Tag: Jesus

A New Day to Trust and Obey, Again

The past is the seasoned instruction manual.

Today is here. We often start well, and then, well . . . the night often takes away our song.

But the Word is good news to the weary soul. God’s love is higher than man’s. His love is steadfast with mercies that never end: 

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness”Lamentations 3:22,23.

When our desire is to believe God greater, and know Him with more depth of understanding, seek Him with thirst and hunger, and experience His blessing,

are we surprised when we find ourselves, “poor in spirit,” or in a place of mourning? What did Jesus tell the multitudes on the hill that day? What is Jesus telling me, this day . . . Matthew 5, in a New Living Translation: 

“One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, and he began to teach them.”
 
(This day, I join an ancient crowd that gathered. Today, I ask God to help me hear what the Spirit says to me. Join me?)
 
“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
 
God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
 
God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
 
God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be satisfied.
 
God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
 
God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
 
God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
 
God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs”  Matthew 5: 1-10.

 

We pray for His kingdom to come. We ask for mercy, comfort, vision.

But what of our hearts? The old hymn reminds us to sing:

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

But it’s not all sunshine and roses. The thorns line the stem of the flower’s glorious face. Jeremiah was a prophet of God. He did the good will of God and . . . wrote of his experience:

I am the man who has seen affliction
    by the rod of the Lord’s wrath.
He has driven me away and made me walk
    in darkness rather than light;
 indeed, he has turned his hand against me
    again and again, all day long.

 He has made my skin and my flesh grow old
    and has broken my bones.
 He has besieged me and surrounded me
    with bitterness and hardship.
 He has made me dwell in darkness
    like those long dead Jeremiah 3:1-6.

The desperate story continues, but something happens in the reading. All of a sudden, I can see more than Jeremiah and my own loss and toils, I see Jesus. Yes, He is the One I see . . .

 

He drew his bow
    and made me the target for his arrows.

 He pierced my heart
    with arrows from his quiver.

 I became the laughingstock of all my people;
    they mock me in song all day long.


 He has filled me with bitter herbs
    and given me gall to drink. Jeremiah 3:12-15.

If Jeremiah can remember the faithfulness of God through the hardship, and I see Jesus through the Word, how He suffered for me, and died for my shame, yet rose that I might have victory,

then the song, Trust and Obey now makes full sense. Yes, I can sing of His steadfast love because Jesus satisfied all that’s required of me.

“It is finished,” He said. I believe this today. Today, I’m complete, and my heart sings with greater understanding: 

But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

Today, I lay it all on the altar. And ask that He give me grace to trust and obey. And let us grow in our faith, as we sing along the way: 

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.

He is our hope, today, yesterday, forever.

In Jesus, we can be made new, even right now: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 1 Corinthians 5:17.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

 

 

How to be blessed? How to be happy?

“Be blessed.”

“I’m praying for good health.”

Have a wonderful day!” Greetings, blessings, and prayers for good health are a common occurrence and desire for most humans on this planet.

But God knows that we have greater need than present happiness.

Our greatest need in acquiring a deep fulfillment in this present day, this present life is . . . His presence.

Can we begin to live our life for an audience of one?

Is our main concern to find ourselves pleasing to the Lord?

What does that look like anyway?

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 16:7 that When people’s lives please the LORD, even their enemies are at peace with them.

How do we get inner health, heart and mind, and become pleasing to the LORD?

What does He require? Is it to “be kind” each day? Can we “be honest” in all things? None of us can be Holy and perfect, apart from believing on the work of Jesus on the cross.

Where is our help? No one is perfect.

Jesus, who is perfect says to us weary and broken-hearted,

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” Matthew 11:28,29.

Who doesn’t want rest for their souls?

Have we heard lies about “those Christians” and let our attitude about their faults and failures keep us from a community of faith that will prove to lift up our heavy laden hearts?

Jesus knows every person on the entire planet misses the mark. None of us can get it right! But when we check out the stories of Jesus with an opened Bible, we learn, . . . He is the only righteous One.

Jesus spoke on a hill one day, when a great crowd of people gathered in one place.

We might live in a day where, “What’s good is bad,” but Jesus has the Words of life. He speaks to the broken-hearted turning things around for good bringing hope in every situation.

I’m sure in this multitude of people gathered there were all kinds of “sin-full” people present. Jesus knew they were all “sin-full” people. (We’re all sin-full people.) But He loved each one and He spoke about a new attitude, (Matthew 5, Amplified),

“Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit[those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].

The poor in spirit are those who might be feeling they have failed.

But when one turns to Jesus, he, she’s forgiven, . . . he, she’s washed, . . . In Him, He makes all things new, 2 Corinthians 5:17 reminds us this,

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

In Him, In Jesus, we’re blessed. Why? The multitude all gathered together heard it from His very own voice,

“Blessed [forgiven, refreshed by God’s grace] are those who mourn [over their sins and repent], for they will be comforted [when the burden of sin is lifted] Matthew 5:4, AMP.

Why do we listen to lies that He’s going to take all the good stuff away? Who doesn’t want to be new? Who will reject being comforted?

Many do.

But those who have ears to hear, the Bible says over and over, “Let him hear,”
“Blessed [inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, worthy of respect] are the gentle [the kind-hearted, the sweet-spirited, the self-controlled], for they will inherit the earth” Matthew 5:5, AMP.

And there are more blessings.

“Who was this Man on the hill speaking to the multitudes?”

He’s Savior to those who believe. But today, we must check our heart, are we believing?

Here, in Matthew 5 He’s a great teacher. In many Bible stories, He’s healer. He fed thousands. Jesus was good, but,

He won’t become Savior until we invite him in, for salvation, one time, for guidance, every minute . . .

“Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John the Baptist proclaimed in John 1:29.

We all need washed. Only the blood of the Lamb cleanses.

If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 

 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from . . .

all sin 1 John 1:6,7.

John the Baptist prepared the people, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” in Matthew 3:2.

Has the kingdom of heaven come near? Right now?

“Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be [completely] satisfied” Matthew 5:6.

Satisfied, healthy, and joyful. Isn’t this the desire of our heart?

Jesus looks on us who turn to Him with grace and compassion. He is slow to anger. He is abounding in mercy:

“Blessed [content, sheltered by God’s promises] are the merciful, for they will receive mercy” Matthew 5: 7.

And Oh, how happy we can be in Him today.

“Jesus, we need You in our lives to direct and guide and keep us in Your way.

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (Ps.16:11), . . .

we believe in Jesus’ name. Amen”

Will we believe? Do we choose Jesus and abide in Him? What do you say?

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 

 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” John 15: 4,5.

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.


 

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.”

Deliver me from the lows. I’m weak from the highs. Bring me to middle C to a sweet melody . . .

Art by Grace Rypkema

Life contains low notes, and high notes.

Birth brings high notes. Sickness and sorrow bring in the low tones, but the heart has rest near the tones of middle C.

Every human being will go through highs, light and joyful. And the lows come requiring more breath through the heaviness.

Refreshment comes when the notes lighten up near the middle C.

When Christ is our center, we have rest and peace. We have a lift from the oppressive lows. Provided for us, a life near to God, is calm refuge the high notes can’t bring.

Christ the center is music of solid ground, stable sound, no sharps, no flats.

Constant.

No matter what.

We’ve all missed God’s perfection. No one is righteous, not one . . . Romans 3 gives a full account of this minor melody. But faith in Christ Jesus frees us from death’s blow, and we are free and forgiven:  

(This) righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 

and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith Romans 3:22-25.

When we choose to believe and put Christ as our center, He restores a new song of praise and thankfulness.

Just as the flow of a melodious song, Jesus abides in our hearts filled with praise.

Through trial and strife, though no-one might understand, Jesus stands, constant, compassionate, caring, and as middle C, true:

Do we leave the lows, and come down from the highs, and move to the center and open our ears about God’s gift in Christ:

 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God Romans 6:10.

Middle C.

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus Romans 6:11.

Not condemnation, only conviction to change and hope:

 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace Romans 6:14.

Who needs a new tune? A new story, a new song?

Call on Christ to be the center. He can change anyone’s tune. Romans 6:17-23, The Message:

 But thank God you’ve started listening to a new master,

 one whose commands set you free to live openly in his freedom! 

 I’m using this freedom language because it’s easy to picture. You can readily recall, can’t you, how at one time the more you did just what you felt like doing – not caring about others, not caring about God – the worse your life became and the less freedom you had? And how much different is it now as you live in God’s freedom, your lives healed and expansive in holiness?

  As long as you did what you felt like doing, ignoring God, you didn’t have to bother with right thinking or right living, or right anything for that matter. 

 But do you call that a free life? What did you get out of it? Nothing you’re proud of now. Where did it get you? A dead end. 

 But now that you’ve found you don’t have to listen to sin tell you what to do, and have discovered the delight of listening to God telling you, what a surprise! A whole, healed, put-together life right now, with more and more of life on the way! 

 Work hard for sin your whole life and your pension is death. But God’s gift is real life, eternal life, delivered by Jesus, our Master, Romans 6:17-23.

There’s nothing like a new song of salvation, thankfulness, and freedom.

If the Lord is tugging at your heart to receive His Son, Jesus. Pray and call on His glorious name today.

“Jesus, forgive me.”

He will.

“Jesus, take all the past hurt, pain, and sin.

He does.

“Jesus make me new. Fill me with Your Spirit.”

He is constant.

Constant like middle C!

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!

The win in a hymn, defeat to fear: Praise God Forever

“Tune up my heart strings, Lord.” She prays, as her heart beats in a flat, minor chord.
“All things are possible with You by my side,” she believes.

“Help my unbelief,” she asks ready to defeat the perfectionist, the giant enemy of thought.

“Change me. C-H-A-N-G-E me!” She pleads with the One who is able.

In stillness, a gentle voice reminds:

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord you God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9.

Faith has new breath, and a word of direction: “Sing a new song. Praise God as the victory is won. Sing praise!”

A hymn comes to mind.
The hymn tunes the heart’s theme for hope.

With a prayer for mercy and power of God.

Read aloud. Yes, sing aloud:

Come thou fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing thy grace

Streams of mercy never ceasing
Call for songs of loudest praise

Teach me some melodious sonnet
Sung by flaming tongues above

I’ll praise the mount I’m fixed upon it
Mount of thy redeeming love”

Change happens in a moments time. God’s Word comes to mind:
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
 He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber;” Psalm 121,

Lifted. Transformed, through the speaking of a psalm.

What comes next? Her heart needs to know, she reads aloud:

 The Lord watches over you—

    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
 the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;
 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.

This is how the hymn is sung. By the help of the Living Word giving persevering strength to the weary saint.

Here I raise my Ebenezer
Hither by thy help I come

And I hope by thy good pleasure
Safely to arrive at home

Jesus sought me when a stranger
Wondering from the fold of God

He, to rescue me from danger
Interposed His precious blood

She receives the Spirit’s Comfort and Hope and thankfulness pours forth:

O to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be!
Let thy goodness like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee

Prone to wander Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.

Victory is won in her heart this moment. A new song is sung. Prayers have been answered and change for good themes continues on . . .

Will we choose to read aloud and sing? “Yes, because ‘new’ is a glorious thing.”

New heart strings, and ultimately, a new me.

Will you also agree?

Come Thou Fount, hymn by Robert Robinson

Pizza Note: Don’t Forget, Jesus is Coming Back Again

Jesus came as a baby. This we remember.

God gave the greatest gift to the entire world. We hear hymns of, Joy to the world, the Lord is come, let earth receive her King. And we respond, as we choose gifts for those we love.

And we remember Easter. God’s greatest provision for us by sending His precious Lamb to earth, to die on the cross that He might pay our debt of sin, the debt we could never be free of on our own.

But we forget, He’s coming back again. And it is very soon.

We know how to clean up house for guests, but our we ready for the return and second coming of the King of Kings?

Jesus is coming soon.

We must let this awesome and fearful news wake us up and make preparations in our heart, mind, and spirit. Do we know Jesus? He came not to condemn the world, as John 3:17 reminds us, but Jesus came “in order that the world might be saved through Him.”

Don’t forget: Jesus loves you. He’s on your side. Don’t be tempted to turn your back to Him. He will never do that to you.

 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here Romans 13:11,12.

If your heart is touched by the soon arrival of the King of Kings, and you’re house is out of order, or you aren’t sure your door has been opened to Him, simply talk to Him, and pray a prayer from your heart, (along these lines, or perhaps not,) telling Jesus,

“I’m sorry for my sins. Forgive me of all of them.

Change me Lord.

Help me let go of my past hurts and losses, each and every one of them.

Help me believe You Jesus and know You more. Make me a new creation. Fill me with Your Spirit that I might have Your peace, hope, and resurrection power working in me to love in a true and real way.

In Jesus name, Amen.”

The Greatest Graduation Speech Ever

“I would like to say that now that we have our degree, we will not run into problems that we can’t handle.

Truthfully, no matter the type of degree, the number of years of experience, no matter the location, support groups, family, or friendships,

there will always come a time when we just don’t know the answer. It’s inevitable.

So, I want to encourage you with a little anatomy lesson:

Did you know that there are 47 different structures that make up the human eye that all have a unique function?

Did you know that there are 6 extra-ocular muscles, 4 cranial nerves, and 1.2 million nerve fibers in each optic nerve?

Did you know that when light waves touch my eye, without even thinking about it, I blink. 

I blink to protect my eyes from too much exposure.

And when the amount of light changes, my pupillary-light response reacts without a thought, that only the right amount of light is allowed into my eye.

Did you know there are four of twelve cranial nerves that work specifically for the eye? They allow me to focus on an object, read it, and also move in different directions.

There are 9 different structures that all play a specific role in receiving light messages before they even get to the brain!

And not until those messages get to the occipital lobe of the brain that I’m able to interpret what I’m actually seeing.

The eyes receive millions of light waves and messages everyday, but my brain has a specific area that let’s only the important and significant messages through so that the brain doesn’t get over-stimulated.

Did you know that the God who told me to cast all my cares upon Him,

and told me He will never leave me nor forsake me,

and that I should be anxious for nothing,

was the very One who designed this whole system and hundreds like it so that we can live and move and breathe every second.

Did you know that He didn’t have to lift a finger and didn’t sweat a drop to think of it?

He just breathed on one man,

and He said that He knit us together and formed us in our mother’s womb before you were even a thought in her mind.

So, what are you worried about? 

What will you be worried about when you come up to those hurdles that are bound to cross you path?

Think of your eye and tell me, that your situation, your problem, your worry is too big for GOD who created you and the world you live in.”

 

This Best Graduation Speech was presented by Carolyn Rypkema at the Lamplighting Ceremony at PBAU, May 3, 2012.

I’m the proud mama, and not only that, May 3rd, the day of the greatest speech ever, was my birthday.

 

My dear Carolyn, the oldest daughter of our large family, I love you more than you will ever know. I am more proud of you than you can conceive in your very smart mind. I am so thankful of the unifying spirit within you, the encouraging spirit, the brave and courageous spirit  that you possess. You are an amazing person. 

I have failed as a mom so many times, but I have succeeded in one point, pointing you, and each my kids to the One Who Loves perfectly, the One Who knows everything, and the One Who never leaves us or forsakes us. 

Isn’t God amazing? Thank you Carolyn for reminding me through your wonderful graduation speech that God’s watching and keeping us under His careful and perfect eye.

He will continually guide each of us continually with His eye!

I love you forever,

mom

Hymns written long ago, give us prayers to open our heart’s door.

The old hymnal on the shelf. Silent. Closed. Yet, the treasures are stored.

So I opened it today, to a hymn from not tarnished by the present mainstream air.

Do we suffer from guilt and regret? How can we be freed of it’s strangling grip?

We pray.

We pray, one time alone, for salvation of our soul.

Above the noise and our own stubborn plans, can we hear His knock at each of our heart’s door?

Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole; I want Thee forever to live in my soul; Break down every idol; cast out every foe;

Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

When the door of our heart is opened to Him, and He forgives all my sin, and yours. He offered His love to the whole world.

He did. He does.

He paid a great price that I might be born again. Not in the flesh, because, I’m still here and alive, but I became born of the Spirit, able to see . . . true Love.

I was no longer blind.

Somebody loves me, and I knew it fully, inside.

I prayed one time for my salvation, but each day for a wash.

My feet become dirty just living in this land. I’m prideful, covetous, naturally selfish and critical. My own stubbornness closes me daily from being free.

Who can help me from all this?

Lord Jesus, look down from Thy throne in the skies, and help me to make a complete sacrifice; I give up myself and whatever I know.

Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

An open hymnal, read aloud, prayed from the heart, instructs the mind, refreshes the soul, and increases faith deep down inside.

Lord Jesus, for this I most humbly entreat, I wait blessed Lord at Thy crucified feet; by faith, for my cleansing, I see Thy blood flow;

Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

He gave up His life to pay our great debt. Jesus is able to make all things right.

I must wait in faith. I need believe God now. I can’t trust in my feelings. He is a present help,

Lord Jesus, Thou seest I patiently wait; come now and within me a new heart create; To those who have sought Thee, Thou never saidst, “No;”

Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. (Whiter Than Snow by James Nicholson 1872).

Let’s speak it alone, right here, right now. Believe God has cleansed and brought us near. He is our Savior who cleanses and renews. Today, everyday, we now make Him Lord.

We must tell someone else what Jesus has just done . . .

for you, for me, . . .

we’ve been washed . . .

completely.

Whiter Than Snow by James Nicholson 1872:

 G
1  Lord Je-sus, I    long to   be   per-fect -ly  whole;
2  Lord Je-sus, look down from Thy  throne in the skies,
3  Lord Je-sus, for  this I    most hum-bly   en -treat 
4  Lord Je-sus, Thou se - est  I    pa -tient-ly  wait;

  (G)        Em    D    G    (G9 G) D     (D6    D)   G
1  I  want   Thee  for -ev  - er to live   in    my   soul;
2  And help  me    to   make  a  com-plete sac - ri - fice;
3  I  wait,  bless-ed   Lord, at Thy cru - ci  - fied feet;
4  Come now, and   with-in    me a   new   heart cre -ate;

  (G)            G/B  C                              G
1  Break down ev-ery  idol,   cast    out    ev'ry    foe:
2  I  give  up   my - self    and    whatever    I    know
3  By faith, for my   cleans-ing, I  see  Thy  blood  flow;
4  To those who  have sought Thee, Thou never saidst "No;"

  (G)                          D    Em7/D D    G
   Now wash me, and I shall be whit-er    than snow.


Chorus:
   D                 Em          C    G
   Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow;
  (G)                          D    Em7/D D    G
   Now wash me, and I shall be whit-er    than snow.

What have we done with Jesus?

“Don’t bring Jesus here. Don’t include Him in there,” growls the Public School System and the Public Squares.

“His name offends. Leave it out altogether. It’s time for tolerance,” exclaims the media’s voice.

Where is the wise man (philosopher)? Where is the scribe (scholar)? Where is the debater (logician, orator) of this age? Has God not exposed the foolishness of this world’s wisdom? 1 Corinthians 1:20.

Are we tolerant of everything except Jesus? Can we not discern the double standards?

There is no mystery. God’s Word explains:

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God 1 Corinthians 1:18.

Jesus. Foolishness to those who are perishing.

But God . . .

He allows in this broken world, the blessing of brokenness in the lives of man, that the heart of man might have vision, in due time, to finally see Jesus, as the Passover Lamb, who’s blood was shed that our lives might be saved.

And we are “being saved” after we finally admit we are “perishing” in our own wisdom and strength, and we pray for the first genuine time, “I need You Lord.” I need a Savior to deliver me from myself and sin. Forgive me and give me life again.”

And to us who are “being saved” we know Jesus, as the name who resurrects what was dead and brings it to life.

We know Jesus to be the Light for the steps we take in this dark world.

We know Jesus to be a flowing river of deep abiding joy and peace. Jesus becomes our “better than” wine.

God is Spirit. He’s everywhere. He’s in the Public School, whether they know it or not. God is in the Public Square, He’s in the history stories and science book.

God is in control.

What have we done with Jesus?

That’s a personal question. God works one-on-one.

Jesus waits.

For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe 1Corinthians 1:21.

For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength 1 Corinthians 1:25.

The Report has gone out.

Privately, one-by-one, Jesus waits when we realize we are perishing after going astray, and grace enters full-view, and we see He died for just me,

only me.

And our minds open wide and we bid Him invitation.

He’s gracious. He’s compassionate. He knows we are but sheep:

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all Isaiah 53:6.

Have we invited Him in? Anywhere is fine for the Lord. The public square, the school library. He dwells in hearts of praise. Let’s believe Him today.

Isaiah 53:1-5: “Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?”
“For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.”

“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from  him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”

“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions,
he was bruised for our iniquities,
the chastisement of our peace was upon him; 
and with his stripes we are healed.”

Please talk to someone if you asked Jesus in your heart today! Angels in heaven rejoice when a heart receives salvation. God bless you, for all eternity with life abundant.







Knowing God through Worship, Everyday

Many years ago, sitting high above the row of seats in the sanctuary in a small, separated “new mom’s room” with a window. I was alone with a new baby. Jesus and me and a new-born. It was my fourth child.

Worship was in progress.

My heart was over-flowing with thanks to God for a healthy baby, for a safe delivery, for energy to be at church with a one-week old.

Holding a new little miracle, (as all children are), I came to the house of worship to give thanks to God.

I will confess, when I first found out I was expecting, again, . . .  my heart and mind didn’t take hold of celebration, but instead, fear and anxiety, “Who has four kids?”

“I’ll probably never play the guitar again.”

God could see my selfishness in the beginning, but, He had a plan.

God patiently loved me still. He turned my heart completely.

He changed me.

I came to worship Him.

Who is God besides our Lord?

There is no love like God’s love:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.

God endured all for me, and you.

God’s love believes in me, and you.

God’s love hopes all things for everybody.

“God’s love never fails.”

My mind couldn’t (and can’t) fully comprehend the width and depth of God’s love.  But holding this knew baby, somehow, my spirit knew the language to speak,

“Worship Him.”

This was an extra-ordinary day, but what about the ordinary? What if we make the choice? Today. To have a heart of praise.

Let’s worship God. Let’s lift up spiritual words with the sound of our voice to meet the Lord in a quiet place. That He might meet us here, and pour out His grace:

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

A worshipful heart has no room for complaint or lack. God’s presence dwells in praise. He brings peace to experience His love.

He is our Father in heaven. He is holy. He alone is Love:

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,
casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
who wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.

The Father gave, the Son obeyed, the Spirit reminds me, “Worship the King.”

And in the very act of worship,

we believe Him purer, understand Him greater, sense His love deeper.

Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,
though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see,
only thou art holy; there is none beside thee
perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.

Oh, to have a heart of worship this day. Not just those precious moments, but the ordinary days as well.

“Oh, that we would know You greater, God of Love and grace. Empty us of ourselves and fill us with Your praise:

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name in earth and sky and sea.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

A Snapshot of God’s Abounding Love

The King of King has proposed to His Bride. He stopped the world from busy-ness for a short time.
He presented His ring and asked,

“Will you be Mine?”

I had to take a snapshot of this heavenly image so the picture would impress daily the Lord’s point of view.

So, as I wake this new morning, knowing He sees and knows all my flaws, . . .

I rise with my heart taking hold of His hand, and my feet hit the floor as I think, “Lord, I do.”

“Lord, I’m amazed by You. How can You love me just as I am?”

“I AM WHO I AM, Jehovah God is My name. I am love. I love everyone. For all eternity I am the same.

I AM The LORD, merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 

There is no Love greater. I AM the LORD. Faithful and True is My name.

But to all who receive Me and believe on Me, I give right to welcome into My family.
Will you be Mine? Today, and for all eternity? It doesn’t matter how you feel. My love is above all Love, “I will betroth you to Me.”

Hosea 2:20, Exodus 3:14, 1 John 4:7-12, and John 1:12, This is My Word. I love you, still.

With each step you take, on this day forward, will you be . . .”
“Yes Lord, I will!

You wore a crown of thorns so I can someday wear a crown of gold. I worship You with a thankful heart. I am Yours.

Here is my hand, I receive Your Love. I am thankful forever that You promise to keep me and hold, . . .

To keep me and hold. You, my Love have promised to never, ever,
let go.”

(And this is my Thanksgiving prayer, that I show off my “ring” in every remaining song I sing. Who will say, “Amen, and pray to join me?!)
Happy, Happy, Thanksgiving.

Exodus 3:14, God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.”

1John 4:7-12, Beloved, let us love one another,

for love is from God,

and whoever loves has been born of God

and knows God.  

Anyone who does not love does not know God,

because God is love. 

In this the love of God was made manifest among us,

that God sent his only Son into the world,

so that we might live through him. 

 In this is love, 

not that we have loved God but that he loved us

and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

  Beloved, if God so loved us,

we also ought to love one another. 

 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another,

God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

John 1:12, But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

Revelation 19:11-21, Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True,

and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 

 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems,

and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.  He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood,

and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.

  And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, 

were following him on white horses. 

 From his mouth comes a sharp sword

 with which to strike down the nations,

and he will rule them with a rod of iron.

 He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.

  On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

Romans 11:33, Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

And to the Word, powerful and rich, we speak in an audible voice, “Amen.”

Our Valentine Promises

The true Valentine keeps promises to His own.

To all who receive Him, He makes their heart His home.

He is the Vine, our Valentine.

He asks that we abide and unite with His Word and fruit will come forth bringing glory to the Lord:

Speak aloud age-old hymns and be revived in the soul. Actively respond, and discover, it is so:

“Quicken’d by thee, and kept alive, I flourish and bear fruit; My life I from thy sap derive, My vigour from thy root. 

I can do nothing without thee; My strength is wholly thine: Wither’d and barren should I be, If sever’d from the vine. (1)

He is faithful. That we might trust Him more and more.

Faith grows as we hear His Letters of love. Ears that hear, with souls refreshed, as words are read of Jesus’ faithfulness:

“Come just as you are, for Jesus invites Poor sinners to share substantial delights: Ye weary and burden’d who happy would be, And wish to be pardon’d, come listen to me.”

“The ear of your heart if you will incline To you I’ll impart my fulness divine, Your souls by my Spirit made meet for the sky, The life shall inherit which never shall die.” (2)

Valentine comfort. Valentine hope. This is Jesus, to all whose heart will take hold.

“My precious Lord, for thy dear name I bear the cross, despise the shame; Nor do I faint while thou art near; I lean on thee; how can I fear?

No other name but thine is given To cheer my soul in earth or heaven; No other wealth will I require; No other friend can I desire.”

Yea, into nothing would I fall For thee alone, my All in All; To feel thy love, my only joy; To tell thy love, my sole employ.”(3)

He makes beauty from ashes. Will you join me in praise? His Name together, with thankful hearts, raise!

(1) From Spurgeon’s Devotional Bible

(2) From Spurgeon’s Devotional Bible

(3) From Spurgeon’s Devotional Bible

Picture Credit: LegacyandCo

Hope for 2020. Where does our help come from?

https://seekthingsabove.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/4595177604_49db06e213.jpg

As our world enters a new decade, 2020, do we often feel like pilgrims in a foreign place?

Do our heart’s long for a homeland of peace and truth? Stepping up to hope for our upcoming year is found in our own personal, active worship to the LORD.

I won’t use the word god, because in this day, as in the Bible days, there were many gods among the people.

In ancient Israel, the people would travel in companies up to Jerusalem three times a year to worship the LORD, YHWH. They would sing pilgrim’s songs, marching songs to the true, eternal God, defined as the Creator of heaven and earth.

The songs are recorded for us in the Psalms of ascent.

The early steps of the journey, step by step, began with a company of singers proclaiming their heart.

Tell me, does your heart not cry out these phrases?

I took my troubles to the Lord;
    I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer.
 Rescue me, O Lord, from liars
    and from all deceitful people . . .
 

How I suffer in far-off Meshech.
    It pains me to live in distant Kedar.
 I am tired of living
    among people who hate peace.
 I search for peace;
    but when I speak of peace, they want war! Psalm 120 NLT.

But as Christmas decorations get put away, in this new year of 2020, we must be diligent to keep our Jesus in full view, for this world is a battle zone.

“I search for peace;
    but when I speak of peace, they want war!”

Many words are spoken by the people and leaders around. But only God knows the heart of man.

Some words have been shoved aside because they’re offensive, but when someone has an invasive cancer, the attack is often bitter treatments. Our world is sick with a cancer.

The original word of this particular sickness, (which needs to be resurrected to make sense of this upside down world) is . . . sin.

The heart of people, all people, is deceitful. We are all prone to war in our minds. All have sin. (Romans 3:23).

None of us escape this condition, but thanks to the Lord, He gave us Jesus.

Where does our help come from?

Did we not sing the song this Christmas?

“Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled”
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic hosts proclaim:
“Christ is born in . . .

our hearts today?

Hail the Heav’n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!

Yes, we must lift our eyes and worship aloud. The heaven-born Prince of peace abides in a heart of praise. Do we need peace? Do we need light?

We must receive this Prince of Peace. We must believe He loves us and came to heal each of us individually.

This new year can we put sound to the words? Do we dare sing aloud the never aging words of hymns and psalms. We must receive in order to . . . receive:


Light and life to all He brings
Ris’n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth

We live in a world that needs help, . . . one person at a time. Help comes from the LORD who made heaven and earth.

I look up to the mountains—
    does my help come from there?
My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth! Psalm 121.

The wise men came to worship the New-born King. Do we take time to worship Him. Do we go out of our way to give Him praise? This is a New Year. We will answer,

“Yes!”

“Thank You Lord, for saving my soul. Thank You Lord, for making me whole. Thank You Lord, for giving to me, Thy great salvation so rich and free.”

God’s provision of the Babe come down to later die on the cross that Peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled.”

We say, “Amen. Let it be in me.”

Jesus is our gift for each day of this new year.

Let’s worship the Prince of Peace, in the assembly of the congregation, stepping up with community that we might live with renewed courage every waking day.

Speak, sing, mumble, grown, to the LORD it’s glorious if it’s praise and adoration to Him, the Creator of heaven, earth, and the incredible life we see.

Our help comes from the LORD.

Yes, we lift up our voices exalt His great Name:

 He will not let you stumble;
    the one who watches over you will not slumber.
 Indeed, he who watches over Israel
    never slumbers or sleeps.

 The Lord himself watches over you!
    The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
 The sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon at night.

 The Lord keeps you from all harm
    and watches over your life.
 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
    both now and forever Psalm 121.

“Praise be to our God, the Maker of heaven and earth, forever.”

 Hark the Herald Angels Sing. 1739, Hymns and Sacred Poems, Charles Wesley and George Whitefield.