Loved

Happy April!

Dear Lord, what waits, only You know

Daybreak heeds Your command

Your evidence puts on a show

As mercy floods the land

Enough, your grace whereby we go

To face the day at hand...

Without agape love I am
A beast by quick impulses ruled
My most noble ideal a sham
By pagan happinesses, schooled/fooled

Without I AM’s agape love
I am a ship tossed to and fro
No earthly anchor strong enough
To weather wanton winds that blow

Without love greater than my own
To truly love I cannot do
Until God sits on my heart’s throne
And teaches love I never knew

...and then it is no longer 'I'

But He who is the good in me

I touch His scars to satisfy

What else would still a rebel be   

© Janet Martin

Rom.5:5
And hope does not put us to shame, 

because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts 

through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

1 John 4:7-11
Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God.

 Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

This is how God’s love was revealed among us:

God sent His one and onlyc Son into the world, 

so that we might live through Him.

And love consists in this: 

not that we loved God, but that He loved us 

and sent His Son as the atoning sacrificed for our sins.

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another...

By Love Constrained/Compelled

Wishing you countless opportunity today, to

be constrained/compelled by love 

through Christ to love one another!

Come, Gracious Spirit

By love constrained; oh, what a way to live

To give the best we have for He who gave

Himself; ‘neath driven nails He cried ‘forgive’

Then overthrew the power of the grave

By love constrained; oh, what a way to find

The depth of riches God grants, by His grace

Wisdom and knowledge, divinely designed

Through unsearchable paths man cannot trace

By love constrained; oh, what a way to see

The beauty of the glory of the Lord

When patience, kindness and humility

Revere the recompense of the reward

By love constrained; oh, what a way to lay

Up treasure where no worldliness defiles

Where thief can not break in nor rust decay

The righteousness redemption reconciles

By love constrained; oh, what a way to walk

Love's 'second miles' none but love's Author knows

The Treasurer of life's most priceless stock

No Wall Street-Dow Jones-Nasdaq record shows 

By love constrained; oh, what a way to die

Daily to self-pleasing futility

In order so that we may glorify

No longer ‘I’, but Christ in you and me

© Janet Martin

2 Cor.5:14-21

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, 

therefore all died.

  15And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, 

but for Him who died for them and was raised again.

16So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. 

Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.

  17Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.

 The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!

18All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ 

and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:

  19that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, 

not counting men’s trespasses against them. 

And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

20Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, 

as though God were making His appeal through us. 

We implore you on behalf of Christ: 

Be reconciled to God. 

21God made Him who knew no sin to be sinb on our behalf, 

so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

All My Boast is in Jesus

Heaven, Upside Down or Such Is Love

Such is life, we often say, as plans change 

and carefully arranged schedules run awry!

Sometimes love pours a cup of tea, ‘with milk and honey, dear?’...

As I finished this poem I returned and traded the word 'life' for 'love';

 it was originally going to be a 'such is life' poem because

 this was a week rife with changed plans...but

as the poem evolved so did the realization the 'such is life'

 is often more aptly expressed  'such is love!'

The ultimate plan of Love, for man's redemption

God fulfilled at Calvary!

Love appeared in that hour, to have lost!

Heb.2:10

For it was fitting for Him, 

for whom are all things 

and by whom are all things, 

in bringing many sons to glory, 

to make the captain of their salvation 

perfect 

through sufferings.

Isa.53:10-11

Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush Him

and to cause Him to suffer;

and when His soul is made a guilt offering,g

He will see His offspring, 

He will prolong His days,

and the good pleasure of the LORD 

will prosper in His hand.

11After the anguish of His soul,

He will see the light of lifeh 

and be satisfied.

By His knowledge My righteous Servant 

will justify many,

and He will bear their iniquities.

Alas! And Did My Saviour Bleed?

Sometimes what first looks like love’s loss is Heaven, upside down...

Love suffers long and is kind...1 Cor. 13:4

Oh, if only love more often,

 suffered longer 

and was kinder

 how much more lovely,

and much less broken

 this world would be!

Sometimes we find it, sometimes not; such is love’s want-list, hon

Sometimes love is a little tot that keeps us on the run

Sometimes it caters to our plan but often not, it seems

…love’s give and take twixt God and man far outmaneuvers dreams

Sometimes love is a graceful glide, a ballet’s perfect hurt

But oft it is a wild slide to home-base; face down, in dirt

Sometimes love pours a cup of tea, ‘with milk and honey, dear?’

But oft it startles you and me with sudden, bitter tear

Sometimes love's havens that we seek must first weather love's gale

Sometimes love’s kiss upon the cheek is crushed in love’s travail

Sometimes love's payoff that we thought should bear visible fruit/loot

Gets lost; often love’s prize is not a made-to-measure suit

Sometimes, we would forget to pray; I think love's push and shove

Must be God’s higher thought and way to teach us ‘such is love’

Whoever does not bear love’s cross is not fit for love’s crown

Sometimes what first looks like love’s loss is Heaven, upside down

© Janet Martin

Here Is Love, Vast As The Ocean...

Monday Medley of Meditations

There's nothing quite like love's heartaches to remind us

of the Living Hope found in the Healer of the human heart

and rouse reflections on how our own lives reflect

 The Greatest Love of All!

Saturday night awed hearts with art

only God can orchestrate/accomplish!

So did Sunday morning!!!

(after a 'sheepish' snowfall overnight.

It was a bit like walking on fleece; soft and soundless)

1 Corinthians 3:10

By the grace God has given me, 

I laid a foundation as an expert builder, 

and someone else is building on it. 

But each one must be careful how he builds.

Romans 12:3

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you:

 Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, 

but think of yourself with sober judgment, 

according to the measure of faith God has given you.

***

Oh, self-inflicted agony

Oh, cruel way to live

Clinging to hate's hostility

Unwilling to forgive

Oh, what an awful way to face

A new day, mercy kissed

Greeting the goodness of God's grace

Not with praise, but raised fist

Oh, pray we do not waste each chance

To love each other, for

Today is like a gift God grants

To love Him more and more

How much we love Him, none can hide

Love's language plain to see 

By how freely self is denied

In light of Calvary

© Janet Martin 

***

We never will get it quite right

Human nature is bound to err

Better to forgive than to fight

Better to be kind than to swear

Or wield a vengeful, verbal knife

Darkening thought with bitter darts

Better to hold the gift of life

In gentle hands and thankful hearts

How futile, the vile mastermind

That plots ways to retaliate

Better to be patient and kind

Better to love, my dear, than hate

© Janet Martin

***

When All That Remains Is What Was...

We pass this way but once, my love

How long the way will be

Until the soul slips from its glove

No one can know or see

Thus, we do well to live each day

As if it were the last

To cheer each other on life's way

Ere death's shadow is cast 

...and all that remains is What Was

With those we leave behind

Pray, life's echoes are sweet because

They are gentle and kind 

© Janet Martin

Every test God allows in our lives is but an opportunity

to yield to and trust

 The Potter's Hand

and to bring Him glory!!

Never Too Young (or old) To Learn

Sweetheart helping/learning to make butter tarts!

I generally am treated to 100% sweetness by this little gal

but 'rumor' has it there's another side that sometimes isn't quite so!😂😅🙏

Sometimes, when 'training up' children, an extra-firm hand is required;

A hand that let's them know that no tantrum will change the expectation for obedience!

It is vital that a child learns as early as able, 

to recognize and respect/obey authority!

Sometimes, we as God's children need that firm Hand too.

How easily we (like children) are prone to ignore 

and disrespect/disobey His Supreme Authority!

We, like little children, can be as sweet as pie (or butter tarts) when all goes well!

But what about those other times, when wills clash?!

Romans 6:16
Do you not know that when you offer yourselves as obedient slaves, 

you are slaves to the one you obey, 

whether you are slaves to sin leading to death, 

or to obedience leading to righteousness?

The quest to please ourselves, it seems, comes very naturally

Rousing a wrestling match between Self and authority

We are not born to want to yield to edicts not our own

The master of our lives revealed by what our deeds make known

The quest to please ourselves is something that is never taught

Human nature is always king over empires of thought

The living proof of love’s touchstone demonstrates without fail

Who resides on the heart’s veiled throne; choice, its own tattle-tale

The quest to please ourselves is not uncommon or bizarre

Until we yield our will to God, love is a tug-of-war

Until we love Him first, we will not find true joy because

The quest to please ourselves is cursed with the worst part of us (sin)

We all have faced the giant in the valley of love tried

We all have been defiant, self-reliant, blind with pride

But, pray, we all have borne the blow that brought us to our knees

And slew the masquerading foe, impossible to please

And pray our quests have been condensed till only One prevails

Treasured with humble confidence/reverence in God who never fails

And pray that when we are beguiled to prize some lesser goal

He reminds us, we are His child; the Saviour of the Soul

© Janet Martin

Eph.3:20-21

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly 

above all that we ask or think,

 according to the power that works in us, 

 to Him be glory in the church 

by Christ Jesus to all generations,

 forever and ever. 

Amen.

so, here's to that universal classroom of

'never too old to learn' or to forgive, or repent,

and confess our sins and try-try-again!

Below, an inspiring excerpt from the life story of

George Mueller of Bristow...

The Masterpiece of Grace

I began writing this poem early this morning without any idea what today's message would be!

But the passage for the inspiration of this poem was part of this morning's message at WBC!

1 John 4: 11-12

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 

12No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, 

God remains in us, and His love is perfected in us.

I have been reading a lot in Ephesians and 1,2&3rd John recently!

So, the 'message' in the message reiterated a lot of what has been on my heart!

Thank-you God (and Gary)

Oh, The Everlasting Love of God

Oh! Pray that most stunningly profound moment takes place

when we are utterly awed by God's unfathomable grace

that His love bestows on all who call on Him,

in repentance and belief,

and then, our only possible reply can be

  the greatest of these: love! 

Amazing Grace/Anthem Lights

Love leaps with joy’s sweet poses and in sorrow weeps and mourns

It awes us with its roses, and it pricks us with its thorns

It uplifts hearts with gladness, and it weighs hearts down with care

The utmost happy sadness that mortal will ever bear

It soothes and stuns; it sears and cheers and wounds and heals, oh my

It binds and frees and finds its knees beneath its weighted sigh

It satisfies our deepest need but cannot succour Self

It is an enemy of greed and miser’s hoarded pelf

Daily it dies unnumbered deaths yet is life to the full

Of priceless worth and yet to keep it is impossible

For until it is given, none its merit can applaud

A mirror made in Heaven to reflect the proof/love of God

Love suffers long and it is kind no matter what the price

The crown jewel of blessing lined with constant sacrifice

The tally of its treasure reckoned in regions above

On ledgers beyond measure because who can fathom love?

Love yields, yet clings to what is right, often misunderstood

Love is a peacemaker that fights with all its might for good

Love lends a helping hand and walks a second mile or ten

Because love, the greatest command is God in us, amen

No flesh can force, form or plan love from matter, tangible 

The divine mesh of God in man is unfathomable

Where without love/God no one can set the building blocks in place

On The Cornerstone that begets The Masterpiece of Grace 

© Janet Martin

Remind Us (Before It Is Too Late)

The law of love is not for the faint of heart, is it?!

It is intrinsically, inevitably attached to a whole bucket-load of care

because love cares!

But we never need to bear its cross of cares alone!

What a tiding of comfort and joy!

Not all love is baby-sweet and child-innocent...

With love comes huge responsibility/accountability...

We have a Heavenly Father who loves us beyond comprehension!

1 John 3:1

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us,

that we should be called children of God!

So take heart! esp. those in leadership positions;

daddies, mothers, pastors and elders, Sunday School leaders and teachers,

and so many other unseen second-milers💕🙏

Heb.6:10

For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love 

which you have shown toward His name,

 in that you have ministered to the saints, 

and do minister...

Thou God, who dost not fail

To we, prone to forget

Remind us where care’s legions hail

You cradle every ‘yet’

Between Known and Unknown

The present hour peals

Before Thy everlasting throne

The humble seeker kneels

…to find strength for the day

To listen for Thy voice

Where this world offers a buffet

And we reply with choice

Oh, may it never be

As step by step, we go

That we rely on what we see

Rather than what we know

No one exceeds Thy might

Thy love will never fail

To those who in Thy law delight

Perfect peace will prevail

Then, in the thick of love

Lest we forget to heed

Remind us, Thy grace is enough

To satisfy our need

And though life’s weight of care

May seem but to increase

Remind us, tis but to prepare

Our hearts for perfect peace

Where faith and sight compete

Unravel doubt’s dark veil

Remind us of Thy joy complete

Thy love that will not fail

As we trust and obey

(in spite of slight and sneer)

Remind us of the Judgment Day

Drawing so very near

Lest Thy Spirit departs

Averse to vain debate

Lord, open the eyes of our hearts

Before it is too late

© Janet Martin

Eph.1:18

I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, 

so that you may know the hope of His calling, 

the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints,...

John 15:9-11

As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. 

Remain in My love.

10If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love,

just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.

11I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you

and your joy may be complete.

Therefore You are great, O Lord God. 

For there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, 

according to all that we have heard with our ears.

2 Samuel 7:22

Every Step...

Love; The Journey

So much for love to hope for, pray for, and celebrate!

Love is not a feeling, 

but a fulltime labor of compassion, courage, correction and grace!

Love is ever learning and never lazy.

Love is God poured out, in/ through us!

His  loving grace is sufficient for the charge!

1 John 4:7-12

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, 

and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 

8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 

9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, 

that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 

10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us 

and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 

12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, 

God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

1 Cor.13:7-8

Love...bears all things, 

believes all things, 

hopes all things, 

endures all things.

Love never fails.

I believe in loving the journey 

but an apt twist to this quote would be

Love is the Journey

Love hurts with those who hurt

And laughs with those who laugh

Its noble motive seeks the worth

Of fellowman’s behalf

It hopes and prays and cares

And does not weigh the price

But with a heart of mercy bears

The yoke of sacrifice

Love does not seek its own

Agendas; love is kind

It sets a stable stepping stone

For those foll’wing behind

It heeds earnest rebuke

Love does not boast or lie

Unprejudiced, humble and true

Love measures thought’s reply

Love mourns with those who mourn

And sings with those who sing

Love shares the rose and bears the thorn

Without self-pitying

Love lights joy’s candlestick

Love never, never fails

When grief’s sickle cuts to the quick

God, who IS love prevails

Incarnate and Enough

The Vine sustains the branch

Apart from God, love is not love

But hell's hopeless romance

Love transcends circumstance

Mercy's unthwarted grail

Outpours, in constant sustenance

The love that cannot fail

So, Love the journey Here

With humble, holy laud

Because love is the journey, dear

Back to love's birthplace; 

God

© Janet Martin

John 15:5

“I am the vine; you are the branches. 

If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; 

apart from me you can do nothing.

1 Cor.13:13

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love.

The Wonder of Enough (or Monday Morning Mantra)

Love's mandates are timeless

As we cry out in our hearts 'what can we do?!'

as we lift up brokenness after brokenness to God in prayer

His reply is now as it was then;

Love one another...

John 15:12

“This is My commandment, that you love one another, 

just as I have loved you.

John 14:15

“If you love me, keep my commands.

Galatians 5:13

For you were called to freedom, brethren;

only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh,

but through love serve one another.

Magnificent, Marvelous, Matchless Love

 

His love poured through us is Enough

Enough to equip us 

for the fight

Enough to convict, forgive, 

to be kind, to be Light

Enough to fulfill

His will, so we pray 

For His love to instill

until we obey

...and love one another

the way we ought

and love one another

the Way He taught

How Deep The Father's Love For Us

Lord, help love be sincere

And help us take to heart

The wonder of Thy love so dear

While the world falls apart

Because it does not know

The Truth that sets us free

The joy that sets the heart aglow

Amidst calamity

Where grace in rich supply

True repentance redeems

Where, morn to morn, mercy’s reply

With renewed favor/fervor streams

Where hope does not bring shame

But anchors blood-bought souls

In the salvation through Thy name

While time’s progression rolls

Toward eternity

When Time will be no more

Where faith will taste the victory

That now we hunger for

When the glass of the law

Dissolves, when face to face

We gaze, with undistracted awe

On Thee, Author of grace

Unhindered then, by cares

When prayerful pleadings cease

When love its final burden bears

When all is life and peace

When grief its dagger drops

When swords to plowshares beat

When from valleys and mountaintops

Worship’s anthems repeat

When everlasting Day

Earth’s shackles will undo

When former things are passed away

And all will be made new

…until then, Lord, through Thee

Let our love be sincere

Help us, with unfeigned fealty

Thy precepts to revere

And take to humble heart

Thy steadfast truth and love

And let Thy promises impart

The wonder of Enough

© Janet Martin

Love's To-do list...

Romans 12:9-21 

9 Love must be sincere. 

Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 

10 Be devoted to one another in love. 

Honor one another above yourselves. 

11 Never be lacking in zeal, 

but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 

12 Be joyful in hope, 

patient in affliction, 

faithful in prayer. 

13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. 

Practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; 

mourn with those who mourn. 

16 Live in harmony with one another. 

Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.

[a] Do not be conceited.

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil.

Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 

18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 

19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, 

but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: 

“It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[b] says the Lord. 

20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[c]

21 Do not be overcome by evil, 

but overcome evil with good.

Wonder-full Compulsion! Plus Butter Tart Recipe 😋

Sometimes the ho-hums of housework

would not feel like an honor to perform

until we look beyond it's façade 

to love,

and glimpse the face of God

For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus:

that if One died for all, then all died;

and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves,

but for Him who died for them and rose again.

2 Cor.5:14-15

Isn't the Love of Jesus Something Wonderful

Compelled by love for He who gave His all, oh let it be

Drawn with desire to put on dear Christ’s humility

For God so loved the world He gave His Son to pay sin’s debt

He rent the bondage of the grave, oh may we ne’er forget

Compelled by love, to honor He who to self-will did die

To offer ourselves to be love’s penitent reply

Where more than Call of Duty bids us bear life’s yoke and rod

With the unhidden beauty of a heart yielded to/exalting God

Compelled by love, first for our God and then for fellowman

Oh, blissful state as we applaud, through servanthood, His plan

Where love did not demand from us the recompense for sin

But rather gave his Son Jesus, His gift of grace to win

Compelled by love, ah, as we contemplate the sacrifice

What higher call could captivate or be worth greater price

Life’s meekest merit never fails; He who is Love supplies

His Spirit's strength as faith prevails and strains toward the Prize

© Janet Martin

Doesn't love's beauty always sweeten the duty?! Aren't you glad?

...some small  'sweetness-es'

sometimes come in the form of

Warm Butter Tart!

Oh!! I'm sorry. Would you like one too?

Here is the best recipe I know!

My mother's...

Let It Be...(an easier-said-than-done-outpouring)

This weekend Grandsonny and granddaughter

experienced the joy of lending a helping hand...

(work before play 😄)

and reaping some delightful rewards!

 

...the happiness of Maple-taffy-cone sweet thank-yous 

Where can you get a sweet thank-you treat too?!! Here!

Winding Road Maple Products

...the thrill of a ride in Grandpa's big truck

We are all children in a sense, earning a recompense of reward...

1 John 3:18

My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue,

 but in deed and in truth.

After a few recent devotions and yesterday's message

 I have once again been soundly challenged

 to weigh my love in the scales of His Word and choices I make

 to see if my love for God and fellowman is found wanting!

Lord, let it be Thy love for me that satisfies my want and need

Lord, let it be my love for Thee that shines Thy light in word and deed

Lord, let the witness of Thy love be more than Sunday morning rite

Lord, let the fruit of the tree prove Thy love to be my chief delight

Lord, let it be my faith in Thee (not what I see) that keeps me strong

And let my humble honor be to help a fellowman along

And let my joy forever spring from a Fount that cannot run dry

Thy love, Lord exceeds everything that my thought attempts to descry

Lord, let it be Thy love for me that crowns the motive of my will

And let the light of Thy love be like a city set on a hill

Lord, let goodness and mercy be a messenger in hands and feet

Thy love for me, my love for Thee to make life’s journey to Thee sweet

Lord, let it be my hope in Thee that reminds me how great thou art

Remind me of love’s sympathy that broke Thy body and Thy heart

Then, as I see Thy love for me let nothing hide Thy lovely face

The backdrop of a bloodstained tree, forbid, some lesser loves replace

Lord, though the storms of life increase, Lord bid the demons of dread flee

For thou wilt keep in perfect peace, the mind that is transfixed on Thee

And let it be Thy love for me that grants the courage to proceed

And let it be my love for Thee that helps a fellowman in need

© Janet Martin

No one can help everyone but we who are blessed to have

can all help someone who does not have!!