Wake In Me (a Careful Wanting)

 Life is like a flower blooming on the grave that claims it due...

***

I love the group of fellow-believers I gather with

every Tuesday night, to open God's Word together,

to learn, to worship, to meditate on God's goodness and holiness,

 and to challenge and encourage each other in our walk by faith!

***

This morning my devotion included this glorious passage from Titus 3-

(which is kind of a continuance of our focus/discussion last night; 

God's holiness and our response/attitude in return

and our assurance of salvation through His shed blood)

4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,

 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, 

but because of his mercy. 

He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,

 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, 

we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, 

so that those who have trusted in God may be careful 

to devote themselves to doing what is good. 

These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

***

A Prayer...

Wake in me a careful wanting for a heart, humble and true

Shield me from the futile flaunting of the follies of this world

Fill me, through Your word with wonder at the holiness of You

Awe me with the sacred splendor of love’s Majesty unfurled

Show me, oh, my precious Savior, (lest I stray) the way to walk

Let me not forget hope’s favor You suffered at Calvary

Fix my eyes in the direction of the cross You did not balk

Make my life like a reflection of the love that pardoned Me

Let no carnal care consume me with love’s opportunity

Life is like a flower blooming on the grave that claims it due

Thus Lord, wake a careful wanting for more of Your love for me

May it thwart the tempter’s taunting because of my love for You

© Janet Martin

Saviour, Lead Me Lest I Stray

 

Eternal Good News, Eternal God

 

O taste and see that the LORD is good: 

blessed is the man that trusteth in Him. 

Psalm 34:8

For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting;

 and His truth endureth to all generations.

 Psalm 100:5

The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; 

and He knoweth them that trust in Him. 

Nahum 1:7

The LORD is good to all;

 and his tender mercies are over all His works.

 Psalm 145:9

He is an awesome Creator...

Grackle cackle over snack-le😂

 Robin Redbreast, photographed below, looks about as impressed as the photographer

with the cold rain-snow splashes...

Creation is budding and singing in spite of the nose-dived temperatures!

One small glimpse of a great God's faithfulness! 

He is a Heavenly Father, Anchor, Author, Helper, Friend

He is love, without beginning, Everlasting, without end

He is Perfect in His purpose, Confidante and Counsellor

He is patient. His compassion like an ocean with no shore

He is a steadfast Companion, Savior, Shepherd undeterred

An Infallible Example, gentle, humble. He is Word

He is Changeless, Wondrous, Warrior, Merciful, Misunderstood

He is Mighty and Majestic, Powerful, and Always Good

He is an awesome Creator, Mediator, Righteous Judge

Father, Son and Holy Spirit, He is Truth that will not budge

He is Omnipotent, Sovereign, Supreme, Divine, Deity

The Same as when first He uttered earth and heaven’s Let There Be

He is joy and peace, His grace is a gift no law can undo

He is Life Eternal purchased as His death, death overthrew

He is the Healer of nations, He is the Hope of the soul

He is Alpha and Omega, Absolute, in Full Control

He is worthy of all power, wisdom, honor, glory, praise

Where were we when first he laid the foundation of numbered days?

Where were we when He, all-knowing groaned to see salvation’s price

When in the garden of Eden, He slayed sin’s first sacrifice

He is the Risen Redeemer, King of kings and Lord of lords

He, like a Lamb led to slaughter crushed the dominion of swords

He is holy, hallelujah, nothing and no one transcends

The glory of a love story that faith’s every breath defends

He never leaves or forsakes us, He keeps all his promises

He hears the prayers of the righteous; He forgives if we confess 

He is never late or lazy; from His fullness blessings pour 

Trust Him, for from, through and for him are all things forevermore  

He is mortal's lifelong Good News; no woe can His joy erase 

He is faithful, aren't you thankful for the gospel of His grace

He is the call all will answer; His summons none can evade

Have you bowed, believed and thanked Him for the sinner's debt He paid?

 

Some still doubt and dare to trample underfoot the Son of Him

Some still hate and do not tremble at the mention of His Name

Some reject, despise, refuse Him, choosing what demons applaud

Some believe, receive, and love Him for He is the One True God

© Janet Martin

This Is He Who We Adore

Behold our God

The call of He who was, is and will ever be resounds

The love of He who cares for all His creation abounds

The light of He who pierced the darkness of the world abides

The grace of He who sets us free through Calvary resides

The living hope of He who anchors saving faith secures

The truth of He who IS the Word eternally endures

The joy of He who is our strength consoles and satisfies

The salvation of He who shed his own blood, justifies

The armor of He who fits us for every fight defends

The promises of He who hears our humble cry attends

The holiness of He who is our helper awes and cheers

The mercy of He who is kind and faithful commandeers

The righteousness of He who is infallible prevails

The One true God in whom we trust, whose goodness never fails

Amen

© Janet Martin

Exodus 15:11
Who among the gods is like You, O LORD?

 Who is like You--majestic in holiness,

 revered with praises, performing wonders?

Psalm 92:8
But You, O LORD, are exalted forever!

Psalm 113:4-6

The Lord is high above all nations,
His glory above the heavens.
5Who is like the Lord our God,
Who dwells on high,
6Who humbles Himself to behold
The things that are in the heavens and in the earth?

How Awesome is This Place

Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said,

 “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” 

And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! 

This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!” 

Gen.28:16-17

Echoing Jacob's words today 'how awesome is this place'

of God's redeeming grace

On That Day-City Alight

How awesome is this place

Where grace and mercy meld

To bring hope to a sin-cursed race

Through Jesus, not withheld

But, for glory’s increase

He suffered in our stead

The punishment that brings us peace

And triumphs death’s dark dread

How awesome is this place

Of grief, joy, love and hate

Where some believe with humble faith

And some doubt and debate

The way, the truth, the life

The hope that sets us free

Through the shed blood of Jesus Christ

And the grave’s victory

How awesome is this place

This is the gate of heav’n

Where, by the goodness of God’s grace

The sinner is forgiv’n

Not in part, but in full

Redemption’s torrents pour

To work in us the miracle

Of sins recalled no more

How awesome is this place

Eternity’s threshold

The darksome glass, ere face to face

His beauty we behold

Where no more tears will be

When all will be made new

Together forever with He

Who so loves me and you

How awesome is our Lord

Where His grace tarries still

While prophecy fulfills His Word

According to His will

Where earth is heaven’s gate

Then call upon His name

Before it is too late, too late

Salvation’s gift to claim

© Janet Martin

Rev.21:5

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” 

Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

How Are We Praying?

"Prayer is the most.important thing you will ever do."
and

"Prayer is the most important event in our life!"

two quotes from Charles Stanley's message below

Rejoice at all times.

Pray without ceasing.

Give thanks in every circumstance, 

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 

1 Thess.5:16-18 

Lest bitterness takes root and from it sprouts a deadly tare

Then lest it lessens strength while it compounds a weight of care

Teach me to rev'rence Thee, Oh Lord, for prayer is not a kite

To frantic'lly fling heavenward when things aren't working right

Lord, help me first to recognize Your divine holiness

Lest, not so much by word as deed I reject free access

Because the throne of grace is not some wishing-well-like thing

To toss down penny-wishes to a puppet on a string

…for prayer is not a quick-fix-it demand or pious nod

Prayer is faith’s humble reckoning and beckoning to God

So lest, I’m like a child prepared to snatch treats from a jar

My first request to You, oh God, is, teach me who You are

© Janet Martin

Today's devotion...

Thy Will...Will Be Done

“Then he placed his right hand on me and said:

 'Do not be afraid. 

I am the First and the Last.'” 

~ Revelation 1:17

A Good Song To Sing At the Top of our lungs

No Matter What...

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:

2 Tim.3:1

This verse should strike a sacred awareness in all of us!

While throngs stampede super-markets preparing for What If,

The Great Inevitable(death) remains exactly where it always has been!

Imagine if we took the same dire efforts to prepare for Certainty 

as we seem to be, for Uncertainty

Thy Majesty sketched on thin air, etched in rock, sand and sea

Thy Deity beyond compare, all else ascribes to Thee

Thy Triune Eternality that none can thwart or trip

Thy Unequivocal Authority and Authorship

Thy Will, will be done, Father, Son and Spirit undeterred

Thy Kingdom never overthrown; nothing alters Thy Word

Thy Mercy new each morning whether we believe or not

Thy Love imbued with warning to take captive every thought

Thy Providence intent upon much more than daily bread

Thy Only Son the One you sent to crush the serpent’s head

Thy Power to proclaim; even death tendered its control

Thy Name above all names alone to save the living soul

Thy Grace sufficient for the day, whatever it may send

Thy Ways omniscient; far too great for man to comprehend

Thy Law supreme and contrary to human nature’s lust

Thy Thought above our arbitrary schemes scratched in the dust

Thy Holiness unspotted though stripped, scourged and crucified

Thy Humility scoffed at by hate’s ignorance and pride

Thy Compassion, it failed not as you cried, ‘Father, forgive’

Thy Ration for Redemption full-supplied; ‘ah, look and live’

Thy Evidence Unrivaled while doubter’s still seek fool’s proof

Thy Word, The Holy Bible, God-breathed infallible Truth

Thy Presence never leaves or forsakes us; then bid fear flee

Surely Thy Goodness follows us until we dwell with Thee

Thy Promises an ample stronghold in this world below

Thy Kindness our example not to return blow for blow

Thy Wisdom better than the choice of much gold’s cold embrace

Thy Whisper the same Voice that spoke Creation into place

Thy Hand (scarred with man's treason) in complete, perfect Command

Thy peace to surpass Reason we will never understand

Thy Hope where Unbelief achieves terrible times foretold

Thy Joy, in spite of utter grief for those outside The Fold

Thy Will, will be done; 'til not one jot or tittle remains

Then

Thy Kingdom, power and glory forever and ever reigns

Amen

© Janet Martin

 “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.  

What can man do to me?  

The Lord is with me; he is my helper.” 

~ Psalm 118:6-7

Forever and Ever, Amen

The power is His Majesty

That metes the miracle

The glory is the part we see

That makes Him visible

The kings and kingdoms of this world

Exist for numbered days

God’s power and glory unfurled

Abides with us always

Amen.

Janet Martin

 For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Matt 6:13