Tag: hymn

Water into Wine, Remembering my Journal entry. August 9, 2010

August 9, 2010. On this date, I knew there was a very large lump on my right breast, but I didn’t know what it was at this time.
I was keeping a Bible Journal at the time. Apparently I was in John 2:
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”
That was a crisis for this wedding feast. And I was in “crisis” as well.
Jesus said her,”Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not come.”
His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”John 2:4.
In my journal writing I wrote, “Can God be showing me what to do in my crisis?”
I wrote so many years ago, (7 years to be exact):
There were 6 water pots of stone about twenty or thirty gallons apiece. Jesus said to them, “Fill the water pots with water.”
Today feeling very empty and confused, He said, “fill the water pots with water.” Water in the Bible symbolizes the Holy Spirit. And at the wedding they ran out of wine and He said, “Fill the pots with water.”
My very first thought is, the Holy Spirit. I need to be filled with the Holy Spirit!
So, on that day, many years ago, God was showing me personally, intimately what I, Toni, needed to do to get through that day, and the days I didn’t even know were to come, (which included a cancer diagnosis, many doctor and surgeon visits, then chemo, surgery, hormone therapy, etc., etc.
The words of Mary ring so loud to me, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”
“Fill the pots with water.”
That’s what He said.
I knew I needed counsel. He answered me, “Fill your clay vessel with water.”
So, I went to the word about the Holy Spirit:
And not be drunk with wine which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the LORD, giving thanks always…,” Eph. 5:18.
Little did I know, but for me, to help me through and keep me standing on the Rock, to keep faith through all the chemo and chemicals, I would be turning the pages of Then Sings My Soul, by Robert Morgan.
Speaking the words of the hymns, and singing them as I learned them, I was transformed, from fear to courage.
I was continually being transformed- from fear to courage!
So today, a lot has changed. I am healthy and strong. But what’s amazing is the remedy for my crisis today still remains:
“Whatever He says to do, do it.”

Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.
Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”
They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”
What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. John 2: 7-11.

Dear Lord, teach me to seek Your face and hear Your voice as I open your word to hear what You say.” In Jesus Name. 
Amen.

I choose health over anxiety. Where's my hymnal?

Got health? Real wealth? Worthwhile things are worth the fight.
The struggle to balance. The work to think straight. The temptations surrounding. The need to put off, put away, to breathe, to wait.
I’ll let go of blame and fret. I’ll look up, not out. If it pleases God, that’s my final answer. His way, not mine, or the popular opinion of the time.
I choose to follow the direction that God leads. Even though He knows, I will fail Him over and over as He watches me.
So I take hold  of some old trust-worthy words, and recite them aloud like a song of a bird,
I will arise and go to Jesus
He will embrace me in His arms
In the arms of my dear Savior
Oh, there are ten thousand charms
Oh, there are ten thousand charms. Yes, riches, true riches are being near to God. Being full of peace and comfort, not fearing nor having alarm.
But alarm I have, and in fear I dive. But God is a help, and old hymns remind:

Come, ye thirsty, come and welcome
God’s free bounty glorify
True belief and true repentance
Every grace that brings you nigh
Come, ye weary, heavy-laden
Lost and ruined by the fall
If you tarry ’til you’re better
You will never come at all

 
God is love. We are not. He is gracious in His being. He is compassionate.  His heart is gentle and kind. He doesn’t parade Himself. He is truthful, all of the time.
He knows our thoughts.
He is able to make a hard heart soft. He is powerful and willing. So often, we are not.
Are we are tired of being sick? Are willing to change our direction.
God the Father through Jesus His Son, and the power of His Spirit can bring change to our whole story.
He can give us wealth of health with freedom and forgiveness.
And He gives us victory to bring a sacrifice of thanksgiving.
No longer dwelling on the failures of the past. No longer projecting of a future unknown. Living in the present on this earth making my house a dwelling place for the Lord.
I will arise and go to Jesus
He will embrace me in His arms
In the arms of my dear Savior
Oh, there are ten thousand charms.

Hymn by Joseph Hart:
Come, ye sinners, poor and needy
Weak and wounded, sick and sore
Jesus ready, stands to save you
Full of pity, love and power
I will arise and go to Jesus
He will embrace me in His arms
In the arms of my dear Savior
Oh, there are ten thousand charms
Come, ye thirsty, come and welcome
God’s free bounty glorify
True belief and true repentance
Every grace that brings you nigh
Come, ye weary, heavy-laden
Lost and ruined by the fall
If you tarry ’til you’re better
You will never come at all
I will arise and go to Jesus
He will embrace me in His arms
In the arms of my dear Savior
Oh, there are ten thousand charms

Get up! And fight with Hymn and Psalm

Crisis comes. The “fight” begins.  The battle is greatest against thoughts of fear and uncertainty. “The Lord is on thy side,” the old hymn reminds. But these words feel far removed at this time.
“Be Still My soul.” The words learned during past trial, now echo from deep below. “Be still my soul, the Lord is on thy side. Bear patiently, the cross of grief or pain.”
“Patiently.” That word. Who would ever choose that word?
Bear in l-o-n-g – s-u-f-f-e-r-i-n-g are my thoughts’ reasoning.  And, like a thread of continuation, “Love suffers long and is kind” pops in head.
“1 Corinthians 13 is impossible with man!” is my next exclamation. “I need a Savior.” is my heart’s cry.
Sorrow and fatigue leave me by a “Slough of Despond,” Just as in the old classic I have read. But, the Hymn of faith fights to bring truth to my lips,  “Leave to Thy God, to order and provide. In every change, He faithful will remain. Be still my soul.”
The battle rages against doubt and more doubt: “I can’t do this.” “God’s plan is not for good.”
“Why did He allow this?” My heart fails, only to remind me of a verse hidden there:
“My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26.
Remembrance is as if picking up a sword, and doubt flees. “Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73: 25, 26 reminded me what I forgot.
Forever. That includes today.
But God is …
“Be still my soul, thy best, thy heavenly friend, through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.”
So, I take up a hymn and a Psalm for strength. I breath the words that my heart and mind have learned and I speak aloud that my whole being hears the sound:
“Be still my soul. Thy God doth undertake. To guide thy future, as He has the past. Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake,
in every change, he faithful will remain. Be still my soul. The waves and wind still know His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.”
Faith restored, I open up God’s word. Psalm 73 speaks so personal to me: “Truly God is good to Israel. To such as are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped…”
“Thus my heart was grieved, and I was vexed in my mind. I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You. NeverthelessI am continually with You;”
“You hold me by my right hand.”
“You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.”
“Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail;”
“But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:1,2,21-26.
My “forever” begins this minute, right now. Let us fight this battle with faith.
Join me? Let’s get up and get going in His strength. The Lord is on our side!
 
 
 
 

The prayer in the hymn. The answer within: "Just from Jesus, simply taking …

Deep inside, tired. Deep within, weary. Like a wilted plant longing for reviving water. We hold out our hands, and our spirits seek God. In our weakness of faith, we cry out to Him.
And He hears our silent voices. He sees our seeking hearts. He breathes upon our frame mysterious peace though nothing changes.
Personally, as for me, deep inside my heart, I write what the Living God, through His glorious Spirit does, as I long for so much, time and time again. My morning prayer is written – from an age old hymn.
Not the first part, nor the middle – but the last thought becomes my prayer: “… O for grace to trust Thee more … O for grace to trust You more.” Silent words repeated over and again, but with wholehearted meaning and truthfulness: “O for grace, to trust You more.”
The next thing I know is a resurrection takes place. My eyes lift up and my whole countenance has change. “Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus.” This is the Spirit of God speaking: “Trust Me.”
“Trust, … Me.”
I know the old words. What a treasure store. The Spirit brings them to my mind to answer and restore:“Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.”
Simply take from Jesus: life and rest, and joy and peace?
Then the realization is brought to mind, in my weariness, I’m not taking from Jesus – anything. Like stagnant waters with no movement and sound. But to my rescue at my soundless call, the Spirit woos me to remember His Song.
‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”
The next thing I know, my heart responds. Being reminded of my Love who is mine, evermore. And the song, though silent, stirs in my heart and revives me and prays the words I longed for:
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
Then those words, almost hidden, they are. Words that could be so easily missed – become highlighted to me and repeated again …
“Just from Jesus simply taking, life and rest. Joy and peace.” 
“Take from Me. Take from Me.” I feel my Jesus answer.
“I offer life. I offer rest. I offer joy and peace.”
What do we say, to the old hymn’s reminder? What is our response this day, this hour?
Let’s respond with the old words that are written, and be renewed in the spirit of our minds once again. Let us rejoice in the Lord, always – no matter the mess we’re in.
Let us sing, even aloud with our voices today,
“Jesus, Jesus, how I trust You. How I’ve proved You o’er and o’er Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! Oh, for grace to trust You more!”
“O for grace to trust You more.”
So, today I will go, knowing I will fail Him often. Especially in my trust in Him along the way. But there will be a day, when He calls me to meet Him, and I will finally be able to truthfully say:
“I’m so glad I learned to trust Him, Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend”
but today, I will believe with all my heart the hymn:
“And I know that He is with me,
Will be with me to the end.”
Let us sing with rejoicing and be ignited with praise:
Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood
And in simple faith to plunge me
‘Neath the healing, cleansing flood!
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
 

"Thy power … can change the leper's spots …"

“Lord, now indeed I find, Thy pow’r, and Thine alone, Can change the leper’s spots And melt the heart of stone. Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.” Elvina Hall, 1800’s hymn.
“Lord, …” means, master, or, captain of my ship. “Lord, now …,” means, this moment, the one I take orders from, or the one I choose to obey.
“Lord, now indeed I find, …” brings me to a place where I’m searching for what You have to say, NOW.
“I hear the Savior say, ‘Thy strength indeed is small; child of weakness watch and pray, find in Me, thine all in all.”
“ Even before he, (God), made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.  God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, …
and it gave him great pleasure.” (1) The Bible is said to be true. Ask God to show you if these words are trustworthy. Ask God, Himself. He will answer you. 
“But, I’m full of fault, Lord! Now what do I do? I fail, everyday. I am far from being holy. Sin has left a crimson stain, tell me again, the Gospel Story.”
“Long ago, even before he made the world, God chose us to be his very own, …”(2) – don’t you remember, “His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into His … family.” (3) His desire is to bring us back home.
The Father sent His only Son, Jesus Christ to die for us. He paid the debt we couldn’t pay, He laid down His life in sacrifice. So “we stand before him covered in his love.” (4) We are perfect, we are washed, we have hope of heaven. We have peace in this life.
“For nothing good have I Whereby Thy grace to claim; I’ll wash my garments white in the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb. Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.”
“He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son, …” (5), this is the Good News found in Ephesians 1.
 “He forgave our sins.  He has showered his kindness on us, … along with all wisdom and understanding …” God now reveals to us, all that regards Christ – all that’s mysterious!
God reveals, He will fulfill His own good plan. “And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ – everything in heaven and on earth.” (6) He was, He is, He is coming again.
The Gospel Story is that He saves you. He saves me. We can’t save ourselves – we all desperately need help.  But we are surrounded by voices, we are deceived by lies. But God reminds and instructs each one of us: Look up. “I will guide you with My eyes.”(7)
” … when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised, …”(8) He has purchased us with His blood on the cross, this is how Jesus proves that He – loves – us.
“Lord, now indeed I find Thy pow’r, and Thine alone, Can change the leper’s spots, and melt the heart of stone. Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.”
We’ve been bought with a price. He knows our weakness. He knows our strife.  Yes, in receiving Christ, we become His Bride. “I am my lover’s, and my lover is mine. He browses among the lilies. (8) He is the rose of Sharon, the lily of the valleys” (9) I am my Beloved’s and He is mine. 
For now, for tomorrow, for all of time.
“And when before the throne, I stand in Him complete, I’ll lay my trophies down, All down at Jesus’ feet. Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.”
He washed it white as snow. My past – I let it go. In the present, I choose to go:
“And now complete in Him, My robe, His righteousness, Close sheltered ‘neath His side,  – I am  – divinely – blest. Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.”

  1. Ephesians 1:4, New Living Translation
  2. Ephesians 1:4, Living Translation
  3. Ephesians 1:4, Living Translation
  4. Ephesians 1:4, Living Translation.
  5. Ephesians 1:5, Living Translation.
  6. Ephesians 1:7, New Living Translation.
  7. Ephesians 1:10, New Living Translation.
  8. Psalm 32:8, New Living Translation.
  9. Song of Solomon 6:31.

 

Finally, joy has come to this world of mine …

Joy to the world! The Lord is come.
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart
Prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing. O how the familiar words of Isaac Watts play over again in our minds, but it’s on a glorious moment –
when the dust of our own personal world, and the North wind has blown to make us cold, but we are tired of being broken and alone –
that we invite the King in. That we finally make room for Him.
And the angels in heaven sing. And our eyes suddenly see all of nature, with exotic colors, form and  beauty, form a symphony of song as we walk on our journeys.
Joy to the world, the Savior reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods
Rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy
Finally, when our flesh, says, to the LORD, “Yes.” The words of the hymn come alive. And the word ‘joy’ has meaning for the very first time. Deliverance comes when the fight finally ends. When the Savior at last, has the reins of our soul, and a miracle I witness, as I feel my world – whole.
Joy has finally come into my world, because room as been made, that the Great Surgeon can cut away, the hardness of heart, the criticalness:
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love;
And wonders of His love;
And wonders, …
the wonder of His love for me, who, for so long refused to see – His truth, His grace, … His beautiful life He gave.  Joy to my world has come, with each new day, with each new breath.
Will you join my joyful chorus as well, and of the King and His greatness tell? We would sing together a joyful song:  “Joy has come to this world of mine. I will sing of my King for all – of  – time.”
 
 

May I share a hidden treasure of a hymn-"It came upon a Midnight Clear"

Christmas hymns can become familiar and sterile, yet when the waves of a storm are greatly brought on, there is a searching that comes,
as we look for a glimmer of hope, or the light of the dawn.
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear, That glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth To touch their harps of gold. “Peace on the earth good will to man, From heaven’s all gracious King!” The world in solemn stillness lay To hear the angels sing.”
The hymnal is opened, Edmund H. Sears work is displayed. “The world in solemn stillness lay? …” There is nothing in this world that is still, it seems, except for the broken in heart and children’s dreams.
But the flood has come, or we’ve been made to walk through the fire, but the hymn sings in our ears, the words of the angels: “Peace on the earth, good will to man, from heaven’s all gracious King!”
My eyes catch the words of the hymn-writer’s story, (thank you Robert J. Morgan for sharing, Then Sings My Soul, in this hymn book I was given.) Recorded are lost words not known, quite forgotten, (still sung with the same melody and rhythm:)
“Yet with the woes of sin and strife/ The world hath suffered long; Beneath the angel-strain have rolled/ Two thousand years of wrong; And man, at war with man, hears not/ The love song which they bring; 
O hush the noise, ye men of strife/ And hear the angels sing!”
I’ve been hushed. I’ve been striving against my Lord. Perhaps the brokenness has brought me life:  “O God, bring me to hear the angels sing. My vocal chords have been stilled for far too long. Dear Jesus, will you restore to me, Your song.”
And so, I read in my Christmas gift hymnal, a verse I’ve never in the past seen:
“For lo, the days are hastening on, By prophets bards foretold; With the ev-er circling years, comes round the age of gold. When peace shall o-ver all the earth, Its ancient splendors fling;
And the whole world give back the song Which now the angels sing.”
So perhaps, this ‘mid-night’ has been made clear, as my eyes caught the promise of the glorious King. God Almighty has restored to me sight, and brought back a song that was hidden in night.
I will sing of my King, and give back the song: “Peace on earth …” this earth that is me. This Christmas  has brought revival and song. Lord Jesus, my Savior, God with us, Immanuel – I bow my knee …
I bring my offering … to worship Thee, my glorious King.”
If you feel revival in heart is needed today, Admit your wrongs, Believe Jesus loves you, and Call out His name! He hears, He loves and forgives and restores. Jesus is here to give you life evermore.

The evergreen, in the midst of night …

The evergreen is brought in, this time again. Adorned with lights, and gifts, and angels of white, baubles of red and garlands of thread. With my thoughts ringing, “Do not be afraid, …”  remembering what the angel said.
“So much has changed.” as I hang a nativity up on the tree. “Dear God, I need You to speak in such a time as this. Please don’t be silent. I’m tempted to doubt that I can get through this …
So I open up the story, told over and again, and I read the words of the angel to Mary, from a long, lost time, from way back when: “… for you have found grace with God … you will give birth to a Son and  you shall call His name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the most High … and of his reign there will be no end.”
Luke Chapter 1 verse 33, Amplified. And, then You hear my heart cry, “Oh God, what does all this mean for me? In the midst of the night, let me hear, let me rest. Let me simply sit in this uncomfortable – ness!
So, I sit. In the night. But I marvel at the sight. Amidst anxious thoughts, wrestling to overthrow my rest and peace, I look upon the evergreen.
“For with God nothing is ever impossible, and no word from God shall be without power …” the Amplified version of Luke 1:37 speaks. I read them, and I wonder, “Do I believe?
Do I really believe the Word of God? Or only on sunflower days, and when the sod is soft and green. do I believe God when all seems against all my understanding?”
So as I look at the evergreen in the room. Adorned with lights, and gifts, and angels of white, I see the baubles of red, and remember the blood that was shed. I see the garland of thread, and think of the Good Word I have read:
Mary’s response to the news of the angel: “My soul glorifies the Lord
    and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, …”
Somehow I forgot Luke 1:47. How could I miss the response that was given.
“Oh dear Lord, may I choose to rejoice as well, and worship You, for, …
 “…for he has been mindful
    of the humble state of his servant …
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
    from generation to generation.”
This is the story, Luke 1:48-50. These are the words breathed by God, to tell –
to tell me that today, even in the midst of night, that He is great and will extend mercy, even on me, all the same. “Give me grace, dear Lord Jesus, to magnify and give You my praise, through my heart’s tears and through the dark rain. The Son dwells in my heart forever. The Son Of God does great things,
and this Christmas, I will again, believe.
“O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.”

Speak in a hymn. "Be Still My Soul" Make melody in your heart to the Lord

“Be Still my soul … ” (1)
O God … How can it be? The reality? God help us see – that You are the Almighty. “Be Still my soul … Be Still my soul.” 
Words – are powerful. Let us speak old words together. With tears and pain, whether seen on the outside – it is raining within. Let us cry out with our whole heart  – “O God – increase our faith  – again.”
 Words penned in 1752, over 200 years ago, bring health to the soul, somehow. So, today, let us pray together, to our God Almighty and our Father in heaven, with old words, true, (yet first person is changed a few)-  that we might  comfort ourselves in You. Let us say together:    “Be Still my Soul.” 
“Be Still my soul, The Lord is on our side …
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to our God to order and provide;
In every change, You faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heav’nly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.”
“Dear God there is so much change. But You, O LORD remain. We draw near to You, and You draw near when we do. O God, help us, today in such darkness, take hold of Your light and believe and rest …
in Your faithfulness:
“Be still, my soul: Our God doth undertake
To guide the future, as You have the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
Your voice Who ruled them while You dwelt below.”
Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart, And all is darkened in the vale of tears, 
Then shalt we  better know Your love, Your heart,
Who comes to soothe our sorrow and our fears.
“Dear Lord, comfort the downcast with Your Spirit, we draw near.”
“Be still, my soul: the hour is hast’ning on
When we shall be forever with You Lord.
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.”
“Dear Father in heaven, we bow our heads together. The most important change that needs be, is that which must be done, inside of me. Increase my faith, that I might stand, and follow You, as You take hold of my hand:
“Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing,  You, O Lord on high; to
Acknowledge You in all our words and ways,
So shall You  view us with a well-pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Son of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.”
Today. Today! This is what You have given us. Teach us to pray. To talk with You the words of this hymn rather than complaint. Be merciful to us.
Teach us to trust.
Help us to take hold of You – who are Love, and let go of all lust. Let us put off the fight, and the anger, and the strife …
and let us make harmony as we sing Your melody throughout the rest of our life.
We bow our heads, we pray to You. We end our words  and whole heartedly say:  “Our soul is still, as we set our minds on the hill, where You laid down Your life, as a perfect sacrifice, forgiving my failures, Dear Lord Jesus, Thank You.”
(1) “Be Still My Soul” by Katherine von Schlegel. 

"O For a Faith that Will Not Shrink"

“O For a Faith that Will Not Shrink.” A hymn written by William H. Bathurst,  long ago. Recorded in a book of hymns, so I could open it up and glean, hundreds of years later, of its great power within:
“O for a faith that will not shrink, Tho’ pressed by ev’ry foe, That will not tremble on the brink Of any earthly woe!”
“That will not murmur nor complain, Beneath the chastening rod But in the hour of grief or pain, Will lean up on its God.”
“A faith that shines more bright and clear When tempests rage without; That when in danger knows no fear, In darkness feels no doubt.”
“Lord give us such a faith as this; And then whate’er may come, We’ll taste even here the hallowed bliss, Of an eternal home.” (O For a Faith that Will Not Shrink, William H. Bathurst, 1831).
Reading aloud an old hymn as this, brings my heart to cry out, “Increase my faith. To know You more, that You would be big as You are. Creator, Designer, Protector, and Friend, that “whate’er may come,” we will “lean up upon our God.”
“O for a faith that will not shrink, Tho’ pressed by every foe, That will not tremble on the brink Of any earthly woe! . . . A faith that shines more bright and clear When tempests rage without; That when in danger knows no fear, In darkness feels no doubt.’ ( O For a Faith that Will Not Shrink). 

"Why not just 'bake the cake?'" "We must 'trust and obey!'

“Who do you think you are, not accepting our choices! You’ve caused us great distress! Even our blood pressure rises!”
“We are so sorry you are hurt by the denial of service, but you see these hands were made to bake cakes. We’ve been given a gift from God, our cakes are an offering of worship!”
“Those are your beliefs, they are not mine! You’re a bakery and we need a cake, we demand you bake, or we’ll take you to court. See how you feel after you’ve been presented a lofty and great fine!”
“You have your freedoms to make the choices you make, but won’t you respect ours? That in faith, because of those choices, we simply can’t bake!”
“You have brought our blood to the boiling point now!” You’re judge-mental, ‘holier than thou’- is this what you call love?’ You will be sorry! We will make sure of that, and HOW!”
“For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit…” (Romans 1:9). We know that “…that the LORD, He is God; It is He who made us and not we ourselves;” Psalm 100:3). We have vowed in our hearts to live faithful to Him, even to 212 degrees, to the ‘boiling point’ if you may, to be concerned with what God says- not be swayed by man! The bottom line is: there is a God, and we choose to walk in His Way!”
“Well, you are free to worship how you may in your churches, but when you are in schools or in town or  in  business, you must obey the law which has changed, don’t you know? Who do you think you are, denying this service? We wanted a cake, and you outright said, “No!”
“It is because God loves you and me both that we must refuse.  We must take a stand for God, it’s  a matter of ‘life and death’ -we ALL need the Good News!  We got on our knees before the bakery doors opened, and we asked our Father in heaven to help us to ‘walk in the light’.  That the sweet cakes we bake would give glory to Him, so, each day He gives us, we bake and give thanks, that ‘the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin!'” (1John 1:7). And that includes you,  ‘there’s none righteous, no not one’ (Rom 3:10), that is why God sent His only Son!
“God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5). ‘There is a way, to a man that seems right,… but its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 14:12). We all need a Savior, ‘all we like sheep have gone astray…!’ (Is. 53:6)  Our hands do the baking, but the product speaks of His  love.  We lay down our lives, as He did for us, even, above the law (that seems to change each day), in full, whole-hearted surrender,  “Yes, Jesus – in You, we  ‘trust and obey!'”
“When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will Trust and obey.”
“Not a shadow can rise, Not a cloud in the skies, But His smile quickly drives it away! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will Trust and obey.”
“But we never can prove The delights of His love, Until all on the altar we lay; For the favor He shows, And the joy He bestows Are for them who will Trust  and obey.”
“There is fellowship sweet We will sit at His feet, Or we’ll walk by His side in the way; What He says we will do, Where He sends we will go, Never fear, only Trust and obey” Trust and obey, for there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus, But to trust and obey.” (Trust and Obey John H. Sammis, 1887). 
“Why not just bake the cake?” “Because we have made the choice to ‘Trust and obey’ that others may come to His light and pray!”

"Near to the heart of God," a hymn.

“Near to the heart of God.” (Cleland B. McAfee).
The first line of this hymn brings hope and comfort: “There is a place of quiet and rest,…there is a place of comfort sweet, near to the heart of God.”
Quiet, rest, comfort…is this what you and I seek for today?
Perhaps your heart is very heavy. Perhaps you know someone who has been stricken somehow, be it fear, or great sickness, or addiction or afflictions of great loss.
Maybe it is a brother or a sister or a mother or a father or maybe that someone is …you.
When asked the question, “How are you?” The only reply near to the tongue is,
“I’m tired.”
Today, I read the words aloud of an unfamiliar hymn, (unfamiliar to me that is),
“O Jesus, blest Redeemer, Sent from the heart of God,
Hold us, who wait before Thee, Near to the heart of God.”
and they brought to mind a most familiar story.
It was the words, ‘who wait before Thee,’ that reminded me of King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles. Do you remember him? Well, if not, I will write one of his famous prayers from 2 Chronicles 20:12.
“O our God, will You not judge them?” (Them? The enemy that came out to battle. We won’t battle with the people of Moab, but we will battle fear and doubt everyday!) “For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”
Could this be the prayer of your heart today? It is mine as well. I am so glad it was recorded for us. It has become an anchor prayer to troubled hearts for many, over and over again, for many, many years. (That is how the Bible remains on the best seller list year after year after year.)
Did you know that King Jehoshaphat had gathered all of Judah, with the little ones, their wives, and their children, and they stood before the LORD to pray that together? And they received an answer because the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel the son of … who was the son of (oh, those names!)…., and the response was recorded,(after you get through all of the names!) many, many years ago, for you and for me – today. It’s in 2 Chronicles 20:14-17.
“Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the LORD to you: “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s…You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves,
stand still and see the salvation of the LORD,
who is with you. O Judah and Jerusalem!” (and repeated a second time, he continues,) “Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you.”
Jehoshaphat then bowed his head to the ground and worshiped the LORD.
“Position yourselves,…”
And Jehoshaphat showed us how.
Today, let us speak together this hymn:
“Near to the Heart Of God”
“There is a place of quiet rest, Near to the heart of God; A place where sin cannot molest, Near to the heart of God.
O Jesus, blest Redeemer, Sent from the heart of God,
Hold us, who wait before Thee, Near to the heart of God.”
“There is a place of comfort sweet, Near to the heart of God; A place where we our Savior meet, Near to the heart of God.
“There is a place of full release, Near to the heart of God;
A place where all is joy and peace, Near to the heart of God.
O Jesus, blest Redeemer, Sent from the heart of God,
Hold us, who wait before Thee,…”
Ps. 96,
“OH, sing to the LORD a new song!”

"I have a prayer…"

“God, I have a prayer,  for the little ones and the old, that the children wake up surrounded, not by evil thoughts that are cold, but that the Spirit breathes on them a new ‘old’ song. God I have a prayer for the children of the world, red, brown, yellow, black and white, race, rank, and ages of every kind:  “Raise the fallen, cheer the faint, heal the sick and lead the blind,…”
“God, I have a prayer, that the children hear Your voice, and no longer the lies that are so loud through the night. God, I have a prayer, that the children unaware, would begin to see that the things  that are REAL are really the things that are out of their sight.”  “God may the children with sight of a whole new kind begin to repeat: “More than all, in Thee I find!”
“God, I have a prayer, that the ol’ words in the Wesley hymn would be read and repeated :“Just and holy is Thy name; I am all unrighteousness. False and full of sin I am; Thou art full of truth and grace.” That children young and old would know, the words to the hymn, “Jesus, Lover of My Soul!”
As easy as ABC, yet harder than any Chemistry – there is no need for ‘outside clean-up’ jobs, the main event’s gotta happen INSIDE, where the heart of the child sees their own mess, and finally cries: “Just and holy is His name, and I am all unrighteousness.”
“ALL the children of the world must admit these words, “I am all unrighteousness!” But God, Oh God, may the children of the world see the color of Your face! May the children of the world see  that the Your color is… GRACE!”
” For ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit,’ are Your very own words, dear Lord God, You, Yourself had said,  when You sat on the hill with the crowds all around. “The Kingdom of heaven is yours today, be poor in spirit and blessed you’ll be.” But not one man likes to hear that sound! ‘Poor in Spirit?’ that means ‘I have -need’!
“God, I have a prayer that the children can say, “Other refuge have I none; hangs my helpless soul on Thee. Leave, ah, leave me not alone; Still support and comfort me!” Dear Lord, that the children would sing, “All my trust on Thee is stayed; All my help from Thee I bring. Cover my defenseless head, With the shadow of Thy wing.”
” Yes, God, I have a prayer that the children of the world that You love so much would change their tune and sing a new song: “Jesus, lover of my soul, Let me to Thy bosom fly, While the nearer waters roll, While the tempest still is high! Hide me O my Savior hide, Till the storm of life is past. Safe into the haven guide. Oh, receive my soul at last!”
” But God I have a prayer,  that the children don’t sing this song as an escape, but they sing it as they place their lives in Your hand. In the hand of God to live today in this hard, cold world, on the rough and stormy seas, in Your stay, Lord God   and in Your way.” “That the children wold trust as they rest in Your hand, and sing and sing, “Jesus, lover of my soul, Let me to Thy bosom fly, while the rearer waters roll, While the tempest still is high!” “God I have a prayer, that the children of the world to YOU would direct their cry!”
“God, I have a prayer, that the children would admit all the sin that they have, and believe in Your Son and call out His name, “Thou, O Christ, art all I want; More than all, in Thee I find.” That revival would spread like a fire in the forest, the children would pray, “Raise the fallen, cheer the faint, Heal the sick and lead the blind. Just and Holy is Thy name, I am all unrighteousness. False and full of sin I am; Thou art full of truth and grace.” Yes, this is my prayer for me and for them!”
“Faith is believing in what is not seen, so God I have a prayer and its answer I believe! I pray that the children find the answer in YOU. I have a prayer, yes, I have a prayer! That the children of all colors and ages and rank, speak with one voice:“Plenteous grace with Thee is found, Grace to cover all my sin. Let the healing streams abound…” I pray for the children, the children of the world, that they would turn around and speak this new ‘old’ song, “Make and keep me pure within. Thou of life the Fountain art, Freely let me take of Thee. Spring Thou up within my heart; Rise to all eternity.”
May the children of the world soon sing, “Spring Thou up within my heart;” May revival around us speak louder than the lies, “Plenteous grace with Thee is found, Grace to cover all my sin… “Thou of life the Fountain art, Freely let me take of Thee. Spring Thou up within my heart; Rise to all eternity!”
I have a prayer dear Lord, ‘Let it be! Let it be! Amen and Amen, that all the children of the world would sing, “Thou, O Christ, art all I want; More than all, in Thee I find.” My prayer dear Lord is for the children, You see, I know You are working,…ever working in me!

"Be of good cheer?" YES! Be of good cheer.

“So, you ask Me, “Be of good cheer?” when I’ve made you to lie down, with great loss and humility. I have allowed tribulation, where you cry out, “Oh my God! Oh my God!” but  my child, you can’t see it now, but when the dust begins to settle, you will take notice, the pastures you’ve been made to lie down on are covered with green sod.”
“Can you hear My voice say, “I see your strength indeed, is small.” And you respond, “You’ve said it Lord, it is true, it is true.” “But what comes next my child, you do know this hymn, what does it say, “Child of weakness, watch and pray, find in Me, your All in All.” Yes,  perhaps you’ve sung these treasured words, but today they were written specifically for…you.”
“Be of good cheer?” “Be of good cheer?” Today, today- it’s the HOW? that’s not clear. ‘In this world you will have tribulation’,You warned us ahead, but I had no idea, no idea the blows I would receive…”Be of good cheer?” O GOD, what else is it that You’ve said?”
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed for I AM your God,“(Is. 41:10), these are My words for you today. Be of good cheer, I am with you right now, “It is I; do not be afraid,” (Mark 6:50), ” remember, ‘I AM your God! I am YOUR God!’ that is how! that is how!
“Be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world,” I will give you sufficient grace to rise above this present weakness. I will give you grace sufficient-remember the biggest diamonds lie under the heaviest stones. I will increase your faith, that you may turn away these heavy burdens. Faith, my child, faith in My love, is what’s needed,  even more… than FITNESS!
“Turn over the burdens and cast them to Me, you will ‘find My power, and mine alone, can change a leper’s spots and melt a heart of stone’. Don’t let your heart grow hard, come meet Me at the Table in the presence of your enemies. That’s where you’ll discover My great healing power as you take of the wine of the new covenant and of  the broken bread. You will taste and you will see that you – are – not – alone!
“My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from helping me,…”(Ps. 22:1), yes, I’ve spoken these words too. “But be not far from Me, O Lord; O My help, hasten to aid Me,”(Ps. 22:19), this also has been My cry. Remember, remember, remember, I KNOW, and I love you.
“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name, [and has personal knowledge of My mercy, love and kindness; and trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no never]”, This is my voice amplified.”
“In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33)“Call unto Me and I will answer you. I will show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know…” (Jer. 33:3,Amplified). Yes, you must have strength to turn over those heavy stones, but the strength is all Mine, My love is Agape, TRUE and ALWAYS, of the FOREVER kind!”
“Let Me lead you, and let your words be few. Lean not on your own understanding, fix your eyes on Mine, and come often to My Table that I’ve prepared for you. Moment by moment, not just a one time thing, walk with me My child, let Me be your breath, you’ll discover I make My abode in the Song that you sing:
“For nothing good have I, Whereby Thy grace to claim; I’ll wash my garments white, In the blood of Calvary’s Lamb. And when before the throne, I stand in Him complete; “Jesus died, my soul to save,” My lips shall still repeat: “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow. Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it…white – as – SNOW!”
“How, you ask. How? by remembering My promises My child. “Your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is His Name.”(Is. 54:5), “Seek Me, you will find Me, call upon Me for I am near. I will hear your call, ‘child of weakness watch and pray, find in Me, thine all and all!”

"God, help us to 'hear the bells this Christmas!"

“I heard the bells on Christmas day, their old familiar carols play, and wild and sweet the words repeat, “Of peace on earth, good-will to men.”
These familiar words were written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who had seen his share of ‘dark cloudy days’. He had suffered loss of his wife and the country had entered the Civil War, and on Dec. 1, 1863, he received news that his son had been seriously injured in the war – so on December 25, 1863 his feelings spilled out in this old Christmas hymn…and as we end our year, these age- old words seem ‘time-less.’
“And in despair I bowed my head: “There is no peace on earth,” I said, “For hate is strong, and mocks the song of peace on earth, good-will to men.”
Today, we understand this same ‘despair’ that was experienced so long ago, “And in despair I bowed my head: ‘There is no peace on earth’ I said, “For hate is strong, and mocks the song of peace on earth, good-will to men.”
We see it, we know it in the depths of our beings, that ‘hate is strong, and mocks the song of peace on earth, good-will to men’. Something happens, however, as one makes the choice to ‘hear the bells’!
Somehow God comforts and seems to answer unanswerable questions in the old hymns. The words ring like the old Church-bells did, and our pained hearts are quiet, so to have ears that are listening still: “And thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along th’unbroken song Of peace on earth, good-will to men.”
“Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men.”
Can you hear the bells this Christmas time? Do they have a sound that is loud and deep, ringing, “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep!”
Perhaps your life and mine can be used this day of God ‘who’s not dead…’ to bring ‘peace on earth and goodwill to men’. “Till ringing, singing on its way, the world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime,a chant sublime, Of peace on earth, goodwill to men!”
“What is it we do, dear precious Lord that we be a ‘voice, a chime or a chant sublime, of peace on earth, good-will to men’? People are hurting, they are often alone. There is much pain and fear and anxiety here. Do we give them a hug, or pray on the spot? Does a wish of ‘God’s Blessing’ and smile say it all?” “Maybe we’re the one’s hurting, what is the healing there? Could it be in the giving that the hope is restored?”
“Open our ears, that we hear the bells so we can invite others to hear them as well, to lift up ourselves, and everyone else, above the asphalt each of us trod, so in each of our hearts we can fly, we can soar with the joy of the Lord like a young child again.  And help us to watch them, the children that is, so filled with skip and hop and a song, … ’till ringing, singing on its way, the world revolves from night to day, A voice, a chime, a chant sublime, Of peace on earth, good -will to men!”
“Yes, Lord, fill us, Your children, with Your Spirit of love, so we may have ears this year to ‘hear the bells’.
And perhaps that as th’old familiar carols play, and wild and sweet the words repeat, Of peace on earth, good-will to men.’We’re reminded good Lord, that  through the ‘unbroken song’ that “…hope does not disappoint,…” never, no never,because God’s love never fails…the ‘love of God’ is our ‘ever-filling’ hope. So, ‘peel those bells more loud and deep “God is not dead, nor doth Her sleep!” We can rejoice in the Lord always, ringing and singing on our way, “Of peace on earth, good will to men!”
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

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