Tag: life

Separate for God or Self?

“Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and who keep the things which are written in it [heeding them and taking them to heart]; for the time [of fulfillment] is near” Revelation 1:3, Amplified.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ.

Do I believe it? Do you believe it? Why does this matter?

If God’s Word is truth, as Jesus Himself proclaimed in His prayer for those who follow Him in John 17:17, Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth,

then, I must understand there is blessing in hearing and receiving the Book of Revelation along with the entirety of the Bible. This is the revelation of Jesus.

Jesus is the Word. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God Revelation 19:13.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father,

full of grace and truth John 1:14-15.

Everyday I need revelation of Jesus Christ. I need to see His glory. How about you?

The Bible is the revelation of Jesus Christ. Am I separated to Him that I might receive His amazing grace, one time for salvation, everyday for light in the midst of a dark world.

Let our hearts sing, “I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind but now I see.”

 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 

 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:16-17.

“Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved . . . “

Am I separated to receive the fullness of His grace? Grace is His unmerited favor on my life. Jesus offers sufficient grace and forgiveness. Am I in a place to receive this?

Happy, blessed, and safe are those who read and hear, who keep these words in our heart, who choose to believe and follow the prophesy. From the first Book of Genesis to the final Book of the Revelation of Jesus.

Where do I stand? Where do you stand. Are we separate unto the Lord?

Can we sing, “How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.”

What does it mean to be sanctified?

Why would I want to be separated to God? Will He take away my life’s desires? Does fear keep me from receiving God’s love and life eternal through His Son Jesus Christ?

Am I half-hearted or set apart?

Jesus was all in:

After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit John 19:28-30.

Jesus gave all when our backs were turned to Him: But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8.

The revelation of Jesus is grace and truth. “And of His fullness we have all received grace for grace.” We receive because he gave us what we didn’t deserve. This makes me want to be on His side, no?

Read in Webster’s American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828, the definition of sanctify:

SANC’TIFY, verb transitive . . .

1. In a general sense, to cleanse, purify or make holy.

2. To separate, set apart or appoint to a holy, sacred or religious use.

God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it. Genesis 2:3 . . .

5. To cleanse from corruption; to purify from sin; to make holy by detaching the affections from the world and its defilements, and exalting them to a supreme love to God.

Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth.

John 17:17. Ephesians 5:26 . . .

7. To make free from guilt . . .

8. To secure from violation . . .

To sanctify God, to praise and celebrate him as a holy being; to acknowledge and honor his holy majesty, and to reverence his character and laws. Isaiah 8:13.

God sanctifies himself or his name, by vindicating his honor from the reproaches of the wicked, and manifesting his glory. Ezekiel 36:23.

Is this not safety? In a day where so much expense and time is being spent on safety are we safely set apart to God, the keeper of our souls?

Am I a lost soul? or am I sanctified to the Lord, the One who is able to save us to the uttermost:

Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them Hebrews 7:25.

“Give me revelation,” we pray in this dark day. We need to know truth. Let’s read aloud the Amplified version of His grace upon grace for those who choose Him today:

Grace [be granted] to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being], from Him Who is [existing forever]

and Who was [continually existing in the past]

and Who is to come, and from the seven Spirits that are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful and trustworthy Witness, the Firstborn of the dead, and the Ruler of the kings of the earth.

To Him who [always] loves us and who [has once for all] freed us [or washed us] from our sins by His own blood (His sacrificial death)— 

and formed us into a kingdom [as His subjects], priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the power and the majesty and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 

 Behold, He is coming with the clouds,

and every eye will see Him,

even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes (nations) of the earth will mourn over Him [realizing their sin and guilt, and anticipating the coming wrath]. 

So it is to be. Amen. Revelation 1: 4-7.

I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”Revelation 1:8.

Separated to God? Yes!

Let’s proclaim together: “I will be careful and safe, making the most out of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

Today, we ask to be cleansed and emptied of ourselves and filled with the Spirit of God, that we might have lives that bear much fruit. That God’s love and joy and peace would permeate from our lives because we choose to be separate to Him.

That we might have patience in all things. That we might have the fullness of self-control and gentleness.

We ask for a filling of His Spirit over and again. That we would be faithful to read and hear the revelation of Jesus Christ through the entirety of His Word.

He has given us a new song. Today we will choose to make music in our heart to the Lord.

Let’s continually give thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of His love, He has made glad, me, you, and those we are around!

PS: If you’ve never asked the Lord Jesus in your life, . . . do it now.

Simply bow your head and talk to Him. Ask forgiveness for your stubbornness and hardness of heart. Ask Him to wash, cleanse, and purify.

He will. He will sanctify you.

Ask the Lord to fill You with His Spirit and understanding in His Word, in the revelation of Jesus.

He will. He looses the stronghold of every chain. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

And tell someone that you have opened your heart to Love.

Comfort Food for Healing and Strength

When the news of the day brings weariness, I ask God to give me an open heart and an understanding mind to receive His Word. Anyone else need a bite of comfort food?

“Comfort, yes, comfort My people!” Says your God . . . The voice of one crying the wilderness says, “Prepare the way of the LORD; . . . Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough places smooth;

The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” Isaiah 40:1-5.

I must allow breakthrough of the water of the Word to run through the desert of my weariness. I will. Join me?

Yes, we will allow the Lord to move the mountains of trouble in our personal worlds today.

The voice said, “Cry out!” And he said, “What shall I cry?”
“All flesh is grass. And all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers and the flower fades, Because the breath of the LORD blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever” Isaiah 40: 6-8.

When circumstances are hard, we can see our God is greater.

We search His Word to increase our faith.

We take up the shield and God protects from all the fiery darts of the enemy, of doubt, and fear, and helplessness. The Word is living and alive. Our God is an awesome God:

“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, Measured heaven with a span . . . Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, Or as His counselor has taught Him?

With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him, And taught Him in the path of justice?

Who taught Him knowledge, and showed Him the way . . .
Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, and are counted as the small dust on the scales . . . to whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare to Him?  Isaiah 40: 12-18.
I choose to fear the LORD and take  hold of His Word that I might discern the lies from what’s true:

The voice of the Lord speaks, do we respond, “I will receive His love this day.”

“Fear not, for I am with you;

Be not dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, . . . 

I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” Isaiah 41:10.

Father, Son, the Holy Spirit, three in One . . . He is the I Am speaking to us. He speaks personally.

He takes hold of me, personally, individually, and you.  My great and mighty God, Creator of the universe and all that’s in it, and yours. We can say, “He is mine.”

We will weep and cry aloud. And we will receive His love and healing. He is with us, now . . .

O how He loves you and me, O how He loves you and me,
He gave His life, what more could He give?
O how He loves you, O how He loves me,
O how He loves you and me.
Jesus to Calv’ry did go, His love for mankind to show;
What He did there bro’t hope from despair:
O how He loves you, O how He loves me,
O how He loves you and me.

(4) Oh how He loves you and me

In any present darkness, a breath to praise brings the Lord’s presence of light.

“Be still my soul, the Lord is in thy side. Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain. Leave to thy God to order and provide. In every change, He faithfully will remain.

Be still my soul, thy best and heavenly friend, through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.”(Hymn, Be Still My Soul by Katharina von Schlegel).

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, My God, my strength, in whom I will trust . . .

He sent from above, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the LORD was my support.

He brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me . . . For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?

It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect . . . The LORD lives! Blessed be my Rock!

It is God who avenges me . . . Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD . . . And sing praises to Your name” Psalm 18.

I recorded Be Still My Soul with portions of Psalm 18 in the midst of my cancer battle 10 years ago. Bald, sick from chemo, weak, anxious about finances, and school lessons and schedules, kid’s health, etc., yet speaking and singing hymns was God’s living and breathing therapy for me.

He lifted me. The LORD God, Creator of the heavens and earth and everything in it held me up. The prayers of family and the saints far and wide were heard by the Lord.

His hand was on our family. He gave exceptional gifts to my kids. God was faithful, (even in my faithlessness at times). What a gracious, compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in mercy and forgiveness, (Ex. 34:6,7).

Yes, I believe God’s Word. He touched me physically, emotionally, and spiritually and kept me during a very dark time, and continues each and every day continuing.

“I LOVE the LORD, because He has heard My voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live . . . ” Psalm 116:1,2.

And of my days, there will be no end. All because of Jesus taking all my failure on the cross. He forgives me. He cleansed me. He gives me hope today. He is risen, and He continually raises me up and rescues me.

And He stretches His arms out and offers this to all who will believe. “Yes, Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief. Increase my faith.”

If there is one person this blesses, it’s enough for me -Toni

Where is Love?

Constant Love is Found in Jesus
The sweet love of Jesus is genuine and steadfast, enduring forever through all things. And the meaning of the word “all” is ALL!

Where is love?

“If God is love, where is He?” Some might be asking.

“This is so elementary. I don’t have time for this,” some might be thinking.

But perhaps, it’s in simplicity that God paints His pictures of love everyday.

If we open our eyes, we can see love in everything.

Color, design, majesty, in each leaf and flower. We are awed by each morning’s sun.

We understand the need from protection from danger. We blink before something might touch our eye.

Simplicity is found in much complexity.

A Designer? Many of us agree, “Yes. I believe in God.”

Many believe shallow thoughts that the Bible is only a religious book. Fluffy, fairy-tale like, with a long set of rules.

God’s Word is far from soft and fluffy, especially in its definition of love.

God’s creation went his own way, deceived by the snake, disobedient to God’s instruction way back in the beginning, Genesis 3.

The prophet Isaiah sums it up like this,

“All we like sheep have gone astray . . .”

no longer under the protective care of the Shepherd, we, stubborn sheep go our own way and then are overcome by pestilence and fear.

Hatred.

Pain.

Darkness. Every day. More and more.

Where is love?

Over 2000 years ago, on a hill called Calvary, Jesus took all our filthiness, cruelty, stubbornness, envy, pride, hatred, and murders and was nailed to the cross. He willingly left the glory of heaven to come down to us.

He took all our sin on Himself.

That’s what love is.

“Who has believed our report? . . . He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised and we did not esteem Him” Isaiah 53: 1-3.

God. Loves. The world. He sees. He knows. He never slumbers.

Do we cry out for His presence?

“God so loved the world that He . . . “

gave. . .

His only Son, . . .

for me. For you.

“Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed” Isaiah 53:4-6.

Love offers freedom, healing, the power of . . .

forgiveness and new Life.

Love is not like the natural man, ever.

Only God is perfect love. And He took all our failure on Himself and He offers His love to us, today, no matter what we’ve done.

The Bible tells us so:

Love is very patient and He’s kind.

Love’s not irritable,

or rude.

Love doesn’t demand His own way.

He’s never jealous or envious.

Love is never selfish, boastful or proud.

Do we hold grudges?

God’s love does not.

God’s love hardly notices when others do it wrong.

Love is never glad about injustice!

But, Love rejoices whenever truth wins out.

Love came down and was, and is loyal at a great cost.

Love always believes the best about people.

Love hopes the best for all.

He says, “I’ve been waiting for you. You are such a treasure to Me. You are Mine.”

He cleanses and heals our broken and darkened hearts. He shines light to repair all damage done. He makes all things new when we invite Love in.

Do we resist God’s love? . . . still?

Isn’t it time?

His love never fails.

Never.

(Taken from 1 Corinthians 13, Living Bible with emphasis added).

“Draw near to God and he will draw near to you” James 4:8.

Do you feel the Lord touch your heart today?

Talk to Him. He’s been calling You by name.

The Final Answer

Can we be angry and humble at the same time? Can justice be found without anger? Where is the love we all long for? Can forgiveness be complete?

Today, our eyes witness evil. That is an absolute we can agree on.

“Justice,” is the people’s cry in the streets. This is a two way street that is an absolute .

Love is planted deep in the heart of every human. Family is a place to often see it grow.

Forgiveness is an absolute necessity and a great need.

“Where in the world do evil, justice, love and forgiveness converge at one point in history?” Ravi Zacharias concluded his talk at a United Nations Prayer Breakfast.

We know evil exists. We seek justice. We’re hungry for love. Forgiveness is needed. “Can I take you to a hill on Calvary and show you the person of Jesus Christ.”

Ravi, who has recently gone home to be with the Lord after a short but painful battle with a rare bone cancer stated, “Deep in my heart, I believe there are no other answers apart from the person of Jesus Christ.”

He shows us evil, taken on himself. He was the just and justifier who loved us so greatly that He prayed, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”

What’s truth? Where’s God in all this suffering and pain?

Ravi Zacharias shared thoughts by James Stewart of Scotland:

“It is a glorious phrase of the New Testament, that ‘he led captivity captive.’ 

The very triumphs of His foes, it means, he used for their defeat.

He compelled their dark achievements to subserve his end, not theirs.

They nailed him to the tree, not knowing that by that very act they were bringing the world to his feet.

They gave him a cross, not guessing that he would make it a throne.

They flung him outside the gates to die, not knowing that in that very moment they were lifting up all the gates of the universe, to let the King of Glory come in.

They thought to root out his doctrines, not understanding that they were implanting imperishably in the hearts of men the very name they intended to destroy.

They thought they had defeated God with His back the wall, pinned and helpless and defeated: they did not know that it was God Himself who had tracked them down.

He did not conquer in spite of the dark mystery of evil. He conquered through it.”(James Stewart, October 17, 2012).

We seek peace in the midst of evil. We pray for justice. We desperately need love and forgiveness . . .

There are many questions.

Jesus Christ laid down His life us. He paid our debt in full on the cross at Calvary. He rose from the dead. And He lives today. Does He live in our heart, today?

The final answer? The Gospel:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in him, should not perish but have eternal life” John 3:16.

Good Health? Who’s Voice Are we Listening to?

Who’s in charge? Who’s voice takes first place?

To safeguard good health we must wash our thoughts with God’s Word, outside and in. We must exercise ourselves in its truth.

Otherwise, we’re swirling in confusion by every newscast. We’re shaken up. We don’t recognize when people try to trick us with lies that sound like the truth.

Are we sheep cast down, confused, in harm’s way?

Yes, we are. The Bible tells us so:

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6.

The bad news is not the end. This trial of uncertainty can “make us lie down,” be still and hear the Shepherd’s voice:

“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.  The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 

The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 

 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.  But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice” John 10:1-5.

The gatekeeper, the Father God “who art in heaven”, opens the gate for him, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son . . . “

Who is Jesus? All sheep easily forget:

“Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.  All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 

 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 

 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full John 10:7-10.

Can we hear Him? Have we acknowledged that the LORD laid all my failure, pride, and sin on Him at the cross?

The washing of the heart is the beginning of health. We need a one-time wash of our sin for salvation. We also need a daily wash of His Word to stay safe through this messy world.

“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. 

 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 

 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again.  No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father” John 10:14-18.

This voice is Jesus, the Good Shepherd. We must choose to hear His Good News every day:

The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me,  but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.  My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 

 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.  My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.  I and the Father are one” John 10:25-30.

Have we decided to hear Him? It’s time. He fills us with a new song of assurance and safety, forever. Now this is Good News:

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.

We stay safe and healthy when we remain close to Him. We can clearly hear His voice above the noise of this world.

-just keep singin’.

Toni

A walk with a hymn brings out a deep prayer within . . .

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide; The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;

When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, oh abide with me. Henry F. Lyte 1847.

Spoken aloud, as on an evening walk, though sitting in one place, with the Creator of the Universe, there comes a release of tension and a new focus of heart.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day; Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away; Change and decay in all around I see— O Thou who chagest not, abide with me.

Loved ones in hospitals left alone, parents in nursing homes without family visits. Children unable to unite with friends. Teachers give virtual lessons in separated spaces. Ministers labor to unite hearts to hope. Grief and loss are endured in separation. Energy turns to weariness quickly, . . . Change and decay in all around I see—

O Thou who chagest not, abide with me.

We raise our hearts to be rescued and lifted. We cry aloud with amplified meaning,

“Abide with us . . . Remain with me. Lodge by my side. Dwell right here. Continue to stay, endure by my side, stay in my sight, encamp around me!”

We cry out these age-old words,

I need Thy presence every passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

And when we’re still, completely surrendered, as a seed in the ground who breaks down and dies, . . .

life unseen develops within, a calm, a comfort, . . . beyond understanding. And ears open and hearts receive, as a mist of the morning, God’s refreshing news:

Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the Lord,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
 He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
 Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
 But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint Isaiah 40:28-31.

Transformation happens. Nothing changes, save the heart and mind.  

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, . . . Hebrews 4:12.

This hymn is our prayer:

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness;
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

We pray for the lonely, the elderly, the sick, our communities, our families, let’s pray for ourselves.

He. Is. The Vine.

Let’s open ourselves to His love and ask Him to abide. Grace sufficient is found in Him. Water, light, bread, the Way. Let’s pray these old words and receive the victory found at the cross. His pardon, His cleansing, His filling, His grace.

There is no fear in love. We can boldly proclaim, in Jesus name:

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies;
Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me. Henry F. Lyte, 1847.

So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand Isaiah 41:10.

Transformed. Renewed. All the while, Change and decay in all around I see—

we will pray,

O Thou who chagest not, abide with me.

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.“

O For Grace to Trust Him More

The taste of sweet treats I challenge myself to put away, and as a new year begins, I pray instead for increased craving for the promises of God.

For motivation, I open the Amplified Word.

“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.

Who doesn’t want to be joyful and nourished by God’s goodness? Well, maybe some, but if God tells us how to be blessed, I want  to know more of Him and His Word.

This brings to mind an old hymn: ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus. Just to take Him at His word. Just to rest upon His promise. Just to Know, “Thus saith the Lord.”

Today’s news is hard. Storms are brewing. Yet, if I take delight in the sweet, precious Word of God, and remember what saith the Lord, then I have no reason to fear, because I’m reminded the best truth of all, that God is with me.

Even if I “walk through the valley of the shadow of death,” in our hard, demanding days, when I choose to draw near to God, He promises to draw near to me.

“Oh how sweet to trust in Jesus. Just to trust His cleansing blood, and in simple faith to plunge me ‘neath the healing, cleansing flood.”

Spending a little time in God’s Word and thinking on this related hymn, I’m reminded that, “In Him we live and move and have our being” Acts 17:28.

He surrounds me.

I can rest upon His promises.

Strengthen the feeble hands,
    steady the knees that give way;
 say to those with fearful hearts,
    “Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
    he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
    he will come to save you” Isaiah 35:3,4.

My mind and heart are not strengthened by excess of anything, except perhaps, the Word of God and the reading of the hymns.

Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.

Taking hold of God’s provision, life and rest, and joy and peace, is most satisfying. ‘Tis so sweet. This is how we can be blessed. Yes?

I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.

Oh, to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”

 “Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God.

 “Blessed [spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor] are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they will [express His character and] be called the sons of God.

Oh for grace to trust Him more.

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.

 

 

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.


 

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.”

Who can enter His Kingdom?

Magic Kingdom can’t be entered without a ticket. The ticket will change in color and price daily, but everyone knows, you must acquire that day’s entrance pass, or you remain outside the gate.

The greatest and most magical kingdom of all is the heavenly kingdom of God. What’s the entrance pass to enter into our heavenly home?

How can we know? Does God leave us to figure it ourselves?

God makes it no mystery at all.

It’s not popular opinion.

It’s not intellectual discovery.

It can’t be acquired by earnings or points.

God’s ways are made plain. God’s plan unfolds. A look to the heavens brings awe and question, but is our faith complete through nature alone?

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

The Bible proclaims that Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made John 1:3.
The heavens belong to Him. The seas of the earth are His possession. He is Almighty. We are awestruck with His creation.
 
But faith comes from hearing.
Not solely by the sounds of the morning birds or the fall of water. God speaks through the word about Christ.
 
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind John 1:4.
 
Proclaimed by man are many roads to the Kingdom. But whose word can be trusted? How can we know.
 
What is truth? Can we know it?
 
Darkness is present. We feel it. We see it. Our lives are pained greatly by the evils in this world.
 
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it John 1:5. 
 
Who will cry out for truth?
Who is crying for light?
 
When the Bible is opened, God’s Word speaks,
 

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him John 1:9,10.

He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him John 1:11.

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.

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. What is truth? What is life? What way do we go?

 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth John 1: 14.

Where’s the light that reveals the solid rock path so we may cross the rough rivers of this life? Where’s the hope in this dark world?

He’s a Person. The Son who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Jesus is the ticket! Have we received Him? Do we believe in His name? He gives us right to become children of God.

Have you read His invitation?

 
“Come, all you who are thirsty,

    come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
    come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
    without money and without cost.
 Why spend money on what is not bread,
    and your labor on what does not satisfy?

Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
    and you will delight in the richest of fare.

 Give ear and come to me;
    listen, that you may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David Isaiah 55: 1-3.

 Seek the Lord while he may be found;
    call on him while he is near.
 Let the wicked forsake their ways
    and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,
    and to our God, for he will freely pardon Isaiah 55: 6,7.

Will we open the pages of God’s Book? Will we receive His word above man?

 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts Isaiah 55:8,9.

Who will hear? Who will believe God above man?

As the rain and the snow
    come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
    without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
    so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
    It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
    and achieve the purpose for which I sent it Isaiah 55: 10,11.

Oh how we need truth to set us free. We can have the ticket, even now:

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me John 14:6.

Today, today . . . who will believe?

Do we ask, “What’s in it for me?”

Jesus speaks,

You will go out in joy
    and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
    will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
    will clap their hands.
 Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
    and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
    for an everlasting sign,
    that will endure forever.” Isaiah 55:12, 13. 

“Come into my life Light and Truth. Come into my life and show me Your way. Come into my life, Lord Jesus.”

The gatekeeper says,

 Enter into His gates . . . (Psalm 100:4),

and we will,

with thanksgiving, . . .  into His courts with praise Psalm 100:4. 

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