Tag: Matthew 11:28-30

Are You Worried About What’s to Come?

On December 9, 2024

It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. (Psa 127:2)

The world appears to be plummeting toward the end times just as the Bible says it will. All the signs of 2 Peter 3:3-13 and Matthew 24:4-8 are converging together! There are have been isolated incidents throughout history, but never have they occurred altogether. People are now saying, “What in the world is going on?” It’s a worthwhile question, don’t you think?

It is worthless, fruitless, empty and unsatisfying when one stays up late and gets up early to worry. I never gained a moment’s pleasure or peace from worrying. The Lord emphasizes here how futile it is to worry. In fact, the Lord promises His beloved children rest! He does not promise this wonderful rest to the unsaved. How do I know that? The verse says that His beloved receive sleep. Remember, when we are saved we become the children of God.

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (Rom 8:16)

We are His beloved! A search to the word “beloved” in the New Testament will show that they were always referring to the brethren in Christ.

Noah Webster defines the word vain as:

Empty; worthless; having no substance, value or importance.Fruitless; ineffectual. All attempts, all efforts were vain.

Empty; unsatisfying. The pleasures of life are vain.

False; deceitful; not genuine; spurious. James 1.

What would I think if my children stayed up nights worrying? I would be devastated; first because my child is worrying. But most importantly, I would wonder why my child feels he cannot turn those worries over to his parents. I can just imagine how our Heavenly Father feels when we take upon our own shoulders the cares of this world which have not even happened yet. Our Father in Heaven loves us so much and wants so much to provide for us and comfort us. He provides comfort through the Scriptures as we read about the end times. We are forewarned and instructed to encourage one another as we await the Rapture of the Church. Why does the world insist on taking this worry upon ourselves? I have heard that 85% of what we worry about doesn’t come to past and the other 15% weren’t worth worrying over. The time and effort spent in worrying could easily be spent in the Word and finding comfort there. The Lord has so many golden nuggets to calm our spirit with. We just have to search them out.

For example, Matt. 11:28-30, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (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. (29) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (30) Good night, are there better verses? After reading these verses, I decided to do a phrase search for “give rest” – here are the results. I need not say anything more. Enjoy!

And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. (Exo 33:14) God’s presence goes with us (His Holy Spirit) and provides rest.

Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days. (1 Chr 22:9) We find much rest from the book of Proverbs if we heed its warnings.

That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked. (Psa 94:13) The chastened man receives rest from the days of affliction.

Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul. (Pro 29:17) We receive rest when we have corrected our children – they will delight us.

And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve, (Isa 14:3) Again, the Lord provides more rest from sorrow and fear.

Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name: he shall throughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon. (Jer 50:34) Our Redeemer provides rest.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Mat 11:28 ) Jesus, our Redeemer, provides the rest we need.

If you are not born again, you fall into the category of those who stay up late worrying. If you are born again, you have the wonderful privilege of resting in the care of your Shepherd! If you’re interested in learning more about the Christ, please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Dear God…
May I always be looking to You
Until I find comfort in Your care
And rest from my burdens of worry
At Your feet will I lay them there

Chosen of God

By Kate Plourde

On November 8, 2024

In Devotionals

The “Chosen of God” is a blessing to me because the salvation of the world was not left to man’s devices. Antichrists have existed for years and the agenda they push is nothing new. They follow after the father of lies, the devil. Our Saviour, the second person of the Trinity, new from the foundations of the earth that man could not stop sinning. Nor could man’s sacrifices forgive their sins. Only the shed blood of Jesus Christ could be the propitiation for mankind’s sins. Noah Webster defines the word “propitiation” as:

The atonement or atoning sacrifice offered to God to assuage his wrath and render him propitious to sinners. Christ is the propitiation for the sins of men.

Jesus, the Chosen One, took OUR sins upon Himself. This could not have been left to any human being because a human being would not be able to handle it. The pain and suffering Christ went through in order to be the perfect sacrificial Lamb is more than a mere mortal could withstand. If you want to see just what the Lord was subjected to when He was sacrificed for your sins, you can read about it here. If that doesn’t convinced you why sins’ payment had to be paid by the Chosen One, I don’t know what will!

Romans 3:25 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;

1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

God, the only One who is righteous, chose Himself to be the atonement for mankind’s sins. He became the perfect sacrifice by shedding His own blood. Today’s verse explains that Jesus is the Chosen One but the next two verses explain it further:

1 Peter 2:5-6 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (6) Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

The Chosen of God, Jesus Christ, the Chief Cornerstone of our faith, did not leave me confounded when I accepted His perfect work on the cross for my sins! The word confounded is a beautiful word here. Noah Webster defines it as:

Mixed or blended in disorder; perplexed; abashed; dismayed; put to shame and silence; astonished.

My friend, the bible says that when we are born again, we are no longer mixed or blended in the disorder of religion. We are no longer confounded, perplexed and dismayed on the life of Christian living. Jesus, the Word of God, (Revelation 19:13) has provided His very words through the Bible so we can know all we need to know.

1 John 2:26-27 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. (27) But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

It is important for us to search the scriptures when we hear someone preaching. This anointing that was given to us at the time of salvation, the Holy Spirit, will alert us to preaching that is not according to the scriptures.

Act 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Don’t be deceived by the spirit of the antichrist, which is alive and well today. There are many televangelists who are making tons of money on the backs of the poor and those seeking. They mislead many and have no shame. But the Chosen One of God promises peace and rest. He does not lay on us any “rules and regulations” that are burdensome.

Mat 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) 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. (30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

The Chosen of God has promised rest to our souls. We no longer have to wonder IF we will make it to heaven or HOPE we will make it there. Rest means REST and peace. Our burdens are lifted at the cross of Calvary where the Chosen of God shed His blood for our sins. The Chosen of God took on our punishment and paid the penalty. Praise the Lord for Jesus, the Chosen of God!

If you’re remotely interested in learning more about the Christ, please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

I Will Seek You

By Kate Plourde

On September 9, 2024

In Devotionals

O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is. Psalm 63:1

Many think that they need to go to church to seek God or have fellowship with Him. There are places which promote solitude of heart, such as a church building. Communing with the Lord seems to be sweeter there. When my husband and I were out sightseeing one day, we came across this quaint and very old church (built in the 1800’s) in Virginia. But is this the only place we can find God and find peace with Him?

The Natural Bridge in Southern Virginia is so beautiful and the work of God’s hand is breathtaking. Just walking the trails to get to the bridge are peaceful and serene. All one can hear is the babbling of the brook as it leads to a small waterfall. Then sit through the Genesis story in the evening and watch the light show in conjunction with each day of creation, God’s beauty combined with His Word will fill your hearts.

One does not need to look far to see the Lord at work. I believe we live in one of the most beautiful areas in our great Country, near the Blue Ridge Mountains. What breath taking scenes, to say the least. Again, God’s handiwork fills one with awe for a God who intricately created this earth and its beauty. God reveals Himself in His creation if a person will take the time to meet Him there.

This same God who created this beautiful world, created you as well and all your intricacies.

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. (Psa 139:14)

Do you believe we’re wonderfully made? Google search pictures of the inner ear, or the structure of cells in the body, and you will see just how intricate our bodies are. It will reveal a side of God that should overwhelm your spirit! All the parts of our bodies are equally intricate. But the point is that God is the creator of them all. God is in the smallest details of creation!

We should be seeking to learn more about Him and becoming more like His precious Son. We should seek after God as if we are dying of thirst and can’t get enough of Him. We can find these beautiful places in our mind’s eye even if we are sitting in our private place as we do our devotions and studying. God promises to reveal Himself to the one who is seeking after Him. One will never be disappointed!

Jer 29:12-13 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. (13) And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

There is peace and solace at the end of your search for God. Burdens can be unloaded and God promises to speak to you through His word!

Mat 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) 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. (30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Dear God…
May I seek You early
Before the start of day
And cling to every word
As I go along my way

Why Worry?

By Kate Plourde

On September 4, 2024

In Devotionals

It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. (Psa 127:2)

As we see the day of Christ’s return fast approaching, there is much in the news that would cause a person to worry. But it is worthless, fruitless, empty and unsatisfying when one stays up late and gets up early to worry. I never gained a moment’s pleasure or peace from worrying. The Lord emphasizes in today’s verse how futile it is to worry. In fact, the Lord promises His beloved children rest! (Matthew 11:28-30)

God does not promise this wonderful rest to the unsaved. How do I know that? The verse says that His beloved receive sleep. Remember, the moment we are born again, we become the children of God.

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (Rom 8:16)

We are His beloved! A search to the word “beloved” in the New Testament will show that the Scriptures were always referring to the brethren in Christ. The child of God does not have to worry because we have a loving Father who desires that we find rest in Him! That is why today’s verse says it is vain to worry!

Noah Webster defines the word vain as:

Empty; worthless; having no substance, value or importance.Fruitless; ineffectual. All attempts, all efforts were vain.

Empty; unsatisfying. The pleasures of life are vain.

False; deceitful; not genuine; spurious. James 1.

Since I became a mother, so many Scriptures seemed clearer to me. What would I think if my children stayed up nights worrying? I would be devastated if I discovered they were worrying! But most importantly, I would wonder why my child feels he cannot turn those worries over to his parents. I can just imagine how our Heavenly Father feels when we take upon our own shoulders the cares of this world which have not even happened yet. Our Father in Heaven loves us so much and wants so much to provide for us and comfort us. Why do we insist on taking this worry upon ourselves? I have heard that 85% of what we worry about doesn’t even come to past; the other 15% weren’t worth worrying over. The time and effort spent in worrying could easily have been spent in the word and finding comfort there. The Lord has so many golden nuggets in His word that will calm our spirit and fretful heart. We just have to search them out.

Matt. 11:28-30, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (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. (29) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (30)

What better verses can there be that prove God’s character and desire to give us peace? After reading these verses, I decided to do a phrase search for “give rest” and have listed some below. I need not say anything more; let God’s word speak to your hearts!

And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. (Exo 33:14) God’s presence goes with us (His Holy Spirit) and provides rest.

Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days. (1 Chr 22:9) We find much rest from the book of Proverbs if we heed its warnings.

That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked. (Psa 94:13) The chastened man receives rest from the days of affliction.

Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul. (Pro 29:17) We receive rest when we have corrected our children – they will delight us.

And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve,(Isa 14:3) Again, the Lord provides more rest from sorrow and fear.

Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name: he shall throughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon. (Jer 50:34) Our Redeemer provides rest.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Mat 11:28 ) Jesus, our Redeemer, provides the rest we need.

Dear God…
May I always be looking to You
Until I find comfort in Your care
And rest from my burdens of worry
At Your feet will I lay them there

End Time Comfort Found in Psalm 119 – Day 13

By Kate Plourde

On February 2, 2024

In Devotionals, End Time Comfort Found in Psalm 119

Psa 119:30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.

Do you see Jesus in this verse? He is the only truth that one must follow. We find that truth in His Word. (John 14:6) Not only is He the truth in all things, but He desires to have close fellowship with us. So much so, that He calls the church His Bride! (Revelation 21:2, 21:9, 22:17) The church has continued to build, from the time Jesus arose to Heaven to the day the Rapture takes place. After the Rapture, the church is not mentioned because the Bride has gone home to her Groom! He loves us so much that He gave His life for us!

Jesus took all our punishment upon Himself so that we could be free from sin. The penalty of sin has been paid on the cross over 2,000 years ago! What love!

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

Jesus made it clear that if we follow Him, we are not only His Bride, but His friends! We are not servants but friends! Jesus is my Saviour! My eyes are fixed on Him as He leads me! We all need Him today more than ever! The world is upside down with sin running rampant in our streets. It is only through Him that we find truth, peace and comfort. (Matthew 11:28-30) Thank you, Lord!

Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

End Time Comfort Found in Psalm 119 – Day 12

By Kate Plourde

On January 31, 2024

In Devotionals, End Time Comfort Found in Psalm 119

Psalm 119:26 I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.

Admitting when I’m wrong has gotten easier as I have grown older. It’s never easy to admit you’ve done something wrong or that you have sinned against God. But once you’ve done it a few times, it does in fact get easier. Why? Because confession is good for the soul. It frees the soul from guilt and worry.

Is it any wonder that many Christians today are not walking closer with Jesus? Many have not declared their ways to Him. In a time where pride is at the pinnacle of society, Christians must beware of adjusting their spiritual walk to society’s “walk.” It is of the utmost importance to stay away from the evil doctrine of this world. We are most certainly living in the end times, of this I am certain.

1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

Admitting to Jesus our sins sets us free, especially when we come to salvation! A closer walk with Jesus helps us to keep our sin list short. We must desire that close relationship with Him. The closer we get to Him, the less we fall prey to sin. Furthermore, notice the verse says that He hears us in Psalm 119:26? Praise the Lord that our prayers for forgiveness are not lost in the air but are actually heard by the Lord! Praise Him!!

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.
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Amen and amen! Jesus’ grace is sufficient each and every moment! Keeping ourselves centered around God’s Word helps us to deal with the pressures of today. Our world has gone crazy! They call that which is sin, good, and that which is good, evil!

Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

I don’t know how people make it through the day without fretting or worrying about what is happening around us. We all need the Lord and with Him, there is peace and rest.

Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) 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. (30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Hymns 2.0 – Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

By Kate Plourde

On October 16, 2023

In Devotionals, Hymns 2.0

Lyrics (click here to hear instrumental)

1. O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Refrain:
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.

2. Thro’ death into life everlasting,
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion–
For more than conqu’rors we are!

3. 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!
Helen Howarth Lemmel

The History Behind the Hymn

Born in 1864, Helen Lemmel moved to the United States around the age of twelve. From a young age, her musical ability was noticed by all those around her.

In 1907, She moved to Germany for 4 years to undergo intensive music training. It was here that she would meet her husband. Together, they returned to the United States in 1911. While in America, she served faithfully in the Lord’s work. She dedicated herself to writing, arranging, and teaching songs and hymns of the faith

A few years after her marriage, a tragic illness caused her to lose her vision. Her husband, refusing to attend to a blind wife, left her. This time of hurt and loss weighed heavily upon Helen.

Then, in 1918, Lemmel was introduced to a pamphlet written by Algerian missionary Lilias Trotter. Trotter was a well-known artist who had given up a rising and lucrative career to serve the Lord on the misson field. Her words stirred the heart of Lemmel. She writes, “Suddenly, as if commanded to stop and listen, I stood still, and, singing in my soul and spirit was the chorus, with not one conscious moment of putting word to word to make rhyme, or note to note to make melody…These verses were written…the same week…”

The words that so captivated Helen were these: “How do we bring things to a focus in the world of optics? Not by looking at the things to be dropped, but by looking at the one point that is to be brought out. Turn full your soul’s vision to Jesus, and look…look at Him, and a strange dimness will come over all that is apart from Him, and the Divine “attrait” by which God’s saints are made…will lay hold of you. For “He is worthy” to have all there is to be had in the heart that He has died to win.”

Helen kept her eyes on the Lord Jesus and continued to serve Him faithfully.
enjoyingthejourney.com

A Lesson for Me

Mat 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) 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. (30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

I’ve often quoted this Bible passage. In fact, these were the first verses I committed to memory after I was born again. My husband was furious at the change that came upon me (John 3:3, 6-7; 2 Cor. 5:17). I was no longer the woman he had married. I longed for the rest that the Lord Jesus promised in this passage. I longed for my burdens to be made light. This is the believer’s confidence, dear Reader.

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.

Without the Lord, there is no such confidence but that of the flesh. (Proverbs 14:30a) Only a heart that is fixed on the Lord can survive the struggles in life.

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!

Message for today

Will life have no struggles after salvation? Of course not! The unbeliever has no one to turn to who will provide peace and comfort. However, the believer in Jesus Christ does! Can’t you see that? Our trials and tribulations are not taken away. Instead, we are promised that the Lord Jesus will walk beside us and provide the right amount of grace to persevere!

How do I know this? Jesus calls those who are born again His friends! Not only are we His friends, but we are now His Bride!

Joh 15:14-15 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. (15) Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

Rev 21:9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.

Jesus Christ did not leave us empty handed to live willy-nilly in the world. He left us His Word so that we could learn and find comfort. There is comfort to be had while we go through the trials of life. It is up to us to spend time in prayer and in the God’s word! Jesus is the spoken word of God Himself, dear Reader!

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

It is in the light of the Bible that you will find solace for your soul. It is between those blessed pages that you will find peace which passes all understanding! The born-again child of God is not left to his own devices but is given rest during difficult times.

Joh 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) The same was in the beginning with God. (3) All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (4) In him was life; and the life was the light of men. (5) And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

If you are not truly born-again, you cannot possibly have this peace. There is coming a time when it will be too late for you to repent and be saved. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Hymns 2.0 – Just As I Am

By Kate Plourde

On September 29, 2023

In Devotionals, Hymns 2.0

Lyrics (click here to hear instrumental)

1 Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidd’st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

2 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.

3 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.

4 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.
Charlotte Elliott

The History Behind the Hymn

Elliott, Charlotte, daughter of Charles Elliott, of Clapham and Brighton, and granddaughter of the Rev. H. Venn, of Huddersfield, was born March 18, 1789. The first 32 years of her life were spent mostly at Clapham. In 1823 she removed to Brighton, and died there Sept. 22, 1871.

In 1828, at the age of 32, Charlotte Elliott suffered a serious illness that left her a semi-invalid. This caused depression, and within the year she experienced a severe spiritual crisis. Swiss evangelist Henry A. Cesàr Malan was visiting her family, and she confessed to him that she didn’t know how to come to Christ. His famous response was, “Come to him just as you are.” Her depression continued, however. One night, twelve years later, she lay awake, distressed by her uselessness as an invalid, and by doubts of her spiritual life. The next day, as she reflected on the previous night, she decided she needed to meet her spiritual troubles head on and conquer them by the grace of God. So she “gathered up in her soul the grand certainties, not of her emotions, but of her salvation: her Lord, His power, His promise” (Lutheran Hymnal Handbook). She took up pen and paper, and wrote down her own “formulae of faith,” remembering those words of the visiting evangelist. In the end she had the text “Just as I am, without one plea.” Her rule of faith has since become a comfort to millions, and we join with all Christians who experience doubt and uncertainty in their faith when we declare that Christ invites us to come to Him, just as we are.

Though weak and feeble in body, she possessed a strong imagination, and a well-cultured and intellectual mind. Her love of poetry and music was great, and is reflected in her verse. Her hymns number about 150, a large percentage of which are in common use.
https://hymnary.org/text/just_as_i_am_without_one_plea#Author

A Lesson for Me

Mat 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) 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. (30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

I was probably a couple of days old in the Lord when I read these three verses. Oh how I cried! I was very heavy laden and had a burden of care upon my shoulders. I had been married six years at this point and my husband absolutely despised what I had become. Life was unbearable and I could not imagine God healing my marriage. He not only healed my marriage but He also showed me how I could receive peace in the midst of the trial while waiting! These verses rested heavily on my heart during that time.

What does this have to do with today’s hymn? Everything! God wants us to come to Him with all our troubles!

3 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.

Message for today

Yes, this hymn’s message is mainly to show that God takes the sinner just as he is. The sinner need not clean up his life before receiving the gift of salvation. If he had to do that, what’s the point of God’s Son being called a gift? One doesn’t have to do a thing to receive a gift. It is freely given and must be freely accepted. There is nothing that can be added.

1 Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidd’st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Luke 5:32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

It is not by our own works that we receive this wonderful gift. It is by simple faith. We are all sinners in need of saving. We are all sinners in need of God’s grace. The very nature of God is to show mercy upon a repentant sinner. When we humbly come before Him, admitting our sinfulness, He is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.

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.

2 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.

My friend, there is nothing we can do to wash away our sins. Only Jesus can do that. He became our sin offering so we could be made righteous before God through Him! Oh praise the Lord for His unending love for us!

2 Cor 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

If you are not truly born-again, there is coming a time when it will be too late for you to repent and be saved. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Hymns 2.0 – Beneath the Cross of Jesus

By Kate Plourde

On August 18, 2023

In Devotionals, Hymns 2.0

Lyrics (click here to hear instrumental)

Beneath the cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand,
the shadow of a mighty Rock
within a weary land;
a home within the wilderness,
a rest upon the way,
from the burning of the noontide heat
and the burden of the day.

Upon the cross of Jesus
mine eye at times can see
the very dying form of One
who suffered there for me:
and from my stricken heart with tears
two wonders I confess,
the wonders of redeeming love
and my unworthiness.

3 I take, O cross, thy shadow
for my abiding place:
I ask no other sunshine than
the sunshine of his face;
content to let the world go by,
to know no gain nor loss;
my sinful self my only shame,
my glory all the cross.
Elizabeth C. Clephane

The History Behind the Hymn

I never heard of Elizabeth Clephane until I did the research on this hymn. Of course, I knew the hymn but knew nothing about its author. What a blessing to read of her life! She is in the same company as a few of my friends who are undergoing the same frail health.

Elizabeth Cecilia Douglas Clephane was born in Scotland in 1830 and died in 1869. The daughter of a county sheriff, she lived most of her brief life near Edinburgh.

Though in frail health most of her life, Elizabeth found the strength to help the poor and sick in her town. She and her sister gave all that they could spare to charity including, it is said, selling their horse and carriage for the benefit of the needy. The townspeople of Melrose referred to Elizabeth as “the Sunbeam.”

“Beneath the cross of Jesus,” focusing on the shelter of the cross, was first published three years after the author’s death in 1872 under the title “Breathings on the Border,” perhaps a double entendre referring to a geographical location near Melrose, the Scottish Borders, and a reference to the border between life and death.

Originally five stanzas, another omitted stanza, perhaps autobiographical, provides further insight into the comfort that the writer found in the shadow of the cross and the inspiration that the cross gave her as she anticipated her own death:

There lies beneath its shadow,
but on the further side,
the darkness of an open grave
that gapes both deep and wide;
and there between us stands the cross,
two arms outstretched to save,
like watchman set to guard the way
from that eternal grave.
https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-beneath-the-cross-of-jesus

A Lesson for Me

Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

When the realization hits as to why Christ came to earth and what He did for me, my heart was broken. Someone else took my punishment!

Why would the Lord do this for me? With my finite mind, there is no way I can comprehend the mind of God. But what I can comprehend is His Word. The Scriptures tell us of His love (John 3:16), and that His mercy is new every single morning (Lamentations 3:22-23)! There is balm to be had for the deepest wounds!

Upon the cross of Jesus
mine eye at times can see
the very dying form of One
who suffered there for me:
and from my stricken heart with tears
two wonders I confess,
the wonders of redeeming love
and my unworthiness.

Message for today

The moment I meditate on God’s redeeming love, and my unworthiness of His saving grace, my heart is stricken with the same tears as Elizabeth’s. How many tears have been shed for the same reasons? Each one of those tears is recorded in Heaven. (Psalm 56:8) Every heartache, every tear of joy, every tear shed when I lost someone dear, is known by my Heavenly Father!

Are you hurting today, Reader? Have you spent half the night crying? Are you in the same ill health as Elizabeth? If you are born again, your Father knows all about it. He is there to apply that balm to your distraught heart. Will He remove your sickness or problem? I don’t know. But what I do know is that He will provide you with the strength to live through each and every day.

But if you are not born again, it’s time you find forgiveness and peace at the foot of the cross of Jesus. He stands waiting to hear from you. It is there you will find peace for your soul! (Matthew 11:28-30)

Pro 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

The Lord hears your prayer when you turn to Him with a repentant heart and ask His forgiveness. Invite Him into your life – make a decision to follow Him every day. He hears the prayers of His children. If you do not get saved, the verse above says that He is far from you. Do not be far, Reader. Turn to Him before it’s eternally too late.

Comfort During the End Times – Day 30

By Kate Plourde

On May 8, 2023

In Comfort During the End Times, Devotionals

The Bible has an ongoing theme for God’s chosen people, Israel. We see it in today’s verse and we see it in the numerous verses below. One thing is for certain, God has never abandoned His people nor will He ever! Even during the Tribulation, God will pour out His mercy on His people giving them every opportunity to acknowledge their Messiah, Jesus!

(Jos 8:1) And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land:

(Jos 10:25) And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight.

(1 Chron 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.

(2 Chron 20:17) Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.

(Isa 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.

(Jer 30:10) Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid.

(Jer 46:27) But fear not thou, O my servant Jacob, and be not dismayed, O Israel: for, behold, I will save thee from afar off, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and be in rest and at ease, and none shall make him afraid.

Multiple times, God has told His people not to fear nor to be dismayed. This word, dismayed, means disheartened or deprived of courage. If there has ever been a people who has been persecuted in this world, it is the Jewish people. God knew their frame because He created man. He knew they would get discouraged and that they would need Him to remind them who He is and what He can accomplish! When Christ came in the flesh to speak the words of God, He opened up the way of salvation to all man, not just the Jews. Now the Church can reap the same blessings from today’s verses because God never changes. The Church does not replace Israel, that’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying God’s character cannot change and He blesses His people; therefore we will be blessed as we work for the Kingdom!

(Mal 3:6a) For I am the LORD, I change not;

Are you troubled today? Are you possibly the person who has been deceived by the world’s lies about what gender you are? Have you crossed that line and fear that you may have gone too far and God will never forgive you? There IS forgiveness to be had! That forgiveness can be found at the foot of the cross of Jesus when a sinner acknowledges that He died for sins just like yours – in fact, for all sin. There is no sin too great that He cannot forgive! But all you have to do is accept that forgiveness, repent of your sins and live for Him; proclaiming Him to all who will listen. Repentance is the key. You don’t see the sinner’s prayer in the Bible. But what you DO see in the Bible is a call to repent! (Matthew 3:2, Matthew 4:17, Mark 1:16, Luke 13:3, 5) You may think it’s too late to turn back the clock, but it is not! Take it from someone who was ready to commit suicide, but God rushed someone to my side to tell me about His saving power!

Mat 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) 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. (30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

There is truth to be found, reader! The truth and the future of our world is carefully written in the Bible so we could see what was to come. Friend, if you’re not sure where you will spend eternity, please settle the matter. Christian, if you’re not living your life for the Lord, there’s not much time left. We need to give the lost hope as we have hope! Friend, don’t be willfully ignorant of the end times. (2 Peter 3:5) If you are not born-again, confess your sins and repent of them. The time is coming when it will be too late for you to repent. You will remember each opportunity you were given by God to be saved; you will remember each time you laughed it off and ignored it. Please Reader, repent and accept Christ into your life. (Act 16:31, Rom 10:9) I want to be sure that anyone who reads the posts on this blog can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are going to Heaven. Have you received Christ as your Saviour? If no, your sins are not covered by His sacrificial offering of Himself. You have not been redeemed by His blood. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!