Age Old Assurance for the Newness of Now

 O God, our Help in Ages Past

Nothing is Impossible With God

Whether at the beginning of a year

the middle or the end

the bedrock of 

faith's hope, joy and peace 

remains the same; trust God

A New Year.

A New Day.

The same God

Come what may

Though the way

No one can see

Faith in God

Seals victory

God's Word like

A steadfast Hand

Leads into

The Promised Land

His Word does

Not lead astray

As we hope

And trust and pray

In the power

Of God’s might

Faith will be

Equipped to fight

Pray we never

Run this race

Without God’s

Armor in place

Then and only

Then will we

Be fitted

For what will be

Then faith will

Be undeterred

Through the power

Of God’s word

Where without God

We are weak

And we know not

What we seek

… or what master

To obey

In the newness

of Today

A new day

and a New Year

The same God

To commandeer

...the same goodness

truth and love

Fills the Unknown

with Enough

© Janet Martin

Heb.11:8

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place 

he would later receive as his inheritance,

 obeyed and went,

 even though he did not know where he was going.

A Get-Rich-Quick-Forever Gift!

 

Inspired by the riches of Ephesians 1&2, Phil. 2, and so many more scriptures

All hinged to the Reason for the Christmas Season

Oh may we desire the wealth of spiritual blessing

possible only if we receive The Gift. God's Gift of grace

(Note: this is not a wealth of ease and material opulence,

because this wealth was bought with a great price!

But the price gives us access to all the priceless promises of God)

One Still Night

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

who has blessed us in the heavenly realms 

with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Eph.1:3

God’s gift of glorious grace

In meanest cradle lies

The riches of redemption veiled

In baby’s newborn cries

The hope of humankind

Descends from Heaven’s throne

To mercy’s masterpiece designed

Death’s sentence to atone

Through the shed blood of Christ

God trumps Lucifer’s schemes

From His Own Offspring sacrificed

Pardon’s profusion streams

…to lowly sons of earth

The holy Son of God

Suffered the pains of human birth

To bear rejection’s rod

…and suffer unto death

Even death on a cross

The King of kings offered Himself

To be a Lamb for us

The Son of God became

The Name believer’s hail

He suffered crucifixion’s shame

To rend the temple’s veil

So, all may freely come

Hope’s riches to embrace

The Cornerstone of Christendom

God’s gift of glorious grace

No more to be enslaved

By doubt, greed, pride and fear

But through faith, by grace we are saved

We, once far off brought near

To taste death's sweet release

Where Jesus took our place

His blood, the purchase price of peace

God’s gift of glorious grace

Ah, here all praise begins

Death falls like shackles spliced

We, who were dead in our sins

Are made alive with Christ

God, who is rich in love

Forgives this sinful race

Through the exceeding riches of

Jesus, God’s gift of grace

That in ages to come

His kindness might be known

Through we who benefited from

The kindness Christ has shown

© Janet Martin

Priceless Exceeding Abundance

So many needs weighed on my heart this morning as I thought of so many who are troubled,

so many suffering in war torn countries around the world, 

so many suffering close to home due to sickness, injuries in accidents 

and hardships due to broken relationships, hardships caused by inflation 

the fragility of the so-called freedom and peace in countries whose leaders

have turned away from God, and the list goes on...

But it is not a hopeless case. 

Quite the opposite. 

We pray to One who is able to do 

'exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, 

according to the power that works in us. 

Unto Him be glory in the church by Jesus throughout all ages, 

world without end, 

amen. 

Eph.3:20-21

Above All-Michael W. Smith

The Lord appoints our place

His love anoints our cares

And by the riches of His grace

God’s mercy hears our prayers

His measure of reply

Exceeds abundantly

The want and wish of you and I

On meek and bended knee

Though trial rends faith's glove

May faith, faith’s test transcend

Grounded and rooted in the love

Thought cannot comprehend

With lowliness of heart

(His Spirit’s dwelling place)

May we endeavor to impart

The riches of God’s grace

…so that we may be filled

With the fulness of He

Who helps us, through what He has willed

To proclaim His glory

© Janet Martin

“For Thine is the kingdom, 

and the power, 

and the glory,

forever. 

Amen” 

(KJV—Matt. 6:9-13)

With Mercy Renewed

 

Once more we hoist hope's painful glory, taut with testing gales

Aren't you thankful God is greater?! His love never fails!

Into the mist of circumstance hope hoists a stalwart sail

With Mercy Renewed we advance to face today’s fresh gale

Where Faith bids us to forge ahead in spite of Unknown’s haze

As highs and lows of joy and dread author protest and praise

Where touch and taste enhance what it cannot quite satisfy

Where we can choose to dance or shake a fist in mean reply

Where what we stand or fall for is of vital gravity

The tempted and the tempter look a lot like you and me

And nothing is too commonplace to slip between the cracks

Of giants that we have to face and enemy attacks

Thus, we cannot afford to rush into the day at hand

Until we beckon to the Lord to be First in Command

For many perils lurk and many vices wait to snare

And many upsets irk us in this life so full of care

Where everything we strive for is worth nothing much at all

If everything we live for is so very temporal

Where both beauty and broken play a painful, precious part

In shaping natures human into ‘blessed pure in heart’

Where we would grow so weary doing the good, that we (should) do

Without trusting a dear and faithful God/Guide to help us through

For life is not a game of chance and love/God will never fail

Into the mist of circumstance hope hoists a stalwart sail

With Mercy Renewed, we embark once more into the fray

The God of Moses parts the dark and we are on our way

© Janet Martin

Abide With Me

Isa.40:28-31

Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

and his understanding no one can fathom.

29 He gives strength to the weary

and increases the power of the weak.

30 Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the Lord

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

Merciful Metamorphosis (or This Cross We Bear)

Without complete surrender we grapple

at times with the goodness of God's higher thoughts and ways!

Oh, may we pray to be like Abraham of old...

Romans 4:19-21,

"And being not weak in faith, he (Abraham) considered not his own body

 now dead when he was about a hundred years old, 

neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb. 

He staggered not at the promises of God; through unbelief;

 but was strong in faith, giving glory to God.

This cross we bear of constant care,

Of disciple-obedience

Of hurt and hope’s heart-hungry prayer

Of conscientious diligence

Of yielding Self’s determined will

And forsaking the world for Christ

To suffer for His sake until

Every idol is sacrificed…

…of walking as children of light

Living the way that Jesus did

(For we are precious in the sight

Of He from whom nothing is hid)

…of proving what is pleasing to

The One who gave His best for we

Cursed with the blight of Eden’s rue

Who benefit from Calvary

Our cross of care pales when compared

To the cross on Golgotha’s hill

Then pray no suffering is spared

Until love works its miracle

And He who sees the heart beholds

Refinement’s glory taking place

As beneath life’s cross God unfolds

Awestruck awareness of His grace

© Janet Martin

Eph.5:6-11

Let no one deceive you with empty words,

for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

7Therefore do not be partakers with them.

8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.

Walk as children of light

9(for the fruit of the [b]Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),

10finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.

11And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness,

but rather [c]expose them.

Beneath the Cross of Jesus...

Beneath the Cross (version 2)

Where Faith's Unfinished Business Groans...

Waiting is the sacrament of the tender surrender,

the art of a soul growing large.

Ann Voskamp (from this post)

Most of us are waiting on something aren't we!

 Lifting up love's herculean cry of

'how long, oh Lord?!'

Till 'they' truly see only You reflected in me?

Till I truly live 'I love You most, Lord!

Till we are the parent with outstretched arms welcoming Prodigal home!

Till thanksgiving becomes thanks living!

Till we surrender the why to 'Thy will be done'

Till we see you face to face!

I have been waiting, and waiting and waiting for the dahlia blooms!!

The bud seems reluctant to unfold...

What parables are preached in a garden's waiting rooms...

The Creator's perfect timing will unfold the full flower!

(maybe the flower shows a bit of this world's wear and tear but it's blooming!!)

So take heart, keep praying and waiting

not in idle restlessness but in humble, loving labor for our Lord!

(what sweet promises we find in His Word as we 'wait')

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, 

and he shall strengthen thine heart: 

wait, I say, on the Lord.

Psalm 27:14

Man looks upon the outward but the Lord looks on the heart

What sacred consolation to know He sees, not in part

But witnesses the whole where faith's unfinished business groans

Where 'not my will but Thine' tests motives dressed in skin and bones

...where human nature is a creature not given to wait

How swift and suave the atheist of worry wars with faith

God, grant to we, still waiting, surrender's humble reply

Rather than vexed debating of its wherefore or its why

Lord, You alone maintain the law that unfolds full bloom's art

Lord, pray the gain of 'wait' is awe; not closed buds torn apart

Where half-petals are strewn because impatience seized control

Rather than trusting as You try the faith that makes us whole

Janet Martin🙏💔 

Matt.8:26

But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” 

Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, 

and there was a great calm.

I haven't shared this song in a while!

I love it.

The words with the melody

bring such sweet consolation, don't they?💗

Peace, Be Still

To Cling, Rather Than Understand

If we relied only on what we understood we would all be atheists!🙏

Prov.3:5-7

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall [b]direct your paths.

Do not be wise in your own eyes;

Fear the Lord and depart from evil.

Deuteronomy 13:4

You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him;

and you shall keep His commandments,

listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him.

Psalm 63:7-8

For You are my help;

I will sing for joy in the shadow of Your wings.

My soul clings to You;

Your right hand upholds me.

Isa.41:10

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;

 I will strengthen you, I will help you, 

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”

What waits we cannot tell. Lord, all that we would ask

Is for Your Spirit to compel and fit us for love’s task

To run with hope, no, fly! To rise on eagle’s wings

And bid humility reply while to Thy law hope clings

To find our rightful place within your counsel true

And to commit this day of grace and what it brings, to You

To repent of pride’s sin and yield our will and want

To You, rather than flounder in a world of futile taunt

To trust in You; not lean on sight-impeded ken

But to cling to what is Unseen, forevermore, amen

Then, with pure joy to know the peace Your love imparts

Your right hand on our shoulders and your Word within our hearts

What waits to try and test we do not know or see

But to cling to Your Promises seals our victory

To know, at your right hand are pleasures evermore

To cling, rather than understand, oh Lord, thus we implore 

Amen

© Janet Martin

Isa.40:30-31

Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall.

But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength;

they will mount up with wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not faint.

Psalm 16:11

You will show me the path of life; 

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

 At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Cling To Christ

 

Judge of the Secrets of the Hearts of Men

Awesome Anticipation...

Though this poem was inspired by daybreak it applies to every breath and step we take...

As the sun rose I was impacted by the profound realization of

One Day Nearer...

One day nearer to the coming

Of our Lord; and what will be

One day nearer to our going

From time to eternity

One day nearer to beholding

He who saves us by His grace

Each new daybreak is unfolding

One day nearer to His face

And the sacred understanding

Of all that we cannot tell

When the Truth will be unending

In either Heaven or hell

One day nearer to departure

From this world of toil and strife

From the woes of war and hunger

And the cares of love and life

From the hope of our salvation

To faith’s armor laid to rest

From the cross of tribulation

To the crown of righteousness

From this temporary running

To the everlasting Prize

When at last we shed the garment

Of faith’s living sacrifice

One day nearer to the hour

Of reckoning and reward

For man’s days are like a flower

Dust-to-dust, Soul to the Lord

One day nearer to forever

Then remember, while you may

Ere the silver cord is severed

And all but God falls away

One day nearer to the Awesome

Crossing of faith’s Finish Line

…the last petal of the blossom

Caught in nail-scarred hands, divine

© Janet Martin

2 Tim.4:8

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness,

which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:

and not to me only,

but unto all them also that love his appearing.

1 Thess.5:1-10

Now about the times and seasons, brothers, we do not need to write to you.

  2For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 

3While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly,

 like labor pains on a pregnant woman, 

and they will not escape.

4But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief.

  5For you are all sons of the light and sons of the day; 

we do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 

6So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober. 

7For those who sleep, sleep at night; and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.

  8But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, 

putting on the breastplate of faith and love,

and the helmet of our hope of salvation.

9For God has not appointed us to suffer wrath, 

but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

10He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, 

we may live together with Him. 

11Therefore encourage and build one another up, 

just as you are already doing.

Still, Still with Thee

Glorious Day...

Much More Than Words Flung to Thin Air

Psalm 34:17, ESV

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears 

and delivers them out of all their troubles.

Isaiah 65:24, ESV 

Before they call I will answer; 

while they are yet speaking I will hear.

Psalm 18:6, ESV 

In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help.

 From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.

1 Peter 5:7, NIV 

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

Psalm 54:4

Surely God is my help;

the Lord is the one who sustains me.

Psalm 10:17

You have heard, O LORD, the desire of the humble;

You will strengthen their hearts. You will incline Your ear,

Rom.8:26-27

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.

We do not know what we ought to pray for,

but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit,

because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people

in accordance with the will of God.

1 Kings 6:16-17

Do not be afraid,” Elisha answered, “for those who are with us 

are more than those who are with them.”

17Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.”

And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man,

and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha...

We are currently praying for a lost little boy!

(he wandered away from his family's campsite

and has been missing since 3:00 p.m. yesterday)

Will you pray too, for him and his family? 

Update 4:45p.m. He has been found.

He is with Jesus.

His Eye in on the Sparrow

How oft we pour our broken cries before Thy mercy-seat

The Author and Perfecter of faith that oft groans and weeps

We plead for thy sufficient grace to succour and defend

To help us run with endurance life’s race; true to the end

To help us trust in Thee who never leaves us or forsakes

Us. Who keeps all Thy promises; who never makes mistakes

Whose eye is on the sparrow, then much more on me and you

As we pour out our cries, You hear, and know just what to do

How much more than words flung into thin air, the humble plea

As we cast our every care, dear gracious Lord, on Thee

Amen

© Janet Martin

Psalm 91

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]

2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust.”

3 Surely he will save you

from the fowler’s snare

and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers,

and under his wings you will find refuge;

his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

5 You will not fear the terror of night,

nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,

nor the plague that destroys at midday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,

ten thousand at your right hand,

but it will not come near you.

8 You will only observe with your eyes

and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”

and you make the Most High your dwelling,

10 no harm will overtake you,

no disaster will come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you

to guard you in all your ways;

12 they will lift you up in their hands,

so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;

you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;

I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble,

I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life I will satisfy him

and show him my salvation.”

How Often We Are Thieves...

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!

Rom.11:33 NKJV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

who has blessed us in Christ 

with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms...

...In Him we have redemption through His blood, 

the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

8that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

Eph.1:3,7-8 BSB

I would LOVE a whole sermon series on the

'depth of the riches' of spiritual blessing! 

(God bless the teacher/preacher of truth

by the power of the Holy Spirit 

able to verbalize thoughts I grasp at,

to stretch me beyond my personal and often inept

'wisdom and understanding' 

turned into words to encourage, exhort and edify)

Why should we obey?

What is the reward?

Do we dread the dire destiny of the fruitless tree?

and many more challenges and concerns

for myself and for all who have

'repented and were baptized'

as we are urged to,  then...(Eph.4:1-3)

'walk in a manner worthy of the calling you/we have received:

2with all humility and gentleness, with patience,

bearing with one another in love,

3and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit

through the bond of peace...

***

Last night Victoria offered to do the supper dishes

giving me the glorious opportunity to soak in 

Summer Dusk in the Garden...

truly a glimpse of heaven on earth!

In goes a seed and out of it grows God's amazing handiwork!!

August is a vault of beauty and blessing...

 

...but August's beauty and blessing

 pales in comparison to the blessings

Invisible, without envy/awe-inducing attractive appearance;

the 'spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms'

for the reverent and obedient

both now and forevermore!

 Oh, pray we do not rob ourselves of this wealth

by becoming consumed with lesser riches.

how often we are thieves, though unaware of what we steal

we rob ourselves of riches beyond price, for ‘nice’ appeal

forgetting, in the forfeiting of what God cannot bless

we rob the branch/tree of bearing the sweet fruit of righteousness

forgetting in the whetting of a carnal appetite

we cannot taste God’s goodness, if we do not find delight

in the law of the Lord, if the desires of our hearts

are worldly, rather than craving what God alone imparts...

as we dredge His Word for wealth this world cannot comprehend

bent on one sacred mission; to be faithful to the end

lest, when weighed in The Balance we are found wanting, oh pray

we recognize the treasure that will never fade away

and keep our eyes fixed on a Prize only true faith holds dear

giving more earnest heed to what transcends Time’s transient sphere

lest, in the quest for more we care less about how we live

and steal from ourselves the blessings only God can give

...and rob ourselves of priceless wealth that money cannot buy

beyond the minute pleasure of things pleasing touch-taste-eye 

how often we are thieves, dear God forgive us and renew

our minds to hunger for the depth of riches found in You

...lest we thirst for what is cursed rather than 'riches of grace'

lest, by the voice of choice we worship vices, vile and base

lest, though our lips confessed Your name, our actions disagree

'dogs returned to their vomit' nay! oh, may it never be

obedience is better than off'rings and sacrifice

how often we tend to shrink from faith's fundamental price 

how often love unbridled is lured by he who deceives 

only God's Word to gird, keeps us from turning into thieves

© Janet Martin

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Thus...Joy

Luke 18:1

Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times 

and not lose heart:

Rock of Ages-Chris Rice

What weight of woe could crush my heart

The cross of creature care

(Where oft love groans beneath the smart

Of faith’s ongoing prayer)

Would be too heavy to endure

Without the joy of He

Who died my pardon to secure

And set my doomed soul free

Thus, I will keep on singing through my tears of joy and grief

While I cry ‘Jesus, I believe, Help thou mine unbelief

…Or else discouragement’s despair

Would hopelessly succeed

And I would find no solace where

Both joy and sorrow bleed

But for the One who calms the storm

According to His will

And tunes me to love’s cruciform

And whispers ‘peace, be still’

Thus, I will keep on praying through my tears of want and need

While I cry, Jesus, hold me closer, while You intercede

…or else the dark of fear and dread

Could never be subdued

No eagle wings of hope to spread

As faith’s strength is renewed

But, because I believe, you pull

Doubt’s blinders from faith’s eyes

With joy unspeakable and full

Of glory’s tear-stained prize

Thus, I will keep on trusting, even though heart-cries increase

While I cry, Jesus, help me, you reply with perfect peace

© Janet Martin

Isa.40:31

But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; 

They shall mount up with wings like eagles, 

They shall run and not be weary, 

They shall walk and not faint.

To Know Makes All the Difference (for the Unknown)

Who knows what Come-what-may waits to unfold today...

(well!! one unknown unfolded already;

 An unexpected day off due to two sick tots)

Here are a few fond frames of yesterday

Side note on photo below: while we 'swang' we sang every song we could think of...

including what might be the longest version of Old MacDonald's Farm ever known 😂

The Knowing keeps dark deeps of Come-What-May in tender check

Morning unmoors the bark of Day with renewed call and beck

Where none can see what waits to be, but He who spreads the skies

Where no sudden calamity His will can compromise

(or, where no sudden calamities can take Him by surprise)

His promises are like a bulwark where dread’s fathoms roll

To know God keeps his every Word comforts the fainting soul

Nothing can separate us from His love that will not fail

He will never forsake us though the glove of faith grows frail

To know He, Whom we have believed is faithful to the end

And though so often we have grieved Him, still, He is our Friend

To know when we confess our sin He forgives and forgets

To know His Spirit dwells within to help us face veiled ‘yets’

To know 'surely His goodness and His mercy follows me'

Grants courage when the darkness of Unknown rolls like a sea

To know His gentle Presence crowns the vale of death’s release

To know He cups both ups and downs bestows hope, joy and peace

© Janet Martin

Romans 15:13

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, 

that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

I Know Whom I Have Believed

  

Anguish...

Dear Believer, does your heart too, break for the lost and the cost of unbelief?

Do you weep for those who sleep in the darkness of sin?

Do you mourn for those not yet born again?

Do you pray

And pray

And pray?!

Come To Jesus

  

What script of desolation spills like ink-demonic seas

When naught but human logic fills thought’s godless theories

What darkness over darkness rolls without the light of Truth

How doleful daybreak's bower tolls, how hopeless is youth’s youth

Without the faith that rends the veil

And trusts the love that cannot fail

What fathoms of futility soon lie in wanton waste

What claim to shame’s depravity tunes knowledge, mortal-based

What agonizing anguish rings beyond time’s transient bar

When fullness of rejection flings the gates of hell ajar

When, without faith that makes us whole

Denial faces Deathless Soul

What weight of sorrow sears the prayer that reaches Mercy’s ears

As groan on groan beyond compare beseeches, tears on tears

Because the love and truth of God, by some, is thought a sham

No reverence, no fear, no laud for salvation’s I AM

Where without He who justifies

Hell claims the soul that never dies

What Gethsemane-like appeal should bleed from prayer on prayer

What throes of love should bid us kneel, love’s pleading cross to bear

For what good is the best laid plan unfurled if its sad goal

Is but the wink-span of the world in exchange for the soul

Where nothing, when Last Breath is spent

Can comfort Unbelief’s Lament

© Janet Martin

John 11:25

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life.

Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies.

Prov.14:26-27

He who fears the LORD is secure in confidence,

and his children shall have a place of refuge.

The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life,

turning a man from the snares of death.