Monday's Moment

Genesis 22:11-14

¹¹ And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.

¹² And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

¹³ And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.

¹⁴ And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.

Good morning!

"Tis once again Marvelous Monday; another day we have been blessed to see. Sunday is behind us and only God knows what lies ahead of us. But, one thing is certain, if we lean on Him, we will walk in a straight, upright path.

The story of Abraham as indicated in our focus verses today has always caused me to pause and reflect. This man, Abraham, had waited so long for the son of promise, and then God asked him to sacrifice him on an altar. Yet, the morning after God gave Abraham instructions, we read that he got up early to perform the task. How heavy his heart must have been as he made the journey. But, on he walked because he had full trust in God.

As Abraham raised his hand to slay his son, God stopped him because now He knew just how much Abraham loved Him. Abraham did not simply talk about his love for God but he demonstrated it by being willing to give up his most prized possession - Isaac. 

Some years back, I was blessed to hear Sis. Joan Ewing give a narration of a beautiful poem/song that she wrote. It is absolutely a great complement to this Bible story of Abraham and Isaac, as well as about our willingness to be like Abraham:

Now I know

by Murrell & Joan Ewing

Part One of the Narration

He left his father's land

Boyhood dreams were in the past

He held his son, God's promise,

What more would his Friend ask?

To yonder's mountain, Abram,

Take the fire and take the wood

So, trusting still, they climbed the hill

Knowing that what came

Would come for good

And when the altars were all finished

And the wood was all in place

He looked with love and sadness

Into his young son's face

God has asked this of me

There's no less that I can do

I have withheld nothing

I never dreamed He'd ask for you

And then the wind blew softly

God leaned close and whispered low

If I ever wondered how you love Me

Now I know

Part Two

I had left this world behind me

And my dreams were in the past

But, I held a few choice treasures

What more would my Friend ask?

Go to yonder's mountain

Take the fire and take the wood

So, trusting still, I climbed the hill

Knowing that what would come

Would come for good

When my altar was all finished

And the wood was all in place

I looked with fear and trembling

Into my own face

God, what are you asking

There's no less that I would do

I'm Yours, for whatever

All I have belongs to You

Then the wind blew softly

And my Best Friend whispered low

If I ever wondered how you love Me

Now I know

Part Three

The mansions were all finished 

And the gold was all in place

I looked with awe and wonder 

Into the Lamb's dear face

And then I cast my crown before Him

And bowed myself down low

If I'd ever wondered how He loved me

Now I know

Song

Now I know, now I know

The wondering is all over

And I know

There are times and things and places

That allow Your love to show

And the wondering is all over

And you know

May your Monday be marvelous with The Master. He is truly an awesome God.

If He's willing, I'll be back tomorrow with another spoonful!

Sunday's Specialty

Matthew 9:27-31

²⁷ And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us.

²⁸ And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.

²⁹ Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.

³⁰ And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.

³¹ But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.

Good morning, and a Special Sunday morning to you all!

As I read my daily Bible reading this morning, I was drawn to the story of the two blind men who followed Jesus. Can you picture that scene? Two men, who cannot even see Jesus, groping about as they follow him; crying out for Him to have mercy on them. Perhaps Jesus did not turn and address them until they were all inside a house, but then He asked them if they believed that He was able to heal them. They assured Him that they believed.

Jesus touched their eyes, and I'm always moved by the thought that the first thing the blind men saw was the One who not only made their eyes, but the One who healed their eyes! Then, Jesus told them to tell no man about it. This seems kind of odd to me. How could someone who was healed of blindness keep that to themselves? Surely those around knew these men, knew of their blindness, and now they are beholding them walking around with sight. There must have been questions asked them about what happened.

It's kind of sweet to me that Jesus told them not to tell, but they couldn't keep it to themselves. They had to share the miracle that Jesus had performed. Another scene to imagine - formerly blind men, basking in their miracle of sight, going around telling everybody about Jesus and what He had done.

A song came to mind as I began this blog post, and I'd like to share it now:

How Can I Hold My Peace?

by The McGruders

Verse One

I've got to tell it, what the good Lord's done for me

I've got to sing and shout since He sent my spirit free

One drop of blood is all it took, when my soul passed Calvary

I ask you, How can I hold my peace?

Chorus

How can I hold my peace, when He's done so much for me?

How can I hold my peace, when He bought my liberty?

How can I hold my peace, when my soul found victory?

I ask you, How can I hold my peace?

Verse Two

How can I hold my peace when the race is almost run?

How can I hold my peace, when the crown is almost won?

How can I hold my peace, when the job's already done?

I ask you, How can I hold my peace?

Bridge

Gonna sing it on the mountaintop

Tell it everywhere I go

How can I hold my peace?

Gonna sing it on the mountaintop

Tell it everywhere I go

How can I hold my peace?

Tag

How can I hold my peace?

How can I hold my peace?

As we enter into the sanctuary of the most High God today, wherever that might be, let's remember the miracles that He has performed for us, and let it be known, by way of our worship, just how grateful we are. Let's not hold our peace about His goodness and grace. Let's tell it everywhere we go!

God bless your Sunday. Lord willing, I'll be back tomorrow with another spoonful!

Saturday's Snippet

Psalm 103:10-14

¹⁰ He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

¹¹ For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

¹² As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

¹³ Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

¹⁴ For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

Good morning, one and all!

We have awakened to another Sweet Saturday! It is of the Lord's mercy that we opened our eyes and arose from our beds to do His bidding on this day.

Recently, I attended a ladies' meeting at the church where we were ministering, and I thought later of all our differences. Some among us were older; some younger; some middle aged. Each of us were dealing with issues unlike the one we sat beside that night. Some ladies lived for God alone because their mates were unsaved. Others were women whose mates lived for God along with them. Some of the women were single; some married. A few were in leadership in the church; others were faithful behind-the-scenes workers. One lady stood out as on her nearly bald head she wore the familiar pink cap of a cancer patient.

We had gathered for the purpose of doing crafts. Again, our differences were revealed as a few who were adept at crocheting tried to teach others the craft. One group was making flower pins, and two of us were trying desperately to rework a man's necktie into another useful craft. Whether successful at our crafts or not, we all enjoyed the fellowship, fun and food.

All of us were different yet we shared one common denominator - God had called us all out of darkness into His marvelous light. Regardless of age, status in life, etc., He had a purpose for each one of us. He was using us all for HIS glory. Different, yet alike, for we were all God's children. What a humbling revelation!

Because of these thoughts, I was reminded of a beautiful song by the late Daniebelle Hall:

Ordinary People

by Danniebelle Hall

Just ordinary people

God uses ordinary people

He chooses people just like you and me

Who are willing to do as He commands

God uses people that will give Him all

No matter how small your all may seem to you

Because little becomes much when you place it in the Master's hand

Just like that little lad

Who gave Jesus all He had

How the multitude was fed

With the fish and the loaves of bread

What you have may not seem much

But when you yield it to the touch

Of the Master's loving hand, yes,

Then you'll understand

How your life could never be the same

I am so blessed to be a part of the greatest family on earth - God's family. Grateful to be a worker in His fields. Humbled that He lives in me through the indwelling of the Holy Ghost. My utmost desire is to be used of Him until that day we all behold His face in heaven, where we'll live with Him for eternity.

Enjoy your Sweet Saturday with the Savior, being used of Him wherever and whenever He needs you.

Hope to see you again tomorrow for another spoonful!

Friday's Footnote

John 1:1-5

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

² The same was in the beginning with God.

³ All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

⁴ In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

⁵ And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

Good morning, everyone!

It's Friday ... the final day of the work week for many; last day of school for the week for students; fun day for some who don't work outside of the home... Oh, Fridays can be frivolous and fulfilling.

I awoke thinking about Jesus being our Light. Imagine living in real darkness, as a blind person - what a deprived life. But, to live in spiritual darkness is far worse. Thanks be to God, because He came, The Light bringing light, we do not have to live in darkness anymore. The Light has come. The Light brought life. 

We are now the light of the world, and it is so important for us to shine. The darker the world gets, the brighter Christians will shine. We can make a difference if we will but shine. The light was not given to us to hide under a bushel, but we need to put our light on a candlestick so it will shine to others.

Here's a children's song from years back:

Jesus Bids Us Shine

by Susan B. Warner

Jesus bids us shine with a clear, pure light,

Like a little candle burning in the night

In this world of darkness, we must shine,

You in your small corner, and I in mine

Jesus bids us shine, first of all for Him;

Well He sees and knows it if our light is dim;

He looks down from Heaven, sees us shine,

You in your small corner, and I in mine

Jesus bids us shine, then, for all around,

Many kinds of darkness in this world abound:

Sin, and want and sorrow - we must shine,

You in your small corner, and I in mine.

Shine on, fellow Christians! The world is dark, and we are the instrument to bring light to them.

God bless your Friday with the Father, may it be fabulous!

Until tomorrow when, Lord willing, we'll meet again to share another spoonful.....

Thursday's Thought

Acts 4:31

 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Good morning, one and all!

We ended our first week of revival last night, and it ended with a "bang", with a lady receiving the Holy Ghost. A great week the Lord blessed us to be a part of, and I'm still rejoicing this morning. God is so good.

Witnessing a soul receive the Spirit of God is likened to witnessing the birth of a new baby. There is so much excitement as the power of God fills a soul, as well as everyone around. There was joy on her face and a dance in her feet. There's nothing like the Holy Ghost - Christ in us, the hope of glory!

Here in Sulphur, LA, we are believing for a great harvest of souls. I'm thrilled beyond words to be a part of what God is doing right here, right now.

A very old chorus just came to mind.....

It's for me, it's for you

It's for your children

And their children, too

It does something that nothing else can do

In Acts the second chapter

You can read it for yourself

You don't have to ask anybody else

About the Holy Ghost that Jesus is giving away

God is moving even now! Have a tremendously blessed Thursday, and I hope to see you tomorrow!