Today my hurt is hurting as I think of some friends and loved ones going through heavy trials. I feel at a loss to know how to help and encourage them. But how wonderful it is that we can find refuge, comfort and encouragement in the precious Word of God.
Deuteronomy 33:27 reminds us that "the eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." And how blessed it is to carry a song in our heart to uplift us in the dark hours. It is so sweet to know that "Jesus Never Fails".
"Earthly friends may prove untrue, doubts and fears assail;
One still loves and cares for you, One who will not fail.
Tho' the sky be dark and drear, fierce and strong the gale,
Just remember He is near, and He will not fail.
In life's dark and bitter hour love will still prevail.
Trust His everlasting power; Jesus will not fail.
Jesus never fails. Jesus never fails.
Heaven and earth may pass away, but Jesus never fails"!
May God bless you today as you "take your burden to the Lord and leave it there."
Friday, March 29, 2019
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Take Time!
Everyone is busy. Most everyone has a schedule to meet. Almost everyone seems to be in a hurry. And it seems nearly everyone does not know how to be still and Take Time ----
"Take time to be friendly -- it only takes a smile and a kind word.
Take time to give -- it brings peace and contentment.
Take time to laugh -- it is the music of the soul.
Take time to think -- it plants the seed of accomplishment.
Take time to read -- it is the foundation of wisdom.
Take time to work -- it is the price of success.
Take time to play -- it is the secret of perpetual youth.
Take time to love and be loved -- it is a God-given privilege.
Take time to pray -- it is the greatest power on earth."
--Unknown
Psalm 4:4 says -- "...commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still."
In Psalm 46:10, we read -- "Be still, and know that I am God."
Isaiah 30:15 tells us -- "...in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength."
And let us never forget the wonderful promise in James 5:16 --
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
"Take time to be friendly -- it only takes a smile and a kind word.
Take time to give -- it brings peace and contentment.
Take time to laugh -- it is the music of the soul.
Take time to think -- it plants the seed of accomplishment.
Take time to read -- it is the foundation of wisdom.
Take time to work -- it is the price of success.
Take time to play -- it is the secret of perpetual youth.
Take time to love and be loved -- it is a God-given privilege.
Take time to pray -- it is the greatest power on earth."
--Unknown
Psalm 4:4 says -- "...commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still."
In Psalm 46:10, we read -- "Be still, and know that I am God."
Isaiah 30:15 tells us -- "...in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength."
And let us never forget the wonderful promise in James 5:16 --
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
Monday, March 25, 2019
Shelter in the Storm
It seems like we have had quite a lot of storms lately, and it is raining again this morning. We may not be too excited when we look out the window, see the dreary-looking sky and lots of water standing in the yard. But we don't expect the storm to last too long -- we are looking for the sun to shine again!
There are also stormy times in our lives, but we have the wonderful promises in God's Holy Word to encourage us as we journey through each storm toward heaven and home! Let us not forget that God's ways are still Always the best ways -- we can master the tempest through God's way and in God's strength, so let us hold steady in the time of storm. Remember -- God is our shelter!
"The Lord's our Rock; in Him we hide, secure whatever ill betide --
A Shade by day, Defense by night; no fears alarm, no foes affright --
The raging storms may round us beat; we'll never leave our safe retreat --
O Rock divine, O Refuge dear; be Thou our Helper ever near.
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land -- A Shelter in the time of storm"!
And, remember -- "There is peace when the storm is raging in the shelter of His arms!"
There are also stormy times in our lives, but we have the wonderful promises in God's Holy Word to encourage us as we journey through each storm toward heaven and home! Let us not forget that God's ways are still Always the best ways -- we can master the tempest through God's way and in God's strength, so let us hold steady in the time of storm. Remember -- God is our shelter!
"The Lord's our Rock; in Him we hide, secure whatever ill betide --
A Shade by day, Defense by night; no fears alarm, no foes affright --
The raging storms may round us beat; we'll never leave our safe retreat --
O Rock divine, O Refuge dear; be Thou our Helper ever near.
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land -- A Shelter in the time of storm"!
And, remember -- "There is peace when the storm is raging in the shelter of His arms!"
Friday, March 22, 2019
Prayer Changes Things!
Prayer -- so simple; so sublime! How sweet it is to sing with the Psalmist -- "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth." And then the Psalmist reminds us -- "He that keepeth thee shall neither slumber nor sleep." And our wonderful Lord never tires of our coming to Him --His ear is Always open to our cry! I trust these words from an unknown author will speak to your heart today.
"Skies seemed dark to me one morning and my thoughts were tinged with gloom,
But my eye fell on a motto that was hanging in the room.
Silvery letters in blue background; heavenly thought on shining wings,
brought me hope in one brief message. It was this -- 'Prayer changes things'!
Things surround like iron mountains; things that make a thorny way --
Things that curtain clouds with doubting; things that make it hard to pray.
Dreadful things that never happen dog our steps, but faith still sings
in our ears this hopeful message, 'Don't forget; prayer changes things.'
We have seen some things prayer changes; greater things we yet may see.
When the Hebrews came from Egypt, prayer made pathways through the sea.
In the hot and dusty desert, Moses prayed and cooling springs
gushed out from their rocky prisons, just because 'prayer changes things.'
We should be very careful lest some things should change our prayers.
Pleasing things like lotus perfumes steal in on us unawares,
Till we loiter in a dreamland -- Slaves, but thinking we are kings.
There's a golden key to freedom; it is this -- 'Prayer changes things.'
When we think that our surroundings keep us from the heavenly way,
Or that wealth or change will help us in some distant place or day,
Let's remember 'tis our Saviour, not environment, that brings
Strength and blessing, peace and pleasure. Here's the way, 'Prayer changes things.'
And in the words of a beautiful song by William Runyan:
"Prayer is the breath of the soul's deep life,
Prayer is the shield in the midst of strife,
Pray when about you the clouds hang low,
Pray when you know not which way to go."
"Just keep on praying, 'till light breaks through. The Lord will answer, He'll answer you.
God keeps His promise, His Word is true. Just keep on praying 'till light breaks through!"
"Skies seemed dark to me one morning and my thoughts were tinged with gloom,
But my eye fell on a motto that was hanging in the room.
Silvery letters in blue background; heavenly thought on shining wings,
brought me hope in one brief message. It was this -- 'Prayer changes things'!
Things surround like iron mountains; things that make a thorny way --
Things that curtain clouds with doubting; things that make it hard to pray.
Dreadful things that never happen dog our steps, but faith still sings
in our ears this hopeful message, 'Don't forget; prayer changes things.'
We have seen some things prayer changes; greater things we yet may see.
When the Hebrews came from Egypt, prayer made pathways through the sea.
In the hot and dusty desert, Moses prayed and cooling springs
gushed out from their rocky prisons, just because 'prayer changes things.'
We should be very careful lest some things should change our prayers.
Pleasing things like lotus perfumes steal in on us unawares,
Till we loiter in a dreamland -- Slaves, but thinking we are kings.
There's a golden key to freedom; it is this -- 'Prayer changes things.'
When we think that our surroundings keep us from the heavenly way,
Or that wealth or change will help us in some distant place or day,
Let's remember 'tis our Saviour, not environment, that brings
Strength and blessing, peace and pleasure. Here's the way, 'Prayer changes things.'
And in the words of a beautiful song by William Runyan:
"Prayer is the breath of the soul's deep life,
Prayer is the shield in the midst of strife,
Pray when about you the clouds hang low,
Pray when you know not which way to go."
"Just keep on praying, 'till light breaks through. The Lord will answer, He'll answer you.
God keeps His promise, His Word is true. Just keep on praying 'till light breaks through!"
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Queens of the Parsonage
March is a delightful month -- it speaks of freshness and newness! The winter is past -- the birds are singing -- the hint of the coming springtime is in the air. Solomon talks about it in the Song of Solomon: "The winter is past -- The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come -- The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell."
But the coming Springtime is not the only special thing about March. This is also the month that has been designated as a special month of appreciation for the Pastor's Wife! I am very thankful for the pastor's wives who were wonderful role models for me as a child growing up, and today, at 78 years of age, I am still very thankful for pastor's wives whose sweet Christian lives inspire me and show me by their example that "nothing sweeter can be known than full surrender . . ."
I would like to dedicate this little poem entitled, "Pastor's Wife", by Lisa Morgan to my pastor's wife, Sis. Janice Thornton, who is a gracious addition to her husband's ministry, and a wonderful role model for all of us who call her our pastor's wife!
"Although you're in the shadows, and walk a few steps behind
the man we call our Pastor, you never seem to mind --
You share him with us unselfishly, though it means you're often alone.
Your gentle, caring spirit, is a blessing all of its own.
When we called him as our Pastor, we didn't realize,
You were one of the greatest things he'd bring into our lives.
Thank You for being such a wonderful pastor's wife"!
Make sure you let your pastor's wife---your Queen of the Parsonage---know how much you love and appreciate her ministry to her husband and to you!
But the coming Springtime is not the only special thing about March. This is also the month that has been designated as a special month of appreciation for the Pastor's Wife! I am very thankful for the pastor's wives who were wonderful role models for me as a child growing up, and today, at 78 years of age, I am still very thankful for pastor's wives whose sweet Christian lives inspire me and show me by their example that "nothing sweeter can be known than full surrender . . ."
I would like to dedicate this little poem entitled, "Pastor's Wife", by Lisa Morgan to my pastor's wife, Sis. Janice Thornton, who is a gracious addition to her husband's ministry, and a wonderful role model for all of us who call her our pastor's wife!
"Although you're in the shadows, and walk a few steps behind
the man we call our Pastor, you never seem to mind --
You share him with us unselfishly, though it means you're often alone.
Your gentle, caring spirit, is a blessing all of its own.
When we called him as our Pastor, we didn't realize,
You were one of the greatest things he'd bring into our lives.
Thank You for being such a wonderful pastor's wife"!
Make sure you let your pastor's wife---your Queen of the Parsonage---know how much you love and appreciate her ministry to her husband and to you!
Monday, March 18, 2019
The Little --- Your Best!
Praise the Lord for this beautiful Monday morning! I trust the joybells are ringing in your soul this morning as we begin another week, but perhaps the enemy of your soul has come knocking and you have answered the door and let him convince you that you are of little worth to the Master---you might just as well give in to your discouragement. But God's Word tells us the devil is a liar and the father of them. You have a place to fill in God's Kingdom, whether large or small, and I trust that we will be challenged today to Give our Best to Jesus, our wonderful Lord!
Perhaps this poem, "The Little You Have" by Mary Kimbrough, will be an encouragement to your heart today.
"A cup of cold water, a crust of dry bread?
The loaves and the fishes a multitude fed.
The little you have He requireth of you;
By Christ blest and broken, 'twill multiply too.
A dime or a dollar -- a thousand, or more?
Two mites in the coffer, and Jesus took store.
He blessed the poor widow for what she could do;
The little you have, friend, will bring blessing, too.
A cup, or a vessel; a large one, or small --
With oil never failing, He filleth them all.
And though your poor vessel be little and frail,
When filled with the Spirit, you never shall fail.
A lamp and a pitcher, a trumpet and sword;
So Gideon battled against that great horde,
With breaking of pitchers, and lamps burning bright;
We'll soon shout the victory as they did that night.
A thread and a needle, the garments she'd made,
Were shown by the widows, as tribute they paid.
Though humble the labor, whatever you do,
When done unto others, then He'll bless you, too.
A plow or a hammer, a needle or pen --
Whatever your talent, just give all to Him;
He'll bless it to make a multitude glad;
He'll use to His glory the little you had."
And though we may have little to give, let us remember the words of the songwriter who challenged us to ---
"Give of your best to the Master -- Give Him your heart's adoration --
Give of your best to the Master -- Give Him first place in your heart --
Give Him first place in your service -- Consecrate every part.
Give of your best to the Master -- Naught else is worthy His love.
Clad in salvation's full armor -- Join in the battle for truth!"
Let us give Jesus our all and our best as we love Him, serve Him, and walk humbly with Him!
Perhaps this poem, "The Little You Have" by Mary Kimbrough, will be an encouragement to your heart today.
"A cup of cold water, a crust of dry bread?
The loaves and the fishes a multitude fed.
The little you have He requireth of you;
By Christ blest and broken, 'twill multiply too.
A dime or a dollar -- a thousand, or more?
Two mites in the coffer, and Jesus took store.
He blessed the poor widow for what she could do;
The little you have, friend, will bring blessing, too.
A cup, or a vessel; a large one, or small --
With oil never failing, He filleth them all.
And though your poor vessel be little and frail,
When filled with the Spirit, you never shall fail.
A lamp and a pitcher, a trumpet and sword;
So Gideon battled against that great horde,
With breaking of pitchers, and lamps burning bright;
We'll soon shout the victory as they did that night.
A thread and a needle, the garments she'd made,
Were shown by the widows, as tribute they paid.
Though humble the labor, whatever you do,
When done unto others, then He'll bless you, too.
A plow or a hammer, a needle or pen --
Whatever your talent, just give all to Him;
He'll bless it to make a multitude glad;
He'll use to His glory the little you had."
And though we may have little to give, let us remember the words of the songwriter who challenged us to ---
"Give of your best to the Master -- Give Him your heart's adoration --
Give of your best to the Master -- Give Him first place in your heart --
Give Him first place in your service -- Consecrate every part.
Give of your best to the Master -- Naught else is worthy His love.
Clad in salvation's full armor -- Join in the battle for truth!"
Let us give Jesus our all and our best as we love Him, serve Him, and walk humbly with Him!
Friday, March 15, 2019
"Come, Thou Fount"
Last night, I picked up a little booklet of devotionals from hymn stories. I opened it at random, and began to read ---
"Robert Robinson was born in Norfolk, England, in September, 1735. His father passed away when he was only eight years of age. As soon as he was old enough, he got a job as an apprentice to a barber. As he grew older, he came under the influence of that great evangelist, George Whitefield. He became convicted of his terrible, sinful ways. On December 10, 1755, Robinson could not escape from a particular phrase used by Mr. Whitfield in one of his sermons: 'Oh, my hearers! the wrath to come! the wrath to come!' He was wondrously converted and became a minister of the gospel!
Later, after pastoring for several years, for some unknown reason, he became unstable, unhappy, and ended up in a backslidden state, far away from God. He found himself one day the fellow passenger of a young lady on a stagecoach. It is reported that she began to sing to break the monotony of the trip. And what did she sing? This beautiful song --
"Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing Thy grace.
Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for song of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it, mount of God's unchanging love.
Here I raise my Ebenezer; hither by Thy help I'm come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger, interposed His precious blood.
Oh, to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be!
Let that grace now, like a fetter, bind my yielded heart to Thee.
Let me know Thee in Thy fullness; guide me by Thy mighty hand
Till, transformed, in Thine own image in Thy presence I shall stand."
When she had finished singing these beautiful words, she asked him what he thought about the song. His startling reply was -- 'Madam, I am the unhappy man who wrote that hymn many years ago; and I would give a thousand worlds, if I had them, if I could feel now as I felt then.'"
Such sad, sad, words! I wonder -- what would cause the writer of this lovely hymn to begin to stray away from His wonderful Lord? I don't know the answer to that question, but I do know that it is a sobering reminder that we must guard carefully our never-dying soul, walk in the beautiful light of God, and keep the fire burning in our souls until one day---in His presence we shall stand!
"Robert Robinson was born in Norfolk, England, in September, 1735. His father passed away when he was only eight years of age. As soon as he was old enough, he got a job as an apprentice to a barber. As he grew older, he came under the influence of that great evangelist, George Whitefield. He became convicted of his terrible, sinful ways. On December 10, 1755, Robinson could not escape from a particular phrase used by Mr. Whitfield in one of his sermons: 'Oh, my hearers! the wrath to come! the wrath to come!' He was wondrously converted and became a minister of the gospel!
Later, after pastoring for several years, for some unknown reason, he became unstable, unhappy, and ended up in a backslidden state, far away from God. He found himself one day the fellow passenger of a young lady on a stagecoach. It is reported that she began to sing to break the monotony of the trip. And what did she sing? This beautiful song --
"Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing Thy grace.
Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for song of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it, mount of God's unchanging love.
Here I raise my Ebenezer; hither by Thy help I'm come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger, interposed His precious blood.
Oh, to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be!
Let that grace now, like a fetter, bind my yielded heart to Thee.
Let me know Thee in Thy fullness; guide me by Thy mighty hand
Till, transformed, in Thine own image in Thy presence I shall stand."
When she had finished singing these beautiful words, she asked him what he thought about the song. His startling reply was -- 'Madam, I am the unhappy man who wrote that hymn many years ago; and I would give a thousand worlds, if I had them, if I could feel now as I felt then.'"
Such sad, sad, words! I wonder -- what would cause the writer of this lovely hymn to begin to stray away from His wonderful Lord? I don't know the answer to that question, but I do know that it is a sobering reminder that we must guard carefully our never-dying soul, walk in the beautiful light of God, and keep the fire burning in our souls until one day---in His presence we shall stand!
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