The important is never urgent.

The important is never urgent…’
“Right here! Right now! Deadlines – are No fun! But deadlines are  good, (and it’s a fact most of us know), that without the ‘deadline’ nothing would get done.
But it is also quite true, if we can just remember, that the important is never urgent. The ‘important’ is never
u-r-g-e-n-t.  ‘The Important’ sometimes waits on and on…
So today, “Lord, will you slow down my step and illuminate what’s important. What’s important to You? Please make it important to me. And dear Lord, about all this important stuff, will you give me a heart of urgency?”
In Your name I pray, Lord Jesus Who shows me how…but may the light go off and I ‘get it’ somehow.”
 

An upside down kind of 'happy!'

“Blessed,” (or ‘happy’), are the poor in spirit…” Matthew 5:3.
How can that be? Whatever does this all mean? “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Some words have been penned, many years ago, by a late Rev. Johnson Oatman. He was told the story of how Rev. Daniel Curry once dreamed that he had died and now stood before  the Judgement.
You’ve probably never heard these words, in that they were written so long ago, but they are amazingly powerful, you will see-
because in the end, even if  we have not much to show on earth, if we have a ‘Friend that sticks closer than a brother’, we see, that He will answer for me:
“Who will answer for me, when, life’s battles all past, I shall stand at the bar of the Judgement at last, When before me the Judge of all nations I see, In that terrible hour, who will answer for me?”
“Oh, how dark all my past, as from there I look back. Many sins and mistakes will count on my track, Scarce a single good deed on my record I see, And I cry in despair, “Who will answer for me?”
Justice there will I see with the scales in her hand, And I know I shall quake as upon them I stand; Weigh’d and found wanting” there, as no doubt I shall be In my weakness and fear; – Who will answer for me?”
“When the Judge shall at last call my name from the roll, And shall ask, “Who will answer for this guilty soul?” Then my Savior will turn with compassion t’ward me, And His sweet voice will say, I will answer for thee!”
Saviour, help me to walk close to thee day by day, When I hear thy commands may I trust and obey; While I live may I ever to thee faithful be, Then at last hear Thee say, “I will answer for Thee!” (Who will Answer for Me’ Rev. Johnson  Oatman,Jr.)
So, perhaps your heart is heavy and filled with great sadness. Perhaps you no friend near in sight. Perhaps you feel dark and so lonely inside, let these true words  bring in some light.
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8). “Blessed, (or happy) is the people whose God is the LORD.” (Psalm 33:12).
Pour out your sadness to the God Who hears.  Pull up the Comforter of the Spirit as you draw and read His word. “Blessed, (or happy) is the man whose sins are forgiven.”  This treasure of joy is found in Psalm 32 verse 1. Let the God of compassion rain down the warmth and forgiveness of His Son.
Jesus gave His life, so that we might have it today. So let us ‘humble ourselves before the Mighty God of heaven, that He might lift us up’ and give us joy and victory. And in that hour, we will will know the answer to the hard and dark question: “Who will answer for me?”
We can hear His voice, even today and rejoice, ‘When the Judge shall at last call my name from the roll, And shall ask, “Who will answer for this guilty soul? We will see our Savior turn with compassion, and hear His sweet voice speak, …
“I will answer for Thee!”
“Blessed, (or happy) are the poor in spirit”, this is true, (when we know that He is good and we are not). He is the One, and we believe and thank Him – for this is ‘the kingdom of heaven!’

"Listen to this message from the LORD,…"

“Listen to this message from the LORD, you nations of the world; proclaim it in distant coastlands:
“The LORD, who scattered His people will gather them and watch over them as a shepherd does his flock. For the LORD has redeemed Israel from those too strong for them. They will come home and sing songs of joy on the heights if Jerusalem. They will be radiant because of the LORD’s good gifts-
The abundant crops if grain, new wine, and olive oil, the healthy flicks and herds. Their lives will be like a watered garden and all their sorrows will be gone.
The young women will dance for joy, and the men- old and young- will join in celebration. I will turn their mourning into joy.
I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing. The priests will enjoy abundance, and My people will feast on My good gifts.” ( This is the word of the LORD, Jeremiah 31:10-14).
Did you hear what I hear?! I hear hope! I hear mercy and compassion. God is love!
But there is even more: “This is what the LORD says: “A cry is heard in Ramah- deep anguish and bitter weeping. Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted – for her children are gone.” But now this is what the LORD says:
“Do not weep any longer, for I will reward you,” says the LORD. “Your children will come back to you from the distant land of the enemy. There is hope for your future,” says the LORD. “Your children will come again to their own land.”(Jeremiah 31:15-17).
God is all-knowing. We can trust Him completely.
 

The most beautiful gift that can ever be received…

…and I know you have the ‘Sunday School Answer’ right on your lips, and you’re thinking,” This is all she ever talks about, everyday-it’s Jesus.” But maybe you’ve never experienced insecurity and loneliness. Maybe you’ve never been surrounded by fears and anxieties or felt that deep ‘pit’ of darkness. Maybe your anger never rages inside, and maybe, you’ve got ‘it’ all under control…
well, not I.
But, it happened one day, for salvation from sin, and it happens everyday-over, and over again-“Help me!” I called, and on that day He answered me. And, “Help me!” I call and He’s right there, with me.
You see, the Father, He gave the Best Gift of all- oh no, He doesn’t ‘give peace’ He is PEACE after all! He doesn’t ‘give’ rest, He IS Rest when we call,…“He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul.” 
After all of life’s struggles and opening of every other door, we finally grow tired and weary and ‘can’t take it anymore,’ so we Call out to Him and He rains down His Spirit of Truth, of power, of great authority…
and then we have to admit- “God loves…me.”
“For God so loved me He gave the greatest gift of all. He gave His Son, that my life might finally have purpose and shape and happiness and hope, that my life would be empowered to stop walking in darkness, and instead…walk in LOVE.
So, I guess it’s true, I think I play a 1-stringed guitar! I talk about Jesus, because He’s more than a Sunday School answer to me –  my deliverer, my fortress, my comfort, my Love. So, I sing and write and I talk of Him, it’s true -and  I pray and pray that you have the most blessed Christmas ever because this year, you receive the Gift of the Son, Jesus – He came for…you.
He came to bring salvation to all who would believe, and He also pours out His Spirit, if we ask Him and receive! No more will these ‘feeble hands’ hang down for us – this is a new day, and in this day we will trust. We will receive the love of Jesus and let it ‘splash’ from our lives! “Merry Christmas!” we can say, because Christ… He’s changed us inside!
“A Psalm of David, Psalm 138:1-8). “I will praise You with my whole heart; Before the gods I will sing praises to You. I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your Truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.
In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul. All the kings of the earth shall praise You, O LORD, when they hear the words of Your mouth. Yes, they shall sing of the ways of the LORD, For great is the glory of the LORD. Though the LORD is on high, Yet He regards the lowly; But the proud He knows from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand Against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me. 
The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.”
“Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay, close by me forever and love me I pray. bless all the dear children, in Thy tender care…and take us to heaven to live with Thee there!”

a poem, His word, a comfort today…

“Darkness and doubts had veil’d my mind, and drown’d my eyes in tears, Till, like the sun, my Savior’s face, Dispell’d my gloomy fears.
Oh, what immortal joys I felt, And raptures all divine, When Jesus told me I was his, And my beloved mine!
In vain the tempter frights my soul, And breaks my peace in vain; One glimpse, dear Savior, of thy face Revives my joys again.”  (This poem with power to change one’s mind,  is written by C.H. Spurgeon.)
This is Christmas time, with so much on our plate! How can we set aside time to seek the Lord’s face? He taught me so much when all thought ‘oh, this is ‘bad!’ “A ‘cancer diagnosis’, with chemo-(even during Christmas) oh such dread!” But, now, I can  tell you, God used it ALL for good! In every single bitty part, God used it as He would.
There is a story in God’s word in Luke Chapter 13, of a woman who had been sick 18 long and painful  years. She was ‘bowed down’ in her spine. This poor woman couldn’t stand and hold her head up, her face couldn’t be seen.
But “Jesus saw her, and called her to Him, and said, “Woman, you are loosed from your sickness and pain.” And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she lifted her spine again.” (Luke 8:11-13, paraphrased by me), but there is only a comma, that wasn’t the end of the sentence, “and she glorified God,” – THEN the sentence was complete!
Let the stories encourage your heart, let the poems bring a hunger deep inside, to draw nearer to Jesus than ever before – even waking and reading His word before you pass out your door:  “Jesus saw her…”
and He sees you too. He knows everything about us, E-V-E-R-Y-THING. So, most likely we are all like this woman, who had suffered many years, and was bowed over, and couldn’t even stand…we all are like this woman in Luke 8, but Jesus saw her, and called her to Him.
And that is what He does, time and time again. We are not all physical, we have emotions and a mind.They each need a touch from the Lord, each has hunger and sickness, each need healing, each in its own time. Body, mind and soul…each find themselves at different times bowed down very low – ‘But Jesus saw, and called her to Him,’ and He graciously touched her with His beautiful hand and immediately healed her, so she now could stand! Stand and give glory, give glory to God because He had touched her with His righteous right hand.
Oh, that we hear His call of love and compassion. Oh, that we would look up to see His grace-filled eyes. Oh, that we would stop and breathe in His presence and be loosed from sickness and pain. Oh that, having faith to believe He is right here! This is how He immediately ‘loosens’ our bonds, this is how He eases the pain.
Our gracious Jesus, He heals everything!
“In vain the tempter frights my soul, And breaks my peace in vain; One glimpse, dear Savior, of thy face Revives my joys again.
Oh, what immortal joys I felt, And raptures all divine, When Jesus told me I was his, And my beloved mine!
In vain the tempter frights my soul, And breaks my peace in vain; One glimpse, dear Savior, of thy face Revives my joys again.”  (What a wonderful encouragement, from CH Spurgeon).
 

"There's no room in this Inn!"PLEASE Change your mind!

“There’s no room!” You can’t come in! We are all full! Go, and find different place!”
These words are familiar to every child who has heard, the story of Mary and Joseph  traveling, when she was near to deliver – ‘how absurd!’
“Go find a different place!” Take down the Landmarks!” “Get God out of the schools-no prayers-no mention of Jesus in the public squares!”
“Where is there room? To receive His precious grace?” “Where is there room, for the King to reveal His face?””Where can He be born? The King of all mankind? Where is there room for Love Divine?”
There is an answer! God gave it Himself!” It’s hidden in a treasure of words, perhaps dusty on the shelf! But it’s there, and He’s waiting and He knows all things – He knows your name. He’s alive, remember-He died and rose again!”
The birth of the King happens in places rough and low. It’s in the story that we know – but do we really know? The story has become starched and stiff and fitted on fire-place mantles, yet it’s dead and forgotten…as we light up the candles.
So, here it goes, straight from His word, in Isaiah 35 – powerful and full of hope and delight. So if your heart is stuck in a ‘desert place’ – rejoice! You are ever so close to even see His very face, as you draw near to Him in your rough ‘wilderness’ and He restores your sight and brings light to your night:

“Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days.
    The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses.
2 Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers
    and singing and joy!
The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon,
    as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon.
There the Lord will display his glory,
    the splendor of our God.
3 With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands,
    and encourage those who have weak knees.
4 Say to those with fearful hearts,
    “Be strong, and do not fear,
for your God is coming to destroy your enemies.
    He is coming to save you.”

5 And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind
    and unplug the ears of the deaf.
6 The lame will leap like a deer,
    and those who cannot speak will sing for joy!
Springs will gush forth in the wilderness,
    and streams will water the wasteland.
7 The parched ground will become a pool,
    and springs of water will satisfy the thirsty land.
Marsh grass and reeds and rushes will flourish
    where desert jackals once lived.” (Isaiah 35: verses 1 through seven, New Living Translation. Hope for the hurting and broken and lost, because there’s room in the desert, He can find entrance there. There’s room in the solitary place,  yes, there is room for Him there!

8 And a great road will go through that once deserted land.
    It will be named the Highway of Holiness.
Evil-minded people will never travel on it.
    It will be only for those who walk in God’s ways;
    fools will never walk there.
9 Lions will not lurk along its course,
    nor any other ferocious beasts.
There will be no other dangers.
    Only the redeemed will walk on it.
10 Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return.
    They will enter Jerusalem[a] singing,
    crowned with everlasting joy.
Sorrow and mourning will disappear,
    and they will be filled with joy and gladness.” (Isaiah 35:1-10, New Living Translation).

“Joy to the world the Lord is come. Let earth receive her King. Let every heart…

prepare Him room. And heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing: “Joy to the World!”

 

 

A bent arrow needs to go.

Set up the bulls-eye.

Stand back.

Pull back on the string.

Send off the arrow.

One thing you learn, early on,  when wanting to have a successful shot in archery, is,  the condition of the arrow matters.

Does the arrow keep missing the mark?

It could be more than simply a bad aim.

Is the shaft straight on the arrow?

Are the fletching (feathers) correct?

Is there an index vane?

All of these things come into play in order to shoot a bullseye.

Words are like arrows.

Words carry energy.

What’s the condition of the arrow?

Yet, before the word comes out of the mouth, it’s the state of the heart that matters:

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of, Luke 6:45.

“They . . . ” or,

“It’s all their fault!“

“This situation is hopeless!”

“This is the way things will be forever!”

Warning: Bent arrow.

Is there a repair for a bent arrow?

No. A bent arrow needs to be renewed.

When the arrows of my thoughts are bent, they aim at the ground, or to the left, or far right. Things just don’t fly right. This brings discouragement in every direction.

It’s time to think straight. It’s time for a new arrow of thought:

” Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God,” Hebrews 11.
Fear thoughts are easy to come by. Listen to the news everyday.  Open medical bills that insurance won’t pay.  Drive a car that is worn out in need of repair. Step outside your door.

Fear is a temptation we all have come our way.
But faith in God is a remedy of hope. No matter what.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you, 1 Peter 5:7.

 

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 12:5,6). 

” Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” (Hebrews 11).
Fear thoughts are easy to come by: listen to the news everyday,  or open the accumulating bills that continually come your way.
We might not speak, but thoughts flow inside: “I’m worried about this.  I’m not sure about that!” 
But God’s word brings great repair to the ‘arrow’ of fear: “Cast all your cares on Me,  because I care for you.” (1 Peter 5:7).
“God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5: 5-7).
God has a plan, and it is for good. To prosper and not to harm.
“God, help me believe and agree with You and Your thoughts toward me today.”
“Man aught always to pray and not lose heart.”(Luke 18:1).
Fear and Doubt thoughts are so easy as the bow of life gets pulled back and the arrows of our thoughts fly here there and everywhere and bend and the fletching falls off, and even the point breaks:
“I can’t go on!” or “I’m too tired. It’s too hard for me.” or “Everyone’s against me, Nobody loves me!”
But the hand of the Archer, He hears the cry, “Help me!” (Psalm 119:86).
The cry is also heard, “Revive me!” (Psalm 119:88),  when the ‘words of our mouth and the meditation of our hearts’ need to change from ‘fear to faith.’
Jesus speaks and has remedy to our bent and messed up ‘arrows of thought that ‘miss the mark’: “Deny yourself…” 
Deny yourself thoughts that bring fear and doubt. “Deny yourself ...”
“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. (Matthew 16:24).
These words are repeated three times in the Bible. Perhaps we think on these words:
“Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23).
We need to ‘deny ourselves’ the depressive thoughts and look to God and His word.
We need to deny ourselves the ‘fear’ and ‘doubt’ and pick up the ‘cross’ as Jesus prayed, “Not  My will but Yours be done.”( Luke 22:42).
We need to put off the  thoughts that are continually defeating us, depleting us, paralyzing us. Even in a third gospel are the words: “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Mark 8:34). 
Not ‘my’ will, that is ‘self-destructive, but God’s will be done. God’s will is that we think on what things are true, and noble and pure and lovely and just and of a good report. (Phil 4:8).
“Your will be done, our Father in heaven.”
“Be confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ.” (Phil. 1:6).
What words are we thinking?
Let’s,“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving , let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ( Phil 4:6,7).
Let’s repair the arrows.
“All things are possible with God.” (Luke 18:27)
 God’s “grace is sufficient, for when we are weak, His strength is made perfect.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
“God did not send His Son in the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved! (John 3:17).
Words Power for good or bad.
God’s amazing Word has power to save and heal and restore and wash and light and feed – and even so much more – now that’s hitting the bulls-eye.
Struggling to find the right words to think, perhaps speaking in this hymn will straighten that arrow for God’s amazing grace:
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.
vs. 2: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.
vs. 3:Thro’ death into life everlasting He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion For more than conqu’rors we are!

"O God, how we need an 'oil of joy for mourning…"

Only God can speak, as all must remain silent…only God can speak, Words only from our Suffering Servant.
Breathed out by God Himself, are words no longer just sitting on the shelf. Not today, with great affliction and sorrow, with mourning and sadness, today our ears are open as we’ve been ‘made to lie down’ (Psalm 23). Please ‘lead us beside the still waters,’ Please restore our souls! In this silence, may Your gentle Voice be the only sound.”
“Jesus, You are not only abiding in the distant stars, You’re also abiding in our broken hearts, it’s true – as we have no breath to give You praise, but You can see our hearts and they’re clinging to You.”
“We only want to hear from You, Jesus. We only want to hear Your voice. These are confusing days, so much noise and so many opinions – we need Your Voice above the noise! We need comfort, we need Comfort, please speak… we offer a sacrifice of praise. Please speak to us that we might remember Your ways:”
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified Me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor and afflicted; He has sent Me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty tot he [physical and spiritual] captives, and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound; (Isaiah 61:1).
I AM Jesus, I have beautiful feet. Hear My words in your brokenness and ‘suffer’ Me to  speak:
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, …To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord – the year of His favor – and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;” (Isaiah 61:2).
“Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the LORD.””(Romans 12:19).
Remember the story. It is written for you…take comfort, the greatest prophet of men, John (the Baptist) asked these words when he was in prison:
“Are You He Who was to come, or should we keep on expecting a different one? And Jesus replied to them, (the messengers sent by John), “Go and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed (by healing), and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news (the Gospel) preached to them. And blessed – happy, fortunate and to be envied – is he who takes no offense at Me, and finds no cause for stumbling in or through Me, and is not hindered from seeing the Truth.” (Matthew 11:4-6).
“Hearken to Me…look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the hole in the quarry from which you were dug…” ( ‘this is My word to you, I AM able to see you through!)
Hear now My words, let them saturate your dry and brittle bones, ‘I AM your Rock, your fortress, your deliverer, I AM God, a firm strength in which you can trust and take refuge. I AM your shield, the horn of your salvation, I AM your High Tower.’ (Psalm 18:2). ‘Call to Me, I will save you from your enemies, I AM worthy of your praise.” (Psalm 18:3).
Remember Me, see what is written, hear with your ears – My Bride, my precious one, my Word was written with blood, sweat, and tears: “…and behold, a white horse [appeared]! The One Who was riding it is called Faithful (trustworthy, loyal, incorruptible, steady) and True, and He passes judgement and wages war in righteousness – holiness, justice and uprightness.”(Revelation 19:11).
“(My) eyes [blaze] like a flame of fire, and on My head are many crowns; and I have a title inscribed which I alone know or understand.” (Rev. 19:12).
“I AM dressed in a robe dyed by dipping in blood, and the title by which I AM called is the Word of God.” (Revelation 19:13).
“From My mouth goes forth a sharp sword with which I can smite (afflict, strike) the nations, and I will shepherd and control them with a staff (scepter, rod) of iron.” (Revelation 19:15).
“I will tread thew wine press of the fierceness of the wrath and indignation of God the All-Ruler – the Almighty, the Omnipotent.” (Revelation 19: 15).
“And on My garment (robe) and on My thigh I have a name inscribed, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:16).
My word is true. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts… (and) My word be that goes out of My mouth; it shall not return to Me void – without producing any effect, – but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”(Isaiah 55:9-11).
Open My word. It is My letter of love to you: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness, I have drawn you and have continue My faithfulness to you…” (Jeremiah 31:3).
“Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know – do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand. ” ( Jeremiah 33:3), and yes, all the Word I have for you today is Amplified.
“Call to Me.” I hear your cry,”
Jesus.
 
 
 
 

"We will never understand, but Prince of Peace we cry out to YOU!"

When I think of children losing their daddies and mommies and even grandmas to terror in this day…A new song we sing to You Jesus, …a new song we sing, today…
“How can I think on what is a good report when terror has stolen from my very own heart?
Pour down more, than words can ever express, Dear Lord Jesus, the children are crying, we suffer unimaginable stress!
Prince of Peace, the Great I AM – I cry to You, I will NEVER understand. Lift us Jesus, in Your gentle Hand. Hold us near to Your heart, NOW! Like never before, pour out Your grace on us – make our beds, wipe our tears, Dear Lord Jesus be ever so near!
’cause what I know, that “Jesus loves me so,” I can’t even hold on to…all this You know.
But Your Spirit is present, Faith will not fail…It’s Christmas time, ‘Immanuel’-God be with me! Be with me now, and our family: “Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay, close by me forever and love me, I pray…” though I am bleeding and weeping and hurting so deep, so deep inside- Jesus, I love You. I will worship You still.
“Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good…” Your Good word has told me,… so I cling to You, as I should! There is nothing in the world for me, but Your Voice and Your  gentle touch… I will cling to You in my pain – You know all about it…during the Passion and death on the cross.
I will Remember You, as ‘You prepare a Table before me in the presence of my enemies’.  Table of Communion, the broken bread and blood that You shed. You are God. You are all Might.
“I love Thee Lord Jesus, please hold me real tight, and Comfort me now…Be the  Light …to my night.”

The Seed of Love is Jesus

Songs…touching  places that can’t be reached in common conversation. Poetry, songs, hymns and psalms plus some  added strings for vibration – and the waters of our soul are touched and what was without hope… is moved again, to believe. Oh, the songs that we sing…
The world can leave us bitter and torn all apart, and our mind will form its own truth as it recovers from a bleeding heart.  The words of a song have been written and some do know its tone:
“Some say love, it is a river that drowns the tender reed
 Some say love, it is a razor that leaves your soul to bleed
 Some say love, it is a hunger an endless aching need…” (The Rose, Bette Midler),
but somehow, in the emptiness, in the coldness of it all -the Creator of the Universe, has created the answer in hidden places –  in pictures for us all. It might take a whole life-time, or perhaps as young as 5 or even 10 – but I change one letter of an old beloved song, and capitalize the ‘you’… to ‘You’ – it’s the birth of hope… again:
“I say love, it is a flower and You, it’s only seed”. (The Rose, capitalized the ‘you’, by me.)
Yes, I say Love, it is a flower, and You, it’s only Seed.
 The day we choose to believe, the day we choose to receive…each day upon another, step by step growing in Him the ‘Seed’ of hope for today, the ‘Seed’ of hope for tomorrow, we discover through the endless wait and the perseverance of time…that what He says is ‘true’ and the grasping of it all is HOPE DIVINE: (John 15:1-11):
“[]I am the true Vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that continues to bear fruit, He [repeatedly] prunes, so that it will bear more fruit [even richer and finer fruit]. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have given you [the teachings which I have discussed with you].4 Remain in Me, and I [will remain] in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself without remaining in the vine, neither can you [bear fruit, producing evidence of your faith] unless you remain in Me. 5 []I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me]you can do nothing.”
This is the Word of God, which cleanses and makes you free.
 The rose, has incredible beauty… but there are thorns, oh yes, we know. His word pours forth beauty but there are thorns of warning – yes, ‘the Bible tells me so’:
 6 If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken off] branch, and withers and dies; and they gather such branches and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.”
These are hard words, but perhaps these words will SAVE our lives!
Perhaps that’s why many reject His Truth, because they only look at the consequences of what it’s like if one never turns. But, oh, I pray so passionately, but not even close to His passionate prayers, that all would see Him as He is, willing to take the heat, be beat, take the thorns, take the scorn, walk the via Delorosa for lost souls like me, in pain beyond belief and weakness unimaginable…oh, I pray that the people of this world would finally see…
“It’s the heart, afraid of breaking that never learns to dance
It’s the dream, afraid of waking that never takes the chance
It’s the one who won’t be taken who cannot seem to give
And the soul, afraid of dying that never learns to live…” (the Rose by Bette Midler).
And the soul afraid of dying that never learns to live…
When the night has been too lonely and the road has been too long
And you think that Love is only for the lucky and the strong…
“Just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snow
Lies the Seed that with the Son’s love, in the spring becomes The Rose”. (the Rose by Bette Midler, with some capitals and letter changes, mine!)
“The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.” (John 12:23), Jesus came, Jesus died, Jesus rose that we might live, He is the Rose of Sharon the Lily of the Valley, He is life in me, when in fact I choose to die:
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. (John 12: 24). 
“He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” John chapter twelve verse 25.
The Seed of Love is Jesus. Oh, yes, the Seed has a very piercing point…but allow God to plant His Seed of Love in your hurting and broken heart. He is so beautiful and so powerful so great and so mighty, that you will be changed from sorrow to joy – yes, let Him touch and anoint!
 
“When the night has been too lonely and the road has been too long
And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snow…
Lies the Seed of the Son’s Love, in the spring becomes the Rose (the Rose by Bette Midler, modified to bring glory to the Creator and Lover of our souls, by me).
Today let Him abide in your heart, simply ask Him in. It’s easy, yet oh so hard for us humans…Jesus is patient and long-suffering!

 

He fills our hearts with songs of deliverance when tempted to be afraid!

‘He’, meaning God…  is The Conductor of all time, breathing songs written long ago, in the age old Book, the Bible. The words have been written, so music can pour from our hearts- yes, there is no fear in Love! He has songs of deliverance.
When the old pages of the timeless Book are opened, Power pours forth as His Spirit speaks what’s True, for all who have ears, whose eyes are wide open, for those who seek God-let us ask, is this me? is this you?
Paraphrased, a Psalm written by  David long ago, so the words can roll from our tongues and calm our souls with Psalm 64:
“Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; from the terror of the enemy-guard and preserve Your saint.”
(Now don’t let this hinder you from singing this song…a ‘saint’ is one whose been covered by His blood, whose sins have been forgiven by what JESUS DID, not us. We are simply asked to ‘believe’ and ‘receive’ all that has been offered to us!)
“Hide me from the secret counsel and conspiracy of the ungodly! From those who scheme evil to destroy those You love!” (Be it terrorists or fear or doubt or depression,) “Hide me Lord, hear our voice cry to YOU above!”
“They whet their tongues like a sword, they aim venomous words like arrows, they shoot from ambush at those who are blameless, without fear or reproach they shoot at us. They encourage themselves in an evil purpose; they talk of laying secret snares, and declare, “Who will discover us?”
“They think out acts of injustice, and say, “We have accomplished a ‘well-devised thing’; for the inward thought of each one is unsearchable, and his heart is deep.”
“But God!” “But God!” “But God”, it is written, “will shoot an unexpected arrow at them, and suddenly shall they be wounded!”
God’s words is written so we may sing this song with sound, and remind each other God is in control and ‘He is a present help in trouble’, He is Able, He is Willing, He gives us songs of deliverance and His grace DOES abound!
“Yes, God will shoot an unexpected arrow at them, and they will be made to stumble. Their own tongues will be against themselves, and all who gaze upon them will shake their heads and flee.”
(We will stomp our feet on the necks of our enemies! Be it terror or fear or doubt or depression! We will run this race with endurance and a song! God is with us – today -yes,  you and me!)
“And at that time, all men shall reverently fear and be in awe, and will declare the work of God! Yes, they will wisely consider and acknowledge, ‘This is His doing- it is God’s work after all!'”
“The uncompromisingly righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall trust and take refuge in Him. Yes, all the upright in heart shall glory in Him and offer Him from their whole being, whole-hearted PRAISE!”
Praise from a heart that has been delivered! Praise from a heart set free! Praise to the One who Loves completely! Songs of deliverance will flow from our lips as our eyes behold and our arms are raised!
(This is Psalm 64, Amplified, yet paraphrased so it would somewhat rhyme that I might share it with you all, that no matter what happens, ANYONE who trust in God, will stand FOREVER strong and tall, because songs of deliverance increase power and might because our minds are thinking of Truth which transcends all sight!)
Today, today -that is what we have. May we have increased faith as we walk with a song , A song of deliverance whenever we are afraid, thanking God all the while with whole-hearted praise!
 
 
 

"O For a Faith that Will Not Shrink"

“O For a Faith that Will Not Shrink.” A hymn written by William H. Bathurst,  long ago. Recorded in a book of hymns, so I could open it up and glean, hundreds of years later, of its great power within:
“O for a faith that will not shrink, Tho’ pressed by ev’ry foe, That will not tremble on the brink Of any earthly woe!”
“That will not murmur nor complain, Beneath the chastening rod But in the hour of grief or pain, Will lean up on its God.”
“A faith that shines more bright and clear When tempests rage without; That when in danger knows no fear, In darkness feels no doubt.”
“Lord give us such a faith as this; And then whate’er may come, We’ll taste even here the hallowed bliss, Of an eternal home.” (O For a Faith that Will Not Shrink, William H. Bathurst, 1831).
Reading aloud an old hymn as this, brings my heart to cry out, “Increase my faith. To know You more, that You would be big as You are. Creator, Designer, Protector, and Friend, that “whate’er may come,” we will “lean up upon our God.”
“O for a faith that will not shrink, Tho’ pressed by every foe, That will not tremble on the brink Of any earthly woe! . . . A faith that shines more bright and clear When tempests rage without; That when in danger knows no fear, In darkness feels no doubt.’ ( O For a Faith that Will Not Shrink). 

7th Century BC words…timeless, and written for today!

This is my prayer for all the children of the world, red, brown, yellow black, and white for they are all precious in His sight… today, yes today,… leaving the past behind, and the fears of tomorrow blind-that we choose to take a breath right now –
whether we can pay the electric bill or not, or whether the love of your life is fighting to live, perhaps you are alone so much of the time, or you are searching for work at this very time- no mater the circumstance,… ‘whatever befall’-
that we would surrender our hearts and our minds for even just a moment and let the Good Lord be our only Vision.   The Father in Heaven will give  you His ear, God’s word is True: “Draw near to God, and He’ll draw near to you.”(James 4:8).
Take a breath and speak or even sing, these timeless words written for you and me  – way back in the 7th Century BC. Don’t look at me like I’m crazy, make the choice to ‘put a new song in your mouth’, Psalm 40 verse 3! Just ‘do it’ and find the our Lord is Faithful and Able and Present at THIS time! He inhabits hearts that praise hIm, let us choose to PRAISE and give Him the whine!
God is Good, and He’s knows your name.Let us take a breath and speak words that change- sad hearts and weak knees to hope and strength and …peace:
“Be Thou my vision, Lord of my heart. Not be all else to me, save that Thou art! Thou my best thought, by day or by night. Waking or sleeping Thy presence my Light.”
“Be Thou my wisdom, and 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!”
“Be Thou my battle-shield. Sword for my fight! Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight. Thou my souls shelter, Thou my High Tower. Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power, of my Power!”
“Riches I heed not. Nor man’s empty praise. Thou mine inheritance now and always! Thou and Thou only…First in my heart, High King of Heaven, my Treasure, Thou Art!”
High King of Heaven, my victory won! May I reach heaven’s joys, bright heaven’s SON! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall…Still be my Vision, O Ruler of All!”
A hymn, and a Psalm…yes, this is the remedy for CALM:

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.

Yes, we can say, “He has put a new song in my heart! I am changed for this moment. And then when I get fretful again, “Dear Lord, Be Thou my Vision, …time and time again!

Rejoice, there is no death in Christ!

The heart may stop beating and the final breath on earth is breathed, but IN Christ is life and breath forevermore!
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us…” ( Ephesions 1:7).
God’s word is perfect, converting the soul; His word, the Bible – ‘the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple…'(Psalm -9:7,8).
When someone dies whom we love so deeply, there is none other than God who can comfort. Only God. His word is gentle and sure and provides the next breath for those who suffer so painfully …loss.
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. ” (2 Corinthians 5:16).
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at things that are seen, but at things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”( 2 Corinthians 5:17,18).
“For we know that if our earthly house, this tent is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”(2 Corinthians5:1).
God’s word. Truth. God’s word, alone- our comfort.
May this be a song we sing and have abiding in our thoughts at this time: (Psalm  91). “He who dwells in the secret place if the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of th Almighty.”
“I will say of the LORD,”He is my refuge and my fortress. My God, in Him will I trust.”
“Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His truth shall be your shield and your buckler.”
“You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday…”
“For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all His ways…”(Psalms 91:1-6,12).
The voice of Jesus is the only comfort in this great time of trial:”Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him…”(psalm 91:14-15).
And we must remember, ‘long life’ IS everlasting life for eternity with the One who loves perfectly – our Husband, Jesus!
And the Lord will speak the final words :” …with long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation!”( Psalm 91:16, exclamation point, mine!)
Amen! The truth sets us free and comforts deeply.
“The judgements of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” (Psalm -6:10)!
This is comfort from the Lord.

People! People! There is an Instruction Manual, you know!

People! People! There is an Instruction Manuel, you know!
If you are tired of walking in circles there IS a place to go!
Don’t turn on the news to find out the plan – that Bible on the shelf and the one you saw on the back of the pew, it proclaims all you need for instruction and especially some MUCH NEEDED Good News!
Yes, I write as a child, but quite frankly we’ve been misdirected! We’ve gotten ‘smart in our own eyes’ to think that we can ‘Go it without God’ – that we’ve ‘evolved’ through eons of time to become, oh, so wise!
So, we build high towers that reach to the heavens and men and women in suits meet in conference rooms and fill it with endless BABBLE!
And we witness in our ‘smartness’ lots of energy and sparks over VOCABULARY!… It’s as if we’re all playing a wild game of SCRABBLE!
“Stop it!” “Stop it!” Our hearts cry inside! “The children are confused. The children are hurt. The children are abused…  ‘TURN AROUND!’ Be confused no longer! The kingdom of heaven is coming so soon!
God has a plan and it’s written and sealed… with His blood told in the Book He breathed out  for us. It is written so we could know from the first page to the last – there is a scarlet thread of hope, the Lamb of God given.
God is love. He didn’t leave us orphans! People! People! There’s an Instruction manual, you know! – The Immanuel is come! He is able to deliver us, He is able to forgive. He shed His blood that we might be covered and ‘transfused!’ This is the gospel, for such a time as this! THIS  IS the Good News!
He has breathed His word to His children that we might know forever what He is like! And if any other, calls himself ‘god’, and doesn’t behave in love – please know, dear children, he’s not god at all –  he’s simply the devil, the author of LIES!
Don’t you know God is patient? Don’t you know that God is  kind? He is not jealous or boastful or proud in any way.  He doesn’t parade Himself! He is not rude to mankind! (my paraphrase of the New Living Translation of 1 Corinthians 13: 4).
He doesn’t demand His own way. He is not provoked or  irritable. He doesn’t keep a record of the wrongs done to Him.  God never rejoices about injustice that is done. God rejoices when  truth wins out. (1 Corinthians 13: 5-6). This is God the Father who gave His only Son.
‘The heavens declare the glory of God’ (Psalm 19:1)…but God’s word will unfold for you the hope of Redemption!
He is the One who makes us lie down at times. He ‘allows’ trouble and loss and pain in this broken place we abide, but open your eyes and you will see, He has made you lie down and the pastures are green! Yes, it’s hard and painful to be ‘made to lie down’, but God works it all for good – so in circles you no longer walk around…and instead… you discover, He’s –  right –  there! And His grace ABOUNDS!
God’s love never gives up on you, or me, or the children of the world.  God’s love always believes the best, and hopes and endures through every circumstance. God is love. He is the Light of the world. But don’t be mistaken, there is a time to hate. There are Instructions that have been breathed out by God and given to His children:  “You who love the LORD, hate evil!” (Psalm 97:10). And it is found in other places beside:  “Hate evil, love good.” (Amos 5:15). Well, God is good! May we ‘cling to Him!’ May we hope in Him, may we grow to know HIM!
God loves and gave His Son and, He came to earth as baby Jesus, it’s true. But let this age old story speak new things to your heart, don’t be ‘too smart for all this childish stuff’, the story is rich, the story is deep:  Jesus was with God in the beginning – and I pray you are so hungry and thirsty you begin to drink from the ‘Living Waters’ yourself!   And discover a-new,  that He is Creator of all, and His most precious creation… is you.
He has a plan, and His plan is for good. Open the Book and go to the very end! Yes, start at the end, (it’s as if God knew we would).
You can read the words breathed out from heaven: “And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts, “Come!” It’s an INVITATION!
Perhaps, today, you will pray, and become a ‘new creation’ by receiving Jesus in your life, and in a sense, become ‘His bride’, (the church) as He meant it to be. In Him, In love, in unity!
And perhaps we’ve received Him, yet we need filling every day. So, this morning, we come as His children with hearts open, we ask “Holy Spirit fill me with living waters overflowing! Fill us to the brim with forgiveness and new life and hope and direction! May the word of God dwell in our hearts richly that we might have joy – joy, precious and rare!
While the news of the world is dark and makes us weak, may we seek You God, for You are Good, that the joy of the Lord, yes, so precious and rare-  would flow through us – COMPLETELY – and that we would then be empowered to ‘splash Your love’ … EVERYWHERE!
In Jesus name, this is my prayer.”