Category: Articles

Who knows agony of spirit?

Who knows agony of spirit?
For some it comes in an instant. Sudden loss and trauma roll in like thick clouds. They don’t move, the thick darkness. It simply stays around.
For some there is heaviness of feeling, being abandoned and alone. Being rejected and forsaken, and Confusion makes a home.
“My God, My God. Why have You forsaken Me.” (1) These are the words of Jesus, the Lord.
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall,
But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” (2)
This is the word of God. Oh, how it reads like a poem.
The enemy of God wants to destroy faith in His name. The enemy, and our flesh destroy, But God remains the same. He is the same, yesterday, today and forever . . . (3)
Who is like God? He was. He is. He is to come.
“In the beginning God,  . . . and darkness was on the face of the deep . . . and the Spirit of God was hovering over the  . . . waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.” (4)
Who knows agony of spirit? We all do.
But Jesus does most.
Beyond the depth of our darkness, He has walked. We cry out, “Jesus.”
He understands.
This is the will of God. That we turn to seek Him.
Hear Him.
Follow Him. Know Him.
There is no One like God.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world,
but in order that the world might be saved through Him. (5)
“Let there be light.”
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear …” these are the words that we must hold on to, as Jesus endured hours on the cross. “But of power and of love …” there is hope. God will restore – His word is alive even now, in each of us, ever more.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (6)
God restores and gives us, “sound mind.”
 Right now.
Step by step, and hour after hour.
Does He know we are in agony of Spirit? Oh, yes. He knows.
He is with us.
“Jesus.” we call.
A new creation, a resurrection from the dead, this is what He gives. We wait. We trust.
His name is Faithful.
His name is True.
His eyes remained on the Father, and that is what we  . . . will choose to do.
“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.”
Could it be? Could it actually be? That this present darkness we are in, will be a comfort for someone else, some day, some when? When we can hold their hand and listen, and cry with them too, and say, “Oh yes. Jesus knows exactly what you are feeling. He knows, through and through.”
And somehow, in a way mysterious, where pain and beauty meet, we are drawn to the Savior, like never before, again and again, we worship Him, complete.
 
(1) Mark 15:34
(2) Isaiah 40:28-31.
(3) Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”
(4) Gen. 1:1-3.
(5)  John 3:16,17
(6) 2 Tim. 1:7.
(7) Psalm 46:1

Without faith, no One's happy …

Do we wake up and go about our morning without a thought of the One who has given us our breath? Do we really believe that the eyes we open to the spectrum of color and light and the ears that hear the morning birds sing- that these all a result of chance?
The children are smarter than all of this.
“In the beginning God created …” (1) This makes sense to the child who’s looking … at the expanse of the sky and the puffs of the clouds shaped as cats and dogs and sometimes as a storm going wild.
“Without faith, it’s impossible to please God …” (2)
And, even in view of the thoughts of the world and the news of the day and the struggles we face, ‘without faith it’s impossible’ to be happy, to have hope, to find a strength that lies deep within, to smile …
But, the children? The children have faith, the children have hope. The children will show us once again how to love. They run to the one who’s arms are open wide, who’s words are comfort and truth. Who provides the needs and food.
“Without faith it’s impossible to please God. For whoever would draw near to God must believe He exists. And He rewards those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6. 
Without faith, no one’s happy. We ain’t happy. God’s not happy.  Do we seek to be happy? Find yourself a child to hang out with for a bit. And think about the wonders of the little guy’s eyes and nose and, well, and …even his spit!
The Bible says, that even before this little one was formed in the womb of his mama, God knew him. (3) Yes, and set the little one apart – and loves them through the years, even, if and when, they depart … because God -never gives up on anyone. God believes the best. God endures the faithlessness … And He waits and  He knows,  and He loves the children so.
Today … what will we do? Shall we stop, and breathe, and consider all of this! 
John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
(1) Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
(2) Hebrews 11:6.
(3) Jeremiah 1:5.

Today, is new!

Today, I wake up turned around in my thinking. Today is a new day. The enemy of God hates me and my family, but God … O how He watches over our way.
Do you believe? The lies of the enemy or the truth and strength and hope of our Lord? The liar, the accuser fills us with doubt and fear for the day and even hatred and pride and words that destroy.
Do we hurt inside and then turn to hurt those beside us? Let us let go of what’s past and take hold of today, that God might breathe new hope and life for tomorrow. Let us stop. Let us be still – and … hear the voice of the Lord:
“Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.” reads Psalm 27:14.
The truth of the matter, is after going it ‘my own way,’ I am left weak, weary, and lean. That’s when we must take courage in God, and know what He has to say. Because the accuser, the hater of God and of man is quick to speak in our ear, “God wants nothing to do with you, my friend.”
“In that day,” says the Lord, “I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be my people.  This is what the Lord says:

“Those who survive the coming destruction
    will find blessings even in the barren land,
    for I will give rest to the people of Israel.”

 Long ago the Lord said to Israel:
“I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love.
    With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.
 I will rebuild you, my virgin Israel.
    You will again be happy
    and dance merrily with your tambourines.
Again you will plant your vineyards on the mountains of Samaria
    and eat from your own gardens there.”(1)

This is the word of the Lord for the one, who no longer does things in his own schemes, but makes the choice to be ‘Governed by God!’ That is what the name Israel means. We no longer have to be weak, weary and lean. We can take courage when we put our eyes on the Lord.

Do you see Him? He laid down His life for all who are bitten. And for that matter, we all have been – there has been none that has escaped! So what do we do? We open our ears to hear. We STOP. We, ‘Be Still’ and hear the voice of the Lord:

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,  that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” (2)

 “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (3)
Today can be your first prayer of salvation, or just a refreshing of what we have in us still: For God so loves you, He laid down His life, and He is with you now, and forever will.
“Psalm 40:1 For the choir director. A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me and heard my cry.” 

God has ears that hear the voice that call out His name. Don’t let the enemy have any more gain. Call out to Jesus … “Indeed, none of those who wait for Him, will be ashamed…” (4)
“For God so loved you, that He gave His only Son, …” (5) Remember today, remember tomorrow, the song you sang as a young one: “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little one’s to Him belong, they are weak,…
but He is strong.” 
Today is new. I am changed inside. “Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so.”
(1) Jeremiah 31:1-5.
(2) John 3:14,15.

(3) John 3:17.
(4) Psalm 25:3.
(5) John 3:16.

Today, let the children come …

Children are a gift from God. Have you been around a child today? Let us stop and take notice then, that they are excited about simple things, they often skip as they go! They are happy to see you, if you simply greet them with a smile. And if you take even a bit more time, you can see Jesus in their eyes.
Children are our teachers, Lord. Children show us over time, things about ourselves, we would rather not know.
I remember a day, when I felt ‘surrounded’ by little ones.  ‘They’ did this, ‘they’ broke that, ‘they’ just pushed my buttons!  I remember in desperation crying, “Lord, where is the love? God, where is the love?!” I had all the ‘how-to’ books, but I knew something was missing! “God, I have no love!”
“Toni, I AM love. Keep your eyes on Me. Keep finding the meaning of ‘love’ by taking a walk each morning, with My word on your lap.   In the ‘in-between’ time, make the most of your time. Follow Me in the stories, watch Me,  and not mere men, who often ‘love’ by condition, that is not who I AM.”
“My love is not based on any condition at all. My love is based completely on My Name. My name is Gracious, Compassionate, Slow to Anger, and more.  Put your eyes on Me, you will discover one thing, when you seek for My face, you will discover that I walk in love …not as the world or even the philosophers at that, I walk, each step in My Father’s will, I walk with the Spirit of God.”
“Yes, grace is getting what you don’t deserve.” You deserve justice, but I give you favor instead. “How and Why”? You think in your head, but I will tell you, My ways are past finding out, the wiggle and squirm and all the loud noises, are only to show you what you are like to Me! Can’t you see it? It is true, but My mercies are new every morning, yes new every day. I love you My child, ‘let the children come’, I say!”
“Ask and I will give you the good and perfect gift of My Spirit. My power is made perfect in weakness, seek Me while it is day. I AM able to give you out of My fullness, one grace after another.”
Today, Lord, let the children come, and let them teach us about You. Children are Your gift! They make us ‘poor in spirit’, yes, we see our need for grace!  We thought we knew love, only to discover we had none at all- Jesus, fill our hearts with Your love, revive us here, revive us there, revive now and everywhere:
“Revive us a gain; Fill each heart with Thy love; May each soul be rekindled With fire from above. Hallelujah! Thine the glory! Hallelujah! Amen! Hallelujah! Thine the glory! Revive us again!” (Revive Us Again, William P. Mackay).
 “For out of My fullness, out of all My abundance, I will pour out My Spirit to My sheep who have young, even as the years go by and the vessel feels broken, I will restore the years that the locus has eaten. I will, I am willing, to give to My children blessing upon spiritual blessing.  Even favor upon favor, and gift [heaped] upon gift’.( John 1:16, Amplified). I AM able, I AM able, I AM, and I will!”
“We praise Thee, O God, For the Son of Thy love; For Jesus, who died And is now gone above.” “We praise Thee, O God, For Thy Spirit of light, Who has shown us our Savior And scattered our night.” “All glory and praise to the Lamb that was slain, Who has borne all our sins and hath cleansed every stain.” 
Hallelujah! Thine the glory! Hallelujah! Amen! Hallelujah! Thine the glory! Revive us again!” (Revive Us Again, William P. Mackay).
“And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” John 1:16, 17).
“Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, “Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.” Mark 9:33-37).
“Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1:17).
“Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?” But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” 
 
 

Child of weakness, watch and pray. You will be changed.

“I hear the Savior say, 
Thy strength indeed is small,
child of weakness
Watch and Pray-
find in Me – thine all in all.”
“I hear the Savior say,…”
What is it that I hear the Savior say today?
Through the years, words I have memorized:
“I will never leave you or forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5.
“I am the Lord… (You are ) precious in my sight… and I have loved you.” Is. 43:3,4.
I also hear exhortations speak to me,
“Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Ephesians 5:14.
Child of weakness, watch and pray.  Find in Me, thine all in all.
Voices in my heart, “You don’t have what it takes.”
“Give up now. You  don’t . . . have . . .”
This is a fight for my heart and my mind. To know what’s true and what’s a devil’s lie.
I can’t see anything at all. But I will sing the old words.
” . . . Thy strength indeed is small, child of weakness watch and pray. find in Me, thine all in all.
Hear Me. Hear Me, today,
I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving -kindness.
I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel.
Again you will take up your tambourines and go out to dance with the joyful . . .
Come, let us go up to Zion to the LORD our God.” Jeremiah 31:3,4.
“Jesus paid it all!
All to Him I owe.
Sin had left a crimson stain – He washed it white as snow!”
I hear my Comforter minister to me with thoughts of peace, and rest, and truth:
This is hope. With hope, you will not be ashamed in My name. Your enemy desires that you lose hope.
Hope in Me, I am your God, and I with you.
Let My rod and My staff comfort you my dear lamb.
I have laid down My life for the sheep.
I am Jesus. Call Me by name, and I will answer you. I have prayed for you.”
I can sing, these words are mine. I will sing and rejoice, for He, the Lord God Almighty,
is mine: “Lord, now indeed I find, Thy power and Thine alone, can change a lepers heart and melt a heart of stone.”
“Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe.
Sin had left a crimson stain
He Washed it White as Snow!”
I pray to my God who is Life everlasting. Let me be abounding in Spirit.Give me a deep, solid joy. If you abide and dwell in praise and thankfulness, let me take a breath and rest in Your holiness.
“And now before the Throne, I stand in Him completeJesus died my soul to save, my lips shall still repeat,
“Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe.
Sin had left a crimson stain
He Washed it White as Snow.“
 

We are, just as, the children of God …

As we journey, just as the children, the children of God,
who had been slaves – but after the blood was put on the door – the angel of death, passed over. The Lamb had been slain, the children obeyed –
Everlasting life, life forever miraculously given and never ending…as we journey just as the children, the children of God.
The enemy is after us, just as the children, the children of God.
But the Red Sea is parted, time and time again, … as we journey, just as the children, the children of God.
He leads us out and He feeds us His food, just as the children, the children of God – but they are thirsty on the way, yes, we are thirsty as we journey on, just as the children, the children of God.
But the Rock has been struck, and the living waters satisfy … but the next thing we know, as the children journey on, yes the next thing we know, the children speak out against God and their leader, Oh, they complain:  “Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die?” These were the children, the children of God who were fed each and every day the bread from the skies and given what was needed at the sound of their cry.
We journey on forgetting – the parting of the Sea and the food sent from heaven, and the Rock that was struck which poured out the waters, the Hand of God and the scars that remain, we forget, we forget …  O how He is longsuffering.
we journey on discouraged, doubting His faithful Hand. And plod on hopeless in the wilderness-land.  Around and around, if it weren’t for His mercy, we would have been lost, and completely defeated!
We are as the children, yes,  just as the children – the children of God!
What is the story? Tell it again, what happened on that day they complained, in that land. The Lord sent fiery serpents, with deadly venom to bite- yes, the children were bitten, the children of God – but what child loved very deeply by their father, is not disciplined promptly, promptly to save; to save from destruction in going the wrong way?
So they cried out to Moses, back in that day, “We have sinned, We’ve spoken against our great Lord! Pray that the Lord will have mercy on us and save us from this pain. Pray the Lord save us, save us this day. We have turned and not pleased the Lord in our ways.”
We’ve all been bitten in some form or another – just as the children, the children of God. We cry out “Mercy”, we cry out together!
So, God said to Moses, “Make a serpent out of brass and set it on a pole. When the children look up, they will be forgiven, healed and whole.” These were the words to the children, “Thus saith the Lord.” These were the words to the children, the children of God.
“Just look to the serpent lifted on the pole-that is your cure!” instructed the Father to the children, the children of God. For all the children bitten by the poison that day, “look up and behold!” I bring healing, I Am the way.
We’ve been bitten by sin, All of mankind, but God has provided deliverance complete and sure, when we admit we’ve been bitten, when we believe there is hope. When we call out to Jesus. He then makes us whole.
We are just as the children, the children of God. Yes, we are children, bitten and poisoned, but cleansed, and delivered, and healed, and new. We believe Jesus and now have life – for now and forever, life forevermore!
Let us believe, and be as His child. Just as His child, a child of God.
“And Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should no perish, but have eternal life. for God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into  the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:14-17, KJV,)
Let us ‘turn our eyes upon Jesus’, let us ‘look to Him who was pierced’. We’ve been bitten, death is coming, let us look full in His glorious face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.’

We seek a city out of sight …

“My rest is in heaven, my rest is not here, Then why should I tremble when trials are near? Be hush’d my dark spirit, the worst that can come But shortens thy journey, and hastens thee home. It is not for me to be seeking my bliss, Or building my hopes in a region like this; I look for a city that hands have not piled, I pant for a country by sin undefiled.” (CH Spurgeon, Devotional Bible).
‘Heaven has a foundation. The earth has none.’ Didn’t God speak through the broken and inspired vessel of Job, wisdom for all  the ages: “He hangs the world upon nothing.” (1)
Some seek a city out of sight, a better country with foundations, whose builder and maker are God Almighty. ‘ Father Abraham had many sons. Many sons had father Abraham – I am one of them, and so are you, so let’s just praise the Lord…’ –But are we all sons of Abraham? “Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” (2)
‘Abraham looked for a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” (3)
What are we looking for? Are we looking beyond this world for our portion? Or are we like the multitudes in the Dark Ages who believed the world flat?
What are we looking for?  Do we see beyond our eye’s view, and set our passion on eternal, heavenly things? Without faith, we see only hopelessness and pain…but think again! Think again!
Is Abraham our father? “ He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;  And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.”
He is the father of the believing! ‘Many sons had father Abraham. I am one of them,  and  -how about you? Perhaps, this is the day to consider faith in God the Father who has provided redemption through His Son and has sent His Holy Spirit to remind of things that are true. Perhaps it is time to turn off CNN and to open up the Good News.
“Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee, though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see,only thou art holy; there is none beside thee, perfect in power, in love and purity.”
“Open our hearts, dear Lord. Wash the hardness away. Turn the light on, dear Jesus, that I might breathe again. Increase my faith! Help me not fear. Open my eyes to see Your face, and draw me near, draw me near! The words to the old hymn, let them teach me again. That I might be renewed by the power of truth:
1. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!
2. Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,
casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.
3. Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,
though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see,
only thou art holy; there is none beside thee,
perfect in power, in love and purity.
4. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth and sky and sea.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity.
“Yes, Lord. We seek a city out of sight, whose builder and maker is You, the God of all creation. You, who alone, build heaven with foundations of Solid Rock and our precious Cornerstone!” ‘Father Abraham had many sons…I am one of them, and so are you! So let’s just praise the Lord! Amen!’
(1) Job 26:7.
(2) Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:3, Galatians 3:6 and Romans 4:22.
(3) Hebrews 11:10.
 
 
 

His Story, His song …(and an old hymn)

Is there a new song from the old words written? Yes, when the report is heard that was given. When the arm of the Lord is revealed at last. When  the message rings true and is held steadfast.
He’s not much to look at. No flair, undesirable. He’s despised. He’s rejected. He’s full of sorrow and griefs. We turn our eyes away- and all else we seek.
The Eternal Father, out of love, sent His Son – to be dishonored and shamefully treated by His human creation.
This is His Story. This is His song. Yet, He prays for us all, “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they’ve done. They don’t know that their griefs and their sorrows I have taken all on Myself. With great stripes I was beaten, but My Story grows old on the shelf.
I was wounded for their sins. Despised and rejected and spit upon and mocked. The punishment for all of it, Dear Father, I take. That they may heal and one day have peace, when the veil is lifted, and they see the light of My face.
They’ve all gone astray. There’re none good, not one. I’m afflicted, I’m oppressed, Father God, “Not my will, but Yours be done.”
I bow My head. I surrender My will. “It is finished.” It is done.
Sins debt’s been paid in full by the Son.
Do we turn and walk away with each new day? Or do we acknowledge Him and bow at His feet.  There is nothing beautiful about that old wooden cross, until one believes the report that’s been given, and finally stops … and sees how amazing love and sorrow meet:

  1. When I survey the wondrous cross
    On which the Prince of glory died,
    My richest gain I count but loss,
    And pour contempt on all my pride.
  2. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
    Save in the death of Christ my God!
    All the vain things that charm me most,
    I sacrifice them to His blood.
  3. See from His head, His hands, His feet,
    Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
    Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
    Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
  4. Were the whole realm of nature mine,
    That were a present far too small;
    Love so amazing, so divine,
    Demands my soul, my life, my all.   (Isaac Watts, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross).         

 

Revival Great, one heart at a time, even today, let us believe in faith

This is my prayer, today and tomorrow, no matter what is happening, as the media goes wild. Proclaiming as news – stress, lies, and sorrow – my prayer is for the children, not just my own, but all the children in this tattered world, red, brown, black, white, and yellow:
“Jesus, draw Your children near to You, even today. That our hearts would sing and speak Your praise. That we would grow in trust as we move and be.
That we cast every care as they mount up as the sea. And our life would have a new melody: “Create a clean heart O God in me. (1) That I might tell others of Your great deliverance for me. That they in turn, see You and believe.
From my battle of ‘me’ to Thee, faith in You Jesus, brings the daily victory.”
“Oh that this would be the prayer of the children, one child at a time drawing near to You, with the main focus in living: would be to please You. To follow You, to walk with You daily, in Your pages. To experience Your Spirit lifting them above the filth and strife of wages. That in every occupation of life, Your children would go out and have joy, peace, and life – and with the glorious gifts You give, and Individually hand to each one, may they shine like a light,… that the lies will be drown.
Let us have praise in our hearts, because we have received salvation, not by our  own efforts, It’s His work that’s been done. Let us finally start living, as we lay it all at the cross, and rise up new creations, let us publish the Son!” Amen, Amen- would you agree and say: “Amen!” again? Dear Jesus, we anticipate revival within!
 
(1) Psalm 51:10,

Psalm 51:7-17: Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
    wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
    let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins,
    and blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
    and renew a right[b] spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from your presence,
    and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
    and uphold me with a willing spirit.

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
    and sinners will return to you.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
    O God of my salvation,
    and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
    and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
    you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

 
 

When 'me' battles with Thee. But God brings victory

“Sea billows roar and foam! Fear and doubt that a crash will come! “Save us, O God, don’t You care at all!” This lack of faith overtakes my mind, often and at times, overall.
How can You love, continually, in my failure … to believe. Haven’t I heard? Don’t I know?  that You are faithful, You are mighty. Why do I fret? Do I forget?
” The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold [our refuge, our high tower]. Selah. Pause and think calmly of that! (1)
Yes, I forget. From one moment to the next. 
But this moment is new. And “God Almighty, I choose to seek You. To call out Your name. I will not be ashamed.  Increase my faith, O God, on You I call –  Please, dear Lord, Don’t let me fall.”
“Walk me into Your peace… in believing. 
I go about on my own, ‘solo’. Forgetting You. Forgetting You!”
“Be still and know that I am God.”  Be STILL. And Know – I AM God. (2) Right now! Right here! Believe Me! My beloved, I Am here.”
“The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold [our refuge, our high tower]. Selah.” Pause and think calmly of that. 
Yes, I will pause. I will think calmly, of that!
“Jesus, draw Your children near to you today. That our hearts would sing, that we would speak Your praise. That we would grow in trust as we move and be. That we cast every care as they mount up as the sea. And our life would have a new melody: “Create a clean heart O God, in me. That I might tell others of Your great deliverance for me. That they in turn, see You and believe.”
From my battle of ‘me’ to Thee, and ultimately to Victory!
(1) Psalm 46:7.
(2) Psalm 46:10, Amplified. “Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth.”
 

Doing what's hard …

What’s hard? I’ll tell you what’s hard. It’s hard to say, “I’m sorry. I was wrong.” Well, saying the words are easy, but meaning these words from the depth of the heart, –  now that’s a whole different story.
Think of the many beautiful things that could be, if we human beings could do what’s hard. But I’m not even talking about saying, “I’m sorry, I was wrong to a person nearby or far – even though that is needed so very much, and is also so very hard. But I’m talking about saying these words to God:  “God, I’ve missed the mark. I’ve blown it. I’ve done things wrong. I’m sorry. I’m not sure I can even do what’s right on my own. Can You help me now, get it right?  Is there forgiveness with You? Will  You give me a new start? 
Don’t think for a minute that God is like people! People don’t forgive easy. They put up a big fight. But Jesus …
God knows the beginning from the end. He is the Beginning and the End! The Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, three in one at the creation. Eve was deceived. She ate the fruit. Adam followed suit and we’ve got this mess we’re in, over and over again. But what does Adam do? He blames the woman God gave to him. And she blamed the serpent, who led her astray. This was a very dark day, indeed. But God watches us play it over and over again, throughout his-tor-y!
Jesus is a gentle Man. Jesus is an Able Man. Jesus is a Willing Servant to take what we owe and pay it in full, “It’s been done, my friend. ”
Psalm 103:12, “as far as the east is from the west,
    so far does he remove our transgressions from us.”
Not only that, our wrongs, our sins have been buried at the bottom of the sea, Micah 7:19, “Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!”
Doing what’s hard? We don’t even come close. Jesus endured hatred and shame, pain, and humiliation . He was rejected, He was mocked, He was misunderstood but He had  only one thought…
“Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”
“Father, forgive them, … can you and I even come close to comprehend that?
 

So much need, Dear Lord, I choose to exalt Thee …

“It’s too much…There is pain all around. There is loss, and unrest. The pressures mount. Deliverance and healing, and an outpouring of grace, is what I pray as  I seek Your face.
When my heart is overwhelmed, Dear Lord, lead me to the Rock.(1)
Help me not walk in circles, instead, Your name I will raise. For, ‘Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised.’ (2) At this very moment  I will exalt Thee, O God.
I will acknowledge my Father in heaven, I will proclaim You my King. I will lay down my burdens, and make choice to sing.
“Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised. Your greatness is unsearchable, it’s past finding out. The babies and infants praise You with joy, the children skip and sing of Your love ever more. I will speak of Your glorious majesty and honor. In my weakness and sorrow, I will rest in You-my strong tower.
Dear Lord Jesus, When I don’t know what to do, when my heart is overwhelmed-I will exalt You.
I will lift up prayer and requests all around, with words from this Psalm, My Jesus, hear our hearts sound:

 “I will exalt You, my God, O King,
And [with gratitude and submissive wonder] I will bless Your name forever and ever.
2 
Every day I will bless You and lovingly praise You;
Yes, [with awe-inspired reverence] I will praise Your name forever and ever.
3 
Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised,
And His greatness is [so vast and profound as to be] unsearchable [incomprehensible to man].
4 
One generation shall praise Your works to another,
And shall declare Your mighty and remarkable acts.
5 
On the glorious splendor of Your majesty
And on Your wonderful works, I will meditate.
6 
People will speak of the power of Your awesome acts,
And [with gratitude and submissive wonder] I will tell of Your greatness.
7 
They will overflow [like a fountain] when they speak of Your great and abundant goodness
And will sing joyfully of Your righteousness.

8 
The Lord is gracious and full of compassion,
Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.
9 
The Lord is good to all,
And His tender mercies are over all His works [the entirety of things created].
10 
All Your works shall give thanks to You and praise You, O Lord,
And Your godly ones will bless You.
11 
They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom
And talk of Your power,
12 
To make known to the sons of men Your mighty acts
And the glorious majesty of Your kingdom.
13 
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And Your dominion endures throughout all generations.

14 
The Lord upholds all those [of His own] who fall
And raises up all those who are bowed down.
15 
The eyes of all look to You [in hopeful expectation],
And You give them their food in due time.
16 
You open Your hand
And satisfy the desire of every living thing.

17 
The Lord is [unwaveringly] righteous in all His ways
And gracious and kind in all His works.
18 
The Lord is near to all who call on Him,
To all who call on Him in truth (without guile).
19 
He will fulfill the desire of those who fear and worship Him [with awe-inspired reverence and obedience];
He also will hear their cry and will save them.
20 
The Lord keeps all who love Him,
But all the wicked He will destroy.
21 
My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
And all flesh will bless and gratefully praise His holy name forever and ever.” Psalm 145:, Amplified

 
 
(1) Psalm 61:2
(2) Psalm 145:1
(3) Psalm 145:2

Mind craze in the maze …

You and I live in a broken world. The attack, the battle, the unrest is in our minds. Playing havok with our peace, our thinking destroys us, even in our sleep.
There are pressures just to  survive. Our physical needs must be met or we’re weak, our emotional needs need met or we weep, our spiritual needs? There’s no time for that…
at least, that’s how we’ve been taught by professors to think.
Add to that, through the course of the day, media at our eyes notice constantly to say,  “You’re incomplete, you now  need this!” “You need more, and more – come out to our store!”
It’s like we entered the fairgrounds, striving to win the biggest prize. But it all seems twisted somehow –  impossible – and instead of that wonderful prize, (that we just saw with the other guy) –  we simply get the dollar-store size.
But out of nowhere, a ‘voice crying in the wilderness,’ says, “Turn around’. Where it came from, I’m not sure. I never heard a sound!
I’ve heard these words before, John the Baptist, we all know:  “Turn around , the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (1) But the mind brings the battle. Thoughts bring me down, when, unlike a child, I rebel and twist things around. The maze has me spinning, I feel I can no longer stand …
unlike a child, who simply takes the father’s hand.
“He was a weird dude, and his word went against what’s natural inside. Anyway, what would people think? The mind, the crazy games, the battles divide – “I’m not going to listen! This is judgement on his part. Who is he to tell me what I should do, beside!”
‘Turn around, the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ …
“What if that’s true? Plain and simple. What do these words mean anyway? The craze continues, confusion follows through.”
“Today! Today! Come follow Me,
Turn around once for salvation and grace.
Make Me your Shepherd, that I might give you all you need. I AM the one who will make you to rest, to lie down on green pastures and lead you in what’s best… I am the One sent by the Father, I am the Son,
I have come that you might have life, abundant and blessed.”
“What makes me hesitate? What makes me stall? The battle rages – is this all there is to life after all?”
“Trust in Me and feed on My faithfulness. Delight yourself in Me, I am able to give you the desires of your heart.” “Today, today , I call you by name, I lead you out, I don’t drive you alone. Dwell in My pastures, I protect and provide, and I love you more than My life.”
“Follow Me through the gospels on the shelf.  Open it up and read it yourself. I am there, come with Me… ‘Today’ is the first day, of the rest of your life.”-Jesus
 
(1) (Matthew 3:2, paraphrase, mine).

When a picture speaks every word …

About the art, the theme to my blog –
The Artist: Jonathan Rypkema/ The Hand of God. “My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago, (2010) and it came as a shock to my whole family. Through these struggles the concept of this piece was discovered. The hand formed by waves is symbolic of the presence of God and how He is there with you through hard times, whether it may be sickness or the loss of a loved one.” – Jonathan
I needed this visual when going through my cancer fight years ago. I need this visual every day going through the ‘momentary light afflictions’ of each day.
Today. Today. Today …”Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding.
 Seek his will in all you do,
    and he will show you which path to take.” (Proverbs 3:5,6).
“How do I trust?” You might ask in your heart. “Call out to God! Have you received His Son?
‘For God so loved you, that He gave us Jesus. To all who believe, He gives life evermore. He forgives us our sin, He took it all on the cross. And He gives us power to forgive, to live a new, and to trust!
Ask Him in your life. Make Him center today, Today! He is only a prayer away. The Hand of God is there for you, for all who believe, for all who choose. He is not distant, He’s not far. He is with us. He’s given us His word and His Spirit. Draw near to Him, don’t delay one single minute. –toni

Psalm 40. For the choir director: A psalm of David.

1 I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
    and he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
    out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
    and steadied me as I walked along.
3 He has given me a new song to sing,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
    They will put their trust in the Lord.

4 Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord,
    who have no confidence in the proud
    or in those who worship idols.
5 O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us.
    Your plans for us are too numerous to list.
    You have no equal.
If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds,
    I would never come to the end of them.

6 You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings.
    Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand[a]—
    you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings.
7 Then I said, “Look, I have come.
    As is written about me in the Scriptures:
8 I take joy in doing your will, my God,
    for your instructions are written on my heart.”

9 I have told all your people about your justice.
    I have not been afraid to speak out,
    as you, O Lord, well know.
10 I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart;
    I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power.
I have told everyone in the great assembly
    of your unfailing love and faithfulness.

11 Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me.
    Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me.
12 For troubles surround me—
    too many to count!
My sins pile up so high
    I can’t see my way out.
They outnumber the hairs on my head.
    I have lost all courage.

13 Please, Lord, rescue me!
    Come quickly, Lord, and help me.
14 May those who try to destroy me
    be humiliated and put to shame.
May those who take delight in my trouble
    be turned back in disgrace.
15 Let them be horrified by their shame,
    for they said, “Aha! We’ve got him now!”

16 But may all who search for you
    be filled with joy and gladness in you.
May those who love your salvation
    repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!”
17 As for me, since I am poor and needy,
    let the Lord keep me in his thoughts.
You are my helper and my savior.
    O my God, do not delay.”(Psalm 40, the Word of God).

Have you received God’s Son? Ask Him in your life. Talk to Him. Believe,  TODAY! He is only a prayer away.- I am alive, today – but best of all, I am alive forevermore!  -Toni 

 
 

"… Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all ."

“Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all!” (Eighth 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 foundationsof 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!