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

**********

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

**********

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

**********

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

**********

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”.