Jesus I my cross have taken!

1. Jesus, I my cross have taken, all to leave and follow Thee;
   Destitute, despised, forsaken, Thou from hence my all shall be.
   Perish every fond ambition, all I’ve sought or hoped or known;
   Yet how rich is my condition! God and heav’n are still mine own.
2. Let the world despise and leave me, they have left my Savior, too;
   Human hearts and looks deceive me; Thou art not, like them, untrue.
   And while Thou shalt smile upon me, God of wisdom, love and might,
   Foes may hate and friends disown me, show Thy face and all is bright.
3. Go, then, earthly fame and treasure! Come, disaster, scorn and pain!
   In Thy service pain is pleasure; with Thy favor, loss is gain.
   I have called Thee, “Abba, Father”; I have set my heart on Thee:
   Storms may howl, and clouds may gather, all must work for good to me.
4. Man may trouble and distress me, ’twill but drive me to Thy breast;
   Life with trials hard may press me; heav’n will bring me sweeter rest.
   Oh, ’tis not in grief to harm me, while Thy love is left to me;
   Oh, ’twere not in joy to charm me, were that joy unmixed with Thee.
5. Take, my soul, thy full salvation; rise o’er sin, and fear, and care;
   Joy to find in every station something still to do or bear:
   Think what Spirit dwells within thee; what a Father’s smile is thine;
   What a Savior died to win thee, child of heav’n, shouldst thou repine?
6. Haste then on from grace to glory, armed by faith, and winged by prayer,
   Heav’n’s eternal day’s before thee, God’s own hand shall guide thee there.
   Soon shall close thy earthly mission, swift shall pass thy pilgrim days;
   Hope soon change to glad fruition, faith to sight, and prayer to praise.
7. Henry F. Lyte
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Knowing You!

All I Once Held Dear (Knowing You)

All I once held dear, built my life upon

All this world reveres, and wars to own

All I once thought gain I have counted loss

Spent and worthless now, compared to this

Knowing you, Jesus, knowing you,

There is no greater thing

You're my all, you're the best

You're my joy, my righteousness

And I love you, Lord

Now my heart's desire is to know you more

To be found in you and known as yours

To possess by faith what I could not earn

All-surpassing gift of righteousness

Knowing you, Jesus, knowing you,

There is no greater thing

You're my all, you're the best

You're my joy, my righteousness

And I love you, Lord

Oh, to know the power of your risen life

And to know You in Your sufferings

To become like you in your death, my Lord

So with you to live and never die

Knowing you, Jesus, knowing you,

There is no greater thing

You're my all, you're the best

You're my joy, my righteousness

And I love you, Lord

Graham Kendrick

Comfort

This morning I was asking the Lord to comfort me. Sometimes the way gets lonely! Right after praying, I opened my Bible randomly to Isaiah chapter 40:1+2; “Comfort, yes, comfort my people! Says your God. Speak comfort to Jerusalem (Jenny), and cry out to her, That her warfare is ended, That her iniquity is pardoned…” 

I started to think of other verses about comfort, and this theme of the Lord holding my hand came to mind. 

“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:10; Isaiah 41:13)

“I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness, And will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles,

To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the prison, Those who sit in darkness from the prison house.” (Isaiah 42:6+7)

“See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.” (Isaiah 49:16)

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:27+28)

The apostle Paul felt alone at times too. These were his words. “At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. *But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.” (2 Timothy 4:16+17; See also 1 Peter 5:8+9) 

“BUT THE LORD!” If we didn’t have Him! How lost and alone we would be! 

Jesus came and spoke to them, (His disciples) saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, *I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

“I AM WITH YOU!” What a promise! What a gift! For truly it is, “in His presence that there is fullness of joy!” (Psalm 16:11) 

What is your calling?

The following, are the words of Queen Elizabeth as she entered her royal position. Words of surrender to the calling of God on her life. 

“I have not chosen this office for myself: he has appointed me to it, and I go to be consecrated to it by him. My prayer must echo that of the Virgin Mary, and that of our Lord himself: ‘Be it unto me according to Thy will’; ‘Not what I will, but what Thou wilt.’ And because he leads, I may follow in complete trust.”

I believe marriage is a gift, and singleness is a gift, and you never know how long you may have it. So dear friend, embrace the gift/calling God has given you for such a time! There’s a beautiful scripture reference from 1 Corinthians 7:24 that says, “Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called.”

This thought of remaining or abiding with God is beautiful, especially when you recognize who he is, and the beauty of his character. May we meditate daily upon his loveliness! John 15:5 reminds us of the words of Jesus, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

Another one of my favourite scriptures, 

is from Philippians 4:11; “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.”

To be content in the calling of God for the season of time which he has ordained, will not only bring peace and joy to one’s heart, but will glorify the Creator/Owner. Let us trust in the wisdom, love, and provision of our Maker day by day! 

1. Thy way, not mine, O Lord,
   However dark it be;
   Lead me by Thine own hand,
   Choose out the path for me.
2. Smooth let it be or rough,
   It will be still the best;
   Winding or straight, it leads
   Right onward to Thy rest.
3. I dare not choose my lot;
   I would not, if I might;
   Choose Thou for me, my God,
   So I shall walk aright.
4. Take Thou my cup, and it
   With joy or sorrow fill,
   As best to Thee may seem;
   Choose Thou my good and ill.
5. Choose Thou for me my friends,
   My sickness or my health;
   Choose Thou my cares for me,
   My poverty or wealth.
6. The kingdom that I seek
   Is Thine: so let the way
   That leads to it be Thine,
   Else I must surely stray.
7. Not mine, not mine the choice
   In things both great or small;
   Be Thou my guide, my strength
   My wisdom, and my all.

-Horatius Bonar

Disappointment His Appointment

“Disappointment — His Appointment”

Change one letter, then I see

That the thwarting of my purpose

Is God’s better choice for me.

His appointment must be blessing,

Tho’ it may come in disguise,

For the end from the beginning

Open to His wisdom lies.

“Disappointment — His Appointment”

Whose?  The Lord, who loves me best,

Understands and knows me fully,

Who my faith and love would test;

For, like loving earthly parents,

He rejoices when He knows

That His child accepts, UNQUESTIONED,

All that from His wisdom flows.

“Disappointment — His Appointment”

“No good thing will He withhold,”

From denials oft we gather

Treasures of His love untold,

Well He knows each broken purpose

Leads to fuller, deeper trust,

And the end of all His dealings

Proves our God is wise and just.

“Disappointment — His Appointment”

Lord, I take it, then, as such.

Like the clay in hands of potter,

Yielding wholly to Thy touch.

All my life’s plan in Thy moulding,

Not one single choice be mine;

Let me answer, unrepining —

“Father, not my will, but Thine.”

-Edith Lillian Young

Highest prized treasure

“I cried out to You, O LORD: I said, “You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living.” -Psalms 142:5  

The word “portion” above, means “highest prized treasure.” Is God our highest prized treasure? He longs to be!

The One above all others

One there is above all others,

    Oh, how He loves!

His is love beyond a brother’s,

    Oh, how He loves!

Earthly friends may fail or leave us,

One day soothe, the next day grieve us;

But this Friend will ne’er deceive us:

    Oh, how He loves!

’Tis eternal life to know Him,

    Oh, how He loves!

Think, oh, think how much we owe Him,

    Oh, how He loves!

With His precious blood He bought us,

In the wilderness He sought us,

To His flock He safely brought us:

    Oh, how He loves!

Blessed Jesus! would you know Him?

    Oh, how He loves!

Give yourselves entirely to Him,

    Oh, how He loves!

Think no longer of the morrow,

From the past new courage borrow,

Jesus carries all your sorrow:

    Oh, how He loves!

All your sins shall be forgiven,

    Oh, how He loves!

Backward shall your foes be driven,

    Oh, how He loves!

Best of blessings He’ll provide you,

Nought but good shall e’er betide you,

Safe to glory He will guide you:

    Oh, how He loves!

      -Marianne Nunn

Alone in the crowd

She has felt that way many times. Living with a disability. Not only fearing rejection, but facing it. It was Christmas. She wondered who would notice her, sit with her, love her. Later, I was helping her into the restroom, and asked how her day was going. She told me it was, “the best day ever,” and that she felt SO loved. “I kept talking to Jesus ever since I got here,” she said. “He has answered my prayer!” Her husband made her feel extra special by secretly passing her his wedding ring in a small treasure chest, asking if she would marry him again. Different family members  massaged her stiff leg, got her food, visited, and warmed up hot packs to help relax her sore muscles. One family member made her a foot rest out of a wheel axle! 

Have you ever felt alone in the crowd? What if that loneliness was meant to draw you closer to Jesus? What if that loneliness was put there to cause you to pray? To reach out by faith, and find the hand of the Good Shepherd? (Isaiah 41:13) The One who said, “I will NEVER leave you or forsake you!” (Hebrews 13:5) The One who created us for relationship with Himself? 

Next time you feel alone in the crowd, or just alone period, look up by faith, reach out for HIM, the hope of the nations. He is there. Only a prayer away. “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8) 

Isolation or solitude?

It takes the fire of God to cleanse our hearts of selfishness in all its subtle forms. Even loneliness may be a form of selfishness.

One can reject friendship when it is not offered on the terms one chooses. One can reject the grace of God as Naaman the leper came perilously close to doing because it was not offered with the kind of ceremony he felt befitted his station. One can magnify his loneliness out of all proportion, as though he suffered something that is not common to man, forgetting that “this is life”- not more, not less. 

One can draw about himself a thick quilt of self-pity and isolate himself in other ways, but if one turns the loneliness into solitude and the solitude into prayer, there is release. It may require a willingness to be burned if burning is necessary as it was for Isaiah, but there is forgiveness and cleansing and peace. In Isaiah’s case, this was followed by God’s call for a volunteer to work for Him. With a heart at leisure now from itself, Isaiah could answer, “Here I am. Send me.” 

I was pondering this matter when the Lord brought straight to my kitchen table yesterday a living example of such a heart. A bright young woman and I were eating lamb sandwiches. I asked her if she is lonely. “Lonely?  Why should I be?” “You’re single. Most of the single people I know talk about being lonely.” With a look of surprise and then a laugh she said, “Oh no. You see, I have a sense of expectancy every day. What does the Lord want to do with me today? I have no agenda of my own.”

No agenda of my own. That is the key to Linda’s freedom. I continued to question her. Yes, she said, she knows what loneliness feels like- it’s isolation, when you think you can’t reach anybody, nobody reaches you, you’re cut off. You have your own agenda. 

“What do you mean by an agenda?” I asked.  “Thinking there’s only one solution and God has to give you that or nothing. You have a closed mind. A closed mind is a closed heart and a closed door.” 

Now I recognized the reason for the smile which seems always to light Linda’s face. I think it must come from her wholehearted acceptance of God‘s agenda. 

“I love solitude,” she said. “As I drove up here this morning (it was a dazzling winter morning of sunshine and blue sky and blue shadows on the snow) I didn’t have the radio on. I wasn’t listening to tapes. I was just quiet. I love times like that.” 

The heart which has no agenda but God’s is the heart at leisure from itself. It’s emptiness is filled with the love of God. It’s solitude can be turned into prayer. 

Taken from Elizabeth Elliot’s book, “Loneliness.” 

Others focused

Have you heard of them? Those rare people who minister to others inspite of their pain? Inspite of their loneliness? They look not on their own needs, but also on the needs of others? (Philippians 2:4) That’s my friend in long term care. She tells me it’s been 17 years now! Still very healthy in her mind and body, except for mobility issues, but she has a wheelchair to help with that. Tonight I learned, that she use to help feed some of the other residents who couldn’t feed themselves. She did that for 5 years, until under new management they wouldn’t allow it anymore. Food for thought... how can I be a blessing and minister to someone else’s need inspite of my own? “Lord, make me a blessing to someone today!” ❤️🙏🏻

“The answer to our loneliness is love- not our finding someone to love us, but our surrendering to the God who has always loved us with an everlasting love. Loving Him is then expressed in a happy and full-hearted pouring out of ourselves in love to others.” -Elisabeth Elliot

Belonging

As a single, you might find yourself asking, “Where, or to whom do I belong?” Everyone around you seems to be “coupled up.” May you find comfort in the words of this hymn written by Lucy A. Bennett, 

I am the Lord’s! O joy beyond expression,

  O sweet response to voice of love Divine;

Faith’s joyous “Yes” to the assuring whisper,

  “Fear not! I have redeemed thee; thou art Mine.”

I am the Lord’s! It is the glad confession

  Wherewith the Bride recalls the happy day,

When love’s “I will” accepted Him forever,

  “The Lord’s,” to love, to honor and obey.

I am the Lord’s! Yet teach me all it meaneth,

  All it involves of love and loyalty,

Of holy service, absolute surrender,

  And unreserved obedience unto Thee.

I am the Lord’s! Yes; body, soul, and spirit,

  O seal them irrecoverably Thine;

As Thou, Beloved, in Thy grace and fulness

  Forever and forevermore art mine.

Walking with Him

During Jesus three years as an itinerant rabbi he knew what it was to be weary, hungry, and homeless. The common people heard him gladly but the religious elite could not stand him. He was misquoted, misjudged, misrepresented, misunderstood. The Hebrew scholars were forever laying traps for him, challenging, quarrelling, quibbling. He was praised and scorned, followed and forsaken, loved and hated, listened to and rejected, crowned and crucified. He had every reason to feel lonely in the world of men, but it was thus that he learned and demonstrated for us the meaning of obedience – through the things that he suffered. If all he is asking of us just now is the willingness to accept the relatively small discipline of loneliness, can we not see it as a part of His gift of allowing us to walk with him? -Elizabeth Elliot 

Rejection

Several years ago a man’s experience of desolation gave birth to a hymn which has been for me and for many the balm of heaven. George Matheson went blind shortly after becoming engaged. His fiancé broke the engagement. Perhaps there is no more bitter loneliness than that of rejection. Matheson‘s grief, instead of turning to bitter resentment against the lady who had caused it, was transformed. Totally transformed. These profound and simple words show how that happened:

O Love that wilt not let me go,

I rest my weary soul in thee;

I give thee back the life I owe,

That in thine ocean depths its flow

May richer, fuller be.

O light that followest all my way,

I yield my flickering torch to thee;

My heart restores its borrowed ray,

That in thy sunshine’s blaze its day

May brighter, fairer be.

O Joy that seekest me through pain,

I cannot close my heart to thee;

I trace the rainbow through the rain,

And feel the promise is not vain,

That morn shall tearless be.

O Cross that liftest up my head,

I dare not ask to fly from thee;

I lay in dust life’s glory dead,

And from the ground there blossoms red

Life that shall endless be.

His blindness and rejection proved to be for George Matheson the very means of illuminating the love of God. He may have asked the age-old question, “Why?”, but God’s answer is always, Trust Me. Matheson turned his thoughts away from the woman he had lost, away from the powerful temptations to self-pity, resentment, bitterness toward God, skepticism of his Word, and selfish isolation which might so quickly have overcome him, and lifted up his “weary soul” to a far greater Love - one that would never let him go. -Elisabeth Elliot

Mirror, mirror, on the wall...

Dear friend, 

Do you ever find that you compare yourself with another? Someone more attractive or affluent? Do you feel jealousy creeping in? Do you sometimes ask yourself the following questions? “Why does she get to be married and I remain single?” Or maybe it’s, “I wish I was single like she is.” Maybe it’s about something completely different. Whatever the case, the Lord has a message of freedom for you today! 

When I start comparing myself with someone who I believe has something better, I stop, and think of this passage from John 21:12-23 especially verse 21 and 22. Here, the Lord is telling Peter not to concern himself with what He has in mind for the other disciple, but that Peter should simply follow the Lord. Another passage is, 2 Corinthians 10:12, “For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”

These passages show me it’s a sin to compare myself with anyone else, that I must fix my attention solely on the Lord and follow Him. He loves me more than anyone else ever could! His plans for me are good, and not evil! (Jeremiah 29:11)

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, ‘til the things of earth grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace!” 🎶

Valentine’s Day

Valentine's day. It comes every year. What comes into your mind on this day? For many, it's a day of hope and love, of excitement, and joy! But for many, it's a day of loneliness and despair. Why? What makes the difference in our minds? I think it comes down to knowing our value. What is your value, and by whom are you valued? The answer to these questions will make all the difference!  I was talking to a friend of mine, who was explaining how the dowry system worked in India. "The dowry system in India refers to the durable goods, cash, and real or movable property that the bride's family gives to the bridegroom, his parents, or his relatives as a condition of the marriage. A dowry used in this way is actually a conditional gift that is supposed to be restored to the wife or her family if the husband divorces, abuses, or commits other grave offenses against her." The dowry system just goes to show, that in this life, people will disappoint us, often the ones we find ourselves closest to! This can be one big reason for loneliness and despair! What a contrast though, to that of God's unconditional, unchanging love for you and I!  "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:3) When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. BUT GOD demonstrated his love toward us, in that, while we were YET SINNERS, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8) Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your vain conduct received by tradition from your fathers, BUT WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHIRST, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot." (1 Peter 1:18, 19) What value! The life blood of the very Son of God! "Amazing love! How can it be? That Thou my God should'st die for me?! But Jesus lives! The Saviour lives! In Heaven He pleads for me!"

Mary Shekleton understood where her true value came from when she penned these words in 1863,

"Oh! fill me Jesus Savior with Thy love;
Lead, lead me to the living fount above!
Thither may I in simple faith draw nigh
And never to another fountain fly,
But unto Thee."

When you realize your value in God's eyes, you can then share with others how much God values them! Ann Voskamp said this,

"If you’re waiting on God for something, do what waiters do best: serve. Break free of your comfort zone and do something, touch someone, give something, help someone, pray for someone, serve someone, #betheGIFT for someone. You can’t be a world changer until you serve. In serving, you are served a feast of what you’re longing for. Because the One who loves you steadfastly, stood fast at the cross for you, so now stand fast for Him."

https://www.sharefaith.com/blog/2011/01/valentines-day-history-story-st-valentine/

Although the story of Valentine’s Day is shrouded in mystery, buried in tradition, and (thanks to commercialism) stripped of its significance, we can bring some of the truth back. The truth is, love can’t be squelched, outlawed, or stamped out. The significance of Valentine’s life was not that he defended love and romance and performed secret marriages. Valentine--a day now besmirched by cupids, chocolate, and candlelit dinners--is a day founded upon the life of a martyr. Valentine died a bloody death, beaten and beheaded. The truth is, Valentine was in love with his Savior, Jesus Christ. Love for Jesus trumped his love of self. Valentine nobly gave his life for the God he loved. That is true love. But true love is deeper still. It goes beyond our love for God. "In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) 

This Valentine’s day, do something different. Sure, talk about love, but talk about true love--the love that God had for us. The love that sent Jesus to a cross. Talk about our love for Him--the kind of love that goes beyond mere comfortable Christian existence. The kind of love that is willing to take risks, to sacrifice everything, and even to give our lives for Him who loved us.

Here is love, vast as the ocean,
Loving kindness as the flood,
When the Prince of Life, our Ransom,
Shed for us His precious blood.

Who His love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten,
Throughout Heaven’s eternal days.

On the mount of crucifixion,
Fountains opened deep and wide;
Through the floodgates of God’s mercy
Flowed a vast and gracious tide.

Grace and love, like mighty rivers,
Poured incessant from above,
And Heav’n’s peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love.

Let me all Thy love accepting,
Love Thee, ever all my days;
Let me seek Thy kingdom only
And my life be to Thy praise!

Thou alone shalt be my glory,
Nothing in the world I see.
Thou hast cleansed and sanctified me,
Thou Thyself hast set me free.

In Thy truth Thou dost direct me
By Thy Spirit through Thy Word;
And Thy grace my need is meeting,
As I trust in Thee, my Lord.

Of Thy fullness Thou art pouring
Thy great love and power on me,
Without measure, full and boundless,
Drawing out my heart to Thee.

William Rees (1802-1883)

 

 

Jesus Calling

“And He (Jesus) went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach…”-Mark 3:13, 14

“Come to Me (Jesus), all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”-Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst…the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.”-John 6:35, 37

David prayed, “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You.”-Psalm 16:11; Psalm 63:3

How often do we run to other things to try and satisfy the deep longings in our soul that can only be satisfied in fellowship with the Lord Jesus?! Often the Lord will allow heartache or some type of trial into our life to draw us into a deeper, closer walk with Him, as seen in the words of the following poem.

"I bare you on eagle's wings, and brought you unto myself" (Exod. 19:4).

Fearing to launch on "full surrender's" tide,
      I asked the Lord where would its waters glide
      My little bark, "To troubled seas I dread?"
      "Unto Myself," He said.

Weeping beside an open grave I stood,
      In bitterness of soul I cried to God:
      "Where leads this path of sorrow that I tread?"
      "Unto Myself," He said.

Striving for souls, I loved the work too well;
      Then disappointments came; I could not tell
      The reason, till He said, "I am thine all;
      Unto Myself I call."

Watching my heroes--those I loved the best--
      I saw them fail; they could not stand the test,
      Even by this the Lord, through tears not few,
      Unto Himself me drew.

Unto Himself! No earthly tongue can tell
      The bliss I find, since in His heart I dwell;
      The things that charmed me once seem all as naught;
      Unto Himself I'm brought.
      -selected

Upon recognizing the great love of our God, and His desire to lavish that love upon us as His children, may our hearts echo the words of the following Hymn writer.

HIMSELF
     by A. B. Simpson
Once it was the blessing, Now it is the Lord;
Once it was the feeling, Now it is His Word.
Once His gifts I wanted, Now the Giver own;
Once I sought for healing, Now Himself alone.

Once 'twas painful trying, Now 'tis perfect trust;
Once a half salvation, Now the uttermost.
Once 'twas ceaseless holding, Now He holds me fast;
Once 'twas constant drifting, Now my anchor's cast.

Once 'twas busy planning, Now 'tis trustful prayer;
Once 'twas anxious caring, Now He has the care.
Once 'twas what I wanted, Now what Jesus says;
Once 'twas constant asking, Now 'tis ceaseless praise.

Once it was my working, His it hence shall be;
Once I tried to use Him, Now He uses me.
Once the power I wanted, Now the Mighty One;
Once for self I labored, Now for Him alone.

Once I hoped in Jesus, Now I know He's mine;
Once my lamps were dying, Now they brightly shine.
Once for death I waited, Now His coming hail;
And my hopes are anchored, Safe within the veil.

 

 

Whispers from God to a hungry heart

“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6b (NIV)

I heard the whisper of God in, of all places, a nail salon. I was a young aspiring actor who’d come to Los Angeles with a dream. I barely knew myself and certainly didn’t know God. To pay my bills I worked jobs I despised, hearing they might help me in the entertainment world. But I soon discovered it was far from satisfying. I was living alone and terribly lonely. There had to be something more in life — something better. In the absence of meaningful relationships, I craved food, having struggled with an eating disorder for years. I’d sit at home alone, watch TV and eat. I began to gain weight and then dove into reading hundreds of self-help books on health and wholeness, motivation, well-being and alternative medicine. Still, I felt empty. I craved something more than fun, diversion and health … more than celebrity. But what? Looking back, I see my inner hunger drove me to search for ways to fill myself, but none of them worked. Soul hunger or not, a girl can’t live in Los Angeles without getting her nails done — especially a wannabe actor. So I religiously took my place in a chair at the nail salon. As I sat there, I read a Ladies Home Journal article which outlined a healthy eating plan with a spiritual understanding of our bodies and innermost person. The program incorporated daily prayer, confession, and — of all things — Bible reading. Something stirred in me. The article pulled back the curtain to peer deep into my soul, where my hunger originated. I knew I was reading truth. Daily, I began to keep a journal, pray and read Bible verses — all completely new to me. As I did, I felt a deep awakening in my heart, and power was flowing into me. One day, I started to panic about my upcoming car payment. My first instinct kicked in — I bolted to grab something sweet. Suddenly, I stopped and prayed, “God, if this prayer stuff really works, then I’m coming to You first.” The urge to eat passed. Within a day, a check arrived for a small job I’d recently done. Car payment covered! Whoa. There really was something to this spiritual stuff. Through prayer and Bible reading, I began to understand how empty my heart felt for the first time. I was hungry to be filled. Eventually, I got up my nerve and showed up to a local church small group. Most of the women there knew a lot more about God and the Bible than I did, but to my amazement, they were kind and welcomed me; I knew I’d be back. I’d never sat in a circle and had people actually pray for me. Tears ran down my cheeks. Their prayers made me feel cared for and encouraged, as if I mattered personally to them and to God. Wanting to contribute to the group, I started to read my Bible more. From reading, I finally realized I was hearing the whispers of God. God was accomplishing His purposes in me and whispering His love through two powerful means: His Word and His people. God had begun “a good work” in me and I knew He would “carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6b). Today, I treasure those memories as major milestones on my faith journey. Far before I knew God, He knew me and loved me. He placed His word in my life at a nail salon and then sent me to the dear ladies at church to sow seeds of faith into my life — seeds that have grown into a vibrant personal friendship with God and that continue to grow ever-deeper roots. Dear Lord, thank You for beginning Your good work in our lives and using Your Word and Your people to complete it. Stir our hunger for Your Word and stir our thirst for fellowship with others who carry Your love into our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. -Andrea Logan White (Proverbs 31 Ministries)

Loneliness

She was waiting for a procedure, and constantly checking her phone to see if anyone of her friends or family cared about her at that moment. Ever been there? I was her nurse. That very morning I had sent out a text message (as I normally do) to most of my contacts. It read, Good morning! Do you need a friend? Proverbs 18:24 tells us there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. His name is JESUS! “What a friend we have in JESUS, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!” My heart went out to her! I proceeded to tell her about my friend, my constant companion, the One who when, “Other helpers fail, and comforts flee, HE still abides with me!”

Whether you are single, widowed, divorced, or married and feeling alone, there is One who will never leave you or forsake you if you are His child. Do you know Him? My prayer for you dear one, is that you will reach out by faith to the One who has given you life. He is waiting for your call, and is always ready to answer! If you seek Him, He will be found of you! Hear the words of the Lord Jesus Himself, “…the one who comes to ME I will by no means cast out.” (John 6:37) Oh how HE loves!

 

One there is above all others,

Oh, how He loves!

His is love beyond a brother’s,

Oh, how He loves!

Earthly friends may fail or leave us,

One day soothe,

the next day grieve us;

But this Friend will ne’er deceive us:

Oh, how He loves!

-John Newton