But THOU remainest... THOU art the same.

" The ETERNAL God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms..." Deuteronomy. 33:27

This past week I was thinking of the Lord... and was so very comforted in knowing that He never changes. When things around us may crumble, how comforting it is to know that our God remains the same!

We can experience the loss of a friend, the loss of earthly possessions, but oh, the wonderful comfort that our God remains the same! He never changes, He is always the same!

The character of God... ever faithful, ever true. From eternity to eternity He is God.

Do you ever find yourself simply lifted up or encouraged by just one small phrase found in the WORD of GOD? 

Such was the case when I read the verse in Hebrews 1:11

"They shall perish; but Thou remainest..." 

Such comfort and peace the simple phrase, Thou remainest, brought to me... 

Who can offer such hope, such peace, such comfort in a world that is full of turmoil and unrest?

What hope and assurance is there.... in the things that perish? 

Our hope is in the One that remains...the ETERNAL God,  the One who is our refuge, the One whose everlasting arms sustain us.

" Be Thou my strong habitation, 

whereunto I may continually resort: 

Thou hast given commandment to save me; 

for Thou art my rock and my fortress." 

Psalm 71:3

As I read more and more of God's Word, I find myself in awe with the treasure so marvelously laid out for us.  

And while we may go through life's trials and find ourselves in moments of discouragements, we've been given the WORD... which brings LIFE...  as well as HEALING to our bodies. 

Oh, if we would only be ever mindful of God's Holy Word and cherish it in our hearts...

" My son, attend to my words; 

incline thine ear unto my sayings.

Let them not depart from thine eyes;

 keep them in the midst of thine heart. 

 For they are life unto those that find them, 

and health to all their flesh." 

Proverbs 4:21,22

Father, thank you for being our eternal God and dwelling place from generation to generation. Our hearts rejoice, for in you we are secure. How thankful we are for the refuge found underneath your everlasting arms. Help us to praise you and trust your unfailing love for us in regards to the trials we may face today.

May you find comfort in God's Holy Word today.

~Ellie

Let your loins be girded about, and your LIGHTS be burning.

" No man when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the LIGHT. " Luke 11:33

Have you ever wondered if the LIGHT in you is burning brightly? Can others see Christ living in you? Are you a witness for Him?

I asked myself these questions as I was meditating upon several verses in my daily Bible reading. 

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; 

and it giveth light unto all that are in the house." 

Matthew 5:15

I was really struck when I read the verse again... the light... it gives light to ALL that are in the house.

For in a room, none can help but notice the light when it shines....

You know, I've known this verse since childhood.... heard it in Sunday School.. and heard it being preached upon. But recently I saw something a bit different, something I had missed before.

This LIGHT dwelling in us should give light to all that are in the house.

Have you thought about the importance... of being a light in our own homes... that our own family see Christ living in us? Sometimes we forget to shine brightly in our own homes... where those closest to us know us best. It's there, though, where it comes most easy to... simply dim the light, place it in a secret place... or even hide it.  We often become weary in well doing...

However, we are reminded to have our loins " girded about " and to keep our lights burning.

But I didn't stop there, because after being blessed by the verse in Matthew, encouraging me to shine brightly in my own home, I decided to look up the same verse in a different gospel...

" No man when he hath lighted a candle, 

putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, 

that they which come in may see the LIGHT. " 

Luke 11:33

Luke says it a bit different... that those who come in, ought to see the Light. We are to be a light even to those that come into our homes...

Do we shine and direct others towards the ONE who is the true Light?  Can those near and around us feel the warmth and see our lights burning brightly?

I realized one thing of importance...  when Christ rules in our lives...  when we are led by the Spirit... our lives will bring Light to those around us... 

... in our homes 
...and to those that come in.

The Light... Christ Jesus... the One who lights our candles.

What a blessed reminder that we are not to cover the light, so as to hinder its brightness or usefulness... but rather to be a vessel used of God... to bring light to those around us.

Oh, that our deeds might manifest His working in us. 

" But he that doeth truth cometh to the light 

that his deeds may be made manifest, 

that they are wrought in God." 

John 3:21

Could we, too, be a witness... as John the Baptist was for the coming of the LORD JESUS CHRIST...

...and can the LORD GOD say the same of us?

" He was a burning and a shining light..." 

John 5:35

May you be encouraged to shine brightly in your home... that those therein and those coming in... may see Christ living in you.

~Ellie

...God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

" Whom have I in heaven but Thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee." Psalm 73:25

Have you ever felt a longing to be with the Lord? Do you find Him the perfect Friend that you depend on... at all times?

I know sometimes we get caught up with the things here below. We find ourselves looking unto others to fulfill our needs. But I wonder how often we really, truly find ourselves seeking the Lord... as Psalm 42:1 says it so well,

"  as a deer panteth after the water brooks..."

Can I truly say, 

"... so panteth my soul after Thee , O God."

I've been thinking much on this verse. I know most of us know it quite well... maybe we can even quote it to others.  But I find myself  "knowing"  too much and when it comes to applying what I know, well, I admit I often fail. 

Yet I am most grateful to the Lord... 

The Lord is gracious, and in His tenderness comforts, encourages and speaks to me from His word... drawing me ever so close to Him. He reminds me of His precious promises and His work on my behalf... that I might be renewed in mind and conformed to His image. 

He takes care of what needs to be accomplished in my life and I don't need to worry about what He thinks of me... for He already knows my thoughts... and who I am.

Indeed He truly is my faithful Friend. The One who I depend on. The One who never changes. The One who I run to... in sorrow or in joy.

My desire is to have my soul pant after my Savior... to give Him praise and to long for Him with fervency.

A few days ago I heard a lovely song on the radio while walking around town...  it blessed me, and I hope it blesses you as well. I also saw a lone turkey wondering the streets... I thought how lost and confused it was. How thankful I am that when I am "lost and confused" I have a most blessed Savior who watches over me... a most blessed Friend.

“Jesus, Savior, Blessed Friend” 

Whom have I, O Lord, beside you? What have I except your love?

Where is home if not for heaven, there to dwell with you above?

Who are you, if not my Savior? Who am I if not your own?

What are you if not my shelter, Christ my rock and cornerstone?

Jesus, Savior, blessed friend, I will love you without end.

Who will share my earthly sorrow? Who will heal my broken heart?

Who will hold my life together when it seems to fall apart?

When the fears are far too many, and the joys are far too few,

Who will comfort and defend me? Only you, Lord, only you.

Jesus, Savior, blessed friend, I will trust you without end.

Where, O Lord, when life is over, can I go, but home to you?

What have I except the promise where you are I shall be too?

When at last I reach the comfort of that bright celestial place,

There with joy will I behold you, gaze upon your glorious face.

Jesus, Savior, heavenly friend, I will praise you without end.

by Deborah Govenor

May you know the  Lord Jesus Christ as your very own  personal Friend... " Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you."  John 15:14

~Ellie

Looking for that blessed HOPE, and the GLORIOUS appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ

" Keep yourselves in the love of God, 

Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." 

Jude 1:21

This morning I looked outside. The sun was shining. It was a beautiful day. Yesterday the rain brought about such wonderful crisp air. I was debating if I should even go for a walk. Normally I walk after I read and pray, but today I wasn't feeling the best.

Because my morning walk has always been a part of my daily activity, I found myself putting on my shoes and warm coat. Maybe I'll just walk a bit less today I reasoned....

Somehow my walks have always done me good... not just physically, but spiritually as well. It's a time I like to listen to hymns, hear a bible reading program, memorize verses or  pray for my loved ones.

I'll confess not all days are productive... as thoughts of the earthly things can cloud my mind. Sometimes I find myself coming up back to the house and realize I wasted my time being burdened rather than trusting in the LORD.

But today I heard a beautiful song that lifted my spirit... and I thanked the LORD for reminding me to look on the things above.

I thought to share the song... hoping it would encourage you as well.

HOW WONDERFUL HEAVEN WILL BE

As I see the marks of sin I feel a sadness,

But there's a thought that always brings a sweet release.

Soon our Saviour will be here, that day is drawing near,

When tears, when trial, when heartaches all will cease.

Chorus

Oh how wonderful heaven will be,

To be with Jesus throughout eternity.

No earthly thing can compare

to what is waiting for us there.

Oh how wonderful heaven will be.

Oh just think of all the countless joys of heaven,

A better land, a better life than we could know.

We will be forever safe thru His forgiving grace,

This gift is ours because He loves us so.  

Author: Dan Dirksen Jr.

May you look for the glorious appearing of our SAVIOUR Jesus Christ... and find joy and peace for the trials of today.

~Ellie

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty...

" I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust." 

Psalm 91:2

I heard this song this morning and was encouraged yet again... to look upwards. To gaze on the beauty of the LORD and not on the things around me.

Oh to depend on the ONE who alone can lift us up and take away our fears, grant us joys unspeakable and lavish us with grace abundant. 

I hope it encourages you as it did me.... to run always to Him... and desire to be in HIS presence.

 Lord I need You

Sometimes when life seems gentle and blessings flood my way,

I turn my gaze away from You and soon forget to pray.

But when the sky grows darker and courage turns to fear,

My anxious voice cries upward with words You long to hear.

Chorus: 

Lord, I need You when the sea of life is calm.

O Lord, I need You when the wind is blowing strong.

Whether trials come or cease, keep me always on my knees.

Lord, I need You. Lord I need You.

Lord help me to remember I'm weak but You are strong.

I cannot sing apart from You, for Lord, You are my song.

Though I'm prone to wander and boast in all I do.

Lord, keep my eyes turned upward so I depend on You.

written by Ron Hamilton

May you draw strength from God alone and depend on Him to guide and direct your paths today.

~Ellie