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Saturday Psalm and Praise–I WILL Trust You Lord (Even When I Don’t Understand)

Saturday, November 29th, 2008

 

Psalm 118

 

1 O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good:  because His mercy endureth for ever.

2 Let Israel now say, that His mercy endureth for ever.

3 Let the house of Aaron now say, that His mercy endureth for ever.

4 Let them now that fear the Lord say, that His mercy (lovingkindness) endureth for ever.

5 I called upon the Lord in distress:  the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place.

6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear….

14 The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.

15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous:  the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.

16 The right hand of the Lord is exalted:  the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.

17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.

19 Open to me the gates of righteousness:  I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord:

20 This gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter.

21 I will praise Thee:  for Thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.

22The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

23 This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.

24 This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

26 Blessed be He that cometh in the name of the Lord:  we have blessed You out of the house of the Lord.

 

Psalm 147:3  "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds (sorrows)."

 

 

These verses really ministered to me yesterday.  It is so easy to give thanks to the Lord when things are going well and we feel blessed.  It is a "sacrifice of praise", to give thanks when things are NOT going well or we don’t necessarily feel His blessings.

 

And yet, if we keep our focus on Him, and all He has done, and what He went through to purchase our pardon AND to restore our fellowship with Him……

 

Then we can’t help but praise Him.  Yes, even in the midst of tears and sorrows, when our heart is breaking, yet we can still choose to rejoice (118:24). 

 

This is what I had to do yesterday.

 

I had started having some problems earlier in the week, so was on bedrest.   Thinking I had just overdone it a bit.   When things seemed to get a bit worse instead of better, my midwife and I agreed that I needed to know what was going on, as decisions needed to be made on what we were going to do this weekend.   (We have another family Thanksgiving today.)

 

We went to the hospital for an ultrasound, and found that the baby had died a few weeks ago.  Instead of being a solid 12 weeks, the baby was only 9 1/2 weeks.  And no heartbeat.

 

I am no stranger to losses–I have had a stillbirth and 12 miscarriages before this.   But none of the miscarriage babies had lived this long.   The doctor explained that I was going to have a bit more difficult time.  I know that’s his job, to inform me (and thank the Lord, he is a Christian man who is pro family!).  I am praying for as easy a passage as possible, with no need for medical intervention.  

 

As I had a few moments when the ultra sound technician went to find the doctor, I had a talk with the Lord.  It was my "surrender" time.   I had hoped that the Lord would do for me, like Job, and give me as many on Earth as He took to Heaven.   So I reminded Him that this didn’t even things out very well!  (I really believe the Lord can handle my weird sense of humor!  And I still have hope that we will have more, whether we "even up" down here or not!)  

 

And I told Him that He has seen me through far worse–I had to walk the same halls I walked yesterday a little over 4 years ago when my husband had a terrible accident that by all accounts, should have taken his life.   Losing our first son was hard, too, and up until that accident was the worst thing—but Dallas was with me then.

 

During his accident, I was alone.  Except for God.  I had lots of friends and family supporting me, but you know–the late night, when no one is around, it’s just you and God.  I was the one who had to make decisions–without the ability to ask my dear sweetie what he thought I should do.  I had to learn to "listen" to my Heavenly Father.  To let Him hold my hand, hold me when I cried in the night.

 

I know He will see me through the next days, weeks….months and even years, because I never forget the little "holes" in our family.  But I will see them all in Heaven–I have HOPE!   And I have the indwelling Holy Spirit and God’s Word to comfort and strengthen me.  

 

"I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord."   I would have claimed that for this precious baby, who was so wanted by us all.   Yet the Lord speaks a different "interpretation" to my spirit:

 

"YOU will not die spiritually, wallowing in bitterness, but you will LIVE, and declare My works.   You will put your trust in ME, even when you don’t understand, for that is what true love and faith are—to trust the Beloved, that He only has your best in mind, no matter how it looks at the time. "

 

 

For my best and His glory.   That is what life on Earth is about.  NOT just about me.  NOT about feeling comfy and getting everything going my way.   If everything went wonderful for Christians, there wouldn’t be an empty church in the world!

 

But will we follow Him when things are hard?  Will we trust Him?

 

Psalm 119:34 "Give me understanding, and I shall keep Thy law;  yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart."

 

"The greatest understanding we can attain is knowing that we can trust God even though we cannot fully understand Him.  This is why Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."  We must realize there is a vast difference between our understanding and God’s.  When we consider the incomprehensible qualities of God, including His unfailing love, we begin to realize that God understands from a perspective we simply do not have, and will never have.

 

"Mrs. Albert Einstein was once asked to explain her husband’s ‘Theory of Relativity.’  After pondering the question for a moment she stated, ‘I cannot explain his theory at all, but I know Albert, and he can be trusted.’  In a similar way, the parent-child relationship requires the same development of trust over time.  There are times when a parent  will ask a young child to simply obey them.  The child may reply, ‘I don’t understand why I should obey.’  The parent responds with , ‘You don’t need to understand, you just need to obey!’  There are some things parents cannot explain to their children and children cannot understand because they lack the experience and maturity of the parent.  However, if a child will simply trust and obey, it will work to his benefit.  The songwriter had it right when he wrote, ‘Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.’

 

"As you meditate on this verse, consider whether you trust God’s understanding and simply obey, or whether you require Him to first explain according to your undestanding before you obey."

 

(taken from The Heart of the King by Ron Auch, bold emphasis mine)

 

 

The Lord has given me many comforting Scriptures, and I’d like to take the risk of this becoming a book in itself and share a few more with you.  (I know some may say I’m in danger of prooftexting, but I’m not basing my doctrine on these, they are just what stood out to me as I was reading, and I believe the Word is living and active and He can use any portion to comfort our hearts, as long as we’re not so twisting it to make it mean what we want so we can then do what we want.  For me, for now, this is His Word to me, to comfort my heart.)

 

 

Isaiah 30:29, 30   "Ye shall have a song, as in the night…..and gladness of heart…..And the Lord shall cause His glorious voice to be heard…"

 

 

I truly believe that as we surrender to His sovereign will, and trust Him even when we don’t understand, we will hear "His glorious voice" speaking to us through His Spirit and His Word.

 

 

Isaiah 51:3  "For the Lord shall comfort Zion:  He will comfort all her waste places;  and He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody."

 

 

At first our thanksgiving may be a choice more than a feeling.   More of a duty than a delight.  But as we continue to seek His heart, seek Him with our WHOLE heart, I believe He gives the joy, the gladness, and the voice of melody–He gives us a song!  Even in a sad song, we can give Him the glory by saying, "Lord, I will trust You, no matter what, whether I understand or not!  I will declare to all who will listen that ‘Thou art good, and doest good’ (Psalm 119:68).  ‘I will love You, O Lord, my Strength!’ (Psalm 18:1)"

 

 

 

I hope this blesses and encourages you, whether you are going through a death in your family, death of a vision, or even something less traumatic–yet it’s still major to you.  Through your tears, may you look up and gather strength from your Rock, your Fortress, your Mighty Redeemer, and let Him carry you.

 

 

God can be trusted

 

 

Even when you don’t understand.

 

 

Will you simply obey?

 

 

Remember His unfailing love.  All is for your ultimate good and His glory.

 

 

Yes, even when our hearts are breaking–there’s Glory on the other side!!!

 

 

 

May you be blessed by His love besetting you behind and before, His hand laid upon you, and underneath His everlasting arms upholding you.

 

 

It Is Well

(Horatio G. Spafford, 1828-1888)

 

When peace like a river attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,

"It is well, it is well with my soul."

 

It is well (It is well)

With my soul (with my soul),

It is well, it is well

With my soul.

 

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

 

It is well (It is well)

With my soul (with my soul),

It is well, it is well

With my soul.

 

My sin– O the bliss of this glorious thought,

My sin– not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

 

It is well (It is well)

With my soul (with my soul),

It is well, it is well

With my soul.

 

And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,

The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend,

"Even so"– it is well with my soul.

 

It is well (It is well)

With my soul (with my soul),

It is well, it is well

With my soul.

 

 

Yes, Lord.  Even so–it is well with my soul.

Thanksgiving Psalm and Praise

Monday, November 24th, 2008

 

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Finding Financial Freedom is her story, and if you’ve heard of Dave Ramsey, you’ll recognize some of her "steps"!  I feel she distills it nicely and shows you how a real family is doing it.   Sometimes I read these wonderful books, but I need a little more help getting it where "the rubber meets the road"!   Kelly’s book does a good job of that!  (Actually, ALL of her books do!)

 

Think Outside the Classroom is a WONDERFUL resource for Real Life Learning!  Oh, you can get the info other places, too, but this is a good book if you’re just not sure how to start implementing it (or afraid to let go!) or to help someone else relax a bit.  And it’s good for those of us being more relaxed to not fear and go "back to Egypt"!   This is the book that I say, "Since Kelly has written this book, now I don’t have to!"  

 

Her By Heart Scripture songs are just beautiful!  When you click on the link, you can hear short excerpts of the songs.   Soothing and uplifting, totally focused on the Lord!

 

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I’m doing a little different take on Jacque’s Saturday Psalm and Praise!   I had a busy weekend, and Saturday I was trying to sort through all those partially started and such projects, then Dallas and I had a nice long afternoon/evening together!  We went to Ft.  Wayne and did some "shopping"–for free!!!   We had a gift card for Sears and got some things there, then went to Texas Roadhouse (actually, he would say we came for Texas Roadhouse, and just happened to do some shopping!   )  YUM!

 

Soooo…I didn’t get my Saturday Psalm and Praise done.  But what I want to share will fit quite nicely with Thanksgiving (including the "song", as you will see!).

 

I have been reading a wonderful book entitled The Heart of the King by Ron Auch.   (Be sure to peek inside!!)    It is a verse by verse "devotional" of sorts on Psalm 119.   It is just a beautiful jewel of a book!

 

From the back flap, this might give you a glimpse of his heart for this book:

 

"Pray-Tell Ministries’ sole pupose is to challenge the Church back to prayer.  However, odd as it may seem, prayer is not the ultimate goal of this ministry.  Ron’s desire is to get people to want God.  The lack of prayer comes from the lack of desire for God.  You cannot have great desires for God and remain prayerless."

 

From his commentary on verse 2, "Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart." :

 

"Whether self is an idol or not is determined by our prayer life.  If we spend relatively small amounts of time in prayer, it’s because we are not God-centered, we are self-centered.  We cannot just have prayer in our life.  All Christians have some type of prayer in their lives.  We must have a prayer life, which, when defined, means someone whose very life comes from their time of prayer.  That life is centered around prayer."

 

Yes, I was very convicted by those words!!!  And a few days before I read and meditated on those words,  our pastor had challenged us on…..you guessed it!  Our prayer lives!  Many Godly men and women have said that they "have so much to do, I must spend 2 hours in prayer daily".   Ah.   Where are my priorities?!

 

From commentary on verse 15, "I will meditate in Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways.":

 

"No wonder God said David was a man after His own heart.  David was absorbed with his God.  He would meditate and consider the precepts of God."

 

"Without the daily practice of being in the presence of God and meditating on His Word to us, we tend to lose the reality of who God is.  We don’t lose our theological definition of God, we simply lose a real living sense of who He is.  There is a great difference between the God we know in our head and the God we know in our heart.  The head is full of rationale while the heart is full of emotion.  The head takes a very legal look at God and bases its obedience on that.  The heart takes a very loving look at God and bases obedience on that.  The head cannot change the heart but the heart can change the head.

 

"It’s the heart that is changed through prayer and meditation.  When we give ourself over to time in the presence of God, we are making ourself a living sacrifice.  Through that, our heart begins to conform to the character of  God.  As the heart changes, the head follows suit.  Eventually we are transformed by the renewing of the mind.  Ultimately we take on the mind of Christ because we have taken Christ into the heart.

 

"When we know God in the heart we tend to be more obedient to Him."

 

 

Many times I’ve met Christians who have more of  a "head knowledge" of Christ than a "heart knowledge".   They are sincere, but I feel they are missing the most important part of our salvation in Christ–our relationship with Him!

 

On another verse, he shares this gem that really spoke to my heart:

 

"When we follow God in His decisions we walk with Him.  God rarely asks us to go do something for Him.  He primarily asks us to go with Him.  The work of God is not something we do on our own.  It is something we do with God." (emphasis mine)

 

Isn’t that profound?!  How many times have I found myself trying harder, to do something for Him (whether some good deed or trying to pray more or be more righteous…) when what He is asking is that I walk with Him?!   As I walk with Him, He is my strength, my guidance, and He will not allow me to go off on my tangents–nor will I want to!–because I am walking side by side with my Heavenly Bridegroom and Lover of my soul!  But when I get farther away, dropping my "Daddy’s hand" as it were, looking down those seemingly lovely "bunny trails"…..well, my eyes are no longer on Him, my heart’s desire is no longer wholly for Him, and now I’m not walking with Him.  

 

 

For Thankgiving, the MOST important blessing is our relationship with Him!  I leave you with this final commentary on verse 12, "Blessed art Thou, O Lord:  teach me Thy statutes.":

 

 

"In essence the Psalmist is saying, ‘Through praise I learn Your decrees (statutes or decisions) because I am bringing myself under You.’  Bringing ourself ‘under’ is what submission means.  It means we are giving our will to God.  We can now pray with Jesus, ‘Not my will but Thine.’

 

"Through submission, we gain a teachable spirit.  Praise makes us teachable because of the submissive spirit we must be in, in order to worship God.  The true worshipers not only worship in spirit but also in truth.  We come into truth through being teachable.  God does not force feed us.  He waits for our spirit to open to Him so that He can gently teach us of Himself.  Matthew 15:8-9 syas, ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain.’  They worshiped God, but it was futile because their hearts were not pliable.

 

"’The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him’ (Ps. 25:14;KJV).  The secret of the Lord Himself cannot be learned through study, but through submission.  There is no way our limited minds can understand the Lord.  A person’s spirit must commune with His Spirit.  This is done through true worship of God.  As we worship Him and lay our lives in His hands, we begin to understand things about God that cannot be understood any other way.   We learn more about God through submission than we do through self-exaltation.  Pride is a lifting up of ourselves.  Submission is a lifting up of God.  When we bring ourselves down and worship from a position of lowliness He is exalted."  (emphasis mine)

 

I pray that will minister to your spirit as greatly as it did/does mine!   This book is well worth the price!  He suggests taking an hour to go through a section of Psalm 119 (8 verses), and pray and meditate on the verses.  I find that is too big of a "bite"!   I usually take 1-2 verses at a time, and maybe get through 4 in a day.  I did get in 8 today because I spent some extra time I don’t usually have during the weekdays.

 

I leave you with the beautiful piano duet my daughters have been practicing:

 For the Beauty of the Earth (with Fairest Lord Jesus).

(arrangement in Partners in Praise by Marilyn Ham with Meryl Ham)

Be Blessed!

 

Saturday Psalm and Praise

Saturday, November 8th, 2008

 

Psalm 97

 

1 "The Lord reigneth;  let the earth rejoice, let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.

 

2 "Clouds and darkness are round about Him:  righteousness and judgment are the habitation of His throne.

 

3 "A fire goeth before Him, and burneth up His enemies round about.

 

4 "His lightnings enlightened the world:  the earth saw, and trembled.

 

5 "The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

 

6 "The heavens declare His righteousness, and all the people see His glory.

 

7 "Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols:  worship Him, all ye gods.

 

8 "Zion heard, and was glad;  and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of Thy judgements, O Lord.

 

9 "For Thou, Lord, art high above all the earth:  Thou art exalted far above all gods.

 

10 "Ye that love the Lord, hate evil:  He preserveth the souls of His saints;  He delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

 

11 "Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

 

12 "Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness."

 

 

Confusion follows us when we choose to trust in our "idols", be it our own strength, man, methods…..but as we love Him, we fear Him (reverential awe and a fear of doing anything to harm our relationship to Him), He preserves our soul.  He delivers us out of the hand of the wicked.

 

That doesn’t necessarily mean we won’t suffer—but the wicked can’t touch our soul, because God is preserving it.  It’s easy to fear what will happen in the future, but we aren’t given the grace ahead of time.  As Corrie ten Boom’s wonderful analogy shows–He gives us the "ticket" when it’s time to get on the "train".

 

Four years ago my husband was in a terrible accident that by many estimations, should have taken his life.  If I had worried about that happening ahead of time, God would not give me the grace to face it.  I can attest that through the worst of times (well, for me so far), God has faithfully given the grace as I needed it. 

 

When we went through miscarriages and infertility.

 

When we lost Noah Ross 18 years ago.

 

When Anna-Pie had an auto-immune disorder that looked to become chronic 10 years ago.

 

When Bekah fell from the barn loft 4 1/2 years ago.

 

When Dallas was in his accident 4 years ago.

 

When my dad died a year ago.

 

If we sit around worrying about it all, we waste energy and time, and really, we say God is a liar.  I’ve not counted for myself, but I’ve heard the Bible says 365 times to "fear NOT".  So truly to fear is a direct disobedience to a clear command of my heavenly Father and my God!!!

 

It is tempting to fear.  America has squandered her heritage and the grace of God for so long.  I have no doubt we are under judgment.  And I’m not referring to the recent election, necessarily.   That is only a reflection of our hearts as the people, just as the kings of Israel were a reflection of her people.  It has to start in our hearts as God’s people–it has to start in mine.  

 

So I examine my own heart–am I trusting in "idols"?  They can be so sneaky.  My fear itself becomes an idol.  It has been said we worship what we fear.  Therefore, if I fear troubled times, the future, the economy, my leaders, accidents, weather, whatever–I have just set up an idol.  God says to set no idol before my eyes–He alone is to get my worship, according to the first commandment!!!

 

That is why we are to fear nothing but God Himself–and again, that fear is not a cowering, "hope He doesn’t spank me" fear.  It is a "I don’t want to disappoint my Daddy" fear–yet with a reverential awe that my Father is the King and Creator of the universe. 

 

In place of a hymn, I would like to post a few selections from Spurgeon’s "Morning and Evening" that really speak to me at this time. 

 

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From November 6:

 

 

Morning


"I will pour water upon him that is thirsty."-Isaiah 44:3

 

When a believer has fallen into a low, sad state of feeling, he often tries to lift himself out of it by chastening himself with dark and doleful fears. Such is not the way to rise from the dust, but to continue in it. As well chain the eagle’s wing to make it mount, as doubt in order to increase our grace. It is not the law, but the gospel which saves the seeking soul at first; and it is not a legal bondage, but gospel liberty which can restore the fainting believer afterwards. Slavish fear brings not back the backslider to God, but the sweet wooings of love allure him to Jesus’ bosom. Are you this morning thirsting for the living God, and unhappy because you cannot find him to the delight of your heart? Have you lost the joy of religion, and is this your prayer, "Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation"? Are you conscious also that you are barren, like the dry ground; that you are not bringing forth the fruit unto God which He has a right to expect of you; that you are not so useful in the Church, or in the world, as your heart desires to be? Then here is exactly the promise which you need, "I will pour water upon him that is thirsty." You shall receive the grace you so much require, and you shall have it to the utmost reach of your needs. Water refreshes the thirsty: you shall be refreshed; your desires shall be gratified. Water quickens sleeping vegetable life: your life shall be quickened by fresh grace. Water swells the buds and makes the fruits ripen; you shall have fructifying grace: you shall be made fruitful in the ways of God. Whatever good quality there is in divine grace, you shall enjoy it to the full. All the riches of divine grace you shall receive in plenty; you shall be as it were drenched with it: and as sometimes the meadows become flooded by the bursting rivers, and the fields are turned into pools, so shall you be-the thirsty land shall be springs of water.

 

 

From November 7:

 

Morning


"Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands."-Isaiah 49:16

 

No doubt a part of the wonder which is concentrated in the word "Behold," is excited by the unbelieving lamentation of the preceding sentence. Zion said, "The Lord hath forsaken me, and my God hath forgotten me." How amazed the divine mind seems to be at this wicked unbelief! What can be more astounding than the unfounded doubts and fears of God’s favoured people? The Lord’s loving word of rebuke should make us blush; He cries, "How can I have forgotten thee, when I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands? How darest thou doubt my constant remembrance, when the memorial is set upon my very flesh?" O unbelief, how strange a marvel thou art! We know not which most to wonder at, the faithfulness of God or the unbelief of His people. He keeps His promise a thousand times, and yet the next trial makes us doubt Him. He never faileth; He is never a dry well; He is never as a setting sun, a passing meteor, or a melting vapour; and yet we are as continually vexed with anxieties, molested with suspicions, and disturbed with fears, as if our God were the mirage of the desert. "Behold," is a word intended to excite admiration. Here, indeed, we have a theme for marvelling. Heaven and earth may well be astonished that rebels should obtain so great a nearness to the heart of infinite love as to be written upon the palms of His hands. "I have graven thee."It does not say, "Thy name." The name is there, but that is not all: "I have graven thee." See the fulness of this! I have graven thy person, thine image, thy case, thy circumstances, thy sins, thy temptations, thy weaknesses, thy wants, thy works; I have graven thee, everything about thee, all that concerns thee; I have put thee altogether there. Wilt thou ever say again that thy God hath forsaken thee when He has graven thee upon His own palms?

 

 

Evening

 


"And ye shall be witnesses unto Me."-Acts 1:8

 

In order to learn how to discharge your duty as a witness for Christ, look at His example. He is always witnessing: by the well of Samaria, or in the Temple of Jerusalem: by the lake of Gennesaret, or on the mountain’s brow. He is witnessing night and day; His mighty prayers are as vocal to God as His daily services. He witnesses under all circumstances; Scribes and Pharisees cannot shut His mouth; even before Pilate He witnesses a good confession. He witnesses so clearly, and distinctly that there is no mistake in Him. Christian, make your life a clear testimony. Be you as the brook wherein you may see every stone at the bottom-not as the muddy creek, of which you only see the surface-but clear and transparent, so that your heart’s love to God and man may be visible to all. You need not say, "I am true:" be true. Boast not of integrity, but be upright. So shall your testimony be such that men cannot help seeing it. Never, for fear of feeble man, restrain your witness. Your lips have been warmed with a coal from off the altar; let them speak as like heaven-touched lips should do. "In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand." Watch not the clouds, consult not the wind-in season and out of season witness for the Saviour, and if it shall come to pass that for Christ’s sake and the gospel’s you shall endure suffering in any shape, shrink not, but rejoice in the honour thus conferred upon you, that you are counted worthy to suffer with your Lord; and joy also in this-that your sufferings, your losses, and persecutions shall make you a platform, from which the more vigorously and with greater power you shall witness for Christ Jesus. Study your great Exemplar, and be filled with His Spirit. Remember that you need much teaching, much upholding, much grace, and much humility, if your witnessing is to be to your Master’s glory.

 

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I fear too many of us are muddy creeks instead of clear brooks!   Oh, Lord!  Make me a clear stream that I may be a true witness of You, Your power, Your love, Your sovereignty!

 

If we as His children do not show forth trust in His plans and His care, how can we give any hope to a world without Him?

 

One more, this one from Faith’s Checkbook, for November 6, also by Spurgeon:

 

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 Delight and Desires


Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. (Psalm37:4)

 

Delight in God has a transforming power and lifts a man above the gross desire of our fallen nature. Delight in Jehovah is not only sweet in itself, but it sweetens the whole soul, till the longings of the heart become such that the Lord can safely promise to fulfill them. Is not that a grand delight which molds our desires till they are like the desires of God?

 

Our foolish way is to desire and then set to work to compass what we desire. We do not go to work in God’s way, which is to seek Him first and then expect all things to be added unto us. If we will let our heart be filled with God till it runs over with delight, then the Lord Himself will take care that we shall not want any good thing. Instead of going abroad for joys let us stay at home with God and drink waters out of our own fountain. He can do for us far more than all our friends. It is better to be content with God alone than to go about fretting and pining for the paltry trifles of time and sense. For a while we may have disappointments; but if these bring us nearer to the Lord, they are things to be prized exceedingly, for they will in the end secure to us the fulfillment of all our right desires.

 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

These might not all tie together, but for me God has used them to speak to my heart and quiet it.

 

And to close, I’d like to quote part of an e-mail from the Solis family, owners of Lifetime Books and Gifts:

 

"Although the end of the election process should have marked an end to our hectic days, there is still much uncertainty about our future as a nation. Many things are at stake, including the economy. As God taught us once again to trust in Him, not in the government, and not on the economy, we were edified by going to His word and being reminded that OUR CERTAINTY IS IN HIM!

 

His word answered all our questions…

 

When we said, "Lord, we are afraid," he responded,

 

"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strenght you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

 

"Father, what about my many concerns?" He assured us,

 

"The Lord will perfect that which concerns [you]; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever" Psalm 138:8

 

"Lord, what shall we do, where shall we go?"

 

"I will instruct and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye…Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; But he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!" Psalm 32:7, 10-11

 

He confirms in His word, HE IS SOVEREIGN IN CREATION AND IN HISTORY!

 

"Let all the earth fear the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance" Psalm 33:8-12

 

"Lord, I have no power…" yet He says, "Not by might nor by power, BUT BY MY SPIRIT" Zechariah 4:6

 

How wonderful to know He supplies us with His good Word to answer all our questions, take away all our fears, and uplift us with "wings like eagles."

 

I can truly say "I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4

 

We encourage you to seek the Lord in prayer and to ask for boldness to preach His Word among the nations. This nation’s revival- the new "Great Awakening" is coming and we will all be part of it as He continues with His sovereign plan until eternity."

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

May this encourage your heart today—remember David in I Samuel 30.  What did he do when they returned to Ziklag to find the city burned and their wives and children taken captive by the Amalekites.  His men spoke of stoning him!    Did he lash out?  Did he fear?  Did he blame God?

No.

Verse 6b, "but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God…"

And then he sought God’s will on the next step!

Encourage yourself in the Lord your God!   And then seek Him as to what you are to do next!

Blessings!

Saturday Psalm and Praise

Saturday, October 18th, 2008

Well, life certainly took over this week!  I’m sorry for those of you who were hoping for a frugal meal yesterday!    Hopefully I can get back on track this week. 

 

 

 

 

A year ago today I sang my dad into Glory.  It is bittersweet–I miss him, wish he could have enjoyed more years on earth with us, yet, the way he was, with his neurodegenerative disease stealing his strength and ability to enjoy life, he is now whole and enjoying the presence of God!

 

In honor of my dad on this anniversary of his Homegoing, I want to share his favorite Psalm and hymn.  Both speak to my heart even now, in these troubling times.   God is still in control, and He is our refuge and our reason to sing!

 

Psalm 91

 

1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 

 

2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress:  my God; in Him will I trust.

 

3 Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

 

4 He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust:  His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

 

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

 

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

 

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

 

8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

 

9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

 

10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

 

11 For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

 

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

 

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder:  the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

 

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him:  I will set him on high, because he hath known My name.

 

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him:  I will be with him in trouble; I wil deliver him, and honour him.

 

16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him My salvation.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

In My Heart There Rings a Melody

 

I have a song that Jesus gave me,

It was sent from Heav’n above;

There never was a sweeter melody,

‘Tis a melody of love.

 

In my heart there rings a melody,

There rings a melody with Heaven’s harmony.

In my heart there rings a melody;

There rings a melody of love.

 

I love the Christ Who died on Calv’ry,

For He washed my sins away;

He put within my heart a melody,

And I know it’s there to stay.

 

In my heart there rings a melody,

There rings a melody with Heaven’s harmony;

In my heart there rings a melody;

There rings a melody of love.

 

‘Twill be my endless theme in Glory,

With the angels I will sing;

‘Twill be a song with glorious harmony,

When the courts of Heaven ring!

 

 

In my heart there rings a melody,

There rings a melody with Heaven’s harmony;

In my heart there rings a melody;

There rings a melody of love.

 

You can listen to the tune here.

 

Wendy and Mary have a beautiful song based on Psalm 91 you can listen to here.

 

 

Some pictures of my dad when he was well and, as you can tell, loved to wrestle with his grandkids!

 

 

Here with a lapful of granddaughters!  (Yep, all mine!)

 

And one of the favorite things my girls liked to do–how many

can Papaw hold?!

 

 

 

May you feel His peace enfold you, His arms uphold you, and His hand upon you, encircling you with His everlasting arms of love.

 

Blessings!

 

~ ..· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ -:¦:-
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*
"Home and family seemed by providence
to be my special field of duty."
                                     ~America Holton Ford, 1889~

Saturday Psalm and Praise

Saturday, October 11th, 2008

 

In all the turmoil of the world, I am so amazed how God is keeping my heart in Him.  It’s not that I have no fears, but I have a deep, abiding peace that He is ultimately in control, and He will take care of us.  That doesn’t mean I won’t suffer or that I will go on blissfully as if nothing is happening, but I need not fret about what to do, how to prepare, what if……. HE is my ALL!

 

And my quiet times have been confirming this!

 

For today, some thoughts from three different Psalms:

 

Psalm 31:1-3

"In Thee, O Lord, do I put my turst;  let me never be ashamed :  deliver me in Thy righteousness.  Bow down Thine ear to me;  deliver me speedily:  be Thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.  For Thou art my rock and my fortress;  therefore for Thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me."

 

The whole Psalm is good!

 

Psalm 41:1-2, 11-13

"Blessed is he that considereth the poor:  the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.  The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive;  and he shall be blessed upon the earth:  and Thou wilt not deliver him unto the wil of his enemies."

 

"By this I know that Thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.  And as for me, Thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before Thy face for ever.  Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting.  Amen, and Amen."

 

Psalm 71:1-8, 14, 16, 23-24

"In Thee, O Lord, do I put my trust:  let me never be put to confusion.  Deliver me in Thy righteousness, and cause me to escape:  incline Thine ear unto me, and save me.  Be Thou my strong habitation whereunto I may continually resort:  Thou hast given commandment to save me, for Thou art my rock and my fortress.   Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.  For Thou art my hope, O Lord God:  Thou art my trust from my youth.  By Thee have I been holden up from the womb:  Thou art He that took me out of my mother’s bowels:   my praise shall be continually of Thee.  I am as a wonder unto many;  but Thou art my strong refuge.  Let my mouth be filled with Thy praise and with Thy honour all the day."

 

"But I will hope continually, and will yet praise Thee more and more."

 

"I will go in the strength of the Lord God:  I will make mention of Thy righteousnes, even of Thine only."

 

"My lips shall greatly rejoice, when I sing unto Thee;  and my soul, which Thou hast redeemed.  My tongue also shall talk of Thy righteousness all the day long:  for they are confounded, for they are broguht unto shame that seek my hurt."

 

Nothing that happens, either to us individually or as a nation, has taken God by surprise.  He Who knows the beginning to the end has it all under His control.   He often used ungodly nations to chastise His chosen Israel, and many times used the gods His people chose to trust in instead of Him to teach them that He is the ONLY true God, the only One Who has power to do anything.

 

As much as I am angry at the self-serving people who got our country into this mess, I can’t really lay all the blame at their door.   And if we think choosing the "right" person for office (be it president, governor, congress, whatever) will change everything, we’re wrong.  We have a responsibility to vote, but that isn’t what’s going to ultimately change this country.  

 

It will only be as we are willing, as Christians who say we follow Christ, to truly follow our Savior and live giving Him control of our every moment, our every breath.  He has it anyway, but as we acknowledge He is Lord in everything, the world sees a powerful God that makes a difference in people’s lives, vs. a nice, comfortable god we pull out to reassure us or ask a little blessing on our endeavors that we have no intention of submitting to the true God’s will.  Even our good works can be iniquity (Mt. 25:41-45), if they are not truly done for Him.

 

I have been soul-searching here lately.   I certainly am not perfect, and I want Him to show me the ways where I actually am a "false witness" to His Name, His character.  It is my desire to live in a way that points in every way to Him and Him alone. 

 

In the little booklet I’ve been reading, In the Footprints of the Lamb by George Steinberger (available from Mount Zion Bible Institute), there are a few statements that stood out this morning:

 

"What is humility?  Humility is not a virtue, but rather the soil in which all other virtues thrive.  No virtue which has not grown in this soil has any value."

 

"Humility is the power which can tolerate the shortcomings of others."

 

Oh, may we seek this loveliness first and foremost!   There is a far greater crisis in the world today than the stock market collapsing and another Great Depression.  How much worse is the famine of God’s Word being believed for what it is, not altered to suit our wants!  How great the crisis of a collapse of holiness that comes from this humility!   And much worse is the Great Void of those who would truly follow in the footprints of the Lamb of God!

 

Whatever happens in the days and weeks and months to come, I pray that we all will be more serious about seeking Him and hearing Him and obeying Him—letting go of our preconceived ideas and follow Him wherever and however He leads.

 

I have no doubt that He will take care of His own, though it may be through ravens in the wilderness!

 

But are we willing to stand for God against the modern day "prophets of Baal"?  

 

We can only do it in His strength and at His bidding—and it starts in the home, where we must put Him first and all must flow through Him.   All my plans, my homeschooling, my computer time, my time discipling, being with my children, my homemaking….all to the glory of Him.   All done seeking His will first, trusting His plans.

 

Proverbs 3:5-6 

 "Trust in the Lord with ALL thine heart;  and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In ALL thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."

 

Whom will I trust?  What will I fear?  I am to fear nothing but God Himself.  Will I reserve anything for myself?  Or will I give it ALL to Him–the only One Who is able to keep me?  Will I acknowledge Him in some ways, but in others "lean unto my own understanding"?  I cannot expect Him to direct my paths until I first surrender ALL.

 

"It is only the fully surrendered heart that can fully trust God for all that He has promised." 

Andrew Murray

 

If I am doubtful, fretful, fearful–it is because I have not fully surrendered an area of my life to Him.

 

This is my desire, to be fully surrendered in every area of my life.   Then I have that deep, quiet peace that doesn’t care about the storms above…..it is too far below to feel it, and is undisturbable as long as I abide in Him. 

 

Remember this quote by Dr. A. T. Pierson:

 

"The peace of God is that eternal calm which, like the cushion of the sea, lies far too deep down to be reached by any external trouble or disturbance;  and he who enters into the presence of God, becomes partaker of that undisturbed and undisturbable calm."

 

 

Rest.

 

Surrender.

 

JOY!

 

~ ..· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ -:¦:-
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*
"Home and family seemed by providence
to be my special field of duty."
                                     ~America Holton Ford, 1889~

Saturday Psalm and Praise: Trust in the Lord and Be Not Afraid

Saturday, September 27th, 2008

For September 27, 2008

 

Lately I have felt like we are pressed upon on every side.   All the turmoil in our nation and in our world…..financial crises, politics, "wars and rumors of wars"…..with those who want to control our food, our supplements, our seeds, our healthcare , our children’s education (or even if we can raise our children!)–basically socializing everything from birth to death–it’s easy to be enraged, afraid, and sometimes frustrated and helpless. 

 

I often tell my children that times might seem rough, or even scarey, but we know WHO is in control!   And we can trust Him!

 

So today, Psalm 27 really spoke to me, and I’d like to share it with you, dear friend.  The little heading in my Bible for this psalm actually says, "Trust in the Lord and be not afraid"   Quite relevent!

 

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation:  whom shall I fear?  the Lord is the strength of my life;  of whom shall I be afraid?

 

2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

 

3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear:  though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

 

4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after;  that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in His temple.

 

5 For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion:  in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me;  He shall set me up upon a rock. (THE ROCK, Jesus!)

 

6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me:  therefore will I offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy;  I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.

 

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice:  have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

 

8 When thou saidst, Seek ye My face;  my heart said unto Thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.

 

9 Hide not Thy face far from me;  put not Thy servant away in anger:  Thou hast been my help;  leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

 

10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.

 

11 Teach me Thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

 

12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies:  for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

 

13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

 

14 Wait on the Lord:  be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart:  wait, I say, on the Lord.

 

`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`

What better song than "Standing on the Promises"?

 

Standing on the promises of Christ my King,

Through eternal ages let His praises ring;

Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,

Standing on the promises of God.

 

Standing on the promises that cannot fail,

When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,

By the living Word of God I shall prevail,

Standing on the promises of God.

 

Standing on the promises I now can see

Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;

Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,

Standing on the promises of God.

 

Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,

Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,

Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,

Standing on the promises of God.

 

Standing on the promises I cannot fall,

List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call,

Resting in my Savior, as my all in all,

Standing on the promises of God.

 

Standing, standing, standing on the promises of God my Savior;

Standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God.

 

`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`

 

Yes, take courage, dear heart!   Wait on HIM and Him ALONE.  Let Him be your "all in all" that will keep you though the "storms of life" and "doubt and fear assail".   He has proven His faithfulness to deliver His loved ones either from the trial or through it.  Either way, we need not fear, for His "rod and staff, they comfort me".   

 

Finally, a promise from Hebrews 13:5:

 

"Let your conversation (behavior) be without covetousness;  and be content with such things as ye have:  for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

 

A friend once pointed out that the last part of that verse means the same read forwards and backwards:

 

"Thee leave, nor thee forsake, never will I"!

 

Amen!

 

~ ..· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ -:¦:-
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*
"Home and family seemed by providence
to be my special field of duty."
                                     ~America Holton Ford, 1889~

Saturday Psalm & Praise: Only in God is My Soul at Rest

Saturday, September 20th, 2008

 

In light of the crazy week we’ve had, the song by Wendy and Mary  "Only in God" (Psalm 62) has really ministered to me.  Today I felt through all my readings the theme was rest and abide.  Truly only from Him is my salvation, my stronghold, my Savior–I will not be afraid at all–I will not be moved.  It’s been tough, especially when there was nothing this mama could do to relieve her suffering children, but pray.  Pray and cry out to God!

 (click above to see how to participate!  Click here to read Jacque’s post for today.)

Psalm 62

 

1 Truly my soul waiteth upon God:  from Him cometh my salvation. 

2 He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.

5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him.

6 He only is my rock and my salvation:  He is my defense; I shall not be moved.

7 In God is my salvation and my glory:  the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

8 Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him:  God is a refuge for us.  Selah.

 

He has seen us through.   He has proven faithful, once again.  I have felt very much being under the shadow of His wings.

 

Because the Prince of Peace resides in my heart, I can choose to trust Him, the Ruler of all storms.  I don’t always! 

 

Psalm 132:13-14 "For the Lord hath chosen Zion; He hath desired it for His habitation.  This is My rest forever:  here will I dwell; for I have desired it. "

 

This speaks to me, of my heart.  My heart can’t be at rest if it’s bitter, or fretting, or fearing.  When my heart is at rest in Him, it becomes a beautiful dwelling place for my Master, my Heavenly Bridegoom and Lover of my soul!  

 

He seeks a place of rest in my heart–and yours.   Our part is to trust, rest in His love, abide.    And when He comes on in, because now the "door" is thrown wide open, He brings immeasurable "peace that passes understanding". 

 

"Return unto thy rest, oh my soul;  for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee."    Psalm 116:7

 

Amen!

 

Blessings,

 

~ ..· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ -:¦:-
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*
"Home and family seemed by providence
to be my special field of duty."