Because True Love Must Suffer Long...

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

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

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

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

in every temptation and trial.”

—John Piper

Rom.8:6

For to be carnally minded is death;

 but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

God had one Son without sin,

but none without sorrow

J.R. Miller

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

For this midweek, midmonth morning, a prayer.

Happy (or not) Mid-July! 

Dear Lord, waken our wanting to veiled blessings burdens bear

Expose the carnal taunting of the tempter’s cunning snare

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

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

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

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

As You bless those who mourn with comfort of courage renewed

As You infuse hearts, sorrow-worn with humbler gratitude

Surely goodness and mercy will not fail us all our days

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

Surely, through self-denial You bestow riches untold

Surely, through each new trial some new blessing You unfold

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

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

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

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

© Janet Martin

another soul-cheering reminder from the book pictured HERE 

The Beatitudes

Matt.5:3-12

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn,

For they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek,

For they shall inherit the [a]earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

For they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful,

For they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart,

For they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers,

For they shall be called sons of God.

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

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, 

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

12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, 

for great is your reward in heaven, 

for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

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)

For Whatever Today Holds (our whole life through)

John 21:1-14

1Later, by the Sea of Tiberias,a Jesus again revealed Himself to the disciples.

 He made Himself known in this way: 2Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus,b 

Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, 

and two other disciples were together.

  3Simon Peter told them, “I am going fishing.”

“We will go with you,” they said. 

So they went out and got into the boat, 

but caught nothing that night.

4Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore,

 but the disciples did not recognize that it was Jesus.

  5So He called out to them, “Children, do you have any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

6He told them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” 

So they cast it there, and they were unable to haul it in 

because of the great number of fish.

7Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” 

As soon as Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment

 (for he had removed it) and jumped into the sea.

  8The other disciples came ashore in the boat. 

They dragged in the net full of fish, for they were not far from land, 

only about a hundred yards.c

9When they landed, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish on it, and some bread.

10Jesus told them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 

11So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore. 

It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many, the net was not torn.

12“Come, have breakfast,” Jesus said to them. 

None of the disciples dared to ask Him, “Who are You?” 

They knew it was the Lord.

  13Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, 

and He did the same with the fish.

14This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples

 after He was raised from the dead.

***

Don't you love this story?! 

Recently a few of my devotions have pointed to the richness of its details!

How dreary the disciple's return to hum-drum life must have seemed,

 in light of the past three years spent with Jesus! 

How discouraged they must have been after a night of  'fruitless/fishless' net-casting!

but Jesus cared about them in their common tasks, calling from the shore!

(Calling them 'children like a tender-loving Daddy/Abba-Father)

 Not only did He meet them there but had gone ahead of them to prepare a fire,

 knowing there would be fish! 

They didn't recognize Him right away

but oh, the joy when they did!

What a beautiful picture for present-day

disciples and fishermen to cherish and draw encouragement from!  

I captured the delight of this fisherman on the weekend!

This joyful moment followed the frustration of the loss of a lure

after his line snagged and broke,

and he needed to mend it and cast again!

Wherever we are,

whatever today holds, 

let us not lose heart

for the One who overcame the world is with us!

John 16:33

“I have told you these things, 

so that in me you may have peace.

 In this world you will have trouble. 

But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

He cares for us; and does not leave us to fend on our own

God never sends us out to ‘fish’ or fight faith’s fights alone

But takes a tender int’rest in our labours here on earth

For no task is too commonplace when filled with love’s great worth

He comes to us; no matter where the call of duty lies

He does not leave us comfortless to feast on futile sighs

But cheers us onward, for His grace will always be enough

To bear us up beneath love’s charge with hope and joy and love

He comforts us; into grief’s valley streams of mercy pour

When we are heavy-laden, look He beckons from the shore

To 'come'; no matter who we are He loves us all the same

His Spirit ministers to all who call upon His name

He carries us; like a Shepherd He tends His precious flock

And lifts us to His bosom when we are too weak to walk

His love will never fail, each morning His mercy is new

To fit us for whatever today holds, our whole life through

© Janet Martin

This song kept going through my mind on the weekend as

I marveled at the way trees grow out of rocks!!

Sweetly Resting (In the Rifted Rock)

Redemption's Groaning Gate Flings Wide...

 My sister Lucy's granddaughter picked these wildflowers for me the other day...

I don't think she noticed the tears I choked back as I was honoured

by her innocent eagerness.

The mug seemed the perfect vase for my utter joy and sorrow!

Below is a collection of verses to treasure as they comfort and cheer the soul

and remind us of what matters most!

Psalm 25:14

The LORD confides in those who fear Him, and reveals His covenant to them.

Psalm 84:11

For the LORD God is a sun and a shield;

 the LORD gives grace and glory;

 He withholds no good thing from those who walk with integrity.

Psalm 115:13

He will bless those who fear the LORD—small and great alike.

Psalm 5:12

For surely You, O LORD, bless the righteous; 

You surround them with the shield of Your favor.

Ps.69:15

But as for me, my prayer is to You,
O Lord, in the acceptable time;
O God, in the multitude of Your mercy,
Hear me in the truth of Your salvation.

Ps.119:153-160

153 Consider mine affliction, and deliver me:

 for I do not forget thy law.

154 Plead my cause, and deliver me: 

quicken me according to thy word.

155 Salvation is far from the wicked: 

for they seek not thy statutes.

156 Great are thy tender mercies, O Lord:

 quicken me according to thy judgments.

157 Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; 

yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.

158 I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; 

because they kept not thy word.

159 Consider how I love thy precepts:

 quicken me, O Lord, according to thy lovingkindness.

160 Thy word is true from the beginning: 

and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

 

Redemption's groaning gate flings wide and a new day is born...

A multitude of mercies smiles upon a world sin-worn... 

Redemption's groaning gate flings wide and a new day is born

A multitude of mercies smiles upon a world sin-worn 

The Author of Salvation who appoints what none can trace

Once more anoints creation with un-stoppered love and grace

Regret, remorse, repentance spar within the human heart 

God's holiness and man's pride are a humble prayer apart 

Oh Lord, rebuke my erring will, waiting to cause offence 

So the purposes You fulfill/instill may have preeminence 

The truth of your salvation comforts all who fear You, LORD 

Imbue deep dedication to the counsel of Your Word

Lest, for the lack of earnest heed I look away and drift

Forgetting who supplies my need with truths that do not shift 

Delight thrills all who love Your law with thoughts too rare to speak

My spirit thirsts for constant awe, but oh, my flesh is weak

Prone to descend the slippery slope of half-truth to appease

The carnal foe to Living Hope with 'come soul, take thine ease '

Each edict of your Word is true, where faith sees but in part  

Lord, help me learn it through and through and hide it in my heart 

So that I do not grieve you, Saviour, but with yielded will

Reverence the Shield of Your favour as Your mercies spill

Janet Martin  

 

 

Courage's Crux

Sometimes in the morning I feel a bit like a turtle, 

as I emerge from my 'shell' of cozy covers

to hit snooze, then retreat back beneath blanket-oblivion,

 until finally Truth, in this case, aka Morning, 

prods me into motion and I trundle to the kitchen

 to 'pour myself a cup of ambition'...🎜🎝

...because no matter how I ignore, deny or pretend,

Truth abides. 

It is unaffected by Denial's mayhem of confusion

pride's boldness/boastfulness of rebellion

doubt's folly of rejection, 

and Disregard's lack of reverent fear

Truth is a solid foundation 

in the shifting tide of seasons, opinions and generations.

It anchors wisdom's disciplines

It corrects erring thought.

It exposes deception

It is the Belt that secures

the breastplate of righteousness

Eph.6:14

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,

with the breastplate of righteousness in place,

John 17:17

Sanctify them by[d] the truth; your word is truth.

John 8:32

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 1:14

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. 

We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son

 from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:17

For the law was given through Moses;

 grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

So, all this to say

Rise and shine!!

 because...

It is not for nothing, no!

By God's grace and truth we go

Faith is not some futile fling

Nor we, puppets on a string

God, who is First in command

Guides us by His nail-scarred Hand

His Word girds both aged and youth

 With trustworthy, timeless Truth

Truth, to fit us for the strife

Through the highs and lows of life

Foolish to doubt or dispute

What God said IS Absolute

No matter what waits to be

Truth is faith's divine decree

Steadfast in Want's constant flux

Is the kind Creator's crux 

Able to withstand the tow

Stable in time's ebb and flow

Stronger than opposing tides

The Word-rooted Truth abides

It is not for nothing then

Courage is renewed, amen

Fit to fight faith's cunning foe 

By God's grace and truth we go

© Janet Martin

Guiltless My-My-My

Ps. 31:24

Be of good courage, 

And He shall strengthen your heart,

 All you who hope in the LORD.

I'm so thankful the above verse ministered to me yesterday

when I needed it desperately!

I'm so thankful for the constant reminders

that God will never leave me or forsake me,

but He comes to me sometimes through 

the care and compassion of fellowman,

and sometimes through His Word whispered to me!

Oh, pray we may seek to hide his Word in our hearts

to equip us for whatever today brings

I am so thankful that 'I can do all things

through Christ who strengthens me'

Phil.4:13

I was torn between writing in first person 'my'

or for every believer 'our'

I decided to make it tenderly, vulnerably and joyfully personal 

but the word 'our' can be easily substituted for 'my' as well

so we can 'rejoice in the Lord' together!

My Faith Has Found a Resting Place 

 (My Hope is Built) | Reawaken Hymns | 

 

 

My Jesus, I Love Thee

My Jesus, My Saviour - [Official Video Lyric] 

 

 My God is All I Need / My God is So Big (Live)

Because God is my help, my strength, the Savior of my soul

My Anchor, my Assurance when grief and dread’s billows roll

My Hope and my Salvation, my kind Comforter and Friend

My Cherished Consolation, my Beginning and my End

My dear Heavenly Father, my Healer when my heart breaks

My Closer-than-a-brother who never leaves or forsakes

My Light to pierce the darkness and my Wonder-fullest Praise

For His mercy and goodness that will follow, all my days

My Shepherd, my Defender, my Hunger and my Enough

My God, both fierce and tender in His everlasting love

My Courage, my Commander, my Confidence to endure

My Fortress, and my Armor and my Victory secure

My Excellent Creator, my faith’s Steadfast Cornerstone

My Faithful Mediator, my Interpreter of groan

My Heaven-intercession in my earthly-temporal

My Pardon for transgression, Love Incomprehensible

My Author and Perfecter as I walk by faith, not sight

My trustworthy Protector, my Confidante, my delight

My heart’s Ruthless Inspector, ere pride’s ruin masquerades

My all-knowing Director as each season blooms and fades

My All-in-all, All-seeing and my All-wise Counselor

The Reason for my being, my Peace in the midst of war

My Holiness, Jehovah, my Shelter, my Resting Place

My Glory-hallelujah for His all-sufficient grace

My Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow-and-Forevermore

My Joy, even in sorrow, my Captain who goes before

My Refuge, my Redeemer, my Escort through highs and lows

My Perfect Plan-frustrater, my Orchestrator of woes

My Greater-He-in-me than he that is in, of this world

He is my Might, my Majesty, my Eagle Wings unfurled

Because God IS, He sets me free from fear of death and hell

Because of His power in me I can do all things well

© Janet Martin

My Lord, I Did Not Choose You (Hymn 54)

My Help (Cometh From The Lord) - The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

My Life Is In Your Hands + Sweet, Sweet Spirit: Song Session

Stayed on Thee

Isa.26:3

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,

whose mind is stayed on thee:

because he trusteth in thee

'Now what? Now how?',

my heart seemed to cry this morning

as I thought of Les and his family,

 post-wedding-prep flurry and distraction

Pre-everything that yet remains to be...

(for all of us)

'Now What? Now how?!' I cried

for everyone suffering ongoing sorrow

...and the verse above ministered to my cry

and comforted me 

May it comfort you too.

My Faith Looks Up To Thee 

‘Mind stayed on Thee’ what confidence hope’s careworn courage finds

What peace anoints grief’s wounds, that God, so rich in mercy binds

What comfort cheers life’s ups and downs, where this world’s troubles groan

What joy (in spite of Sorrow) crowns the gape of the Unknown

‘Mind stayed on Thee’ Thy word is truth; faith’s footing held secure

Trustworthy for both aged and youth, armour for rich and poor

Though generations rise and fall like waves upon a sea

Thy Word abides through all of time and all eternity

‘Mind stayed on Thee’ no substitute can console or appease

No mortal merit can compute what God alone decrees

Ah, Heaven’s earthly ordinance nothing can overthrow

Able, in every circumstance to conquer every foe

‘Mind stayed on Thee’, hope’s sure anchor where tempests roar and toss

How trustworthy is He who bore the horror of the cross

Who knew no sin but became sin, each sinner to atone

Savior and Redeemer, amen. Death and hell overthrown

‘Mind stayed on Thee’, no sweeter solace can our spirits find

No purer peace, God’s purpose is compassionate and kind

Though oft misunderstood, until with humble mind renewed

We yield and trust Love’s perfect will with awestruck gratitude

© Janet Martin

And I will pray the Father, 

and he shall give you another Comforter, 

that he may abide with you for ever;

John 14:16

I have told you these things,

 so that in me you may have peace.

 In this world you will have trouble.

 But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Jesus~

John 16:33

.

Lest in the Thick of Here and Now...

Ps.18:1-2

I love You, O LORD, my strength.

2The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer.

My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,

my shield, and the horn of my salvation,

my stronghold.

3I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised;

so shall I be saved from my enemies.

Is it not a wonderful thing,

To know as we kneel/bow to pray

we are essentially slipping our hand

into God's hand?!

God, by Whom all things were made

and are lent save Him alone!!

He is eternal.

Does this not bring fresh courage 

to face today?!

Lest in the quick of (circum) stance

Or in the thick of sight

We overlook the One who grants

The armour for the fight

The refuge from the foe

The rock that will not move

The blood-bought grace whereby we go

The greatest of these; love

The Life, from death's curse raised

The Saviour of the soul

The Name most worthy to be praised

Who makes the broken whole

Whose will is undeterred

Who keeps his promises

Who leads us by his righteous Word

In paths of righteousness

Who is holy and just

Who forgives confessed sin

Who is faithful (knows we are dust)

Who bids us trust in Him

Who keeps in perfect peace

Hearts and minds on Him stayed

Whose purposes will never cease

Whose joy is unafraid 

The Way, the Truth, the Life

Creator of all things

(Though doubt and argument run rife

Against the King of kings)

Who IS love without end

Supremacy unfazed

Whose thoughts no thought can comprehend

Nor understand His ways

Oh, lest with faithless glance

We haste to meet the day

Lest in the quick of circumstance

We never pause to pray

Let us first humbly bow

And seek Love's kind command

Lest in the thick of Here and Now

We miss His outstretched Hand   

© Janet Martin

I Need Thee Every Hour

Did You Think to Pray?

Because God Is Not a Far-off Father

Sharing some sweet reassurance today,

(because it's so easy to slip into walking by sight!)

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.

Ps.55:22

Cast your burden on the Lord,

And He shall sustain you;

He shall never permit the righteous to be [b]moved.

I couldn't decide on any particular photos to share today

 so I am sharing some recent twilight garden tranquility...

Do the unknowns of tomorrow rob you of peace for today

Does love's joy, laden with sorrow, take a sad, triumphant toll 

Faith, the substance of things hoped for, does it cheer you when you pray

Does it grant God's strength for labor and His comfort for your soul

Or, is dread a thief of laughter, fear, a dark and rolling sea 

God is not a far-off Father; He bids us 'come unto Me'

Do you long for lasting pleasure and delight's true happiness  

Or does this world's fleeting treasure consume worship's mad pursuit 

Do you find sweet consolation in God's steadfast promises 

Does His gift of soul's salvation produce heaven-flavored fruit 

Or is trouble a dictator stealing humble hymns of praise

God is no distant Creator, but a Helper all our days 

In the process of Becoming, are you losing heart, pray tell

Is the noise of progress numbing you to truths that never change  

Although the spirit is willing, does the flesh resist, rebel

Or, is One greater instilling what no rival can estrange 

For, though life is heartbreak-tainted, our prayers are held secure 

Because God is well acquainted with all suff'rings we endure 

In the valley of death's shadow He unfurls the path of life

His word is a Lamp to follow, and a Light to show the Way 

Does the hope of Heaven fill you with courage to face earth's strife

Does the thought of Seeing thrill you as you walk by faith today

Do you face faith's certain danger at the ready to defend

Because God is not stranger; but a very present Friend   

Janet Martin

 

Psalm 145:17-21

The LORD is righteous in all His ways

and kind in all His deeds.

18The LORD is near to all who call on Him,

to all who call out to Him in truth.

19He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him;

He hears their cry and saves them.

20The LORD preserves all who love Him,

but all the wicked He will destroy.

21My mouth will declare the praise of the LORD;

let every creature bless His holy name

forever and ever.

Deuteronomy 4:7
For what nation is great enough to have a god as near to them

 as the LORD our God is to us whenever we call on Him?

Psalm 34:18
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; 

He saves the contrite in spirit.

Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength,

 an ever-present help in times of trouble.

I know I have shared these songs before

but I longed to hear them this morning...

Lead Me Gently Home, Father

God Will

In the Sweet Bye and Bye