Give Yourself Away

 
North Fork at Moore Bridge Road

Last week I was reminded of a favorite chorus in the hymn “Living for Jesus.” I sang it a few times. The tune is wonderful too! I’m sure most of you know it. Sing it with me right now!

“O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,

For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;

I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;

My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.”

How did it make you feel? I felt worshipful. I felt thankful. I felt loved. I felt full of adoration for my God.

In the hymn study I did on this hymn I claimed Matthew 6:21 for the chorus words: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Where is your heart? Is Jesus your most precious treasure? Our hearts are owned by whatever we consider our treasure.

If we focus on building rewards from God in heaven, our hearts will focus on the experience of enjoying that “treasure” forever.

It can be hard to give ourself away whether it be marriage, friendship, service or something else. But we must give ourselves to Jesus. He did everything for us. We must not hold anything back. He must live in our heart and our heart must become His throne. 

Is He on the throne of your heart? If not, put Him there. Don't hold back. Give yourself to Him. 

As you go through today, sing this chorus. Fill your heart with thanksgiving because of what Jesus did for you!

Will you share?

By His Grace . . .

Coping With Change

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; 

do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Joshua 1:9

Last August, after I finished writing my 84th hymn study, I decided to take a break. I was wondering if God was leading me in a different direction. I loved writing the hymn studies and spent many hours researching and creating the studies. 

Through the fall I continued to write two short columns each week. Yet I felt like I wasn't doing anything. My time had been freed up so much when I stopped writing the hymn studies it felt strange.

Then in December I was led to write two new series on God's Names and Hymn Lines. I had recently purchased the book, "100 Names of God" by Christopher D. Hudson and was enjoying the study. And last year I had purchased a book titled, "Hymn Lines" which included 75 devotional thoughts based on lines and phrases from great hymns and songs of the Christian faith. I've been highlighting hymn lines in my hymnal for years and I thought this would be a good series.

Neither of these new series took up the amount of time I spent writing hymn studies. It left me with a lot of free time. This allowed me to become less selfish with my time. Since retiring, soon to be 14 years this year, I kept strict control of my time for my own creative outlets. Even though I write for God, I knew I was filling my time with what I wanted to do and what filled me with pleasure. To put it bluntly, I was very selfish with my time at home.

It's been six months since I stopped writing hymn studies, and my life has changed dramatically. With my husband and I now in the sunset of our years, God is showing me I need to be available to deal with both of our increasing needs. My time needs to be equally divided between what I believe God called me to do and what our needs are in this stage of life.

I can feel the change in my mind; the difference between the strict schedule and the slower and more open schedule I'm living today. But it hasn't been easy. I like to produce.

Change is inevitable. Each season of life causes you to adjust and change. Am I going to accept the change or fight against it. Right now, I'm adjusting. I'm trying to accept doing less and being thankful for what I can still do.

I'm thankful that the One I live for and serve never changes. He is the same God I knew when I first became a Christian, as He is now that I'm a seasoned believer a lot closer to reaching my eternal home. I'm so glad He continues to walk beside me in this season of my life as He has through all the seasons of my life.

It's a little scary this last season. But I remember God's command to Joshua: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Chapter 1, verse 9.

I believe God prompted me last August to prepare me for slowing down. I believe His Hand has guided me these last six months. And although I faced uncertainty in what was happening, I know He has led me through each step I took.

When you know a change is coming your way, be strong and courageous, no matter how hard it is. Yes, I'm coping with change. My doubts and fears are becoming less and less. Thank you, Jesus.

By His Grace . . . 

Valentine Thoughts

One of my favorite graphics from my friend, Karla Dornacher. 

This year, instead of wondering if anyone will remember you on Valentine's Day, why don't you remember a friend.

The well-known verse in the Bible, Proverbs 17:17a, states it plainly. "A friend loves at all times . . ."

If you're fortunate to have friends, love them. Care about them. Encourage them. Thank them. Honor them. Tell them you love them!

Wise words to consider . . .

"The happiest miser on earth is the man who saves up every friend he can make." Robert Emmet Sherwood (1896-1955)

"A friend is one who makes me do my best."  Oswald Chambers (1874-1917)

"A friend is one who knows all about you and likes you just the same." (Elbert Green Hubbard (1856-1915)

"Do not keep the alabaster boxes of your love and tenderness sealed up until your friends are dead. Fill their lives with sweetness. Speak approving, cheering words while their ears can hear them and while their hearts can be thrilled by them." Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887)

"Friendship is one of the sweetest joys of life. Many might have failed beneath the bitterness of their trial had they not found a friend."  Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892)

"We can never replace a friend. When a man is fortunate enough to have several, he finds they are all different. No one has a double in friendship." Johann Friedrich Von Schiller (1759-1805)

So where are those friends of yours? Let them hear from you as we celebrate Valentine's day this week.  Heart's are needy. Fill them with your joy!

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."

John 15:13

You can find Karla at: Karla Dornacher Designs – Creatively Sharing the Love of God

By His Grace . . .

Always There

My very own snow heart made many years ago.

Every morning upon my first conscious thought I thank God for being with me. I know He was with me through the night, and He is with me when I first wake up.

Always being there is a gracious gift from God to remind us that we are never alone. We are often surrounded by family, friends, co-workers and strangers, and yet we feel alone. We often need someone, but they are not there.

Matthew 28:20b: "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." 

Studylight.org, Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible:  "'And lo, I am with you always . . .' This teaches the providence of God. God has not wound up His universe, or His church, and left them to run of their own accord. He 'upholdeth all things by the Word of His Power' (Hebrews 1:3). Christ promised to be with His disciples always."

Isn't that what we want? Someone to always be there for us.

On Studylight.com, Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible it says: "Lo, I am with you: That is, by my Spirit, my providence, my attending counsel and guidance. I will strength, assist, and direct you."

On Contending for the Faith: "Whether in life or in death, Jesus promises to be by our side until the end--even to the 'consummation of the age.' The period that Jesus' birth introduces and will someday close with His second coming is now one of hope, for those who dare to launch out on the sea of life with Christ as their Captain, there is peace, joy, and serenity. Though storms of life batter, though waves of persecution roll, though winds of false doctrine blow, Jesus will not abandon ship. With Him at the helm, we are assured safe passage from this world to the shining portals of heaven."

Most all of us are aware of and have heard these words many times: "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5). They are words for us to grasp inside of us and never let go. They are true words by our very true and righteous God.

Yes, every morning when my consciousness brings You to mind, I will thank You for always being with me.

By His Grace . . .