Before His Presence

 

Before His Presence

 

He asked us to come

Opening wide the door

All we must do is enter in

Then things will not be as before

 

Nothing between—

The Gate is no longer closed

Love’s Sacrifice paid the price

The Father’s heart disclosed

 

Enter with thanksgiving

Praise God for all His ways

Serve the LORD with gladness

Humbly voice His praise

 

For His Presence will not leave us

Nor forsake us

For ever

 

**********

 

Psalms 100:4-5

 

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

 

The Promise for a Broken Nation

 

Anyone who had paid attention

Knew what the motto declared

They were one nation under God

His fingerprints were everywhere

 

 

“In God we trust”

A simple humble phrase

Yet so forgotten

In these latter days

 

A Nation marred in the hands of the Potter

 

But that is the hope!

The Potter still holds the clay

His work was not finished

He can still make a way

 

Look to God

Forsake the sin

Humbly pray

He will work again

 

“…so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.”

 

A Promise for a broken Nation—if we will have it

Jeremiah 18:1-12

Seeking the Showers

 

Seeking the Showers

 

They were seeking the showers of blessing

But they looked at the wrong end of the hose

They waved it around with excitement

But nothing refreshed all their souls

 

But one man looked up unto Heaven

He caused them to God’s Word draw near

For only by Truth comes right feelings

He knew that they needed to hear

 

Don’t let your life get out of order

Emotions shouldn’t rule what you do

Let God’s Word show the facts—and how you should act

Then the showers of blessing pour through

 

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I Kings 18:20-46

 

               Feelings are not a bad thing—God gave them to us so that we could enjoy the Truth. When we discover the facts, it causes or reveals emotion. Notice the joy of the Psalmist in Psalms 145! The problem today is that many people get it backwards. They think that if they discover their feelings, it causes or reveals the facts.

 

               Another thought along this line…if we let our emotions be based in facts, we should not be critical of emotional decisions because the facts are behind the emotions. Faith in the facts cause us to be moved to grief over sin, burden for sinners, and a host of other things. Facts and feelings can work together to get God’s people moving. (2 Corinthians 5:11)

Thinking with Yourself

 

Thinking with Yourself

 

It is so easy to listen to that little voice

Way down deep inside

The one that says “Take the easy road

It makes a smoother ride”

 

But another Voice is clearly heard—

The One we should really heed

The words that whisper “Take up the Cross”

Let this be our daily creed

 

So when trials come—and they often do

Don’t think thoughts just of you

Fellowship in the suffering of Christ

His grace will see you through

 

**********

 

It All Depends on God!

Esther 4:13-17, Luke 11:2-10

 

1.      Thy Name—there is no other way to come to the Throne of Grace except through the Name of Jesus—worshiping together

2.      Thy Kingdom—yielding to God’s control in every area. This is letting the Word of God dwell in us richly in all wisdom—walking together

3.      Thy Will—putting down our own desires and thoughts and picking up what God wants for us—working together

4.      Thy Gifts—daily bread. Strength to do right

5.      Thy Forgiveness—healing and cleansing when we do wrong

6.      Thy Leading—Away from the temptation to listen to self. Just say No!

7.      Thy Delivering—We should not want to be part of anything that would hurt the cause of Christ.

Talking to Myself

Talking to Myself

Sometimes I start to whisper

To myself of things I know

Of truths found in the Bible

Like Jesus loves me so

This helps me to remember

And not to sit and mope

It turns my gaze on Jesus

For in Him is all my hope

I tell myself “God covers thee

Under Almighty wings

Surely He delivers thee

Sweet joy and peace He brings”

Then faith begins to strengthen

Love sets my heart aglow

Because I hear the Saviour

His voice these words echo

“My child, do not be afraid

Of problems down below

My angels will watch over you

My salvation I will show”

“Call upon me at any time

I listen for thy cry

Speak my Name in humble prayer

Your needs I satisfy”

Today I am telling myself the truth

Not heeding Satan’s lies

For Jesus is near—My Present Help

To my trust His voice replies

**********

Based on Psalm 91

               In the beginning of the chapter the Psalmist says, “I will say of the LORD…”. By the end of the chapter, the LORD, Himself, was talking to the Psalmist. Sometimes we speak lies to ourselves—this is giving place to the Devil and causing doubt and fear. Learn to speak God’s Word to yourself like the Psalmist! God’s Word produces faith and love. Notice that God didn’t take the trouble away until first He was with us in trouble. Do we call upon Him? He promises to answer—to deliver--to honour--to satisfy!

Pray Some More

Pray Some More

The gift had not been given—

God had withheld the desire of her heart

Not because it wasn’t good

But to draw her to Himself—apart

She only wanted to do God’s will

She prayed to the Lord and wept sore

She knew she needed His Presence

More now than ever before

And when you have prayed your heart out

Even when it seems a chore

Look to the Father—trust in His love

Then kneel to pray some more

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1 Samuel 1:9-17

So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD. 

And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. 

And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. 

And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth. 

Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. 

And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. 

And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. 

Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto. 

Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him. 

Spring

Spring

The snowflakes were playing a game--

Racing across the expanse of my back yard

While the daffodils waved merrily

Cheering them on from the stands

And the trees nodded silently

Saving their strength

Waiting until just the right moment

To shower the pollen confetti

The referees blew their whistles—

The cardinal from the tall birch

The blue jays and chickadees

Sounding the two-minute warning

And me?

I’m just sipping my coffee

Announcing the game

Enjoying Spring

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Gen 8:20-22

And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. 

And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. 

While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. 

The seasons are proof of the promises from God—enjoy all of them!

If Need Be

If Need Be

We love to claim the promise

 God will supply our need

He hears and sees our problems--

Our greatest thought exceeds

He loves His little children—

His great love He displays

Keeping by His Power

Guiding in His Ways

But sometimes there are moments

Through which He works to teach

Trials come to test our faith--

To prove our deeds and speech

These times are as important

Though we may not know the reason

Rejoice—Our God is always God

But sufferings are for a season

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1 Peter 1:5-9

Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 

Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 

Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 

Sometimes we need suffering (I Peter 1)

1.      It reminds us that we are saved and Heaven is our home.

2.      It reveals our faith to others causing praise, honour, and glory to our Saviour

3.      It renews love and devotion as we see our Father’s care

4.      It rebukes our lack of holiness and causes us to fear and obey God

5.      It radiates the love of God and causes us to understand and help others in the suffering

6.      It rests us in God’s Word causing new strength for future seasons of suffering

First to Mary

First to Mary

It wasn’t to the Pharisees

And not the temple Priest

First He went to Mary

The least of all the least

Before He went to Heaven

To rest by Mercy’s seat

He longed to show a sinner

Salvation was complete

So if you’re seeking in the garden

Needing a Saviour to care

Look up by faith to see Him—

Christ is risen and He will be there

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Mark 16:9 

Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene,

out of whom he had cast seven devils. 

Still

Still

The Lamp was lit

A warm glow entered

Cheering the dark place

Revealing Thy Presence

The Oil supply was always there

Never running low

I only needed to come—

Come humbly to ask

The continual need is met

By the constant flame

I rest me in its light--

Still

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Romans 5:5

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Psalm 139:17-18

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

John 3:16-21

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 

For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 

But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. 

Through the Valley

Through the Valley

The Valley was shadowed in death

But the voice of the Shepherd was clear

Follow me

Then we saw the comfort in sorrow

The rod and staff lay across His back

We fear not

Beside still waters—

Even here He brings peace

We will trust

The enemy is fierce

But cannot overcome Our Fortress

We hide in God’s Name

The Promise is certain

Goodness and Mercy are near

We rejoice in His Presence

Walking Through the Valley

Hold Him Fast

Hold Him Fast

Grab hold—

This is your life!

There is nowhere safe

Except with Him

Don’t let go--

Distractions abound

Weakening the weary

But God is our Help

Look up!

See His wounds

 His hands and His feet--

He knows your pain

His strength is sufficient!

And you will find--

While you cling to Him--

He is lifting you

**********

Job 5:8-11

I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause: 

Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number: 

Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields: 

To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety. 

Isa 40:10-11, 28-31 

Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. 

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. 

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. 

He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 

Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. 

Philippians 4:13 

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 

The Strong Tower

The Strong Tower

A song of praise

In troubled days

To Whom we kneel

Our hearts reveal

A restful peace

From fear release

A constant Friend

His flock attends

Through wind and rain

Through blackest pain

With this one shout

We conquer doubt—

Blessed be the Name of the LORD!

**********

Proverbs 18:10 

The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. 

Job 1:20-21

Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, 

And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. 

                        Job did not say “Blessed be the name of the LORD” only when things were going well—this was his Rock when everything had fallen apart. In your worst day the shout of your soul should still be “Blessed be the Name of the LORD”! Run to this Name—learn it well—sing the hymn “Blessed be the Name of the LORD”.

What's in a Name?

What’s in a Name?

When you are introduced to someone, one of the first things you are told is their name. A name is a word or phrase by which a person is known. It expresses some quality considered characteristic or descriptive of a person. As you get to know a person better, you learn to associate their personality and character to their name.

The Bible places great emphasis on God’s name:

Acts 4:12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

What is God’s Name and why is it so important to us? Although God has many names, there are three that give us a clear view of His Character.

The first name is LORD.

Psalms 9:7  But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.

“Lord”  is God’s name that speaks to His authority. He is the one who made the rules—and every person has broken them. We stand guilty before the Judge and the sentence is death and hell.

           Romans 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Revelation 21:8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

The next name is Jesus.

Matthew 1:21  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

“Jesus” is the name that speaks God’s love. God does not want anyone to be a slave to sin and its consequences. He wants to save us from our sins. Jesus left Heaven, to become flesh and dwell among us. He was crucified—shedding His holy blood which is the only acceptable payment for our sin. He took our death.. But He did not stay dead! After three days in a tomb, He arose and is providing mercy for us in Heaven.

Romans 5:8-9  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

His last name is Christ.

Luke 2:11  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

“Christ” is the name that speaks God’s Promise. In the Old Testament, they were to be looking forward to the Promise, in the New Testament, we look back to the Promise. When man sinned, God promised that He would provide a sacrifice to care for the sin problem. The Cross of Christ was necessary in order for God to keep that promise.

Do you realize that you are a sinner and stand guilty before the Lord?

Do you realize that Jesus shed his blood—a high cost—to pay the price to save you from your sin?

Do you want to trust Christ--the Promise that God gives to those who place their faith in him?

Romans 10:9-10 and 13  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation...For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Ask God to save you today. Acknowledge your guilt before Him and turn to Him for cleansing from your sin. Acknowledge that there is no way to save yourself in any other name except Jesus—He who shed His blood for you. Realize that religion, good works, or a church’s name will not help you. Trust Christ alone. Receive by faith God’s Promise of life in Christ today.

John 1:12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

If you have trusted in these names of God, you can speak in songs with the Psalmist:

Psalms 103:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.