JESUS KEEPS HIS OWN
I read the paper, I watch TV news, I receive e-mails. In each reporting venue the news is much the same. There is tragedy. An auto accident happens so quickly and unexpectedly. Lives are lost and injuries occur. Then there is the devastating news that a loved is diagnosed with a life ending physical problem. Sometimes there is a cry for help because family relationships are broken by selfishness or some other reason. I tell you, we need to find a place to renew our spirit and regain our strength.
Good news!!! There is One on whom we can depend who will meet our needs. His name is Jesus. He cares for His own. He provides for His own. He keeps His own.
D.W. Whittle captures this truth in a song he wrote.
MOMENT BY MOMENT
Dying with Jesus, by death reckoned mine; Living with Jesus, a new life divine; Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine, Moment by moment, O Lord , I am Thine.
Never a trial that He is not there, Never a burden that He doth not bear, Never a sorrow that He doth not share, Moment by moment, I’m under His care;
Never a heartache, never a groan, Never a tear-drop and never a moan; Never a danger but there on the throne, Moment by moment, He thinks of His own.
Never a weakness that He doth not feel, Never a sickness that He cannot heal; Moment by moment, in woe or in weal, Jesus, my Saviour, abides with me still.
Chorus.
Moment by moment I’m kept in His love; Moment by moment I’ve life from above; Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine; Moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine.
Today-----------------------out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord that I belong to Jesus, Jesus belongs to me. Not for the years of time alone, but for eternity. Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!
INSTRUCTION FOR LIVING
Most people want to have some direction or instruction as to how best live their life. In the O.T. the people were asking, “What can we do, how shall we live?” Through the prophet Micah God gave them the answer.
Micah 6:8(NLT) “The Lord has already told you what is good, and this is what he requires: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before your God.”
This is simple, straight-forward, not complicated, and easily understood. We should, “just do it.”
A song written by Charles O. Chisholm further guides us in the right way to live our lives.
LIVING FOR JESUS
Living for Jesus a life that true, Striving to please Him in all that I do; Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free, This is the pathway of blessing for me.
Living for Jesus who died in my place, Bearing on Calv’ry my sin and disgrace; Such love constrains me to answer His call, Follow His leading, and give Him my all.
Living for Jesus thro’ earth’s little while, My dearest treasure, the light of His smile; Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem, Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.
O Jesus, Lord and Saviour, I give myself to Thee; For Thou, in Thine atonement, Didst give Thyself for me; I own no other Master, My heart shall be Thy throne; My life I give, hence-forth to live, O Christ for Thee alone.
Today--------------------out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for the challenge to live a godly for the glory of God. Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!
SING FOR JOY
A message came by e-mail. “The person we were praying for has died.” Then, another message, “please pray for__________, the pain is so severe there is no rest or sleep.” Very seldom does a day pass without a request to pray for someone. I thank the Lord for those who are willing to devote some of their time in praying for others. It sometimes seems the path of life goes into the darkness of the valley and stays there a long time. Will the light ever shine again? Can I believe He is still there? Then the still small voice reminds me, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” The joy returns to my heart and the joy of the Lord becomes my strength once again.
Rejoice in the words of this song written by Anna B. Russell.
WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL JESUS
There is never a day so dreary, There is never a night so long, But the soul that is trusting Jesus Will some – where find a song.
There is never a cross so heavy, There is never a weight of woe, But that Jesus will help to carry Because He loveth so.
There is never a care or burden, There is never a grief or loss, But that Jesus in love will lighten When carried to the cross.
There is never a guilty sinner, There is never a wand’ring one, But that God can in mercy pardon Thro’ Jesus Christ, His Son.
Chorus:
Wonderful, wonderful Jesus, In the heart He implanteth a song: A song of deliv-‘rance, of courage, of strength; In the heart He implanteth a song.
Today----------------------out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for our Wonderful, Wonderful Jesus. Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!!
WHERE DO YOU STAND?
I remember an episode in the Andy Griffeth show in which Barney had a hard time deciding just where he stood on an issue. One point of view would be presented and Barney would agree. Then another point of view was presented and Barney would agree wit it. It seemed that the last point of view presented would have Barney’s support. One of our daughters had this problem when she was small. I want this, I want that. When she finally decided she would say, “I done made up my mind.”
Do you have this problem? Most of us do at one time or another. Read the letters to the editor in the paper. Read one letter and agree with the writer. Then read another letter and it seems this writer has a good point. It is often difficult to know just where to stand.
My church’s prayer calendar for today included the first verse of this song. Read this and be assured there is One whom we can always know has not changed His mind or position.
THE SOLID ROCK
My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
When darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging grace;
In ev’ry high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veil.
His oath, His covenant, His blood support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul give way, He then is all my hope and stay.
When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne.
Chorus:
On Christ, the solid Rock I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.
---Edward Mote
Today--------------------out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for Jesus Christ, the Rock who stands and on Whom we can stand. Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!
HAPPY DAYS
Just for today toss aside all the ugly, the bad, the indifferent, the sad, and the unpleasant thoughts the devil seeks to fill our minds with. Think about the happy days that have been and are in our lives.
School has just started. This was always a happy day for me. I liked school both as a student and as a parent who was thankful the summer vacation over and the kids were back in school! The holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas were happy days.
There was the day that beautiful blue-eyed girl who played the piano at church said, “Yes”, when I asked her to marry me. Happy days! Children were born, grew up, married, and now there are grand children and even great grand children.
There is one day that was happier than all the others, although it takes a life-time to realize it. Philip Doderage wrote a song about it.
O HAPPY DAY THAT FIXED MY CHOICE
O happy day that fixed my choice On Thee, my Saviour and my God! Well may this glowing heart rejoice, And tell its raptures all abroad.
‘Tis done – the great transaction’s done; I am my Lord’s, and He is mine; He drew me and I followed on, Rejoicing in the call divine.
Now rest, my long -- divided heart, fixed on this blissful center, rest; Here I found a nobler part, And heav’nly treasures fill my breast.
High heav’n that hears the solemn vow, That vow renewed shall daily hear; Till in life’s latest hour I bow, And bless, in death, a bond so dear.
Chorus;
Happy day, happy day, When Jesus washed my sins away! He taught me how to watch and pray, And live rejoicing every day; Happy day, happy day, When Jesus washed my sins away.
Today----------------------out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for all the happy days and especially for the day Jesus Christ became your Saviour. Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!
THE WORLD
I was sleeping so well until I begin to hear a soft musical sound, the alarm clock telling me it was 6:00AM. I tossed the covers back, sat on the side of the bed and listened to the words of the song running through my mind. “This Is My Father’s World.”
I’m sure you have a routine you follow when you get up each morning. I shuffled my way to the kitchen, got the blood pressure medication (4 pills) from the cabinet, water from the fridge, gulped the pills down, looked out the window toward a neighbor’s house and asked God to bless that family today. … “This is my Father’s world…” I dressed and got ready for the day as I listened to the song in my head. I noticed the clothes hamper was full so I took the clothes to the kitchen, filled the washer, put the clothes in. “This is my Father’s world.”
I made a cup of instant coffee, counted out the vitamins and supplements I take each day to keep the body healthy and swallowed them with water. I drank the coffee and read the paper. All the while.. ‘this is my Father’s world’ was going through my mind.
I went to the study for my morning devotional time. I read Open Windows and pray for the missionaries who are listed on their birthday. I also read a couple of brief devotionals. Then I pray for all of you and for my family. My mind is beginning to seek what God would have me say in today’s PTL. For today it is what you have just read. In spite of all the devil is doing in the world, this is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the Ruler yet. Get your hymnal and be blessed and assured as you read the words of this song.
Today---------------out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord that this is my Father’s world. Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!
SINGING
I rejoice in the fact that Christianity is a singing religion. I realize there are a few mournful, minor key songs in our hymnals. However, the most of our songs are up-beat. We are instructed to sing and praise the Lord our God when we are in the depths of the valley or on the mountain top. You praise the Lord, wrote the psalmist.
In the N.T. the apostle Paul reminds us to be thankful in and for everything and to rejoice and sing spiritual songs. In Ephesians 5 he says when we allow the Holy Spirit to fill and control our lives we will sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among ourselves. James writes that those who have reason to be thankful should continually sing praises to the Lord.
Nehemiah tells us the joy of the Lord is our strength. When we have joy we have singing. To God be the glory, great things He has done. Praise just naturally flows from a heart filled with the joy of the Lord.
I don’t know about you but my day goes better when I have a song in my heart rather than complaining about something gone wrong. I invite you to join me in singing – whatever your song is. I’ve got the joy, joy, joy down in my heart. I am so happy in Christ today that I go singing along my way. God is so good, God is so good, God is so good, He’s so good to me. Its amazing what praising can do, Hallelujah! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Today---------------------------- out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for the song He puts in your heart. Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!!
MY ACCOUNT
When I was a child in my father’s house he bought groceries at the corner store. The merchant allowed customers to make purchases during the week and pay the account on payday. This was called “keeping short accounts.” Pay it every week. Wouldn’t a lot of people be blessed by doing this in regard to credit cards! I do use a credit card for most of my purchases (I don’t like to carry money). When the statement comes I pay the account in full. If I want something I can’t have the money to pay for it at the end of the month, I don’t buy it. I keep a short account.
Scripture reminds us that it is appointed unto man once to die and after this the judgment. Dr. R. G. Lee used to preach a very famous sermon “Payday Someday.” The account has to be paid. There is no question that we all sin. What do you do when you realize you have sinned? Keep short accounts with God. He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I am glad my account was settled long ago. The record is clear today for He washed my sins away when the old account was settled long ago.
Today----------------------Thank and Praise the Lord for His amazing grace as He forgives our sins. Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!!
STRENGTH
Many of us are available for prayer requests and they come every day. A grand child goes to the hospital. A brain tumor is found. A mother is diagnosed with breast cancer. A father has stroke. A man is dying with cancer. He has a wife and two teen-agers who will have to get along without him.
Then there are those with financial problems, very often brought on by their own carelessness in over spending. They are asking for prayer that God will solve their problems and provide money to pay their debts..
What do we do? Where can we find the strength to keep going? There is an answer if we really want it. Are we willing to completely trust the Lord? Do we “really” believe that God can handle the situation? Can we “let go” and “let God?” The way out is – “Trust and Obey.”
Let God’s Word speak to you. Get the Word into your thinking. Meditate on it day and night. Then put it into action. Believe the Word. Act on it.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10).
“The Lord is good, A refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him. (Nahum 1:7)
There are many more Scriptures that assure us of God’s love, care, and strength for us. But they only help us when we trust and obey.
Today-------------------------out loud and on purpose thank and praise the Lord that the joy of the Lord is our strength. We can trust God completely and absolutely. Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!
VOLUNTEERS
I see and hear many things on TV and radio that are said by religious leaders. It seems there is one theme running through their message. It is that in this day people are needed to stand for their faith. Let the world know you are not ashamed to be known as a Christian. We are urged to support our church with our presence, prayers and finances.
It is not politically correct in America to be too public about your relationship to God. Where do you stand? Does your family and others around you know that you are serving the Lord? Our military is composed of men and women who volunteer to serve their country. Likewise, The army of God is composed of volunteers.
W. S. Brown issues a call for volunteers for Jesus in this song he wrote.
AS A VOLUNTEER
A call for loyal soldiers Comes to one and all; Soldiers for the conflict, Will you heed the call! Will you answer quickly, With a ready cheer, Will you be enlisted As a volunteer?
Yes, Jesus calls for soldiers Who are filled with pow’r, Soldiers who will serve Him Ever’y day and hour; He will not forsake you, He is ever near; Will you be enlisted as a volunteer?
He calls for you, for He loves you With a heart most kind, He whose heart was broken, Broken for mankind; Now, just now He calls you, Calls in accents clear, Will you be enlisted as a volunteer?
And when the war is over, And the vict’ry won, When the true and faithful Gather one by one, He will crown with glory, All who there appear; Will you be enlisted as a volunteer?
Chorus,
A volunteer for Jesus, A soldier true! Others have enlisted, Why not you? Jesus is the Captain, We will never fear; Will you be enlisted as a volunteer?
Today------------------------out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for the opportunity, the privilege, the honor of being a volunteer for Jesus. Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!
SOMEONE PRAYED
Sunday is usually a bright, joyous and uplifting day for most of us as we worship our God. While thousands go to their churches to worship, others of us remain at home for various reasons. We worship God at home by singing the praises of God, reading the Word of God and praying.
This sin-cursed world we live in breaks into our worship and rejoicing with the hard reality that there are those who are hurting physically, emotionally and spiritually. My e-mail is filled with requests that I pray for the needs presented. I am grateful that people trust me to pray for their requests. I do pray for each request that is made.
David Harris has written a poem that I came across recently that I feel will speak to our hearts and our needs today.
SOMEONE PRAYED FOR ME
My spirit was almost broken,
Misery was all I could see.
But somehow I was encouraged
Because today someone prayed for me.
The problems I faced seemed like mountains,
Or at least a pounding sea.
I could easily have been destroyed by them,
But today someone prayed for me.
I even contemplated death
As an escape from my misery.
But instead I chose to carry on,
Because today someone prayed for me.
Someone prayed for me today,
Giving me the strength to see it through.
I may never know who it was,
But perhaps it was you.
You may feel your prayers are wasted,
The results you may not see.
But my life is now much richer,
Because today someone prayed for me.
Today--------------------out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for those people in our lives who pray for us and for others. Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!
NONE RIGHTEOUS
There is a tendency among people to see ourselves as being good because we engage in activities that give the appearance of being good. We give food to the food banks to feed the poor. We support the United Way. We rush to disaster areas to help people whose homes have been destroyed or damaged. We go to church every Sunday. We are generous in our giving. On the outside we are looking good.
What about what’s on the inside, what’s in our minds and heart? Think about it this way. Suppose there is a huge screen – like the one in Times Square – where news is shown continuously. Would you want the things that keep running through your mind to be put on the screen for all to see? If your inmost thoughts are always pure – PTL. I don’t think many of us are ready for the world to see all that goes on in our innermost being. Why not? Because the heart is deceitful. Because it is true that we all sin.
I read a prayer that seems to me would be a good way to start every day.
Dear Lord, I thank you for this day. I thank you I am able to see and hear this morning. I’m blessed because you are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and you keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you. I ask now for your forgiveness. Amen.
Today-----------------------out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise God that He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Because of this we can have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!
WORSHIP
All of my life I have thought that worship had to take place in church, especially in the Sunday morning service. It was very structured and orderly, usually following the same procedure in every service. Sunday evenings were less formal and more spontaneous. Sunday was a day of worship and the church was the place to worship.
I have since discovered that one does not have to be in church to worship. I’ve found that I can worship at home, in the car or wherever I am. After all, God lives in me and where I am He is! Therefore, I can praise and worship God everyday. This does not, however, relieve me of the responsibility of assembling with fellow believers on a regular basis.
Isaac Watts has given us an elaborate praise song based on Psalm 103:1-5. Read this Psalm. Let it get into your mind as you recount the blessings of God.
O BLESS THE LORD, MY SOUL
O bless the Lord, my soul! His grace to Thee proclaim!
And all that is within me join to bless his holy name!
O bless the Lord, my soul! His mercies bear in mind!
Forget not all his benefits! The Lord to thee is kind.
He will not always chide; he will with patience wait;
His wrath is ever slow to rise and ready to abate.
He pardons all they sins, prolongs thy feeble breath;
He healeth thine infirmities and ransoms thee from death.
He clothes thee with his love, upholds thee with his truth;
And like the eagle he renews the vigor of thy youth.
Then, bless his holy name, whose grace hath made thee whole,
Whose loving-kindness crowns thy days; O bless the Lord, my soul!
Today---------------------------out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord that He is the true source of joy. Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!