Friday's Footnote

Psalm 130:5

I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

Good morning, everybody!

It's Friday - Fabulous Friday, as I like to call it. Our faithful Father is with us, and He is at work even now - for us - His faithful followers! Hallelujah!

Did you ever notice how many times in the Old Testament, we read these words, "And the word of the Lord came unto..... " The word of the Lord came to them, and it still comes to us today. We receive faith by the hearing of the word of the Lord, through preaching by called men of God. But, even in our daily devotions, as we read His Word, we often receive a special nugget that speaks peace in our situation. There is nothing so special as receiving a word from the Lord during a trial or struggle.

God's Word is such a vital part of our lives; we cannot live without His Word. Job said it well: "Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food." (Job 23:12).

David wrote in Psalm 130 that he hoped in the Lord, even while he was waiting on the Lord. When we pray and the answers haven't come, we must wait for the Lord and continue to hope in His Word. God's Word will last forever!

Just a few words from a song were on my mind as I awoke this morning, and I will finish up today's blog with all the lyrics to this song:

We Need a Word from the Lord

by Vicki Winans

We don't need another political uprising

We don't need another conqueror on the scene

What we need is a special word, that will bond within our hearts

And give us direction from above

We need a word from the Lord

A word from the Lord

Just one word from the Lord

Will move all the doubts

And cause the sun to shine

And give peace of mind

Speak, Lord, speak

Lord, we lack Thy wisdom and understanding

Lord, we lack the very love you showed in Your Son

Lord, we've faltered in the way, and we stand so much to gain

So give us Your word, Lord, Speak Lord

On this Friday, may we all take the time to read God's Word or listen to a sermon, then hope in that word. His Word still speaks. He has a special message of love, hope, and peace for each one of us today.

God bless you, and I pray to see you tomorrow......

Friday's Footnote: "God's Word is pure and sure, in spite of the devil, in spite of your fear, in spite of everything. " - R. A. Torrey

Thursday's Thought

1 John 5:14-15

¹⁴ And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

¹⁵ And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Good morning, one and all!

What does the word confidence mean? According to one online dictionary, these are some definitions: full trust; belief in the powers, trustworthiness, or reliability of a person or thing. Those definitions surely describe the confidence we can have in our God. We can put our full trust in Him; and we believe in His power, trustworthiness, and reliability! 

I love the two verses above from 1 John 5. We have a confidence in our God that He not only hears but He will answer. These verses are part of God's word that will stand forever. Often I have prayed these verses during my quiet time with God. Our God will never fail us. Wherever we are and whatever we are going through at this time, He is with us and He's fighting for us. He makes all things beautiful in His time (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

From way back in the early 1970s comes a memory of a song that was very popular, sung by a group called the Downings, and I am including its lyrics today as a complement to our spoonful:

I've Got Confidence

by Andrae Crouch

Verse One

When trouble is in my way

I can't tell my night from day

When I'm tossed from side to side

Like a ship on a raging tide

I don't worry, I don't fret

My God has never failed me yet

Troubles come from time to time

But that's all right

I'm not the worrying kind because...

Chorus

I've got confidence 

God is gonna see me through

No matter what the case may be

I know He's gonna fix it for me

Verse Two

Job was sick for so long

'Til the flesh fell from his bones

His wife, cattle, and children

Everything that he had was gone

But Job in his despair

He knew that God still cared

Sleepless days and sleepless nights

But Job said that's all right, because...

Verse Three

Some folks wonder how I smile

Even when I'm going through trials

How can I have a song

When everything is going wrong

But I don't worry, I don't fret

My God has never failed me yet

Troubles come from time to time

But that's all right

I'm not the worrying kind, because....

I pray for renewal of our confidence in God today. Isaiah 30:15 refers to there being strength in quietness and confidence. We can truly find strength by having our full trust placed in the Lord God Almighty, who never fails.

God bless you, one and all. Hopefully, if He is willing, I'll see you tomorrow for yet another spoonful!

Wednesday's Whisper

Psalm 40:16

 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified.

Good morning, everybody!

Once again, it is Wonderful Wednesday - WOW! This is another day that the Lord has blessed us to see; a day in which to rejoice; a day in which to love Him! It is another day to magnify the Lord. David said it well in the verse above - if we seek the Lord, we should rejoice and be glad; and, if we love His salvation, we should always be saying, "The Lord be magnified." 

Some days the words just kind of flow, but other days I feel as if I'm suffering from writer's block. Today the words aren't flowing, but I do want to give my Lord praise and tell Him how much I love Him, and all that He means to me. He has truly been good to me all my life. Where would I be today if I had not had the Lord in my life? I shudder to think of the answer. But, thanks be to God, I am His and He is mine!

I awoke with this old song on my mind, and I will let the lyrics express what my soul is feeling this morning:

My Thanks to Him

by A. L. Clanton

Verse One

I love to tell how Jesus saved my soul

When I was lost and facing dark despair

But mortal tongue could never tell the whole

Nor thank Him for such wondrous love and care

Chorus

O He is more than all this world to me

The dearest friend that I have ever known

And it will take the whole eternity

To thank Him for the love that He has shown

Verse Two

When I am sad He brings me hope and cheer

He gives me grace when-e'er the way is rough

How could I thank Him for such blessings here?

My life on earth will not be long enough

Verse Three 

Tho' I should live a thousand years below

And praise the Lord from dawn till set of sun

Still that would not be time enough to show

My thanks to Him for all that He has done

This beloved hymn conveys so well my feelings about the Lord this morning, and I believe you feel the same.

Have a Wonderful Wednesday.... may the Lord whisper sweet words to our souls as we all embrace Him and tell Him just how much He means to us!

Tuesday's Tidbit

Isaiah 42:6

I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;

Good morning, one and all!

I have two brothers, one older and one younger, with yours truly being the only girl. That said, I was (and still am) Daddy's girl. I adored my Dad, wanted his approval in my life as I grew older, and many of my traits come from him. One particularly sweet memory from my childhood is of Dad holding my hand as we walked. Thinking back, I wonder if Dad held my hand because he wanted the physical connection with me, or because he was afraid I would stumble and fall; or, a little bit of both? Either way, as a little girl whose hand her father held, there was comfort in that gesture.

My Dad is in IL in a convalescent home and I miss the days of my childhood. I really miss him holding my hand and walking with me. In spite of a stroke in 2008 which left one side weaker, his aging body (he's 83), and the dementia that is taking its toll on him, his hands still have a firm grip. Oh, the hands of a Dad - strong hands, warm hands, comforting hands!

Because my parents became Christians when I was very young, I was introduced to God, our Heavenly Father. When I was born again at the age of eleven, I fell in love with this Father of all fathers, and if I can say it more affectionately, this Dad of all dads. What an awesome walk it has been for me. And, even though I miss my earthly father so much, my Heavenly Father holds my hand each moment of each day as we walk along together on life's road.

I love this song by the Gaither Vocal Band:

Promises One by One

Music and lyrics by Buddy Mullins and Daryl Williams

Chorus

He promised to hold my hand

He promised to help me stand

When the valley's too low

And the river's too wide

He promised He will lead me to the other side

His promises light my way

Never let my feet to stray

Living in His word I will overcome

Standing on His promises, one by one

Verse One

I may have to walk on the water with Him

But I don't have to worry if I sink or swim

Verse Two

I may have to walk through the valley of death

I may not be sure of my very next step

Enjoy your day, hand in hand with Jesus. He will comfort, guide, and strengthen every step you take.

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

Monday's Moment

1 Peter 1:18-19

¹⁸ Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

¹⁹ But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Marvelous Monday, everybody!

The weekend has passed and now we stand upon the brink of another week. Mondays have often been referred to as "blue", but it may have a lot to do with how we look at the day. Our Maker made this Monday, and with Him all things are marvelous! When we lean on the Lord, wherever we travel on this particular day, everything's gonna be all right.

I believe I wrote about the blood of Jesus a few days ago, and today's blog seems to be somewhat of a continuation of that subject. It is a subject worth repeating! However, the special word on my mind today is redemption. What does it mean to be redeemed? One definition is: "to free from the consequences of sin." Another definition is: "to free from captivity by payment of ransom."

The Lord did not use corruptible things as silver and gold in order to pay the ransom for our souls. NO! He shed His own blood, precious blood, as that of a lamb having no blemish or spot. He purchased our salvation with His blood. He freed us from the consequences of sin with His precious blood. Thank God for the blood that washes white as snow! I am redeemed, and I'm glad about it!

Here's a song I'd like to add as part of today's spoonful:

I am Redeemed

by Jesse Dixon

Verse One

Where there was hate, love now abides

Where there was confusion, peace now reigns

I'm walking with Jesus, I'm a child of the King

It's all because I am redeemed

Verse Two

I'll tell of His favor, I'll tell of His love

I'll tell of His goodness to me

He purchased my redemption with His own precious blood

And from sin, from sin, I've been set free

Chorus

I am redeemed, bought with a price

Jesus has changed my whole life

If anybody asks you just who I am

Tell them

Tell them I am redeemed

We have been ransomed, bought back, all because of the precious blood of Jesus. Now we belong to Him. We are no longer servants to sin and the devil. Praise God, we are redeemed.

I pray your Monday is truly marvelous as you move about... all because of our Maker!

Lord willing, I'll see you tomorrow!

Sunday's Specialty

Galatians 6:2

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Good morning... it's Special Sunday!!

Every day we awake upon this earth is a good day all because God is good! There is a popular quote that says: Every day may not be good but there is some good in every day. How true! I'm grateful to be awake, alive and moving this morning, and I owe my gratitude to the Lord who made it happen for me.

I follow social media somewhat (Instagram and Facebook) and what I've noticed so much lately is how many people are hurting; how many people post that they need prayer. Some days, I find it so disturbing and overwhelming. As I once blogged, I am a "fixer", so when someone posts that they need prayer, I try to be there for them. Since I cannot physically touch each one by way of a handshake, pat on the back, or a hug, I do know that I can pray. And, when I pray (along with others), I touch the One who can be there for them. When the Lord steps on the scene, things change.

There's a beautiful song, written and sung by Babbie Mason, and I feel it on my heart today for this spoonful. To all my friends who are hurting, this is my gift of comfort for you today:

Standing in the Gap

by Babbie Mason

Verse One

I heard that you were hurting

That you were suffering pain

But I didn't dare just turn my head

And look the other way

For when your heart is aching

My heart is aching, too

Let me help you bear your burden

That's the least that I can do

Chorus

I'll be standing in the gap for you

Just remember someone, somewhere is praying for you

Calling out your name

Praying for your strength

I'll be standing in the gap for you

Verse Two

Right now you may be troubled

But everything will work out fine

For the Spirit knows before you speak

What is on your heart and mind

So I'll be interceding

'Til your standing strong again

The peace that passes understanding

Is going to be yours, but until then...

Repeat Chorus

Bridge

So hang on, my friend,

It won't be long 

And you'll have the strength

To carry on

For when two or three are walking together

It will be a much lighter load

For isn't that what a brother and a sister are for

As we go to our churches across the nation, let's make today one in which we help bear the load of another. Let's be the one who stands in the gap for another who is hurting. 

Have a Special Sunday with our Sweet Savior and, Lord willing, I'll see you tomorrow...