Devastation and disaster are part of this life
and sometimes sadly, seems the only way
for God to really get our attention.
Somehow, when life unfolds smoothly we
are more apt to slip into selfish complacency rather
than call on Him.
When we dwell only on grief's wounds
that loss of loved ones inflicts
sorrow can be almost unbearable!
However, when we remember and think on the believer's gain,
where death is but the door to faith's inheritance
what comfort God's promises bestow.
John 11:25
25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies.
26And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”
My friend gifted me a beautiful book
knowing how much I love the books
Streams in the Desert and Springs in the Valley
This book, by the the same author, Mrs. Chas. E. Cowman
is entitled Consolation... and I love it!
It is a collection of daily devotions
of consolation and encouragement...
(And the pretty, handmade brooch pinned to my bookmark ribbon
was a gift as well from a sweet and super-talented artist
in my Sunday School class 💝💖)
Yesterday's devotion was esp. ministering to me
and may be to you as well,
as our hearts are with everyone affected by the wildfires in LA.!
As I pondered where to begin
to find the beginning of true hope, joy and peace
as I began to trace one truth
it always joined to another...
Faith, without a firm foundation when life’s gales begin to blow
Will be devoid of duration; like a ship tossed to and fro
Hope, without faith’s expectation anchored in redeeming love
Flaps it wings; determination on its own is not enough
Joy without hope’s secure anchor; Jesus, who forgives our sin
When met with bereavement’s rancor, has no Comforter within
Peace, without joy’s Awesome Author, (whose gift of salvation saves)
Cannot be; because no other Voice can calm dread’s wind and waves
Trust, without God’s peace to buffer trouble’s billows undeterred
Cannot bear what it must suffer without guidance from God’s Word
Love, without Trust’s full surrender, is a bud, eager to burst
With incomparable splendor of the One who loved us first
Faith, hope, joy, peace, trust and love; what better bulwark can there be
By the grace of God quite enough to pray ‘be it unto me’
Quite enough to be enough though hell's fury should be unfurled
Upon the Rock of Jesus' love Faith's Footing overcomes the world
© Janet Martin
Romans 5:1-5Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
/ through whom we have gained access by faith
into this grace in which we stand.
And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. /
Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings,
because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ...
Colossians 1:5the faith and love proceeding from the hope stored up for you in heaven, of which you have already heard in the word of truth, the gospel
1 Peter 1:3-5Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, /
and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading,
reserved in heaven for you, /
who through faith are shielded by God’s power
for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit,
perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
without which no one will see the Lord.
Lyrics...
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
2
“Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.”
3
“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.”
4
“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.”
5
“E’en down to old age all My people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And then, when grey hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.”
6
“The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake!”
