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 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. I...

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...

  “We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God, and are called according to His purpose!” Romans 8:28 If you are a sincere believer in Jesus, whatever may be your present difficult circumstances, however trying, however perplexing, “It will all end in mercy!” You may not think so now. You may be writing bitter things against yourself. You may be misinterpreting the designs of God’s providence. You may be doubting the precious promises of God’s holy Word. But, notwithstanding your mistakes, your doubts, your fears, your false conclusions – “It will all end in mercy!” You do not think so- nor did Jacob once, nor did Joseph once, nor did Job once, nor did thousands once – who are now in glory! They were mistaken – and so are you! They judged by appearances – and so do you! They changed their minds- and so will you! All your troubles are appointed in infinite love! They are all weighed out by sovereign goodness! They are all limited by perfect...

 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...

 For many, 2021 has not been a happy year, but rather an extremely difficult one. While there are no guarantees 2022 will be any happier, we who have trusted in the LORD Jesus Christ have the assurance that our life and times are in His hands, and that is the safest place for everything.  We can rest in His faithfulness and rejoice that our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. We can remember how He has shown us His goodness numerous times and we should always praise Him for His great mercy and grace, as without these, we would not have survived.   At the beginning of 2021, I did something  silly (I'll spare you the details so none of you are tempted to try it yourself 😉) which gave me the idea that I might not still be around in 2022. Yet we've reached the final day of 2021 and I'm still here. Yet, none of us know how soon our life may be taken. I hope that I will learn not to take anything for granted, but to be grateful to the Lord for every day He sees ...

  https://youtu.be/6exvEk4rSQY If you'd like to listen to me singing a song, feel free to click on the link. 

I came across this and hope it will encourage you as much as it encourages me. This was written in 1932 by a pastor in Mississippi named A. M. Overton, who had a wife and three small children. His wife was pregnant with their fourth child but when it came time for delivery, there were complications and both she and the baby died. During the funeral service, the preacher officiating the service noticed my grandfather writing something on a piece of paper. After the service the minister asked him about it, and he handed him the paper with a poem he had just written which he titled, “He Maketh No Mistake” He Maketh No Mistake "My Father’s way may twist and turn, my heart may throb and ache. But in my soul I’m glad I know, He maketh no mistake. My cherished plans may go astray, my hopes may fade away, but still I’ll trust my Lord to lead, for He doth know the way. Tho’ night be dark and it may seem that day will never break; I’ll pin my faith, my all in Him, He maketh no mistake. Ther...

 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...

" 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. 

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 ...

"Lord, let me make a difference for you that is utterly disproportionate to who I am." ~ David Brainerd "We should always look upon ourselves as God's servants, placed in God's world, to do his work; and accordingly labour faithfully for him; not with a design to grow rich and great, but to glorify God, and do all the good we possibly can." ~ David Brainerd "There is a God in heaven who overrules all things for the best; and this is the comfort of my soul." ~ David Brainerd "Let me forget the world and be swallowed up in the desire to glorify God." ~ David Brainerd "Further, Take heed that you faithfully perform the business you have to do in the world, from a regard to the commands of God; and not from an ambitious desire of being esteemed better than others." ~ David Brainerd "I have received my all from God. Oh, that I could return my all to God." ~ David Brainerd "If you hope for happiness in the w...