His Sweet Lessons

There is not one thing that thwarts your will, that is not in God's will

(Letters of William Romaine, 1714-1795)

My dear friend,
Your frequent afflictions are His sweet lessons. It is the proper work of the grace of Jesus to humble the proud sinner, to make him and to keep him sensible of his needs, convinced always that he has not any good of his own and cannot possibly of himself obtain any--but what he must be receiving every moment out of the fullness of Jesus.

All providences, sicknesses, losses, successes--are only so far blessings, as they lead us more out of ourselves, into the fullness of Jesus.

The Lord having appointed you for His heavenly kingdom, has also appointed all the steps which are to lead you there. Your every affliction is in the covenant. Your sicknesses, your failings, your disappointments--there is not one thing that thwarts your will, that is not in God's will. Nothing can befall you but what is . . .
  divinely ordered,
  contrived for you by infinite wisdom,
  brought upon you by infinite love!

Oh, for eyes to see, for a heart to receive all God's dealings with you in this covenant view. How sweet would be your many trials, if you found them all appointed and managed for you by the best of friends! Learn to receive them thus.

To the care of His dear loving heart, I commend you and yours,
William Romaine

--from Grace Gems

Memory Lane

Pleasant Memories

Please forgive me for re-posting from a couple of years ago, but this hit a note in my heart again.

10-7-2017
As I was walking this afternoon a tune and words started coming in my memory. Probably haven't heard them or thought of them in 50 years or more. I do this sometimes and sometimes it is pure foolishness and then sometimes it has real meaning.

As a teenager, I remember laying on my bed at night on the back porch listening to the Hit Parade. Those were hot summer nights with no A/C, just a little oscillating fan. (Youngsters won't know what I'm talking about. I still have that fan.)

This song was one of my favorites. Pleasant nights with no worries at all. As a teenager, I had a lot of girlfriends until that little blonde moved to Garland, stole my heart, and became "My Happiness." I sure miss that sweet girl since she went home to heaven.

My Happiness

Chris Isaak

Evening shadows make me blue

When each weary day is through

How I long to be with you

My happiness

Every day I reminisce 

Dreaming of your tender kiss

Always thinking how I miss

My happiness

A million years it seems

Have gone by since we shared our dreams

But I'll hold you again

There'll be no blue memories then

Whether skies are grey or blue

Any place on earth will do

Just as long as I'm with you

My happiness

A million years it seems

Have gone by since we shared our dreams

But I'll hold you again

There'll be no blue memories then

Whether skies are grey or blue

Any place on earth will do

Just as long as I'm with you

My happiness

Songwriters: ROBERT MAXWELL

I need to be daily kept!

I need to be daily kept!

(James Smith's autobiography, "Marvelous Mercy!" 1862)

The following is an excerpt from the diary of James Smith:

April 16, 1854.

During the past week, I have had one of the most severe asthmatic attacks I ever experienced. How painful to labor and gasp for breath, as I then did. How different the things of time appear under such circumstances! How soon one feels willing to spread the wings and fly away. May I daily live under the impression I then felt.

How I long . . .

  for closer communion with God,
  to feel more of the sweet power of piety in my own heart,
  to walk with God in confidence,
  to lean upon Him,
  to cast every care upon Him,
  to leave everything with Him,
  to aim always, and in everything to glorify Him,
  to walk through the world as if one was walking straight home to God--to dwell with and to enjoy Him forever!

Yet I feel that I need to be daily kept--to have the Lord's eye constantly upon me, and His everlasting arms always beneath me!
"Hold me up--and I shall be safe!" Psalm 119:117

[Received this in an email from Grace Gems. It really speaks to the prayer of my heart as well although I have not experienced the pain that James Smith must have felt. I add to this John's prayer, "Even so Lord Jesus come!!"]

Do You Have a Thirst for Christ?

Rev 21:6 "And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts." This verse stands out, not only in Revelation but in several other places throughout the Bible.

Our God is eternal, self-existent, always has been, always will be. He is greater than His universe He created and yet we are privileged to know Him and He graciously dwells in those who trust and believe in Him. Amazing!!

The one problem I note from this is that He says He would give the water of life freely to him who thirsts. That's the catch, how many really thirst for Him today. Too many of us are caught up in the happenings in our lives and around us, we no longer thirst for Him.

David said in Ps 42:1 "As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God." This draws, in my mind, a deer that has been chased by hounds looking for a quiet moment and refreshing water to quench its thirst. That's what David says, like that deer he pants [thirsts] for God.

Dear Father, give me a thirst that can only be quenched by You. Make me thirsty for you in this dry and barren world in which I live. Help me to seek You and find You. Help me to search for You with all my heart. For Christ's sake, Amen!

The Bible’s First Promise

The Bible’s First Promise – “And I will put emnity between thee and the woman, between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”—Genesis 3:15

THIS is the first promise to fallen man. It contains the whole gospel and the essence of the covenant of grace. It has been in great measure fulfilled. The seed of the woman, even our Lord Jesus, was bruised in His heel, and a terrible bruising it was. How terrible will be the final bruising of the serpent’s head! This was virtually done when Jesus took away sin, vanquished death, and broke the power of Satan; but it awaits a still fuller accomplishment at our Lord’s second advent and in the day of judgment. To us the promise stands as a prophecy that we shall be afflicted by the powers of evil in our lower nature, and thus bruised in our heel: but we shall triumph in Christ, who sets His foot on the old serpent’s head. Throughout this year we may have to learn the first part of this promise by experience, through the temptations of the devil, and the unkindness of the ungodly who are his seed. They may so bruise us that we may limp with our sore heel; but let us grasp the second part of the text, and we shall not be dismayed. By faith let us rejoice that we shall still reign in Christ Jesus, the woman’s seed.
– Charles Spurgeon

The 7-Ups for 2019

The 7-Ups

I’m not sure where I found this. It is not original to me, but I don’t know whom to give credit. Regardless, these are 7 good thoughts for each day in 2019.

1. Wake Up - Decide to have a good day. "Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice & be glad in it" Psalms 118:24

2. Dress Up - The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" I Sam 16:7

3. Shut Up - Say nice things & learn to listen. God gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking. "He who guards his lips guards his soul" Proverbs 13:3 "Gossip betrays confidence avoid men who talk too much" Proverbs 20:19 "Listen to advice, accept instruction and in the end, you will be wise" Proverbs 19:20

4. Stand Up - For what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything. "Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good…" Galatians 6:9-10

5. Look Up - To the Lord. "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength" Philippians 4:13

6. Reach Up - For something higher. As Jiminy Cricket sings "High Hopes" Always try to better yourself. Have FAITH. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews11:1

7. Lift Up - Your Prayers. "Do not worry about anything; instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING" Philippians 4:6

PLEASE SHARE THESE 7-UPS WITH OTHERS.

What a Difference a Day Makes!!

Two days ago I was 84 years old and now today I am 85. Never in my wildest dreams as a young man would I have ever thought I would live this long. I'm not sure who said it, may have been Will Rogers, anyway, "If I had known I would have lived this long I would have taken better care of myself."

Reading several old posts to this blog, most of them are old since I have not written any in a while. Some of them make me a little sad as I miss my sweetheart who is with the Lord. But, others blessed me as I remember how the Lord has cared for me and lead me over mountains and through valleys as well. This reminds me of a Gospel song, I hope it blesses any who may chance to read this post as it has me.

BTW, we are coming upon the end of an old year and the beginning of a new one. Keep these words in mind as you face the challenges of 2019.

God Leads Us Along

In shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet
God leads His dear children along
Where the water’s cool flow bathes the weary one’s feet
God leads His dear children along

Some through the waters, some through the flood
Some through the fire, but all through the blood
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song
In the night season and all the day long

Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright
God leads His dear children along
Sometimes in the valley, in darkest of night
God leads His dear children along

Though sorrows befall us and evils oppose
God leads His dear children along
Through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes
God leads His dear children along

Away from the mire, and away from the clay
God leads His dear children along
Away up in glory, eternity’s day
God leads His dear children along

Songwriters: Burgess / Krogstad / G.A. Young

INSP–Old Henry

If you haven’t seen the little mini-series presented on INSP TV. They were aired on Little House on the Prairie, The Walton’s and Matlock back in 2013.

Ralph Waite, of the Walton's, was Old Henry.

He made a statement that caught my attention, (and my heart), when he said,

“I never knew how deep love could be – ‘til I was forced to love without any reward for it and that’s enough.”

This came along about the time when I was not getting much response from Billie, my sweetheart. We had been in this time for about 18 months, not realizing that she would be going home to the Lord about 6 months later.

Of course, I know that someone would have to see the series to fully appreciate what he was talking about, and one can see the series at

[Hold down your CTRL (control) key and click on this link to see the videos.]

MOMENTS.ORG.

Feel Like You Are in a Furnace?

Received this in a newsletter from gracegems.org. It is a little long, but well worth the read. It was written by, John Newton, the author of Amazing Grace. May our dear Lord bless it to each one who takes the time to read it. It speaks to the tests, trials, and burdens we are often called upon to endure.

---BroJames

~  ~  ~  ~

I perceive that your heavenly Father has again put you into the furnace!

(Letters of John Newton)

My Dear Madam, 
I perceive that your heavenly Father has again put you into the furnace, and I trust that He will divinely impress upon your heart, that there is a needs be for it--and that the outcome of your present trial shall surely end in good to your soul.

His Word tells us that trials are absolutely necessary, and why they are so--as He would not afflict those whom He loves, but for their real profit. So He chooses those afflictions for us, and appoints them for us at such seasons, and attended with such circumstances--as He sees will be (all things considered) most for our spiritual advantage. The afflictions and trials of His people are always sent, either to cure--or to prevent something still worse.

Satan is compared to a fowler, and we sometimes are as little upon our guard as a thoughtless bird--the danger is close to us, but we are not aware of it. But, as a sudden noise affrights the bird, and makes it take wing and escape the snare--so the Lord often disappoints the devices of the enemy, by sending a seasonable trial to His dear children, which arouses them, and makes them flee to Him for safety.

I have often thought that if David had fallen and broke his leg when he was going up to the housetop--he would have missed the sight of Bathsheba, and that long train of evils which made him cry out of broken bones in a still more painful sense. 

Just so, we do not know how things might have been with us--if such or such a painful dispensation had not happened. A course of continual prosperity might have lulled us to sleep. We must admit this, when we find ourselves still apt to be drowsy--even though the Lord is pleased to put thorns into our pillow. 

Notwithstanding the feeling proofs we have of the vanity of the present state, our spirits are still too apt to cleave to the dust. What then might have been the case--had our path been always smooth?

He is a good master to serve--I have found Him to be so for thirty years. 

Cheer up, dear Madam, the Lord does all things well! Do not be afraid of storms--for you have an infallible Pilot who will guide you with His eye, uphold you with His arm, and is every minute bringing you nearer to the harbor of eternal rest and peace!

We have just began harvest in these parts. The grain has passed through a variety of weather. Frosts and winds, rains and heat, each of which, singly, would have destroyed it--have each in their places (through the blessing of the Lord's overruling providence) concurred to bring it to its present maturity. The farmers here, as well as elsewhere, have had different fears and complaints at different times; they have thought sometimes the weather too cold or too hot, too wet or too dry, by turns. But their fears were groundless and vain--the crop is ripe, the stalks are loaded, and bend under the weight of the grain. 

Is not this an emblem of the spiritual life? What changes of weather have we passed through, since the seeds of grace were first sown in our hearts! How often have we been ready to murmur at the appointments of the Heavenly Gardener! How hardly could we be persuaded that the afflictions, temptations, and trials which we have been exercised with--have, in their places, been no less subservient to our growth, than the more pleasing sunshine we have been sometimes favored with? 

Yet, I trust, we are still growing and getting forward. Neither frost or floods have been able to destroy us; and Oh, Madam, (may our hearts rejoice at the thought!) the harvest is approaching! When He sees that we are fully ripe--when all that He has designed to do for us, in us, and by us, is completed--then He will separate us from these clods of earth, and remove us into His dwelling place, where we shall be done with fears and trials forever!

We shall not then live this poor dying life--neither shall we have to complain of an evil heart of unbelief. We shall not complain of a cold and careless heart--because we shall be at the fountain-head of all our best wishes and desires! We shall be enjoying, through eternal ages, that ineffable bliss which is prepared for all who love God, and who have been called by divine grace, out of the service of sin, Satan, and the world--to love and serve Him who is the Rock of eternal ages. Yes, my dear Madam, we shall, with unspeakable delight--see Jesus as He is, and be completely like Him! Let us, then, not be weary in well doing; for, in due season, we shall reap, if we fail not.

I am, my dear Madam,
Your obliged and affectionate Servant,
John Newton

You Are Worthy

Last Sunday we sang a new song (to me, not to the church) that I woke up with it in my mind this morning. Do you ever do that? Wake up with a song or a verse of Scripture on your mind and you can’t get away from it?
I like it when it is something I can use throughout the day to praise my Lord. It is far better than waking up with something that is troubling, or that you are worrying about.
Because of Him we can just shuffle the troubles or worries off to Him because He cares for us, right? Remember 1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” So, if troubles or worries show up, remember this.
Now, back to that song. Here are the lyrics, I could only remember the chorus and that continues to occupy my mind this morning. Even if you don’t know the tune, some of you will, the words will bless you. Use them today just to praise His glorious Name, for He is worthy.
Verse 1
Worthy of worship worthy of praise
Worthy of honor and glory
Worthy of all the glad songs we can sing
Worthy of all of the off'rings we bring
Chorus
You are worthy Father Creator
You are worthy Savior Sustainer
You are worthy worthy and wonderful
Worthy of worship and praise
Verse 2
Worthy of rev'rence worthy of fear
Worthy of love and devotion
Worthy of bowing and bending of knees
Worthy of all this and added to these
Verse 3
Almighty Father Master and Lord
King of all kings and Redeemer
Wonderful Counselor Comforter Friend
Savior and Source of our life without end
--Terry W. York

Our Wonderful Savior

He's a Wonderful Savior to Me

I was reading a blog by Nathan Busenitz entitled Controversies and Christmas and was struck by this quote from both Spurgeon and Augustine. So, I want to share them here and hope they bless you as much as they did me. As I thought of them I thought of an old song we used to sing that is not in most of our hymnals today. I share the words at the conclusion of the quote. Hope you are blessed as you think upon these words these great men of the past had to say about our Savior.

"As Charles Spurgeon wrote regarding the incarnation: “Man became royal when Christ became human. Man was exalted when Christ was humiliated. Man may go up to God now that God has come down to man.”

"Commenting on that same glorious reality, the church father Augustine left us with these eloquent words:

“The Word of the Father, by whom all time was created, was made flesh and was born in time for us. He, without whose divine permission no day completes its course, selected one day for His human birth. . . .

“The Maker of man became man that He, Ruler of the stars, might be weaned as an infant; that He, the Bread, might be hungry; that He, the Fountain, might thirst; that He, the Light, might sleep; that He, the Way, might be wearied by the journey; that He, the Truth, might be accused by false witnesses; that He, the Judge of the living and the dead, might be brought to trial by a mortal judge; that He, Justice, might be condemned by the unjust; that He, Discipline, might be scourged with whips; that He, the Foundation, might be suspended upon a cross; . . . that He, the Life might die.

“To endure these and similar indignities for us, to free us, unworthy creatures, He who existed as the Son of God before all ages, without a beginning, chose to become the Son of Man in these recent years. He did this although He who was subjected to such great evils for our sake had done no evil and although we, who were the recipients of so much good at His hands, had done nothing to merit these benefits."

— Spurgeon and Augustine as quoted by Nathan Busenitz “Controversies and Christmas”

I was lost in sin, but Jesus rescued me,
He’s a wonderful Savior to me;
I was bound by fear, but Jesus set me free,
He’s a wonderful Savior to me.

He’s a friend so true, so patient and so kind,
He’s a wonderful Savior to me;
Everything I need in Him I always find,
He’s a wonderful Savior to me.

He is always near to comfort and to cheer,
He’s a wonderful Savior to me;
He forgives my sins, He dries my every tear,
He’s a wonderful Savior to me.

Dearer grows the love of Jesus day by day,
He’s a wonderful Savior to me.
Sweeter is His grace while pressing on my way,
He’s a wonderful Savior to me.

Refrain

For He’s a wonderful Savior to me,
He’s a wonderful Savior to me;
I was lost in sin, but Jesus took me in:
He’s a wonderful Savior to me.
--Virgil P. Brock

The Wonder of It All . . . .

Early this morning, long before time to wake up, I did wake up and had the words of this song on my heart. It has continued with me and I find myself singing the words I can remember and humming the rest of the tune.
It is so amazing that the Great God of the universe, who created the vastness of space and in that creating created a tiny speck we call earth. We are told there are somewhere between 6-7 Billion people on this speck of dirt, and the number is growing.
In God’s Holy Word, we call the Bible, He said in, John 3:16 (NKJV) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Romans 5:8 (NKJV) But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Revelation 1:5 (NKJV) and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,”
Now I ask you, isn’t it a glorious, wonderful thing that He could love me? Not only that, but before He created this universe, He chose me in His Son that I should experience this wonderful love. Ephesians 1:4 (NKJV) just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,”
Impossible to count all the Billions that have existed since He created Adam and Eve, and yet, He made choice of those who would receive this wonderful love and have the privilege of spending eternity with Him. Truly,

There’s the wonder of sunset at evening,
The wonder as sunrise I see;
But the wonder of wonder’s that thrills my soul
Is the wonder that God loves me.

There’s the wonder of spring-time and harvest,
The sky, the stars, the sun;
But the wonder of wonder’s that thrills my soul
Is a wonder that’s only begun.

O, the wonder of it all!
The wonder of it all!
Just to think that God loves me.

O, the  wonder of it all!
The wonder of it all!
Just to think that God loves me.

---George Beverly Shea

Let me ask you, my reader, “Have you experienced this wonderful love? If not, may our heavenly Father reveal it to you even now. Look to Him, trust His Word, revel in His love.

66 years ago, today!

November 18, 1951, I united with Lakewood Baptist Church, Garland, Texas upon profession of faith and for baptism. I grew up a Methodist, but the Lord had gloriously saved me in August 1950. I spent a year discovering God's direction for my life attending Dallas Bible Institute. Billie and I had begun dating in February and I was filled with so many questions that I had become a thorn to my Sunday School teacher and to my Pastor. They suggested that I not spend so much time reading the Bible.
One Sunday I was at Billie’s house for dinner and her pastor was there, at her suggestion I shot my questions to him and he gave me chapter and verse for answers. That was what I was looking for, so when I fully determined that God was calling me to preach, that was the Sunday I joined Lakewood. I won’t go into details as to how my family received the news, I can do that later.
When Brother Alford baptized me that night, while in the baptistry he asked the church to license me to preach and on November 25, 1951, I preached my first sermon. Took as my text Isaiah 53, “The Suffering Servant.” That is all that I can remember of the sermon layout, just knew that the Lord Jesus was who Isaiah was talking about and that that same Jesus had become my savior.
Crossed a few rivers, climbed a mountain or two, spent more time in the valley than I wanted, but it has been a wonderful pilgrimage. Learned more in the valleys than I did on the mountains.
God has blessed me with SO MANY great friends along the way. The Lord blessed Billie and me with so many fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters along the way. We were privileged to laugh and cry with them. Enjoyed wonderful fellowship, spent many hours in their homes, with them in the hospitals, rejoiced with them when they married and babies came along, stood and wept with them at gravesites. We experienced the whole gamut of life with them as dear loved ones.
So young when we went to Black Jack Baptist Church as pastor, only 19 years old, didn’t know (as we say in East Texas) beans, other than I had a message burning in my heart. Those dear people loved us and were fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters to us. God blessed even in my ignorance with souls saved and lives changed. Precious memories!!! According to them, every sermon was the best they had heard, of course, I knew that couldn’t be true, but it was sure an encouragement to this kid preacher.
I think I will leave this for now and add to it later, so, if you are reading this and you are one of those with whom I have shared ministry, I want to THANK YOU for what you have meant to my life. If you don’t really know me I want to THANK YOU for taking the time to read these ramblings.

Pleasant Memories

Please forgive me for re-posting from a couple of years ago, but this hit a note in my heart again.

As I was walking this afternoon a tune and words started coming in my memory. Probably haven't heard them or thought of them in 50 years or more. I do this sometimes and sometimes it is pure foolishness and then sometimes it has real meaning.

I'm remembering as a teenager laying on my bed, at night, on the back porch listening to the Hit Parade. Those were hot summer nights with no A/C, just a little oscillating fan. (Youngsters won't know what I'm talking about. Still have that fan.)

This song was one of my favorites. Pleasant nights with no worries at all. I had lots of girl-friends, as a teenager, until that little blonde moved to Garland and stole my heart and became "My Happiness." I sure miss that sweet girl since she went home to heaven.

My Happiness

Chris Isaak

Evening shadows make me blue

When each weary day is through

How I long to be with you

My happiness

Every day I reminisce 

Dreaming of your tender kiss

Always thinking how I miss

My happiness

A million years it seems

Have gone by since we shared our dreams

But I'll hold you again

There'll be no blue memories then

Whether skies are grey or blue

Any place on earth will do

Just as long as I'm with you

My happiness

A million years it seems

Have gone by since we shared our dreams

But I'll hold you again

There'll be no blue memories then

Whether skies are grey or blue

Any place on earth will do

Just as long as I'm with you

My happiness

Songwriters: ROBERT MAXWELL

Have You Experienced Any Storms Lately??

A pastor had been on a long flight between church conferences. The first warning of the approaching problems came when the sign on the airplane flashed on: Fasten Your Seat Belts. Then, after a while, a calm voice said, "We shall not be serving the beverages at this time as we are expecting a little turbulence. Please be sure your seat belt is fastened."

As the pastor looked around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of the passengers were becoming apprehensive.

Later, the voice on the intercom said, "We are so sorry that we are unable to serve the meal at this time. The turbulence is still ahead of us."

And then the storm broke ..

The ominous cracks of thunder could be heard even above the roar of the engines. Lightning lit up the darkening skies, and within moments that great plane was like a cork tossed around on a celestial ocean. One moment the airplane was lifted on terrific currents of air; the next, it dropped as if it were about to crash.

The pastor confessed that he shared the discomfort and fear of those around him. He said, "As I looked around the plane, I could see that nearly all the passengers were upset and alarmed. Some were praying. The future seemed ominous and many were wondering if they would make it through the storm.

"Then, I suddenly saw a little girl. Apparently the storm meant nothing to her. She had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat; she was reading a book and everything within her small world was calm and orderly.

"Sometimes she closed her eyes, then she would read again; then she would straighten her legs, but worry and fear were not in her world. When the plane was being buffeted by the terrible storm when it lurched this way and that, as it rose and fell with frightening severity, when all the adults were scared half to death, that marvelous child was completely composed and unafraid." The minister could hardly believe his eyes.

It was not surprising therefore, that when the plane finally reached its destination and all the passengers were hurrying to disembark, our pastor lingered to speak to the little girl whom he had watched for such a long time.

Having commented about the storm and the behavior of the plane, he asked why she had not been afraid.

The child replied, "Cause my Daddy's the pilot, and he's taking me home."

There are many kinds of storms that buffet us. Physical, mental, financial, domestic, and many other storms can easily and quickly darken our skies and throw our plane into apparently uncontrollable movement. We have all known such times, and let us be honest and confess, it is much easier to be at rest when our feet are on the ground than when we are being tossed about a darkened sky.

Let us remember: Our Father is the Pilot. He is in control and taking us home. Don't worry!

-- Author Unknown

Just Missing Old Friends

I published this 3 years ago today in FB. Every year, it seems, I lose more and more friends in death. I know it won't be too long before I join them, but in the mean while I'll rejoice that I knew them and thank God for the impact each one has made on my life.

------------------

When we reach our 80's we begin to notice that many of our friends have outstripped us and are now with the Lord. Spurgeon puts this in perspective in this little devotional paragraph. I hope you enjoy it as I have.  --BroJames

APPLES OF GOLD.
Proverbs 25:11
I seem to be standing increasingly alone, for many of my friends are melting away. My brothers, my comrades, and my friends are leaving me for the better land. We have enjoyed holy and happy fellowship in days of peace. We have stood shoulder to shoulder in the Lord’s battle, but they are now melting away. 

One has gone and then another, and before I look around, another will have departed. I see them for a moment, and then they vanish from my gaze. They do not rise into the air like our Divine Master (Acts 1:9), but I am persuaded that they do rise. It is only the poor body that descends, and that descent is only for a little while. They rise to be forever with the Lord, and the grief is ours who are left behind.

Why this constant thinning of our ranks when the warfare is so difficult? Why are the finest removed? I am sad. I could best express myself in a flood of tears as I survey the line of newly dug graves, but I restrain myself and look on it in a clearer light. The Master is gathering His ripest fruit, and well does He deserve them. He is putting His apples of gold in settings of silver (Prov. 25:11).

When we realize that it is the Lord who desires them to be with Him (John 17:24), it dries our tears and makes us rejoice. We are no longer bewildered because we now understand why the dearest and best are going home:

Father, I long, I faint to see
The place of Thine abode;
I’d leave Thine earthly courts and flee
Up to Thy seat, My God.

Charles H. Spurgeon, Beside Still Waters, ed. Roy H. Clarke (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1999), 119.

In Calm Repose

“I will make them to lie down safely.”—Hosea 2:18

YES, the saints are to have peace. The passage from which this gracious word is taken speaks of peace “with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground.” This is peace with earthly enemies, with mysterious evils, and with little annoyances! Any of these might keep us from lying down, but none of them shall do so. The Lord will quite destroy those things which threaten His people: “I will break the bow and the sword, and the battle out of the earth.” Peace will be profound indeed when all the instruments of disquiet are broken to pieces.

With this peace will come rest. “So he giveth his beloved sleep.” Fully supplied and divinely quieted, believers lie down in calm repose.

This rest will be a safe one. It is one thing to lie down, but quite another “to lie down safely.” We are brought to the land of promise, the house of the Father, the chamber of love, and the bosom of Christ: surely we may now “lie down safely.” It is safer for a believer to lie down in peace than to sit up and worry.

“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.” We never rest till the Comforter makes us lie down.

— C.H. Spurgeon

How to Handle Worry

Follow Paul's instructions given in Philippians 4:6-7, Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.(KJV)

I like the way the New Living Translation gives us help to understand what the Apostle was saying, "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."

A Reason for Praise

William Cowper (1731-1800) wrote many great hymns, among them was "There Is a Fountain." He wrote this hymn based on the scripture Zechariah 13:1, “In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness." (NKJV)

As I read and meditate on this scripture and hymn my heart is blessed. I can see a sermon in each stanza of the hymn and they all point to what the Lord Jesus did for us on the Cross. This is a personal testimony of praise for what Christ has done for me.

As you read and think on these words may they fill your heart with praise to the one who shed His blood “…for sin and for uncleanness.” If you do not know Him, may God, the Holy Spirit, open your heart to see your sin and lead you to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

  There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Immanuel’s veins, and sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.

  The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day, and there may I, though vile as he, wash all my sins away.

  Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood shall never lose its pow’r, till all the ransomed Church of God be saved to sin no more.

  E’er since by faith I saw the stream Thy flowing wounds supply, redeeming love has been my theme and shall be till I die.

  When this poor lisping, stamm’ring tongue lies silent in the grave, then in a nobler, sweeter song, I’ll sing Thy pow’r to save.

Special Words for the Season

[Float your cursor over the Scriptures and the verse will open in a pop-up.]

Allen C. Myers, in the Eerdmans Bible Dictionary has given the traditional order of the seven recorded “words” of Christ from the Cross as:

(1) “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34),

(2) to one of those being crucified with him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43),

(3) to Mary his mother and “the disciple whom he loved,” “Woman, behold, your son” and “Behold, your mother” (John 19:26–27),

(4) “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” (Matt. 27:46 par. Mark 15:34),

(5) “I thirst” (John 19:28),

(6) “It is finished” (John 19:30), and

(7) “Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46)

All of this He suffered for sinners. He was manifesting what Paul said in Romans 5:8. What a gracious Savior is He.

At Calvary  --  by William R. Newell, 1895

Years I spent in vanity and pride, Caring not my Lord was crucified, Knowing not it was for me He died On Calvary. Refrain: Mercy there was great, and grace was free; Pardon there was multiplied to me; There my burdened soul found liberty At Calvary. By God’s Word at last my sin I learned; Then I trembled at the law I’d spurned, Till my guilty soul imploring turned To Calvary. Now I’ve giv’n to Jesus everything, Now I gladly own Him as my King, Now my raptured soul can only sing Of Calvary! Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan! Oh, the grace that brought it down to man! Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span At Calvary!