Selah

Psalms 34:8  O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Psalms 95:1-7  O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.  For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also.   The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.  O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. . . .

Sunday ought to be a day when:

• God’s people come before Him
• God’s people sing unto Him and make a joyful noise to Him – our rock!
• God’s people kneel humbly and worship the LORD – our maker, our God!

We are His people and His pastures are the best we could ever ask for.  May we not wander into other pastures and defile ourselves.  He is the Good shepherd, who found us when we were lost and finds us when we go astray and keeps us in His pasture.  What a God we serve!

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Psalms 90:12  So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
“To Number our days does not mean to count them – it means to value them in the light of eternity.”
How do we apply our hearts to wisdom?

1. Know Jesus as your Savior
2. Accept the Bible as your guide for life.
3. Obey the bible and apply its’ truths to your life.

The above thoughts were taken from My Morning Manna by Ed Nelson, vol. 3, p. 213

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Psalms 29:2  Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
2 Chronicles 20:21  And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, . . .

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.

Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;
Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in power, in love, and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea;
Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity!

Words: Reginald Heber

Music:  John B. Dykes

May we live in the light of His holiness today.  Because God is holy we are to live a holy lives.  We are to keepvourselves pure and unspotted from the world.  Spots and stains are ugly and sometimes hard to get out.  Stay out of the world and don’t let the spots and stains get there in the first place. 

 One day believers will have not spots or wrinkles.  Until that day we should  work at getting the spots and wrinkles out of our lives through obedience to God’s Word.

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Let God have Control

2 Samuel 10:12. . .  and the LORD do that which seemeth him good.

This ought to be a consistent prayer in every day life.  Letting the Lord take control will bring peace and blessing. 

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 The Privilege of Being God's Child


2 Samuel 9:8  And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?

This is what Mephibosheth said to David after David had sought him out to do kindness to him because he was of the household of Saul.  The fact that Jesus Christ looks upon me (this dead dog), this porr wretched sinner, should cause me to delight in becoming His servant and should cause me to count it a privilege to become His servant!

2 Samuel 9:13  So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king's table; and was lame on both his feet.

Mephibosheth was given the privilege to eat at the King's table continually.  We as God's children have the privilege to feast on the word of God continually and to come boldly to the throne of grace without fear of being rejected!  Praise the Lord!

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Teach the Word of God to you children and grand children

1. so they will set thier hope in God
2. so they will not forget God
3. so they will keep His commandments
4. so they will not be stubborn and rebellious

These are just a few ideas taken from Psalm 78: 7-8.  

"That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God."

Our homes will be full of love, God's love, if we will but simply trust and obey.

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There is a story of an elderly lady who was saved at a revival meeting after reading John 3:16.  While lying in bed, the doubts came.   Was she really saved?  She thought for a moment and realized that doubts were from Satan and since Satan loves darkness and the darkest place is the room was under the bed, then Satan must be under the bed.  She opened her Bible to John 3:16, put her finger on the verse, shoved it under the bed and said:  "Here - read it for youself."  (taken from My Morning Manna, Vol. 3 by Ed Nelson, p. 172)  This lady indeed realized that she did know God for she based her salvation on fact, not feeling.  God's Word says it and that settles it!

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Brian Nelson came on the radio this morning with "Take A Minute". He was talking about prayer. (Oh, how important to pray about everything! How important to pray for our children and our grandchildren!) Someone asked him are we bothering God if we pray over every little thing? She goes so far as to even pray over which can of tuna fish to buy. Although, Mr. Nelson said he probably would not go that far, he did say no, we are not bothering God. He went away thinking tuna fish? But a few weeks later, he heard on the news that someone had died from botulism. Where did it come from? It came from rotten cans of tuna fish! What a testimony to God's grace in protecting us in so many ways that we never give thought to. So yes, let us pray about everything.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

When you are alone, your husband is traveling, and it may seem impossible not to be anxious especially if he is delayed – there is only one remedy-large and frequent doses of the Word.

We tend to think that God’s promises are only for those who pioneer and dare great deeds for His sake.  but the staying-at-home-to-look-after-the-children- mother can also be way-worn and lonely, and for her too He has promised His presence “even unto the ends of the earth

~From Sometimes I Prefer To Fuss by Verda Peet, Thailand missionary

Rearing Children

As much as you're able, give him your love
There is never too much with help from above.


Unto thy children, God's commandments diligently teach
His heart you will then one day reach.


Along with teaching we must also train
One day we'll find our work not in vain.


Don't wait too long to give them your time.
Give all you can now, while they are in their prime.


 Discipline your child before it's too late.
The rod will keep him from foolishness and hate.


Keep your ears open and always listen.
He;ll love you for it and ghis countenance will glisten.


Laugh at yourself and with your child too.
There;s much humor in many things we do.


Learn from him as through life you go.
He can teach you much, you'll find it so.

Remember very often to give a reward.
It will brighten his day and strengthen the cord.

And praise, praise, always give him praise.
See all the good you can, as your child you raise.


To be an example is our hardest part.
God will give you the strength as He work in your heart!


-E.L. 1992 for baby shower

On Guilt and Sin:

Just about to the depths of despair

and wondering if you're even there

Read to quit, give up, lose the fight,

It seems no use, why try, why do right?

Some battles I fight for years and years

So discouraging, it often brings tears

So weak, so helpless, from within no power

My strength seems to fail hour after hour

Yet something from within, I know not how

Say don't give up, try again right now.

So somehow enough courage is released

To say I'm willing, my trying is not ceased

So I cry to you again, please help me God!

Don't give up on me, help me to onward trod.

You've promised no temptation is too hard to bear

Give me more faith to believe you are there.

I know Satan laughs when he sees my defeat

It's so difficult, it seems he always wins, I can't compete.

He alwasy attacks when i least expect

 And down I go again thought I'd never suspect

Oh god, I can't go on, it seems I'll never win

Yet something, just something, says we'll lick that sin

You're real God, I know, or that something would not be

With God all things are possible, I can win the victory!

But should I say me?  I can't win alone! Never!

It is your strength I need

that will uphold me forever

I guess that is the secret to a real success

Read Your Word, pray much and let you do the rest

So God, once more, for forgiveness I ask of you

You must tire of hearing that, but I mean it, I do!

I ask for your power, your filling, and joy too,

Help me to ever always be true.

I'll plunge in again, strengthen me I pray

Let victory come now, I want it today!

I'll try, I promise I won't be defeated.

I gave you my life, your work in me must be completed

With God I can go on

With Him I can win, it can be done

Thanks God for wanting to use me

Make me a vessel that's clean and free.

I need lots of work God, I know

And whatever it takes,help me spiritually to grow

For your love and mercy, I'll ever grateful be

And someday, someday God, 

I'll make it,  through thee!

I'll forgive Lord, too after all you forgave me

So the least I can do is forgive and let it be

Anyway, I will try again, I will not quit

So help me Lord because I do want that crown to fit!

-E.L. 1976

 Meditation

2 Corinthians 4:15-18 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Thoughts:

• God gives me grace in everything that I face
• His grace is abundant
• Our giving of thanks will contribute to the glory of God
• Because of this we need not get weary and faint.  Our outward man may perish, but our inward man is renewed day by day.
• Our affliction is light and for a moment; it is so little compared to what awaits us in glory.
• Let us not look to the world or temporal things, but let us set our affection on things above and look to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith...

Only One Life

By Charles Thomas Studd, Missionary to China, India, and Africa

Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life's busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in 'that day' my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgment seat;
Only one life,' twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God's holy will to cleave;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e'er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;
And when at last I'll hear the call, I know I'll say 'twas worth it all”;

                 Only one life,' twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.                  

Day is dying in the west;
Heaven is touching earth with rest;
Wait and worship while the night
Sets the evening lamps alight
Through all the sky.

Refrain

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts!
Heaven and earth are full of Thee!
Heaven and earth are praising Thee,
O Lord most high!

Lord of life, beneath the dome
Of the universe, Thy home,
Gather us who seek Thy face
To the fold of Thy embrace,
For Thou art nigh.

Refrain

While the deepening shadows fall,
Heart of love enfolding all,
Through the glory and the grace
Of the stars that veil Thy face,
Our hearts ascend.

Refrain

When forever from our sight

Pass the stars, the day, the night,

Lord of angels, on our eyes

Let eternal morning rise

And shadows end.

Words: Mary Artemesia Lathbury, 1877 (verses 1-2) & 1879 (verses 3-4). She wrote this hymn, and Break Thou the Bread of Life, on the shores of Lake Chautauqua, New York.        CYBERHYMNAL

How quickly time passes.  Another sunrise, another sunset.  How important to Redeem the time, to walk circumspectly, to watch and be ready for we know not the day or the hour when the Lord shall return.

Eph 5:15,16  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Col 4:5  Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

Mt 25:13  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Blessed is the woman

Who can hold onto her children

while letting them go,

Who puts a tranquil home ahead

of an immaculate house,

Who knows a kind act will be

remembered longer than an easy word,

Who really believes that prayer

changes things,

Whose faith in the future

sweetens the present,

Whose Bible never needs dusting,

Whose love is shown daily in things she does for others,

Whose God is the Lord! 

~author unknown 

A WIDOW'S CHRISTMAS

Your  Christmas will be sad,” somebody said,
“Because so recently you mourn your dead.”
But were it not for Christmas, I would weep
As those that have no hope for them that sleep.
For by His coming, Christ has given me
The blessed hope of immortality,
The strength to wait throughout the lonely years.
Until He wipes away my burning tears.
And so, dear heart, though you are gone from me,
I’ll find rich gifts beneath my Christmas tree-
The happy memories of cherished days
When hand in hand we walked our pilgrim’s way.
Your tender love for me, your shielding care-
For all of these I raise a grateful prayer.
So through my tear-dimmed eyes, my dearest dear,
I whisper, “Christmas won’t be sad this year.”

~Hildegard Van Waveren

MORE THOUGHTS, MEDITATIONS, PONDERINGS HERE