I the Lord …

 

I read a delightful little book found at the library called,

The Penny Whistle by B.J. Hoff. It is a book about hope.

Below is a little portion that touched my heart.

***

“The music of life is within you.

Not in the world,

not in circumstances or external things . . .

and not in an instrument.

You are the instrument,

and I am the music.

Whatever road you walk in this life,

it is because I have set your feet upon it.

Whatever road you walk in this life,

it is because I have set your feet upon it. 

Whatever trials you encounter,

whatever struggles you endure, 

your joys, your sorrows . . .

these, too, are My will.

I would have you,

through the life you live with Me,

show that the music of life is within,

not without . . .

that it comes from Me.

I am your Hope . . .

your Strength . . .

your Song. 

I, the Lord, am your Music.

***

Bless the Lord

 

 

Bless the LORD, O my soul.

O LORD my God, thou art very great;

thou art clothed with honour and majesty.

O LORD, how manifold are thy works!

in wisdom hast thou made them all:

the earth is full of thy riches.

The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever:

the LORD shall rejoice in his works.

My meditation of him shall be sweet:

I will be glad in the LORD.

Verses found in Psalms 109

God's Grace is Priceless

"Christ the only saving,

the only satisfaction,

the sovereign God plucking the sinner

straight out of a sea of hopelessness."

Taken from

Because the Work's Done

by

Ann Voskamp

Peace - finally

Dying is scary, even as a believer in Jesus and the resurrection and life eternal, dying is scary because we do not know how we are going to die. How much pain we might have to suffer.

As a believer, my hope is in Him to be with me not only in this life, but in the moment of death as well. It will be a transition. It says in the Bible, To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, and the day of ones death is better than the day of ones birth.

I am reading a book called The Chin Kiss King by Ana Veciama~Suarez. I just came to this passage that follows and felt like sharing it here.

This part in the book is about a man who died and his thoughts after he died. I know it is fiction, but there is some truth wonderful truth to take in.

Here is the excerpt:

"A little about myself: I was never old. I died thinking myself young. Died? Ah, such a useless word. An earth-word. A life-word. A word that must serve its purpose: to frame a concept, to make tangible what is intangible. I can explain it better. I passed to another world, another life, still thinking I was young. I crossed the boundary in my sleep, from one state to another, that easily. A massive heart attack. I faintly remember a sharp pain in my chest and then a sudden easing, floating away, a rush to light, music, angels, light light light so much light only light light light. And Peace. That peace is indescribable.

The peace. After the blinding, glorious light, that is what you notice. You are still seeing, but your sight is all-encompassing. You are still feeling, but your touch is not reluctant. You notice the peace before anything else. I believe, because it is so different. There is a starkness to it that mesmerizes, but a soft simplicity, too. You want it. It calls to you and more than anything else you desire it. The yearning drives you to move toward it, but of course you have no control. You cannot move as you once learned to move, with your legs, willing your muscles to do you bidding. No, you do not move, because it carries you like an ocean current. That peace, and you say, ah, ah, ah, that is what I have always been seeking, tranquilidad, this is what I have wanted, something that feels like silk but is warm like wool, and comforting, and serene, and all-knowing. Finally. Finally."

Jesus is that Light and He is that Peace.

******

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God!
how great is the sum of them!
Psa 139:17

Be of good courage,
and he shall strengthen your heart,
all ye that hope in the LORD.
Psa_31:24

Happy Easter/Resurrection Day

Good Easter/Resurrection morning Friends, Hope your day is a lovely one filled with love and joy.

You can read my Easter posting in my other blog here.

I found a fantastic rendition of Hallelujah, Christ Arose this morning on you tube. Enjoy.

Zone 10 ~ s.e. FL

Thoughts on my mind and heart

Lately I've been thinking a lot about Jesus coming return for those who believe in Him. There are so many signs pointing to this event, we just don't know when but we are to be watching and waiting, expectantly.

It's probably not politically correct now to even bring these things up, and I may lose some followers, but I have to speak this that is on my heart and mind.

The world is changing all around us. Those who believe in Jesus are being persecuted more and more, and it is even happening in our country which was founded on the belief of 'in God we trust.' Our religious freedoms are being stripped away, one by one.

These days it's more of 'in money we trust.' Yes, we do need money to get along in this world, but how much do we give our lives to it. Do we trust in it more that we do our loving God? Money is not even worth what it was just a short while ago, and when the NWO (New World Order) comes into power, there will be one money, and you will be handed an amount. Big Brother will have taken over. Our country has gone so far into debt that it is unimaginable. We normal citizens cannot even comprehend all that is going on in the government, not just in our country but all around the world.

The world has become a scary place. I am a happy, positive person for the most part, just trying to live my simple life, but I cannot, not think about what is going on. Yet, there is a hope that is in me, that strengthens me when I am weak, is the Light in my life.

My faith and hope are in Jesus,
who is the author and finisher of my faith.
He is God in the flesh.

In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
All things were made by him;
and without him was not any thing made that was made.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.


He is called Wonderful,
Counsellor,
The mighty God,
The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace.

***

As I was washing dishes I was pondering these things and came in here to my little space and got into my ESword program and the morning reading for today by Charles Spurgeon, was something meant for me to read today.

I am a sinner saved by God's grace. I see my need of God's grace each and every day.

We cannot make anyone else believe, God speaks to hearts. As I await His return, may I look daily to Him for guidance and be thankful for all that He has done for me. I can hardly wait to see Him face to face.

May all who read this feel the Love, Peace and Light of Jesus/God flowing through and surrounding you. No matter who we are, what we have done, He Loves us.

******

“Perfect in Christ Jesus.”
- Col_1:28

Do you not feel in your own soul that perfection is not in you?
Does not every day teach you that?
Every tear which trickles from your eye,
weeps “imperfection”;
every harsh word which proceeds from your lip, mutters “imperfection.”
You have too frequently had a view of your own heart
to dream for a moment of any perfection in yourself.

But amidst this sad consciousness of imperfection,
here is comfort for you
you are “perfect in Christ Jesus.”
In God’s sight, you are “complete in him;”
even now you are “accepted in the Beloved.”
But there is a second perfection, yet to be realized.
Is it not delightful to look forward to the time
when every stain of sin shall be removed from the believer,
and he shall be presented faultless before the throne,
without spot,
or wrinkle,
or any such thing?
The Church of Christ then will be so pure,
that not even the eye of Omniscience will see a spot or blemish in her.

Then shall we know, and taste, and feel
the happiness of this vast but short sentence,
“Complete in Christ.”
Not till then shall we fully comprehend
the heights and depths of the salvation of Jesus.
Doth not thy heart leap for joy at the thought of it?
Black as thou art, thou shalt be white one day;
filthy as thou art, thou shalt be clean.
Oh, it is a marvellous salvation this!
Christ takes a black and deformed thing
and makes it clean and matchless in his glory,
peerless in his beauty,
and fit to be the companion of seraphs.
O my soul, stand and admire this blessed truth
of perfection in Christ.

Charles Spurgeon 1834-1892
******

We will understand

Afterwards you will understand

by James Smith

"You do not understand now what I am doing
but afterwards you will understand."
John 13:7

***

We are to walk by faith
not by sight.

We are to trust His heart
when we cannot see His hand!

We are to believe Him
when we cannot understand His mysterious workings!

The Lord is now working in nature, providence, and grace
and He does many things which we do not understand at present.
But when His work is complete,
and it lies stretched out before us in the light of eternity
we shall then . . .
comprehend His design,
admire His wisdom, and
adore His divine workings!

Beloved, is God cleansing you by fiery trials,
or causing you to pass through deep waters?
Are you at a loss to know what His design is,
or where the present affliction will end?

Be still. Wait His time.

There is a divine working time
which is the present;
and there is a divine revealing time
which is to come.

The wisest Christians are often in the dark now
but the simplest Christians
will see all things clearly by and by.

A little more patience, a little more faith--and all will end well.

"We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God, and who are called according to His purpose!" Romans 8:2

This was from Grace Gems.

My Savior, My God

My Savior My God

I am not skilled to understand
What God has willed, what God has planned
I only know at His right hand
Stands one who is my Savior

I take Him at His word and deed
Christ died to save me; this I read
And in my heart I find a need
Of Him to be my savior

That He would leave His place on high
And come for sinful man to die
You count it strange, so once did I
Before I knew my Savior

My Savior loves, My Savior lives
My Savior's always there for me
My God: He was, my God; He is
My God is always gonna be

Yes, living, dying, let me bring
My strength, my solace from this spring;
That He who lives to be my King
Once died to be my Savior

That He would leave His place on high
And come for sinful man to die
You count it strange, so once did I
Before I knew my Savior


My Savior loves, My Savior lives

A Fighter for God and Life

I found this on the blog Shepherd's Walk this morning, and wanted to share it here as it really touched my heart and soul.

ALL-SUFFICIENT GRACE

This was a good read this Sunday morning. It came in my mail box from Grace Gems.

******
by John MacDuff, "The Faithful Promiser"

"God is able to make all grace abound toward you;
that you, always having all sufficiency in all things
may abound to every good work."
2 Corinthians 9:8

All-sufficiency in all things!
Believer!
Surely you are "thoroughly equipped for every good work!"

Grace is no scanty thing, doled out in pittances!
It is a glorious treasury,
which the key of prayer can always unlock--but can never empty!
It is a fountain--full, flowing, ever flowing, over flowing!

Mark these three ALL'S in this precious promise.
It is a three-fold link in a golden chain,
let down from the throne of grace, by the God of grace.
"All grace!" "all-sufficiency!" in "all things!" and these to "abound."

Oh! precious thought!
My need cannot impoverish that inexhaustible treasury of grace!
Myriads are hourly hanging on it,
drawing from it--and yet there is no diminution.
Out of that fullness we, too, may all receive, "grace upon grace!"

My soul, do you not love to dwell on that all-abounding grace!
Your own insufficiency in everything,
met with a divine "all-sufficiency in all things!"

***

Grace in all circumstances and situations!

Grace in all vicissitudes and changes!

Grace in all the varied phases of the Christian's being!

Grace in sunshine--and in storm!

Grace in health--and in sickness!

Grace in life--and in death!

Grace for the old believer--and the young believer.

Grace for the tried believer,
and the weak believer,
and the tempted believer.

Grace for duty--and grace in duty.

Grace to carry the joyous cup with a steady hand --
and grace to drink the bitter cup with an unmurmuring spirit!

Grace to have prosperity sanctified--and grace to say through tears,
"May Your will be done!"

***

"God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things--may abound to every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8


******

God's grace is priceless. May I rest in His grace more each day.

Like Sugar in our Tea!

Got this little devotional in my email. Thought I would share it here.

Like Sugar in our Tea!

by James Smith, "Comfort for the Christian"

"Your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things!"
Matthew 6:32

God will display His wisdom--in promoting the eternal welfare of all His children.
God's ways are not our ways.
They are always profoundly wise;
and His wisdom will in the end
stand conspicuous and glorious
n His paternal dealings with all of His children.

"For what son is not chastened by his father?" Hebrews 12:7
Beloved, if God is our Father--He will chastise us!
We need it!
We deserve it!
We shall have it!

But He will mix mercy with every affliction.
Like sugar in our tea--it sometimes lies at the bottom,
and needs stirring up!

But there is always mercy there!
A cup of unmixed wrath was put into the hands of Jesus
that such a cup might never be put into our hands!

There is sweetness, in the bitterest cup which our Father gives us!

Let us therefore look for the sugar--as we sip the bitter potion!

******

May we all sip our tea with gratitude especially in the most difficult of times.
It isn't easy to be thankful when things are rough.
We don't all go through the same things either,
but our God is with each of us
and knows our hearts, our hurts, our desires.
He knows our failings, and our successes.
He knows us and loves us as we are.

I can be up one day and down the next,
but God is forever the same,
holding and enfolding us in His tender loving care,
telling us all will be well.

May I keep my heart fixed on Him
as I walk my journey in this life.

Fearfully and wonderfully made

O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising,
thou understandest my thought afar off.

Thou compassest my path and my lying down,
and art acquainted with all my ways.

For there is not a word in my tongue,
but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

Thou hast beset me behind and before,
and laid thine hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

Whither shall I go from thy spirit?
or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
I will praise thee;
for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:
marvellous are thy works;
and that my soul knoweth right well.

My substance was not hid from thee,
when I was made in secret,
and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Thine eyes did see my substance,
yet being unperfect;
and in thy book all my members were written,
which in continuance were fashioned,
when as yet there was none of them.

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me,
O God! how great is the sum of them!


Taken from the KJV Bible Psalm 139.

******

Hazelyn McComas said: "This is what I believe: We were with God in the beginning. I do not understand that exactly - what we looked like, what we did all day, how we got along, any of it. Then we were sent here. And I am not sure that I understand that very well, either. And I believe that we are going home to God someday, and what that will be like is as much a mystery to me as any of the rest of it.

"But I believe those things are true and that what we have here on earth in between is a longing - for the God that we have known and for the God that we are going home to."

Our being known by God does not begin when we first recognize it or when we acknowledge it or even when we make our first struggling attempts to come to grips with what it might mean for the creator of the universe to know us and choose us. It begins at the beginning, when we are first imagined into being.

The journey between the dreaming and the coming true is a journey. A journey made through silence and longing where, if we will listen, we can hear the whisper of the Dreamer (God) echoing deep within us, calling us to become what the Dreamer sees when our names were first whispered.

Excerpt from the book "Between the Dreaming and the Coming True - The Road Home to God by Robert Benson.

***

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The same was in the beginning with God.

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

John 1:1-4


May we all stop to listen to that still small voice,
that whispers to each of us,
in love, in faithfulness, in forgiveness.
May we learn each day,
and may we look forward to,
with great joy and longing,
seeing Jesus our Creator and God,
face to face.

The Eternal God ...

The eternal God is thy refuge,
and underneath are the everlasting arms
Deuteronomy 33:27

***

The eternal God is thy refuge,.... God is eternal,
from everlasting to everlasting;
the Ancient of days,
before all things, and all time;
which is, and was, and is to come:

the same is true of Christ, who is the everlasting Father,
or Father of eternity, the true God, and eternal life;
as appears from his nature, having the whole fullness,
all the perfections of deity in him;
from his office, as Mediator, in which he was set up from everlasting;
from his concern in eternal election,
in the everlasting covenant,
and in the creation of all things out of nothing.

***

and underneath are the everlasting arms;
that is, of God, which are the support of his people,
and their protection, safety, and security;
such as the arms of his everlasting love,
which encircle them, and compass them about as a shield

Scripture from the KJV Bible

Commentary by Dr. John Gill (1690-1771)

***

Grace Gem for today

"Look unto Me!" Isaiah 45:22

A new morning opens upon us--and we are still exposed . . .
to sorrow,
to Satan, and
to disappointment!
Sin lives in us--and a thousand things are ready to distress us!

But our God says, "Look unto Me!"

Look unto Me . . .
as the source of happiness,
as the giver of grace,
as your Friend!

Look unto Me . . .
in every trial,
for all you need, and
in every circumstance.

Look unto Me TODAY, I have blessings to bestow! I am waiting to be gracious to you!

Believe that I am deeply interested in your present and eternal welfare!

Believe that I will perform--all I have promised!

Believe that I am with you--on purpose to bless you!

I cannot be unconcerned about anything that affects you!

I pledge Myself to make all things work together for your eternal good.

You have looked to SELF, and to others, in times past--

and you have only met with trouble and disappointment!

Now look unto Me ALONE!

Look unto Me FOR ALL!

by James Smith

***

Look unto me,
and be ye saved,
all the ends of the earth:
for I am God,
and there is none else.
Isaiah 45:22

God will do us good

We know not what this day may bring forth


"I will surely do you GOOD!" Genesis 32:12

Though this promise was given to Jacob, it was not confined to him--but is intended for all his spiritual seed. It is thus that God speaks to US this morning. How gracious!

We know not what this day may bring forth--but we do know that our God, who superintends every event, will do us good.

We may mistake as to what will be for our good--but He is infinite in wisdom and goodness, and therefore cannot mistake. We may look at afflictions, losses, and crosses, and cry out, "All these things are against me!" But read the history of David. What a train of troubles attended him! Hear his acknowledgment: "It is GOOD for me that I have been afflicted!"

Your God will do you good--therefore He will try you, sift you, humble you, and prove you. He will give you needed bitter medicine--as well as food. He will consider nothing too expensive, or too painful--if necessary for your soul's welfare.

Look at your trials, and say, "This also shall turn to my good!"

Look on the past, and acknowledge, "Surely goodness and mercy have followed me all the days of my life."

Look to the future, and rejoice, "The Lord will surely give me that which is GOOD."

Look in every direction, and say, "Surely the Lord will do me good--I will trust, and not be afraid."

(James Smith, "The Pastor's Morning Visit")

This inspirational piece came in my mailbox this morning
from

Grace Gems.

*************

Chosen with an everlasting love

Long before any human being saw us,
we are seen by God's loving eyes.

Long before anyone heard us cry or laugh,
we are heard by our God who is all ears for us.

Long before any person spoke to us in this world,
we are spoken to by the voice of eternal love.

Our preciousness, uniqueness and individuality
are not given to us by those who meet us in clock-time
-- our brief chronological existence --
but
by the One
who has chosen us with an everlasting love,
a love that existed from all eternity
and will last through all eternity.

Henri J.M. Nouwen

I am with you alway

Dear Friends,

I am basically a positive person, but sometimes have my moments of doubt and feeling down.

Yesterday morning started out well, but by the time we headed out the door to do our errands, I had a big lump in my throat, and felt like crying and in fact did shed a few tears. DH held and comforted me, and I told him "I don't know what's the matter with me this morning."

We headed out the door, and that's when I saw the basket plant (Callisia fragrans) flowers in bloom all down the driveway and said to DH, "Look at all these flowers".

After we got into the car and were waiting in the driveway to pull out into the road, DH patted my arm and said " Who but FlowerLady could be down one minute then walk out and see flowers and have her whole day change." He said when I had walked out into the driveway and turned to him with a big smile on my face telling him to look at all the flowers, his spirit was lifted too.

Things can get us down, and something as simple as walking outside and seeing flowers in bloom, or hearing birdsong, or taking in some delightful scent, will give us a change of heart, in attitude and boost us on our way.

I do believe in Jesus and my hope is in Him, that He will work all things out. He takes care of us every single day even when we feel like He isn't. The evil one does his best to discourage us and to think on all the 'what ifs' when we should be thinking of the Love and Mercy of God for us.

Things are rough around the whole world these days. We no longer live in a 'Norman Rockwell' world, instead it is a world full of greed, animosity, fear, over-consumption. As a believer in Jesus, I am looking forward to His return, and we believe it could be soon. There are signs all around us if we look. This world is not our home the way it is now. Man cannot bring order to the chaos that is here now, only Jesus as God can do that.

When life gets us down we can look to the 'author and finisher' of our faith. He has promised to never leave or forsake us. We all will go through things in life, that we hopefully learn from. We were not promised a good, perfect life. We will have hardships, dissappointments.

**********

I stopped with the last paragraph to look up some scripture in my E-Sword program and the following is what came up for the scripture reading and commentary for this morning and tonight as well. They were just right for this post. The commentary is by C.H. Spurgeon, (1834-1892).

I will let those writings be the ending to this post.

May you all feel the Light, Love, Peace and Strength of God flowing through and surrounding you in your lives each and every day.

************

May 11

Morning

“I am with you alway.”
- Mat_28:20

It is well there is One who is ever the same, and who is ever with us. It is well there is one stable rock amidst the billows of the sea of life.

O my soul, set not thine affections upon rusting, moth-eaten, decaying treasures, but set thine heart upon him who abides for ever faithful to thee. Build not thine house upon the moving quicksands of a deceitful world, but found thy hopes upon this rock, which, amid descending rain and roaring floods, shall stand immovably secure.

My soul, I charge thee, lay up thy treasure in the only secure cabinet; store thy jewels where thou canst never lose them. Put thine all in Christ; set all thine affections on his person, all thy hope in his merit, all thy trust in his efficacious blood, all thy joy in his presence, and so thou mayest laugh at loss, and defy destruction.

Remember that all the flowers in the world’s garden fade by turns, and the day cometh when nothing will be left but the black, cold earth. Death’s black extinguisher must soon put out thy candle. Oh! how sweet to have sunlight when the candle is gone!

The dark flood must soon roll between thee and all thou hast; then wed thine heart to him who will never leave thee; trust thyself with him who will go with thee through the black and surging current of death’s stream, and who will land thee safely on the celestial shore, and make thee sit with him in heavenly places for ever.

Go, sorrowing son of affliction, tell thy secrets to the Friend who sticketh closer than a brother. Trust all thy concerns with him who never can be taken from thee, who will never leave thee, and who will never let thee leave him, even “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever.” “Lo, I am with you alway,” is enough for my soul to live upon, let who will forsake me.

**********

Evening

“Only be thou strong and very courageous.”
- Jos_1:7

Our God’s tender love for his servants makes him concerned for the state of their inward feelings. He desires them to be of good courage.

Some esteem it a small thing for a believer to be vexed with doubts and fears, but God thinks not so. From this text it is plain that our Master would not have us entangled with fears. He would have us without carefulness, without doubt, without cowardice.

Our Master does not think so lightly of our unbelief as we do. When we are desponding we are subject to a grievous malady, not to be trifled with, but to be carried at once to the beloved Physician.

Our Lord loveth not to see our countenance sad. It was a law of Ahasuerus that no one should come into the king’s court dressed in mourning: this is not the law of the King of kings, for we may come mourning as we are; but still he would have us put off the spirit of heaviness, and put on the garment of praise, for there is much reason to rejoice.

The Christian man ought to be of a courageous spirit, in order that he may glorify the Lord by enduring trials in an heroic manner. If he be fearful and fainthearted, it will dishonour his God. Besides, what a bad example it is.

This disease of doubtfulness and discouragement is an epidemic which soon spreads amongst the Lord’s flock. One downcast believer makes twenty souls sad. Moreover, unless your courage is kept up Satan will be too much for you.

Let your spirit be joyful in God your Saviour, the joy of the Lord shall be your strength, and no fiend of hell shall make headway against you: but cowardice throws down the banner.

Moreover, labour is light to a man of cheerful spirit; and success waits upon cheerfulness. The man who toils, rejoicing in his God, believing with all his heart, has success guaranteed. He who sows in hope shall reap in joy; therefore, dear reader, “be thou strong, and very courageous.”

Think on these things

**************

whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue,
and if there be any praise,
think on these things.
Philippians 4:8

Zone 10 ~ s.e. FL

Continual prayer

Below is an excerpt taken from the book "The Name of Jesus" by Irenee Hausherr

"Continual prayer means keeping the soul attentive to God with great reverence and love, constantly hoping in him. It means entrusting ourselves to him in everything that happens, whether in things we do or in events that occur."

******

I wait for the LORD,
my soul doth wait,
and in his word do I hope.
Psa 130:5

Psalms for today

Blessed be the LORD,
because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.
The LORD is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusted in him, and I am helped:
therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth;
and with my song will I praise him.

Psa 28:6-7