Many of you may know by now that I absolutely LOVE children’s choruses.  How many of you remember the chorus “This little light of mine” that children sing with enthusiasm and motions?

This little light of mine

I’m going to let it shine.

This little light of mine

I’m going to let it shine.

Let it shine – let it shine – let it shine!

 

In the Old Testament God said, “KEEP LAMPS BURNING ALWAYS.”  God seems to have the Old Testament set the pattern for the new.  When we look at verses like this, God’s instruction to His people in the New seems to make more sense.

“Order the people of Israel to bring you pure oil from crushed olives for the light, to keep lamps burning always.”  Lev. 24:2

 

In the New Testament God says:  “LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE.”  He wants us to allow His Glory to shine through our lives so others will be drawn to Him.

“In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they may see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16

 

Saying Grace in a Restaurant

Author Unknown

Last week, I took my children to a restaurant.  My six-year-old son asked if he could say grace.

As we bowed our heads he said, “God is good, God is great.  Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert.  And Liberty and justice for all!  Amen!” 

Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby, I heard a woman remark, “That’s what’s wrong with this country. Kids today don’t even know how to pray. Asking God for ice cream! Why, I never!” 

Hearing this, my son burst into tears and asked me, “Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?”  As I held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job, and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table.

He winked at my son and said, “I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer.”  “Really?” my son asked.

“Cross my heart,” the man replied.

Then, in a theatrical whisper, he added (indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing), “Too bad she never asks God for ice cream.  A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes.”  Naturally, I bought my kids ice cream at the end of the meal.  My son stared at his for a moment, and then did something I will remember the rest of my life.  He picked up his sundae and, without a word, walked over and placed it in front of the woman.

With a big smile he told her, “Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes; and my soul is good already.”
                                                                                                                                                                         Endquote

            My dad, Charlie Grier, was passing out tracts on a street corner in downtown Minneapolis in the early 70’s.  He had written and printed the tracts and was the only one passing them out.  He got a call in the middle of the night from a man who had taken a tract from him.  It was 2:30 or 3:00 am and he was getting ready to shoot himself because life wasn’t worth living.  He saw this tract dad had given him and decided that he would read it first and then shoot himself.  When he finished reading it, he called dad and dad talked with him in the wee hours of the morning and led him to the Lord.  He asked dad to baptize him which he was glad to do.  A couple weeks later they met for the first time and he exclaimed, “You’re not the man I met.  That man had a long white beard.”  He had seen Jesus shining right through him.

Another time Ken and Dad and I were passing out tracts down on that Minneapolis corner and there was a fourth person across the street.  An African American lady was passing out tracts and when we were done and getting ready to leave she crossed the street and had to meet dad.  She said she could see the light of Jesus shining right through him and she just had to meet him.  I wonder if anyone sees Jesus shining through our lives.  If we let him, He will!

DEAR LOVED ONES:

By Carolyn Pfaff Greene

When I spoke of going home tomorrow

I know what you thought I meant;

I could not tell you then, I knew

My life on earth was spent.

I could not bear to say good-bye

And thus my secret tell;

To do so would have hurt too much,

I loved you all too well.

I wanted to ask your forgiveness

For all I have failed to do,

And to tell you I’ll be waiting . . .

. . . In Heaven for all of you.

I’m going Home in the morning,

And because God answered my prayer,

I shall not fear the journey

Through the valley that takes me there.

The shadow of death is dispelled by the Light

That shines upon the way;

Though now night shadows lengthen

And close upon the day.

I follow the Light of the Lantern,

My Shepherd carries ahead;

I’m going Home in the morning.

Let no one say “she’s dead.”

 

No matter what happens in life, Jesus said He is the Light.  We have Him to light the path for our feet and to bring joy into our lives.  He will shine through us to touch others around us if we let Him.  He tells us to “let your light shine.”  It brings joy and makes life worth living.

 

Don’t you just LOVE Spring?  The beautiful flowers delight the eyes and heart!  I’ve had gifts of flowers twice now!  What a joy!  When we celebrate Easter, we know spring is just around the corner.  I am continually amazed at the details of creation.  What beauty and intricate color and variety we discover whenever we look at what God has made.

“How can one help shivering with delight when one’s hot fingers close around

The stem of a live flower, cool from the shade and stiff with newborn vigor?”  — Colette

 

EASTER PRAYER

By Ruth W. Stevens

We thank Thee, God, for spring, when earth turns green

And ice-freed streams play tinkling tunes.  The chill

Wind blows no more, so blossoms bud.  Between

Sun-stenciled leaves, the first shy warblers trill.

We thank Thee, God, for light and soft warm air;

For daffodils whose golden shine adorns

The tufted grass; for woods where hilltops wear

Blue violets for crowns instead of thorns.

We thank Thee, God, for life.  Now spring is here –

Revive in us fresh understanding, give

New wisdom for the tasks ahead, melt fear

With love – You gave Your Son that we might live.

Dear God, as spring and life return again,

Accept the thanks of grateful hearts.  Amen.

-Ideals Easter –Vol. 59 No. 1, P55

Last Sunday we celebrated Jesus’ Resurrection from the dead!  When Jesus arose from the dead, the bible says that He not only defeated Satan but He made an open display of his defeat for all to see.  Because Jesus lives, we can experience eternal life with Him in Glory when we die!  What an Awesome God we serve!

 

SINCE YESTERDAY

By Martha Snell Nicholson

Along the golden streets

A stranger walks tonight

With wonder in his heart –

Faith blossomed into sight.

He walks and stops and stares,

And walks and stares again.

Vistas of loveliness

Beyond the dreams of men.

He who once was weak,

And often shackled to a bed,

Now climbs eternal hills

With light and easy tread.

He has escaped at last

The cruel clutch of pain;

His lips shall never taste

Her bitter cup again.

O never call him dead,

This buoyant one and free,

Whose daily portion is

Delight and ecstasy!

He bows in speechless joy

Before the feet of Him

Whom, seeing not, he love

While yet his sight was dim.

Along the golden streets

No stranger walks today,

But one who, long homesick,

Is home at last, to stay!

Uncle Ben’s Quotebook (Baker c1976) p.194

 

I think one of my favorite topics is heaven.  I love to think about what it is going to be like when we get there.  And we can plan on going to heaven if we surrender our lives totally to Jesus.  There are some awesome and delightful clues in the bible as to what it is going to be like.

The Bible says “we are citizens of heaven…He will change the bodies we have in this humble state and make them like his glorious body.”  So when we look at Christ’s glorious resurrected body, we get clues as to what our bodies will be like when we get there!

So right after Jesus rose from the dead and Mary was at the tomb weeping, Jesus spoke to her and when she finally recognized Him, He told her that He had to go to the Father.  So Jesus popped into Heaven to do what He had to do.  We will be able to travel at the speed of thought just like He did.

Then later on that morning He walked slowly down the road to Emmaus with two disciples.  When they got to their home town, He acted like He was going to go on and they begged Him to come to dinner with them.  So He ate a meal with them and then disappeared.  We will be able to travel fast, walk slow and eat food and fellowship.  Then we can disappear!  How cool is that?

Remember when the fishermen had fished all night and caught nothing.  Jesus was standing on the bank and told them to cast their nets on the other side.  They did what Jesus said and all the fish wouldn’t fit in the boat and when they came ashore the net wasn’t broken.  What was Jesus doing?  He had made a fire and told them to bring Him some fish.  He cooked breakfast for His disciples!  What a God!

He walked through walls.  He had flesh and bone and asked Thomas to touch Him.  He will be the only one in Heaven with scars.  What an amazing God we serve!  What a future we have!

God said that He will wipe away our tears and there will be no more sorrow.  He is a Creator and has a bigger imagination than anyone can ever dream possible.  He created us in His image, the Bible says.  He has all the emotions we have (He gave them to us) only He doesn’t sin in His emotions.  We won’t sin when we get to Heaven.

How is all this possible?  It is because Jesus is God.  He came from Heaven to earth to become a man.  He lived 33 years as a human, died on a cruel cross, taking the punishment for our sins and then rose again the 3^rd day and is seated at the right hand of the Father.  Because He lives, all this is possible.

BECAUSE HE LIVES

By Bill Gather

Verse 1)
God sent his son
They called him Jesus
He came to love
Heal and forgive
He lived and died
To buy my pardon
An empty grave
Is there to prove
My Savior lives

(Chorus)
Because he lives
I can face tomorrow
Because he lives
All fear is gone
Because I know
He holds the future
And life and is worth the living
Just because he lives

 

 

Have you ever thought about what it must have been like to know Jesus when He walked this earth?  Think about it.  The mothers tried to bring their children to Him and the disciples wanted to protect Him from them.  What did Jesus do?  He called the children and moms to Himself and picked up the children, hugged them and gave them love.

What does God want us to do?  He wants us to imitate the actions of Jesus when He walked this earth.  I like this poem written by an unknown author on giving people hugs.  I love it!

 

HUGS

Author Unknown

It’s wondrous what a hug can do
A hug can cheer you when you’re blue
A hug can say “I love you so”
Or “gee, I hate to see you go.”

A hug is, “welcome back again’ and
“Great to see you! Where’ve you been?”
A hug can smooth a small child’s pain
and bring a rainbow after rain.

A hug! There’s just no doubt about it
We could scarcely live without it!
A hug delights and warms and charms.
It must be why God gave us arms!

Hugs are great for fathers and mothers,
Sweet for sisters and brothers.
And chances are your favorite aunts
Love them more than potted plants.

Kittens crave them, puppies love them,
Heads of state are not above them.
A hug can break the language barrier
And make your travels so much merrier.

No need to fret about your store of them,
the more you give the more there is of ‘em!
So stretch those arms without delay
And give someone a hug today!

 

A group of children were asked to describe their ideas of love.  Here are a few of their responses.

Children Describe Love

Author Unknown

 

• “When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore.
  So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love.” Rebecca- age 8
• “When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different.   You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.”   Billy – age 4
• “Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.”   Chrissy – age 6
• “Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.”  Danny – age 7
• “If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,”
  Nikka – age 6   (we need a few million more Nikka’s on this planet)
• “Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it every day.”  Noelle – age 7
• “Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.”  Tommy – age 6
• “During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling.  He was the only one doing that. I wasn’t scared anymore.”   Cindy – age 8
• “My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don’t see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.”  Clare – age 6
• “Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.”   Elaine-age 5
• “Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford.”   Chris – age 7
• “Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.”   Mary Ann – age 4
• “I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.”  Lauren – age 4

Sometimes we think there is really nothing we could do for God.  We don’t think we have any special talents.  How could we help?  Perhaps a smile would be the thing that could help the most.  When I was in high school, my family moved in the middle of the year and so I was starting a new school in January.  The counselor gave me some incredible advice.  She said that everyone in the school was more afraid of us (group entering school) than we were of them.  She said that if we would but smile, the recipient would usually smile back.  It only takes a smile on our part to start a friendship going.

We don’t always understand that people around us actually need someone, anyone to listen to their problems and show kindness.

SOMEBODY NEEDS YOUR SYMPATHY

Author Unknown

Someone needs your sympathy,

Your words of comfort sweet;

You’ll find him somewhere if you look,

Perhaps he’s on the street . . .

…A teacher who has done her best

To educate your child;

Or man in business, worn and tired,

Whose brain is almost wild.

Somebody needs your sympathy –

A beggar by the way;

Or father bent with many cares,

Who longs to hear you pray;

Or maybe some poor sinner lost,

Because you past him by;

Or wretched soul that’s strayed from God

Who very soon shall die.

Somebody needs your sympathy,

Within a prison cell,

Though guilty of a crime, yet he

Would like to hear you tell

The story of redemption true,

For all whose souls are saved

From evils, sin and wickedness

That have his life enslaved.

-Osterhus Publishing House

Let’s see if we can make someone smile today!

 

 “Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.”

 Psalms 119:104

 

Someone once said, “A knowledge of the Bible without a college education is more

 valuable than a college education without a knowledge of the Bible.”

            In Proverbs God says that we need to seek wisdom but that we need understanding as well (Prov. 4:7).  Can you just hear God pleading with us to seek understanding of what He is saying to us?  Sometimes it is simply difficult to understand.  We try and try but we fail!  We just don’t get it!

I like Psalms 119:104 because it tells us that it is through the Bible that we can understand.  It is so incredible what reading and studying the Bible will do for us when we seek understanding from God through His Word.  The Word brings comfort and peace as well as understanding.  Sometimes we feel like we’re studying a foreign language because its concepts are so foreign to our modern American thinking.

I found something in Dad’s files by an unknown author that I think we will all enjoy.

21 REASONS WHY THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE IS DIFFICULT TO LEARN

1. The bandage was wound around the wound.
2. The farm was used to produce produce.
3. The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
4. We must polish the Polish furniture.
5. He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6. The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
7. Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
8. A bass was painted on the head of a bass drum.
9. When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10. I did not object to the object.
11. The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
12. There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
13. They were too close to the door to close it.
14. The buck does funny things when the does are present.
15. A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
16. To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
17. The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
18. After a number of injections my jaw got number.
19. Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.
20. I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
21. How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

“Let’s face it – English is a crazy language.  There is no egg in eggplant nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple.  English muffins weren’t invented in England nor French fries in France.  Sweetmeats are candies, while sweetbreads, which aren’t sweet are meat.

“We take English for granted.  But if we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.”

Endquote

            Life can be a mystery.  Things just don’t always add up.  We can have a neighbor as a good friend for years and suddenly something happens to cause a rift and the friendship is lost.  You can try as hard as you can but your friend isn’t going to budge.

Perhaps you’ve looked for work and there isn’t any to be found.  The bills are piling up and nothing seems to work right.  You cry out to God, “God, I just don’t understand what’s happening!  Where are you?”

I DON’T UNDERSTAND

By Dee Blau

Shadows fall around me, darkness everywhere

Is there Someone up there? Does Anybody care?

I know Jesus as my Savior. I am His own dear child,

But my life is in such turmoil, He doesn’t seem to guide.

The Bible is my answer, but I can hardly even read,

I know some of His promises, but they’re even hard to heed.

Oh Lord, please show this child of Yours just what I am to do.

Please comfort me and guide me, help me to trust in You.

Remember “Little One” He says, of those gone on before.

Three Hebrews in the furnace, with Me it counted four.

And Joseph sold into slavery, he never understood,

But later said, “you meant evil, but God meant it for good.”

David didn’t like the sight the giant made him behold,

But remembering My strength and power made him rather bold.

So dear child, don’t struggle so, I have strength and peace to spare,

Just cast your burdens at my feet and leave them lying there.

You can’t always feel my presence, but I’m here I promise you,

I will never leave or forsake you, you have to know it’s true.

You don’t have to be brave or heroic, or do anything at all,

Just stick close beside Me and I will do it all.

Take your eyes off your problems and keep them fixed on Me,

Stay so close that I will be all that you can see.

There is always a purpose and I always have a plan,

You just need to trust the most when you don’t understand.

And you will find that in My time your troubles will all fade,

Then you can use My comfort to give to others aide.

Endquote

            Here are just a few things we find the Bible does for us.

• The Bible is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path                   Psalms 119:105
• The Bible helps us not to sin against God.                                          Psalms  119:11
• The Bible helps set us free from shame                                             Psalms 119:6
• The Bible brings us joy – make us happy                                           Psalms 119:14, 16

“Lord, please give us understanding.”

 

“Yes, I am well pleased with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and difficulties endured on behalf of the Messiah; for it is when I am weak that I am strong.” 2Co 12:10 

 

Have you ever picked the runt of a liter of puppies?  I know people who have.  But when the men line up for battle, is it the weak and frail that are chosen to go out and fight first?  We all know that the men chosen would be those who are trained and physically able to do the job.  With God it is different.  He chooses us who are weak and gives us His strength.  What a God!

Paul says, “It is when I am weak that I am strong.”  What a confusing statement!  What he meant was that when he couldn’t do what needed to be done because he was too weak, that then God would step in and help him.  The Bible says that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength.  When God wants us to do a task and we feel unable to do it, if we yield to Him then He will help us accomplish the task.

Amos is an interesting Old Testament Prophet.  He was a shepherd and picked sycamore figs when God called him into His service.  God gave him a terrible message to deliver to his people.  They had stopped worshiping God and were serving demons and false gods.  But God used Amos to deliver a very serious warning to the Israelites.  Amos had an open heart and mind to God and was willing to obey.

“Amos gave this answer to Amatzyah:  “I am not trained as a prophet, and I’m not one of the guild prophets – I own sheep and grow figs.  But Adonai took me away from following the flock, and Adonai said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.”  Amos 7:14-15

Gideon was a simple man from a humble family but God used him to rescue his people from unbearable tyranny.  It seems like God chooses a lot of people who are in the minority in life.  Let’s take a look at a few of God’s Minorities.

GOD’S MINORITIES

Author Unknown

• During the time NOAH was building the ark, he was very much in the minority – but he won!
• When JOSPEH was sold into Egypt by his brothers, he was a decided minority – but he won!
• When GIDEON and his three hundred followers, with their broken pitchers and lamps, put the Midianites to flight they were in an insignificant minority – but they won!
• When ELIJAH prayed down fire from heaven and put the prophets of Baal to shame, he was in a notable minority – but he won!
• When DAVID, ridiculed by his brothers, went out to meet Goliath, in size he was in a decided minority – but he won!
• When MARTIN LUTHER nailed his theses on the door of the cathedral he was a lonesome minority – but he won!
• When JESUS CHRIST was crucified by the Roman soldiers, He was a conspicuous minority – but He won!

-Uncle Ben’s Quotebook (Baker Book House 1976) p.141

 

You’ve heard it said, “God doesn’t want our ability but He wants our availability.”  Are we open to whatever God wants to do through us?  You might say “But I don’t have anything He could use?  What can I do?  What can I give Him?”

THE LORD HAS NEED OF IT

Peter lent a boat,

To save Him from the press;

Martha lent her home,

With busy kindliness.

One man lent a colt,

Another lent a room;

Some threw down their garments,

And Joseph lent a tomb.

Simon lent his strength

The cruel cross to bear;

Many brought their spices,

His body to prepare.

What have I to lend?

No boat, no house, no lands;

Dwell, Lord, within my heart.

I put it in Thy hands.

Ibid Christ Life p99

 

 

It would be wonderful if we could only have the faith of a child – if we could enjoy the openness to God that this little one possesses.  An unknown author wrote:

A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child’s work.  

As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was.   The girl replied, “I’m drawing God.” 

The teacher paused and said, “But no one knows what God looks like”.

Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, “They will in a minute.”

endquote

 

I think one of the prayers I pray the most often is that the Lord will open my eyes so that I can see and my ears so that I can hear what He wants to tell me.  My mother said once, “I wonder, Marnie, what would happen if we could truly approach the Bible with an open mind, uncluttered by our own ideas.  I wonder what would happen if we could take God at His word and simple believe that when He says He’ll do it, He will.  I have a feeling this world would once again be turned up-side-down.”

 

AN OPEN MIND

By Karen Grife

With pen in hand and an open mind

The Lord sends messages all the time

Words of wisdom to help your way

Words to live by night and day

Onward to our goals we strive

Upward to our heavenly lives

Jesus came to lead us home

By His life His love was shown

He was sent to show the way

He died on the cross, our debts to pay

I’m so glad that Jesus came

And I will praise His holy name

God gave up His only Son

So that all people could be as one

Jesus died so willingly

So we could be His family

 

 

PHILIPPIANS 4:13

“I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”

 

The road to success is not straight.

There is a curve called Failure,

A loop called Confusion,

Speed bumps called Friends,

Red lights called Enemies,

Caution lights called Family.

You will have flats called Jobs.

But, if you have a spare called Determination,

An engine called Perseverance,

Insurance called Faith,

A driver called Jesus,

You will make it to a place called Success.

            Life is truly amazing and at 68 years of age, I’ve seen a lot of challenges but I have been so blessed to know the ‘driver’ called Jesus!  We think we should find everything smooth and we should be appreciated and understood.  Somehow, it doesn’t work out that way but whose fault is it?

Sometimes I think we’re like the little boy who was overheard praying in church one day:  “Lord, if you can’t make me a better boy, don’t worry about it.  I’m having a real good time like I am.”  We have our own ideas on what we want and what we deserve.

If someone irritates us, do we sharply give them a ‘set down?’  Sometimes we get tired of the automated phone calls.  Ken and I haven’t used credit cards for over 30 years so when I get a phone call trying to help me with my ‘credit card bills,’ I find it irritating.  It is almost frustrating that you can’t tell the person on the line how you feel because no one is there.  You are talking to a machine!

Have you ever wondered what God finds irritating?  What if God were to get fed up with our total lack of respect?  What if He decided that we don’t treat Him correctly (which we don’t)?  Aren’t you glad He doesn’t react like ‘we’ do?  I know I am glad!  I love this poem by an unknown author that I found in dad’s files recently.

IF GOD WOULD GO ON STRIKE

-Author Unknown

It’s just a good thing that God above

Has never gone on strike,

Because He wasn’t treated fair

For things He didn’t like.

If He had ever once sat down

And said, “That’s it, I’m through;

I’ve had enough of those on earth

So this is what I’ll do.

 

“I’ll give my orders to the sun,

Cut off your heat supply,

And to the moon, give no more light

And run the oceans dry;

Then just to make it really tough

And put the pressure on,

Turn off the air and oxygen

Till every breath is done.”

 

Do you know He’d be justified

If fairness was the game,

For no one has been more abused

Or treated with disdain

Than God . . . and yet He carried on

Supplying you and me

With all the favors of His grace,

And everything for free.

Many say they want a better deal

And go on strike they go;

But what a deal we’ve given God

To whom everything we owe.

We don’t care whom we hurt or harm

To gain the things we like,

But what a mess we’d all be in

If God would go on strike.

-From The Ohio Farmer sent in by Howard A. Platt, Pierpont, OH

 

            Aren’t we glad that God doesn’t give us what we deserve?  I am so glad He loves us with an everlasting love!  He not only loves us but has many wonderful promises for those who love Him!  Dad wrote something very precious on this subject.

GOD GIVES US STRENGTH TO FLY, TO RUN AND TO WALK

By Charlie Grier

            Please note that Isaiah 40:31 stresses that if we “wait on the Lord” God will renew our strength.  When we are weak, do we “wait upon the Lord” and allow Him to refresh us and strengthen us?  What happens when we receive God’s strength?

“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” (Isaiah 40:31).

 

God intends that we, as believers, should SOAR above every obstacle and shout victory over everything that might serve to impede our progress for the Lord, and our service for Him!

When things get so bad that we can no longer fly, we can still RUN.  The Bible says:

“Wherefore, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us RUN with patience the race that is set before us.”  (Hebrews 12:1).

 

When we can no longer fly, or even run, we can still WALK and continue to press forward:

“Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown”  (Revelation 3:11).

“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 3:14).

“And they shall WALK and not faint (give up)” (Isaiah 40:31).

Endquote

 

                        No matter how difficult the problems are that life sends our way, we always can count on Him for the strength to do whatever He wants us to do.  Are we facing trials?  God is there for us.

TRIALS

When the storm is raging round thee,

Call on Me in humble prayer.

I will fold my arms around thee,

Guard thee with the tenderest care.

In the trial, I will make thy pathway clear.

-Uncle Ben’s Quotebook (Baker Book House c1976) p280

“My son, pay attention to what I am saying; incline your ear to my words.  Don’t let them out of your sight, keep them deep in your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to their whole being.” Pro 4:20-22

I think we can all remember (no matter how old we get) our mothers telling us to “pay attention!” Or, “look at me when I’m talking!” might be another familiar phrase.   I think it would surprise all of us how often God says the same thing to ‘His children!’  In the verse above God tells us to ‘pay attention to what He is saying!’  Do we do that?  Do we stop and read His word and try to actually understand what He’s telling us to do?  Then do we do our best to do it – not because we HAVE to but because we WANT to please our Lord and Savior?

In this verse He says that if we pay attention to His words (Bible) – memorize them (keep them deep in our hearts), they will become life for us and we will enjoy health to our entire being!  That would include spiritual, physical, emotional – everything!  What a promise!

I CHOOSE LOVE

By Karen Grife

When the rain comes to stay

That’s the time I choose to pray

When the night time falls on me

That’s when I choose to hit my knee

When the sunshine fills the sky

I choose to sing His praise on high

He is always on my mind

And in my heart all the time

The Lord has blessed this child so

And with His guidance I will grow

To know His will blessed me

His truths I hope the world can see

He gave us all the will to choose

And with his love we cannot lose

The choice is ours to pledge our love

He sends us His mercy and grace from above

You see, as Karen so beautifully expressed, we have a choice.  We can ‘pay attention’ to what God wants us to do and do it or we can ignore it and lose out.

What actually happens is that we get involved with our own desires.  We feel we deserve to have something or should be able to do what we want to do.  When get so self-centered that we cannot see anything but ‘our wants and desires,’ then we have gotten to the place where we cannot hear God.  We feel bad so what should we do?  Do we drink? Perhaps use drugs?  We want anything to ease the terrible pain inside that screams unhappiness!  We find ourselves deeper in bondage every day.  A.B. Simpson wrote a poem describing what to do.

No One but Jesus

By A.B. Simpson

When over my spirit the burden of sin

Has rolled like a wild, stormy wave,

With darkness and terror without and within,

Then no one but Jesus can save.

When crushed and o’erwhelmed with my sorrow and care

I’m sinking in anguish and fear,

Then no one but Jesus my burden can bear,

And no one but Jesus can cheer.

When sickness, infirmity, anguish and pain

Upon me resistlessly steal,

There’s no one but Jesus for body and brain,

There’s no one but Jesus can heal.

And when through the valley of death I shall go,

Eternity almost in view.

When shadows grow dark and the waters o’erflow

Then no one but Jesus will do.

“Therefore, pay careful attention to how you conduct your life — live wisely, not unwisely.” Eph. 5:15

            Can you see our Heavenly Father shaking His head as He quietly says, “Marvine, Marvine…when are you going to learn to trust Me?”  I think when we get to Heaven that there will be some astonishing revelations when we discover the pain and misery we could have escaped had we only listened to Him!

SOME OF GOD’S PROMISES

Our God has vowed to love us with an eternal love (read Rom. 8:35-39).

Our God has vowed to forgive and to cleanse us from our sins (read Isa. 1:18; l John 1:7).  (we need to ask)

Our God has vowed to save all who come to Jesus Christ (read Matt. 11:28—30).

Our God has vowed to work for good in all of those who love him (read Rom. 8:28).

Our Father has vowed to hear our prayers.  (1 John 5:14-15 2Chron. 7:14)

Our Lord has vowed to reward his faithful servants after we come into our eternal home (read John 14:1-3; Rev. 22:12).

Our Lord Jesus has vowed to come in and fellowship with us if we but open the door when He knocks.  (Rev. 3:20) 

 

YOU’RE ON LINE WITH THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE

By Charlie Grier

Dear Lord, I see your lovely Face,

Both masculine and strong.

I see the teardrops coursing down

For all those in the wrong!

I would that You would speak to me –

That You would call ‘my name.’

But should You answer me,

I know, I’d bow my head in shame!

I know You prayed for sinners;

And I know your prayer went through:

“Dear Father God, forgive them,

For they know not what they do.”

That prayer was for all sinners –

Myself included, too.

When we break God’s Commandments

We are crucifying YOU!

My heart is broken with my sin!

I’m filled with deep remorse!

But, even when I dare to pray

I do not hear Your Voice!

I have a poor reception, Lord,

I can’t turn on the light.

And so it is I do not hear

The voice of God tonight!

God’s channel’s always open.

He hears our faintest prayer;

But our reception is so bad –

We simply do not hear!

Heaven is the Central Office;

God’s been waiting for your call.

The answer is assuring –

“Sinner, I forgive you ALL.”

 

Shall we pay attention?

 

 WHO MOVED?

By Earline Hunt

As I went about the work

That constitutes my day,

I seemed to labor with each chore

And nothing went my way.

I felt alone and far from God;

I couldn’t feel His hand.

What could be the cause of this?

I did not understand.

He knows how much I count on Him,

How much I need Him near.

Why would He abandon me

And Leave me struggling here?

Questions raced across my mind,

What could the reason be?

And then I stopped and in my heart

He softly spoke to me,

“Did you take time to talk to me

This morning in your bed?

Did you place your hand in mine

To walk with me?”  He said.

Another lesson I’ve been taught

And once again He’s proved,

He was always standing there –

It was I who moved.”

-The Bible Friend, p.4 Oc. 1999

            We all have challenging things in our lives that cause us pain.  The good news is God is always with us – even in the night hours.

“I am as satisfied as with rich food; my mouth praises you with joy on my lips when I remember you on my bed and meditate on you in the night watches.”  Psalms 63:5-6

 

David’s 63^rd Psalm is another precious work of beauty as he describes his love for his God.  Here he had just mentioned that he used to worship God in the sanctuary but now he meditates on God during the night when he is awake and it is as satisfying as if he had just had a meal of some rich, delicious food.  His mouth praises God with joy on his lips.

I used to have some trouble sleeping and I discovered David’s secret worked.  I would sing praises silently during the time I was awake and soon I would find myself fast asleep.  I didn’t feel guilty about going to sleep praising the Lord – what better way is there to go to sleep?  It was awesome.

“’In the night, the manna fell…’ Numbers 11:9.   God does some of His greatest works in the night.  It was in the night that the Lord delivered the children of Israel out of Egypt.  Again, it was in the night when He parted the Red Sea and delivered His people out of the hand of Pharaoh.  And yet again, it was in the night when God provided His people with life-giving manna that they might eat and be strengthened in the morning.  In their dark moments, God was constantly there watching over them and meeting their every need.

“Today, as in the days of Moses, God continues to watch over His children as they pass through dark night-like periods in life.  He is ever near us, providing spiritual manna to strengthen and fortify us against the powers of darkness which seek to darken our lives.”

-Author unknown, The Bible Friend, p7 c1998

            I love the fact that God was a protective fire by night as He led the children of Israel through the wilderness.  It is in the night hours that children are most apt to be afraid.  It is not only children who are afraid, but most adults in America are very anxious over the future.  We see the price of gas skyrocketing and the groceries are higher every week.  Our jobs are not secure.  Companies are failing or forcing to lay people off.  Our wages are not increasing even though all the bills are higher.  Stress related illnesses seem to be at an all time high.  The Lord’s words throughout the Scriptures are to ‘fear not’ and to not “be anxious about anything.”

Depression

By Marvine Scott

Have you ever felt just simply ‘icky’

While problems lurked dreadfully near?

You felt you’d a right to be picky?

Your anger at people was clear.

You knew you could trust your Lord fully.

You knew all would soon be okay

But you found yourself deep in self pity

And wallowing deeper each day.

Too busy to pick up your Bible.

The preacher seemed tedious and dull!

The way things were going you were convinced

They’d close down the church by next fall.

Jesus was whispering “Child, trust Me!”

The devil yelled “Don’t be a fool!”

Jesus said “Sing praises and you’ll see

The dismals sink down a deep hole.”

The praises of God are so powerful

That the powers of darkness will flee!

Depression vanish entirely when one soul

Will spend time with God on his knee.

 

“To deal depression a swift blow,” says the Lord

“Fill your mouth with the praises of God.

Use your Bible which is the two edged sword

To defeat Satan with a heavenly rod.”

So whenever glumness would grab you

Just remember Psalms 149.

Sing praises and read God’s Word, too,

And soon you’ll be feeling quite fine!

 

“Trust in the Lord …(and)…Make a joyful noise…”  (Ps. 37:3; 66:1)

            “Canary birds are named for the Canary Islands where they were first discovered by the Europeans.  Canaries make excellent pets because of the beautiful songs and cheerful company they provide.  For years, tame canaries have been bred for the beautiful quality of their song, thus making them very desirable companions.  Tame canaries live in a cage and would die if their keeper did not feed them.  Nevertheless these delicate creatures do not allow worry, about whether or not their keeper will meet their needs, to hinder them from making a joyful noise.  Regardless of their circumstances, they keep on singing.

“You, like the canaries, need not worry either.  For “God,” your keeper, ‘shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus,” (Phil. 4:19).  Therefore, “be glad and sing for joy,”  (Ps. 67:4).

Bible Friend, p2 Nov 2003

PRAISE GOD HE IS THERE IN THE NIGHT!

 

 

When we think about our future, what is the picture that we have?  I love to think about going to Heaven.  I enjoy pondering the wonder of what we have ahead.  What are our bodies going to be like?  What will we do?  My husband loves science fiction shows and so I’ve learned to enjoy them as well but when I think of heaven, there is nothing in our imaginations that will compare with the glory of our future.

We do have a few hints.  The Bible says we will have bodies like Jesus’ Resurrected body.  So, if we want to know what our bodies will be able to do, we need to look at what He did once He rose from the grave.  Let’s see.  First He ate food!  Oh, for all of us who fight our weight, we find that is an awesome thought.  We’ll be able to enjoy food without the guilt and without getting fat!!  Isn’t that cool?  He cooked food.  Well, for all the chefs out there and all the mom’s, that’s going to be fun.  He was able to take a slow walk (down road to Emmaus) and He was able to travel instantly to Heaven and come back at the same speed.  He walked through walls – appearing and disappearing at will.  He has bone and flesh and can be touched and felt.  Oh it will be better than any science fiction you can imagine.  And best of all, we’ll be riding white horses behind Him on His white horse at the end of the Tribulation Period when we return with Him so He can set up His Millennial Reign.

I love mom’s poem where she is thinking on this subject:

 

HEAVEN

By Dora Grier

 

I’ve just been a wondering

What Heaven will be like?

When we have washed and cooked

 All day and nothing went just right,

We are so very tired and

We ache in every joint–

Will it be the same as this?

Or have we missed a point?

Will we remember all the things

That irritates us so?

Or will it be all peace and joy ‑-

Our faces all aglow

With all the love and thankfulness

 Which wells up in our hearts

To know we’ll be with Him in

 Heaven and never more depart?

The Good Book tells us of the things

 We really need to know

By putting all our trust in Him,

It will truly help us grow

In grace and in the love of God, so

 Generously given,

By Him who gave His life for us and

 Builds our home in Heaven.

The tears will all be washed away,

 With ne’er a trace to find,

The aches and pains will all be gone

 And health will be sublime

Our mortal bodies will then know

The Resurrection Power

Of Him who lived and died for us

 ’Mid Heaven’s darkest hour.

So if you do not understand,

Nor fully comprehend

The riches of the grace of God ‑-

A taste which Heaven sends‑-

Just trust Him with the future

And rest in Him complete,

For up in Heaven we’ll all rejoice

 And worship at His feet!

 

In 2002 my brother, Ted Grier, told me a very precious story of something that happened to him when he was six years old.  Here is what he told me in his own words.  By the way ‘Dorothy’ is our sister.

A Cute True Story told me on 11-15-02

By Ted Grier

“Do you remember the story of the time Mom forced Dorothy to take me along (in DuBois) to go check the mail?

“She was walking ahead of me, because she really didn’t want to be seen with me.  I was asking a bunch of questions. The last one was “if we die, we go to heaven, right?”

 

“She responded with MUCH irritation “of course!”  She had just crossed the highway, and was on the house’s side. I was in the process of crossing.  I was about 6 or 7 years old I think. 

“I saw a Semi barreling down the highway at me, so I decided I would stand there and get hit, so that I would go to heaven.

“Needless to say, Dorothy turned around, screamed, ran out and grabbed me, and proceeded to drag me (protesting highly) back to the sidewalk.  She chewed me out all the way, and I did the same to her.  I wanted to go to heaven, and she was keeping me from doing so. 

“Ever since, I’ve wanted to be old since she explained that to me.  I’ll bet she even doesn’t remember that.  She affected my entire life, right then.

“That’s also part of the reason why money doesn’t mean so much to me.”

Endquote

SINCE YESTERDAY

By Martha Snell Nicholson

Along the golden streets

A stranger walks tonight

With wonder in his heart –

Faith blossomed into sight.

He walks and stops and stares,

And walks and stares again.

Vistas of loveliness

Beyond the dreams of men.

He who once was weak,

And often shackled to a bed,

Now climbs eternal hills

With light and easy tread.

He has escaped at last

The cruel clutch of pain;

His lips shall never taste

Her bitter cup again.

O never call him dead,

This buoyant one and free

Whose daily portion is

Delight and ecstasy!

He bows in speechless joy

Before the feet of Him

Whom, seeing not, he loved

While yet his sight was dim.

Along the golden streets

No stranger walks today,

But one who, long homesick,

Is home at last, to stay!

            When we arrive at our glorious future, we will also be home at last!

 

 

“Don’t cause grief to God’s Holy Spirit for he has stamped you as his property until the day of final redemption.”  Eph 4:30 

 

Have you ever thought about ‘grieving’ God’s Holy Spirit?  Each time I think about this verse it strikes me fresh about the meaning of grieving.  When we grieve over the loss of a loved one, we cry and sorrow in our hearts.  There is pain inside us.  Jesus was “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” the Bible says in Isaiah 53:3.

“Then Jesus went with the disciples to a place called Gethsemane. He said to them, “Stay here while I go over there and pray.”  He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons with him.  He was beginning to feel deep anguish.  Then he said to them, ‘My anguish is so great that I feel as if I’m dying. Wait here, and stay awake with me.’” Mat 26:36-38 

 

Jesus was feeling pain that we cannot even imagine.  He and His Father had never been separated in all of eternity and Jesus knew that His Father was going to have to turn His back on him when He went to the cross.  God the Father could not look upon sin and, knowing this, Jesus still was prepared to bear the sin of all mankind in His body on the cross.  Jesus had never sinned and to feel and bear ‘our’ sin was almost more than He could face.  His sorrow was overwhelming and devastating.  But His love for us was stronger.

Did God have to go through that pain for us?  No He did not!  Then WHY did He?  David, the Psalmist asked the same question, “What is man that you are mindful of us?”  God loves us.  Do we even value that love?

When both my mother and father went home to be with Jesus, I grieved because I was going to miss them and wouldn’t see them again for a long time.  We all know grief.  God grieves over our sin and rebellion against Him.  He grieves over our lukewarm and selfish attitudes.  He grieves over our not accepting and reciprocating His amazing love.

If you’ve never read the book, Crazy Love, by Francis Chan, I recommend that you buy it and read it.  Here is a quote from his book.

“Remember the visions from John and Isaiah of the throne room of God?  Remember the pictures of the galaxies and how tiny we are in comparison?  Remember the diversity of God, seen in the thousands of species of trees in the rainforest?  We say to the Creator of all this magnitude and majesty, ‘Well, I’m not sure You are worth it . . . You see, I really like my car, or my little sin habit, or my money, and I’m really not sure I want to give them up, even if it means I get You.’

            “When we put it plainly like this – as a direct choice between God and our stuff – most of us hope we would choose God.  But we need to realize that how we spend our time, what our money goes toward, and where we will invest our energy is equivalent to choosing God or rejecting Him. How could we think for even a second that something on this puny little earth compares to the Creator and Sustainer and Savior of it all?”

-Crazy Love by Francis Chan (David C. Cook Colorado Springs Co c2008)   p97

 

The angels from their home on high

Looked down to earth with pitying eye,

That where we are passing guests,

We build such strong and solid nests;

Yet where we hope to live for aye,

We scarce take heed one stone to lay.

Uncle Ben’s Quotebook (Baker, Grand Rapids MI c1976) p.208

            Are we like that?  Are we more concerned with what we have here on earth than the glorious future with a God who loves us so much?  I have been so impressed in recently months with a tremendous desire to please my Lord – to delight my God and give Him joy.  I want to make Him smile – or laugh!

I think if we were going to try to bless the heart of God rather than grieve Him, we might follow Karen’s suggestion in the following poem.

 

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR GOD TODAY?

By Karen Grife

We ask God to take care of us

Each and every day

To stay close by our side

Till Jesus comes our way.

We ask Him, please Lord save us

And our family too

To heal the broken hearted

And see our lives through.

We ask Him for our daily needs

And some things not in His will

We ask Him Lord please fix my car

Or pay off all my bills.

The point I’m trying to make

With all these words today is

Have you done anything for God?

Did you even take time to pray?

It doesn’t take the works of man

To secure your home above

But we need to take some time each day

To show Jesus of our love.

So I ask you once again

What have you done for God today?

There are people in such desperate need

We need to do more than pray.

They need to see your love for them

They need to hear God’s word

And if God can’t rely on us

The gospel won’t be heard.

So ask what you can do for God

And expect Him to answer you.

He will tell you what He wants

And His love will come shining through

-used by permission from Author

 

Let’s start every day with our Beloved Savior and ask Him what He wants us to do today.  Let’s stop grieving the Holy Spirit but strive to please Him.  The result will be making our God happy and experiencing joy like we’ve never known.