Tag: God

Jesus prayed for us.

Been misunderstood? Is it hard to find a friend who understands?

There’s a Friend who understands everything. Every evil brought against us, Jesus knows first-hand.

In desperate times and days filled with hardships, we need to see with our own eyes a reason to hope. We look out at all that’s going on and we only see destruction and pain.

It’s at times like this, when a closed Bible on the shelf seems impossible to open. I don’t have the “want to.”

God must know we can’t do it on our own. The pages are too heavy. Every other App is shouting, “Open me!” But the Bible App remains closed.

But Jesus prayed for us.

His light can overcome any darkness. He accomplishes His will.

My will says “no,” but the spirit urges me to receive healing in its open pages.

The Gospel of John is opened.

Misunderstood? This is Jesus’ story from the beginning. He Created the very ground the people stood on, yet, he was not received.

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, or of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” John 1:12.

What Good News is sandwiched in the middle of rejection. Choice is His gift.

The stories unfold.

Disrespected? Treated with cruelty? Hated?

The God of the Universe, the one who sees the heart of man, He knows.

He was spat upon. Beaten.

Jesus experienced it all. He suffered.

Are lies spread against you? The enemies of Jesus spread word that “by the ruler of the demons He casts out demons” Mark 3:22.

Let the reading of the Gospels, today . . . be our refuge. An open Bible gives sight to our blurred eyes and water to our discouraged and hardened hearts.

Living Waters move hard things. Through God’s Word, the mountains of anxiety in self-discovery are scattered to freedom in knowing Jesus came to earth for one purpose, to die on the cross to set us free.

Jesus walked this sin-cursed earth. He kept His eye on His Father. Jesus prayed for us. He prayed . . . that we would be one.

With God, all things are possible. He trusted the Father. So can we.

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them”John 17:20-26.

God demonstrated His love. He suffered. He rose again on the third day. He will help us rise as well, through His glorious power and love, He will show us how to love.

He will.

“Satan thought he had won, but You rose again to give me life, to give me victory! I love You Jesus, because You first loved me.” -Lincoln Wright

Lincoln Wright, a missionary in Managua penned these words many years ago when our dear friend was very ill. They were both revived in spirit by Jesus’s love and sacrifice. I put music to the words for my two friends.

I pray this music therapy of the Gospel message becomes a response and remedy for healing and hope because we discover again or for the first time, . . .

Jesus loved us first.

“Thou art near.” Help us remember this.

“Thou art near; yes, Lord, I feel it, . . .

Oh, but we don’t feel Him near at times. So, we keep reading as if reaching for the lifeguard’s rescue buoy.

“Thou art near where’er I move, And though sense would fain conceal it, Faith oft whispers it to love.

When our mind swirls with thoughts that pull us down, devotions to God, hymns, spiritual songs, and Scripture act as a lifeguard that has put out a float.

This poem was found in my Spurgeon’s Devotional Bible. The reading on page 256 was highlighted with Scripture: “Thou shalt guide me with they counsel.”

The devotional of 1 Samuel 23 tells of David, banished from worship, persecuted in his own country, with King Saul of Israel out to kill him. But enemies of his homeland came to invade. Should he fight and protect the people?

“David enquired of the LORD.” 1 Samuel 23:2, “And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.”

His men were afraid.

“Then David enquired of the LORD yet again. And the LORD answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand” 1 Samueal 23:4.

Who did David listen to? The fearful men or the LORD? David turned to God for his direction.

Today, we all need counsel from the Lord, but the voice of men is loud. Will we pray? Will we be still to listen. Each of these are doing hard things!

“Dear Lord, guide us with Your counsel. Help us through the darkness of this day. Enlighten our path, show us Your way!”

As Holy comfort, this old poem sings:

Then, my soul, since God doth love thee, Faint not, droop not, do not fear; Though his heaven is high above thee, He himself is ever near!”

He will hear the prayers of His people. He will answer. Do we know the Lord? His character, His name? We’re as sheep, we forget so quickly. We need old phrases to call faith back again:

Not what I am, O Lord, but what Thou art;
That, that alone, can be my soul’s true rest;
Thy love, not mine, bids fear and doubt depart,
And stills the tempest of my tossing breast.

It is Thy perfect love that casts out fear;
I know the voice that speaks the It is I,
And in these well-known words of heavenly cheer
I hear the joy that bids each sorrow fly. By the Lord’s Love by Horatius Bonar (1808-1889).

Let’s promise ourselves to make God’s Word well known. That we might rise above anything that comes to steal His peace from our hearts and minds.

Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail;

But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever Psalm 73:25,26.

May a prayer written over a hundred years ago be fresh on our lips today:

’Tis what I know of Thee, my Lord and God,
That fills my soul with peace, my lips with song;
Thou art my health, my joy, my staff, my rod;
Leaning on Thee, in weakness I am strong.

More of Thyself, Oh, show me, hour by hour;
More of Thy glory, O my God and Lord;
More of Thyself in all Thy grace and power;
More of Thy love and truth, Incarnate Word.

In Jesus’ name. Amen, and amen.

Who is praying with me?

Help for the Restless Spirit: Be Still My Soul / Psalm 18

Music therapy, vibration of strings to move fretful waters of heart and mind plus the reading of God’s Word = rest, refreshment, revelation, revival.

When we draw near to God, He will draw near to us.

Take 3 minutes to meditate in a hymn and a psalm and discover the transforming hope and help of the Lord. He abides in our praise. Praise Him actively, today.

I write this for myself. I pray there is someone else that will be renewed in spirit and mind this day by actively meditating on the great and precious promises of God through these gems of the past:

When the restlessness of mind, body, and spirit overwhelms, there is power in the hymns and psalms. Be Still My Soul & Psalm 18 are heart and mind transforming.

This is recorded for one purpose alone, therapy. Do you know someone who might be feeling alone? Restless? Confused? Overwhelmed?

Consider sharing this meditation of hymn and psalm.

Be renewed, now. Meditating on the word and God’s truth rescues us.

Psalm 18.

I will love You, O Lord, my strength.
2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies.

4 The pangs of death surrounded me,
And the floods of ungodliness made me afraid.
5 The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me;
The snares of death confronted me.
6 In my distress I called upon the Lord,
And cried out to my God;
He heard my voice from His temple,
And my cry came before Him, even to His ears.

7 Then the earth shook and trembled;
The foundations of the hills also quaked and were shaken,
Because He was angry.
8 Smoke went up from His nostrils,
And devouring fire from His mouth;
Coals were kindled by it.
9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down
With darkness under His feet.
10 And He rode upon a cherub, and flew;
He flew upon the wings of the wind.
11 He made darkness His secret place;
His canopy around Him was dark waters
And thick clouds of the skies.
12 From the brightness before Him,
His thick clouds passed with hailstones and coals of fire.

13 The Lord thundered from heaven,
And the Most High uttered His voice,
Hailstones and coals of fire.
14 He sent out His arrows and scattered [e]the foe,
Lightnings in abundance, and He vanquished them.
15 Then the channels of the sea were seen,
The foundations of the world were uncovered
At Your rebuke, O Lord,
At the blast of the breath of Your nostrils.

16 He sent from above, He took me;
He drew me out of many waters.
17 He delivered me from my strong enemy,
From those who hated me,
For they were too strong for me.
18 They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
But the Lord was my support.
19 He also brought me out into a broad place;
He delivered me because He delighted in me.

20 The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness;
According to the cleanness of my hands
He has recompensed me.
21 For I have kept the ways of the Lord,
And have not wickedly departed from my God.
22 For all His judgments were before me,
And I did not put away His statutes from me.
23 I was also blameless before Him,
And I kept myself from my iniquity.
24 Therefore the Lord has recompensed me according to my righteousness,
According to the cleanness of my hands in His sight.

25 With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful;
With a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless;
26 With the pure You will show Yourself pure;
And with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd.
27 For You will save the humble people,
But will bring down haughty looks.

28 For You will light my lamp;
The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.
29 For by You I can run against a troop,
By my God I can leap over a wall.
30 As for God, His way is perfect;
The word of the Lord is proven;
He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

31 For who is God, except the Lord?
And who is a rock, except our God?
32 It is God who arms me with strength,
And makes my way perfect.
33 He makes my feet like the feet of deer,
And sets me on my high places.
34 He teaches my hands to make war,
So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

35 You have also given me the shield of Your salvation;
Your right hand has held me up,
Your gentleness has made me great.
36 You enlarged my path under me,
So my feet did not slip.

37 I have pursued my enemies and overtaken them;
Neither did I turn back again till they were destroyed.
38 I have wounded them,
So that they could not rise;
They have fallen under my feet.
39 For You have armed me with strength for the battle;
You have [i]subdued under me those who rose up against me.
40 You have also given me the necks of my enemies,
So that I destroyed those who hated me.
41 They cried out, but there was none to save;
Even to the Lord, but He did not answer them.
42 Then I beat them as fine as the dust before the wind;
I cast them out like dirt in the streets.

43 You have delivered me from the strivings of the people;
You have made me the head of the [j]nations;
A people I have not known shall serve me.
44 As soon as they hear of me they obey me;
The foreigners [k]submit to me.
45 The foreigners fade away,
And come frightened from their hideouts.

46 The Lord lives!
Blessed be my Rock!
Let the God of my salvation be exalted.
47 It is God who avenges me,
And subdues the peoples under me;
48 He delivers me from my enemies.
You also lift me up above those who rise against me;
You have delivered me from the violent man.
49 Therefore I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the Gentiles,
And sing praises to Your name.

50 Great deliverance He gives to His king,
And shows mercy to His anointed,
To David and his descendants forevermore.

“Today, today.” I hear Jesus call. Let’s hear His voice and take hold of all He is, (our Everything), and actively give Him praise that we might celebrate the victories He has for us, now and forever.

A Tribute to Annie. A Success Story to Word Weavers

Rivers run through our history and folklore, and link us as a people. They nourish and refresh us and provide a home for dazzling varieties of fish and wildlife and trees and plants of every sort. We are a nation rich in rivers     Charles Kuralt

Word Weavers International and its Local Chapters, much like a river, helps nourish and refresh writers and provides a home of comfort and a kick to produce dazzling life and bold expression to bring glory to God.

Rivers move and cover great amounts of ground.

Years ago at a one day Word Weaver’s Conference, guest speaker, Eva Marie Everson, the President of Word Weavers International, concluded with attendees standing in a circle of prayer.

Reluctant to admit, the words in the prayer which spoke to me were, “Dear Lord, some of these writers might be writing to encourage others in their writing. Help us all be faithful to accomplish Your will, to Your glory, in Jesus name.”

Who wants to simply be an encourager to others’ writing? No one. But, those words God spoke to me.

Perhaps, this is a success story.

I began writing devotions after my cancer battle ten years ago. I felt a need to express “God’s Hand” of grace and help for me.

I joined Word Weavers International and made the commitment to attend the monthly critique meetings with a written piece, as consistently as I could. Encouragement, direction, and help from Word Weavers, (and my son for the technical side), helped me set up my WordPress blog.

Challenged with time struggles of work and family responsibilities, fighting writing demons of perfectionism and doubt, the writing continued . . .

s-l-o-w-l-y.

I have published nothing.

A move from New Jersey to South Carolina thirteen years ago separated me from Children’s Ministry friends from my old church, as Annie was, but fb helped keep us connected.

Annie read my blog posts and began messaging me many years ago asking questions about writing, etc. I told her of Word Weavers, shared links, helps, and tools.

I soon noticed that some of my Word Weaver friends became her fb friends.

Annie Lovell began calling herself an author on her fb page.

For the last few years, Annie poured out her passion and love for the Lord writing, God Moments by His Amazing Grace by Annie Lovell on fb posts. 

Her Timeline announced: Annie Lovell: All about Jesus, The Christ, who died, shedding His blood on the Cross, paying for my sins!

TimelineAboutFriendsPhotosVideosCheck-Ins

God Moments by His Amazing Grace by Annie Lovell were constant inspirational notes to promote growth and love of Jesus. Many of her fb friends greatly enjoyed her posts.

Annie’s cover photo was changed as Covid-19 spread throughout the world. Little did anyone know, but Jesus would soon be holding her in comfort against this dangerous virus.

March 18th, Annie offered her services to challenged families:

March 18, 2020 While you are homeschooling/remotely/digitally educating your kids, if you need assistance with understanding something that has been assigned for your child just let me know! I am a certified Elementary and ESL teacher, If I don’t know it, I likely know someone who will! I’d be happy to answer questions! #bettertogether(Teacher friends copy, edit and paste)!

On March 19, 2020 she wrote of the old hymn: Near to the Heart of God, and shared thoughts:

There is a place of quiet rest,
near to the heart of God,
a place where sin cannot molest,
near to the heart of God.

Refrain:
O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
sent from the heart of God,
hold us, who wait before thee,
near to the heart of God.

2 There is a place of comfort sweet,
near to the heart of God,
a place where we our Savior meet,
near to the heart of God. [Refrain]

3 There is a place of full release,
near to the heart of God,
a place where all is joy and peace,
near to the heart of God. [Refrain]

March 19, 2020 Remember this old hymn, that’s where Jesus is and we can find rest there! No matter how high the storms in our lives go, we can always find rest “near to the heart of God.” Take a moment if you want and quieten yourself as we draw near to God(Jesus)! Thankful He lives in us and through us using trials to make us more like Him!

March 21, 2020 post was a shared memory: 

CoronaVirus this year instead of snow, but He is still giving us time to stop and reflect!! 2 Years AgoSee Your Memories
March 21, 2018 · Annie's friends"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" - Psalm 46:10I think God is talking to us this month! If you can’t stop and reflect on your own then I will send some snow to slow everyone down and offer them a time to reflect and “be still and know that I am God.”

Annie became sick, but shared posts:

God Moments by His Amazing Graceby Annie Lovell March 21, 2020The Lord just reminded me of these verses I learned as a child! Maybe you can teach them to your children!Psalms 56:3 When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.Psalms 56:4 In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?

Annie Lovell went home to be with the Lord, March 28 due to Covid-19. This was a response to Annie’s last post: 

Thank you Annie Lovell for this last post of scriptures!
 The Lord is now your keeper. While we miss you and while we are sad we rejoice that you are sitting at Jesus’ feet! Love you so much! Miss you.


From her family's tribute they wrote,
"Annie . . . shared God's love daily through scripture, encouraging messages, songs, and sermons through her online ministry, "God Moments by His Amazing Grace." She worshipped her Lord joyfully, unashamedly, and powerfully . . .  A quote from her final online post reads: "He did it all, we did nothing. Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."

Annie Lovell, an author who shared the glory of God’s truth, wrote with passion to link others to God’s Word . . . which will go on living to nourish and refresh for all eternity.

I thank Word Weavers International and my Local Chapter for its far reaching help to me, which I believe was an encouragement to Annie.

Like a river, Word Weavers provides a home for a dazzling variety of writers, sharing the riches of God.

To God be the glory!

Offering a Prayer of Hope: Be Thou My Vision

Do you have great desire to pray for the hurting around you? 

“Teach us to pray,” the disciples asked of Jesus.

Jesus gave them example in Matthew 6:9-13, to give God reverence due His name, to ask of needs, of forgiveness, deliverance, and proclamation of His glory in what we call the Lord’s Prayer. 

And we’re encouraged to “Pray continually,” in 1 Thessalonians, 5:17.

How can we do this?

Today, I am praying for many needs, far and near. We have many prayer needs.

Join me in praying a hymn and meditating on it’s rich thought through the day?

The hymn,

Be Thou My Vision. Perhaps one of the oldest recorded hymns in history, dated as early as 8th Century BC.

“Be Thou My Vision, O Lord of my heart;

Naught 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.”

These words bring to our mind, Your Word, Lord,  “You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all of your heart.” Jer. 29:13.

We’re seeking You, Lord God. For many general, as well as specific prayers and needs.

You’re our best thought, day or night. You’re our present help, (Psalm 46:1).

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.

Softly and tenderly, O God, You comfort, because You are with us, and we lift many hurting and broken hearts specifically to You. 

Cover the hurting and broken under the shadow of Your wings, (Psalm 91).

I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5.

And, 

The LORD is my helper; I will not fear . . .  Hebrews 13:6.

Cover the weak with your truth.

Be thou my Battle-shield, Sword for my fight,

Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my delight;

Thou my soul’s shelter, Thou my High Tower,

Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my Power.

We have little strength, be our High Tower.

In brokenness, Jesus, comfort the downcast with Your presence.

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.

Yes, the treasure of Your Word, dear Lord reminds us of Your great love, now . . . 

You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever (Psalm 16:11).

Yes, forever. 

High King of Heaven, my victory won,

May I reach heaven’s joys, bright heaven’s Sun!

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,

Still be my Vision, O Ruler of All.

We recite a hymn, which speaks our heart, even broken and sad. 

Heart of my own heart, 

whatever befall,

Still be my Vision, 

O Ruler of All.

In Your Name, Jesus we lift our prayers,

Amen.”

Getting in Spiritual Shape

It’s not how we start but how we finish. Now that’s the hard part. We start getting in shape and thinking of healthy new beginnings, but continuing in it is the struggle.

Exercising our spiritual is as much, if not more important than our physical.

Tests have proved this. Reports have come out and science has proven that attitudes of faith bring about hope in our minds and help us to better function and maintain good health.

In the midst of heavy concerns in this world, how can we remain hopeful and thankful?

The Word of God is a safe and reliable refuge of comfort. God’s Word reminds us immediately of His faithfulness and truth, which in turn nourishes us with increased faith and new strength to hope, and even greater, to love.

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come 1 Timothy 4:8.

Daily time in the Word changes us.

It seems, many years ago, Isaac Watts struggled with a title to one of his hymns or spiritual songs. It is found to be Hymn 73: Doubts Scattered; or, Spiritual Joy Restored.

How wonderfully expressive is the immediate change of heart and mind when our ears hear what the Spirit says to us. Our Doubts are scattered. Our spiritual joy restored:

Darkness and doubts had veil’d my mind,
And drown’d my head in tears,
Till sovereign grace with shining rays
Dispell’d my gloomy fears.

O 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 Saviour, of thy face,
Revives my joys again. Doubts scattered; or, Spiritual joy restored by Isaac Watts.

For God so loves me and you that He gave.

God gives.

Presently. Jesus loves.


God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him John 3:17.

He chose me. And He chose you too. And today, we choose Jesus. Because He first loved us, each individually.

So today, I nourish my heart, soul, and mind with a work-out in 1 John 4:1-12:

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.  This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us 1 John 4:1-12.

This is a spiritual work-out of 12 rich bites of 1 John 4.

We’re changed because today, we could hear Jesus say, “I was his,
And my Beloved mine.“

When it feels like a sacrifice to praise, praise anyway.

Is life so heavy that the song in our heart is gone? In this day and age, between pressing schedules, unbelievable news reports, and sudden moments of loss, a song is the last thing on our mind.

Even so, the Bible encourages:

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. Hebrews 13:15

Through Jesus, trust in Him and His sacrifice for us, we are encouraged to offer to God a sacrifice of praise, continually.

Hymns are a great help to learn to praise. Everything created praises, according to All creatures of our God and King:

All creatures of our God and King, 
lift up your voice and with us sing 
alleluia, alleluia! (Paraphrase, William H. Draper. Author, St. Frances of Assisi, 1225).

Yes, the sun lifts its voice daily, the moon gives glory to God as the hymn brings melody to stir up heavy hearts with visions of hope and power:
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
thou silver moon with softer gleam,
O praise him, O praise him,
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

We see these beauties everyday. They lift our eyes up above our earthly thoughts. This hymn ignites new direction of thought, vertical instead of horizontal.

From the weight of cares to praise to God. He is able to help in time of need.

We don’t have to be in church to worship God. We can praise God anywhere, but, there is added riches to efforts and investment of time when we come into the Lord’s house in a community, and

offer a sacrifice of praise.

We don’t always “feel” like praising God. Everyone walks through the doors of God’s house with individual pains and struggles, but a sacrifice of praise changes everything, especially . . . me.

Science has now proven the human brain functions in a more complete capacity when the thoughts and meditations are pleasant.

Praise to God brings supernatural change. The Creator of the Universe is near in our praise, that’s powerful.

We can praise God easily when things are going right, but can we praise before God “parts the Red Sea,” so to speak?

And when we make effort and sacrifice time to go to church, there is reward we don’t always see and don’t comprehend. God is found in hearts that seek Him. He draws near when we draw near to Him.

In church, the focus (should be) and is God. Not the other stuff that tries to take our thoughts, critique, distractions, etc.

He is the One who is able to do all things. Even if the song is not to our liking, we can make the willing choice to read it, speak it, and hear the truths.

With an open and willing mind, our hearts begin to see the common ground in the old hymn and admire it’s care to invoke praise through the trials:
Thou rushing wind that art so strong, 
ye clouds that sail in heav’n along, 
O praise him, alleluia! 

Yes, the winds are strong, the clouds are dark, God is greater and knows all things. O praise Him. Praise Him still.

Maybe, this is what, “be as a child means.” Children trust. Children believe.

And children are praisers. With their bright morning smiles and joyful eyes. With their energy and excitement, children bring praise.

The song of a child is pure and clear, much like the next verse speaking of the glorious sound of water:

Thou flowing water, pure and clear, 
make music for thy Lord to hear, 
alleluia, alleluia!

Everything gives praise, even warm fires and their glow, the hymn reminds that we watch praise to God wherever we go:
Thou fire so masterful and bright, 
that givest man both warmth and light, 
O praise him, O praise him, 
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! 

What if the masses stopped to praise? Would we be a different people? Oh, wouldn’t God be pleased?

What would it look like if we would praise God more? Would we put down pointing fingers?

And all ye men of tender heart,
forgiving others, take your part,
O sing ye, alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
praise God and on him cast your care,
O praise him, O praise him,
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Alleluia, God alone can change the heart.

God alone is near and able to comfort sufficiently, those with a broken heart.

It’s a season to give praise to God and join all creation whose already singing. Perhaps one heart at a time, tuned up and praising more, we will witness a changed culture. A culture that returns to walk through the doors of God’s glorious house , worship Him in humbleness, . . .

Let all things their Creator bless,
and worship him in humbleness,
O praise him, alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
and praise the Spirit, three in one. 

This is how the world will be turned upside down, when His people offer a sacrifice of praise, in season, . . . and out.

O praise him, O praise him, 
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!




Source: Trinity Psalter Hymnal #248

Give a Gift of Song, With or Without Singing

December has begun, and people are . . . not all jolly. How do we overcome and move forward when life is filled with loss,

or sickness, or falls,

and pressures, and messes,

and great amount of cares?

Is there a rescue place? Well, those who believe in God take comfort in spending time and thinking on His love and sufficient gift in His Son.

But what about when the song is gone when the holiday season has begun? Like a tire gone flat? Where’s the lift?

I’m telling you, it’s in the hymn-book! One that’s opened and read aloud that is.

This is the one-stringed guitar that I play, so-to-speak: the hymnal has amazing power. But my favorite of all time are Robert J. Morgan’s Then Sings My Soul editions. 

I brought one of the editions into the infusion room many years ago when I was undergoing chemotherapy. The cancer patients in close vicinity to my voice were lifted immediately by the hymns and the stories of the writers. 

We were changed. A deep joy, courage, and most important, hope returned to our sick bodies.

Many were reminded that God’s gracious love never left their side, even though they had nothing to do with Him for long and past years.

Yesterday, I was thinking of my elderly neighbor while I was able to be at church on Dec. 1. She’s unable to get to church because of many reasons, and struggling in many ways. 

Thank you Robert. J. Morgan, for writing Then Sings My Soul Special Edition. I scooped up this book and went on my way to pay a short visit to my neighbor.

Coffee came first, but then pages were opened:

His Eye is on the Sparrow by Civilla D. Martin, 1905.

The Scripture of choice for this hymn was, “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will” Matthew 10:29.

Always to the left was the hymn, to the right, a story. With no melody at all, just the words of the hymn read aloud, “Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come? Why should my heart be lonely And long for heaven and home.

When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He: His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me . . . “

Yes, it’s true, the Word has been told us, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”) Matthew 1;23.

Isn’t this one of the most precious promises of God?
My eyes scroll up for verse 2 with anticipation of the thoughts: “Whenever I am tempted, Whenever clouds arise, When song gives place to sighing, When hope within me dies,

I draw the closer to Him; From care He sets me free; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me . . . “

Hope is restored with the speaking, (or singing, if you choose) of a hymn. Change comes. The promises of God fill the mind instead of troubles and pain. For example,

“. . . God has chosen to make known . . .  the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

And then my eyes roamed to Morgan’s writing in regards to this hymn by Civilla Durfee Martin, and I was reminded of other verses regarding God’s faithfulness within this theme:

“Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will” Matthew 10:29.

“Do not fear . . . you are of more value than many sparrows” Luke 12:7.

What a wonderful gift this book is to me over and over again. Perhaps, this year the most meaningful gift you might give yourself, or others, is a Robert J. Morgan’s, Then Sings my Soul edition.

Faith-less? or Faith-full? Look up. Listen up!

We must remind each other, God is good, even though things don’t seem as they should.

“This is impossible,” we say in our hearts, or perhaps out-loud.

The Bible reminds us, God is able to make a way, . . . through the wilderness:

This is what the Lord says—
    he who made a way through the sea,
    a path through the mighty waters, . . .
 “Forget the former things;
    do not dwell on the past.
 See, I am doing a new thing!
    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
    and streams in the wasteland . . . ” Isaiah 43:16-19.

We, who believe in God through His Son, (His great and perfect provision for us, Jesus), must not let our thoughts paralyze us. What are the promises? We must fight to think on these things and pray for increased faith.

“Eyes up, ears open. God speaks: “

“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord,
    “and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me
    and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
    nor will there be one after me.
 I, even I, am the Lord,
    and apart from me there is no savior.
 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—
    I, and not some foreign god among you.
You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “that I am God.
     Yes, and from ancient days I am he.
No one can deliver out of my hand.
    When I act, who can reverse it?” Isaiah 43:10-13.

Am I a child of God? Perhaps that’s the first question.

God is good, the Bible tells us. The world is broken, dark, chaotic because of the fall. But God said, “Let there be light, and there was light.” Gen. 1.

The account is written. Wise is the man who checks out the light of His Word daily.

God’s faithful love is dependent on nothing.

Love is who He is, . . .

the LORD:

For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; Isaiah 43:3.

Is He my Savior? Am I a child of God trusting and relying on Him to save me for salvation, and give guidance and help for each day’s trials?

How can I trust Him greater? Am I relying on my intellect, my bank account, my careful plans to save me from my hour of peril or trial?

“Yes, that’s sensible. That’s logical.”

Even more than people to come and discourage our trust in a (so called) invisible God, our own hearts discourage us in our weakness.

This is the fight. This is the battle. We must as soldiers have a plain command: “Look up. Listen up.”

As soldiers in the lord’s army, are our eyes up? Hear God speak:

But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
 When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze Isaiah 43:1-2.

Or are we faith-less this day:

“Yet you have not called on me, Jacob,
    you have not wearied yourselves for me, Israel . . . But you have burdened me with your sins
    and wearied me with your offenses” Isaiah 43:22, 24.

Today, one heart at a time, beginning with mine, I feel the need to repent. I need to believe God and pray. “Forgive me for my unbelief Lord, increase my faith, in Jesus Name, Amen.”

“I, even I, am he who blots out
    your transgressions, for my own sake,
    and remembers your sins no more.
 Review the past for me,
    let us argue the matter together;
    state the case for your innocence” Isaiah 43: 25,26.

“Lord Jesus, the only innocence I have is the complete and sufficient washing of Your blood. ‘This is all my righteousness, Nothing but the blood of Jesus.’ And for that, I say, Thank You Lord.”

Jesus lifted my eyes and gave me ears to hear again. His amazing grace, how sweet the sound. He saves me from myself daily.

Are you a child of God? He is only a prayer away. Call on the name of the Son that God the Father has sent to pay each of our debt in full for our sin and shame. Yes, believe in Jesus, and ask Him to empty you of all the old, and fill you a new with the Holy Spirit.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall 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” John 3:16,17.

If you have prayed and asked Jesus to come into your life to cleanse and make you new, please tell a trusted friend that today is the day of salvation for you!

 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Amen! (Exclamation point, mine).

Physical health? Working on it. Intellectual health? Growing daily. Spiritual, emotional health? . . . Open the Hymnal!

Quite honestly, the melodies are often outdated, but the promises in the old hymns must be resurrected.

Heavy hearts burdened by news, energy zapped by full schedules, life today can easily invite fatigue pain, where is an emergency pick-me-up?

Well, first in a relationship with the God of Creation. As simply as calling on the name of His Son. Asking Him to come in and wash and renew, Jesus does all this, but it’s not a one time adventure, it’s a life’s walk . . .

and the walk is crooked, sharp, and filled with ills! We increase mental awareness and physical strength as we journey on, but our spirit is starved and grieved by the constant darkness and lies.

The Word is God’s promise. Sixty-six Books to bring hope. But the hymnal . . .

(quick, and go find one,) it’s an immediate help.

As nourishing is good food to the body, the Word and the hymns bring vitality to our weary spirits.

If I write today and one person opens and reads the words of a hymnal, and is infused with hope to believe in a greater way, my labor is not in vain.

Our spirits grow weary. We have wrecks over time, but the cross of Christ brings comfort.

Read aloud this old hymn: In the Cross of Christ I Glory, by John Bowring, 1825.

In the cross of Christ I glory,
towering o’er the wrecks of time;
all the light of sacred story
gathers round its head sublime.

When the woes of life o’ertake me,
hopes deceive, and fears annoy,
never shall the cross forsake me.
Lo! it glows with peace and joy.

Perhaps this brings a hunger and thirst to discover the hope of the cross.

Bowring penned his own experience in his hymn published in 1825. With 2020 approaching, can we glean from wisdom of old to help replenish our soul?

When the sun of bliss is beaming
light and love upon my way,
from the cross the radiance streaming
adds more luster to the day.

It’s as if spending time in meditation of these words brings us to an ocean’s shore where we feel the power of God to restore.

Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure,
by the cross are sanctified;
peace is there that knows no measure,
joys that through all time abide.

For me, this hymn brings me to a present place. To a beach and the warm sun, where God shows me His power, and in the vast beauty, His love.

Today, let’s let God take us beyond where we are. Let’s let Him encourage our sadness with His great arm of compassion, let us believe our God’s present help and direction, right now, restating:

In the cross of Christ I glory,
towering o’er the wrecks of time;
all the light of sacred story
gathers round its head sublime.

Finding myself at the cross today, I turned to, At the Cross, from Isaac Watts, 1701, as well. Revived and happy, I am filled and restored. Take time to read this aloud:

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!

Alas! and did my Savior bleed
And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For sinners such as I?

Was it for crimes that I had done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!

But drops of grief can ne’er repay
The debt of love I owe:
Here, Lord, I give my self away
’Tis all that I can do.

Words: Isaac Watts (1707)

This is how I can glory in nothing but the cross of Christ. The hymnal heals my soul with immediate reminders of God’s love for me, you, . . . and the whole world.

May God bless you.


 

Heart Broken, Not Offended over News of Intolerance

This is nothing new, yet deep sadness comes when Christians, who are forced in this culture to tolerate so much, witness closed doors to groups who want to share the Good News to those who will hear.

True believers, believers in the God of the Bible, aren’t offended by this news, we’re heart-broken.

God’s greatest gift to the entirety of mankind is His gift to choose.

How sad, that people are afraid of a different opinion than the god of the culture. What if the God of the Bible is the true and living God?

Should we only be tolerant of the god of the intellect and modern world and not check out the Word of the Ancient of Days? We study hard for many tests in life, should we not consider reading God’s Testimonies for understanding instead of “hear-say” about them?

Who’s close-minded? Do we want to be found deceived in the end?

Shouldn’t people be exposed to both views? God allows choice, should we not as well?

When I was young, I went my stubborn way, making god into what I believed he should be. A distant God. While I went on to discover me.

But the “me” I was discovering had a story much like Humpty Dumpty who had a great fall. Broken in pieces, hurting, unable to put myself together on my own, I felt desperate and afraid with no where to turn.

But God was watching over me. And now my true search for God began.

Friends in high school, who I believe were part of Young Life, (also part of the Key club at our school), gave me a Bible.

It didn’t mean much to me then, but God knew, there would be a perfect time when I needed to know God.

At that time, my life depended on it.

I opened the Bible given to me years before and found the name of Jesus mentioned everywhere. Curiosity and deep hunger had me reading the Bible like a new best-seller, (which it is by the way, only, not new).

My heart was finally open to receive Jesus as God, Lord and Savior of my life.

He created everything with His Word. He’s provided His-story. He’s patient and kind. God is love. He doesn’t insist on His own way.

He’s the giver of life, breath, love. He’s Creator God.

And, He gives choice to each man to believe. He allows, He lets . . . man to choose Him or reject.

Why be afraid to let other voices be heard?

What if the Word of God is what it says it is, the truth: Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth John 17:17.

This news report of no surprise to God. It’s written:

“He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him” John 1:10,11.

Younglife and many Christian organizations want the overwhelmed, restless, and guilt-ridden world to know the Good News, the God of the Bible.

Yes, God is love, but He is also Holy. God is just.

We’ve all sinned. Meaning, we’re all separated from God. The mystery is revealed in the pages.

That’s why He sent Jesus. His perfect blood shed on the cross is the atoning sacrifice. The “at one” with God sacrifice.

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God John 1:12,13.

I received Jesus. I’m not perfect, but He made me new then, believing on Him for salvation, and each day He graciously accepts me, because I’m washed, cleansed, believing Him as my Savior and Lord.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Why be afraid to have Young Life on the campus? When the God of the Bible is the most liberating and freeing God ever:

Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,  that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation 2 Corinthians 5:18,19.

God was in Christ reconciling the lost and broken world to Himself. God alone can put us back together again.

To keep people from choice, is a huge crime to Jesus. Do people want to be found guilty for causing others to stumble:

Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come.  It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.  So watch yourselves John 17:1-3.

Do we want to be a people closed to invite Groups that believe in the God of the Bible because it might speak against a cultural idea?

I wasn’t open when I received my Bible to hear its Word, but God knew there would be a day.

And He patiently allowed me to go my merry way, until I was open to hear. I’m thankful for the boldness that came from kids from a Young Life group. In the end, the Lord used them to be a part of putting my broken pieces together.

I’m thankful for Young Life. And I’m broken-hearted that there might be a broken soul that now is unable to be touched by the Good News that Young Life brings.

Are you still in question who Younglife actually is and what their message actually is:

 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.  For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him 2 Corinthians 5:20-21.

Young Life will continue. Young Life remains. Believers in Christ pray and we watch God move, whether the world will open their doors or not. God touches hearts that seek after Him.

God’s love never fails 1Corinthians 13.

How sweet to hold a newborn baby . . .

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone . . .
The great He? He’s Jesus!

Soon to hold my precious newborn grandson with anticipation and great joy, I give abounding, bubbling, and tripping over thanks to God.

Baby Emeril safe and content in his mama’s arms.

Do you also think of the familiar Bill Gaither hymn when reading the title phrase?

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!

Not only, this new-born child, but all ages that hold this precious gem . . . Yes, “this child” can face uncertain days, because the LORD Lives.

There has been much toil leading to this moment in time for us, yet, one thing stands secure,

The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe Proverbs 18:10.

No matter what! (And no-one could have told me all the whats that would happen in our Michael Rypkema family life up to now), and also in yours, I’m sure,

but can you, and will you join me, to proclaim this constant:

My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth Psalm 121:2.

And for all of us who believe this with every ounce of our being, no matter what, we proclaim to choose, to the best of our abilities, with the help of the Lord, to:

Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal Psalm 26:4.

You and I, we witness much loss in our own lives, and those around us.

Great battles rage.

Storms, sickness, and loss as a result of living in this fallen world often leave our hearts broken and bleeding.

But we remind each other, The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

These are God’s Words, not our own. God is close to the broken-hearted. When the Bible is opened Psalm 34:18 comforts with truth.

The hymns, the Psalms, God’s Word . . . our joy and rejoicing. Our comfort in pain. Our compass in darkness.

Our life.

Our steady song.

God sent His son, they called Him Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!

A new-born child. It’s time to celebrate.

Actually, at all times, we can celebrate the Lord.

And each new day we can celebrate new birth as we surrender and put our trust in God.

We rejoice in the Lord for the wondrous good in life. And we also choose to praise Him through the trials.

A heart willing to praise increases faith in our day to day. To God be the glory for His goodness at all times.

Today . . . Join me in speaking aloud:

My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, And all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever Psalm 145:21.

This is our hope, that all flesh will bless His holy name, now and forever, with hearts tuned to praise Him, always.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

Let all the children say, “Amen.”

Will I? . . . Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth

 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—
    for your love is more delightful than wine Song of Songs which is Solomon’s 1:2.

Will I allow the Creator of all that I am, come near me?

Even so personal, and intimate as a kiss.

And not on the cheek.

“Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth,” sings the Song of Songs.

Is this the Song above all others?

The greatest song our hearts can sing?

The ultimate song of surrender?

Can I believe that the Creator God of all the Universe and all that’s in it, desires time with me?

Only me?

Intimate and concerned with . . . me?

Perhaps doing hard things in life are more than huge tasks and difficult adventures.

Doing hard things might be . . . simply letting God love us.

You.

Me.

Being still to receive.

Will I?

Allow, authorize, commission, license, accede to, agree to, consent to . . .

God and His precious love for me?

Will I concede, grant, endure, and tolerate . . .

the kisses of His mouth, to my lips?

Will I?

It’s natural for my hurting heart to turn from, or hinder, impede, obstruct, censure, deny, disallow, disapprove, refuse, reject, revoke, suppress, and withhold.

Hurts permeate our souls. We’re broken.

Weak, with no energy to fight, God’s love endures. He patiently breaks through.

He suffers long through ages of time and rejection.

God’s love rises above envy and pride. He’s never provoked or rude as we so often are.

How can He bear all things?

How does He believe the best in each one He sees?

How can He hope all things for me? He remains steadfast. He never gives up on anyone. (1)

There is none like God. (2)

“I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters” Song of Solomon 2: 1,2.

He gave His precious life, a red rose of Sharon, a tender lily among thorns of the cross.

Before I knew the beauty of the Lord, His love surrounded me.

“Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair, thou hast doves eyes” Song of Solomon 1:15.

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations” Jeremiah 1:5.

He knows me. The good, the bad, the ugly.

He knows you too. Yet, He reaches out His arms to us.

“His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me” Song of Solomon 2:6. 

In His arms of love, there is no other place of peace.

“The voice of my beloved, behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills” Song of Solomon 2:8.

Mountains of trouble and strife are everywhere, but  he comes leaping on them, skipping up the hills.
Yes, He’s lover of my soul, and you?

“Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—
For your love is better than wine”

“Your name is ointment poured forth; . . .
Draw me away!” Song of Solomon 1:2,3,4.

Can we hear Him call?

“Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come” Song of Solomon 2:10,11.

Yes, . . . we will.

(1) 1 Corinthians 13

(2) 2 Samuel 7:22

Re-charge with an old hymn to increase faith

Dead phones need a charger. Weary souls need a re-charger too. Paul Gerhardt knew about the need to be encouraged, so in 1656, he penned these words:

“Give to the winds Thy fears; Hope and be undismayed;

God hears Thy sighs and counts Thy tears,

God shall lift up Thy head.” Hymn by Paul Gerhardt, translated by John Wesley, 1656.

 Some old hymns need to find their way back in today’s busy minds.

A 1656 hymn speaks volumes, plain and clear for today, “hope and be undismayed.”

John Wesley is a familiar name. He’s the brother of Charles  Wesley, one of the 19 children born of  Samuel and Susanne Wesley. John was four years older than Charles, and  they both were used mightily by God.

But John Wesley had sighs and fears. All of human race has sighs, tears, and fears.

However, God lifts up our head. When we believe, our heads rise. 

“Through waves and clouds and storms, He gently clears Thy way; Wait Thou His time; So shall this night soon end in joyous day.”

Faith helps us wait for His time. Ecclesiastes 3:17 reminds us: 

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

This night will soon be over into a joyous day.

“Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD” Ps. 27:14.

God is God, we’re not. He is a Sovereign God, He knows the beginning from the end. But waiting on the LORD is hard. Our hearts become weak and weary. 

We struggle to trust Him. How we need to know Him and His love deeper and wider.

He knows everything about us, yet He loves us with tender-mercies.

There is no one like God. But do we know Him?

When we spend time with Him. He will strengthen our heart.

Faith is believing God. Wanting to know His Word, His Ways, His wisdom.

“Leave to God’s sov’reign sway To choose and to command; So shall thou, wond’ring, own that way, How wise, how strong His hand!”

 He desires my best, not my own wandering ways.

When I don’t fully understand, do I believe still?

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ Romans 10:17.

Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind Job 12: 9-10.

“How can tragic loss, disease, and strife bombard our lives as it does?”

We ask, we wonder, we doubt God’s love,

Yet His Hand remains to hold ours as we walk among thorns in this broken sin-cursed world.

There’s always hope, as long as there’s God.

“Let us in life, in death, Thy steadfast truth declare, And publish with our latest breath Thy love and guardian care.

God’s Word, a voice of love and care and steadfast truth: 

Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? 
 
He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. 
 
 He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. 
 
No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff. 
 
 “To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. 
 
 Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name.
 
Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing Isaiah 40:21-26.

 

“Far, far above thy thought, His counsel shall appear, When fully He the work hath wrought, that caused thy needless fear.”

  He supernaturally lifts us to carry on . . .

Until that day,

He calls us home.

“Give to the winds thy fears. Hope and be undismayed.

God hears they sighs and counts thy tears.

God shall lift up thy head.”

Change my countenance Lord, let Your light shine instead

“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,…”

My prayer to God is “Change me, Lord. My countenance is hard and pained.

Help me remember the foundations:

“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.

Help me remember the exhortations:

“Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Ephesians 5:14.

I must turn around and pray.

“May my hard countenance be changed. Christ shine on me. In Jesus’ name.”

Child of weakness, watch and pray.

 Find in Me,

thine all in all.

Battles rage inside my mind, and voices speak: “You don’t have what it takes.”
“Give up now. Things will never change.”

But like a dream flowing in circles, the Holy Spirit shows me the way, again, and again:

” . . . Thy strength indeed is small, child of weakness watch and pray. Find in Me, thine all in all.

“Hear Me, listen, receive My Spirit. Be filled, and be changed.”

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!”

A song of peace, rest, and truth from the Lord brings to remembrance God’s true Word:

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 
 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 
 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 
 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep John 10:11-13.
“You Lord, chose to be true to us, Your children. You didn’t run away. You committed to each of us, You faced the cross and taught us love.
Help us speak the hymns aloud and find a countenance that’s light:

“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!”

Your sacrifice and offering are the vision and focus we need, to bring us joy.

Yes, we choose to abide and dwell in praise and thankfulness. Our countenance is changed to shine Your gentleness.

You remind us, we’re simply passing through. We will look up and sing, and have a washed heart and joy:

“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.“

Praise will change my countenance moment by moment, today!