What do you think about when you do your devotions? Do you simply read and walk away? Or do you sit there and think about what you’ve just read? We should be walking away with something that will carry us through the day, don’t you think? I wrote this 26-day devotional series beginning in 2013 and finished it in 2014. It covers various blessings from God’s word. As you look at this picture, think on a Bible verse and really ponder over it. That is how we glean from God’s Word. I pray it is a blessing to you!
Day 1 – Consider the Loaves
Mark 6:48- 52 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. 49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: 50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. 51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. 52 For they considered not [the miracle] of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.
Before you sit in judgment over the disciples’ forgetting Jesus’ miracles, park here a while and think on your own life. How many times have you been through struggles? Did the Lord see you through them all? Did everything turn out OK? Things my not have turned out the way you planned. But you must admit … they turned out better.
Don’t you want to kick yourself for doubting? I know I have been in that same boat (no pun intended). I forgot about the loaves! I forgot what the Lord did in my life – the miracles He performed – my heart was hardened and despair set in, much like the disciples in the boat.
But what did Jesus do? He encouraged them and performed yet another miracle! He never leaves us in our despair. When we sincerely seek Him through it all, He rewards us! 🙂
Day 2 – What’s in the Heart
Proverbs 27:19 As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.
When you see your reflection in a mirror or in water, what do you really see? You don’t see what’s on the inside – you don’t see your heart, correct? The Bible tells us that what’s in the heart is displayed on the outside of our bodies. It shows on our face, it shows in our words and in our actions.
Mat. 15:18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
If your mirror could reveal what is in your heart this morning, what would you see? Would you see an ugly, sad, dark and empty reflection? Or, would you see a smile filled with Christ’s love?
Sin creates a ripple in our heart’s reflection. What was clear and beautiful in the eyes of the beholder, now becomes distorted. This picture is a perfect example of what sin can do in our lives. You can hardly see the beautiful clouds in the water – it’s merely a mishmash. Sin distorts our testimony and changes it from Christ’s reflection in us to something that is not recognizable – no longer revealing His beauty. Sin’s effects are a slow process … at first there are no rippling effects and the picture appears perfect. However, as we continue in sin, the ripples (the repercussions of our sins) become greater and the reflection of Christ becomes more distorted. When ripples become waves from the storms of life, Christ is no longer evident.
Don’t deceive yourself, Christian. You may think that dabbling in sin doesn’t affect you, but it does. The devil deceives and is a father of lies. He will convince you that you’re OK and will keep you out of the will of God. This world sees you just as today’s Proverb describes. They see what’s in your heart reflected on your face – your life – your character. Don’t shame the Lord but glorify Him in your life. They won’t be able to tell the difference between you and your Saviour! 🙂
Day 3 – The Following
John 10:1-5 1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
Sheep listen to only one person – their shepherd. If you need proof of that, search it out on the web and you’ll be taken to videos of different people trying to call sheep to them. The sheep don’t move until they hear their shepherd’s voice. It’s truly amazing! I love the fact that God used this analogy in the scriptures. Our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, is the only one who will lead us through the gates of heaven, my friend. There is only one way and that is through His birth, death and resurrection. His shed blood is the sacrificial offering for the penalty of our sins.
Matt. 7:13-15 13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
There are many out there that claim to have the words of life but they are charlatans trying to deceive you. Jesus said there is one way – He leads us to the way.
John 10:7-18 7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my [sheep], and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, [and] one shepherd. 17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
There is ONE Shepherd, ONE way … Jesus Christ, the Son of God … not Allah, not Budda, ONLY Jesus.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
The Apostle Peter even said it in:
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
It’s not rocket science but the god of this world (2 Cor. 4:4) has blinded mankind with diversity and tolerance. This is not scriptural. Jesus came to show us the way – it’s in God’s words for mankind – all we have to do is read those words and believe in faith that He is the One and only way.
Day 4 – Does it bother you?
Do you care about God? Do you care what happens after death? Maybe you don’t care at all. I pray you would take a few moments to read this anyway. Even if only one person reads this and accepts God’s salvation through Christ, it will be worth the time spent writing it.
I am not here to pass judgment as it is not mine to pass. I merely want to share God’s word with you so that you can know for yourself instead of leaving it in the hands of someone else.
But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? (Psalm 50:16)
God asks what it’s going to take for you to proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord of all? Jesus is God’s covenant to us – His promise, if you will. Without believing in Jesus Christ, you have no covenant with God – you cannot claim His promise to you. You have no chance of heaven! (John 14:6)
Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee. (Psalm 50:17)
God knows that going to church is just a chore for you – He knows that if you do go to church, it is only because it is your religious obligation. Your heart is really not into it. If you attend a church that doesn’t use bibles in its services, then you are left to listen to what the priest/pastor/minister says … and just maybe you don’t listen to that as well. You cast God’s words behind you. Remember, you cannot fool God.
When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers. (Psalm 50:18)
Does it bother you if someone steals in your presence? Do you find it amusing that the thief “got away with it”? This is never more true than watching the news after a natural disaster hits a community. Thieves have a field day looting stores – the cameras catch them laughing as they steal things – we saw this during the Hurricane Katrina news footage and the more recent riots in the streets. How appropriate is the above verse to those looters. God goes on to say that the sinner is likened to have partaken with adulterers. Are you an adulterer? Have you looked at another woman and lusted after her? If so, you have cheated on your spouse. Jesus said that even if you lusted after another in your mind, you are guilty of adultery! (Matthew 5:28)
Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. (Psalm 50:19)
Cursing is all around us today. It is nothing to hear God’s name in vain in public places. Lest you think it doesn’t matter, it is still one of the Ten Commandments. Don’t think God will overlook cursing. The bible says that everything we say is being “recorded” in Heaven and will be held accountable to each of us. (Matthew 12:36) What about lying? Does your tongue frame deceit? This does not only refer to lying but also cheating. There are many who deceive and cheat people out there today. Have you sold a car to someone and not divulged everything that was wrong with it? You are in essence lying. You are also breaking one of the Ten Commandments.
Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother’s son. (Psalm 50:20)
You may have thought that slandering your family wasn’t a big deal. God thinks differently. Just read on.
These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. (Psalm 50:21)
What things is God speaking of here? (1) Not listening or heeding to God’s instructions in the bible (2) Stealing (3) Adultery (4) Blaspheming God (5) Lying and cheating, and (6) blaspheming and slandering your own brother. Have you done any of these things? I know that I had committed several of these things! We’re not alone – most people have!
Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. (Psalm 50:22)
Unless you listen to God’s word, God will tear you in pieces. You won’t be able to hide anything from God when you stand before Him after you die. None of your friends will be there to protect you or save you from this event. I remember saying that I would meet my friends in Hell and we’d have a good time there together. Not according to God’s word I won’t! That was just foolish talking on my part because I had no idea where I was going so I hid behind my ignorance.
Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God. (Psalm 50:23)
Anyone who desires to know about God will not go unrewarded. God will reward that person by showing him/her the truth and how to be saved from the wrath to come. The bible says: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6) The bible does not say that you can go to the Father in Heaven by Allah. The Bible does not say that you can go to the Father in Heaven by Buddah. The Bible does not say that you can go to the Father in Heaven by Joseph Smith. The Bible does not say that you can go to the Father in Heaven by any church for that matter. It is through Jesus Christ alone. Please take a moment and read the following verses with an open heart and mind:
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: (John 11:25)
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3)
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13:3)
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9)
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:10)
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13)
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. (Ephesians 4:28)
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (II Corinthians 5:17)
There is nothing you can do to get to Heaven. It is impossible for us to stop sinning! IMPOSSIBLE! If it were so, Christ would not have had to die a bloody and horrible death on the cross!
After Adam and Eve sinned, that sin nature was passed on to everyone born after that. God did not make Adam and Eve that way. They were made perfect and without sin. But God did not create robots who could make no choices in life and nor did He create someone without a will of their own. He created man to think for himself. Unfortunately for us, Adam and Eve’s sin has left all of mankind with a choice. Do we admit that we cannot stop sinning and, therefore, are doomed to eternity in Hell? Eternity is too long and Hell is too hot for you to shrug this away, my friend.
It broke God’s heart so much when His creation could not stop sinning! Even His chosen people, the Jews, could not stop, despite the Ten Commandments, their sacrifices of spotless lambs, and the laws that had been created to rule them. It was this compassion and broken heart that led God to send Jesus Christ, His Son, to die for us. The Scriptures say that without the shedding of blood, there is not remission of sin. (Matthew 26:28, Romans 3:25, Hebrews 9:22) Therefore, a perfect Lamb, Jesus Christ the Son of God, left His throne in Heaven to take on human form. Why this method? Jesus did this so that He could feel what we feel as human beings. He could experience the temptations but never sin. This made Him the perfect, sinless Lamb who would be sacrificed for all mankind. Those other lambs were but mere symbols of what was to come when Christ came. He finished that requirement by being the final sacrifice, one sacrifice for all! (Hebrews 10:10)
Jesus Christ’s work did not stop there. Not only did He die, but He arose from the dead three days later! A few weeks later, He ascended into Heaven and is waiting to come back in the air to take born-again Christians to Heaven! If you read the verses and you have allowed the Holy Spirit of God to prick your heart, won’t you please pray and ask God to forgive you? Accept His Son’s perfect sacrifice for your sins. Repent of your life style and change directions. If you are a thief, steal no more – if you are an adulterer, do it no more, etc. If you pray these things with a sincere heart, God will hear you and save you. He knows whether or not you are sincere. As a result, you will be born again – a brand new beginning – a brand new nature! Your sins will be forgiven and the weight of your sin’s debt will be lifted from you! You will now be a child of God! A child of God begins to change immediately. The desires to curse, lie, cheat, steal, commit adultery, etc. will either be completely taken away or will diminish drastically.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (II Corinthians 5:17)
A Christian is not sinless but a Christian should sin less with each passing day as he yields himself to the convicting work of the Holy Spirit in his life. Read your bible faithfully every day – not just a verse or two – but really read and you will be fed God’s holy word! Look at the tab at the top of this blog for new believers and start there. Find a good Bible believing church that preaches God’s word without compromise.
I pray that this post has been a blessing to someone today! If so, please share your blessing by posting a comment!
Father in Heaven, I lift up this blog to You today and pray that Your Spirit would direct someone here who would read it and his/her heart would be convicted. Father, I beg You for a soul to be won as a result of this labor to bring honor and glory to You. I ask these things in Jesus’ precious Name. Amen.
Day 5 – Our Speech
James 3:1-12 1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
Our tongue is little in comparison to the rest of our body but it sure can be a sharp little tool if it is not trained! (James 3:10) One minute it can praise God and the next minute it can gossip about another!
So how can we train our tongue? (Psalm 39:1) Firstly, we must change the condition of the heart, amen? (Luke 6:45) Starting the day with the words from Psalm 19:14 is an excellent beginning 🙂 When my heart is right, the words coming from my lips will be also.
As I read today’s text, the Lord impressed upon my heart Colossians 4:6 – my speech should be seasoned with salt. Just what is the purpose of salt in our lives? Why would the Lord use this analogy? Meditating on the little word salt and comparing it to our everyday life opened this part of scripture so much more. I don’t know about you, but I really get more out my reading when analogies are used. The Lord sure knows His creation 🙂 He knows we learn better with real life applications. So what does salt actually do for us?
(1) It adds flavor to food – Again, Colossians 4:6 says my speech should be “seasoned” with salt. We all know what food tastes like when too much salt is added. It’s just not edible! But the right amount of salt makes food taste awesome! So does my speech add flavor to a conversation? Do I contribute something from God’s Word when someone opens their heart to me? When someone comes to me discouraged, do I have the right words to encourage them? (Psalm 19:14) We should strive to share verses with everyone we talk to, saved or unsaved, and add flavor to our conversations. Remember, God promises that His Word will not go out void. On the flip side, salt is also used to cause someone to vomit when poison has been swallowed. Do your words cause a Christian to fall? You literally have caused them to spiritually vomit … think about it!
(2) To preserve food – Do your words preserve? There are lost souls everywhere and their souls need to be preserved, if you will. They need to hear the Gospel and they need to hear it with “flavor.” (John 6:68) We have the words of life and they are lost! Do you see a Christian friend heading toward distruction? That friend needs to be preserved – that friend needs you to love her and show her through the scriptures what she is doing wrong. I am close to two dear ladies and both are not hesitant in preserving me 🙂 They would rather see me living for the Lord than to stray and be chastised. That is a characteristic of a good friend!
(3) To heal open sores – We have all gargled with salt water at one time or another. It helps to heal mouth sores. Do your words bring comfort and healing? (Proverbs 12:18) To the lost, your words should be the Gospel. (John 6:68) To the saved, your words should be full of mercy rather than judgment. (Luke 6:36) We say that we love the sinner yet hate the sin – do we really ? We need to remember that we all are sinners. (Romans 7:24) Not one day goes by that we are not tempted and sin because of it. So who are we to consider ourselves better than the one who has fallen? We are told to love one another – only then will our words bring healing to those who are hurting!
Our goal should be to draw others to the scriptures. (Acts 8:31) Just as salt causes us to thirst and to heal, so should our speech be to others. God’s words will not return to us void – He promises us this! (Isaiah 55:11) Every time I look at a salt shaker, you can be sure I look at it differently! 🙂
Day 6 – The Past
Philippians 3:13-14 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Falling away from the faith happens … it happens to all of us at some point. The key to this statement is this: Do you “stay” fallen?
To the true believer, the Holy Spirit has a way of poking and prodding our conscience. If fact, He does this so much that we just can’t live with ourselves. Our guilty conscience gets the best of us and we finally succumb to the Spirit’s calling. What sweet surrender it is, indeed! 🙂
Praise the Lord for His word – it is a living and breathing Book! In its precious pages are forgiveness and restoration! You can glance over the same verse 100 times and that verse does not pertain to your life. But one day, that verse comes to life with meaning because a circumstance has arisen and God has breathed upon you the life of His word!
1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Just think about it, God is faithful even when we’re not. He is just, even when we’re not. He forgives us and, better still, He cleanses us! Do you understand that, Christian? He cleanses us … He bathes us in Christ’s righteousness! Praise Him!!!
Isaiah 43:25 – I, [even] I, [am] he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.
God will NOT remember our sins … we are cleansed … we are bathed in the righteousness of Christ! Thank You, Lord God, my Redeemer!
1 Cor. 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
Day 7 – Faint Not
Cor. 4:16-18 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
When I look at this picture, I can truly say that I’ve been there – at the end of my spiritual rope – looking at life’s circumstances and losing trust in my Saviour. It’s hard to admit but I doubt very much that I am alone in the Christian world. Times got hard – my eyes looked at my circumstances instead of looking to Christ, the Author and Finisher of my faith.
Heb. 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
He was there at the beginning of my faith – after all, it was His death – His blood that covered my horrible sin! He was there when I first believed and He is there through His Holy Spirit every minute of my life. It is when I take my eyes of Him and place them on my circumstances that I begin to stumble. I get weary and then I faint along my spiritual path.
Why do we do this to ourselves? It’s so much easier to simply keep our eyes on Christ and live day by day through His word. When we’re not in the word of God, we become weak and faint. God’s words are fuel for the day … get fueled up for your day, Christian. READ … be encouraged … be convicted to the point of repentance … live day by day in Christ!
Day 8 – Biggest Mistake of Your Life!
Matt. 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
God’s word is not only living but it is powerful! Jesus told the Sadducees that they were making a mistake because they didn’t know (understand) the scriptures! But Jesus did end there? No! He went on to say they didn’t know the power of God. God’s words have the power to save … His words are powerful and guide one to salvation.
There is nothing more miraculous than the change that occurs after a person accepts Jesus Christ as his/her Saviour! The Bible speaks of that change in 2 Corinthians 5:17.
2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Have you experienced this change in your life? Did you get saved only to keep living your life in the same way? There’s a problem if you did … you didn’t experience the power of God’s word! You read it, you heard it, you may have even had an “experience” that produced temporary elation. But what about the long-term effects? Were there any? Did that experience result in permanent change as it relates to sin in your life? If you were a shoplifter, did you stop? If you were a chronic liar, did you find yourself under great conviction afterwards? If you were addicted to pornography, did you stop? If not, you did not experience the true salvation spoken of in the scriptures. The scriptures say that those old sinful ways of yours pass away. Some pass away immediately … other sins are a challenge but God sees you through with the power of His Holy Spirit and the scriptures.
Your relationship with God is now new and alive – your old ways are gone and behold new thoughts and ideas have entered in. These thoughts and ideas come from God’s powerful words in the Bible. They produce a change – they produce a desire to change. They produce a new person!
You may not be sinless, Christian, but you will most certainly sin LESS! Your desire will be to follow Christ, not your old life. AND when you DO sin, you fall under extreme conviction and desire to make things right with your Saviour! If you cannot say this is true in your life, then you did not repent of your sin. Repentance brings about the change. Saying you’re sorry doesn’t necessarily come from repentance. A thief can say he’s sorry but if he continues to steal, he did NOT repent. A repentant thief will steal no more … an repentant adulterer will abandon his sin and become a faithful husband … a repentant liar will lie no more. THIS is change … this is truly the renewed life life that Jesus spoke of in John 3:3 – being born again is depicted in the old sinful man being saved from his sin and coming out a changed and renewed man!
Eph. 4:22-32 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil. 28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Day 9 – Cleaving
Ruth 1:11-18 And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? 12 Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons; 13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me. 14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her. 15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. 16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: 17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. 18 When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.
Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines cleave as:
“To unite or be united closely in interest or affection; to adhere with strong attachment.”
Love is not only a display of affection but is an action as well. When we love, we put that love on display through our actions, amen? You can’t love someone and not do anything for that person. It’s our natural desire to show our love through our actions.
Ruth showed that love toward her mother in law in one of the most wonderful ways. Ruth “adhered” to her mother in law. She showed her love and devotion by following her wherever she would go. Ruth was willing to abandon everything she had learned as a child for the sake of her mother in law! Ruth’s devotion went all the way to Naomi’s faith – Ruth wanted to follow her anywhere!
Would I have done this? In my brain, I would have thought that there were too many “what if’s” to worry about in a situation like that. After all, how many women do you know would follow their mother in law and not their very own family? It’s something to think about. Naomi’s faith left such an impression with Ruth that Ruth wanted to follow her to an unknown place. Is my faith that evident that others would follow me anywhere?
Ruth’s devotion to her mother in law produced great results. Sometimes it takes years – even generations – to see those results. But Ruth was rewarded in her lifetime for such devotion and love. It’s a great lesson for us. What we do now may affect our grandchildren. What we do now may not even show up for hundreds of years. This was also true in Ruth’s life. Yes, she was blessed with a wonderful husband in Boaz. But look at how it affected her future!
Mt. 1:5 Booz begat Obed of Ruth. (Obed was David’s grandfather.)
God rewarded her love and devotion by allowing Christ to come from her Gentile lineage! Our Saviour chose Ruth! Wow!
Mt. 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Mt. 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Who would have thought that love and devotion would be rewarded in this manner? I’m sure this went far and beyond Ruth’s wildest dream!
Think about it … what we produce now, spiritually speaking, not only has an effect on us but also on our families … and years down the road. We don’t know what will happen but wouldn’t you like to be remembered for being devoted to the Lord in the same manner Ruth was devoted? It’s never too late to start … jump in with both feet and commit your ways to the Lord.
Psalm 37:5-6 5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
Day 10 – Patience
~James 5:8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
Being patient in our “ministry for the Lord” is not always an easy thing. What is our ministry? It’s not always a job, like a Pastor. It is our path in life. For example, someone who has been through cancer can help others who are going through cancer. Someone who has lost a child can help someone else who has lost a child. Our life’s trials are a gift – a gift that we can share with others by helping them! Yes, we tend to get weary at times. James encourages us to continue being patient – patient in our work – patient with our brothers and sisters in Christ – patient with being persecuted for righteousness sake.
~Romans 5:3-5 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Through our trials, we build patience, understanding, compassion – our hearts become established in the Lord. As we learn to immediately turn to the Lord in our time of need, we are able to teach another to do so. We are able to find our comfort, hope and peace in Him! How many Christians have you known who are going through major trials yet you see them surrounded by peace? This is that peace which cannot be explained!
~Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
As we await the Lord’s return for us, let’s strive to keep our hearts established and firm on Him! Let’s share this gift we have received as a result of our trials!! Don’t give up, Christian!! Christ is near!
Day 11 – Faith
~Psalm 119:105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
~John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
~John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
~Isaiah 60:19 The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.
~Micah 7:8 Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.
~Acts 26:23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.
~John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Faith is like electricity. You can’t see it, but you can see the light. The proof is in the by-product and end result!
~Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Day 12 – In Our Midst
~Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
Oh praise the Lord that our Lord and Saviour is right there with us, in our midst!
~Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
How can we be discouraged when our Lord and Saviour loves us this much and makes these types of promises to us? He says He will hold us up in these times! He actually rejoices over us with joy! This personalizes our relationship with Him!!! Our Emmanuel is always with us!
Thank You, Lord!
Day 13 – Time
~Psalm 119:105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
When we find ourselves side tracked and spiritually distracted, we can trace our actions back to the amount of time we spent in God’s Word along the way. When we’re on track, we are in tune with His Word – our path is lit by it and we see clearly. This can’t be any more true than when we go through a physical trial. Rather than blaming God for our plight, we rejoice in His goodness and mercy!
Today’s picture gives us insight as to what is meant by this. Notice that where I was standing when I took this picture, there was less light than at the end of the path. When we spend time in the Word of God, we are able to see more clearly because He illuminates us and the Holy Spirit reveals God’s will to us.
The amount of time spent in the Word will directly reflect in our ability to cope with life’s curves!
Day 14 – Blessed Peace
~John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
What kind of peace does this world have to offer? It comes disguised in materialism. However, “things” bring only temporary happiness. There is no permanent joy in “things.” They do not bring peace at all. In fact, the more stuff we have, the more we have to worry about. Isn’t it a conundrum?
Our precious Saviour is the only one who can truly give this peace and joy – and His comes with a guarantee of eternal life! What blessings! One can be in the middle of a spiritual battle, a physical ailment, or an emotional struggle – but yet, peace surrounds them like a warm blanket! Christ knows what we are going through every step of the way. As we ache when our children are hurting, so does He. He is always waiting to comfort us!
Let Christ work in your heart. There’s no reason to be caught up in worry and stress. Reach out to Him for the peace which is beyond your comprehension!!
~Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Day 15 – Strength
~Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
Oh that we would allow God to be our strength and shield in 2010! Let’s dedicate ourselves to this very thing this year. Why? Because the Psalmist explains that when his heart trusted in the Lord, he was helped! Who doesn’t want help from the Master Creator? No wonder the Psalmist continued and said that his heart rejoiced and he sang praises because of the Lord’s help!
Each of us is going to go through difficult times this year. There can be no denying it. Instead of fretting, turn to the One who can actually help! Turn to the One who has been to the future and knows the outcome. Turn to the One who can lead you through His Word to comforting words. What you read in God’s Word today will be exactly what you need for tomorrow. God loves you that much!
Day 16 – Don’t Be Afraid!
~Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”
Have you ever been in a situation where you prayed a similar prayer?
Lord, there’s a storm brewing and I can’t see through it to know how it’s going to come out. But Father, I know that You are with me and I know that You can calm those storms with just a word. I pray, Father, that You would guide me and help me to be a good testimony to those around me so they can see that You are with me!”
Just know, dear Christian, we do not go through the storms of life by ourselves. God has given us His Word – He has given us family and friends – He has given us the Holy Spirit who is within us and revealing God’s Word to us as He speaks to us. We are not alone! Ole slew foot, the devil, can stir up the storms all he wants. But we know that the Creator Himself is there with us and will not abandon us.
So what does the Lord tell us to do during these storms? He says to be strong, of good courage and not to fear! Our God, the One and only, has made a promise to us that He will not forsake us. So much so, that He has told us more than just this once in His Word:
~Deuteronomy 4:31 (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.
~Deuteronomy 31:8 And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
~Joshua 1:5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
~1 Chronicles 28:20 And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.
~Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
I don’t know about you, but God knows the frailty of man! In Bible numbers, man’s number is six. God placed this promise to His creation six times in His Word. Does this not encourage your spirit this morning? God cares for us and loves us so much that He has made a promise to us – He’s always with us and He will never forsake us!
Be encouraged today, my friend! Thank You, Father, for Your precious Word to encourage our hearts!
Day 17 – Shelter
Shelter – Kate Plourde
Lord open up my eyes To behold Your wondrous skies Keep my thoughts fixed on You That I may walk in ways of truth
Refrain
You are my hiding place In Your Word I seek your face I hide it in my heart And from it I’ll not depart
Teach me to turn away From those paths that lead astray Resting in Your shelter And there I find peacefulness
Refrain
You are my hiding place In Your Word I seek your face I hide it in my heart And from it I’ll not depart
Day 18 – The Rock that is Higher
From my porch the tears flow as the rain I wonder when they will end Forlorn, deserted, forsaken When will my groanings be silenced
So I continue to cry out Believing that You will hear As I beg for reprieve from this testing A glimmer, a trace of expectation
Alas, hope springs from despair Creeping in like a flickering candle Bringing in light through the darkness And flooding my heart with Son shine
My path becomes clearer with each step As I walk to my harbor of rest And meet with the Healer of my soul At that Rock that is higher than I
Kate Plourde
~Psalm 61:2 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.
Day 19 – Shelter
Photography by Bob Sabo
Lord open up my eyes To behold Your wondrous skies Keep my thoughts fixed on You That I may walk in ways of truth
Refrain
You are my hiding place In Your Word I seek your face I hide it in my heart And from it I’ll not depart
Teach me to turn away From those paths that lead astray Resting in Your shelter And there I find peacefulness
Refrain
You are my hiding place In Your Word I seek your face I hide it in my heart And from it I’ll not depart
Day 20 – The Lord is my…
I was driving to work the other day and listening to my audio Bible. At the time, I was in Psalms, and the Lord impressed upon me the words “the Lord is my.” I decided to check to see how many times this phrase is used in Scriptures and what the phrase referenced. I was so blessed by what I discovered, I had to put it down in writing. I hope you are blessed as well!
The Lord is my:
Strength
(Exo 15:2) The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
I do not know I need anyone, let alone God, until I am down and at my weakest. It is then that I can see God at work and His strength is made evident.
Song
(Psa 118:14) The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
God gives me a new song when I finally realize that He is the one that I need.
Rock
(2 Sam 22:2) And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
God becomes my Rock because there is no other. My salvation cannot rest on anyone else or else it rests on sand.
Fortress
(Psa 18:2) The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
When all the world falls apart around me, I know that I can run to Him and rest in His protection. No one can take away what He has given to me – that is, my salvation.
Deliverer
(Psa 18:2) The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
He delivers me from the evil around me. I do not need to succumb to temptation because He is there to provide a way out.
Shepherd
(Psa 23:1) A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
The Lord gently guides me in the paths that I take but also firmly rebukes me when I am going down the wrong one.
Light
(Psa 27:1) A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
My God sheds light on His Word to light my path so that I do not walk in darkness as I once did. I can clearly see what lies ahead.
Salvation
(Psa 27:1) A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
There is salvation in no other than in the Lord. What do I have to fear if I am threatened with death if I do not bow down to other gods?
Shield
(Psa 28:7) The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
My God shields me from the devil’s darts of destruction. He helps me to recognize them through His Word and helps me day by day. What comfort and joy this brings to a child who is going through tumultuous times.
Defence
(Psa 94:22) But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge.
When I am mocked and wronged, my God will come to my defense. It may not be in my lifetime but this child knows that it will all be made known in eternity – and that’s a long time!
Portion
(Lam 3:24) The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
At the moment I was born again, salvation became my inheritance. God’s righteousness is over me, not my own, praise His Holy Name!
God
(Zech 13:9) And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.
He no longer is just “god” but He is now my God and Lord.
Helper
(Heb 13:6) So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
It is appropriate that the New Testament closes out this phrase with the fact that God is our Helper. There is no way we could gain salvation on our own. After salvation, there is no way we could keep it or live a perfect life without His doing. He is my Helper.
God is all these things and more to the child of the King! Rejoice in Him this morning!
Day 21 – Displaying Fruit
~Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
If I were to neatly arrange my spiritual fruit in a showcase, would I be displaying many trophies of good fruit?
The Apostle Paul explains to us that we have evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives by the fruit that we bear. Just reading about the fruit of the Spirit brings peace to my heart. Every believer has some trophies to display in his spiritual showcase. Some more than others. We each grow at our own pace but each of us has some.
As I was looking over these wonderful fruit, I found myself lacking. I even found some of my fruit was spotted. I had to ask myself, “Have I been as long suffering as I should have? How am I doing with my temperance (self control)? How’s my faith during times of testing?”
Thank God that He isn’t finished with me yet! As we see a spotted fruit messing up our trophy case, let’s allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives and work toward producing beautiful fruit for the Lord!
Day 22 – The Past
~Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Pity parties – the devil absolutely loves them! How do these pity parties come about in our lives? I truly believe it is because we dwell on what has happened in our lives and not what is going to happen. The Lord knows our future – He has been there and is most qualified to guide us. To depend on Him to take care of what is going to happen is what we must train ourselves to do.
Dwelling on past sins, mistakes and life’s hardships is not going to help us press toward our Heavenly reward. In fact, it causes us to take our eyes off that mark. Ole slew foot knows what he is doing. He knows that if he can get us to focus on our daily circumstances then we will be useless for the cause of Christ. The unbeliever will see us struggling and will not want what we have. The believer will see us struggling and will not be challenged by our testimony. But our Father knows our trials and our past. If we allow Him, He will mold us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ! Let’s allow Him and be yielded to His Hand!
~Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
Day 23 – The Blessing in No
I asked God to take away my pride. God said, “No. It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.”
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. God said, “No. Her spirit was whole, her body was only temporary.”
I asked God to grant me patience. God said, “No. Patience is a by-product of tribulations; it isn’t granted, it is earned.”
I asked God to give me happiness. God said, “No. I give you blessings, happiness is up to you.”
I asked God to spare me pain. God said, “No. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.”
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. God said, “No. I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things.”
I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as God loves me. God said… “Ahhhh, finally you have the idea!”
“There’s a time and place for everything, for everyone. God works in a mysterious way.” Just trust in God.
~Author Unknown
Day 24 – Lunch with God
There once was a little boy who wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies & a six-pack of root beer, and he started his journey.
When he had gone a few blocks from home, he met an old man. He was sitting in the park near the water just staring at some birds.
The boy sat down next to him and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer, when he noticed that the old man looked hungry, so he offered him a Twinkie.
The old man gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. His smile was so incredible that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a root beer.
Once again, he smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.
As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was, and he got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps; he turned around, and ran back to the old man, and gave him a hug. The old man gave him his biggest smile ever,
When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked her son: “What did you do today that made you so happy?”
The child replied: “I had lunch with God.”
But before his mother could respond, he added: “You know what? He’s got the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen!
Meanwhile, the old man, also radiant with joy, returned to his home. His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and asked: “Dad, what did you do today that made you so happy?”
He replied: “I ate Twinkies in the park with God.”
But before his son responded, he added: “You know, He’s much younger than I expected.
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring. All of which have the potential to make someone’s day a very special one, or even turn someone’s life around.
~Author Unknown
Day 25 – The Cross
A young man was at the end of his road , seeing no way out, he dropped to his knees in prayer.
“Lord, I can’t go on,” he said. “I have too heavy a cross to bear.”
The Lord replied, “My son, if you can’t bear its weight, just place your cross inside this room.
Then, open that other door and pick out any cross you wish.”
The man was filled with relief and said, “Thank you Lord,” and he did as he was told.
Upon entering the other room, he saw many crosses; some so large the tops were not visible. Then, he spotted a tiny cross leaning against a far wall.
“I’d like that one, Lord,” he whispered. The Lord replied, “My son, that is the cross you just brought in.”
When life’s problems seem overwhelming, it helps to look around and see what other people are coping with. You may consider yourself far more fortunate than you imagined.
YOUR CROSS
Whatever your cross Whatever your pain There will always be sunshine After the rain
Perhaps you may stumble Perhaps even fall But God’s always there To help you through it all
~Author Unknown
Day 26 – God Does Hear!
~Psalm 3:3-4 But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. (3) I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. (4)
As we’ve been going through this series, we have been learning about God’s attributes. Today’s verse teaches us that God does hear us when we cry to Him. I can’t begin to tell you how many times someone has told me that they do not feel as though God hears them. They continue to say that their prayers seem to stop at the ceiling. Does that sound familiar to you? Don’t believe it for a minute. God tells us that He does hear us and that He stands ready to help us. David said he cried with his voice and God heard him. God hears us as well!
The weary believer gets to a point in his life that he is overwhelmed and feels as though he has been totally abandoned. However, our God stands ready to shield us from total despair if we allow Him. Sometimes we just cannot see His shield in our lives because we are so absorbed in our circumstances. That is why it is so important that we stay in the Word. Reading brings life to our down heartedness. Reading brings to light God’s promises and comforting words. One can hardly read Psalms without walking away with a ray of hope. Why is it that we fail to go to the place where healing can occur when we need it the most?
The best part of the verse is that God is the lifter of the weary believer’s head! Whether your head is stuck on a pillow because you’re exhausted or your head is drooped because of depression, God WILL lift it. He is there waiting and willing to do this. Read the Word and envelope yourself within the pages of encouragement. God will wrap His arms around you and bring you that much needed comfort and peace.
Hymns
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The hymns of yesteryear were actual gospel messages. The writers were God-fearing Christians who knew the cost to living for Christ. This is a 30-day devotional, originally written in 2007, which covers hymns (prior to copyright laws), their authors and how they tie in with the Word of God. This series will be a blessing to my soul and I pray to yours! In a world of contemporary music and PowerPoint presentations used in church services, the old hymns and favorites are slowly fading away. My prayer is that we will be exhorted to go back to the old paths of our fathers and renew these hymns in our own daily lives. These are hymns written prior to this backslidden, emerging church called the Laodicean church. These are words written by those who have met with their Saviour in their prayer closets and have been moved by the Holy Spirit to pen the words which in turn have moved the hearts of men.
Day 1 – The Old, Old Way
In the first day of this series, I thought it appropriate to start with Fanny Crosby since she is my favorite composer (born March 24, 1820 and died February 12, 1915). It’s unbelievable to think that Fanny Crosby was responsible for over 8,000 hymns! There are so many that we sing in church that are our familiar favorites: Able to Deliver, Blessed Assurance, Meet Me There, To God Be The Glory, just to name a few.
The very first hymn Fanny ever wrote was when she was 43 years old, “There’s a Cry from Macedonia”! Fanny was blinded by an incompetent doctor’s helper who treated an eye infection with hot poultices when she was six weeks old. Fanny was never bitter; in fact, she was quoted to say,
“It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me.”
One of the sweetest things I’ve ever read about Fanny Crosby was a poem she had written when she was nine years old:
Oh what a happy soul I am, Although I cannot see; I am resolved that in this world Contented I will be. How many blessings I enjoy, That other people don’t; To weep and sigh because I’m blind, I cannot, and I won’t.”
Could we quote these words when we experience our own trials? How could a nine-year old pen these words? It was her walk with the Lord that kept her strong. She committed many verses to memory and had the word of God hidden in her heart.
The first in this series will be a hymn that I had never heard before but the words were such a blessing to me! Fanny was approximately 79 years old when she wrote this hymn. Oh that we should glean from her many years of salvation and draw from her walk with the Lord. If you would like to hear what it sounds like, here is the link to it in Cyber Hymnal.
The Old, Old Way Written in 1899
Is your hope of glory bright? Are you walking in the light, Ever shining from the Savior’s throne? Have you gone to Him for rest, When your heart was sore oppressed? Are you trusting in His arm alone?
Refrain
Are you walking in the light, In the blessèd, blessèd light? Is it shining in your soul today? With a firm abiding faith That will triumph over death, Are you walking in the old, old way?
Have you taken up the cross? Do you count the world but dross, For the splendor you in Christ may see? To His question, “Who will go,” And His love to sinners show, Will you answer “Here am I, send me”?
Refrain
Tho’ your foes may all unite, Will you battle for the right, And the wonders of the Lord proclaim? Will you stand with courage brave And the royal banner wave, Shouting vict’ry thro’ the Master’s Name?
Refrain
O the bliss of those who trust In the only wise and just, And are looking for a home above; If your lot with them is cast You will anchor safe at last In the haven of eternal love.
Refrain
This hymn reminded me of what Jeremiah said:
Jeremiah 6:16, Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
It is the old paths that have been abandoned today. Today’s Christian has been deceived by the enemy to go down a wide path that will lead to their spiritual starvation. Today’s average “church” member is not focusing on his sin and his walk with the Lord. Instead, today’s church member is busy doing and have become spiritually anorexic. Although the Apostle James said that faith without works is dead (James 2:26), what good are your works if you leave your first love, Jesus Christ? What good is it for you to work in the soup kitchen if you have neglected prayer with your God? What good is it if you go out soul winning but yet your Bible collect dust during the week? What good is it if you work in a ministry in your church but yet you’ve neglected the convictions of the Holy Spirit in your life and continue in a sin?
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: (Revelation 3:17)
Today’s Christian quenches the burning fire of the Holy Spirit’s convicting power.
The Spirit’s words are too hard for these and, therefore, they do not continue in them. (John 6:66)
Today’s average Christian is busy with the distractions of the world. At the first mention of a sin in their lives, they are quick to be offended and they leave their church and try to find another one. Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. (Psalm 119:165) I’ve never seen more church hoppers than I have today. They visit from time to time but you do not see real fruit in their lives. We need more Fanny Crosby’s in this world today. If you were to be honest with yourself and examined yourself closely, would you be able to say that you actually saw the fruit of Galations 5 in your own spiritual life?
Galatians 5:22-23, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (22) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (23)
Do you examine yourself at the end of every message your Pastor preaches? Do you examine yourself at the end of your Bible reading? Do you ask yourself: (1) What is God trying to teach me? (2) What sin is He trying to expose in my life? (3) Is my spiritual house beginning to lean because my foundation is cracking?
What a horrible tragedy it is when the foundation of a house is not solid. If care is not taken from the beginning when laying a foundation, the results can lead to countless problems in the home. Even greater troubles will one experience if that foundation is not built on solid ground. Yes, Jesus’ parable about building a house upon a rock meant that our faith must be in Jesus and none other. However, He was referencing the old paths as well. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:11)
Therefore, what God required as a foundation of faith in the old paths are still required today. Why do preachers and Christians want to change the way services are conducted? Why do they want to change the music? Why do they want to change the Word of God? You can play Christian, but if your foundation has the cracks of change and compromise, you will begin to lean and eventually you will fall.
Brother or Sister in Christ, the old paths are not to be abandoned because we need to be “with the times”! The old paths were laid for us to grow by and to be strong Christians.
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (Ephesians 2:20)
It’s not the foundations of the modern-day preachers that God wants us to follow but the foundation of Jesus Christ, the apostles and prophets! The old paths should be what we walk upon! The old paths are built upon the firm foundation of Christ and His Word. Replacing this with modernism will lead to a crack in our spiritual foundation that will bring to ruin our earthly temples. Don’t be guilty of this! Follow the old paths – you will never go astray!
Day 2 – Open My Eyes
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. (Psa 119:18 )
The Psalmist surely knew what he needed to be able to connect with his God! His eyes needed to be opened. His heart needed to be right before God so that he was willing to accept what was written. We can read all we want but unless our hearts are soft and willing to receive God’s Word, we will not understand. We are as blind people without the Word of God, my friend. We are as ships in the night who can only use the stars to guide them. Unless there is a lighthouse out there to warn the ship’s captain of upcoming danger, the ship will surely crash. The Word is our lighthouse and it shines ever bright to reveal to us our sin! Our path in life is guided by the pure light of the Word.
NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psa 119:105)
The blessed light of Jesus Christ and His Gospel illuminates our hearts. Our sin is before us and conviction sets in and repentance comes forth. Salvation brings with it a blessed cleansing from our filthy rags and we now have the precious blood of Jesus Christ covering us!
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 Jo 1:7)
Praise the Lord that the blessed Gospel light shone on me some 27 years ago! I truly understood what John Newton wrote when he penned Amazing Grace and said “was blind but now I see”! We truly are blind before salvation. We cannot see what God’s Word has hidden there for us. Those who profess to be saved or “spiritual” cannot truly understand what God’s Word has to say.
Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. (Mat 13:13)
The greatest of Pharisees could not understand what Jesus was speaking about so how can the unsaved understand? They can’t! They are spiritually blind. But the born-again believer has the Holy Spirit who interprets His Word to them as they read.
Today’s hymn was written by Clara Scott Born. She was born on December 3, 1841 and died on June 21, 1897. She was not much older than I when she was thrown from her buggy by a runaway horse and she went to be with the Lord. I researched her song, Open My Eyes to see what prompted her to write these beautiful words. I could not find what her motivation was for this song. However, it is evident that she was motivated by her God. If you would like to listen to the melody, it can be found at Cyber Hymnal
Open My Eyes Clara H. Scott
Open my eyes, that I may see Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me; Place in my hands the wonderful key That shall unclasp and set me free.
Refrain
Silently now I wait for Thee, Ready my God, Thy will to see, Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!
Open my ears, that I may hear Voices of truth Thou sendest clear; And while the wave notes fall on my ear, Everything false will disappear.
Refrain
Open my mouth, and let me bear, Gladly the warm truth everywhere; Open my heart and let me prepare Love with Thy children thus to share.
Refrain
This dear lady knew where she could find her direction in life. She knew where she could find encouragement to press on. It is evident that she loved God’s Word, her time in prayer, a closer walk with the Lord, she had a love for lost souls and a love for the brethren. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. (1 Jo 3:14a) What beautiful words she wrote, amen?
The Word of God is the wonderful key that opens our eyes and illumines our hearts! Without being in the Scriptures every day, we cannot get the nourishment we need to be a healthy Christian. Would you miss a meal? If you’re not in your Bible on a regular basis, you will be an anorexic Christian. You will be spiritually malnourished. Your spiritual life will be weak and when you need guidance and encouragement from God’s 2ord, you will have nothing to pull it from. You get as much out of the Scriptures as you put into it, my friend. Micah wasn’t afraid because he knew that no matter how dark the situation was around him, he had the light of God on his side.
Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me. (Mic 7:8 )
Can you say the same?
Day 3 – Wonderful Grace of Jesus
Just the title of this song alone, brings tears to my eyes. When I think of the grace of Jesus, I see in my mind’s eye, mountains majesty and waters flowing freely! When I first heard this song as a born-again Christian, I was moved to tears. I had the joined the choir in the church I belonged to and we were given this song to practice. I could not sing it because the words had overwhelmed me. I wonder if that is how Haldor Lillenas felt as he penned them?
Brother Lillenas was born in Norway on November 19, 1885, and died August 18, 1959, in Colorado. He was saved at the age of 21 and almost immediately he felt the calling of God to become a preacher. He studied music in college and he and his wife, Bertha Mae Wilson, wrote approximately 4,000 hymns together. In 1918, he wrote the song Wonderful Grace of Jesus on an organ he bought from his neighbor for $5.00. As I was looking through a list of titles of the hymns he and his wife wrote, I noticed that many were hymns on the grace of God and about His Word, the Bible! His words were so clearly written and they revealed that this man loved the Lord and that God’s Word was precious to him.
Wonderful Grace of Jesus is probably the most popular of his hymns. This hymn has the entire plan of salvation laid out for the unbeliever. To the unsaved, it reveals the precious grace that God bestowed upon mankind. To the believer, it causes the heart to rejoice because our salvation is sure and secure.
Wonderful Grace of Jesus
Wonderful grace of Jesus, Greater than all my sin; How shall my tongue describe it, Where shall its praise begin? Taking away my burden, Setting my spirit free; For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.Refrain
Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus, Deeper than the mighty rolling sea; Wonderful grace, all sufficient for me, for even me. Broader than the scope of my transgressions, Greater far than all my sin and shame, O magnify the precious Name of Jesus. Praise His Name!
Wonderful grace of Jesus, Reaching to all the lost, By it I have been pardoned, Saved to the uttermost, Chains have been torn asunder, Giving me liberty; For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.
Refrain
Wonderful grace of Jesus, Reaching the most defiled, By its transforming power, Making him God’s dear child, Purchasing peace and heaven, For all eternity; And the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.
Refrain
I would have loved to know what circumstances in Haldor’s life prompted him to pen these precious words! The best way we can honor this man is to glean from the message he tried to give us. What have we learned?
It is the grace of Jesus that reaches down to the vilest of sinners and it is not our own works or efforts that reach up to God.
Eph. 2:8-9, For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (8 ) Not of works, lest any man should boast. (9)
Our salvation is a precious gift from God, Himself!
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (Joh 3:16)
Christ paid a great price for us – with His own life – His own blood was shed on that cross so that we would no longer have to live in sin and serve the devil.
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. (1 Co 6:20)
Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. (1 Co 7:23)
We are no longer slaves to sin, my friend. A slave cannot free himself – he cannot pay a price to the slave owner to free himself. However, our Master did purchase us – He bought us with a great price! No more are we bound unto slavery! No more are we slaves to the devil. Christ has paid the price! We do not need to be servants to sin any longer.
Throughout the Old Testament, Christ’s precious grace was shown. I especially love these verses in Ezra! It is like reading a prophecy of that upcoming grace!
Ezra 9:6-9 And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens. (6) Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day. (7) And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage. (8 ) For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem. (9)
Isn’t this beautiful? In our sin, we were delivered to the enemy. The unbeliever is the servant of sin and the devil! As God showed Ezra that He had given them a nail in His holy place, God gave mankind Christ nailed to a cross where His blood was placed on the Holy of Holies.
The payment for sin was the blood of a Perfect Lamb placed on the altar or sacrifice. Our Lamb, Jesus Christ, shed His own perfect and sinless blood and it was placed on the altar in the Holy of Holies. The Father sees only the blood of His Son when He looks for payment at our judgment! Our payment was paid in full. We were purchased with a great price!
God reached down to the most defiled – the sinner! It only takes one sin to be a sinner. We are all sinners.
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Rom 3:23)
There is no big sin or little sin. No matter what “religion” will teach you, the little ones will condemn you as much as the big ones. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. (Jam 2:10) To the unsaved, even if he should tell a lie, he is guilty of breaking all of the commandments.
God extended mercy and showed His love for us by sending His Son to die for us while we were deep in our sin. There’s nothing we can do to be good enough. Thank God, He placed this verse in His Word so we could see that!
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom 5:8 )
Praise the Lord that I did not have to wait until I was sinless before getting saved. If that were the fact, I would have died in my sins and gone straight to hell.
With this grace, we are free from the burden of sin and our spirit is made free. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Rom 8:2) I could not possibly live by the law – if I could, I could be saved on my own merit. But Eph. 2:8-9 are quick to point out that our own works cannot save us. The best of what we have appears like filthy, dirty rags to God! All of what we have appears like filthy, dirty rag to the Father!
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isa 64:6)
Christ’s grace transforms us and makes us a new creature! If you claim salvation by His grace and yet you still do the exact same things you did prior to your “salvation,” and you do not have remorse for doing these same things, then you have not experienced Christ’s life changing grace.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Co 5:17)
The Law cannot save us – we must be born again according to John 3:3. The Law, however, teaches us that we are sinners!
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. (Gal 6:15)
It is this new creature of the heart that Christ is looking for. We can do all we can to “earn” our way, but it will be for nothing! Unless the heart is truly saved, our efforts will be in vain. Only Christ’s grace can revive our spirit from death to life everlasting. I am no longer under the bondage of sin and can say no to sin. The devil cannot force me to sin. It is my own lust that causes me to sin.
Tit. 2:11-12, For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, (11) Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (12)
Praise the Lord for men like Haldor Lillenas along the way who penned words that encouraged our spirits throughout the years! I love singing this song and hearing it in four part harmony! Music is such a wonderful part of the church service and it does wonders at preparing the heart to hear God’s message from the man of God. What beautiful words to hear this morning! The wonderful and matchless grace of Jesus! Amen!
Day 4 – Alas and Did My Savior Bleed?
Isaac Watts was born in Southampton, England in 1674. He passed away in Stoke Newington, England in 1748. He is known as the Father of English Hymnody because he was the first popular English hymn writer. Many of his 750 hymns are still in use today – a couple are: “When I survey the wondrous cross” and “This is the day the Lord has made.”
Isaac’s father was a nonconformist and Isaac was raised on this. In fact, his father was jailed twice for his views. According to Wikipedia, Watts could not attend Oxford or Cambridge because of his nonconformity so he attended the Dissenting Academy at Stoke Newington. After, he pastored a large independent church in London where he helped preachers in training. Isaac Watts’ beliefs were not the traditional nonconformist beliefs and were considered more nondenominational. In my biographical readings about him, it was not clearly outlined as to what he truly believed or practiced. His hymns, however, were quite clear. I am of the opinion that Watts’ nonconformity was more likely due to England’s 1662 Act of Uniformity and the church’s tradition. I am also of the opinion that he trusted in the word of God rather than the traditions of man.
I absolutely love today’s hymn, “Alas and Did My Savior Bleed” because it totally describes what our precious Saviour went through on the cross and why. Anyone with an ounce of compassion cannot read all of these verses without tearing up!
Alas and Did My Savior Bleed? Isaac Watts
Alas! and did my Savior bleed And did my Sovereign die? Would He devote that sacred head For such a worm as I?
Refrain
At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight, And now I am happy all the day!
Thy body slain, sweet Jesus, Thine— And bathed in its own blood— While the firm mark of wrath divine, His Soul in anguish stood.
Was it for crimes that I had done He groaned upon the tree? Amazing pity! grace unknown! And love beyond degree!
Well might the sun in darkness hide And shut his glories in, When Christ, the mighty Maker died, For man the creature’s sin.
Thus might I hide my blushing face While His dear cross appears, Dissolve my heart in thankfulness, And melt my eyes to tears.
But drops of grief can ne’er repay The debt of love I owe: Here, Lord, I give my self away ’Tis all that I can do.
Songs about the Blood of Christ are not popular today and will more than likely become less and less popular as we approach the Tribulation. Many churches today no longer sing songs about Christ’s shed blood. It is a shame because that is the cornerstone of Christianity. Without Christ’s shed blood, there is no remission of sin.
And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. (Heb 9:22)
How can you do away with songs about the Blood when it is that very blood, the perfect sacrifice offered once for man, that saves us?
Let’s say there was a price on salvation, what would that price be? Could everyone afford to pay the price? Salvation would not be for everyone if it involved money – the rich would pay as little as they could for it and the poor would never be able to afford it. Praise God that this is not the case! Instead, God wanted all mankind to have an opportunity to follow Him.
1 Pet. 1:18-19, Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; (18 ) But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: (19)
There is no one else who can claim this! No one else can say they have lived a sinless life. No one!
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Rom 3:23)
I love the fact that God’s plan is seen throughout the Old Testament through the sacrificing of a spotless lamb. These sacrifices were a testimony to what was to come when Christ died on the cross. The blood of the spotless lambs could not forgive the sins of the Jews but it merely covered them until Christ’s final sacrifice.
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. (Joh 19:30)
No more covering of sins with sacrifices were needed. The final sacrifice, the ultimate sacrifice, was made on the cross and no longer would man’s sin merely be just covered. Now man’s sins could be forgiven because of Christ’s perfect and sinless life.
Matt 27:51-53, And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; (51) And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, (52) And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. (53)
At the moment of that final sacrifice, the veil in the temple was torn in half. It tore from top to bottom! It is said that the veil was 30 feet long – no man could have torn it, but God did! No longer would a high priest be needed nor would he be the only one to access the Holy of Holies. Now, all man could access Heaven through Christ, our High Priest. I love these verses in Hebrews:
Heb. 9:25-28, Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; (25) For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. (26) And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (27) So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (9:28 )
What a beautiful picture!
Without the precious blood of Jesus Christ, there is no forgiveness of sins! Without being born again, one cannot be saved.
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (Joh 3:3)
The born-again believer is the one who believes that Christ came to earth and lived a sinless life and shed His blood on the cross to become that perfect sacrifice for us. He also believes that Christ rose from the dead and now sits at the right hand of the Father.
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. (Rev 12:10)
When Satan accuses the born-again believer before God, Christ stands up and tells His Father that it is His blood that paid the debt for this Christian and the Father now only sees the righteousness of His Son.
Thank God we are not required to work our way to heaven! Thank God we are not allowed entrance only by our own merit for we would be doomed indeed! The perfect sacrifice of Christ is all we need to believe in.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (Joh 3:16)
It is so simple, yet so many enter Hell’s gates every second. This world is trying desperately to remove the blood from its services. They fail to realize that it is only by the Blood of Jesus Christ that entrance to heaven may be gained! Sin cannot enter heaven. And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Rev 7:14)
Isaac Watts truly possessed salvation as it is evident in his writings. Just today’s hymn alone shows us the degree of his beliefs. Watts’ anguish at his own sin and what Christ had to suffer to free him from this sin is clearly seen. Is our testimony for Christ today as evident as Isaac Watts? Can we honestly say:
Thus might I hide my blushing face While His dear cross appears, Dissolve my heart in thankfulness, And melt my eyes to tears.
Day 5 – There is a Fountain Filled with Blood
I was drawn to William Cowper (pronounced Cooper) because of his testimony. He was born on November 15, 1731 in Great Berkhampstead, England and died in April, 1800. His father was chaplain to King George II so it appears that William was raised on God’s word. William studied to become an attorney but he never actually practiced law. He struggled with temporary madness to the point that he made several attempts at drinking poison only to have spasms in his hand which prevented him from doing so. Talk about the hand of God on his life! He then tried to hang himself with a strong garter. He passed out and then the garter broke while he was still suspended. After he recovered, he struggled with knowing that God could forgive him for this attempt. It was then his life changed.
Today’s hymn was the first hymn William wrote after his recovery. It is evident that the Lord worked in him and gave him the assurance of forgiveness.
There is a Fountain Filled with Blood William Cowper
There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel’s veins; And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains. Lose all their guilty stains, lose all their guilty stains; And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.
The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day; And there have I, though vile as he, washed all my sins away. Washed all my sins away, washed all my sins away; And there have I, though vile as he, washed all my sins away.
Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood shall never lose its power Till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more. Be saved, to sin no more, be saved, to sin no more; Till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more.
E’er since, by faith, I saw the stream Thy flowing wounds supply, Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die. And shall be till I die, and shall be till I die; Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.
Then in a nobler, sweeter song, I’ll sing Thy power to save, When this poor lisping, stammering tongue lies silent in the grave. Lies silent in the grave, lies silent in the grave; When this poor lisping, stammering tongue lies silent in the grave.
Lord, I believe Thou hast prepared, unworthy though I be, For me a blood bought free reward, a golden harp for me! ’Tis strung and tuned for endless years, and formed by power divine, To sound in God the Father’s ears no other name but Thine.
What words! They were penned by a repentant man in need of the assurance of love from his God! William could not stand the fact that he entertained thoughts of suicide. I have been in his shoes. I did not suffer from madness but I entertained suicidal thoughts. Had it not been for the grace of God, I would not be here today writing devotionals and praising Him! My Heavenly Father sent a dear friend to me from a thousand miles away to share the salvation message! She arrived in the nick of time because a few short days later was when I planned to end it all. Thank You, Lord! I was born again and those suicidal thoughts left me and I have never entertained them since! \o/
The devil uses despair to play mind games with the believer. I have seen it in my own life and I have seen it in the lives of others. The key to despair is how we deal with it. I compare my Christian walk with that of a car. A car starts off brand new and it works beautifully. It smells good – it looks good – it drives great! Depending on the car’s owner, the car may or may not continue to run well. If the owner does not fill the car with fuel regularly, it will run out of gasoline and stop working. If the owner does not perform the scheduled maintenance checks, the car will begin to experience problems. If the tires are not checked from time to time, the owner can expect a flat. There are many things that must be maintained on a car to ensure that it runs properly.
The same holds true for the Christian. When the Christian first gets saved, he is on fire for the Lord and it seems that nothing can stop him.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Co 5:17)
However, as the Christian gets older, there are things that he must do to maintain his spiritual zeal. Our fuel is the word of God. Without daily fuel from above, we can expect to sputter and eventually stop. How can we deal with the day’s problems without the proper fuel from above to keep us going in the time of storm? Without our scheduled maintenance (church services), we can expect to encounter problems with our walk. One cannot expect to be able to draw on our spiritual resources if we have not put anything into them. Being in the word of God daily helps us to remember a verse when we need one desperately. The Holy Spirit reminds us of a passage that we read a couple of weeks ago, or even that very morning. Paul exhorted the Ephesians not to grieve the Holy Spirit of God but to put away those old things (sins).
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; (Eph 4:22)
The Christian who does not stay in the Scriptures will find himself grieving the Holy Spirit and he won’t be able to hear His still small voice when he needs it most. He will not have the resources to pull from when the devil begins to push him into the sea of despair. I have seen two types of people who suffer from chronic illnesses. The first is in God’s word and is able to make it through each day because of God’s grace he receives from the word. The other has become an embittered person, full of disdain for the world around him, because he has nothing to draw from. God’s word brings healing – maybe not physically, but spiritually. Our Emmanuel (God with us) is there to heal our broken spirits when the devil is busy trying us sore.
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. (Act 10:38 )
Have you ever heard the term FIFO? It is an inventory term used in warehouses. It stands for First In First Out. It means that the first piece of inventory that goes on the shelf should be the first piece of inventory that leaves the shelf. It is the same with our own spiritual lives. If we put something into our spiritual inventory, it will be the first thing that surfaces in our lives. If we read our Bible, we will be able to draw on that when we are in need of a word from God. If we neglected our Bible reading and did other things, we can expect to have nothing to pull from.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Ti 2:15)
When we stand before God and receive reward for the works that we have done for Him, will we stand ashamed before Him because we did not study His word? Will we have to bow our heads in shame because we fell into the sea of despair instead of using our life raft, the word of God?
William Cowper saw this in his own life, I believe. I do not know whether his temporary madness was a mind game from the devil or an illness. I could not tell whether or not it was before his salvation or after. This is not clear in the history I have read. There may be some other accounts out there detailing this but I have not read it. However, I do know that his Heavenly Father reached down to him in his despair and lifted him. I do know that from that point on, William went on to write one of the most beautiful hymns about the blood of his Saviour. He totally grasped salvation and penned a clear message of how the Saviour paid dearly with His own blood the punishment for sin we so deserved.
Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood shall never lose its power Till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more.
Despite our sin, the born-again believer can say the power of Christ’s blood will take us home and one day, we will no longer struggle with sin. Praise God! What do you have on your spiritual shelves to draw upon when you are in need? Do you have the latest movie details, lyrics to your favorite song, or the precious word of God to direct and guide you? God’s Word promises five things:
LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. (Psa 119:89): We do not have to doubt its origin, preservation or authenticity because God’s word was and is forever settled in Heaven. We have God’s word to turn to – He has promised us.
NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psa 119:105): God’s word will keep us from stumbling spiritually because it will direct us.
Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. (Psa 119:140): God’s word is pure – there is nothing in it which is polluted or corrupt.
Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. (Psa 119:160): God’s word is true from the beginning of time and forever. There are no lies in it, no contradictions, and no faux pas! We can count on it to give us what we need, when we need it.
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (Joh 17:17): God’s word will set us apart from the spiritually malnourished believer as well as the unbeliever.
In the mean time, what kind of FIFO system do you have controlling your spiritual inventory today?
Day 6 – Jesus Paid it All
Elvina Hall was born in Alexandria, Virginia on June 4, 1822 and died July 18, 1889, in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. There is not much information on her but what I did find said she married Richard Hall of Virginia. After he passed away, she married a Methodist minister named Thomas Meyers.
As I listened to this hymn today and meditated on its words, it was evident that Elvina truly knew her Saviour and she knew her Bible. No one can pen these precious words and not have been in the Word!
Jesus Paid it All Elvina M. Hall
I hear the Savior say, “Thy strength indeed is small; Child of weakness, watch and pray, Find in Me thine all in all.”
Refrain
Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.
For nothing good have I Whereby Thy grace to claim, I’ll wash my garments white In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb.
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And now complete in Him My robe His righteousness, Close sheltered ’neath His side, I am divinely blest.
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Lord, now indeed I find Thy power and Thine alone, Can change the leper’s spots And melt the heart of stone.
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When from my dying bed My ransomed soul shall rise, “Jesus died my soul to save,” Shall rend the vaulted skies.
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And when before the throne I stand in Him complete, I’ll lay my trophies down All down at Jesus’ feet.
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I would love to be able to write poetry like Elvina Hall wrote. She must have had hundreds of verses committed to memory to be able to write a hymn that so closely attached itself to verses from Scripture! In each one I was able to think of a Bible verse to go along with it.
I hear the Savior say: But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. (Psa 66:19)
“Thy strength indeed is small: If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. (Pro 24:10)
Child of weakness, watch and pray: Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. (Mar 14:38 )
Find in Me thine all in all: And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. (1 Co 15:28 )
Jesus paid it all: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; (Rom 3:25)
Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow: Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (Isa 1:18 )
For nothing good have I: But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isa 64:6)
I’ll wash my garments white, In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb: And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Rev 7:14)
And now complete in Him: And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: (Col 2:10)
Close sheltered ’neath His side: Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. (Psa 57:1)
Thy power and Thine alone: For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. (Psa 86:10)
Can change the leper’s spots: And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. (Mar 1:40) And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. (Mar 1:41)
My ransomed soul shall rise: In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (1 Cor 15:52)
Jesus died my soul to save: For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. (Mat 18:11)
Shall rend the vaulted skies: For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (Mat 24:27)
And when before the throne: After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; (Rev 7:9)
I stand in Him complete: And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: (Col 2:10)
I’ll lay my trophies down, All down at Jesus’ feet: The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, (Rev 4:10)
Are you not blessed by the amount of Scripture that can be thought of while reading her writings? I surely was blessed by it all. I consider this type of hymn to be the epitome of hymns because it points to the Word of God and focuses on the Scriptures! I hope you were as blessed with today’s hymn as I was! Praise the Lord and Amen!
Day 7 – Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne
Once there was a great King who ruled his kingdom with great love as well as with an iron rod. He showered his people with blessings. But when his people were wicked, he meted out judgment. No one escaped punishment when they did wrong.
The King had a wonderful son who absolutely adored his father. He went into the village to show the King’s good will and was an outstanding ambassador to the throne. The village people loved the Prince and followed him wherever he went when he would come to visit them. The Prince loved his people as well. When one was sick, he was there to help nurse them to health. When another was destitute, the Prince gave him his own robe to wear. Everywhere the Prince went in the kingdom, the people knew he was the King’s ambassador because the Prince always spoke so highly of his father.
One day, one of the villagers was caught red-handed trying to steal potatoes so his family could eat. He was immediately imprisoned because the law of the land demanded justice. A fine of 500 farthings was imposed but the villager did not have even a farthing to go toward the fine. Because the King was just and demanded punishment for all crimes, the villager was sentenced to prison. Oh how distraught was this man. He knew that his family would be without a bread winner and, therefore, they would die of starvation. His family sent messengers to plead with their King but they were told that the King’s justice must be served. The debt had to be paid.
The King was heart broken! He, too, loved the people of his kingdom. He paced back and forth hoping that an idea would come to him. How could he provide a way of escape for this villager and yet his justice still be served? Suddenly, an idea came upon the King. The King knew how much the Prince loved the villagers and that he would do anything for them. The King went to his son and presented the dilemma to him. Because the father and the son were of like mind, the son immediately knew what his father was thinking. He told his father that he would gladly take the punishment for this villager so that he would be set free. The King was greatly moved by the compassion of his son and allowed it to be so. The Prince went to the prison guard and had the villager released. He then stepped into the prison cell and took his place. The villager’s entire debt was paid in full as the Prince took upon himself the villager’s punishment!
Isn’t this a wonderful display of love by the son?
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (Joh 15:13)
Our Prince, Jesus Christ – the Prince of Peace – left His throne to take on our punishment for sin so that His Father’s justice would be served. Sin demands judgment, my friend. Aren’t you glad that Christ paid the penalty so we would not have to? I know that I am!
This lovely hymn by Emily Elliott totally blessed my heart today. Emily Elliott was born on July 22, 1836, in Brighton, England. She passed away on August 3, 1897, in Islington, England. There is not much history on the Internet that I could find about Emily. Her father was a rector at St. Mark’s Church in Brighton. Emily was editor of the Church Missionary Juvenile Instructor.
This hymn is one of three that are credited to her and it is the only that I had ever heard. The words are absolutely beautiful! They lead us into a direction in our mind’s eye that is not all that common. Yes, we know that Christ is King of Kings. But do we really meditate on His true royalty? It is helpful at times to think on these things and realize exactly where Christ came from – His work then becomes more meaningful. This same Christ came from the greatest Kingdom of all, the Kingdom of Heaven. He came to glorify His Father and lead us to Him. He did not stop there – He even paid the penalty for our own sins so that His Father’s judgment would be served! Praise His Holy Name!
Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne Emily E. Elliott
Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown, When Thou camest to earth for me; But in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room For Thy holy nativity.
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O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, There is room in my heart for Thee. Heaven’s arches rang when the angels sang, Proclaiming Thy royal degree; But of lowly birth didst Thou come to earth, And in great humility.
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The foxes found rest, and the birds their nest In the shade of the forest tree; But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou Son of God, In the deserts of Galilee.
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Thou camest, O Lord, with the living Word, That should set Thy people free; But with mocking scorn and with crown of thorn, They bore Thee to Calvary.
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When the heav’ns shall ring, and her choirs shall sing, At Thy coming to victory, Let Thy voice call me home, saying “Yet there is room, There is room at My side for thee.”
Oh what precious words!
Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown: Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face. (Psa 89:14)
But in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room: And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luk 2:7)
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, There is room in my heart for Thee: That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Rom 10:9)
The foxes found rest, and the birds their nest: And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. (Mat 8:20)
Thou camest, O Lord, with the living Word, That should set Thy people free: And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. (Joh 6:35)
But with mocking scorn and with crown of thorn: And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! (Mat 27:29)
When the heav’ns shall ring, and her choirs shall sing, At Thy coming to victory: A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. (Mat 12:20)
Let Thy voice call me home, saying “Yet there is room, There is room at My side for thee: And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. (Luk 14:22)
Praise the Lord that our King of Kings left His royal throne to take upon Himself the penalty for our sin! Praise the Lord that it is not left to us or we would all be doomed. Our Heavenly Father cannot look upon sin and cannot allow sin into His Heaven. Only because of the righteousness of Christ are we able to gain entrance.
Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; (Rom 3:25)
Amen and amen!
Day 8 – At Cavalry
William R. Newell is credited with this wonderful hymn! We sing this song frequently at our church. I love the words – they do so reflect what is in my heart! William was born on May 22, 1868, in Savannah, Ohio and passed away on April 1, 1956, in DeLand, Florida. He became assistant superintendent at Moody Bible Institute in 1895 and was also credited with Bible commentaries on Romans, Hebrews, and the Book of Revelation.
It is so obvious that William experienced a true born-again conversion. He intimately knew what the Saviour went through for him to be saved and it was obvious that he loved to write about it.
At Calvary William R. Newell
Years I spent in vanity and pride, Caring not my Lord was crucified, Knowing not it was for me He died on Calvary.
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Mercy there was great, and grace was free; Pardon there was multiplied to me; There my burdened soul found liberty at Calvary.
By God’s Word at last my sin I learned; Then I trembled at the law I’d spurned, Till my guilty soul imploring turned to Calvary.
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Now I’ve given to Jesus everything, Now I gladly own Him as my King, Now my raptured soul can only sing of Calvary!
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Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan! Oh, the grace that brought it down to man! Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary!
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As I read the words to this hymn, verse after Bible verse popped into my head! I’m excited to share my thoughts with you:
Years I spent in vanity and pride: I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. (Ecc 1:14) and Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. (Pro 16:18 )
Caring not my Lord was crucified: The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. (Psa 10:4)
Knowing not it was for me He died on Calvary: And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. (Luk 23:33)
Mercy there was great, and grace was free: The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. (Psa 145:8 ) and Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (Rom 3:24)
Pardon there was multiplied to me: For thy name’s sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great. (Psa 25:11)
There my burdened soul found liberty at Calvary: For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Rom 8:2)
By God’s Word at last my sin I learned: Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psa 119:11) and So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Rom 10:17)
Then I trembled at the law I’d spurned: My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments. (Psa 119:120)
Till my guilty soul imploring turned to Calvary: Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. (Rom 3:19)
Now I’ve given to Jesus everything: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Mat 11:28 )
Now I gladly own Him as my King: And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. (Rev 15:3)
Now my raptured soul can only sing of Calvary! Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. (Heb 2:12)
Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan! For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (Joh 3:16)
Oh, the grace that brought it down to man! For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Eph 2:8 )
Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary! And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. (Luk 16:26)
Praise the Lord for the words in this hymn! How can you walk away from singing this and have a burdened heart or a heavy spirit?
Day 9 – At the Cross There’s Room
What a beautiful hymn this is. Just the title alone is a testimony in itself! At the Cross there is room! Does this stir your heart? It surely does mine. It is comforting to know that there is not a limited amount of room. Fanny Crosby’s biography was previously done on Day 1 of this series on Hymns. One piece of information, however, that was not stated on Day 1 was the fact that written on her tombstone were the words, “Aunt Fanny” and “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine. Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine.” Fanny’s love for the Lord was evident in her writings, wasn’t it? Each hymn that she wrote depicted a Christian who walked closely with the Lord. I can’t help but admire someone who was blinded at such a young age by the carelessness of one man and yet she did not harbor resentment toward that man or God. She could have wasted away her life and been cared for by others. But instead, she glorified God and allowed Him to use her – and used her He did!
At the Cross There’s Room Fanny Crosby
Mourner, wheresoever thou art, At the cross there’s room! Tell the burden of thy heart, At the cross there’s room! Tell it in thy Savior’s ear, Cast away thine every fear, Only speak, and He will hear; At the cross there’s room!
Haste thee, wand’rer, tarry not, At the cross there’s room! Seek that consecrated spot; At the cross there’s room! Heavy laden, sore oppressed, Love can soothe thy troubled breast; In the Savior find thy rest; At the cross there’s room!
Thoughtless sinner, come today; At the cross there’s room! Hark! the Bride and Spirit say, At the cross there’s room! Now a living fountain see, Opened there for you and me, Rich and poor, for bond and free, At the cross there’s room!
Blessèd thought! For every one At the cross there’s room! Love’s atoning work is done; At the cross there’s room! Streams of boundless mercy flow, Free to all who thither go; Oh, that all the world might know At the cross there’s room!
Each human being goes through so many phases in their life time. Fanny covered many of these phases in this particular hymn. She encouraged the reader to come to the Cross of Christ in each phase showing them that Christ was there for all of them.
When we mourn: She encouraged the reader who was mourning for whatever reason to come to Christ and give Him their burden. Whether you have lost a loved one or you are grieving your sins, Christ cares. Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (1 Pe 5:7) Why would this verse be included in the Scriptures unless God wanted us to know that He cares! Does this not stir your soul? The Creator of all cares for you! Praise His Holy Name!
When we need someone to talk to: The Lord hears all our prayers to Him. He is always nearby waiting to hear from us. But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him. (Psa 4:3) There are no “maybe’s” in this verse. We are clearly told that the Lord will hear us when we call on Him. He does not sleep so He is always available to hear us. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. (Psa 121:3) Glory!
When we wander away from Him: We know that when we wander away from God’s side, he is right there waiting our return. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. (Jam 4:8 ) Notice the condition we must be in to draw nigh to Him? We must purify our hearts, cleanse ourselves from our sin (repent), and we must not ride the fence of indifference. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (Jam 1:8 ) The Christian who struggles in his walk with the Lord is one who is unstable – double minded. You cannot play with the world and expect to come out spiritually minded. But the believer who seeks to be close to his God will repent and come to His side. He is always there, waiting to receive us.
When we are burdened with the cares of this world: Our Saviour desires to carry our burdens with us. He does not remove the burden but He promises to make it lighter because He is carrying it with us. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Mat 11:28 ) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (Mat 11:29) In the devotional Three Steps to Christ in a Two-Fold Way, I touched upon the yoke and its significance. What a comfort it is to know that we are not left alone to carry our own burdens! Praise the Lord that the Creator of the universe is in that yoke right along with me! What a blessing it is to go along in life knowing that the Saviour, my Shepherd, is helping me with every area of my life! Thank you, Lord!
When the enemy troubles us: When we are persecuted for the cause of Christ, God promises to take care of them in His time. And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, (2 Th 1:7) In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: (2 Th 1:8 ) Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; (2 Th 1:9) We do not need to be distracted by the enemies around us. God will take care of them – if not in this life time, in the next.
When we need salvation: When we are aware of our sin and the need for salvation, Christ is there ready to provide us with His saving grace. And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Act 16:31) Everything else in life is fruitless without the Lord and His work on the Cross.
There is room at the Cross for all – from salvation until the day we are taken home to be with the Saviour! It is at the Cross we receive atonement for our sins and without the Cross, we have nothing. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. (Rom 5:11) Once salvation is received, Christ’s mercy and grace follows the believer and His power is shown through our testimony. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Phi 4:13)
Hymns – Day 10 – Amazing Grace
What a beautiful picture of Fall foliage in Northern Maine! Having grown up there, I remember the most vivid colors and how magnificent was the Lord’s handiwork! However, I don’t recall seeing leaves such as these. Did you notice the beautiful green centers of the leaves? It made me think that no matter how much turbulence there is around us, as long as we are attached to the Tree, we will have His likeness within us. The Holy Spirit resides inside us and glorifies Christ through our words and our actions. I praise the Lord for my salvation, don’t you? I cannot even begin to tell you how much He has changed my life!
Before I was saved, I had heard the instrumental version of the hymn that we are covering today. I had never “heard” the words, however. This hymn was played during the first church service I attended after salvation. When I heard the words for the first time, I broke down into tears! The lady sitting next to me turned to me thinking that I wanted salvation and walked me to the front of the church! God knew I needed to make public profession so this was timely. But the words penned by John Newton spoke to my heart. Although I did not have the same testimony as Newton, I was a sinner on my way to hell just as he. I shudder to think what would have happened if my dear friend had not submitted to God’s will to travel 1,000 miles to witness to me at the time that she did. Little did she know that had she not obeyed the Lord, I would have been dead a few short days later! Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Thank You, Lord!
John Newton’s words reveal a very personal relationship with his Lord and Saviour. The softest of born-again hearts can utter the words of this song today and become teary eyed with gratefulness! John Newton was born on July 24th, 1725, and died on December 21, 1807. He wrote Amazing Grace at the age of 54 years old. He lived to be the ripe old age of 82!
John’s mother passed away when he was just seven years old. Can you imagine losing your dear mother at such a tender age? He was left alone to be raised by his father, a sailor. His father took John and set sail when he was but 11. John grew into a godless man and, as a result of such years, became a slave ship commander in Africa. God used these experiences to draw Newton to Him. His grace shown upon John at the age of 23 when his ship was taking on water and death seemed imminent. He spent the next six years growing in the Lord. After six years of commanding a slave ship, Newton spent the next nine years studying Hebrew and Greek, learning from Wesley, Whitefield, and other Nonconformists. He was ordained and became curate at Olney in 1764, where he became a friend to William Cowper and with him produced the Olney Hymns.
I look upon his testimony and how he looked back on his years as a slave ship commander and penned the most beautiful hymn known today. Amazing Grace is the most played hymn known to man. Why is this so, one might ask? Put yourself in Newton’s shoes as a young man on a sinking ship. He had read a piece by Thomas à Kempis and it had sown a seed in his heart. Had it not been for these circumstances, these beautiful words would not have been written!
Amazing Grace John Newton (1779)
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; Was blind, but now I see.
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; ’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me, His Word my hope secures; He will my Shield and Portion be, As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease, I shall possess, within the veil, A life of joy and peace.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, The sun forbear to shine; But God, who called me here below, Will be forever mine.
(Mr. Newton did not write this last verse) When we’ve been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise Than when we’d first begun.
The first verse of this song summarizes salvation! Amazing grace, how sweet the sound! For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Eph 2:8 ) That saved a wretch like me! Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: (Rev 3:17) I once was lost, but now am found; For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. (Mat 18:11)
Was blind, but now I see. And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. (Joh 9:39) John Newton began this hymn with the best news he could possibly write about!
The remaining verses spoke of how God revealed Himself to him and how he has been the Lord’s ever since, and forever more. Newton’s gratefulness to God cuts to the core, doesn’t it? I remember rejoicing and my heart leaping for joy when I heard this man’s beautiful song. I remember being able to relate to John Newton and being able to sing these words with truth and joy!
To have the veil removed my eyes where I could see the sinner I truly was and what great salvation was provided to me was more than I could bare! When I accepted Jesus Christ as my Saviour, I felt as though a hundred pounds had been lifted from my shoulders! The lady who led me to the Lord gave me a Bible and when I opened God’s Word for the first time and read the Book of John, I melted! I could not believe that I actually understood His Word! I could read and understand whereas before salvation, the words were as dry as dust! Praise the Lord that He found me, His lost sheep!
I did not know John Newton’s testimony at the time I first heard this song but I remember praising God that He had placed such a beautiful song in my path that day so that I could sing along with the author the words that so beautifully depicted the joy in my heart!
Day 11 – The Love of God
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8:39)
Nothing – absolutely nothing – can separate us from the love of God! Amen and amen! I look at pictures of the Grand Canyon and see its depth and height and width – this is how I can bury this verse deep in the soil of my heart! Looking at this picture gives a whole new meaning to the vastness of God’s love and the emphasis His Word has on this love and how He never leaves us! Praise the Lord! If this does not bless you today, your blesser is broken!
Today’s hymn is about the love of God and its intensity. What a wonderful topic to cover, isn’t it? How can one be depressed or discouraged when there is a God that loves us like this and to this extreme? This type of hymn helps us to encourage ourselves – it encourages us to dig into the Word and be blessed beyond measure! Frederick M. Lehman is the author of these beautiful words! He was born on August 7, 1868 in Mecklenburg, Germany and died February 20, 1953 in Pasadena, California.
His family came to the U.S. when he was four. He grew up in Iowa and was saved at the young age of 11. It was the beauty of nature that brought him to Christ while he was out walking one morning. When I read this, it reminded me of Paul’s words in Romans:
Romans 1:20: For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
God can reveal Himself even to a child through His beautiful creation! Their tender hearts are so open to receive Christ.
Although Lehman pastored at Audubon, Iowa; New London, Indiana; and Kansas City, Missouri, he spent most of his life writing hymns. His first one was written in 1898 when he was a pastor in Kingsley, Iowa. He moved to Kansas City and assisted in founding the Nazarene Publishing House.
Today’s hymn was written in 1917 and published in 1919 in Volume 2 of “Songs That Are Different.” I’ll say his song is different! Cyberhymnal had this tidbit that simply amazed me:
The lyrics are based on the Jewish poem Haddamut, written in Aramaic in 1050 by Meir Ben Isaac Nehorai, a cantor in Worms, Germany; they have been translated into at least 18 languages. One day, during short intervals of inattention to our work, we picked up a scrap of paper and, seated upon an empty lemon box pushed against the wall, with a stub pencil, added the (first) two stanzas and chorus of the song… Since the lines (3rd stanza from the Jewish poem) had been found penciled on the wall of a patient’s room in an insane asylum after he had been carried to his grave, the general opinion was that this inmate had written the epic in moments of sanity. Frederick M. Lehman, “History of the Song, The Love of God,” 1948
The music to this beautiful hymn was arranged by Lehman’s daughter, Claudia L. Mays.
The Love of God Frederick M. Lehman
The love of God is greater far Than tongue or pen can ever tell; It goes beyond the highest star, And reaches to the lowest hell; The guilty pair, bowed down with care, God gave His Son to win; His erring child He reconciled, And pardoned from his sin.
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O love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong! It shall forevermore endure The saints’ and angels’ song.
When years of time shall pass away, And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall, When men, who here refuse to pray, On rocks and hills and mountains call, God’s love so sure, shall still endure, All measureless and strong; Redeeming grace to Adam’s race— The saints’ and angels’ song.
Refrain
Could we with ink the ocean fill, And were the skies of parchment made, Were every stalk on earth a quill, And every man a scribe by trade, To write the love of God above, Would drain the ocean dry. Nor could the scroll contain the whole, Though stretched from sky to sky.
Refrain
My friend, if you are feeling alone in the midst of total chaos today, please know that there is nothing that can separate you from your Heavenly Father! He is right there – going through your trials along with you.
Rom. 8:38-39, For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, (38 ) Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (39)
This got me to thinking about the preciseness of this verse – Paul left nothing to chance – he included everything that a human being could think up in his quest to find the limit God’s love. There is nothing!
Death – The saved child of God will die but he cannot go to hell. It only serves to emphasize that We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (2 Co 5:8 ) Life – The saved child of God cannot be separated from God no matter how he lives his life – it is not a license to sin but it proves to us that our sin is not what separates us from Him! Our sin hinders fellowship with God but does not remove our position in His family. Angels – the devil is a fallen angel – he cannot separate us from God! Principalities – No supreme power on earth can separate us from God! Powers – No power whatsoever can separate us, including ole slew foot himself! Things Present – No circumstances in the present can separate us. Things to Come – No circumstances in the future can separate us! Height – It just goes to show us (like in the picture above) that no amount of height can separate us! Visualize it in your mind’s eye. Depth – Again, it just goes to show us (like in the picture above) that no amount of depth can separate us! Any other creature – No creature can separate us! This puts to rest those who believe that you can choose to give up your salvation. God says that no other creature can separate us from His love. If your child divorced himself from you and your family, would that make you any less of a parent? Of course not.
Praise the Lord that our salvation is not dependent on anything that we do! Our salvation is totally dependent on God’s love and what He did for us!
Day 12 – Lead Me to Calvary
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. (Psa 61:2)
What a beautiful verse this is! Sometimes the trials of life require us to look up unto the hills from whence cometh our help (Psalm 121). Each time we look to that Rock that is higher than we are, we are assured that the Lord will be there, ready to meet our needs.
At the hour I was saved, I did not know the meaning of Calvary and all that it involved. I merely knew I was a sinner in need of a Saviour and Jesus Christ was that Saviour. It did not take much time in the Scriptures to discover exactly what my Saviour went through to pay the price for my sin debt! Today’s hymn leads us to Calvary and shows the heart of its author, Jennie Hussey.
Jennie Evelyn Hussey was born on February 8, 1874, in Henniker, New Hampshire. She lived most of her life in New Hampshire where she died on September 5, 1958. She was born and raised a Quaker and began to write poetry when she was young. In my readings about Jennie, I found very little about her life. There is no indication that she ever married. She died while living in a home for the aged.
Today’s hymn was written in 1921 and first appeared in “New Songs of Praise and Power.” Although some of my beliefs are different from those of the Quakers, I enjoy this beautiful hymn because it revolves around the Cross of Calvary and what my Blessed Saviour went through for me! If it were not for His shed blood on Calvary, where would we be? If it were not for His resurrection, where would we be? Praise the Lord – He has risen!!!
Lead Me to Calvary Jennie E. Hussey
King of my life, I crown Thee now, Thine shall the glory be; Lest I forget Thy thorn crowned brow, Lead me to Calvary.
Refrain
Lest I forget Gethsemane, Lest I forget Thine agony; Lest I forget Thy love for me, Lead me to Calvary.
Show me the tomb where Thou wast laid, Tenderly mourned and wept; Angels in robes of light arrayed Guarded Thee whilst Thou slept.
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Let me like Mary, through the gloom, Come with a gift to Thee; Show to me now the empty tomb, Lead me to Calvary.
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May I be willing, Lord, to bear Daily my cross for Thee; Even Thy cup of grief to share, Thou hast borne all for me.
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I cannot lose my salvation because it revolves around Calvary and the free gift (see Galatians 5)! Christ died once for all.
By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Heb 10:10)
I am born of the flesh once. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? (Joh 3:4)
I am born again once. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (Joh 3:6)
Eph. 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (8 ) Not of works, lest any man should boast. (9)”
If I could lose my salvation and get saved over and over again, then my salvation would be based on my works, not the blood of Christ. It is no longer a free gift. Because we are a new creature in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17), we no longer are born of corruptible seed. We are born again of the incorruptible seed.
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (1 Pe 1:23)
If we could lose our salvation, then this seed would be incorruptible and that is not what the Word says. Praise be to God!
So with the confidence of always being a child of the King, I can boldly go to that Rock which is higher than I and look unto those hills from whence cometh my help. My trip to Calvary was made once but I continually go there in my heart to meditate on what the Lord Jesus Christ went through for me!
With a deeper understanding of His suffering, I can carry my own cross of trials.
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (Luk 9:23)
These trials and burdens I am called to bear will draw me closer to Him and will allow me opportunities to minister to others who are going through the same thing. We are to be “Jesus with skin on” to a world that is blind to spiritual matters. We may be the only Bible that some people will ever see. Let our words and our actions take the unbeliever to Calvary!
Day 13 – To God be the Glory
Once again, I will touch upon the work of Fanny Crosby. This dear saint is such an inspiration to me. It is said that at ten she could recite correctly the first four books of both Testaments! This proves to me that a child of ten years old is able to set aside the circumstances of life and allow the Lord to work in her heart!
I discovered that while she was at the school for the blind, she would often read her poetry to visitors and would also meet with presidents, generals and dignitaries. Later, she was known for her mission work – giving most of the money she earned for writing hymns to this work. Her devotion to serve others was also a wonderful inspiration to me.
I will share more about Fanny Crosby as we go along this series. There are so many of her 9,000 hymns that I want to share with you. I guess I could have done a devotional just on her songs alone! Each time I meditate on one of her hymns, I can more clearly see her walk with the Lord.
This particular hymn is a blessing to me. The whole song is a praise directed to Jesus Christ, the Saviour. The beautiful words depict an author who was truly grateful for her salvation. So should we be, amen?
To God be the Glory Written in 1875
To God be the glory, great things He has done; So loved He the world that He gave us His Son, Who yielded His life an atonement for sin, And opened the life gate that all may go in.Refrain
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the earth hear His voice! Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the people rejoice! O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son, And give Him the glory, great things He has done.
O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood, To every believer the promise of God; The vilest offender who truly believes, That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
Refrain
Great things He has taught us, great things He has done, And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son; But purer, and higher, and greater will be Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.
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Despite her blindness since the age of six weeks old, Fanny Crosby learned to sing praises to the Lord. Her circumstances were not controlling her life – instead she was controlling her circumstances.
There are fifteen verses in Scriptures which use the phrase “sing praises“! In fact 14 out of the 15 were recorded in Psalms. I truly believe that Fanny rested in this Book many a time to have the heart for the Lord that she did. One cannot have a heart full of praise when one is having a pity party.
Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name. (2 Sa 22:50) Sing praises because you are thankful!
Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings. (Psa 9:11) Sing praises to let others know what He has done for you.
Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name. (Psa 18:49) Sing praises as a testimony to the unsaved.
And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. (Psa 27:6) Sing praises despite the enemies all around you.
Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises. (Psa 47:6) Sing praises to God, your King. He loves to hear from His children.
Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him. (Psa 68:4) Sing praises to God and be specific for what you are praising. Let others hear just how much He has done for you!
Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord; Selah: (Psa 68:32) When we praise God individually, it spreads to those around us – let the Church sing praises to God!
But I will declare for ever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. (Psa 75:9) Sing praises until your last breath here on earth and then continue into eternity.
[A Psalm or Song for the sabbath day.] It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: (Psa 92:1) Sing praises because it is good for us to give thanks!
I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations. (Psa 108:3) Sing praises to God to everyone around us. It is a testimony to His goodness!
Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant. (Psa 135:3) Sing praises because it is pleasant to do so. Anything that is pleasant motivates us to look up!
I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee. (Psa 144:9) Sing praises in song – poetry – hymns … Fanny surely took this one to heart!
While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being. (Psa 146:2) Sing praises while you have a chance here on earth to be a testimony to the lost. Singing praises amongst the brethren is also a wonderful encouragement in time of need.
Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely. (Psa 147:1) Sing praises because it is comely – it is suitable for a Christian – it should be what defines a Christian – it should be part of our nature. The opposite of praise is complaining – this is what the world does. The world is not satisfied, therefore, they are always searching to fill a void in their lives. The satisfied Christian sings praises in all circumstances.
Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. (Psa 149:3) Sing praises and let it “show” in your life – don’t hide your light under a bushel but let it shine brightly for all the world to see.
A believer who spends most of his time praising God has very little time to be unhappy. His eyes are focused above instead of on his problems. Where do you rest your eyes? Where are your thoughts focused? Do you look at life’s circumstances and let them overwhelm you? Are you like Peter when he saw the storm about him?
But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. (Mat 14:30)
As soon as Peter took his eyes off Jesus, he began to sink. Before you start to judge Peter, remember that he was the only one who was brave enough to step out of the boat to walk on the water! His faith took him part of the way and then fear set in when the circumstances about him were too much. Are you like this in your Christian walk? Do you have enough faith to press forward but then you fall apart when the going gets tough? The world needs to see faith in action – to some, it may be the only Bible they ever see!
The Lord gave us the remedy in His word and Fanny Crosby was able to tap into the Source and apply it to her own life. She could have been bitter. She could even have allowed the world to take care of her because of her disability (as it was common in those days). But instead, not only did Fanny get out of the boat to walk on the water, but she allowed the Lord to keep her afloat by singing praises to His Name.
Won’t you do the same Christian? When you are overwhelmed, sing praises! When you are sad, sing praises! When you are angry, sing praises! When you are joyful, sing praises! Is it not the same Lord who helped Peter who will help you? No matter how difficult the circumstances or heavy the burden, there is always something for which to praise the Lord! We just need to keep our eyes fixed on Him and have a song in our heart.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the earth hear His voice! Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the people rejoice! O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son, And give Him the glory, great things He has done.
Day 14 – Great is Thy Faithfulness
August 2011 · 14 comments · Categories: Maranatha Devotionals · Tags: Faithfulness, Hymns I think it is safe to say that Thomas Chisholm personally knew about the faithfulness of God. No one can pen words such as these and not have enjoyed God’s compassions.
Thomas Obediah Chisholm was born in Franklin, Kentucky on July 29, 1866. At the age of 57, he wrote Great is Thy Faithfulness (in 1923). He did not attribute this song to anything in particular going on in his life at the time. It is evident then that his life’s experiences had drawn him near to God’s side. Mr. Chisholm became a teacher at the age of 16 at the same small school he attended. It was in 1893 that he became a Christian. In his life time, he wrote over 1200 poems – he published 800 and set many to music. At the precious age of 93, this dear saint went home to be with the Lord.
Great is Thy Faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father; There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not; As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
Refrain
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, Sun, moon and stars in their courses above Join with all nature in manifold witness To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
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Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
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The faithfulness of God is something this believer has never quite fully comprehended. It amazes me that God would love a wretched sinner like me! It is not because of anything I have done that He loves me because He loved me before I ever loved Him.
We love him, because he first loved us. (1 Jo 4:19)
I was blessed when I searched out the phrase thy faithfulness. As you read these verses, stop to meditate on God’s faithfulness to all of us. Today’s photograph was taken by a dear sister and it depicts God’s faithfulness to Noah and to all generations after! This same God is the One who watches over you and I and His faithfulness is never ending!
Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds. (Psa 36:5)
I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation. (Psa 40:10)
Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? or thy faithfulness in destruction? (Psa 88:11)
[Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite.] I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. (Psa 89:1)
For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens. (Psa 89:2)
And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints. (Psa 89:5)
O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee? (Psa 89:8 )
To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night, (Psa 92:2)
Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. (Psa 119:90)
[A Psalm of David.] Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness. (Psa 143:1)
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (Lam 3:23)
My Heart is Full
There is no other who can fill my heart The way You can, dear Lord. There is nothing else that satisfies Like a drink from Your precious word.
Each page is perfect, what I need to read To guide and light my way. When my heart is heavy, overwhelmed Your words are fresh like winter air.
There is none other like you blessed Lord You know just what I need On each page Your Spirit whispers truth And the waters of doubt recede
You raise me up each time that I am down My heart you cause to sore As I look unto the hills for You I find Your love and so much more!
Jesus Christ, my Lord and Saviour He is. Deservingly adored. The Alpha, Omega, first and last, And King of Kings forever more!
Kate Plourde
Day 15 – She Only Touched the Hem of His Garment
And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: (Mat 9:20)
This song is a beautiful tribute to the healing power of our Saviour!
George F. Root was born on August 30, 1820, in Sheffield Massachusetts and died on August 6, 1895 in Bailey Island, Maine. By the time George was 13 years old, he was able to play 13 instruments. I could not find any biographical information on George’s spiritual background. But as I read another one of George’s hymns entitled, Thou Art My Rock, it was evident that he was saved. No one could pen words as poignant as these and not know the Rock of Ages personally! Maybe I will use this hymn on another day. I felt that today’s hymn was needed, not only for those who have a physical trial but for those who have another kind of trial or burden, whether it be emotional, spiritual, marital, etc.
She Only Touched the Hem of His Garment
She only touched the hem of His garment As to His side she stole, Amid the crowd that gathered around Him, And straightway she was whole.
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Oh, touch the hem of His garment! And thou, too, shalt be free! His saving power this very hour Shall give new life to thee!
She came in fear and trembling before Him, She knew her Lord had come; She felt that from Him virtue had healed her, The mighty deed was done.
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He turned with “Daughter, be of good comfort, Thy faith hath made thee whole!” And peace that passeth all understanding With gladness filled her soul.
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God is so good, isn’t He? Although this dear soul in Matthew 9:20 was healed physically, there is much to glean about being healed spiritually and emotionally. Have you had a need to touch the hem of the Lord’s garment today? Have you come to Him today?
All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (Joh 6:37)
The unsaved cannot claim this and cannot share in the joy and peace that is found there.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Mat 11:28 )
I found it interesting that it was the hem of Christ’s garment that was touched and not His arm or His shoulder. One must kneel to reach the hem of a robe. This takes humility and setting pride aside.
And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. (Mar 1:40)
I believe wholeheartedly that Jesus put this particular gesture in the Scriptures for this very reason.
To the believer, much can be gleaned from touching the hem of the Saviour’s garment as well. Just because we are saved, our own righteousness is still nothing in the eyes of God.
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isa 64:6)
Kneeling before the Lord in prayer acknowledging who He is draws us to His side.
For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. (Heb 7:19)
We are able to find solace at His feet and we recognize that the Creator of the Universe is there to heal us from our burdens – whatever those burdens may be.
Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. (Psa 55:22)
Are we all guaranteed physical healing? The Scriptures say no! If that were the case, everyone would have been healed when the Apostles walked the earth and exercised the gift of healing that the Holy Spirit had given to them. Instead, Paul struggled with his own physical trial – the thorn in his side.
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. (2 Co 12:7)
Also, Paul could have healed Timothy’s stomach problems.
Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities. (1 Ti 5:23)
Furthermore, Gaius would not have had physical issues because John would have healed him. (3 John 1:2)
All physical healings are subject to the will of God in our lives. If anyone had a chance to be healed, it was Paul. However, God told him that His grace was sufficient for him.
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Co 12:9)
When God allows us to experience physical trials, it is because He can be glorified even more through the trials. Paul recognized this.
Our Heavenly Father would never give us more than we can handle. If He did, that would make Him cruel and we know that is not so!
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (1 Cor 10:13)
The word temptation in this verse does not mean being tempted to sin. The Greek word here is peirazō – meaning:
G3985 πειράζω peirazō pi-rad’-zo From G3984; to test (objectively), that is, endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline: – assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt (-er), try.
In other words, God allows these tests in our lives to discipline us spiritually or to prove our metal, so to speak. Not only does this draw us closer to Him but when we are weak, we can use it to examine ourselves and learn and grow thereby.
How are you handling your physical trial today? Are you wallowing in self pity? Are you bitter? Are you angry with God? If you are any of these, forsake it and allow God’s grace to be sufficient for you. Allow God to work through you for the benefit of others. Allow God to draw others to Himself as they witness His grace in your life.
Those with physical trials are not going through anything more difficult than those who are going through other types of trials. Each of us has a cross that we must bear in life. If you think your burden is heavier than someone else’s, then your eyes are on others and not on the Lord. God allows the trial in our lives to draw us to Him and Him only. Who do you run to when you are suffering? Your friend? Your spouse? They are not the ones who can help you.
[A Song of degrees.] I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. (Psa 121:1)
Whatever it takes for us to see only Christ is exactly what God will allow. I could not bear the burden of fibromyalgia and God knows that I would not glorify His name. However, He has allowed me the opportunity to glorify Him through the trials assigned to me personally. The cross He has given to me to carry is allowed especially for me so that I can help others). There’s nothing new under the sun, the Scriptures say. (Ecc 1:9) There are others out there who are going through the same exact trial as I am. It is up to me to help them through their trial as God helped me through mine. This is what brings glory to God. That is why we are here – we are to minister to the needs of others.
Today’s hymn is so beautiful! The Lord shows us that through faith we can overcome our circumstances by touching the hem of His garment. He promises to heal us one way or another – if not physically, He will lift our spirits so we can sore with the eagles!
Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. (Isa 40:28 )
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. (Isa 40:29)
Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: (Isa 40:30)
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isa 40:31)
Hymns – Day 16 – Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
Psalm 121:1-2, “[A Song of degrees.] I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. (1) My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. (2)”
This dear saint lived to be nearly 100 years!!! Could it be because she actually lived the words of this song? Helen Howarth Lemmel was born on November 14, 1863 in Wardle, England. She died shortly before her 98th birthday in Seattle, Washington.
Ms. Lemmel had a beautiful singing voice and gave many concerts in the United States. She later became the vocal music teacher at Moody Bible Institute. She retired in Seattle, Washington where she became a member of Ballard Baptist Church. One of the memorable things in her life for me was that Billy Sunday used one of her works, a hymnal, for over ten years in his ministry. In fact, her vocal group was part of Billy Sunday’s group at the height of his career as an evangelist.
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see? There’s a light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant and free!
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Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.
Through death into life everlasting He passed, and we follow Him there; Over us sin no more hath dominion— For more than conquerors we are!
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His Word shall not fail you—He promised; Believe Him, and all will be well: Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell!
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This hymn has been one of my favorites since I was saved in 1980! In my opinion, it should be the Christian anthem for struggling believers. I know it has been mine! I love how she turned weariness and burdens into focusing on her Lord, His word and winning the lost! What a wonderful recipe for the Christian life despite the circumstances!
Most believers who have done anything for the Lord have been those who are burdened and carry a heavy cross. Many do not even realize that their burdens are heavy because they walk so closely with their Heavenly Father. They have learned to leave their burdens at His feet! Helen Lemmel seemed to have perfected this in her walk.
Meditate with me this morning on this very fact, dear saint! Do we leave our burdens at the Saviour’s feet where they belong? Do we continuously take back our burdens onto our own shoulders? Why would we even want to? Isn’t it easier to give them over to the Lord and leave them in His quite capable hands?
I have a dear friend who struggles with worry. In fact, while we were in South Carolina last week, our motor coach had some electrical problems and we had to sleep with the coach idling all night to charge the batteries. My friend, a born-again Christian for many years, stayed awake most of the night worrying that gases would asphyxiate us! She shared this with me the next day because she saw that I had a great night’s sleep and felt convicted.
I remember being in her shoes. Fretting is just not fruitful to the believer. I was able to share:
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety. (Psa 4:8 )
What kind of testimony are we to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords when we fret and worry about circumstances beyond our control? Why would the world want anything to do with our God if they see defeat and worry in our lives?
It is this very thing that weighs heavy on many Christians’ lives. They cannot control worrying when God’s word is filled with verses that encourage us to lean on Him. Sweet peace can be found in the arms of Christ, my friend.
So where are you today in your walk with the Lord? Do you really trust Him to care for your burdens? Do you desire that same precious walk that Helen had with the Lord? You can have this walk but you will have to train yourself. How does one train himself? As you turn a burden over to the Lord and reap the benefit of peace, write it down – remember it. When your next hurdle or burden comes across your path, remember the previous blessing of peace.
Train yourself to remember when God brought you through previous trials and trust that He will do it again this time. Count your blessings daily and that will convince you and prove to you that the Lord is always at work in your life. As a new trial or burden arrives, you will then be quick to remember how He came through for you and you will be ready to turn the burden over to Him. Don’t be a fretter.
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. (Pro 29:25)
My friend’s fear brought a snare into her life. She was trapped by this fear and did not sleep all night long. Notice that the Scriptures say that had she trusted Him, she would have been safe? Nothing happens to us that the Lord does not authorize. Look at Job! In searching God’s word for trust, I discovered many verses that just blew me away! God has so much to say in this area. Could it be that He really does not want us to worry?
But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works. (Psa 73:28 )
Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. (Psa 115:11)
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. (Psa 118:8 )
[A Song of degrees.] They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. (Psa 125:1)
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (Pro 3:5)
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. (Jos 1:9)
Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. (Pro 3:25)
Our Saviour does not want us to be afraid!
But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. (Mat 14:27)
And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. (Mat 17:7)
Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. (Mat 28:10)
As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. (Mar 5:36)
For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. (Mar 6:50)
And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. (Luk 12:4)
But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. (Joh 6:20)
Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: (Act 18:9)
But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; (1 Pe 3:14)
What an awesome Father we have! He does not want us to be afraid or to fret about things which are out of our control. He just wants us to trust Him – just as we would want our own children to trust us!
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (Pro 3:5)
Hymns – Day 17 – O Lord my God! how great art Thou!
John Quincy Adam, our sixth President, was a wonderful poet. He was born on July 11, 1767, and died on February 23, 1848. I had never heard this hymn before – the words are absolutely beautiful! It was set to music by Lowell Mason Hamburg in 1824. If you click on this hyperlink, it will take you to Cyber hymnal and you can listen to it. It is a beautiful hymn and the words are an absolute blessing.
President Adams was blessed with a true gift of poetry. His style just flows and the words magnify God! As I read his hymn, I felt the peace of God cover me like a blanket. Meditating on these words truly causes one to be overwhelmed with God’s power and might. At least it did for me.
O Lord my God! how great art Thou!
O Lord my God! how great art Thou! With honor and with glory crowned; Light’s dazzling splendors veil Thy brow, And gird the universe around.
Spirits and angels Thou hast made; Thy ministers a flaming fire; By Thee were earth’s foundations laid; At Thy rebuke the floods retire.
Thine are the fountains of the deep; By Thee their waters swell or fail; Up to the mountain’s summit creep, Or shrink beneath the lowly vale.
Thy fingers mark their utmost found; That bound the waters may not pass; Their moisture swells the teeming ground, And paints the valleys o’er with grass.
The waving harvest, Lord, is Thine; The vineyard, and the olive’s juice; Corn, wine, and oil, by Thee combine, Life, gladness, beauty, produce.
The moon for seasons Thou hast made, The sun for change of day and night; Of darkness Thine the deepest shade, And Thine the day’s meridian light.
O Lord, Thy works are all divine; In wisdom hast Thou made them all; Earth’s teeming multitudes are Thine; Thine—peopled ocean’s great and small.
All these on Thee for life depend; Thy Spirit speaks, and they are born; They gather what Thy bounties send; Thy hand of plenty fills the horn.
Thy face is hidden—they turn pale, With terror quake, with anguish burn; Their breath Thou givest to the gale; They die, and to their dust return.
And Thou, my soul, with pure delight, Thy voice to bless thy Maker raise; His praise let morning sing to night, And night to morn repeat His praise.
We should take the time to meditate on God’s goodness to us as well as His power and might. Like the Psalmist David, President Adams allowed his thoughts to dwell on the Almighty and in turn glorified Him through his writing.
So what does this song do for you, oh Christian? Do you read it like any other song or do you allow the Holy Spirit to work in your heart? The Spirit’s job is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. Are you allowing Him the opportunity to do this for you in your life? Meditating on God’s Word is a must if we want to grow spiritually. Reading songs and poetry like this and listening to Godly music also works in a Christian’s heart.
Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
If it were not so, the Lord would not have dedicated the entire book of Psalms to music. God knew that music is an important part of a person’s life and can be a blessing!
I know that today’s devotional is not typical of my others. There really is not much more to add to words so beautifully penned. May the Lord use these words to work in your heart and draw you to Him, His goodness, power and might!
Hymns – Day 18 – Count Your Blessings
Not much is known about Johnson Oatman, Jr., the author of one of my favorite hymns! Mr. Oatman was born on April 21, 1856, and passed away on September 25, 1922. Did you know that he wrote lyrics for 5,000 hymns? Not only did he pastor local churches but he also worked full time in the retail and insurance industries!
Count Your Blessings Johnson Oatman, Jr.
When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Refrain
Count your blessings, name them one by one, Count your blessings, see what God hath done! Count your blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly, And you will keep singing as the days go by.
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When you look at others with their lands and gold, Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold; Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
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So, amid the conflict whether great or small, Do not be disheartened, God is over all; Count your many blessings, angels will attend, Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
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The most important characteristic I found about Mr. Oatman was that he was a grateful man. He must have gone through many trials as a salesman. The life of a salesman is not an easy one. Most salesmen depend on commissions and, therefore, their income fluctuates. I’m certain Mr. Oatman had bounty and I am certain at times he had nothing. Can’t you just see this throughout his lyrics in this blessed hymn?
What do you do when trouble comes knocking on your door?
Prov. 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (5) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (6)
As you can see, there are four verbs in these two verses. The first three verbs are commands to us from God: Trust in the Lord, lean not unto thine own understanding, in ALL thy ways acknowledge him. The fourth verb in verse 5 is a promise that He SHALL direct thy paths! When we pick apart verses and meditate on the meat, we see that the Lord has given us golden nuggets which will help us when we need that help the most! How can you trust someone you don’t know or barely know? You can’t!
Rom 10:17 So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
As we build our faith by being in the Word, we learn to trust God more and more. You cannot trust if you are only in the Scriptures on occasion. Could you trust a stranger? Could you trust someone you had only spoken to a few times? Why is your walk with the Lord any different?
Do you think Mr. Oatman held those verses close to his heart? I know I do. I have made these my life’s verses. Many times in my Christian walk have I wondered why the Lord was allowing certain circumstances in my life. Each battle He has allowed me to go through has drawn me closer to Him. Each battle has taught me to trust Him more and more. Now when a battle comes, I immediately go to Him – knowing that He will carry me through.
My friend, He will do the same for you if you let Him. Remember
1 Sam. 17:47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle [is] the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hands.
The battle is the Lord’s, my friend! It’s not ours. When God allows a trial into our lives, He does not leave us or abandon us. He provides exactly what we need, when we need it. It is through the battles that we learn that our Commander in Chief is not asleep on the job but is in the front lines winning the war!
My friend, won’t you count your blessings this morning? Write them down – share them with others – name them one by one! Even in the darkest of circumstances one can find a blessing in his life! When you feel as though the world is caving in on you, take your eyes off your circumstances and count your blessings! Start doing something for someone else. It is in doing for others that you will find many a blessing! Before you know it, you will be counting your blessings out of habit and you will no longer have to search for them – they will be all around you!
Hymns – Day 19 – There Shall be Showers of Blessing
Ezekiel 34:26 And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.
What a beautiful song Daniel Whittle penned! The words bring hope and encourage the Christian to seek after God.
Daniel W. Whittle was born on November 22, 1840, and died on March 4, 1901. Whittle served as a Major in the Civil War, where he lost his right arm, and was known thereafter as Major Whittle. It was during the Civil War that he was saved. He was asked to pray with a dying young soldier because he had been seen reading a Bible. He obeyed the request and it was at this young man’s bedside that he asked God for forgiveness. Major Whittle then prayed with the young soldier and the soldier found Christ before passing away. The Lord used this situation to draw Major Whittle and the young dying soldier to Him. What a blessed story this was to read! After the war, Major Whittle became treasurer of a watch company. It was in this company’s quiet vault that he committed his life to the Gospel.
Major Whittle not only wrote this blessed hymn but also wrote two more which you will recognize: The Banner of the Cross and Christ Liveth in Me.
There Shall be Showers of Blessing Daniel W. Whittle
There shall be showers of blessing: This is the promise of love; There shall be seasons refreshing, Sent from the Savior above.
Refrain
Showers of blessing, Showers of blessing we need: Mercy drops round us are falling, But for the showers we plead.
There shall be showers of blessing, Precious reviving again; Over the hills and the valleys, Sound of abundance of rain.
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There shall be showers of blessing; Send them upon us, O Lord; Grant to us now a refreshing, Come, and now honor Thy Word.
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There shall be showers of blessing: Oh, that today they might fall, Now as to God we’re confessing, Now as on Jesus we call!
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There shall be showers of blessing, If we but trust and obey; There shall be seasons refreshing, If we let God have His way.
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Today’s verse and song speak of showers of blessing but yet the photograph at the top is totally the opposite. Without the beautiful benefits of the season of Winter, earth cannot produce the precious seeds and harvest of Spring and Fall. God gave us the four seasons for a purpose and each affects the other three.
The Winter season has many benefits other than the obvious cold weather. The frigid temperatures provide mankind with a natural pest eliminator. Viruses and germs cannot survive in continuously cold weather. Bugs, which damage crops, cannot survive the cold. Molds and mildews die off as well. Winter is God’s natural way to rid the earth of these things.
When I lived in Northern Maine, I not only felt healthier in the Winter time but I had more energy when I spent time outside. Haven’t you ever felt invigorated by the blast of cold air that hits your face the moment you step outside on a cold day? The Winter winds stir up the atmosphere on a greater scale than the Summer winds – they purify the atmosphere. While orbiting the earth on a Winter day, astronauts have said that the atmosphere is clear and clean. As the earth expands and contracts in the Winter time, the soil is pushing the seeds upwards and preparing them for Spring’s showers.
I liken earth’s Winter season to our own spiritual maturity. Are you in the Winter season of your spiritual walk? The Spring time brings salvation and newness of life.
1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
During the summer years of our walk, we grow and mature as Christians.
1 Corinthians 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
As we enter the Fall season of our spiritual growth, we shed old habits and sinful ways like the trees shed their leaves.
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Then as we walk in the Winter season of our Christian life, we experience trials and tribulations. Each one drawing us closer to the Lord. We eliminate those pestilences that have hindered our walk. It is when we remove the barriers between us and the Lord that the showers of blessings from the Spring time can freely flow into our lives.
1 John 4:12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
Our Heavenly Father sends blessings along the way but these blessings flow more freely as we become more like His Son.
What a beautiful comparison this is. There is something to be learned in all of God’s creation, including the Seasons. The Lord blessed me and showed me that the trials and tribulations of the day will produce showers of blessings in the end as I draw nigh to Him.
Hebrews 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
As our hearts are softened, we get closer to God.
Hosea 10:12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
Our Heavenly Father loves us no matter what we do.
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
But our love for Him is shown when we allow ourselves to be molded into Christ’s image.
2 Timothy 2:19-21, Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (19) But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. (20) If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. (21)
It is at this point in our spiritual walk that we can fully receive the showers of blessings that God wants to shower upon us. When we fully lean on Him and trust Him with all areas of our lives, we receive that peace which passeth all understanding.
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Hymns – Day 20 – He’s Coming Soon
I was drawn to the Saviour because of the promise of His blessed return to earth to Rapture the Saints. When I heard this song, written by Thoro Harris, I received such a blessing!
Thoro Harris was born on March 31, 1874, in Washington, D.C., only 30 miles from where I now live. He died on March 27, 1955. He produced his first hymnal in 1902. When I read the words to this beautiful hymn, I cannot remain in a discouraged state of mind. I cannot remain ungrateful. It is beautiful hymns like these that encourage the Saint to look up to the hills from when cometh our help!
He’s Coming Soon Thoro Harris
In these, the closing days of time, What joy the glorious hope affords, That soon—O wondrous truth sublime! He shall reign, King of kings and Lord of Lords.
Refrain
He’s coming soon, He’s coming soon; With joy we welcome His returning; It may be morn, it may be night or noon— We know He’s coming soon.
The signs around—in earth and air, Or painted on the starlit sky, God’s faithful witnesses—declare That the coming of the Savior draweth nigh.
Refrain
The dead in Christ who ’neath us lie, In countless numbers, all shall rise When through the portals of the sky He shall come to prepare our paradise.
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And we, who living, yet remain, Caught up, shall meet our faithful Lord; This hope we cherish not in vain, But we comfort one another by this word.
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This dear brother in Christ sure knew his Bible. “He shall reign, King of kings and Lord of Lords.” Our Saviour shed His grace upon man and give His very blood so we could reign with Him. Isn’t that awesome?
(1 Cor. 15:52) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
(Tit 2:13) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, what a blessed hope we have indeed! Chances are I will hear from one of my readers who picks apart my writings and accuses me of heresy over and over. He thinks he will “convert” me back to the “religion” of my youth but he is mistaken for sure. There was no hope in that religion. All I could say was that I “hoped” I would go to heaven. But after reading Ephesians 2:8-9, I saw that my religion was one of works and I could not get to heaven based on anything good that I had done.
(Eph 2:8 ) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (8 ) Not of works, lest any man should boast. (9)
My friend, our own righteousness (that which we think we have in our own lives and our own works) is considered a filthy rag in God’s eyes.
(Isa 64:6) But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
You know who you are, Sir, and I pray that you will allow God’s word to speak to your heart through His Holy Spirit so you can find true salvation – not man’s – not a church – but through Jesus Christ. Do so now for He is coming soon!
Hymns – Day 21 – Saved from the Wreck
I have never heard the hymn that we are covering today. I was searching for something that would deal with the storms of life, and this came up. After reading the words and listening to the melody, I’ve discovered a treasure!
This beautiful hymn was written by Eliza Hewitt. This dear lady was born on June 28, 1851 and died on April 24, 1920. It appears that she was born, raised and lived in Philadelphia all of her life. Eliza’s teaching career ended when she became disabled due to a spinal problem. Here is a dear saint who did not allow the physical trials in her life to stop her from serving the Lord through writing hymns. She also served the Lord as a Sunday School superintendent at the Northern Home for Friendless Children and later on at the Calvin Presbyterian Church. It is also noted that she was a contributor to Sunday-school Helps.
Saved from the Wreck Eliza E. Hewitt
Adrift on the waters, so dark and so cold, Afar from the beautiful city of gold, A vessel is sinking, for heavy the gale, The cable is broken, and tattered each sail.
Refrain
Poor child of the wreck, see the lifeboat is near, A sweet voice is heard, for the Master is here; He walks every billow, controls every wave, ’Tis Jesus, King Jesus, “the mighty to save.”
Oh, I was the sinner alone on the sea, But love’s blessèd signal were floating for me; Though thunders were rolling, and billows at strife, Lo, Jesus was calling, “escape for thy life.”
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I stepped in the life boat, provided for me, And Jesus my Pilot, my Captain to be; His bosom my refuge, my “haven of rest.” I’m rescued from shipwreck, so happy and blest.
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Life’s turbulent surges are kissed into peace, The beacons are shining, and songs never cease; Fair moonbeams, bright sunshine, illumine the tide, While onward to glory we’ll joyfully glide.
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Eliza must have gone through many a turbulent trial with her infirmity. I know so many dear saints who have debilitating diseases and chronic illnesses and yet they serve the Lord in whatever capacity they can.
The Christian is not promised that he will never go through hard times. But we are promised that in the midst of the storm, our Shepherd will lead us to still waters.
(Psa 23:2) He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
I think of those dear saints the Lord has allowed me to meet in my life who have been stricken with physical problems. Each of these saints has blessed me more than I could possibly say. Although they struggle to stay afloat in their physical storms, they minister to others showing how Christ has brought them to those still waters spiritually.
Where are you today, dear friend? Are you wallowing in self pity because of your ailments? You can serve the Lord despite all of your circumstances. Everyone wants to feel needed. The Lord wants to use you to help others – yes, even with your physical impairments the way they are. There are others in this world who are suffering just like you – with the same ailments as you. You can be a blessing to someone else and help them through their physical trials by sharing what the Lord has done for you and how He has helped you. You can meet this person’s needs by sending cards, praying for them, or even calling them. I have a dear friend who has fibromyalgia and every year the illness progresses. She sends “care packages” out to those who have the same illness and gives them information they need to help them through this illness. She sends them devotionals, Bibles, and anything else the Lord lays on her heart to be a blessing.
What struggles are you going through? Has the Lord helped you through depression? Then help someone you know who is struggling. We all have our crosses to bear in life – but we never bear them alone.
Psalm 107:28-31, Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. (28 ) He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. (29) Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. (30) Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! (31)
You may be the one that God wants to use to help someone out of his/her distress. People today are lonely and searching for peace and tranquility – yes, even Christians. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading and He will direct you to someone to help. You will find that in helping others, you will be guided to the still waters and will find comfort from your trials.
Day 22 – ‘Tis Jesus
When I think of Christ’s love, I think of how vast the love of God is as well as how much we are forgiven! I thought this beautiful photograph was appropriate for today’s hymn.
(Rom 8:38 ) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come (38 ) Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (39)
When we see a picture which helps us to understand a Scripture verse, the teaching implants itself in our heart and we are able to fully comprehend what our Heavenly Father is trying to teach us. I looked at this photograph this morning and the first verses that came to mind were these in Romans.
I have never heard today’s hymn. The words are simple, yet beautiful. They were penned by J. Wilbur Chapman who was born in Indiana on June 17, 1859. He passed away on December 25, 1918. He was an ordained Presbyterian minister and he pastored several churches. When reading the words to this hymn, it is evident that Mr. Chapman knew about Christ’s love and the depth of His love for mankind.
‘Tis Jesus J. Wilbur Chapman
I know of a world that is sunk in shame, Where hearts oft faint and tire; But I know of a Name, a precious Name, That can set that world on fire; Its sound is sweet, its letters flame.
Refrain
I know of a Name, a precious Name, ’Tis Jesus.
I know of a Book a marvelous Book, With a message for all who hear; And the same dear Name, His wonderful Name, Illumines its pages clear; The Book is His Word, its message I’ve heard.
Refrain
I know of a home in Immanuel’s land, Where hearts ne’er faint nor tire; And His marvelous Name, His own dear Name, Inspires the heav’nly choir; Hear the melody ringing, my own heart singing.
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You cannot get to Heaven but through Jesus Christ, my friend. There is no other, according to the word of God. God did not leave us defenseless in today’s world. He left us His Bible so that we could find salvation. Look at the Ethiopian in Acts 8 – he was in the desert and searching for salvation. There was no one around – yet God sent Philip to witness to him and give him the wonderful Gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ. God will reveal Himself to anyone if they are searching for Him.
(Act 4:10-12) Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. (10) This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. (11) Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (12)
Do you see that? There is NO other name under heaven whereby we can be saved! That means Muhammad, Joseph Smith, Mary Baker Eddy, or Buddha. NONE other name under heaven – only Jesus Christ. As well, no “church” will save you either. Being a member of a certain church does not get one to heaven any more than being in a garage makes you a car.
When you meditate on God’s love in light of this photo and these verses, your heart becomes tender to what Christ had to go through so that we could be united with the Father. Our born-again experience did not come cheaply, my friend. Jesus Christ had to pay a price for us – a huge price – His own shed blood on a cruel cross!
(Mat 26:28 ) For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
He did this freely! It was His free gift to mankind. There’s nothing we can do to earn a free gift – otherwise it would not longer be free! Just read Galatians 5 and you will see what the Scriptures have to say about Christ’s free gift.
If someone were to save you from drowning, you would shower this person with thanks and even reward him for his part in saving you, wouldn’t you? You wouldn’t ignore your rescuer but you would shout from the roof tops what he had done for you.
(Hos 4:6) My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
When a person rejects Jesus Christ, he rejects the fact that He came to save him. This person will realize his ungratefulness when he stands before Christ on the day of judgment and finds that his name is not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
(Rev 21:27) And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
At that point, it will be too late to admit that Christ came to save him. Christ died for all man – not just a few. To deny Him brings eternal damnation in the lake of fire. What a price to pay for rejecting such a wonderful gift!
(Joh 3:16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
The fact of the matter is that Christ came to earth in human form because mankind could not be “good enough” to save himself. Being a member of a church does not gain you entrance to heaven either. That would mean that you could “earn” it yourself and the Word contradicts that thought.
(Eph 2:8 ) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (8 ) Not of works, lest any man should boast. (9)
For the lost, Christ brings salvation and eternal life.
For those who are already born-again, today’s devotional encourages you to meditate on Christ’s vast love for you. It should motivate you to do all you can while you still have time to draw others to Him. What a wonderful gift to give the Lord as we remember His birthday – the gift of leading someone to a saving knowledge and the depth of His love!!
(Psa 126:6) He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
Day 23 – Will Jesus Find Us Watching?
This is probably the third or fourth Fanny Crosby hymn that I have chosen for this devotional series. She has so many songs that bless the heart. One thing I found interesting about Fanny is that she used many pseudonyms. A pseudonym is a pen name taken by a writer so the writer can remain anonymous for whatever reason. I have read that this was done by women in the early years when it was thought that only men should be writers and composers. Taken from Cyberhymnal, here are the pseudonyms Fanny Crosby wrote under:
Adrienne, Cora Alstyne, Fannie Jane Andrews, A. E. Apple, James Armstrong, Alice Atherton, Rose Bell, Carrie Bethune, Catherine Black, James Black, James L. Black, James M. Blair, H. E. Blair, Henrietta E. Booth, Florence Bruce, Charles Bruce, Robert Burns, Charles Carlston, Mary Carlton, Leah Church, Fannie Craddock, Eleanor Culyer, Lyman G. Dale, Ella Dayton, Flora D. D. D. D. R. Eliot, James Edmonds, Lizzie Edwards, Lizzie F. A. N. F. J. C. F. J. V. A. Fannie Fanny Forrest, Mrs. Edna Frances, Carrie Frances, Grace J. Frances, Lillian G. Frances, S. Trevor Frances, Victoria Garnet, Jenny Glen, Jenie Gould, Frank Grinley, Mrs. Kate G. W. W. Harmon, Ruth Hawthorn, Carrie Hope, Frances Hops, Frances James, Annie James, Mary James, Sarah J. F. O. J. W. W. Judson, Myra Lankton, Martha J. Lincoln, H. N. Lindsay, W. Robert L. L. A. Lowry, Minnie B. Marion, Maude Martin, S Martin, Sallie Martin, Sam Miller, Laura Montieth, A Montieth, Alice Park, Edna L. Prentice, Mrs. L.C. Smiling, Mrs. Kate Smith, Sallie A. Smith, Sallie E. Smith, Sally Smith, Sam Sterling, J. L. Sterling, Julia Sterling, Rian J. Sterling, Ryan Sterling, Victoria Stewart, Victoria Taylor, Ida Scott The Children’s Friend Tilden, Louise W. Tilden, Mary V., Jenny Van A., Mrs. Van Alstyne, Fannie Van Alstyne, Fannie Jane Van Alstyne, Mrs. Van Alstyne, Mrs. Alexander Viola Wallace, Zemira Wilson, Carrie Wilson, Mrs. C. M.
[yes, she sometimes used these marks instead of a name!]
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Isn’t that interesting? I have not been able to find out why she chose to write under so many but nonetheless, she surely did a lot of writing!
Today’s hymn is a very special one to me. Since the day I was born-again, I have thought of Christ’s return every single day. I was born again at noon on April 1st, 1980. I use to laugh and say that I fooled ole slew foot because I was saved on April Fool’s Day. But each day since, I have looked forward to Christ’s appearing at the Rapture of the Saints!
It is the topic of the end times that drew me to the Saviour and it is a topic that is near and dear to my heart. I have studied the Rapture of the Church thoroughly and am convinced that Christ will be here at any moment! In the twinkling of an eye, we are told!
(1 Cor. 15:52-58 ) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (52) For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (53) So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (54 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (55) The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. (56) But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (57) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. (58 )
Oh Glory!
Fanny Crosby must have taken verse 58 very seriously, in my opinion. She was steadfast – she was unmoveable in the work of the Lord. Despite her blindness, she held no resentment in her heart and she moved forward in her work for the Lord. I wonder how many of her songs are sung throughout the world on any given Sunday during church services? Her songs have even been translated into different languages! Today’s hymn is a blessing because it exhorts the believer to be steadfast as well.
Will Jesus Find Us Watching? Fanny Crosby
When Jesus comes to reward His servants, Whether it be noon or night, Faithful to Him will He find us watching, With our lamps all trimmed and bright?
Refrain
O can we say we are ready, brother? Ready for the soul’s bright home? Say, will He find you and me still watching, Waiting, waiting when the Lord shall come?
If, at the dawn of the early morning, He shall call us one by one, When to the Lord we restore our talents, Will He answer thee—“Well done”?
Refrain
Have we been true to the trust He left us? Do we seek to do our best? If in our hearts there is naught condemns us, We shall have a glorious rest.
Refrain
Blessèd are those whom the Lord finds watching, In His glory they shall share; If He shall come at the dawn or midnight, Will He find us watching there?
Refrain
Whenever I sing this song, I fall under conviction. It actually should be my song every morning when I sit to do my devotions. If I were to adopt this as my daily song, I dare say I would not be so quick to look away but would keep my eyes fixed on the Lord’s return. When I read through the words this morning, my thoughts were fixed on my work for the Lord. What I have done for Jesus that would answer me – Well done!
(Mat 25:23) His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
We cannot earn our way to Heaven by the work that we do here on earth. That is clear in
(Eph 2:8-9) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (8 ) Not of works, lest any man should boast. (9)
The Lord made sure to put these two verses in the Scriptures so that man would not able to boast of his accomplishments. He would not be able to say, “Look at me! Look at all I have done or money I have given so that I can enter those pearly gates!”
However, after we are saved, the born-again believer’s actions and works should be such that an unbeliever sees Christ through our works. Our good works and our actions should draw the unbeliever and should attract him. These works should speak volumes without a word uttered!
(Tit 2:14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Before I was saved, my works were impeccable. I taught catechism – I helped the poor – I volunteered for good causes. However, none of these brought me assurance that I would go to Heaven when I died. You can purchase a gift to give to someone. However, you cannot purchase a gift that is given to you. The Word is clear about the Father’s gift to us. It cannot be purchased – it cannot be earned. If it could be, it would not be a gift at all. Along with Eph. 2:8-9, the Lord has given to us three more verses which teach us this fact:
(Joh 4:10) Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
(Act 8:20) But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
(Rom 6:23) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Where are your works today? Are you working for God because you believe that you will be rewarded by entering Heaven? Or are you working for God because you are a born-again child of the King and you want to please Him? The believer has peace knowing that he is a child of God and does not have to question his place in God’s family. However, the unbeliever does not have such peace. They do good works so that they can obtain this peace but this peace evades them. In the end, they are not convinced that they are going to enter Heaven. They wonder and hope that they will go to Heaven.
(Oba 1:15) For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.
Don’t be counted among the saved who will be ashamed at the Lord’s return. Do something about your laziness today. Work for the Lord for the day is fast approaching.
(1 John 2:28 ) And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
Take delight in boldly approaching the Lord knowing that you have done a good work today for the Master! I believe Fannie can be counted among these brethren. I have never read one negative comment about her service for the Lord. What a great day it must have been for her to enter Heaven!
Day 24 – He Lives on High
I love to sing songs about Christ’s reign, His coming, His grace and His mercy. There are so many good hymns which can lift my spirit in time of need. This is one of them, written by Baylus Benjamin McKinney. Mr. McKinney was born July 22, 1886, and died September 7, 1952. He attended Southwestern Baptist Seminary and taught there between 1919 and 1932. He pastored in Fort Worth, TX from 1931 to 1935 and afterwards became the music editor for the Baptist Sunday School Board in Nashville, Tennessee.
He Lives on High Baylus Benjamin McKinney
Christ the Savior came from Heaven’s glory, To redeem the lost from sin and shame; On His brow He wore the thorn-crown glory, And upon Calvary He took my blame.
Refrain
He lives on high, He lives on high, Triumphant over sin and all its stain; He lives on high, He lives on high, Some day He’s coming again.
He arose from death and all its sorrow, To dwell in that land of joy and love; He is coming back some glad tomorrow, And He’ll take all His children home above.
Refrain
Weary soul, to Jesus come confessing, Redemption from sin He offers thee; Look to Jesus and receive a blessing, There is life, there is joy and victory!
Refrain
When I read the words to this hymn, I cannot get past the first verse without tearing up. “And upon Calvary He took my blame”! Jesus Christ, took my blame – my sin upon His shoulders and He paid the price for my much deserved punishment!
(1 Cor 6:20) For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
(1 Cor 7:23) Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
This time of the year should cause the believer to meditate more thoroughly on Christ’s mission. Our blessed Saviour left His Throne on high to take on the form of man. He suffered as we suffered and was tempted as we are tempted. Yet in all of his trials and tests, not once did He sin. He fulfilled Jewish law that a perfect lamb had to be sacrificed. He was the perfect sacrifice, the perfect lamb. He opened the gates of redemption by dying for all of us, not just the Jews! The Gentile now has the opportunity for salvation. Praise the Lord!
Because of Christ’s payment for our penalty, we will be able to participate in this beautiful choir after the Rapture, my friend:
(Rev 5:9) And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
(Rev 5:10) And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
(Rev 5:11) And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
(Rev 5:12) Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
What a gift we have been given! Oh praise the Lord with me today!
Day 25 – Behold, the Grace Appears!
I thought it fitting to include a Christmas hymn in our series. Isaac Watts has 518 hymns attributed to him. In all of my devotionals, I have quoted Isaac Watts at least five or six times. One of my favorites of his is “Alas and Did My Saviour Bleed?”!
Behold, the Grace Appears! Isaac Watts
Behold, the grace appears! The promise is fulfilled; Mary, the wondrous virgin, bears, And Jesus is the Child.
The Lord, the highest God, Calls Him His only Son; He bids Him rule the lands abroad, And gives Him David’s throne.
O’er Jacob shall He reign With a peculiar sway; The nations shall His grace obtain, His kingdom ne’er decay.
To bring the glorious news A heav’nly form appears; He tells the shepherds of their joys, And banishes their fears.
“Go, humble swains,” said he, “To David’s city fly; The promised Infant born today Doth in a manger lie.”
“With looks and hearts serene, Go visit Christ your King; And straight a flaming troop was seen: The shepherds heard them sing:
“Glory to God on high! And heav’nly peace on earth; Goodwill to men, to angels joy, At the Redeemer’s birth!”
In worship so divine, Let saints employ their tongues; With the celestial hosts we join, And loud repeat their songs:
“Glory to God on high! And heav’nly peace on earth; Goodwill to men, to angels joy, At our Redeemer’s birth!”
As a writer, I love to see the motivation behind a person’s writing. To me, it is easy to see what motivated Isaac Watts. His love for the Lord is evident in every piece I’ve ever read. I also enjoy his style of writing. Each verse is tied into Scripture. I can easily read his writings and a verse comes to mind to go along with that particular verse.
Verse 1:
(Tit 2:11) For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
(Heb 9:15) And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
(Mat 1:18 ) Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Verse 2:
(Luk 1:32) He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Verse 3:
(Luk 1:33) And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Verse 4:
(Luk 2:10) And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Verse 5:
(Luk 2:15) And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
Verse 6:
(Luk 2:13) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Verse 7:
(Luk 2:14) Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Verse 8:
(Psa 30:4) Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
Verse 9:
(Luk 2:14) Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
My favorite hymn is one that draws me to the Bible. Today’s Christian music may have good words – the melody may be beautiful – but do the words draw me to the Scriptures? At times, the music stirs me but the words do not cause me to think of a particular Bible verse. The hymns of old do, however. Especially those of Mr. Watts. I believe that music that glorifies the Lord is music that brings His word to mind and moves you to serve Him better.
Day 26 – Just As I Am
Photography by Bonnie Cipriani
(Psa 121:1-2) [A Song of degrees.] I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. (1) My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. (2)
These two verses have been my encouragement and my prayer so many times. In fact, I have probably used Psalm 121 more than any other Scripture in my writings. I took this photo when John and I went on vacation to Alaska. Mt. McKinley, also known as Denali, is breathtaking! As you read the verses above and look at this photo, you can see why the psalmist penned this!
The unbeliever cannot claim such a verse because he does not have a relationship with the God who provides such promise. In order for a person to be heard of God, he must be saved.
(Psa 66:18 ) If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
We all regard iniquity in our hearts.
(Rom 3:10) As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Therefore, God does not hear the sinner’s prayers until he has accepted Christ as his Saviour and is now clothed in the righteousness of His own Son.
(Eze 33:13) When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.
It’s not by our own righteousness that we are able to gain entrance into the Holy of Holies to commune with our God. God regards our righteousness as a filthy rag!
(Isa 64:6) But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Because Christ’s blood covers the born-again believer, our sins are no longer seen by the Father.
(Psa 103:12) As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Since our own righteousness is not acceptable in God’s eyes, then neither are our own works. We have to come to God knowing that there is nothing in our lives that can be allowed in Heaven. We deserve eternal punishment because of our sinful nature. We must come to him broken and humble knowing that there is nothing that we can do for salvation. God is the one who is in charge of salvation – salvation through Christ Jesus!
(Jon 2:9) But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.
Salvation does not come by being a member of a church or doing good your whole life.
With that in mind, I was drawn to the “invitational” song, Just As I Am, this morning, written by Charlotte Elliott. Miss Elliott was born March 18, 1789, and died September 22, 1871.
Just as I am, Without One Plea, Charlotte Elliott
Just as I am, without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me, And that Thou bidst me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, and waiting not To rid my soul of one dark blot, To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, though tossed about With many a conflict, many a doubt, Fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; Sight, riches, healing of the mind, Yea, all I need in Thee to find, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; Because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, Thy love unknown Hath broken every barrier down; Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, of that free love The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove, Here for a season, then above, O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
This beautiful song shows the humbleness of heart of its author. Miss Elliott became an invalid when she was around 30. I loved reading what she wrote about her severe physical condition (very similar to that of chronic fatigue):
“My Heavenly Father knows, and He alone, what it is, day after day, and hour after hour, to fight against bodily feelings of almost overpowering weakness and languor and exhaustion, to resolve, as He enables me to do, not to yield to the slothfulness, the depression, the irritability, such as a body causes me to long to indulge, but to rise every morning determined on taking this for my motto, ‘If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.’”
I discovered that when Dr. Cesar Malan (of Geneva) came to her father’s house to visit, he caused her to think about her salvation. Because of her illness, she was irritable toward Dr. Malan and told him she did not wish to discuss religion. Dr. Malan’s humble response to her was that he would not continue the discussion but would pray that she accept Christ as her Saviour. The Holy Spirit used this to convict her and she apologized to Dr. Malan a few weeks later. She asked him how she could be saved and his response was to come to Jesus “just as you are.” She was saved and later was moved to write this beautiful hymn.
She is a testimony to those who suffer from chronic illness. Her life since her salvation was devoted to writing. This hymn was published in the “Invalid’s Hymn Book.” Despite her ailment, she made herself useful – she edited the Religious Remembrancer magazine and wrote 31 hymns. What a blessing it is to read about how God used her despite her illness. She replaced her bitterness with a servant’s humble heart. This heart was reflected in today’s hymn, wasn’t it?
I hope Charlotte’s testimony was a blessing to you today. If you are suffering from a chronic illness or you are dying from an illness, please take heart today. Your service for Christ does not need to end. In fact, you need His comfort in your life even more now than ever! There is joy and peace that comes with serving Him – a peace which goes past any understanding you will ever have.
(Php 4:7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
When our hearts and minds are fixed on Christ and His will for our lives, we receive blessed peace. The world looks a Christian who is going through such a trial and witnesses a person who is not eaten up with bitterness but one that is glorifying the Lord in his work for Him!
Day 27 – In the Garden
~Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
I absolutely love this verse! The Lord could have picked a different word than “sup” here. He could have said, “I will talk with him,” or “I will sit with him.” Instead, Christ picked the word sup. There’s nothing more intimate than a meal together. Family meal time is a precious time for me. I look forward to sitting down with my family after a long day and reconnecting with one another. I love to hear the chatter and laughter – it’s music to my ears. Sitting around a table for meals is a time children will remember; at least this is true in my family.
One of Jesus’ names is “the Word of God.” I truly believe that Christ picked every word written in the Bible and chose each word very carefully. I believe He had every intention to use the word sup here. The Lord desires to make entrance into our lives and meet with us. Not just to talk, but to actually have an intimate time – a meal, if you will. He desires to sit with us for more than just a few minutes but for the time it takes to have a meal. He desires to have that chatter and laughter, and sometimes even tears, in our time with Him.
Today’s hymn is also one of my favorites. It really should be accompanied with Revelation 3:20 whenever it is sung, don’t you think? The songs we sing should stir our hearts and bring the Scriptures to life, stirring our hearts. This beautiful hymn was written by Charles Austin Miles. Mr. Miles was born on January 7, 1868, and passed away on March 10, 1946. He started out his career as a pharmacist but left it to write Gospel music. His first song was “List ‘Tis Jesus’ Voice.” I loved this quote by him,
It is as a writer of gospel songs I am proud to be known, for in that way I may be of the most use to my Master, whom I serve willingly although not as efficiently as is my desire.
His desires were fulfilled, I would say! We sing a few of his songs in our own church.
In the Garden Charles Austin Miles
I come to the garden alone While the dew is still on the roses And the voice I hear falling on my ear The Son of God discloses.
Refrain
And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own; And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known.
Refrain
He speaks, and the sound of His voice, Is so sweet the birds hush their singing, And the melody that He gave to me Within my heart is ringing.
Refrain
I’d stay in the garden with Him Though the night around me be falling, But He bids me go; through the voice of woe His voice to me is calling.
Refrain
(Psa 5:3) My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
(Joh 10:27) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
(Psa 128:1) [A Song of degrees.] Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.
(Joh 10:29) My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
(Mar 4:39) And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
(Php 4:6) Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
(Php 4:7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
When I sing this song, my heart is stirred to the Word. I think of my Saviour’s voice calling to me to get saved – Praise the Lord! I think of how I was placed into the Saviour’s care by the Father and no one can remove me from that care. I can meet with Him any time I want – any where I want and He is there. The One who created me and all that is around me can still any storm in my life and provide the peace which passes all understanding.
It is a joy being saved, amen?! It is a joy to meet with the Saviour in our “garden”!
Day 28 – A New Name in Glory!
Unfortunately, I can’t recall who shared this photo with me. A storm was coming through and we can see the lightning in the distance. When I look at it, I am reminded that our Saviour will one day return for His sheep in the air quickly – like a flash of lightning – the bible says in the twinkling of an eye! And just as Jesus left the earth, He will return.
(Act 1:9-11) And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. (9) And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; (10) Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. (11)
Aren’t you excited?
As we celebrate the time of His birth, let us not forget that His was not an ordinary birth. Jesus Christ’s life was no ordinary life! His death was no ordinary death!
(Mat 28:6) He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Christ conquered death and took on our punishment so that we may one day live with Him for all eternity. (1 Cor 15:55-57) O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (55) The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. (56) But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (57)
Because of this wonderful act of love from our Saviour, we are able to sing today’s hymn and rejoice! We covered this author yesterday so I won’t repeat myself and will just continue on with this blessed hymn!
A New Name in Glory Charles Austin Miles
I was once a sinner, but I came Pardon to receive from my Lord: This was freely given, and I found That He always kept His word.
Refrain
There’s a new name written down in glory, And it’s mine, O yes, it’s mine! And the white robed angels sing the story, “A sinner has come home.” For there’s a new name written down in glory, And it’s mine, O yes, it’s mine! With my sins forgiven I am bound for Heaven, Never more to roam.
I was humbly kneeling at the cross, Fearing naught but God’s angry frown; When the heavens opened and I saw That my name was written down.
Refrain
In the Book ’tis written, “Saved by Grace,” O the joy that came to my soul! Now I am forgiven, and I know By the blood I am made whole.
Refrain
Is your name written down in glory? For every born-again believer, singing this song is an encouragement to a weary spirit! Christ gave Himself for you and for me! Does that not touch you to the core?
(Gal 1:4) Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
(Gal 2:20) I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
(Tit 2:14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
(1 Jn 5:10) He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
Why did Jesus do this for us? Why would He give Himself for us? Oh the blessed love of God! When I read these two verses, I am drawn to tears that my Lord would love us so much that He would do this for us! (Heb 2:17-18 ) Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. (17) For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. (18 )
Jesus Christ, the Perfect Lamb of God and our Saviour, voluntarily came to earth for the sole purpose of being tempted, living a sinless life and then dying so that He could take on our penalty of sin so we would not burn for all eternity! He stands before the Father as our High Priest always making intercession for us!
(Heb 7:25) Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
We are saved to the uttermost! Noah Webster defines this word as:
UT’TERMOST, a. [utter and most.] Extreme; being in the furthest, greatest or highest degree; as the uttermost extent or end; the uttermost distress.
Strong’s Concordance says:
G3838 παντελής pantelēs pan-tel-ace’ From G3956 and G5056; full ended, that is, entire (neuter as noun, completion): – + in [no] wise, uttermost.
Can one be partially saved? If you are drowning and a rescuer comes to save you, does he save you then allow you to start drowning again and then save you again – so on and so forth? If you are burning in a fire, does the fire fighter save you, throw you back in only to save you again? If you are lost in your sin, does the Saviour die on the cross for your sins only to have to go die again because your salvation was lost? It sounds absurd when put it in this light, doesn’t it? But the definitions are awesome – they are clear to me! The Lord wants you to know that you have been saved to the uttermost – to completion – entirely. That means your sins from the past, present and future have been paid for, entirely, by Christ Himself! Glory! This does not give you the right to continue living your old sinful life and not change. For the Word says
(2 Cor 5:17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Anyone who is grateful for being saved from eternal punishment burning in a lake of fire will not remain the same. They will allow the Holy Spirit of God to change them out of appreciation to Christ for what He has done!
What a lovely thought for today!
(Phil 4:3) And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
My name is written in the book of life – Jesus knows my name and my name is written down in glory!
(Joh 10:3) To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
(Psa 100:4) Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
Day 29 – Sweetly the Holy Hymn
(Psa 123:1) [A Song of degrees.] Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.
This photograph reminds me of the condition of my heart when I come to meet with the Lord. I look to the heavens to see my God and I prepare my heart to meet Him there.
(Psa 113:5) Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,
Today’s hymn is one that I have never heard before. But I love Charles Spurgeon and knew that anything that he wrote had to be beautiful! Sure enough, I was not disapponted in the least. Brother Spurgeon was born June 19, 1834, in Kelvedon, Essex, England and passed away on January 31, 1892, in Montone, France. Although he was a well known preacher, he wrote several hymns which were collected into a work called “A Collection of Psalms and Hymns for Public, Social, and Private Worship, 1866.” By the time Spurgeon reached the age of 21, he was the most popular preacher in London! He had no formal education yet he preached to thousands in his life time. God used him mightily.
He not only preached but he pastored, he founded churches, Sunday schools, and an orphanage; he also founded the Pastor’s College, and he also edited a monthly church magazine! He was definitely busy for the Lord. Today, many of us read the daily devotionals by Spurgeon. He continues to touch the lives of people and will continue to do so even after we’re gone.
There were two things from his biography that impressed me about this man: (1) He was not timid about calling out error in the Church of England or amongst his own Baptist circles and (2) he absolutely grieved over the trend of the day toward biblical criticism.
Today’s hymn shares with us a desire to meet with the Lord in prayer and song. Spurgeon spoke of his walk each day as a battle and the need to prepare for this battle by meeting with His God!
Sweetly the Holy Hymn Charles H. Spurgeon
Sweetly the holy hymn Breaks on the morning air; Before the world with smoke is dim We meet to offer prayer.
While flowers are wet with dews, Dew of our souls, descend: Ere yet the sun the day renews, O Lord, Thy Spirit send.
Upon the battlefield, Before the fight begins, We seek, O Lord, Thy sheltering shield, To guard us from our sins.
Ere yet our vessel sails Upon the stream of day We plead, O Lord, for heavenly gales To speed us on our way!
On the lone mountain side, Before the morning’s light, The Man of sorrows wept and cried, And rose refreshed with might.
Oh, hear us then, for we Are very weak and frail, We make the Savior’s Name our plea, And surely must prevail.
Our Saviour’s name will surely prevail! It was interesting to find three verses in the Word that described how every knee would bow at the name of Jesus! The number three symbolizes the Trinity in the Word.
(Isa 45:23) I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
(Rom 14:11) For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
(Phil 2:10) That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Praise the Lord!
Day 30 – Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord
(John 8:12) Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Today’s song ends our series on hymns with another beautiful hymn by my favorite composer Fanny Crosby. I’ve only heard this particular song sung a couple of times a long time ago. Please go to Cyberhymnal and listen along while you read the words. The words bring joy to a weary heart and encourage one to press on until His return. This is what God honoring music should do, my friend. Today’s music may have great words or even a nice melody, but does the song move you toward righteousness? Does it draw you to the Word? Does it cause you to run to the Saviour’s side and to His Word so you can fellowship with Him? If it does not, you should contemplate changing your listening habits.
Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Fanny Crosby
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord! Sing, O ye people, gladly adore Him; Let the mountains tremble at His word; Let the hills be joyful before Him; Mighty in wisdom, boundless in mercy, Great is Jehovah, King over all.Refrain
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord! Let the hills be joyful before Him.
Praise Him, praise Him! shout aloud for joy, Watchman of Zion, herald the story; Sin and death His kingdom shall destroy; All the earth shall sing of His glory; Praise Him, ye angels, ye who behold Him, Robed in His splendor, matchless, divine.
Refrain
King eternal, blessèd be His Name! So may His children gladly adore Him; When in Heav’n we join the happy strain, When we cast our bright crowns before Him; There in His likeness joyful awaking, There we shall see Him, there we shall sing:
Refrain
(Rev 4:8 ) And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.(Psa 98:8 ) Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together(Psa 98:9) Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.
(Job 36:5) Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom.
(Psa 132:16) I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
(Isa 52:8 ) Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion.
(Rom 8:2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
(Psa 66:4) All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.
(Isa 6:3) And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
(Job 1:21) And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
(Psa 113:2) Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.
(Dan 2:20) Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
(Rev 4:10) The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
(Rev 4:11) Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
(Rev 1:7) Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
Do you think Fanny knew her Bible? Here was a lady without sight yet when you read her hymns, you can tell that she had much of the Bible in her mind’s eye. She penned the word of God throughout each of the verses. When you sing this hymn or merely read its words, you are drawn to the word of God.
So this concludes our series on hymns – hymns we’ve loved throughout the years and hymns we have never heard, although they were hymns of old. I pray that this series was as much of a blessing to you as it was to me!
(Psa 106:48 ) Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD.
