Never, For One Wayward Wink...

A special treat for you and me today!

Sunrise photo with a different skyline!

Jim (truckdriver-husband) sent this photo

 from somewhere in the very chill hills of

very Northern Ontario

(no phone reception when I tried to call and find out where)

(update: Schreiber, Ont.)

'Surely the morning gold and pink

Is the hem of His gown'

 Because I have yet to walk the mile

of those who mourn the loss of a parent, sibling,

son, daughter, spouse, etc. I cannot pen

the places that those losses must lead Love through

and I do not pretend to know what they know

but I can imagine, 

and hurt

and pray

and weep with those who weep

and plead to God 

to

bless those who mourn (Matt.5:4)

💔

What comfort to know

that never for a single, wayward wink

does The Lord, our Shepherd 

shift His gaze from His beloved Sheep...

🙏

Between miles yet to live and love

And miles that we have trod

Pray, where we are we find enough

In the kind love of God

Through wildernesses of today

Of mortal want and woe

Our Sovereign God still leads the way

Love's manna falls like snow

Enough, always enough, to feed

The cries of you and I

Exactly when, how much we need

His mercy will supply

The Pillar of His Promises

Will never shift or fade

But leads in paths of righteousness

In this day He has made

Toward the Promised Land we face

And run life’s race with joy

And lean on Him and trust His grace

That nothing can destroy

For, never for one wayward wink

Does He forsake His own

Surely the morning gold and pink

Is the hem of His gown

Surely goodness and mercy shall

Follow us all our days

Until forever we will dwell

In the house of His praise

© Janet Martin

 Familiar and forever precious...

Psalm 23 KJV

 The Lord is my shepherd; 

I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

 he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul:

 he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

 I will fear no evil: 

for thou art with me; 

thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:

 thou anointest my head with oil; 

my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: 

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Take My Hand and Lead Me

Translation below...

Translation of lyrics...

So take my hands

So nimm denn meine Hände

and lead me

Und führe mich

Until my happy end

Bis an mein selig Ende

And forever.

Und ewiglich.

I don't like to go alone

Ich mag allein nicht gehen,

Not a step;

Nicht einen Schritt;

where you will go and stand

Wo du wirst gehn und stehen,

Then take me with you.

Da nimm mich mit.

wrapped in our mercy

In dein Erbarmen hülle

my weak heart

Mein schwaches Herz

And do it completely still

Und mach es gänzlich stille

In joy and pain;

In Freud und Schmerz;

Let rest at your feet

Laß ruhn zu deinen Füßen

your poor child;

Dein armes Kind;

It wants to close its eyes

Es will die Augen schließen

And believe blindly.

Und glauben blind.

Even if I don't feel anything

Wenn ich auch gleich nichts fühle

of your power

Von deiner Macht,

You lead me to my goal

Du führst mich doch zum Ziele,

Even through the night.

Auch durch die Nacht.

So take my hands

So nimm denn meine Hände

and lead me

Und führe mich

Until my happy end

Bis an mein selig Ende

And forever.

Und ewiglich.

Unthwartable Helper, Unthwartable Hope...Hallelujah

 

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess,

 for he who promised is faithful.

Heb.10:23

River Valley Worship - Hope Has A Name (Lyrics)

This post is inspired once again in part

by today's Daily Bread Devotion

entitled His Amazing Help

(click on the link to read an awesome account of His help!)

He spreads the snow like wool...Psalm 147:16)

Our help comes from the Lord (Psalm 121:1)

What confidence to know

Beyond the means earth can afford

God will His help bestow

We are never alone (Deut. 31:6, Heb. 13:5)

The sacred company

Of He who sits on heaven’s throne

Chaperons you and me

We may be of good cheer (John 16:33)

Midst trying test unfurled

For He who bends a listening ear

Has overcome the world

Though evil schemes and roars (1 Pet.5:8, Job 1:7))

It cannot overthrow

We, who are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37)

Through He who loves us so

Our help comes from the Lord (Psalm 121:1)

Maker of earth and skies

Who, through the wellspring of His Word

Sustains and satisfies (Psalm 107:9)

As we trust in (wait on) God’s will (Psalm 27:14)

May good courage endure

As the joy earth cannot fulfill (1 Thess.4:13-18)

Keeps our hope secure

© Janet Martin

Psalm 121

I will lift up my eyes to the hills—

From whence comes my help?

2 My help comes from the Lord,

Who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not allow your foot to [a]be moved;

He who keeps you will not slumber.

4 Behold, He who keeps Israel

Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is your [b]keeper;

The Lord is your shade at your right hand.

6 The sun shall not strike you by day,

Nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord shall [c]preserve you from all evil;

He shall preserve your soul.

8 The Lord shall preserve[d] your going out and your coming in

From this time forth, and even forevermore.

Beware and Be Aware

Col.2:8-10

Beware lest anyone [b]cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit,

according to the tradition of men,

according to the basic principles of the world,

and not according to Christ.

For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead [c]bodily;

and you are complete in Him, 

who is the head of all [d]principality and power.

Matt.7:15

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing,

but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Beware, and be aware of where pitfalls and snares bribe and beguile

The predator of pride-bent man can seduce hell-ward with a smile

While hailing those who embrace slogans that glorify man, not He

Of whom Paul praised with ‘I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me’

Beware, and be aware where we, without the full armour of God

Are not prepared sufficiently to face the fine art of a fraud

Or go forth into battle boasting nothing but self-confidence

In creature, not Creator, in death rather than deliverance

Beware, and be aware of those who trust in man rather than God

Who prefer over Wisdom’s gold, the pomp and show people applaud

Beware of those who think that prayer is nothing but vain whispers hurled

Because they are still unaware of power greater than this world

Beware, and be aware of signs that point toward the Lord’s return

Watch therefore and be ready in spite of the Light that scorner’s spurn

And though, because of wickedness the love of many will grow cold

Beware and be aware, prepare, watch and be ready to Behold

© Janet Martin

What a Day That will Be- Drew Parker

So Many Reasons To Rejoice

 Grace and Peace to you from God, Our Father

Fernando Ortega

2 Peter 1:2-4

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,

 3as 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.

Lord, you never lie, Your mercy each morn 

Is fresh as a flow’r from bud’s bower borne 

Your Word, a Rock upon which we can stand 

While the clock winds down Time’s seasons of sand 

We will rejoice in today, made by You 

No matter what, You are Faithful and True 

You never move while empires rise and fall 

No one can overthrow Ruler of all 

Justice and goodness establish Your throne 

No matter what, Lord, Thy will, will be done 

You are our glory, our strength and our shield 

Since by faith, Your righteousness was revealed 

Lord, though the world groans in sorrow’s travail 

You never falter, Your love does not fail 

Even the wind and waves heed your command 

Heaven and earth are secured in your hand 

Whom shall we honor, Lord, Whom shall we fear? 

No other God do we humbly revere 

Lord, you never lie, then remind and renew 

Thy righteous precepts, trustworthy and true 

While here we bear birth and death’s in-between 

Fix our faith on hope’s glorious Unseen 

Lord, you invite all to, ‘come unto Thee’ 

Forbid we settle for something we see 

Let us forever be utterly awed 

For there is none other like You, oh God 

Even though Eden's entrance-way is sealed 

Creation glories with glimpses revealed 

Time is a scroll unfolding prophecy 

For as You told it, Lord, so it will be 

Then let us put on a garment of praise 

Worship the One who has numbered our days 

He who wove us in our sweet mother’s womb 

 He who broke sin's curse and shrugged off the tomb 

Let us forever rejoice in the Lord 

No matter what, we can trust in His Word 

© Janet Martin 

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
    love and faithfulness go before you.
 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you,
    who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.
 They rejoice in your name all day long;
    they celebrate your righteousness.
 For you are their glory and strength,...

Psalm 89:14-17

though all else changes...never God!

The Times, They Are A-Changin'-Rory Feek 

Settling the Doubt-Duel (With No Doubt About It)

Can you pick figs from thistles?

Matt.7:16

There is no doubt about it; By our fruits we are known 

Can we pick figs from thistles; or pluck grapes from a stone 

There is no doubt about it; we reap the seed we sow 

God is not mocked; and it is He who said that it is so 

There is no doubt about it; time is a transient toll 

And none can know the hour that shucks body from the soul 

There is no doubt about it; the tricks that we employ 

If we are apart from the Vine will never yield full joy 

There is no doubt about it; we fight an enemy 

Not flesh and blood but evil forces that we cannot see 

There is no doubt about it; Someday, the recompense 

Of Faith, the substance of our hope before the evidence 

There is no doubt about it; we prefer kiss to kick 

And comfort’s pretty flower to conviction’s thorny prick 

There is no doubt about it; we are a broken breed 

Dependent on God’s mercy to supply our daily need 

There is no doubt about it; waiting is hard to bear 

But oh, how oft its anguish authors our most humble prayer 

There is no doubt about it; in the fist-a-cuffs of life 

We start to seek a city better than this world of strife 

There is no doubt about it; the Lord gives and He takes

And we are called to bless His name for He makes no mistakes

For there's no doubt about it; we come with empty hands

And we can carry nothing past this cast of sea-swept sands

There is no doubt about it; the greatest of these, love 

No other power can eclipse or ever be enough 

There is no doubt about it; if we seek God, we find 

His peace, past understanding to guard our heart and mind

There is no doubt about it; no matter what we face 

If we believe, will never be beyond God's realm of grace 

There is no doubt about it; after life’s race, my friend 

A crown of righteousness awaits all faithful to the end 

© Janet Martin

Noteworthy Reminders...

 

Faithful One

He Will Hold Me Fast

The sorrows of this broken world will never disappear 

The trouble man is born to pours out heartache, pain and fear 

The battle against odds that seem stacked against sweet success 

Would cause us to despair and be robbed of all happiness 

Be of good cheer; we who believe know One that does not fail 

Take heart; if God is for us then none greater can prevail 

Cast all your cares upon the Lord because He cares for you 

Think on these things; whatever is pure, righteous, noble, true 

Greater is He within us than he who is in the world 

Nothing can separate us from God’s love freely unfurled 

Do not despair though tribulation multiplies it sum 

These are the things He told to us that He has overcome 

And He will keep in perfect peace those who will trust in God 

His thoughts and ways are higher than ways we tend to applaud 

For if the Son has set us free then we are free indeed 

According to God’s riches He will satisfy our need 

And when we start to see the signs that fill our hearts with fear 

Take courage; for the day of His return is drawing near 

Our God cannot lie; what he says He will do

So be content; for God will never forsake me or you

© Janet Martin 

1 Cor.1:18

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, 

but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

A Very Big Event (and prep preceding it)

I know a person doesn't need to paint weathered, peeling surfaces
or wash mil-dewy soffits or snip-trim-edge-scrub-a-dub-dub,
 but when preparing to host A Big Event it does give one the motivation
 to blow the dust off an ever-growing should-do list and git-er-done! 

What is the Big Event, you wonder? Jim's mom's 89th birthday!

(So the families I do childcare for were gracious and found alternative childcare this week )

We gladly go a lot of extra miles and pay attention to details 

we otherwise would not when prepping for An Event. 

Then amidst merry chatter and laughter and "long-time-no-see!" 

(many not since Christmas because of Covid-19) the event passes.

There is a Very Big Event of Great Importance impending...which will never pass!!

How are we preparing for That Day?!

  

Blow the trumpet in Zion;

    sound the alarm on my holy hill.

Let all who live in the land tremble,
    for the day of the Lord is coming.
It is close at hand—

Joel 2:1

"Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. 

And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn 

when they see the Son of Man coming 

on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.

Matt.24:30

An oldie but as relevant as ever!!!

 

 

Nearer and ever nearer draws that great and glorious day

When then at last the burdens of love’s laws are borne away

In power and great glory on the clouds He will appear

And the whole world will mourn in awe and holy, holy fear

Nearer and ever nearer draws that dark and dreadful Day

When all who have not yet believed behold too late, too late

In horror and repentance they will call on rock and mount

To hide them from the One to whom we all will give account

Nearer and ever nearer draws that Day; then watch and pray

Lest by the lure of 'litter' we are blindly drawn away

In prayer and supplication let us make our calling sure

So on that great and dreadful Day God's grace keeps us secure

© Janet Martin

Luke 21:36
Watch ye therefore, and pray always,
that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass,
and to stand before the Son of man.

 (preparation instructions)

2 Peter 1:3-21

Confirming One’s Calling and Election

³ His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life 

through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

  ⁴ Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, 

so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, 

having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; 

and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶ and to knowledge, self-control; 

and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;  

⁷ and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 

 ⁸ For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, 

they will keep you from being ineffective 

and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

 ⁹ But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, 

forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

¹⁰ Therefore, my brothers and sisters,^[a] make every effort to confirm your calling and election. 

For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 

¹¹ and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom 

of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Prophecy of Scripture

¹² So I will always remind you of these things, 

even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have.

  ¹³ I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, 

¹⁴ because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.  

¹⁵ And I will make every effort to see that after my departure 

you will always be able to remember these things.

¹⁶ For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you 

about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 

 ¹⁷ He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”^[b] 

¹⁸ We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven 

when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

¹⁹ We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, 

and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, 

until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 

²⁰ Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture 

came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 

²¹ For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, 

spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Unless We Seek...

How can we gain great confidence

In seasons of distress

Or find hope and deliverance

Without God’s promises

How can we know God’s promises

If we, worry-inclined

Still try to fill heart-emptiness

Through channels of the mind

How can man’s ignorance maintain

The things we ought to think

How can Living Water sustain

If we don’t stop to drink

How can we think on purer things

If we have never sought

The richer and the surer things

That the Great Teacher taught

How can a ship without a sail

Be steered from rock and reef

How can a man survive the gale

Without anchored belief

How can belief be absolute

It never can unless

The seed of faith has taken root

Within God’s promises

How can the seed of faith take root

And yield sweet recompense

Only when repentance bears fruit

In meek obedience

How can obedience begin

A life of happiness

When we find kind assurance in

God’s faithful promises

How can we find His promises

To empower the weak

Alas, we never can unless

Unless we truly seek

© Janet Martin

Seek and ye shall find...
Matt.7:7

 

2 Peter 1:2-10 KJV

 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

³ According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

⁴ Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

⁵ And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

⁶ And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

⁷ And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

⁸ For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁹ But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

¹⁰ Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: