Click to Enlarge

FROM A PURE STAND

Copyright 2014

FROM A PURE STAND

We have had a Summer...with a capital "S"! The hot, humid weather had caused weeds and brush to grow up thick in the woods. All sorts of flowers with long and short stalks fill in where they delight in our lawn, which hasn't been mowed in a while because of a lack of rain. When it finally rains, the weeds grow in with the grass, making a potpourri of vegetation.

Today's poem is about the crucifixion. Do we think of Jesus' death on the cross only on Good Friday? Is it only appropriate to mention it then, before Easter? Any Christian would declare, "Of course not!" Christ's death on the cross- His payment for our sins- is always in the mind and heart of the Christian.

But he was pierced for our transgressions,

he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,

and by his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5 

We walk in grace, realizing and acknowledging Christ dying for our sins. We believe the Bible in its declaration and testament that Jesus is the Son of God. We know God and His Son are holy and pure, coming from Heaven. We know it also by the enabling power of the Holy Spirit. 

Greater love has no one than this,

that one lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13

Thanks be to God for his gracious Gift! Thanks be to Jesus for His love to us! Continue praying a prayer of thanks and praise. The Holy Spirit helps us walk in a pure stand and grow in truth and Love. 

Click to Enlarge

PEACEFUL ROCK

Copyright 2014

PEACEFUL ROCK

 You will keep in perfect peace

all who trust in you,

all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Isaiah 26:3 

It is very healthy to be in perfect peace, isn't it? God wants us to be healthy. The way to be healthy is to trust God, to fixed your thoughts on Him. 

What do you trust in? If we trust in money, that won't last. Besides, you can't take it with you when you die. If we trust in human philosophies and ideas, that won't do. Nothing measures up to God's truth. The Bible says we can know truth and it will set us free. Wouldn't you rather be free than enslaved?If we trust in pride and greed and our own efforts, that won't produce anything but destruction. 

What do you think about? Did you know God doesn't miss anything, even what we are thinking? He's that powerful! He looks at everyone's heart and mind, past, present and future. We will always fall miserably short. But, God sent His Son to die for our sins. Jesus willingly went to the cross for us. What Jesus sets free is free indeed! (John 8:36)

Finally, brothers, whatever is true,

whatever is noble, 

whatever is right,

whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely,

whatever is admirable-

if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-

think about such things.

Philippians 4:8

We humans mess up hugely and God knows this. He knows we even need a list of what some good things are to be thinking of! With a list like this, though, it helps make clear what we should do. Not everybody does it, however. Not everyone practices what they have heard or learned. But if you do put into practice the things made known to you by God, the next verse (Phil. 4:9) assures that the God of peace will be with you.

Pray for help! Ask God to help. Send out an S.O.S.! He is looking for people who call on His excellent name. Go to Peaceful Rock or some quiet room, if you prefer, and call on Him for help...and then trust Him.

Trust in the LORD forever,

for the LORD, the LORD,

is the Rock eternal.

Isaiah 26:4

May you have peace from our Rock, our Fortress, our Deliverer, our Joy, our Love.