Category: Articles

"Thy power … can change the leper's spots …"

“Lord, now indeed I find, Thy pow’r, and Thine alone, Can change the leper’s spots And melt the heart of stone. Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.” Elvina Hall, 1800’s hymn.
“Lord, …” means, master, or, captain of my ship. “Lord, now …,” means, this moment, the one I take orders from, or the one I choose to obey.
“Lord, now indeed I find, …” brings me to a place where I’m searching for what You have to say, NOW.
“I hear the Savior say, ‘Thy strength indeed is small; child of weakness watch and pray, find in Me, thine all in all.”
“ Even before he, (God), made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.  God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, …
and it gave him great pleasure.” (1) The Bible is said to be true. Ask God to show you if these words are trustworthy. Ask God, Himself. He will answer you. 
“But, I’m full of fault, Lord! Now what do I do? I fail, everyday. I am far from being holy. Sin has left a crimson stain, tell me again, the Gospel Story.”
“Long ago, even before he made the world, God chose us to be his very own, …”(2) – don’t you remember, “His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into His … family.” (3) His desire is to bring us back home.
The Father sent His only Son, Jesus Christ to die for us. He paid the debt we couldn’t pay, He laid down His life in sacrifice. So “we stand before him covered in his love.” (4) We are perfect, we are washed, we have hope of heaven. We have peace in this life.
“For nothing good have I Whereby Thy grace to claim; I’ll wash my garments white in the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb. Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.”
“He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son, …” (5), this is the Good News found in Ephesians 1.
 “He forgave our sins.  He has showered his kindness on us, … along with all wisdom and understanding …” God now reveals to us, all that regards Christ – all that’s mysterious!
God reveals, He will fulfill His own good plan. “And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ – everything in heaven and on earth.” (6) He was, He is, He is coming again.
The Gospel Story is that He saves you. He saves me. We can’t save ourselves – we all desperately need help.  But we are surrounded by voices, we are deceived by lies. But God reminds and instructs each one of us: Look up. “I will guide you with My eyes.”(7)
” … when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised, …”(8) He has purchased us with His blood on the cross, this is how Jesus proves that He – loves – us.
“Lord, now indeed I find Thy pow’r, and Thine alone, Can change the leper’s spots, and melt the heart of stone. Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.”
We’ve been bought with a price. He knows our weakness. He knows our strife.  Yes, in receiving Christ, we become His Bride. “I am my lover’s, and my lover is mine. He browses among the lilies. (8) He is the rose of Sharon, the lily of the valleys” (9) I am my Beloved’s and He is mine. 
For now, for tomorrow, for all of time.
“And when before the throne, I stand in Him complete, I’ll lay my trophies down, All down at Jesus’ feet. Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.”
He washed it white as snow. My past – I let it go. In the present, I choose to go:
“And now complete in Him, My robe, His righteousness, Close sheltered ‘neath His side,  – I am  – divinely – blest. Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.”

  1. Ephesians 1:4, New Living Translation
  2. Ephesians 1:4, Living Translation
  3. Ephesians 1:4, Living Translation
  4. Ephesians 1:4, Living Translation.
  5. Ephesians 1:5, Living Translation.
  6. Ephesians 1:7, New Living Translation.
  7. Ephesians 1:10, New Living Translation.
  8. Psalm 32:8, New Living Translation.
  9. Song of Solomon 6:31.

 

So, what about the angels?

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1.
So, what about the angels? Known as the host of heaven? Is this when life for them, had begun?
A prophet in the Bible spoke of the angels in 1 Kings 22:19:  “Therefore hear the word of the LORD,” he said,
 “I saw the LORD sitting on his throne with all the multitudes of heaven standing around him on his right and on his left.”

And, of course, most have heard the story, from Luke chapter 2, of a great company of angels, “of the heavenly host appearing, . . . praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest . . ., and on earth peace. “ The angels proclaimed peace, (to all men too.)
(Emphasis added on the word peace, and all, because something’s gone wrong. We will soon learn of the fall.)
“In the beginning God created the heavens …” Yes, and  Psalm 104 sings: “ O LORD my God, You are very great; you are clothed with honor and majesty,” 
Taking time to think of God as Creator, and the beauty and majesty of it all, makes my heart proclaim: “Let the praises ring.”
“You are clothed with honor and majesty. Who cover yourself with light . . . Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain . . .”  filled with messengers to His delight. “Who  makes His angels spirits. His ministers a flame of fire.” God’s word instructs, and passionately inspires.
Before the fall of man in Genesis chapter 3, let us not get ahead of where we’re supposed to be. There was a fall that is recorded in Isaiah 14. An angel’s fall. The story a must read.
How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! Lucifer was an angel of light. “Day-star,” was his name’s meaning.
Yet, God didn’t create this angel as he is now. God made him, full of wisdom, and “perfect in beauty”. And it’s recorded of his fall for us all – the how:
Lucifer was an angel, whom God, was his focus of worship. But he began to admire his own talent, his own beauty, and desired himself to be Headship.
His heart was lifted up, it says in Ezekiel 28. Look it up, the story’s there- the mystery is made very clear. God sets the story straight:
“I am a god,” you said. “Your heart was lifted up,”  because of your beauty; your corrupted wisdom, and pride, so listen up:
“Behold, I am against you,”God says, (Ez 28:22). Because you have said, “I will ascend into heaven;” “I will be like the Most High.”
“You are fallen from heaven . . . you are cut down to the ground…”
It’s recorded Jesus saw him fall, like lightning out of heaven. In  Luke 10, these words can be found.
Somewhere after Genesis 2:1, Lucifer fell and became Satan. Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host . . . were finished. And indeed it was very good, God said, at this time.
This is before Lucifer sought the worship he wished- the worship of, “me, … myself …, and I.”
Satan is the fallen angel of God, going about with 1/3 of the angels who now, ‘demons’ are called.
But “Do not fear!” A common word of the angels who abide in heaven. Be encouraged, two-thirds is more than one, when the math problem is given!
This is a sad and true story we read. But God has a plan- a good plan indeed. Satan hates God and you and your family.
But God sent His Son Jesus, to conquer Satan with victory. 
We all have sinned. We will learn as we study. “But God,” are the best words- because in Him is … the remedy. In the beginning … God’s word is  -a-m-a-z-i-n-g!

Slow but steady through the Book of Beginnings

With rhyme and reason I choose to walk, slow but steady, through the Book. The Book of Beginnings, Genesis to be exact. The invite is open – to join me at that.
Genesis chapter 1 verse three – the first record that God speaks: “And God said, ‘Let there be light; and there was light.'” And, again, the human soul asks, “Do I believe?”
The Father, the source found in verse 1. The Spirit moves over the waters in verse 2. And the Word is the revealer of all things in three … verses 1,2, and 3 – the Trinity.
The hungry and thirsty yearn to believe. The sceptic, (who’s in everyone) … until the eyes, see. Genesis 1 verse 3: “Let there be light; and there was light.”
With a little digging in a concordance, the word “light’ can be found.  A treasure, gloriously bright, but do my ears hear the sound: “For it is the 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.” 2 Corinthians 4 verse 6.
“For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness …” yes, this happens in Genesis 1 verse three, ” …who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God,” …
Who’s shone in who’s heart? could that be me? Could that be you? ” …who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, …”
  Shone in our hearts? To give light, shining through? Could this be possible? In this life not complete? I don’t even know fully what I’m reading, but somehow I do.
Does this make any sense at all, to you? Could God be speaking, right now today? Going back to the beginning, what does the next verse say?
“And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.”
I must go back, to the concordance I have opened to find the word, “light.” My brain is so full, yet I really must see, what God’s word says about ‘light’ for me.
Directed to go to John chapter 8, a woman was brought to Jesus, with many accusers around. But, He stooped down to write in the dirt with His finger, and one by one, they all left. There was no sound.
“Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
 “No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” These were His words to the woman that was there.
In chapter 8 of John, verse 12 we read, the people were then in the presence of Jesus, looking at His face and hearing Him speak:   “I am the light of the world …” He said,  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, …
but will have the light of life.” “In the beginning God, …” has shone in our hearts to “give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
Today, did our hearts hear and gain sight: “Let there be light, and there was light.”
 
 

Beginnings begun, but not far past verse 1

If Dr. Seuss could write in prose to ignite hunger in reading for the elementary world, perhaps a rhyme or two will invoke thirst to the mysterious glory found in God’s Word.
These are my thoughts when writing these days. I have no idea why I tend to write in this way. But, show up I will, as it’s been my motto, to read and write. (Maybe this is all for a future tomorrow!)
For a grandma, or granddad to sit with a child and read words that have depth and meaning that grow. So let us study together, if join me, you will. We pray, “God meet us, and bless us. Your will be done, still.”
The beginnings begun, and still on verse 1. But moving today to look at verse 2. “Genesis Chapter 1 verse two. How will we ever find our way through?”
“Read your Bible, pray every day …” this is instruction we’ve heard, So we read and again pray, “O God, help us understand, this minute, this hour, what You – have – to – say!”
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 
“Oh, what does Genesis 1 verse 2 mean?”
So, let’s take a book from off the shelf, a book Henry M. Morris spent his lifetime in writing. The Genesis Record, all big and red. Finally the information seems inviting.
Troubled by the words, void and darkness, Mr. Morris reminds us  that dark and empty space is a beginning of steps. How refreshing to note, God uses process!
How refreshing to be reminded that process is part of God’s plan. We can read daily, how He created a complete and inhabited land. What a mess enters in, so early we find, but reassuring it is The Master Artist works, step by step, watching and waiting so patient and kind.
The big issue before us, ‘Do we believe, or believe not?’ Is God good? It’s often hard to see. Let’s continue to read. That is, if you choose, to join me.
Next on the page in Morris’s big, red book, we’re directed to turn to Proverbs 8 and take a look. Yes, we will use the energy to turn to read, but I’ll put it all down here, so, to get up, there’s no need:
“When there was no depths I was brought forth, when there was no fountains abounding with waters before the mountains settled,” This is Proverbs 8 verse 24,
“Before the hills, I was brought forth: while as yet He had not made the earth or the fields, or the primal dust of the world.” Proverbs 8 verse 25.
Aren’t the questions stirring up, inside our minds?
Let’s keep reading,  for God’s word is intriguing: “When He prepared the heavens, I was there. When He drew a circle on the face of the deep, when He established the clouds above, when He strengthened the fountains of the deep …”
The deep, the deep … He is there in the deep.
Doesn’t Proverbs 8 help color in some blank spaces: “The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the the waters.”  In the beginning, Elohim created! The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
And we can see process as a part of God’s creation. Yes, not magic or Disney fantasy, but a process, and out of nothing God brings revelation!
God is working. We can trust in Him. He was there in the beginning and He’s with us today. Let’s walk like we know it. Let’s lift up His name!
 

Questions arising from the Book of Beginnings

Questions come quickly, as the Book is opened a-new.“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” This is the first verse of 31 thousand, one hundred and two.
A choice must be made right from the start: “Yes, I believe in God,” or  “What man wrote this book?” It’s about matter – a matter of the heart.
Believing God created is impossibly difficult for some, but for others, it’s reasonably easy, when time is invested in studying the eye or perhaps, the sun.
“In the beginning God, …” the first four words of this Book. Well, a Book of Books I suppose, in that the Contents lists 66, (if you take the time to look.)
Do you remember ever receiving a Bible? With your name in the front and all? I received one at my kindergarten graduation, with cap and gown, standing tall.
But don’t forget this one thing, dear friends, (2 Peter Chapter 3 verse 8),  With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” Does that mean that, to the Lord, I received my Bible only hours ago. And He’s watching and waiting as I journey on and walk my way through this world.
So back to those words, that start things out: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1 verse 1.  A new beginning for me, with big questions, I seek to find – what it’s all about. 
So I took the time to look more at “God” and what that word really means. The divine name is in Hebrew, to be exact – Elohim. Elohim stresses majesty and omni-potence. And the ‘im’ is especially interesting, in that it’s a plural ending in a singular sense.
God is one, yet more than one? Even in the very first verse. Who is this God who created? Created the heavens and the earth. I learned this when I was five, even though I forgot it then, again – that God is 3 in 1. Today, it all comes alive.
God created. He called into existence things that were not. I can make a gift, or bake a cake. But God, He creates something to be, through the very power of God.
Faith is needed to get past the first verse. Faith is believing, without ability to see. But when we look up and ask, and give Him our questions, He answers somehow – as our eyes look searching, the Universe … We wonder, and look, and we cry,”Let it be.”
The heavens, the sky, the vast space for our eyes. The canvas for beauty with every sunrise. With every sunset, the horizon is seen. Back to earth are our questions, for God, Elohim.
Questions are good. God must love them from us. So let us open His pages, each day of our lives, that we might struggle and fuss with the Lord who loves us.
How do I know about the Lord’s love for you? Surely you remember the lullaby song, when you were restless and weary, an infant child too. Yes, Jesus loves me, I want to grow in that love. And yes, He loves you. Perhaps, daily, we read together His word.
 
 
 
 

Beginnings

New years. New months, new days, new moments. Refreshing beginnings. All things new.
Do we open the Book? Will we glean something new?
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1.
What’s it all about? What does this have to do with me? I have so much to do, and don’t we already know what this Book says. But my eyes keep reading the very next verse,
And the earth was without form and void and darkness was on the face of the deep.
Void and darkness already? Isn’t God in control of all things? Didn’t He create and everything was magical and perfect? How in the world was there void and darkness even before verse 3? Do we read and have questions like these?
Is God aware of my questions and doubt?
All I know is, it seems words like void and darkness could be used to describe me. Well, not when I’m putting my best foot forward, but the real me inside. This is me, as I feel void in my natural sense.  I sense darkness in my nature. What do you think? All I know, is, it seems at times, that there’s no escape.
So, my eyes continue reading the words on the page.
And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. Genesis 1 verse 2. The Spirit of God moved.
God moved. Even without any other doing. In the midst of emptiness and darkness, He initiated a move. Apparently, He wasn’t in need of anything.
Today, as I read these words and I think, of my brain and my heart being 73% water, with emptiness and darkness caught up in the mix, (But), And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters … 
And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light; and there was light.”
Today, this day, I’ve read from the Beginnings. I didn’t get far, but I felt something stir within me. Could this Book be more than black and white on a page? For you and for me, the Spirit of God moved.
I will speak for myself, I hear Him speak to me: “Let there be light; and there was light,” on that day. Thousands upon thousands of years ago then, but also today, hope has lifted her head, and my eyes and my heart have chosen to receive.
If this is the first day of the rest of my life, then I will choose to take some time to read this Book daily. I will ask God to shine light on my emptiness and fill up the void.
So, in curiosity, I looked up Jesus as light, and John 8 verse 12, is recorded When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
God initiates. Do I choose, moment by moment, to follow?
 
 

Finally, joy has come to this world of mine …

Joy to the world! The Lord is come.
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart
Prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing. O how the familiar words of Isaac Watts play over again in our minds, but it’s on a glorious moment –
when the dust of our own personal world, and the North wind has blown to make us cold, but we are tired of being broken and alone –
that we invite the King in. That we finally make room for Him.
And the angels in heaven sing. And our eyes suddenly see all of nature, with exotic colors, form and  beauty, form a symphony of song as we walk on our journeys.
Joy to the world, the Savior reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods
Rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy
Finally, when our flesh, says, to the LORD, “Yes.” The words of the hymn come alive. And the word ‘joy’ has meaning for the very first time. Deliverance comes when the fight finally ends. When the Savior at last, has the reins of our soul, and a miracle I witness, as I feel my world – whole.
Joy has finally come into my world, because room as been made, that the Great Surgeon can cut away, the hardness of heart, the criticalness:
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love;
And wonders of His love;
And wonders, …
the wonder of His love for me, who, for so long refused to see – His truth, His grace, … His beautiful life He gave.  Joy to my world has come, with each new day, with each new breath.
Will you join my joyful chorus as well, and of the King and His greatness tell? We would sing together a joyful song:  “Joy has come to this world of mine. I will sing of my King for all – of  – time.”
 
 

brown paper wrapping with a scarlet chord

brown paper wrapping with a scarlet chord, amidst sparkling and glitter and silver and gold.
not chosen first. often chosen last – but when the gifts are all broken, all tired and worn, then on a lonely, cold night, the plain wrapping comes in sight.
Finally a curious glance at the scarlet red chord – and the question,”What’s it all for?”
To choose to pick up the package of brown, and loosen the scarlet chord tied around, feels uncomfortable, even painful in part. As if it’d be easier to simply quit, and not make a new start.
“I’m hungry. I’m in the dark. I don’t know which way to go. I need some guidance. I need a new life. I need breath -it’s time to grow.”
So, the choice is finally made, to take hold of the scarlet thread, and unloose the Gift that was given, of the Story that I’d only known, … in my head.
Great discovery was made – the boring package – magnificent – water and light and a sword for the fight. Gold and pure. Dispelling the lies.
God really cares. Even when I cared-less. When I refused to listen to His gentleness.
When I chose not to believe, and He wrote, “I believe in you.” With nail prints in His hands, He said, “I – believe – in you.” No matter what you do, I have paid your debt.  I Am truth.”
Now what? what do I do?
The package in brown, in Scarlet chord all around, is a mystery revealed in the pages of the Book.
Who wants to surrender against their own selfish will? “No one.” Is the answer. But He laid down His life on the cross. His is the example. Be still and know – He is God, and I am not. The Gift seems less, but it’s most. It’s not as I thought.
Jesus waits and watches: “Will they receive Me? Or will they not?”
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10.
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 hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, …” Jeremiah 29:11-14.
I am the bread of life. John 6:35 and 48. I am the light, John 9 verse 5. 
I am the resurrection and the life, John 11: 25.
I am the good shepherd. John chapter 10. I am the door. John 10 verse 11.
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7 verse 7.
“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.
Do you believe this?” John 11:25 and  26.
“Will you receive Me?” Can you hear Jesus asking?
 
 

May I share a hidden treasure of a hymn-"It came upon a Midnight Clear"

Christmas hymns can become familiar and sterile, yet when the waves of a storm are greatly brought on, there is a searching that comes,
as we look for a glimmer of hope, or the light of the dawn.
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear, That glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth To touch their harps of gold. “Peace on the earth good will to man, From heaven’s all gracious King!” The world in solemn stillness lay To hear the angels sing.”
The hymnal is opened, Edmund H. Sears work is displayed. “The world in solemn stillness lay? …” There is nothing in this world that is still, it seems, except for the broken in heart and children’s dreams.
But the flood has come, or we’ve been made to walk through the fire, but the hymn sings in our ears, the words of the angels: “Peace on the earth, good will to man, from heaven’s all gracious King!”
My eyes catch the words of the hymn-writer’s story, (thank you Robert J. Morgan for sharing, Then Sings My Soul, in this hymn book I was given.) Recorded are lost words not known, quite forgotten, (still sung with the same melody and rhythm:)
“Yet with the woes of sin and strife/ The world hath suffered long; Beneath the angel-strain have rolled/ Two thousand years of wrong; And man, at war with man, hears not/ The love song which they bring; 
O hush the noise, ye men of strife/ And hear the angels sing!”
I’ve been hushed. I’ve been striving against my Lord. Perhaps the brokenness has brought me life:  “O God, bring me to hear the angels sing. My vocal chords have been stilled for far too long. Dear Jesus, will you restore to me, Your song.”
And so, I read in my Christmas gift hymnal, a verse I’ve never in the past seen:
“For lo, the days are hastening on, By prophets bards foretold; With the ev-er circling years, comes round the age of gold. When peace shall o-ver all the earth, Its ancient splendors fling;
And the whole world give back the song Which now the angels sing.”
So perhaps, this ‘mid-night’ has been made clear, as my eyes caught the promise of the glorious King. God Almighty has restored to me sight, and brought back a song that was hidden in night.
I will sing of my King, and give back the song: “Peace on earth …” this earth that is me. This Christmas  has brought revival and song. Lord Jesus, my Savior, God with us, Immanuel – I bow my knee …
I bring my offering … to worship Thee, my glorious King.”
If you feel revival in heart is needed today, Admit your wrongs, Believe Jesus loves you, and Call out His name! He hears, He loves and forgives and restores. Jesus is here to give you life evermore.

Lame at the pool? God's story resurrects us to move!

Have you heard the story that begins in John 5? Read it again, to refresh you mind: 

“Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which … called Bethesda … surrounded by five … colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed.”

Perhaps, today we fit in some dis-abled body, blind in not knowing what direction to go, or which way is right. Lame, with brokenness that often brings fear and lonely nights. Or paralyzed, unable to make a move at all. Where fear makes the decisions, and faith has no call. Sheep we are, needing help at the gate. We believe we are victims, while the world whirls on.

Are our minds always doubting – is there no fear of God? Is there One who can make our crooked ways, straight? Read the story through – John 5 verse 8.

“One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.”

(Thirty-eight years? This thought in John 5 verse 4, can bring us to tears.)

 “When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition … a long time, he asked him, ‘Do you want to get well?’

“Of course he does,” we say to ourselves, but then the next thought pierces through to our hearts: “Do you want to get well?”

 “Did Jesus just learn of our miserable plight? Have we not talked to Him, the One who is able? The One with All-Might?  Can we learn anything from this man’s excuse:

“‘Sir,’ the invalid replied, ‘I have no one to help me into the pool …  While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down …

ahead of me.’

Yes, I have to confess, that I look out for help, and not up so much of the time.

I am guilty  …

of going it alone, doing it ‘my way’. Fear makes the call, and I let Doubt speaks his mind.

 Then Jesus said to him, ‘Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.’  At once the man was cured; …”
At once, the man was cured. Not in a day or a weak, but immediately! This is the Word of God in John 5 verse 8. Do we let the words sink in and believe? What did the man who met Jesus do?
Today, can I see that Jesus is talking to me, and possibly … you?
So much for ‘meek and mild.’ Jesus’ Words are power!
So what was the choice of the man at the pool near the gate, after Jesus met him and exhorted, “Get up and walk?”
” … he picked up his mat and walked.” This man couldn’t do that – but he did! He obeyed.
“Do you want to be well?”  was the question from God. “Then ‘get up’ right now, and make no provision for failure. Move forward, away from this place.”
Jesus is here, Jesus is speaking. He is the One able and willing. “Today, today,  Lord Jesus I choose, to ‘go down’ in surrender – on my knees, yes today,…
to give up my fight. My fight against You. You’re the One who is able to forgive me and heal me and make me to stand. You give me sight, and strength to my soul. Jesus, I’m willing to turn to You and follow, with mat in my hand,
Faith-full, instead of Doubt-full – will You help me?
I believe,  Lord Jesus, You’ve got my tomorrow.
 
 

The evergreen, in the midst of night …

The evergreen is brought in, this time again. Adorned with lights, and gifts, and angels of white, baubles of red and garlands of thread. With my thoughts ringing, “Do not be afraid, …”  remembering what the angel said.
“So much has changed.” as I hang a nativity up on the tree. “Dear God, I need You to speak in such a time as this. Please don’t be silent. I’m tempted to doubt that I can get through this …
So I open up the story, told over and again, and I read the words of the angel to Mary, from a long, lost time, from way back when: “… for you have found grace with God … you will give birth to a Son and  you shall call His name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the most High … and of his reign there will be no end.”
Luke Chapter 1 verse 33, Amplified. And, then You hear my heart cry, “Oh God, what does all this mean for me? In the midst of the night, let me hear, let me rest. Let me simply sit in this uncomfortable – ness!
So, I sit. In the night. But I marvel at the sight. Amidst anxious thoughts, wrestling to overthrow my rest and peace, I look upon the evergreen.
“For with God nothing is ever impossible, and no word from God shall be without power …” the Amplified version of Luke 1:37 speaks. I read them, and I wonder, “Do I believe?
Do I really believe the Word of God? Or only on sunflower days, and when the sod is soft and green. do I believe God when all seems against all my understanding?”
So as I look at the evergreen in the room. Adorned with lights, and gifts, and angels of white, I see the baubles of red, and remember the blood that was shed. I see the garland of thread, and think of the Good Word I have read:
Mary’s response to the news of the angel: “My soul glorifies the Lord
    and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, …”
Somehow I forgot Luke 1:47. How could I miss the response that was given.
“Oh dear Lord, may I choose to rejoice as well, and worship You, for, …
 “…for he has been mindful
    of the humble state of his servant …
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
    from generation to generation.”
This is the story, Luke 1:48-50. These are the words breathed by God, to tell –
to tell me that today, even in the midst of night, that He is great and will extend mercy, even on me, all the same. “Give me grace, dear Lord Jesus, to magnify and give You my praise, through my heart’s tears and through the dark rain. The Son dwells in my heart forever. The Son Of God does great things,
and this Christmas, I will again, believe.
“O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.”

Can you, will you, brush away the tears?

This morning, you have a choice. Does your heart yearn for God, do you pray, “Speak LORD, Your servant hears.” (1) or do you think you already know the words He has to say?
The thorns and thistles of life have brought temptation – to doubt and believe the LORD has left you alone on your way.
I write for myself, these words are for me. But if by chance they are speaking to you, read on as we wrestle with God together. Are we God’s ‘fair weather friends’ or are we still His – when the floods come or it’s typhoon weather?
“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want . . .” Psalm 23:1. Do you hear Him call you to trust Him deeper still? Do you hear Him, are you willing to obey His will?
But, “I’m wanting Lord.” You say in your heart. “I’m needy and helpless. I don’t know how to trust.”
But, there is a willingness inside. There is, though weak, you cry out beside:
“Speak Lord, Your servant is listening,”

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs, the Book of wisdom. Chapter 3 verse 5 and 6. Do we dare submit and really believe this?

Believing God, is an Olympic feat, at best, “Make me to lie down and open my eyes that I might take notice that the pastures are green. Oh, God, I need rest.”

 Is this your prayer to the Lord in the morning? Will you be humble and yielded and give Him praise in the evening? What if nothing is going your way? Does that change God? Does that change your trust in Him?

We must remember, if ‘Jesus wept,'(2) then surely in this life, we will weep as well. “Dear Lord, don’t let my affliction grow greater than You. May I not seek sufficiency from wells, dry and broken, but may I go to You and listen to the words You have spoken.”

“Can you, will you, brush away the tears?” (I hear the Lord whisper this in my ears.)

 So will you reply, (as I ask myself this question), ‘Speak to me LORD, your servant hears.’ 

“But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”(3) “I have spoken. Do not be tempted to doubt. I will fill you with My Spirit that your faith will abound. Will you choose to make me Lord and submit? This is the power of God to you. I offer it . . .”

“For no one is cast off
    by the Lord forever.
 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
    so great is his unfailing love.
 For he does not willingly bring affliction
    or grief to anyone.” “This is My word from Lamentations. (4) Walk in this. Give fear no reservations.”

We can, we will, you and I together will cast all our cares upon our Shepherd today, and feed on His faithfulness and all He has to say:

in Psalm 23: The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul . . .  and Joshua 1:9: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” 

We can, we will remember God is able – for now and for all time.

 “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.  Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.”(5)

(1) 1 Samuel 3:9.
(2) John 11:35.
(3) Isaiah 43:1-3.
(4) Lamentations 3:31,32.
(5) Hebrews 5:7-9.

Health-ful; thoughts for this Christmas

Every human being, as early as 2, experiences an earthly proverb: No pain, no gain.
The 2 year old desiring the prize must first pick up toys that are all over the floor. The 4 year old must spend time on their letters before being able to play. The 6 year old must do their reading before going outside.
The student must write that paper before the free time. Or what about picking up that instrument, even for 5 minutes before watching the game, etc., etc. We all know this story.
There is no gain, it’s true, unless their is a dying of some sort inside. Oh, that we would keep in the front of our thoughts and our mind – All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. Proverbs 14:23.

In desiring to stay ‘healthy’ during this Christmas season, healthy inside and out, in mind and body we must first Stop and consider, which things go first, which things go next, one at a time. Or else we will be scattered and anxious and good for nothin’ and restlessness will take the reigns instead of enjoying this present moment and all God has for us.
What does all this have to do with ‘not gaining without pain?’ Everything . . .
You see we must first ‘stop- drop and turn from the fiery inferno of stress and we must first seek the Lord of our righteousness.
If it is true ‘we can do nothing’ without Him – the branch is nothing apart from the Vine-
Then we must abide and take shelter under the shadow of God’s wings, and seek His face and bring Him praise.
It’s painful for some to ‘be still’.  To ‘stop’ and pray. Praying is labor. It’s hard stuff.But it’s ‘health-full’ when we remember praying is profitable.
If a ‘Martha temperament’ is taking over- but ‘health’ is on the list for Christmas this year, we must move ‘Martha over’ for a moment or two and do the 1st work of prayer.
To seek the Lord’s face.
The Great Physician who created our beings, says: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. The Book of Matthew chapter 6 verse 33, speaks so simply . . .
“Lord, teach us to pray.”
“Search me O God, and know my heart, try me and know my fears…” (Ps. 139:23).
“I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby. Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh. I need Thee, O I need Thee. Every hour I need Thee. . .
O bless me now my Saviour, I come to Thee.”
Bless me with peace, that I abide in Your presence, . . .
You are the Prince of Peace – so first- in our Christmastime hustle may we make ‘health-ful decisions and seek Jesus continually, to guide us and fill us with His love, and that it will remain flowing. That, perhaps our present to our loved ones this year, will simply to be ‘living in the present, and ‘really be there’ this year.
Now that sounds like ‘great gain’ indeed. Great gain, when take time to pray.

When the counselor is hidden in a devotional

So I wake. I sit with coffee and thoughts. But on the table is a devotional.
‘Beside Still Waters’ by CH Spurgeon, sits there with it wooing title, ‘Come, and sit beside still waters . . .’
So I pick it up and open it to a random page: “No Smell of Fire.” (Daniel 3:27).
I read on: “When you cherish Christ, the things of the world are of little value, and their loss is not heavily felt.”
‘Cherish?’ The word stops me in my tracks.
I think of traditional wedding vows,  to love and to cherish. Spurgeon incites me to think, “When you cherish Christ . . .”
“Do I cherish Christ?” for better, for worse, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer? Can I? Do I cherish Christ? as long as I live?
But then it hits me – Death will never part us, if we have received the gift that God has given us, with our personal names written on His Son’s sacrifice on the cross. Instead of a bow on the greatest gift to the world, His blood was shed that we would be washed, white as snow. This is what the Good Book says. The Lord loves me so.
“My beloved is mine, and I am his. He feeds his flock among the lilies.” This is the Song of all Songs, Song of Solomon 2:16.
Do I cherish Christ? This is the question. And so continues CH Spurgeon: “When you cherish Christ, the things of the world are of little value, and their loss is not heavily felt. If you feel your losses and if your trials are so ponderous that Christ’s love cannot lift you from the dust, then you have made too much of the world and too little of Him.”
“I see a pair of balances. I see on one scale the loss…, but I perceive on the other scale the great love of Christ. Now we will see which weighs the most. If Jesus lifts the light affliction, all is well, but if the trouble outweighs Jesus, then it is indeed ill for us.” (Spurgeon, beside Still Waters, pg. 161).

The devotion counsels with gentleness. Yet, kicks me hard in the midst of the world’s darkness: “If you are so depressed by your trials that you cannot rejoice, even though your name is written in heaven, then I think you do not love Jesus as you should.”
“Get delightful thoughts of Him, and you will feel as if you lost a pebble but preserved a diamond. If you have a high sense of your Master’s preciousness, you will rejoice in the deepest distress. The sweet love of Christ, when placed on the deepest wound the soul can ever know, heals at once.”
I will repeat words perhaps this sheep forgets: “The sweet love of Christ, when placed on the deepest wound the soul can ever know, heals at once.”
Beside Still Waters, has spoken to me, and even given words of the prayers we must pray: “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. Be within us, and we will make no choice of situations. Put us in Nebuchadnezzar’s furnace (Daniel 3:20); if Jesus walks the glowing coals as a companion, the fire will have no power, the hairs of our heads will not be singed, our garments will not be affected, and even the smell of fire will not be on them ” (Dan. 3:27).
So I pray for myself this morning as well, “Bring to remembrance, bring revival in my heart. Dear Jesus, mold me, and make into a new lump of clay and create in me a loving heart as I walk through my day. Teach me what it means to ‘cherish You, Lord.’ That I might be a blessing this Christmas. Help me spend time in Your word.” In Jesus name, Amen. and Amen again.
 

Struggling to see light this Christmas . . .

“O soul are you weary and troubled. No light in the darkness you see. There’s a light for a look at the Savior and life more abundant and free.” (1)
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, a hymn quite familiar to many, speaks compassion and comfort for the brokenhearted and lonely. God says, “Speak of the hymns,” in His Book of Ephesians. So, speak we will, seeking a light for a look at the Great Physician.
Others are praying in this time of great pain. Prayers going out during this dark of night. But greater still – Jesus is praying – He, the giver and keeper of Life itself.  The King greater than all other Kings, He’s praying for us. The prayers, “Through these tears – “O Lord,Give us sight, through this  darkness and night.”
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s a light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. (2)

“Behold the Lord God shall come with a strong hand, And His arm shall rule for Him, Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him. He will feed His flock like as shepherd; He will gather His lambs in His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.” this is Isaiah Chapter 40 verse 10 and 11. These are words breathed out straight from heaven.

Chapter 30 verse 5 in the Book of Psalms:  “For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”

“Oh Lord God, give us sight. Give some relief as we wait and are tempted to wonder, ‘why.‘ Open our eyes for spiritual things. We are weak, our mouths are so dry . . .

“The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the LORD will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.” The LORD speaks, He is our Immanuel, yesterday and today. He is near, forever.

“Comfort, yes, comfort My people!” Says your God. “Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, That her warfare is ended, That her iniquity is pardoned; For she has received from the LORD’s hand Double (forgiveness) for all her sins.” (3) This is the word that will not fail, this is the Word of our Immanuel.

“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, And every mountain and hill shall be made low …” (4)

Oh, how we need to be reminded that God, the Creator of the Universe – He’s in control.

“The crooked places shall be made straight, And the rough places smooth; The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, And all flesh shall see it together; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”(5)

These are promises given for our hearts to take hold. When there’s darkness and pain and endless oppression, we must remind ourselves, ‘the mouth of the LORD has spoken.’

“All flesh is grass, And all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, …but the word of our God stands forever. O Zion, You who bring good tidings, Get up into the high mountain, . . . You who bring good tidings, Lift up your voice with strength, Lift it up, be not afraid; Say to the cities, . . . “Behold your God!” (6)

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conquerors we are!
“Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.” (7)
There’s a light for a look at the Savior . . . His word shall not fail you, He’s promised . . . Over us sin no more hath dominion – For more than conquerors we are!
“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (8)
The light has been given, the weak hands that hang down, are strengthened to hold the sword of God’s word. Nothing has changed, save the spirit inside us, now transformed and encouraged to hope and have faith and to love – Victorious!
 There’s a light for a look at the Savior. A light, so abundant and free : God’s love never fails … For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. (9)
Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
 (1) Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

(2) John 10:11

(3) Isaiah 40:1,2.

(4) Isaiah 40:3,4a.

(5) Isaiah 40:4b,5.

(6) Isaiah 40:6-9.

(7) Romans 8:34.

(8) Romans 8:37-39.

(9) 1 Corinthians 13:8,12).