Friday, September 30, 2016

Unsurpassed Glory

Paul was blinded on the road to Damascus, but it
was only the evidence of his spiritual blindness.
Both were addressed when Ananias prayed for him.

...the Lord Jesus...has sent me that you
may receive your sight... (Acts 9:17)

'Paul never again allowed anything to attract and 
hold the attention of his mind and soul except the
face of Jesus Christ. We must learn to maintain a
strong degree of character in our lives, even to 
the level that has been revealed in our vision of
Jesus Christ.' (OC)

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Hypocrisy in Ourselves

How easy it is to pray in your prayer closet and find
yourself listing the faults of another. Ouch! It even
happens when praying with others. :)

'If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin...
he will ask and He will give him life...'
            1John 5:16

'God cannot convey His mind to us regarding the
person for whom we intercede unless we are so
closely identified with Him that we are 
awakened to His viewpoint concerning the people 
for whom we pray. May we learn to intercede so 
wholeheartedly that Jesus Christ will be 
completely and overwhelmingly satisfied with 
us as intercessors.' (OC)

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Hardness?

I wonder if we lose sight of God and our heart's get
hard, or whether we don't understand how important
it is to stay connected to Him through worship.

"...worship God." Revelation 19:10
" God is spirit, and those who worship him must 
worship in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24)

Oswald Chambers says:
'Are we worshiping God in a way that will raise us
up to where we can take hold of Him, having such
intimate contact with Him that we know His mind
about the ones for whom we pray?'

Reader, true worship brings softness towards others.
When we fail to give glory and praise mixed with
thanksgiving to God, we get hard inside. It is so
easy to become self-centered in our prayer life and
to pray without power or understanding.

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

She Laughed

I am reminded of the story of a woman who was
imprisoned in an Asian country because someone
she trusted had planted drugs in her luggage. She
was facing life in prison or death. Her fellow
prisoners were surprised at her peace. How did
they know she was truly at peace? She laughed in
her sleep!

'In this you rejoice, though now for a little season 
which, if necessary, you have been grieved by 
various trials, so that the genuiness of your faith--
more precious than gold that perishes...may be 
found to result in praise and glory and honor at 
the revelation of Jesus Christ.'
(1 Peter 1:6, 7)

Trials of all kinds? Rejoice? Really? Actually, the
definition for rejoice is stronger than the word, 'joy.'
It means to 'jump for joy, be exceeding glad, to 
abound in mirth.'

Why would we as Christians be able to rejoice in
our circumstances? Verse seven tells us that 'these
trials will result in praise and glory and honor at
the revelation of Christ.'

Reader, Faith is the key. Faith that our terrible trials
on earth will not result in nothing; but, even if the
'nothing' does not change on earth, we can count on
the fact that trials, our trials, will result in 'praise 
and glory and honer at His coming.

What happened to the prisoner? A lawyer came over
from the states and represented her at the trial. It
was not a short process but she was acquitted in the
end.

Monday, September 26, 2016

Patient Endurance

I decided to look up 'patience' in Strongs out of Rev 3:10.
(5281, see 5278) It states, 'delight in.' I sat there in shock.
I checked out the numbers again and then called Glen.
'How can I write a blog when patience is coming up as
'delight, splendor, grace and beauty?' Glen checked it out
and suggested I check out the Greek instead of the
Hebrew...

Patience: 'to remain, undergo, bear, have fortitude, endure,
suffer, perseverance.'  (out of 5281 from 5278 in Greek)

Jesus says this to the angel of the Church of Philadelphia:
'Because you have kept my word of patient endurance,
will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the 
whole world, to try those who dwell on earth. 
I am coming soon.' (Revelation 3:10)

What is important enough to God that He would deliver
us from the tribulation before it even starts? It is to walk
through life--its trials, wrong decisions and failures; right
decisions and failures; loss, grief, drudgery, (especially
drudgery)--with patient endurance.

In Galatians 5:22 we read: The fruit of the spirit is love,
joy, peace, patience... I am intrigued by the fact that joy,
peace, patience are so closely related. Friday's blog
discusses how joy comes from deep within. (The word
happiness is not even mentioned in scripture.) Jesus
gives peace, unlike the world. If we are girded by joy
and peace we can walk through life with 'patient
endurance.' It helps to know that Jesus is all the fruits.
He dwells within every believer through the Holy Spirit.
He wants us to live our lives out from His Life.

Reader, I asked God if I am repeating blogs because I
can't remember what I've written! He let me know that
He's got it covered. Many times I come to the computer
empty--then He fills me up.



Friday, September 23, 2016

Abundant Joy

We as humans tend to place joy with happy events, when,
in fact, joy is something that runs deep. Happiness rides
on the surface and is subject to change. Joy comes out of
a faith that believes God loves me, will always love me,
that He is for me, and works everything to my good.

Oswald Chambers speaks of the overwhelming waves
that are a thrill to the surfer:

'Huge waves that would frighten an ordinary swimmer pro-
duce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden them. 
Let's apply that to our own circumstances. The things we 
try to avoid and fight against--tribulation, suffering, and 
persecution--are the very things that produce abundant joy 
in us.'

'In all these things we are more than conquerors through
Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death,
nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor 
things present, nor things to come, nor height nor depth,
nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from 
the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.'
(Romans 8:37-39)



Thursday, September 22, 2016

Signs and Seasons

Don't you love it when God continues to deepen your
understanding of a subject! I came across some info last
evening that has enhanced the post I did yesterday and
I want to share it with you.

"Let there lights in the expanse of the heavens to 
separate the day from the night. And let them be for 
signs and for seasons and for days and years." 
(Genesis 1:14)

When I read the word, 'signs,' I think 'information.'
When I read the word, seasons, I naturally think of the
four seasons of the year. But what does the Hebrew
mean?

Signs is the word for 'signal' in Hebrew. The Bethlehem
Sign was a signal to the Wise Men that a King had been
born in Israel.

Seasons--MOED, means festival, divine appointments.

All of the Jewish festivals are centered around the moon.
The spring feasts are related to the full moon but in the
fall, the New Years Festival, Rosh Hashanah, is centered
around the New Moon. What is so interesting about this
festival is that it is considered one day over a two day
period. It centers around a moon that is hidden, In ancient
times--before technology--two priests watched for the
sliver of the moon to rise and then the feast could begin.
It ushered in the New Year.

Here are some other names of the New Years Festival:
The Day of Concealment
The Day of Judgement
The Day of Blowing
The Day of the Awakening Blast
The Opening of the Gates
The Wedding Day
The Coronation of Messiah
The Feast Where No One Knows the Day or the Hour

Reader, I mention this feast in particular, because,
according to the Rabbinical calendar, this feast begins
on October 2nd this year, and because it is the season
to be especially watchful for the coming of our Lord.

I find two verses in Isaiah 26 to be very interesting:

'Come my people, enter your chambers,
   and shut your doors behind you:
hide yourselves for a little while
   until the fury has passed by.
For behold, the Lord is coming out from 
   his place
  to punish the inhabitants of the earth
   for their iniquity...'

Maranatha--Come Lord Jesus










Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Signs in the Heavens

Since our trip with all the 'signs' we encountered--some
understood, some not; some ignored to our peril--I have
been thinking about 'signs' in the Bible. The first mention
of the word 'signs' is in the first chapter of Genesis:

'And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the 
heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be 
for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years...and 
it was so.' Genesis 1:14

God named the stars and the constellations. Abraham was
familiar with the heavens and so was Job who lived in the
same time period.

'Can you bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose 
the bands of Orion? Can you bring forth Mazzaroth in 
his season? or can you guide Arcturus with his sons?' 
Job 38:31,32

Daniel came to Babylon and became the chief Astronomer.
He not only studied from the Babylon point of view but
from scripture and the Jewish understanding of the heavens.
Don't you think that the Wise Men some centuries later had
copies of the Book of Daniel and all of his notes from
earlier? They were watching the heavens for the sign of
the birth of the Jewish King. They came to an ignorant
Jerusalem to inquire about the birth of their King.

The ancient nations took what God named and renamed
the stars and the constellations. Why? Because the heavens
God created lay out the story of Redemption and it gives
clues to prophetic events still to come.

Reader, we have so many lights at night that we can hardly
find the story even if we knew to look. We have calendars
and clocks, what more can we want? Chuck Missler has
done an excellent job of unpacking the heavens from God's
point of view. The word, mazzaroth, is the Hebrew word
for the zodiac.

I discovered how important it is to be able to read and
understand the signs on the highway. Is it not more
important to understand the story God has placed above
us? You can download the story. You will be amazed!

http://www.khouse.org/articles/2014/1193/ 

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Perserverance

...in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses.
                            2 Corinthians 6:4

'The thing that really testifies for God and for the people
of God in the long run is steady perseverance, even 
when the work cannot be seen by others. And the only
way to live an undefeated life is to live looking unto
God.'  (OC)

Reader, the desire to be seen and to receive affirmation
is so strong in all of us. Don't you think that Paul found
this unmet need to be a problem as he established the
small churches in each place? He was very careful in
every letter to give each church genuine praise and
encouragement. He seemed to know that their drudgery
as slaves--for many of them were-- was a very hidden
part of their lives.

Ask God to keep your eyes open to
the risen Christ who lives within you!

Monday, September 19, 2016

Darkness Turns to Light

We do not know what we ought to pray for.
            Romans 8:26

I prayed for strength, and then I lost awhile
   All sense of nearness, human and divine;
The love I leaned on failed and pierced my heart,
   The hands I clung to loosed themselves from mine;
But while I swayed, weak, trembling, and alone,
The everlasting arms upheld my own.  

I prayed for light, the sun went down in clouds,
   The moon was darkened by a misty doubt,
The stars of heaven were dimmed by earthly fears,
   And all my little candle flames burned out;
But while I sat in shadow, wrapped in night,
The face of Christ made all the darkness bright.

I prayed for peace, and dreamed of restful ease,
   A slumber free from pain, a hushed repose;
Above my head the skies were black with storm,
   And fingers grew the onslaught of my foes;
But while the battle raged, and wild winds blew,
I heard His voice and perfect peace I knew.

I thank You, Lord, You were too wise to heed
   My feeble prayers, and unsure as I sought,
Since these reach gifts Your bounty has bestowed
   Have brought me more than all I asked or thought;
Giver of good, so answer each request
With Your own giving, better than my best.
Annie Johnson Flint

Reader, The way to peace is to realize that every trial
is traced upon our lives by the One who loves us best.




Friday, September 16, 2016

Our Trip

"I trust in you, O Lord;
I say, 'you are my God.'
My times are in your hands."  
Psalm 31:14 

We celebrated our 46th wedding anniversary by exploring
the Oregon coast. The weather was perfect making the
ocean sparkle. The beaches and rocky cliffs are unlike the
beaches on the east coast and it is generally on the cool,
windy side all summer. Before we left on the trip we
noticed an odd noise that seemed to come from the back of
the car. We had it checked out earlier, bought two new tire
rims and four new tires. However, as we traveled over the
mountains, the noise seemed to increase. The day before we
were to leave the area and travel back, we saw a Toyota sign
and pulled in. The diagnosis: A bearing was going bad. Yes,
they could get the part and fix it the next day, and, no, we
couldn't drive the car back to our hotel, and, no, there were
no car rentals available, but before fear set in, one of the
rental cars was returned giving us the transport we needed.
When we picked up the car the next day we were told that
the bearing was indeed at the end of its life. I asked what
would happen on the road if the bearing failed and was told
it could be quite ugly!

The trip home proved to be an adventure. We saw the sign--
bridge out, detour--but we went on expecting to see more
information. Way down the road we got it: 'Bridge out.
No alternative.' We were not the only ones who did not
understand the meaning of the first sign! The western part
of the country is not like the east where a bridge out might
mean a 20 mile detour. We backtracked, found a restaurant
where a patron directed us to several backroads that
eventually led to the route that would take us to Bend. By
the time we arrived in Bend, the sun was beginning to go
down and the last four hours we traveled through and
over mountains with many twists and turns--in the dark.
I had no idea that central Oregon was so desolate and so
mountainous. We pulled into our driveway at midnight.

I was grateful to God at the time but as the days have
passed I am in awe of how He directed us to stop NOW.
Had we not seen the sign we probably would not have
tried to find a garage someplace else.

Interesting how the word 'sign' kept coming up on our
trip. That word also comes up frequently in scripture.



Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Look Away from Self

These days that is almost impossible to do!

A few weeks ago we were looking at water, living
water! I found a post by Oswald Chambers that
was written along these lines. If you are thirsty--
dig in!

'Where do You get that living water?'
                John 4:11

Jesus doesn't bring anything up from the wells of
human nature--He brings them down from above.
The well of your incompleteness runs deep, but
make the effort to look away from yourself and
unto Him.

Reader, Chambers is always to the point often in
a simplistic way. But his understanding of God
runs deep. Stay on this awhile.

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

The Deep Love of God

All of us seem to be searching for something permanent--
unconditional, unchanging love.

John nails it.
'In this is love, not that we have loved God
but that he loved us and sent his Son to be 
the propitiation for our sins.' 1 John 4:10)

'Propitiation' is not commonly used today!

Propitious--Disposed to be gracious and merciful; ready
to forgive sins and bestow blessings; applied to God.

Propitiation--The atoning sacrifice offered to God to
assuage his wrath and render Him propitious to sinners.
Christ is the propitiation for the sins of men.
(from the 1828 Webster dictionary)

The Theme for the 1968 Urbana missions conference was
the Deep Love of God. The music of the following hymn
was carried by the men in that huge convention hall. The
message deeply penetrated me. Actually, the men greatly
out numbered the women! The conference is held every
student generation between Christmas and New Years at
the campus in Urbana IL. Many are called to go to the lost
at these conferences. We were, but did not go until after
Glen left the Air Force.

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, Vast, unmeasured, boundless
    free;
Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me.
Underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love;
Leading onward, leading homeward, To my glorious rest 
   above.

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, Spread His praise from shore 
   to shore;
How He liveth, ever liveth, changeth never, never more;
How He watches o'er His loved ones, Died to call them all 
   His own.
How for them He intercedeth, watcheth o'er them from the
    throne.

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, love of every love the best;
'Tis an ocean vast of blessing, 'tis a haven sweet of rest,
O the deep deep love of Jesus, 'tis a heaven of heavens to
   me;
And it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to Thee.








Monday, September 12, 2016

New Post

My post today was put up for Sept 5 instead of
September 12. Please scroll down for
Everlasting Love--
You will be glad you did!!!!

Friday, September 9, 2016

Coming Again

...so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of 
many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but 
to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
Hebrews 9:28

Most are not thinking in these terms. Life continues to be
fairly normal, and, after all, He hasn't come in the past
2,000 years! The verse above speaks of His appearing and
the saving of those who are eagerly waiting for him. What
is He saving us from? I would say that He is coming for
His bride, to rescue her from the coming tribulation. The
Second Coming will be when Jesus comes to deal with
His enemies and to set up His 1,000 year kingdom. And,
yes, Reader, I know that I am in the minority!


Thou Art Coming, O My Savior

Thou art coming, O my Savior, Thou art coming, O my King,
In Thy beauty all resplendent, In Thy glory all transcendent;
Well may we rejoice and sing: Coming in the opening east
Herald brightness slowly swells; Coming, O my glorious 
   priest,
Here we not Thy golden bells?

Thou art coming, Thou art coming; We shall meet Thee on
   Thy way,
We shall see Thee, We shall know Thee, We shall bless Thee 
We shall show Thee, All our hearts could never say:
What an anthem that will be, Ringing our our love to Thee,
Pouring out our rapture sweet At Thine own all glorious
   feet.

Thou art coming; at Thy table we are witnesses for this;
While remembering hearts Thou meetest In communion 
   clearest, sweetest,
Earnest of our coming bliss, Showing not Thy death alone,
And Thy love exceeding great, But Thy coming and Thy 
   throne, 
All for which we long and wait.

O the joy to see Thee reigning, Thee, my own beloved Lord!
Every tongue Thy Name confessing, Worship, honor, glory,
   Blessing
Brought to Thee with glad accord;
Thee my Master and my Friend, Vindicated and enthroned;
Unto earth's remotest end, Glorified, adored and owned. 
Frances R Havergal--1800's

Any moment, dear reader!

Thursday, September 8, 2016

Crown Him!


Our Lord Jesus Christ...the King of kings, 
and Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:14,15)

After the cross comes--RESURRECTION!

Crown Him!

Look, ye saints! The sight is glorious;
See the Man of Sorrows now,
From the fight returned victorious,
   Every knee to Him shall bow:
     Crown Him! Crown Him!
Crowns become the Victor's brow.

Crown the Savior! Angels crown Him!
   Rich the trophies Jesus brings;
In the seat of power enthrone Him,
   While the vault of heaven rings:
     Crown Him! Crown Him!
Crown the Savior King of Kings!

Sinners in derision crowned Him,
   Mocking thus the Savior's claim;
Saints and angels crowd around Him,
   Own His title, praise His name"
     Crown Him! Crown Him!
Spread abroad the Victor's fame.

Hark, those bursts of acclamation!
   Hark, those loud triumphant chords!
Jesus takes the highest station:
   O what joy the sight affords!
     Crown Him! Crown Him!
King of kings, and Lord of lords!
Thomas Kelly

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Teach Me

'...God shows his love for us in that while we were 
still sinners, Christ died for us.' (Romans 5:9)

This one was one that I read over frequently when
I was at the University. I like hymns because they
tell a story.

O, Teach Me What it Meaneth

O, teach me what it meaneth--
   That cross uplifted high,
With One--the Man of Sorrows--
   Condemned to bleed and die!
O, teach me what it cost Thee
   To make a sinner whole, teach me
     The value of a soul!

O, teach me what it meaneth--
   That sacred crimson tide--
The Blood and water flowing,
   Form Thine own wounded side
Teach me that if none other
   Had sinned, but I alone,
Yet still, Thy blood, Lord Jesus,
   Thine only, must atone.

O, teach me what it meaneth--
   Thy love beyond compare,
The love that reacheth deeper
   Than depths of self-despair!
Yea, teach me, till there growth
   in this cold heart of mine
Some feeble, pale reflection
   Of that pure love divine.

O, infinite Redeemer!
   I bring no other plea,
Because Thou dost invite me,
   I cast myself on Thee.
Because Thou dost accept me,
   I love and I adore;
Because Thy love constraineth,
   I'll praise Thee evermore!
Lucy Bennett. 




Monday, September 5, 2016

Everlasting Love

'See what kind of love the Father has given to us,
that we should be called the children of God.
(1 John 3:1)

Today ends our week of hymns from the old
Intervarsity Hymn book. We attended the 1968
Missions Conference with 18,000 students put
on by IVCF each student generation. Glen and
I had not yet met, lived in different parts of the
country. This hymn along with others sounded
forth with 18,000 voices fully engaged!

Loved With Everlasting Love

Loved with everlasting love, 
Led by grace that love to know;
Spirit breathing from above, 
Thou hast taught me it is so!
O this full and perfect peace! 
O this transport all divine!
In a love which cannot cease, 
I am His and He is mine.

Heav'n above is softer blue, 
earth around is sweeter green!
Something lives in every hue 
Christless eyes have never seen:
Birds with gladder songs o'er-flow, 
Flowers with deeper beauties shine,
Since I know as now I know, 
I am His and He is mine.

His forever only His; 
Who the Lord and me shall part?
Ah, with what a rest of bliss, 
Christ can fill the loving heart.
Heav'n and earth may fade and flee, 
First born light in gloom decline;
But while God and I shall be, 
I am His and He is mine.
Wade Robinson

A Very Special Day

'We love because he first loved us.' (1 John 4:19)

Forty six years ago, Glen and I pledged to stay together until
'death do us part.' I will post some of the hymns that we sang
when we were in college and were part of IVCF
(Intervarsity Christian Fellowship.) I attended  CU in Boulder.
(University of Colorado); Glen was at Columbia University in
NYC, and God brought us together! We love these old hymns
because each one tells a story. The one below was sung at
our wedding.

I Am the Lord's! O Joy Beyond Expression

They are the Lord's! O joy beyond expression,
O sweet response to voice of love Divine;
Faith's joyous "yes" to the assuring whisper,
"Fear not I have redeemed thee, thou art mine."

They are the Lord's! It is the glad confession,
where-with the Bride recalls the happy day.
When love's "I will" accepted Him forever,
"The Lord's, to love, to honor, and obey."

They are the Lord's! Yet teach them all it
          meaneth,
All it involves of love and loyalty,
Of holy service, absolute surrender,
And unreserved obedience unto Thee.

They are the Lord's! Yes, body soul, and spirit,
O seal them irrecoverably Thine;
As Thou, Beloved, in Thy grace and fullness,
Forever and forever more art mine.
Lucy A Bennett

Love you Honey! Happy Anniversary!

Friday, September 2, 2016

The Giver

'If any man thirst, let him come to me and drink. He that 
believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of him 
shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake he of the 
Spirit, which they that believed on him were to receive: 
for the Spirit was not yet given; because Jesus was not 
yet glorified.' (John 7:37-39

Here we find out who is the Giver of the flow of such
refreshment and life. An old saint by the name of
T Austin-Sparks says this about God's intention for
His people:

'God's intention is that the Holy Spirit should be as
'rivers of living water.' That is the mind of God. 
Anything other than that is either short of, or contrary
to, the mind of God. In a certain sense, the whole Bible 
is gathered into this: God's thought and God's mind is 
that which is meant by rivers of living water. That is, 
what we may call the 'givingness' of God. God is set 
forth as one who desires to give, whose inclination is 
to give, and to give abundantly. That is the simple, 
basic fact about God, to be taken hold of by faith.'

Reader, I have but touched the surface of the awesome
abundance we have in God. His very nature is that of
a giver. He gave His only Son as a love offering on our
behalf. He gives to us His Holy Spirit that we may be
filled with God, His thought and mind.
'We have the mind of Christ.' (1 Corinthians 2:16)
What a God we serve!


Thursday, September 1, 2016

Rivers of Living Water

'Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus 
stood and cried saying, 'If any man thirsts, let him 
come to me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as 
the scripture hath said, out of him shall flow rivers 
of living water. But this spake he of the Spirit, which
they that believed on him were to receive: for the
Spirit was not yet given; because Jesus was not yet
glorified.'

'... He that believeth on me...out of him shall flow 
rivers of living water.'

This promise is to those who put their trust in Him.
So, what is the promise? That out of each individual
Christian living water shall flow. Thirst-- then the
coming to and believing in--, is followed by a river!

'Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty
again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will
give him will never be thirsty again. The water 
that I will give him will become in him a spring 
of water welling up to eternal life. Jn 4:14

Reader, our God is a God of abundance. He is not
speaking of a little stream, but a torrent. Our lives
are not to be lived under law, but immersed in the
Living Water that flows from within to those around
us, which brings cool refreshment to those who live
in a parched place. It is supposed to be the norm,
but so many believers are living a very dry life.

I love this song:
There's a river of life flowing out of me.
Makes the lame to walk and the blind to see.
Opens prison doors sets the captives free!
There's a river of life flowing out of me.

Spring up O well, within my soul...