Freedom!

A little over a week ago, our nation celebrated our freedom on Independence Day in what the song-writer called "the sweet land of liberty".  But we know that freedom is never "free".  Our forefathers fought and obtained it for us at a tremendous cost, and we have a responsibility to preserve it.
The Apostle Paul said in I Peter 2:16 -- "As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God."  So even though we are free and have liberty, we are still the servants of God.
Romans 6:18 says -- "Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness."  Praise the Lord!  What a privilege to love and serve our wonderful Saviour!
Jeremiah 4:2 says -- "The Lord liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in Him, and in Him shall they glory."

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the freedoms we enjoy as a nation; but thank you most of all for the glorious freedom we have in Christ, our blessed Redeemer and soon coming King!  And as we look to the coming Lord's Day if Jesus tarries, let us keep our hearts rejoicing as we meditate upon these beautiful words by Haldor Lillenas:

     "Freedom from fear with all of its torments;
Freedom from care with all of its pain;
      Freedom in Christ, my blessed Redeemer --
He who has rent my fetters in twain.

      Glorious freedom!  Wonderful freedom!
No more in chains of sin I repine!
      Jesus, the glorious Emancipator --
Now and for ever -- He shall be mine!"

Scripture "Shall Nots"

Some people seem to think of God's Holy Word as a book of prohibitions or "thou shalt not's", but it is interesting that many of God's sweetest promises use the phrase "shall not" in an opposite way -- not listing prohibitions, but provisions!  A beautiful example is the opening verse of the much-loved 23rd Psalm -- "The Lord is my shepherd; I 'shall not' want."  Psalm 34:10 says:  "The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; but they that seek the Lord 'shall not' want any good thing."

In John 5:24 we read:  "He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and 'shall not' come into condemnation."  John 8:12 gives us a wonderful promise of divine guidance -- "He that followeth Me 'shall not' walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
In Psalm 16:8, we read -- "The Lord is at my right hand, I 'shall not' be moved"; and in 37:24, we see:
"Though he fall, he 'shall not' be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with His hand."

I love the promise in Isaiah 43:2 which assures me no matter how great the trial, the Lord will not leave me alone!  "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they 'shall not' overflow thee."  It is wonderful to know that God's Word and God's purposes can never fail.  "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words 'shall not' pass away."  (Matthew 24:35)
Jesus said in Matthew 16:18 -- "Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell 'shall not' prevail against it."  And praise the Lord for this wonderful 'shall not' in Romans 6:14:  "Sin 'shall not' have dominion over you."
As I was thinking of these gracious 'shall not' promises, I also thought of this wonderful 'Shall Not' song by John T. Benson --

     "Jesus is my Saviour; I shall not be moved;
In His love and favor, I shall not be moved --
      In my Christ abiding; I shall not be moved;
In His love I'm hiding, I shall not be moved.

      If I trust Him ever, I shall not be moved;
He will fail me never, I shall not be moved --
      On His Word I'm feeding, I shall not be moved;
He's the one that's leading, I shall not be moved.

      I shall not be, I shall not be moved;
I shall not be, I shall not be moved;
      Just like a tree that's planted by the waters,
Lord, I shall not be moved."

God Keeps The Key

It is a beautiful Monday morning!  God's warm and lovely sunshine is streaming through my windows and makes me want to say with the Psalmist -- "Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord!"  I believe if you will just take a little time on this Monday morning to be still and "have a little talk with Jesus",  your heart will be encouraged and ready to face the challenges that may be facing you this week.  I trust that this lovely little poem by an unknown author will be a blessing and encouragement to your heart today!

     "Is there some problem in your life to solve,
Some passage seeming full of mystery?
      God knows, who brings the hidden things to light,
He keeps the key!

      Is there some door closed by the Father's hand
Which widely opened you had hoped to see?
      Trust God and wait -- for when He shuts the door,
He keeps the key!

      Is there some earnest prayer unanswered yet,
Or answered not as you had thought 'twould be?
      God will make clear His purpose by and by.
He keeps the key!

      Unfailing comfort, sweet and blessed rest,
To know of every door He keeps the key;
      That He at last, when He shall see 'tis best,
Will give it thee!"

     "So I go on, not knowing -- I would not if I might --
For I had rather walk with God in the dark, than walk alone in light!"

The Day After

The beautiful fireworks that lit up the heavens last night are finished -- the grills sizzling with delicious hamburgers and hotdogs are put away -- the loved ones from afar are on their way back home -- the house is quiet this morning, but my heart holds many sweet memories of the happy times we enjoyed together as a family this past week!!
 And sometimes we might want this special time of family fellowship to continue, but we know (as Jesus told the disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration), they could not stay on the mountain--they had to come down.  So today is Friday, and our duties of the day are well under way, and it is time to begin preparing our hearts for the coming Lord's Day, if Jesus tarries.

And, sadly, if some great tragedy has taken your earthly family, you can still be a part of God's great family!  So, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus -- look full in His wonderful face!  And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace!" 

 

Independence Week!

Independence Day is actually Thursday, but I think it began yesterday in many churches across our great land!  My heart was thrilled as the orchestra played the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "The Star-Spangled Banner" as the congregation stood and saluted the flag!  Before our pastor preached, our hearts were lifted in praise and thankfulness as my son, Joel, sang "God Bless the U.S.A."  Throughout the service, I was reminded again that--"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, but sin is a reproach to any people."

So today is Monday, but already flags are flying, fireworks are lighting up the heavens, families are gathering together (my heart is happy that my son and granddaughters are traveling now on their way to Grammy's house), and before long grills will be filled to capacity with hotdogs, hamburgers and chicken!  What a wonderful week it is as we take time to reflect upon our founding fathers who paid a tremendous price to give us the freedoms we still enjoy today!  It makes me want to lift my voice and sing:  "God bless America!  Land that I love!  Stand beside her, and guide her, through the night with a light from above . . . "

But as we celebrate this week, let us not forget that God's great liberty is of the spirit and the mind, not just of the land and the national population.  So as we celebrate the wonderful liberty that God has granted the United States, may we pause and pray:  " . . . Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be
done . . . For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever!  Amen" 

Count Your Blessings!

It's Monday, and I'm afraid that some of you (perhaps many) have already forgotten the joys of being in the Lord's house yesterday -- singing the wonderful songs -- meditating on the timely messages from the pastor -- sensing God's presence in our midst as we sought the Lord in prayer!  May we not be overcome with the cares of life, but take time often to count our blessings as expressed in this song by Johnson Oatmon, Jr.

     "When upon life's billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
      Count your many blessings -- name them one by one --
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

      Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
      Count your many blessings -- every doubt will fly --
And you will be singing as the days go by.

      When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold.
      Count your many blessings -- money cannot buy --
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

      So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged; God is over all.
      Count your many blessings -- angels will attend --
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.

      Count your blessings; name them one by one.
Count your many blessings; see what God hath done."

The Psalmist said:  "The Lord will give strength unto His people: the Lord will bless His people with peace.  O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto Thee for ever."

"Have Mercy On Me!"

I am always blessed by the beautiful and thrilling story recorded in the gospel of Mark, chapter 10, verses 46-52.  This miracle is also recorded in Matthew and Luke.  Get your Bible and read it, and picture yourself, along with me, among that great number of people going out of Jericho with Jesus!
Suddenly we hear a loud voice cry out, but as we listen we soon realize it is just the old beggar, blind Bartimaeus, sitting by the wayside and begging like he always does!
 Sometimes he is so irritating and disgusting!!  We want to hurry on by, so Jesus doesn't have to see such a dreadful sight, but Bartimaeus begins to cry louder and louder!! 

 Many in the crowd are demanding that he hush, but he will not --- he cries even more loudly and will not stop!  "Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me"!  Then, an amazing thing happened!  God's Word says -- "Jesus stood still"!  Those three little words thrill and bless my heart!  The Master cared for this poor, wretched beggar.  Our wonderful Saviour is no respecter of persons.  Whosoever will may come to Him!  If you are in need today -- sitting by the wayside of life -- perhaps feeling your life is hopeless -- that no one cares or understands -- I have wonderful news for you!!  Jesus is "standing still" right where you are at this very moment, and He is calling for you!!  Praise the Lord!

The songwriter said it this way:
     "One sat alone beside the highway begging--
His eyes were blind, the light he could not see.
      He clutched his rags, and shivered in the shadows --
Then Jesus came, and bid his darkness flee!

      When Jesus comes, the tempter's power is broken!
When Jesus comes, the tears are wiped away!
      He takes the gloom, and fills the life with glory --
For all is changed when Jesus comes to stay!"