Happiness is a wonderful state of mind and a wonderful state of heart. God, I thank you for blessing my life with many happy times and wonderful experiences. But I am even more grateful to you for the deep and abiding joy that abides in my spirit, even when circumstances have made happiness disappear. For even in the most difficult of times, Lord, the blessings of your joy can bring lift me up and bring a song to my heart. I am always reminded that you have a wonderful plan for my life and your wonderful plan for my life will prevail!
"For I know the plans for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Showing posts with label Jeremiah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jeremiah. Show all posts
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
SOLID ROCK OR SINKING SAND?
There was a picture in the paper today of a home whose foundation was sliding down a hill. The owners were about to lose their home because of the foundation they had built on was sinking! Coincidentally (although I doubt seriously if it was truly a coincidence!) when I was reading my Bible today I was reading in Matthew where Jesus talks about the wise and foolish builders.
In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus says "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who build his house on the sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
Is your house built on a firm foundation or is it on sinking sand? Are you a wise or foolish builder? Can you withstand any storm that life brings your way? Build your house on a firm foundation with God!
One of the best old time hymns is Solid Rock which was written in 1832 by Edward Mote. These lyrics are perfect for this devotional!
SOLID ROCK
On Christ the Solid Rock
(Edward Mote, William Bradbury)
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name
When darkness veils his lovely face
I rest on his unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand
His oath, his covenant, his blood
Supports me in the whelming flood
When all around my soul gives way
He then is all my hope and stay
When he shall come with trumpet sound
Oh may I then in him be found
Dressed in his righteousness alone
Faultless to stand before the throne
In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus says "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who build his house on the sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
Is your house built on a firm foundation or is it on sinking sand? Are you a wise or foolish builder? Can you withstand any storm that life brings your way? Build your house on a firm foundation with God!
One of the best old time hymns is Solid Rock which was written in 1832 by Edward Mote. These lyrics are perfect for this devotional!
SOLID ROCK
On Christ the Solid Rock
(Edward Mote, William Bradbury)
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name
When darkness veils his lovely face
I rest on his unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand
His oath, his covenant, his blood
Supports me in the whelming flood
When all around my soul gives way
He then is all my hope and stay
When he shall come with trumpet sound
Oh may I then in him be found
Dressed in his righteousness alone
Faultless to stand before the throne
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
GOD HEALS!!
It has been a stressful few days. I had not been feeling well for about a week but went to church Sunday morning anyway. Unfortunately, things got worse during the service and when I got up to leave, I ended up passing out. Luckily, there were numerous people there to help me. They called 911 and got me to the hospital and contacted my daughter for me. Not exactly how I wanted to meet more people at church, but I am so truly grateful for their help, their compassion, and their prayers.
The doctors immediately wanted to put me on the ventilator again, but I refused. I just did not want to go through that again unless absolutely necessary. So they put me in ICU and started treatments which required putting a catheter in my leg. Unfortunately, that did not go well and was extremely painful. But they finally got the catheter in and began treatments. I usually have 5 of these treatments over a period of 10 days. However, the catheter was so painful I could not tolerate it and had it pulled out after only two treatments. I was frustrating several doctors!!
But the amazing thing is that it usually takes at least 3 of these treatments for me to tell a difference. This time, however, I began to feel a little better after 1 treatment and even more so after the 2nd treatment. They even let me go home today! God is truly awesome! In addition, I had a doctor who is a strong Christian, not afraid to share his faith with his patients, and truly helped me mentally! It is awesome how God puts people in our lives just when we need them!
While this week has not been fun, it has once again proved to me what an awesome God we serve! By all medical standards, I should have been on the ventilator yet here I am 4 days later writing this. Praise God!!
For I will restore health to you and your wounds I will heal, says the Lord.
Jeremiah 30:17a
The doctors immediately wanted to put me on the ventilator again, but I refused. I just did not want to go through that again unless absolutely necessary. So they put me in ICU and started treatments which required putting a catheter in my leg. Unfortunately, that did not go well and was extremely painful. But they finally got the catheter in and began treatments. I usually have 5 of these treatments over a period of 10 days. However, the catheter was so painful I could not tolerate it and had it pulled out after only two treatments. I was frustrating several doctors!!
But the amazing thing is that it usually takes at least 3 of these treatments for me to tell a difference. This time, however, I began to feel a little better after 1 treatment and even more so after the 2nd treatment. They even let me go home today! God is truly awesome! In addition, I had a doctor who is a strong Christian, not afraid to share his faith with his patients, and truly helped me mentally! It is awesome how God puts people in our lives just when we need them!
While this week has not been fun, it has once again proved to me what an awesome God we serve! By all medical standards, I should have been on the ventilator yet here I am 4 days later writing this. Praise God!!
For I will restore health to you and your wounds I will heal, says the Lord.
Jeremiah 30:17a
Sunday, December 16, 2007
ON THE TABLE SIDE BY SIDE
On the table side by side
The Holy Bible and the TV Guide
One is well worn but cherished with pride,
Not the Bible but the TV Guide.
One is used daily to help folks decide,
No! It isn't the Bible, it's the TV Guide.
As pages are turned, what shall they see?
Oh, what does it matter, turn on the TV.
So, they open the book in which they confide --
No, not the Bible, it's the TV Guide.
The Word of God is seldom read,
Maybe a verse as they fall into bed,
Exhausted and sleepy and tired as can be,
Not from reading the Bible, but watching TV.
So, then back to the table, side by side,
Are the Holy Bible and the TV Guide,
No time for prayer, no time for the Word;
The plan for salvation is seldom heard.
Forgiveness of sin so full and free
Is found in the Bible, no on TV!!
----Anonymous
As I was reading this poem, I had to admit to myself that I have not always been as great at reading my Bible as I should have been. My intentions were always good but I didn't always carry through with them. I try to live my life according to the Word, but I didn't always take the time to read it. I made many attempts to start reading the entire Bible but have just never completed it.
The more I do these devotions, the more God speaks to me. There are many days where I just don't know what to say or what verses to use. But I truly believe that God has lead me to write these devotions. I pray and ask for His direction and words, and it never fails that He leads me to just the right passages and gives me the words to say.
I hope that these devotions are inspiring you to read God's Word more and devote time each time to prayer and devotion. I know that by following His directions, I truly am becoming closer to Him and I thank Him for that everyday!
"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3
The Holy Bible and the TV Guide
One is well worn but cherished with pride,
Not the Bible but the TV Guide.
One is used daily to help folks decide,
No! It isn't the Bible, it's the TV Guide.
As pages are turned, what shall they see?
Oh, what does it matter, turn on the TV.
So, they open the book in which they confide --
No, not the Bible, it's the TV Guide.
The Word of God is seldom read,
Maybe a verse as they fall into bed,
Exhausted and sleepy and tired as can be,
Not from reading the Bible, but watching TV.
So, then back to the table, side by side,
Are the Holy Bible and the TV Guide,
No time for prayer, no time for the Word;
The plan for salvation is seldom heard.
Forgiveness of sin so full and free
Is found in the Bible, no on TV!!
----Anonymous
As I was reading this poem, I had to admit to myself that I have not always been as great at reading my Bible as I should have been. My intentions were always good but I didn't always carry through with them. I try to live my life according to the Word, but I didn't always take the time to read it. I made many attempts to start reading the entire Bible but have just never completed it.
The more I do these devotions, the more God speaks to me. There are many days where I just don't know what to say or what verses to use. But I truly believe that God has lead me to write these devotions. I pray and ask for His direction and words, and it never fails that He leads me to just the right passages and gives me the words to say.
I hope that these devotions are inspiring you to read God's Word more and devote time each time to prayer and devotion. I know that by following His directions, I truly am becoming closer to Him and I thank Him for that everyday!
"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3
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