Author: Toni Rypkema

I'm a believer in Jesus. Because of this, I am married to a wonderful husband and the mom of a large family. For those who have battled cancer, or any other tragedy or disease, you might understand, I had a choice to get better or bitter. I chose to give thanks to Jesus for my every breath. For that reason alone, wanting to proclaim His goodness, do I write - Toni

"…but the bush was not consumed." Ex. 3:2.

I pray inside, silently and ask the Lord: “Show me today, what is it You want to say. Give me ears to hear. Oh God, draw ever so near.”

 

Ex. 3:1,
“Now  Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.”

Exodus 3:2, “And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire, but the bush was not consumed.”
From the midst of a bush, the Angel of the LORD appeared to Moses in a flame of fire!
So, Moses looked, and the Book is written and the words are recorded so we can read over and over again, that, ‘behold, the bush burned with fire, but the bush was not consumed!’
Just a bush! Burning with the fire of the LORD…but not consumed ! Illuminated with the power and glory of the Lord… not an Oak, not a Sycamore – just a bush!
This is a picture many of us have seen in a childhood Bible story book!
I pray inside, silently and ask the Lord: “Show me today, what is it You want to say. Give me ears to hear. Oh God, draw ever so near. Truly this picture that we have seen again and again has something for me, right now, to see.
Fire, flame…
“For it is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure, (which is Jesus, which is the fire burning), in earthen vessels, ( or our own broken lives, or measly little bushes), that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” 2 Cor. 4:6,7.
The bush was not consumed- as Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:8-10?,
“We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed – always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”
Just an old dried out bush in the back side of the desert, shining ever so bright with the Angel of the LORD appearing in the form of fire – and the bush was not consumed!
And this is my favorite part:
“Then Moses said, “I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn.”Exodus 3:3.
I have recently learned that the word ‘worship’ in the Greek comes from a word meaning, ‘to turn toward and kiss.'(proskuneo).
Could God possibly be showing you and me today, in this most familiar story, that while Moses was for years in the back side of the desert, seemingly ‘put on a shelf’, that the LORD was with him,and has a plan.
Just like Jeremiah 29:11,
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope.”
And not only that – but Moses chose to turn aside and…and to let us all know his desire, “I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn.”

Yes! It is today, that God has shown me through this simple story so many of the truths He wants me to hold on to. Don’t you see it?
The bush does not burn! Why?
Because Lamentations 3:22-23 tells us why,
“Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.”
I believe Moses worshiped the Lord.
He did not understand everything…but he was beholding…
Oh, how we need to ‘behold’ the LORD!
So the story continues, ex. 3:4,“So when the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” and he said, “Here I am.”
God speaks to us in these stories, specifically.We have become witnesses ourselves, and in Is. 43:10. God speaks, “You are My witnesses,” says the LORD, and My servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He…I, even I am the LORD.”
And God speaks to Moses in Ex. 3:5, “Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.”
All I know is that when I am bare footed, I have to walk real carefully!
Today I will worship God for His steadfast love and walk carefully.
“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. for He is our God,
And we are the people of His pasture,
and the sheep of His hand.” Ps. 95:6,7.

Because He is love, He gave us choice…

“How could God allow this?” “How can God allow that?” For some, the tone is sharp, the fist is raised. For others, with broken heart and great, great loss, in the sorrow and the tears, can’t breathe out praise.
A hymn was written, “Love Lifted Me,”  by James Rowe, who understood this completely:
“I was sinking deep in sin, Far from the peaceful shore, Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more…”
What does it all mean? All this talk of sin? Jesus said to talk to God in this manner:   “Our Father in heaven, holy is His name.”
Have we forgotten He loves the children – of the whole wide world and sees the confusion, brought on by sin.
“Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Your name.” You watched as Adam, who was given choice, by love…
ate the forbidden fruit. You watched, our Father from above, as the lies about You, were spoken of.
“Can you accept, that in love, I gave you choice from the beginning? Can you look and discover there is an enemy who hates-who lies and destroys and deceives all he can – can you understand that  My voice was forgotten, …
My Word proclaims the power of forgiveness… and covering…
Because I am love, I let go, and allow you, to walk a path –  you choose to know.
Selah, pause and think quietly about these things – through the blood of the Lamb, I have provided all that you need. I have given you choice, that you might…
choose…
Me.”
The words of the hymn ‘Love lifted me’ continues to sing its melody: “But the Master of the sea Heard my despairing cry, From the waters lifted me- Now safe am I.”
“Love lifted me! Love lifted me! When nothing else could help , Love lifted me.”(3).
This is the heart of our Father in heaven, He is Holy and we’ve been separated from Him, 
By our sin – our doubt, our fear,  and our rebellion – by our selfishness and hardness or heart, we’ve made our ‘own revelation.’
Because God is love, (1) He gave us choice. He desires we choose to look and hear His voice.
“Whoever does not love does not know God because God is love.”(2). This is the word of our Father above.
Let the hymn writer speak, his testimony: “Souls in danger, look above; Jesus completely saves. He will lift you by His love Out of the angry waves.”
“He is the Master of the sea, Billows His will obey. He your Savior wants to be, Be saved today.”
“Your Kingdom come…” He’s come here today. His name is Jesus and wills for peace in our lives to stay.
“Love lifted me!” That is why I write and remember these old old hymns, because they get me back- back in tune with Him.
Even after great sorrow, after a very ‘dark night’ when the clouds cover the sun and the thoughts blind all sight.
“I was sinking deep in sin, Far from the peaceful shore, Very deeply stained within, Sinking to rise no more. But the Master of the sea  Heard my despairing cry, From the waters lifted me – Now safe am I.”  (Love lifted me), yes love lifted me.
No matter the loss, no matter the pain- don’t get bitter at God. God’s love still remains. Cry out God in Jesus name. His love lifts to a heavenly domain. 
(1) 1 John 4:8.
(2) 1 John 4:8.
 (3) Love Lifted Me by James Riwe, 1912.

Did America forget what a true leader looks like?

Just as Moses led Israel on dry ground through the midst of the sea, (and this is recorded in Exodus 14), America – with spacious skies and ‘amber waves of grain’ won Independence and victory ’cause ‘God shed His grace on Thee.’
Moses, who was weak in heart at best,  held on to the God’s rod and word, and cried out to Him in moments of great duress!
The story is written in the Good Book,  to learn what leadership is, and how it should look.
It was Moses who sang and all the children of Israel as well, to the LORD God Almighty, their story to tell: “The LORD is my strength and my song,” in Exodus 15 it is written , that through the LORD’s mercies,  and by His great power – victory and a banner  was theirs- His name exalted that very hour!
The battle was raging the story is told in Exodus 17 for us to behold. Moses commanded Joshua to choose men to fight the enemy who steals, kills and destroys at will,  whom he might.
Joshua did as Moses had said, as the story is told, for us all, to be read. Moses went up to the top of the hill with the rod of God in His hand –  held up high, victory instilled!
Do we remember the story? How Moses’ hands grew heavy, so the help of supporters, of Aaron and Hur, held up his arms that his hands would remain high and steady.
The victory didn’t come from one man who shouted, “I will do this!” The victory came because all united, and God  – was  – the – main  – focus!
Today we are lost, when we look to man, whose confidence is in self, instead of foundational security: “In God we trust!”
Wisdom Himself spoke to His children: “Every nation divided against itself is brought to desolation…”
Yes, Jesus spoke so we might hear and understand:”…every city or every house divided against itself,  will- not- stand.” (1)
Who is a leader respected and honored? As children we picture George Washington on blended knee – seeking wisdom from Providence on behalf -of -the -whole -country!
America! America? Have we forgotten our history? The Pilgrim Fathers sought to find a new land where their children could worship God  rightly and freely!
Time has past, and we have forgotten our beginning! How can this be? We’ve not read the song of Moses, we have forgotten that GOD-parted -the -Red -Sea.
America, please remember the men and woman who gave up everything, that their children might know the King of all Kings.
“In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30 verse 15. Remember America, what a true leader is, what truly will make America great…
A leader who is humble, who seeks wisdom and cares, to protect and instruct the children of the nation – by example, by careful words- by meekness, by prayer…
America, America we must sing a new song. We must remember the LORD is our strength in whom we belong!
Be warned America, we are  at the brink of disaster! We must get on our knee, as George did back then, and cry out to God this very hour ! We need a leader who knows he can’t on his own- but kneels to Providential Power!
America, America, all hope for us is lost, lest we turn from our self seeking ways, and cry “forgive us” at all cost!
A leader once prayed,  named Abraham Lincoln: “That this Nation Under God shall have a new birth of freedom…”
Unless America has a leader who understands, that ‘One Nation Under God’ is our only hope to stand. Sin has separated this nation from God.  Jesus Christ laid down His life, for us all, He has paid the debt in full that we owe…
America, choose  a leader with integrity and  wisdom.  America, choose  a leader that  will make a good role model for our children!
(1) Matthew 12:25. Words of Jesus.
 
 
 
 

When my foot slips…

 “My foot slips!” “I feel surrounded!”

 Yes, there are days when it seems I am truly ‘walking in the shadow of death!’

“Just take your next breath!” I say, “Just take your next breath!”

Paralysis has set in, but I’m still breathing! I’m still breathing!

I won’t panic, yet my thoughts lead me to do just that!

“He teaches my hands to make war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.” (Ps. 18:34).

My hands move me to open ‘the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God’.(Eph. 6:17).
“Thus says God the LORD, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, Who gives breath to the people on it, And spirit to those who walk on it: I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness, And will hold Your hand;…”(Isaiah 42:5,6).
I believe You Lord, I give You my hand! Help me Lord, I just don’t understand!
“Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb.”(Ps. 37:1).
This day is more evil than others, it seems Lord. This day is dark and full of trouble. There is even doubt in the truth that You care! There is even doubt that You are here! The battle, the battle, is so thick and dark…
“O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongs- O God, to whom vengeance belongs, shine forth! Rise up, O Judge of the earth; Render punishment to the proud. LORD, how long will the wicked, How long will the wicked triumph?”(Ps. 94:1-3). 
I don’t have words, but the words have been written. “They utter speech, and speak insolent things; All the workers of iniquity boast in themselves. They break in pieces Your people, O LORD, And afflict Your heritage…Yet they say, “The LORD does not see, Nor does the God of Jacob understand.”(Psalm 94:4-7).
So I read on and my eyes catch some light, “If I say, my foot slips, Your mercy, O LORD, will hold me up.”
Yes, “satisfy us with Your mercy and lovingkindness in the morning, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” (Psalm 90:14). “Make us glad in proportion to the days in which You have afflicted us, and to the years in which we have suffered evil.” (Ps. 90:15). This is what Your word says.
You are in control, You have allowed hardship and trial. To think that this prayer of Moses speaks the words of my heart. Your word O God, has given me life, Your word O Lord, has given me breath! I will sing a new song, even though it is so very old, “I need Thee every hour, Most gracious Lord. No tender voice like Thine, can peace afford. I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby, temptations lose their power, when thou art nigh…( I Need Thee Every Hour).
 And the song of Moses, amplified, reads just like the old hymn, “And let the beauty and delightfulness and favor of the Lord our God be upon us; confirm and establish the work of our hands, yes, the work of our hands confirm and establish it.”(Psalm 90:17).
And even more than that, God will take care of the wicked, even though it seems right now they are getting away with it all, He’s got hold of my heart, I can see it all now, He brought me a peace that surpasses even my own understanding: “For the Lord will not cast off nor spurn His people, neither will He abandon His heritage. For justice will return to the [uncomprimisingly] righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it.” (Psalm 94:14,15).
Yes, Your word puts a new song, a new train of thought in my mind,” I need Thee, O I need Thee, every hour I need Thee, O bless me now my Savior, I come to Thee.”
Your word O Lord has increased my faith.
Your presence O God inhabits my praise.
There is joy again. There is hope.
In Your presence I am whole:
“He sent from above, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, From those who hated me, For they were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, But the LORD was my support.”(Ps. 18:16-18).“He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me.” (Ps. 18:19).My countenance has changed! My foot no longer slips  in this moment in the battle. God has rescued me, time and time again. And in the future when my thoughts set out to destroy me again, I will remember the words which have already been written. Written for me, because You, O LORD –  delight – in – me. This is true, so I will talk to my soul when my foot starts to slip:
“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.”(Ps 42:5)
“Lift up your eyes on high, And see who has created these things, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, By the greatness of His might and the strength of His power; Not one is missing.” (Is. 40:26).
God is big, God is great, and He is with you right now, don’t forget, He’s got hold of your hand. He took hold of mine, and He’s kept me breathing!
He brought strength to my feeble knees, when I got my eyes off the road and unto the hills. And I remembered, His power is shown in the lives of the weak. We must set our eyes on things above, our confidence must always be simply in Him, “A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench…”(Matthew 12:20).
Others may scoff, but You God breathe in me, simply breathe, that my breath continues and You help me stand.
“Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God you may receive the promise.”(Hebrews 10:35,36). So give me endurance to keep walking with You. As I take hold of Your hand every morning before I even leave my bed, help me remember just what Your word  has said!
And, “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
I will chose to “hold fast the word of life…” But wait,  even when I’m too weak to hold on, You’ve shown me through the trouble, You’ve got a hold on me.
My foot almost slips, You know me by name, Your mercy and love, O God,… that is what carries me.
And tomorrow when the fear comes rushing back in, I’ll remind myself, You have not let go of me.
“You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up…”(Ps. 18:35).
Your right hand holds me…”You enlarged my path under me; So that my feet did not slip!” (Ps. 18:36,) exclamation point put there by me!

PEANUTS answers …

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God gives us life. He gives breath to  our lungs. He gives choice to love, … or not.
Our Father in heaven watches us go this way and that. He watches us go  backwards and forward…
He waits, with a patience our tiny brains don’t come close to comprehend.
We forget that “He is friend that sticks closer than a brother.” (1)
“For God so loved the world that He gave, … ” provision.
Not just for some, but for all. The bad, the simple, and the forsaken too.
“For unto us a child is born – …” (2)
But who can see? In the whirlwind of life, the struggle to survive, the frantic motions forward? Who can see, the Provision prepared – until there is a moment when a desert storm
His Table prepared.
Who will come to My supper, who will turn to come in?
He waits with love. He patiently endures …
Do we turn to discover the richness of color and design and mysterious revelation in a Book that lays silent and distant and seemingly flat.
 
God is love, always and forever – but take off your shoes! He is holy. He is just.  And His ways… far above …us.The bread has been broken, the cup is full …of forgiveness overflowing – our crimson stains washed white …as the purest of wool.
“What is love?” We all ask, as we trod this dusty earth?
God, Who IS love, puts lights of witness on our path. (Even cartoon figures who seem like ‘blockheads’ at best!) “A man called Jesus.” He is ‘what is love.’  He is the name above all names. Jesus is the name Who saves from above.

 “What makes you think you know?”

The Bible tells me so:  1 Corinthians 13: 4 Love is very patient and kind,

never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud,

5 never haughty or selfish or rude.

Love does not demand its own way.

It is not irritable or touchy.

It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong.

6 It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out.

7 If you love someone, you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost.

You will always believe in him,

always expect the best of him,

and always stand your ground in defending him. (NLT).

“Dear Jesus, this is not me. I am so sorry to confess. I am so far from ‘love’ at times,… will you take my mess. Empty me. Fill me with You. You are ‘love’, Lord Jesus. How desperately  I need You!

Without You, I can do no thing…fill me Lord, that I can take a breath and sing:

“Oh, how I love Jesus. Oh, how I love Jesus. Oh, how I LOVE Jesus,…because He first loved me. In Jesus name,

Amen.”

“Abide in Me, and I in you, As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:4,5). 

(1) Proverbs 18:24

(2) Isaiah 9:6

The strings vibrate and move still waters…

“The voice of the LORD is over the waters; The God of glory thunders; The LORD is over many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; The voice of the LORD is full of majesty. (Psalm 29:3,4).
Psalm 29 speaks of glory and power! This is the name of God, not our own!  God is a God we can see quite clearly. He speaks in nature, He abides in our praise. Give thanks to Him this very hour, in the good the bad and  even the sour!
“And we’ll understand it better, by and by, by and by…” We’ll understand it when we praise Him  and give Him focus with our eye!
“The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars, Yes, the LORD splinters the cedars of Lebanon. He makes them also skip like a calf, Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox. The voice of the LORD divides the flames of fire.” (Psalm 29:5-7).
Who can do all that? Nothing is impossible with God! We will understand it when we praise Him and give Him focus with our eye!
“We are often tossed and driv’n on the restless sea of time, rolling clouds and howling tempests oft succeed a bright sunshine; in that land of perfect day, when the mists have rolled away, We will understand it better by and by.”(Charles A. Tindley , We’ll understand It Better By and By).
“The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; The LORD shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth, And strips the forests bare; And in His temple everyone says, “Glory!” The LORD sat enthroned at the Flood, And the LORD sits as King forever.”(Psalm 29:8-10).
Psalm 29 gives voice to the King Who reigns forever on the throne. Tindley’s hymn gives us hope to sing.  Fixing our hearts on faith, and waiting and trusting in Him. The One Who is able accomplish exceedingly things! Shall we agree and give to God the glory due His name, even in times of sadness and great loss and pain?
“Trials dark on every hand, and we cannot understand, All the ways that God would lead us to that blessed promised land; But He’ll guide us with His eye, and we’ll follow Him until we die, We will understand it better by and by. “
“And we’ll understand it better by and by.”
Dear LORD, this is our sacrifice of praise to You today, we choose to worship and we choose to offer You praise:
“Give unto the LORD, O you mighty ones, Give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.” (Psalm 29:1,2). 
Just as the strings can vibrate the waters, our vocal chords will sing. We will sing of Your greatness, Your forgiveness and love. We’ll rest by the stirring up of the waters of our soul –  with hope, for now, and with faith, hope, and love forevermore!
” He will guide us with His eye, and we’ll follow Him ’till we die, and we’ll understand it better by and by,
by and by …” 

  • Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so!

Even if I fail in every part Lord, help me get this one right…

“[Dear] little children, I am to be with you only a little longer. You will look for Me and, as I told the Jews so I will tell you now, you are not able to come where I am going. ” (Words of Jesus to his disciples in John 13: 33, Amplified)…
“I give a new commandment, that you should love one another; just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another.” (John 13:34).
Some don’t understand Lord. But, as You have loved me, I am to love –  one another, I am to love.
I know that only because You loved me enough to never leave my side, even though in sin I was separated from Your light, Your eyes were on me all the time. I didn’t know You. But You knew me, even my name.
You allowed hard times because in this broken world we walk on thorny ground. But You didn’t ’cause them!’  – our own messed up world and our own thoughts and so much around – spell hard times and confusion – but You are not the author of confusion. Never  – no never! And how do I know?
Because this world had me in a very deep pit. Too deep for me to ever get out of myself. And I was alone.
There was no fruit in me, no love. I was only bitterness, and it was eating me up – not anyone else.
“God!” “I need You!”
This was my cry. And it was true and complete and wholehearted…and He heard. But these are just words on a page to everyone who reads, but to me…these words are life. God was working in my mess.
I had a Bible that was given to me. And I began reading…and it began, even without my realizing it (at first) to work in me.
The Word of God transformed me. The words on the page were not the same as any other book. This might not mean anything to anyone else, but to me…this was the beginning of life, of health, of forgiveness, and love.
Jesus touched me. And I pray He does the same for you.
I pray I can love like He wants me to.
Today…”Jesus, I love You. Help me walk this thorny earth filled with …You.”
 

A collage of words of the battle…

“Prone to wander, Lord I feel it! Prone to leave the God I love…” (Come Thou fount)
“There is a draught, O God, a great draught of heat and stubbornness. Nothing makes sense, I can’t see anything when anger is in the way!
“Rain down mercy LORD!” What else can I pray? “Merciful Lord, ‘not giving  me what I deserve today!”
“Rain down Your Spirit Lord- “Not by might, nor by Power – Rain down Your Spirit Lord, Cleanse me this hour!”
“Turn  my heart that is stone, back to flesh…back to flesh. Remove my hands from the ears! I need to hear… humbly hear!”
“There is a draught, O God. Great heat, fatigue and slothfulness. Rain down Your Spirit Lord, flood this dark world with Your Light. That the stains of arrogance and pride that make me ‘turn to my own way’, would be washed away… even washed away from all sight!”
“This is impossible with men, impossible it is! But O God, with You, all things are possible to come true. Dear Jesus, fill me with hope, and increase my faith! My faith to believe that You can create – even new creations  – again and again!  Yes, today in my  heart, create in me a clean heart. Give me a new start!”
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation. Old things have passed away, behold all things become new!” (2 Cor. 5:17). This is Your Word – ‘in You, this is True!’ “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”(John 23:34).
 This is Your prayer on the cross for us, for them, for me – please make this my attitude!”“Prone to wander, Lord I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love! Here’s my heart Lord, take and seal it. Seal it for Thy courts above.” (Come Thou Fount)

 
“God help me!”“God help us!” “God save me from myself!” Rain down mercy Lord, Mercy Lord, on me!” “Since You have paid my debts, complete and in full – even though my eyes can’t see…BUT, Your Spirit is able.
O that this ‘grain of wheat’ would fall into the ground and die, and would spring up ‘anew’ by the rain that pours down. May it ‘spring up’ with beauty bearing fruit of love.” My help comes from You, my Emanuel.‘Set my mind on things above’.
“Come Thou Fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing Thy grace. Streams of mercy never ceasing call for songs of loudest praise.” (Come Thou Fount)
We love You because You first loved us! Shower us with Grace and Your great kindness.
That we live today for one purpose only, and that is to magnify you, magnify Your name only!” In Jesus Name, this is my prayer today.
Thank You Jesus that You hear when I call. You dry my tear-filled eyes. You fill me with hope, that does not disappoint! You fill me with Your Spirit, that continually renews! Each and everyday,enlarge my heart and make me wise!”

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Tune my heart to sing thy grace

Streams of mercy never ceasing
Call for songs of loudest praise
Teach me some melodious sonnet
Sung by flaming tongues above
I’ll praise the mount I’m fixed upon it
Mount of thy redeeming love
Here I raise my Ebenezer
Hither by thy help I come
And I hope by thy good pleasure
Safely to arrive at home
Jesus sought me when a stranger
Wondering from the fold of God
He, to rescue me from danger
Interposed His precious blood
O to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be!
Let thy goodness like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee
Prone to wander Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.
John Wyeth

“ God, I have a prayer…”

 “God, I have a prayer,  for the little ones and the old. May  children wake up surrounded, not by evil thoughts that are cold, but let the Spirit breathe on them, even words from long ago, hear our prayer:  “Raise the fallen, cheer the faint, heal the sick, and lead the blind…” (1)

God, I have a prayer, that vision would be giv’n to things that are unseen, that our minds would think above, that our souls would be set free. That the prayer of our heart and exclamation of our tongues would be:  “More than all, in Thee I find!” Let Your Spirit refresh and our tongue repeat: “More than all, in Thee I find!”
You, Lord Jesus are what we need. To seek Thee first, is the key.
Oh God, may the world see the colors in Your hue. May our eyes be opened to the sunrise of Your face. May the children of the entire human race, see that Your color, Dear Lord, is Grace!
“God, my prayer is written in this old Wesley hymn,“Just and holy is Thy name; I am all unrighteousness… that these words would be ours, our proclamation to you:  “Just and holy is Thy name; I am all unrighteousness…
As easy as ABC, yet harder than any Chemistry – there is no need for ‘outside clean-up’ jobs, the main event’s gotta happen inside, where the heart of the child sees their own mess, and finally cries: “Just and holy is His name . I am all unrighteousness.”
False and full of sin I am; Thou art full of truth and grace.” That children young and old would know, the words to the hymn, “Jesus, Lover of My Soul!”
“ALL the children of the world must admit, each in his own unique time and space:  “I am all unrighteousness!”Oh God, may the world see the color in Your hue, may their eyes be opened to the color of Your face – and that in Your image You created the entire human race, Your face, our Prince of Peace is full of Grace.
For “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” Your very own words, dear Lord God. Matthew chapter 5  – is full of the attitudes You, Yourself had spoken – to be remedy to the sadness, pain and cries. Be still, children. And, on God’s green sod, lie.
“The Kingdom of heaven is yours today, be poor in spirit and blessed you’ll be.” These are the words, the remedy. But not one man likes to hear words of this sound. Oh no,”poor in spirit?” that means “I have need.”
“God, I have a prayer that the children can say: “Other refuge have I none; hangs my helpless soul on Thee. Leave, ah, leave me not alone; Still support and comfort me!”
Dear Lord, that the children would sing, “All my trust on Thee is stayed; All my help from Thee I bring. Cover my defenseless head, With the shadow of Thy wing.”
Yes, God, I have a prayer that the children of the world that You laid Your life down for, would change their tune and sing an old song: “Jesus, lover of my soul, Let me to Thy bosom fly, While the nearer waters roll, While the tempest still is high! Hide me O my Savior hide, Till the storm of life is past. Safe into the haven guide. Oh, receive my soul at last!”
That the children would trust as they rest in Your hand, and sing and sing, “Jesus, lover of my soul, Let me to Thy bosom fly, while the nearer waters roll, While the tempest still is high.” “God I have a prayer, that the children of the world to YOU would direct their cry!”
“Thou, O Christ, art all I want; More than all, in Thee I find.” That revival would spread like a fire in the forest, the children would pray, “Raise the fallen, cheer the faint, Heal the sick and lead the blind. Just and Holy is Thy name, I am all unrighteousness. False and full of sin I am; Thou art full of truth and grace.” Yes, this is my prayer for me and for them!”
“Plenteous grace with Thee is found, Grace to cover all my sin. Let the healing streams abound…” I pray for the children, the children of the world, that they would turn around and speak this new ‘old’ song, “Make and keep me pure within. Thou of life, the Fountain art, Freely let me take of Thee …”Spring Thou up within my heart; Rise to all eternity.”
This is the prayer, this is it, I say, “Spring Thou up within my heart;” May revival around us speak louder than the lies, “Plenteous grace with Thee is found, Grace to cover all my sin… “Thou of life the Fountain art, Freely let me take of Thee. Spring Thou up within my heart; Rise to all eternity!”
“Let it be. Amen, let it be. Amen. For the women, the men and all the children. “Thou, O Christ, art all I want; More than all, in Thee I find … 
“Spring Thou up within my heart; Rise to all eternity!”

(1) a hymn by Wesley: “Jesus, Lover of my Soul”

Who is wisdom?

“I [Wisdom]  walk in the way of the righteous, in the midst of the paths of justice, that I may cause those who love me to inherit true riches, and that I might fill their treasuries. 
The Lord formed and brought me [Wisdom] forth at the beginning of His way, before His acts of old.
I [Wisdom] was inaugurated and ordained from everlasting, from the beginning, before ever the earth existed. [John 1:1; 1 Cor. 1:24.]
When there were no deeps, I was brought forth, when there were no fountains laden with water.
Before the mountains were settled, before the hills I was brought forth;[Job 15:7,8.]
While as yet He had not made land, or the fields, or the first of the dust of the earth.
When He prepared the heavens, I [Wisdom] was there; when He drew a circle upon the face of the deep and stretched out the firmament over it, When He made firm the skies above, when He established the fountains of the deep, When He gave to the sea it’s limit and His decree that the waters should not transgress [across the boundaries set by] His command, when He appointed the foundations of the earth;[Job 38:10,11; Psalm 104:6-9; Jer. 5:22.]
Then I [Wisdom] was beside Him as a master and director of the work; and I was daily His delight, rejoicing before Him always, [John 1:2,18; Matt. 3:17.]
Rejoicing in His inhabited earth and delighting in the sons of men.”(Proverbs 8:20-31).
Who is Wisdom? 
Oh, that we might know Wisdom.
Read these words to a child ask what they might think. They hear and receive. Children trust and believe.
That we would be as a child and hear Wisdom speak:
“Now therefore listen to me, O you sons ; for blessed – happy, fortunate [ to be envied]- are those who keep my ways.”[Psalms 118:1,2; 128:1,2; Luke 11:28.]
“Hear instruction and be wise, and do not refuse or neglect it.”
“Blessed – happy, fortunate [ to be envied]- is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.”
” For whoever finds me [Wisdom]finds life, and shall draw forth and obtain favor of the Lord.” ( Proverbs 7:32-35, Amplified).
Oh, How  I desire to seek and to find and to know and be filled with Wisdom! Let’s ‘be as a child’ and hear and receive and above all believe in Wisdom Who is none other than Jesus Christ the Son of God. May God fill us with His Spirit to know Wisdom today!
Amen? 
Amen!
.

I AM here. It's time, (daily) to turn and give your ear to hear

Walking we do, each through our own path and journey. At times, out of breath. Other times, out of step. In between, many sunny days, but cold harsh winds come quickly and dark clouds bring great rains.
Does it seem as if this road of darkness has no end? Feelings invade like shadows surrounding. Thoughts tempt to harass. The heart aches with each pounding.
Is God telling me something? Thoughts seem to fly. “Talk to me in the dark!” we cry. And He, the LORD, the Creator of life, He is standing by.
“I will make my words known to you. I will give you revelation,”(1) He promises you and I. “Let My Word be the comfort in Your affliction. My promises will preserve your life.”(2)
My heart says, “It’s time.”
It’s time to listen. To the Lord first, above the wisdom of man. It’s time to turn and hear the Voice of love who says,
“I AM WHO I AM. (3)
Righteousness and justice are My foundation. Love and faithfulness go before Me. (4) I AM WHO I AM. Turn, listen to my counsel. I share my heart with you. I will make you wise. (5)
I AM not human, that I should lie.” (6)
Minute my minute, step by step, there’s a struggle inside to grasp and take hold that faith is believing, “For the Lord has said!”
Oh, to know God more. You and I, must grow in His Word. Like a seed that is planted, being watered, and with sun. However, as with a flower, faith isn’t born until the seed first, dies.
God says, “It’s time. The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. (7)
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce . . . a plentiful harvest of new lives. (8) 
God is here. He is speaking. His words are not easy. They choke down hard. They are not all promises of roses and fresh fragrant air. His speech is truth: “If you don’t want to remain alone and barren, . . . lose your life. Trust, I AM WHO I AM. I will give you new life bearing fruit.”
Thus says the Lord, John 12:25,
 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. 
Hearing  today, whosoever, anyone. Perhaps that be our name. His Kingdom come:
 Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone . . .
who serves me, John 12:26. This day, may we hear  and heed this.
When we walk with the Lord In the light of His Word, What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will Trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, Not a cloud in the skies. But His smile quickly drives it away; Not a doubt nor a fear, not a sigh nor a tear. Can abide while we trust and obey.
But we never can prove The delights of His love Until all on the altar we lay; For the favor He shows and the joy He bestows Are for them who will trust and obey…”
Trust and obey, For there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus, But to trust and obey.” (Trust and Obey John H. Sammis, 1887).
 
 
(1) Proverbs 1
(2) Psalm 119:50
(3) Exodus 3:14
(4) Psalm 89:14
(5) Proverbs 1:23
(6) Numbers 23:19
(7) John 12:24
(8) John 12: 25
 

“And the parched ground shall become a pool…”(Isaiah35:7).

“For the hurt…of my people I am hurt. I am mourning; Astonishment has taken hold of me. Is there no balm in Gilead, Is there no physician there? Why then is there no recovery for the health…of my people?” Jeremiah 8:21,22).

The cry, the prayer:”Rain down healing Lord. Like a dew on the parched ground, rain down recovery and rest.” We cry out for Your children, “Rain down Your goodness and mercy, the truth and all the rest!”
There is a Great Physician. There is balm to bring healing…The Word of our Lord Jesus, the Son of God: “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted…”(Isaiah 61:1).
There is a ‘balm in Gilead’, as with tears we turn the pages…words of comfort, words of healing spring forth throughout the ages: “Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees, Say to those who fearful hearted, “Be strong, do not fear!”(Isaiah 35:3,4).
“Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.” (Isaiah 35:4).
“…the waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. The parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water;” (Isaiah 35:6,7, emphasis mine).
“A highway shall be there, and a road, And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, But it shall be for others…And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain…
they shall,
obtain,
joy
and gladness,
and sorrow
and sighing…
shall flee away.” (Isaiah 35:8,10, emphasis mine).
There is a ‘balm in Gilead’, as with tears we turn the pages…words of comfort, words of healing spring forth throughout the ages: “Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees, ” walk on believing, even in this, the Great Physician has a remedy for all of your pain.
And there will be a day, when you take a breath and speak, the testimony of the Lord: “He has lead me beside the still waters. He has restored my soul!”

How do we pray?

 Trouble has come for many in this day- our hearts break for the hurting, our minds are silent. It is as if in a moment’s time the Lord allows many to experience an unexpected darkness.

And, often,there are no words when praying over the afflicted. Times like this, it seems like the Bible on the shelf weighs 100 pounds. It is just too heavy to pull off the shelf.
When eyes are blinded by tears and heart ache. Lord I pray ears are open to hear Your song:
Zephaniah 3:16,17, “In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
“Do not fear;
Zion, let not your hands be weak.
The LORD you God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you in His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”
There might be change and trial, but the hymns bring back melody in our heart to hear: “Through every change, He faithful will remain.”
Through every change, He faithful will remain.
This is truth.
Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

Everything may have changed, but He remains the same.
“Through every change, He faithful will remain, Be still my soul…”
Perhaps the prayer of the afflicted today looks like Ps.6:6-8,
“I am weary with my groaning;
All night I make my bed swim;
I drench my couch with my tears.
My eye wastes away because of grief;
It grows old because of all my enemies.
But the song: “Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake.” (Be Still My Soul).
We are shaken! We become moved.
But the song: “Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake…” draws the broken-hearted to the songs of Psalms: Ps. 62:1,2, “Truly my soul silently waits for God; From Him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense;
I shall not be greatly moved.”
“Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake…”
And we pray for the afflicted, “Lord give them grace to ‘wait silently for God alone.’
Lord, that they hear Your song of faithfulness and that they wait on You as they heal:
Ps. 62:5-7,
“My soul, wait silently for God alone.
For my expectation is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defense;
I shall not be moved.”
The hymn reminds us:  “All now mysterious”…
So we pray that they may be strengthened to:
Ps. 62:8, “Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your heart before Him; and that they would know that,
God is a refuge for us. Selah
“All now mysterious...” – most certainly:
Ps. 62:9,10, “Surely men of low degree are a vapor,
Men of high degree are a lie;
If they are weighed in the balances,
They are altogether lighter than vapor.
Do not trust in oppression,
Nor vainly hope in robbery;
If riches increase,
Do not set your heart on them.
God has spoken once,
Twice I have heard this:
That power belongs to God.”
“Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake…”
We are reminded yes, “All now mysterious” BUT they “shall be bright at last.”
We pray for ourselves and the afflicted,
“Be still my soul, the waves and wind still know
His voice who ruled them
while He dwelt below!”
Lord, our prayer for the afflicted is increased hearing during this time of darkness, an increase in hearing of Your song over them, hearing of Your Psalms and Hymns to enable them to Be still and know again and again, over and over:
“God has spoken once,
Twice I have heard this:
That power belongs to God.
Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy…”Psalm 62:11.
And we would have a new response:
“In God is my salvation and my glory;
The rock of my strength,
And my refuge, is in God.”
“In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Still Be My Vision

“. . . heart of my own heart, whatever befall, still be my vision, O Ruler of all.” (Be Thou my vision, 8th Century Irish Hymn).

The final words to one of the oldest recorded hymns ever written, are foundational:
“Whatever befall, still be my vision, O Ruler of all.”
The entire hymn, verse after costly verse build ‘stone upon stone’ a foundation in which, we, believers in Christ can build our ‘temples’ on : “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?”(1 Cor. 6:19). And it is most important that we remember, to keep in our ‘vision’ the word of the Lord: “For you were bought at a price…” (1 Cor. 6:20).
For some, there is no time for ‘religious stuff’, and these words just bring strife. So focus is on the immediate, the urgent in  the day to day life.
For others there is too much busy-ness, even in   ‘serving the Lord’ to ‘rest’. What are the foundations of our thoughts and actions? Do we desire to build relationship stone by stone, step by step?
Do we lose our focus in the whirlwind of life? Do we desire relationship with the Ruler of all and our Creator.
Did you know that the foundation of the Temple in Jerusalem was COSTLY?  “Beside the chief of Solomon’s officers which were over the work,”(of building the Temple of the Lord), “three thousand and three hundred, which ruled over the people that wrought in the work. And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house…” (1 Kings 5:16,17).
Great and costly and hewn stones were brought in to lay the foundation.
I speak in the present tense.  I speak to myself. The cost is great in laying the foundation.
And really? Who would use ‘costly and precious stones for a foundation that’s not even seen?
Foundations are seen by One, and One only. God sees. His vision is clear.
Believing that God cares about all the parts of me that no one else knows, and know one else sees, that’s foundational. And when everything I can see, everything on the outside, starts falling apart- (our temples, our physical bodies),  then the FOUNDATION is all that’s left!
When this world rates us and scores us at ‘zero’ , God sees our faith and rates us as heroes!
So, what are great and costly stones? What are ‘hewed stones’ in the building of the temple of the Lord? in our own bodies? The Chief Cornerstone. Everything rests on the Cornerstone.
We discover the importance of ‘foundations’ and ‘focus’ when trouble comes and great brokenness. It’s not all bad – in that we cry out and hunger for increased faith and focus -God uses it for good.
“Be Thou my vision, Lord of my heart. Not be all else to me, save that Thou art. Thou my best thought by day and by night. Waking or sleeping Thy presence, my light.”
“Be Thou my wisdom. Thou my true word. I ever with Thee and Thou with me Lord. Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son, Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.”
Costly stones are FAITH : “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”(Hebrews 11:1). It is costly to have faith. BUT, we must be reminded, “For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.” We can’t ‘see’ faith, but we can see the evidence of it in the testimony, in the story! AND, it is recorded, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him,(God), for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him! (Hebrews 11:6, exclamation point, mine!)
No one can see the great costly stones in the foundation, but God can, and God does! He’s got us in full view, and we best keep Him in full view as well, and then, we can stand on the Stone, the Chief Cornerstone no matter WHAT is going on in our world and sing with courage and trust:
“Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise. Thou mine inheritance now and always. Thou and Thou only, First in my heart. Thou King of Heaven my treasure Thou ART!”
“High King of heaven , my victories won. May I reach heaven’s joy, bright heaven’s SON. Heart of my own heart…
whatever befall… STILL BE MY VISION, Oh Ruler of all.” (Be Thou My Vision, 8th Century Irish Hymn).
The foundation? Faith – costly, sacrificial, precious faith – in the ‘High King of heaven’, my victories won. He wore a crown of thorns, so that one day…I can wear a shiny one. And that shiny crown I will receive, I will give it to Him and lay it at His feet!

 “Lord, help us get focus. Help us keep focus. Give us hunger for relationship with You, the Father Who cares, the Father Who guides, the Father Who loves and shows us through His Son Jesus Christ. Forgive us for sin, forgive us for losing focus. Fill us today with the Holy Spirit and let us walk in faith that You, our Precious Cornerstone care and hear and Love us!”

When our thoughts are the enemies…But God!

 When we’ve experienced  brokenness, or loss, or even a ‘falling’. We wrestle with God. We are tempted to ask, (and we do ask), in our hearts, “Why God?  Why!?”

With hearts that still beat, but with each pulse there is pain – we lie broken and weak, under dark clouds and then… we cry… we cry and we cry, and then the mind fights against sense. Our thoughts are the enemies that line up… against –  against the foundations that were laid from the beginning: “Jesus loves me this I know…”
and in the whirlwind of thought – anger and fear, reappear rhymes that were told us from times past:  Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall, all the kings horses and all the kings men, couldn’t put Humpty together again”.
In the confusion of it all, seemingly spinning in the mess, comes the temptation of… hopelessness. Even believing Humpty Dumpty’s plight in our own restlessness.
What a horrible rhyme! Yet, universal in learning! But now, in the wrestling, something deep down inside, whispers ever gently: ‘This is a life without GOD! Lift up your eyes. There is a King, with a capital ‘K’,  that rises above all kings.  A King who knows, and is able, and can do all things!
There is always hope! Don’t believe the rhymes without God – so dark and empty and ending in shame – but here is the rhyme written with God as His friend: “Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. Humpty Dumpty shouted “AMEN” God will put  me together again!” (Christian Nursery Rhymes).
Let us repeat this and teach this rhyme to the young!  We are all Humpty Dumpty! Deceived with Eve, and eaten forbidden fruit with Adam. We’ve all missed the mark- we’ve all had a great fall!
And we try every resource and rely on ‘king’s horses and king’s men’, and we find we just can’t do it ourselves.  But God meets us with mercy,  and when…we heed the deep whisper of hope in our heart, we begin to realize. “Jesus loves me. And He has from the start.”
God speaks. He’s not silent. When feeble hands open the words on His pages: “Then the LORD descended in the form of a pillar of cloud and stood there with him, (Moses), and passed in front of him and announced the meaning of his name: 
“I am Jehovah, the merciful and gracious God,” he said, “slow to anger and rich in steadfast love and truth. I Jehovah, show this steadfast love to many thousands by forgiving their sins; (literally forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin),(Ex. 34:5,6,7, Living).
All the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t put Humpty together again. But God comes  – not to put broken pieces together – but to create a new creation altogether!
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
“Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it?” (Isaiah 43:18,19).
“Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near,”…”And I will heal him.” (Is. 57:19, NKJV).
He knows what we are made of. He’s knows how very fragile we are. And He knows, we have been broken…“Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt…”Jer. 31:3.
Know the truth, it will set you free. “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. (Jer. 33:3).
 “Behold, I will bring …health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth.”(Jer. 33:6).
“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,… ” (2 Corinthians 5:18).
“… that is, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:19).
“I will cleanse them from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against Me, and I will pardon all their iniquities by which they have sinned and by which they have transgressed against Me.” (Jer. 33:8).“Then it shall be to Me a name of joy,…” (Jer. 33:9).
A name of joy, even ‘Humpty Dumpty’ who had a great fall. But God will put him back together again! God uses everything! He gave us His Son to pay our debts in full and by believing in Him, we are made new and whole!  And we can shout out  with out voices “Amen, Amen, and Amen, Let it Be! Jesus loves…even me!