Minute Musings...Behind The Mask

I was thinking tonight as I was handing out candy to the little (and not so little!) Trick or
Treaters, of when I was small.  Do you remember those little plastic masks that we wore, the
ones held onto your head by the elastic band!  You could hardly see out of the holes that were
cut out for the eyes, they never seemed to be lined up propery!  And you would get so hot and
sweaty, that every now and then you would have to lift the mask to get some fresh air!

Grown-ups hide behind masks every day.  We all have things that we don't want the world
to know about.  We are afraid of being judged, ostracized, laughed at.  We even try to hide
things from ourselves..sure we do!  "If I don't think about it, it won't exist,"  "If I don't
acknowledge it, I won't have to deal with it."  And my favorite, "If I laugh at it, it won't
bother me."  We can fool everyone, including ourselves, but we can't fool God.  We can't
hide from Him behind some mask of our own making, He sees all and He knows all.

Psalms 139:1 - 4  "O LORD, Thou hast searched me, and known me.  Thou knowest
my down sitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off.  Thou
compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.  For
there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, Thou knowest it altogether."

We cannot hide from God.  He knows when we are hurting, sorrowful, lonely, destitute,
frightened, we might be able to fool others with a smile, but our Lord sees beneath the
smile, behind our masks, into our hearts.  We also cannot hide our sin from God.  Psalms
69:5  "O God, Thou knowest my foolishness:  and my sins are not hid from Thee." 
Just because we put our sin out of our minds does not mean that it escapes God's eyes! 
We will be held accountable before a holy and just God whether or not we admit our sin 
or not.

We spend so much time and energy keeping these self-made masks in place that we are
missing out on the blessing of honesty!  You see, you can be dishonest without speaking
a word!  We are admonished in Romans 12:17b to "Provide things honest in the sight
of all men." And also in Colossians 3:9a  "Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have
put off the old man with his deeds:"  To mislead others into believing that things aren't
really as they are, is in reality a lie!  I'm guilty of this, the 'round about lie.'   I tell myself
that, "If they knew the whole truth they would only worry!"  I think I'm doing something
good for them, when in reality I'm depriving them of the blessing they would receive from
God by helping or encouraging me. 

Are you hiding behind a mask today?  It's time to grow up and to take off the mask and
become "real."  This doesn't mean that you become a complainer or whiner;  it just means
that before God and man you will live, act and speak honestly. When we know the TRUTH,
(John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him (Thomas) I am the way, the TRUTH, and the life:  no
man cometh unto the Father, but by me.")  then we can trust this TRUTH to set us free!
John 8:32  "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."  Are you
willing to let the Lord of truth search your heart, to know your way?  Let Him help you
remove the mask.

Search Me, O God

 

Search me, O God, and know my heart today;

Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts I pray.

See if there be some wicked way in me;

Cleanse me from every sin, and set me free.

 

I praise Thee Lord, for cleansing me from sin;

Fulfill Thy Word, and make me pure within.

Fill me with fire, where once I burned with shame;

Grant my desire to magnify Thy name.

 

Lord, take my life, and make it wholly Thine;

Fill all my heart with Thy great love divine.

Take all my will, my passion, self and pride;

I now surrender, Lord, in me abide.

 

                                             J Edwin Orr

Minute Musings...Follow The Leader

Have you ever listened to little children talking about growing up and who they want to
be like?  For some it's a superhero, or perhaps it's Grampa, Daddy, Mommy or even a
favorite teacher.  They all look at others to try to model themselves after.  Are we any
different?  Not really, we just hide it behind more mature comments and actions!

1 John 2:6  "He that saith he abideth in Him (Jesus) ought himself also so to walk,
even as He (Jesus) walked."

If we are saved, have been washed in the blood of the precious Lamb of God, then we
should be modeling ourselves after Him.  People ought to be able to tell by watching
our way of life, listening to our speech, seeing our actions, that we belong to the King
of Kings and Lord of Lords!  If you have no desire to resemble the Lord Jesus, then I'd
doubt if you're a child of God.  I'm not saying you'd be perfect, but there would be an
outer change indicating an inner conviction. 

O to be like Thee!  O to be like Thee!

Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art!

Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;

Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

                  

                        (Thomas O. Chisholm)

 

Ephesians 5:1 & 2a  "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;  and walk

in love, as Christ also hath loved us..."  Have you ever watched children play "Follow

the Leader?"  When I was little, my friends and I loved to play this game.  Whoever was

the leader was in charge, the followers had to walk as they did.  I'm sure it made for some

entertaining viewing, a line of kids, hoping, skipping, jumping around the block!  We had

to follow the leader exactly, or we were out of the game.  As children of God, we are to

"follow the Leader,"  our walk should resemble the person we are following, and that

person should be the Lord God Almighty. 

 

We read this in Romans 6:11  "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed

unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."  We are dead to sin, but

alive to God!  Our character should reflect that of the Lord.  It says later in Romans 12:2

that we "Be not conformed to this world:"  This means that we are not to be brought

into agreement with the world, we are not to be submissive to the customs or practices

of this sinful old world.  This world has nothing to offer the child of God except deceit

and ruin.  Why would someone who has been renewed, transformed by the power of the

blood of the Son of God want to return to the filth and mire of this world from which they

were saved out of?  It goes on to say in verse 2 of Romans 12 that we are to be "transformed

by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable,

and perfect, will of God." 

 

What are you allowing to renew your mind today?  You will resemble the "leader" that

you choose to follow.  Are you allowing yourself to be influenced by the world, or are

you choosing to allow the Lord God to have His way in your life, to transform you into

His blessed image?  One choice leads to destruction, the other to victory.  Joshua 22:5b 

"Love the LORD your God, and walk in all His ways, and cleave unto Him and serve

Him with all your heart and with all your soul."

 

More Like The Master

 

More like the Master I would ever be,

More of His meekness, more humility;

More zeal to labor, more courage to be true,

More consecration for work He bids me do.

 

More like the Master I would live and grow;

More of His love to others I would show;

More self denial, like His in Galilee,

More like the Master I long to ever be.

 

Take Thou my heart, I would be Thine alone;

Take Thou my heart, and make it all Thine own;

Purge me from sin, O Lord, I now implore,

Wash me and keep me, Thine forever more.

 

                                                              Chas H. Gabriel 

Minute Musings...How Can I Fear?

What are you afraid of?  For some snakes will send them screaming, others (like yours
truly) freeze when faced with a spider...who am I kidding...any insect!  Some people are
terrified of heights, bats, the dark...well you get the picture, the list is endless.  However
I just want to focus on one fear today, the fear of man.

Proverbs 29:25  "The fear of man bringeth a snare:  but whoso putteth his trust
in the LORD shall be safe."

Why is it that we fear so much what others think of us, what they say about us and even
what they might do to us?  There is only One whom we should fear (a righteous, reverent
fear) and that is the most High God.  If we put as much emphasis on what God thinks of
us as we do about what man does, I know that our lives would be lived in a much different
manner!  We are told in Psalms 111:10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of
wisdom:"  You could also take this to say, "The fear of man is foolishness!"

I believe the snare that Proverbs 29:25 is talking about is this:  when we are fearful
and worried about man, we lose sight of God.  Our focus becomes fixated on "me" and
not on "Him."  When we become wrapped up in ourselves and our own little dramas,
the Lord fades out of sight...and we are trapped in the snare of "prIde."  It is that
dangerous pride that brings about this terrible snare...what will they think of ME! 
How can they say that about Me!  How can they do that to ME!  Don't think I'm making
light of this, I'm not, for I've been in this place many times.  It's an easy place to slide
into, and even a more hurtful place to stay. 

We are admonished in Psalms 37:1 "Fret not thyself because of evildoers,"  We are
wasting the precious time the Lord has allotted us, when we spend it fretting over the
deeds of others against us.  May I remind you of the second half of Proverbs 29:25,
"but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe."  This is a conscious action
on our part, we must put our trust in the Lord, and the promise is, that we will be safe!
Can we still be hurt?  Yes, but when we are trusting the Lord for the problem, He will
provide the comfort needed for our hurting hearts.  We have this promise in Psalms
34:4  "I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."
The safest place to be is in the hands of the Lord!  I would also like to say here, that
when you are walking with the Lord, what He allows to come into your life is for a
reason.  To draw you closer to Him, to prove Him in your life, as a testimony to others.

Are you hurting today?  Are you fearful today?  Remember this "For He (Jesus) 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."   Walk in victory today,
stop fearing and start trusting!

How Can I Fear

 

When shadows fall and the night covers all,

There are things that my eyes cannot see.

I'll never fear, for the Savior is near;

My Lord abides with me.

 

When I'm alone and I face the unknown,

And I fear what the future may be,

I can depend on the strength of my friend,

He walks along with me.

 

Jesus is King, He controls everything;

He is with me each night and each day.

I trust my soul to the Savior's control:

He drives all fear away.

 

How can I fear? Jesus is near,

He ever watches over me.

Worries all cease, He give me peace.

How can I fear with Jesus?

 

                                            Ron Hamilton

Minute Musings...That Glorious Day

Do you realize that we are always looking forward to one thing or another?  Vacations,
anniversaries, Christmas, Spring, Summer, Winter and Fall...always looking ahead to what's
coming next, sometimes at the expense of not getting the full enjoyment out of where you
are at the present!  Some of the things we anticipate change as we get older, for example
birthdays!  I remember when I was young always yearning to be that next year older.  Now
birthdays are not greeted with as much enthusiasm, being another year older doesn't hold
the same excitement anymore!  There is one thing however that we should anticipate more
than anything else. 

1 Thessalonians 4:16 & 17  "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:  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."

Are you anticipating the return of the Lord?  If you find yourself more excited at the
thought of your next vacation then that of the Lord's return, then you have a problem!
For the child of God, this event should be branded in our hearts.  This thought should
propel our every action of the day.  We unfortunately tend to fall into complacency about
this coming event, and I believe it's because we do not know when it will occur.  We are
reminded in 1 Thessalonians 5:2, "That the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the
night."  A thief does not announce his coming.  He comes silently, as will our Lord.  There
will be no wondrous announcement of His arrival like at His first appearance in Bethlehem
those many years ago.  This old world will be taken unaware.

Our daily walk will not be what it should be if we are not looking for the Lord at any
moment.  When we are getting close to our vacations there is much planning, talking and
preparing for the day we depart.  We go over the route we will travel, make sure we have
enough money, that reservations are all made in advance.  However, our earthly departure
to eternity seldom gets a second thought.  No planning or preparing is happening, and we
are not going to be ready when our Lord comes back for us.  Jesus implores us in Matthew
25:13  "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of
man cometh." 

Philippians 3:20  "For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven:  from whence also
we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ:"  Once we are saved, we become children
of the most High God, we are no longer of this earth, our citizenship has been moved to
Heaven.  The cares and burdens of this old world will become unimportant and dimmed
when our eyes are fastened heavenward, looking for our blessed Savior.  We are reminded
in John 14:2b & 3  "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." 

Jesus is coming back for us.  He says in Revelation 22:12 "Behold I come quickly"  Are
you ready?  Are you looking forward with joyous anticipation to the Lord's return?  Or,
will you be unprepared, caught off guard and ashamed at His coming?  Jesus has been
preparing for our arrival and He's coming soon to get us, don't put off the necessary
preparations for this glorious day!  Titus 2:13  "Looking for that blessed hope and the
glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ"

Some Golden Daybreak

 

Some glorious morning sorrow will cease,

Some glorious morning all will be peace;

Heartaches all ended, schooldays all done,

Heaven will open, Jesus will come.

 

Sad hearts will gladden, all shall be bright,

Goodbye forever to earth's dark night;

Changed in a moment, like Him to be,

O glorious daybreak, Jesus I'll see.

 

O what a meeting, there in the skies,

No tears nor crying shall dim our eyes;

Loved ones united eternally,

O what a daybreak that morn will be.

 

Some golden daybreak, Jesus will come;

Some golden daybreak, battles all won.

He'll shout the victory, break through the blue,

Some golden daybreak, for me, for you.

 

                                                 Carl A. Blackmore

Minute Musings...Turn The Light On

I read this little quote today, "Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if
one only remembers to turn the light on."  I got to thinking about darkness.  Everyone
experiences those dark times don't they.  Those times of uncertainty, sorrow, broken
hearts and broken dreams.  How do we (if we even remember to try) turn the "light"
back on?

Psalms 119:105  "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
When those dark days of despair and grief overtake you, turn to the light of God's
Holy Word.  It is here in the precious Word of God, that we will find the way to peace,
assurance, rest and joy.

What exactly is the "Word of God?"  Yes, it is the way of Salvation, it is the truth,
is direction for the child of God, it is conviction for the wayward, food for our soul,
examples to follow, warning of danger, and it is hope.  I would like you to take note
of these following verses.  John 1:1-4  "In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and
the Word (Jesus), was with God, and the Word (Jesus), was God.  The same was in
the beginning with God.  All things were made by Him (Jesus);  and without Him
(Jesus) was not anything made that was made.  In Him (Jesus) was life:  and the life
was the light of men."

Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, which was with the Father from the beginning,
is the Living Word of God.  This Bible that we hold in our hands is alive with the
Holy Spirit of the living God!  It says that this "Life" was the light of men.

It tells us in John 8:12  "Then spake Jesus again unto them (the scribes and the
Pharisees) saying, I am the light of the world:  he that followeth Me shall not
walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

We, who name the name of Christ, who have the "Light of Life" are so often foolish!
We stumble in the darkness, not accessing the "Light" that we have so lovingly been
given.  We try in every human way possible to find the way out of our problems.  We
turn to everything and everybody else for the solutions...except our Savior.  Is it no
wonder that we wander around depressed and forlorn?  We are not following the Lord
the way we should, we are neglecting Bible study and prayer, and in doing so, the "Light"
has dimmed, our way has become harder to see.

Proverbs 6:23  "For the commandment (Word) is a lamp;  and the law (Word)
is light;  and reproofs of instruction (Word) are the way of life:"  Are you finding
it harder to see...then "turn the LIGHT on!"

The Lord Is My Light

 

The Lord is my light and my salvation,

Whom then shall I fear?  Whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the strength of my life, 

The Lord is the strength of my life;

Of whom shall I be afraid?

 

And though Satan's host should rise against me,

My heart shall not fear, my heart shall not fear.

And though men arise against me,

And though men arise against me,

My heart safely shall trust in God.

 

                               Frank Garlock

Minute Musings...One Day At A Time

One Day At A Time

 

One day at a time sweet Jesus,

That's all I'm asking of you;

Please give me the strength

To do everyday what I have to do.

Yesterday's gone sweet Jesus,

And tomorrow may never be mine.

Lord, help me today, show me the way,

One day at a time.

 

          (Marijohn Wilkins & Kris Kristofferson)

 



 

Psalms 139:9 & 10  "If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost

parts of the sea;  Even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold

me."

 

As imperfect human beings we have a tendency to worry.  Concern over important issues

is normal, but the unhealthy worry over things beyond our control drains us of the peace

that our Heavenly Father desires to daily bless us with.  To worry over the future deprives
one of the joy and victory God intends for us to enjoy in the present.  Matthew 6:34 
"Take therefore no thought for the morrow:  for the morrow shall take thought
for the things of itself.  Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." 

 

The grace God promises for your tomorrows is not part of the resources that He supplies

for today!  Worrying about a tomorrow that is not even promised to us is pretty senseless.
You are wasting precious time worrying about things that might never be!  James 4:14
"Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow.  For what is your life?  It is
even a vapour that appeareth for a little time, and then is vanished away."  We are
also told in Proverbs 27:1, "Boast not thyself of tomorrow:  for thou knowest not
what a day may bring forth." 

We are living in hard trying times.  The burdens of family, finances, employment, and
health can wear us down.  Worrying about these things does not provide solutions, it
only makes us weaker, unable to find the strength we need.  I like the following quote
from Charles Spurgeon.  "Are you mourning over your own weakness?  Take courage,
for there must be a consciousness of weakness before the Lord will give thee victory.
Your emptiness is but the preparation for your being filled, and your casting down is
but the making ready for your lifting up."  It is not until we acknowledge our own
weakness and the need of God's strength, that He will give it!  "One day at a time sweet
Jesus, that's all I'm asking of you..." 

Are you still trying to go it alone?  Are you failing, weak, discouraged because you can't
seem to find the strength needed for each day?  Taking it one day at a time will allow
you to see God's promised provisions for you.  Let your testimony echo that of David's in
 Psalms 27:1b  "The LORD is the strength of my life:"

"Great is Thy faithfulness!  Morning by morning new mercies I see;  All I have needed
Thy hand hath provided - Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!"  (Thomas Chisholm)


 

Minute Musings...Running On Empty

I have found this past week to be emotionally draining.  With the murders of two of our
country's soldiers, the unexpected death of one of my best friends sister, uncertainty of
my own future necessities, concern over one of my children, failing health...well, lets just
say that I'm running on empty tonight.  What does one do when they slowly chug to a stop,
unable to find the strength to go on, or even to think of going on tomorrow?  You head to
the precious Word of God, this is where you will find the much needed strength and solace
for your soul.

I love the Psalms.  Whenever problems arise, difficulties darken my pathway, I find
myself drawn to the Psalms.  Psalms 119:50 tells us that the Word of God "Is my
comfort in my affliction:"  These precious verses are a balm to my hurting soul. 
I find encouragement, promise, comfort and hope contained here.  Tonight I just
want to share a few of the verses that I've received encouragement from this week.

Psalms 70:5  "But I am poor and needy:  make haste unto me, O God, Thou art
my help and my deliverer;  O LORD, make no tarrying."

Psalms 73:26  "My flesh and my heart faileth:  but God is the strength of my
heart, and my portion for ever."

Psalms 86:7  "In the day of my trouble I will call upon Thee:  for Thou wilt
answer me."

Psalms 89:9  "Thou rulest the raging of the sea:  when the waves thereof arise,
Thou stillest them."

Have you had a hard week, month, year?  May you be encouraged today when you
are reminded that God knows all about it.  More than that, He cares, and He can give
the help that you need to keep going.  I've learned from my past experiences that you
can go from victory to defeat in a blink of an eye.  One blow from the enemy can send
you toppling off the mountain top to the darkness of the valley below.  No Christian is
exempt from this.  The thing to remember is that you must turn right around and start
climbing again, don't make your home in the valley of doom and gloom.  The longer
you stay there the harder it is to move.  I realize that this is all so much easier to say
than to do, but this is when you take your Savior's hand and let Him lead you.

Psalms 91:1 & 2  "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall
abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge
and my fortress:  my God:  in Him will I trust."

It's In His Name

 

There is a rest in every woe,

There is a refuge from the foe;

There is a peace this world can't know,

It's in His name,

There is a glow in darkest night,

A dawn of hope, a guiding light;

There is a help in helpless plight;

It's in His name, It's in His name.

 

His name is Wonderful, Counsellor,

Mighty God;

His name is Jesus,

And He's ever the same.

 

There is a calm when fear assails,

There is a power all nature hails;

There is a love that never fails;

It's in His name, It's in His name.

 

                                         Judy A. Simon

Minute Musings...Heroes

There has been much attention in social media, television news and in newspapers about
the heroes that emerged from the chaos that has recently gripped Ottawa, and our country. 
These courageous men and women ran toward the danger, not away from it.  They faced gun
fire from a deranged individual.  Starting at the War Memorial, many gathering around
Nathan Cirillo, (the soldier who was shot twice at close range), trying desperately to save
his life; including Barbra Winters, a passerby who spoke so lovingly to him as he lay dying. 
More stories of heroism;  one MP was pinned to a wall by an officer in the hallway, who told 
him not to worry because he would shield him with his bullet-proof vest.  Another rushing to
barricade a door to a room which held one of the gathered parliamentary caucuses. Using
his own body as an added shield against that barred door, he told the frightened people in
the room to take cover under the tables and chairs;  he remained against that door even as
a bullet found its way through it.  The construction worker who was working at the back of
of the Parliament building, who brought people safely to the ground from an upper office
window.  And no one will ever forget the images of Kevin Vickers, the Sergeant-at-arms,
who went far beyond his ceremonial duty that day to aid in the take down of the gunman.   

As Christians, we too have those faithful saints of God, heroes of the faith, who deserve our
recognition for what they mean to our Christian heritage.  They were persecuted, ridiculed,
ostracised, murdered, but they stood strong for the Lord in the face of evil.  Here's just a few.

We find a humble shepherd who lived in Midian, minding the flock of his father-in-law
Jethro.  Yet it is this man Moses that God chooses to lead His chosen people, the Children
of Israel out of bondage in Egypt.  We find the words of God to Moses in Exodus 3:10 
"Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth
my people the children of Israel out of Egypt."  For the next 40 years Moses led the
Israelites.

Joshua was appointed as leader after the death of Moses, here is what God said to him
in Joshua 1:9  "Have not I commanded thee?  Be strong and of a good courage;  be
not afraid, neither be thou dismayed;  for the LORD thy God is with thee whither-
soever thou goest."  Joshua was the one that was privileged to lead the children of
Israel into the chosen land.  He fought on the frontlines in the war against the enemies
of God until his death at the age of 110.

We read of Queen Esther, who at the risk of death, came before King Ahasuerus and
pleaded for her people, the nation of Israel.  Because of her bravery the Bible tells us
in Esther 8:16, "The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour."

The list goes on and on;  Job, who faced the loss of all, but kept his faith in God;  King
David, the mighty warrior king, who was known for being "A man after God's own heart"; 
he brought the Ark of the Covenant back where it belonged, to the Tabernacle within the
Nation of Israel;  the Old Testament prophets, who proclaimed the Word of God against
much opposition.  Then there is Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who all refused to
worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had built;  Daniel, who continued to
pray to God 3 times a day despite the decree that King Darius had made.  Then we have
the disciples in the New Testament, who history tells us were all martyred for their faith in
God.  We find in Hebrews 11, what is referred to as the Christian Hall of Faith, a list of 
Christians who refused to renounce the name of Christ and were killed in cold blood for
their stand for truth and righteousness. 

We have women of the faith who took a stand for God as well.  Anna, Lydia, Mary,
Martha, Ruth, Tabitha, Deborah, Miriam, and Sarah to name but a few.

We are in a Spiritual warfare.  These early Christians, our forefathers of the faith,
were in every sense of the word, heroes.  One way to honor them, for the stand they
took in the fight, is to continue it.  We need stand up and become a true part of the
Army of God.  We need to take up the fight, to labour for God in the darkness of this
evil world.  We are admonished in Ephesians 6:10 "Be strong in the Lord, and in
the power of His might."  We do not battle in our own strength, but in the power of
the Lord.  These Christians of the faith that we've taken a quick glance at today, knew
where their strength and power came from...do you?  Don't try to do the work of the
Lord in your own strength, you will fail.  The best soldier is the one who goes into battle
fully equipped. 

As you face another day, remember those who have gone on before.  Be encouraged by
their testimonies of endurance and perseverance.  Be true to their memory and the mighty
things they accomplished, through the Lord, for the Lord.  Bravely step forward to the
frontlines of this spiritual battle, take up the banner of the Lord our God, and onward go!

 Am I a Soldier of the Cross

 

Am I a soldier of the cross?  A follower of the Lamb?

And shall I fear to own His cause, or blush to speak His name?

 

Must I be carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease,

While other's fought to win the prize and sailed through bloody seas.

 

Are there no foes for me to face?  Must I not stem the flood?

Is this vile world a friend to grace, to help me on to God?

 

Sure I must fight if I would reign, increase my courage Lord!

I'll bear the toil, endure the pain, supported by Thy Word.

 

                                             Isaac Watts

Minute Musings...Bringing In The Sheaves

There are many of us who have been praying for the salvation of family and friends for
years.  Some times it can become discouraging not to have these prayers answered right
away;  but we mustn't give up praying.  My brother-in-law is a farmer.  When he plants
his crops in the Spring, he does not see immediate results!  He and his boys spend months
tending the fields, weeding and making sure that the fields are irrigated.  They just don't
sow the seeds and then forget about it, no, there is lots of work involved in order to see
that there is even a harvest.

It is the same with the unsaved that we pray for.  We sow the seed of the Gospel to them,
but we can't stop there!  We need to continue to pray earnestly for their salvation!  We
read in 2 Corinthians 9:6, "But this I know, He which soweth sparingly shall reap
sparingly:  and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully."  What is
this saying?  Don't expect a good crop, if your haven't put in the work of sowing one!
My brother-in-law does not take his harvesting equipment to a field that has not been
planted!  In the same manner, the Lord expects us not only to pray for the salvation of
those we love, but also to share the Gospel with them, be a witness to them through our
speech, lifestyle and actions.

Are we responsible for their response?  No, they are;  we are responsible to sow the
good news of the Gospel with them.  Here is another thing to consider...the sower is
not always the reaper.  One of my nephews might plant a field of corn, but it could
possibly be his father that will harvest it.  John 4:36b & 37  "Both he that soweth
and he that reapeth may rejoice together.  And herein is that saying true, one
soweth, and another reapeth."  A good harvest profits my sister's whole family, it
doesn't matter who actually harvests the fields...they work together for a common goal.

I believe many churches today show immaturity and jealousy when it comes to soul
winning.  It matters not who sows or who reaps, it is for a common goal, the salvation
of lost souls for whom Christ died.  In verse 38 of John 4, the Lord Jesus goes on to
say, "I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour:  other men laboured,
and ye are entered into their labours."  As workers together in the harvest fields of
this world, we will sow in one field, but harvest in another...we work together, as one
in the body of Christ!

We find in 1 Corinthians chapter 3, verses 6 - 9a, the Apostle Paul addressing this
issue again, "I have planted, Apollos watered:  but God gave the increase.  So
then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth;  but God
that giveth the increase.  Now he that planteth, and he that watereth are one:
and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.  For
we are labourers together with God:"  We often fall into the trap of thinking the
results of our soul winning is due to us, but, as it was pointed out twice in the above
passage...it is God that shall bring forth the results.  It is only as the Holy Spirit works
to convict men of their sin (through the Gospel that we have shared!) that they will
be saved...it is all of God.

My brother-in-law can work day in and day out in the fields, but the harvest is not
up to him, it's up to God!  Soul winning is a collaborate job, we need to work together.
As is often the case, someone else will be the one to actually lead a person to Christ
that others have been working with for years.  This is the reason why it says in the
verse we looked at earlier, "Both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice
together."  We work side by side in the "Fields that are white already to harvest."
John 4:35 

Just a quick side note here...be careful what you sow!  The Bible warns that sowing
discord among the brethren is one of the seven abominations that the LORD hates,
in Proverbs 6:16 - 19.  As Christians we need to be sowing seeds of love, kindness,
mercy, forgiveness, and the precious seed of salvation.

Be encouraged today to keep on sowing the good news of the Gospel of Christ with
the lost.  Do your part with sowing and God will do His part in giving the increase!

Bringing In the Sheaves

 

Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness,

Sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve;

Waiting for the harvest, and the time of reaping,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

 

Sowing in the sunshine, sowing in the shadows,

Fearing neither clouds nor winter's chilling breeze.

By and by the harvest, and the labor ended,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

 

Going forth with reaping, sowing for the Master,

Tho' the loss sustained our spirit often grieves;

When our weeping's over, He will bid us welcome,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

 

Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Bring in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

 

                                                  Knowles Shaw

Minute Musings...God Keep Our Land

Emotions are running high in our land of Canada tonight.  We are mourning the loss of two
brave soldiers murdered in the past 2 days.  It's at times like this we find our minds going to
that infamous question...why?  Our Canadian Anthem plays over and over in our thoughts,
"O Canada, we stand on guard for thee...God keep our land, glorious and free, O Canada,
we stand on guard for thee..."  We have a fierce indignation at the senseless loss of these lives
that were standing on guard for us; and an overwhelming pride in our country and the freedom
it stands for. 

Tonight, the peace we felt living in this great country has been shaken.  But I implore you to
take a step back and remember where our peace comes from to begin with.

John 16:33  "These things I (Jesus) have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have
peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation:  but be of good cheer;  I have overcome
the world."

Here in this verse we find the source of our peace...in Him!  Our Lord and Savior, Jesus
Christ IS peace!  Isaiah 9:6  "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given;  and
the government shall be upon His shoulder:  and His name shall be called Wonderful,
Counseller, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of PEACE."  When
our lives are hid in Jesus, we will possess the peace of God!  This is how we can maintain
a peaceful attitude regardless of insurmountable circumstances that swirl around our weak
human frames.  This divine peace in the midst of turmoil keeps our eyes fastened on the
Savior, not the storm.

Psalms 29:11  "The LORD will give strength unto His people:  the LORD will bless
His people with peace."

As we learn more over the coming days about what transpired in our Nations capital today,
let the Lord bless you with His peace.  As November 11th is fast approaching, the day of
Remembrance of those that have given their lives in war for our freedom, our thoughts
and prayers will turn again to Nathan Cirillo and Patrice Vincent and their sorrowing families.
But above all, keep in mind that, "Now the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always
by all means.  The Lord be with you all."  2 Thessalonians 3:16

Peace, the Gift of God's Love

 

Sweet peace, the gift of the Spirit,

Gives rest in the eye of the storm:

Though night winds may rage all around me,

His comfort and love keep me warm.

 

This peace defies all man's reason,

Its boundries exceed time and space;

God promises peace to His children,

Who trust His unmerited grace.

 

So rage, ye tempests of fury,

For ushered on wings of a dove,

Comes peace, the gift of the Spirit,

A token of fathomless love.

 

Peace divine that the Father planned,

Peace made mine by the Spirit's hand,

Peace that no one can understand,

Sweet peace, the gift of God's love.

 

                                              Carlene Clark

Minute Musings...Take Your Stand

I just viewed a video on Facebook of our Canadian Forces soldiers leaving CFB
Trenton, en route to engage ISIS militants in Iraq.  My prayers go with them as
they leave to fight the evil that is surging unhalted in that eastern country, and is
seeping, unfiltered into the rest of the world.

There is another evil that is surging unopposed for the most part in this old world.
Satan and his band of evil ones are trying to stamp out the spread of God's Word
in the land.  They fight all out to stop the Gospel, to wipe out God's chosen, to cast
doubt on Christianity in its true form.  They work to discourage, weaken and yes,
to kill the child of God who dares to stand up and proclaim Christ.  Yet, anyone who
has read the Bible through to the last chapter knows that they are fighting a losing
battle.  Christ and His blessed church will stand victorious on that last day!

As blood bought children of God, we are part of this Heavenly Army of God.  We
are soldiers in this spiritual fight.   We have been equipped for this battle we face,
we have been given a list of provisions in  Ephesians 6:13 - 18  "Wherefore take
unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil
day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having your loins gift about
with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;  and your feet shod
with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  Above all, taking the shield of
faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And
take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of
God:  praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching
thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all sinners." 

The Canadian Government does not send its troops off to war without fitting them with
the proper weapons to protect themselves.  So also, God equips His children for war
with the armour of God.  Don't go into battle without all your equipment in working
order!

Revelation 20:10, 14  "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake
of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be
tormented day and night for ever and ever.  And death and hell were cast into
the lake of fire.  This is the second death."

It can be discouraging to watch the news, to look around at the death and destruction
that this world holds, yet for the child of God, this is not the end.  We have a day
coming when the  "Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the
last"  (Rev. 22:13) will appear with life and deliverance in His wings. I love what
verse 4 of Revelation 22 says, "They shall see His face;"  We shall behold our Lord
and Savior, the Bright and Morning Star on that wonderful day;  we shall see the
Precious Lamb of God who died for us, coming with all the host of Heaven to claim
His own.

Don't be cast down, look up!  Jesus tells us in verse 7, "Behold I come quickly:"
Just a little while longer and we will be leaving the turmoil of this wretched world,
and we will be stepping into eternity, to be forever with our Savior...what a blessed
hope!  Until then, take your stand with the Son of God and press onward!

Revelation 19:6  "And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and
as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying,
Alleluia:  for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth."

Dare To Stand

 

Take your stand with the Son of God,

O be faithful to His name;

Plant your feet on the Word of God,

It shall ever be the same.

 

We are marching toward our goal,

All the world before us lies;

With our Captain we shall endure,

Till we gain the heavenly prize.

 

Join us, Christian, and take your stand,

Daily feast upon His Word;

Face the foe with your sword in hand,

Till the victory shout is heart.

 

Dare to stand alone for Christ,

Claim the blood He sacrificed;

Lift the name of Jesus high,

Press onward to the sky.

 

                                           Ron Hamilton

Minute Musings...Let It Go!

Have you ever seen a little kid fighting to hold on to something that they shouldn't have in
the first place?  To them this object is all there is in the universe, nothing else holds a candle
to it in importance.  They end up crying, "Give it back!"  While the other older person, who
knows that this object is not for them to play with, and could conceivably end up harming
them, is repeatedly saying, "Let it go."

Do you realize that we do this with God?  We, with our limited knowledge and foresight
fight to hold on to things in our lives that our all wise and loving Heavenly Father knows
will only bring us harm.  We end up, like a spoiled little child, crying..."Give it back!"
While God, patiently tries to make us understand that we must "Let it go." 

What does God want us to let go of?  Here's a very small list of some things.

1.  Burdens   - 1 Peter 5:7  "Casting all your care upon Him:  for He careth for you."

2.  Anger      -  Ephesians 4:26  "Be ye angry and sin not:  let not the sun go down
                        upon your wrath."

3.  Worries    -  Philippians 4:19  "But my God shall supply all your need according
                         to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

4.  Hatred      - Proverbs 10:12  "Hatred stirreth up strifes:  but love covereth all sins."

5.  Bitterness - Ephesians 4:31  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger, and clamour,
                        and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice:"

All of these things are toxic to our lives.  They will drag us down into the dung heap of
human suffering and waste.  God knows that these things will destroy us, and He is
constantly trying to get us to trust that He knows what is best for us, but we don't give
these things up easily.

Why do we fight God in order to hold on to these destructive things in our lives?  Pride
definitely plays a part.  No one likes to admit that they are wrong!  To do so would compel
us to do away with anger, bitterness, worry, hatred.  It would force us to admit that we
cannot carry our burdens alone, we need help.  Yes, pride forces us to make all the wrong
decisions. 

Just as we wonder at times at the stupidity of this child, who fights to hold on to a harmful
object, despite our simplistic reasoning with him;  God must a times shake His head at
our foolishness, in not letting go and letting Him give to us what is beneficial to our lives.
Many, just by their actions are saying to God, "I don't trust you!"  In Jeremiah 29:11,
God says to us, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD,
thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."  Letting go and
letting God take control is not like the chancy roulette wheel!  God's love and care for
us is a sure thing, our trust is anchored to the Rock of our Salvation.  Trust is simply
putting our faith into action.

Do you realize that we cannot take what He is offering until we empty our hands of the
foolish things we think are important?  I sometimes wonder at what blessings have gone
by the wayside in my life because of my stubbornness to hold on to the useless things of
this old world.

What are you wrapping your hands around in stubbornness today?  Don't let God's best
for your life, fall by the wayside because of foolish pride.  Let God and let God!

Let Him Have His Way With Thee

 

Would you live for Jesus and be always pure and good?

Would you walk with Him within the narrow road?

Would you have Him bear your burden, carry all your load?

Let Him have His way with thee.

 

Would you have Him make you free, and follow at His call?

Would you know the peace that comes by giving all?

Would you have Him save you, so you need never fall?

Let Him have His way with thee.

 

His pow'r can make you what you ought to be;

His blood can cleanse your heart and make you free.

His love can fill your soul, and you will see,

'Twas best for Him to have His way with thee.

 

                                                             Cyrus S. Nusbaum

Minute Musings...Approved Unto God

My heart expanded with joy and pride this week when I heard my 11 month old grandson
say "Gama" for the first time!  I know I must have felt this much excitement when I heard
"Mama" for the first time many years ago...I just can't remember.  I guess that's why there
is so much excitement in being a grandparent, with your memories fading, every milestone
that your grandchildren reach, gives you that "first time feeling" all over again! 

All joking aside, there is a lot of pride felt as each new milestone is reached and then
celebrated.  We eagerly watch for each new development in these little lives, and feel
the excitement along with them.  I don't know how many times I've said, "Gramma" to
him, and urged him to try and repeat it after me.  Hearing it for the first time the other
day sent a thrill through me...success!

2 Timothy 2:15  "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth
not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

We all start out as babes in our Christian life.  We need to learn, to grow, to progress in
the faith.  Our Heavenly Father is watching our progress.  I think that when He see's us
learning and applying new truths to our lives, He has a sense of satisfaction, a holy pride
in our development.  Just as we watch and rejoice over each new stage in our children
and grandchildren's lives, our Heavenly Father watches and rejoices over our spiritual
development.

Growing up, I always strived for the approval of my parents.  It made me more confident
and sure of what I was doing when I knew that they were supporting me.  When we are
doing what our Heavenly Father approves of, it should give us the same feeling of confidence.
God approves of us...what a concept.  Note however, that this approval is not because of
anything we have done in the flesh, it is because we are surrendered to the Holy Spirit,
and striving through His help to do the Father's will.

Psalms 143:10  "Teach me to do Thy will:  for Thou art my God:"

Are you approved unto God today?  Is your spiritual growth pleasing to the Heavenly
Father?  Or does He have reason to be concerned over you?  Start putting some effort
into your spiritual life.  Work at it, give it your all.  Get into the Word and study.  Meditate
on the Word. Spend time in prayer and fellowship with your Father.  I guarantee the
Father's approval, when you give of your best to Him!

Give Of Your Best To The Master

 

Give of your best to the Master, give Him first place in your heart;

Give Him first place in your service, fully surrender each part.

Give, and to you shall be given;  God, His beloved Son gave;

Gratefully seeking to serve Him, give Him the best that you have.

 

Give of your best to the Master;  naught else is worthy His love;

He gave Himself for your ransom, gave up His glory above;

Laid down His life without murmur;  you from sin's ruin to save;

Give Him your heart's adoration, give Him the best that you have.

 

                               Howard B Grose

Minute Musings...Tomorrow?

I don't know about you, but the days just seem to be flashing by in a blur!  Days, weeks,
months are disappearing before I even have a chance to digest what has been happening.
Do you ever get the feeling like you're always trying to catch up with things...I think that
even 24 hours has been chipped away at! 

The Bible has much to say about the brevity of our lives.

Job 7:6  "My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle,"

Job 8:9  "For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon
earth are a shadow."

Psalms 78:39  "For He (God) remembered that they were but flesh:  a wind that
passeth away, and cometh not again."

James 4:14  "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow, for what is your
life?  It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."

None of us can say with certainty that we will be here tomorrow.  We all know people
that have been taken from this earth suddenly, without any warning...and tomorrow, it
could be us.  We do not know what our time table is on this earth, only the Lord knows.
What we do know is what God wants us to do should not be put off.  How many times
have you felt the Lord's urging to go speak to someone, but you push it aside as something
to do tomorrow.  You know of a person who is hurting, in distress, mourning...and you
put off the note of encouragement, phone call, hug.  Folks, we are NOT promised tomorrow,

One quick side note here;  shoving aside the Lords prompting is not only procrastination,
it is also a sin!  James 4:17  "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth
it not, to him it is sin." 

To you, it's a quick hug; but the recipient of that hug might feel the arms of Jesus around
them.  Jesus love and compassion could be conveyed through that short note or brief
phone call.  That person that needs a kind word, might be tomorrows Sunday school
teacher because of being turned around through the witness of your words.  Don't use
the excuse of not enough time!  In Luke 10 verse 2, Jesus told His followers,  "The
harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few:"  Find the time in your busy lives
to be a labourer in the Lord's harvest.  We can't get back the time we've wasted;  we
can't count on tomorrow;  make the most of your time today...time invested in the life
of another is time well spent.

Only One Life

 

Only this hour is mine, Lord,

May it be used for Thee:

May every passing moment

Count for eternity.

Souls all around are dying,

Dying in sin and shame:

Help me bring them the message

Of Calvary's redemption

In Thy glorious name.

 

                           Avis B. Christiansen

Minute Musings...Sweet Hour Of Prayer

Here's a question for you...how do you view prayer?  Is it a quick fix when you're in a
sticky situation?  Is it just a ritual, with no real consequence?  Perhaps you view it as
sort of a good luck charm;  or is it just a tradition, something that should be passed
along to the next generation?  Or, is it an extension of the personal relationship that
you enjoy with your Heavenly Father?  I sincerely hope that your answer is the last
one!  Prayer should not be looked upon as a chore, but as an intimate time, spent with
your loving Heavenly Father, who loves you as no other.

Prayer is a time of communion between God and His child.  It's a time to praise Him,
a time to bring others before Him, and a time of petition for yourself.  We are admonished
in Psalms 100 to "Come before His presence with singing.  Enter into His gates with
thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise:  be thankful unto Him, and bless His
name." 

Some people are of the persuasion that prayer is useless, that God knows everything,
therefore it is a waste of time to bring to His attention what He already knows.  This is
so wrong on so many levels!  Do we dismiss our children when they come to us with
their concerns and needs that we already are aware of?  No!  As a parent, we welcome
our children to share with us.  Do you not think, that our Heavenly Father welcomes us
to come to Him with our concerns?  Proverbs 15:29b  "But He (God) heareth the
prayer of the righteous."  Psalms 34:15  "The eyes of the LORD are upon the
righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry."

Prayer can be in anticipation of God's blessing, or it can be thankfulness because of
God's blessing.  God's Word also teaches the importance of intercessory prayer on the
behalf of another.  In Acts chapter 12 we read of the account of Peter who was imprisoned
by Herod.  The King had murdered James, and intended the same for Peter.  In verse 5
we read, "Peter therefore was kept in prison:  but prayer was made without ceasing
of the church unto God for him."  Do you think that God was unaware of what was
happening to His disciple?  Of course He was.  Praying for something draws our attention
to the answer, we get to see the power of God at work!  God sent an angel to release Peter
from prison.  "And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined
in the prison:  and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up
quickly.  And his chains fell off from his hands." 

God answered the prayers of the saints concerning Peter.  What I find amazing about
this story is the reaction of those that were praying.  Peter showed up at the prayer
meeting!  Verses 13 - 16  "And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel
came to hearken, named Rhoda.  And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened
not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.  And
they said unto her, Thou art mad.  But she constantly affirmed that it was even so.
Then said they, It is his angel.  But Peter continued knocking:  and when they had
opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished."  Here were these Christians,
praying earnestly for Peter's release, yet they didn't believe it when it happened!  What
is our reaction to answered prayer?  Do we praise God, or do we stagger with disbelief?

1 John 5:14 & 15  "And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask
anything according to His will, He heareth us:  And if we know that He hear us,
whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him."
Read these verses again very carefully.  This is not saying that we will get whatever
we want!  It states that our petitions must be "according to His will".  Peter's release
from prison was according to God's will.  Do you pray believing that God will answer?
Or do you exhibit the same astonishment that these early Christians did when they saw
the answer to their prayers standing before them?  Why waste your time praying for
something, if you do not believe that God can answer!  Belief and prayer go hand in
hand.

How is your prayer life today?  Has it become just a daily ritual with no real connection
to your Heavenly Father?  I encourage you to pray, believing in the loving power of
God.  He is waiting to bless us through prayer...don't keep Him waiting!  Psalms 5:2 & 3
"Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God:  for unto Thee will I
pray.  My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, O LORD:  in the morning will I
direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up."

Sweet Hour Of Prayer

 

Sweet hour of prayer!  Sweet hour of prayer!

That calls me from a world of care,

And bids me at my Father's throne,

Make all my wants and wishes known:

In seasons of distress and grief,

My soul has often found relief,

And oft escaped the tempter's snare,

By thy return, sweet hour of prayer.

 

Sweet hour of prayer!  Sweet hour of prayer!

Thy wings shall my petition bear,

To Him whose truth and faithfulness,

Engage the waiting soul to bless:

And since He bids me seek His face,

Believe His Word and trust His grace,

I'll cast on Him my every care,

And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer.

 

                                               William Walford