A pink princess dress, a raggedy girl, and a heart of faith

Today I stopped by a Salvation Army store on the coast. As a waited in line, a young girl approached the counter – raggedly clothes, unruly hair, but a hopeful light in her eyes. “Sir, how much is this?” she asked. She held up a silken yellow “princess dress,” with satin finish and lacey frills on the edges.

The cashier didn’t blink. “3.99,” he said flatly.

Immediately the girl’s face fell. “Oh,” she said. “Uh, I… I can’t buy it then,” she stammered. She turned away to take the dress back, but before she took a step, the lady in front of me snatched the dress out of her hands. “I’ll take that!” she said triumphantly. “Here, honey,” she motioned to her daughter. “We’ll get this one too!”

The lady had been standing at the counter, preening, buying a costly amount of clothing and goodies for herself and her daughter. Her daughter stood at the counter – fairly the same age as the girl who first asked about the dress, but a total contrast: designer clothes, perfect hair, with a slightly bored air of soon-spoiled person.

The daughter glanced at the yellow princess-dress that the mother waved before her. “I don’t want it,” she sniffed. And sure enough, a slight rip stuck out of the collar inseam. The dress was still good, but it was marred. “You sure, honey?” the mother asked dotingly. “Yes,” replied the daughter.

The mother handed the dress to the cashier. He picked it up to place it behind the counter. But the interplay hit me hard. From the first moment, seeing the hopeful light extinguished in the raggedy girl’s eyes, and then the dress lavished on a girl with a full shopping cart, who didn’t value it… it was too much. “Ask that little girl if she would like this dress if someone bought it for her,” I told the cashier.

He blinked. “Are you going to pay for this?” he asked. “Yes,” I said. “If she wants it, I’ll buy it for her.” So he called back to the raggedy girl: “Would you like this dress if someone buys it for you?” She looked up, startled. “Me?” A look of wonder stole over her face. She ran back to the counter.

“Someone is going to buy this for me?” she asked. All three adults at the counter smiled: me, the cashier, and the lady. “Yes,” everyone said in unison. “Could… could I try it on first?” she hesitantly queried. “Sure,” I said. “Go try it on.”

So she took the dress and ran away with a snaggletooth smile.

The lady buying clothes for her daughter stopped for a moment, and looked at me. “That was so nice,” she said. “So, so nice.” I smiled back at her. “Thank you!” But my reward was already in the renewed light in that raggedy girl’s eyes.

I waited for the lady to complete her purchases, paid for my stuff and then stepped to the side, waiting for the girl to return. In a little while, she came back, this time carrying a pink princess dress – even nicer than the yellow one. She handed me the dress with a shy look. “Oh, you want this dress instead?” I asked. She nodded and then shuffled her feet.

This dress had a price tag: 4.99.

I looked at the girl, “This dress is 4.99!” She only nodded again.

The faith of a child! From fallen countenance to brash faith – what a change even slight hope makes!

I laughed, thrilled to my heart. I reached into my pocket and peeled off a five dollar bill. “Here you go,” I said. “Merry Christmas!”

She smiled that snaggletooth smile, and it spread across her face like fairest Christmas wreath on snowy castle door. “Thank you!” she said. The light in her eyes was beautiful to behold.

I smiled back at her. “You’re welcome!” “Take care, now!”

I turned to leave, and looked around at a circle of people – all smiling, nodding their thanks. I waved, and left, a song in my heart – a holy moment at a Salvation Army store, and a raggedy girl now adorned in hope-inspiring princess dress!

I walked to the truck, holy laughter still in my heart. Such a metaphor of true faith! Faith that accepts the word of the Father for what it is, and comes back with higher ante: Father, you said that you would spare the city for the sake of fifty righteous, but what about forty-five? Forty? Thirty? Twenty? Ten? And the Father smiles, “Yet for the sake of ten!” “Put it on the tab.”

Psalm 81:10 began to ring in my spirit, “Open your mouth wide and I will fill it!”

Oh, how God loves a child who takes Him at His word and then presses the promise to the full! Alleluia!

Listen to the promises of grace, friends. And open your mouth wide, that God might fill it with good things.

Psalm 2:8 – Only ask me, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession.

1 John 5:14 – This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

Psalm 145:19 – He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.

John 14:13 – And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

Mat. 7:7 – Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Eph. 3:20-21 – Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Alleluia!

Selah.

Four thugs and a car problem: Trusting God in the night

Tonight, my mom shared with me a story told by Gloria Lundstrom, of a lady who experienced the intervention of God. It's such a neat story! So I'll share it here. Note: As with any recounting of supra-natural intervention, we must interpret it by Word of God, in the context of God's Kingdom: His kingdom come, His will be done. Sometimes intervention doesn't come in the way that we want or expect. Sometimes the hours of prayer in darkness seem like they'll never end. But God is still God, and totally good, perfectly holy and loving! We don't always understand God's answers or lack of them, but it's good to give praise with others who experience God's hand firsthand. (God has blessed me with some first hand interventions, and verifiable secondhand ones. He has also blessed me with hours of unanswered prayers, and painful hours of darkness. In all, high praise is due: God is holy and He is good. Alleluia!)

Anyway, to the story: Gloria comments:

The following is one of the most exciting testimonies I've ever heard concerning the power of holding on to God's promises. This is a true story (names have been changed). It was related to me by a very dear friend, Julie Carter, from Decorah, Iowa, who has since gone to be with the Lord.

A Bible study, four thugs, and a car problem

One summer day years back, Julie's friend in California, Jan, attended a Bible study with another friend, Bonnie. The Scripture shared that day was Psalm 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." 

On the way home, they decided to spend a few minutes at a large shopping mall. When they returned to Jan's late-model car, they saw four or five young men loitering around it. The ladies quickly walked through the gang, jumped into the car, rolled up the windows and locked the doors.

Then the men began to terrorize them by beating on the car and pulling on the door handles. Bonnie shared that fear gripped both of them and they began to imagine what the men would do if they broke in. Jan tried to start the car, but to no avail! She tried again, and it still wouldn't start. She turned to Bonnie and said, "We've never had any problems with this car-it's almost new. I don't know why it won't start."

Bonnie, alarmed, said "Jan, we don't have time to waste. Let's test the verses we learned." She began to repeat the words, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Then she prayed, "Okay, God, in Jesus' name, we're standing on your Word." Jan then turned the key and the car started up immediately! She slowly forced her way through the angry young men.

Looking in the rearview mirror as she sped off, she saw the men staring at her car in disbelief. She drove home as quickly as she could, pulled into the driveway, jumped out and ran into the arms of her husband and began sobbing out her story.

He consoled her and then exclaimed, "That's a new car! You shouldn't have had any problems starting it." She cried, "Believe me, honey, it wouldn't start. Then, after we repeated Psalm 46:1, about God being our refuge and strength in times of trouble, I breathed the name of Jesus, turned the key, and the car started right off."

After calming her down, Jan's husband explained he was going to check the car. In a few moments he returned, his face pale and bewildered. "Jan, honey, no wonder the car wouldn't start -- the battery's gone! There's no battery in the car, Jan. Those men took it."

They both cried and praised God, for they knew God had performed a miracle before their very eyes.

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."

Selah.

p.s. What about the times when God doesn't answer as directly and quickly? Like the lady who was jogging, only to be attacked by dogs, on a lonely road with no one to help her. A dedicated Christian, she called on the Lord to save her. But she was still painfully mauled. She survived, but was badly wounded. Scarred for life, without the same use of her body. It caused her to struggle in faith for some time. Why didn't God answer? It took years for her to understand that Jesus was with her in the attack. 

In the times when we see quick answers, we simply must praise and realize it's all about God and His kingdom, not about us. Likewise, in the times when prayers don't seem to be answered, when pain mounts high and shadows fall all around, we must praise. Praise in the night. Because He is at work. He loves us. Like John the Baptist, we may be on death row, but the gospel is preached around the world, and the kingdom advances. In this kingdom success we take our success, and give thanks in the night. We seek His face always, and know that there will be light. Alleluia!

Divine light for my darkness

Indeed, you are my lamp, Lord. My God illuminates the darkness around me. — Psalm 18:28

by C.H. Spurgeon

It may be that my soul sits in darkness; and if this be of a spiritual kind, no human power can bring me light. Blessed be God! He can enlighten my darkness and at once light my candle. Even though I may be surrounded by a “darkness which might be felt,” yet He can break the gloom and immediately make it bright around me.

The mercy is that if He lights the candle none can blow it out, neither will it go out for lack of substance, nor burn out of itself through the lapse of hours. The lights which the Lord kindled in the beginning are shining still. The Lord’s lamps may need trimming, but He does not put them out.

Let me, then, like the nightingale, sing in the dark. Expectation shall furnish me with music, and hope shall pitch the tune. Soon I shall rejoice in a candle of God’s lighting. I am dull and dreary just now. Perhaps it is the weather, or bodily weakness, or the surprise of a sudden trouble; but whatever has made the darkness, it is God alone who will bring the light. My eyes are unto Him alone. I shall soon have the candles of the Lord shining about me; and, further on in His own good time, I shall be where they need no candle, neither light of the sun. Hallelujah!

Selah.

The look that unmakes us and then heals us: A call to obedience

“Lucy,” [Aslan] said… “You have work in hand, and much time has been lost today.”

   “Yes, wasn’t it a shame?” said Lucy. “I saw you all right. They wouldn’t believe me. They’re all so—”

From somewhere deep inside Aslan’s body there came the faintest suggestion of a growl.

  “I’m sorry,” said Lucy, who understood some of his moods. “I didn’t mean to start slanging the others. But it wasn’t my fault anyway, was it?”
   

The Lion looked straight into her eyes.
   

 “Oh, Aslan,” said Lucy. “You don’t mean it was? How could I—I couldn’t have left the others and come up to you alone, how could I? Don’t look at me like that… oh well, I suppose I could, Yes, and it wouldn’t have been alone, I know, not if I was with you. But what would have been the good?” 

    Aslan said nothing.

    “You mean,” said Lucy rather faintly, “that it would have turned out all right—somehow? But how? Please, Aslan! Am I not to know?”

    “To know what would have happened, child?” said Aslan. “No. Nobody is ever told that.”

  “But anyone can find out what will happen,” said Aslan. “If you go back to the others now, and wake them up; and tell them you have seen me again; and that you must all get up at once and follow me—what will happen? There is only one way of finding out.”

    “Do you mean that is what you want me to do?” gasped Lucy.

    “Yes, little one,” said Aslan.
    “Will the others see you too?” asked Lucy.
    “Certainly not at first” said Aslan. “Later on, it depends.”
    “But they won’t believe me!” said Lucy.

    “It doesn’t matter,” said Aslan.

    “Oh dear, oh dear,” said Lucy. “And I was so pleased at finding you again. And I thought you’d let me stay. And I thought you’d come roaring in and frighten all the enemies away—like last time. And now everything is going to be horrid.”

    “It is hard for you, little one,” said Aslan. “But things never happen the same way twice. It has been hard for us all in Narnia before now.”

    Lucy buried her head in his mane to hide from his face, But there must have been magic in his mane. She could feel lion-strength going into her. Quite suddenly she sat up.

    “I’m sorry, Aslan,” she said. “I’m ready now.”

    “Now you are a lioness,” said Aslan. “And now all Narnia will be renewed. But come. We have no time to lose.”

Selah.

John Stott: Daily prayer to the saving God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit

John Stott was an amazing man of God, a high-level expositor of Scripture -- a humble servant of the Lord. He exuded the presence of the Living God. Hearing him speak in person changed the way I viewed preaching and Scripture.

Here is his daily prayer: saturated in the nature of God -- God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: the saving God revealed to us in Jesus Christ the eternal Son.

Heavenly Father, I pray that I may live this day in your presence and please you more and more.

Lord Jesus, I pray that this day I may take up my cross and follow you.

Holy Spirit, I pray that this day you will fill me with yourself and cause your fruit to ripen in my life: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.

Holy, blessed and glorious Trinity, three persons in one God, have mercy upon me.

Almighty God, Creator and Sustainer of the universe, I worship you.

Lord Jesus Christ, Savior and Lord of the World, I worship you.

Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of the people of God, I worship you.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be forever, Amen.

Alleluia!

Selah.

Lord, teach me to pray like this and to know you like this.

Amen.

Steady bow & skillful hands: Arrows turned to prayers

Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough near a spring whose branches climb over the wall. The archers will attack him, they will shoot at him and oppose him. But his bow will remain steady, and his hands will be skillful; because of the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel. — Gen 49:22-24

by J.R. Miller

One would have thought that Joseph being a fruitful vine could have looked with complacency, almost with holy scorn, upon these archers who shot at him, but it was not so; “they severely grieved him.” To be sold by his own brethren into Egypt; the dreams and visions God had given him to be derided; to be cast into prison as an ungodly man through the very person who was tempting him to ungodliness, and there to be neglected and forsaken; how these archers had shot their arrows against his bosom, and severely grieved him!

It was because he had the fear of God, because his feelings were tender, that the arrows found a place. Had he had a bosom of steel, had he had a heart of stone, the arrows would have fallen off blunted and pointless; but it was because he had tender feelings, a living conscience, warm affections, godly fear, and a work of grace upon his soul, that he presented a tender spot for these arrows to stick in; therefore the archers not only “hated him, but shot at him, and severely grieved him.”

But did they prove his destruction? Did any one drain his life blood? Did he sink and die like a wounded deer? Did he fall upon the plain and gasp out his forlorn life? No; “But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel.” He then had a bow; he could shoot too. And what was his bow? and how did he direct the arrow? He picked up the arrows that were shot at him, or rather he took them out of his own wounded bosom; and instead of aiming these shafts against those who had so severely grieved him, he shot upward; he launched his arrows towards the throne of the Majesty on high; he turned their bitter shafts into prayers, supplications, and petitions.

Thus the very arrows shot at him he turned into petitions with which to approach the throne of God. He drew his bow even up to the heaven of heavens; and that is what you should do. Never return evil for evil; never return railing for railing. When you are shot at by the archers, do not shoot at them again. Take your arrows and bring them before the throne; present your feelings wounded as they are, your groans and sighs, with your warm petitions, and spread them before God, who hears and answers prayer; and you will find the benefit and blessing of it.

The world will beat you at shooting if you shoot at them. They can use language that you cannot. A man of birth and education, drawn into collision with a street ruffian, cannot bandy words with him; he must pass on; he would soon be beaten in the strife of words. So you must never shoot arrow against arrow with those archers who severely grieve you. You have a tender conscience; you have the fear of God; you weigh your words; you know what will grieve your mind when it comes back upon you, and you are therefore sparing of your speech. Cease from that war; return not a single arrow, let them shoot away, take their arrows, direct your bow upward, turn them all into prayers and supplications, and in due time sweet answers of mercy and peace will come into your bosom.

Thus Joseph’s bow “abode in strength,” and all their arrows neither struck his bow out of his hand, nor broke it asunder. He could shoot as well as they, but not in the same way nor at the same object. We see, then, Joseph’s fruitfulness; we see the source of it; we see the persecutions his soul was grieved by; and we see the final victory that he gained. God of his infinite mercy lead our souls into the same blessed track, apply his truth to our hearts, that our bow may abide in strength, and that the arms of our hands may be made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob.

Alleluia!

Selah.

Kingdom math: The way down is the way up

And God will exalt you in due time, if you humble yourselves under His mighty hand. — 1 Pet. 5:6

by C.H. Spurgeon

This is tantamount to a promise: if we will bow down, the Lord will lift us up. Humility leads to honor; submission is the way to exaltation. That same hand of God which presses us down is waiting to raise us up when we are prepared to bear the blessing. We stoop to conquer. Many cringe before men and yet miss the patronage they crave; but he that humbles himself under the hand of God shall not fail to be enriched, uplifted, sustained, and comforted by the ever-gracious One. It is a habit of Jehovah to cast down the proud and lift up the lowly.

Yet there is a time for the Lord’s working. We ought now to humble ourselves, even at this present moment; and we are bound to keep on doing so whether the Lord lays His afflicting hand upon us or not. When the Lord smites, it is our special duty to accept the chastisement with profound submission. But as for the Lord’s exaltation of us, that can only come “in due time,” and God is the best judge of that day and hour. Do we cry out impatiently for the blessing? Would we wish for untimely honor? What are we at? Surely we are not truly humbled, or we should wait with quiet submission. So let us do.

Selah.

The wilderness is a door of hope for the beloved

"I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her." Hosea 2:14

Charles Spurgeon comments:

The goodness of God sees us allured by sin, and it resolves to try upon us the more powerful allurements of love. Do we not remember when the Lover of our souls first cast a spell upon us and charmed us away from the fascinations of the world! He will do this again and again whenever He sees us likely to be ensnared by evil.

He promises to draw us apart, for there He can best deal with us, and this separated place is not to be a paradise, but a wilderness, since in such a place there will be nothing to take of our attention from our God. In the deserts of affliction the presence of the LORD becomes everything to us, and we prize His company beyond any value which we set upon it when we sat under our own vine and fig tree in the society of our fellows. Solitude and affliction bring more to themselves and to their heavenly Father than any other means.

When thus allured and secluded the LORD has choice things to say to us for our comfort. He "speaks to our heart," as the original has it. Oh, that at this we may have this promise explained in our experience! Allured by love, separated by trial, and comforted by the Spirit of truth, may we know the LORD and sing for joy! 

Selah.

Note that it is the WILDERNESS to which God allures His chosen ones, to recall them to their first spirit love. It is the wilderness, not a resort. A wilderness, a place of barrenness, a desert, a place of wildness, with solitude and affliction. Whoever is wise will hear and take instruction: whom the Lord loves, He disciplines. And the lonely wilderness is intended the only place whereby the beloved can receive her basis of blessing. Truly, it is intended as the first phase in a "harvest of righteousness" (Heb. 12:11). In this place, the Lord speaks to the heart, with great tenderness.

Also note that the wilderness becomes a DOOR OF HOPE. The next verse says this (v. 15): "I will return her vineyards to her and transform the Valley of Trouble into a gateway of hope." The AV translates this verse "I will give her her vineyards from thence." In other words, the vineyards spring from the wilderness place: when the heart is restored to love, divine fruitfulness springs forth in life. The Valley of Achor thus becomes the Door of Hope for the covenant child.

This fruitfulness may not resemble what humans call blessing. It may be in the fuller blessing of another, as this passage is fulfilled perfectly in the in-gathering of the Gentiles into covenant blessing (cf. Romans 9:25). It may be in a life of affliction, as my father witnessed in a holy life of physical handicap, or Joni Eareckson Tada witnesses to daily, from a wheelchair of paralysis. The point much larger than humans might make it, in falsely defined blessing. The fulfillment is holy harvest, supernatural vineyards in redeemed human life. Divine fruitfulness is the promise of the wilderness!

Selah.

The lesson is enduring. The place of affliction, the valley of trouble, is never intended as an end in itself. For the child of God it is destined to be a gateway of hope, as the heart receives its needed healing, away from the comforts that distracted it from the heart of Life. Never give up on your desert, friend! Never give up on your valley. Look anew to the word and presence of God. Listen for the voice of the holy Lover speaking tenderly to your heart.  A holy vineyard awaits you. The heart's home is yours. Alleluia!

Selah.

God has appointed the path of sorrow for the redeemed to walk in

And our hope for you is steadfast because we know that as you share in our sufferings, so also you will share in our comfort. — 2 Cor 1:7

by J.R. Miller

The Lord has appointed the path of sorrow for the redeemed to walk in. Why? One purpose is to wean them from the world; another purpose is to show them the weakness of the creature; a third purpose is to make them feel the liberty and vitality of genuine godliness made manifest in their soul’s experience. What am I, and what are you when we have no trials? Light, frothy, worldly-minded, carnal, frivolous. We may talk of the things of God, but they are at a distance; there are no solemn feelings, no melting sensations, no real brokenness, no genuine contrition, no weeping at the divine feet, no embracing of Christ in the arms of affection.

But when affliction, be it in providence or be it in grace, brings a man down; when it empties him of all his high thoughts, lays him low in his own eyes, brings trouble into his heart, I assure you he needs something more than mere external religion. He needs power; he needs to experience in his soul the operations of the blessed Spirit; he wants to have a precious Jesus manifesting himself to his soul in love and blood; he needs to see his lovely countenance beaming upon him in ravishing smiles; he needs to hear the sweet whispers of dying love speaking inward peace; he needs to have the blessed Lord come into his soul, manifesting himself to him as he does not manifest himself to the world.

What brings a man here? A few dry notions floating to and fro in his brain, like a few drops of oil in a pail of water? That will never bring the life and power of vital godliness into a man’s heart. It must be by being experimentally acquainted with trouble. When he is led into the path of tribulation, he then begins to long after, and, in God’s own time and way, he begins to drink into, the sweetness of vital godliness, made manifest in his heart by the power of God.

Selah.

Trust the voice of Abba. He calls you by your true name!

Alleluia!

Selah.

Kingdom life: The best things come out of wounding

They strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, “We must enter the kingdom of God through many persecutions.” — Acts 14:22

by J.R. Miller

The best things of life come out of wounding. Wheat is crushed... before it becomes bread. Incense must be cast upon the fire... before its odors are set free. The ground must be broken with the sharp plow... before it is ready to receive the seed. It is the broken heart, which pleases God. The sweetest joys in life are the fruits of sorrow. Human nature seems to need suffering, to fit it for being a blessing to the world.

Selah.

We have no enemies but the enemies of God

The Lord your God goes with you to fight on your behalf against your enemies to give you victory. — Deut 20:4

by C.H. Spurgeon

We have no enemies but the enemies of God. Our fights are not against men but against spiritual wickedness. We war with the devil and the blasphemy and error and despair which he brings into the field of battle. We fight with all the armies of sin — impurity, drunkenness, oppression, infidelity, and ungodliness. With these we contend earnestly, but not with sword or spear; the weapons of our warfare are not carnal.

Yahweh, our God, abhors everything which is evil, and, therefore, He goeth with us to fight for us in this crusade. He will save us, and He will give us grace to war a good warfare and win the victory. We may depend upon it that if we are on God’s side God is on our side. With such an august ally the conflict is never in the least degree doubtful. It is not that truth is mighty and must prevail but that might lies with the Father who is almighty, with Jesus who has all power in heaven and in earth, and with the Holy Spirit who worketh His will among men.

Soldiers of Christ, gird on your armor. Strike home in the name of the God of holiness, and by faith grasp His salvation. Let not this day pass without striking a blow for Jesus and holiness.

Selah.

God is exalted in the midst of an afflicted people

“Now I will rise up,” says the Lord. “Now I will exalt myself; now I will magnify myself.” — Isa 33:10

by C.H. Spurgeon

When the spoilers had made the land as waste as if devoured by locusts, and the warriors who had defended the country sat down and wept like women, then the Lord came to the rescue. When travelers ceased from the roads to Zion, and Bashan and Carmel were as vineyards from which the fruit has failed, then the Lord arose. God is exalted in the midst of an afflicted people, for they seek His face and trust Him. He is still more exalted when in answer to their cries He lifts up Himself to deliver them and overthrow their enemies.

Is it a day of sorrow with us? Let us expect to see the Lord glorified in our deliverance. Are we drawn out in fervent prayer? Do we cry day and night unto Him? Then the set time for His grace is near. God will lift up Himself at the right season. He will arise when it will be most for the display of His glory. We wish for His glory more than we long for our own deliverance. Let the Lord be exalted, and our chief desire is obtained.

Lord, help us in such a way that we may see that Thou Thyself art working. May we magnify Thee in our inmost souls. Make all around us to see how good and great a God Thou art.

Alleluia!

Selah.

D-DAY: Call to remember, call to battle

We complete their sacrifice only in faithful life. Against an enemy even more entrenched, savage and battle-hardened. Fight well, friends! Victory is ours. Even through fire and sword. "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." Jas. 4:7

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Eph. 6:12

Selah.

Torn? Then turn to Him & give thanks. It is only the 1st part of healing!

“Come on! Let us return to the Lord! He himself has torn us to pieces, but He will heal us! He has injured us, but He will bandage our wounds! — Hos. 6:1
 
by C.H. Spurgeon
 
It is the Lord’s way to tear before He heals. This is the honest love of His heart and the sure surgery of His hand. He also bruises before He binds up, or else it would be uncertain work. The law comes before the gospel, the sense of need before the supply of it. Is the reader now under the convincing, crushing hand of the Spirit? Has he received the spirit of bondage again to fear? This is a salutary preliminary to real gospel healing and binding up.

Do not despair, dear heart, but come to the Lord with all thy jagged wounds, black bruises, and running sores. He alone can heal, and He delights to do it. It is our Lord’s office to bind up the brokenhearted, and He is gloriously at home at it. Let us not linger but at once return unto the Lord from whom we have gone astray. Let us show Him our gaping wounds and beseech him to know His own work and complete it. Will a surgeon make an incision and then leave his patient to bleed to death? Will the Lord pull down our old house and then refuse to build us a better one? Dost Thou ever wantonly increase the misery of poor anxious souls? That be far from Thee, O Lord.

Selah.

The Morning Star promises us that Day is at hand!

And I will give him the Morning Star. — Revelation 2:28

by C.H. Spurgeon

Until the day break and the shadows flee away, what a blessing it is to see in Jesus "the Morning Star!" Once our newspapers reported the idle tale that the star of Bethlehem had again appeared. On inquiry we found that it was only "the morning star"; but no great mistake had been made after all.

It is best to see Jesus as the sun; but when we cannot do so, the next best thing is to see Him as that star which prophesies the day and shows that the eternal light is near at hand. If I am not today all that I hope to be, yet I see Jesus, and that assures me that I shall one day be like Him. A sight of Jesus by faith is the pledge of beholding Him in His glory and being transformed into His image. If I have not at this hour all the light and joy I could desire, yet I shall have it; for as surely as I see the morning star I shall see the day. The morning star is never far from the sun.

Come, my soul, has the LORD given thee the morning star? Dost thou hold fast that truth, grace, hope, and love which the LORD has given thee? Then in this thou hast the dawn of coming glory. He that makes thee overcome evil, and persevere in righteousness, has therein given thee the morning star.

Selah.

Christian joy is not hilarity of emotion. It's abiding relation with Christ in God

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice! — Phil 4:4

by J.R. Miller

The Bible insists upon JOY as an element of Christian life. Christ spoke of his desire that the disciples should have his joy fulfilled in themselves. Paul exhorts Christians to rejoice always, and speaks of joy as one of the fruits of the Spirit.

Christian joy is not hilarity. One maybe sorrowful, and yet have the joy of the Lord in the heart. It is an inner joy–a fountain in the heart, supplied from heaven. Every Christian should have this joy. It belongs to the ideal of the complete Christian character. It is very evident, however, that there are many Christians who do not have it. Their spirits go up and down like the mercury in the thermometer, varying with the atmosphere. When things are pleasant–they have joy. When circumstances are hard or painful–they have no joy.

We ought to know how to get the joy of Christ. One secret is absolute devotion to the will of God. Another is serving others. Only as we learn to live the life of love, “Not to be ministered unto–but to minister” can we find true, deep joy. Every self-denial or sacrifice of love for another’s sake, adds to the Christian’s joy. We reach the ideal life–only as joy lives in our heart, and shines out in our life.

Selah.