My Heart Cry's...

The song goes, "If ever I need Thee, my Jesus tis now..."  God always knows when I need Him...
Here is where I come to share those personal moments... here in my secret spot... away from everyone, away from the world...
The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away... but here He gave just what I needed... as always... may each of you who read these precious words know that He led you here today as well... they are as much for you as they were for me...


"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."  1 Peter 5:7
"It is a happy way of soothing sorrow when we can feel-"HE careth for me." Christian! do not dishonour religion by always wearing a brow of care; come, cast your burden upon your Lord. You are staggering beneath a weight which your Father would not feel. What seems to you a crushing burden, would be to him but as the small dust of the balance. Nothing is so sweet as to
"Lie passive in God’s hands,
And know no will but his."
O child of suffering, be thou patient; God has not passed thee over in his providence. He who is the feeder of sparrows, will also furnish you with what you need. Sit not down in despair; hope on, hope ever. Take up the arms of faith against a sea of trouble, and your opposition shall yet end your distresses. There is One who careth for you. His eye is fixed on you, his heart beats with pity for your woe, and his hand omnipotent shall yet bring you the needed help. The darkest cloud shall scatter itself in showers of mercy. The blackest gloom shall give place to the morning. He, if thou art one of his family, will bind up thy wounds, and heal thy broken heart. Doubt not his grace because of thy tribulation, but believe that he loveth thee as much in seasons of trouble as in times of happiness. What a serene and quiet life might you lead if you would leave providing to the God of providence! With a little oil in the cruse, and a handful of meal in the barrel, Elijah outlived the famine, and you will do the same. If God cares for you, why need you care too? Can you trust him for your soul, and not for your body? He has never refused to bear your burdens, he has never fainted under their weight. Come, then, soul! have done with fretful care, and leave all thy concerns in the hand of a gracious God."  Charles Spurgeon

Until next time,
Jean

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

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

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

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

 

 

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

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








     

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

Blessings In Disguise

"Two Hearts That Beat As One", by Jean Smith

Blessings In Disguise

by, Denise A Dewald

So many blessings are disguised

By pain and trials sore-

We cannot see the end result

Or what God has in store.

For often through our suffering

We come to know God's love,

And feel the peace He showers down

From Heaven up above.

And did you ever stop to think

Of how much you've grown?

For in all that you have gone through,

You were never alone.

God held your hand along the way

Though you were not aware-

He helped you lift each heavy cross,

And every burden bear.

Just take some time to reflect

On what He's brought you through-

He'll never leave you on your own,

No matter what you do.

So thank Him now on bended knee,

Your blessings in disguise;

Your character's been strengthened, friend-

More than you realize.

What a beautiful poem...

What a reflection of a heart that has been won by the Lord...

What a testimony to His great love and mercy...

What a gentle, loving Lord I serve...

Until next time,

Jean

Prayer is a Souls Sincere Desire

"Tell me I pray thee wherein thy great strength lieth."  Jdg_16:6

"Where lies the secret strength of faith? It lies in the food it feeds on; for faith studies what the promise is-an emanation of divine grace, an overflowing of the great heart of God; and faith says, "My God could not have given this promise, except from love and grace; therefore it is quite certain his Word will be fulfilled."

Then faith thinketh, "Who gave this promise?" It considereth not so much its greatness, as, "Who is the author of it?" She remembers that it is God who cannot lie-God omnipotent, God immutable; and therefore concludeth that the promise must be fulfilled; and forward she advances in this firm conviction. She remembereth, why the promise was given,-namely, for God’s glory, and she feels perfectly sure that God’s glory is safe, that he will never stain his own escutcheon, nor mar the lustre of his own crown; and therefore the promise must and will stand.

Then faith also considereth the amazing work of Christ as being a clear proof of the Father’s intention to fulfil his word. "He that spared not his own Son, but freely delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"

Moreover faith looks back upon the past, for her battles have strengthened her, and her victories have given her courage. She remembers that God never has failed her; nay, that he never did once fail any of his children. She recollecteth times of great peril, when deliverance came; hours of awful need, when as her day her strength was found, and she cries, "No, I never will be led to think that he can change and leave his servant now. Hitherto the Lord hath helped me, and he will help me still." Thus faith views each promise in its connection with the promise-giver, and, because she does so, can with assurance say, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life!"  Charles Spurgeon

Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,
Unuttered or expressed,
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast...

When I lift my soul up in prayer to Him
I know He is there...

Until next time,
Jean

Our Soul's...

"But God made man in His own image and He keeps the longing after eternity and a desire after everlasting life there within the hearts of men." Tozer

Someone has said, God created man with a God shaped void, and only God can fill that void.

It is certain that we can never be fully satisfied until we have surrendered to Jesus Christ and then what peace and what a glorious hope! To know what the future holds is precious!

The words of the songwriter, Lelia Morris say it so well.

I’ll include the whole song, the 4^th stanza is especially what I have in mind.

For God so loved this sinful world,

His Son He freely gave,

That whosoever would believe

Eternal life should have.

Refrain

’Tis true, O yes, ’tis true,

God’s wonderful promise is true;

For I’ve trusted, and tested, and tried it,

And I know God’s promise is true.

I was a wayward, wand’ring child,

A slave to sin and fear,

Until this blessèd promise fell

Like music on my ear.

The “whosoever” of the Lord,

I trusted was for me,

I took Him at His gracious word;

From sin He set me free.

Eternal life, begun below,

Now fills my heart and soul.

I’ll sing His praise forevermore

Who has redeemed my soul.

Until next time,

Jean

He Knows...

He Knows...

This was a poem a dear sister in the Lord gave to me today... she is a blessing and such a help.

He Knows
Author Unknown

He knows it all - the winding path,
The sky o'ercast and gray,
The steepness of the mountainside,
The roughness of the way.

He knows it all - the haunting fear,
The doubtings that distress,
The wond'rings and perplexities,
And all the strain and stress.

He knows it all - each troubled thought,
Each anxious wave of care,
And every burden, every grief,
Or cross that you must bear.

He know it all - your weight of woe,
Your often tear-dimmed eye,
The stabbing pain, the slow, dull ache,
And sorrow's broken cry.

He knows it all - He understands
The struggles that you face.
He knows it all!  He'll clasp your hand,
And help you win the race! 

Until next time,
Jean

Prayer...

 "I ask You neither for health nor for sickness, for life nor for death; but that you may dispose of my health and my sickness, my life and my death, for Your glory....  You alone know what is expedient for me; You are the sovereign Master; do with me according to Your will.  Give to me, or take away from me, only conform my will to Yours.  I know but one thing, Lord, that it is good to follow You, and bad to offend You.  Apart from that, I know not what is good or bad in anything.  I know not which is most profitable to me, health or sickness, wealth or poverty, nor anything else in the world.  That discernment is beyond the power of men or angels, and is hidden among the secrets of Your Providence, which I adore, but do not seek to fathom."   - a prayer by Blaise Pascal

Such faith as this... what a challenge to try to live this out in our lives... a total self denial and sacrifice.  But is it?  As a Christian isn't this the truth of what our heart should be longing for?  To say that I believe the Father only wants the best for me is to totally live this prayer out. 

I found this prayer over ten years ago... I have either had it posted on my fridge or a bulletin board, always close by... I am trying so hard to live this... although I fail miserably more often than I care to admit... He knows my heart and as David of ole' He loves a broken and contrite heart.

Until next time,
Jean

     

Forgiveness

What a beautiful word... one that all that claim the name of Jesus and repent can have... a beautiful and precious gift...

This was a song we sang at church today... it is one of my very favorites... one that brings tears to my eyes as I take in the words... deep into my soul and know what pit the Lord carried me out of...

Jesus! Lover Of My Soul,
author unknown

Jesus! Lover of my soul,
Let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the raging billows roll,-
While the tempest still is high!
Hide me, O my Saviour, hide,
Till the storm of life be past;
Safe into the haven guild-
O, receive my soul at last!

Other refuge have I none-
Hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
Leave, ah leave me not alone,
Still support and comfort me;
All my trust on Thee is stayed,
All my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head
With the shadow of Thy wing.

Thou, O Christ, art all I want,
All in all in Thee I find!
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,
Heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is Thy name,
I am all unrighteousness;
Vile and full of sin I am,
Thou art full of truth and grace.

Plenteous grace with Thee is found,
Grace to pardon all my sins-
Let the healing stream abound,
Make and keep me pure within
Thou of life the fountain art,
Freely let me take of Thee;
Spring Thou up within my heart,
Rise to all eternity.

... the beauty of His perfect love reaches to all,
Until next time,
Jean

Faith

"Faith is a force that is greater than knowledge or power or skill, and the darkest of defeat turns to triumph if you trust in God's wisdom and will, for faith is a mover of mountains- there's nothing man cannot achieve, if he has the courage to try it and then has the faith to believe."   Helen Steiner Rice

Faith is in believing and not in the seeing... this is what faith is about...
Faith is looking into a dark stormy sky and believing that there's still the beautiful blue sky behind it...
Faith is looking at a tightly bound rose bud and understanding that it must break free on it's own to be a beautiful full bloom...
Faith is in planting a tiny seed, waiting for the harvest to bear...
Faith is seeing a homely caterpillar and imaging the beauty of the Monarch it will become...
Faith is looking up to the top of the mountain and believing you can climb to the top...
Faith comes from within, where only you can believe it will be ...
Faith is the builder of courage when all around looks dim...
Faith will lead you to peace, which can only be understood with time...
Faith can be a healer when applied to the hearts mind...
Faith can easily be seen in the eyes of a child, when holding dear father's hand...
Faith can be felt in an upward glance, knowing He's right by your side...

Faith is believing in prayer...

Do I show this faith in my everyday life... to those who live and breath with me... to my friends and loved ones... Are my children learning to live by faith from me... does my spouse feel my faith for us... 

A life lived for Him is the only real faith worth living...
Until next time,
Jean