Remembering Psat And Present

Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Hebrews 13:7. We set aside a day in May to remember those men and women who gave and continue to give their lives for our freedom, and with humble hearts, we give thanks for their sacrifice. We should also remember those who, as we read in Hebrews 11, gave their lives, endured unimaginable tortures, who paved the road for our freedom to share and speak the name of Jesus. Whose examples of strength and faith should give us the courage to stand in the face of oppsoition. And with such a great cloud of witnesses compassing us about, and through strength in Christ, shouldn't we too fight the good fight of faith, lay aside the things that weigh us down, and run with patience the race set before us? Let us therefore remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. Hebrews 13:3. Remember there are soldiers fighting for our rights, to pray, to share the gospel, to speak the name of Jesus. Finally, my brethern, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God...Eph.6:10.

Power Of The Word

IN THIS MASTERPIECE ON THE WORD OF GOD, Psalm 119, the poet said, "My tongue shall speak of thy word" (verse 172). Concerning its efficacy, here are eleven distinct functions:
Cleanses: "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed..to thy word" (verse 9). Guards against sin: "Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee" (verse 11). Counsels: "Thy testimonies also are my delight, and my counselors" (verse 24).Gives hope: "Remember the word..upon which thou hast caused me to hope" (verse 49). Quickens: "Thy word hath quickened me" (verse 50). Puts a song in the heart: "Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage" (verse 54). Makes wise: "Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemises...my teachers...the ancients" (verses 98-100). Feeds the soul: "How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth" (verse 130). Gives light: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (verse 105). Gives joy:"Thy testimonies...a heritage for ever...they are the rejoicing of my heart" (verse 111). Provides the only infallible way: "I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right" (verse 128) (A Psalm In My Heart; Leroy Browlow)
"He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments and live. Proverbs 4:4"

Quite Talks on Prayer: Breaking With God

If i am holding in my life that the Master does not like, I I am failing to obey when His voice has spoken, that to me is sin. It may be wrong in itself. It may not be wrong in itself. It may not be wrong for another. Sometimes it is not the thing involved but the One involved that makes the issue. If that faithful quite inner voice has spoken and I know what the Master would prefer and I fail to keep in line, that to me is sin. Then prayer is useless; sheer waste of breath. Aye, worse, it is deceptive. For I am apt to say or think, "Well, I am not as good as you, or you, but then I am not so bad; I pray." And the truth is because I have broken with God the praying--saying words in that form--is utterly worthless. You see sin is slapping God in the face. It may be polished, cultured sin. Sin seems capable of taking quite a high polish. Or it may be the common gutter stuff. A man is not concerned about the grain of a club that strikes him a blow. How can He and I talk together if I have done that, and stick to it--not even apologized. And what good is an apology if the offense is being repeated. And if we cannot talk together of course working together is out of the question. And prayer is pulling with God in His plan for a world. Shall we not put out the thing that is wrong? Or put in the thing the Master wants in? for Jesus sake? Aye for man's sake: poor befooled men's sake who are being kept out and away because God cannot get at them through us! Shall we bow and ask forgiveness for our sin, and petty stubborness that has been thwarting the Master's love-plan? And yet even while we ask forgiveness there are lives out yonder warped and dwarfed and worse because of hinderance in us; yes, and remaining so as we slip out of this meeting. May the fact send us out to walk very softly these coming days. (S. D. Gorden pgs. 70-72) Psalm 66:18 "If I regard iniqity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:" Isaiah 59:2 "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." Father God, help me not to hold onto things that can and will cause any rift in my relationship with You, I am desperate for Your presence. Father, open my eyes, to anything that separates us in prayer, that I may ask Your forgiveness and once again hear Your voice clearly. Amen....

Is It Possible?

Is it possible for a genuine believer to be overwhelmed with fear and despair?
In spite of his triumph over the prophets of Baal, Elijah fell into deep despair (1 Kings 19:4).
After confidently proclaiming his faithfulness to Jesus (Matthew 26:33-35), Peter denied Him with curses and wept bitterly (Mark 14:66-72)
Paul “despaired even of life” (2 Corinthians 1:8), and agonized over his helplessness when struggling against the “flesh” (Romans 7:18-24).
Though God accomplished great things through each of these people, as persons of faith they experienced their worlds spinning out of control.
These examples from the Bible make it clear that believers often face trials that are unexpected and have no discernable purpose. Trials like these overwhelm our efforts to understand and rationalize them. But these biblical examples of great people of faith illustrate that experiences of stress and despair can be times of greatest spiritual growth.
A story about the Victorian poet/hymn writer William Cowper illustrates how dramatically God’s grace can interact with our despair. Anyone knowing his history would understand why Cowper was given to long periods of depression. On one occasion, convinced he had committed the unpardonable sin, he left his home on a foggy London night and walked toward the Thames River, determined to commit suicide by drowning. As he walked, the fog grew thicker and he lost his way. After several hours of blind wandering, he found himself back at his doorstep. Astonished at God’s intervention, he wrote a poem that later became a beloved hymn:
God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea, and rides upon the storm.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust Him for His grace;
behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face.
Blind unbelief is sure to err and scan His work in vain;
God is His own Interpreter, and He will make it plain.
Job’s story provides a framework for understanding the common elements of experiences that make believers feel they are abandoned in a hostile and meaningless world. God allowed Satan to test Job (Job 1), just as our accuser tests the faith of everyone driven to despair. Every believer has a personal enemy, Satan, who consciously seeks to make him or her feel their faith is empty (1 Peter 5:8-9; Ephesians 6:10-12). But just as God set limits to what Satan could do to Job (Job 1:12), He sets limits to what Satan can do to us (1 Corinthians 10:13; Luke 22:31-32). Even more importantly, if we are faithful the Creator is able to change our despairing experiences into good. God uses satanically induced despair to strengthen and refine us in our love for Him and each other.
“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:6-7 NIV). (Dan Vaner Lugt)

Look And Think Again

"Take no thought for your life." Matthew 6:25
A warning which needs to be reiterated is that the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lust of other things entering in, will choke all that God puts in. We are never free from the recurring tides of this encroachment. If it does not come on the line of clothes and food, it will come on the line of money or lack of money; of friends or lack of friends; or on the line of difficult circumstances. It is one steady encroachment all the time, and unless we allow the Spirit of God to raise up the standard against it, these things will come in like a flood.
"Take no thought for your life." "Be careful about one thing only," says our Lord - "your relationship to Me." Common sense shouts loud and says - "That is absurd, I must consider how I am going to live, I must consider what I am going to eat and drink." Jesus says you must not. Beware of allowing the thought that this statement is made by One Who does not understand our particular circumstances. Jesus Christ knows our circumstances better than we do, and He says we must not think about these things so as to make them the one concern of our life. Whenever there is competition, be sure that you put your relationship to God first.
"Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." How much evil has begun to threaten you to-day? What kind of mean little imps have been looking in and saying - Now what are you going to do next month - this summer? "Be anxious for nothing," Jesus says. Look again and think. Keep your mind on the "much more" of your heavenly Father. (My Utmost For His Highest Oswald Chambers)

Looking Through The Pages

Looking through the pages of the Word You sent to man,
I see my wicked heart and my need to understand,
that from the beginning You had a plan.
This journey has taken me across many a land,
Though dangers, sorrow, joy and more.
Still I see my wicked heart my need to understand,
That from the beginning You had a plan.
I traveled from cover to cover seeking treasure as I went.
Yet still I saw my wicked heart, my need to understand
that from the beginning You had a plan.
Then I saw Your amazing grace and began to understand
for my wicked heart You hung upon that tree
and from that very moment You fulfilled my deepest need.
From the very start, You had a plan for me.
(Deborah Miller. July 13, 2002)

Early Morning Thought's

I woke up early this morning with a headache, and started thinking about pacifiers of all things. You see we are weaning my granddaughter off hers, she has been doing really well for the most part, but at times throws a fit and demands her, "Binky." Now why, you might ask, was I thinking about that? Well, I was thinking how we use the things of this world to distract us, entertain us, and keep us quite! In a lot of ways you could say, we have been "Binkafied." But there comes a time when our "Father" says, "You've been sucking on that long enough, it is time to give it up! It won't be easy, but I'll help you."And with His ever so loving patient heart, He encourages us as we go through the day and at night holds us, and comforts us, and even when we sometimes throw a fit, because we want our binky, He shows us understanding, but is firm in His resolve to wean us. When you think about it, a binky has no nutritional value, and can even misalign your teeth. But the point is, those things that we use to pacify ourselves that are not necessarily "Forbidden" or classified as "Sin" do we really need them? Are they contributing to our spiritual growth? Do they nourish our soul? Or are they causing a misalignment in our relationship with God and others? All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: "helpful" all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. (1 Cor.6:12). Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God. (2 Cor. 3:5) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2 Cor. 5:17).

Praying The Scriptures

Don’t know what to pray? Get your Bible!
“[Father in heaven], for though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through [You] God, to the pulling down of strongholds; Cast down imaginations [Father,] and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of [You] God, and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; [Your Son, our Savior.] (2Cor.10:3-5) [Help us to] Put on the whole armor of God, [Jesus] that [we] may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Eph.6:11) For we through [Your] Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. (Gal.5:5) [Help us] Stand fast in the liberty wherewith [You] Christ have made us
us free, and [help us] not to [get] entangled again with [any] yoke of bondage. (Gal.5:1) [But] fill [us] with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, [bringing] glory and praise [unto] You God. (Phil.1:11) [For we know] it is [You] God which works in [us] to will and do of [Your] good pleasure. (Phil.2:13) [Help us] Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving. (Col.4:2) (That our) speech [may] be always with grace, [and] seasoned with salt, that [we may] know how [we] ought to answer every man. (Col.4:5)
Gods Word will not return unto Him void! (Isa.55:11) “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” what a blessing it is to be able to speak back to God the very words He has given us to know Him better, and to intercede on behalf of others.

In His Time

God gives and we gather. He provides and we take. He is dependable; He takes care of His own. “I have been young, and now am old,” David said. “Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread” (Ps. 37:25). God is also generous. He does not give carelessly or selfishly. He opens His hand, and all of creation is filled with good.
God can renew your life today. He can bring you seasons of fruitfulness and seasons of sunshine. Don’t worry about the seasons of life. The God who runs this universe can manage the changing seasons of your life. If you are in a winter season, wait; when He is ready, God will send you a springtime. (This really touched my heart, because I was just thinking about the seasons of life, but didn’t know how to put it into words, and then I read this from a book called, (Prayer, Praise,& Promises) by Warren Wiersbe, and it was what was on my heart. God is so Faithful!

Holding On

Change is not something I deal with very well, but it comes whether I want it to or not. I say this because tomorrow is uncertain, a day not promised to us, but one we look for in hope of something better. I have many things on my heart these days, some of them are very weighty. But I keep holding on to God, I’m learning to meditate on His Word, considering every aspect of His truth. I ’d like to say I have the faith to move mountains, but the truth is, my head and heart struggle all to often with things I don’t understand or feel are unfair.
There are times when I sit and cry because circumstances overwhelm me. But then again I don’t want to bury my head in the sand or bask by the river of “Denial.” And as the time of Christ’s return draws nearer, I find my heart in a state of urgency, with a need to draw closer than I have ever been before. Have you ever felt that way? Isaiah 64:4 says, “For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.”
2 Samuel 22 is a beautiful chapter to meditate on. It is a Psalm of Thanksgiving, verse 7 says, “In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.” it is comforting to know God hears, and sees me, right where I am, even if it is in the midst of struggle, darkness, pain, or suffering. Wherever it may be, He is there, and that helps me to hold on.

An Unpopular Subject

I thank God for the gift of His Son Jesus, who made freedom possible, thru His blood. Sin is not a popular subject to talk about these days, why is that? Why is it so hard to admit that we are sinners? And we need redemption? Sin has been around since the fall of man, sin causes us to hide, And cover up, and lie. (Gen.3:6-13) We sometimes burry it so no one will find out. (Ex.2:11,12) But be sure, your sins will find you out! (Num.32:23) When we cannot come to terms with our sin and face it, and call it what it is, We are in bondage to it.(Gen.4:7) Can a believer be in bondage to sin? I think in part we can. (Rom.7:15,19,20) But we don’t have to remain in it. As believers we have been buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Rom. 6:4) Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign (rule) in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts (desires) thereof. (Rom.6:11,12) those are powerful admonitions from the word of God. I know that while we live in this present time we will battle with our flesh, but we have an advocate, Jesus, who we can turn to, and depend on, not because of our righteousness, but His. O thank God that sin does not have to bury us in the deep despair of hopelessness. Thank God for sending Jesus, for His sacrifice, for His precious blood, that cleanses. O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvelous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. (Psalm 98:1) ours is in Jesus!

Something to Think About

2 Corinthians 5:9-17, I was thinking about these verses and epically verse 10,”For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” I remember reading this verse when I was young and it scared me. But it kept me from a lot of sin. And now here I am again reading it, and you know, it still scares me! and keeps me from a lot of sin. I only wish that my heart would always fear in such a way as to keep me from sinning, but that, isn't’ always the case. But there is grace! And if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; (v.17) I hope you take time to read and meditate on these verses. Think hard on where we will all be standing some day and see if that doesn’t change your perspective or direction. Ponder the path of thy feet. (Prov.4:26)

Was It Luck? Or Gods Grace

Have you ever done something or gone somewhere, and something happens and you say, “Wow that was lucky!” I am sure all of us have at one point. But was it luck? Or Gods grace? Ecc 9:11 says, “I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race [is] [not] to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth unto them all.” when you think of it in terms of God who is Sovereign over all, knows all, sees all, and that nothing happens apart from His knowledge, then can we call it “Chance or Luck?” it doesn’t matter if I am strong, or wise, or rich, or skillful, it is God’s grace that makes it happen or not happen. God doesn’t have to put up with the evil that mankind does, but He endures it to show grace unto those who would be saved, and even on those who are perishing. Matt 5:44-45, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust.” this is what Jesus has done for us, He loved us while we were His enemies, He blessed us, while we cursed Him, He did good to us, while we did evil to Him, He prayed for us while we despitefully used and persecuted Him. Was it by chance we came to Him? No, it was grace. Think back to the time you accepted Jesus into your heart, what were the circumstances that led you to accepting Him? Was it by luck you turned on the radio, or TV, or perhaps you where in a situation in which the person next to you started talking to you about Christ? Things sometimes may appear as “Luck” but I believe it is all by the hand of God, and His Grace. When I think about what I know of luck, there really isn’t any hope, or purpose in it. If things just happen, then what’s the point? But Grace give’s me a purpose to carry on, to endure, to press onward to that high calling of God. Grace gives hope that all the things that happen, don’t “Just” happen. They are a part of a bigger plan, one that is composed by God, who sees the beginning from the end. So the next time something that may appear “Lucky” happens, give God the glory, and thank Him for His…..
GRACE

Wonders

I am absolutely amazed at how great God truly is. Every day I see wonders beyond my comprehension. Clouds in the sky, birds flying and singing, tiny bugs crawling minding their own business as this giant face peers down upon them in wonder. Colors so beautiful, music so sweet, eyes that weep in surrender to Jesus, hearts mended and changed. God is so great, Oh so deserving of honor and praise. Snow flakes, chocolate, french bread, hot tea, and a really yummy cup of coffee. God has given so many things that we sometimes can take it all for granted, as if it is all due us. While others fight to survive, who never taste the good things we taste. Yes I am absolutely in awe at how great God truly is. Every day I endeavor to express my gratitude, and wherever the Spirit leads I pray that the wonder of God will be expressed and shared so that the awe of God never ends. But is passed from generation to generation.

Friendship

The greatest friend we will ever have is Jesus. John 15:13 says; "Greater love hath no man then this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Jesus is the epitome of friendship, our example, and joy of heart, to know and follow. Proverbs 18:24 says, "A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend the sticks closer them a brother." This can be a challenge to people who might run on the "shy" side. But even so, God places people in our lives who can become life long friends, or short time friends, due to circumstances beyond our control, but the joy of knowing them is a blessing. And if we belong to Jesus then the friendship never ends. So I ask myself, with Christ as my example of true friendship, "What kind of friend am I?" What kind of friend am I teaching my children to be? Am I setting a godly example for them? I pray so. And as a happy single person in this season where couples are mostly celebrated, I am sending all you single friends out there, a warm wish for a God centered and joy filled Valentines Day. And not just for the day, but for every day.

Walking In Love

I thought myself unqualified to write about married love, but here I go. As within any relationship we need to be followers of God, as dear children; walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour. Eph. 5:1-2 Why would I choose these verses instead of ones we are more familiar with, concerning husbands and wives? Good question! I was reading and this was such a beautiful picture of love, that I thought if only we would love our spouses in such a way as this, who knows what might happen. I can speak from experance about the difficulty in loving your spouse in spite of not being loved back. But that is where relying on God completely comes in. So here I am speaking to those who are married right now, and exhorting you with a heart felt sincerity, love each other deeply, let go of the small stuff that in the grand scope of eternity really doesn't matter. Walk in love as Gods dear children, rely on Christ and let your love for one another become a sweet smelling savour to God. Husbands take your wives out on dates. Tell them you love them more often, they really need to hear that from you. Wives respect your husbands and don't share personal things about them to your friends, that can cause more damage then you might think. As with any relationship we need to keep God in the center. Remember the grass isn't really greener on the other side, it's still just grass! So walk in love! And rediscover the things in each other that make you go, "Whoa, Baby!"

You Are Not Alone

The path of life sometimes can lead us on roads we don't desire to travel on. They can be lonely, and cause us to fear as to what lies ahead. But when we put our trust in Jesus we will not walk alone. Psalm 37:23 says, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way." there are many examples in the Bible of people who found themselves on roads they did not want to be on. But trusted God that He was with them, and it is the same for us today, we must trust in God. I know this time of year can be very lonely and full of heartache, but trust in Jesus, who loves you all the time. You are special to Him, you are His Valentine. You are not walking this road alone, and lets face it, no amount of chocolate, or flowers, can come close to the expression of love that Christ Jesus expresses every day unto us. So sing a new song this Valentines Day to the Lord, sing a song of joy.

My Times Are In Your Hands

Father, I know that all my life is portioned out for me, and changes that are sure to come, I do not fear to see; but i ask Thee for a present mind on pleasing Thee. I ask Thee for a thoughtful love, Through constant watching wise, to meet the glad with joyful smiles, and to wipe the weeping eyes; and a heart at leisure from itself, to soothe and sympathize. I would not have the restless will that hurries to and fro, seeking for some great to do, or secret thing to know; I would be treated as a child, and guided where I go. Wherever in the world I am, in whatso'er estate, I have a fellowship with hearts to keep and cultivate; and a work of lowly love to do for the Lord on whom I wait. So I ask Thee for the daily strength, to none that ask denied, and a mind to blend with outward life while keeping at Thy side; content to fill a little space, if Thou be glorified. (Based on Psalm 31:15 by Anna L. Waring)

Loving God Through Our Lives

Everything that was used in the temple for the Worship of God was consecrated. How much more should we be wholly consecrated unto God, seeing we are the temple in which His Holy Spirit dwells? (1 Cor. 3:16). Ezekiel chapter 8 is a sobering chapter to read especially when you think of it in terms of us being the temple. I ask myself sometimes, "What would be found in the inner chamber of my heart, were there to be a hole to peer into?" would the Lord find things that to Him were offensive? Or that He considered an abomination? We all should keep in mind Proverbs 15:3 "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." So what does all this have to do with loving God with our lives? As Believers, in all aspects of our lives we are to represent Christ Jesus,(Romans 12:1) "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." I like that it is by God's mercies that we present our bodies. His mercies are so great towards us which should cause us to love Him with all that is within us, and presenting our bodies is not an unreasonable request for God to ask. In loving God Thru our lives we show long-suffering, we are kind, not envious, we don't act puffed up, or unseemly. 1 Cor. 13 There is so much more to learn about loving God thru our lives but thru His mercy we can press onward. LOVE It is a choice well worth the effort!

Love As Christ Loved

1John 4:7-11 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God towards us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought to love one another. (KJV)

Have You Ever Been Carried Away For Him?

She hath wrought a good work on me. "Mark 14:6If human love does not carry a man beyond himself, it is not love. If love is always discreet, always wise, aways sensible and calculating, never carried beyond itself, it is not love at all. it may be affection, it may be warmth of feeling, but it has not the true nature of love in it.
Have I ever been carried away to do something for God not because it was my duty, nor because it was useful, nor because there was anything in it at all beyond the fact that i love Him? Have I ever realized that I can bring to God things which are of value to Him, or am I mooning round the magnitude of His Redemption whilst there are any number of things I might be doing? Not Divine, colossal things which could be recorded as marvelous, but ordinary, simple human things which will give evidence to God that I am abandoned to Him? Have I ever produced in the hear of the Lord Jesus what Mary of Bethany produced?
There are times when it seems as if God watches to see if we will give Him the abandoned tokens of how genuinely we do love Him. Abandon to God is of more value then personal holiness. Personal holiness focuses the eye on our own whiteness; we are greatly concerned about the way we walk and talk and look, fearful lest we offend Him. Perfect love cast out all the when once we are abandoned to God. We have to get rid of this notion--"Am I of any use?" And make up our minds that we are not, and we may be near the truth. It is never a question of being of use, but of being of value to God Himself. When we are abandoned to God, He works through us all the time. (Oswald Chambers)

The Truest Valentine

The Truest Valentine

Tis the season of Valentines,
Of words of love spoken in rhyme,
Of gifts from heart to heart,
Of hands joined together, some torn apart.
A season of love ever so hopeful,
yet a season none the less.
What will this season bring?
My heart would dare to ask.
But let this my quest be,
The truest of loves
Let my heart seek,
And forever my true Valentine be,
Only forever, only Thee,
The truest love that ever was, ever is, ever will be,
my one, my only Valentine true,
in every season,
Lord is You.

(by Deborah Miller)