficulties!  I trust that it will be a blessing, challenge, and encouragement to your heart as you read it again today!

"Behind him lay the gray Azores, behind the gates of Hercules;                                                                   Before him not the ghost of shores, before him only shoreless seas,                                                           The good Mate said: 'Now we must pray, for lo! the very stars are gone.                                                    Brave Admiral, speak, what shall I say?'  'Why, say, Sail on!  Sail on!  and on!'

My men grow mutinous day by day; my men grow ghastly wan and weak!                                                The stout Mate thought of home; a spray of salt wave washed his swarthy cheek.                                      What shall I say, brave Admiral, say, if we sight naught but seas at dawn?                                                 Why, you shall say at break of day, 'Sail on!  sail on!  sail on!  and on!' 

They sailed.  They sailed.  Then spake the Mate: 'This mad sea shows its teeth tonight.                           He curls his lip, he lies in wait, with lifted teeth, as if to bite!                                                                      Brave Admiral, say but one good word; what shall we do when hope is gone'?                                          The words leapt like a leaping sword: 'Sail on!  sail on!  sail on!  and on!' 

Then, pale and worn, he kept his deck and peered through darkness.                                                           Ah!  that night of all dark nights!  And then a speck---A light!  A light!  A light!  A light!                        It grew, a starlit flag unfurled!  It grew to be Time's burst of dawn.                                                            He gained a world; he gave that world its grandest lesson:  'On!  sail on!'"

And this morning, dear friend, we are sailing, too -- sailing on and on through the storms of life -- and I believe the Good Captain of our souls would encourage us to day to make sure we've anchored in Jesus, and our anchor is holding firm and secure!

"Though the angry billows roll on my tempest driven soul, I am peaceful, for I know, wildly though the winds may blow, I've an anchor safe and sure, that can evermore endure.                                                  Mighty tides about me sweep; perils lurk within the deep; angry clouds overshade the sky, and the tempest rises high.  Still I stand the tempest's shock, for my anchor grips the Rock.

I can feel the anchor fast as I meet each sudden blast -- Through the storm I safely ride, till the turning of the tide.  And it holds, my anchor holds!  By His grace I shall not fail, for my anchor holds; my anchor holds!"  Praise the Lord!                                                                                        

                           

IT SEEMED GOOD ---

 It is a beautiful Friday morning, but many hearts and homes are experiencing sadness this morning because of illness and other heartaches.  I read a little story a couple of days ago that touched my heart, and I trust that it will bless and encourage you today.

"A visitor at a school for the deaf-mute was writing questions on the chalkboard for the children.  After a while, he wrote this sentence -- 'Why has God made me to hear and speak, and made you deaf-mute'?  The awful sentence fell upon the little ones like a fierce blow in the face.  They sat palsied before that dreadful 'Why'?  And then a little girl arose.  Her lip was trembling.  Her eyes were swimming with tears.  Straight to the board she walked, and, picking up the crayon, wrote with firm hand these precious words:

"Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Thy sight!"  What a reply!  It brought tears to my eyes, and touched the heartstrings of my soul!  How sweet it is to know that the most mature saint, as well as the youngest child of God, may securely rest in the blessed truth that God is our Father!  I love this little poem by an unknown author -- 

"No chance hath brought this ill to me; 'Tis God's own hand, so let it be;                                                     He seeth what I cannot see.  There is a need-be for each pain,                                                                     And He one day will make it plain that earthly loss is heavenly gain.

Like as a piece of tapestry viewed from the back appears to be                                                                    Naught but threads tangled hopelessly; but in the front a picture fair                                                           Rewards the worker for his care, proving his skill and patience rare.                                                           Thou art the Workman, I the frame.  Lord, for the glory of Thy Name,                                                       Perfect Thine image on the same."

"O to be like Thee!  O to be like Thee,                                                                                                           Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art!                                                                                                           Come in Thy sweetness; come in Thy fullness;                                                                                           Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart."       

STEPS!

 STEPS!  We normally don't get too excited about them, unless it is a baby taking their first steps, or perhaps someone who has suffered an injury and is able to walk again.  But I remember not too long ago when someone figured out how to make a watch that would keep track of the number of steps you took each day.  Suddenly--numbers of people were all excited about wearing one of those watches to keep track of their steps--how many calories they were burning each day--etc., etc.!!  For some strange reason, I have not heard anyone say a word about all their steps, calories burned, etc. for quite some time!!

But on this beautiful fall morning, let's consider some other steps.  God's Word says in Psalm 37:23 -- "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and He delighteth in his way."  Isn't that a lovely verse!!  It makes me happy to think that my Heavenly Father cares about my every step!  And in the book of Job it says that God counts all our steps!  Math was never one of my favorite subjects, but the Lord would have to be a marvelous mathematician for Psalm 147:4-5 says -- "He telleth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names.  Great is our Lord, and of great power: His understanding is infinite."

Astronomers estimate that at least 10 trillion trillion stars exist in the heavens, and God has counted and identified each one!  What a mighty God we love and serve!  And yet, Jesus said the very hairs of our head are all numbered!  So from the most massive star in the universe to the tiniest hair on our head -- our God has it all counted!  The prophet Jeremiah said -- "The host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured."  In the 12th chapter of Hebrews it speaks about "an innumerable company of angels"; and in the book of Revelation, John tells us about "a great multitude, which no man could number."  So as I think about my steps today, I want to be careful to keep "Stepping in the Light"!

"Trying to walk in the steps of the Saviour, upward, still upward we'll follow our Guide.                               When we shall see Him, 'the King in His beauty', happy, how happy, our place at His side!                          How beautiful to walk in the steps of the Saviour, stepping in the light, stepping in the light!                        How beautiful to walk in the steps of the Saviour, led in paths of light!" 

MY SINS ARE GONE!

 Today is Monday, and I like to begin my week with a song!  Today my heart is singing an old song written by N. B. Vandall, and no matter what life may bring me this week, I want to keep singing and praising my wonderful Lord that "My Sins Are Gone"!

"You ask why I am happy, so I'll just tell you why -- Because my sins are gone;                                             And when I meet the scoffers who ask me where they are, I say, my sins are gone.                                        'Twas at the old time altar where God came in my heart -- and now, my sins are gone;                                   The Lord took full possession, the devil did depart, I'm glad my sins are gone.

When Satan comes to tempt me, and tries to make me doubt, I say, my sins are gone;                                    You got me into trouble, but Jesus got me out -- I'm glad my sins are gone.                                                    I'm living now for Jesus, I'm happy night and day, because my sins are gone;                                                 My soul is filled with music, with all my heart I say, I know my sins are gone.

They're underneath the Blood, on the Cross of Calvary,                                                                                   As far removed as darkness is from dawn;                                                                                                        In the sea of God's forgetfulness, that's good enough for me --                                                                         Praise God!  My sins are gone!"

And as you keep a song in your heart this week, don't forget                                                                               "He who steers the universe on its course is our Father, and He hears our prayers."                                                                        

                                                                                   

I WILL PILOT THEE!

 Today is Friday, and I still don't have a President, but I am so very thankful that "The King and I" are still walking down life's road together!

Yesterday, my heart seemed rather overwhelmed with the "cares of life", but in the midst of my thoughts within me, tears came to my eyes and my heart began to sing this beautiful song --

"Sometimes when my faith would falter, and no sunlight I can see --                                                              I just lift mine 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!

When temptations round me gather, and I almost lose my way --                                                                     Somehow, in the raging tempest, I can hear my Saviour say --                                                                        Fear  thou not, for I'll be with thee -- I will still thy Pilot be!                                                                            Never mind the tossing billows -- Just take My hand, and trust in Me!" 

And let us not forget this beautiful little quote --                                                                                                               "Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark."                                                                                                                        

LEAD ON ---

 Wednesday morning, and they have not announced the results for President of our United States!  And though I don't yet know the outcome of the election, I am so very glad and thankful I can say with the songwriter -- "Lead On, O King Eternal"!  This majestic hymn is actually a "regal prayer which has been sung at graduations around the world every year since 1887, when Ernest Shurtleff wrote it for his own graduation.  Ernest, twenty-six, was a student at Andover Theological Seminary when he envisioned his fellow seminarians marching for their diplomas singing a great prayer for God's guidance on the rest of life, and thus a great tradition was born."

"Lead on, O King Eternal.  The day of march has come;                                                                                  Henceforth in fields of conquest, Thy tents shall be our home.                                                                        Through days of preparation, Thy grace has made us strong;                                                                          And now, O King Eternal, we lift our battle song.

Lead on, O King Eternal, till sin's fierce war shall cease,                                                                                And holiness shall whisper the sweet Amen of peace;                                                                                      For not with swords' loud clashing, nor roll of stirring drums;                                                                        With deeds of love and mercy, the heavenly Kingdom comes.

Lead on, O King Eternal.  We follow, not with fears;                                                                                        For gladness breaks like morning wherever Thy face appears.                                                                        Thy cross is lifted over us; we journey in its light.                                                                                            The crown awaits the conquest; Lead on, O God of might."

I love this beautiful hymn, and it challenges me!  I don't want to be satisfied or content to stay where I am in my spiritual journey!  I want to always be digging deeper, and climbing higher, in the things of God!  And, "Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever.  Amen."  (I Timothy 1:17)   

A MIGHTY FORTRESS!

Yes, it's Monday -- but it is also November 2, 2020 -- the day before a very critical National Election which  I think all the world will be watching quite closely!  So before your stomach gets completely tied up in knots this morning, spend a few moments in the 46th Psalm which reminds us in the very first verse --"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."  Then get out your hymnal, and read again the words of the majestic hymn written so many years ago by Martin Luther -- "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God."

"We think of Martin Luther as a great reformer, Bible translator, political leader, fiery preacher and theologian!  But he was also a musician!  Martin grew up listening to his Mother sing.  He joined a boys choir that sang at weddings and funerals, and his volcanic emotions often erupted in song!              When the Protestant Reformation began, Luther determined to restore worship to the German Church.  He helped revive congregational singing and wrote a number of hymns.

Luther once wrote -- 'Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world.  It controls our thoughts, minds, hearts, and spirits.  A person who does not regard music as a marvelous creation of God does not deserve to be called a human being; he should be permitted to hear nothing but the braying of donkeys and the grunting of hogs.'   This song, 'A Mighty Fortress', reflects his awareness of our intense struggle with Satan.  In difficulty and danger, Luther would often resort to this song".  I trust it will be a blessing to your heart today!

"A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;                                                                                 Our helper, He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.                                                                              For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;                                                                                      His craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;                                                              Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God's on choosing.                                                            Dost ask who that may be?  Christ Jesus, it is He;                                                                                        Lord Sabaoth is His name, from age to age the same, and He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us;                                                        We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us.                                                        The prince of darkness grim---we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure,                                        For lo!  his doom is sure, one little word shall fell him!                                 

That word above all earthly powers---no thanks to them---abideth:                                                            The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him who with us sideth.                                                              Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; the body they may kill:                                                      God's truth abideth still, His Kingdom is forever!"

Yes, on this pre-election day, "The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge."                                                                                                                                                  (Psalm 46:11)