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

...and under HIS wings shalt thou trust.

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: 

Be not dismayed; for I am thy God: 

I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee;

Yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. 

Isaiah 41:10

Sometimes I am overwhelmed with God's precious promises. This morning I read the above verse and rested in God's love. 

How beautiful to be still in the presence of the ALMIGHTY GOD!

I couldn't but think how often we  fail to to remember the promises of our God and Saviour... that He will be with us even unto the end. 

And so today I cling to the beautiful reminder that God is with me... 

... as I find rest in His power and strength,

... as I trust Him to guide and protect me,

... and wait upon Him to lead me.

UNDER HIS WINGS

Ira Sankey

Under His wings I am safely abiding;

  Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,

Still I can trust Him, I know He will keep me;

  He has redeemed me, and I am His child.

 

Under His wings, under His wings,

  Who from His love can sever?

Under His wings my soul shall abide,

    Safely abide forever.

Under His wings—what a refuge in sorrow!

  How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!

Often when earth has no balm for my healing,

  There I find comfort, and there I am blest.

Under His wings—oh, what precious enjoyment!

  There will I hide till life’s trials are o’er;

Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me;

  Resting in Jesus I’m safe evermore.

Precious Father, Thank you for your promises that are true and faithful. Help us to rest in your presence and be comforted through your Spirit and Word. 

May you be encouraged today to rest in the Lord Jesus and trust in His care for you.
~Ellie

Increase our FAITH...

" So then FAITH cometh by HEARING, and HEARING by the WORD OF GOD." Romans 10:17

Lately, I've been thinking  about how faith plays a major role in our christian walk... and in our spiritual growth.  You know, we often say we want to live to honor our Lord. But I thought how little my faith is when it comes to the testings in my life...

My thoughts went to the disciples in Luke 17. It was a moment where the disciples saw their weakness and their inability to withstand offences on their own. The Lord warns them that offences will come...

" Then said HE unto the disciples, 

It is impossible but that offences will come..." 

Luke 17:1

The Lord's instruction and warning were clear, they were to take heed to themselves... to forgive those who trespass against them... over and over again.

" Take heed to yourselves: 

If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; 

And if he repent, forgive him.

And if he trespass against thee 7 times in a day, 

And 7 times in a day turn again to thee, 

Saying, I repent; 

Thou shalt forgive him." 

Luke 17:3,4

Hearing the Lord's instruction, the disciples find themselves weak and unable to do so on their own.

And thus, they ask the Lord that He would increase their faith.

I thought about what it means to have the Lord increase my faith.... because my desire is that I would indeed  be strengthened by His power to do that which brings honor and glory to Him. 

If the disciples needed their faith to be increased, I need  my faith increased that much more! 

I couldn't but think that Jesus Christ is the author and finisher of my faith (Hebrews 12:2). 

He starts. He finishes. 

What a marvelous act of His faithfulness and love towards us!

And yet, I know that in order for my faith to increase, He has to bring me to His Holy Word.... because faith comes by hearing. 

And through His WORD, the Lord Jesus makes known to us,

... our need for complete humbleness before a Holy God

... our complete dependence on His work, 

... our complete acknowledgement that we are in need of Him, because we can do nothing apart from Him. 

I was so encouraged to be reminded yet again... that in order for my faith to increase, I must be in the WORD!  

It is the WORD, revealed through the Holy Spirit, that enables us to have our faith increased. Only then can we...

trust, 

obey, 

forgive, 

repent, 

grow,

and live a life worthy of His name. 

"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, 

ye shall ask what ye will, 

and it shall be done unto you." 

John 15:7

Yes, we too can have our faith increased... when we abide in His WORD. 

Oh Father, how thankful we are for the Lord Jesus Christ. the author and finisher of our faith. Thank you that through Him we have faith to believe and to know you. How precious is your word to us. Help us to abide in your presence, to delight in your word, and to obey it. 

May you be strengthened in faith today, delighting in His WORD... giving glory to GOD.

~Ellie

... His master saw that the LORD was with him.

"... how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against GOD?" Genesis 39:9

As I was reading through the account of Joseph, I was encouraged to read of God's presence in Joseph's life...and the impact it had on him and those around him.

Joseph feared God, and what a testimony that was to those around him! We find the LORD not only blessing Joseph, but even those around Joseph...

" And his master saw that the LORD was with him, 

and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand." 

Genesis 39:3

"And Joseph found grace in his sight..." 

Genesis  39:4

"... the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house because of Joseph's sake." 

Genesis 39:5

"And Joseph was a goodly person and well favored." 

Genesis 39:6

And as I was reading of the Lord's goodness towards Joseph ... even when tempted... even when thrown in prison... even when "forgotten" by the one he had done good to... that I began thinking how little I dwell on the power of God's presence in my life.

You know, sometimes I walk about fearful, I shy away from grief and pain, I find myself faithless...
But oh, the power of God that directs our every step.... and the knowledge to know and trust in the promise that our God never leaves us!

For Joseph, even when in prison, God's presence was still with him,

" But the Lord was with Joseph, 

and shewed him mercy 

and gave him favour 

in the sight of the keeper of the prison." 

Genesis 39: 21

How often I forget the power of God's presence in my life... that even in the midst of trials, my God never leaves me... but rather shows His mercy, and favor! Yes, He shows His mercy and favor when we think we can no longer bear the pain.

And then I couldn't but think how very important it is... that others might see God's presence in my life.

Do others see that the Lord is with me...  be it in joy and or in sorrow? Do others get blessed by seeing me have a total dependence on Him... the One who is able to save? Does my life show forgiveness to those that have wronged me... or do I hold a grudge?

We see Joseph not holding a grudge against Potiphar, for throwing him into prison, nor with  the chief butler who had forgotten about him in prison... furthermore, we don't see Joseph holding a grudge for his brethren, but rather loving them!

Only through the presence of God in his life, could Joseph ever have such love... and be able to consider the "evil" that his brothers had done unto him, as God's favor toward him.

How often I fail to see God's goodness to me... even in the trials and afflictions that come my way. Oh, that I would see them as God's favor towards me!

However, I am most thankful for God's presence in my life... through His Word and Holy Spirit.
For I am encouraged that Christ alone is able to use me... and you... to reflect His presence in our lives, and even bless those around us.

" Now unto HIM who is able to keep you from falling 

and to present you faultless before the presence of HIS glory 

with exceeding joy, 

to the only wise GOD our SAVIOUR, 

be glory and majesty, dominion and power, 

both now and ever. 

Amen" 

Jude 24,25

Holy Father, Help us today to honor your presence in our lives, by living a life worthy of your calling, in thought and deed. May our lives reflect and manifest towards those around that you are in us and working though us.

May you be encouraged to look unto the LORD ... and trust in the power of His presence to guide your life... and He will perfect that which concerns you today.
Ellie

I AM with thee, and WILL KEEP thee in ALL places whither thou goest...

" The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: HE shall preserve thy soul. " Psalm 121:7

This morning as I was going about my daily chores, I heard a song that lifted my heart to praise the LORD. I quickly made a point to find the song online and jot it down...

Do you ever find yourself in the midst of your MANY thoughts... and struggling to keep your head above the waters?  

There are many trials... and many afflictions in our lives. Sometimes we find ourselves thinking upon them in such great length(!), that our spirit can only naturally be weighed down.

 A heavy heart stooped with the "loads and cares" of this world...

 " Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop:

 but a good word maketh it glad." 

Proverbs 12:25

So while in the midst of my many thoughts...  for it seemed that in the split of a second, I had allowed myself to be fully immersed in the cares  and worries of the day(s)... I heard this song playing in the background. 

Such peace flowed over me! How easily I had forgotten that my God watches over me...

My heavenly Father knows my every need... and will not allow anything to come upon me that He does not will. And that which He does allow is only for my good... for my growth... for my perfection in holiness and righteousness.

Isn't our LORD GOD so good... to help us in our weakness and give us the strength to look upward and find rest in His mighty arm? 

I was so thankful for the peace He gave me in the midst of my many thoughts... that I hope this little reminder in the song will help you as well... and encourage you to know that our God in heaven watches over His own.

In This Old Troubled World

Author: Paul Sandberg

O how good to know that God in heaven

Watches over His children from above.

They are objects of His tender mercies

Safely they are kept in His love.

Chorus

In this old troubled world, my God is near us

And when we bow in prayer, He'll always hear us.

From every stormy wind, His love will hide us.

In this old troubled world our God will guide us.

Though on earth we've trial and tribulation,

Though there's much that would our hearts alarm,

He who feeds and cares for the little sparrow,

Will protect His own from every harm.

Father, how good and kind you are in renewing your faithfulness towards us each and every morning! Thank you for your presence in our lives and reminding us that you will be with us always. We praise you for the grace given us to overcome the trials and afflictions that come our way. Thank you for your care and protection over us. 

May your heart be joyful in the Lord's mighty power to guide your path and protect you from all harm.

~Ellie

And Jesus stood still...

"... For HIS WORD was with power." Luke 4: 31

I'm always amazed when I read through the life of the LORD JESUS, as related in the gospels, and find the same words I may have read over and over... once again renewed to me. 

This time around though, I was encouraged with a simple phrase I must have skipped over so many times,

And JESUS stood still...

For some reason when I read those words, I immediately noticed the Lord's ways... in the simple fact that HE stood still... 

In His stillness, He manifested His kindness...His compassion...His gentleness as He reached out towards those in need.

The Lord Jesus, though busy in the midst of a great multitude which followed Him... found the time,

...to STOP 

...to BE STILL... 

and 

...HEAR the cries of 2 blind men when they cried, " Have mercy on us, O Lord, Thou son of David." 

"  And Jesus stood still 

and called them, 

and said, 

"What will ye that I shall do unto you? " 

Matthew 20:32

The words of Jesus... powerful.

Words the 2 blind men hoped to hear... " What will ye that I shall do unto you? " 

The Lord stood still for them... and His words had power... for it brought hope and healing.

And then I couldn't but think how the Lord Jesus Christ is the same today... just as in the times when He healed the blind and the sick. 

The gospels relate the amazement of the people.... when they saw the result of Jesus' words in His teaching, in the healing of diseases and in the forgiveness of sins.

"... He taught them.., insomuch that they were astonished, and said, 

Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?" 

Matthew 13:54

 "...For His word was with power." 

Luke 4:32 

"What a word is this!..." 

Luke 4:36

Yes, even today, His WORD has power and authority.... to save and deliver... and forgive sins.  

He stops and inclines His ear towards us as well and hears our cries,

" Because HE hath inclined HIS ear unto me, 

therefore will I call upon HIM as long as I live." 

Psalm 116:2

What a joy to know the power of the LIVING WORD... that we too, as the blind men, can cry to the LORD GOD  for mercy and bring all our petitions and requests before the ONE who is able...

"Blessed be God, 

which hath not turned away my prayer, 

nor HIS mercy from me." 

Psalm 66:20

Precious Father, How thankful we are for the Lord Jesus, the WORD of life. Help us to treasure your Word and trust in your unfailing promises towards us. Thank you for hearing our cries for mercy and having compassion on us.

May you delight in the living WORD of the Lord Jesus... and find rest for your souls in the presence of a mighty KING.

~Ellie

...That your FAITH and HOPE might be in God.

 " For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the JUST for the UNJUST, that HE might bring us to GOD..."1 Peter 3:18

As I have been going through a busy time in my life these past couple of months, I have been blessed to have a loving Savior and heavenly Father watching over me. 

I have been dwelling much on the book of 1 Peter... where I've started memorizing a section of chapter 1. It's been so wonderful  for me ... to be able to see past the trials and afflictions that we undergo here on earth...  and be reminded to place my hope... in that which is eternal. 

Yes, "...gird up the loins of your mind... " or prepare your mind for action, and " HOPE TO THE END for the GRACE that is to be brought at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (v.13).

 HOPE.... 

1. a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.

2. archaic a feeling of trust. synonyms~ expect, anticipate, look for, want...

I thought about what it means to have hope. Surely hope gives us the reason to wait patiently for a fulfillment of  things to come... with glad anticipation. 

-knowing that God keeps His promises, 

-knowing He keeps His covenant towards us, 

-knowing He is faithful to perfect that which concerns us.

Surely God's love poured forth in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ is what holds us and gives us a steadfast hope... 

Only through Christ's merit can we ever have hope.

HOPE... 

-not be weary in well doing,

-to consider afflictions as pure joy,

-that we not lose heart,

-that we might endure patiently. 

"Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast..." 

Hebrews 6:19 

Isn't it marvelous to know the love of God? How Christ suffered for us... so that we might be brought before the presence of the Father... clean, forgiven, holy and blameless!

Yes, so that our FAITH and HOPE might be in God.

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, 

nor have entered into the heart of man 

the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 

1 Corinthians 2:9

Father, how thankful we are for the hope we've been given through the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for your word that is life and truth, giving us hope for the eternal glory that we shall behold as we await the coming Jesus Christ in our lives. Marvelous are your ways and promises for us.  

May you set your affections on things above... and wait patiently for His appearance. 

~Ellie

But thanks be unto GOD, which gives us the victory...

" Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye STEADFAST, UNMOVEABLE, always ABOUNDING in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labour is NOT IN VAIN in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 15:58

Some months ago I read a verse that has stayed with me for a great while. And this morning I was thinking about it... and thought how needful it is for us, that we be not weary in well doing. 

I thought about the military men and women, the firefighters, the policemen and all those who have given their lives for us,... so  that we might have freedom here on earth. Those that have put their lives in harm's way. Yes, we should be most thankful for the people that gave their lives for us...  

And yet, I thought of the verse that spoke to me months ago:

" Men that have hazarded their lives 

for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

 Acts 15:26

Yes, to risk our lives,

... for the furtherance of the gospel, 

... for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,

... that others might have eternal freedom.

How important it is that we would be devoted to serving our LORD GOD... in good times and in bad... for HE has indeed given us reason to rejoice. The LORD JESUS CHRIST, the ONE who offered/gave His life willingly for us... that we might know the only TRUE GOD and have eternal life. 

Oh, that our desire would be for those around us to know the LORD JESUS CHRIST.... that we would be steadfast, unmoveable... always abounding in the work of the Lord.

For indeed He gives us the victory to overcome whatever comes our way, so that His glory might be seen in us and through us.

And so this morning I was encouraged to sing a hymn as a reminder to serve Him in all I do or say.

May The Mind Of Christ My Savior Live In Me From Day To Day

1

May the mind of Christ my Savior

Live in me from day to day,

By His love and pow’r controlling

  All I do and say.

2

May the Word of Christ dwell richly

In my heart from hour to hour,

So that all may see I triumph

  Only through His pow’r.

3

May the peace of Christ my Savior

Rule my life in every thing,

That I may be calm to comfort

  Sick and sorrowing.

4

May the love of Jesus fill me,

As the waters fill the sea;

Him exalting, self abasing,

  This is victory.

5

May I run the race before me,

Strong and brave to face the foe,

Looking only unto Jesus

  As I onward go.

6

May His beauty rest upon me

As I seek the lost to win,

And may they forget the channel,

  Seeing only Him.

Lord, help us to be devoted to you... that the gospel may not be maligned, but rather be seen in us.

May you be encouraged to stand strong amidst the trials... knowing victory is in the Lord's hands.

~Ellie 

And be found in HIM , NOT having mine own Righteousness...

" That I may know HIM, and the power of HIS resurrection, and the fellowship of HIS sufferings, being made conformable unto HIS death." Phillipians 3:10

You know, sometimes it's not the easiest to apply the WORD in our lives. Phillipians 3:10 is a perfect example of a verse that requires us to be conformed to the LORD's death. Have you ever thought about it... to be conformed to HIS DEATH? 

CONFORM (def): be similar in form or type.

synonym: abide by, obey, observe, follow, keep to, stick to, adhere to, uphold, heed, accept,..

To be conformed to His death... would require that we be like the Lord Jesus, and follow in His steps.

I don't know about you... but I often fail to be conformed to His death or to know the fellowship of His sufferings.

• I fail to be a servant... and find myself desiring to place my needs above others. 
• I fail to be made of no reputation... and care too much of what man thinks of me.
• I fail to be humble... and find myself proud, even in the smallest of things. 
• I fail to suffer loss... and  find myself trying to keep worthless things as gain.
• I fail to revile not when reviled against... and can find myself holding a record of wrong, even in silence.

No... to be conformed, ..." unto HIS death." means to die to self... that Christ may live in my stead!

For sure we can never be conformed to Christ's image on our own. I am to have NO confidence in my OWN FLESH, but rather I'm to, 

"....be found in Him, 

not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, 

BUT that which is through the faith of Christ, 

the righteousness which is of God by faith."

Phillipians 3:9

The Righteousness ... which is of God... alone works in us... a walk that is worthy of HIS HOLY NAME.

What blessed thought... to be cleansed from all our unrighteousness and be clothed in HIS righteousness.

"For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; 

that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." 

1 Corinthians 5:21

Indeed we can have VICTORY over our own flesh, our own desires, our own self-workings... because Christ is RISEN...  the power of His resurrection has brought us justification.

"Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. "

Romans 4:25

And while I may fail from time to time, I am encouraged that HIS strength is made PERFECT in my weakness.... 

...reminding me that it is best to be occupied in,

 " .... forgetting those things which are behind, 

and reaching forth 

unto those things which are BEFORE, 

I press toward the mark 

for the prize 

of the HIGH CALLING OF GOD 

in 

Christ Jesus."

Phillipians 3: 13,14

How wonderful to know that in the Lord Jesus Christ we have complete victory!

" But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 

1 Corinthians 15:57

*

"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: 

and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." 

1 John 5:4

Oh, that I would be occupied with knowing more and more of my Saviour... that I would be able to count all things as loss... that I may indeed be conformed unto His death.

Holy Father, help me to walk worthy of your calling... and do nothing through strife or vainglory.

May you be encouraged today to KNOW the Lord Jesus... and " press toward the mark for the prize of the HIGH CALLING OF GOD  in Christ Jesus."

~Ellie  

He sent His WORD, and HEALED them...

" For He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness." Psalm 107:9

This morning after reading the Word, I picked up my hymn book and started to sing softly... a hymn that I've known for quite some time. Such comforting words...

... the LORD JESUS, the only ONE who offers rest that can satisfy a weary and worn soul. 

Do you ever find yourself  weary and worn and sad? Who can truly understand your needs? Can you ever bring your struggles to man... and find complete rest in man? 

No... no one cares for you like the Lord Jesus. He alone satisfieth the longing soul... He sends His WORD... then heals... and delivers. 

" He sent His WORD, and healed them,

 and delivered them from their destructions." 

Psalm 107:20 

O Lord, How grateful I am for your goodness to me... indeed I find fullness of joy... in YOUR presence.

 "I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say"

by Horatius Bonar, 1808-1899

 I heard the voice of Jesus say,

"Come unto Me and rest;

Lay down, thou weary one, lay down,

Thy head upon My breast."

I came to Jesus as I was,

Weary and worn and sad;

I found in Him a resting-place,

And He has made me glad.

 I heard the voice of Jesus say,

"Behold, I freely give

The living water; thirsty one,

Stoop down and drink and live."

I came to Jesus, and I drank

Of that life-giving stream.

My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,

And now I live in Him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,

"I am this dark world's Light.

Look unto Me; thy morn shall rise

And all thy day be bright."

I looked to Jesus, and I found

In Him my Star, my Sun;

And in that Light of Life I'll walk

Till traveling days are done.

What joy to have the Lord Jesus as our haven of rest...

" He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they are quiet; so He bringeth them unto their desired haven." Psalm 107: 29,30

May you seek to find rest in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ... who gives the LIVING water... and revives the weary soul.

~Ellie

Who shall separate us from the LOVE of Christ?

" Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us." Romans 8:37

Lately I've been thinking much on my unworthiness... how little I deserve God's love to be poured forth on me.

I am ever so grateful for the Lord Jesus Christ who gave Himself for me, that I might have eternal life. 

Sometimes I go through the day without dwelling much on the "seal" that was placed on my life... granting me eternity forever in the presence of the King. 

I didn't deserve such love.

"... in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise." Ephesians 1:13

The Holy Spirit of promise...

I often forget to look up when trials come my way. I often forget that my God has once and for all purchased me for His own... and nothing shall touch me.

"... for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of His eye." 

Zechariah 2:8

What a promise!

So this morning, I was once again encouraged to look unto the Lord Jesus Christ for strength. He alone keeps me in His hand. And nothing shall separate me from His precious love!

When  when all around may crumble. When fears arise. When I falter....  I am reminded that a promise was made to me though His Word.

... that NOTHING shall separate me from His love.

And the life I now live...

"... I live by the faith of the Son of God, who LOVED me, and GAVE Himself for me." Galatians 2:20

Are trials in your life encompassing you? Remember that nothing is too difficult for God.

"God is not the God of the dead, but of the living." 

Matthew 22:32

May you be encouraged today to draw strength from the living WORD... which alone can save... and bring hope through His precious promises.

~Ellie 

Be of good courage; IT IS I; Be NOT afraid.

" And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased." Matthew 14:32

In this morning's Bible reading I was blessed yet again when I read the marvelous and mighty acts of the Lord Jesus being performed. And yet this morning I stood a bit to meditate...

I thought about what it means to be in the presence of the One who could heal, give faith and strengthen. 

Have you ever felt the "wind being still" when in the Lord's presence? Do you find strength in His presence... in His Word... when everything around you is tumultuous?

Who can calm your soul when  "high winds" and "waves so big" make you feel utterly helpless and ready to sink?

Such thoughts crossed my mind while reading through chapter 14 of Matthew. I marveled when reading through the account of the Lord Jesus being followed by a great multitude. I thought of the people longing for healing. 

One thing the multitude knew... they knew the Lord Jesus could heal. 

The Lord's compassion  and care was evident upon all... not just a few, but the whole multitude... 5000 people! And He knew their needs...

" They need not depart; give ye them to eat. " 

Matthew 14:16

 and, 

"Bring them hither to me." 

Matthew 14:18

O, what calm and peace when in the presence of the One who takes care of our needs... physical and spiritual!

And as I read of the disciples' fear when encountering the tumultuous waters about them...  tossed about from high winds and waves... I thought again of the peace found only in the presence of the Lord.

How calming and assuring the Lord Jesus' words were,

" Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid." 

Matthew 14: 27

Peter's desire to walk on water, right along with the Lord, shows how he placed his trust and hope in the One who alone could save him from the tumultuous seas. 

And yet the minute Peter took His eyes off the Lord... fear crept in. However, the Lord never once left Peter...

... and He never leaves us!

It was so very comforting to me when I read that the Lord immediately reached forth to take Peter's hand ... AND CATCHES HIM... before He could ever sink. 

 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, 

O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" 

Matthew 14:31

How important it is for us to trust and not look away from the One who is our strength.

The wind ceased ... when they were all in the ship with the Lord Jesus.

What a beautiful reminder for me this morning... in the presence of the Lord Jesus... all waves cease!

Oh that I would desire to be in His presence. He alone controls and calms the winds that come in my life...  no harm can come upon me when I am in His presence.

And when I lack the faith needed to stand, He immediately takes hold of me... and catches me... so I would not sink. 

Isn't it marvelous...the Lord's tender care for us?

May you be encouraged to rely on the Lord Jesus to calm the winds in your life.

~Ellie 

Their heart is divided...

" For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings." 

Hosea 6:6

Several years ago, I took an online class on the book of Hosea. It was a wonderful class that brought about an understanding of God's redeeming love to a people that have gone awhoring after other gods. It showed me how God loves us...  inspite of our iniquites... and that His love stands firm to the end.

And while the book of Hosea was a blessing to me back when I took the class, I found that God's word never grows old... and I was recently blessed by it once again during my daily reading.

So while reading through Hosea, I noticed the importance of God's desire for us...  How He longs for us to return to Him in faithfulness... and to remember the great things He has done for us.

• He desires that we be faithful to Him.... 

" For Israel slideth back  as a backsliding heifer... " Hosea 4:16

"And  my people are bent to backsliding from me." Hosea 11:7

• He desires that we grow in the knowledge of who He is...

                          " My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge... Hosea 4:6

                          " I have written to him the great things of my law, 

                           but they were counted as a strange thing." Hosea 8:1

                      "For I desired... the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. " Hosea 6:6

• He desires that our hearts be fully devoted to Him... 

" They set their heart on iniquity... "  Hosea 4:8

" Their heart is divided..." Hosea 10:2

"Israel has cast off that which is good..." Hosea 8:3

• He desires that we have mercy...

" For I desired mercy and not sacrifice..." Hosea 6:6

• He desires that we sow in righteousness and reap in mercy... Hosea 10:12

" For  they have sown the wind, 
and 
they shall reap the whirlwind..." 
Hosea 8:7

• He desires that we forget not who our Maker is... 

" For Israel hath forgotten his Maker... Hosea 8:14

• He desires that we return to Him...

 " Therefore turn thou to thy God: 

keep mercy and judgement 
and wait on thy God continually." Hosea 12:6

As a result, when we acknowledge who God is, when we acknowledge our offences and seek His face, He promises...

--That He will not execute the fierceness of His anger. (Hosea 11:9)
--In Him the fatherless shall find mercy. (Hosea 14:3)
--He will heal our backsliding. (Hosea 14:4)
--He will love us freely...  (Hosea 14:4)

And He will be our dew, making us to grow, helping us to cast our roots, making our branches to spread, making us beautiful, and even making us to smell good.

" I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.

His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon. " 

Hosea 14:5,6

I was simply amazed with the wealth of knowledge  and application we can draw from the Word... even from such a small book as Hosea.

It is enough to know that God's love... saves, forgives and restores.

"...   and it shall come to pass, 
that in the place where it was said unto them, 
Ye are not my people, 
there it shall be said unto them, 
Ye are the sons of the living God." 

Hosea 1:10

What a merciful God! We are children of the MOST HIGH.

May you know the power of God's love in your life today... and praise Him for His redeeming love.

~Ellie

Bear ye one another's burdens...

" For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: 

"Love your neighbor as yourself." 

Galatians 5:14

Today I'm once again overwhelmed with God's goodness, love and faithfulness.

Have you ever had the privilege to carry another man's burden before the Lord? Have you ever been asked to share in the trials of someone who's hurting and in need?...

It takes a lot out of us to let go of self... to stop and listen... to encourage... and to love.

But, oh the joy, to come before the Father's throne to intercede for someone else.

Last night was a night without much sleep, a turning and tossing, a night of praying and interceding that God's mercy would be shown. The early morning hours brought peace to me... a peace that God gave in His goodness.

Trust in me. Cast all your cares upon me. 

Oh, Lord... you are the God of heaven and nothing is too difficult for Thee.

A peaceful sleep passed over me.  Not much after waking, did God answer. His outstretched arm intervened. Sometimes I'm overwhelmed... because God is so good! He answers in ways we never imagine.

Sharing each other's burdens... what a privilege!

It's easier for us to just sit back and not partake in someone else's hurt... we have troubles of our own. But little do we realize how often we forgo blessings and lose the opportunity to grow and exercise our own faith when we share the load. Our faith gets tried as well. Do we trust? Do we surrender our will to HIS?

Tribulations... are for our own good, even though they are difficult to go through.

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: 

knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

And patience, experience; and experience, hope...

Romans 5:3,4.

The result... a perfect and complete work in us. 

But let patience have her perfect work, 

that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 

James 1:4

Let us consider it a joy... to carry one another's burdens... and so fulfill the law of Christ.

May God's love be poured forth in your heart today... for those hurting and in need.

~Ellie

"... beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth... from the house of bondage.

" And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the LORD; 

That it may be well with thee... " 

Deuteronomy 6:18

Today is the 17th anniversary of our car accident... the critical car accident my husband and I had during our honeymoon. Has it been that long? Sometimes it feels like yesterday...

I'm thinking about God's goodness towards us today. How our heavenly Father watched over us. Protected us. Comforted us. 

I look back with tears of gratitude... for the accident. Yes, the accident.

I'm grateful for the lessons learned  during a most difficult time in my life. For you see... God, in His love, brought about a trial in our lives... for our own good. And I don't want to forget it. His mercy and steadfast love that carried us through... that brought us together and knitted our hearts to cherish the gift God gave us.

But most importantly, during this time, I'm also thinking about the precious gift God gave us... His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing compares to His sacrificial love... for which I'm forever grateful!

I've been reading through Deuteronomy... chapter 6 to be exact. And I've been touched with a special verse that made me realize how sometimes forgetfulness creeps in my life... 

I forget to have a thankful heart... for the deliverance of my soul... from the bondage of sin. I confess I take it for granted sometimes...

Do you ever find yourself forgetting to have a thankful heart? Not just merely for the physical "things"... but for God's love in bringing us out of our spiritual bondage. Where would we be... all shackled up?  

Reading through chapter 6 in Deuteronomy, I immediately thought of the spiritual application in my life...God's commandments to the Israelites are valid for me as well. 

I am to love the LORD ...with all my heart, will all my soul, with all my might.   

And God warns us not to forget where He has brought us from... 

"Then beware lest thou forget the Lord, 

Which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, 

From the house of bondage." 

Deut. 6:12

Interestingly God uses quite a strong word... Beware

I confess it gets to be quite easy to forget God's blessings... we forget to honor Him with a grateful heart. 

Oftentimes we get caught up with other things that cloud our minds. Sometimes we may even think the blessings we have are deserved. 

And we forget that GOD is the one that preserves us alive. 

It's for my own good.... To fear the LORD. To honor Him with praise. To do that which is right and good in His sight. 

That it may go well with me...

"And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, 

To fear the Lord our God, 

For our good always, 

That He might preserve us alive, 

As it is at this day." 

Deut. 6:24

Nothing we have is ours. God has given us ALL things. 

He alone deserves our gratitude, our obedience, our reverence. 

Our God is mighty... and with His mighty, outstretched arm... has delivered us from the bondage of sin. 

Father, thank you for your mercy that endures for ever!

" And it shall be our righteousness, 

If we observe to do all these commandments 

Before the Lord our God, 

As He hath commanded us."

 Deut. 6:25

May you remember the Lord's goodness to you today... to do what is right and good in HIS sight.

~Ellie