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 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!

From Fetters Free "The LORD looseth the prisoner" (Psalm 146:7). He has done it. Remember Joseph, Israel in Egypt, Manasseh, Jeremiah, Peter, and many others. He can do it still. He breaks the bars of brass with a word and snaps the fetters of iron with a look. He is doing it. In a thousand places troubled ones are coming forth to light and enlargement. Jesus still proclaims the opening of the prison to them that are bound. At this moment doors are flying back and fetters are dropping to the ground. He will delight to set you free, dear friend, if at this time you are mourning because of sorrow, doubt, and fear. It will be joy to Jesus to give you liberty. It will give Him as great a pleasure to loose you as it will be a pleasure to you to be loosed. No, you have not to snap the iron hand: the LORD Himself will do it. Only trust Him, and He will be your Emancipator. Believe in Him in spite of the stone walls or the manacles of iron. Satan cannot hold you, sin cannot en...

He threaded his way through the crowded street A commonplace man, though tidy and neat The kind of man you see by the score One glance suffices, you look no more. Just one of the crowd in colour and size - Unless you happened to look at his eyes. He was one of the queue that boarded the bus. Just part of the pattern, just one of us. For him, there was not so much as a glance From the girls in their finery off to the dance. Just one of so many in collars and ties - Unless you happened to look at his eyes. There's someone Who knows the secret that lies Behind the radiance of those eyes. Inspiring in glory that light to shine Someone could tell of a purpose divine. He'll never tell it - his joy was in giving (discovering, so doing, the pure joys of living) Making a life that seemed broken worthwhile Helping, in truth, a lame dog o'er a stile He did not ask how much he might gain He only saw the sorrow and pain W...

Yes, you're correct. I know it doesn't start with a "z" but it's a great verse with a "z" in it. Hope that's OK. 😊 How precious to be redeemed by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself! No other offering could have paid the price required to purchase our pardon.  He gave Himself for us.  Here's the challenge : Have we truly given ourselves to Him? Have we determined to live for Him?  If so, we ought to be zealous for good works, because as Ephesians 2:10 tells us,  "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Now He has redeemed us and is purifying us, we have become special to Him.  I think that's an amazing thought!  Thanks for following along on my journey through the Alphabet Scriptures.  Have you memorised any or all of them? 

When things don't seem to be going the way you hoped they would, or problems have come, and there's distress and uncertainty within and without, this verse is a comforting one to hang on to.  Nothing can ever take the Lord by surprise.  He knows exactly what He's doing.  Whether it feels like it or not,  His plan for your life is the best possible! (yes I'm preaching to myself again!)  He only always does what is right.  It's so good to remember He will reign forever. Nothing will ever change Him.  He will always be faithful. 

I think this is the nearest I'm going to get in finding a verse beginning with x.  It's another great reminder.  I think it would be worth studying exactly how many of these great and precious promises He has given to us and what they all mean.  Now I'm pondering what it means to be partakers of the divine nature. 

There's a short answer to these questions: no one! There is only One who is glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders. Do you know Him as your God?  This is the way Moses knew Him as he had seen many amazing instances of the Lord's provision and deliverances out of some very difficult circumstances. Can you look back on the years of your life and see how He has led and guided?  What a privilege! "Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, Who only does wondrous things! And blessed be His glorious name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen." Psalm 72:18-19

You might ask yourself, "Can it really be so simple?" According to this verse, yes, it can.  Have you heard His Word? And put your trust in Jesus alone? Here we have another beautiful promise of Jesus that He saves those who trust Him.  I repeatedly come back to this verse.  I'm so glad God included it! So often I fail to live and think as a Christian ought to live and think, but my salvation is not based on my performance!  I'm very glad about that!  My perfecly sinless Saviour was willing to suffer agony on the cross to bring us sinners back to Himself. He loved us so much that He endured torture to restore us to a right standing relationship.  He paid my debt.  I owe Him my life!

I keep coming back to this verse.  I find great encouragement here .  When I am guilty and need His grace and mercy, I have His promise here in His Word: He is gracious.  When sad news abounds, He is full of compassion.  Though I have been unrighteous, His work on the Cross paid my debt and He imputes His righteousness to me when I confess and forsake my sins.  "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 In Him there is no darkness at all.  When we come to Him, He shines His light. We can either walk in it,  or choose to reject Him.  Why would anyone choose eternal darkness and misery  over eternal light and joy and glory?  Thank You Lord for Your light, Your grace,  Your compassions which never fail, and Your righteousness. Please help me always  to choose to walk in Your light. 

We really can trust Him at all times. He knows the end from the beginning, He is intimately aware of every detail about us and He has prepared good works for us to walk in.  How amazing it is that the Lord God Almighty invites us to pour out our hearts to Him. He knows how wicked and deceitful our hearts have been and He has cleansed us from sin when we confess and forsake them. I think this may be another of my favourite verses. Whenever my heart is getting full, I need to remember to pour it out to the Lord. He understands the way I feel (and what is more amazing to me, He loves me anyway)  He is utterly trustworthy.  He is my refuge.  Is He your refuge too??

I'm not aware of any actual statistics but I think most people enjoy hearing the birds sing. I'm sure God loves hearing all His creatures praise Him in joyful song.  We have so much for which to give Him thanks, He has blessed us so richly in calling us His children. So let's get singing His praise!  Those He has redeemed have a very special song to sing!

I think this may be one of my favourite verses. Time and again I find great comfort in it. It's a great reminder for me that the Lord is so gracious and delights in dealing bountifully with His people. This is the only way to find true rest.  "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 Thank You Lord for dealing bountifully with me!

I don't know about you, but I would say that was a rather important statement. The Holy Spirit gives life so if we quench Him we quench our life.  Because He is holy, any unholiness on our part will quench Him. "what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness," 2 Peter 3:11 "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age," Titus 2:11-12 Scripture teaches that we need to choose to die to our own old selfish nature (yes, easier said than done) and let Him live His life in and through us. "Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;" 1 Thessalonians 4:1

It looks to me like this is an  imperative command, not just a  good idea or casual suggestion. I guess he knew that in order to stand,  we need to be wearing the armour God provided for us. As it says in John 10, the enemy wants to steal, kill and destroy.  Don't let him win!

How we need the Lord to open our eyes! Without His Holy Spirit quickening the Word to our hearts we miss so much! If we will diligently study the Bible, He will reveal so much more of Himself. Passages we have read many times can come alive with special importance to us.  The enemy of our souls makes many people blind, but as Jesus did when He walked on the earth, He delights in causing the blind to see.  What wondrous things have you seen lately?