Friday, May 30, 2014

He appeared to put away SIN, by the SACRIFICE of HIMSELF...

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" How much more shall the BLOOD OF CHRIST, who through the eternal SPIRIT offered HIMSELF without spot to GOD, purge your conscience from dead works, to serve the LIVING GOD. Hebrews 9: 14


My thoughts are on the sacrifice of my LORD today. How often I neglect to stop and thank the LORD for HIS  sacrificial love that brought salvation to my soul. His sacrifice can sometimes become of little importance... way too often.

Reading through the gospels, I stopped to meditate on the passage where the LORD JESUS CHRIST  was in deep agony... for the hour was come to drink the cup of wrath.... and be condemned to death.

HE was alone. The  disciples asleep. HIS soul was exceeding sorrowful. There in the garden of Gethsemane, the LORD  falls on the ground... and prays to the FATHER.

Could it be possible?
" Let this cup pass from me..."

" Abba, Father, ALL things are possible unto THEE, take away this cup from me..."

Who could save Him from the  the cross, knowing what He must endure? Only the Father.
" He offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto HIM that was able to save HIM from death..."

Hebrews 5:7

And yet HE prayed, " Not my will but Thine be done ."

The LORD... in deepest agony. The FATHER... strengthens.
"And there appeared an angel unto HIM from heaven, strengthening HIM."

Luke 22:43

For it was the Father's desire that Jesus Christ should drink that cup. To be that offering for sin. For our sins. For mine.

Thank you LORD... for your obedience to the FATHER... for your blood spilt on my behalf. For eternal salvation.
" Though He were a SON, yet learned HE obedience by the things which HE suffered; And being made perfect, HE became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey HIM."

Hebrews 5:8-9

How can I thank you?  My debt was paid. Purge my conscience from dead works... that I may serve you... and glorify THY name.
MY SAVIOUR SET ME FREE

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Do you know my Saviour? 

Have you heard HIS love for you?

How HE came to live a sinless life

And shed HIS blood for you.

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A sinless man, the SON of GOD

Come down to save the lost.

To die a shameful death upon the cross,

That we might live at HIS dear cost.

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My LORD, How hard it was for you,

To take the cup of agony on THEE.

In deepest sorrow you asked the Father,

'Tis possible may this cup pass from me.

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The three you took with you to pray

Could not keep watch not e'en an hour.

Twas Peter, James and John

Who fell asleep and had no power.

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With tears and strong crying THOU didst pray again

And sweat like drops of blood did shed

"Not my will but Thine be done."

Was what you prayed instead.

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And as your hour was come

To Caiaphas you were led

Betrayed by Judas with a kiss

Forsook by all, as all had fled.

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Are you the Christ, the SON of GOD? 

You spoke no word, Thy peace you held.

With two false witnesses against THEE

You answered, " Thou has said."

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And with those words you were condemned,

To die the death 'twas meant for me.

Upon the cross at Calvary,

You took my guilt and set me free.

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So now I ask you yet again,

Has Christ been merciful to you?

Is HE your SAVIOUR, LORD and KING?

Then give Him praise in all you do.

    Ellie 5/30/2014


May you dwell on God's sacrificial love for you today... and praise Him for the gift of salvation.

~Ellie

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Therefore it is of FAITH, that it might be by GRACE...

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" ... In the shadow of HIS hand hath HE hid me, and made me a polished shaft..." Isaiah 49:2


Today I felt like the LORD has a ton of work to do in my life. I am constantly reminded of my weaknesses throughout the day. My thoughts wander from the LORD as I focus on things below. Always concerned with doing things in my own strength...

It is a constant battle to get still before the LORD.... to allow the "dew" of HIS WORD to refresh me.  I quickly rush though the day and stop not to contemplate God's goodness to me... His faithfulness. His Mercy. His Grace.

Haste. Haste makes me miss the beauty of HIS presence in my life.

Last week as I was finishing a lovely visit with an older friend, I started gathering my things and was rushing to head on out. Lots of things awaited me... and  I needed to pick up my husband from work. My friend offered to walk me to my car.  Would I mind if she'd come along?  It was such a lovely day.

As I waited for her to find her key, then her cane, I thought of the fellowship we had enjoyed together for a couple of hours. It had been good to encourage each other from God's WORD...

We slowly made our way along the small path that led to the car. I in a hurry...  and my friend enjoying the bright yellow dandelion flowers that had sprung up so brightly in the heat of the day.

I was focusing on my need to hurry up. My friend stopped.

" Have you ever seen how perfectly the dandelion is made ? "  No. Not the dandelion. Why would I look intently at the dandelion? It's not the prettiest of flowers. And they are a bother. I suppose if they were a rose...

I went home. But I thought about the dandelion. How I treat God's blessings in my life as dandelions. They are perfect. But I rush and hardly pay attention to them. I see them...but sometimes consider them a bother. It can be a friend, a husband or wife, a sibling, a child in need... it can be work or chores that have to be done.... or it can be anything we take for granted, yet we cherish it not. We may even "trample" on them. But all are blessings from above...

How often we may consider God's blessings as "small and insignificant" . We want blessings that are big. We want to see God answering "beautifully". We want our prayers answered... immediately and in our own way.

I admit I don't always "see"  the LORD working in small things... but HE worketh.

HE perfectly polishes me... in HIS way, not mine. Through pain. Through trials. Through afflictions. Through times of loneliness, through times of fearfulness, through times of need.

I am weak. But I pray I might  show forth HIS glory.... through FAITH in HIM... and all by HIS GRACE.

Truly, HIS grace is sufficient.

" He staggered not at the promise of GOD through unbelief; but was strong in FAITH, giving glory to GOD; and being FULLY persuaded that, what HE had promised, HE was able also to perform."


Romans 4:20-21   


Lord, help me to have FAITH even in the smallest of things... and may I be still as you work  to polish and perfect your work in me. Thank you for your GRACE that carries me through the day.

May you see God's hand in your life as HE works on your behalf... trusting Him, loving Him, praising Him.

~Ellie

Friday, May 23, 2014

He maketh the STORM a CALM, so that THE WAVES therof are STILL....

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" They reel to and fro... and are at their wit's end. " Psalm 107:27


I've been trying to memorize my verses in 1 Corinthians 13. The chapter that is so well known. But it's hard. Awfully hard.

LOVE. What is love?

Lord, do you mean I am nothing... if I have not love? It's hard to be nobody in the eyes of men. To seek not mine own. That's hard.

All the knowledge, all the understanding, all the work I do... is it for nought... if I have not love?

How can I be happy for someone else who gets to have everything so easily... they've been blessed far more than I have. They are talented, wealthy, ... and their life seems so in order.

How can I just look past someone's hurtful remark and not withdraw. Don't they know how I feel? Don't they see how hard I  try.

I've run to and fro... and sometimes was at my wit's end... trying to show love and kindness and been bruised instead. All for man's approval.... but where were YOU in all my running?

" For do I now persuade men, or GOD? or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ."


Galatians 1:10


It's not easy to love. It's not easy to forgive, It's not easy to think no evil. If only I can be STILL... and allow the LORD to calm the waves in my heart.

I know God has a work to complete in me. My desire is to live the LOVE chapter... not to simply memorize it. It may take me some time, but I know my faithful LORD will perfect that which concerns me today. HE will try me. HE will bring about trials that will test me.... but HE will also help me to know HIS word and lead me by the hand... so that one day I may know in full, Him who loved me as HIS own.

The LORD was so gracious to send a song to me this morning as I was listening to the radio and preparing breakfast... I stopped and listened. It became my prayer.

Make me an instrument LORD... for your kingdom . Make me to love, as you love.... for you are LOVE.

Take Me, Lord


Take me, Lord, use me now.
Draw me close, O Lord.
Give me godly understanding of your Holy Word.
Let me live so close to you
Others, too, may see
Jesus’ love and great compassion
Shining forth in me.


Chorus
Use me, Lord Jesus,
Now for your glory.
May all I say and do
Glorify your name.


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When my heart suffers pain,
Jesus lingers near.
He will give me peace within
And whisper, “I am here.”
When I falter on my way,
He will take my hand.
Then, so gently He forgives me.
He will understand.


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Take my life day by day
Yielded Lord to you.
Take my hands to labor gently
Bringing others, too.
Take my lips to sing Your praise
Worship only You.
Showing love to those
Who need the love of Jesus, too.


By Roma J. Schankweiler


 

May God's perfect LOVE dwell richly in your heart today... and may you please God above all else.

~Ellie

 

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

How shall we sing the LORD's song in a strange land?

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" For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song..." Psalm 137:3


This morning as I read psalm 137, I immediately thought, " What can I learn from this psalm today. It's so difficult to understand. "  My attitude was one of  a deep sigh. I wanted something easy to understand at the moment. Something that was plain and simple... with words that would immediately encourage me and give me the strength I needed for the day. I even thought to jump to the next psalm. Surely it would be more promising than the one I read...

Do you ever get the same thoughts as I do? Where you want to skip over a section ... because "there's nothing there"?

Ashamed, I went back and  started re-reading the psalm. Surely God's WORD never fails.

As I began to meditate on the words I was reading, the LORD in His mercy brought food for my soul. There was  a treasure I had quickly read over and completely missed the first time around.

Is it possible to sing a song ... in a strange land? In moments when held captive? Do we opt for "hanging up our harp" because we feel sad and helpless?

" We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof..."


Psalm 137:2


Do we cry and weep when we remember moments in our lives when "everything was well"? Do we give up and forget God's goodness to us...

Such was the case with the Israelites... such is the case with us today. Woe to us if we forget God's lovingkindness...

" If I forget Thee, O Jerusalem let my right hand forget her skill.


If I do not remember Thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth.


If I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy...."


Psalm 137: 5-6


And so  I was deeply encouraged by a Psalm I had "given up" on. How grateful I was to God  who opened my eyes... to see my need to sing a song of praise... even in the midst of adversity. And to prefer Him above all chiefest earthly joys.

Thank you Lord... for your patience with me... and for steering me  ever so gently to see the light.

Never hang up the harp...

And may you be encouraged today to lift your voice on high and praise the LORD with your whole heart.

~Ellie

 

 

Friday, May 9, 2014

You are the GOD of heaven, not?

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" Praise the LORD; for HIS mercy endureth forever."  2 CHRONICLES 20:21


While  meditating on the 20th chapter of second Chronicles, I was deeply touched at God's provision for His people. Even when the people were in the midst of fear from their enemies, God was merciful. At first glance, victory over the enemy was quite impossible... the numbers were against them. How often I find myself in the same situation... fearful in the hand of the enemy. But God reminds us to be still. He will fight for us... and win the battle!

In my thankfulness to God, I decided to jot down a poem of sorts. He is the God of heaven, is He not? He can do ALL things!


YOU ARE THE GOD OF HEAVEN, NOT?


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When everything around us seems to sway


And fears arise within our hearts.


We see our strength can sometimes falter,


From many swift and flying darts.


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And thus we find ourselves no longer strong


With things that come and cloud our way.


Amidst it all we lift our eyes on thee O Lord,


And bow accepting what ever may.


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You are the God of heaven, not?


And in Thine hand is there not might?


We cry to Thee and Thou wilt hear


For we by faith shall live, and not by sight.


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In our affliction Thou art always near,


You ask  of us to  just be still.


In truth , salvation comes from Thee,


And so we kneel and  bow before Thy  will.


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You have  a plan to rescue us


Thy Word is true, we can be strong.


"The battle is not yours, but mine."


O Lord forgive, for we've been wrong!


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We praise your name, O Lord


Our way's  established from all ill


To Thee be glory, praise and honor 


As we abide before Thee still.


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In Thee is victory indeed,


Our battle has been won.


We put our trust and hope in Thee


To find all  fear is slowly gone. 


~Ellie 5/6/2014


May you know the God of heaven and rejoice that we have victory  through Him.

~Ellie

Monday, May 5, 2014

For the Battle is NOT yours, but GOD'S...

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" Ye shall NOT need to fight in this battle; SET yourselves, STAND ye STILL, and SEE the SALVATION of the LORD with you..."  2 Chronicles 20:17

The word of God has always been of  comfort to me. It never fails to uplift me as I read it. And as I was reading a passage from a daily  calendar, STREAMS IN THE DESERT, I instantly loved the verse that was quoted:

" When they began to sing and praise,  the LORD set ambushments... and they were smitten."

2 Chronicles 20:22

The passage talked about singing and praising the LORD more... and dwelling less on our problems. Just as the birds sing in the early morning hours... without a care in the world...  so ought we to sing. The  last thing the robins do in the evening is to sing... shouldn't we sing a song of praise to Him who carried us through the day?

Sometimes the problems of the day can be sung away... We need not fight the battle, for we have GOD on our side... and He will fight for us. Resting still before Him, with a song of praise, will stablish us ... and make us prosper throughout the day. (2 Chron. 20:20)

What victory we have through our heavenly Father who goes before us, and wins the battle on  our behalf. I simply love how the WORD is so rich in comfort and peace. God's word never fails to remind us that HE is in control.  All we need to do is to fix our eyes upon HIM... for our GOD rules the world... and NO ONE can withstand HIM!

"  O Lord God of our fathers, art not Thou God in heaven? And rulest not Thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? And in Thine hand is there not power and might that none is able to withstand Thee?"

2 Chronicles 20:6

Doesn't this verse just overwhelm you with peace? Nothing can happen without God allowing it.

Furthermore, the LORD GOD is so gracious and merciful... that He gives us yet another verse... just  to solidify HIS lovingkindness over us.

" If when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in THY presence, for Thy name is in this house, and cry unto THEE in our affliction, then THOU wilt hear and help. "

2 Chronicles 20:9

What a loving God! So powerful. So full of mercy and help.

It is enough that we trust Him to win our battles, whatever they may be. He hears us. He helps us.

Let us sing a song of praise to our  God..." that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16

May you be encouraged to be still before our God... and allow Him to fight the battle that concerns  you today.

~Ellie

Friday, May 2, 2014

Thou art GOOD and doest GOOD...

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" Thou hast dealt WELL with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy WORD." Psalm 119: 65


This past week I "stumbled" upon a few verses in my daily Bible reading... verses that have made me think.

Do you ever wonder about God's goodness to you when you are afflicted? I'll admit it is quite hard to see what God is doing in my life when I feel afflicted in one form or another. No one likes afflictions.

But affliction is good for us, even though  it hurts. And yet the affliction is not in vain... it causes a marvelous work in us. It causes us to be more like Christ.

" For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory ."


2 Cor. 4:17 


If we are not afflicted, we naturally go astray. (Psalm 119:67). Our hearts need the discipline of the Lord, to keep us on the right path... and to please Him.

"Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." Romans 8:7-8


Yes, it is difficult to be afflicted... to feel pain. One may say God isn't loving, or good or faithful when He sends afflictions. Because why would a loving God afflict us? Yet without affliction, our lives would never learn the statues of the LORD. And we would never  desire the WORD of God to dwell richly in us. We would be most miserable!

And if God says that it is good for us to be afflicted, then it must be GOOD. (Ps. 119: 71).

And we can have peace that HE is most loving:

" I know, O LORD, that THY judgements are right, and that thou in FAITHFULNESS has afflicted me."


(Psalm 119: 75)


I may not fully understand God's dealings with me. But one thing I know. He loves me enough to discipline me in faithfulness. And what assurance to know that HE never leaves HIS own.  Even when HE disciplines and afflicts us. Even then. He cares about each of His children. So much so, that a price was paid for our redemption. He bought us with the precious blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. And that is enough to trust Him.

" THY hands have made me and fashioned me: Give me understanding that I may learn Thy commandments."


Psalm 119:73  


May you know God's goodness to you... even in affliction.  May you delight in HIS word today, trusting Him.


~Ellie