TODAY is a portion of my inheritance~a small part of what God, my Father, has promised through His Son for eternity. How I spend it proves where it came from.
It is an allowance given to sustain me here in this wilderness; and while here on this earth to prepare me for His glory.
TODAY is not for me, but for Him—to prove His presence, His mercy, grace, goodness, and loving-kindness to His people here on earth and His angels in heaven.
How will I worship and serve Him today with all that He has given me?
How will I share what He has given?
How will I store up part of this treasure in heaven?
How will I spend my thoughts?
What will I say about Him?
To whom will I share the truth of His Word—of Christ?
Will I be faithful with the wealth that He has bestowed on me as His child?
Will I remember whose I am and why I am here?
Dear Father in heaven, By the beseeching of Your mercy I present my body to You as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable in Christ—this body that is the temple of Your Holy Spirit—for the deposit of the riches and wealth that are mine in Him. Fill me with Your fulness. Let the authority of Your Word be commanded in me by the power of Your Holy Spirit; that I spend, and be spent for You~~~Hallowed be Your Name. For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen
“Shew me Thy ways, O Lord; Teach me Thy paths. Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me. For Thou art the God of my salvation. On Thee do I wait all the day.” Psalm 25:4-5
(Stay with me—the best wine is reserved for last.)
Our children and grandchildren came today to celebrate the birthday of our youngest child, our daughter, Lee. For more than forty years we have witnessed what God, our heavenly Father, has been doing in this one life—“beforehand ordained” to be born of the earth, and of heaven.
How grateful I am that she has a new mother, for I was not able to give her eternal life. As a child she exhibited traits of someone else’s child. (At times I thought she was perfect; she was not at all like me.) She attested to her new birth at the age of fifteen when she was baptized and formerly became a member of Christ’s church.
Though we drifted apart over the years we have since been drawn together in a new way through the difficult times—“everything working together” to conform both of us to the image of Christ.
I lived part of my life through her, for she had a life I did not have. God enabled me to see what He can do, beyond what any earthly parent can do. Perhaps this was part of His plan for me to see beyond myself to Him.
This week as I have been preparing for this celebration the thought came that revealed the blessing that God put in my life all these years. If I could have lived the life of another woman here on this earth I would have wished for the life He gave my daughter.
That is how much I love the daughter that He gave me.
Celebration of THE LIFE
Now that we have celebrated the life of our daughter today we are continuing our plans for tomorrow. Every day and every week is the time for preparation for the Lord’s Day—the day we celebrate the Life from which all life comes.
“For by Him (Jesus Christ) were all things created that are in heaven and in the earth…and by Him all things consist. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness (life) dwell.” Colossians 1:16-19
“And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.” John 1:16
Christ exhibited this Life in human form and then sacrificed that physical life that we might receive eternal life through Him.
Those who can testify of their new birth—new life in Christ—will celebrate the eternal life of Jesus Christ on the Lord’s Day. It is the inheritance we have in Him as children of the living God, our heavenly Father.
We meet together with his other sons and daughters to worship and adore the one who gave His life that we might live with Him, forever.
At Christ Reformed Church we are invited every Lord’s Day to His table to feast on this life—His body broken for us; His blood shed for us—all for us, that we might be all for Him.
My heavenly Father blessed me with a precious daughter and son here on this earth, both originating with His Son. Through new life in Him, supernaturally by His own Spirit, He continues to bless me and promises this for eternity.
Even in the years of my estrangement from Him Christ compensated for me and in His timing brought me to know His love for me. Now the only life I desire is the life of Christ; His life in me, and my living in Him. This is how much I love the Son given to me.
“He who has the Son has Life.”
1 John 5:12
Father, open our eyes to see ourselves as we are without you. Reveal Christ to us as our only hope of life for this world and for eternity. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
How could they give all? How could they lay it down? Was it for crimes that they had done ~~~ or was it for a crown?
How could they die, so firm and sure ~~~ without a shade of doubt? Was it for show or spectacle? Was their faith that stout?
How could they stand ~~~ enduring flame? How could they face the sword? Were they unfeeling, so reserved? Were they not from this world?
If we but seek to truly know ~~~ If, as they, we see and hear The Savior, as He died for us ~~~Is there anything we cannot bear?
(In praise to God, our Father; and in memory of those who died that we might have the Word of God, His truth, and the great salvation given through Jesus Christ, our Lord.) Reblog – 10/30/11
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Be Thou my battle shield, sword for the fight;
Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight;
Thou my soul’s shelter, Thou my high tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my treasure Thou art.
High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O ruler of all.
The blind and the deaf will not be watching the Debate between the candidates.
They have already made up their minds as to who they will vote for.
The same is true of those who will not read or listen to the truth of the Gospel.
Jesus Christ has been in debate with Satan for thousands of years, and yet the majority will not accept His claims as the Son of God; King of kings and Lord of lords.
His credentials, His life, His death, His resurrection, His ascension, His power and authority in heaven and on earth are thrown aside, disbelieved, and substituted by the claims of the devil. Life in pursuit of our own happiness and glory is the only thing that appeals to the multitudes.
Dear Father in heaven, open our eyes to the truth. Show us your authority and power in this nation and around the world—for your glory and our joy. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
“It is a gross mistake to consider the Sabbath as a mere festival of the Jewish Church, deriving its whole sanctity from the Levitical law. The abrogation of that law no more releases the worshippers of God from the observation of the Sabbath, than it cancels the injunctions of filial piety, or the prohibitions of theft and murder. The Christian stands obliged to the observance of a Sabbath. By keeping a Sabbath, we acknowledge a God and declare we are not atheists; by keeping one day in seven, we protest against idolatry, and acknowledge that God who made the heavens and earth; and by keeping our Sabbath on the first day of the week, we protest against Judaism, and acknowledge that God who, having made the world, sent His only begotten Son to redeem mankind. The observation of the Sabbath is a public weekly assertion of the two first articles in our creed–the belief in God the Father Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.” ~ Samuel Horsley (1733-1806)
(From Thomas Watson‘s The Art of Divine Contentment)
Epistle to the Reader
Christian Reader,
Having seriously considered the great dishonor done to almighty God (as well as the prejudice which accrues to ourselves) by the sin of discontent (a universal and epidemic sin), it put me upon the study of this subject at first. More is it incongruous to handle this next in order to “The Christian Charter“) [reprinted by Soli Deo Gloria in The Sermons of Thomas Watson], I showed you there the great things which a believer has in reversion. Things to come are his, and here behold a Christian’s holy and gracious deportment in this life, which reveals itself in nothing more eminently than in being content.
Discontent is to the soul as a disease is to the body: it puts it out of temper and much hinders its regular and sublime motions heavenward. Discontent is hereditary, and, no doubt, is much augmented by the many sad eclipses and changes that have fallen out of late in the political body, yet the disease is not to be excused because it is natural, but resisted because it is sinful. That which should put us out of love with this sullen distemper is the contemplation of the beautiful queen of contentment.
For my part, I do not know of any ornament in religion that more bespangles a Christian, or glitters in the eye of God and man more, than this of contentment. Nor certainly is there anything wherein all the Christian virtues work more harmoniously or shine more transparently than in this orb. Every grace acts its part here. This is the true philosopher’s stone, which turns all into gold. This is the curious enamel and embroidery of the heart, which makes Christ’s spouse all glorious within. How should every Christian be ambitious to wear such a sparkling diamond!
If there is a blessed life before we come to heaven, it is the contented life. And why not be contented? Why are you angry, and why is your countenance fallen? Man, of all creatures, has the least cause to be discontented. Can you deserve anything from God? Does He owe you anything? What if the scene were to turn and God put you under the blackrod? Whereas He now uses a rod, He might use a scorpion. He might as well damn you as whip you. Why, then, are you discontented? Why do you give way to this irrational and hurtful sin of discontent? May the good Lord humble His own people for nourishing such a viper in their breast as not only cuts out the bowels of their comfort, but spits venom in the face of God Himself!
Oh, Christian, if you are overspread with this fretting leprosy, you carry the man of sin about you, for you set yourself above God and act as if you were wiser than He, and would sassily prescribe to Him what condition is best for you! Oh, this devil of discontent which, whenever it possesses a person, makes his heart a little hell!
I know there will never be perfect contentment in this life. Perfect pleasure is only at God’s right hand, yet we may begin here to tune our instrument before we play the sweet lesson of contentment exactly in heaven. I should be glad if this little piece might be like Moses’ casting the tree into the waters, to make the bitter condition of life more sweet and pleasant to drink of.
I have once more ventured to address the public. I acknowledge this work to be homespun. Some better hand might have made a more effective draft, but, having preached upon the subject, I was earnestly solicited by some of my hearers to publish it, and although it is not dressed in that rich attire of eloquence as it might have been, I am not about poetry or oratory, but divinity. Nor is this intended for fancy, but practice.
If I may herein do any service, or cast but a mite into the treasury of the church’s grace, I have my desire. The end of our living is to live to God, and to lift up His name in the world. May the Lord add an effectual blessing to this work and fasten it as a nail in a sure place. May He, of His mercy, make it as spiritual medicine to purge the ill humor of discontent out of our hearts, so that a crown of honor may be set upon the head of religion, and the crystal streams of joy and peace ever run in our soul. This is the prayer of him who is desirous to be a faithful orator for you at the throne of grace,
One ray of light after the rain——one small bloom, waiting for full light of His glory.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Though the dermatologist expected it to be cancer, the mole removed from the back of my arm was benign. I praise the Lord as I wait for healing in the next few weeks; and to know what His plans are for Jerry and me.
If it be His will for complete healing, strength and wisdom, I will finish the book, Worship That Springs from the Heart of God ~ A Sheep’s View; in which case I will not be keeping a steady post on this sight until it is complete.
“The Lord bless you and keep you, and cause His face to shine upon you…..”
(How well our heavenly Father teaches us this truth as we experience the trials of this life.
The original article with this title (below) was written almost five years ago while we were waiting for Jerry’s healing after the amputation of his leg.
(It took 4 1/2 years and a third surgery. Now almost six years later, he is able to wear a prosthesis a few hours a week.
~~~~~~~~~~ October 24, 2007
Today is exactly a year since Jerry’s amputation. He has been three weeks in rehab, wearing the prosthesis a couple of hours a day, more just for sitting and getting used to it, a few minutes of exercise to put weight on it, and a few minutes walking on it with a walker. Because of soreness he has not worn it the last two days. Monday the prosthetist put in a small pad to help buffer the sore area. It was feeling better, so he wore the prosthesis for about forty-five minutes this afternoon. When he took it off, his leg was bleeding. We have to wait again for healing before he can wear the prosthesis again.
Sixty-eight years takes its toll on those who have not learned how to wait. By this time most think that they have arrived at the point of having all things under their control, getting things done when they want them done, settling down to the golden years, and being happy in all their progress. This is not our case, but we can attest to something better.
How do you explain to those who are impatient that waiting is good for you? Whether it is for a response to a letter, the arrival of a guest, a special event, for our children to grow up, or healing, the process of waiting is a part of life. True waiting is the essence of hope, and a means to the end of obtaining contentment in this life as we wait for glory.
Waiting is a natural trait for God, but not for man. Impatience was born in the Garden of Eden, and plays itself out in every person’s life, from the time of birth until death; except as we are given new hearts that know how to wait. We learn from experiences that as we wait we receive blessings we did not expect.
Why do we not want a baby to be born before its full term? It will not be fully developed, or, not live at all. Why do we not get a diploma until we have finished the required courses? Why do we not marry at the age of eight? Why do we not eat green bananas? Waiting is not only necessary for life, but, the means to attaining true life. It is not something we play at, or think about when we want to. It is not a game, but a reality, that when practiced enough will become the beauty of life, without wanting to be the winner.
Waiting is serious business, in the same family as endurance, the big brother of patience.
Waiting is the will of God for us, and serves His purposes. “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” (Hebrews 10:36)
Waiting gives Him time to accomplish His work in us to His glory. God waits for the precious fruit of His husbandry, and so must we. (James 5:17)
Hope, and quietly waiting for the salvation of the Lord is synonymous with patience, the characteristic of the saints mentioned in the Book of Revelation. (13:10, 14:12)
“I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart; wait, I say, on the LORD. Psalm 27:13-14
Waiting strengthens our faith, letting patience have its perfect work, that we may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (James 1:4)
I praise the Father for teaching me to wait. It comes more naturally now. He is waiting with us, teaching us, loving us through it all. I thank Him for all of you who have waited with us. I pray for more patience, more strength, more faith, more grace for us all—for His glory and our joy.
“The LORD is good to them that wait for Him.” (Lamentations 3:25)
Fran 10/07
(Excerpt from In Prayer and In Touch~ Articles and Stories of Faith)
Music: Wait on the Lord Psalm 27:14
They That Wait Upon the Lord Isaiah 40:31
“My soul, how hast thou profaned that day thy God hath sanctified! How hast thou encroached on that which Heaven hath set apart! If thy impatience cannot act a Sabbath twelve hours, what happiness canst thou expect in a perpetual Sabbath? Is six days too little for thyself, and two hours too much for thy God?”
~ Francis Quarles 1592-1644 (From Horatius Bonar‘s Words Old and New)
Dear Father, let us not presume to think that we have an interest in Heaven if we have no interest in You. Why would we want to spend eternity with You if we have no desire to spend a day with You now? Forgive us, and by Your own Spirit draw us to Yourself in Christ with Your people today. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
