Of Faith's Fortune...

The world wails/groans for a saviour,

for real hope and assurance,

seeking something/someone trustworthy to put their faith in...

while rejecting the Saviour of the world,

Whose hope and assurance

can only be received through faith!

'Ah, but I cannot have such faith!' do we say?

and yet, is Faith not displayed each time

we plant a seed, believing it will grow?!!

God did His part.

He gave us a Saviour,

but before we have access to

 the riches of His grace

we must do our part;

to repent and believe!

To repent is

to turn from our ways to His way!

To believe is...what a mystery belief is

only possible through faith!

and faith is only possible when we cease to doubt!!

Then, oh what true hope, joy and peace,

come by faith;

what knowledge and understanding

come to all who fear Him and love His name! 

Ps.111:10

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom:

a good understanding have all they that do his commandments:

his praise endureth forever

Ps.112:1

Praise ye the Lord.

Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord,

that delighteth greatly in his commandments.

Ps.115:1&11,13,17&18

Not unto us O Lord, not unto us, 

but unto Thy name give glory,

for Thy mercy and for Thy truth's sake...

Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord:

 he is their help and their shield.

He will bless them that fear the Lord,

both small and great.

The dead praise not the Lord,

nor any that go down into silence.

but we will bless the Lord

from this time forth and forevermore.

 Praise the Lord.

Beyond the tent that tames the sun

And hosts heavens of stars

Beneath the depths of the ocean,

The breath that breaks night's bars...

Beyond earth and its fullness of

Flower, forest and mead...

Beyond the tent that tames the sun

And hosts heavens of stars

Beneath the depths of the ocean,

The breadth/breath that breaks night's bars

Beyond earth and its fullness of

Flower, forest and mead

And seasons that unfold above

The silence of the dead

Is God, the faithful God of all

The God who damns and saves

The God whose name both great and small

Are called to fear and praise 

The God who is Lion and Lamb

Whose divine Word is chief

The God who is the great I AM

And helps our unbelief

 

...whose greatest commandment is love

The love that He imparts

Without exception, in spite of

The dregs of human hearts

He forgives us, if we confess

He saves, if we believe

Faithful in all He promises

And only faith receives

Then, when faith begins to take root

Our hymns to God increase

The life, once dead, is rich with fruit

Of hope and joy and peace

In all who believe in is Name

Life's rivers are unfurled

Through He whose glory we proclaim

'The Saviour of the world' 

Janet Martin

John 7:38
Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said:

 ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’”

David Crowder Band - Because He Lives (Lyrics)

 

Many reject Him because they cannot understand Him.

We cannot possibly begin to comprehend

the depths of his love, but He gave us a glimpse

of its extension on the cross of Calvary!

Rom.11:33

Oh, the depth of the riches 

both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

 How unsearchable are His judgments 

and His ways past finding out!

Everyone who comes to Him, 

comes, not by understanding,

but by faith.

Are you afraid!

Are you discouraged?

Have you done your part

so God can do His?

Have you prayed 'Lord, I believe

help thou mine unbelief?'

There is no fairyland waiting after death!

God through his Son, made a way that all may come to Him

and all who truly believe will pass from death to life-

John 5:24
Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word 

and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life 

and will not come under judgment. 

Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life.

John 3:18
Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, 

but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, 

because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

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?

Unplumbed Knowledge (Too Wonderful For Me)

Inspired by Psalm 139

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

 Psalm 139:6

O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. v.1

Search me, O God, and know my heart: 

try me, and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way in me 

and lead me in the way everlasting. v.23-24

There is no fooling You

Lord, you know all our ways

While we were knitted in the womb

You beheld all our days

While we were being wrought

You knew us every one

Before a thought became a thought

Before a deed was done

Your knowledge hemmed us in

Behind, beside, before

Beneath the shadow of your Wing

You keep us evermore

Lord, we are fearfully

And wonderfully made

You know the place intimately

Where thought and choice are weighed

You search and know each heart

Nothing is hid from you

For you fashioned our inmost part

Before one breath we drew

Then, search where you have searched

Lest wicked ways remain

Lest craftiness of pride is perched

Where worship is made vain

Lord, lead us in the way

Of everlasting life

Shield us from the cunning buffet

Of vanity’s vain strife

But purify our hearts

To praise you more and more

Your goodness and mercy imparts

All we are thirsting for

Your thoughts; what preciousness

To think that they should be

Of us, oh, Lord, such knowledge is

Too wonderful for me

© Janet Martin

Too Wonderful For Me- Shane & Shane

Our Greatest Achievement (pride-weak or humility strong)

A quote, retained from my growing up years;

Humility is a hard thing to achieve;

The moment we think we have it we've lost it! 😉

One of my dearest, humbling happiness-es is peering deep

into the delicate perfection of a flower ...

In today's world, happiness,

not holiness seems touted as

our greatest goal/achievement or 'right'!

Pride, not humility is hailed as 'hero'!

It is impossible to be proud and holy!

It is impossible to be proud and truly happy!

Below is Holy Scripture's 'tip' of this topic!

...but as He who called you is holy, 

you also be holy in all your conduct, 

 because it is written,

 “Be holy, for I am holy.”

1 Peter 1:15-16

Proverbs 29:23

A man's pride will bring him low, 

but a humble spirit will obtain honor.

James 4:6

But he gives us more grace.

That is why Scripture says

: “God opposes the proud 

but shows favor to the humble.”

Prov.6:16-19

These six things the Lord hates,

Yes, seven are an abomination to [a]Him:

A[b] proud look,

A lying tongue,

Hands that shed innocent blood,

A heart that devises wicked plans,

Feet that are swift in running to evil,

A false witness who speaks lies,

And one who sows discord among brethren.

(I've discovered when I do a Bible word search on 'happy'

most often it is translated into 'blessed')

Psalm 40:4

Blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, 

who has not turned to the proud, 

nor to those who lapse into falsehood.

Take Time To Be Holy

We, since Eden's calamity

Have struggled with temptation's bent

The Word, that WAS, IS and WILL BE

No mortal twist can circumvent

We are without excuse because

The Word that WAS, IS and WILL BE

Is steadfast in Love's changeless laws

No Author of confusion, He

Holiness is our highest Call

Not happiness, as some may claim

 Defiant pride precedes the fall

That leads to destruction and shame

The Word that WAS, IS and WILL BE

So many dare to disregard  

As if the cross of Calvary

Was but a charm or a postcard

The way to destruction is broad

Death's dark and downward jaunt seems bright

While the devil who detests God

Masquerades as angel of light

The deceiver is sly and vile

No one is too precious to spare

His mission, seeking to beguile

Those not yet on hell's thoroughfare

God's truth and love will never shift

He is just, trustworthy and kind

When we receive salvation's gift

He opens eyes that once were blind

Then call on Him in humble awe

Before pride makes a mockery

Of He who IS Love's Perfect Law

The Word that WAS, IS and WILL BE

Seek holiness without reserve

The Word that WAS, IS and WILL BE

Waits to reward as we deserve;

Earned through pride or humility

Janet Martin

John 1:1-5

In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2He was in the beginning with God.

3All things were made through Him,

and without Him nothing was made that was made.

4In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

5And the light shines in the darkness,

and the darkness did not [a]comprehend it.

Will You Believe?

  PAD Challenge 27:

For this Two-for-Tuesday prompt:

Write a believe poem and/or...

Write a don't believe poem.

John 14:27

John 16:33

This world

will wound

And disappoint

And betray

And pretend

But I 

will bind

Grief’s gap

-ing groans

And be 

Your 

Faithful 

Friend

This world 

will pass 

away;

This life 

on earth

Ephemeral

But I AM 

Alpha

and 

Omega

I AM 

Eternal

This world 

at best

Brings out 

the worst

In mortal’s 

sin-cursed 

glove

But I 

transform

Fear, 

doubt,

and hate,

Into 

faith, 

hope 

and love

This world 

is chaotic 

and cruel

with wars 

that will not 

cease

I AM gentle

patient 

and kind

I AM

Your perfect

peace

This world

makes promises

that it 

cannot keep

or control

I AM

the Word, 

Way,

 Truth 

and Life

the Daddy

of your

Soul

Will you 

embrace 

this world's 

illusions; 

trust death's 

loveless 

lies 

Or will 

you believe

 and receive

 life's

 everlasting

 Prize?

Love, God

© Janet Martin

Compact Version😊

This world will wound and disappoint and betray and pretend

But I will bind grief’s gaping groans and be your Faithful Friend

This world will pass away; This life on earth Ephemeral

But I AM Alpha and Omega; I AM Eternal

This world at best brings out the worst in mortal’s sin-cursed glove

But I transform fear, doubt and hate into faith, hope and love

This world is chaotic and cruel with wars that will not cease

I AM gentle, patient and kind; I AM your perfect peace

This world makes promises that it cannot keep or control

I AM the Word, Way, Truth and Life, the Daddy of Your soul

Will you embrace this world's illusions; trust death's loveless lies 

Or will you believe and receive life's everlasting Prize?

Love, God 

 © Janet Martin

John 1:12

But as many as received Him, 

to them He gave the right to become children of God, 

to those who believe in His name:

Thou Wilt Keep Him in Perfect Peace

Wonder IS God's Signature

 

A Wonderful First Fall Saturday of 2020!

Wonder is spring’s first fair flower 

Summer fields and Autumn’s show 

Wonder is a winter morning 

Swaddled in fresh-fallen snow 

Wonder is boundless, blue welkin 

Wonder is wee bird that sings 

Wonder is a reawak’ning 

To a world of lovely things 

Wonder is dew-diamonds dazzling 

Daybreak with silver-starred blur 

Wonder is a just-hatched gosling 

Wonder is God’s signature 

Wonder is worship’s expression 

Stirred by beauty’s sundry form 

Wonder is God’s intercession 

As He takes the heart by storm 

Wonder gleams in sun-steeped stubble

Wonder whispers, roars and sings

Wonder soars above life's troubles

And restores hope's broken wings

Wonder eases disappointment

Silenced wish and whim applaud 

While we gaze in sheer amazement 

At unveiled glimpses of God

© Janet Martin

Louis Armstrong What a Wonderful World

Ps.92:1-8

It is good to praise the Lord

and make music to your name, O Most High,

2 proclaiming your love in the morning

and your faithfulness at night,

3 to the music of the ten-stringed lyre

and the melody of the harp.

4 For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord;

I sing for joy at what your hands have done.

5 How great are your works, Lord,

how profound your thoughts!

6 Senseless people do not know,

fools do not understand,

7 that though the wicked spring up like grass

and all evildoers flourish,

they will be destroyed forever.

8 But you, Lord, are forever exalted.

Faith-Factor

Master, The Tempest Is Raging

I love this song for these days where we

are tossed on the waves of unrest wrought by politics, Covid etc.

Fear and worry are not the same as legitimate concern...

Legitimate concern drives us before the Lord where faith renews its strength

And He draws us like Peter, from slipping beneath dark waves of fear and despair

When faith is fixed it leaves no room for dark shadows of doubt 

But ‘we of little faith’ find much to stew and fret about 

For it does not come naturally to trust with all our hearts 

Fear is a constant enemy with swift, venomous darts 

Where all things work to our good for those who love the Lord 

And faith, when held to like we should leaves no room for discord 

But with gentle humility bids us do all we can 

To live in peaceful harmony with our fellowman 

For faith, when it is fixed upon the promises of God 

Is not influenced or undone by circumstance’s rod 

But, in the middle of the storm that tosses us about 

Faith hears God whisper, ‘here I AM, oh, wherefore didst thou doubt?’ 

© Janet Martin 

Matthew 8:26
"You of little faith," Jesus replied, "why are you so afraid?" 

Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, 

and it was perfectly calm.

Matt.14:31

And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, 

and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

How Can We Show Love...

These are dark days but because He lives we can face tomorrow!

"Because I live, you also will live."

John 14:19

 

Have you found it hard to feel encouraged in these dark days? 

 "it's so hard to know how to show love in a city where everyone is afraid"

said Melissa last night as she struggled with ideas on how to show love

in a world where again this week so much of the news 

is heavy and hard and we want to change the world with love but how?

~ "You must be the change you want to see in the world."~
Mahatma Ghandi 

Melissa shared an encounter with her intent to show love the other day...

she heard a lady in a wheel-chair calling 'will someone please help me cross the street?'

so she thought, 'well, that's pretty obvious! I can help her'

but as she pushed the very heavy wheel chair the woman wailed in pain over every bump,

Melissa got stuck in an LRT track and sheer panic forced the chair free!

When she reached the other side one woman was as distraught as the other

and she said 'all I intended to do was show love'.💝

It's hard not to let anger take root in the unfairness-es of life...

but God IS love. 

He IS good!

Psalm 145:8-9

 The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
    slow to anger and rich in love.

 The Lord is good to all;
    he has compassion on all he has made.

 

Let's trade our anger in for humble prayer

for a heart of forgiveness and love!

I turned to Psalm 37 yesterday for comfort and encouragement

It begins like this...

Do not fret because of evildoers,...

We are not equipped to stand up for what we believe

until we get down on our knees! 

How can we show love in a world where fear’s dark fathoms roll

With woe and pain, anxiety, chaos out of control

Mountains can seem so hard and high, but we are called to climb

And suffer the strain of its struggle one step at a time

How can we show love in a world where doubt and mistrust mars

The heart where hope should spring immortal, instead of hate’s scars

How can we hold a hand when Covid keeps touch beyond reach

Or comfort one another in death’s losses, dark and deep

How can we show love in a world of love misunderstood

Because broken humanity has not loved like we should

This place where racial prejudice makes people vile of heart

Makes we who want to show love, wonder how to do our part

How can we show love in a world where opinion takes charge

The Word of God rejected/neglected by the masses, by and large

How can we gain wisdom to know how to love without fail

On an ocean of ships tossed to and fro without a sail

How can we show love and not take offense when ‘they’ oppose

When we are crowned with thorns while scorn tramples love’s perfect rose

When evil seems to triumph and the world screams ‘where is God’

When answers are inept when instead of a kiss, a rod

How can we show love in a world that needs it desperately?

We start by looking through lenses of true humility

We start by seeking God to guide, for we are called to climb

One smile, kind word, one retort withheld, one prayer at a time

One heart that trusts the One who battled in Gethsemane

Surrendering His will to Love’s Supreme Authority

One life committed to the call no matter what the price

Where the greatest Command of all begins with sacrifice

© Janet Martin

In The Valley of the Shadow...HE IS!

 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,

Psalm 23:4

So many people are walking through the valley of the shadow of death

and we would surely fear evil without

God's rod and staff to comfort us!

My friend and I were chatting a bit last night about

how the mind can be an enemy if we let fear dominate...

instead, we said, isn't it a great picture to visualize, as we pray,

Light bids dark evil flee 

for prayer defeats the enemy!

In the valley of the shadow where death stalks its primal prey

Waiting to besiege the pilgrim with Dark Fear’s deceptive sway

HE IS, still mighty in power through the Author of His Name

For in Calvary’s dark hour He fought Death and overcame

In the valley of the shadow where death lurks at every turn

Like the enemy in ambush, (but already overcome)

HE IS, like a tender shepherd never forsaking His sheep

Lifting us upon His shoulder when the shadows grow too deep

In the valley of the shadow where death would its dread instill

There His rod and staff bring comfort and we do not fear evil

HE IS preparing a Table in the presence of the foe

With His goodness and His mercy Heaven’s wellspring’s overflow

In the valley of the shadow where death lies in shrouded wait

Prayers are rising like a fortress evil cannot penetrate

HE IS, WAS and ALWAYS WILL BE, He IS behind and before

And He hems us in until we dwell with Him forevermore

© Janet Martin

 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.

Psalm 139:5

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.^a
3He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness^b
for his name’s sake.

4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,^c
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6Surely^d goodness and mercy^e shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell^f in the house of the Lord
forever.^g