The Most Important Things in Life...

Heb.10:35-36 (BSB)

So do not throw away your confidence; it holds a great reward.

 36You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, 

you will receive what He has promised.

Doesn't each part/phrase of the above verses

give great truths and conditions to ponder and prize

as we persevere?!!

This hawk has made life a misery for the little birds this winter,

but it is hungry too,

and only doing what it must to survive

though it is heartbreaking to watch!

It is heartbreaking to watch suffering and feel helpless to alleviate it

because we cannot (thank God!) do what only He can

through the Comforter/Helper He has given, to all who believe

and receive the Holy Spirit.

John 14:15-18

If you love Me, [d]keep My commandments.

 16And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another [e]Helper,

 that He may abide with you forever— 

17the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive,

 because it neither sees Him nor knows Him;

 but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 

18I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

The most important things in life 

Are ministered where no one sees

But He who runs the heavens rife

With ineffable majesties

The Maker, Ruler, Keeper of

Heaven and earth is good and kind

His patient, everlasting love

Enough, if Want is thus inclined 

...to seek life's most important things

From God's momentous smorgasbord

Of invisible offerings

Veiling recompense of reward

We choose either seen or Unseen

Faith boasts in what it cannot see

In spite of the dark glass between

Man's questions and God's clarity 

As sure as the spark upward flies

We are born to sorrow and pain

Where what we understand God tries

With reasons no one can explain

God cares for creatures great and small

Such knowledge is too wonderful

Behold, a sparrow cannot fall

Outside love's kind peripheral 

While goodness and mercy run rife

-est through broken hearts and dreams, for

The most important things in life

Teach us to trust and love God more

So, as we hope, pray, dream and plan

Lord, help us learn through what life brings

To love You first, then fellowman;

These are life's most important things

Janet Martin

Only Trust Him

The Giver of Today Knows All

Ps.31:14-15

But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord;

I say, “You are my God.”

My times are in Your hand;

Matt.28:20

('lo, I am with you always,')

Whatever may befall

Where morning meets its mark

The Giver of Today knows all

His Light pierces the dark

Whatever may befall

Where morning meets its mark

The Giver of Today knows all

His Light pierces the dark

And grants sufficient grace

Whether we joy or grieve

He IS with us in all we face

As we trust and believe

And victoriously cope

Because each day we live

Is anchored in the blessed hope

That Christ alone can give

Then, do not fail/fear to call

On He who knows our need

The Giver of Today knows all

And He will intercede

Janet Martin

Titus 2:11-14

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,

12teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,

we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,

13looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing

of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

14who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us

from every lawless deed and purify for Himself

His own special people, zealous for good works.

The Ways We Want

Faith can sit down before mysteries and say 'The Lord is good'.

(From the book Consolation by Mrs. Chas. E. Cowman)

'Our grief can never be greater than God's.'

(from my oldest sister who called this morning)

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, 

a worker who does not need to be ashamed, 

rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Tim.2:15

Have Thine Own Way, Lord

Right now I believe many in our church family feel

utterly heartbroken, leaving nothing remaining but 

to entrust our broken pieces to the Hands of the Potter/Healer!

Oh Lord, your ways are not our ways...

Then search and know our hearts;

Try and know our anxieties;

 And see if there is any wicked way in us,

And lead us in the way everlasting.

(Ps.139:23-24)

The ways that we would orchestrate through fancy's earth-dimmed lures

Would oft serve to alleviate what faith alone endures 

Because we cannot comprehend God's thoughts, misunderstood 

Or how He guards Want's ways that wend in conflict to our good  

For though our spirit boasts of noble mind, the flesh is weak 

We are not nat'rally inclined to want what we should seek

 Or to be boldly unashamed to take God at His Word

The ways we want would rush untamed to ruin undeterred 

 God, rich in love and mercy, ordains ways beyond our ken

He guides us through Time's sin-cursed vein to victory. Amen

Our grief is His; where sorrows fret He sorrows all the more

Sometimes we are prone to forget where earth-dimmed views implore  

...then, because what we suffer God has suffered too, He grants

His Comforter; a buffer against darts of Circumstance

We need you, Lord, to intercede, in ways where we would roam

Without Your rod and staff to lead us safely Home, sweet Home

Janet Martin

But for a Moment This

Faith; the contentment/confidence of hope without proof.

Of questions without answers.

Amy Lambert - I Cannot Find The Way Alone

 

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.

  17For our light affliction, which is but for a moment,

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

  18while 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.

But for a moment this;

The troubles of this world

The sorrow of so much amiss

Of tears, like seas unfurled

Where some treat sin's discourse 

As if a trivial thing

Living without fear or remorse

That repentance would bring

Where disobedience

To God's holy commands 

Runs bold while mercy's providence

Replenishes the lands

 

And His unfailing love

(though oftentimes mistook)

Restores the soul; a picture of

Elijah at the brook 

While waves of sorrow roll

As graves collect our dust

But for a moment this, my soul

Faith's thoroughfare of trust

Enough to cry, 'Behold

A cloud, but hand-span wide!'

Assured, as in the days of old

Thou, Lord God, wilt provide

Janet Martin

The Lord your God is with you,

 the Mighty Warrior who saves.

 Zephaniah 3:17

Be Still My Soul - Eclipse 6

Hope-Holy Hallelujah

Isa.26:4

Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD,

the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.

Ps.146:5-6

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,

whose hope is in the LORD his God,

6the Maker of heaven and earth,

the sea, and everything in them.

He remains faithful forever.

Another beautiful mercy-memento breaks

over a broken world

Click the link in each line below to connect to The Source

Oh God! power and glory of

Redemption's everlasting love

A Very Present Help; Thy grace

Sufficient for all that we face

Our Rock, Fortress ,Chief Cornerstone 

Our Shepherd and death's Chaperone

Creator, Caretaker and Friend

Our patient Abba, Refuge, Strength

Deliverer from evil, shame

Giver and Taker. Bless Thy Name

The Author and Perfecter of

Faith in what sight can never prove

Whose thoughts and ways are higher than

Mere comprehension of mere man

Who clothes us in Thy righteousness

When we our sinfulness confess

Whose salvation, hope, joy and peace

Comforts us till the Soul's release

Whose outstretched Wings shelters and shields

Against the warfare this world wields

Whose armor fits us for the fight

Whose Pillar guides by day and night

Whose Word, a quick and living sword

Penetrates the most secret chord/cord

Whose promises, steadfast and true

No force or discourse can undo

Who reigns over Heaven and earth

Whose grace sustains our second birth  

Whose goodness and mercy pursue

And direct us our whole life through

Whose ear attends to our cry

Whose love alone can satisfy

Whose evidence the fool denies

Whose excellence no thought descries

Whose faithfulness beholds His own

Thou dost not leave Thy sheep alone

Whose rod and staff commands and cheers

Whose law humility reveres 

Who lights the candle we uplift

Whose Beacon does not sway or shift 

Whose name is a safe and strong Tow'r

Whose Arm nothing can over-pow'r

Whose Truth and goodness never end

Whose Supremacy does not bend

Whose salvation-wrought justice reigns  

Whose Mysteries no tongue explains 

Whose kindness and patience abound

Whose forgiveness is full and sound 

Marvelous and Majestic where

The Heavens Thy glory declare

And the stones would cry out in praise

If we ceased worship's hymns to raise

To magnify Thy Holy Name

With joyful hearts Thy love proclaim 

Thy works and wisdom manifold

Thy outer fringes we behold

Thy Countenance is undeterred

The humble tremble at Thy Word

Thou who dost test and try our love

To see if we count Thee Enough

...and if the heart truly believes

In the calling that faith receives  

Our Father, from whence we came

Hallowed, hallowed be Thy Name

Who for our sakes, Thy throne forsook

Who writes our names in Heaven's Book

Who shed Thy blood to save the soul

Who sees our faith and makes us whole

Who heals heartbreak, until that day

When former things have passed away 

Who never leaves us or forsakes

Who knows no sin, makes no mistakes

Who stays our hope, so prone to doubt

Thy Ways that we know naught about

Keep us safe from the Tempter's snare

And help us cast on Thee our care

Oh God! Suff'rer and Victor of

The power of the grave, through love

Thy love, nothing can bar us from

Thus Father, thine is the kingdom

The power and the glory, for

Ever and ever, evermore 

Amen

Janet Martin

 

Let the words of my mouth 

and the meditation of my heart

be acceptable in Thy sight, oh Lord,

My strength and My Redeemer

Luke 10:20

However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you,

but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

A friend sent me this song this morning...

Mercy Me - Make It Well (Lyrics Video)

A Prayer For Peace (When troubles increase)

Our church family has been challenged to memorize

one verse from the message each week;

This week's verse is

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.

I do not give to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Our service was closed on Sunday morning with the above verse

as well as the one below

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.”

Little did we know then just how soon and how utterly we would need to

claim these truths in this troubled world.

One Day - When we all get to Heaven | LSQ | Live

Lord, when troubles increase

To test faith’s words of love

Anoint us with Thy perfect peace

This world knows nothing of

Lord, let love’s incense rise

In fragrance to thy throne

As hope, though broken-hearted cries

‘We trust in Thee Alone’

Lord, as we weep and pray

Search each heart’s secret veins

To see if any wicked way

We safeguard, still remains

Lord, great are Thy commands

Convict where we grow slack

Forbid that we would put our hands

To the plow, then look back

Anoint us with Thy peace

Treasure in jars of clay

Lord, let anxiety release

As we trust and obey

Root out the deadly tare

That chokes godly desire

Where sin has set a subtle snare

Convict with holy fire

We are but vessels, oh

By divine love, out-poured

Lord, let Thy perfect peace bestow

Broken spirits restored

Janet Martin

Lord, Teach Us How To Pray...

For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, 

Rom.8:26

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. 

For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, 

but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us 

with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Isa.49:15-16

Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
    and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget, I will not forget you!
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;...

Part 2 of the devotion shared yesterday

(Part 1 at the bottom of this post)

Lord, teach us how to pray

To pour our hearts to Thee

Not with easy eloquence, nay

But with humility

Lord, let the fellowship

Twixt branches and the Vine

Be more than sentiment of lip

But worship’s blood-red wine

Lord, teach us to repent

Beneath love’s pruning hook

Until the whole of Self is spent

And each idol forsook

A secret stutter braved

Thou Lord, wilt understand

Thy remembrance of us engraved

In the palm of Thy hand

Better a wordless groan

For Thee to intercede

Than hollow phrases we intone

Lord, Thou knowest our need

…for You behold the heart

Nothing is hid from Thee

The broken and the stubborn part

Unveiled in clarity

How great Thou art, oh Lord

Faithful in every way

Equip us with Thy Spirit’s Sword

And teach us how to pray

Our Father in Heaven

Hallowed be Thy Name

Then teach Thy child by grace forgiv’n

Salvation to proclaim

Lord, convict us of sin

Lord, comfort our grief

Lord, let Thy Word calm storms within

And guard 'gainst unbelief

In Thy Name we pray,

Amen

Janet Martin

Part 1

To Put Our Trust In Thee, Oh God...

Deut.29:29

“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, 

but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, 

that we may do all the words of this law.

So much in life we will never understand!

Our church family is mourning the loss of our pastor

who passed away suddenly yesterday afternoon!

Please keep his family and our church family in your prayers 💔🙏

Our hearts are broken, so broken...

Phil.4:19

But my God shall supply all your need 

according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

A timely devotion from Springs in the Valley...

Psalm 78

The first stanza of the poem below poured through me

as I was (reluctantly) waking up this morning...

Thank-you God!

To put our trust in Thee, oh God

Is to release the ‘why’

For human acumen cannot

Thy thoughts and ways descry

To put our hope in Thee, oh Lord

Is never in sad vain

Because the beacon of Thy Word

Will never shift or wane

To put our faith in Thee alone

No matter what life brings

Is to entrust each gale and groan

To mercy’s hidden things

To trust and hope, by faith in Thee

Oh God, is to release

All we can never know or see

Into Thy perfect peace

Until the glad and glorious day

When Soul sheds dust-to-dust

And time like mist shall melt away

In Thee we put our trust

Janet Martin

Psalm 143:8
Let me hear Your loving devotion in the morning, 

for I have put my trust in You. 

Teach me the way I should walk, for to You I lift up my soul.

Psalm 62:8
Trust in Him at all times, O people; 

pour out your hearts before Him. 

God is our refuge. 

Selah

Psalm 130:5
I wait for the LORD; my soul does wait, 

and in His word I put my hope.

Lord From Sorrows Deep I Call (Psalm 42) 

With Lyrics By Matt Boswell and Matt Papa

Ps.42 Hope in God

My Anchor Holds