A Little 'Let's' Lyric

Let's be generous and sharing

Cheering someone on their way

By a simple act of caring

Make a fellow-trav'ler's day...

This afternoon, (thanks to my sister and brother-in-law's generosity)

I enjoyed a most delightful treat

because they shared their dessert-auction purchase 

and raffle-ticket prize Sat. night's stag and doe!

Egg cheese and coffee from freshly ground locally-sourced coffee beans!

Thank--you BIL Mike for the egg cheese. It was SCRUMPTIOUS

and thank-you sister Marlene for the bag of 

Boundary Roasting Co. coffee beans! SO good.

Let's not grumble but be grateful

Let's be glad for God is good

Let's be loving and not hateful

When we are misunderstood

Let's be generous and sharing

Cheering someone on their way

By a simple act of caring

Make a fellow-trav'ler's day 

When our hearts are weighed with anguish

Let's get down on our knees

God's compassion does not languish

As He tends to our pleas

Let's cast every care upon Him

As He beckons us to do

As He teaches us to trust Him

In each valley we pass through

Let's be patient, kind and humble

Let's be careful in our thought 

Let's be sorry when we stumble

Accidentally or not 

Let's get along and not bicker

Let's be honest but not rude

Let's become a whole lot quicker

To breathe prayers of gratitude 

Let's make a positive diff'rence

And not yield to vengeful taunts 

Let's make the most of life's moments

For we pass this way but once

Janet Martin

Romans 13:12 b - 

LET US cast off the works of darkness 

and LET US put on the armor of light.

Romans 13:13 -

 LET US walk honestly, as in the day;

 not in rioting and drunkenness, 

not in chambering and wantonness,

 not in strife and envying.

Romans 14:13 - 

LET US not therefore judge one another any more; 

but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block 

or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

Romans 14:19 -

 LET US therefore follow after the things which make for peace, 

and things wherewith one may edify another.

2 Corinthians 7:1 b - 

Let US cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,

 perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Galatians 5:25 - 

If we live in the Spirit, 

LET US also walk in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:26 -

 LET US not be desirous of vain glory,

 provoking one another, 

envying one another.

Galatians 6:9 - 

LET US not be weary in well doing:

 for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Galatians 6:10 - 

LET US do good unto all men, 

especially unto them of the household of faith.

Hebrews 12:1-2 - 

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, 

LET US lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, 

and LET US run with patience the race that is set before us,

 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; 

who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, 

despising the shame, and is set down

 at the right hand of the throne of God.

1 John 4:7 - 

Beloved, LET US love one another: for love is of God; 

and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

Love's Impending Recompense...

The older we grow the more we come to know

loss is not something to be feared, 

but something to be expected and respected;

our respect proven by how we live and love today!

I lost my sister Lucy suddenly in an accident on Sept.17, 2024.

Right now we are losing dear dad slowly to dementia,

(heartbreaking!!!) 💔💔🙏

and we, his family treasure like never before, the cognizance still there

such as still knowing his children and his expressed appreciation

when we visit, shake his hand, etc. 

Such as his reverence for holy things and his love for God and His Word!

Both sudden and drawn out losses are filled

with love's grief and profound lessons and reminders!

Loss leaves behind a kind of ache

Like an indelible keepsake

Of days and years that once looked much

Like Today’s fleeting taste and touch

Loss leaves behind a kind of sense

Of love’s impending recompense

Like a wave that is bound to break

Across the grave of give and take

Loss leaves behind a kind of Door

We do not haste through as before

But having been reminded through

Loss, we pause to take in the view

…and with mindful approach to Now

Loss coaches us to humbly bow

Before the Giver of today

And trust Him for each come-what-may

…where/for loss is bound to leave behind

In hope and heartache intertwined

A kinder, keener kindred sense

Of love’s impending recompense

…of scenes that wane, soon strewn to waft

In the wake of what far too oft

We overlook until we find

Hearts filled with what loss leaves/left behind

Janet Martin

Rom.5:15-18

15Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.

  16Live in harmony with one another. 

Do not be proud, but associate with the lowly. 

Do not be conceited.

17Do not repay anyone evil for evil.

 Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. 

18If it is possible on your part, 

live at peace with everyone.

Because Life is a Gift at Best

If only we all loved each other like

little girl besties...

...or as if tomorrow would be too late!

When somebody disappoints us

When a word or action stings

And spite’s bitter brunt anoints us

With retaliation’s flings

Lest perspective is mistaken

And reason misunderstood

Though our happiness is shaken

Let’s repay offense with good

Because love is kind and humble

And keeps no record of wrong

We all sometimes slip and stumble

As we learn to get along

So let’s forgive, without measure

No nursed grudges, unconfessed

Robbing us of holy treasure/pleasure

For life is a gift at best

When malicious retributions

Rush to settle some sad score

Let’s rekindle resolutions

To love one another more

Before the circle is broken

And earth claims its solemn due

Let’s not leave Heaven unspoken

As its Token runs us through

Today grants fresh invitations

To engage in charity  

Love is the healer of nations

Beginning with you and me

Thus we, all in this together

Ought to augment joy and peace

Gathered by time's tender tether

That is destined to release 

Janet Martin

1 Cor.13

If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels,

 but do not have love, 

I am only a resounding gong 

or a clanging cymbal.

 2 If I have the gift of prophecy

 and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge,

 and if I have a faith that can move mountains, 

but do not have love, 

I am nothing. 

3 If I give all I possess to the poor 

and give over my body to hardship

that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, 

I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. 

It does not envy, 

it does not boast, 

it is not proud. 

5 It does not dishonor others, 

it is not self-seeking, 

it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs. 

6 Love does not delight in evil 

but rejoices with the truth. 

7 It always protects, 

always trusts, 

always hopes, 

always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. 

But where there are prophecies, they will cease; 

where there are tongues, they will be stilled; 

where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 

9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 

10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 

11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, 

I thought like a child, 

I reasoned like a child. 

When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.

 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; 

then we shall see face to face. 

Now I know in part; 

then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: 

faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love.

Dare to be a Reckless Spender...(when it comes to love)

There is no end to opportunities to love,

to be generous and thoughtful.

We cannot help everyone but we can all help someone!

Who will be our 'someone' today?

I asked my grandson if he would be my 'someone' today

and he said 'yes'😊💝)

This poem was written as a reminder to myself.

('reckless' in this poem does not mean thoughtless disregard,

 but rather a trustful generosity!)

God knows the heart.

Yesterday morning's message to our congregation included a verse

most sobering and most comforting!

1 Sam.16:7

 For the LORD does not see as man sees;

 for man looks at the outward appearance,

 but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Dare to be a reckless spender when it comes to love

Revel in the promised splendor Heaven waits to prove

Test the measure of the treasure of God’s buffering

Discover hope’s holy pleasure in love’s suffering

Dare to be a cheerful giver; let Love’s Author lead

Pray for true love to deliver us from doubt and greed

Trust the Keeper of love’s coffer from which blessings brim

With each gift love bestows, offer each gift back to Him

Dare to test depths and heights, ample; blaze uncharted trails

Modeling a bold example, for love never fails

Strive to be a ready vessel run through with Enough

Live to let reliance chisel diamonds from faith’s rough

Dare to take the name of Jesus into every choice

Take the precious Name that frees us from Discontent's voice 

Let the power and the glory of God satisfy

Let the ink that writes love's story stir rev'rent reply    

Dare to be a reckless spender when it comes to love

Draw from unplumbed wells of tender mercies from above

Aware of the priceless Presence of nail-scarred Release 

Dare to let love be the essence of hope, joy and peace 

Janet Martin

To Love...

God created us with free will!

Free will to choose who or what we love most.

 No one can force anyone to love, whether people or God.

To love is a choice.

God never forces us to love Him,

but oh, when we do

Life is as good as it gets! 

1 John 4:7

Dear friends, let us love one another, 

for love comes from God. 

Everyone who loves has been born of God 

and knows God.

to love is life

the glorious breath 

of Heaven in our souls

to love is death

a daily death 

to selfish wants and goals

to love is joy

the purest state 

of humble humankind

to love is grief

the surest mate/fate

of love and joy combined 

to love is to

see God, for God

Is love; futile to doubt

For love is the

one thing no one

Can be fulfilled/content/happy without 

Janet Martin

Of Awe and Love

Ps.33:8

Let all the earth fear the Lord;

let all the inhabitants of the world

stand in awe of Him

Ps.65:8-13

The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;

where morning dawns, where evening fades,

you call forth songs of joy.

9 You care for the land and water it;

you enrich it abundantly.

The streams of God are filled with water

to provide the people with grain,

for so you have ordained it.[d]

10 You drench its furrows and level its ridges;

you soften it with showers and bless its crops.

11 You crown the year with your bounty,

and your carts overflow with abundance.

12 The grasslands of the wilderness overflow;

the hills are clothed with gladness.

13 The meadows are covered with flocks

and the valleys are mantled with grain;

they shout for joy and sing.

On Sunday morning the message was opened with this challenge;

When was the last time you were completely awed?

And closed with this challenge;

Do you fear God?

Do you love Him? 

(For message click HERE, then click on Aug.17)

These challenges were drawn from the beloved chapter of

Psalm 145

Have you ever tried to write out your depth of awe and love for God?!!

It's really quite impossible to do but still so worthwhile to try! 

It is bound to humble, challenge and perhaps help us 

reevaluate what we (should) prioritize! 

***

There is so no limit to the love of God for us, so then

There ought to be no limit to our love for fellowmen

There ought to be no task, no sacrifice too great or small

To do or give our best for He who gave His best for all

 

Whose tender mercies, new each morn proclaim great faithfulness

No matter what befalls God is true to His promises

He manifests His evidence in nature's ordered law

His word and workmanship evoke unsurpassable awe

As He o'erwhelms our souls with joy though sorrow's portions press  

He cheers our hearts with hymns of old  'great is thy faithfulness'  

Then as we meditate on Him, with worship sadly flawed

His whisper thunders deep within and leaves us sweetly awed

Without God, love and awe are like shadows, cast by Time's lease

With God, love and awe anchor everlasting hope-joy-peace  

...because His grace sufficient is enough to rush the heart

With endless hymns of awe and love, 'oh LORD, how great Thou art'

Janet Martin

Great is Thy Faithfulness 

How Great Thou Art

When the speaker asked us to try and remember when we were last awed

I leaned over to Jim and whispered 'every time I walk through a garden!!'

It is absolutely mind-blowing to witness the unfolding of seeds...

Of Love and Gratitude

These days gardener's and farmer's souls are a wellspring of gratitude to

the Divine Giver of every good and perfect gift! 

Every good and perfect gift is from above, 

coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, 

who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1:17

Like comrades, love and gratitude walk humbly, hand in hand

And weave through heart and soul, joy and contentment’s side effect

For love and gratitude enrich the commonest demand

They open eyes to blessings we would otherwise neglect

Where ups and downs we weather would oft be misunderstood

Without the transformation wrought/salutations sought by love and gratitude

We, all in This together would be less inclined to fret

If love and gratitude would be the pleasure of each heart

Then we would be less anxious as we peer toward the Yet

Equipped with love and gratitude, to do our humble part

To make the most of moments; both the happy and the sad

To take this day the Lord has made; to rejoice and be glad

We, without love and gratitude become quite self-consumed

And pave the way to misery, through jealousy and greed

For without love and gratitude, every pursuit is doomed

Much always wanting more without care for our neighbour’s need

Then pray each day that God through His faithful mercy renewed

Would transform souls into wellsprings of love and gratitude

© Janet Martin

There is one spectacle grander than the sea, 

that is the sky;

there is one spectacle grander than the sky,

that is the interior of the soul.

― Victor Hugo in Les Misérables

Because Our Time on Earth is Brief...

Lest we 'fall into temptation and a trap because we want to be rich' 1 Tim.6:9

making it exceedingly difficult to

'love God first and our neighbour as ourselves, Luke 10:27

let us 'serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling'! Ps.2:11

Lest we label 'faithfulness in obedience' as legalistic

in an age of increasing nonchalance,

let us take heed, if we think we stand, lest we fall' 1 Cor.10:12

Lest we drown out God's voice with noise of worldly ploys,

oh Lord, remind us to be still and know that you are God. Ps.46:10

Let us delight in Your law and meditate on it day and night!

So we will be like a tree planted by rivers of water

bringing forth fruit in season,

and leaf that does not wither,

as whatever we do shall prosper. Ps.1:2-3

Our church family is invited to participate in reading through the Psalms during July and August!

Would you like to join us, and also be ministered to by these powerful chapters of Scripture?

Because our time on earth is brief

Not one single soul can afford

To live as if this world were chief

For soon we all will meet the Lord

The Lord is He who gives and takes

His breath instills each breath we draw

Then for Him and fellowman's sakes

Pray love to be our lifelong law

...because our time on earth is brief

Lord, make us more humble and kind

And help us live each day as if

Today we'll leave it all behind 

Janet 🙏💝

Hope, What a Precious Word

Without hope all we need is lost! with hope (in God) all we need is found!

Why art thou cast down, O my soul?

and why art thou disquieted in me?

hope thou in God:

for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. 

Ps.42:5

Today's poem is inspired in part by the above verse, 

and in part by our message yesterday morning from Ps.23

as God ministered to His flock through the preaching of His Word.

As we hope in Him our good Shepherd restores our souls! 

  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for...Heb.11:1

Romans 8:24-25
For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all.

 Who hopes for what he can already see? 

 But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently.

2 Corinthians 5:7
For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Hope-what a precious word; 'hope thou in God' Amen

Hope, the substance that keeps faith stirred to trust the more, and then

With strength and joy restored, hope in God sings and sings

For they that wait upon the Lord will mount on eagle's wings

A Shepherd to the soul; when cares and sorrows press

Hope cheers us on toward a goal only faith can possess

Where wayward paths increase and fattened feelings taunt

Hope eclipses desire with peace and cries 'I shall not want'

A Comforter and Friend; unyielding, in the fray

Hope arms and anchors; does not bend to 'did God really say?

But with glad confidence beneath His rod reproved/behooved

Hope replies 'God is my defense and I will not be moved''

A Rock that does not shift through howling gales of change

Hope anchors us, lest we should drift and let sight, faith estrange

As God tests wish and whim with patience-honing ways

Take up hope's cross and follow Him with persevering praise

Effort and rest, in sync; seeking God's kingdom first

As the deer pants for brooks to drink, Hope in God slakes faith's thirst

And never disappoints; His gift of grace enough

Hope is the goodness that anoints faith with mercy's great love

© Janet Martin

Eph.2:4-5

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,

 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ

 (by grace you have been saved),...

I'd Rather Have Jesus - Amos Raber (ALASKA)

The Other Side of Hug-and-Kiss...

There is only one way to remain grounded in Things Above; in the unseen...

by seeking faithfully to be found faithful!

Remembering the reward for faithfulness is veiled on earth...

1 Corinthians 4:2

Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

James 1:25

But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom,

 and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—

he will be blessed in what he does.

Matthew 25:21

His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! 

You have been faithful with a few things;

 I will put you in charge of many things. 

Enter into the joy of your master!’

Faithfulness is like our 'marriage vow' to God,

forsaking all others, as long as we live,

 in the matter of fidelity and allegiance to Him

with love second to none

because we have resolved All For Christ!

Just as in earthly marriage as time goes by 

and human nature rears its unlovely head,

 we don't always 'feel' the passion

and excitement as in the beginning, 

but pray it is replaced with

a deeper, matured awareness that faithfulness

must/will weather the highs and lows that are bound to be,

'Well done, Thou good and faithful servant' 

is no small fete to win.

It requires daily surrender to our Heavenly Father,

our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ,

and to the Holy Spirit who indwells the believer.

Faithfulness forgives and accepts forgiveness.

Faithfulness is a firm and humble obedience,

a penitent repentance when we stumble/sin,

a modest presentation of Self,

so we may give God the glory

for making possible the boast

of our salvation. 

***

Today we are attending the wedding of my niece

and we will witness the vows they make;

'till death do us part'

We will hear them speak before God

the words that bind two into one;

Matthew 19:6
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 

Therefore what God has joined together, 

let man not separate.”

A wedding day is a day of joy and celebration and grave solemnity

as vows made on earth are sealed in heaven.

It is no laughing matter, This

The other side of hug-and-kiss

Of being true no matter what

When tempted to undo love's knot

Love's vows are not of fickle font

But transcend every wish and want

Because these words, 'till death doth part'

Are etched forever on God's heart

When hug and kiss is interspersed

With human foible's selfish worst

Startled, we start to humbly learn

Faithfulness grants no quick return

...but refines rose-coloured romance

With love, that would not stand a chance

Without steadfast commitment to

He who made us 'no longer two'

'A three-strand cord is hard to break'

'Love bears all things' love's highest stake

With God 'all things' are possible

Without, love is soon miserable

For self times two is not enough

To satisfy the ways of love

How harsh is disillusioned bliss;

The other side of hug-and-kiss

But oh, how lovely in return

Is love that is willing to learn

And learn again, the meaning of

A patient, kind and faithful love

For tis no laughing matter; this

The other/weathered side of hug-and-kiss

But is, when all is done and told

Life's greatest beauty to behold

...as the covenant of 'I do'

Remembers, one cannot be two

When faithfulness seeks no excuse

To sever what no man can loose

© Janet Martin

For those who are seeking truth

and maybe reasons to re-resolve to remain faithful

first and foremost to God, some helpful links below

 Dr. Joseph Webb on the truth about I Do, based on God's Word!

Why talk about divorce and remarriage in the Church Part 1, 

Can the blood of Jesus cover over my past divorce so I can remarry? Part 2

Whose servant is your pastor? Part 3

Pastors: please watch your doctrine on divorce and remarriage Part 4

Teach the truth on divorce and remarriage Part 5

Divorce and remarriage: what's your church teaching? Part 6

If I repented from having had a divorce, can the blood of Jesus cover me so I can remarry? Part 7

Are all second marriages after divorce adultery? Part 8

Can divorced and remarried couples In the Church serve God too? Part 9

Can divorced and remarried couples in the Church be believers too? Part 10

Can Christian divorced and remarried couples love Jesus too? Part 11

What repentance is and the mess of divorce and remarriage In the Church Part 12 

Christian divorced and remarried couples In the Church Part 13

If my spouse left me, why Should I Stay Single? Part 14

more HERE or HERE 

or more from Dr. Joseph Webb  HERE 

or this;

What Makes a Marriage Legal in the Sight of God 

Is my first marriage still standing even if I was not a Christian then?

I got a divorce and remarried all before coming to faith in Christ

I'm a Christian Divorced and married, am I living in adultery?

My first marriage ended; now I'm divorced but I'd to marry a godly Christian

Divorce and Remarriage and the Cost of Following Christ

Love's Law Of...(First things First)

While the layout of each lesson-book may vary

the requirement and result are universal because

we reap what we sow

and God is not mocked! Gal.6:7

I've been on a stretch of demanding days and

half-sleep nights. During the night, last night

the electricity must have blinked off and since I don't

have a battery back-up in my alarm clock

and since I had the blind and room-darkening curtains pulled

and since I had a sound sleep last night, I was appalled when

I looked at my phone and it was... 8:48?!! 😭😬

The tempter was there instantly with 'you over-slept!

no time for devotions today! you must hurry! hurry!"

What a most terrible way, (I have learned from experience)

to hurry, hurry into the day without first thanking and praising God for his mercies renewed,

and then lifting up our 'broken' to Him, our sick, sorrowing and lost loved ones.

Then drinking from the wellspring of His word to have our spirit refreshed and strengthened

because the flesh is weak and prone to fall prey to what it sees...

Circumstance changes constantly...

Last night, snow and ice-ensconced world...

This morning, sunshine drenched world beneath rising temps!

Tis an art the heart must master for life's story to be sweet

Success can lead to disaster if we do not learn its creed

Where the spirit oft is willing but the wanting flesh is weak

Where sight oft seems more fulfilling than ‘faith as a mustard seed’

Tis a test the best of scholars and teachers cannot evade

Nor the tribe that wears blue collars nor miners, nor astronauts

In the end we all will answer for the choices we have made

Be it maestro, merchant, dancer, five-star chef, scrubber of pots

Tis a law of awe and wonder, impossible to detail

Where wellsprings of blessing thunder from each breath no longer cursed

It will enrich dream and duty, a rubric that will not fail

As we marvel at the beauty of love’s law of First things first

© Janet Martin

One day an expert in the law stood up to test Him. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”26“What is written in the Law?” Jesus replied. “How do you read it?”

27He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’c and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’d”

28“You have answered correctly,” Jesus said. “Do this and you will live.”

29But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

Read Jesus answer HERE...v.30-37

Take Time to be Holy

Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever.

Heb.13:8

...leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way.
First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Matt. 5:24

To Live a Hymn

Yesterday I attended the funeral

of my friend's father-in-law.

He was 65.

Then, I attended a visitation for another friend's son-in-law.

He was 34.

There my friend told me how my sister Lucy's picture hangs near her sewing machine

so she remembers to pray for me and Lucy's family.

(for irregular visitors here; my sister lost her life suddenly 

when she was hit while riding her bicycle last Sept.) 

Lucy was 55. 

When someone we love passes away it brings an end to

conversations, activities, dreams and plans once fondly shared.

But it flings wide the renewed invitation to dredge the deeps of

what truly matters, above all!

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; 

but the greatest of these is love.

 1 Cor.13:13

Faith in the finished work of the cross!

Hope through Jesus' resurrection!

so we may know God's love

that surpasses knowledge!

1 Cor.15:16-19

16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 

17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 

18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 

19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, 

we are of all people most to be pitied.

John 11:25-26

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

 The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 

26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. 

Do you believe this?”

Do the above verses not ignite or rekindle a desire

to live the reflection of belief/faith?!

to live a hymn of hope?!

to live the light of love?!!

To live a hymn of love for Thee

O Lord, let this our motive be

To yield Want’s will to Thy command

To trust the leading of Thy Hand

And not with human wisdom try

Reason’s demand to satisfy

But without fail, to find enough

Where these abide;

 Faith, hope and love

To live a hymn to worship Thee

No matter what the cost may be

To know, no matter what our lot

Tis cradled in Divine Forethought

Where, once for all, Thy sacrifice

Suffered and covered pardon’s price

So, we would always find enough

Where these abide;

 Faith, hope and love

To live a hymn of humble awe

O Lord, to delight in Thy law

And then to fill Time's bar of days

With open-handed, thankful praise

Rather than loot of fleeting pelf

That cannot appease gods of Self

Lord, overflow hearts with enough

Where these abide;

Faith, hope and love 

To live a hymn of joy in Thee

With faith and hope's expectancy

Without a dearer purpose than

To love you first, then fellowman

To lay before Thy throne of grace

Each tear that treads the soul or face

Each prayer learning to find enough

Where You provide

 Faith, hope and love

© Janet Martin

Eph.3:14-21

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father,

 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name.

 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you

 with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 

17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. 

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 

18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people,

 to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 

19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—

that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,

 according to his power that is at work within us, 

21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, 

for ever and ever! 

Amen.

Read the full glorious chapter of 1 Cor.15 HERE

1 Cor.15:50-58

50 I declare to you, brothers and sisters, 

that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God,

 nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 

51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 

52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. 

For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, 

and we will be changed. 

53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, 

and the mortal with immortality.

 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, 

and the mortal with immortality,

 then the saying that is written will come true: 

“Death has been swallowed up in victory.”[h]

55 “Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?”[i]

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 

57 But thanks be to God! 

He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. 

Let nothing move you.

 Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord,

 because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Below, the last paragraphs of yesterday's and today's devotions from

Streams in the Desert Vol.2

...and last but not least, my most listened to song of 2024...

I Set My Hope on Jesus