Pure Delight

1 John 2: 15-17

Do not love the world or anything in the world. 

If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 

16For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, 

the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—

is not from the Father but from the world.

  17The world is passing away, along with its desires;

 but whoever does the will of God remains forever.

Col.3:1

If then you were raised with Christ,

seek those things which are above,

where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.

When it comes to 'stuff' much wants more,

and yet is never satisfied!

When it comes to the things of God He has enough

to satisfy all of us for all eternity!

No need to want what the other one has

(unlike two little boys playing with tractors! 😅💓)

Love brings no satisfaction to devotion and delight

If its primal attraction is to seek and serve by sight

If what we long and strive for here, is temporal at best

If fulfillment we live for, dear, is not Supremely blessed

…by He who made and loves us and who knows us, heart and soul

Who placed within the glove of us a Faith-in-Him shaped hole

A love-the-Lord-thy-God-with-all-thy-heart-soul-strength-and-mind

-abyss; that, though we gain the world, we are Heaven-designed

And thus, to find true happiness, true hope, joy, peace and love

We first must pursue righteousness/godliness and seek Those Things Above

With uttermost humility and thankfulness, and then

We will find more delight than we thought possible. Amen

© Janet Martin

From Streams in the Desert Vol.2

Like Raindrops on a Garden

Roses in waiting...

A few glimpses at today's inspiration

Thanks to devotions from the book Consolation

 mentioned HERE

Matt. 5:4

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

 the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 

 who comforts us in all our troubles, 

so that we can comfort those in any trouble 

with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

***

Forbid sorrow's tears should harden the plot where thought's power flows

But like raindrops on a garden, let it grow compassion's rose

Let their sacred torrent soften the places not tender yet

Let it seep to deeps that often we ignore, secrete, forget 

Forbid grief to blind perception as love's bitter dregs we taste

Or to wallow in depression like a garden laid to waste

But to shoulder sorrow's anguish like a soldier of the cross

Rather than flounder or languish in a labyrinth of loss

Forbid sorrow's reason reckons, only earth-side's view, so dim

Never hearing He who beckons mourners to call/fall upon Him

Never growing in Grief's Garden anything but hopeless gloom

Letting sorrow's teardrops harden the plot where roses would/could/should bloom 

Our Father, up in Heaven, hallowed be Thy perfect Name

Pray, through sorrow we are driven to the One from whence we came

Pray, through grief our eyes are opened to Time's Very Fleeting Nod

Till our grip on earth is loosened by a tighter hold on God 

Who can understand our suff'ring better than God, rich in love 

He who through Sin's Final off'ring left no merit yet to prove 

 He who purchased our pardon and bore sorrow's climax knows

Tears, like raindrops on a garden, are but watering Love's Rose  

© Janet Martin 

Also inspired by today's Daily Bread devotion HERE 

When I Survey The Wondrous Cross - Fernando Ortega

Gale-worthy Grounding

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 5:1-5
Therefore, 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 1:5
the 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 1:3-5
Blessed 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.

2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises,

 let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit,

 perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Hebrews 12:14
Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, 

without which no one will see the Lord.

How Firm a Foundation

 

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!”

Author (attributed to): R. Keen (1787); Author: K. (1787); Author (attributed to): George Keith (1787)

A Continued Reflection...

A continued reflection of The Greatest Gift

of God's Son Jesus, who came to earth

to be our Saviour...

Below are the first words I read today!

AWESOME!! 

1 John 5:1-5 NKJV

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, 

and everyone who loves Him who begot 

also loves him who is begotten of Him. 

2 By this we know that we love the children of God, 

when we love God and keep His commandments.

 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.

 And His commandments are not burdensome.

 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. 

And this is the victory that has overcome the world—[a]our faith. 

5 Who is he who overcomes the world, 

but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Above is a picture of the Christmas Card I had hoped to send

to so many more than I managed to accomplish,

due in part, to the mail strike and in part to

simply not getting it done

If you are reading this, then know this card is for you,

dear friend, whether near and far! 

Thank-you so much for your kindness in 2024,

(but esp. since the loss of my sister Lucy on Sept.17)

For the Christmas season I turned my fridge door into a prayer-reminder board

for family, church-family and neighbours who 

are missing loved ones this Christmas💔🙏

Below, a tender poem dropped in my mailbox the other day...

Faith is no rigid religion

It rejoices and it mourns

It bows in willing subjection

Beneath Fealty's crown of thorns 

It believes, before beholding

It trusts God's eternal Word

It protects its mortal molding

With full armour of the Lord 

Looking, beyond this world's dwelling 

To a City yet to come

Faith seeks riches beyond telling

In the Soul's Forever Home

Faith, the substance of things hidden

Gazes at the Evidence

Jesus, come to earth from Heaven

To author faith's recompense 

 

Jesus cheers faith's transportation

With hope and joy in His Name 

Because the gift of salvation

Is the Reason Jesus came

Hallelujah!

Janet 🙏

Below, a poem from my mother

Invitation to Celebration!

Doesn't it make our sorrow and suffering-weary hearts

Leap with hope and joy?!

As once more we ponder the wonderful gift

of Bethlehem's Baby Boy,

  Emmanuel, meaning God with us!!

No matter what life brings

No trouble can transcend Jesus

And the comfort that still rings

Throughout the centuries

For mankind's common ground

For we all need God's Gift of grace

Only in Jesus found

Ehp.2:1-10

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 

2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world

 and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, 

the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 

3 All of us also lived among them at one time,

 gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. 

Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 

4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,

 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—

it is by grace you have been saved.

 6 And God raised us up with Christ

 and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, 

expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—

and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 

9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 

10 For we are God’s handiwork, 

created in Christ Jesus to do good works, 

which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Come, oh Come, Emmanuel 

Christmas Day, 1915

Listen to Emmett Cahill's complete Christmas concert HERE

***

Emmanuel has come! The Saviour of the world

The Patriarch of Christendom, hope's beacon has unfurled

The Lamb of Calvary, the Shepherd of the soul

Jesus, to fulfill prophecy since Ancient Days foretold

Come, and faith's Gift receive, bow before He who said

That all who repent and believe, in death are never dead

But have eternal life. The battle Jesus won

Upon the cross sweetens faith's strife through the gift of God's Son

He whose sorrow subdued, nay, conquered death and hell

He bore sin's brutal debt accrued since Adam and Eve fell 

In Eden's garden when through doubt they were deceived

And sinned; perfection ruined then, and the Creator grieved 

Hark! for the angel's song still fills dark night with Morn

Good tidings of great joy belong to sinners, weary-worn

Whom God did not ignore, but gave, through love's increase

Jesus! Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace

Janet Martin

The days leading up to Christmas can feel pretty crazy with busyness!

Let's never let the season crowd out its Reason! 

Merry-two-days-before Christmas! 

Matt.1:21

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,

 because he will save his people from their sins.”

How Else??

Christmas is far more than an excuse to decorate,

or buy gifts for loved ones

or (over) indulge in favourite foods and drinks...etc.

It is more than an arranging of religious figurines...

 Christmas, for Christians, is the celebration of Christ's first coming to the world!

And a celebration of anticipation of His second coming!

And hopefully, not simply a seasonal celebration

but a faithful continuation of the holy joyful expectation

of meeting Jesus

where, each time we open His Word, 

we do meet Him but not yet face to face!

Each time we open his Word

we meet Him there!

Have you met Jesus today?

Coming Soon-Redeemed Quartet

Recently I heard this caution;

If you do not read the Word of God

you will be deceived.

If we do not read the word of God we will err in our thinking...

Matt.22:29

Jesus replied, “You are in error because 

you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.

How often the word of God contradicts human logic...

To defend sin, no matter how hurt we are/were

or how much we love the sinner

is to defend disobedience and ungodliness!

....God is light and in Him is no darkness.

If we say we have fellowship with Him

and walk in darkness, we lie (1 John 1:5-6)

Oh, may we ask the Lord as we meet Him

in his Word ....

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, 

may give you/us a spirit of wisdom and revelation 

in your/our knowledge of Him.

(18I) ask that the eyes of your/our heart(s) may be enlightened, 

so that you/we may know 

the hope of His calling, 

the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints,

19and the surpassing greatness of His power

 to us who believe.

Eph.1:17-19

How can we taste and see God's goodness without knowledge, first, of Him

How, in this world of sin and darkness, can we shine, without His Word

How, without putting on His armour can we face faith's foe, so grim 

For he masquerades as a charmer, smooth-talking till truth is blurred

 Mass ignorance and confusion applauds the blind leading the blind

After claiming Christ's absolution, God's love-light is shed abroad

In our hearts; As His Word reaches joint and marrow of darkened mind 

His Word alone begins to teach us how to live and love like God

How else can we claim to know Jesus, yet not/but to seek Him through His Word?  

No other scripture can release us from clutches of sinful choice 

How, without His Word to win us can faith persevere, undeterred

How, without His Word within us can we begin to hear His Voice?  

Janet Martin~

Ps.19:7-11

The Law of the LORD is perfect,

reviving the soul;

the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy,

making wise the simple.

8The precepts of the LORD are right,

bringing joy to the heart;

the commandments of the LORD are radiant,

giving light to the eyes.

9The fear of the LORD is pure,

enduring forever;

the judgments of the LORD are true,

being altogether righteous.

10They are more precious than gold,

than much pure gold;

they are sweeter than honey,

than honey from the comb.

11By them indeed Your servant is warned;

in keeping them is great reward...

Read the whole glorious chapter HERE

Christmas That Never Ends

Day-after-Christmas contemplation...

The hustle and bustle of Christmas busyness,

the rustle of wrapping paper,

the frenzy of last minute food and gift prep,

the shrieks of excitement and delight

will soon fade like fond footfalls of farewell,

we collect in heart-vaults.

...but the Spirit of Christmas,

because of God's everlasting goodness through the gift

of his Son, Jesus, is hopefully a daily joy, all year through!

Christmas Season, with all its fuss and bustle will soon fade

And disappear into the hush of Bygone’s promenade

But, Belief in the Reason for the season, anchors peace

His everlasting goodness gladdens hope with joy’s increase

Belief transforms the lens we look through to find happiness

It mends the holes in our souls with precious promises

And grounds faith in the merit of love, unfathomable

Where Father, Son and Spirit manifests Immanuel

Where redemption endorses profound possibility

The blood of Christ that cleanses and atones, sets sinners free

From the inherent curse; the first-fruit that first sin conceived

But God so rich in mercy washed away when we believed

This keeps the joy of Christmas alive in us all year long

His everlasting goodness kindles everlasting song

Because belief in the Reason for the Season transcends

The temporal; Jesus gives us Christmas that never ends

© Janet Martin

the morning after

a lot of laughter, food and joys aka noise😅💖!!!

John 10;10

I have come that they may have life, 

and that they may have it more abundantly.

Jesus~

Beholding Christmas (or Joy's Supremacy)

Isa.9:6-7

For unto us a child is born,

unto us a son is given,

and the government will be upon His shoulders.

And He will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7Of the increase of His government and peace

there will be no end.

He will reign on the throne of David

and over his kingdom,

to establish and sustain it

with justice and righteousness

from that time and forevermore.

The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.

***

The more we try the less it seems we can comprehend

the vastness of God's everlasting love!

That's why there are SO many poems and hymns

composed, trying to put into words

what words can never fully express-

of worship enough to fill eternity!

Hallelujah!

Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus

Behold the love/Son of God

Born for sin’s sacrifice

To bear hatred’s most cruel rod

To pay salvation’s price

Behold Bethlehem’s Boy

Redemption’s humble King

Who knew good tidings of great joy

Would cost Him everything

Behold, the Prince of Peace

Behold the zeal of He

Whose grief accomplished the increase

Of His/joy's supremacy

Behold Humility

Child of Mary’s travail

I AM fulfilling prophecy

In minutest detail

Behold, hope’s Star unfurled

Kneel at the manger, then

Behold, the Saviour of the world

Behold Christmas. Amen

Behold, a child is born

Behold, a Son is giv'n

To pierce hell's darkness with a Thorn

That lights the Wick of Heav'n

© Janet Martin

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Micah 5:4

And He shall stand and feed[a] His flock
In the strength of the Lord,
In the majesty of the name of the Lord His God;
And they shall abide,
For now He shall be great
To the ends of the earth;  

“He Shall Be Their Peace” - 12/22/2023

To Rich and Poor Alike

More money buys more things,

but never more hope, peace, joy, Jesus, or more Heaven-status!

The way to heaven is ever the same; a gift,

 for rich and poor alike

accessible through faith, 

by God's grace alone

through Himself,

His Son, Jesus!

Who is Jesus?

Below, the link to one of six messages on who Jesus is!

Who Is Jesus? (Part 4 of 6) - 12/16/2023

The message below begins with this statement;

'There was a time when Jesus was God but not man,

But there never was a time when He was man, but not God'

  

Matt 1:21

And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS,

 for He will save His people from their sins.”

To rich and poor alike He comes

to grant to each the same

The hope that transcends time’s fleet sums;

Salvation through His Name

Where nothing but faith can esteem

the gift that makes us whole

No mortal merit can redeem

the price tag of the soul

No wealth can gain a greater grace,

nor lack a lesser part

Where man regards fine form and face

God looks upon the heart

And rich and poor alike receive

what only faith can win

To all who repent and believe,

the forgiveness of sin

© Janet Martin

Faith's Perfect Provision

In a week from today, (Christmas!)

Christians will be celebrating the birth of the Object of our faith;

our Lord Jesus Christ!

Luke 2:10-11

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: 

for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,

 which shall be to all people.

 For unto you is born this day in the city of David

 a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Romans 5:1

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, 

we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hallelujah!!!

Yesterday morning a plea in the opening prayer at our church service

caught at my heart...'that You would find us faithful, Lord'!!

What is the use of anything else, if He does not find us faithful?!!

Matt.24:13

But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

Does this not bid us plead for Sunday morning's fire

to kindle Monday morning's desire?!!

Doesn't it bring fresh zeal/appeal to this old, cherished Christmas hymn??

Oh, Come All Ye Faithful

So this morning, no matter what composes our fears, regrets and sorrows

we may rejoice and be glad in this day He has made...

for He who promised is faithful!!

Heb.10:19-23

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence 

to enter the Most Holy Placed by the blood of Jesus, 

20by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body,e

21and since we have a great priest over the house of God,

  22let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith,

 having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience 

and our bodies washed with pure water.

23Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, 

for He who promised is faithful.

***

Enough to know, though sorrow scores the garment of the soul

And the enemy of faith roars, still, God is in control

The witness of each thought and intent of the heart, is kind

His everlasting love is not a figment of the mind

But is, in every circumstance, a Present Help indeed

To all who trust in Him, He grants exactly what we need

Then, where care’s billows ebb and flow, joy and peace still console

Because, it is enough to know that God is in control

Thus, all contenders for the faith have no cause for despair

God’s full armour will keep us safe to persevere through prayer

For He is in control no matter how the Whole may bend

The Shepherd of the Soul helps us be faithful to the end

© Janet Martin

 

Marvelous Light

Isa.9:2

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;

 on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned...

I am 'labouring' through the last books in the Old Testament,

 groaning through the sobering passages of God's wrath and judgment 

for everyone who turns away from Him, because they do not fear Him,

 but worship others gods, and do not keep His commandments.

But oh, wonderful grace of Jesus, always with every judgment God reminds them

of his mercy and redemption for all who repent and come/return to Him!!

Wonderful Grace of Jesus

Rom.6:12-14

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires.

13Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness,

but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life;

and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness.

14For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

Part of Zacharias's song in Luke 1:76-79

And you, child, will be called

a prophet of the Most High;

for you will go on before the Lord

to prepare the way for Him,

77to give to His people the knowledge of salvation

through the forgiveness of their sins,

78because of the tender mercy of our God,

by which the Dawnf will visit us from on high,

79to shine on those who live in darkness

and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet

into the path of peace.”

The poem below is but a pale halo of awe, for words fail as we consider

the awesome love and mercy of God...

Into the darkness of the world that groans with scorn and spite

The splendor of hope is unfurled to pierce the dark with Light

To salvage us from death’s despair, from sin’s most cunning means

To draw us to repentant prayer where mercy intervenes

The Saviour of the world has come; Jesus, the Son of God

The Cornerstone of Christendom to bear death’s meanest rod

The Great I AM, the King of kings and Lord of lords became

The Lamb who takes away the sins of all who trust His Name

‘Ho, every son and daughter’ the Heavenly Father cries

Come, drink the Living Water from the well that never dries

Come and buy without money, eat to fulness without price

A land of milk and honey waits through mercy’s sacrifice

Into the darkness of the world in need of peace and joy

Behold, a great Light is unfurled, veiled as an infant boy

Who came to bring Justice to earth and hope to sorry strife

To pierce the fierce shadow of death with everlasting Life

…to guide our feet into the path of peace, away from sin

To satisfy God’s blameless wrath by bringing souls to Him

To soften stubborn hardness of cold hearts with mercy’s might

To call us out of darkness into His marvelous light

© Janet Martin

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, 

a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, 

to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness 

into His marvelous light.

Isa.55:1-9

Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money;

 come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? 

and your labour for that which satisfieth not? 

hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good,

 and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live

; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.

5 Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, 

and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God,

 and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.

6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts:

 and let him return unto the Lord, 

and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, 

and my thoughts than your thoughts.