Confidence Booster

He, whose glory the heavens declare (ps.19:1)

He it is in Whom faith places unwavering confidence!

Hallelujah!

We cannot see the hand that unfurls the heavens but

the evidence of Him is plain!

Job 9:8
He alone stretches out the heavens ...

Sat. evening's heavens were spectacular!!

Jeremiah 17:7

But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, 

whose confidence is in him.

1 John 5:14

This is the confidence we have in approaching God:

 that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

Philippians 1:6

Being confident of this, 

that he who began a good work in you 

will carry it on to completion 

until the day of Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 10:35-36

Therefore do not throw away your confidence, 

which has a great reward.

For you have a need of endurance,

so that when you have done the will of God 

you may receive what is promised.

Thus, knowing this we rise renewed, equipped with confidence in He

Who unfetters the heavens hued in hints of glory yet to be...

If we could place our confidence only in what we see how vain

Would ring sympathy’s condolence or platitudes for fear and pain

If all of life was rose-regaled, laughter, and sanguine skies above

Greed would reach epidemic scales and there would be no need for love

And we would soon forget to pray where now with wordless groans we plead

Knowing that He who grants each day fulfills His part, to intercede

Knowing the suffering of love is but the lot of mortal clay

The prelude to the glory of God which shall be revealed someday

So we place our confidence in God with awed humility

Beyond the bonds of circumstance and Time’s façade, eternity

Where God is waiting to reveal glory we cannot comprehend

Therefore, with confidence we kneel, encouraged by faith’s dividend

…when we have done God’s will, full-fold, ‘when we have done’ not before then

Will we receive, as we behold God’s promises fulfilled. Amen

Thus, knowing this we rise renewed, equipped with confidence in He

Who unfetters the heavens hued in hints of glory yet to be

Janet Martin

Rom.8:18

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time

 are not worthy to be compared with the glory

 which shall be revealed in us.

(Read the whole glorious chapter of Rom.8 HERE) 

Life is not all sunny skies...

last Wed. the tree in the photo above was reduced to half-size

when a sudden late-day twister(ish) ripped through our yard...

On this week's task-list;

begin revamping the 'shade-garden'

because the rest of the tree now needs to go as well!

Comfort Beyond Comprehension...

We live in a stunningly beautiful, badly broken world!!

Jim and I enjoyed a little getaway to the rolling hills of Holmes County, Ohio

from Friday to Sunday.

My cup of awe overflowed as I marveled at bucolic views

 of majestic hills, winding roads and Amish farms

and homes tucked in every curve, crook and cranny! 

On Friday and Saturday the community bustled with industry,

buggies and E-bikes...

 but on Sunday all was quiet,

as man and beast (and E-bikes!!) rested!

Then we returned home to the news of a horrific tragedy in our community

that claimed the lives of  five children/siblings

and there are no words to try reconcile such shock and grief!

But there are prayers and just as Jesus promised

before He went to the cross so it is.

'I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you.'

The way to His comfort is found in the gospel of

John chapters 14, 15, and 16 as He prepares and comforts His disciples

just before He who knew no sin was crucified for all of humanity's sins.

In the garden of Eden, sin broke the state of perfection in this world 

and as long as there is sin;

 disobedience to God, there will be trouble and sorrow...

and always God who forgives, strengthens, comforts and helps us

if we confess our sin and trust in Him!

We are so small but God is so Big.

Rom. 11:33

O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! 

How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!

Isa.55:9

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, 

so are my ways higher than your ways 

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Ps.103:11

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, 

so great is His loving devotion for those who fear Him.

What this day holds we cannot know

Time's bloom unfolds wonder and woe

Where hope and heartbreak intertwine

As dreams and plans their schemes resign

To He whose steadfast faithfulness

Will never leave us comfortless 

What waits to be of smiles and tears

Of tested faith and holy fears

Of battles fought or triumphs won

Before this fleeting Day is done

Only God knows; His thoughts and ways

Confound the small frames we appraise

What consolation this; to know

When sorrow strikes its sacred blow

We find within our brokenness

'He does not leave us comfortless

With nail-scarred hands He draws us near

And counts and cups each falling tear

Someday, we all will take our turn

To exit this world's live-and-learn

Time is eternity's façade  

And all who put their hope in God

Are comforted, in spite of grief

As we await Promised Relief 

...as beauty and brokenness meet

In awe and horror, bittersweet

As faith alone encounters He

Whose comfort transcends tragedy

A Mystery that He unveils

To all who trust when all else fails

Janet Martin

John 14:23

 Jesus answered and said to him,

 “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word;

 and My Father will love him, 

and We will come to him and make Our home with him.

The Giver of Today Knows All

Ps.31:14-15

But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord;

I say, “You are my God.”

My times are in Your hand;

Matt.28:20

('lo, I am with you always,')

Whatever may befall

Where morning meets its mark

The Giver of Today knows all

His Light pierces the dark

Whatever may befall

Where morning meets its mark

The Giver of Today knows all

His Light pierces the dark

And grants sufficient grace

Whether we joy or grieve

He IS with us in all we face

As we trust and believe

And victoriously cope

Because each day we live

Is anchored in the blessed hope

That Christ alone can give

Then, do not fail/fear to call

On He who knows our need

The Giver of Today knows all

And He will intercede

Janet Martin

Titus 2:11-14

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,

12teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,

we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,

13looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing

of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

14who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us

from every lawless deed and purify for Himself

His own special people, zealous for good works.

The Ways We Want

Faith can sit down before mysteries and say 'The Lord is good'.

(From the book Consolation by Mrs. Chas. E. Cowman)

'Our grief can never be greater than God's.'

(from my oldest sister who called this morning)

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, 

a worker who does not need to be ashamed, 

rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Tim.2:15

Have Thine Own Way, Lord

Right now I believe many in our church family feel

utterly heartbroken, leaving nothing remaining but 

to entrust our broken pieces to the Hands of the Potter/Healer!

Oh Lord, your ways are not our ways...

Then search and know our hearts;

Try and know our anxieties;

 And see if there is any wicked way in us,

And lead us in the way everlasting.

(Ps.139:23-24)

The ways that we would orchestrate through fancy's earth-dimmed lures

Would oft serve to alleviate what faith alone endures 

Because we cannot comprehend God's thoughts, misunderstood 

Or how He guards Want's ways that wend in conflict to our good  

For though our spirit boasts of noble mind, the flesh is weak 

We are not nat'rally inclined to want what we should seek

 Or to be boldly unashamed to take God at His Word

The ways we want would rush untamed to ruin undeterred 

 God, rich in love and mercy, ordains ways beyond our ken

He guides us through Time's sin-cursed vein to victory. Amen

Our grief is His; where sorrows fret He sorrows all the more

Sometimes we are prone to forget where earth-dimmed views implore  

...then, because what we suffer God has suffered too, He grants

His Comforter; a buffer against darts of Circumstance

We need you, Lord, to intercede, in ways where we would roam

Without Your rod and staff to lead us safely Home, sweet Home

Janet Martin

An Advent Reveille

 

Sometimes when daybreak kindles the eastward horizon

in flaming appeal, (like yesterday morning!!) 

it rushes the air like a celestial reveille,

beckoning us to rise and 'shine' !

Do not grow weary in love’s dues bearing eternal worth

Continue to tell the Good News of the Messiah’s birth

Continue to proclaim the Name, commanding prophecy

Tell the world of Jesus who came to set sin’s captive free

The ‘last days’ prophets long foretold, on that first Christmas morn

Began to fulfill and unfold when Jesus Christ was born

Jesus, knowing the dreadful price of His sinless blood shed

Came to become sin’s final sacrifice and crush Death’s head

Then pray, do not cease to proclaim He who conquered the grave

Salvation knows no other Name; Jesus, mighty to save

Stepped from His divine station to suffer redemption’s rod

To be the hope of nations, to fulfill the will of God

Then do not faint, but hail the Name of Jesus every morn

Good tidings of great joy proclaim; a Savior has been born

For God so loves the world, He gave His only Son to be

Sin’s off’ring once for all, to save and set condemned souls free

Joy to the world, the Prince of Peace is trustworthy and true

Someday the wars of earth will cease and all will be made new

Till then, continue to proclaim the angel’s hymn. Extol

The Good News; JESUS is His Name, the Savior of the soul

Janet Martin

Acts 3:18-26

But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, 

that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. 

19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out,

 so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 

20 and that He may send [c]Jesus Christ, who was [d]preached to you before, 

21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, 

which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since [e]the world began. 

22 For Moses truly said to the fathers, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you

 a Prophet like me from your brethren. 

Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you. 

23 And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet 

shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ 

24 Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, 

as many as have spoken, have also [f]foretold these days. 

25 You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers,

 saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ 

26 To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, 

sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.”

The Hand That Gently Draws Night's Veil...

Happy first day of the final week of November 2025!!

(can you believe it?!!)

Ps.145:17-18

The LORD is righteous in all His ways

and kind in all His deeds.

The LORD is near to all who call on Him,

to all who call out to Him in truth.

The Hand that gently draws night’s veil from welkin windows dimmed at dusk

Sustains redemption’s gleaming grail; shadows recede and morning breaks

Where what is done none can undo and what yet waits is beyond us

But what Today grants me and you are mercies renewed for our sakes

The Hand that none can circumvent delivers us from night’s dark hues

Where today’s laughter and lament are waiting to cheer and dismay

This is the day the Lord has made; we give account for how we use

Its fleeting moment-promenade falling like stars soon swept away

The Hand that none can see sustains preordained grants of joy and grief

Beyond reason Logic explains, God orchestrates love’s perfect will

Where what we see and understand are not enough to gauge belief

Behold! God’s goodness sweeps the land in grand persuasion to Be Still

The Hand that leads us if we ask and calms the tempest if we trust

Will help us in each humble task, will keep us in His faithful care

Will hold us in faith’s holy fight, will shepherd stray-prone wanderlust

Will shield us from pitfalls of sight and guard us from the Tempter’s snare

The Hand that gently draws night’s veil from nocturne-nestled countryside

Presides with love that does not fail regardless of perception’s wreath

Where what we want He will appraise and what we need He will provide

As morning breaks and Mercy lays His Hand above, beside, beneath

Janet Martin

Heb.13:20-21

Now may the God of peace, 

who through the blood 

of the eternal covenant 

brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, 

that great Shepherd of the sheep,

 21equip you with every good thingc 

to do His will. 

And may He accomplish in usd 

what is pleasing in His sight 

through Jesus Christ, 

to whom be glory forever and ever. 

Amen.

This Life Is Not Carefree

1 Pet.5:6-9 NIV

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, 

that he may lift you up in due time. 

7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8 Be alert and of sober mind. 

Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion

 looking for someone to devour. 

9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, 

because you know that the family of believers

 throughout the world

 is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Any good we receive,

Any good we give

Is possible only

because of God's faithful goodness first!

Ps. 119:67-72

Before I was afflicted I went astray,

But now I keep Your word.

You are good, and do good;

Teach me Your statutes.

The proud have forged[k] a lie against me,

But I will keep Your precepts with my whole heart.

Their heart is [l]as fat as grease,

But I delight in Your law.

It is good for me that I have been afflicted,

That I may learn Your statutes.

The law of Your mouth is better to me

Than thousands of coins of gold and silver.

Between what was, and waits

Today unfolds faith’s due

Where joys and sorrows rush dawn's gates

Where trial’s tests pursue...

This life is not carefree

Beneath Refinement’s rod

Happiness grants no guarantee

Unless/until we trust in/yield to God

Between what was, and waits

Today unfolds faith’s due

Where joys and sorrows rush dawn's gates

Where trial’s tests pursue

God, in each hour of need

Attends humility

He grants us power to proceed

Where life is not carefree

So then, press on, assured

For we are not alone

As we face cares not yet endured

And battles not yet won

If God is on our side

Defeat will not prevail

For He is near; his truths abide

His purpose will not fail

His loving kindness hears

Devotion’s agony

Beneath refinement’s rod appears

An angel of mercy

…and faith is overjoyed

What God deigns, we will do

As we, cast down but not destroyed

Faith and courage renew

For life is not carefree

Where sin’s consequence pains

God’s love, proven at Calvary

Still faithfully sustains

Author of earth and Heaven

Love oft must suffer loss

With every care, Thy grace is given

To help us bear its cross

We thank Thee, faithful Lord/God above

For Thou art good always

Though life is not carefree, Thy Word/Thy love

Anoints our souls/goals with praise

Janet Martin

Be Thou My Vision — Kings Return | A cappella Hymn

Beyond the 'But In Part' We See

Below, a photo of a handmade card from a friend,

given almost a year ago...

(the above verse one of my favs)

On Sunday morning one of my students asked me if I have a favorite Bible verse.

 I replied that favourite verses vary, depending on what is happening, etc! 

On that particular morning I had meditated on Ps.119:165.

(because, I asked, 'who doesn't want 'great peace' ?

and that verse tells us who has it and how) 

Today I turned to this familiar and beloved Psalm, 

also an enduring favorite, 

filled with consolation and worship 

as we weather a world filled with sin and it's consequences

 such as sickness and sorrow!

Some sorrows are very public

and others very private!

But God knows them all!

Ps. 46

God is our refuge and strength,

A[a] very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear,

Even though the earth be removed,

And though the mountains be carried into the [b]midst of the sea;

3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,

Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,

The holy place of the [c]tabernacle of the Most High.

5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be [d]moved;

God shall help her, just [e]at the break of dawn.

6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;

He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

7 The Lord of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,

Who has made desolations in the earth.

9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;

He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;

He burns the chariot in the fire.

10 Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!

11 The Lord of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

***

Take up Thy cross and follow He who grants sufficient grace

Beyond the ‘but in part’ we see before ‘then, face to face’

He helps us bear the suffering that faith must first endure

Beneath the shadow of His wing joy and peace are secure

Do not despair though dark may seem the valley of the hour

The trying of our faith will gleam with God’s sustaining pow’r

Here morning breaks and disappears; all is change and decay

But God remains the same; His years shall never pass away

Then, trust in God with all your heart; He is all-wise and good

From earth we know Him ‘but in part’; love oft misunderstood

So, fix your eyes upon the Prize of ‘someday, face to face’

And do not dread the test that tries the perfecting of faith

Be still and know that He is God; He is faithful and true

Take courage, for His staff and rod protect and guide us through

The valley of the shadow of the part He overcame

At Calvary, for all who love and believe in His Name

Janet Martin

1 Cor.13:12 NKJV

For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face.

Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

God Will Take Care of You

Heb.12:1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 

let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, 

and let us run with endurance the race set out for us.

  2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the authora and perfecter of our faith, 

who for the joy set before Him endured the cross,

 scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

3Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners,

 so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Because True Love Must Suffer Long...

“In every temptation we face and every trial we endure,

both Satan and God are active, and they have opposite designs, opposite purposes.

God is always proving your faith and your obedience in every temptation and trial.

And Satan is always seeking to destroy your faith and undermine your obedience

in every temptation and trial.”

—John Piper

Rom.8:6

For to be carnally minded is death;

 but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

God had one Son without sin,

but none without sorrow

J.R. Miller

Love suffers long...1 Cor.13:4

For this midweek, midmonth morning, a prayer.

Happy (or not) Mid-July! 

Dear Lord, waken our wanting to veiled blessings burdens bear

Expose the carnal taunting of the tempter’s cunning snare

By Thy own life, remind us how true love must suffer long

How before and behind us, your Hand on us makes us strong

Let Your Word be our buffer in a world vile and untrue

Through all that love must suffer, shape us to be more like You

As You bless those who mourn with comfort of courage renewed

As You infuse hearts, sorrow-worn with humbler gratitude

Surely goodness and mercy will not fail us all our days

Surely, through sorrow, You instill love’s purer joy and praise

Surely, through self-denial You bestow riches untold

Surely, through each new trial some new blessing You unfold

Dear Lord, help us humbly receive the gifts You long to give

Guard us against lies that deceive; show us how we should live

Then help us walk by faith, not sight; in weakness make us strong

As Your law becomes our delight and love’s suff’ring, our song

© Janet Martin

another soul-cheering reminder from the book pictured HERE 

The Beatitudes

Matt.5:3-12

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn,

For they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek,

For they shall inherit the [a]earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

For they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful,

For they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart,

For they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers,

For they shall be called sons of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, 

and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 

12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, 

for great is your reward in heaven, 

for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Speechless Solace...

How thankful I am to know God hears love's prayer-tears...

for my family, for my church-family and for my country!

Love's concern for family, friends and actually, universal fellowman is beyond comprehension 

because, as the great Scottish Poet Robbie/Rabbie Burns' father would caution him

 'we are headed, not to the grave but through the grave'...

and his mother, poor in worldly wealth all her life, was deeply concerned 

that Robbie would not become money-rich through his gift of poetry 

lest he falls into the snare of putting his trust in money rather than God!' 

(from the book The Wind That Shakes The Barley)

It is Canada Day but this morning my prayer cannot find words

 to adequately express thoughts and longings for this gorgeous plot of geography 

called Canada; a beautiful country founded in Christian faith 

and rich with Christian heritage. 

A country full of beautiful people called Canadians!

I'm thankful, God hears love's cries of the heart for a country 

whose foundation is crumbling because the Cornerstone is rejected!

***

Today's poem is inspired in part by part of my devotion this morning

from the paragraphs below by one of my all-time favourite authors; 

James Russel Miller

as well as from meditating on Sunday morning's message 

from the passage of Scripture from from Eph. 1;1-14

Not through the fluency of words most eloquently wrought

God hears our hearts; His own heart stirred by unutt'rable thought

As He reciprocates; not with audible answers heard

But through unfailing promises found in His faithful Word

He hears our prayers; the tears that rend the fabric of our souls 

The groan of earnest sentiment that heaves and aches and rolls

As we cry out for God to bless all who hunger and thirst

For the Strait Path of Righteousness through this old world, sin-cursed  

Where we are pressed on every side by idle apathy

Where accolades for greed and pride disdain humility

Where, until/unless we lean on God's knee and every groan outpour

We drift like a ship, lost at sea without hope of a shore

God lays His ear close to our tears; He hears each wordless plea 

He comforts us; and gently cheers us with His company 

Then, faith's Spiritual Treasure, is a blessing beyond ken

Poured out by God's good pleasure through His perfect will. Amen 

Janet Martin

How utterly incomparable is the place at God's feet, 

as we pour out to Him our heart-hunger and soul-yearnings,

 then comforted by the thought that

 'He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly

 above all that we ask or think'!

 Eph.3:20

Alan Jackson - What A Friend We have In Jesus [with lyrics]