Showing posts with label promises. Show all posts
Showing posts with label promises. Show all posts

Friday, July 21, 2023

God's Changeless Promises

This photo is taken from a hill close to my brother and sister-in-law's place
about 10 min. from our house and though I see the view often it NEVER disappoints! 



Psalm 145:13
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, 
and your dominion endures through all generations. 
The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.

When we are troubled what better, than to kneel at the cross.

Kneel at the Cross-Jim and Jesse

 


For all we wish we could return, beneath life’s testing rod
Tis in life’s challenges we learn the faithfulness of God
In the valley where gloom may try our joy to overthrow
His changeless promises reply, hope and peace to bestow

The beauty and goodness of God abounds, for aye. Amen
Each of His attributes confounds the best of mortal ken
Then, though we do not understand the reason of His thought
His changeless promises command our worship, do they not?

How often in my worry I forget to humbly trust
God is not in a hurry as He tames our willful dust
But plies, with love that will not fail, that which draws us to Him
His changeless promises prevail, beyond our wildest whim

How proud would be our prayer, but for the trial and the tear
But for the creature care that binds us to His listening ear
Then in each sorrow we confide, He whispers as we plead
My changeless promises abide, ah, what more do you need?’

© Janet Martin

Psalm 31:19
Oh, how great is Your goodness, 
Which You have laid up for those who fear You,
 Which You have prepared for those who trust in You 
In the presence of the sons of men!


Thursday, May 11, 2023

This Little Flicker of a Tree

 



Sometimes dread tries to drive a wedge between joy and hope’s promises
Sometimes it tries to trump the pledge of mercy’s renewed faithfulness
Or darken the doorway of dawn with doubt and fear for the unknown
Until I hear the voice of One who whispers ‘You are not alone’

Sometimes the weight of creature care could rob me of would-be delight
Love’s load in constant need of prayer, life’s road a walk by faith, not sight
Sometimes the winds and waves of love could defeat courage thoroughly
Until I am reminded of ‘no longer I, but Christ in me’

Sometimes a formless enemy hisses and kindles vain debate
This liar tries to threaten me with Logic while God whispers ‘wait
Where sometimes discouragement bends this little flicker of a tree
Until I cry to God who sends angels to minister to me

© Janet Martin




Jer.17:5-8
This is what the Lord says:
“Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
who draws strength from mere flesh
and whose heart turns away from the Lord.
6 That person will be like a bush in the wastelands;
they will not see prosperity when it comes.
They will dwell in the parched places of the desert,
in a salt land where no one lives.

7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
8 They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”

This cross in the sky felt like a tangible whisper this morning!!


Psalm 147:1
Praise[a] the Lord!
For it is good to sing praises to our God;
For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.

God's Precious Promises- Dr. Charles Stanley





Saturday, March 25, 2023

Divine Intervention

The Creator of all we marvel at is our Divine Intervener/Interceder! Hallelujah!






And bind my mind and spirit in chains where doubt and fear rue
And leave me floundering in bogs of misery, guilt-wrought
But for the lifeline of God’s promises, faithful and true (Heb.10:23)

To whisper to the storm-tossed bark, ‘Fear not, for it is I’ (John 6:20,Matt.14:27)



His plan for man’s salvation, (Matt.1:21) for repentance (Mark 1:15) and rebirth  (John3:3)

His prophecy, to conquer death and hell; His victory
Has overthrown the grave because He braved His Father’s will (Luke 22:42)

His all-sufficient grace (2Cor.12:9) to help us to trust and obey (Prov.3:5-6)
His Mighty Hand pierced through with nails; by His wounds we are healed  (Isa.53:5)

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

Redemption-wrought Renewal


Surely all the suffering of sorrow, sickness, loss
would get the best of us without God's comfort through the cross
Praise Him; the best this life affords is free to one and all
Salvation through the sacrifice that saves us from The Fall
and breaks the curse of death and hell the hour we believe
renewing faith's hope day by day, through life yet to receive

John 3:16 (NKJV)
For God so loved the world 
that He gave His only begotten Son,
 that whoever believes in Him 
should not perish 
but have everlasting life.


2 Cor.4:16-18
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.


Renewed day by day
Where challenges we face
Would draw hope’s anchored joy away
Without God’s love and grace
Without His promises
To cheer our mortal clay
Without His perfect no and yes
To comfort as we pray
Without the confidence
Of Him, in full control
Without Calvary’s Providence
To save the deathless soul

...till the dark glass between
Faith and Sight melts away
The glory of what/Who is Unseen
Renews us day by day

© Janet Martin






Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Sweet Comfort and Joy



Psalm 139:5
You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.

In our small group bible/sermon studies through our church, last night
we were contemplating the verse below and how we can be mightily transformed in our
thinking and actions if we truly take God at His word!
Heb.13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, 
because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

In today's Daily Bread Devotion  we are reminded
 that no one knows what will happen!
Life is always full of uncertainties.
God and his Word the one constant certainty!
Hallelujah!





What sweet comfort and joy
Before, behind, beside
A safeguard nothing can destroy
Shields us from evil’s tide

Where, though storms ebb and flow
And oft we weep and groan
What sweet comfort and joy to know
We are never alone

Dear one, do not despair
No matter what betide
God keeps us in His faithful care
Before, behind, beside

No foe can penetrate
The bulwark of His Word
No guard on earth can compensate
For God’s arm undeterred

What He says He will do
His vow is bona fide
He accompanies me and you
Before, behind, beside

Nothing seen can compare
To the peace faith receives
As humble trust turns into prayer
And utterly believes

How near The Unseen draws
As sweet comfort and joy
Transcends The Seen with hope because
Of what none can destroy

© Janet Martin

Isa. 40:28
Do you not know?
 Have you not heard? 
The LORD is the everlasting God, 
the Creator of the ends of the earth. 
He will not grow tired or weary,
 and his understanding no one can fathom.

Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Morning Flowers...

 







Morning metes its sweet Beginning
Mist-burnished petals unfold
From night’s nebulous bud thinning
Until Time is blush and gold
Flushed with mercy to behold

Like a lily, dew-anointed
Fresh from the Creator’s hand
Darkness fades; hope’s reappointed
Brigades wade until they stand
On shores of star-dust and sand

Strewing in the wake of slumber
Daybreak’s diamond studded world
Where the cares of life encumber
Where faith’s warfare is unfurled
Morning flowers, promise-pearled

© Janet Martin

God's word overflows with wonderful promises that He will keep!
A few promise-pearls to pin to today's To-Do's/dues

Lam.3:22-23
Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed,
 for His mercies never fail. 

1 Thess.5:24
The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

2 Pet.3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. 
Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, 
but everyone to come to repentance.

Psalm 144:15
Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!

Isa.26:3
You will keep him in perfect peace, 
Whose mind is stayed on You, 
Because he trusts in You.

John 16:33
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. 
In the world you will have tribulation;
 but be of good cheer,
 I have overcome the world.”

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. 
I do not give to you as the world gives. 
Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.


Romans 8:37
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

2 Corinthians 2:14
But thanks be to God, who always leads us triumphantly as captives in Christ 
and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.


Psalm 29:11
The LORD gives His people strength; 
the LORD blesses His people with peace.

Heb.13:5
Let your conversation be without covetousness; 
and be content with such things as ye have: 
for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Heb.13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.


2 Corinthians 1:20
For all the promises of God are "Yes" in Christ.
 And so through Him, our "Amen" is spoken to the glory of God.




Sunday, July 10, 2022

Living With An Almost-Heaven Viewpoint

 Beulah Land


turned my train of thought down a slightly different track today...

Living with an Almost Heaven Viewpoint shifts our point of view
Makes us more aware of caring about death’s approaching due
Keeps us keened to what is promised that will forever endure
Rather than the cross upon us or temptation’s dangling lure

Time is such a fleeting measure, just a vapor, my dear friend
The soul is the single treasure that will final breath transcend
No matter where feet may take us or what success we may boast
‘Almost Heaven’s viewpoint tunes us to The Thing that Matters Most

What a joy when we envision as we pay Devotion’s Price
Jesus standing where the mission of true love is sacrifice
Jesus smiling as we smile back while we give and give and give
Because Almost Heaven waits after this little life we live

© Janet Martin

Matt.25:40
And the King shall answer and say unto them, 
Verily I say unto you, 
Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, 
ye have done it unto me.

Thursday, June 23, 2022

To Know Makes All the Difference (for the Unknown)

Who knows what Come-what-may waits to unfold today...
(well!! one unknown unfolded already;
 An unexpected day off due to two sick tots)

Here are a few fond frames of yesterday




Side note on photo below: while we 'swang' we sang every song we could think of...
including what might be the longest version of Old MacDonald's Farm ever known 😂




The Knowing keeps dark deeps of Come-What-May in tender check
Morning unmoors the bark of Day with renewed call and beck
Where none can see what waits to be, but He who spreads the skies
Where no sudden calamity His will can compromise
(or, where no sudden calamities can take Him by surprise)

His promises are like a bulwark where dread’s fathoms roll
To know God keeps his every Word comforts the fainting soul



© Janet Martin

Romans 15:13
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, 
that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.





  

Wednesday, June 15, 2022

What Ifs Versus What Is...


He who promised is faithful.
Heb.10:23

A flower isn't a flower until the bud unfolds the bloom!
What Is in bloom now?
Peonies in the flower garden!
And the Flower of What Is, in life...



The ‘what ifs’ of regret cannot undo what has been done
Where What Is sets time’s tables with fresh favors, mercy-spun
What if instead of wishing for what no wish can undo
We make the most of what is within reach of me and you
God’s mercy new each morning and His all-sufficient grace
Forgiveness for repentance, and His Word to gird our faith

What if instead of fretting and forgetting favours wrought
We focus on remembering What Is, with grateful thought
What if we trusted He who will our every need supply
Where What Is always hinges to far more than meets the eye
Far more goodness and mercy than mortal can comprehend
And love that has no boundaries of beginning or end

The ‘what ifs’ of yesterday and tomorrow borrow care
Today is overflowing with what is enough to bear
What if we take what is, in spite of so much that is not
And humbly honor He who gives us everything we've got
His everlasting promises, His love that will not fail
His wind beneath our wings, His anchor in the galling gale

The ‘what ifs’ of regret are futile; this new day set free
Is brimming with what is waiting for us to ‘taste and see’
What if we love God first and our neighbour next because
What is still most important has always been these two laws
Then what if we rely on He who is in full control
And simply love Him with all of our heart and mind and soul

© Janet Martin

Not all 'what ifs' are 'if onlys'
Sometimes What If is the spark that kindles the dream/bud before the flower!

Originally, the second line in this poem was
'Where What Is sets time’s tables with fresh battles to be won'
but the more I pondered (though the battles are real and often grueling)
the battlefield is cradled in His mercy!
His redemption is complete!
His loving kindness faithful!

Psalm 34:8
O taste and see that the Lord is good: 
blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Psalm 100:5
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; 
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Phil.4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, 
whatever is true, 
whatever is noble, 
whatever is right, 
whatever is pure, 
whatever is lovely, 
whatever is admirable—
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—
think about such things.




Thursday, March 31, 2022

The Place Prepared (For We Who Believe)





Let not your heart be troubled
Through storms that toss life’s sea
My word is true; I have gone to
Prepare a place for thee

And Lamb of Calvary
Do not despair; beyond life’s care
The place prepared for thee

Take up thy cross with courage
Though harsh the way may be
Each step, each tear, each prayer draws near
The place prepared for thee

Let not your heart be troubled
If ye believe in Me
Love will not fail; death will unveil
The place prepared for Thee

Then worship Me with gladness
This present misery
Is but the woo that draws thee to
Thy place prepared; with Me

© Janet Martin

John 14:1-6
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 
2In My Father’s house are many [a]mansions; 
if it were not so, [b]I would have told you. 
I go to prepare a place for you. 
3And if I go and prepare a place for you, 
I will come again and receive you to Myself; 
that where I am, there you may be also. 
4And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

5Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going,
 and how can we know the way?”
6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. 
No one comes to the Father except through Me.




Monday, March 28, 2022

Because We Are His Loved Ones

 


As I pray for they who suffer great sorrow for the loss of loved ones, 
for those in war torn countries or
for those who suffer angst of concern for loved ones in war torn countries, 
for they who suffer the ravages of physical affliction, 
for they who must watch loved ones suffer
and oh, especially for they who have still not believed 
but reject the Saviour of the soul, 
( whose most beloved we are,)
for all who miss out on the joy this world cannot give
Again and again I cast my care on Him 
because He cares for you and me!
Sweet, sweet comfort in the midst of bitter grief!
We are not alone in our suffering...

'After we have suffered a while the God of all grace
who has called us unto His eternal glory
will perfect, strengthen, stablish and settle us!'
2 Pet. 1:10
Amen

Because He cares for me and you, whatever may befall
We need not fret; He’ll see us through our struggles, great and small

Because he bids us cast our every care before His throne
We need not worry for we never bear love’s cross alone

Because He is the Way, the Truth, the Life eternally
We need not join the fruitless strife of doubt’s futility

Because greater is He in us than he of worldly creed
We need not fear, but simply trust for He supplies our need

Because He honours those who honour Him, though scorner’s jeer
We need not let their insults dim the hope that we revere

Because He died so we may live, and bore our sin and shame
We need no purpose but to give all glory to His Name

Because God’s love runs deep and wider than thought’s farthest glim
All that we need He will provide as care is cast on Him

Because of faith’s established goal, though dark the strait between
Our need, the Saviour of the soul, will wholly intervene

Because our utter need is met in faith's redeeming hour
We need not fret; because the cross will never lose its power

© Janet Martin

1 Sam.2:30
But now the LORD says: ‘Far be it from Me; 
for those who honor Me I will honor, 
and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.

Far graver than the battle is an illusion of peace
Causing our souls to slumber while evil's armies applaud 
Far graver than war’s fearful horror's while death-tolls increase
Is walking, talking, laughing, living without fear of God

Far graver than faith's groaning as we stand on steadfast guard
Is the seductive courting of diversion's deadly dance
Far graver than the blood and tears that stain streets, sorrow-scarred
Are hands and feet, soft, smooth and lily white with ignorance 

Far graver than the suffering that rouses our pleas
For more than this world can bestow, is life without a care
For, graver than the crushing blow that brings us to our knees
Is living without ever bowing before God in prayer

© Janet Martin

In The Cross The Peterens



Friday, February 18, 2022

Never, For One Wayward Wink...


A special treat for you and me today!
Sunrise photo with a different skyline!
Jim (truckdriver-husband) sent this photo
 from somewhere in the very chill hills of
very Northern Ontario
(no phone reception when I tried to call and find out where)
(update: Schreiber, Ont.)


'Surely the morning gold and pink
Is the hem of His gown'


 Because I have yet to walk the mile
of those who mourn the loss of a parent, sibling,
son, daughter, spouse, etc. I cannot pen
the places that those losses must lead Love through
and I do not pretend to know what they know
but I can imagine, 
and hurt
and pray
and weep with those who weep
and plead to God 
to
bless those who mourn (Matt.5:4)
💔

What comfort to know
that never for a single, wayward wink
does The Lord, our Shepherd 
shift His gaze from His beloved Sheep...
🙏

Between miles yet to live and love
And miles that we have trod
Pray, where we are we find enough
In the kind love of God

Through wildernesses of today
Of mortal want and woe
Our Sovereign God still leads the way
Love's manna falls like snow

Enough, always enough, to feed
The cries of you and I
Exactly when, how much we need
His mercy will supply

The Pillar of His Promises
Will never shift or fade
But leads in paths of righteousness
In this day He has made

Toward the Promised Land we face
And run life’s race with joy
And lean on Him and trust His grace
That nothing can destroy

For, never for one wayward wink
Does He forsake His own
Surely the morning gold and pink
Is the hem of His gown

Surely goodness and mercy shall
Follow us all our days
Until forever we will dwell
In the house of His praise

© Janet Martin

 Familiar and forever precious...

Psalm 23 KJV

 The Lord is my shepherd; 
I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
 he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul:
 he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
 I will fear no evil: 
for thou art with me; 
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
 thou anointest my head with oil; 
my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: 
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Translation below...



Translation of lyrics...

So take my hands
So nimm denn meine Hände
and lead me
Und führe mich
Until my happy end
Bis an mein selig Ende
And forever.
Und ewiglich.
I don't like to go alone
Ich mag allein nicht gehen,
Not a step;
Nicht einen Schritt;
where you will go and stand
Wo du wirst gehn und stehen,
Then take me with you.
Da nimm mich mit.
wrapped in our mercy
In dein Erbarmen hülle
my weak heart
Mein schwaches Herz
And do it completely still
Und mach es gänzlich stille
In joy and pain;
In Freud und Schmerz;
Let rest at your feet
Laß ruhn zu deinen Füßen
your poor child;
Dein armes Kind;
It wants to close its eyes
Es will die Augen schließen
And believe blindly.
Und glauben blind.
Even if I don't feel anything
Wenn ich auch gleich nichts fühle
of your power
Von deiner Macht,
You lead me to my goal
Du führst mich doch zum Ziele,
Even through the night.
Auch durch die Nacht.
So take my hands
So nimm denn meine Hände
and lead me
Und führe mich
Until my happy end
Bis an mein selig Ende
And forever.
Und ewiglich.