Est.

 Sorry, I can't work out how to embed this video so you'll have to click the link if you want to listen. It's the Collingsworth family singing "Ever Faithful". I really like it.  https://youtu.be/u2-cVpltVwA Resharing this poem found in Great Grandma's remembrance book as I find it so encouraging.  Today I'm feeling thankful for many reminders of God's faithfulness.  Years ago we used to sing an old chorus that seems particularly apt for this time: "How good is the God we adore!  Our Faithful, Unchangeable Friend!  Whose love is as great as His power,  And neither knows measure nor end.  Tis Jesus, the First and the Last Whose Spirit will lead us safe home.  We'll praise Him for all that is past,  And trust Him for all that's to come. " None of us know what lies ahead in 2021, but we do know that even when circumstances seem very bad, God is still very good.  We also know that His return is nearer now than it has ever been before. A...

 

I found it encouraging.  Hope you do too.  I know that the Lord has been very good to me, and it is impossible for any of His promises not to be fulfilled.  He is totally faithful and trustworthy.   

Here's a few Scriptures (in the N. A. S. B. version) which teach us something about God's ability.  "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king." Daniel 3:17 "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride.” Daniel 4:37 "and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father’; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham." Matthew 3:9 (repeated in Luke 3:8) "When He entered the house, the blind men came up to Him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He touched their eyes, saying, “It shall be done to you according to your faith.” And their eyes were opened. " Matthew 9:28-30 " Do not fear those who ...

  Good reminder. Thanks Elihu!  Every now and then it can be very helpful to take a few moments to ponder on His wonderful deeds and recount to yourself His faithfulness in your life through however many years you've been walking with Him. Remembering how the Lord has kept me and provided for me and how He is still patiently dealing with me should cause great rejoicing and gratitude. "With my song I will praise Him,  He has been so good to me. He heard my prayer and He answered.  My strength, my shield and my hope.  My heart will rejoice in the LORD." (inspired by Psalm 28)

I love this story. 

Hi! My Dad was trying to remember the words to this hymn last night. I only knew different words to the same tune. I thought he was humming Fairest Lord Jesus! I may have glanced at this hymn before but I didn't know it. I found 5 verses in the Methodist hymnbook and the Redemption hymnal. I found 9 online at hymnary.org, and that had a link to page scans of "A Choice Selection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs. From this I learned that there are 21 verses recorded! “A Sacred Poem by Benjamin Rhodes (born in Mexborough, Yorkshire, in 1743, died 1815. (Part 1) "My heart and voice I raise, To spread Messiah’s praise: Messiah’s praise – let all repeat: The Universal Lord, by whose prolific word Creation rose in form complete! Let there be light – he said- then sullen darkness fled, Obedient to his high command! And massy orbs above Began to shine- and move- Sustained by His Almighty hand. Creation’s utmost bound, (how high, or how profound) Declares his Majesty divi...

Sorry if some of these are blurry, don't know why that happened but hopefully if you click on them, it should become clear. I found these encouraging. Hope you do too. Most quotes from the book "Dangers of a shallow faith." The last is a prayer from today's devotional.

"Would you live for Jesus, and be always pure and good? Would you walk with Him within the narrow road? Would you have Him bear your burden, carry all your load? Let Him have His way with thee. Refrain: His pow’r can make you what you ought to be; His blood can cleanse your heart and make you free; His love can fill your soul, and you will see ’Twas best for Him to have His way with thee. Would you have Him make you free, and follow at His call?   Would you know the peace that comes by giving all?   Would you have Him save you, so that you need never fall?   Let Him have His way with thee. Would you in His kingdom find a place of constant rest?   Would you prove Him true in providential test?   Would you in His service labour always at your best?   Let Him have His way with...

" The LORD is on high forevermore ."  In another place we read, " He is highly exalted ."  He is still sustaining all things. He has shown us wonderful things and we should praise Him for them.  I think these verses are a great reminder of how faithful the LORD is to His promises.  Is your heart heavy, troubled by life's circumstances?  Look up friend; our Heavenly Father is still on His throne. He is on high forevermore . I'm not saying life won't be tough, but if we keep looking to Jesus and continually remember our blessed hope of eternity with Jesus, He will strengthen us to be able to bear the troubles that will come. Because He is faithful and has shown such great lovingkindness to us, we can choose to sing His praise with glad hearts. He has been very good to me.  I will choose to remember His mercies;  I will sing praises to the LORD who reigns on high forever. 

This repeated phrase seemed particularly appropriate at this time.  Praying this for those who really need the Lord to revive and strengthen them. 

We who are Christians have this sure rock solid foundation : the Lord Jesus Christ. His kingdom is unshakable so if we are indeed rooted in Him, we will be standing firm in our faith. He has given us everything we need for life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3) and there are so many reminders that as long as we're truly following Him, we have no need to fear because He is with us. Yes the world around us is bound to panic as they have no security in relationship with Jesus. We who belong to Him, who have chosen Him to rule in their lives are convinced that no matter what happens on this earth, we will spend eternity in His presence, giving Him all the glory for His great goodness and faithfulness. What a blessed privilege to know that the Lord alone is our rock, our salvation, our defense, our glory, the rock of our strength, and our refuge.  "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on ...

The above is pretty much my "life verse" and the reason I have the name Esther. As yet I'm unsure of why I've come to the kingdom for such a time as this, but I'm very glad to be in God's kingdom in these very interesting days. Tried a new flavour of hamantashen this time: black cherry jam. It's quite yummy. 😊 Happy Purim!