Posted on 11/09/2006 6:49:58 PM PST by Knitting A Conundrum
Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
Psalm 127:1>
At this time, when feelings run high, the world seems crazy, and anger seems to be the one thing the peoples of the world have in common, I invite you, my fellow FReepers, to join me in prayers and meditation for guidance, God's help and for our fellow man, for America, our troops, and all our own needs.
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!
William Bradbury
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
Psalm 46: 1-3
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/l/allprais.htm
All praise to Thee, my God, this night,
For all the blessings of the light!
Keep me, O keep me, King of kings,
Beneath Thine own almighty wings.
Forgive me, Lord, for Thy dear Son,
The ill that I this day have done,
That with the world, myself, and Thee,
I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.
Teach me to live, that I may dread
The grave as little as my bed.
Teach me to die, that so I may
Rise glorious at the judgment day.
O may my soul on Thee repose,
And with sweet sleep mine eyelids close,
Sleep that may me more vigorous make
To serve my God when I awake.
When in the night I sleepless lie,
My soul with heavenly thoughts supply;
Let no ill dreams disturb my rest,
No powers of darkness me molest.
O when shall I, in endless day,
For ever chase dark sleep away,
And hymns divine with angels sing,
All praise to thee, eternal King?
Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
—Thomas Ken, 1674
Daily Light on the Daily Path
August 5
Walk in newness of life.
Just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.—I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.—Neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them.—Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. . . . But that is not the way you learned Christ!—assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus. . . . Put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Rom. 6:4; Rom. 6:19; Rom. 12:1, 2; 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15, 16; Eph. 4:17, 20, 21, 24
LORD, if you are willing, and another day for us comes tomorrow, help us to be pleasing to you, and walk in newness by your Holy Spirit.
Make all things new tomorrow.
New hope, new determination to obey you in all things.
Help those who are waiting on you.
Deliver them from evil.
Hold up their heads and give them songs in the night.
Strengthen us OH LORD.
You are Good and your Mercy endures forever.
Psa 107:1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.
Psa 107:2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
Psa 107:3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
...............
Psa 107:21 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Psa 107:22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.
................
Psa 107:31 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Psa 107:32 Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
Thank you LORD that you lead your people like a Shepherd.
Thank you for the beauty and wonder of your creation which you made by your Word.
Thank you for the unmeasurable love you have shown us in giving your Son, your Only Son for our Life with you.
Thank you for the Precious Blood and the accepted sacrifice, once for all.
Thank you.
Amen.
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/p/t/optlfhig.htm
O praise the Lord, for He is good,
His mercies still endure;
Thus let His ransomed testify,
From all their foes secure.
He has redeemed His captive saints
From adversaries’ hands,
Has gathered them and brought them back
In peace from hostile lands.
They wandered in the wilderness,
By want and hunger pressed;
In trouble when they cried to God,
He saved their souls distressed.
He made the way before them plain,
Himself became their Guide;
He brought them to a city strong
Wherein they might abide.
O praise the Lord, ye sons of men,
For all His goodness shown;
O praise Him for the wondrous works
To you He has made known.
The longing soul that turns to Him
He fully satisfies;
He fills with good each hungering one
That for His mercy cries.
—ESPECIALLY IN MEMORY OF OUR SOUTH KOREAN BRETHREN
2Sa 22:31 This God—his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.
AMEN AND AMEN
BTTT
Our Savior, our Hearts are with those who Suffer for their Faith. We Pray, Your Excellency, for their Comfort, Strength and Peace. Please Help them, our Abba; Please Shield them with Thy Strong Hand. May Thy Spirit Encourage them Every Moment, Shepherd-Lord. Cover them with Mercies, and Blanket them with Infinite Grace.
We Love You, O Father our King, and Praise the Name of Your Son. Our Heart's Desire is that You be Glorified Forever. In Jesus' Name, through the Grace of Heaven's King, amen.
All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name! {Lyrics: Edward Perronet, 1779. Composer: Oliver Holden, 1792}
All hail the power of Jesus' name! Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all.
Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all.
Ye chosen seed of Israel's race, ye ransomed from the fall,
Hail Him who saves you by His grace, and crown Him Lord of all.
Hail Him who saves you by His grace, and crown Him Lord of all.
Let every kindred, every tribe on this terrestrial ball
To Him all majesty ascribe, and crown Him Lord of all.
To Him all majesty ascribe, and crown Him Lord of all.
O that with yonder angel throng we at His feet may fall!
We'll join the everlasting song, and crown Him Lord of all.
We'll join the everlasting song, and crown Him Lord of all.
Blessing, and Glory, and Wisdom, and Thanksgiving,
And Honor, and Power, and Might,
Be Unto our God Forever and Ever, amen! (Rev.7:12)
Amen to your prayer this Morning, Kitty Mittens.
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/l/i/likriver.htm
Like a river glorious, is God’s perfect peace,
Over all victorious, in its bright increase;
Perfect, yet it floweth, fuller every day,
Perfect, yet it groweth, deeper all the way.
Refrain
Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest
Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.
Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,
Never foe can follow, never traitor stand;
Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care,
Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there.
Refrain
Every joy or trial falleth from above,
Traced upon our dial by the Sun of Love;
We may trust Him fully all for us to do.
They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true.
—Frances Havergal, 1876
Exo 6:3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.
Isa 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
Isa 26:4 Trust ye in the LORD forever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:
YOU ARE LORD; LORD GOD OF HEAVEN AND EARTH.
BE THE LORD OF MY LIFE, TODAY AND FOREVER.
YOU HAVE GIVEN ALL AND DONE ALL FOR MY SALVATION.
BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD.
Psa 113:2 Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore.
Amen.
BTTT
There is a Fountain Filled with Blood {Lyrics: our Brother William Cowper. Composer: 19th Century Melody}
There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel’s veins;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.
Lose all their guilty stains, lose all their guilty stains;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.
The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day;
And there have I, though vile as he, washed all my sins away.
Washed all my sins away, washed all my sins away;
And there have I, though vile as he, washed all my sins away.
Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood shall never lose its power
Till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more.
Be saved, to sin no more, be saved, to sin no more;
Till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more.
E’er since, by faith, I saw the stream Thy flowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.
And shall be till I die, and shall be till I die;
Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.
Lord, I believe Thou hast prepared, unworthy though I be,
For me a blood bought free reward, a golden harp for me!
’Tis strung and tuned for endless years, and formed by power divine
To sound in God the Father’s ears no other name but Thine.
Ye were not Redeemed with Corruptible Things, as Silver and Gold,
From your Vain Conversation Received by Tradition from your fathers;
But with the Precious Blood of Christ, as of a Lamb Without Blemish and Without Spot. (1Pet.1:19)
Joh 12:26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/h/w/hwhowvbe.htm
Who would true valour see,
Let him come hither;
One here will constant be,
Come wind, come weather
There’s no discouragement
Shall make him once relent
His first avowed intent
To be a pilgrim.
Whoso beset him round
With dismal stories
Do but themselves confound;
His strength the more is.
No lion can him fright,
He’ll with a giant fight,
He will have a right
To be a pilgrim.
Hobgoblin nor foul fiend
Can daunt his spirit,
He knows he at the end
Shall life inherit.
Then fancies fly away,
He’ll fear not what men say,
He’ll labor night and day
To be a pilgrim.
—John Bunyan
LORD, send us out today.
Help us to Follow the Lamb wherever he goes.
May we not linger in pleasant places, and forget who we are and what we are supposed to be doing....
Help us to determine to not lose the witness within us of Your Precious Sacrifice by which the Father
Col 1:13 ...has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
Col 1:14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Now, may the grace of our LORD Jesus Christ and the LOVE of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us now, and forever.
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“Now when he was got up to the top of the hill, there came two men running against him furiously.
The name of the one was TIMOROUS, and the name of the other MISTRUST; to whom CHRISTIAN said, “Sirs, what’s the matter? You run the wrong way!”
Timorous answered that they were going to the City of Zion, and had got up that difficult place; “but,” said he, “the farther we go, the more danger we meet with: wherefore we turned, and are going back again.”
“Yes,” said MISTRUST; “for just before us lie a couple of lions in the way—whether sleeping or waking we know not,—and we could not think, if we came within reach, but they would presently pull us in pieces.”
Then said CHRISTIAN, “You make me afraid; but whither shall I fly to be safe? If I go back to mine own country, that is prepared for fire and brimstone—and I shall certainly perish there! If I can get to the celestial city, I am sure to be in safety there. I must venture: to go back is nothing but death; to go forward is fear of death, and life everlasting beyond it! I will yet go forward!
Sleep in the Daytime
So MISTRUST and TIMOROUS ran down the hill; and CHRISTIAN went on his way. But thinking again of what he heard from the men, he felt in his bosom for his roll, that he might read therein, and be comforted; but he felt, and found it not. Then was CHRISTIAN in great distress, and knew not what to do; for he wanted that which used to relieve him, and that which should have been his pass into the Celestial City. Here, therefore, he began to be much perplexed, and knew not what to do; at last he bethought himself that he had slept in the arbour that is on the side of the hill: and falling down upon his knees, he asked God forgiveness for that his foolish act, and then went back to look for his roll. But all the way he went back, who can sufficiently set forth the sorrow of CHRISTIAN’S heart? sometimes he sighed; sometimes he wept; and often times he chided himself for being so foolish as to fall asleep in that place, which was erected only for a little refreshment from his weariness.
Thus therefore, he went back; carefully looking on this side and on that, all the way as he went, if happily he might find his roll, that had been his comfort so many times in his journey. He went thus till he came again within sight of the arbour where he sat and slept; but that sight renewed his sorrow the more, by bringing again even afresh his evil of sleeping into his mind. Thus therefore, he now went on bewailing his sinful sleep, saying, “Oh, wretched man that I am, that I should sleep in the daytime! that I should sleep in the midst of difficulty!;
“For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.” 1 Thessalonians 5:7, 8
“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Revelation 2:4, 5
that I should so indulge the flesh, as to use that rest for ease to my flesh, which the Lord of the hill hath erected only for the relief of the spirits of pilgrims! How many steps have I taken in vain! (thus it happened to Israel; for their sin they were sent back again by the way of the Red Sea); and I am made to tread those steps with sorrow, which I might have trod with delight, had it not been for this sinful sleep. How far might I have been on my way by this time! I am made to tread those steps thrice over which I needed not to have trod but once: yea, now also I am like to be benighted, for the day is almost spent. Oh that I had not slept!”
Now by this time he was come to the arbour again, where for a while he sat down and wept; but at last (as CHRISTIAN would have it) looking sorrowfully down under the settle, there he espied his roll, the which he with trembling and haste caught up, and put into his bosom; but who can tell how joyful this man was when he had gotten his roll again! For this roll was the assurance of his life and acceptance at the desired haven. Therefore he laid it up in his bosom; gave thanks to God for directing his eye to the place where it lay; and with joy and tears betook himself again to his journey. But oh, how nimbly now did he go up the rest of the hill! “
—From Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan, 1678
BTTT
Rom 12:4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,
Rom 12:5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
Rom 12:6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;
Rom 12:7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;
Rom 12:8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Rom 12:9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
Rom 12:10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
Rom 12:11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/mid/h/e/n/hendon.mid
Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use every power as Thou shalt choose.
Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.
—Frances Havergal
LORD, it may not be clear why our plans are often interrupted, but you are guiding the way of your servants and leading us into Everlasting Life.
Help us be ready to serve you.
Help us to be witnesses of our LORD Jesus Christ wherever we find ourselves.
We will Testify, in HIS name.
“...These by-errands of the Son of Man were often his most blessed ones, as at Nain, and Jacob’s well, and the sycamore of Jericho. I know not whether we prize our own by-errands sufficiently, our “accidental” opportunities of working or speaking for God. We like to plan, and to carry out our plans to the end; and we do not quite like interruptions or detentions. Yet these may be, after all, our real work. Little can we guess, when forming our plans for the day, on what errands God may send us; and as little can we foresee, when setting out even on the shortest journey, what opportunity may cross our path, of serving the Master, and blessing our fellow men.”
—From, “Christ the Healer”, 1867,
Horatius Bonar
BTTT
HOW LOVELY ON THE MOUNTAINS
ARE THE FEET OF HIM
WHO BRINGS GOOD NEWS,
GOOD NEWS ANNOUNCING PEACE
PROCLAIMING NEWS OF HAPPINESS;
OUR GOD REIGNS
OUR GOD REIGNS
OUR GOD REIGNS!
OUR GOD REIGNS!
OUR GOD REIGNS!
OUR GOD REIGNS!
The Holy One of Israel is our King! (Ps.89:18)
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/h/e/herelove.htm
Here is love, vast as the ocean,
Lovingkindness as the flood,
When the Prince of Life, our Ransom,
Shed for us His precious blood.
Who His love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten,
Throughout Heav’n’s eternal days.
On the mount of crucifixion,
Fountains opened deep and wide;
Through the floodgates of God’s mercy
Flowed a vast and gracious tide.
Grace and love, like mighty rivers,
Poured incessant from above,
And Heav’n’s peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love.
Let me all Thy love accepting,
Love Thee, ever all my days;
Let me seek Thy kingdom only
And my life be to Thy praise;
Thou alone shalt be my glory,
Nothing in the world I see.
Thou hast cleansed and sanctified me,
Thou Thyself hast set me free.
In Thy truth Thou dost direct me
By Thy Spirit through Thy Word;
And Thy grace my need is meeting,
As I trust in Thee, my Lord.
Of Thy fullness Thou art pouring
Thy great love and power on me,
Without measure, full and boundless,
Drawing out my heart to Thee.
—William Rees (1802-1883)
OH LORD, I pray that we may be immersed in your love today. That we may receive and give your precious Love.
Let it be the banner over us, our standard and Light.
May we remember all the many ways you lead us like a tender Shepherd with great love.
WE lie down in green pastures and drink from still waters.
Fill us with your love by your Holy Spirit.
Rom 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Eph 3:14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
Eph 3:15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
Eph 3:16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
Eph 3:17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
Eph 3:18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
Eph 3:19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Eph 3:20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
Eph 3:21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
BTTT
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/n/w/nwhatmyh.htm
Not what my hands have done can save my guilty soul;
Not what my toiling flesh has borne can make my spirit whole.
Not what I feel or do can give me peace with God;
Not all my prayers and sighs and tears can bear my awful load.
Your voice alone, O Lord, can speak to me of grace;
Your power alone, O Son of God, can all my sin erase.
No other work but Yours, no other blood will do;
No strength but that which is divine can bear me safely through.
Thy work alone, O Christ, can ease this weight of sin;
Thy blood alone, O Lamb of God, can give me peace within.
Thy love to me, O God, not mine, O Lord, to Thee,
Can rid me of this dark unrest, And set my spirit free.
I bless the Christ of God; I rest on love divine;
And with unfaltering lip and heart I call this Savior mine.
His cross dispels each doubt; I bury in His tomb
Each thought of unbelief and fear, each lingering shade of gloom.
I praise the God of grace; I trust His truth and might;
He calls me His, I call Him mine, My God, my joy and light.
’Tis He Who saveth me, and freely pardon gives;
I love because He loveth me, I live because He lives.
—Horatius Bonar, 1861
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Jer 3:12 Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger forever.
Jer 3:13 Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.
Jer 3:22 Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our God.
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God has laid great stress in His word upon the
confession of sin. How touching His language
addressed to His backsliding people, whose
backslidings were of a most aggravated character;
than which none could have been of deeper guilt,
seeing that they had committed the sin of idolatry!
“Only acknowledge your guilt.” This was all that
He required at their hands. “Only acknowledge.”
Poor penitent soul, bending in tears and self
reproaches over this page, read these words again
and again, and yet again, until they have scattered
all your dark, repelling thoughts of this sin forgiving
God, winning you to His feet as His restored and
comforted child, “only acknowledge your guilt.”
“What! Lord! after all that I have done, after . . .
my base returns,
my repeated wanderings,
my aggravated transgressions,
my complicated iniquity,
my sins against conviction, light, and love;
do You still stretch out your hand to me, a poor,
wretched wanderer as I am? Do You go forth to
meet, to welcome, to pardon me? Do You watch
the first kindling of penitence, the first tear of
contrition, the first word of confession, ‘Father,
I have sinned!’ Lord, I fall at Your feet, the
greatest of sinners . . .
Your power has drawn me,
Your love has subdued me,
Your grace has conquered me!”
—Octavius Winslow, From “The Lord’s Prayer” 1866
Oh the prayer of my heart for our nation and specifically for my children. Oh that they would return to the Lord who died for them. Polly
Praying with you. Good to hear from you.
Amen, and Amen, Dear Servant of Christ, and the Hymn you Selected in Post #2814 is So Beautiful. Your Scriptures and Prayers are Always Wonderful.
Nothing but the Blood {Robert Lowry}
What can wash away my sin
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can make me whole again
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
Oh precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow
There's no other fount I know
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
This is all my hope and peace
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
This is all my righteousness
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
Oh precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow
There's no other fount I know
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
If we Walk in the Light, as He is in the Light,
We have Fellowship one with another,
And the Blood of Jesus Christ His Son
Cleanseth us from All Sin. (1Jn.1:7)
BTTT
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