"Nay, but I yield, I yield,
I can hold out no more;
I sink, by dying love compell'd,
And own Thee conqueror."

No man becomes a child of God by an act of his own will!
Affectionately yours in Christ, W. T.

Faith cometh by hearing...

Man's will and God's Grace.

On my inlaws wall..

We love him, because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19

The Will of God

The Will of God

The will of God has always been a thing that others seek,
While I go on complacently from week to peaceful week.

... I've seen how people hesitate, not knowing where to turn.
"How faithless they must be!" I say -- "When will they ever learn?"

I've even offered my advice -- JUST PRAY and you will know
The road to take, the path to choose, the way you ought to go.

In smug all - knowingness I raise my spiritual facade.
"All things together work for good to those who trust in God."

Then suddenly my bark is tossed, and threatens to capsize
The spray is salty and it stings -- I have to close my eyes.

My vision gone, and in its place a host of doubts and fears.
The salty mist that dims my sight is now a flood of tears.

I look to others for advice -- I pray that God will show
The road to take, the path to choose, the way that I should go.

Some people though they hesitate, are blessed at every turn.
"How faithful they must be!" I say-- "When will I ever learn?"

How long, Oh Lord, how long before, my sightless eyes may see?
How long before I understand, Thy purposes for me?

Must I be satisfied to wait for miracles and signs?
Is this the only way to know my Father's will divine?

Or should I take each step by faith when there's no light at all,
And trust that God in sovereignty will NEVER let me fall?

Dave Harman

Meal...death in the pot...

 

   

2 Kings 4: 40, 41 40. So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O thou man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof. 41. But he said, Then bring meal. And he cast it into the pot; and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot. The Deadly Pottage Healed. The incidents of our prophet's life are like so many emanations of glory through the cloud of his apparent poverty and nothingness in the world. And this was one character of the life of the Son of God on the earth. Here we have a very bright expression of his ways, and of the ways of Him whom he foreshadowed. There was "death in the pot;" death indeed where life should have been; death invading the place where life looked for its support and strengthening. But the prophet has the remedy for death here, as he had for the curse at Jericho. We know One of whom we sing, "Where He displays His healing power, Death and the curse are known no more." And here, our prophet, the shadow of Jesus, has meal to cast into the pot, as before he had salt to cast into the waters, and both are healed. Moses typified this also at Marah, where he had the wood for the bitter waters. For the Son of God has cast Himself into the scene of death and intercepted its course. He has come with His healing cross, and "destroyed him that had the power of death." "By His stripes we are healed." There is a cry at the discovery of the death that has entered, but the Son of God has answered it. We eat of what in our wilfulness we have gathered, but Jesus changes the feast, and gives us meat indeed and drink indeed, on which we live even in the time of dearth, or in the regions of death. Death and the curse are altogether at the disposal of Him who has cast Himself into the scene and action of this world on our side. "I have the keys of hell and of death," says He; and His strength shall rescue even creation from the curse, and cast death itself into the lake of fire (Rom. 8; Rev. 20). Why, we may ask with amazement of soul, did we ever gather our wild fruit and bring death in? Why did we not sit at the feast as it was first spread for us? For what a miniature picture of the whole great mystery does this little incident give us! What has Adam done? What has Christ done? Have we not the answer here? The prophet prepared a feast. Though it were a time of dearth, he had resources. He had pottage for his guests, and the pot was seething on the fire. But there was some one, it matters not who, save that it was neither the prophet nor his servant, who thought to improve the feast, and officiously and intrusively gathered some wild gourds. But his gourds brought death into the prophet's pot. And what did Adam but this? The Lord, the Creator, had spread a feast, rich and dainty, and abundant for him, in Eden, but Adam must needs improve it. He gathers wild fruit, something that the Lord had not ordained for the table, something in addition; but he spoils everything, and brings death into the pot; death upon that board which the Lord had loaded with the sweetest, richest, food of life! The prophet, however, had the remedy, and heals the pot, and then his guests retake their seats at the feast with only fresh appetite to still more savoury meat. It is now a healed table, and not a spread table merely. They may admire and love the man and his resources, who could then, in unupbraiding grace, restore their good things, the good things which in their wanton pride they had thought to improve, but had utterly ruined and defiled. Is not this Jesus and ourselves? I ask. Do we not sit at a healed table? "The leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations." We are at a happier table than the bowers of Eden would have ever shaded. We sit at the feast of the Redeemer with new affections. We admire the healing as well as the creating virtue of His power, and lose ourselves in love and praise at the thought of the unupbraiding grace that has thus repaired the mischief.   Bellett

The Sparrow's Song...

 

THE SPARROW'S SONG

 

I'm only a little sparrow,

A bird of low degree;

My life is of little value,

But there's One who cares for me.

 

He gave me a coat of feathers;

It is very plain, I know;

With never a speck of crimson,

For it was not made for show.

 

But it keeps me warm in winter,

And it shields me from the rain;

If bordered with gold or purple,

Perhaps it would make me vain.

 

And now that the spring-time cometh,

I will build a little nest,

With many a chirp of pleasure,

In the spot I like the best.

 

I have neither barn nor store-house,

And I neither sow nor reap;

God gives me a sparrow's portion,

But never a sced to keep.

 

If my meal is sometimes scanty,

Close picking makes it sweet;

I've always enough to feed me,

And life is more than meat.

 

I know there are many sparrows

Allover the world we're found,

But the Father in heaven knoweth,

When one of us falls to the ground.

 

Though small, we're never forgotten,

Though weak, we're never afraid,

The Father in heaven keepeth,

The life of the creatures He made.

 

I fly through the thickest forest,

I light on many a spray,

I have no chart, nor a compass,

But I never lose my way.

 

I'm only a little sparrow,

A bird of low degree;

But I know my Father loves me,

Dost thou know HIs love for thee?

 

And I fold my wings at twilight,

Wherever I happen to be,

The Father in heaven watcheth,

And no harm can come to me.

 

"Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?" Luke 12:6.

"Fear ye not thorofore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. "  Luke 12:70

Titus 2- Aged women.

...that the older women may be... 1.) Sober. 2.) Teach younger women to be: attached to their husbands and children, 3.) Discreet, having good judgment, 4.) Chaste, deporting oneself above suspicion, 5.) Keepers at home, diligent in home work, fruitful inside the walls (S. of  S.), 6.) Good at good works, 7.) Subject to their own husband (not obedient like children as she shares a place with her head).

When I was very young it seemed....

When I was very young it seemed, I failed to understand
When some things very dear to me, were taken from my hand....
Not that I was punished for refusing to let go,
But my Father chose to lead me In another path to grow

From infant things I treasured to another step before
Leading me to higher things, beyond an open door.
From childhood to youth until, adulthood came my way,
Where home, NEW FRIENDS and family, added blessings to my day!

Yet I have learned that even these are treasurers for a time,
And when the season's over, they are taken from the vine.
AGAIN my Father leads me as He gently has before
Into another path that leads, through yet another door ...

Beyond the things, I once held dear, until IN HIM I find
Such fellowship that passing things, I willingly resign.
Ever PRESSING ON until I see my Saviour's face,
When with the saints in glory, I shall sing 'AMAZING GRACE'.

If you want me to...by Ginny Owens

Click here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GocT5SAQPNM&feature=related

The pathway is broken
And The signs are unclear
And I don't know the reason why You brought me here
But just because You love me the way that You do
I'm gonna walk through the valley
If You want me to .

Chorus:

Cause I'm not who I was
When I took my first step
And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet
so if all of these trials bring me closer to you
Then I will walk through the fire
If You want me to .

It may not be the way I would have chosen
When you lead me through a world that's not my home
But You never said it would be easy
You only said I'd never go alone
ya oh oh no.

So When the whole world turns against me
And I'm all by myself
And I can't hear You answer my cries for help
I'll remember the suffering Your love put You through
And I will go through the valley If You want me to.

by Ginny Owens

Election and Free Grace.

http://stempublishing.com/authors/hole/Truth/Election.html

We love him, because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19

"Master . . . at Thy word I will let down the net."

(Luke 5:5)

What perseverance there is on the part of God!

We are called to go on in the same spirit.

It does cost a great deal to go on and on, in spite of everybody and everything;

For us to do so marks the presence of divine power in us,

For God's grace is unwearied.

When no circumstances lead you to have any hope,

Is your hope then in Him?  

(Footprints for Pilgrims - JND)

The Major Tenets of Paul's Gospel

The Major Tenets of Paul's Gospel

(Each blessing is inseparably connected with our acceptance
“in Christ” – see J. N. Darby Translation.)

 REDEMPTION in Christ Jesus (Rom. 3:24; 1 Cor. 1:30; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14).
 Redemption of our souls (Titus 2:13-14).
 Redemption of our time (Eph. 5:16; Col. 4:5).
 Redemption of our bodies (Rom. 8:23; Eph. 4:30).
 Redemption of our inheritance (Eph. 1:14).

 FORGIVENESS OF SINS in Christ—a purged conscience (Rom. 4:7; Eph. 4:32; Heb. 9:14).
 Eternal (Judicial) Forgiveness (Acts 13:38; 26:18; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14).
 Governmental Forgiveness (2 Tim. 4:16).
 Administrative Forgiveness (2 Cor. 2:7-10).
 Restorative Forgiveness (1 John 1:9).
 Brotherly Forgiveness (Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13).

 JUSTIFICATION in Christ Jesus (Rom. 4:25-5:1; Gal. 2:16-17).
 "From" all things (Acts 13:39).
 "Unto" justification of life (Rom. 5:18).

 THE GIFT OF THE SPIRIT in Christ (Rom. 5:5; 2 Cor. 1:21-22; 1 Thess. 4:8).
 Anointed—for power (2 Cor. 1:21).
 Sealed—for assurance (2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13; 4:30).
 Earnest—for enjoyment (2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5; Eph. 1:14).

 RECONCILIATION in Christ Jesus—"enemies" who believe are "made nigh" (Rom. 5:10; Eph. 2:13; Col. 1:21), and "all things" restored (Col. 1:20).
 God's side—for the Godhead's pleasure (Col. 1:22).
 Believer's side—for our joy (Rom. 5:10-11).

 SANCTIFICATION in Christ Jesus (Rom. 6:19; 1 Cor. 1:2).
 Absolute or Positional (through new birth—1 Cor. 6:11; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2 and through the death and resurrection of Christ—Acts 26:18; Rom. 1:1; 1 Cor. 1:2, 30; Heb. 10:10, 14; 13:12).
 Progressive or Practical (Rom. 6:19; 2 Cor. 7:1; Eph. 5:26; 1 Thess. 4:3-4; 5:23; Heb. 12:14).
 Relative or External (1 Cor. 7:14-17; Heb. 10:29).

 ETERNAL LIFE in Christ Jesus (Rom. 6:23; 2 Tim. 1:1).
 The present possession of divine life with the conscious knowledge of the relationships of the Father and the Son by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 6:23; John 4:14; 17:3, etc.).
 The sphere of life into which the believer will be brought in the future when he is glorified with Christ (Rom. 2:7; 5:21; 6:22; Gal. 6:8; 1 Tim. 1:16; Titus 1:2; 3:7, etc.).

 DELIVERANCE (Salvation) through "the law of the Spirit of life" in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:2).
 Past—the penalty of sin/sins (Rom. 8:1).
 Present—the power of sin (Rom. 8:2-17).
 Future—the presence of sin (Rom. 8:18-30).

 SONSHIP in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:14-15; Gal. 3:26; 4:5-7). We share:
 The Son’s place of favour (Eph. 1:6).
 The Son’s life—eternal life (John 17:2).
 The Son’s liberty before the Father (Rom. 8:14-16).
 The Son’s inheritance (Rom. 8:17).
 The Son’s glory (Rom. 8:18; John 17:22).

 HEIRSHIP of the inheritance in Christ (Rom. 8:17; Eph. 1:10-11; Gal. 3:29).

 NEW CREATION in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:29; Gal. 6:15; 2 Cor. 5:17).

 UNION—Membership in the “one body” in Christ (Rom. 12:5; 1 Cor. 12:12

(by B. Anstey)

You can be a crown to your husband!

A Crown to Your Husband Proverbs 12:4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. Proverbs 31:11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. What do these Scriptures portray a Godly wife to be? A "crown" to her husband? Did you realize that you have the opportunity to be a crown for your husband? Either a crown of honor or a crown of thorns!! With our lips, our actions and our attitudes we can be a crown that honors him and builds him up, sparkling with the radiance of many precious jewels or we can be a crown that is painful, sharp, tears him down and offers only shame. Many women complain that their husbands refuse to be the spiritual leaders in the home. This may be true, but I would have to wonder if these dear ladies are truly and honestly willing to humbly submit, removing the "crown" from their own prideful head and sacrificially becoming a crown of honor for their husband's. It's difficult to become a crown for my husband if I'm too busy polishing the large and heavy crown of pride on my own selfish head! Psalm 141:3Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Have you ever had a visit with a couple where the husband was trying to tell a story and the wife rolled her eyes and corrected her husband every few minutes? "No, it was 4:00 NOT 6:00." "No, THAT is NOT how it happened!" "They don't want to hear you ramble on and on about THAT, get to the point!" "Why do you always say that, that's not true!" Don't you just wince? If it brings you pain just witnessing the scene, imagine the pain and damage it brings to the husband and his ability to properly lead that family! Those were extreme examples, but I have seen it happen many, many times and sadly I have been guilty of it, to some degree myself! "The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her...." Oh what a joy for a wife to know that her husband safely trusts in her. How about you? Does your husband know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that when you have a friend over for coffee, all the words of your mouth will be edifying and honoring towards him? Does he know that when he invites others to his home, that you will honor and respect him while visiting with other families? Does he *trust* you to be graceful when he makes a mistake or stumbles over his words or is he nervous and in constant fear of your public ridicule if he accidentally ends his sentence in a preposition! Sisters, we are designed to be a helper to our husbands. If you had an important project to complete, would you appreciate a helper that "delayed" your work, one that continually tried to be the boss, or that undermined your leadership with sarcasm or suspicion? You would most likely rather do the job ALONE! Could this be why many marriages have difficulties with "oneness?" Wouldn't it bring much glory and honor to the Lord if we could repent of any selfish pride that we've allowed into our lives? I pray that we may purpose in our hearts right now, to obey God and to submit respectfully to our husbands, to honor him and allow God to transform us into a beautiful crown that fits perfectly on our own husbands' head! Author Unknown