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 

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

 

 

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








     

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

"Unfair! Unfair!"

Life is full of unfairness don't you think... full of uncertainties and sadness...
Life is also filled with joys unheard of if we allow the unfortunate circumstances to take hold of our minds and our life...
This was one of my devotions this morning and it just fit in this blog...
May we look up in hopes of a new, bright day... one that we will be in Heaven with our Saviour... one that there will be not whiners or scab pickers...
God is in Heaven... all is well!

"Unfair! Unfair!"

"He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth... neither was any deceit in his mouth." Isaiah 53:7, 9

"Christians who understand the true meaning of Christ's cross will never whine about being treated unfairly. Whether or not they are given fair treatment will never enter their heads. They know they have been called to follow Christ, and certainly the Savior did not receive anything approaching fair treatment from mankind.
In language the word unfair seems altogether innocent, but it indicates an inner attitude that has no place among Christians.
The man who cries "Unfair!" is not a victorious man. He is inwardly defeated and in self-defense appeals to the referee to note that he has been fouled. This gives him an alibi when they carry him out on a stretcher and saves his face while his bruises heal.
It is a certainty that Christians will suffer wrongs; but if they take them in good spirit and without complaint, they have conquered their enemy. They remember that Jesus was reviled—but any thought of His shouting for fair play simply cannot be entertained by the reverent heart!

"Lord, remind me to think of Your example whenever I am tempted to complain that "life is unfair." You suffered the greatest injustice of all; yet You remained silent."  Tozer

Look to Him who loves you so much... He will never leave nor forsake thee...

Until next time,

Jean

God's Saving Grace

Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Genesis 6:8

"Grace is the goodness of God confronting human demerit. So, grace is what God is—unchanging, infinite, eternal!

This throws light on God's dealings with men and women throughout the Old Testament dispensations and history. It is certainly the truth, and a proper concept for us to hold, that no one was ever saved, no one is now saved, and no one will ever be saved except by the grace of God.

Before Moses came with the Law, men were saved only by grace. During the time of Moses, no one was saved except by grace. After Moses, before the cross, and after the cross, and during all of the dispensations, anywhere, anytime, no one was ever saved by anything but the grace of God!

We can say this with assurance because God dealt in grace with mankind looking forward to the Incarnation and the atoning death of Christ.

If God had not always operated in grace, He would have swept the sinning human race away. This, then, is the good news: God is gracious all the time, and when His grace becomes operative through our faith in Jesus Christ, then there is the new birth from above!"  Tozer

"Thank You, Father, that by Your grace—that is, the death and resurrection of Your Son Jesus Christ—we are saved and restored to a right relationship with You."  Tozer

This was one of my morning devotions today... I thought on how God's grace has always been suffienceint for me... when I fail, He is always there to graciously pick me up... carry me throught the storms and trials of life... He is faithful...

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

A poem by Helen Steiner Rice

"Love One Another As I Have Loved You"

Love one another as I have loved you
May seem impossible to do,
But if you will try to trust and believe,
Great are the joys that you will receive
For love makes us patient, understanding, and kind,
And we judge with our hearts and not with our minds,
For as soon as live entered the heart's open door,
The faults we once saw are not there anymore
And the things that seem wrong begin to look right
When viewed in the softness of love's gentle light
For love works in ways that are wondrous and strange,
And there is nothing in life that love cannot change,
And all that God promised will someday come true,
When you love one another the way He loved you.

Until next time,
Jean

The Beauty Of Spring

"Biltmore Conservatory" in North Carolina April 2005, photo by Marilyn Lennis, used with permission.

Spring is forgiveness... spring is rebirth... spring is a new start... spring is beautiful!

Thursday it rained and rained... the boys noticed a full rainbow lighting the sky... they called us over to see it... such majesty in it... such a beautiful promise from Him in it...
and into the night it still rained... the rain descended steady and straight giving a refreshing drink to the world...

Friday morning I woke up... got a cup of coffee and sat on the porch... the sky was blue... the air was crisp and it smelled so clean... the robin was singing a song that just sounded victorious... praising God for the rain and the lush green world around us... the peepers were singing so loudly... it's not often you hear them in the day... they usually welcome in the evening to all the eager listeners...

I just sat... and breathed... and praised Him for the beauty... the earthy sounds... the refreshing smells of rain...

God is in Heaven... everything is alright...
Until next time,
Jean

He Is Faithful...



"Picket Fence" by, Jean Smith
I made this little picket fence using twine and small branches.  This was part of my front garden at one of our other homes.



Here is a poem that a dear friend gave to us...

When you are the neediest, He is the most sufficient.
When you are completely helpless, He is the most helpful.
When you feel totally dependent, He is absolutely dependable.
When you are the weakest, He is the most able.
Ween you are the most alone, He is intimately present.
When you feel the most useless, He is preparing you.
When it is the darkest, He is the only Light you need.
When you feel the least secure, He is your rock and fortress.
When you are the most humble, He is most gracious.
When you can't, He can.

 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.  Philippians 4:13 KJV

Until next time,
Jean

Frost & Sunshine and Kissing Boo boos...

The grass all around this morning is covered in a white frost and is glistening... It appears lovely but is a silent killer to the tender plant... The rhubarb, one of the heartier plants is white... once the sun touches it the tips will probably be blackened and burnt looking... what an oxymoron eh... the cold burning...

Aaron just woke up and is scampering over to me.... oops wipe out... another boo boo, yes mom will kiss it all better.  He is only twenty months old and he is so sweet and innocent... he cups my face in his wee little patties, looks me deep in the eyes, oh so lovingly and kisses me back...  The innocence of a small child is not to be reckoned with.  I think that is why Jesus said to have such a deep faith, one must think as a child... innocently, not thinking people are out to get them, the world is still a beautiful and trustworthy place.  These small children look to us for total care... they are born into this world unable to care for themselves, completely dependant upon their parents for food, warmth, shelter and love... There is a tenderness that a mother has toward her child... holding them, nursing them, nurturing them with an unfailing love.  Mother is a word that should always be said with a sweet kind of remembrance... Oh how I long to be that kind of mother.  Yes we fail and fall short, but as we go to our children and repent of wrongs, forgiveness is typically there ready and willing... "I'm sorry, please forgive me..." just a few small words...

"Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails..." 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8

Until next time,
Jean