Mercy: A Boundless Sea

 

Tozer was a wise writer... and well used by The Lord...
How often do we just tire of those that we see around us that know they should do better... those that know the truth but want to live for thier own flesh a bit longer... how frustrated to we get with those people when we see them sin openly and don't have a care in the world...
Do we even sometimes think it's not fair...
God is fair... God is righteous... God is never wrong...

We each need to remember as the wise prophet Jeremiah wrote ages ago... 'but most righteous acts are but filthy wrags in His sight...'

God, who is rich in mercy... even when we were dead in sins. Ephesians 2:4-5

"A human being is never really aware of the great boundless sea of the mercy of God until by faith he comes across the threshold of the kingdom of God and recognizes it and identifies it!
My father was sixty years old when he bowed before Jesus Christ and was born again. That was a near lifetime in which he had sinned and lied and cursed. But to him, the mercy of God that took him to heaven was no greater than the mercy of God that had endured and kept him for sixty years.
I recall the story of an ancient rabbi who consented to take a weary old traveler into his house for a night of rest. In conversation, the rabbi discovered the visitor was almost 100 years old and a confirmed atheist. Infuriated, the rabbi arose, opened the door and ordered the man out into the night.
Then, sitting down by his candle and Old Testament, it seemed he heard a voice, God's voice: "I have endured that sinner for almost a century. Could you not endure him for a night?" The rabbi ran out and overtaking the old man, brought him back to the hospitality of his home for the night." Tozer

"Father, You are gloriously patient with mankind. I praise You for that, and I pray that You will prod Your believing children to go out and find those who are on the cusp of belief." Tozer

Until next time,
Jean

A Handy Prayer List

I was reading out of "Family Life" an Anabaptist publication and on the back cover of the current issue was something that struck my heart...
How often do we forget to pray for others... not our loved ones and friends, but 'other's' as well as the loved ones & friends? We are all guilty of it.. we get busy and 'forget' about friend Jane's heartbreak or brother John's sick wife and so on...

I thought I would share an excerpt of this wonderful reminder...

   "A grandmother had been telling a Bible story to her grandchildren.  She explained to them how Daniel had faithfully prayed to God three times a day.  'What do you think he prayed for?' she asked.
   Then she held up her left hand so all of the children could see, 'Look at my thumb and fingers, ' she said. 'They remind me of things I should pray for every day.  My thumb is nearest to me, so I start by praying for my family, the ones who are dearest and nearest to me.  I pray for my friends and neighbords too.  And I thank the Lord that He has blessed me with so many dear ones.  That is a good way to start my prayer.'
   Grandma paused, but she was still holding her hand in the air.  'Next to my thumb is my index finger,' she said.  'Years ago, my teacher used to point that finger at me in school.  Sometimes our preachers shake this finger in church when they are warning us about dangers. So when I think of that finger, I pray for the teachers and preachers and the parents who have a great responsibility to guide those in their care.'
   The grandchildren were listening with interest. 'My middle finger is the longest one,' Grandma continued.  'It stands above the others.  This reminds me to pray for the rulers of our country and for all those in authority.
   The next finger is the weakest one. It makes me think of the poor and the sick and helpless. I ask the Lord to supply their needs and to strengthen them in body and soul.  And I also pray that if there is any way I can be a help to these people. I want to do my part.'
   With that, the grandmother came at last to her little finger.  'This one stands for me,'
 she said.  'So I finish my prayer by praying for myself and all the things I need." 


... thought provoking,
Until next time,
Jean 

Out In The Sea

I'm floating along in a little boat in the middle of the great big sea...
I can't see land on any side... I don't have any oars to paddle... I'm drifting and being tossed about... and I don't know where I'll end up...
Out in the far off sky it is dark... I don't know which direction anything is going because I forget which way the sun sets and rises... just drifting
There is a mist in the air but I can't tell if it's coming from the water or if it is starting to rain... I have no shelter from the storm and the boat is becoming tumultuous...

Peter was out in the boat when the storm was raging... He saw something coming walking on the water... he realized it was the Lord...
Jesus called him out onto the water... he stepped out... in faith...
Do you believe this really happened? Have you ever been by the seashore and stepped out... did you walk on the water?
Peter stayed afloat while he kept his eyes on Jesus... then suddenly he turned away and looked at the storm... the raging sea... the impossibility of it all... and he started to sink immediately...
"Master, master, I perish... save me!" Peter cried out!

Jesus simply held him up and said, "Oh ye of little faith..."
How it must have grieved Him... here Peter was walking on the water... it should have been exhilarating... but he caved in, shall we say.

How do we stop from caving in?
How do we keep our eyes on Jesus when the storms are bashing so hard and all the walls are crashing in?
How do we keep the faith...

"Master, master, I perish... save me!"
Until next time,
Jean

More Than a Name

 

It's amazing how the Lord will direct us in our life as we allow... or leave us to wander aimlessly as we try to direct our own...

Have you ever been just so distraught... not knowing what to expect... not knowing which direction to go...

He really does have all the answers... no He doesn't just speak right out loud to us like He did to Moses... today for Christians He talks to us through His Word... the Bible... through others like our ministers, family members, friends... and even through a stranger in the grocery store line...

 

This morning He spoke to me here in my faithful "Morning With Tozer"...

I love to share with all of you His wonderful works in my life... I pray that this will be a testimony to Him... to His ever faithful love for me... even when I stumble and fall... He is always there to pick me up and carry me through...

 

Enjoy His precious promises and love...

 

Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 2 Timothy 2:19

 

"There have always been professing Christians who argue and insist: "I am all right—I worship in the name of Jesus." They seem to believe that worship of God is based on a formula. They seem to think there is a kind of magic in saying the name of Jesus!

 

Study the Bible carefully with the help of the Holy Spirit and you will find that the name and the nature of Jesus are one. It is not enough to know how to spell Jesus' name!

 

If we have come to be like Him in nature, if we have come to the place of being able to ask in accordance with His will, He will give us the good things we desire and need. (emphasis minie)

 

We worship God as the result of a new birth from above in which God has been pleased to give us more than a name.

 

He has given us a nature transformed, and Peter expresses that truth in this way: "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (2 Peter 1:4)." Tozer

 

Until next time,

Jean

Today's Idolarty

 

Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God. Exodus 20:5

"It has been proven often in history that whoever entertains an unworthy conception of God is throwing his or her being wide open to the sin of idolatry, which is in essence a defamation of the divine character.

It is vitally important that we think soundly about God. Because He is the foundation of all our religious belief, it follows that if we err in our ideas of God, we will go astray in everything else.

We would like to believe that there are no longer false gods in the world, but actually we recognize some of them in our own society. What about the glorified "Chairman of the Board" of the modern businessman? Or the storytelling, backslapping god of some of the service clubs? Think of the dreamy-eyed god of the unregenerate poet—cozy, aesthetic and willing to fellowship with anybody who thinks high thoughts and believes in moral equality. We often encounter the tricky, unscrupulous god of the superstitious; and the list goes on!

Thankfully, we have found that to know and follow Christ is to be saved from all forms of idolatry!" Tozer

"Lord, it is definitely a challenge not to be swept up by the latest media craze or the hot-selling electronic gadget or the most recent fitness or diet program. I pray, Lord, that none of these "things" will ever supplant You as the focus and purpose of my life."  Tozer

... The bold emphasis is my doing...
I thought about this and pondered on what forms of idolatry I may be entertaining...
What do I love more than the Lord... although I dare never truly admit it... maybe gardening...
Whatever pulls me away from my time with the Lord can become a form of idolatry.  In today's society we don't offer sacrifices or have burning alters in the parks... but lets truly look into our homes.

What about sports and Hollywood in todays world... I always tend to think of this as such blatant idolatry. The world even calls them teen 'idols'  and sports 'idols'. 

Wake up Christians and look around you with an honest eye of self inspection...
One day we will all stand before the judgement seat of God and we will give account for all the bowing down to the worlds idols that we have engaged in.

Until next time,
Jean 

Getting God in Focus

 

But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God. Acts 7:55

Today is Thanksgiving and we do have so much to be thankful for...
This was one of my daily devotions today...
The highlighted verse below was what spoke out to me most.  I thought on it and yes we can get so distracted with the things of the world... with the daily cares that are just a part of each of our lives. We need to remember that our Lord Jesus never walks away from us, He never forgets about us and He most certainly never gets distracted away from taking care of me and you.
We are the ones that wander away and get distracted. We are the ones that put Him on the back burner and think we'll get back to 'that' once this job or that responsibility is over with... 
What really happens is we get lazy and lax in our Christian walk.
But Hallelujah He is faithful and is waiting for our return...

If you have wandered away... if you are lonely and weary from the fight...  If you are standing there looking around thinking, "How did I get to this point?", it's not too late, He is there with out stretched arms ready and waiting for you to return...

The Lord loves a broken and contrite heart... reach out... He loves you.

"While many are busy trying to set forth satisfactory definitions of the word faith, we do well to simply consider that believing is directing the heart's attention to Jesus!
It is lifting the mind to "behold the Lamb of God," and never ceasing that beholding for the rest of our lives. At first this may be difficult, but it becomes easier as we look steadily at His wondrous Person, quietly and without strain.
Distractions may hinder, but once the heart is committed to Him, the attention will return again and rest upon Him like a wandering bird coming back to its window.
I would emphasize this one great volitional act which establishes the heart intention to gaze forever upon Jesus. God takes this intention for our choice and makes what allowances He must for the thousand distractions which beset us in this evil world. So, faith is a redirecting of our sight, getting God in our focus, and when we lift our inward eyes upon God, we are sure to meet friendly eyes gazing back at us!" Tozer

"Lord, this morning I pray that the inward eyes of my soul will put You in clear focus throughout this day." Tozer

Today if you will hear His voice harden not your hearts...
Until next time,
Jean

Will It Bloom?

When you walk through the garden, do you ever wonder if they are going to bloom?   Do you look at the beautiful bud and ever even dream it won't open into that magnificant rose you've been waiting to see... to smell... to touch... 

When you wake up in the morning do you wonder if the sun will rise?  Do you go through the day in a haze thinking if it will set?  I've sat on the edge of the lake and watched this magnificant wonder happen several times, and never once did I wonder is it would quit...

These are roses in my pergola garden... I planted it two years ago and they are by far my favorite. One morning as I was strolling through the gardens, this duo caught my eye... it was just perfect... It reminded me immediately of how I feel as I trust that the Lord Jesus is walking by my side...

Last night I doubted... I laid in bed and I questioned... you see my little boy lost his glasses after only a week and we cannot find them. Evan and I held hands and we prayed and asked God to show us where they are... we still haven't found them... I laid in bed last night and questioned why... why wouldn't He answer this little boys prayer...  then this morning he gave me this...

Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief. Hebrews 3:12

 

"The Bible tells about man's being alienated from and an enemy to God. Should this sound harsh or extreme, you have only to imagine your closest friend coming to you and stating in cold seriousness that he no longer has any confidence in you.

"I do not trust you. I have lost confidence in your character. I am forced to suspect every move you make"—such a declaration would instantly alienate friends by destroying the foundation upon which every friendship is built. Until your former friend's opinion of you had been reversed, there could be no further communion.

People do not go boldly to God and profess that they have no confidence in Him, and they usually do not witness publicly to their low view of God. The frightful thing, however, is that people everywhere act out their unbelief with a consistency that is more convincing than words.

Christianity provides a way back from this place of unbelief and alienation: "He that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:6). God took the wrong upon Himself in order that the one who committed the wrong might be saved!" Tozer

 

"Father, You have pursued us passionately and diligently in order that our relationship with You might be restored. Yet so many have turned a cold shoulder to You. Jesus, I love You and appreciate all that You have done for me and my family and friends." Tozer

 

... we still haven't found them... but I believe with all my heart we will...

this is my testimony... He is faithful,

 

Until next time,

Jean

God Is on Our Side

"My five son's" by, Jean Smith

When the storms of life prove to be so strong and you just don't know where to turn... do you look up instead of around?
When the waves are all around and they are crashing in on you and you can't even lift your head to see what direction you are going, do you have the faith to keep walking?
Do we believe that we can do all things through Christ which strengthens us and He won't give us more than we can bear?
... we all have days where the storms and trials are so big and consuming, but we can move on with Him...
... we just need to follow and obey...
... we just need to trust and keep looking upward... knowing that the prize is worth it all.
Again, one of my devotions today... God is Good... He is Faithful... He does care...

"It was a gracious revelation to my human spirit when I discovered that the Word of God was actually on my side, operating in my behalf!
I was reading Psalm 71 and I came to this amazing statement: "Thou hast given commandment to save me!" (71:3). My heart has been warmed with that realization ever since. I believe that the Word of the living God has gone throughout all the earth to save me and keep me! Let the theological experts raise their eyebrows—I do not care! The living Word has charged Himself with responsibility to forgive, to cleanse and to keep me!
Let us not be guilty of underrating the Word of God operating on our behalf. I dare to say that there is not an uncontrolled stroke or force anywhere in all of God's mighty universe that can take eternal life away from a trusting, believing, obedient child of God.
Let us thank God for the Word! It is living and powerful and sharper than any twoedged sword (see Hebrews 4:12)!" Tozer

"Lord, it is so obvious that the truth of Your Word, which is alive and powerful, is one of the keys to world evangelization. Help me and other Christians to spread Your Word among our personal spheres of influence."  Tozer

Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul. Psalm 71:13

Until next time,
Jean

 

Looking Beyond

"Still Moment", by Jean Smith

An elderly woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck.  One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.  Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do. . .
  After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream.


'I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.'

The old woman smiled, 'Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?
That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them.  For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table.  Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.'


Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding..   You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.

Until next time,
Jean

RISE ABOVE THE CIRCUMSTANCES

Old Jim was such a faithful horse,
But he was growing old;
And Uncle Lem made up his mind
The horse should not be sold

But turned out in the pastureland
To roam and feed at will.
Or rest beneath a shady tree,
Down by the waters still.

Lem loved his faithful servant, Jim,
And watched him day by day;
And when he whistled for his horse,
Jim gave an answering Neigh.

One day the horse had disappeared,
And Lem went out to see
What had become of faithful Jim,
Where could the creature be?

Lem thought about an abandoned well,
Which had uncovered been;
Lem hurried down the path to see--
Yes! Jim had fallen in!

If he should try to pull him out.
A leg might be broken be;
So he would go and fetch his gun
And end Jim's misery.

He brought his gun, but couldn't bear
To shoot old faithful Jim;
So brought his shovel and his pick
With which to bury him.

He took a shovelful of dirt
And rolled it in the well;
It rolled onto the horse's back
And to the bottom fell.

As fast as every load was sent,
Old Jim would stamp it down;
And as they both thus worked away,
At last the well was gone!

Out jumped the horse, all whole and sound,
Kicked up his heals and ran.
Let's get from out this simple tale
A lesson, if we can.

When people try to crush us down
And cover us with dirt,
Let's stamp it underneath our feet
And never let it hurt.

Let's be like Jim and rise above
The troubles that beset;
If we are on the side of right,
We'll gain the victory yet.


Author Unknown

I am ceaselessly amazed at the faithfulness of my Heavenly Father... when the days seem long and I am weary from the battle... He leads me beside the still waters... He annoints my head with oil...He calms my troubled soul with His precious Word and reminds me...He tends to my heart cries ever so faithfully... Oh how sad it must be to not know His love... to not know His tender mercies...Call unto Him, and He will be there...  "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."   Php 4:6-7
    "There are times when all the promises and doctrines of the Bible are of no avail, unless a gracious hand shall apply them to us. We are thirsty, but too faint to crawl to the water- brook. When a soldier is wounded in battle it is of little use for him to know that there are those at the hospital who can bind up his wounds, and medicines there to ease all the pains which he now suffers: what he needs is to be carried thither, and to have the remedies applied. It is thus with our souls, and to meet this need there is one, even the Spirit of truth, who takes of the things of Jesus, and applies them to us. Think not that Christ hath placed his joys on heavenly shelves that we may climb up to them for ourselves, but he draws near, and sheds his peace abroad in our hearts. O Christian, if thou art to-night labouring under deep distresses, thy Father does not give thee promises and then leave thee to draw them up from the Word like buckets from a well, but the promises he has written in the Word he will write anew on your heart. He will manifest his love to you, and by his blessed Spirit, dispel your cares and troubles. Be it known unto thee, O mourner, that it is God’s prerogative to wipe every tear from the eye of his people. The good Samaritan did not say, "Here is the wine, and here is the oil for you"; he actually poured in the oil and the wine. So Jesus not only gives you the sweet wine of the promise, but holds the golden chalice to your lips, and pours the life-blood into your mouth. The poor, sick, way-worn pilgrim is not merely strengthened to walk, but he is borne on eagles’ wings. Glorious gospel! which provides everything for the helpless, which draws nigh to us when we cannot reach after it-brings us grace before we seek for grace! Here is as much glory in the giving as in the gift. Happy people who have the Holy Ghost to bring Jesus to them."  Charles Spurgeon

Problems and Pressures

Problems and Pressures

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Romans 8:35

"Jesus did not promise any of us that consistent Christian living would be easy!
He did not promise a release from daily problems and pressures. He did not promise to take us to our heavenly home on a fluffy pink cloud!
We live our lives in the knowledge of the grace of God, but we dare not forget that our Lord came to die for us and to express the never-changing moral and redemptive will of God for His people.
Before we condemn the Jews of Bible history for their failures, we must be sure that we are not overlooking spiritual and moral shortcomings of our own!
As Christian believers, you and I must be careful about the reasons we give for not heeding God's Word and God's warning from heaven.
Have we taken His grace seriously enough that we have sought forgiveness for spiritual carelessness, indifference and apathy?"  Tozer

"I praise You, Lord, that You have equipped Your true followers to live a moral life in an immoral world. Help me make each day count for Your kingdom, Lord." Tozer

Why do we think that life should be easy and without trials just because we are Christians?
Life is filled with wonders and joy as well as trials and tribulations...
Let us look up to Him is able to keep us from falling...

Until next time,
Jean

 

 

Our Daily Problems

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful. 1 Corinthians 10:13

"Christian believers are wrongly taught if they believe that the Christian life is a guarantee against human trials and problems. If they believe that, they have mistaken earth for heaven and expect conditions here below which can never be realized until we reach the better world above.
There is a sense in which God makes no difference between the saint and the sinner. He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and He sends rain on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45). It is strange that we rarely notice the other side of this truth: that God also visits His children with the usual problems common to all the sons of men.
If we cannot remove our problems, then we must pray for grace to endure them without murmuring. We will learn too that problems patiently endured will work for our spiritual perfecting. Think of our Lord and Savior—He was surrounded by enemies from the moment of His birth. They constituted a real and lasting problem which He simply had to endure for the period of His earthly life. He escaped it only by dying!"  Tozer

"Lord, I pray for Your strength to carry me through the problems I will be facing today. Thank You that Your Spirit is a "resident" Helper in my life." Tozer

This was one of my daily devotions a couple weeks back...
I thought how true this is... It is amazing when we think we are the only ones who are going through something. That is purely the devil that want's us to think that.  he is always looking to discourage us with the daily grind... but The Lord is true, HE is faithful, and He is just. 
He will never give us anymore than we can personally bear, and He is with us all the way... if we seek His fellowship. 
Why do we as Christians think we can just go on our own merry way, with not a thought to Him and what He want's for our lives, and then get upset because something fell apart?
We need to ask ourselves, did we seek Him in this plan? Did we look to Him for guildance?  Did we pray about the sitution?
God never leaves us, it is we who leave Him...
Just like the Isrealites of old, we are not much differnent...
We need to focus on Christ and our walk in this life with Him...
Would I take Jesus with me here or there? Would I listen to this with my Lord & Saviour? Would I say that to Him or in front of Him? 

We need to remember He is always our unseen guest... He is always there and all we do we need to do unto Him...



Oh for wisdom... seek it and ye shall find it...
Until next time,
Jean

 

The World Is Scared

 

My devotions today... thought this would bless many...
The truth of God's word is so enlightening... when we trust and obey He will continually lead and direct our paths...
...but there is that looking up in faith... lifting our heads to Him who will redeam our lost and weary souls as we cry unto to Him that is faithful...
... look up and believe...

Look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Luke 21:28

"A fear-stricken church cannot help a scared world; and it needs to be said that surely a fear-ridden Christian has never examined his or her defense!
No one can blame humans for being afraid. Beyond the continuing times of crisis and terror and violence, God has also warned that the world is in a baptism of fire, sooner or later. God has declared this by the voice of all of the holy prophets since time began—there is no escaping it!
Bible-reading Christians should be the last persons on earth to give way to hysteria. We have been given a prophetic preview of all those things that are to come to pass upon the earth. Can anything take us unaware?
We who are in God's secret place of safety must begin to talk and act like it! We, above all who dwell on the earth, should be calm, hopeful, buoyant and cheerful. We will never convince the scared world that there is peace and assurance at the cross if we continue to exhibit the same fears as those who make no profession of Christianity!" Tozer

 

 "Lord, I pray that Your peace will show through my behavior today. Give me an opportunity to help someone who is dealing with fear or pain." Tozer

 

See how the Word show's this truth and gives light to those who seek it...

 

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (KJV)
^{1Th 4:13} But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
¹⁵ For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
¹⁶ For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
¹⁷ Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
¹⁸ Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

 

The Lord is coming to gather His saints home. It could be any moment.

Be ready and watching!

It is a time of joy and comfort for those who are ready.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:1-12 (KJV)
^{1Th 5:1} But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
² For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
³ For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
⁴ But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
⁵ Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
⁶ Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
⁷ For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
⁸ But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
⁹ For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
¹⁰ Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
¹¹ Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Until next time,
Jean

Random Thoughts...

You know sometimes when I look at my life here on our farm, I start to wonder where it is all going...
Our children are growing... the days just seem to go by so much more quickly and I just don't seem to have the energy I use to... I'm 43 now as of August 13th... my two year old little bundle of boy joy really keeps me moving... some say he is what is keeping me young... some days I feel like I am 63 because of all the chasing...

But what would I do without my little men... life would be withoug meaning I think... no I don't put my life into my children, my husband or my farm...my life has to be centered in Christ... as a Christian I must remaine focusd on the goal I have here in this time we call 'now'...

What is 'now'?  When is 'now'?  It all seems to drift past in a world of haze... each day blending with the next and the previous...  The blue sky and sunshine keep me moving... the autumn breeze is now coming through the heat waves of summer... cooling the morning's and evening off... too cold for me... I am an August baby... bring on the heat and sweat... I would rather sweat any day of the week as opposed to have to be bundling up... my hands too cold to even do anything... I am not a beleiver in Winter... by bones long for the sun and warmth to shine down and infuse themselves into my being... Winter is a sad time for me... my beauty that surrounds me in the gardens dissappears and all I have to remember them by is my photo's... teasing me with sweeter days gone by...

My children are like the rays of sunshine as well... but sometimes they are the stormiest of skies in my life... the ups and downs of life they say... I dream of a day when they will be grown, serving the Lord faithfully in their adult lives... living fully the Christian life in a way that will bless others as well as themselves... life is filled with hopes and promises... dreams and death of dreams... where do you go with that?  where do we find the peace and hope that we need to go on every day? 

... only in HIM!
Until next time...

Jean

Waiting on the Lord...

The Thirty-seventh Psalm has always been very precious to me. The Lord has taken me there many times in moments of distress... Sunday at church our minister concluded the sermon with the reading of this psalm... once again it was such a blessing... here are a few verses that especially touch my heart...

A Psalm of David
Psalm 37...

"Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. 1

 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb." 2

...we see so much evil in this world it is hard to understand how the wicked can prosper and move forward, yet His word does tell us that He sends rain for the righteous and the wicked...
as we pass through the valleys in life we can't see to the mountain tops...
hidden high up in the clouds... but they are there...
we've been on them before... soaring high like the eagle, mounted on His wings...
gliding... eyes closed, simply trusting... there I am with Him...always safe in His arms...

 "Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 3

  Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. "4

...trusting needs to come naturally... a swallow glides on the wind without anticipation...
gliding along peacefully and without seemingly a care...
as we allow our faith to be built upon the Rock and make His perfect ways the foundation of our lives,
then all else will fall into place... trust... like a butterfly that drifts through the open fields... it lands...
it drinks the nectar that He provided in that blossom... the wild flowers as they sway in the breeze...
lighted upon... sun beams glistening in the early morning dew... so our faith has to be this pure and rich...
pure and undefiled must be our hearts cries unto Him who hears each whisper...
to Him who treasures each tear... to Him that answers each cry...

 "Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 5
 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. 6
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way,
 because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass." 7

It is so hard to remember when we are in the midst of the storm that we need to commit it
all unto Him... He alone knows our hearts... our fears and torments...
He alone can calm them as we lift them to Him... casting all our care upon Him,
 for He careth for you...
As we commit each care to Him...  trust Him with it... He will see it through...
So often we just want things when we want them and take matters into our own hands...
not letting Him do His good and perfect work...
He whispers, "My child, I will never leave nor forsake thee... trust me to care for you...
I have chosen you and I will see you through...I will never give you more than you
can bear... this is my promise..."
Why is it so difficult to leave it at the foot of the cross?

 "Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. 8
For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth." 9

...waiting... waiting... waiting...
His time is not our time, nor His ways our ways... that's what can make the wait so hard...
waiting for His work to show form, waiting with eyes closed in faith and trust...
waiting for Him will always prove worth while; trusting in Him will never be in vain...
...wait on the Lord and He shall direct our paths...

Until next time,
Jean

 

 

Meekness

"Meekness is the ability to react wisely when provoked." John Coblentz

What a challenge wouldn't you say?  I know that when I heard him say this, I was marvelled to discouragement! Not in a bad way really, just humbly, I guess that would be the best way to describe how I felt.  I just had to think, "Wow, I fail at that!"  But I know we all fail and fall short, but this one hit home p-retty hard! 

We all know that Moses was considered to be the meekest man on to ever live... John Coblentz gave a suggestion to do a study of the life of Moses through the books of Exodus through Numbers. As I thought on what I know off the top of my head there were two particular instances that I could think of that Moses gave way to his temper.

The first was of course when he killed the Egyptian guard while still in Egypt and the second was when God told him to speak to the rock and he smote it.  Every other instance that I could think of he prayed for those ever complaining Isrealites. 

Do I pray for my enemies? Do I look at them with a heart of love and compassion even when they are being down right mean to me?

That was the example that Moses gave... He was provoked from every side, yet he trusted in God.
What a challenge for me...

Until next time,
Jean

Confidence in God

 

Our lives here at the farm are filled with days of peace and joy as well as choas and misery...
That probably sounds pretty harsh... but it is the truth. We are all humans here and the trials that some days present to us can seem overwhelming...
That is when I have to look up... to Him who knows... to Him that will never give me any more than I can bear... My trust must be stayed and focused on Him...
I know that I can do all things through him that strengthens me...
But it is ultimately up to me... will I trust? will I obey? will I know and beleive that He means all for good to those that love Him? 
Life's challenges are ever present... life with a family continually presents complexities that we never in our wildest imaginations thought we would encounter... but He did... He knew. 

What we often fail to realize in the heat of it all, is more often than not, we reap what we sow...
and so here is one of my devotions that I recieved this week... as always... He knows...

A few words from wise Tozer...

"If our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. " 1 John 3:21

"This is surely one of the great realizations that can come to us in the Christian life—we can put our complete confidence in the God who has revealed Himself to us!

It was a gracious day in my early Christian experience when I realized that it was not in God's character to pounce upon me in judgment. He knows that we are dust, and as our God He is loving and patient towards us.

If it were true that the Lord would put the Christian on the shelf every time he failed or blundered or did something wrong, I would have been a piece of statuary by this time! (Amen!)
It is surely true that God will bring judgment when judgment is necessary, but the Scriptures say that judgment is God's strange work. Where there is a lifetime of rebellion, hardened unbelief and love of sin, judgment will come.

But God watches over us for spiritual growth and maturity, trying to teach us the necessity for fully trusting Him and coming to the place of complete distrust of ourselves.

We have met God and can now say with Paul, "That the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us" (2 Corinthians 4:7)."  Tozer

Emphasis mine!

Until next time,
Jean

"I Need Thee Precious Jesus"

We sang this song in church on Sunday... it is one of my favorites...

No matter how sad and lonely I may feel, I know this song reaches His ears...

I know He treasures up each of my tears...

I know He is ever there for me...

 

He is there for you as well...

If you only call out to Him...

He will answer, He will come, and He will care...

 

 

"I Need Thee Precious Jesus" author unknown

 

 

I need Thee, precious Jesus,

For I am very poor;

A stranger and a pilgrim,

I have have no earthy store;

I need the love of Jesus

To cheer me on my way,

To guild my doubting footsteps,

To be my strength and stay.

 

I need Thee, precious Jesus,

I need a friend like Thee,

A friend to soothe and pity,

A friend to care for me;

I need the heart of Jesus,

To feel each anxious care,

To tell my every trial,

And all my sorrows share.

 

I need Thee, precious Jesus,

I need Thee day by day,

To fill me with Thy fullness,

To lead me on my way;

 I need Thy Holy Spirit,

To teach me what I am,

To show me more of Jesus,

And point me to the Lamb.

 

I need Thee, precious Jesus,

And hope to see Thee soon,

Encircled in the rainbow,

and seated on Thy throne,

There, with Thy blood bought children

My joy shall ever be,

To sing Thy praises Jesus,

And gaze my Lord, on Thee.

 

Until next time,

Jean

 

 

 



“The Lord our God hath shewed us his glory.” Deuteronomy 5:24

a few words from Charles Spergeon...

"God’s great design in all his works is the manifestation of his own glory. Any aim less than this were unworthy of himself. But how shall the glory of God be manifested to such fallen creatures as we are? Man’s eye is not single, he has ever a side glance towards his own honour, has too high an estimate of his own powers, and so is not qualified to behold the glory of the Lord. It is clear, then, that self must stand out of the way, that there may be room for God to be exalted; and this is the reason why he bringeth his people ofttimes into straits and difficulties, that, being made conscious of their own folly and weakness, they may be fitted to behold the majesty of God when he comes forth to work their deliverance. He whose life is one even and smooth path, will see but little of the glory of the Lord, for he has few occasions of self-emptying, and hence, but little fitness for being filled with the revelation of God. They who navigate little streams and shallow creeks, know but little of the God of tempests; but they who “do business in great waters,” these see his “wonders in the deep.” Among the huge Atlantic-waves of bereavement, poverty, temptation, and reproach, we learn the power of Jehovah, because we feel the littleness of man. Thank God, then, if you have been led by a rough road: it is this which has given you your experience of God’s greatness and loving kindness. Your troubles have enriched you with a wealth of knowledge to be gained by no other means: your trials have been the cleft of the rock in which Jehovah has set you, as he did his servant Moses, that you might behold his glory as it passed by. Praise God that you have not been left to the darkness and ignorance which continued prosperity might have involved, but that in the great fight of affliction, you have been capacitated for the outshinings of his glory in his wonderful dealings with you."

It is amazing how God works in our lives each and every day... He knows just what we need, just when we need it...

Until next time,
Jean
     

Heart Conditions...

“And I will give you an heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26

Charles Spurgeon is such an inspiration to me.  I love reading his devotions and sharing them with my readers when I feel led.  This was one of my devotion's  yesterday and I just had to share.  Gods word talks about when we are so distressed and know not what to pray, that the Holy Spirit will intercede with moaning's... our Heavenly Father knows our every need and He is there each day as we seek Him...
I pray you will be as blessed by this as I...

"A heart of flesh is known by its tenderness concerning sin. To have indulged a foul imagination, or to have allowed a wild desire to tarry even for a moment, is quite enough to make a heart of flesh grieve before the Lord. The heart of stone calls a great iniquity nothing, but not so the heart of flesh.

“If to the right or left I stray,
That moment, Lord, reprove;
And let me weep my life away,
For having grieved thy love”

The heart of flesh is tender of God’s will. My Lord Will-be-will is a great blusterer, and it is hard to subject him to God’s will; but when the heart of flesh is given, the will quivers like an aspen leaf in every breath of heaven, and bows like an osier in every breeze of God’s Spirit.

The natural will is cold, hard iron, which is not to be hammered into form, but the renewed will, like molten metal, is soon molded by the hand of grace. In the fleshy heart there is a tenderness of the affections. The hard heart does not love the Redeemer, but the renewed heart burns with affection towards him. The hard heart is selfish and coldly demands, “Why should I weep for sin? Why should I love the Lord?” But the heart of flesh says; “Lord, thou knowest that I love thee; help me to love thee more!”

Many are the privileges of this renewed heart; “‘Tis here the Spirit dwells, ‘tis here that Jesus rests.” It is fitted to receive every spiritual blessing, and every blessing comes to it. It is prepared to yield every heavenly fruit to the honor and praise of God, and therefore the Lord delights in it. A tender heart is the best defense against sin, and the best preparation for heaven. A renewed heart stands on its watchtower looking for the coming of the Lord Jesus. Have you this heart of flesh?"
                                 Charles Spurgeon

Until next time,
Jean

Forgiven!

"Do you believe that your sins are forgiven, and that Christ has made a full atonement for them? Then what a joyful Christian you ought to be! How you should live above the common trials and troubles of the world! Since sin is forgiven, can it matter what happens to you now? Luther said, “Smite, Lord, smite, for my sin is forgiven; if thou hast but forgiven me, smite as hard as thou wilt”; and in a similar spirit you may say, “Send sickness, poverty, losses, crosses, persecution, what thou wilt, thou hast forgiven me, and my soul is glad.” Christian, if thou art thus saved, whilst thou art glad, be grateful and loving. Cling to that cross which took thy sin away; serve thou him who served thee." Charles Spurgeon

We all like a bit of attention, whether we want to admit it or not.  We like to be esteemed and respected whether we are a he or a she. It feels good to the inner person when people say nice things about us... compliment something we  have done... acknowledge a good deed...  we are human and appreciation goes a long way. 

The opposite is true as well...   No one wants to be looked down on or spoken ill of... this not only hurts a persons feelings, but it can destroy relationships to the point of no return... we are human and hurts can take their toll...

But what do we do with unforgivness? How do we respond when we have put forth as much effort as we can and we are not forgiven by 'man'?  Charles Spurgeon puts it quite perfectly in the above quote I believe... When we know we have done the best we can do, with or without our failings... we must move forward in the Love of the Lord and not look back.  We must look to Him for His perfect guidance and trust that He will see us through these times.  God alone knows each our hearts and God alone will be the ultimate and final judge.  We will stand alone before Him and give account for each thing we have done, not our brother or sister, me alone.  We shall hear one of two things when that terrible day comes, but we will hear one... 'enter into to the joy of the Lord' or 'depart from me ye worker of iniquity'...

Be glad you can be forgiven... trust in Him and He will see you through... be glad in Him and His perfect love...

“Thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work.”  Psalms 92:4
Until next time,
Jean








     

"Our Inner Sights", Tozer

This was one of my devotions this morning...

It never ceases to amaze me how the Lord works in my life...
As I seek Him, He will be there... as I ask for spiritual wisdom and discernment, He is there to answer my hearts cry... day after day.

The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling. Ephesians 1:18

Revival and blessing come to the church when we stop looking at a picture of God and look at God Himself! Revival comes when, no longer satisfied to know about a God in history, we meet the conditions of finding Him in living, personal experience.
Conversely, revival cannot come if we are far removed from God. It cannot come if, instead of hearing His voice, we are content with only an echo!
Put those deficiencies together and you have the reason why we are dissatisfied and empty. You have the reason why there is so little of vivid, vibrant joy in the things of God.
I hold fast to the opinion that our God is ever trying to reveal Himself to us. There is no way for sinful men and women to find their way into God's presence unless He reveals Himself and appears to us. I do not mean that God is trying to appear to our physical eyesight. Rather, He is trying to appear to the eye of our soul through an inner consciousness. Never apologize for your inner eyes! They are the real eyes for discerning the nature of issues important to God." Tozer

"Lord, there are so many difficult but important decisions to make in life. Sharpen the eyes of my inner soul to be able to discern Your presence and guidance in my life." Tozer

Until next time,
Jean

The Lord Reigneth

"My Bleeding Heart" by, Jean Smith

The Lords day is my day of relief... I know that I can go to church and be fed of from His eternal word and that the Holy Spirit will minister to my weary soul...

Here are a few words from Charles Spurgeon... one of my daily devotional today

"The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice."
- Psa_97:1
"Causes for disquietude there are none so long as this blessed sentence is true. On earth the Lord’s power as readily controls the rage of the wicked as the rage of the sea; his love as easily refreshes the poor with mercy as the earth with showers. Majesty gleams in flashes of fire amid the tempest’s horrors, and the glory of the Lord is seen in its grandeur in the fall of empires, and the crash of thrones. In all our conflicts and tribulations, we may behold the hand of the divine King.
"God is God; he sees and hears
All our troubles, all our tears.
Soul, forget not, ‘mid thy pains,
God o’er all for ever reigns."
In hell, evil spirits own, with misery, his undoubted supremacy. When permitted to roam abroad, it is with a chain at their heel; the bit is in the mouth of behemoth, and the hook in the jaws of leviathan. Death’s darts are under the Lord’s lock, and the grave’s prisons have divine power as their warder. The terrible vengeance of the Judge of all the earth makes fiends cower down and tremble, even as dogs in the kennel fear the hunter’s whip.
"Fear not death, nor Satan’s thrusts,
God defends who in him trusts;
Soul, remember, in thy pains,
God o’er all for ever reigns."
In heaven none doubt the sovereignty of the King Eternal, but all fall on their faces to do him homage. Angels are his courtiers, the redeemed his favourites, and all delight to serve him day and night. May we soon reach the city of the great King!
"For this life’s long night of sadness
He will give us peace and gladness.
Soul, remember, in thy pains,
God o’er all for ever reigns."  Charles Spurgeon.

The Lord is ever faithful to those who trust in Him.  I long to do His will in my life that it may one that tells all around my deep adoration for Him...
Although I know I have failed so miserably in this, I trust that I can keep pressing on, trying to do His perfect will in my life...
I long to do good and be what I know He has designed me to be... Christian woman, wife and mother.
How do I accomplish all that is required of me and yet thrive in my spiritual life the way I long to?  This is my everyday challenge. When all the have to's are racing around me, and then my deepest yearning to have quiet study in His word... as my friend often says... this too shall pass...

quiet reflections of my heart,
Until next time,
Jean

What a beautiful song to express a longing and love for our Lord Jesus...

If only our lives could  simply be focused on Him and serving Him... 

I want only this to be my hearts constant yearning...

This song by Philip P. Bliss is very fitting.

May this be our prayer!

More holiness give me, more strivings within.

More patience in suffering, more sorrow for sin.

More faith in my Savior, more sense of His care.

More joy in His service, more purpose in prayer.

More gratitude give me, more trust in the Lord.

More zeal for His glory, more hope in His Word.

More tears for His sorrows, more pain at His grief.

More meekness in trial, more praise for relief.

More purity give me, more strength to o’ercome,

More freedom from earth-stains, more longings for home.

More fit for the kingdom, more useful I’d be,

More blessed and holy, more, Savior, like Thee.

-         

Philip P. Bliss

 

Until next time,

Jean

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness." Matthew 5:6

"There is no way that any of us can talk ourselves into getting a "longing for God." Spiritual desire and hunger must come from God Himself! It cannot be whipped up."  Tozer

This was a quote from one of my daily devotions today that struck me. As I thought on this I became so aware of how blessed that I am to have that desire deep within my soul.  So often I have felt as that hart on the mountainside panting after the water brook, my soul has longed after Him.
I remember as a youth, before I would have been a professing Christian yet still knowing and fearing God, although in a different way... I had a longing for Him... I just didn't know how to get to Him.   I remember as a small child talking to Him in the storms. So childish was I when I would ask Him questions and ask Him to answer in one lightening and two claps of thunder... then I would know the deep secrets I was asking of Him... but He always seemed to answer.  He never dismisses a child... one looking to Him for reasurance.   I remember driving after my grandmother died and wondering why... I was angry with Him back then...
...but after a long journey He brought my soul home to Him...
Now my life is a training ground... one where there are valleys and plains along with the mountain tops...  It seems like it's been a long time since I drifted in the clouds... but I know they are there... waiting for me.

"But it is a different story when we consider the spiritual life. No one but God through His Spirit is able to stir up spiritual desire among us. Those who have accepted a common state of spiritual living and have no deep desire for Him will never be stirred by human means." Tozer

Until next time,
Jean

"Christ, the Blessed One", Tozer

Beautiful words to the Christian's ears...
Beautiful words to those that love the Lord...
Here was a devotion that I received awhile ago...

 

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me... For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:29-30

"I feel great sorrow for those who read the Sermon on the Mount and then conclude that Jesus was providing a word picture of men and women comprising the human race. In this world, we find nothing approaching the virtues of which Jesus spoke in the Beatitudes.

Instead of poverty of spirit, we find the rankest kind of pride. Instead of mourners, we find pleasure seekers.

Instead of meekness, we find only arrogance, and instead of hunger after righteousness, we hear men saying, "I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing" (Revelation 3:17).

Instead of mercy, we find cruelty. Instead of purity of heart, we encounter corrupt imaginings. Instead of peacemakers, we find men quarrelsome and resentful, fighting back with every weapon at their command.

Jesus said He came to release us from our sad heritage of sin. Blessed is the sinner who finds that Christ's words are the Truth itself, that He is the Blessed One who came from above to confer blessedness upon mankind!

Thank You, Father, for Your open-armed invitation for Your children to cast all of their worldly cares upon You. Lord, teach me how to trust You more deeply."  Tozer.

Intercessory Prayer

This is one of my devotion's that I received several months ago, but I thought it was very fitting for life as I am living today... 

We need to be constantly in this state of mind for those that we love... for those in our family... for that homeless person as they stand on the street corner...

Where are our thoughts during the day... Let them be in this, for there can we do a small work for His glory... 

Until next time, 

Jean

 

Intercessory Prayer

I pray for them . . . which thou hast given me.
John 1 7:9

When our congregation meets for midweek prayer meeting, someone often requests prayer for ”each other." I am sure this request is given with noble intentions, but I often think this is a rather impersonal way to pray for the brotherhood. Granted, we might not pray for each person in our prayer group by name because there are certain rules of conduct we should follow, such as considering our allotted prayer time and allowing others in our group to have enough time for prayer, also. How then should we pray for "each other"? In John 17 we see Christ praying to the Father for his disciples (and for us). His prayer provides guidelines we do well to follow.

In John 17:15, Christ prayed that His followers would be kept from evil. Every Christian faces temptations to sin. We must intercede for others, so that they can also be kept from the results of those temptations. In verse 21, He prayed that we would have unity, as He had with the Father. Since disunity hinders our walk of faith and our witness to the unsaved, we must pray for unity among the brotherhood.

Other New Testament passages give us more guidelines for praying for each other. Ephesians 5:20 tells us to give thanks always for all things, and we certainly ought to thank God for each of our brothers and sisters in Christ. James 5:14 tells us to pray for each other’s healing: physical, spiritual, and emotional.

Finally, James 1:5 tells us to pray for wisdom, and this is a request we should make not only for ourselves, but for each member of the brotherhood.

Marcus Yoder


Bible Reference: John 17