No rights...

I heard this poem earlier today. 

While I knew the premise years ago, it was good to have this powerful reminder. 

"He had no rights:

No right to a soft bed, and a well-laid table;

No right to a home of His own, a place where His own pleasure might be sought;

No right to choose pleasant, congenial companions, those who could understand Him and sympathize with Him;

No right to shrink away from filth and sin, to pull His garments closer around Him and turn aside to walk in cleaner paths;

No right to be understood and appreciated; no, not by those upon whom He had poured out a double portion of His love;

No right even never to be forsaken by His Father, the One who meant more than all to Him.

His only right was silently to endure shame, spitting, blows; to take His place as a sinner at the dock; to bear my sins in anguish on the cross.

He had no rights. And I?

A right to the "comforts" of life? No, but a right to the love of God for my pillow.

A right to physical safety? No, but a right to the security of being in His will.

A right to love and sympathy from those around me? No, but a right to the friendship of the One who understands me better than I do myself.

A right to be a leader among men? No, but the right to be led by the One to whom I have given my all, led as is a little child, with its hand in the hand of its father.

A right to a home, and dear ones? No, not necessarily; but a right to dwell in the heart of God.

A right to myself? No, but, oh, I have a right to Christ.

All that He takes I will give;

All that He gives will I take;

He, my only right!

He, the one right before which all other rights fade into nothingness.

I have full right to Him;

Oh, may He have full right to me!"

By Mabel Williamson

Further thoughts: As the Almighty Sovereign, and the Creator of the Heavens and the earth, He would have had every right to do whatever He pleased... But He chose to lay down all His rights because of His great love for His people. He was willing to become so humble so we, the sinners who caused Him such agony, could be reconciled with the Holy God.

Are we willing to lay aside our rights so He can have an available instrument, through whom others may come to see their great need of the Saviour?

I've found it rather challenging. 

I don't know if this is a true account, but I cried when I heard it

"There was a school with a class of students that no teacher had been able to handle. Two or three teachers had been run off from this school in one year by the unruly students.

A young man, just out of college, heard about the class and applied to the school. The principal asked the young man, “Do you know what you are asking for? No one else has been able to handle these students. You are just asking for a terrible beating.”

After a few moments of silent prayer, the young man looked at the principal and said, “Sir, with your consent I accept the challenge. Just give me a trial basis.”

The next morning the young man stood before the class He said to the class, “Young people, I came here today to conduct school. But I realize I can’t do it by myself. I must have your help.”

One big boy, they called Big Tom, in the back of the room whispered to his buddies, “I won’t need any help. I can lick that little bird all by myself.”

The young teacher told the class that if they were to have school, there would have to be some rules to go by. But he also added that he would allow the students to make up the rules and that he would list them on the blackboard.

This was certainly different, the students thought! One young man suggested “NO STEALING.” Another one shouted, “BE ON TIME FOR CLASS.”

Pretty soon they had 10 rules listed on the board. The teacher then asked the class what the punishment should be for breaking these rules. 

Someone in the class suggested that if the rules were broken, they should receive 10 licks with a rod across their back with their coat off. The teacher thought that this is pretty harsh, so he asked the class if they would stand by this punishment. The class agreed. Everything went along pretty good for two or three days.

Then Big Tom came in one day very upset. He declared that someone had stolen his lunch. After talking with the students, they came to the conclusion that little Timmy had stolen Big Tom’s lunch. Someone had seen little Timmy with Big Tom’s lunch!

The teacher called little Timmy up to the front of the classroom. Little Timmy admitted he had taken Big Tom’s lunch. So, the teacher asked him, “Do you know the punishment?”

Little Tim nodded that he did. “You must remove your coat,” the teacher instructed. The little fellow had come with a great big coat on. Little Timmy said to the teacher, “I am guilty, and I am willing to take my punishment, but please don’t make me take off my coat?”

The teacher reminded little Timmy of the rules and punishments and again told him he must remove his coat and take his punishment.

The little fellow started to unbutton that old coat. As he did so, the teacher saw he did not have a shirt on under the coat. And even worse, he saw a frail and bony frame hidden beneath that coat. The teacher asked little Timmy why he had come to school without a shirt on. Little Timmy replied, “I only have one shirt and my mother is washing it today. I wore my big brother’s coat so that I could keep warm.”

That young teacher stood and looked at the frail back with the spine protruding against the skin, and his ribs sticking out. He wondered how he could lay a rod on that little back and without even a shirt on. Still, he knew he must enforce the punishment, or the children would not obey the rules. So, he drew back to strike little Timmy. Just then Big Tom stood up and came down the aisle.

He asked, “Is there anything that says that I can’t take little Timmy’s whipping for him?” The teacher thought about it and agreed. With that, Big Tom ripped his coat off and bent over little Timmy at the desk. Hesitatingly the teacher began to lay the rod on that big back. But for some strange reason after only five licks that old rod broke. 

The young teacher buried his face in his hands and began to sob. He heard a commotion and looked up to find not even one dry eye in the classroom. Little Timmy had turned and grabbed Big Tom around the neck apologizing to him for stealing his lunch. Little Timmy begged Big Tom to forgive him. He told Big Tom that he would love him till the day he died for taking his whipping for him."

Likewise, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, took our punishment for us! He shed His precious blood on Calvary so that you and I can have eternal life in Glory with Him. 

We are utterly unworthy of the price He paid for us, but because of His great love He was willing to die for us!

 Truly we should love Him forever. 

Heavenly Father, please remind us again and again to keep our focus on Jesus and Eternity.

God shall all your need supply

 

https://youtu.be/fs68XkjorjY?si=u9DVmQmyK9DBGrNh

I wonder if you ever came across this Frances Ridley Havergal poem /hymn before? I couldn't find anyone else singing it so I "borrowed" this tune. I think they're great words.

A devotional writing from John Macduff

 I think this seems an appropriate piece to share. I hope you find it an encouraging blessing. 

"PROVIDENCE AND GRACE

"This is the resting place, let the weary rest; and this is the place of repose"—

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord."

"The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord." Psalm 37:23, 39

Here are two fronds of God's palm-grove bending over His true people.

Comforting, as we have seen, is the great fundamental truth of theology—"The Lord reigns"—that all events are ordered and controlled by a supreme superintending Providence. But there is a special comfort to believers—the spiritual Israel of every age—that their 'steps,'—their plans and purposes in life (in a better and nobler than the heathen sense—their "destinies")—are overruled by a gracious covenant-Jehovah.

That is a beautiful picture given in Hosea (11:1-5) of God, as a Father, watching and guiding the steps of His own children. Israel is first spoken of as a child in its parent's arms. The Almighty, all-loving Parent is represented, next, as assisting the feeble little one in its first attempts to walk, supporting it in case of stumbling—"I also taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms." Then, still farther, He is described as putting them in leading-strings, following them step by step—"I led them with cords of human kindness." And now, in this psalm, when the child has advanced to years of spiritual maturity, the inspired writer asserts the continuance and permanency of this same gracious paternal care and supervision—"A good man's steps are ordered by the Lord."

The earthly parent, after a few brief years, leaves the child to its own resources, to walk alone, and care for itself. Not so our Heavenly Father. The man's footsteps, as well as the child's, are 'ordered.' In all the varied circumstances of existence, the Eternal God is still his refuge; and, with the eye of the watchful mother on tottering infancy, "underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deut. 33:27). "Though he stumbles, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand!" (Ps. 37:24). And as he pursues his onward way, at times ready to faint, ready to fall—stumbling along the rough, stony path—his cry is never unaided, his prayer never unanswered, "Uphold me, and I will be delivered"—"Your right hand shall save me!" Oh blessed assurance, that every event, every so-called contingency—every step from the infancy of grace, to the manhood of glory, every rugged ascent, every thorny thicket, every trial and every tear, is "ordered by the Lord."

The sweet singer of Israel rises, before the psalm is closed, to a similar and yet loftier subject of gratitude and adoration. While he exults in a God of Providence, he keeps his last note for a God of GRACE—"The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord" (ver. 39). It was the theme which cheered and supported himself in the ever-present consciousness of a guilty, though forgiven, past. It was the theme ("the everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part") which thrilled on his dying lips when the checkered glories of earthly sovereignty were passing away forever, and he was about to take up the nobler singing of the skies—"This is all my salvation and all my desire!" He magnifies the name and doings and sovereign love of the same God whom He had trusted as his Shepherd (Ps. 23:1), who had nerved his arm for battle, and tuned his lips for praise, who had led him to the green pastures of grace, and at last brought him to the gates of glory.

"Salvation comes from the Lord!" Let that, too, be the keynote of our life song. All is of grace. When the vessel of our eternal destinies was wrecked and stranded, it was a tide flowing from the sea of His own infinite love which set it once more floating on the waters. He might have left us to perish. He might have put a vial of judgment into every angel's hand to pour down vengeance on an apostate world; or, taking the figure suggested by this Volume, He might have left our earth the waste-howling wilderness sin had made it; morally and spiritually, without shade of palm, or music of fountain. How different! In the words of the Great Prophet, "The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; He will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness (not dirge or wailing) will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing." (Isa. 51:3). "God did not send His Son into the world to CONDEMN the world, but to SAVE the world through Him."

And what is there to hinder any from making every blessing of that great salvation their own? Not God, for He "has justified!" Not Christ, for He "has died!" We cannot say with the king of Nineveh, "Who can tell if God will turn?" He will turn. He has turned. To each individual sinner He declares, "I take no pleasure in the death of anyone." To all who are willing to listen to His pleadings, He seems to say in the words He puts into the mouth of Isaiah: "I will make an everlasting covenant with You, My faithful love promised to David" (Isa. 55:3). The "faithful" love!

What is sure or abiding under the sun? Our health? The strong frame may in a moment be bowed. Our wealth? By some sudden collapse it may take wings and fly away. Our friends? A word—a look—may estrange some; the grave, in the case of others, may have put its impressive mockery on the dream of earth's immortality. Our homes? The summons comes to strike our tent, and leave behind us the Elim-palms under which we long rested, or the smoldering hearths of a hallowed past, so that "the place that once knew us, knows us no more."

But here is one sure thing. Here is a Covenant which has the pillars of immutability to rest upon. Casting our anchor within the veil, we can outride the storm; the golden chain of grace links us to the throne of God. And when the varied scenes and circumstances of the present are ended, and we are brought to take our stand with the multitude which no man can number—"the harpists on the glassy sea"—it will be to resume the twofold song and theme of earth—the God who reigns, and the God who saves—the anthem of Providence and the anthem of Grace; for there they sing "the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb" (Rev. 15:3).

"'A little while' for patient vigil keeping,

To face the storm, to wrestle with the strong;

'A little while,' to sow the seed with weeping,

Then bind the sheaves and sing the harvest song.

"'A little while,' 'mid shadow and illusion,

To strive by faith Love's mysteries to spell;

Then read each dark enigma's clear solution,

And hail Light's verdict—'He does all things well.'

"'A little while,' the earthly pitcher taking

To wayside brooks from far-off fountains fed,

Then the parched lip its thirst forever slaking

Beside the fullness of the Fountain-head.

"And He who is at once both Gift and Giver,

The future glory and the present smile,

With the bright promise of the glad 'forever,'

Will light the shadows of 'the little while.'"

"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him.""

Thank You Heavenly Father for Your faithfulness, Your love to us, Your mercy and forgiveness and Your Truth and Your Grace that has kept us through 2025 and will keep us to the end. 

Those who love Him

I often like to return to lists of verses that repeat a phrase; I find it quite encouraging...

I hope you do too. 

"Those who love Him" :

Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, Who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments; Deuteronomy 7:9

And I prayed to the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and awesome God, keeping the covenant and mercy to those who love Him, and to those who keep His commandments, Daniel 9:4

“Thus let all Your enemies perish, O LORD; but let those who love Him be like the rising of the sun in its might.” And the land was undisturbed for forty years. Judges 5:31

I said, “I beseech You, O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who preserves the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments. Nehemiah 1:5

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

…as it is written, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the LORD has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12

Listen my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him. James 2:5

Latest song I uploaded

 https://youtu.be/srE-5zum0bo?si=SI3r6smDhUeszMi9

I hope you find this encouraging. 

One of God's promises

Romans 8:28 just keeps popping up for me sooo many times this past few weeks.

Even when our circumstances don't appear to us to be at all good and favourable, it's a promise and God always keeps His promises!  

I hope you also find it of encouragement! 

“In one thousand trials, it is not five hundred of them that work for the believer’s good, but nine hundred ninety-nine of them, and one beside.” ~ George Mueller ~

Poem by R. M. McCheyne

 A retelling in poem form of Matthew 25

"TEN virgins, clothed in white,

The Bridegroom went to meet;

Their lamps were burning bright

To guide His welcome feet.

Five of the band were wise 

Their lamps with oil filled high;

The rest this care despise,

And take their vessels dry.

Long time the Lord abode -

Down came the shades of night -

The weary virgins nod,

And then they sleep outright.

At midnight came the cry

Upon their startled ear -

Behold the Bridegroom nigh,

To light His steps appear.

They trim their lamps; in vain

The foolish virgins toil -

Our lamps are out, O deign

To give us of your oil!

Not so - the wise ones cry -

No oil have we to spare;

But swiftly run and buy,

That you the joy may share.

They went to buy, when lo!

The Bridegroom comes in state;

Within those ready go,

And shut the golden gate.

The foolish virgins now

Before the gateway crowd;

With terror on their brow

They knock and cry aloud:-

"Lord open to our call -

Hast Thou our names forgot?"

Sadly the accents fall -

"Depart, I know you not."

Learn here, my child, how vain

This world, with all its lies,

Those who the kingdom gain

Alone are truly wise.

How vain the Christian name,

If still you live in sin:-

A lamp, and wick, and flame,

No drop of oil within.

Is your lamp filled, my child,

With oil from Christ above?

Has He your heart, so wild,

Made soft and full of love?

Then you are ready now

With Christ to enter in;

To see His holy brow,

And bid farewell to sin.

Sinners! Behold the gate

Of Jesus open still;

Come, ere it be too late,

And enter if you will.

The Saviour's gentle hand

Knocks at your door to-day

But vain His loud demand -

You spurn His love away.

So, at the Saviour's door

You'll knock, with trembling heart

The day of mercy o'er,

Jesus will say - depart."

R. M. McCheyne 

Himself for me.

 I was listening to a sermon this morning and this phrase the preacher repeated caught my attention because I remembered reading a poem about it.

I found the lyrics and a tune but can't find who authored it. 

The Invitation poem by Anna Shipton

 

Bow the knee

"There are moments on our journey following the Lord

Where God illumines ev’ry step we take.

There are times when circumstances make perfect sense to us,

As we try to understand each move He makes.

When the path grows dim and our questions have no answers, turn to Him.

Bow the knee;

Trust the heart of your Father when the answer goes beyond what you can see.

Bow the knee;

Lift your eyes toward heaven and believe the One who holds eternity.

And when you don’t understand the purpose of His plan,

In the presence of the King, bow the knee.

There are days when clouds surround us, and the rain begins to fall,

The cold and lonely winds won’t cease to blow.

And there seems to be no reason for the suffering we feel;

We are tempted to believe God does not know.

When the storms arise, don’t forget we live by faith and not by sight.

Bow the knee;

Trust the heart of your Father when the answer goes beyond what you can see.

Bow the knee;

Lift your eyes toward heaven and believe the One who holds eternity.

And when you don’t understand the purpose of His plan,

In the presence of the King, bow the knee."

https://youtu.be/76VCLs24Z7Q?si=Z_E02jIzaydgfpGB

I have been listening to this beautiful song on repeat.

I hope it blesses you too! 

Poem by Annie Johnson Flint

 The Grace of God

"My grace," 'tis the God of all grace who hath spoken,
Whose word in the heavens forever is set;
Whose covenant promise hath never been broken;
Who never can fail or forget;
Who knoweth my needs and who seeth my sorrows,
However so many and great they may be;
Who heareth my prayers for the days and the morrows;
His grace is sufficient for me.

"My grace;" all His blessings this work is unfolding,
His love and His power in harmony blend;
'Tis grace that hath saved me, and grace that is holding,
And grace that will keep to the end;
'Tis grace that hath written redemption's glad story,
And grace all the song of the ransomed shall be;
'Tis grace that transforms me from glory to glory;
That grace is sufficient for me.

"My grace is," not "was," and not "will be;" 'tis flowing
Each hour and each moment my need to supply,
The deeper I dip, still the deeper 'tis growing,
No drought can diminish or dry;
My heart from the future no trouble shall borrow;
Eternal this present provision shall be,
Assured for today and as sure for tomorrow,
Such grace is sufficient for me.

"My grace is sufficient." Oh, help without measure!
An ocean of riches no plummet can sound,
A storehouse unfailing of infinite treasure,
A gift without limit or bound;
Exceeding abundant for all His creation,
Enough for the thorn that is buffeting me,
The fulness of God for earth's brief tribulation -
"My grace is sufficient for thee."

"Sufficient for thee," for my utmost salvation,
As though ne'er another had owed Him a debt;
For my special grief and my special temptation,
My cares and my sins that beset;
He giveth more grace for my humble endeavour;
I am praising Him now, I shall praise Him forever;
His grace is sufficient for me.

I hope you also find this of encouragement. 

The Lamb of God Who was slain for me.

 If you'd like to listen to the most recent original Christian song I uploaded to YouTube, here's the link.

 https://youtu.be/UrhGNRarqg8

Grandad's poems

 I was looking through Grandad's poems yesterday and wanted to share these 2 excerpts. Thank You Heavenly Father for a goodly heritage. 

"Conflict" A poem by Anna Shipton

"Lord! my soul is burdened By a weight of care,

And my foot is taken in the fowler's snare;

​Darkness gathers o'er me, I shall fall or flee:

Helper of the helpless, Rise and succor me!

Dangers seem to threaten, Tempters' wiles assail;

In Thy light I see them, Yet I weakly quail.

Strange unholy terrors In my bosom rise;

"What distrustful language— Heavy groans and sighs!

Thoughts of sin's defilement Born of faithless mood,

Hosts of unclean devils, guests of hell's dark brood,

Leave me lame and mourning, Blind to seek and trace

All the glorious beauty Of Immanuel's face.

Look, oh, look upon me! See my wounds! and hear

In my soul's veiled chambers, what dishonoring fear!

Withered arms for service, And a palsied frame

That hath scarce a heart-throb At Thy precious name.

Touch me, cleanse me, heal me! Thou didst give me life;

Speak the word, and save me From this deadly strife.

Thine is full salvation, And the gift is free:

Helper of the helpless, Rise and succor me!

Hast Thou cast me from Thee? Well Thou mayst. Ah, no!

Hold me fast, sweet Jesus! Whither should I go?

Should I seek to hide me In some desert spot,

Earth no cavern holdeth Where my God is not.

Could I rise to heaven, Thus by fears oppressed,

There art Thou! Descending To the grave's dark breast,

​Even there Thou reignest; And the shades of night

Open lie as noon-day, To Thy piercing sight!

Wherefore am I thus, Lord? I, who fain would show

To the thirsty pilgrim Where the waters flow;

Where the milk to nourish, Where the wine of home,

Are so freely offered Unto all that come.

Father! may I call Thee Abba—Father—mine?

Dost Thou look upon me, And still own me Thine?

Ah! Thy Spirit shows me Christ! my Priest and King,

Sinless, Stainless, Perfect, Is my Offering.

Look on Thine Anointed; Let my tongue be mute,

While we gaze together On my Substitute.

​Thou art full well pleased With Thy spotless Lamb;

And Thy Spirit tells me What, O God, I am!

Lost, abhorred, and loathsome, Leprous and unclean;

Yet, enrobed in Jesus, I am spotless seen.

Oh, the weight of glory It is mine to share!

Even now He calls me "Altogether fair."

Lo, I see Thee, Jesus, Ransom of my soul!

Hast Thou not redeemed me? Let the thunders roll.

Can the law convict me? Thou hast set me free!

Back, thou wily Tempter, Jesus died for me.

Bend, oh, bend my will, Lord! This—my only aim;

For in light or darkness Thou art still the same.

​Give me, or withhold then, What Thou seest best;

Not upon Thy gifts, Lord— On Thyself I rest.

Did He say, "To-morrow I will hear thee"? Nay!

Full and free the fountain Floweth every day.

Holy Dove, oft grieved, Ere my tears were dried,

To my listening spirit Thy still voice replied.

"Child, My child! be patient: I thy sins have borne;

I have marked the conflict, And the scoffer's scorn;

I have seen the sorrows Of thy broken heart,

And in thy affliction Borne a brother's part.

"Wouldst thou fear the darkness, Didst thou hate the light?

"Would thy sin displease thee, Were thy sin delight?

​Evil would be welcome, Wert thou of the earth:

Child, look up to heaven, Whence thou hadst thy birth.

"Put thy heel on Satan, Draw the Spirit's sword,

Prove thy holy breast-plate, Take Me at My word.

Am I not thy Fortress? Wherefore fall or fly;

Grasp thy palm, rejoicing In My victory.

"'Tis the lowliest conquers; 'Tis by might of love

That the weakest soldier Doth the bravest prove.

Rest thee, weary tremble! Was the strife unsent?

Nay! thy King was with thee: Not a bow was bent,

"But thy Lord who loves thee Guided every dart;

See! they only sent thee nearer to my heart.

​At thine hands upraised Half thy foes withdrew;

Forward! I have conquered, Thou shalt conquer too.

"Child! in Me abiding, Nought thy foot shall move;

Fear not! I will help thee, Mine is changeless love.

Take My yoke upon thee, Learn the way from Me;

I am meek and lowly, Meek and lowly be.

"Take My yoke—I bore it, Lean upon My breast;

I have fought thy battle, Share with me My rest.

Soon the plains of glory Sinless thou shalt tread;

My right hand upholds thee, Rise—be undismayed.

"Trust Me—only trust Me! Wherefore shouldst thou quail?

Can a weapon prosper, Shall a foe prevail,

​'Gainst the Lord's Anointed? He hath set their bounds;

While thy faith, though feeble, Loving-kindness crowns."

I don't know about you, but I thought it well worth reading.