“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2 In shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet, God leads His dear children along; Where the water’s cool flow bathes the weary one’s feet, God leads His dear children along. Some through the waters, some through the flood, Some through the fire, but all through the blood; Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song, In the night season and all the day long. As we get older,…
“That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil.” Hebrews 6:18-19 We have an anchor that keeps the soul steadfast and sure while the billows roll; fastened to the Rock which cannot move, grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love! In Mark 4: 35-41 we read the story of Jesus and His disciples during a storm as they were crossing the Sea of Galilee. After a busy day, Jesus found a pillow and laid down to sleep. As the wind began to blow, the waves were getting boisterous, and the ship began to fill with water. In their fear they woke Jesus, asking Him how He could sleep when they were about to perish. They had forgotten two important things: As they began the journey, Jesus told them “We are going to the other side.” The Master of the sea and the wind was in the vessel with them. Jesus did not…
“Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.” Psalm 61:1-3 Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee; Let the water and the blood, From Thy riven side which flowed, Be of sin the double cure, Save me from its guilt and power. I feel impressed to continue the series I started last month, choosing some of the older hymns and commenting on the scriptures that inspired them. In the one published on March 3, I mentioned a family member who was battling cancer, and about the peace that the Lord gives at such a time. On February 29, my youngest sister went home to be with the Lord. I am so thankful for the peace, comfort, and strength that the Lord has given me and the rest of our family. Although we will miss her very much, we are glad she is past the suffering and pain. As I read the above scripture, I…
Focus Verses: Luke 10:38-42, John 11:1-44 Martha and Mary are two sisters with two personalities and two stories in the Bible. It’s interesting to study who chose to record their stories and learn more about the writer. THE WRITER, LUKE If you read the Gospels in the order they appear in the Bible, you first meet Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-42. Luke was a physician and Paul’s friend. Biblical scholars date the book of Luke between 62 and 70 A.D., so it is unlikely that he was an eyewitness to Jesus’ ministry. Luke wrote after carefully investigating the stories…
Jesus, in Matthew 11:28-30, invites us to release our stress by saying, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” In the past I have shared my journey of releasing the pressures I place on myself and how I learned to seek after God’s expectations. To be honest, my heart still gets encumbered with stress, but it’s usually when I have put too many things back on my proverbial plate. Weariness sets in when I carry my burdens, instead of casting my cares upon the Lord. Jesus has the rest you need, isn’t that wonderful? Here are a few practical things that are helping me on this journey of refocusing my priorities. Helpful Tips Write down tasks that need completion. Once you have written your daily and weekly goals in a planner, look at your list and decide which one requires the most attention immediately. Also, give yourself grace, if you do not finish your task today. Turn…
The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves. The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea. Psalm 93:3–4 When I am going through a really difficult time in my life, I quote the above scripture. I declare, “The Lord on high is MIGHTIER than the noise of many waters.” “The Lord is mightier than my problem.” “The Lord is mightier than my enemy.” There may be a situation in your life that is trying to drown your faith—BUT—The Lord, on high, is MIGHTIER! Usually we tell people to speak to that mountain, but I want to encourage you today to speak to that insurmountable wave that is trying to engulf your faith. Whatever it is—God is mightier. Prayer: Lord, I have listened to the noise of my problems for way too long. Today I will choose to declare to my need, my situation, my doubt that YOU ARE MIGHTY. I am so thankful that You are able to do anything and I choose to dwell on your goodness.