Tuesday's Tidbit

Isaiah 53:3-4

³ He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

⁴ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

Good morning, everybody!

My husband's message last night was about the love of God; a love greater than all of our hurt. Isaiah prophesied concerning Jesus, how He would be despised and rejected; a man of sorrows. But, I love verse 4 above - He bore our griefs, and carried our sorrows. All the pain and hurt of the entire world rested on Jesus as He died on Calvary! The beautiful verse - John 3:16 tells us that, "God so loved the world that He gave......" What great love!

Another precious verse comes to mind:

John 15:13

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

And, then another:

Romans 5:8

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

The altar call was given, several came and began to pray.... then, all of a sudden, a young couple, hand-in-hand, walked to the altar!! Tears flowed as they responded to the love of God. Their broken lives were being mended as they repented of their sins. The young man received the Holy Ghost, speaking with other tongues, just like they did on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2! As their praying quieted, a young lady received the Holy Ghost not far from where they stood! The love of God and His Spirit were flowing.

God's word will never return void; but it will accomplish what God intends. The love of God is so powerful. There truly is NO GREATER LOVE than His!

A choir song that was popular around 1992 is on my mind, and I believe I'll share its lyrics with you today:

No Greater Love

(as sung by the GMWA Mass Choir)

Verse

For God so loved this world

That He gave His only begotten Son.

That Son gave His life for me,

When He died on Calvary

There is no greater love

No love nowhere; no greater love

Than a man would lay down His life for a friend,

No love nowhere, I've searched all over

Chorus 1

There is no greater love,

There is no greater love,

There is no greater love,

No greater love

Bridge

No greater love,

Than a man would lay down His life for a friend

Vamp 1

Jesus went to Calvary

To save a wretch 

Like you and me

That's love, that's love

Vamp 2

They hung Him wide

They stretched Him wide

He hung His head, and then He died

That's love, that's love

Vamp 3

That's not how the story ends

Three days later He rose again

That's love, that's love

My heart is still rejoicing about our service last night. God is awesome, and His love so much greater than all the pain and suffering of this world.

May you sense God's love today in a special way. If the Lord is willing, I'll see you tomorrow for another spoonful!

Monday's Moment

1 Peter 5:10-11

¹⁰ But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

¹¹ To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Good morning - Marvelous Monday!!

While I was reading in II Thessalonians this morning, I noticed two verses - I Thessalonians 2:17, and I Thessalonians 3:3 - both containing the word stablish. Then, the above verses from I Peter 5 came to mind, so I chose them as my focus verses today. 

God, The God of ALL grace, will perfect, stablish, strengthen, and settle us - AFTER we have suffered for awhile. Suffering hurts, and is something we shy away from in this life, but it is an inevitable part of our sojourn here on this earth. Everything unpleasant that we go through in this life is for our ultimate good, even though we may never understand the process.

But, after the suffering, God will perfect us - the definition for this word is to "make (something) completely free from faults or defects, or as close to such a condition as possible." Much like the refining of gold and silver removes impurities, so our testing removes impurities from us.

Stablish (or establish) - the definition is to "put (someone or something) in a position, role, etc., that will last for a long time." We definitely desire to be in our role as a Christian for a long time, don't we?

Strengthen - means to "make (someone or something) stronger, more forceful, more effective, etc." I like this definition as I truly desire to become more forceful in my fight against the enemy of my soul, and definitely more effective!

Settle - here are two definitions for this word: "1) to end (something, such as an argument) by reaching an agreement; 2) to move to a place and make it your home." Wow! We are settled by the God of all grace - there's no more argument that He is The Way, The Truth, and The Life - and I am going to follow Him all the days of my life! Also, I have moved into this spiritual place as a Christian and have called it my home - until I reach my eternal home - heaven!

As I type the last words of this blog post, an old song is being played on our Sirius/XM radio -  "Standing on the Solid Rock" (by the Kingsmen):

Chorus

I'm standing on the Rock of Ages

Safe from every storm that rages

Rich, in love I'm rich, but not from Satan's wages

Standing on the Solid Rock

How appropriate; how very like God for the song to come on just as I was writing about being settled!

God bless your Monday, making it more than Marvelous - because He is our Maker!!

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

Sunday's Specialty

Psalm 119:11

 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Good morning, and a Special Sunday may it be for all of us!

The Word of God, the Bible, is absolutely the most precious book in the world to me. I'm grateful that I grew up in a time when the Bible was read daily in our home, and then we were strongly admonished to carry it to church with us at service time. My heart aches when I see so many who rely on screens at church to show them the scriptures being read, and there is no physical book in their hands.

The Psalmist David wrote about hiding God's Word in his heart because he knew it would keep him from sinning against God. We must follow David's example and hide it in our hearts; not in our houses or within our hands for there it can be easily taken away; not in our heads because memories fade as time passes. If the Word of God is hidden away in our hearts, pressed there by daily use, molding our lives after it, then it will be safe.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

¹⁶ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Everything within the Bible is there for our good. Read and study every day, applying these precious and powerful words to our lives. We need it now more than ever before.

My children grew up listening to Psalty the Singing Songbook, and one song from that time is on my mind today. It's actually a little lengthy so I'll just share the chorus, but search for it and listen to it entirely and you'll be blessed.

The Bible Alphabet Song

by Psalty - Kids' Praise 5 Album

I'm gonna hide God's Word in my heart,

It's a lamp unto my feet.

I'm gonna read God's Word every day,

It's my food, my bread and meat.

I'm gonna stand on the truth of the Bible,

I'm gonna open my eyes,

I'm gonna memorize.

May your Sunday be Special, and I know it will be if we hear God's Word preached today, and hide it in our hearts.

God bless you today and, if He's willing, I'll see you again tomorrow!

Saturday's Snippet

Hebrews 11:11

Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

Luke 1:45-46

⁴⁵ And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

⁴⁶ And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

Good morning, family and friends!

I was awakened at 1:56 this morning with inspiration so strong that I felt I should get up and write. I do believe this might be a first for me to do this. The subject so heavy on my mind and heart was about promises. From childhood, I was of the impression that promises were meant to be kept. Family and friends can make promises with no intention of breaking them but life can get in the way, rendering them unable to fulfill. But, God, oh, but God NEVER, and I will repeat, NEVER breaks His promises. If He said it, He will come through.

Look at Sarah from the Bible days. God promised her a son but years passed before she held her promise. I love the verse above from Hebrews 11 that states that her faith enabled her to be strong to deliver a son when she was well past child-bearing age. Why? "She judged him faithful who had promised." God promised; Sarah believed; God delivered! 

Then, let's turn our attention to a New Testament lady - Mary. So young and pure, yet God promised that she was going to bring forth a son. Sarah was old but had a baby, but Mary was a virgin! How could this be?? Only God could make it happen. He needed a vessel so He could put on a robe of flesh and dwell among men. Through Mary, the Savior of the world would come. Elisabeth spoke to Mary and said, "And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance......." Just like Sarah, Mary believed. Once again, God promised; Mary believed: God delivered.

These two women, separated by centuries, had much in common - they believed God was going to keep His promises - and they were not disappointed.

This song is on my mind this morning, and I want to share it because its lyrics are so beautiful and true:

The Promise

by The Martins

Verse One

                                       I never said that I would give you silver or gold

Or that you would never feel the fire or shiver in the cold

But I did say, you'd never walk through this world alone

And I did say, don't make this world your home

I never said that fear wouldn't find you in the night

Or that loneliness was something you'd never have to fight

But I did say, I'd be right there by your side

And I did say, I'll always help you fight

Chorus One

'Cause you know I made a promise

That I intend to keep

My grace will be sufficient in every time of need

My love will be the anchor that you can hold onto

This is the promise, this is the promise

I've made to you

Verse Two

I never said that friends would never turn their back on you

Or that the world around wouldn't see you as a fool

But I did say, like Me, you'll surely be despised

And I did say, My ways confound the wise

I didn't say you'd never taste the bitter kiss of death

Or have to walk through chilly Jordan to enter into rest

But I did say, I'd be waiting right on the other side

And I did say, I'll dry every tear you cry

Chorus Two

'Cause you know I made a promise

That I've prepared a place

And someday sooner than you think

You'll see Me face-to-face

And you'll sing with the angels

And a countless multitude

This is the promise, this is the promise

I've made to you

Bridge

So just keep on walking

Don't turn to the left or right

And in the midst of darkness

Let this be your light

That hell can't separate us

And you're gonna make it through

This is the promise, this is the promise

I've made to you

I love that song, but more than the song, I love my God who always keeps His promises. This blog post is being sent to encourage my readers to hold on to your faith in God, in spite of all the opposition you face. Your promise is coming!

God bless you, one and all, on this Sweet Saturday. If He allows, I'll meet you again tomorrow for another spoonful......

Friday's Footnote

Romans 11:2-4

² God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel saying,

³ Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.

⁴ But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.

Good morning - 'tis Fabulous Friday!

Perhaps we'll call this day Faith-filled Friday! As I left the warm confines of the covers this morning, I thought of two young ladies, both in their thirties, both the wives of ministers, and, sadly, both battling disease. Life hurts, and life is surely unfair. But, God is good and He is our Father - and a most Faithful Father is He!!

Circumstances have a way of absorbing all our attention. I can only imagine what these two young women have faced recently - hospital beds, tests upon tests, needles..... not to mention the testing of their faith. But, in the midst of distressing circumstances, faith reaches out to a God who is able to conquer their circumstances, and bring about a change.

In I Kings 18, we read of Elijah's great victory over the worshippers of Baal on Mount Carmel. What a victory! God answered by fire, showing to all that He was the only God. Yet, in the next chapter, Jezebel sent a message to Elijah that she was going to have him killed just like he had killed all the prophets of Baal. All of a sudden, the victory at Mount Carmel paled in light of Jezebel's threat. So, the mighty prophet fled for his life.

Elijah, looking only at the present circumstances, says, "I am left alone, and they seek my life."

But, GOD said, "I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal."

The facts may be against us, but God will have the final say in every matter! Karen Peck & New River sing a beautiful song, and I want to share its lyrics with you today:

The Truth Is
by Karen Peck & New River

Verse One:
The fact is you're caught in a battle 
and you feel that you're losing the war.
And the fact is it's raged on for so long 
that your steps have grown weary and sore.
But that's just the facts of the matter cause
the truth has not left you behind
When the facts have you bound up in sorrow 
the truth sets you free one more time

Chorus:
And the truth is you're not forsaken
And the truth is you wont be denied
Well the facts may be stacked up against you
right now
but the truth is God's on your side

Verse Two:
Now in fact there've been times you have 
questioned
should you throw up your hands just give in
and in fact you've said there's just no 
reason to keep fighting when you'll never win
Oh, but that's not the end of the story
cause the truth says you shall overcome
when the facts say you're almost defeated
the truth is you've already won.

My prayer today is for the two young ladies I mentioned earlier, as well as for each of you. No matter the circumstance, our God is the way, the truth, and the life. May He be magnified bigger than our circumstances today.

God bless you, one and all. Have a Faith-filled Friday with our Forever Faithful Father. Lord willing, I'll see you tomorrow for another spoonful.


Friday's Footnote:

Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark.
--Rabindranath Tagore

Thursday's Thought

Psalm 71:8, 15

8 Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.

15 My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.

Good morning, one and all!

What a blessing to see another day; a day in which to praise the Lord, enjoy His blessings, and do His bidding. Something struck a chord with me when I read Psalm 71 this morning, especially in the two verses I chose to focus on today. Both of these verses mention "all the day." 

David said that his mouth would be filled with praise and honor to the Lord all day, and his mouth would show forth the righteousness and salvation of the Lord all day. It's a 24/7 commitment we have to the Lord. But, we are the ones who do the choosing as to how much and when we will praise the Lord. My desire is to be like David, and praise the Lord ALL DAY LONG. Throughout my day, may the Lord be the number one thought on my mind, no matter the task I'm doing. 

It is because of the Lord's mercies that we are here today, so Who better to praise? Is there another on earth or in heaven besides the Lord God Almighty? NO!! He made it all according to His plan and for His purpose. It's all about Him!

There's a chorus that I have loved for a long time, and I'd like to share it with you today.  The melody is sweet but the lyrics go along with today's spoonful. If you know it, sing it throughout your day; but, if you don't know it, Google it to try and learn it. (smile)

All Day Long I've Been with Jesus

by GMWA Women of Worship

All day long, I've been with Jesus

All day long, my lips have uttered praise

All day long, my heart, my soul's been lifted in worship

All day long, I have been with Him

No way could I ever honor You enough

For all You've done for me

So I will offer up thanksgiving from my heart

And praise continually

Those working in offices away from home today can praise the Lord within them. Whether doing laundry, dishes, homeschooling, or attending to the family.... we can praise the Lord. He is worthy of more praise than we can ever give. 

Trusting that your Thursday is terrific, and I pray we get an opportunity to be together again tomorrow for yet another spoonful!!