Like Fresh-baked Bread...

“When you reflect on your work,

give thanks that every breath you took,

all the intelligence you applied,

all the strength you exerted, 

was a gift of God,

so that your working becomes an occasion 

of happy, thankful worship as you think about it.”

—John Piper

1 Timothy 6:17

Instruct those who are rich in the present age

not to be conceited 

and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth,

but in God, 

who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.

Yesterday was Thanksgiving Bake Day!

Baking always brings me pleasure...

...and it's easy to worship when oil cruses 

and flour vessels are full! 

Would I be as willing in my worship if they were not?

A thought to challenge/purify my gratitude! 

This day is thine and mine to break

Like fresh-baked bread; to take and bless

To savour every crumb and flake

Like manna in the wilderness 

This is the day the Lord has made

He does not author thoughtlessly

Its lease; then do not be afraid

Because He cares for you and me

Today’s ephemeral empire

Of morn-noon-night slips through our touch

Futile to wallow in the mire

Of yesterday’s defeats and such

Better to taste our gift of days 

Like fresh-baked bread; simple and sweet

And with each morsel/mouthful offer praise

To He who gives to we who eat

Janet Martin

This Good Day -Fernando Ortega

Be Grateful Charlie Pride 

In Spite of Sorrow, Joy...

A bitty Thanksgiving Ditty...

Phil.4:6-7

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication,

 with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

  7and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, 

will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Be Still My Soul

In spite of sorrow, joy abides

In spite of heartbreak, hope prevails

In spite of turmoil, peace resides

Because God's purpose never fails

Though troubles come, though teardrops fall

We are not crushed or forsaken

This is the pow'r of Christ in all

Who believe in Nis name. Amen

Christ is the crux of every good

The source of joy, hope, peace and love

Until we love/trust Him like we should

Everything else is not enough

Janet Martin

Fernando Ortega - Give me Jesus

Perfectly Possible

All goodness is a gift from God!

All the goodness of this life, without God, could not be possible!

God gives us much more than we could ever earn or deserve.

Who, besides Him can we direct true thanksgiving to?!!

For passages that helped inspire today's poem click HERE and HERE

This morning as I opened my eyes and sensed 

life's impending and immense weight of care

the first line of this poem whispered into my heart...

All things are possible with He who made the heavens and the earth

Whose perfect law of liberty when heeded, frees a blessing-feast

He helps us; nothing in this world compares with Him; He grants true worth

His love/flood, at Calvary unfurled to pardon sinners, has not ceased

All things are possible with God; His goodness oft misunderstood

Because our feet have never trod the rocky road to Calvary

To break sin’s curse and pay its debt while nailed upon a cross of wood

To prove our love; love we forget too often and too easily

All things are possible with He whose power raised Christ from the dead;

The same power that sets us free and instills all who have believed

So, we may overcome faith’s foe and put to subjection, the dread

That else would seek to overthrow the joy and peace we had/have received

All things are possible with God; do not despair when sorrows roll

The comfort of His staff and rod delivers us from evil snares

Where the tempter seeks to destroy, God, rich in mercy cheers the soul

And runs its cup over with joy as we trust He who hears our prayers

Janet Martin

Lord, it is yours. It is not mine. 

This life you breathed your life into

Is a gift You ordained to shine

All glory to its Giver; You

God's Way is Best

Author *Charles W. Naylor

1 God’s way is best; if human wisdom

A fairer way may seem to show,

’Tis only that our earth-dimmed vision

The truth can never clearly know.

Refrain:

God’s way is best, I will not murmur,

Although the end I may not see;

Where’er He leads I’ll meekly follow,

God’s way is best, is best for me.

2 Had I the choosing of my pathway,

In blindness I should go astray,

And wander far away in darkness,

Nor reach that land of endless day. [Refrain]

3 He leadeth true; I will not question,

Though through the valley I shall go;

Though I should pass through clouds of trial,

And drink the cup of human woe. [Refrain]

4 God’s way is best; heart, cease thy struggling

To see and know and understand;

Forsake thy fears and doubts, but trusting,

Submit thyself into His hand. [Refrain]

5 Thy way is best, so lead me onward,

My all I give to Thy control;

Thy loving hand will truly guide me,

And safe to glory bring my soul. [Refrain

*Naylor, Charles Wesley. (1874--1950). C. W. Naylor was born in southern Ohio and reared in Ohio and West Virginia by grandparents. At the age of nineteen he left the Methodist church for the Church of God. He worked for a while at the Gospel Trumpet Company in Grand Junction, Michigan and on some evangelistic tours. He was ordained in 1899 in Springfield, Ohio. He was first injured in 1908 in Florida while moving timbers from under a meeting tent. He suffered a dislocated kidney and other internal injuries. A year later he was in a bus accident that left him an invalid for the rest of his life. Naylor wrote eight books, many articles and pamphlets, many hymns and gospel songs, besides being a columnist in the Gospel Trump

What Matters Most

I turn to Ps.119 over and over

as sorrows, like sea billows roll...

Ps.119:27-28

Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: 

so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.

My soul melteth for heaviness:

strengthen thou me according unto thy word.

This past weekend we received word of tragedy after tragedy on our highways!

Close to home three girls (ages 14, 6 & 4) have lost their parents

(my daughter's neighbour's/friends)

The school my brother teaches at lost a student in another accident.

A man from our church family lost his sister and her husband in yet another accident.

(and these tragedies mentioned are only the ones with personal ties. There were more!!)

Please lift the community up in prayer (esp. the orphaned children!)

And those on the other side of each of these accidents 

where another whole community of families and loved ones suffer

because life as they knew it has been shattered!! 

This is the second neighbour/friend my daughter has lost suddenly

a little over a month apart!

Please pray for Emily and her husband Rob,

 as they continue to support the other family as well!

 

Oh, how harsh seem the various trials we encounter

yet without them how would our faith mature/grow?!

James 1:2-4

Consider it pure joy, my brothers,

when you encounter trials of many kinds,

because you know that the testing of your faith

develops perseverance.

Allow perseverance to finish its work,

so that you may be mature and complete,

not lacking anything.

Oh Lord, we cannot know Thy thoughts

The way Thy mercies move

Are through the trials life allots

Thy faithfulness to prove

Oh Lord, we cannot comprehend

Thy plans Thy love empow'rs

As high as heavens o'er earth ascend

Are Thy ways above ours

Oh Lord, without faith and hope tried

We would grow proud and boast

And forget Thee in our pride

Then miss what matters most

Oh Lord, restore our hearts to Thee

To trust Thy perfect will

Through Thy Word let our comfort be

The power/precepts You instill

Janet 💔🙏

We sang the song It Is Well With My Soul at my sister's funeral a little over a year ago...

(When it is well with our souls, what matters most is well!

Hallelujah!)

It Is Well With My Soul

 

Till the Storm Passes By

I Set My Hope on Jesus

Not Only For a Chosen Few -Hallelujah!

This post, though rather solemn,

because of its sacred subject,

 includes a hallelujah chorus

that is bound to bring a smile to your day! 

1 Tim.2:1-4

First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, 

intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone—

  2for kings and all those in authority—

so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives 

in all godliness and dignity.

  3This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,

  4who wants everyone to be saved 

and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

... though bodies die and are returned to dust

The ransomed soul, secure will fly

To He who holds faith's trust 

(higher than the vees of honking geese that tug at heartstrings

as we view their flight from earth's holy ground)

Not only for a chosen few

Did God our Savior, give

His Son to break sin's curse, so through

His death we all may live

...forevermore, though bodies die

And are returned to dust

The ransomed soul, secure will fly

To He who holds faith's trust 

So then, do not lose heart, my friend

Where evil forces wage

For what we see is not the end

But simply sets the stage

For what no mortal can conceive

Of things God has prepared

For all who love Him, and believe

The promises He shared 

Hope Thou in God, and praise His name

Trust His word and obey

No matter what the world may claim

In contrast to God's way

He is faithful and true; His Word

Comforts the part we see

Till that which none have seen or heard

Becomes reality 

Not only for a chosen few

But for all human race

God sent His Son to save us through

His blood-bought gift of grace

And all who believe and confess

That  'He alone is Lord'

Are heirs of all the promises

He tells us in His Word

Janet Martin

God's Word is not simply for a chosen few

but for all of fumbling, stumbling humanity!

It brings light to darkness,

joy to grief

hope to heartache

faith to fear

Hallelujah!! 

Yes, no matter how fumbling and stumbling,

let's keep the hallelujahs rolling!

Mr Bean singing like an angel

1 Cor.2:6-10

Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—

but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.

7No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God,

a which He destined for our glory before time began.

8None of the rulers of this age understood it.

For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

  9Rather, as it is written:

“No eye has seen,

no ear has heard,

no heart has imagined,

what God has prepared for those who love Him.”b

10But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit.

A Monday Morning Rest/Reset Prayer

Sometimes a new week can feel a bit daunting,

when we try to shoulder it's to-do dues all at once!

The beginning of today's devotion offered a restful reset-reminder!

Whatever our role is today, as we owe no one anything but love,

may we find the rest that comes from relinquishing anxiety 

as we cast our care on God, who cares for us! 1 Pet.5:7

Ps.51:10

Create in me a clean heart, 

O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Rom.13:8

Owe no one anything except to love one another, 

for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.

Create in me a clean heart, Lord

And let my spirit prove

Thy dwelling place; through deed and word

To owe nothing but love

Then, may love’s divine debt compel

More humble praise unfurled

That Thou shouldst kindle in my shell

The Light that lights the world

So that my fellowman may see

You in me, and be blessed

To bring all glory unto Thee

And there find perfect rest

Create in me a clean heart, Lord

My flawed spirit, renew

Then, by Thy righteousness restored

Lord, let me shine for You

Janet Martin

Here's My Heart by David Crowder with lyrics

Of Faith's Fortune...

The world wails/groans for a saviour,

for real hope and assurance,

seeking something/someone trustworthy to put their faith in...

while rejecting the Saviour of the world,

Whose hope and assurance

can only be received through faith!

'Ah, but I cannot have such faith!' do we say?

and yet, is Faith not displayed each time

we plant a seed, believing it will grow?!!

God did His part.

He gave us a Saviour,

but before we have access to

 the riches of His grace

we must do our part;

to repent and believe!

To repent is

to turn from our ways to His way!

To believe is...what a mystery belief is

only possible through faith!

and faith is only possible when we cease to doubt!!

Then, oh what true hope, joy and peace,

come by faith;

what knowledge and understanding

come to all who fear Him and love His name! 

Ps.111:10

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom:

a good understanding have all they that do his commandments:

his praise endureth forever

Ps.112:1

Praise ye the Lord.

Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord,

that delighteth greatly in his commandments.

Ps.115:1&11,13,17&18

Not unto us O Lord, not unto us, 

but unto Thy name give glory,

for Thy mercy and for Thy truth's sake...

Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord:

 he is their help and their shield.

He will bless them that fear the Lord,

both small and great.

The dead praise not the Lord,

nor any that go down into silence.

but we will bless the Lord

from this time forth and forevermore.

 Praise the Lord.

Beyond the tent that tames the sun

And hosts heavens of stars

Beneath the depths of the ocean,

The breath that breaks night's bars...

Beyond earth and its fullness of

Flower, forest and mead...

Beyond the tent that tames the sun

And hosts heavens of stars

Beneath the depths of the ocean,

The breadth/breath that breaks night's bars

Beyond earth and its fullness of

Flower, forest and mead

And seasons that unfold above

The silence of the dead

Is God, the faithful God of all

The God who damns and saves

The God whose name both great and small

Are called to fear and praise 

The God who is Lion and Lamb

Whose divine Word is chief

The God who is the great I AM

And helps our unbelief

 

...whose greatest commandment is love

The love that He imparts

Without exception, in spite of

The dregs of human hearts

He forgives us, if we confess

He saves, if we believe

Faithful in all He promises

And only faith receives

Then, when faith begins to take root

Our hymns to God increase

The life, once dead, is rich with fruit

Of hope and joy and peace

In all who believe in is Name

Life's rivers are unfurled

Through He whose glory we proclaim

'The Saviour of the world' 

Janet Martin

John 7:38
Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said:

 ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’”

David Crowder Band - Because He Lives (Lyrics)

 

Many reject Him because they cannot understand Him.

We cannot possibly begin to comprehend

the depths of his love, but He gave us a glimpse

of its extension on the cross of Calvary!

Rom.11:33

Oh, the depth of the riches 

both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

 How unsearchable are His judgments 

and His ways past finding out!

Everyone who comes to Him, 

comes, not by understanding,

but by faith.

Are you afraid!

Are you discouraged?

Have you done your part

so God can do His?

Have you prayed 'Lord, I believe

help thou mine unbelief?'

There is no fairyland waiting after death!

God through his Son, made a way that all may come to Him

and all who truly believe will pass from death to life-

John 5:24
Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word 

and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life 

and will not come under judgment. 

Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life.

John 3:18
Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, 

but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, 

because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

The Makings of a Masterpiece

Today- a very momentous occasion!

God uses the ordinary

to fulfill the extra-ordinary!

Things like moments, willing hands and feet,

Things like little prayers that wing from our hearts to God!

Each moment we use to the glory of God

turns a diamond in the rough 

to a gem of eternal value!

1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.

My moments have me seeing red these day!

 Apple and tomato red, that is! 😅

Thank-you Lord!

The top layer of this heap was turned into salsa,

 bbq sauce and tomato soup yesterday!

Today applesauce

while the remaining tomatoes redden up a bit more!

Today is Time’s freshest release

(The makings of a masterpiece

If we with honour weigh the sum

Of what each moment will become)

Like little diamonds in the rough

God tips His treasure trove of love

As moments mete the means whereby

Duty and privilege reply

This is no common enterprise

Melting night’s shadows from yon skies

Let’s meet each charge of God’s command

With thankful heart and willing hand

For the secret to success lies

In what we seek to recognize

Of moments, as they glint and spill

Like diamonds gleaming with God’s will

How precious is the sum of them!

Then let’s not waste one precious gem

But, pursue with each moment-lease

The making of a masterpiece

Janet Martin