"Thine eyes shall see the King in His beauty."

 "And the Lord hath laid on HIM the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:6

Sometimes I find myself so unworthy of God's love towards me... and wonder " how He could love me, a sinner, condemned, unclean ". And yet I marvel at God's perfect redemption, that He would send His only begotten Son to pay the price required to make me clean, justified and forgiven of all debt.

So  this morning, my thoughts were on the death and suffering of the Lord Jesus... and His redemptive work on my behalf.

Isaiah 53:4,5,6

"Surely HE hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem HIM stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

 But HE was wounded for our transgressions, HE was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon HIM; and with HIS stripes we are healed.

 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on HIM the iniquity of us all."

How thankful I am for the beauty of the Lord Jesus, seen in the eyes of the Father... for He alone was worthy to become the propitiation of our sins. And in His beauty, love was demonstrated ... in all obedience to the Father, in granting us pardon, and in making intersession for us transgressors. 

What blessed hope and reason to rejoice! The Lord's suffering was not in vain... for eternal life was granted towards us sinners.

One day, our eyes too, shall behold the King in all His splendor and beauty. 

"... for thou wast slain, 

and hast redeemed us to God 

by thy blood 

out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation."

 Revelation 5:9

"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain 

to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, 

and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing." 

Revelation 5:12

Father, how can we thank you for the  pardon offered through the blood of Jesus Christ, the perfect lamb without spot or blemish? Teach us to put away all pride and no longer live for ourselves. May the death of the Lord Jesus Christ be manifested in our lives today. Help us to magnify the ONE who is worthy of all honor and praise.

" Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, 

that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body." 

2 Corinthians 4:10

May you be reminded today of the death of the Lord Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection, bringing us eternal salvation.

~Ellie

My strength is made perfect in weakness...

" But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. " Ephesians 4:7

Do you ever marvel at God's perfect ways... to encourage us in our daily walk? How the LORD so graciously provides for our spiritual needs?

As I was preparing breakfast, the radio played softly... hymns being sung, scripture being read. 

I cherish these moments where I can go about my daily activities and be blessed in the hearing of God's word.... and be encouraged to lift my thoughts on the things above.

You know, God's beautiful reminders are given to strengthen us... through song, through His word... reminding us that we are not alone.

"... If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, 

let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; ... 

and pardon our iniquity and our sin, 

and take us for thine inheritance."

Exodus 34:9

God's grace sufficient for my days...

I stopped a bit from preparing breakfast and was uplifted through the song playing... decided to post it in the hopes that it encourages you as well.

GIVE ME GRACE FOR THE LIVING OF THESE DAYS

Lord, when I face the far horizon, and I see just how far I’ve still to go

Lord, when I’m weary with the journey, give me grace for the living of these days.

Lord, when the plains are green before me and I’m lost in the wonder of the view,

Lord, keep me moving ever onward, give me grace for the living of these days.

Lord, when the mountain that I’m climbing seems too high and I cannot reach the crest,

Lord, when my spirits are declining, give me then your inner rest.

Lord, when the sunshine beams upon me in a time that is peaceful, serene,

Lord, when I think I do not need you prompt my spirit from within.

Lord, when I carry heavy burdens and concern for my brother weighs me down,

Lord, when my prayers are not yet answered, give me grace for the living of these days.

Lord, if the time should be disjointed and I’m tempted by fear and dismay,

Lord, when my dreams are disappointed, give me grace for the living of these days.

Lord, when the battle rages ’round me and I know I must stand there on my own,

Lord, may your inner strength remind me I must strive – but not alone.

Lord, when the suddenness of sorrow leaves me faint with despair and with grief,

Lord, may your mighty love console me, give me grace, my God, and your peace.

Bryan Jeffrey Leach

We are not alone...

May God's grace be upon you as you serve Him today...

~Ellie

Lo, I am with you ALWAYS, even unto the end of the world...

" The LORD your GOD which goeth before you, HE shall fight for you..." 

Deuteronomy 1:30

How often I am reminded of my weaknesses... it's not easy to face defeat or to see the flesh take control of actions or thoughts. This past week I saw myself succumb to the flesh... because I wanted to get my way ultimately. In reality, I went ahead in my own strength and placed God second. It didn't go well...

I repented and God in HIS mercy reached out to me and made me see that even when I fail, HIS compassions never faileth. Even when I falter in my faith, GREAT is HIS faithfulness.

He is just to forgive.

And while struggling with my failure, I was encouraged while reading through Deuteronomy that God is ultimately the One who goes before us and fights for us.

We are to be reminded of HIS faithfulness to us. All we have to do is to look in the past and see HIS mighty hand of protection over us. God never forsakes His own... even in the "wilderness" we often find ourselves in.

The "wilderness"... a desolate place, a place of fear. A place where others are bigger and stronger than us. A a place where we fear being defeated by the things around us. A place where discouraging words can paralyze us.

That's what the Israelites struggled with:

" Our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, 

The people is greater and taller than we; 
The cities are great and walled up to heaven;

 And moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there." 

Deut. 1:28  

But the "wilderness" doesn't have to be a place of fear. It can be a place of growth. A place where our faith gets strengthened. A place where God works in us... and through us.

We need not murmur or rebel against God's work and will for our lives.

Yes, God's ways can be painful. Yes, His perfect plan for us may not be what we desire. But trusting that HE knows what's best will make us rejoice even in the midst of sorrow.

" As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing... " 

2 Corinthians 6:10

And through my reading in Deuteronomy, I came upon verse 31... where God paints such a beautiful illustration of HIS Fatherly love to HIS children.

" And in the wilderness 
Where thou hast seen how that the LORD THY GOD bare thee, 

As a man doth bear his son, 

In all the way that ye went..."

 Deut. 1:31

I could not but thank Him for His great mercy shown to me in the verse... a reminder that His compassions never fail.

HE is with us ... ALWAYS... even unto the end of the world. What a wonderful promise!

May you trust the Heavenly Father today... that HE is faithful and just to forgive, a present help in time of need.  

~Ellie

For THY Mercy Is Great...

"Be THOU exalted, O God, above the heavens: Let THY Glory be above the earth." Psalm 57:11

My husband and I are reading through the Psalms as part of our daily Bible reading. This Psalm was such a comfort to both of us today. It's simply beautiful to meditate on God's glory... and to rest in the shadow of HIS wings.

Can you believe it? We find rest and protection ... even in HIS shadow! Oh, that made me to stop. I hadn't thought about His shadow alone being so powerful.  But, God is  almighty... and all powerful. I'll never really comprehend  God's magnitude with this, my earthly mind. But this I know... true rest is found under the wings of the Almighty God!

Where do I find refuge in times of calamity? The Psalm clearly lays it out ... under the shadow of HIS wings.

" Yea, in the shadow of THY wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast."

 Psalm 57:1.

We clearly need  to abide and rest under God's protection whenever we face trials of all sorts.

The amazing part of resting in HIS protection... is that God does all the work in regards to our difficulties. Whatever concerns us, we cry out to HIM who saves us. HE is not slack. No, HE works on our behalf!

"I will cry unto God most high;unto God that performeth ALL THINGS for me." vs 2.

And look what He will do for us!

" HE shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up."  vs.3

Isn't that amazing! And to top it off, HE continues to send even more blessings...

" God shall send forth His mercy and His truth." vs 3.

Did you know HIS mercy and truth is quite BIG? It's not something small, but rather when God gives, He gives to overflowing.

" For THY mercy is great unto the heavens, and THY truth unto the clouds. "vs 10

Now, that is some storehouse!  Let us rest in HIS mighty power. And let's praise HIM... for HE works on our behalf.

May You  rest in the shadow of HIS wings today.

~Ellie

Fear not, be still before the LORD...

"Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will show you today..." Exodus 14:13

This past week I've been trying to learn the meaning of being still before the LORD. I admit I often let my thoughts wander. I fret, I get anxious, I may even lose hope for a moment. There are trials that come our way... like news of a loved one being sick, or a friend struggling to get better from a surgery. Trials that test our faith.

Where do we we run for help in times of distress? Do we run to and fro trying to "fix" things in our own strength? I find myself often running to and fro... I let my thoughts run wild thinking of the future days that may seem bleak to me. Will I lose my loved one, will I lose my friend?

Why do I fret so? Why is my faith lacking? Do I not trust my heavenly Father to work His perfect will? Do I not trust His loving arms, that are never to too short to save? Do I fail to be still before Him?

Lord, help me to accept your perfect will. Whatever the outcome, I can trust that it is for your good pleasure! Thank you for fighting for us... help us to hold our peace. (Exodus 14:14)

Are you facing a difficult day? Look above and ask the heavenly Father to see you through. Let Him be your guide. " I will cry unto GOD most high; unto GOD that performeth all things for me." Psalm 57:2

What a beautiful and wonderful thing it is... to be still before Him even in our trials... for He giveth more grace when our burdens grow greater.

He Giveth More Grace

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

 Annie J. Flint

May you be still before a Heavenly Father that works on your behalf.

~Ellie

The LORD Is My Shepherd...

"And Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." Matthew 28:20

Sometimes, I find new things in "old" things. You may wonder what I mean.

Well, have you ever come across a verse or a passage from the Bible that you're familiar with ... or maybe you're actually quite familiar with it? You've read it over and over again, you've heard it quoted many times, and maybe you've even memorized it. You may even know exactly where you can find it in the Bible.  And yet, while you've read it many times before, it suddenly  touches you one day... in a  very "new" way.

Several weeks ago, I read Psalm 23. I think most of us are quite familiar with the passage. A passage often recited at funerals... linked with giving hope to the dying.  And while it's perfectly appropriate to be read at funerals, or to someone on the deathbed, I suddenly gained a  "new" perspective while reading Psalm 23.

The psalm starts out by saying, "The LORD IS my shepherd..." He is my shepherd always. Hudson Taylor said it best, " Not was, not may be, nor will be. The Lord IS my shepherd." That means I can trust Him to be my Shepherd, not only today, but tomorrow... and always. Not only on Sunday, but on Monday as well... and the rest of the week. I can fully trust Him to be my shepherd at home... or when I am away. He is my shepherd when I lack , and when I am in abundance. He is my shepherd when I am alone, or when I am surrounded with others. He is with me when I doubt, and when I have faith... when I am sad, and when I am joyful. He... my shepherd... leads me on!

What a beautiful thought, that the WORD is always new... Shamefully, even when I may make it "old".

Isn't it grand when you suddenly gain a new perspective and the verse that was so well known to you... now has a special meaning? Yes," The Lord is my shepherd" has given hope to the dying... but there's hope to the living as well.

Praise be to the LORD, who "Leadeth me in paths of righteousness...".  I especially like how it has nothing to do with us, as HE leadeth us, " For His name's sake." Psalm 23:3.

These couple of verses from the well-known hymn "How Firm a Foundation" emphasizes God's never-ending love to us.

It says it so well:

“Fear not, I am with thee, oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand.

“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee thy trouble to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress."

May the Shepherd guide and lead you in paths of righteousness today...

~Ellie