Meditation Scripture: 1 CORINTHIANS 13:1-13

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.

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Christ My Faithful Friend

By: Erlinda Mejia-Olson

"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you."  -John 15:12-14

Christ has given me many blessings in my life
He has always encouraged me in sorrow and strife
I have had plenty of good times over the years
But there have also been many heartaches and tears
He has used many diverse things to complete His task
But many more of one special thing I always ask
You see, what has blessed me more than any other
Is having some faithful Christian sisters and brothers
Who will stand by my side and help me fight
When the battle gets tough and lose my sight
Of my supreme Commander-in-Chief and fall
Giving in, unheeding my LORD’s pleading call
With Christ’s strength through them, I soon begin
To get up and fight Satan's evil force again
Then there are those times I find myself stopping to think
How He saw me in the pit of despair beginning to sink
And sent someone my way to help pull me out
So I could once again give a victory shout

Christ has given me many a faithful friend
Who would stand by me till the bitter end.
But none have been as faithful and true

Christ Jesus, my Savior and Friend

Loving, kind, patient, understanding is He

My life's joy, my all in all
Had it not been for His precious Word to me

My life could have ended in utter catastrophe

I thank the LORD, for allowing me my sorrows to share

I thank the LORD, for helping me my burdens to bear
I thank the LORD, for His death on the Cross to save me

You, Oh LORD, deserves all the glory and praises

Apart from Your amazing love

I could be writing a different story.

I CAN'T brag about my love for God because I fail Him daily. But I CAN brag about His love for me because it never fails (1 Cor 13:8). Oh, the Love of God (Romans 8:38-39)!

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You Simply Walk Away

By: Erlinda Mejia-Olson

"For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" –Matthew 16:26

The LORD is calling you—
Calling you for a greater task
To yield, to be willing, to serve
With a cold heart, you ignored the call
And you simply walk away.

The LORD is calling you—
To cast all cares upon Him
Because He loved you so
But unlovingly you take no heed
Callously, you simply walk away.

The LORD is calling you—
With such great of a plan
To fellowship with Him
And to make Him known
With no hesitation you simply walk away.

The LORD is calling you—
To trust in His free gift of salvation
Paid for you through eternity
But so caught up with the pride of life
No time, and so you simply walk away.

In your bed so ill and dying—
Grasping for that last breath
A life you borrowed from the LORD
Exhausted, moaning in pain
Hoping, wishing, wanting to live.

But the LORD says, “Your time has come.”
And like a rope cut in two—
In a split of a second
Your life has ended for good
And you died, UNPREPARED.

In the “Book of Life”
Your name is not found—
You’re calling on the LORD
But it was too late
With no delay off to Hell you go.

It is all because …

You simply walk away.

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Meditation Scripture: ECCLESIASTES 3:1-8

Everything Has Its Time

To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:

A time to be born,
And a time to die;
A time to plant,
And a time to pluck what is planted;
A time to kill,
And a time to heal;
A time to break down,
And a time to build up;
A time to weep,
And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
And a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones,
And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace,
And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to gain,
And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
And a time to throw away;
A time to tear,
And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence,
And a time to speak;
A time to love,
And a time to hate;
A time of war,
And a time of peace.

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The Lord Is Always There For Me

By: Erlinda Mejia-Olson

"and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."  –Matthew 28:20b

When my world comes crumbling down

And mayhem surrounds my life

I turn my heart to you, LORD

Then real joy and peace I find.

You haul me up from the snags

And liberates me from the foe

You console me in my pain, LORD

Like a gentle refreshing rain.

In Your Word, LORD

You calm my emperil mind

Like a soft music to my heart

A sweet sound of Your lullaby.

In my days of abundance and bliss

When I am standing at the mountain top

Your mercy carries me even higher, LORD

As You humble me with gladness.

You pay heed to my prayers

By Your grace You listen to my plea

I am secure for my soul knows very well

That You, LORD, is always there for me.

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The Lord Is Waiting

By: Erlinda Mejia-Olson

"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 11:29-30

"And 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." -John 6:35

There is more to life ...
This is not all there is ...

Such a tangled web we weave
Confined by the need for control
Trapped by the unquenchable desires

For material pleasures
Browbeaten by inconsolable thirst
For approval
For love
From everyone
From the world
Except for the One who loves us most.

Worrying, straining, squinting,
Brawling to liberate a proverbial yoke,
Wrestling to break away from the stiffness of life
And the innermost weight of knowing
That we are nothing
That our lives are incomplete
Apart from God who created us.

Dried out, longing for more
More of something
We cannot even circumscribe
We look everywhere, anywhere
Racing, beating the odds in wrong places,
Except for the One place
Where ultimate meaning of life
Is found.

The LORD is waiting
Change your direction
Come to Him
All you who are weighed-down
All you who are lost
He is the only way to salvation
He is hope
He is joy
He is freedom, direction, and purpose.

The LORD is waiting
Cast all your cares upon Him
Surrender all to Him
Every fiber of your being
To His nail-pierced hands
Make Him your light
In every dark corner of your life
Like a beacon of light
Who guides every step of your way.

The LORD is waiting
Yes, He is waiting for you

Patiently waiting …

To lead you home.

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." -John 14:6

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"WHAT IF"

By: Erlinda Mejia-Olson

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.  For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.  For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"  -Matthew 16:24-26

What if your life is slipping away like a quicksand,
Would you still talk about Jesus?
What if you lose your family and all that you hold dear like Job,
Would you still talk about Jesus?
What if your plans don’t seem to succeed no matter what you do,
Would you still talk about Jesus?
What if God keeps closing doors after doors of opportunity,
Would you still talk about Jesus?
What if your desire to go abroad doesn't happen,
Would you still talk about Jesus?
What if you can't find the love of your life,
Would you still talk about Jesus?
What if you lose your house today,
Would you still talk about Jesus?
What if you don’t get the job you applied for,
Would you still talk about Jesus?
What if you don’t receive what you ask for,
Would you still talk about Jesus?
What if you are at the verge of financial bankruptcy,
Would you still talk about Jesus?
What if your so called "friends" leave you,
Would you still talk about Jesus?
What if the overall scheme of life treats you unfairly,
Would you still talk about Jesus?
What if you are suffering from a very painful illness,
Would you still talk about Jesus?
What if you find out that you only have a short time to live,
Would you still talk about Jesus?

What if you died today,
Would Jesus talk about you?

The awful truth is, it is easy to talk about Jesus when you are sitting in an ivory palace.

But, what if … ?

"And he said: "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." -Job 1:21

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The Lord Has Heard My Plea

By: Erlinda Mejia-Olson

"I called on the LORD in distress;  The LORD answered me and set me in a broad place.  The LORD is on my side;  I will not fear.  What can man do to me?"  –Psalm 118:5-6

Oh LORD, my Savior and my God!
Your servant's heart is rejoicing!

My voice cried out for Your mercy

You answered me and set me on high.

The snares of life have tempted me,

To disbelief and to doubt You,

But Your stubborn love, Oh LORD—

Has gripped this weary soul of mine.

My faith in You has saved me,

Leaving me with Your sweet assurance—

"I will never leave you nor forsake you."

A promise, You will be on my side.

I am tired of being afraid, Oh LORD!
So I am casting all of  life's battle—
They are all now for Yours to keep;
The LORD is on my side "I will not fear."

"What can man do to me?"
The wrath of  man and his evil intentions
Have no power over You LORD;
For You are my God the Almighty!

You are my Father and I am Your child
My home is in Heaven — my mansion awaits
At the foot of my Blessed Savior
My eternal bliss — forevermore!

My heart, Oh LORD, will always be grateful to Your goodness whatever befalls.  Thank You for being my God and my Savior!

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Meditation Scripture: PSALM 90

Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth,
Or ever You had formed the earth and the world,
Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.
You turn man to destruction,
And say, "Return, O children of men."
For a thousand years in Your sight
Are like yesterday when it is past,
And like a watch in the night.
You carry them away like a flood;
They are like a sleep.
In the morning they are like grass which grows up:
In the morning it flourishes and grows up;
In the evening it is cut down and withers.
For we have been consumed by Your anger,
And by Your wrath we are terrified.
You have set our iniquities before You,
Our secret sins in the light of Your countenance.
For all our days have passed away in Your wrath;
We finish our years like a sigh.
The days of our lives are seventy years;
And if by reason of strength they are eighty years,
Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow;
For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
Who knows the power of Your anger?
For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath.
So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Return, O LORD!
How long?
And have compassion on Your servants.
Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy,
That we may rejoice and be glad all our days!
Make us glad according to the days in which You have afflicted us,
The years in which we have seen evil.
Let Your work appear to Your servants,
And Your glory to their children.
And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us,
And establish the work of our hands for us;
Yes, establish the work of our hands.

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Jesus, My All In All

By: Erlinda Mejia-Olson

Lord Jesus, You are the greatest treasure I've ever had—now and the life to come. You are my home, my peace, my joy, my hope, my comfort, the rock of my salvation. I love You, Lord. Thank You for loving and dying for a great sinner like me. Thank You for adopting me into Your family, and for blessing my life as I seek and serve You. "To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever." (Psalm 30:12)

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Meditation Scripture: PSALM 92

It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning,
And Your faithfulness every night,
On an instrument of ten strings,
On the lute,
And on the harp,
With harmonious sound.
For You, LORD, have made me glad through Your work;
I will triumph in the works of Your hands.

O LORD, how great are Your works!
Your thoughts are very deep.
A senseless man does not know,
Nor does a fool understand this.
When the wicked spring up like grass,
And when all the workers of iniquity flourish,
It is that they may be destroyed forever.

But You, LORD, are on high forevermore.
For behold, Your enemies, O LORD,
For behold, Your enemies shall perish;
All the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.

But my horn You have exalted like a wild ox;
I have been anointed with fresh oil.
My eye also has seen my desire on my enemies;
My ears hear my desire on the wicked
Who rise up against me.

The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree,
He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Those who are planted in the house of the LORD
Shall flourish in the courts of our God.
They shall still bear fruit in old age;
They shall be fresh and flourishing,
To declare that the LORD is upright;
He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.

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God Is Your Guide

By: Erlinda Mejia-Olson

"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." -Isaiah 41:10

When sorrows of life darken your path,
And the courage to go on, you just don’t have.
Your faith is shaken, challenged at par;
"Fear not, for I am with you", says the Lord,
To light your path, no matter how far.

Your heart is wounded by the scuffle of life,
And your spirit is weak losing its grip to fight.
"Be not dismayed, for I am your God", says the Lord,
The battle is not yours to keep—the battle is the Lord's;
Asking you to surrender, to His power and might.

When challenges seem more than what you can bear.
You cry out for help to a world that is deaf;
Too busy to hear, too unloving to care.
But the Lord says, "I will strengthen you,"
"Yes, I will help you"—He has all the time to care.

Seeking to honor God day by day
Obedient to His Word, your compass to lay
Yearning to faithfully serving Him in a world so unfaithful
For the sake of His Cross—for His love for the world.
For the Lord says, "I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

"You Word, Oh LORD, is our ever living compass."

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."

(Psalm 119:105)

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In My Savior's Love

By: Erlinda Mejia-Olson

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

In my Savior's love, I have been redeemed.

From that wretched life I once lived.

I could have been lost if I didn't yield

The free gift of salvation

That was fully offered for a wretch like me.

In my Savior's love, I'm being molded every day.

To a life that is set apart—

My investment for eternity.

Trusting in my Savior’s righteousness

To God each day I pray.

In my Savior's love, I can do all things.

Lending me strength so I can carry through

This life's long journey of bliss and despair.

But such a Savior I have

Who will never leave me nor forsake me.

In my Savior's love, a new creation I have become.

Seeking to glorify my Savior

In this new life that I have.

There is nothing more sufficient in this life

Than to be wrapped in the love of God.

In my Savior's love, I’m all complete.

For His grace is sufficient in meeting all my needs.

He fills my heart with heavenly treasures—

Treasures of life this world cannot buy.

My Savior is all sufficient—all I ever need.

In my Savior's love, I live forever.

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Life Is A Journey

By: Erlinda Mejia-Olson

"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

I have learned that in every life’s journey …

A goodbye is the end … but a beginning.

A photograph can never fill the absence … but can speak.

The memories of the past can shed tears … but tears of joy.

And words though can never replace feelings … but can change the heart.

Oh, what a journey in Christ!

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God Of All Seasons

 By: Erlinda Mejia-Olson

"While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease." -Genesis 8:22

In Spring time …

Your glorious creation revived us, Lord.

As You veiled the earth with luxuriant green,

With apparent display of color,

Its brilliance can be seen.

Beholding the birth far and wide,

Of budding trees and flowers, and bees in their hives

As animals sustaining their brood,

And so our spirit being renewed,

With restored power and life.

In Summer time …

Our hearts are warmed by Your love for us, Lord.

Like the sun that warms the earth,

Thank You for the rainbow, the moon, and the stars,

The prairie for our playground,

As the birds singing in the trees.

The beautiful oasis of water to cool us down,

A weather that liberates us to prance and play,

While outdoor pleasures are at their pinnacle.

These simple bliss of life are freely given,

For those who truly seek.

In Fall time …

You provide gentle, cool breeze, Lord.

That give healing from the implacable summer heat.

As we witness the fading of vibrant colors,

Leaves changing, dying, falling into the ground.

Awaiting for renewal as the new year unfolds.

You breathe life to every creature You made,

And life which You can only take when due time.

As the cycle of  life continues to unfurl

So man must die, and every living thing,

For rebirth to spring up

And life is breathe again.

In Winter time …

As Your sparkling white snow drapes the ground, Lord

We are reminded of Your holiness and perfection.

The intricate beauty of Your snowflakes falling down from the sky,

As they adorn the trees and mountains.

Give way to Your unspeakable power,

To Your marvelous work of art.

Cozy in our covers as we snuggle in,

Reflecting of Your goodness as this season begins.

Spring will resurface, as it always been.

Life is a cycle as You created it.

Everything exist not by chance,

But by the order of Your perfect plan.

Thank You, LORD, for the varied changes of the seasons.  And all the beauty of life that is reflected in them. Your creation declares Your glory.  For Your good pleasure and for our own good. 

Thank You for being our God of all Seasons!

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Visit Calvary

Auhtor Unknown

"He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed." -Isaiah 53:3-5

Sometimes we need to visit Calvary

In our thoughts and there recall

What that cruel and bloody scene portrays

Christ's sacrifice for all.

The glitter of the world may sometimes blind us,

Or shadows of life's ordeals dim

Truth of that "sacrificial Lamb" atonement

That was taken on by Him.

Sometimes we need to stop and picture Calvary,

Realize this was the very Son of God,

And recall those painful, weary steps

That to that rugged cross He trod.

Then perhaps our trials, our tribulations

Which we face throughout our days

Will start to dwindle in importance

And see how foolish are our ways.

It may be hard sometimes to think of Calvary,

And that payment for our sins so grim,

To know that awful price He paid there

Should be placed on us, not Him.

But we find our comfort, too, at Calvary,

For had not that bitter scene of pain accrued,

We, His own, would not know how

That our salvation is assured.

For after willing sacrifice at Calvary,

From darkest grave He rose above,

And now reigns, our King in Majesty,

Interceding for us with His love.

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The Four Calls

Author Unknown

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." -Revelation 3:20

The Holy Spirit came in CHILDHOOD,

And pleaded, "Let Me in."
But Oh! The door was bolted,
By thoughtlessness and sin.
"I am too young," the child replied,
"I will not yield today.
There's time enough tomorrow,"
The Holy Spirit went away.

Again He came and pleaded,
In YOUTH's bright happy hour,
He came, but heard no answer,
For lured by Satan's power,
The youth lay dreaming then,
And saying, "Not today;
Nor till I've tried earth's pleasures,"
The Holy Spirit went away.

Again He called in mercy,
In MANHOOD's vigorous prime.
But still He found no welcome,
The merchant had no time.
No time for true repentance,
No time to think or pray.
And so, repulsed and saddened,
The Holy Spirit went away.

Once more He called and waited,
The man was old and ill.
He scarcely heard the whisper,
His heart was cold and still.
"Go leave me, when I need Thee,
I'll call for Thee," he cried.
Then sinking in his pillow,
WITHOUT A HOPE, he died.

TODAY, is the hour of salvation. Do not put off.

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The Fatal Crossing

Author Unknown

"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." -Matthew 7:13-14

There is a time, we know not when:
A place we know not where;
Which marks the destiny of man,
For the glory or despair.

There is a line by us unseen,
That crosses every path;
The hidden boundary between
God's mercy and His wrath.

To pass that limit, is to die;
To die as if by stealth,
It does not quench the beaming eye,
Nor pale the glow of health.

The conscience may be still at ease,
The spirit light and gay;
That which is pleasing, still may please,
and care be thrust away.

Oh! Where is this mysterious bourne
By which our path is crossed?
Beyond which God Himself hath sworn,
That he who goes is lost?

How long may I go on in sin?
How long will God forbear?
Where does hope end, and where begin
The confines of despair?

An answer from the skies is sent,
"Ye that from God depart;
While it is called Today, repent,
And harden not your heart."

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God Moves In A Marvelous Way

Author Unknown

""But Jesus looked at them and said,  "With men it is impossible, but not with God;  for with God all things are possible."" -Mark 10:27

God moves in a marvelous way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your heard.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purpose will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err

And scan His work in vain;

God is His own interpreter,

And He will make it plain.

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God Is In Control

Author Unknown

ISAIAH 45:6-7 ~ "That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting That there is none besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other; I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the Lord, do all these things."

He can calm the troubled waters

When you walk in dark despair.
There is hope when you feel hopeless
Knowing that the Lord is there.

Sharing in your sunshine moments
Or in valleys deep and wide,
He will never, ever leave you
He is always by your side.

There's no other friend so faithful and true
Through the sunshine and the rain,
Through the teardrops and the laughter,
In your joy and in your pain.

We could never, ever thank Him
For His love He gives so free,
Never changing...never ending
Throughout all eternity.

Oh, the wonder of all wonders
As we live from day to day,
Knowing that we have a Heavenly Father
Who is with us all the way.

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