Tuesday's Tidbit

Titus 2:13

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Good morning, one and all!

The thoughts of people were evil continually in the days of Noah, but God delivered Noah and his family. People were evil in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah when God delivered Lot. The Word of God has warned us, "But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." (Matthew 24:37).  Again, "Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot........Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed." (Luke 17:28-30). The days were evil, but God provided an escape.

So shall it be in our time. Evil is waxing worse and worse, but God's grace still abounds more and more. In spite of all the sin around us, we must keep our eyes on the prize that awaits us. We must keep "Looking for that blessed hope, and  the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." (Titus 2:13)

We have been born again of the water and of the spirit as Jesus instructed Nicodemus. We are the children of God; His bride. If we walk uprightly before Him all our days, He will return for us. He promised, and God always keeps His promises.

Jesus is coming SOON. Our blessed hope could be closer than we think. I love this old hymn, He's Coming Soon, written by Thoro Harris:

Verse One

In these, the closing days of time,

What joy the glorious hope affords

That soon - O wondrous truth sublime

He shall reign, King of kings and Lord of Lord

Chorus

He's coming soon, He's coming soon

With joy we welcome His returning

It may be morn, it may be night or noon -

We know He's coming soon

Verse Two

The signs around - in earth and air,

Or painted on the starlit sky

God's faithful witnesses declare

That the coming of the Saviour draweth nigh

Verse Three

The dead in Christ who 'neath us lie,

In countless numbers, all shall rise

When through the portals of the sky

He shall come to prepare our paradise

Verse Four

And we, who living yet remain,

Caught up, shall meet our faithful Lord;

This hope we cherish not in vain,

But we comfort one another by this word.

Hold fast to what is right. The Lord is coming. We may not know the day or hour, but we know He's coming, and He's coming soon!

Until tomorrow, Lord willing..........

Monday's Moment

Psalm 30:5

For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

Good morning..... Marvelous Monday Morning to all of you!

Are you a morning person? I am. I love mornings because the body is refreshed after a good night's sleep (most of the time, anyway), and all things look or seem better than the day before. Whatever happened yesterday is behind us, and we have a fresh start on a new day, and it started with the morning.

Our sojourn through this life is a winding road, leading us over high mountains, then dipping down into low valleys. We cannot see what is ahead but we simply trust the wisdom and leading of the Lord in every step we take. This life as we know it will soon be over, the good and bad of all our days will be just a memory. Oh, but there is a morning coming, one like we've never seen before! I definitely want to be a morning person on that morning!!

I love this old song (written by Charles Albert Tindley in 1905 then altered by B. B. McKinney in 1937), because it assures us of that wonderful morning that awaits us:

Chorus

By and by, when the morning comes

When all the saints of God are gathered home

We will tell the story how we've overcome

And we'll understand it better by and by

Verse (just one of them)

Trials dark on every hand

And we cannot understand 

All the ways that God will lead us

To that blessed promised land 

But He'll guide us with His eye

And we'll follow 'til we die

For we'll understand it better by and by

Keep your eyes on the prize that is ahead, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our Faith.... Morning's coming!!

Until tomorrow, Lord willing...........

Sunday's Specialty

Malachi 3:6

For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Good morning, and a Special Sunday to each of you!

We live in a world of change. Our lives change daily. We change jobs, cars, and houses on a frequent basis. Yet, in the midst of the changes all about us, there is ONE CONSTANT - Our God - who declared in Malachi's time - "I change not." What a comfort; Someone to hold onto when we cannot seem to handle all the changes around us. 

Last night, as I listened to the beautiful lyrics and melody of "America, America, God shed His grace on thee, and crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea", my eyes filled with tears because the America of today is so different from the America of my youth. I am troubled at the changes around me, but my confidence is in the Lord and my hope is in the promise that He is soon to return to catch away His bride!

Since nothing in our lives will last forever, we cannot hold onto anything too tightly. Our God, the Holy One, the Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace is the ONLY ONE we can hold onto. This song, written by Jennie Bain Wilson, was on my mind when I awoke this morning. I sincerely hope it will encourage you:

Verse One

Time is filled with swift transition

Naught of earth unmoved shall stand

Build your hopes on things eternal

Hold to God's unchanging hand

Chorus

Hold to God's unchanging hand

Hold to God's unchanging hand

Build your hopes on things eternal

Hold to God's unchanging hand

Verse Two

Trust in Him who will not leave you

Whatsoever years may bring

If by earthly friends forsaken

Still more closely to Him cling

Verse Three

Covet not this world's vain riches

That so rapidly decay

Seek to gain the heav'nly treasures

They will never pass away

Verse Four

When your journey is completed

If to God you have been true

Fair and bright the home in glory

Your enraptured soul will view

Our God never changes. Who He was in Abraham's day, He remains in 2015. I'm glad I know Him!! Enjoy your day with Him!

Until tomorrow, Lord willing...........

Saturday's Snippet

Revelation 22:5

And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

Good morning - it's Saturday!

Over the past three years, my husband and I have traveled a lot, mostly due to his being an evangelist. I will have to be honest and say that I have enjoyed the traveling (for the most part). During the past few days of travel, we have visited with relatives who I have not seen for several years. It's been fun yet bittersweet because I do not know when I will have the privilege of visiting with them again (if ever). 

We've visited quite a few cities along our journey, passing through many more than we visited. They all boast of their attractions, restaurants, and lodgings yet we know that this journey on earth is temporal. Nothing lasts. All good things and all precious times come to an end. But, this life is not all there is for the born again Christian. All the glory of heaven awaits, with Jesus at the center of it all. My soul is anxious to live forever with my Lord, far from all earth's issues.

Here's the chorus that is on my mind today, adding the final touch to our snippet of a spoonful of tonic:

I'm going to a city 

Where there'll be no more night

I'm going to a city 

Where Jesus is the light

The trumpet's gonna sound

And I'll be caught away

I'm going to a city someday

May your Saturday be sweet and until tomorrow, Lord willing..............

Friday's Footnote

Matthew 5:6

 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Good morning, and a Fabulous Friday to each of you!

My husband preached about A Hunger to Change this past Wednesday night, and my heart was stirred because I never want to feel that I have had my fill of the Lord. Never! I want my appetite for God to grow above and beyond my desires for things that do not satisfy. According to Jesus, those that "hunger and thirst after righteousness" are blessed, and "they shall be filled."

Another verse I have loved for a long time is found in Luke 1:58 - "He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away." Those who are hungry receive; those who are filled up with themselves are sent away. How terrible to be sent away from the presence of the Lord, all because there is no hunger.

My prayer today is that I will always desire more of Jesus. With each passing day, to want Him more and more and more, just like this old song conveys:

I want more of Jesus

More and more and more

I want more of Jesus than I've ever had before

I want more of His great love

So rich and full and sweet

I want more of Jesus

So I'll give Him more of me

May our appetites be whet for more of Jesus each and every day!

Until tomorrow, Lord willing..........

Friday's Footnote: Be filled with the Father's Finest on this Fabulous Friday!

Thursday's Thought

Psalm 63 

1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

² To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

³ Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

⁴ Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

⁵ My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:

Good morning to all of you on this Tremendous Thursday!

We have awakened to another morning, another day God has blessed us to see - what a privilege! I wonder today if you're thirsty on this Thursday? 

As I was reading Psalm 63 earlier this week from my Bible, and then searched a little deeper into the setting of this psalm, I found some interesting notes that I'd like to share with you today. I'll try to keep them within our daily spoonful!

David penned this psalm while he was in a wilderness, a place far removed from where he wanted to be, which was the sanctuary. Yet, in spite of his circumstances, he still sought after God - HIS God. He not only sought after his God; He praised his God - in the wilderness!

When did David seek God? EARLY! In Matthew Henry's commentary about this psalm, he wrote about David seeking God.... "Early, with the utmost care, as those that are afraid of missing him; we must begin our days with him, begin every day with him". To seek God first every morning sets a peaceful pace for the entire day. Before all the distractions of life start vying for our attention, why not seek after God?

The wilderness did not diminish David's desire for his God, in fact, it deepened it. He longed for God, "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God." (Psalm 42:1) David longed to be in the sanctuary to see God's power, yet in the midst of his wilderness, he praised God. He lifted his hands to His God and blessed Him. He found favor with God in the midst of his desolate situation. 

David's God, who is OUR God, will not disappoint us. He satisfies the thirsty soul no matter what we are going through. God delights in pouring out water and nourishment to those who seek Him, and seek Him early. 

I love this old song, Fill My Cup, Lord, written by Richard Blanchard:

Verse One

Like the woman at the well, I was seeking

For things that could not satisfy

And then I heard my Savior speaking,

"Draw from My well that never shall run dry."

Chorus

Fill my cup, Lord,

I lift it up, Lord,

Come and quench this thirsting of my soul

Bread of Heaven, feed me till I want no more

Fill my cup, fill it up, and make me whole

Verse Two

There are millions in this world who are seeking

For pleasure earthly goods afford

But none can match the wondrous treasure

That I find in Jesus Christ, my Lord

Verse Three

So, my brother, if the things that this world gives you

Leave hungers that won't pass away

My blessed Lord will come and save you

If you kneel to Him and humbly pray

Let's all seek the Lord with upturned cups this morning! He'll fill them up and make us whole!

Until tomorrow, Lord willing...............

Wednesday's Whisper

Philippians 3:13-14

¹³ Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

¹⁴ I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Good morning, and a Wonderful Wednesday may it be for all of us!

As I contemplate the selling of a house we've owned for the past 9 years, a transaction that not only closes the deal on a house but closes a rather long chapter of our lives, I feel rather sad. Since friends have rented the house for the past two years, I still had the privilege of going to visit them and feeling at home. When we sign our names on the designated lines tomorrow, all the good times we had with family and friends in that dear log house will close, too. 

It is the way of life. One door opens and another closes. Today, we cover more territory on life's journey than we did yesterday. We are constantly moving, and hopefully moving forward, advancing toward our heavenly goal. It is imperative that we continue in our pursuit of a fulfilled life in Christ. 

I want to share a quote from Joy Haney's book entitled, Seeds for Success, (a favorite of mine):

Bad will be the day for every man when he becomes absolutely contented with the life that he is living, with the thoughts that he is thinking, with the deeds that he is doing, when there is not forever beating at the doors of his soul some great desire to do something larger, which he knows that he was meant and made to do because he is still, in spite of all, the child of God.

      -Phillips Brooks

As the memories of wonderful times in that dear log house, especially times spent with my grandchildren, move into the back files of my heart and mind, I earnestly ask God for renewed desire to move on in my journey. I cannot stay in the good times of yesterday for there are greater times ahead for me in Him, if I will follow where He leads.

A sweet little chorus came to my mind just now, and I post it for you as I close this spoonful:

I will follow where He leadeth

I will pasture where He feedeth

I will follow all the way, Lord,

I will follow Jesus all the way

Until tomorrow, may we hear the tender whisper of the Lord encouraging us to move on to the next page or chapter of our lives.......

Tuesday's Tidbit

2 Corinthians 9:6-8

⁶ But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

⁷ Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

⁸ And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Good morning to all of you!

Today's spoonful will be about giving. I love the principle in the focus verses for today, so basic yet so profound - however we give, that's how we'll receive. Whatever we sow, we reap. It's our choice whether we sow sparingly or bountifully, but God is watching the sowers closely, as He is the Lord of the harvest.

What does the word sparing mean? According to the online Merriam-Webster Dictionary, it simply means "not using or giving a lot of something". What does the word bountiful mean? From the same dictionary we gather this definition - "giving or providing many desired things". Basically, the Apostle Paul is instructing the Corinthians that if they sow just a little, they can expect a small amount in return, but if they sow much, they can expect a larger return. 

And, Brother Paul goes on to say that they (and we) should give cheerfully, never begrudging what we give nor giving just because there is a need. Being cheerful givers reminds me of a church where we ministered last fall. At offering time, that congregation let out a resounding praise because they were glad to give!!! 

The last verse to comment on is verse 8 - God will give back to us according to the attitude of our giving. I love to break this verse down; notice the highlighted words: 

God is able to make ALL grace abound toward us

ALWAYS having ALL sufficiency in ALL things

May abound in EVERY good work

Notice how God responds to cheerful, bountiful givers!! These verses create in me a greater desire to sow (or give) so much more, not just in money but in time and in love for God, and then rejoice when bountiful things return to me from Him!

I hope today's spoonful has been a blessing to you. Have a Terrific Tuesday. Ta ta!

Until tomorrow, Lord willing...............

Monday's Moment

Ephesians 3:20-21

²⁰ Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

²¹ Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Good morning, and a Marvelous Monday to all of you!!!

Faith was at an all-time high last night in the service. At altar call time, the congregation was praying and a deep move of the Holy Ghost took place. I don't know what others were feeling, but my heart was stirred to believe God for ANYTHING! Our God still performs miracles. He has never lost His power nor will it ever diminish. He is and always will be Almighty and All-Powerful!

In the past few months, we heard of a pastor and congregation with an indebtedness of over $800,000 and God performed a miracle and the debt was paid in full! Several years ago, another church that owed $740,000 received a miracle and their debt was also paid in full! Our God can do anything.

We can believe Him to do whatever we need Him to do, with all the glory going to Jesus! I love Ephesians 3:20.... God is able to do "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think".......  but it's "according to the power that worketh in us." If the Holy Ghost is in us and it is at work in us, we can believe God for the things in our lives that seem impossible. 

In his book I read last year, The Circle Maker, author Mark Batterson makes reference to the fact that God is offended when we believe Him only for small things; as if God was not able or willing to do the big things. If God could part the waters of the Red Sea and all the Israelites crossed over on DRY GROUND.... don't you think He can bring our lost loved ones back to Him, heal cancer, raise the dead, provide a church building, pay off a church mortgage, etc., etc.????  He's able!!!

I feel like adding this song, written by Luther Barnes, to our spoonful today (I'm going to have to stop writing or this will be a bucketful of tonic today!):

My God can do anything

My God can do anything

He's got the power, He's got the power

He's got the power, He's got the power

My God can do anything

My God can do anything

Verse One

Makes no difference what the problem

God is able, He's able to solve them

It is no secret what God can do

What He's done for others, He will do it for you

My God can do anything

What is it that you really need from the Lord today? Believe Him for it. He still works miracles in 2015!!

Until tomorrow, Lord willing...............