Saturday's Snippet

Philippians 3:14

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

Good morning, family and friends!

When I was quite young, I memorized the above verse, and throughout the rest of my life, even until now, I think of its impact. Ever since I became a born-again Christian at the age of eleven, I've been pressing, for it has become a way of life. There is a mark that I'm aiming for, a prize - heaven.

The prize is not just to reach heaven as an ultimate goal, but the prize is also in the journey itself. The fighting of the good fight of faith may be exhausting at times, but Jesus is our strength, and it is for Him and with Him that we run with patience this race set before us. We are pursuing a high calling which is from the Lord and in Him. All that we do for Him and through Him, and all that we are pressing for in the end, will be well worth all the effort we put into this race.

A beautiful song, and one that I have shared on this blog in the past, comes to mind. I hope it will bless your soul as it has mine on many occasions:

I Will Be

by Jonathan Nelson

Verse One

In the journey of life 

There are winding roads

Mountains high and valleys low

Though the road ahead may be unknown

I'm still focused on the prize that's worth pressing for

Chorus

I will be what You called me to be

I'll say, yes, Lord I agree

My desire, passionately

Is to be what You called me to be

That's what I'll be

Verse Two

All road signs read destiny

I'll follow wherever You lead

Nothing can hinder me

For the prize is all I see

All I see

Enjoy your journey with Jesus on this Sweet Saturday. Keep pressing, and don't take your eyes off the prize!! 

God bless all of you, and I hope to see you tomorrow for our special Sunday spoonful!

Friday's Footnote

Philippians 2:9-10

⁹ Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

¹⁰ That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Good morning, one and all!

It's Fabulous Friday once again, all because of the goodness of the Lord! "For in him we live, and move, and have our being..." (Acts 17:28) The privilege of one more day comes to us from the Lord.

As I mentioned yesterday, I am reading the book of Philippians over the course of the next few days. Today's focus verses come from the second chapter, and are verses quoted often at church. The name of Jesus is the highest name in heaven and in earth; no other name represents such power and majesty. 

All too often individuals utter this precious name but it isn't said with respect; instead, it is nothing more than a byword. How sad that some can try to diminish the loftiness of that name above all names by breathing it as a casual slang word, often tainting it with anger or disgust.

I was reminded this morning of a song that was popular back in the 1970s, and it fits so well with today's spoonful:

More Than Just a Swear Word

by The Collingsworth Family

Verse One

His name is voiced in every conversation

He's now become a superstar they say

But, oh, the curse it's bringing to our nation

As men proclaim His holy name in vain

Chorus

For He is more than just a swear word

More than just an I don't care word

How can we use His name so recklessly

Our only hope is in this one word

Whosoever will may come word

He's more than just a swear word

He's the precious Son of God

Verse Two

It's so hard to understand how those around us

Are plunging to a lost eternity

And all the while they say the name of Jesus

But curse the only name that sets them free

There's so much love, power, majesty, sweetness, etc. in that one name alone - Jesus! Whisper it over and over again today in prayer, praise the name of Jesus in a song and, above all, shine for Him in this dark world. Our society needs to see a whole lot more Jesus!

I pray we all have a Fabulous Friday with our Forever Faithful Father!!!! If He's willing, I'll see you tomorrow with another spoonful!

Friday's footnote: 

As the print of the seal on the wax is the express image of the seal itself, so Christ is the express image - the perfect representation of God.  ~St Ambrose

Thursday's Thought

Philippians 1:6

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Good morning, everybody!

Last night, our pastor taught from Philippians chapter 2, but he encouraged all of us to read the entire book this week. So, in obedience to that instruction plus the fact that I love to read the Word, I began with chapter 1 this morning. This letter, written by Apostle Paul to the church in Philippi, is very heartfelt in nature. 

Pastor James Sandy made mention last night that Paul was in prison when this epistle was written, and the Philippians were his converts. This is very evident by the wording throughout the first chapter. Verse 3 mentions that Paul thanked God for them each time they came to his mind. Verse 7 mentions that, "I have you in my heart...." 

Paul was instrumental in bringing the gospel to these people and, as he continued praying for them even though he was absent from them, he developed a confidence that they would continue in their newfound faith. He assured them that the One who began the work in them would perform it until the "day of Jesus Christ."

It was the desire of the Apostle Paul that this church abound in the work of God. One definition that I like for the word abound is: to be rich or well supplied. Paul's desire for the church at Philippi was for them to be rich in God; not merely existing as Christians. In our time, this is also the desire of every God-called pastor - that the saints under their spiritual care will be full of God, rich and well-supplied. 

I hope you will also read the book of Philippians along with me for the next few days. There is much to learn each time we read the word of the Lord. New treasures can be found every time we go on a biblical treasure hunt.

Once again, I don't have a song to add to this spoonful, but I trust that your Thursday will be greatly blessed by God. 

Lord willing, I'll see you tomorrow for another spoonful!

Wednesday's Whisper

Psalm 77:10

And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.

Good morning - Wonderful Wednesday to you all!

Sometimes it's good to look back and see where the Lord has brought us from, and to reminisce on all His blessings to us. We shouldn't always be looking backwards nor live in the past, but there is a reassurance in remembering, as David, "the years of the right hand of the most High."

God has been good to me, and He is still good to me. During my threescore plus years upon this earth, I have seen much, experienced much, and I can truly say the right hand of the most High has been upon my life. Thank You, Lord, for all the years that you and I have been friends!

This song was on my mind when I went to bed, and is still there now that I am awake. I believe the lyrics (chorus only) will serve as a great additive to this spoonful:

Through the Years

by Lanny Wolfe

Chorus

Through the years He's blessed me

Through the years He's kept me

Through the good times and the bad

He's been the best friend I've ever had

Through the years I'll love Him

Through the years I'll serve Him

'Til I reign with Him forever

Through the years

Perhaps we can all take a moment or two to look back, remember, and offer thanks to God for every blessing that has come from His hand. And, we can thank Him for every trial He's brought us through. May we hear His gentle whisper, telling us that if He was with us in past years, He'll be with us in the present. He remains constant at all times!

God bless you all with a Wonderful Wednesday; may it be WOWed by The Wonderful!

Until tomorrow when, Lord willing, we meet again for another spoonful.......

Tuesday's Tidbit

1 John 4:19

We love him, because he first loved us.

John 3:16

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.

Good morning, one and all!

One of the greatest blessings in life is to know that we are loved. Whenever I pause to think of the blessings that God has bestowed on me, His grace, mercy, peace, etc., the one that really touches me most is His love. And, oh, what a love it is! Unconditional love that goes beyond the love that mankind can ever know, show, or understand. I am loved by Jesus Christ; that makes me glad!

Jeff and Sheri Easter, popular among Southern gospel songwriters, have written another beautiful song (and it's making the charts). I'd like to share its lyrics with you as the heart of today's spoonful:

Jesus Loves You

by Jeff & Sheri Easter

Verse One

When you feel forgotten

When you feel you're all alone

When you feel like giving up

When you feel discouraged 

And everything's uncertain

When you feel you're just not good enough

When it's slipping through your hand

And you've done all you can

And there's still so much to do

It's easy to forget

In times like this.....

Chorus

Jesus loves you

Jesus loves you

And He cares about everything

You're going through

Your name is engraved 

On the palm of His hands

That's a promise you can hold onto

It's easy to forget

In times like this

Jesus loves you

Verse Two

When the funeral is over

And the casseroles are gone

And you're about as broken as can be

When the sun ain't shining

The nights are just too long

And the weight of it all

Drives you to your knees

I've been where you are

When God just seems so far

And I need to be reminded too

It's easy to forget

In times like this......

In times like these, we need a Savior, and that Savior loves us with a never ending love. Sometimes we need to be reminded of the love of Jesus.... and oftentimes we need to remind our friends!

Have a blessedly terrific Tuesday. Enjoy the love of Jesus; embrace Him, and shine with His love to everyone you meet!

Lord willing, I'll see you tomorrow for yet another spoonful!

Monday's Moment

Mark 2:2-4

² And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.

³ And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.

⁴ And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.

Good morning - Marvelous Monday - to all of you!

Last night, my husband preached from Mark 2, with emphasis on God's greatest miracle being the saving of a man's soul versus the healing of the body. I love this story but my focus today is going to be on the four people who carried their friend to Jesus on that day so long ago.

Years ago, I heard a sermon on tape by a Bro. Williams entitled, "The Four Unnamed Winners." In that sermon, the emphasis was placed on the four friends, too. What seems odd to me is that they were very important in this story, yet their names are not recorded. Oh, but they ARE recorded, for God knows their names! They were four caring carrying men, determined that their friend was going to meet the Healer that day.

Imagine their surprise when they cannot enter into the door of the house because of the crowd. So great was their love for their friend, that they went beyond the call of duty to find another entrance. I wonder how much time lapsed from when they reached the house until they made a hole in the roof? Thankfully, their faith never wavered until the job was finished.

And, after all their hard work, I would imagine the four unnamed men remained on the rooftop while only their friend (who was the focal point) was let down into the presence of Jesus. The Bible goes on to say that when Jesus saw "their faith"..... Their names may not be recorded for us to read, but Jesus knew that those four men were full of faith, enough so that they put some works with that faith and brought their helpless friend to the place where he could receive true, lasting help.

God bless all of you today who take the time to "carry" your friends to Jesus, whether it is through earnest prayer, or the actual bringing them to church to feel Him for the very first time. God will reward all those who go the extra mile in bringing the needy into His presence. The Healer back then still forgives sins and miraculously heals cripples today.

I don't have a song to share today, and I kind of feel that I've been rambling but I just wanted to share some thoughts. May your Monday be truly marvelous with the Master. If He is willing, I'll see you tomorrow for another spoonful of tonic!

Sunday's Specialty

Psalm 105:5

Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;

Good morning, everybody!

It's Sunday, the most special day of the week! In just a matter of hours, we will go to our churches, where we will worship and praise the Lord, and bask in His presence. While we're in His sanctuary, we will witness His marvelous works! He did wonders way back in the Bible days, He hasn't changed, so that means He's still working wonders today!!

In the New Testament, we read about Jesus feeding thousands. We also enjoy the stories of how He healed the sick, the blind, the lame, and made the dead live again. Sadly, many followed Jesus to see what He would do; they were a part of the crowd waiting to see the miraculous. But, they never saw the Miracle Worker!! They were moved by the miracles, yet never got to know the One responsible.

Imagine you're at a concert where a famous musician is performing, and all you notice are the lights and the scenery, or perhaps the crowd; but, you never fully appreciate the one who is performing. That's so like humanity today, wanting signs and wonders without a desire to know the Jesus behind it all, and responsible for it all.

I found this chorus while searching for another song about miracles:

There's a Miracle

by Tasha Cobb

There's a miracle in this room with my name on it

There's a healing in this room and it's here for me

There's a breakthrough in this room and it's got my name on it

So I'm gonna put a praise on it

Many of us need a miracle in our lives today but, wouldn't it be wonderful if we went to church with our focus on adoring Jesus Christ, the Miracle Worker, rather than seeking only the miracle? He deserves all our praise, whether we receive a miracle or not. He alone is worthy of our highest praise.

God bless you all with the most special Sunday you've ever had! I hope to see you again tomorrow for another spoonful!

Saturday's Snippet

Isaiah 44:21

Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me.

Good morning, Sweet Saturday to all of you!

What a blessing it is to know that we are the Lord's servants; He has formed us; and He will not forget us! We are special to the Lord; His children; His very own. Again, what a blessing! We cherish our family members, loving them dearly, but they cannot always be with us, and they cannot meet the needs in our lives. Oh, but God can!!

A very old hymn came to mind this morning, so I'll make my words short and share its lyrics with you all:

God is Still on the Throne

(Author Unknown)

Verse One

He stepped out of nowhere 

The world in His hands

And He hung it on nothing

But His command

He spoke into being

All these things that we see

And in His own image

He made you and me

Chorus

God is still on the throne

He will take care of His own

He sends thousands and thousands

Ten thousands of angels

We're never alone

For God is still on the throne

Verse Two

His hands aren't feeble

There's no loss of strength

And His mind's never left Him

Unable to think

His nerves aren't shattered

His hair isn't gray

And He still works His wonders

In mysterious ways

Verse Three

In the great book of Psalms

46 and verse 10

Jehovah, Creator, 

Is speaking again

Be still when you're troubled

When the storm rages wild

For I am still God

And you're still My child

This song has such beautiful words. May it minister to you today, as it has to me. God cares for us at all times.

Have a Sweet Saturday and, Lord willing, I'll see you tomorrow....