MATTHEW 2:10 STAR GAZERS

Excerpt from A Life’s Symphony of Joy

By Rev. Susan R. Slade

Day 31 – Star Gazers

The magi (wise men) had seen a great star from their country in the east and had read a prophecy of a king to be born of the Jews. They had set out following the star, but it disappeared for a time. They inquired of the Jews’ current king, Herod, where this child was to be born. After his scholars informed them the child was to be born in Bethlehem, they set back out on their journey, and the star reappeared. The wise men were not just full of joy when the star came back into view: their joy was exponentially overwhelming. It was also a relief that they could now fulfill their hearts’ desire to worship the baby King. They may or may not have understood that the God of the universe was Jesus’ Father, but they saw the celestial birthday candle, the ultimate celebratory sign in the heavens, to celebrate the birth of His chosen one. The star, which may have even been the Sh’khinah glory of God, led them to the house where Jesus and His earthly parents were staying, and they worshipped Him and gave Him gifts.

Think for just a moment about the glory Jesus left behind in Heaven to endure the sacrifice and humiliation of the cross in order to redeem His forever family. The next time He comes to earth, He WILL come in His full regal kingship. Does this not make you burst with great joy?!

LUKE 2:15-20 SHEPHERDS HERALD GOOD SHEPHERD'S ARRIVAL

SHEPHERDS HERALD 

GOOD SHEPHERD’S ARRIVAL

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad

the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things

which were told them by the shepherds.

Luke 2:17-18 (KJV)

An angel appeared to a group of mere shepherds and made the astonishing announcement that the Messiah had been born in Bethlehem. He gave them the even more surprising news that this Holy Baby would be found sleeping in a feeding trough for animals! Then as quickly as the host of angels had appeared in glorious light, they vanished, and the shepherds were once again alone in the dark. The shepherds, like excited children on Christmas morning, ran to see God’s gift to the world. They found everything exactly like the angel had said. Afterward they did the same thing we did as children – they told the entire neighborhood the best gift they had received – a baby born to be the Messiah. They went back to the drudgery of guarding their sheep but with a newfound awe of the Lord. They praised and glorified God as they returned. We wonder if the sheep could sense the change in their shepherds or if even they were aware that the best Shepherd of all was now living among men? Just as we share about our “best Christmas ever,” we are certain those shepherds passed down the story of the night they found their Savior lying in a manger. We imagine their children and grandchildren, eyes bright with wonder, saying, “Tell it again! Tell about the angels and the Baby!” May the wide-eyed wonder of the Christmas story fill our hearts throughout the Year! May the Spirit of Christmas, the celebration of God’s perfect Gift, permeate our lives every day!

Father, let us see once again with wide-eyed wonder the Baby in the manger who was born to die in our place. May the miracle of the virgin birth and even more-so, the miracle of the resurrection constantly fill us with joy! And may we, like the shepherds long ago, proclaim the Messiah to everyone we meet. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2018

LUKE 1:42B-44 JOHN JUMPS FOR JOY

John Jumps for Joy

Unborn baby in the womb, at Mary’s greeting, John jumped for joy.

Filled with the Spirit from conception, he knew Messiah’s mother’s voice.

The Holy Spirit filled Elizabeth’s heart and enabled her to know

the presence of her Lord and Savior in a holy Embryo.

Yet today’s society justifies the murder of an unborn baby,

debating when embryo becomes a person, with no thought that maybe

since children are a gift from God and the fruit of the womb a reward,

A fertilized egg, an embryo, is declared a human soul by the Lord.

If you have already had an abortion, you will find no judgment here.

Mary’s baby was born to redeem you. Forgiveness is yours - draw near

to Jesus who bore our sins on the cross, the Lamb of God, our sacrifice.

Raised to life, He conquered the grave and offers you paradise!

LUKE 1:30-33 MARY TO CARRY MESSIAH

MARY TO CARRY MESSIAH

Luke 1:30-33

Let me set the scene: Mary was a young, devout, Jewish girl going about her daily chores. She was pledged to marry a man named Joseph, but they were not even to the point of setting the wedding date. An angel suddenly appeared out of nowhere—not the norm in the obscure village of Nazareth or anywhere else for that matter. Mary shivered with fear because, in reality, angels are scary. The angel’s opening line is that of most angels when they appear to mere humans, “Fear not.” Just when she is feeling a little bit better about the situation, he drops a bombshell on her. You’re going to be pregnant! And this is going to be no ordinary baby. Gabriel made it abundantly clear that she was to bear the Messiah. First, Mary was to name her baby “Jesus” meaning “Jehovah is generous. Jehovah saves.” Then he said that Jesus would be called “Son of the Highest” meaning He would be God’s Son as foretold in Psalm 2:7. He tops it off by declaring that her son would reign on David’s throne forever and ever fulfilling the prophecies of Jeremiah 23:5 and Isaiah 9:6-7.  If you read on a few verses in Luke chapter one, you will see that Mary was too overwhelmed to take all this in. She asked how this could happen since she was a virgin—a logical question from a human standpoint—but this was a mighty angel of God she was talking to. Gabriel patiently explained that God’s Holy Spirit would accomplish placing the embryo in her womb and that with God nothing is impossible. Then in Luke 1:38, we have Mary’s beautiful response to this unsettling announcement, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.”

God reveals His purposes for believers in His word, through godly preaching, and by the prompting of His Holy Spirit within. Mary was asked to risk her reputation and her relationship with Joseph and even give up her rights to her own body in order to carry God’s Son in her womb. None of us will be asked to sacrifice in that exact same way. However, whatever God is calling us to do, I pray we will humbly reply, “Be it done unto me according to thy word.” Mary did not achieve fame or fortune in her lifetime but has been remembered with reverence throughout history. We may receive no recognition for our obedience to God while we reside on this ball called earth. However, in Heaven, may we hear “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).

GENESIS 1:27 CHRISTMAS BEGINS WITH CREATION

PSALM 136:26 O GIVE THANKS

PSALM 103:1-5 PRAISE THE LORD, O MY SOUL

COLOSSIANS 3:15 LET GOD'S PEACE REIGN AND BE THANKFUL

LET GOD’S PEACE REIGN AND BE THANKFUL

Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other,

in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—

have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives.

Instruct and direct one another using good common sense.

And sing, sing your hearts out to God!

Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—

be done in the name of the Master, Jesus,

thanking God the Father every step of the way.

Colossians 3:15-17 (MSG)

God is sovereign, is completely in charge, and when we surrender our all to Him, we will have the peace and confidence to live in harmonious community with our brothers and sisters in Christ. There will be peace in the “familyship” as we each have the peace of submission and obedience ruling in our individual hearts and lives. The word of God is our instruction manual, our life-coach, the source of continuity in living for Jesus. As we fully immerse ourselves, soaking in the Scripture, we will not only have peace ourselves but will be able to encourage others to live and dwell in peace by abiding in the word. As the word begins to seep into and overflow our being, the Lord will infuse us with the power to accomplish all He has called us to do in the grace of and to the glory of God. When we are steeped in the peace of God, all that we desire is to be an overflowing reservoir of gratitude and thanksgiving.

Father, may our hearts burst out in songs of praise and thanksgiving as we realize the peace that passes all understanding has been bountifully accredited to our accounts because Jesus paid the price of our sin on the cross and was raised from the dead. Thank You, Lord, that Your peace permeates our lives in such a way that we need not live in fear and we can share peace with others. 

1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18 JOY NO MATTER WHAT

JOY NO MATTER WHAT

Dedicated to Betsy Hall

At this very moment, I am in pain. My foot that is no longer there is having spasms, phantom pain. We tend to think of rejoicing as a feeling, but it is not. It is bound up in relationship, my relationship to our heavenly Father that I am devoted to and committed to no matter what. Joy is possible because God loves me and chose me when I was unworthy because of sin. I wouldn’t even have the capacity to love Him unless He loved me first. I can give thanks to God when I pray, even when I am in pain, because He is faithful. I have trusted Jesus, surrendered my life to Him; and thanksgiving is His will and destiny for me. What the Lord instructs me to do, He empowers me to do through the Holy Spirit within me.

Lord, in obedience and by the power of Your Holy Spirit within me, I thank You for the phantom pain, the spasms, the sleep apnea, and all the challenges Cerebral Palsy gives my earth-suit. Thank you for giving the calm assurance of joy deep within even during the times of greatest struggle. 

2 CORINTHIANS 2:14-15 ABUNDATE GRACE: ABOUNDING THANKS

ABUNDANT GRACE

ABOUNDING THANKS

2 Corinthians 2:14-15 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

We celebrate Thanksgiving Day later this month. To whom are we giving thanks, and why? Of course, we as believers are directing our gratitude to the Lord God Almighty. We may be thankful for many specific things this year—God’s provision in our finances, the Lord’s healing of a loved one, the safety of our military and first responders, a new life brought into our family, or God’s mercy in the homegoing of one of His saints. However, the primary point of Thanksgiving, our main focus, should be to express our gratitude for our Lord Jesus Christ, and His vicarious satisfaction of the Father’s holiness by dying in our place on the cross. We need to thank God that because of Jesus’s sacrifice of Himself, we experience atonement—the privilege of being one with the Lord as He prayed for us as our High Priest which is recorded in John chapter 17. Because we have been given the faith to believe and trust in this truth, we have the assurance that Jesus will come back for us so that “where He is, there we may be also” John 14:3 (personalized). This shout of thanksgiving should rise up from all believers in a resounding chorus bringing glory to our loving Father, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. We should use our voices as instruments or even megaphones of thanksgiving. As a once popular chorus said, “We’ve got so much, so much, so much to be thankful for!” This should be our theme on Thanksgiving Day and every other day of the year. If you belong to the family of God, join us in lifting your voice in praise and gratitude for all He has done for you. If you do not know yet know Jesus, please contact us via our website www.preciousjewelsministries.org and allow us the privilege of sharing more about Jesus with you!

NOVEMBER SCHEDULE

NOVEMBER SCHEDULE

We have a couple of challenges to our schedule this next month. First, we are trying to put together a year-long devotional book to be published by December. Second, we are moving to a new apartment, an opportunity we could not pass up because it is completely power-chair accessible. Praise the Lord!  However, this means we will have limited time to post to our blogs. Our plan is to put a “Thanksgiving” devotion post up each Thursday in November on https://susiesmusings-ksh.blogspot.com/ and resume posting on the other two blogs in December. We appreciate your prayers as we take this brief break from blogging to take care of other necessary business!

1 SAMUEL 16:7 THE LORD KNOWS WHETHER THE INSIDE GLOWS

THE LORD KNOWS

WHETHER THE INSIDE GLOWS

But the Lord said unto Samuel,

Look not on his countenance,

or on the height of his stature;

because I have refused him:

for the Lord seeth not as man seeth;

for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

1 Samuel 16:7 (KJV)

Susan: When people look at me, I often feel the chair is the first thing they see. Next, they see the contracted hands and arms, followed by the fact that my legs have been shortened by twenty-three inches, and I am now three foot, two, (I’m little but mighty). They speak to me as if I am deaf and mentally impaired, loudly and with simple words.  My roommate, Susie, has even been quietly asked whether or not I can read. Under the disguise of my earth-suit, I am an ordained minister with a master’s degree from Oral Roberts University and a megaphone for the Lord. The most important things is what God sees and loves about me: My earth-suit houses a heart that loves the Lord Jesus and surrenders to His will.

Susie: A former first-grade student of mine was battling brain cancer as a third grader. After chemotherapy, her head was as so bald and round that she looked like Charlie Brown. After she informed me she was comfortable talking openly about her challenges, I asked how she felt about her looks. She said, “At first, when all my hair fell out and my face got fat, I was really sad. Then I remembered that you taught us that God looks on the inside, and I feel good about how Jesus inside me looks to God.” Out of the mouths of babes!

Father God, when You look inside our hearts, we are thankful that You see the righteousness of Jesus there. May the love You have placed in our hearts radiate so strongly it is visible to all. 

2 PETER 1:5-7 POEM WITH GUEST WRITER, NICOLE FOSTER

PSALM 37:11 PEACE PREVAILS FOR THE MEEK WHO SEEK GOD’S KINGDOM

PEACE PREVAILS

FOR THE MEEK WHO SEEK

GOD’S KINGDOM

The meek are those who are humbly committed and submitted to God, whose desire is to further the Lord’s kingdom and agenda rather than their own. They are those who wait patiently for the Lord. Patience is forged in trials and adversities. According to Psalm 37, the evil-doers often appear to prosper in this world; but in God’s economy their prosperity is only for a short while. God laughs at their haughtiness because He knows their end will be that of destitution, devoid of all that is good, apart from His presence forever. But the humble servants of God inherit the earth. What does this mean? Does it only mean the peaceful New Earth of eternity, or is there some provision for us now? We will inherit a peaceful New Earth at the end of the age, when God casts Satan and all those who do not believe into eternal punishment. However, in this present life, believers have the “peace of God that passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:7), despite difficult circumstances. How do we experience that peace in the middle of our storms? We seek intimate relationship with our sovereign Lord who has the power over all circumstances through His word and prayer. We humbly make the needs and desires of our hearts known to our Heavenly Father, thanking Him in advance that He will be and provide everything we need. Because we as believers have the relationship of being God’s children, His desire is to provide all that we need, all that is for our best.

Father, help me to internalize the following verses of Scripture to be reminded that Your peace can reign in my life here and now: Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Peter 5:7, Matthew 6:33, Romans 8:16-18, Romans 14:17.

2 TIMOTHY 4:2 LONGANIMITY

2 TIMOTHY 4:2

LONGANIMITY

Preach the word; be instant in season, 

out of season;

reprove, rebuke, exhort 

with all long suffering³¹¹⁵ 

and doctrine.

One meaning of “longsuffering” is longanimity. The definition according to Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language:

Longanimity - Forbearance; patience; disposition to endure long under offenses.

Timothy’s overarching purpose was to proclaim the Gospel fearlessly, with abandonment, and without shame. He was to teach the principles of godly living to the believers in Ephesus. He was to identify, isolate, and rebuke the sin of the believers at Ephesus and any others within the sphere of his influence. However, this was to be done with all patience and love, exemplifying the character of Christ.

It is never easy to confront a brother or sister in Christ concerning sin in his or her life. Teaching on how to do so is often lacking in modern churches. Because of this, many people stay stuck on the hamster wheel of sin instead of being lovingly led to victorious living. Their spiritual growth is stunted because a more mature brother or sister failed to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Therefore, the entire body, the congregation is stunted.

I once had to confront a friend about performing in an inappropriate manner during his musical act. It was not easy. It was not pleasant for me. However, he needed to think about his witness for Jesus. If I had not said something to him, I feel I would have been sinning by refusing to speak the truth in love. He actually thanked me for caring enough to point it out. When you approach a person about wrongdoing, it is because you respect and love them enough to do so. It should not be done with a judgmental attitude but gently with patience to wait on the Holy Spirit to convict. The response may not be gratitude immediately. That’s where the longanimity comes in.

Be bold to speak the truth, but be sure you do so with gentleness and patience. 

GALATIANS 4:6 ABBA, FATHER

ABBA, FATHER

Galatians 4:6

And because ye are sons,

God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

I was blessed to have a good daddy. Ray Hale wasn’t perfect, but he and I had a relationship of love, understanding, and respect. I remember when I was a small child standing on his feet and walking with him. Saturday morning bike rides around our neighborhood were a great bonding time in my early teens as was working on projects around our church; and when I was in high school, we golfed and bowled together. I knew in my heart that if I were ever in any type of trouble, small or large, I could run to him. If I fell off that bike or tumbled down a hill while hiking, I knew my daddy would pick me up and tend to my wounds. I remember one time I fell into a yucca plant and a thorn embedded itself in my knee. It was not pleasant while Daddy was removing that thorn, but I trusted that he knew what was best.

Not everyone has the privilege of growing up with a loving father. Some children see their fathers abuse their mothers or are even subjected to abuse, if not physically, emotionally, at the hands of the man they call “Dad.” Perhaps you are one of these children, now an adult, and have a difficult time relating to the image of God as Father. Perhaps to you, a father is someone you can never please no matter how hard you try. Maybe your dad portioned out “love” based on your performance as the “perfect” child. Or you may have had an “absentee” father, one who walked out of your life, abandoning you.

I have good news for you. Our heavenly Father desires only the best for His children. When He adopts you into His forever family, He wipes away your past mistakes and loves you unconditionally. He promises to be with you every step of the way. You may fall, and there may be thorns that need to be removed from your life. At times the Father’s love may seem painful, but you can trust that God the Father is only doing and allowing the things that are for your ultimate good, to make you more like Jesus (Romans 8:28-29). If you have not already done so, surrender your rights to yourself and fall into the everlasting arms (Deuteronomy 33:27). This Father, the perfect Daddy, will keep you safe in His hands forever (John 10:29). The Lord promises He will never leave nor forsake His children (Hebrews 13:5). Trust Him like a child who squeals “Catch me, Daddy,” as she throws herself off the side of the pool with total abandon and freedom. Cry out to God, “Abba, Father!”

LUKE 15:22-24 FORGIVING FOREVER FATHER

FORGIVING FOREVER FATHER

But the father said to his servants,

Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him;

and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it;

and let us eat, and be merry:

For this my son was dead, and is alive again;

he was lost, and is found.

And they began to be merry.

Luke 15:22-24

He had squandered his inheritance in wicked rebellion

and found himself wallowing with detestable pigs.

He felt he could no longer be a part of his family.

His rejection of his father and his sin was too big.

But when he returned home, confessing his wrongdoing,

And planning to beg to be a hired-hand,

His father threw off his dignity, running to meet him

And wouldn’t let him finish the speech he had planned.

“Bring my son a fine robe as my guest of honor.

Place on his finger the family signet ring.

Put shoes on his feet for my son is no slave.

Slaughter the fattest calf to celebrate this thing,

For my son who was dead has come back to life,

My son who was lost is in my arms again.”

He prepared a great feast and threw a big party

Inviting all their neighbors and all of their friends.

I was lost and far from our Heavenly Father,

Destitute, hungry, and utterly dead in my sin.

Then the Spirit drew me to come to my senses,

And the Father welcomed me when I came to Him.

He placed the robe of Jesus’s righteousness upon me,

Sealed me with the presence of His Spirit within.

Then He shod my feet with His Gospel of peace

That I might spread the Good News with all men

That God Almighty takes repentant, humble sinners

And adopts them to be His sons and daughters.

We feast on the Bread of Life and Living Water,

And will dwell forever with our loving Father. 

GENESIS 22:2 FIRST USE OF LOVE

Genesis 22:2

FIRST USE OF “LOVE”

And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

The first mention of love in the Bible occurs in the passage concerning Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Isaac. This is a foreshadowing or “type” of the heavenly Father’s sacrifice of His only begotten Son Jesus.

We are not told that Adam loved his wife or that Noah loved his children, although it could be argued that this unstated love was demonstrated. We are not even told that Sarah loved Abraham. It is fitting that the first mention of love in the Bible is a father’s love for his son. We begin to understand some basic concepts about love: 1) Abraham loved his son as a father should, 2) Obedience to God supersedes human love, 3) God loved Abraham and provided the ram to replace Isaac, 4) God loves humans enough to sacrifice His beloved Son, Jesus, 5) As God’s children we are to emulate His sacrificial love.

The first fruit of the Spirit is love. Loving as the Father has loved us. Self-sacrificing love for God and for people. This kind of love can only be cultivated in you if the Holy Spirit is flowing through you. Because Father God willingly offered His Son on the cross, those who believe are the beneficiaries of this tremendously selfless gift of love. Once we come to accept and embrace the love of God our Father, we are filled with His Holy Spirit who enables us to increasingly love others as Jesus first loved us.

Have you experienced the Father’s love? If you have, are you searching out ways to share this love God so graciously bestowed upon you with those within the sphere of your influence? Jesus freely gave His love. Freely give love to others.

GALATIANS 3:26 CHILD OF GOD THROUGH FAITH

Child of God

Through Faith

For you [who are born-again

have been reborn from above—

spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified and] are all children of God [set apart for His purpose with full rights and privileges]

through faith in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:26 (AMP)

Faith, trusting in the Lord Jesus, is the only way to a right, intimate, and fulfilling relationship with God as our Father. It is through our faith in the redeeming power of Jesus’s sacrifice of Himself on the cross and subsequent resurrection, that we receive adoption into God’s forever family. Jesus is the only way to the Father (John 14:6), the only way to secure adoption into the family. As a part of that adoption, we give up our rights to our plans, our agenda, ourselves in order to fulfill God’s plan and His kingdom purposes. We have a new Father whom we are to obey. In return, we are made joint-heirs with Jesus, inheriting eternal life in the Father’s house. Our past is wiped clean, and we have a new future as children of God with all the privileges that entails. Through faith, I am a daughter of the King of kings! Through faith, I am His jewel, His precious treasure. Through faith in Christ, I have all spiritual blessings. Through faith, God says I am sitting in heavenly places. Through faith in Jesus, I have boldness and access to God with confidence. Through faith, I can call the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, “Daddy!”

LUKE 15:10 HEAVENLY CELEBRATION

HEAVENLY CELEBRATION

Likewise, I say unto you,

there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

Luke 15:10

      The shepherd rejoiced when he found the lost sheep and invited his friends to celebrate its return. The woman rejoiced when she found her lost coin and called in all her neighbors to share in her joy. The father rejoiced when the prodigal son returned, and he killed the fatted calf to have a joyful feast with guests. Then Jesus makes the main point: There is great joy in the presence of the angels when one lost sinner trusts in Jesus. Who is seated in the midst of the angels? Father God! His pleasure, too, is a joy that must be shared. The angels sing praises and throw a party when someone on earth is adopted into God’s forever family. My friend adopted two young children. The day the adoption was finalized became “Sullivan Celebration Day.” She cooked a special meal symbolizing her Irish heritage, and they had a delicious desert. It was a time of rejoicing over the newest members of their family. It was a small but joy-filled celebration. Imagine the fantastic, elaborate celebration in Heaven when you became a member of God’s family. If you are a believer in Jesus, God has chosen to adopt you. CELEBRATE!

2 TIMOTHY 2:13 MOST FAITHFUL TRUSTEE

2 TIMOTHY 2:13 (AMPC)

MOST FAITHFUL TRUSTEE

If we are faithless [do not believe and are untrue to Him],

He remains true (faithful to His Word and His righteous character),

for He cannot deny Himself.

Jesus must remain true to His word because He is the Word made flesh (John 1:14) and the embodiment of truth. John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Jesus also said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” He Himself is the Truth we must know and trust in order to be set free from sin and death.

The Lord has promised that those who believe in, trust in, rely on Jesus will be given eternal life and dwell with Him forever. He cannot and will not break His promise to His children. Romans 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Jesus promises us that He will hold on to us and never let us go: John 10:27-28 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”

Sadly, the opposite is also true. If one lacks faith, refuses to believe, and does not trust Jesus, then Jesus will deny him or her. He cannot deny His own holiness by giving eternal life to someone who has never followed Him and been cleansed by the blood of His sacrifice as the final perfect Lamb of God. His blood serves as the soap of His love to clean us from all unrighteousness.

Have you entrusted your life and your future to the only One who is completely trustworthy and faithful? Have you named Jesus as the sole trustee over everything you are, everything you have, and everything you hope to be? If not, today could be the day Jesus changes your life forever. If you have surrendered your will to His, one day I will meet you joyfully in our forever home where the Lamb of Glory will reign in majesty.

PROVERBS 17:6 GRANDPARENTS

In honor of Grandparent's Day

PSALM 119:171 PRAISE HIM!

Praise Him

June 1984

by Karen Sue Hale  ©1985

It’s something that I learned a long, long time ago.

Yet it’s something I keep learning new each day…

That no matter what the circumstances,

No matter come what may,

I just need to praise His name.

It’s easy, Lord, to praise you when I’m happy,

And it’s easy, Lord, to praise on sunny days.

But when my world is upside down

and everything looks gray,

Still I need to praise your name.

     After delineating the power and purpose of God’s word, the psalmist wraps up with a cry for understanding, a desire to live a life of praise, and a prayer for deliverance. 

Allowing the Holy Spirit to illumine God’s word as we read leads to an increased longing to know more of the Lord.  The more I know of him, the more I want to know.  It’s like being in love.  It IS being in love with perfect Love (I John 4:8 “God is love.”)  The Bible is God’s love letter to each of us. We need to delight in it, sing about it, and choose it above all other literature.  We need to ask the Lord to help us understand his word.

       When I’m in love, I can talk of almost nothing else but the person I want to be with.  Ask my friends, and they’ll tell you I can be absolutely obnoxious when I’m infatuated with someone.  If I’m truly in love with the Lord, my lips should “overflow with praise.”  I should be telling everyone all the wonderful things the Lord of love has done for me and listing all his amazing attributes for all who would listen.  My life should be lived in order to bring praise and glory to my Savior.

       Because the Lord has helped me understand his word, I can have confidence that he will deliver me and sustain me.  When I strayed like a lost sheep, he sought me and brought me back to the fold. Praise the Lord!