Monday 13 February 2017

Excerpt from Streams in the Desert for 8th February, & something I've been thinking about recently

"Do not look forward to the changes and chances of this life in fear. Rather look at them with full hope that, as they arise, God, whose you are, will deliver you out of them. He has kept you hitherto; do you but hold fast to His dear hand, and He will lead you safely through all things; and when you cannot stand, He will bear you in His arms.

Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow. The same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow, and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations. —Frances de Sales

“The Lord is my shepherd.”

Not was, not may be, nor will be. “The Lord is my shepherd,” is on Sunday, is on Monday, and is through every day of the week; is in January, is in December, and every month of the year; is at home, and is in China; is in peace, and, is in war; in abundance, and in penury. —J. Hudson Taylor"




The other day, I was feeling somewhat unsettled so I went through a few Scriptures to remind myself :
"When tempted to be anxious, remember this:
"You are my hiding place, You shall preserve me from trouble." Psalm 32:8

"The Angel of the LORD (pre-incarnate Jesus Himself!!!!) encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them." Psalm 34:7

"Do not fret because of evildoers." Psalm 37:1

"Rest in the LORD." Psalm 37:4

"Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust." Psalm 40:4

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is." Jeremiah 17:7

"Stand still and see the salvation of the LORD... the LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace." Exodus 14:13+14

"Blessed be the LORD because He has heard the voice of my supplications! The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him." Psalm 28:6+7

"Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, I will praise His Word, In God, I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?" Psalm 56:3+4

and these Scriptures strengthened me. Hope you're blessed and encouraged too.



Saturday 4 February 2017

February 5th Streams in the Desert by Mrs C. Cowman.

So, it's a day early, but I loved this poem.
" Ye shall not go out with haste (Isaiah 52:12).
I do not believe that we have begun to understand the marvellous power there is in stillness. We are in such a hurry--we must be doing--so that we are in danger of not giving God a chance to work. You may depend upon it, God never says to us, "Stand still," or "Sit still," or "Be still," unless He is going to do something. This is our trouble in regard to our Christian life; we want to do something to be Christians when we need to let Him work in us.
Do you know how still you have to be when your likeness is being taken? Now God has one eternal purpose concerning us, and that is that we should be like His Son; and in order that this may be so, we must be passive. We hear so much about activity, may be we need to know what it is to be quiet.
--Crumbs
Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still!
Nor deem these days--these waiting days--as ill!
The One who loves thee best, who plans thy way,
Hath not forgotten thy great need today!
And, if He waits, 'tis sure He waits to prove
To thee, His tender child, His heart's deep love.

Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still!
Thou longest much to know thy dear Lord's will!
While anxious thoughts would almost steal their way
Corrodingly within, because of His delay
Persuade thyself in simple faith to rest
That He, who knows and loves, will do the best.

Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still!
Nor move one step, not even one, until
His way hath opened. Then, ah then, how sweet!
How glad thy heart, and then how swift thy feet
Thy inner being then, ah then, how strong!
And waiting days not counted then too long.

Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still!
What higher service could'st thou for Him fill?
'Tis hard! ah yes! But choicest things must cost!
For lack of losing all how much is lost!
'Tis hard, 'tis true! But then--He giveth grace
To count the hardest spot the sweetest place.
--J. D. Smith"