Est.

I expect many of you, especially at this time, are thinking about the year ahead and the years that have gone. It is evident when we read the Scripture that no matter what we will face in 2023, the Lord has always been and will always remain faithful! This will give us a reason to rejoice when our outward situations seem far from favourable. For many, there will be times in 2023 that are not happy, but I pray we know the blessings of the Lord despite the unhappy moments! Keep remembering and clinging to our blessed Hope. We need Him!! 

  He Ever Lives! "Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he ever lives to intercede for them!" Hebrews 7:25 He died for our sins, and rose again for our justification. He ascended to Heaven to plead our cause with his Father, and he ever lives at the right hand of the Majesty on high. This is a most delightful fact. It is full of comfort. It should often engage our minds. It should fill us with peace and joy. "He ever lives," and while he lives — he LOVES his redeemed people. He cannot but love his people. They are part of himself. They are dearer to his heart than all other created objects. He lives to love them, and he loves to live for them. He loves them every moment. He loves them with a love . . . as vast as infinity, stronger than death, as changeless as his nature, and as lasting as eternity. "He ever lives." And while he lives — he CARES for us. His thoughts are filled with his people's concerns. He ...

 https://youtu.be/iKoQ-Al-NCc Last year, Joe Kirby (off the kirb ministries on YouTube) declared "black Friday" to be a great day for anyone who wished to do so, to upload Christian content to YouTube. Several did share a testimony or something to tell others about the Saviour. I didn't participate last year but the above is my contribution this year.

 A Curious Meditation As I was walking out for exercise in the fields one morning, having been pleading with God to give me some profitable subject for meditation — I suddenly fell into this train of thought, which I afterwards wrote down; and, as it may interest and profit some, it is here inserted. There are three things which I especially desire: more communion with God, more likeness to the Lord Jesus, and more usefulness to his Church. There are three things which I deprecate: the withering of my gifts, the decay of my graces, and to become useless in the Lord's vineyard. There are three things which I dread: that I should become a proud professor, that I should become a lukewarm Christian, and that I should fall into the hands of man. There are three things which I sometimes wish for (but which God will never grant me on earth): to be totally free from sin, to be delivered from a daily cross, and to be always happy. There are three things which I feel sure of: hatred by the w...

 https://youtu.be/Qyx-7pk3tlY Having Googled some sections of the poem, (to make sure I wasn't plagiarising), I remembered reading this quote from George Muller. I think it's lovely.  " The precious Lord Jesus Christ is our friend. Oh, let us seek to realize this! It is not merely a religious phrase or statement, but truly He is our friend. He is the Brother ” born for adversity,” the one who “sticks closer than a brother.” Who will never leave and never forsake us. How precious even on earth to have a heavenly friend, for this brings the joys of heaven in a little degree into our hearts now. This is just what our heavenly Father desires regarding His children, that they might be as happy as they are capable of being while here in the body. Have we entered into this, that the One who is “altogether lovely” is ready hour by hour, to be our Friend? When we cannot sleep at night, say to Christ, ” My precious heavenly Friend, wilt Thou give me a little sleep?” When in pain, sa...

"We must meet the present emergency with a spirit of optimism. This is no time for repining, no time for looking backward, no time for self-pity or defeated complaining. We are on the winning side and we cannot lose. “Lo I am with you” makes ultimate defeat impossible. Surely the days are evil and the times are waxing late, but the true Christian is not caught unawares. He has been forewarned of just such times as these and has been expecting them. Present events only confirm the long-range wisdom of Jesus Christ and prove the authenticity of the prophetic Word. So the believer actually turns defeat into victory and draws strength from the knowledge that the Lord in whom he trusts has foretold events and is in full command of the situation. Let us beware allowing our spiritual comforts to rise and fall with world news or the changing political and economic situation. We who leaned Upon Jesus and Trust in the watchful love of a Heavenly Father are not dependent upon those things fo...

 Someone recently shared an account of how the Lord showed His faithfulness to one American Missionary to Indonesia who was imprisoned during World War Two. Here’s the blurb from the book “Evidence Not Seen”: “As a new bride, Darlene Deibler followed her veteran missionary husband to the jungles of New Guinea, where the two worked to spread the word of the gospel to tribes who had never before seen a white woman. When World War II erupted, Darlene and her husband, Russell, were forced to go to separate internment camps where both endured countless horrors and degradations. Never to see her husband again, Darlene’s faith never wavered despite test after test. “ (While she was in solitary confinement, Darlene found a small window overlooking the courtyard where other women were permitted to take air and exercise.) This is how events unfolded as told by Darlene herself: “The actions of one woman in particular fascinated me. Every time the sentry on duty turned his back to her and marc...

 "And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee." Psalm 9:10 Lord, give me faith! - to live from day to day, With tranquil heart to do my simple part, And, with my hand to thine, just go Thy way. Lord, give me faith - to trust if not to know ; With quiet mind in all things Thee to find,  And child-like, go where Thou wouldst have me go.  Lord, give me faith! - to leave it all to Thee,  The future is Thy gift, I would not lift The veil Thy love has hung 'twixt it and me.   (by J. O)  Lord, we would learn to trust in Thee at all times. We think we are trusting Thee when the sunlight falls unbroken and bright upon our way; but when the clouds gather and the storm breaks, our hearts faint and our faith loses its vision. May we have such faith as will feel Thee in the dark and walk calmly through the storm. We should learn when we are weary and fretful or tempted and discouraged to be still a...

 Here's the link : https://youtu.be/AWUaCVVCFr8

"Believe me, you cannot stand still in your souls. Habits of good or evil are daily strengthening in your hearts. Every day you are either getting nearer to God, or further off. Every year that you continue unrepentant, the wall of division between you and heaven becomes higher and thicker, and the gulf to be crossed deeper and broader. Oh, dread the hardening effect of constant lingering in sin! " From J. C. Ryle's "Thoughts for young men". (In which authority do you trust? Man's opinion or God's Word?)

 I heard most of this story earlier today and thought it was powerful so wanted to share.  God is willing to forgive, cleanse and save all who call to Him in truth, recognising their need of Him. CHRIST SAVES. D. L. Moody in Prison.  I have good news to tell you--Christ is come after you. I was at the Fulton-street prayer-meeting, a good many years ago, one Saturday night, and when the meeting was over, a man came to me and said, "I would like to have you go down to the city prison to-morrow, and preach to the prisoners. I said I would be very glad to go. There was no chapel in connection with that prison, and I was to preach to them in their cells. I had to stand at a little iron railing and talk down a great, long narrow passageway, to some three or four hundred of them, I suppose, all out of sight. It was pretty difficult work; I never preached to the bare walls before. When it was over I thought I would like to see to whom I had been preaching, and how they had receiv...

 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CHJUtUewPMo

 Abundant mercy, praise His Name, For His gift we don't deserve. Glorious salvation, through His blood. God has been so good to us! Obey His statutes, keep His Word, In your life, He'll be glorified. Choose to walk His way, He will give you strength,  Rejoice in Him all your days.  Beloved, accepted, child of God, By His Grace, He has set you free So be diligent to be found in peace By the Lord Who reigns over all. Reserved in Heaven, kept for us; An inheritance undefiled. He has granted us this living hope. Blessed be our Heavenly King!

 "Heaven is a wonderful place Filled with Glory and Grace I want to see my Saviour's face Heaven is a wonderful place." (written by Debby Kerner & Ernie Rettino)  I remember hearing this chorus as a child and singing along.  I think it means more to me now than it did then.  I'm also looking forward to seeing again the faces of the dear saints I knew and loved who are already experiencing the joy of seeing the Lord Jesus Christ face to face.  As I looked through many references about Heaven, I was encouraged.  He is the One who keeps us and has reserved a place for us.  (I had only heard this partially quoted previously; I'm glad I found the fuller version as I find it encouraging and hope you do too.)  There are many things we don't know, but we do know that Heaven is wonderful. How could it not be when we remember Who created it? His Name is Wonderful so everything He does must also be wonderful! (even though it might not always feel like th...

I came across part of this lovely old hymn in a book I'm re-reading.  I don't recall noticing it very much last time. I'm very glad I looked it up this time.  (Most versions I found had been altered and only 3 verses.) Have you come across it before?  I hope you are also encouraged by it.   

  When I read this verse, it challenged me.  Do I actually wait on Him continually? Waiting implies that sometimes I will have to be patient. Do I struggle to submit to the Lord patiently?  Am I listening moment by moment for His voice? Or do I too often allow other voices to crowd my mind so hearing His voice is more difficult?  I found the first phrase encouraging.  It is only by His help that I can do anything! If I try to do things without His help, I will fail, but when He directs, He also gives the wherewithal to accomplish the task. What a great blessing it is to have His promises and to know He is holding us every step of the way. Nothing escapes His notice. He sees and knows what is around each corner. If we will simply trust Him and wait on Him continually, He will guide us safely home, no matter what unexpected hills or valleys we may have to traverse. He is so gracious and merciful and His way really is the best way. These words of an old chorus came...

 Keep thine eye simply on Him; let His death, His sufferings, His merits, His glories, His intercession, be fresh upon thy mind; when thou wakest in the morning look to Him; when thou liest down at night look to Him. Oh! let not thy hopes or fears come between thee and Jesus; follow hard after Him, and He will never fail thee. Charles  Spurgeon I thought these were rather good encouraging reminders.  How blessed we are who accept the Lord's wonderful offer of grace and mercy! How much He loves those He bought with His own blood!