Inspiration
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Featured Teaching
Through All the Changing Scenes of Life
Through all the changing scenes of life,
In trouble and in joy, The praises of my God shall still My heart and tongue employ. Of His deliverance I will boast, Till all that are distressed From my example courage take And soothe their griefs to rest. O magnify the Lord with me, With me exalt His Name; When in distress to Him I called, He to my rescue came. Their drooping hearts were soon refreshed, Who looked to Him for aid; Desired success in every face, A cheerful air displayed. “Behold,” they say, “Behold the man Whom providence relieved; The man so dangerously beset, So wondrously retrieved!” The hosts of God encamp around The dwellings of the just; Deliverance He affords to all Who on His succor trust. O make but trial of His love; Experience will decide How blest are they, and only they, Who in His truth confide. Fear Him, ye saints, and you will then Have nothing else to fear; Make you His service your delight; Your wants shall be His care. While hungry lions lack their prey, The Lord will food provide For such as put their trust in Him, And see their needs supplied. by Nahum Tate 
Mar 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
Mar 13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 
The Heavens Declare Thy Glory
Lord The heav’ns declare Thy glory, Lord
In every star Thy wisdom shines But when our eyes behold Thy Word, We read Thy Name in fairer lines. The rolling sun, the changing light, And nights and days, Thy power confess But the blest volume Thou hast writ Reveals Thy justice and Thy grace. Sun, moon, and stars convey Thy praise Round the whole earth, and never stand: So when Thy truth begun its race, It touched and glanced on every land. Nor shall Thy spreading Gospel rest Till through the world Thy truth has run, Till Christ has all the nations blest That see the light or feel the sun. Great Sun of Righteousness, arise, Bless the dark world with heav’nly light; Thy Gospel makes the simple wise, Thy laws are pure, Thy judgments right. Thy noblest wonders here we view In souls renewed and sins forgiv’n; Lord, cleanse my sins, my soul renew, And make Thy Word my guide to Heaven. Christian Poetry by Isaac Watts 
The Valour and Victories of Faith
By faith I unseen Being see,
Forth lower beings call, And say to nothing, Let it be; And nothing hatches all. By faith I know the worlds were made By God's great word of might; How soon, Let there be light, he said, That moment there was light. By faith I soar and force my flight Through all the clouds of sense; I see the glories out of sight, With brightest evidence. By faith I mount the azure sky, And from the lofty sphere, The earth a little mote espy, Unworthy of my care. By faith I see the unseen things Hid from all mortal eyes; Proud reason stretching all its wings, Beneath me flutt'ring lies. By faith I build my lasting hope On righteousness divine; Nor can I sink with such a prop, Whatever storms combine. By faith my works, my righteousness, And duties all I own But loss and dung; and lay my stress On what my Lord has done. By faith I overcome the world, And all its hurtful charms; I'm in the heav'nly chariot hurl'd Through all opposing harms. By faith I have a conqu'ring pow'r To tread upon my foes, To triumph in a dying hour, And banish all my woes. By faith in midst of wrongs I'm right, In sad decays I thrive: In weakness I am strong in might, In death I am alive. By faith I stand when deep I fall, In darkness I have light; Nor dare I doubt and question all When all is out of sight. By faith I trust a pardon free, Which puzzles flesh and blood; To think that God can justify, Where yet he sees no good. By faith I keep my Lord's commands, To verify my trust; I purify my heart and hands, And mortify my lust. By faith my melting soul repents, When pierced Christ appears; My heart in grateful praises vents, Mine eyes in joyful tears. By faith I can the mountains vast Of sin and guilt remove; And them into the ocean cast The sea of blood and love. By faith I see Jehovah high, Upon a throne of grace; I see him lay his vengeance by, And smile in Jesus'face. By faith I hope to see the Sun, The light of grace that lent: His everlasting circles run In glory's firmament. By faith I'm more than conqueror, Ev'n though I nothing can; Because I set Jehovah's pow'r Before me in the van. By faith I counterplot my foes, Nor need their ambush fear; Because my life-guard also goes Behind me in the rear. By faith I walk, I run, I fly, By faith I suffer thrall; By faith I'm fit to live and die, By faith I can do all Ralph Erskine 
Grace
A great sculptor was commissioned to create a statue of Napoleon. The marble was ordered from a quarry in Greece known for its quality materials. As soon as it arrived in the studio of the famous sculptor, Canova, he examined it carefully. To his dismay he noticed that it was not perfect. In disgust he shouted, “Discard it. It has a flaw in it. I will not lay my chisel upon it.” How fortunate we are that God’s attitude toward and acceptance of sinners are the exact opposites. Paul boldly declares that God saved us “by His grace” - a word that means unmerited favor toward someone. Imagine, if you can, how important God’s grace is for us. God is perfection and only perfection is good enough for Him. Our very nature condemns us and will not allow us to grow into anything near perfection. If we are ever to get near to God, then, it must be on His terms. God is also love. This love that we do not deserve or can ever understand is what makes grace necessary. We need Someone who is above us and beyond us Who will reach out to us and say, “In spite of your flaws, I love you and will forgive you and transform you by My grace if you have faith in my Son.” In spite of their flaws, Jesus called men to be His disciples who were like us: ordinary sinners saved by grace. Ro 3:24-26 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Ro 5:14-17 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. 
He Laid Aside His Garments
Joh 13:1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
Joh 13:2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; Joh 13:3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; Joh 13:4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. Joh 13:5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Shortly after they had sat down to the table, he arose, laid aside his outer robe, girded a towel upon him, and began the lowly office of washing the feet of twelve men, without a word of explanation. Something more than ordinary must have caused so remarkable an act. The fact that the cause has been lost sight of, has caused many to misunderstand the significance, and to think the Savior was instituting a church ceremonial, rather than giving a deep, practical, spiritual lesson for all ages. I will endeavor to explain the circumstances: (1) The disciples still expected the immediate manifestation of the kingdom. When they sat down to this Supper they felt it was a kind of state occasion, and a strife arose among them for precedence. Each wanted the "chief seat at the feast." An account of this unseemly controversy over the old question, "Who should be greatest?" is found in Luke 22:24-30 (2) Their sandals had been laid off according to custom. They sat down to the table with dry and dusty feet, but no one brought water to wash their feet, an eastern duty of hospitality made necessary by their hot, dusty climate. No apostle volunteered to attend to the office, the duty of a servant. (3) Then, while they were filled with their ambitious, envious feelings, and had engaged in strife right at the Lord's table, after waiting long enough to have it shown that no one would condescend to the menial, but needful duty, the Lord, full of conscious divinity, arose, girded on the towel, and began the office. By removing his outer garments, he assumed a servant’s dress. Then proceeded to wash each of their feet; including the feet of Judas, just as all the rest. This was a rebuke to their ambitious strife, far more powerful than words could have spoken: such a rebuke that never again do we see a hint of the old question, "Who should be greatest?" It was Christ's answer to their unseemly conduct, and a lesson to those Christians "who love the pre-eminence" for all time. It said, "Let him that would be greatest become the servant of all." Lorna Couillard 
Joh 14:1-6 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Ps 37:23-25
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he
delighteth in his way.
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the
LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the
righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
Heb 13:5-6
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be
content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee,
nor forsake thee.
So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will
not fear what man shall do unto me.
Furnish thyself with arguments from the promises to enforce thy pravers, and make them prevalent with God. The promises are the ground of faith, and faith, when strengthened, will make thee fervent, and such fervency ever speeds and returns with victory out of the field of prayer.... The mightier any is in the Word, the more mighty he will be in prayer.
—William Gurnall 
Grace
A great sculptor was commissioned to create a statue of Napoleon. The marble was ordered from a quarry in Greece known for its quality materials. As soon as it arrived in the studio of the famous sculptor, Canova, he examined it carefully. To his dismay he noticed that it was not perfect.
In disgust he shouted, “Discard it. It has a flaw in it. I will not lay my chisel upon it.” How fortunate we are that God’s attitude toward and acceptance of sinners are the exact opposites. Paul boldly declares that God saved us “by His grace” - a word that means unmerited favor toward someone. Imagine, if you can, how important God’s grace is for us. God is perfection and only perfection is good enough for Him. Our very nature condemns us and will not allow us to grow into anything near perfection. If we are ever to get near to God, then, it must be on His terms. God is also love. This love that we do not deserve or can ever understand is what makes grace necessary. We need Someone who is above us and beyond us Who will reach out to us and say, “In spite of your flaws, I love you and will forgive you and transform you by My grace if you have faith in my Son.” In spite of their flaws, Jesus called men to be His disciples who were like us: ordinary sinners saved by grace. Ro 3:24-26 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Ro 5:14-17 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. 
When the race is ended, and the play is either won or lost, and ye are in the utmost circle and border of time, and shall put your foot within the march of eternity, all the good things of your short nightdream shall seem to you like ashes of a blaze of thorns or straw.
—Samuel Rutherford FOR HE, HIMSELF IS PURE
To all Pilgrims of Our Lord
To the Pilgrims who walk upon earth mere strangers here, treated as alien or madmen. To the Pilgrims who are persecuted To the Pilgrims who live in greatest danger. To the Pilgrims whose hearts are broken. To the pilgrims who are quickened by The Holy Spirit to say 'Lord if its Thy Will make me clean today'. To the Pilgrims who pray assured 'Take my sins & let Thy Light from Heaven shine through my heart for His names sake, For He, Himself is Pure'. To the Pilgrims of sorrow, weariness & pain God feels ALL, He knows ALL, As valleys of tears in paradise overflow the old has gone, come, now, be restored. For He, Himself is pure. To the Pilgrims, hold Christ's Doctrine close, Cleave to His Holy Word as a lamp for thy soul, a mighty abode of treasures that can be neither purchased, bartered or sold. For He, Himself is pure. The length of the journey is shorter now arise, the bridegroom awaits. The Pilgrims have oil that forever flows. The empty vessels? Yes Yes, the walking dead have slept away their fate. The Wrath of Judgement, see the innocent ascend, set apart, raised high in Gods Victory never to see corruption, never to feel pain. neither to stand amongst the dead, the dead, the dead will all arise, arise, arise again. Our Lord hastens His Coming furnished in All Majesty & Glory, Look,evil trembles in shock, falling to their knees, a pagan world that mocked. Myriads of Angels rise to wash away, filth and corruption to purify Gods Day Hail, The Light shines bright, encore He is Coming, forever His love endures For He, Himself is pure. By sanction of a flaming sword, Behold His Promise is His Word Be awakened by The Grace of Our Lord For He Himself is pure. To all Gods Pilgrims keep the faith ...Amen 
The Bible-Yet It Lives
Generations follow generations–yet it lives.
Nations rise and fall–yet it lives. Kings, dictators, presidents come and go–yet it lives. Torn, condemned, burned–yet it lives. Hated, despised, cursed–yet it lives. Doubted, suspected, criticized–yet it lives. Damned by atheists–yet it lives. Scoffed at by scorners–yet it lives. Exaggerated by fanatics–yet it lives. Misconstrued and misstated–yet it lives. Ranted and raved about–yet it lives. Its inspiration denied–yet it lives. Yet it lives–as a lamp to our feet. Yet it lives–as a light to our paths. Yet it lives–as the gate to heaven. Yet it lives–as a standard for childhood. Yet it lives–as a guide for youth. Yet it lives–as an inspiration for the matured. Yet it lives–as a comfort for the aged. Yet it lives–as food for the hungry. Yet it lives–as water for the thirsty. Yet it lives–as rest for the weary. Yet it lives–as light for the heathen. Yet it lives–as salvation for the sinner. Yet it lives–as grace for the Christian. To know it is to love it. To love it is to accept it. To accept it means life eternal. —Willard L. Johnson 
Sometimes God makes use of instruments for good to His people, who designed nothing but evil and mischief to them. Thus Joseph's brethren were instrumental to his advancement in that very thing in which they designed his ruin
(Gen. 50:20). —John Flavel 
The Christian soldier must avoid two evils—he must not faint or yield in the time of fight, and after a victory he must not wax insolent and secure. When he has overcome, he is so to behave himself as though he were presently again to be assaulted. For Satan's temptations, like the waves of the sea, do follow one in the neck of the other.
—George Downam 
On Jordan's Bank
On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry
Announces that the Lord is nigh; Come, then, and hearken, for he brings Glad tidings from the King of kings! Then cleansed be every breast from sin; Make straight the way for God within; Prepare we in our hearts a home, Where such a mighty Guest may come. For Thou art our Salvation, Lord, Our Refuge, and our great Reward. Without Thy grace our souls must fade And wither like a flower decayed. Stretch forth Thine hand, to heal our sore, And make us rise and fall no more; Once more upon Thy people shine, And fill the world with love divine. To Him Who left the throne of Heaven To save mankind, all praise be given; Like praise be to the Father done, And Holy Spirit, Three in One. Christian Poetry by Charles Coffin 
Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
This is a life of faith, for God will try the truth of our faith, so that the world may see that God has such servants as will depend upon His bare word.
—Richard Sibbes Solitude and You
It’s where we can ask, "Who am I?" Can we really lie to ourselves about who we are? In solitude, there are no caves or walls to hide from ourselves. In our solitary moments, we can identify the person who lives in our skin and walks in our clothes.
Solitude sequesters us from the pressures to conform and compromise. It helps us to understand who we are thus explaining the reasons and rational for our emotions, individual tendencies and preferences. It creates the atmosphere for heartfelt reflection, acceptance, forgiveness and the resolve to be true to ourselves. 
Jesus Walks On the Water
Mat 14:22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
Mat 14:23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. Mat 14:24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. Mat 14:25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. Mat 14:26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. Mat 14:27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. Mat 14:28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. Mat 14:29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. Mat 14:30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. Mat 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? Mat 14:32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Mat 14:33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. 
The Road Not Taken
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I- I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. "One stanza of 'The Road Not Taken' was written while I was sitting on a sofa in the middle of England: was found three or four years later, and I couldn't bear not to finish it. I wasn't thinking about myself there, but about a friend who had gone off to war, a person who, whichever road he went, would be sorry he didn't go the other. He was hard on himself that way." Bread Loaf Writers' Conference August 1953 
The Healing at the Pool on the Sabbath
Joh 5:1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
Joh 5:2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. Joh 5:3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. Joh 5:4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. Joh 5:5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. Joh 5:6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? Joh 5:7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Joh 5:8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. Joh 5:9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. Joh 5:10 The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. Joh 5:11 He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. Joh 5:12 Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? Joh 5:13 And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. Joh 5:14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. Joh 5:15 The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole. Joh 5:16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day. Joh 5:17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. Pray that thy last days, and last works may be the best; and that when thou comest to die, thou mayest have nothing else to do but die.
—Vavasor Powell 
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Psa 71:1 In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.
Psa 71:2 Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me. Psa 71:3 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. Psa 71:4 Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man. Psa 71:5 For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth. Psa 71:6 By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee. Psa 71:7 I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge. Psa 71:8 Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day. Psa 71:9 Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth. Psa 71:10 For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together, Psa 71:11 Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him. Psa 71:12 O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help. Psa 71:13 Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt. Psa 71:14 But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more. Psa 71:15 My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof. Psa 71:16 I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only. Psa 71:17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Psa 71:18 Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come. Psa 71:19 Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee! Psa 71:20 Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth. Psa 71:21 Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side. Psa 71:22 I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel. Psa 71:23 My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed. Psa 71:24 My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt. In these verses we hear the author pouring out his heart in openness, he holds back nothing. He cries out for the Lord’s help in his afflictions, and his frail condition. We can come to God this way too. He already knows us, He is well-acquainted with us. Nothing we would say would shock Him. Old age looms before him, and the fears that go with losing strength, and youth. As age comes upon us, the coldness, and aloneness of life becomes part of our day, every day. But in these verses we see the faith that sustains this author, is available to us also. God is with us, in every change. These truths and experiences are many times covered; the world has little patience or care for such reality. But, David goes even deeper, and brings up out of his soul, the lasting truth that there is someone who does care, and never fails, or abandons. In Psalm 37, David proclaims the goodness, and everlasting confidence in His God to bring him thru every situation: sa 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Psa 37:24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. Psa 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. Psa 37:26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed. Psa 37:27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. We can stand on this also. Prayer: Lord, may we take hold of your promises today, and dwell in peace in them. Amen. 
Solitude and Creativity
Researchers, psychologist and persons of almost every creative persuasion, can attest to the benefits of solitude. Sometimes, in solitary moments inspired ideas surface to reveal how they can be merged with old, new or emerging skills. Or they appear as innovative sparks to prompt us to try something we have been avoiding. We can make use of solitude’s gentle probing to develop our creative inclinations or delve into a new adventure.
Ec 3:1
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every
purpose under the heaven:
Even the tired horse, when he comes near home, mends pace: be good always, without weariness, but best at last; that the nearer thou comest to the end of thy days, the nearer thou mayest be to the end of thy hopes, the salvation of thy soul.
—Thomas Adams 
When God calls a man, He does not repent of it. God does not, as many friends do, love one day, and hate another; or as princes, who make their subjects favourites, and afterwards throw theminto prison. This is the blessedness of a saint; his condition admits of no alteration. God's call is founded upon His decree, and His decree is immutable. Acts of grace cannot be reversed.God blots out His people's sins, but not their names.
—Thomas Watson 
High in the Heavens, Eternal God
High in the heav’ns, eternal God,
Thy goodness in full glory shines; Thy truth shall break through every cloud That veils and darkens Thy designs. Forever firm Thy justice stands, As mountains their foundations keep; Wise are the wonders of Thy hands; Thy judgments are a mighty deep. Thy providence is kind and large Both man and beast Thy bounty share; The whole creation is Thy charge, But saints are Thy peculiar care. My God, how excellent Thy grace, Whence all our hope and comfort spring! The sons of Adam in distress Fly to the shadow of Thy wing. From the provisions of Thy house We shall be fed with sweet repast; There mercy like a river flows, And brings salvation to our taste. Life, like a fountain, rich and free, Springs from the presence of the Lord; And in Thy light our souls shall see The glories promised in Thy Word. Christian Poetry by Isaac Watts 
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork. Ps. 19:1
Ps 27:1-14 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up. Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
The Visitor
Oh Death, my friend, has come
to visit. Where is your victory? Where is your sting? Has your sword, once turned against me, Been made to me a blessed thing? You who used to make me tremble, Have now become a welcomed guest. For your stay is but a moment, But your leave, eternal rest. Vicki Baird There is an essential difference between the decease of the godly and the death of the ungodly. Death comes to the ungodly man as a penal infliction, but to the righteous as a summons to his Father's palace. To the sinner it is an execution, to the saint an undressing from his sins and infirmities. Death to the wicked is the King of terrors. Death to the saint is the end of terrors, the commencement of glory. —Charles Spurgeon 
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. All authority. Henceforth he was the King and Judge of the nations. The word "is given" denotes the source from whence he obtained his power, and implies that it was not inherent in the Son. Phi_2:9 indicates that it was given to him after, and in consequence of, his voluntary humiliation; and 1Co_15:27, shows that it held in subjection to the Father. It was because the authority to rule the world had been placed in his hands that he issued his commands that it should be conquered. Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Salvation in none other. No other Savior but Jesus; no salvation if his is rejected; no other name or power to save from destruction, unless he is accepted. Why, then, should men invoke the Virgin, or the saints? Paul therefore made this proclamation: Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For I am not ashamed of the gospel. Hence he is ready to preach it in Rome, in the very citadel of heathen pride and power. If there was any place where one would be ashamed of a crucified Savior that place was Rome in the reign of Nero. The gospel. God's plan of salvation in Christ. Its three great facts are the death, burial, and the resurrection of Christ (1Co_15:1-4). For. He now states why he is not ashamed of the gospel. It is the power of God unto salvation. The gospel is God's only appointed means of salvation. The name of Jesus Christ "is the only name . whereby we must be saved." All God's saving power is manifested through the gospel. The fact of the resurrection eliminates any other diety, or god to have any power to save, or make any promise of eternal life. Jesus Christ alone accomplished this by his death, and resurrection. The tomb is empty; Christ is risen. It disqualifies Buddha, Mohammad, or any other who claims to have spiritual authority. They are still in their graves. 
Out of the Depths
It makes the wounded spirit whole,
And calms the troubled breast; 'Tis manna to the hungry soul, And to the weary rest. Dear Name! the Rock on which I build My Shield and Hiding-place; My never-failing Treasury fill'd With boundless stores of grace. By Thee my prayers acceptance gain, Although with sin defiled; Satan accuses me in vain, And I am own'd a child. Jesus! my Shepherd, Husband, Friend, My Prophet, Priest, and King; My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End, Accept the praise I bring. Weak is the effort of my heart, And cold my warmest thought; But when I see Thee as Thou art, I'll praise Thee as I ought. Till then I would Thy love proclaim With every fleeting breath; And may the music of Thy Name Refresh my soul in death! John Newton 
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, May the rain fall soft upon your fields, And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand. -- Irish Blessing 
If Christ has once possessed the affections, there is no dispossessing of him again. A fire in the heart overcomes all fires without.
—Richard Sibbes 
Solitude and Rest
It’s wise and healthy to set aside our compulsion to get everything done at the expense of our sanity and our health. Stealing away for a few moments of solitude will restore our energy as we give our bodies the rest it deserves. Additionally, solitude will provide the much-needed break from the presence and chatter of others. When our pace slows or stops completely, solitude helps our minds to adopt the same pace and our mental functions improve. Overall, we will emerge from our time of solitude physically rested and mentally refreshed.
Go in the Strength That You Have
Go in the strength that you have
That is what God said to me today Amidst the struggle of a relationship That is not going the right way. So I cling to the strength He has given me And I am determined to go on Not knowing if today the problem will be mended Or if that’s down the road further along. But I'll not give in to my heart’s pain Thinking that all good things are lost I will just go in the strength that I have Yet, in the strength I have was Your cost. I think of the day You hung there Upon that old rugged cross Knowing my strength will not be diminished And this relationship will not suffer loss. For there was a price You paid that day It was for the ones suffering as I am now The loving heart of one who cares And to show it, I know not how. Yet, in the strength You gave me I’ve no doubt You can work in me The way to mend what has been broken And a renewed relationship I will see. “Go in the strength that you have.” Judges 6:14 
“It is a great thing when I discover I am no longer my own but His. If the ten shillings in my pocket belong to me, then I have full authority over them. But if they belong to another who has committed them to me in trust, then I cannot buy what I please with them, and I dare not lose them. Real Christian life begins with knowing this.”
(The Normal Christian Life) Watchman Nee 
Pilgrims Progress-Puritan John Bunyan/Full Classic Christian Audiobook-click the link to open to another window
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Jesus Heals a Paralytic
Mar 2:1 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.
Mar 2:2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. Mar 2:3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. Mar 2:4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. Mar 2:5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. Mar 2:6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Mar 2:7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? Mar 2:8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? Mar 2:9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? Mar 2:10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) Mar 2:11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. Mar 2:12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion. 
HE Is
In Genesis, He's the breath of Life
In Exodus, the Passover Lamb In Leviticus, He's our high priest Numbers, the fire by night Deuteronomy, He's Moses' voice In Joshua, He is salvation's choice Judges, Law giver In Ruth, the kinsman redeemer First and Second Samuel, our trusted prophet In Kings and Chronicles, He's sovereign Ezra, true and faithful scribe Nehemiah, He's the rebuilder of broken walls and lives In Esther, He's Mordecai's courage In Job, the timeless redeemer In Psalms, He is our morning song In Proverbs, wisdom's cry Ecclesiastes, the time and season In the Song of Solomon, He is the lover's dream He is, He is, He is In Isaiah, He's Prince of Peace Jeremiah, the weeping prophet In Lamentations, the cry for Israel Ezekiel, He's the call from sin In Daniel, the stranger in the fire In Hosea, He is forever faithful In Joel, He's the Spirits power In Amos, the arms that carry us In Obadiah, He's the Lord our Savior In Jonah, He's the great missionary In Micah, the promise of peace In Nahum, He is our strength and our shield In Habakkuk and Zephaniah, He's pleading for revival In Haggai, He restores a lost heritage In Zechariah, our fountain In Malachi, He is the son of righteousness rising with healing in His wings He is, He is, He is In Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, He is God, Man, Messiah In the book of Acts, He is fire from heaven In Romans, He's the grace of God In Corinthians, the power of love In Galatians, He is freedom from the curse of sin Ephesians, our glorious treasure Philippians, the servants heart In Colossians, He's the Godhead trinity Thessalonians, our coming King In Timothy, Titus, Philemon He's our mediator and our faithful Pastor In Hebrews, the everlasting covenant In James, the one who heals the sick. In First and Second Peter, he is our Shepherd In John and in Jude, He is the lover coming for His bride In the Revelation, He is King of Kings and the Lord of Lords He is, He is, He is The prince of peace The Son of man The Lamb of God The great I am He's the alpha and omega Our God and our Savior He is Jesus Christ Lord and when time is no more He is, He is 
The Coming of the Lord
1Th 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 1Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 
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Nearer, My God, to Thee
Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!
E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me, Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee! Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down, Darkness be over me, my rest a stone; Yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee! There let the way appear, steps unto Heav’n; All that Thou sendest me, in mercy giv’n; Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee! Then, with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise, Out of my stony griefs Bethel I’ll raise; So by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee! Or, if on joyful wing cleaving the sky, Sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I’ll fly, Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee! There in my Father’s home, safe and at rest, There in my Savior’s love, perfectly blest; Age after age to be nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee! by Sarah F. Adams Oh What Their Joy and Their Glory Must Be
Oh, what their joy and their glory must be,
Those endless Sabbaths the blessed ones see; crowns for the valiant, for weary ones rest: God shall be all, and in all ever blest. Truly Jerusalem name we that shore, Vision of peace that brings hope evermore; wish and fulfilment shall severed be ne'er, nor the thing prayed for come short of the prayer. There, where no trouble distraction can bring, We the sweet anthems of Zion shall sing, while for thy grace, Lord, their voices of praise thy blessed people eternally raise. Now, in the meantime, with hearts raised on high, We for that country must yearn and must sigh, seeking Jerusalem, dear native land, through the long exile on Babylon's strand. Low before him with our praises we fall, Of whom, and in whom, and through whom are all; of whom, the Father; and in whom, the Son; through whom, the Spirit, with both ever one. by Peter Abelard 
The Spacious Firmament On High
The spacious firmament on high,
With all the blue ethereal sky, And spangled heavens, a shining frame Their great Original proclaim. Th’unwearied sun, from day to day, Does his Creator’s powers display, And publishes to every land The work of an Almighty Hand. Soon as the evening shades prevail The moon takes up the wondrous tale, And nightly to the listening earth Repeats the story of her birth; While all the stars that round her burn And all the planets in their turn, Confirm the tidings as they roll, And spread the truth from pole to pole. What though in solemn silence all Move round the dark terrestrial ball? What though no real voice nor sound Amid the radiant orbs be found? In reason’s ear they all rejoice, And utter forth a glorious voice, Forever singing as they shine, “The hand that made us is divine.” by Joseph Addison 
Rev 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
Rev 19:12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. Rev 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. Rev 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. Rev 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. Rev 19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. 
Rev 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. Rev 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. |