If you can't sleep,
don't count sheep.
Talk to the Shepherd.
saying seen on a church sign.
"I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety." (Psalm 4:8)
If you can't sleep, don't count sheep. Talk to the Shepherd. saying seen on a church sign. "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety." (Psalm 4:8)
0 Comments
In a recent newsletter that Dad and Mom sent out, they had some interesting thoughts to ponder. Though they are going through many trials on the mission field, God has helped them to keep a thankful heart. In Everything Give Thanks “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 In everything? Does it really mean we are to give thanks in everything? Yes, the verse says that it is God’s will for us to give thanks in everything. Does that mean when the rains cease, and the water supply starts to run low again so we have to ration the water? Yes. Does that mean when we aren’t able to take a real bath for a week or two or three? Yes. Does that mean when, due to a leak in the fuel tank, the fuel supply for the generator gets too low to last six weeks and so has to be rationed to meet the most urgent needs of those weeks? Yes. Does that mean when there are bigger mounds of laundry to do because we only get to do it once a week since there is not enough fuel to run the generator more often? Yes. Does that mean when you come home after a week in town and discover that a rat has made a big mess around the house, chewed up a sentimental throw pillow,* and tried to make a nest on your nice soft blanket? Yes. *This throw pillow belonged to Mom's mom. It was a special keepsake, a cross-stitched pillow with a beautiful scene and the song, "Beyond the Sunset." Mom was thankful that she was able to salvage the cross-stitched part. Does that mean when you pour your hearts into God’s work and people’s lives and they reject the teaching of the Word? Yes. Does that mean when you are falsely accused of being the reason for someone else’s wrongdoing? Yes. Does that mean when people you are trying to teach and prepare for the ministry go against your advice and do things their own way in order to please men? Yes. Does that mean when you are told that your plane will be arriving in Owena at 10:30 a.m., and you wait two hours in the hot sun at the airstrip because the plane is two hours late, and there is no place to sit down except on the ground, and the mobile phones (cell phones) aren’t working that day because of a problem at the tower, so you can’t get in touch with the hangar to find out whether the plane is going to come, or not? Yes. In everything give thanks. That is not as easy to do as it is to say. But we are grateful to God for His abundant blessings even in the midst of all the trying circumstances. Even in the midst of testings and tears, we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. We are thankful that God’s Word does not change, and that we can always count on God to be faithful. His mercies are new every morning, and they endure forever. But then, can we give thanks for all things too? That’s what Ephesians 5:20 tells us to do: “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” That is a little bit harder. But we can give thanks for all these things. We are thankful that the Lord has used all these things, and more, in our lives to teach us to depend more fully on Him and less on ourselves, and to help draw us closer together too . God just gave us a beautiful storm of snow and ice. Does the Bible speak much about snow and ice? Here are a few pictures and some verses from God's word. He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold? Psalm 147:7 As the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isaiah 55:10,11 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7 God Will Take Care of You Throughout the months of November and December, God has really impressed upon my heart the fact that “God Will Take Care of You.” There have been many pressures, and we have been going through some difficulties. But God has provided in amazing ways. Around Thanksgiving time, I recounted to my parents a list of at least 19 things that God has provided for free or nearly free or through the gifts of others. He also is providing a source of spiritual refreshment and encouragement, something that I was really needing. Thank You, Father. You would think that these things would cause us to rest and trust in the Lord. But still we often worry and get concerned about how things are going to turn out. Even though we do, God remains faithful. We are His children. God will take care of us. If you are His child, He will take care of you. He loves you very, very much. So the song the Lord has laid upon my heart to study this time is, “God Will Take Care of You.” Here is a brief history of this comforting song by Civilla D. Martin, as copied from http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/g/w/gwiltake.htm Words: Civilla D. Martin, 1904; first appeared in Songs of Redemption and Praise, by John A. Davis, 1905. I was confined to a sick bed in a Bible school in Lestershire, New York. My husband was spending several weeks at the school, making a songbook for the president of the school. “God Will Take Care of You” was written one Sunday afternoon while my husband went to a preaching appointment. When he returned I gave the words to him. He immediately sat down to his little Bilhorn organ and wrote the music. That evening he and two of the teachers sang the completed song. It was then printed in the songbook he was compiling for the school. Music: Walter S. Martin God can use even the sick beds for His glory. In this case, He used a sick bed to bring forth a song that would comfort and encourage many a Christian for years to come. Here are the words to this song, God Will Take Care of You Be not dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you; Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you. Refrain God will take care of you, Through every day, o’er all the way; He will take care of you, God will take care of you. Through days of toil when heart doth fail, God will take care of you; When dangers fierce your path assail, God will take care of you. All you may need He will provide, God will take care of you; Nothing you ask will be denied, God will take care of you. No matter what may be the test, God will take care of you; Lean, weary one, upon His breast, God will take care of you. Next time I will begin a more in-depth look at the first verse of this song. Until then, may God keep you close in His comforting arms as you Cast “all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (I Peter 5:7) |
Archives
August 2022
Categories
All
Ways to Earn and Save
Try ShopAtHome for cashback when you shop. Visit the site for more info.
Southern Savers is a great place to keep up to date on coupons and deals.
Join Swagbucks and earn money for searching the internet, answering a Swag poll, and doing other fun things each day.
This video by Gospel for Asia about Christmas has a message that reaches right into the heart and makes us think. |