Praise the Lord for this beautiful Monday morning! The month of September has sped swiftly by, and today finds us anticipating the lovely month of October with its crisp air and the trees adorning themselves in their delightful colors of red, orange and yellow!
Today, my heart is still rejoicing as I reflect on the services yesterday in the house of the Lord -- beautiful music -- challenging messages from our pastor, and best of all -- the sense of God's sweet presence in our midst! What a joy it is to be a "Child of the King"!
This morning, I want to especially thank the Lord for His Holy Word which is such a blessed lamp for my feet and light for my path. There are so many rich nuggets of Gold in God's Word to challenge and encourage us as we walk the pathway of life.
Notice carefully these two verses in the little book of Habakkuk: "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herds in the stalls: yet, I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation."
To me, this verse is quite amazing! When it seems that all hope is gone, the prophet of God declares that he is going to rejoice in the Lord!!
I think we would agree that it is pretty easy to be happy and cheerful in times of prosperity -- enjoying all the comforts of an affluent lifestyle, and everything seems to be going great! However, the testing times come when these material comforts may be taken away and we find ourselves feeling defeated and alone! But then we can utter these three words -- "Except for God"!! Whatever else may fail, our Lord has promised -- "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5) What a blessed comfort to know that our Master has promised to never leave us or forsake us!
Our Lord has commanded us in I Thessalonians 5:18 -- "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Notice that the Apostle instructed us -- not "for" everything, but "in" everything! Certainly, this has always been one of the greatest testimonies we can give -- the testimony of a life rejoicing in God's salvation even in the midst of trouble.
"In joy or in sorrow, today and tomorrow, I know He will walk with me."
Monday, September 30, 2019
Friday, September 27, 2019
Praying from the heart!
I love this beautiful verse in Lamentations 3:41 -- "Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens." When I read it, I picture myself looking up to my Heavenly Father with my heart in my hands -- loving Him, praising Him, worshiping Him, and thanking Him for saving a sinner like me! Perhaps we need to remember that God listens more closely to our hearts than the phrases from our lips. We must lift up our hearts to the Lord, not just our hands or our voices. Then He will hear in heaven!
In this busy day in which we live, our minds crowded with the cares of life -- if we are not careful, it is very easy to let our prayers become rather routine and repetitious, but I like these two little quotes:
"Prayer requires more of the heart than of the tongue."
"You have not prayed until your heart has talked."
We need to feel as the Psalmist felt in Psalm 42:1: "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God." Our prayers must also come from a believing heart. We read in James 1:6-7 --
"But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord."
Then we read again in James 5:16, this wonderful promise --
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
So as we look to the coming Lord's Day, may the Lord help us to pray effectually, earnestly and fervently for His glory and the upbuilding of His Kingdom!
In this busy day in which we live, our minds crowded with the cares of life -- if we are not careful, it is very easy to let our prayers become rather routine and repetitious, but I like these two little quotes:
"Prayer requires more of the heart than of the tongue."
"You have not prayed until your heart has talked."
We need to feel as the Psalmist felt in Psalm 42:1: "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God." Our prayers must also come from a believing heart. We read in James 1:6-7 --
"But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord."
Then we read again in James 5:16, this wonderful promise --
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
So as we look to the coming Lord's Day, may the Lord help us to pray effectually, earnestly and fervently for His glory and the upbuilding of His Kingdom!
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Family Celebrations!
September is a big month for our family! This month finds us celebrating three wedding anniversaries and four birthdays! (And today is the last grand event of the month -- Happy Anniversary to my youngest son, Joel, and his sweet wife, Mandy). It is always a happy time when the family gets together, recalls sweet memories of the past year, enjoys eating cake and ice cream, and plays games together! It makes me think of the song by Bill Gaither -- "I love the thrill that I feel when I get together with God's wonderful people . . ."
And then I remember -- our little celebrations here are as nothing when we think about the glorious celebration that awaits us at the "Marriage Supper of the Lamb".
"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God." (Revelation 19:7-9)
Sometimes we may have to miss family celebrations here on earth, but let us make up our mind that we will allow absolutely nothing, small or great, to hinder us from being at the marriage supper of the Lamb!
And then I remember -- our little celebrations here are as nothing when we think about the glorious celebration that awaits us at the "Marriage Supper of the Lamb".
"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God." (Revelation 19:7-9)
Sometimes we may have to miss family celebrations here on earth, but let us make up our mind that we will allow absolutely nothing, small or great, to hinder us from being at the marriage supper of the Lamb!
Monday, September 23, 2019
The Master's Hand --
Some time ago, I put this beautiful poem by Dorothy Barter on my Blog. I happened to see it yesterday, and felt like I wanted to share it again.
"I never knew the old, brown violin,
That was so long in some dark corner thrust --
Its strings broken or loose, its pegs run down,
Could ever be of use again.
The dust of years lay on its shabby case,
Until one day a Master took the instrument,
And with caressing fingers touched the wood,
Adjusted pegs and strings --
His mind intent on making music as he drew his bow.
Then from the violin, long silent,
Sprang once more arpeggios, runs, trills.
The wood quivered, leapt into life, and joyous sang.
I now believe that any broken life,
Jangling with discords, unadjusted --
Tossed in some far corner, wasted, thrown aside --
Can yet be of some use --
Need not be lost from Heaven's orchestra.
A Master's Hand, scarred with old wounds,
Can mend the broken thing if yielded to Him wholly;
And can make the dumb life speak again, and joyous sing
In praise of One who gave His life that none need perish.
And this message, glad, most blest, I now believe;
For placing in His Hand my life, I find my world is now at rest."
My friend, before we meet Jesus, we are like the screechy and battered old brown violin. We are battered instruments -- life's strings have been snapped -- life's bow has been bent! And yet, if we will only yield to the Master, and let Him touch and mend our broken, sinful life -- from our battered, broken, shattered and marred instrument, He can bring forth music fit for the angels!
Thank you, dear Jesus, for "The Touch of the Master's Hand"!
"I never knew the old, brown violin,
That was so long in some dark corner thrust --
Its strings broken or loose, its pegs run down,
Could ever be of use again.
The dust of years lay on its shabby case,
Until one day a Master took the instrument,
And with caressing fingers touched the wood,
Adjusted pegs and strings --
His mind intent on making music as he drew his bow.
Then from the violin, long silent,
Sprang once more arpeggios, runs, trills.
The wood quivered, leapt into life, and joyous sang.
I now believe that any broken life,
Jangling with discords, unadjusted --
Tossed in some far corner, wasted, thrown aside --
Can yet be of some use --
Need not be lost from Heaven's orchestra.
A Master's Hand, scarred with old wounds,
Can mend the broken thing if yielded to Him wholly;
And can make the dumb life speak again, and joyous sing
In praise of One who gave His life that none need perish.
And this message, glad, most blest, I now believe;
For placing in His Hand my life, I find my world is now at rest."
My friend, before we meet Jesus, we are like the screechy and battered old brown violin. We are battered instruments -- life's strings have been snapped -- life's bow has been bent! And yet, if we will only yield to the Master, and let Him touch and mend our broken, sinful life -- from our battered, broken, shattered and marred instrument, He can bring forth music fit for the angels!
Thank you, dear Jesus, for "The Touch of the Master's Hand"!
Friday, September 20, 2019
Longing -- Going -- Following --
"Are you going on with Jesus? The way goes through Gethsemane, through the city gate, and on 'outside the camp.' The way is lonely and goes on until there is no longer even a trace of a footprint to follow -- but only the voice saying, "Follow Me." When I read this quote by Oswald Chambers, it brought to my mind the soul-searching hymn, "Is Your All on the Altar" by Elisha Hoffman.
As we look to the coming Lord's Day, let us take time to prayerfully read and think upon the words of this wonderful song.
"You have longed for sweet peace, and for faith to increase,
And have earnestly, fervently prayed;
But you cannot have rest or be perfectly blest
Until all on the altar is laid.
Would you walk with the Lord, in the light of His Word,
And have peace and contentment alway?
You must do His sweet will; to be free from all ill,
On the altar your all you must lay.
Oh, we never can know what the Lord will bestow
Of the blessings for which we have prayed
Till our body and soul He doth fully control,
And our all on the altar is laid.
Who can tell all the love He will send from above,
And how happy our hearts will be made;
Of the fellowship sweet we shall share at His feet,
When our all on the altar is laid!
Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?
Your heart does the Spirit control?
You can only be blest and have peace and sweet rest
As you yield Him your body and soul."
As we look to the coming Lord's Day, let us take time to prayerfully read and think upon the words of this wonderful song.
"You have longed for sweet peace, and for faith to increase,
And have earnestly, fervently prayed;
But you cannot have rest or be perfectly blest
Until all on the altar is laid.
Would you walk with the Lord, in the light of His Word,
And have peace and contentment alway?
You must do His sweet will; to be free from all ill,
On the altar your all you must lay.
Oh, we never can know what the Lord will bestow
Of the blessings for which we have prayed
Till our body and soul He doth fully control,
And our all on the altar is laid.
Who can tell all the love He will send from above,
And how happy our hearts will be made;
Of the fellowship sweet we shall share at His feet,
When our all on the altar is laid!
Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?
Your heart does the Spirit control?
You can only be blest and have peace and sweet rest
As you yield Him your body and soul."
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
Whatsoever ---
In the first book of the Old Testament, we find this short command: "Whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do." (Genesis 31:16) In the New Testament, we find a very similar command in John 2:5 -- "Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it."
These are, no doubt, some of the most important words in all the Bible, for it is impossible to live a victorious Christian life without complete obedience to the will of God.
I read a little quotation some time ago, and I think about it quite often. It said -- "Life's supreme and most important matter is that of obedience to God." There are so many things in life that we think are of great importance, but if we are not careful we will forget or neglect the most important!
Perhaps it would be good, right now, to take a little time and reflect on the things that are important to us. Do any of these "important" things take precedence over, or hinder, our obedience to God?
We must remember that it is obedience that brings the blessing! So let us "Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey!"
These are, no doubt, some of the most important words in all the Bible, for it is impossible to live a victorious Christian life without complete obedience to the will of God.
I read a little quotation some time ago, and I think about it quite often. It said -- "Life's supreme and most important matter is that of obedience to God." There are so many things in life that we think are of great importance, but if we are not careful we will forget or neglect the most important!
Perhaps it would be good, right now, to take a little time and reflect on the things that are important to us. Do any of these "important" things take precedence over, or hinder, our obedience to God?
We must remember that it is obedience that brings the blessing! So let us "Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey!"
Monday, September 16, 2019
All Scripture . . .
I'm sure that most of you are very busy on this Monday morning and probably already have your schedules planned for the week. Did you include in your schedule spending time in God's Holy Word? I am afraid that too many of us spend little time in the Word of the Lord, forgetting that it is the necessary food for health and joy in our spiritual lives.
The Psalmist said in Psalm 119:103: "How sweet are Thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"
In Deuteronomy 8:3, we are told: "Man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live." I love this beautiful thought, and I also love the sweet promise for daily guidance in Psalm 119:105 -- "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
The wonderful testimony of David in Psalm 19:7-9 also speaks to my heart today!
The LAW of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul:
The TESTIMONY of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple:
The STATUES of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart:
The COMMANDMENT of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The FEAR of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever:
The JUDGMENTS of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
Perhaps these wonderful words from the Old Testament will bring to your mind the great assertion of the Apostle Paul in I Timothy 3:16-17: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."
Thank you, Heavenly Father, for your blessed Holy Word! Help me to hide it in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee!
The Psalmist said in Psalm 119:103: "How sweet are Thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"
In Deuteronomy 8:3, we are told: "Man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live." I love this beautiful thought, and I also love the sweet promise for daily guidance in Psalm 119:105 -- "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
The wonderful testimony of David in Psalm 19:7-9 also speaks to my heart today!
The LAW of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul:
The TESTIMONY of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple:
The STATUES of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart:
The COMMANDMENT of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The FEAR of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever:
The JUDGMENTS of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
Perhaps these wonderful words from the Old Testament will bring to your mind the great assertion of the Apostle Paul in I Timothy 3:16-17: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."
Thank you, Heavenly Father, for your blessed Holy Word! Help me to hide it in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee!
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