Winepress of the Soul

What a week of wonderful weather!!

We are enjoying summer-like temperatures for another two days before they plummet!

I am so thankful God's goodness does not shift like shadows (or weather!)

With love comes a weight of care, doesn't it?!

Wherever, in this care-bearing we are,

What comfort to know we are called to cast our care on Him!

...casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

 1 Pet. 5:7

Beneath the burdens that we bear,

Beneath love’s constant cross of care

There is comfort beyond compare

In God’s mercy renewed

When we are weak then we are strong

Through He whose will is never wrong

Whose grace ignites in us a song

Of humble gratitude

The love that bore redemption’s wail

As triumph tore the temple’s veil

Is faultless and will never fail

Where all in this world will

Then, though want oft misunderstands

The cost obedience demands

As we ponder Christ’s nail-scarred hands

Storms of rebellion still

As we cast our cares on He

Who kindly cares for you and me

He helps us through the parts we see

Of toil and trouble’s toll

Love’s cross is never borne in vain

Though oft we stagger ‘neath its grain/pain

His grace and goodness will sustain

The winepress of the Soul

Where pride primps reason's cunning tricks 

Where failure and folly afflicts 

The righteousness of God convicts

And leads us on and up

Where beneath the burdens we bear

That pave life's/faith's path with prayer on prayer

His promises, beyond compare

Fill hope's uplifted cup

  

© Janet Martin

James 1:12-18

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because

 having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life 

that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” 

For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 

14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away 

by their own evil desire and enticed.

 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin;

 and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 

17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, 

coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, 

who does not change like shifting shadows. 

18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth,

 that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

What a Friend We Have in Jesus