Trust Now! Understand Later!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding. -- Proverbs 3:5 (NLT)

The old hymn says:
Farther along we'll know all about it.
We'll understand it all by-and-by.

The Peasall Sisters sing us into perspective. Dim the lights. Grab a tissue. Be encouraged.

Click > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48iPqSA68VA&feature=related

Trust Now! Understand Later!
Grateful

There's Power in the Blood

I awoke this morning with a verse of Scripture on my mind, Galatians 2:20, and an old hymn of the church in my heart, There's Power in the Blood.

Galatians 2:20 is a foundational verse for my life:
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (NIV)

The words and music of the hymn in my heart were written by Lewis E. Jones in 1899. He wrote There's Power in the Blood at a camp meet­ing at Mount­ain Lake Park, Maryland:

Would you be free from the burden of sin?
There’s power in the blood, power in the blood;
Would you o’er evil a victory win?
There’s wonderful power in the blood.

Refrain
There is power, power, wonder working power
In the blood of the Lamb;
There is power, power, wonder working power
In the precious blood of the Lamb.

Would you be free from your passion and pride?
There’s power in the blood, power in the blood;
Come for a cleansing to Calvary’s tide;
There’s wonderful power in the blood.

Refrain

Would you be whiter, much whiter than snow?
There’s power in the blood, power in the blood;
Sin stains are lost in its life giving flow.
There’s wonderful power in the blood.

Refrain

Would you do service for Jesus your King?
There’s power in the blood, power in the blood;
Would you live daily His praises to sing?
There’s wonderful power in the blood.

Refrain

Crucified with You, My Christ, I find Power in Your Blood, my One and Only Source for Life Everlasting. Amen!
Grateful

Wishes or Hopes?

Lord, empty me of my wishes for the future and fill me with Your hopes. I have come to believe that my human wishes are too often founded on my human fears, while Your holy hopes rest firmly on the foundation of Your holy promises.

By Faith. In Faith. (Hebrews 11)
Grateful

Make Me Thine Forever

My friend, Jim, introduced me a few years ago to a very old hymn of the church titled O Sacred Head Now Wounded. The lyrics point beautifully to our Beloved Jesus and the indescribable way He Loved us until death.

The final words of that tried-and-true tune have been on my mind for much of this week:

Lord, make me Thine forever,
And should I fainting be?
Lord, let me never ever,
Outlive my love for Thee!

My Jesus, I love You so much, because You first Loved me... TOO MUCH!
Grateful

No Good Thing Will He Withhold

A pastor friend of mine, Gene, proclaimed Psalm 84:11 from a very obvious sacred place in his heart. Yes, he spoke the verse aloud from memory to a group of pastors that I was blessed to be a part of. It encouraged us all in an undeniable way:

For the Lord is our light and protector. He gives us grace and glory. No good thing will the Lord withhold from those who do what is right. (NLT)

Lord, let us be in right relationship with You. That is what it means to truly do what is right.
Grateful

Vision from Brother Job (of all People)

Proverbs 29:18 (KJV) says : Where there is no vision, the people perish.

I've been reading lately from the Old Testament Book of Job and my heart is encouraged by what he could see with the eyes of his soul especially in the midst of his personal suffering that was too awful for words.

Yes, Job said this in Job 19, verses 25 and 27:

But as for me, I know my Redeemer lives and He will stand upon the earth at last... I will see Him for myself. Yes, I will see Him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought.

Let's lift up our heads, my brother and sisters. Our Redeemer is Alive and Well! Yes, His Help is on the way. Our Deliverer is Coming! Are we overwhelmed at the thought?
Grateful

In Distress?

In Psalm 18 these words bring me hope:

In my distress I called to my Lord...
He heard...
He bowed the heavens and came down.

Thank You my Lord. You hear my S.O.S. cries and come down.
Grateful

Blessing for a Day of Trouble

May the Lord answer you in a day of trouble... may He sustain you... may He fill your whole purpose...
-- A Blessing for You from Psalm 20

Lord, give us peace in knowing that whatever might be the matter, You are so much Bigger!
Grateful

So-Called Love

On my personal MP3 music list, I have one very short, but very powerful song. The musical group Mercy Me sings it.

Here are the loaded lyrics:

I can be there for you
when it can't get much harder.
I can cover your head,
when life starts to rain.
I can hold on tight,
when it feels like you're falling.
I can bread-crumb the path,
when you've lost your way.
I can make you laugh,
when the whole world is crying.
I can build you up when you're broken in shame.
BUT IF ALL THAT WE DO IS ABSENT OF JESUS,
THEN THIS SO-CALLED LOVE IS COMPLETELY IN VAIN!

Lord be present in us with All of Your Love, so all of our so-called loving will really be valid.
Grateful

Blessed Be My Rock!

The Psalmist continues in Psalm 18:46 to bless His Lord:

The Lord lives... Blessed be my Rock... You rescued me... I praise You for it...

I worked many summers with my dad on his shrimp boat. In times of raging storms, he would find a place in the harbor to rescue our lives through the night. He did it by finding the rock bottom to set our anchor in. Many nights as the winds and rains threatened to take our lives, I rested in knowing that we would live because we were blessed to be anchored in the rock. As I would lay there rescued, my heart would praise my dad, the captain and the Rock of our Salvation, Jesus Christ.

Are you being blessed by the Rock?
No need to drag anchor in desperation!
The Lord will hold your life strong!
Grateful

Who Lights Your Lamp?

In Psalm 18 (ESV) these words rise up from within the passage to warm my heart today:

With the merciful You show Yourself merciful... for You save a humbled people... for it is You, Who lights my lamp, the Lord My God lightens my darkness...

Let us now as lantern wavers... Be Light! Go Shine!
Grateful

"The GOD Chapter?"

(1) If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have LOVE, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. (2) If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have LOVE, I am nothing. (3) If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have LOVE, I gain nothing. (4) LOVE is patient, LOVE is kind, LOVE does not envy, LOVE does not boast, LOVE is not proud. (5) LOVE does not dishonor others, LOVE is not self-seeking, LOVE is not easily angered, LOVE keeps no record of wrongs. (6) LOVE does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. (7) LOVE always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.(8) LOVE never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. (9) For we know in part and we prophesy in part, (10) but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. (11) When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. (12) For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.(13) And now these three remain: faith, hope and LOVE. But the greatest of these is LOVE.
-- 1 Corinthians 13

(8) But anyone who does not love does not know God — for GOD is LOVE. -- 1 John 4:8 (NIV)

If "GOD" is "LOVE", then reread aloud "The LOVE Chapter" above (1 Corinthians 13), making one word change. Everywhere you see the word "LOVE" replace it with the word "GOD". Trust me. It's an amazing exercise for your soul, yes, listening to "The LOVE Chapter" transform into "The GOD Chapter" right before your very ears.

The Greatest of these is GOD! For GOD is LOVE!
Grateful

God Gives Strength to His People

(33) Sing to the One Who rides across the ancient heavens, His mighty voice thundering from the sky.
(34) Tell everyone about God’s power. His majesty shines down on Israel; His strength is mighty in the heavens.
(35) God is awesome in His sanctuary. The God of Israel gives power and strength to His people. Praise be to God!
-- Psalm 68:33-35 (NLT)

Those of you who are familiar with my blog know that I have no problem repeating the good stuff from time-to-time. :-)

There is a song written by Stephen Curtis Chapman many years ago that I refer to from time-to-time in my writing. The song has been and still is a soundtrack for renewing my mind in the strength of the Lord. Indeed, His Strength is Perfect When Our Strength is Gone. So, here's a repeat link below. Be encouraged:

Click > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzKo25QKPsY

I am weak but He is strong! Yes, Jesus loves me!
Grateful

David's Song of Praise to The Lord

David's Song of Praise to the Lord recorded in 2 Samuel, chapter 22:

(1) David sang this song to the LORD after the LORD had rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul. (2) These are the words he sang: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; (3) my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold, my high tower, my savior, the one who saves me from violence. (4) I will call on the LORD, who is worthy of praise, for he saves me from my enemies. (5) “The waves of death surrounded me; the floods of destruction swept over me. (6) The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death itself stared me in the face. (7) But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I called to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry reached his ears. (8) “Then the earth quaked and trembled; the foundations of the heavens shook; they quaked because of his anger. (9) Smoke poured from his nostrils; fierce flames leaped from his mouth; glowing coals flamed forth from him. (10) He opened the heavens and came down; dark storm clouds were beneath his feet. (11) Mounted on a mighty angel, he flew, soaring on the wings of the wind. (12) He shrouded himself in darkness, veiling his approach with dense rain clouds. (13) A great brightness shone before him, and bolts of lightning blazed forth. (14) The LORD thundered from heaven; the Most High gave a mighty shout. (15) He shot his arrows and scattered his enemies; his lightning flashed, and they were confused. (16) Then at the command of the LORD, at the blast of his breath, the bottom of the sea could be seen, and the foundations of the earth were laid bare. (17) “He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters. (18) He delivered me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me. (19) They attacked me at a moment when I was weakest, but the LORD upheld me. (20) He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me. (21) The LORD rewarded me for doing right; he compensated me because of my innocence. (22) For I have kept the ways of the LORD; I have not turned from my God to follow evil. (23) For all his laws are constantly before me; I have never abandoned his principles. (24) I am blameless before God; I have kept myself from sin. (25) The LORD rewarded me for doing right, because of my innocence in his sight. (26) “To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity. (27) To the pure you show yourself pure, but to the wicked you show yourself hostile. (28) You rescue those who are humble, but your eyes are on the proud to humiliate them. (29) O LORD, you are my light; yes, LORD, you light up my darkness. (30) In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall. (31) “As for God, his way is perfect. All the LORD’S promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. (32) For who is God except the LORD? Who but our God is a solid rock?(33) God is my strong fortress; he has made my way safe. (34) He makes me as surefooted as a deer, leading me safely along the mountain heights. (35) He prepares me for battle; he strengthens me to draw a bow of bronze. (36) You have given me the shield of your salvation; your help£ has made me great. (37) You have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping. (38) “I chased my enemies and destroyed them; I did not stop until they were conquered. (39) I consumed them; I struck them down so they could not get up; they fell beneath my feet. (40) You have armed me with strength for the battle; you have subdued my enemies under my feet. (41) You made them turn and run; I have destroyed all who hated me. (42) They called for help, but no one came to rescue them. They cried to the LORD, but he refused to answer them. (43) I ground them as fine as the dust of the earth; I swept them into the gutter like dirt. (44) “You gave me victory over my accusers. You preserved me as the ruler over nations; people I don’t even know now serve me. (45) Foreigners cringe before me; as soon as they hear of me, they submit. (46) They all lose their courage and come trembling from their strongholds. (47) “The LORD lives! Blessed be my rock! May God, the rock of my salvation, be exalted! (48) He is the God who pays back those who harm me; he subdues the nations under me (49) and rescues me from my enemies. You hold me safe beyond the reach of my enemies; you save me from violent opponents. (50) For this, O LORD, I will praise you among the nations; I will sing joyfully to your name. (51) You give great victories to your king; you show unfailing love to your anointed, to David and all his descendants forever.” (NLT)

Amen and Amen.
Grateful

God's Perfect Promise

The promises of God recorded in His Word are so wonderful. I remember my Granny Margery quoting them to me day-after-day from her old King James Version of The Holy Bible. These past few days this one promise has continued to echo nonstop in my mind and keeps lifting my spirit with great expectations as I hope exclusively in Him:

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in Thee. -- Isaiah 26:3 (KJV)

He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in Him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord! -- Isaiah 26:3 (TLB)

Lord, You are unafraid of the word "perfect" and I am so glad! Because "perfect peace" is what You promise and what I need. In Jesus' Name, I claim Your "perfect" promise. Amen.

This song by Big Daddy Weave is Peace-full for me:
Click > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w70xy8sPEE4&ob=av2el

Every time I breathe, God, I Need You! You are my Perfect Peace!
Grateful

Which Way? The Way!

(13) "You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way. (14) But the gateway to life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it."
-- Words of Warning from Jesus in Matthew 7:13-14 (NLT)

(3) "And this is the way to have eternal life—to know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the One You sent to earth."
-- Words Jesus Prayed to the Father in John 17:3 (NLT)

"I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life. No one can come to the Father except through Me."
-- Jesus' Declaration in John 14:6 (NLT)

Knowing You, my Lord, is the Narrow but Sure Entrance to Life.
Grateful

A Parable of a Mother

(28) Her children arise and call her blessed...
-- Proverbs 31:28a (NIV)

It was probably twenty years ago now, when my beloved mom, Melba, gave to me "A Parable of a Mother". While she did not originally write the parable, Temple Bailey did, the personal copy my mom handed me was in her own handwriting, which made it quite endearing to my heart.

Yes, with a tender voice, my mom gave me the simple notebook pages and profoundly said: "A Parable of a Mother is the greatest expression of your mother's heart." It was the best piece of literature she had found to express to her son how she felt deep within her soul as a mom. She wants it read at her homegoing celebration someday.

Today, I have been asked to assist at the graveside service of a dear mother in our local church family who made her Heavenly homegoing this past Wednesday. I plan to read some selected Scriptures, but the heart of what I plan to share is "A Parable of a Mother":

A PARABLE OF A MOTHER

The young mother set her foot on the path of Life. "Is the way long?" she asked. And her Guide said: "Yes, and the way is hard. And you will be old before you reach the end of it. But the end will be better than the beginning."

But the young mother was happy, and she would not believe that anything could be better than these years. So she played with her children, and gathered flowers for them along the way, and bathed with them in the streams, and the sun shone on them, and life was good, and the young mother cried: "Nothing will ever be lovelier than this".

Then night came, and storm, and the path was dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother drew them close and covered them with her mantle and the children said: "Oh, Mother, we are not afraid for you are near, and no harm can come." And the mother said: "This is better than the brightest of days, for I have taught my children courage."

And the morning came and there was a hill ahead, and the children climbed and grew weary, and the mother was weary, but at all times she said to the children: "A little patience and we are there." So the children climbed, and when they reached the top, they said: "We could not have done it without you, Mother." And the mother, when she lay down that night, looked up at the stars and said: "This is a better day than the last, for my children have learned fortitude in the face of difficulty. Yesterday I gave them courage, Today I have given them strength."

And the next day came strange clouds which darkened the earth - clouds of war and hate and evil, and the children groped and stumbled, and the mother said: "Look up! Lift your eyes to the light." And the children looked and saw above the clouds an Everlasting Glory, and it guided them beyond the darkness. And that night the mother said: "This is the best day of all, for I have shown my children God."

And the days went on, and the months and the years, and the mother grew old, and she was small and bent. But her children were strong and tall and walked with courage. And when the way was hard, they helped their mother; and when the way was rough they lifted her, for she was as light as a feather; and at last they came to a hill, and beyond the hill they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide. And the mother said: "I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know that the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk alone, and their children after them."

And the children said: "You will always walk with us, Mother, even when you have gone through the gates."

And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed after her. And they said: "We cannot see her, but she is with us. A mother like ours is more than a memory. She is a living presence."

Thanks Again Mom. Yes, I still cherish you and "A Parable of a Mother." You son is...

...Grateful

You Gotta Serve Somebody

Sooner or later our wills must yield allegiance to some force greater than their own, either God or the devil.
-- Oswald Chambers

(14) "So honor the LORD and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped... Serve the LORD alone. (15) But if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served...? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD."
-- Joshua 24:14-15 (NLT)

Who we gonna serve? Bob Dylan wrote and sung "Gotta Serve Somebody." The raw lyrics are very convicting. Here is Nicole Nordeman's remake of that classic and soul-searching tune:
Click > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcUpYKpNpE4

The Lord’s Suffering Servant: (13) See, My Servant will prosper; He will be highly exalted. (14) Many were amazed when they saw Him—beaten and bloodied, so disfigured one would scarcely know He was a person. (15) And He will again startle many nations. Kings will stand speechless in His presence. For they will see what they had not previously been told about; they will understand what they had not heard about. -- Isaiah 52:13--15 (NLT)

Let us serve the Suffering Servant, King Jesus, The Nazarene.
Grateful

Your Gentle Whisper, Lord...

(11) The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.
(12) After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.
(13) When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
-- 1 Kings 19:11-13 (NIV)

Almighty Personal God...
Today, I pray that we as Your beloved ones
will hear Your holy and healing voice.
Yes, according to Your pure and perfect desires for us --
after the winds have blown
and the earthquakes have shook,
and the fires have threatened --
allow us to hear Your gentle whisper, Lord,
inviting us out of the dark caves of this life
and into Your loving and everlasting light.
We pray in the Name of the One called
"The Light of the World."
We know that You alone, Almighty Personal God...
are worthy of all our worship and praise.
So as we wait to hear your gentle whisper, Lord,
Here we are to worship You!
Amen.

"Here I am to Worship" Prayer Song:
Click > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoxopsRSfdU

Knees Bowed Down, Ears Wide Open.
Grateful

Beware of Leanness in Your Soul

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
-- Words of Jesus in John 15:7 (NKJV)

When we learn to pray in the Holy Spirit, we find there are things for which we cannot pray, there is a sense of restraint. Never push and say, "I know it is God's will and I am going to stick to it." Beware, remember what is recorded of the children of Israel in Psalm 106:15 (NKJV): "And He gave them their request, But sent leanness (a lack of richness) into their soul." Let the Holy Spirit teach you what He is driving at and learn not to grieve Him. If we are abiding in Jesus Christ, we shall ask what He wants us to ask, whether we are conscious of doing so or not.
-- Oswald Chambers

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God...
Ephesians 4:30a (NKJV)

Lord as I think on Psalm 37:4, this is my prayer:
I want to delight in You, not demand of You!

This old hymn sung by CeCe Winans is on my heart:
Click > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IAz9artoBw

I Surrender All.
Grateful

Frustrate Hell

... I will build My church;
and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
-- Words of Jesus in Matthew 16:18 (KJV)

... I will build My church,
and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.
-- Words of Jesus in Matthew 16:18 (NLT)

Lord, expand Heaven's capacity,
and shrink hell... simultaneously.

Lord, build Your church,
and frustrate hell in the process. Amen.

You are our Bridegroom!
We are Your Bride, the Church,
and we await and anticipate Your *midnight arrival!

At *midnight they were roused by the shout,
"Look, the Bridegroom is coming! Come out and welcome Him!"
-- Matthew 25:6 (NLT)

Grateful

Count it "ALL JOY!"

Two words tucked away in the New Testament Book of James, chapter 1 and verse 2, have been anchor words for my soul for many years now. The two words? "ALL JOY!"

This sacred, signature Scripture of mine has come back into my thoughts with invigorating intensity over these past few days, and along with the invigorating intensity an even deeper desire to rediscover for myself (and to disclose more fully to you) the verbage and verses that surround these two words.

What I am saying is this. Few people understand the full implications of me saying "ALL JOY" so often. Perhaps a deeper and wider view, yes a more intentional reading beyond the two words, that is, taking a more lengthy look at James, chapter 1 and verses 2, 3, and 4, will bring a more radiant light illuminating more clearly the two words I always embrace and continuously offer to others:

(2) My brethren, count it "ALL JOY" when you fall into various trials, (3) knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. (4) But let patience have its perfect work that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. -- James 1:2-4 (NKJV)

"ALL JOY" to your world! Count it "ALL JOY"...
Grateful

When Children Sing Blessings Over Your Life

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
-- Matthew 19:14 (NIV)

It was a Thursday afternoon when I entered Mrs. Hilliard's fifth grade classroom to share with her class some of what I have learned on my multiple journeys to The Holy Land. For about an hour I was blessed beyond measure with attentive and engaged students.

However, it was after the hour of teaching ended that the real blessing came. The students stood around me as their teacher said "We have something special for you." Then they all smiled on me as they lifted their voices and sang this blessing over my life:

May the Lord, mighty God, bless and keep you forever.
Grant you peace, perfect peace, courage in every endeavor.
Lift up your eyes and see His face and His grace forever.
May the Lord, Mighty God bless and keep you forever.

Yes, as I stood there encircled by the children, tears lined my eyes. Take it from me. When children sing blessings over your life, you will know you are blessed indeed. Besides, on that particular Thursday afternoon (without Mrs. Hilliard's fifth grade class knowing it) I really needed a tender touch from the Lord. I left the classroom humbled, grateful, speechless, and yes, blessed indeed!

Now, I sing this blessing over your life today (and remember I am a child, yes a child of God):

May the Lord, mighty God, bless and keep you forever.
Grant you peace, perfect peace, courage in every endeavor.
Lift up your eyes and see His face and His grace forever.
May the Lord, Mighty God bless and keep you forever.

Yes, forever and forever. Amen.
Grateful

But God Had Listened to Abraham's Request

(23) The sun was rising as Lot reached the village. (24) Then the LORD rained down fire and burning sulfur from the heavens on Sodom and Gomorrah. (25) He utterly destroyed them, along with the other cities and villages of the plain, eliminating all life—people, plants, and animals alike. (26) But Lot’s wife looked back as she was following along behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. (27) The next morning Abraham was up early and hurried out to the place where he had stood in the LORD’S presence. (28) He looked out across the plain to Sodom and Gomorrah and saw columns of smoke and fumes, as from a furnace, rising from the cities there. (29) But God had listened to Abraham’s request and (though God did not spare Sodom and Gomorrah, God) kept Lot safe, removing him from the disaster that engulfed the cities on the plain. -- Genesis 19:23-29 (NLT)

...God remembered Abraham...
-- Genesis 19:29 (NKJV)

God, Who knows the heart...
--Acts 15:8a (NIV)

The earnest prayer of a righteous person (one person in right relationship with God) has great power and wonderful results.
-- James 5:16b (NLT)

Lord, let me be in right relationship with You, especially because my loved ones may be depending on my requests -- both spoken and unspoken -- for Your mercy in their lives. All in the Name of Jesus. Amen. Amen. And Amen.

Grateful

Weeping & Rejoicing

One of my blogging buddies, Mark, entered a wonderful comment after reading my It Broke God's Heart blog post yesterday. His comment so touched me that I am posting it as today's blog post:

I read the "Jesus Wept" verse just the other day (John 11:35). It's the shortest verse in the KJV, but if the verses had been in the original Greek it would be 1Thessalonians 5:16 -- "Rejoice Always."

What a comforting contrast! Thanks Mark. It beautifully led my heart to embrace another comforting passage:

Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning.
-- Psalm 30:5 (NKJV)

Yes, Lord, this song does seem appropriate in my mind now:
Click > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfASgMH7FHw&feature=related

Count It All Joy! James 1:2 (NKJV)
Grateful

It Broke God's Heart!

I have been reading chronologically through the Holy Bible since January 1, 2011, and a few nights ago these words in Genesis 6 shell-shocked my soul with excruciating pain for my Loving Father God:

(5) Now the LORD observed the extent of the people’s wickedness, and He saw that all their thoughts were consistently and totally evil. (6) So the LORD was sorry He had ever made them. It broke His heart.
-- Genesis 6:5-6 (NLT)

Break My Heart With What Breaks Yours, My God!
Grateful

The Father Doesn't Cringe When His Children Cry. He Cares.

After vulnerable and encouraging e-mail exchanges with two separate friends last evening about my blog entries over the past two days on the topics of "Expecting God's Answers" and "Trusting God Without Understanding", my thoughts were beautifully stirred in the same vein once again this morning as I saturated in the Psalms:

Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly. -- Psalm 5:3 (NLT)

My Prayer: When I cry Lord, you don't cringe at my sobbing, because as My Father, You know children cry. So, I expect Your constant help and rescue. You are my Father. I know You want me to expect You to come and comfort me when I cry. You will answer my cries In the way that You, my Loving Father knows is best. Help me to trust Your answers, even though Your answers are not always understandable to me. Remind me often, Father God, that You do not cringe when I cry. You care. In Jesus' name. Amen.

An early 1980's Gospel song comes to mind now:

Just remember Jesus cares.
He cries when you cry.
And He lifts your case;
To the Father up on high.
Place your trust in Him today;
For there is no other way.
And remember Jesus cares;
Just remember Jesus cares.

By Faith! In Faith! (Hebrews 11)
Grateful

Fully Trust Without Fully Understanding

Proverbs 3, verses 5 and 6 have been chasing my heart for many years, but in the last few months the Lord has absolutely been using Proverbs 3:5 to tell me what He totally expects from me as a fully devoted believer in His Name. Hear the verse, then I'll explain further:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
--Proverbs 3:5 (NLT)

In light of these words, the Lord is telling me to fully trust in Him and His Goodness, even when, especially when, I cannot fully understand what's going on and what He's up to.

So I pray: Loving Lord, I want to be a believer who fully trusts in You and Your ways, especially when I have no idea what's happening. I want to be willing to wait for Your revelation in every situation of life. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

By Faith! In Faith! (Hebrews 11)
Grateful

Do You Really Expect God to Answer?

Two verses in the New Testament Book of James really challenged my faith recently:

(6) But when you ask Him, be sure that you really expect Him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. (7) People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
--James 1:6-7 (NLT)

In the wake of these two verses, I can only cry out with the father who came to Jesus on behalf of his demon-possessed boy. Yes with him I echo...

"I do believe, but help me not to doubt!"
-- Mark 9:24 (NLT)

Perhaps this "Third Day" classic song will encourage:
Click > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeGNgBwPTMA

Lord, add to my feeble faith an abundance of anticipation, yes an enhanced expectation that believes when I cry out? You will answer! In Jesus' Name. Amen.

By Faith! In Faith! (Hebrews 11)
Grateful

Start & Finish

Indeed, it is a New Year.

Thanks be to God for January and the fresh start of a New Year, however, it will be of little lasting value if we do not pray to Him and trust Him for a strong finish in December and beyond.

I have fought a good fight.
I have finished my course.
I have kept the faith.
-- 2 Timothy 4:7 (KJV)

Still praying and believing the God of Philippians 1:6. Amen.
Grateful

May A Holy New Year Be Ours!

It's almost one-hour into the New Year here in the Eastern Standard Time Zone of the World. A penny for my thoughts? Well, presently I am recalling some powerful thoughts pertaining to the words "happy" and "holy" that are demanding attention in the depths of my mind:

Our temporary happiness is whatever it is at any one given moment in time, but Jesus really was crucified to impute (credit) and to impart (give) to us His timeless holiness -- to truly sanctify you and me in our time, for all-time, and for Eternity.

Lord, as we look ahead to a New Year, beyond being happy, that is, beyond being temporarily satisfied, let us seek first and foremost to be holy, that is, to seek the pinnacle of Your will for our lives -- to be truly sanctified. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

For them I sanctify Myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
-- Words of Jesus John 17:19 (NIV)

May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (24) The One Who calls you is faithful and He will do it.
-- 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (NIV)

Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without Holiness no one will see the Lord...
-- Hebrews 12:14 (NIV)

May a Holy New Year Be Ours!
Grateful