All Those Little Darts

Little headaches, little heartaches,
Little griefs of every day.
Little trials and vexations,
How they throng around our way!
One great cross, immense and heavy,
So it seems to our weak will,
Might be borne with resignation,
But those many small ones kill.

Yet all life is formed of small things
Little leaves make up the trees,
Many tiny drops of water
Blending, make the mighty seas.
So those many little burdens,
Pressing on our hearts so hard,
All uniting, form a life's work,
Meriting a grand reward.

Let us not then by impatience
Mar the beauty of the whole,
But for love of Jesus bear all
In the silence of our soul.
Asking Him for grace sufficient
To sustain us through each loss,
And to treasure each small offering
As a splinter from His cross.


Gertrude Dugan (From Manna in the Morning)

Covenant

What's In YOUR Section Of The Wall?

The wall around Jerusalem, that Nehemiah was lead by God to rebuild, was so much more than just a fortification against adversaries, it represented the health and prosperity of the holy city. In the same way that the workers labored to build that wall, we, as Christians, are building the kingdom of God by serving Him. It shouldn't be merely a duty, but a great joy to all of us who are privileged to take part in it -- and if you are a Christian, there is a section of the "wall" for you to work on as your assignment from God.





Consider Nehemiah chapter 3. This chapter is a list of different people and families with their corresponding section of the wall to rebuild. Nehemiah 3:20 caught my eye...


After him Baruch the son of Zabbai zealously repaired another section, from the Angle to the doorway of the house of Eliashib the high priest.
Nehemiah 3:20


Of all the people, listed, this is the only one of whom it is specifically mentioned that he "zealously" worked on it. So how am I working my my section of the wall? Am I building with zeal and passion, or am I putting a mediocre effort into it? We each have section of the wall -- a part in God's kingdom; it's up to each of us how we serve!

Susanna Wesley's Prayer

Following up on my last post about prayer, I came across this prayer by Susanna Wesley -- a woman of God who lived 1669-1742. I think of a time in my Sunday School class, when my helper was praying, and one of the students intentionally belched during the prayer. It upset me considerably, and I made sure to let him know in a loving yet firm way that God is the Most High, not some kind of joke. Based on my experience with third graders, they know better than that. In these modern times when we so often do not fully appreciate the mighty God we're praying to, it was both sobering and refreshing to read the words of someone who truly had a healthy reverence and appreciation for the LORD.

"Enable me O God to collect and compose my thoughts before an immediate approach to thee in prayer.  May I be careful to have my mind in order when I take upon myself the honor to speak to the sovereign Lord of the universe, remembering that upon the temper of my soul depends in very great measure, my success. Thou art infinitely too great to be trifled with, too wise to be imposed on by a mock devotion and dost abhor a sacrifice without a heart. Help me to entertain an habitual sense of thy perfections as an admirable help against cold and formal performances. Save me from engaging in rash and precipitate prayers, and from abrupt breaking away to follow business or pleasure as though I had never prayed. Amen."

If Jesus prayed with such consistency and reverence toward the Father, who are we to do any less?

Daniel in the Lion's Den

This week the lesson for Sunday School is Daniel in the Lion's Den. I've been thinking about what aspect to emphasize to my kids, since last week we studied a very similar story -- Shadrach, Meshech, and Abednego in the Fiery Furnace. I don't want to be too redundant by re-emphasizing the principle of choosing the LORD over all else (even our own lives).

Should I discuss Daniel's peace of knowing that his soul was in God's hands? Yes, I think I will, but something else came to mind as I read over the passage. What got him into the lion's den in the first place? He refused to stop praying three times a day as he always had! It amazes me that this man was so faithful and consistent -- with and without the possibility of persecution. He wouldn't budge. Yet I look at my comparitively feeble prayer life, and I am ashamed.

If I even saw a glimse of the LORD the way Moses did, I would never take prayer for granted again, yet I know Him and the reality of the power of prayer, so I have no excuse!

That settles it! For the craft, I am going to have the kids make a praying hands door hanger to remind them, as they enter their rooms, that they always have an awesome opportunity to pray to the Most High God! And yes, I will be making one to hang on my door as well!


Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously. Daniel 6:10

LAST REQUEST

They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them!" Having said this, he fell asleep.
Acts 7:59-60

LAST REQUEST

Perpetua followed our Good Shepherd so near,
Despite the thought of looming death with its gripping fear.

This sister they tormented with her infant just born,
Hoping to take advantage of a mother's heart torn.

But God's Spirit inside her over temptation did prevail;
She stood without regret as hungry lions did assail.

She left life to join the number of the heroes of Faith.
Someday I'll walk among them in His Presence – I can't wait!

There's nothing like this joy that's to the world so contrary –
My Lord delivers me from the empty and temporary!

May my life, long or short be glorifying my Savior.
May it be to God a sweet aroma and pleasing flavor.

So when I die, at my funeral, don't cry, mourn or grieve.
Just everybody, at that time, read one last Scripture for me...

Like Luke 23:43, because I'll be in Heaven,
How about Psalm 17:15, or Psalm 16:11!

Then please place in my coffin, before I get buried,
The love-note from the One to whom I'm forever married.

And for my name on my tombstone when it's placed at my head,
Please humbly engrave “Servant of Jesus” instead.

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His godly ones.
Psalm 116:15

Please copy and distribute freely!

Copyright © 2011 Brother Jeremy

Waiting On The Lord

For from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear, nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him.
Isaiah 64:4


A brother shared this verse with me when we were having fellowship the other day at Jack in the Box. The verse made me think about how many times I have come across the "wait on the Lord" theme in my reading of the Bible -- more than I can count. For reasons and in ways that we don't always understand, we have to wait patiently for God to act on our behalf. This is oftentimes part of His perfect plan. I get impatient...I've got to trust Him and know that He is God, and knows what's best. You can't crack an egg open to get a chick until the time is right for the chick to emerge.

Are you frustrated and discontent with something that is happening in your circumstances? Take courage! God sees the big picture, and has a plan for you -- He is for you and not against you! Take one day at a time, and rejoice in its beauty from the Lord.


²⁸ Do you not know? Have you not heard?
         The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth
         Does not become weary or tired
         His understanding is inscrutable.
²⁹He gives strength to the weary,
         And to him who lacks might He increases power.
³⁰Though youths grow weary and tired,
         And vigorous young men stumble badly,
³¹Yet those who wait for the LORD
         Will gain new strength;
         They will mount up with wings like eagles,
         They will run and not get tired,
         They will walk and not become weary.
Isaiah 40:28-31


Feel free to share a testimony about a time when your patience was rewarded in waiting upon the Lord.

Silent Prayer

I went through a season of doubt recently. I knew in my mind that God hears my thoughts when I pray to Him silently, but I was having trouble convincing my heart of the same. Sometimes it is good to pray aloud, sometimes it is good to even write a prayer, but sometimes it is refreshing to simply silently meditate on and to the Lord! Although it was obvious to me intellectually that God knows our thoughts, what helped me overcome this doubt, was being reminded of some of the Scriptures that confirm this truth...


Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14


For behold, He who forms mountains and creates the wind
And declares to man what are His thoughts,
He who makes dawn into darkness
And treads on the high places of the earth,
The LORD God of hosts is His name.
Amos 4:13


O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You understand my thought from afar.
You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, O LORD, You know it all.
Psalm 139:1-4


I know that there are more Scriptures like this. Perhaps, for instance, when Hannah prayed to the Lord in her deep distress (1 Samuel 1:10-13), although her mouth was moving. Do you know of any other Scriptures along these lines? If so, please feel free to post them in a comment. Thanks, and may our awesome God be with you!

The Great Commandment

³⁵One of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him,
³⁶"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?"
³⁷And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.'
³⁸"This is the great and foremost commandment.
³⁹"The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'
⁴⁰"On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."
Matthew 22:35-40


Isn't this awesome! In all the complexity of life, Jesus makes it all rather simple! If you strive to follow these two commandments, everything falls into place.


What I wanted to address, however, is the idea that some have come up with saying that there is a third commandment here: "... love your neighbor as yourself..." Some have tried to say that there is a commandment to love one's self in this Scripture. Do you have to command a bird to fly, or a fish to swim? We naturally love ourselves, therefore no command of that nature is necessary. In fact, if you think about it, all sin is ultimately rooted in love of self. We can deceive others, and even ourselves, but we can't deceive God -- we all love ourselves plenty!

There are clearly only two commandments in this Scripture; Jesus even said "the second", therefore:

⁵Every word of God is tested;
He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
⁶Do not add to His words
Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.
Proverbs 30:5-6 
An accurate paraphrase of verse 39 would be: "...love your neighbor as you [already] love yourself..."

²⁹for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church,
Ephesians 5:29

Who Can Thwart God's Plan?

Do you ever feel like things are out of control? Do you ever feel like nothing makes sense? God is still very much in control. Even though that seems to be an over-used cliche, its eternal truth is clearly taught in His word. Here is just a sample of the many Scriptures that attest to this:



⁹Whatever you devise against the LORD,
         He will make a complete end of it.
Distress will not rise up twice.
¹²Thus says the LORD,
         "Though they are at full strength and likewise many,
         Even so, they will be cut off and pass away
         Though I have afflicted you,
         I will afflict you no longer.
Nahum 1:9, 12



⁹"Thus says the LORD, 'Do not deceive yourselves, saying, "The Chaldeans will surely go away from us," for they will not go.
¹⁰'For even if you had defeated the entire army of Chaldeans who were fighting against you, and there were only wounded men left among them, each man in his tent, they would rise up and burn this city with fire.'"
Jeremiah 37:9-10



¹⁴David stayed in the wilderness in the strongholds, and remained in the hill country in the wilderness of Ziph And Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand.
1 Samuel 23:14



¹⁰"Devise a plan, but it will be thwarted;
         State a proposal, but it will not stand,
         For God is with us."
Isaiah 8:10



⁵Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,"
⁶so that we confidently say,
         "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID.
         WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"
Hebrews 13:5-6



²⁸And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. ³¹What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
Romans 8:28, 31



⁶For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until ^(A)the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6

Hard Times and Encouragement

 ²The godly person has perished from the land,
         And there is no upright person among men
         All of them lie in wait for bloodshed;
         Each of them hunts the other with a net.
    ³Concerning evil, both hands do it well
         The prince asks, also the judge, for a bribe,
         And a great man speaks the desire of his soul;
         So they weave it together.
    ⁴The best of them is like a briar,
         The most upright like a thorn hedge
         The day when you post your watchmen,
         Your punishment will come
         Then their confusion will occur.
    ⁵Do not trust in a neighbor;
         Do not have confidence in a friend.
         From her who lies in your bosom
         Guard your lips.
    ⁶For son treats father contemptuously,
         Daughter rises up against her mother,
         Daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
         A man's enemies are the men of his own household.
    ⁷But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the LORD;
         I will wait for the God of my salvation
         My God will hear me.
    ⁸Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy
         Though I fall I will rise;
         Though I dwell in darkness, the LORD is a light for me.
Micah 7:2-8
 
 
 ²⁸"Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
 ²⁹"Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.
 ³⁰"But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
 ³¹"So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.
 ³²"Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven.
 ³³"But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.
 ³⁴"Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
 ³⁵"For I came to SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW;
 ³⁶and A MAN'S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD.
 ³⁷"He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
 ³⁸"And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
 ³⁹"He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it."
Matthew 10:28-39

Acronym for Prayer A.C.T.S.

Humility

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
And He called a child to Himself and set him before them,
and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
"Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 18:1-4


Before destruction the heart of man is haughty,But humility goes before honor.
Proverbs 18:12

For thus says the high and exalted One
         Who lives forever, whose name is Holy,
         "I dwell on a high and holy place,
         And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit
         In order to revive the spirit of the lowly
         And to revive the heart of the contrite.
Isaiah 57:15


You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time
1 Peter 5:5-6

Hear Me

"I do not have a right to pray because I do not have a truly prayerful heart. Much less do I have any right to receive what I ask for. Everything which Thou seest in my heart, O Lord, is of such a nature that it must close Thy heart to me and all my supplications. But hear me, not for my sake, nor for the sake of my prayer, and not even because of my distress, for it is a result of my own sinfulness. But hear me for Jesus' sake."
-- O. Hallesby from "Manna in the Morning"

What's My Motivation?

 ⁴Then the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying,
 ⁵"Say to all the people of the land and to the priests, 'When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months these seventy years, was it actually for Me that you fasted?
 ⁶'When you eat and drink, do you not eat for yourselves and do you not drink for yourselves?
Zechariah 7:4-6

When I happened upon this Scripture I had to ask myself, "What's my motivation for ministry, singing, prayer...? Am I involved in ministry for the personal satisfaction, or to honor my Creator? Am I really singing to the Lord, or do I like the sound of the music? Am I praying to seek His face, or just His hand?

By His grace, may I be among the blessed pure in heart, and not self-seeking.

⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Matthew 5:8

Power Corrupts (and absolute power corrupts absolutely)!

I just finished watching a documentary about Jonestown -- the commune established by false prophet Jim Jones who along with over 900 of his followers committed mass suicide in November of 1978.

The whole mess was yet another failed attempt at socialism/communism, which is really nothing more than man thinking that he can be God and decide how to direct and govern his fellow man without answering to the true God.

It is sad that to this day there are those who think that man has the capacity to govern himself apart from God and His word. We simply were not designed for that. There has been no lasting peace on the earth since the fall in the Garden of Eden. We naturally want to believe that we are good and able to handle it, but God's word clearly speaks to the opposite of what we want to believe...we are naturally evil and self gratifying!

The bottom line is this: Don't be decieved by empty rhetoric that says we are going to accomplish world peace. Someday the antichrist will appear and deceive many with the promise of peace -- but his "peace" will be short lived. The only one who can rightly handle that kind of power and not become corrupt is Jesus. There will be no real, lasting peace on the earth until the Prince of Peace returns to establish His kingdom! As Christians, let us look forward to that day, and not put our trust in man.


 ¹And it will come about in the last days
         That the mountain of the house of the LORD
         Will be established as the chief of the mountains
         It will be raised above the hills,
         And the peoples will stream to it.
    ²Many nations will come and say,
         "Come and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD
         And to the house of the God of Jacob,
         That He may teach us about His ways
         And that we may walk in His paths "
         For from Zion will go forth the law,
         Even the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
    ³And He will judge between many peoples
         And render decisions for mighty, distant nations
         Then they will hammer their swords into plowshares
         And their spears into pruning hooks;
         Nation will not lift up sword against nation,
         And never again will they train for war.
    ⁴Each of them will sit under his vine
         And under his fig tree,
         With no one to make them afraid,
         For the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken.
    ⁵Though all the peoples walk
         Each in the name of his god,
         As for us, we will walk
         In the name of the LORD our God forever and ever.
Micah 4:1-5

Janitors and CEOs

At my work, I have often noticed a tendency in myself that I despise -- the tendency to put more effort into friendliness and helpfulness toward a member of management or other person who has power to affect my employment than toward less notable employees. I have to consciously fight this hypocrisy in my daily routine. I recently came across a quote from Ann Landers:

"The true measure of an individual is how he treats a person who can do him absolutely no good."

I want to treat the janitor with the same respect and courtesy as I would the CEO should he arrive on site. All this makes me think of the words of our Lord Jesus:

12 And He also went on to say to the one who had invited Him, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you in return and that will be your repayment. 13 "But when you give a reception , invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
Luke 14:12-14

Unlocking the Mystery of Life

I am currently watching Focus on the Family's "The Truth Project" with a friend. So far lesson five has been the most informative and interesting. In part of lesson five the professor uses a couple of clips from a video entitled "Unlocking the Mystery of Life". The clips I saw were an awe-inspiring glimse into the intricate and complex inner workings of the human body -- the cell in particular. I hope to view the video in its entirety soon. Those who believe in evolution and the idea of life spontaneously generating itself are really deceiving themselves just like God's word says.

Our God truly is amazing and beyond comprehension! His genius is incomparable and unfathomable!

http://www.unlockingthemysteryoflife.com/

Death and Life

Who will remember you when you are dead? Who will pray for you? Do now, beloved, what you can, because you do not know when you will die, nor what your fate will be after death. Gather for yourself the riches of immortality while you have time. Think of nothing but your salvation. Care only for the things of God...
Keep yourself as a stranger here on earth, a pilgrim whom its affairs do not concern at all. Keep your heart free and raise it up to God, for you have not here a lasting home. To Him direct your daily prayers, your sighs and tears, that your soul may merit after death to pass in happiness to the Lord.

-- From "The Imitation of Christ" by Thomas A Kempis 1418

My First Blog Post

For my first post, I would like to simply share a Scripture that the Lord used to greatly encourage me when I needed it...

Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity
And passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession?
He does not retain His anger forever,
Because He delights in unchanging love. He will again have compassion on us;
He will tread our iniquities under foot.
Yes, You will cast all their sins
Into the depths of the sea. You will give truth to Jacob
And unchanging love to Abraham,
Which You swore to our forefathers
From the days of old.

Micah 7:18-20