A Precious Promises Prayer (because of the preciousness of our faith)

All flesh is like the grass; its glory like a flower-field ...

The grass withers, 

the flowers fall...

2 Cor.7:1 NIV (see Cor.6 for context)

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends,

let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit,

perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

or NKJV

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, 

let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,

 perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Today's poem/prayer

inspired by the above verses & Rom.12, 1 Pet.1 & 2 Pet.1

Not out of compulsion or other legalistic due

Lord, help us perfect holiness with sober reverence

Because You are not mocked; both Your love and judgments are true 

Then for your glory Lord, help us to seek obedience

...not as religion's burden or a noose to happiness 

Not as a key to Heaven (for we have been saved by grace)

But as evidence of faith's commitment and thankfulness  

As we crucify self and put Your glory in its place 

You are the Vine; forbid we boast Your Name yet bear no fruit 

But, You in us and we in you may thus love's charge fulfill 

Renew our minds, so we view life through eyes, wise and astute

No longer conformed to this world but to Your perfect will 

Lord, help us not hold lightly, the gift of Your saving grace

Purchased, not with perishable things such as silver and gold

But with the precious blood of Christ who died in our place

Who redeemed us for riches that cannot be bought or sold 

Therefore, having Your very great and precious promises

Your divine power equips us with everything we need

To live a godly life, empowered by Your righteousness 

By being born again through Your imperishable seed 

All flesh is like the grass; its glory like a flower-field 

The grass withers, the flowers fall, but not your Word, O Lord

Throughout eternity Your Sovereignty will be revealed

To all who believe and receive the promise of Your Word 

Lord, by the grace You give help us to live for you each day

Recalling oft salvation's awful price You paid, and then

Because of the preciousness of our faith, gladly obey

And be a living sacrifice for Your glory. Amen

Janet Martin 

2 Pet.1:3

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness

 through the knowledge of Him who called us by His owna glory and excellence.

4Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, 

so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, 

now that you have escaped the corruption in the world 

caused by evil desires...

(Read the whole Glorious chapter HERE)

God’s Precious Promises – Dr. Charles Stanley

Within or Without Hope's Happiness/Steadfastness

2 Cor.1:20

For all the promises of God are “Yes” in Christ. 

And so through Him, our “Amen” is spoken to the glory of God.

2 Peter 1:4

Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, 

so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, 

now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

Romans 4:21

...being fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised.

God's promises and commands are non-negotiable! 

If either one were, then hope's anchor would be loosed!

Heb.6:18-19

Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, 

we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us 

may be strongly encouraged.

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure...

In Christ Alone

So much of life seems hung/strung from threads of-if-perchance-perhaps

Its care and strife can crowd our heads with visions of collapse

The volatility of all we see needs something More

To anchor Hope, and make the call of life worth living for

So much of joy seems tried by grief and disappointment's sting

The thoughts that we employ are chief of almost everything

Praise God! His Portion is enough to trump the soul's appeal

We are not at the mercy of the roll of fortune's wheel 

So much of what leaves us most awed transcends Thought's grandest ken

For all the promises of God are 'yes' in Christ. Amen 

So then, above all else we ought to feed Thought with God's Word

His promises, Perfection-wrought will keep hope undeterred

So much of what we fix our eyes upon is bound to fail

Where touch and taste and such disguise the Prize that will prevail

Where worldly lures of 'happiness' disillusion hope, when

They disregard God's promises of 'yes' in Christ. Amen

So much of bitterness of heart is caused by Thought amiss

What/Who we most love serves to impart hope's Fountain or abyss 

Praise God! When creature-quest is founded/grounded within truth and grace 

Of 'yes' in Christ, the rest is bound to fall in perfect place 

So much of what appears goodness, without the knowledge of

The power of God's promises, disenchants hope and love 

Without the Rock of God's commands, what-if, perchance, perhaps

Erects a house upon time's sands, predestined for collapse 

There is no in-between the lines of divine Yes and No

Oft lack of humility pines where praise should overflow 

But, if hope seeks its steadfastness/happiness within God's commands, then

It stands firm on the promises of 'Yes, in Christ'. Amen 

 

Janet Martin

Ps.119:19&32

I am a stranger in the earth:

hide not Thy commandments from me...

I will run the course of Your commandments,

For You shall enlarge my heart.

or NIV trans.

I run in the path of your commands,

for you have broadened my understanding.

Standing on the Promises - Alan Jackson - Lyrics

Love Is Not All Sugar Donuts...

Today's post touches on children young and old,

on sweet treats, on two-part promises

and includes a sweet-treat recipe!

Children!

Beautiful, busy, eager, teachable, impressionable

most precious of all children!! 

On Friday, because it was the last official childcare day

for my 'Friday boys' we made 'tim-bits'/tea-balls.

(a recipe from my childhood)

see end of post for recipe

(for the sake of privacy I cropped the best part

of the cuteness, but hopefully you get the idea 💓

There are very few complaints from any of us, when our mouths are filled

 with warm sugary loving...

However, love isn't always warm and sugary, is it?!!

And when Miss Janet said , 'no more donut balls for now'

 there were tears of disappointment.

A child has not yet gained the insight or experience to know what is best for them, 

and sometimes listening/accepting/obeying daddy and mommy's decisions, 

rather than childish demands induces tantrums.

Eventually as the child grows/matures they (hopefully) 

begin to appreciate and trust their parent's wisdom. 

The happiest child is the child who has learned, like it or not,

 to listen to/trust mommy and daddy.

What a kind favour parents bestow on their children

as they gently and firmly leave no doubt as to who is in charge!

So too, our Heavenly Abba/Daddy knows what is best for us, 

and it is also crucial that we, his children, 

learn to trust Him and obey His commands. 

The promises God gives us to take refuge, comfort and peace in

 often requires something on our part as well as His!

Below are but a few of His great and precious

 (2 part) promises !

2 Pet.1:3-4

His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, 

through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 

4by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, 

that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, 

having escaped the [c]corruption that is in the world through lust.

Matt.18:3

“Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children,

you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

 

 John 15:7 

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, 

you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

Heb.10:36 

You need to persevere, 

so that after you have done the will of God,

you will receive what He has promised.

Ps.37:4 

Delight yourself in the LORD; 

And He will give you the desires of your heart.

Prov.3.5&6 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart 

and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways submit to him,

 and he will make your paths straight.[a]

Ps.145:18-19 

The LORD is near to all who call on Him, 

to all who call out to Him in truth.

He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him;

 He hears their cry and saves them.

John 14:23 

Jesus replied, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. 

My Father will love him, and We will come to him 

and make Our home with him.

Isaiah 1:19

If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best of the land.

Isaiah 48:18

If only you had paid attention to My commandments, 

your peace would have been like a river, 

and your righteousness like waves of the sea.

Psalm 119:2

Blessed are those who 

keep His testimonies 

and seek Him with all their heart.

How often we see parallels between earthly and Heavenly parenting!

Prov.3:11-12 

My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,

Nor detest His correction;

12For whom the Lord loves He corrects,

Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

Neh.1:5

Then I said: “LORD, the God of heaven,

 the great and awesome God, 

who keeps his covenant of love 

with those who love him and keep his commandments,

Psalm 103:17-18
But from everlasting to everlasting the loving devotion of the LORD 

extends to those who fear Him, 

and His righteousness to their children’s children— 

 to those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, 

He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins 

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Oh, how often I am prone to want God to do His part

while unwilling to do mine;

to repent, trust, obey, surrender, sacrifice, yield, wait,

These words conflict with the bent of human nature...

Human nature prefers the 'sugar donuts' of life!

Love is not all 'sugar donuts'

Inducing sweet smiles and cheers

Sometimes love is 'thou shalt have nots'

Resulting in sobbing tears

Love is not all beds of roses

Or a smorgasbord of treats

The One who innately knows us

Mingles delights with defeats

Lest we becomes proud and greedy

Centered on self-pleasing plan

Love reminds us we are needy

Of God first, then fellowman

Because love is more than licking

Frosting-coated mixing bowls

Love is learning to stop kicking

When parental love controls

Because love is tears and laughter

Holding close and letting go

Trusting the blade of the Grafter

When Want's 'yes' is met with 'no'

Love is not always soft cuddles

Love oft suffers long and hard

Until self-will melts in puddles

Pliable and battle-scarred

Love is bearing, caring, sharing

From the greatest to the least

Celebrating while preparing

Someone else's five-star feast

Love is patient in the process

Love is both race and reward

Not all thorns are crowned with roses

Not all losses are restored

...while love, like a life-long 'college'

Winnows wanton, worthless boast

As we grow in grace and knowledge

Of the One who loves us most

Love is not all songs and dancing

Love bears both bitter and sweet

While learning the fine romancing

Of washing each other's feet

Janet Martin

Tea Balls

(nice to mix the night before if you think of it)

With mixer beat well 2 eggs and 1 cup br. sugar

Then add: 1 cup butter milk or sour milk

Beat well then STIR in 1 cup heavy cream

and 1/2 tsp. orange flav. or zest of 1/2 an orange.

Mix dry ingred. and stir in with wooden spoon or gently whisk

till flour disappears.

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp salt

3 and 1/2 cups flour

Cover. Let stand a few hours or overnight.

Heat frying oil to approx. 350F.

drop batter by teaspoon full in hot oil.

Test one to see if it is cooked in the center;

if it is continue dropping, turning, lifting, draining

till batter is used up. yield: 4 doz.

Cool and toss in a mix of white and icing sugar,

cinnamon sugar or glaze.

Chariots of Fire

Ps.139:1-6

O LORD, You have searched me

and known me.

2You know when I sit and when I rise;

You understand my thoughts from afar.

3You search out my path and my lying down;

You are aware of all my ways.

4Even before a word is on my tongue,

You know all about it, O LORD.

5You hem me in behind and before;

You have laid Your hand upon me.

6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,

too lofty for me to attain.

Daylight rolled across the earth

like chariots of fire...

... before clouds obliterated the gold with gray

...but, gold or gray, the Giver of Today is The Same; good!

(Click linked lines for scripture passages)

How much more difficult appears the day

How darker with despair looms the unknown

How readily fresh courage slips away

When we forget that we are not alone

When we forget God's precious promises

'Lo, I am with you always, to the end

Take heart, I will not leave you comfortless

But send an Advocate to be your friend

To intercede with groans too deep for words

To lead you in the path of righteousness

And to the Higher Rock my goodness girds

I AM the LORD; your refuge and fortress

I am the Lord; the God of all mankind

Is anything too difficult for Me?

I hem you in from before and behind

Such knowledge is too wonderful for thee 

...too lofty to attain with mortal ken

Dear child of mine, let not dread's thought conspire

As I am with you now, I will be then

To fill the hills with chariots of fire

© Janet Martin

 Eric Liddell's story inspired the epic piece of music Chariots of Fire!

Vangelis - Chariots Of Fire

 

We, followers of God, are all in a race, not so dissimilar to Eric Liddell's;

called to stand for convictions founded in the Word of God,

no matter what the cost.

It Would Be Easy To Despair...or Hope's Great Counterclaim

Today's poem prompt from Robert Lee Brewer:

For today's prompt, write a pessimistic poem.

***

I shared the verse below on yesterday's post HERE

I am sharing it again today because it felt

like a divine reminder when I needed it most!

Psalm 116:13

I will lift up the cup of salvation

and call on the name of the Lord.

(read the whole glorious chapter HERE)

Sometimes I forget...

The cup of salvation and the name of the Lord

supply every need!

Hallelujah and thank-you, dear Savior!

Sometimes I forget, happiness in this world

is not the end goal!

(But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;

 and all these things shall be added unto you-Matt.6:33)

(dear readers, not from this community.

I am mourning the loss of a neighbour and friend,

a mother to three children, very dear to my heart

who used to be in my childcare,

and who still visit on a let's-go-for-a-walk-to-Janet-whim💓

bearing gifts of farm fresh eggs, cheese, fresh cookies, etc.

and always so much love.)

In times of tragedy it could be easy to lose heart,

but through Christ, we have Hope's great counterclaim to despair!

Sharing a few recent YouTube uploads to cheer us on

I Set My Hope on Jesus

 

God of Every Grace

All Things-Sovereign Grace Music

It would be easy to despair

To be crushed beneath weight of care

Where the world at large has gone mad

Testing the quests that make us glad

It would be easy to lose sight

Of faith's position of delight

If we fixate on what we see

Of suffering's great misery

It would be easy to fall prey

To gloom and doom's cheerless dismay

It seems like Satan's bag of tricks

Has left a world no one can fix 

It would be easy to believe

The one whose hate aims to deceive

To plant a seed of doubt, to lure

Us from God's promises secure 

It would be easy to lose heart

As we watch the world fall apart

Because of the rejection of

God's Cornerstone of Truth and Love

It would be easy to give in

Crushed by consequences of sin

Without salvation's brimming cup

It would be easy to give up

...ah, here we find Hope's Deathless Rose

Salvation's cup still overflows

Redemption's flood still runs between

The part we see and the Unseen 

For this is not the Destiny

This is The Joy that Waits To Be

Lift up your eyes, behold the Yet

That we are so prone to forget

Remember, God is good and kind

He opens eyes, otherwise blind

Do not lose heart, do not despair

Time, but the path we pave/brave with prayer

© Janet Martin

2 Pet. 1:3-4

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness 

through the knowledge of Him who called us by His owna glory and excellence.

  4Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, 

so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature,

 now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

Matthew 5:11-12

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.

Ps.122:1

I was glad when they said to me,

“Let us go into the house of the LORD.”

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.

God's Changeless Promises

This photo is taken from a hill close to my brother and sister-in-law's place

about 10 min. from our house and though I see the view often it NEVER disappoints! 

Psalm 145:13

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, 

and your dominion endures through all generations. 

The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.

When we are troubled what better, than to kneel at the cross.

Kneel at the Cross-Jim and Jesse

 

For all we wish we could return, beneath life’s testing rod

Tis in life’s challenges we learn the faithfulness of God

In the valley where gloom may try our joy to overthrow

His changeless promises reply, hope and peace to bestow

The beauty and goodness of God abounds, for aye. Amen

Each of His attributes confounds the best of mortal ken

Then, though we do not understand the reason of His thought

His changeless promises command our worship, do they not?

How often in my worry I forget to humbly trust

God is not in a hurry as He tames our willful dust

But plies, with love that will not fail, that which draws us to Him

His changeless promises prevail, beyond our wildest whim

How proud would be our prayer, but for the trial and the tear

But for the creature care that binds us to His listening ear

Then in each sorrow we confide, He whispers as we plead

‘My changeless promises abide, ah, what more do you need?’

© Janet Martin

Psalm 31:19

Oh, how great is Your goodness, 

Which You have laid up for those who fear You,

 Which You have prepared for those who trust in You 

In the presence of the sons of men!

This Little Flicker of a Tree

 

Sometimes dread tries to drive a wedge between joy and hope’s promises

Sometimes it tries to trump the pledge of mercy’s renewed faithfulness

Or darken the doorway of dawn with doubt and fear for the unknown

Until I hear the voice of One who whispers ‘You are not alone’

Sometimes the weight of creature care could rob me of would-be delight

Love’s load in constant need of prayer, life’s road a walk by faith, not sight

Sometimes the winds and waves of love could defeat courage thoroughly

Until I am reminded of ‘no longer I, but Christ in me’

Sometimes a formless enemy hisses and kindles vain debate

This liar tries to threaten me with Logic while God whispers ‘wait’

Where sometimes discouragement bends this little flicker of a tree

Until I cry to God who sends angels to minister to me

© Janet Martin

Jer.17:5-8

This is what the Lord says:

“Cursed is the one who trusts in man,

who draws strength from mere flesh

and whose heart turns away from the Lord.

6 That person will be like a bush in the wastelands;

they will not see prosperity when it comes.

They will dwell in the parched places of the desert,

in a salt land where no one lives.

7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,

whose confidence is in him.

8 They will be like a tree planted by the water

that sends out its roots by the stream.

It does not fear when heat comes;

its leaves are always green.

It has no worries in a year of drought

and never fails to bear fruit.”

This cross in the sky felt like a tangible whisper this morning!!

Psalm 147:1

Praise[a] the Lord!

For it is good to sing praises to our God;

For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.

God's Precious Promises- Dr. Charles Stanley

Divine Intervention

The Creator of all we marvel at is our Divine Intervener/Interceder! Hallelujah!

How oft despair would gain a fateful foothold in my thought (Ps.43:5)

And bind my mind and spirit in chains where doubt and fear rue

And leave me floundering in bogs of misery, guilt-wrought

But for the lifeline of God’s promises, faithful and true (Heb.10:23)

From age to age His Word abides to cheer and edify (1 Pet.1:25)

To convict and correct, to comfort, exhort and command (2 Tim:316)

To whisper to the storm-tossed bark, ‘Fear not, for it is I’ (John 6:20,Matt.14:27)

To equip me with armor that will evil's wiles withstand  (Eph.6:13)

His manna for my wilderness, ( Deut.8:3) His grace to save my soul (Eph.2:8)

His ear to hear my prayer, (1 Pet.3:12) his righteousness to call my own (2 Cor.5:21)

‘When I am weak, then am I strong’ (2 Cor.12:10) ‘thy faith hath made thee whole’ (Matt.9:22)

Living Water to quench my thirst, ( John 4:14) His life-blood to atone (Eph.1:7)

His Word, a lamp unto my feet, a beacon pure and sure (Ps.119:105)

Where darkness would pervade without the Light sent from above (1 John 2:8)

For joy still set before us, He beckons us to endure (Heb.12:2)

Through His power, purpose and peace, goodness, mercy and love (2 Pet.1:3)

Heavens declare His glory,(Ps.19:1) and His glory fills the earth  (Isa.6:3)

His invisible qualities by creation proclaimed  (Rom.1:20)

His plan for man’s salvation, (Matt.1:21) for repentance (Mark 1:15) and rebirth  (John3:3)

Wrought through His sacred suffering, (John 3:16) yielding hope unashamed  (Rom5.5)

His cross to draw all men to Him so we may be set free (John 12:32)

His death to pay sin’s debt, His resurrection to fulfill (1 Cor.15)

His prophecy, to conquer death and hell; His victory

Has overthrown the grave because He braved His Father’s will (Luke 22:42)

His peace past understanding, (Phil.4:7) and His Mystery revealed (Col.1:26)

His all-sufficient grace (2Cor.12:9) to help us to trust and obey (Prov.3:5-6)

His Mighty Hand pierced through with nails; by His wounds we are healed  (Isa.53:5)

His Everlasting Presence promised each step of the way (Josh.1:5)

How oft despair could gain a dread-filled death grip on my heart (Ps. 42:5)

And draw me from the Well where Life’s undeterred waters brim (Isa.55:1)

But, God is rich in mercy (Eph.2:4) and He helps us do our part (Heb.13:6)

To deny self, take up His cross and humbly follow Him (Matt.16:24)

© Janet Martin

Lamentations 3:20

Surely my soul remembers and is humbled within me.

His Word Will Stand

Redemption-wrought Renewal

Surely all the suffering of sorrow, sickness, loss

would get the best of us without God's comfort through the cross

Praise Him; the best this life affords is free to one and all

Salvation through the sacrifice that saves us from The Fall

and breaks the curse of death and hell the hour we believe

renewing faith's hope day by day, through life yet to receive

John 3:16 (NKJV)

For God so loved the world 

that He gave His only begotten Son,

 that whoever believes in Him 

should not perish 

but have everlasting life.

2 Cor.4:16-18

Therefore we do not lose heart. 

Even though our outward man is perishing, 

yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 

 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, 

is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 

 while we do not look at the things which are seen, 

but at the things which are not seen. 

For the things which are seen are temporary, 

but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Renewed day by day

Where challenges we face

Would draw hope’s anchored joy away

Without God’s love and grace

Without His promises

To cheer our mortal clay

Without His perfect no and yes

To comfort as we pray

Without the confidence

Of Him, in full control

Without Calvary’s Providence

To save the deathless soul

...till the dark glass between

Faith and Sight melts away

The glory of what/Who is Unseen

Renews us day by day

© Janet Martin

Standing on the Promises of God

Because He Lives- David Crowder