Ye Came Unto Me

Matthew 25:34- 40 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Recently God put it on my heart to visit someone at the county jail. This wasn't a gentle whisper, it was a nagging command until I confirmed it outloud. It was an experience I will never forget.

We had to talk through a phone and everything echoed. I had a little window to look through. Everything else was bars and gray. The jailers were very nice and respectful. The inmate awaiting trial was a mixture of grief and joy. I know that sounds strange. But it was like seeing a gem inside a dark mine. That is the power of the Lord Jesus. No wall or bars can keep Him out. He promised to never leave us nor forsake us. And my Jesus keeps His word. This welcomed-home prodigal child just glowed with love for the Lord. Gratitude flowed from heart and lips. When God allows everything taken from us is when we realize He is enough. A contentment enters the soul that is difficult to explain. A hope that cannot be expained is oxygen to the believer. Earthly things appear dim and heavenly things seem so clear. And the hope that just one soul will be snatched from hell makes all the suffering have purpose and worth it all.

I drove home encouraged and thankful and smitten in my heart. I take so much for granted. I look too much on earthly things.
I am too discontented too often. I don't spend enough time being a worshiper of the Living God or reading His Words of Life.
Maybe I am the one in jail and this other believer is more free than I realize.

Lord, thank You for opening my eyes to so much. For reminding me of my early days as Your child and loving me when I allow myself to be imprisoned by the cares of this life. My eyes are on You, My Lord. You are my strength and shield. Thank You for saving my wicked selfish soul. Thank You for loving me when I didn't even love You. Thank You for never leaving my side and cradling my broken heart when You took my beloved Home. You are alive! You are King! And I long for the day when every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that You are LORD!!

God at Work

Last week Psalm 77: 7-9 seemed so true to me. Sometimes God can seem so silent, that the enemy will try to convince us the Lord isn't at work on our behalf. Then the Lord reminded me of Elijah in 1 Kings 18. Three times Elijah had water dumped on the sacrifice for the Lord before he prayed, crying out to God to show the people He was the true God. Immediately fire fell consuming the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, the dust, and licked up the water in the trench!! God is a consuming fire.

Yet when Elijah prayed for the three year drought to stop and rain to come, the answer wasn't immediate. Elijah prayed and prayed. His servant went and looked six times no sign of God at work. The seventh time the servant said there was a little cloud like a man's hand. Then one verse later the sky became black with clouds, wind and a great rain.

Encouraged again I put on my extra strength knee pads and got busy praying to the God who has power over wind and rain.

Then the next day He did a little miracle. He knew how important to my boys and me this little thing was and in His tenderness He took care of the situation. It is just a reminder to me that God can do anything. And that even in the midst of a sinful and wicked world, He is at work.

Even when He seems silent.

Washed by the Word

Someone said recently we live in a S & G world. You know, Sodom and Gomorrah. We hear some of the most awful things these days. I feel defiled just hearing about them. Wash me, Lord. And He does with His word.
(Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,)

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Psalm 91

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.

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Precious Promises

God, You know.

I praise You and thank You for Your precious promises.

Psalms 57:1 Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.

Psalms 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Psalms 56:3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

Psalms 56:9 When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.

Psalms 56:11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.

Psalms 57:3 He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.

Psalms 57:5 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.