Meditations of the Heart

PSALM 1:3
“He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.”

BLOOM WHERE YOU’RE PLANTED
By: Mary Rodman

—Blessings I do not deserve,
For time spent with those I serve.
Blessings lead to happy days,
As I worship God in praise.
Blessings flow from above,
Land upon me like a dove.
Blessings from the One who reigns,
My Lord who helps me to sustain.
Blessings fill me with great joy,
For my heart, He does employ.
Blessings make my life complete,
Till my Lord one day I meet.—

I have learned that in every circumstance that comes my way, I can choose to respond in one of two ways: I can whine or I can worship! And I can't worship without giving thanks. It just isn't possible. When we choose the pathway of worship and giving thanks, especially in the midst of difficult circumstances, there is a fragrance, a radiance, that issues forth out of our lives to bless the Lord and others.
--Nancy DeMoss Wolgumuth

Ecclesiastes 3:1 –"To everything there is a season, A time to every purpose under the heaven.”

SEASONS IN LIFE
by Cindy Wyatt

To everything in life there is a season
With every phase a purpose and reason
When one season ends a new one will begin
Gaining wisdom from where we have been
A season to press forward to what lies ahead
Leaving the past behind and by Jesus being led
A season to labor in the harvest field
And a time to rest while in comes the yield
A season to weep and a time to rejoice
A time to be silent and a time to lift up our voice
A season to meditate on God's love and His word
A time to tell the gospel to others as you have heard
A season to be healthy, robust, and strong
A time of weariness and pain and for Heaven long
A season to abound and a time to suffer need
All the while ploughing to sow the gospel seed
A season to be active and a time to be still
All things according to God's perfect time and will
A season to be born and a time to die
When we fly away and go to our home on high.

Life Is But A Weaving

By: Corrie ten Boom
April 15, 1892 to April 15, 1983
Author of "The Hiding Place"
A Holocaust Survivor of the Nazi Concentration Camp in Germany
Official website: Corrie ten Boom Museum

Psalm 91:1-2 ~ "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”

“My life is but a weaving
Between my God and me.
I cannot choose the colors
He weaveth steadily.

Oft’ times He weaveth sorrow;
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper
And I the underside.

Not ’til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Will God unroll the canvas
And reveal the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful
In the weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned

He knows, He loves, He cares;
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives the very best to those
Who leave the choice to Him.”

Only One Life, ‘Twill Soon Be Past

Poem by: Charles Thomas Studd

Two little lines I heard one day,

Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee

Take Up The Cross

By: Nancy Leigh DeMoss

(Seeking Him Daily Devotional)

Peace, joy, a home in heaven, prosperity. These are the kinds of things we tend to focus on in our modern-day evangelistic efforts: Come to Jesus, and He’ll get rid of all your problems.

But Jesus called His followers to take up their cross and follow Him—to suffer for His sake. By ignoring that calling, I think we’ve produced a generation of soft, flabby disciples who don’t have much stomach for the battles of the Christian life. When they encounter trials and temptations, they whimper and whine and make a dash for the quickest escape route.

The apostle Paul understood that suffering is essential. He said that we must walk through many tribulations to enter the kingdom of God.

So when you face trials, remember it doesn’t mean that God has let you down. If you’ll let Him, He will actually use those trials as a means to bless you and make you more like His Son.

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Joy in the Morning

By: Nancy Leigh DeMoss

(Seeking Him Daily Devotional)

A woman shared with me once that she had lived for forty years in a marriage to a man who was just—wicked. She said, “All through those years, people counseled me to get out of that marriage. But somehow, God kept drawing me back to that vow I had made.”

Then she said, “I’m so glad I waited. A year ago my husband finally got saved, and God is truly changing him." And then she said, “You can’t believe the incredible changes God has brought about in my life as a result of that suffering.”

Forty years may seem like eternity, but 2 Corinthians 4 tells us that our troubles are really only momentary, and that they are “achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (v. 17).

I don’t know how you may be suffering, but let me assure you that when it’s over, you’ll look back and say, “Thank you, Lord. You brought about eternal glory through my suffering.”

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The Art of Marriage

Author Unknown
(Reference: Radisson Road Baptist Church)

THE GREATEST GIFT - " Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. " -1 Corinthians 13:1-13-

The Art of Marriage

A good marriage must be created,

In the Art of Marriage, the little things are the big things.

It is never being too old to hold hands,

It is remembering to say, ' I love you ' at least once a day.

It is never going to sleep angry.

It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.

It is standing together facing the world.

It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.

It is speaking words of appreciation

and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.

It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.

It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.

It is finding room for the things of the spirit.

It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.

IT IS NOT ONLY MARRYING THE RIGHT PARTNER,

IT IS BEING THE RIGHT PARTNER.

" with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering,
bearing with one another in love," -Ephesians 4:2-

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“The life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God.”

By: Charles Haddon Spurgeon

(Morning and Evening Daily Devotional)

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." - Galatians 2:20

When the Lord in mercy passed by and saw us in our dead and bloody condition, He first of all commanded us to live. Having life is absolutely essential in spiritual matters too, and until it is given to us by God, we are incapable of partaking in the things of the kingdom. The life that is given to us is none other than the life of Christ Himself. It is the same spiritual “sap” that runs from the stem into the branches, and establishes a living connection between our souls and Jesus. Our faith, then, is the grace that perceives this union, having proceeded from the Spirit as the “first-fruit” in the Christian’s life.

Faith lays hold upon the Lord Jesus with a firm and determined grasp. She knows His excellence and worth, and no temptation can coax her to place her trust elsewhere; as faith lays hold of Christ, He never ceases to strengthen and sustain her by the loving embrace and all-sufficient support of His eternal arms. This is a living, sensible, and delightful union of love, confidence, sympathy, satisfaction, and joy.

When a soul perceives this oneness between itself and Christ, the pulse may be felt as beating for both, and the one blood as flowing through the veins of each. That’s when the heart is as near to heaven as it can be on earth.

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A Room In Our Hearts

By: David and Erlinda Olson
(originally written at the Lord's Pilgrim's Road on Tuesday, December 9th, 2014 at 6:12amPST)

"And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." -Luke 2:7

You left Your Father’s home

Your Kingly crown and Heavenly throne

In a humble manger You were borne

Wrapped in swaddling cloths,

And without a permanent home.

You willingly came down to earth

To dwell among sinful people—

People who are self-seeking and lost

Blinded by their own righteousness—

Who refused to come into the light.

A true pilgrim You were

Traveling from place to place.

Earthly things You never desire—

Though You are the Creator,

And Owner of All.

You live a life here on earth,

Mocked and disowned.

Yet sinless and perfect—

A sacrificial Lamb for all.

Your obedience to Your Heavenly Father,

And Your love for the world

Gave way to Your victory—

The power of sin is finally broken,

Triumphant on the Cross.

You knocked at hearts’ doors

And a room You have found.

Willingly surrendered—

Our souls, our lives. Our All.

Now and always …

You dwell in our hearts.

LORD JESUS, Thank You for Your willingness to leave Your Heavenly glory so You could dwell with us, and ultimately saved us. We are not worthy of Your goodness. Help us to live a life that always seeks to please You. May it always be in our hearts that Christmas is You!

Happy Birthday to You, Lord Jesus, our Great Saviour and King, the Messiah and the Redeemer of all mankind!

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The Eternal God Is Your Refuge

By: Charles Haddon Spurgeon

( Morning and Evening Daily Devotional )

Deuteronomy 33:27 ~ "The eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, And will say, ‘Destroy!’

The word "refuge" may be translated "mansion" or "abiding-place," which gives the thought that God is our home— the place where we live. There’s a fullness and sweetness in this metaphor because our home is dear to our hearts—even if it’s the humblest cottage or the scantiest shack.

It is at home that we feel safe; we shut the world out and dwell in quiet security. In the same way, when we’re with our God we "fear no evil." He is our shelter and retreat, our abiding refuge. At home we lay down to rest after the work of the day, and in God we find spiritual rest when tired by life’s conflicts.

At home also we let our hearts loose; we’re not afraid of being misunderstood or of having our words misconstrued. So when we are with God we can talk with Him freely, laying open all our hidden desires, and He knows them all.

Home is also the place of our truest and purest happiness, and it is in God that our hearts find their deepest delight. We have joy in Him which far surpasses all other joy.

It is also for home that we work hard each day. The thought of it gives strength to bear the daily burden, and motivates our fingers to perform their tasks. In this sense, we may also say that God is our home. Love to Him strengthens us, and we want to make His heart happy by bringing home His wandering sons—those who have yet to become our brothers.

Happy are those who have the God of Jacob for their refuge!

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White As Snow

By: Nancy Leigh DeMoss

( Seeking Him Daily Devotional )

The outside of my house has white siding on it—at least, it looks white most of the time. But in the winter, when the snow falls, the house suddenly looks dingy and yellow. When compared to the pure snow, my house suddenly doesn’t look so clean.

When we compare ourselves to other people, we can look pretty good—kind of like that siding that seems clean. But looking at the holiness of God reminds us of how dirty and dingy we really are.

When we gaze upon Him, we become aware of our own need. Once we get honest about our own sin, we can take hope in the words of Isaiah 1:18: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow.” The blood of Christ can cleanse us from all sin.

Would you spend some time focusing on the holiness of God today?

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God's Hall Of Fame

By: John Wooden
(October 14, 1910 - June 4, 2010)

Your name may not appear down here,
In this world’s hall of fame,
In fact you may be so unknown,
That no one knows your name!

The Oscars here may pass you by
And neon lights of blue,
But if you love and serve the Lord,
Then I have news for you.

This hall of fame is only good
As long as time shall be,
But keep in mind, God’s Hall of fame,
Is for eternity!

To have your name inscribed up there
Is greater yet by far,
Than all the Halls of Fame down here
And every man-made star.

This crowd on earth may soon forget
The heroes of the past,
They cheer like mad until you fall,
And that’s how long you last.

But God, He never does forget,
And in His Hall of Fame
By just believing in His Son,
Inscribed you’ll find your name.

I tell you, friend, I wouldn’t trade
My name however small,
That written there beyond the stars
In that celestial hall,

For any famous name on earth
Or glory that they share;
I’d rather be unknown here,
And have my name up there.

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Oh, Give Thanks To The Lord

By: Erlinda Mejia-Olson

"Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." (Psalm 118:29)

Thank You LORD,

That we can worship You—

In the beauty of holiness.

That in Your mercy we can come to You,

Because of Your unfailing love for us

That made us whole again.

Thank You LORD,

For the gift of eternal life.

Enduring a cruel death on the cross,

You purchased us with Your precious blood.

No good deeds that we have done—

Can ever repay all that You have done.

Thank You LORD,

For all that this new day brings—

Be it sunshine or rain.

For the miracles of life our eyes can behold

Embraced by Your mercy,

Blessings have overflowed.

Thank You LORD,

For the love that flows out from Your merciful heart.

Through the love we give and receive—

Shared with our loved ones and friends.

But there is no greater love than this

Than to lay down Your life for Your friends.

Thank You LORD,

For Your peace that calms our life’s storms.

What an exceeding joy to know

That no matter what the future holds,

Our hope is found in You—

Now and the life to come.

Thank You LORD, for loving us first.

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Give Thanks To The Lord!

Psalm 100

Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!

Serve the LORD with gladness;

Come before His presence with singing.

Know that the LORD, He is God;

It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

And into His courts with praise.

Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

For the LORD is good;

His mercy is everlasting,

And His truth endures to all generations.

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Learn To Walk

By: Anonymous

"Teach me Your ways, O Lord, and I will walk in Your truth." -Psalm 86:11

We try to walk but sometimes trip,

While learning we may fall.

But God is there to lift us up

Because He loves us all.

We have to learn what steps to take

And learn to love each day;

We have to learn His caring touch

And all His godly ways.

The only way we'll ever learn

What steps we need to make

Is to talk to God in prayer each day,

Your problems to Him take.

So learn to walk but take your time,

Each step you take He's there.

Just watch and learn Hid godly ways

And all His loving cares.

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Thank You, Lord

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." -Colossians 3:17-

Author: Unknown

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings. Thank you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible. Thank you, Lord, that I can see. Many are blind.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising. Thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned, tempers are short, and my children are so loud.

Thank you, Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like the picture in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced.

Thank you, Lord, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry.

Even though the routine of my job often is monotonous. Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest. Thank you, Lord, for life.

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On Pilgrim's Road

By: David Olson and Erlinda Mejia-Olson

On Pilgrim's road, everyday is a mission trip. When you have the Lord in the midst you have everything that you need — "For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s" -Romans 14:8

Oh Lord,

We reckon we are not by ourselves

We fail to do a lot of things as we ought to do;

But, Lord, when trials are steep and pass is high,

Help us to ride it straight the whole way through.

And in the falling dusk,

When we get the final call,

We do not care how many flowers they send;

For us, the happiest trail above all will be,

For You to say to us, Lord,

"Come and ride with Me, My friend."

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Please guide and protect Your pilgrims, Oh Lord!

As through hard times of life we travel

Give us strength for the battle

Hope for the future

Courage to face the unknown

Keep Your pilgrims safe from harm

As we pray for peace and daily provisions.

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"A joyful journey begins and ends in Christ."

"You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." (Psalm 16:11)

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Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death!

By: Patrick Henry

Delivered in St. John’s Church in Richmond, Virginia, March 23, 1775

Watch the Tribute Song: “America, Bless God”

No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The questing before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.

I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House. Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne! In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free—if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending--if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained—we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us!

They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable--and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace—but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

~ PSALM 33:11-12 ~
“The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
The plans of His heart to all generations.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.”

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This Is My Father's World / Jesus Loves Me Medley

Words for Jesus Loves Me by Anna Warner and David Rutherford McGuire; Music by William BradburyWords for This Is My Father's World by Maltbie D. Babcock, 1901; Music by Franklin L. Sheppard, 1915.

Sung by Lydia, Daniel, Christiana, and Abigail Miller

“And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” -Ephesians 6:4

Jesus loves me, this I know

For the Bible tells me so,

Little ones to Him belong,

They are weak, but He is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me,

The Bible tells me so.

This is my Father's world,

And to my list'ning ears,

All nature sings and 'round me rings

The music of the spheres.

This is my Father's world,

I rest me in the thought

Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas,

His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father's world,

The birds their carols raise,

The morning light, the lily white,

Declare their Maker's praise.

This is my Father's world,

He shines in all that's fair,

In the rustling grass I hear Him pass,

He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father's world,

O, let me ne'er forget,

That though the wrong seems oft' so strong,

God is the ruler yet.

This is my Father's world,

The battle is not done,

Jesus who died shall be satisfied,

And earth and heav'n be won.

This is my Father's world,

The battle is not done,

Jesus who died shall be satisfied,

And earth and heav'n be won.

The Bible tells me so.

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Meditation Scripture: PSALM 91

Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.

Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,

The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;

I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him,

And show him My salvation.”

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Waiting on the Lord

By: Russell Kelfer

“My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God.” –Psalm 62:5-7

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried.

Quietly, patiently, lovingly God replied.

I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate,

And the Master so gently said, “Child, you must wait! ”

“Wait?’, You say, wait!” my indignant relpy.

“Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!

Is Your hand shortened? Or have You not heard?

By FAITH I have asked, and am claiming Your Word.”

“My future and all to which I can relate

Hangs in the balance, and You tell me to WAIT?

I’m needing a ‘yes,’ a go-ahead sign,

Or even a ‘no’ to which I can resign.”

“And Lord, You promised that if we believe

We need but to ask, and we shall receive.

And Lord, I’ve been asking, and this is my cry:

I’m weary of asking! I need a reply!”

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate

As my Master replied once again, “you must wait.”

So, I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut

And grumbled to God, “So, I’m waiting ... for what?”

He seemed then to kneel and His eyes wept with mine,

And He tenderly said, “I could give you a sign.

I could shake the heavens, and darken the sun.

I could raise the dead, and cause mountians to run.

All you seek, I could give, and pleased you would be.

You would have what you want ... but, you wouldn’t know ME.”

“You’d not know the depth of My love for each saint;

You’d not know the power that I give to the faint;

You’d not learn to see through the clouds of despair;

You’d not learn to trust just by knowing I’m there;

You’d not know the joy of resting in Me,

When darkness and silence were all you could see.

“You’d never experience that fulness of love,

As the peace of My Spirit descends like a dove;

You’d know that I give and I save ... (for a start),

But you’d not know the depth of the beat of My heart.”

“The glow of My comfort late into the night.

The faith that I give when you walk without sight,

The depth that’s beyond getting just what you asked

Of an infinite God, who makes what you have LAST.”

“You’d never know, should your pain quickly flee,

What it means that ‘My grace is sufficient for thee.’

Yes, your dreams for your loves ones overnight would come true,

But, oh, the loss! If I lost what I’m doing in you!”

“So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see

THAT THE GREATEST OF GIFTS IS TO GET TO KNOW ME,

And though oft may My answers is still but to WAIT.”

“And though oft’ My answers seem terribly late,

My most precious answer of all is still, “Wait.”

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Never Let Go (of the Lord)

Words and Music by Abigail Miller
© 2001-2010 Abigail Miller Ministries
Watch the Song Video

^““For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”” –Jeremiah 29:11

I've seen some trials,

I've shed some tears,
I've had some struggles,
And harbored some fears.
Yet, through the windy days,
The storms and the strife,
I've found just one way to hold on to life.

Never let go of the Lord,
Never lose hold of His word,
Never stop praying,
Never stop saying His Name,
Never let go.

I've seen a brother pull up on the shore,
Weary from battle, with storm after storm.
And if you ask him what kept him alive,
He'll tell you there's only one way to survive.

Never let go of the Lord,
Never lose hold of His word,
Never stop praying,
Never stop saying His Name,
Never let go.

Even in sunshine, when all skies are clear,
There is no telling what storms may be near.
So never stop praying,
Never stop saying His name.
Never let go.

Never let go.

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In Evil Long I Took Delight

By: John Newton

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." –Romans 5:8

In evil long I took delight,

Unawed by shame or fear,

Till a new object struck my sight,

And stopped my wild career.

I saw One hanging on a tree,

In agony and blood,

Who fixed His languid eyes on me,

As near His cross I stood.

Sure, never to my latest breath,

Can I forget that look;

It seemed to charge me with His death,

Though not a word He spoke.

My conscience felt and owned the guilt,

And plunged me in despair,

I saw my sins His blood had spilt,

And helped to nail Him there.

A second look He gave, which said,

"I freely all forgive;

This blood is for thy ransom paid;

I die that thou mayst live."

Thus, while His death my sin displays

In all its blackest hue,

Such is the mystery of grace,

It seals my pardon too.

With pleasing grief and mournful joy,

My spirit now is fill'd,

That I should such a life destroy,

Yet live by Him I kill'd.

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America, The Beautiful

Words by: Katharine Lee Bates, 1913

Melody by: Samuel Ward

““For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, But My kindness shall not depart from you, Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,” Says the Lord, who has mercy on you.” –Isaiah 54:10

O beautiful for spacious skies,

For amber waves of grain,

For purple mountain majesties

Above the fruited plain!

America! America! God shed His grace on thee,

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet,

Whose stern impassion'd stress

A thoroughfare for freedom beat

Across the wilderness!

America! America! God mend thine ev'ry flaw,

Confirm thy soul in self-control,

Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife,

Who more than self their country loved,

And mercy more than life!

America! America! May God thy gold refine

Till all success be nobleness,

And ev'ry gain divine!

O Beautiful for patriot dream

That sees beyond the years

Thine alabaster cities gleam,

Undimmed by human tears!

America! America! God shed His grace on thee,

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea!

Thank You to all our heroes of war, alive and fallen, for their unselfish dedication for the cause of freedom. Thank You to all their families who unconditionally support them all the way. May this Memorial Day be an everyday remembrance for all of us that FREEDOM COSTS MUCH.

Have a Blessed Memorial Day!

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One Day at a Time

By: Annie Johnson Flint

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." -2 Corinthians 4:16-18

One day at a time, with its failures and fears,
With its hurts and mistakes, with its weakness and tears,
With its portion of pain and its burden of care;
One day at a time we must meet and must bear.

One day at a time to be patient and strong,
To be calm under trial and sweet under wrong;
Then its toiling shall pass and its sorrow shall cease;
It shall darken and die, and the night shall bring peace.

One day at a time - but the day is so long,
And the heart is not brave, and the soul is not strong,
O Thou pitiful Christ, be Thou near all the way;
Give courage and patience and strength for the day.

Swift cometh His answer, so clear and so sweet;
"Yea, I will be with thee, thy troubles to meet;
I will not forget thee, nor fail thee, nor grieve;
I will not forsake thee; I never will leave."

Not yesterday's load we are called on to bear,
Nor the morrow's uncertain and shadowy care;
Why should we look forward or back with dismay?
Our needs, as our mercies, are but for the day.

One day at a time, and the day is His day;
He hath numbered its hours, though they haste or delay.
His grace is sufficient; we walk not alone;
As the day, so the strength that He giveth His own.

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For Our Children

By: Amy Carmichael

"Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place the Most High, who is my refuge no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near to your tent." -Psalm 91:9-10

Father, hear us, we are praying,

Hear the words our hearts are saying;

We are praying for our children.

Keep them from the powers of evil,

From the secret, hidden peril;

Father, hear us for our children.

From the whirlpool that would suck them,

From the treacherous quicksand, pluck them;

Father, hear us for our children.

From the wordling’s hollow gladness,

From the sting of faithless sadness,

Father, Father, keep our children.

Through life’s troubles waters steer them;

Through life’s bitter battle cheer them;

Father, Father, be Thou near them.

Read the language of our longing,

Read the wordless pleadings thronging,

Holy Father, for our children.

And wherever they may bide,

Lead them Home at eventide.

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Disturb Us, Lord

By: Sir Frances Drake

"Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God." -Psalm 42:11

Disturb us, Lord, when
We are too pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true
Because we dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely
Because we sailed too close to the shore.

Disturb us, Lord, when
With the abundance of things we possess
We have lost our thirst
For the waters of life;
Having fallen in love with life,
We have ceased to dream of eternity
And in our efforts to build a new earth,
We have allowed our vision
Of the new Heaven to dim.

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture on wilder seas
Where storms will show Your mastery;
Where losing sight of land,
We shall find the stars.

We ask you to push back
The horizons of our hopes;
And to push back the future
In strength, courage, hope, and love.

This we ask in the name of our Captain,
Who is Jesus Christ.

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Only A Love For Christ

By: Erlinda Mejia-Olson

“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” -1 John 5:3

Unlocking the heart’s door
For a heart that is searching—
Hungry for love
For love to overflow.

Where can I find such love?

Overflowing in the wilderness—
Of God’s sufficient grace
In the love of God.

Inside of me—the very core of my being
God's Holy Spirit indwells
Moving me
To love
And to love in return.

Like a gentle touch
Of God’s Heavenly bliss
Warms my soul
And so is the love
Of my dearly beloved.

In the faces of those
Who are not afraid to love
In the utterance of words
In the expression of a heart
That is not afraid of being broken.

Reflecting on the beauty
Of God’s amazing grace
Fleshed out through my beautiful Savior
My admiration for such benevolence
For such LOVE
For such devotion.

Can I ever forget?

It’s Perfect.

Undying.

Unselfish.

So TRUE.

I drown on those heart-piercing words
God’s gift of life
His enduring goodness
His forgiveness.

I ponder in the absence of hypocrisy
Could I utter these words to Him?

“Your love is sufficient.”

LORD Jesus, if You never added to me another thing. If all Your blessings ceased. If not one of my hearts desires were granted by You. If You chose to never answer a prayer. If only hardships were to follow me the rest of my journeys. Could I still say, “Your love, Oh LORD, is sufficient for me?” Do I have the audacity to lay it bare and declare that my true desire be that You, LORD Jesus, do not have to do another thing for me? ... That Your love is sufficient.

If not, can You make that so?

“I desire my life to reflect a love for Christ, alone. Not a love for Christ because of what He gives me, adds to me, or keeps me from. Only a love for Him.”

“We love Him because He first loved us.” -1 John 4:19

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Meditation Scripture: PROVERBS 31:10-30

The Virtuous Wife

Who can find a virtuous wife?

For her worth is far above rubies.

The heart of her husband safely trusts her;

So he will have no lack of gain.

She does him good and not evil

All the days of her life.

She seeks wool and flax,

And willingly works with her hands.

She is like the merchant ships,

She brings her food from afar.

She also rises while it is yet night,

And provides food for her household,

And a portion for her maidservants.

She considers a field and buys it;

From her profits she plants a vineyard.

She girds herself with strength,

And strengthens her arms.

She perceives that her merchandise is good,

And her lamp does not go out by night.

She stretches out her hands to the distaff,

And her hand holds the spindle.

She extends her hand to the poor,

Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.

She is not afraid of snow for her household,

For all her household is clothed with scarlet.

She makes tapestry for herself;

Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

Her husband is known in the gates,

When he sits among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them,

And supplies sashes for the merchants.

Strength and honor are her clothing;

She shall rejoice in time to come.

She opens her mouth with wisdom,

And on her tongue is the law of kindness.

She watches over the ways of her household,

And does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children rise up and call her blessed;

Her husband also, and he praises her:

“Many daughters have done well,

But you excel them all.”

Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,

But a woman who fears the Lord,

She shall be praised.

"The Bible teaches us to not to be conformed to this world (Romans 12:1-3). But to have a heart attitude that reflects God's definition of beauty than by simply fitting into the world's perspective of beauty." -Erlinda Mejia-Olson

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Faith And Endurance

By: Vicki Potter

The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? -Psalm 27:1

Sometimes it seems that a hard storm of life
Will never let loose its cruel hold -
Then we, like frightened, panicked sheep,
Long for a safe, peaceful fold.

But as the winds of trial howl around us,
It's then we must vow to endure -
We can choose to give up in total despair
Or trust that our Lord's love is sure.

Surely He'll not forsake His own children -
Recall His words: "Fear not, little flock"
And midst those terrible stormy hours,
We must cling to that most sacred Rock.

He has assured us that He is our refuge,
Our fortress, our guiding Light -
Remember, God's own Son suffered such pain
That beside His, our own is but slight.

The clouds of that raging, fearful storm
Cannot hide us from His loving view -
For He's with us in gloom of the dark days
As in days of the sky's clearest blue.

And when, at last, the harsh storm has abated,
We'll have learned to trust that He'll bless,
And with strength gained from faith and endurance,
Our fear of the next storm is less.

And when we see brothers or sisters in pain,
From life's storms seeking peace and rest,
We can comfort them, too, with the comfort
Our dear Lord with us has blessed.

And we know that whether it be our first storm,
Or should it be that very last -
He promises: "Joy cometh in the morning"
When the tearful night is past.

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Calvary Love

By: Amy Carmichael

"Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love." -1 Corinthians 16:13

If I belittle those whom I am called to serve, talk of their weak points in contrast perhaps with what I think of as my strong points; if I adopt a superior attitude, forgetting "Who made thee to differ? And what hast thou that thou hast not received?" then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I find myself taking lapses for granted, "Oh, that's what they always do," "Oh, of course she talks like that, he acts like that," then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I can enjoy a joke at the expense of another; if I can in any way slight another in conversation, or even in thought, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I can write an unkind letter, speak an unkind word, think an unkind thought without grief and shame, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I do not feel far more for the grieved Savior than for my worried self when troublesome things occur, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I can rebuke without a pang, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If my attitude be one of fear, not faith, about one who has disappointed me; if I say, "Just what I expected" if a fall occurs, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I am afraid to speak the truth, lest I lose affection, or lest the one concerned should say, "You do not understand," or because I fear to lose my reputation for kindness; if I put my own good name before the other's highest good, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I am content to heal a hurt slightly, saying "Peace, peace," where there is no peace; if I forget the poignant word "Let love be without dissimulation" and blunt the edge of truth, speaking not right things but smooth things, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I hold on to choices of any kind, just because they are my choice, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I am soft to myself and slide comfortably into self-pity and self-sympathy; If I do not by the grace of God practice fortitude, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I myself dominate myself, if my thoughts revolve round myself, if I am so occupied with myself I rarely have "a heart at leisure from itself," then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If the moment I am conscious of the shadow of self crossing my threshold, I do not shut the door, and keep that door shut, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I cannot in honest happiness take the second place (or the twentieth); if I cannot take the first without making a fuss about my unworthiness, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I take offense easily, if I am content to continue in a cool unfriendliness, though friendship be possible, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I feel injured when another lays to my charge things that I know not, forgetting that my sinless Savior trod this path to the end, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I feel bitter toward those who condemn me, as it seems to me, unjustly, forgetting that if they knew me as I know myself they would condemn me much more, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If souls can suffer alongside, and I hardly know it, because the spirit of discernment is not in me, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If the praise of others elates me and their blame depresses me; if I cannot rest under misunderstanding without defending myself; if I love to be loved more than to love, to be served more than to serve, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I crave hungrily to be used to show the way of liberty to a soul in bondage, instead of caring only that it be delivered; if I nurse my disappointment when I fail, instead of asking that to another the word of release may be given, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I do not forget about such a trifle as personal success, so that it never crosses my mind, or if it does, is never given room there; if the cup of flattery tastes sweet to me, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If in the fellowship of service I seek to attach a friend to myself, so that others are caused to feel unwanted; if my friendships do not draw others deeper in, but are ungenerous (to myself, for myself), then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I refuse to allow one who is dear to me to suffer for the sake of Christ, if I do not see such suffering as the greatest honor that can be offered to any follower of the Crucified, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I slip into the place that can be filled by Christ alone, making myself the first necessity to a soul instead of leading it to fasten upon Him, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If my interest in the work of others is cool; if I think in terms of my own special work; if the burdens of others are not my burdens too, and their joys mine, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I wonder why something trying is allowed, and press for prayer that it may be removed; if I cannot be trusted with any disappointment, and cannot go on in peace under any mystery, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If the ultimate, the hardest, cannot be asked of me; if my fellows hesitate to ask it and turn to someone else, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I covet any place on earth but the dust at the foot of the Cross, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

That which I know not, teach Thou me, O Lord, my God.

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