"Goodness of God"

  A new "Praise and Worship Song" devotion: "Goodness of God." Click on the 2nd link down the right side of this blog, titled "Hymn Line Devotion."

Timely Words from Saints of Old

 A new "Timely Words from Saints of Old" devotion: Oswald Chambers. Click on the 4th link down the right side of this blog.

Scripture Verse Devotion: Psalm 27:13-14

  A new Scripture Verse Devotion: Psalm 27:13-14. Click on the 3rd link on the right. 

Special to Him

Last week a story popped into my mind that I had read a few years ago. I looked it up and reread it. I thought I'd share it here. The story is in Streams In the Desert 2 by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman. It came from the Pittsburgh Bible Institute Publications.

"There is a beautiful story told of how one Christian dreamed that she saw three others at prayers. As they knelt the Master drew near to them.

"As He approached the first of the three, He bent down over her in tenderness and grace, with a smile full of radiant love and spoke to her in accents of purest, sweetest music. Leaving her, He came to the next but only placed His hand upon her bowed head, and gave her one look of loving approval. The third woman He passed almost abruptly without stopping for a word or glance. The woman in her dream said to herself, 'How greatly He must love that first one, to the second He gave His approval, but none of the special demonstrations of love He gave the first; and the third must have grieved Him deeply, for He gave her no word at all and not even a passing look.

"'I wonder what she had done, and why He made so much difference between them?' And she tried to account for the action of her Lord, He Himself stood by her said: 'O woman! how wrongly hast thou interpreted Me. The first kneeling woman needs all the weight of My tenderness and care to keep her feet in My narrow way. She needs My love, thought and help every moment of the day. Without it she would fail and fall. the second has stronger faith and deeper love, and I can trust her to trust Me however things may go and whatever people do.'

'"The third, whom I seemed not to notice, and even to neglect, has faith and love of the finest quality, and her I am training by quick drastic processes for the highest and holiest service. She knows Me so intimately, and trusts Me so utterly, that she is independent of words or looks or any outward intimation of My approval. She is not dismayed nor discouraged by any circumstance through which I arrange that she shall pass; she trusts Me when sense and reason and every finer instinct of the natural heart would revel;--because she knows that I am working in her for eternity, and that what I do, though she knows not the explanation now, she shall understand hereafter.'

"'I am silent in My love because I love beyond the power of words to express, or of human hearts to understand, and also for your sakes that you may learn to love and trust Me in Spirit-taught, spontaneous response to My love, without the spur of anything outward to call it forth.'"

Our God gives each one of us exactly what we need to live for Him, serve Him and love Him. He doesn't treat us all the same. Each one of us is special to Him, and He knows what will help us on our journey the best. 

The Scripture verse of this devotion is Zephaniah 3:17, "He will be silent in His love." Other versions say "quiet in His love" and "quiet you with His love" and "rest in His love."

Godsbless.ing.com: The image of God quieting us with His love is incredibly comforting. We can find peace and solace in the unwavering love of our Heavenly Father amidst life's chaos, troubles, and uncertainties. He soothes our worries, fears, and anxieties with His infinite love, allowing us to rest secure in His embrace. This verse serves as a gentle reassurance that no matter what challenges we face, God is there, singing over us in delight and calming us with His boundless love. So, take heart and find solace in the profound truth that you are cherished, celebrated, and comforted by the One who loves you most."

By His Grace . . . 

Scripture Verse Devotion

 A new Scripture Verse Devotion: Nehemiah 9:6. Click on the 3rd link on the right. 

Refreshment and Trust

Following is a post I wrote back in Maryland in younger years. No gray hair yet!

This post is taken from my second book, “A Note For You.” The book contains most of the notes I wrote to one woman to encourage her for an entire year, and remarks I added as to why I wrote each particular note. The two notes that follow mention Emma, shown above during a silly moment, who is now in doggie heaven.

Refreshment note . . .
“I watched my dog, Emma, a large furry dog, soak up the afternoon sun, as she laid on the hot blacktop driveway just huffing and puffing away. I wanted to say: ‘If you’d get in the shade it would be cooler.’ I know God says that to me when I’m huffing and puffing: ‘If you’d get in the shade and be refreshed by My Word, you’ll feel a lot better.’" 

If I don’t stay consistent in my time with God, I feel the consequences. Short-tempered. Uninspired. Unkind attitude. I also get mad at myself for roaming from my routine. God’s breath flows through me and restores my soul when I'm steady in His Word.

That’s why I try and live my life based on discipline. I don’t want to get out of the shade!

Thomas Kinkade agrees as he wrote in "Lightpost for Living:” “But I learned long ago that I need routine in my life–and that I have more freedom when my days can rely on a predictable rhythm . . . Such repeated and dependable activities anchor my days, providing a sense of stability.”

Trust note . . .
“My dog, Emma, is the most relaxed dog I’ve ever known. She rolls on her back and lays with all four legs spread apart. She has no concern or worry about being attacked, even though she’s so vulnerable at that point. I wish I could be that free from concern and worry. I must continue to have complete trust in Jesus, for I know He is my protector. Nothing can come my way except through His perfect will for me. My sweet Emma is a good example to me of displaying complete trust.”

I wish I could be that carefree. Concerns and worries are hard to overcome. When each new problem arises it takes a while to completely turn it over to God. There’s just something about trying to figure out what’s happening myself before I can let it go. My turnover time keeps getting shorter as the years grow. With each situation I conquer, I learn to trust even more.

I'm happy to say, many years later since writing those posts, I do stay in the shade more and my concerns and worries find their way to God sooner. Yes, years and growth and maturity help along the way. 

Refreshment and trust . . . each are necessary as I follow Christ. Below, Emma and I love on each other.

By His Grace . . . 

 

Be a Rainbow

I ran across a quote from Mrs. Charles E. Cowman who wrote the popular "Streams in the Desert" devotion books. Would you like to be a rainbow?

"Men ask for a rainbow in the cloud;

but I would ask more from Thee. I would be,

in my cloud, myself a rainbow . . . a minister to other's joy."

I've never thought about being a rainbow. What would that be like. From what Cowman wrote, a joy to others.

God mentions the rainbow four times in the Bible. We're most familiar with Genesis 9 when God made a covenant with Noah and God put the rainbow in the clouds. But rainbows are mentioned three other times in the Bible.

In Ezekiel 1:28, the appearance of a rainbow was in the clouds, the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. 

Bibleoutlined.com: This verse from Ezekiel captures a profound moment of divine revelation. The imagery depicts that of a vivid and glorious sight, akin to a rainbow. In Biblical terms, a rainbow is often a symbol of God's promises and His presence. By specifically mentioning that this appearance was akin to a rainbow on a rainy day, it evokes the idea that even in moments of darkness or gloom, god's glory can shine through.

In Revelation 4:3 share a "rainbow around the throne" and 10:1 when a strong angel coming down out of heaven, clothed with a cloud; and the rainbow was upon His head, and His face was like the sun, and His feet like pillars of fire.

Biblerepository.com: The rainbow encircling the throne reflects not only His majesty but also His mercy. Rainbows often symbolize hope and promise, reminding us of God's covenant not to destroy the earth again with a flood. This covenant symbolizes the balance of God's justice with His grace. Revelation 4:3 encapsulates the glorious nature of God while also touching on His faithfulness and goodness.

Godsbless.ing: A powerful angel comes down from heaven in Revelation 10:1-4, clothed with a cloud, a rainbow over his head, his face shining like the sun, and his legs like pillars of fire. This imagery of the angel's appearance conveys a sense of majesty, authority, and divine presence. The description of the angel's radiant appearance and connection to elements like the cloud and rainbow evokes the presence of God and His covenant with humanity.

Enduringword.com: Not only is the rainbow a reminder of God's promise to man, but it is also a natural result when the sun shines through a cloud.

Sounds like a good idea to be a rainbow. Rainbows bring joy when we see it in the sky. You just automatically smile. It's a reminder of God and the hope we have in Him.

By His Grace . . .