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I
cannot call affliction sweet, And yet twas good to bear: Affliction
brought me to Thy feet, And I found comfort there. James
Montgomery
. A New year in an Old World Jon Quinn
As we enter a new year, many will make this a time of reflecting,
resolving and meditating. What will this new year hold for me? How can I make it a success? What can I do to make my life
and the lives of my family, friends and brethren richer? The Bible holds some good answers to these meaningful questions.
There Is A Time For Everything
"There is an appointed time
for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven - a time to give birth, and a time to die; a time to plant,
and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down, and a time to build up. A time
to weep, and a time to laugh..." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4; cf. vss. 5-8).
What will make this year successful?
Different people measure success in different ways. How about if I shielded myself from all sorrow. If I only laugh this year,
but shed no tears at all, will that mean it has been a success? If I only plant, but never uproot, will this year have been
a success? If I fight no battles, but enjoy only peace... if I only sew together, but never tear apart... and so forth.
No, that will not make this coming year a success because life is made up of various times and events. It is no success
to laugh when one ought to be weeping, or to continue to build when we ought to simply tear down and start over. One key to
success is to know and respond to an event with the appropriate action. We need to also learn to use the proper standard of
measurement when weighing our success. For example, intellectual achievement is a fine thing, but it cannot bring success
by itself (Ecclesiastes 1:16,17). We all enjoy a good time, and pleasures of life are meant to be enjoyed. But again, if attaining
pleasure or thrills is our sole measuring rod for success, then we will fail (Ecclesiastes 2:1,2). Some measure success by
the number of carefree days they have. Some even abandon all meaningful relationships, or numb their minds with alcohol or
drugs to attain a, "I don't care about nothing" attitude. Such a life is not successful by any worthwhile measure
(Ecclesiastes 2:3). Doing good at work is a fine thing with great potential, but that alone will not make for a successful
life (Ecclesiastes 2:4-6). Becoming wealthy is often used by the world as a standard of success, but it is a false standard
(Ecclesiastes 2:7-9). How about just "getting everything I want my way"? No, something is still missing (Ecclesiastes
2:10,11; 17).
You see, there "is a time for everything" but nothing in life works right a part from God
and a good, healthy spiritual relationship with Him (Ecclesiastes 2:24,25; 12:13,14). With God, life has meaning - both the
times of laughter as well as the times for weeping. Nothing is in vain.
Our Priorities
Must Be Right
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added
unto you." (Matthew 6:33).What is first in your life? Is it His kingdom? Jesus says for life to work right, it must be.
Someone might say, "But there are so many matters in life that are so pressing and important. I could probably
manage putting the kingdom first for a day, but not for a lifetime."
Good news! That's all Jesus requires!
Think about it. He expects you to give Him just one day. Can you do it? But... that day has to be today. He does not expect
for you to give Him yesterday. All your yesterdays are gone. He does not expect a single one of them from you. And tomorrow...
well, it is not here yet. Many try to give Him their tomorrows. They say that they are too busy today, but tomorrow... but
Jesus very specifically tells us to not be anxious about tomorrow. If tomorrow gets here at all, it will no longer be "tomorrow".
It will then be "today". Remember... today is what we have to work with (Hebrews 3:13).
God's
Commandments Are For Our Good
"So the LORD commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the
LORD our God for our good always and for our survival, as it is today." (Deuteronomy 6:24).
Some people think
it is hard being a Christian. In some ways they are right. It calls for more strength, courage and sacrifice. Dedication and
discipleship go hand in hand. But in other ways it is easier (Matthew 11:28-30). There are benefits that make us confident
and give us peace. and joy. Our lives are lifted up and given meaning and purpose in Jesus and the keeping of His commandments
(1 John 5:3.4). The emotional/spiritual benefits of faith are real. Singing the song "I'm Happy Today" very
simply tells why. Because "In Jesus Christ, I'm happy today, because He's washed, my sins away." Forgiveness
brings hope, and hope brings confidence, peace and joy.
We are on a journey. We must not lose sight of God. We
are not at home in this world (Hebrews 11:9-10; 13-14; 16). The best thing we can do for ourselves and our loved ones in this
coming year is to fix "our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith." (Hebrews 12:2). He has already completed
the journey. He knows how to get home. He is showing us the way. Have a happy and blessed new year.
http://www.bible.ca The Expository Files
Just
to be tender, just to be true, Just to be glad
the whole day through. Just to be merciful, just to
be mild, Just to be trustful as a child. Just to be gentle and kind and sweet,
Just to be helpful with willing feet. Just to be cheery
when things go wrong, Just to drive sadness away with
a song. Whether the hour is dark or bright, Just to be loyal to God and right.
Just to believe that God knows best, Just in His promises
ever to rest. Just to let love be our daily keep, That is God's will for you and me.
. What Do You Mean, 'Don't Worry'? Jared
Rogers
All I hear about on the radio or see on
TV these days is the financial situation in our country. The presidential debates have been filled with their plans for the
future. I wish I understood it all, but I do not. What I do know is that many in our country are concerned and fearful of
what the future will be, and maybe you find yourself as one.
But we do not need a financial crisis to be concerned
with money. This may surprise you, but college students typically do not have a lot of money. I know that shocks you, but
it is true. It is easy to allow monetary concerns to dominate our lives to the point that we neglect our spiritual concerns.
The search for physical comfort is never ending, and it is never ending to the point of damaging our relationship with the
Father.
Jesus addresses these concerns in Matthew 6:25-34. Jesus certainly understands the draw of money and He
warns us that we “cannot serve God and mammon” (v. 24). He encourages to instead overcome the draw of mammon or
wealth by a simple three word solution: “Do Not Worry.” While this may seem simplistic and a non-solution, He
proceeds to explain that we, as Christians, do not have to worry about money.
Do not worry because God will provide. “Look at the birds of the air…your heavenly Father feeds them” (v. 26). “Consider
the lilies of the field…even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these” (v. 28-29). The evidence
of God providing for His creation is all around us. We just have to look. Birds do not worry about where they will find their
next worm and likewise grass does not fret over whether they will grow. The Lord is not ignorant of what His creation needs
to survive.
Since God provides for birds and the grass of the field, we are assured that He will also provide for
us. Jesus asks rhetorically, “Are you not of more value than these?” (v. 26). The Lord has not abandoned us to
struggle and strive alone. We must have confidence in the Lord to fulfill His promises to His children. It is easy to try
and face the problems of life alone and forget the covenant God has made with us. Our faith in the Lord’s pledge to
provide for us must not waiver despite the temptations that arise in times such as these.
It must be noted that
this promise from the Lord is not a guarantee for wealth. I have yet to see a bird go home to his mansion and sit down to
a nice steak dinner. What I have seen is that birds have the necessities of life. Many make the mistake of seeing hard times
as the absence of God because they expect immense riches. We have what many of the world do not, the comfort of knowing that
the Lord will provide for His people. So do not worry.
Do not worry, but seek the Kingdom of God. There is a distinction between those who seek wealth and those who seek the Lord. At least this is how it
ought to be, but sadly often it is not. Our priorities shift and our souls suffer because of it. Our minds must be devoted
to the Lord instead of the worldly concerns such as money. When speaking of money, Jesus proclaims “for after all these
things the Gentiles seek…But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (v. 32-33). Our focus in this
world must be looking for the guidance that is out of this world. Instead of allowing finances, or the concerns of finances
to guide us, let us instead focus on assuring our salvation and doing the work of the Lord.
If we seek the Lord
first, then we will not have to worry about material things. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,
and all these things shall be added to you” (v. 33). Jesus explains that if our prime desire is to serve the Lord and
do His work, then the physical things of life will fall into place. What a privilege this is! None of these statements by
Christ preclude working for a living since that would contradict the teaching of 2 Thessalonians 3, but if we serve the Lord
then the material things will be provided. Do Not Worry.
The Lord warns us of the dangers of seeking and serving
material wealth. While we may not be the kind of people who are searching for millions, we are concerned with the day to day
finances. There have been times when I have fretted too much instead of trusting in the Lord. Work serves as a great obstacle
to serving the Lord because it is the outlet for money, but we must remember to seek first the kingdom of God. “Therefore
do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble”
(v. 34). Today is important. Overcoming today’s temptation is important. Today has enough concerns and troubles, so
let us place our faith in the Lord and not worry about tomorrow.
Mountains to Climb
I once heard a story of a woman who prayed and prayed for God to move the mountain that she
had to climb, that she didn’t possess the strength to make it. She just couldn’t do it. She was talking to a fellow
sister about the turmoil in her life and that she couldn’t understand why God had forsaken her and wouldn’t answer
her prayer. It was then the sister told her. If there were no mountain she would have no reason to pray, nor would she know
how strong she was. If there were never mountains we would miss the glory and the sense of accomplishment when reaching to
top. We would never gain the strength from the hours spent in prayer, nor would we know how awesome God really is to walk
with us each and every step of the way. I pray that I never ask God to move a mountain just that he will give me the strength
to climb it. -selected
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31
 Change Me
Dear Lord change not Thy will in my
life,
Or trial and sorrows to be;
Renew my faith and make me strong,
Change not Thy will, change me.
Though teardrops fall when trouble comes,
Like storms on a rolling sea;
Let Thy beacon guide my ship to port,
Change not the storm, change me.
When Thy Holy Word I don't understand
And Thy glory I cannot
see;
Teach my eyes, give me sight and wisdom,
Change not Thy Word, change me.
If the fruit Thou hast
given me to eat,
Taste bitter and sour, I plea;
Let not my will but Thine be done,
Change not the fruit,
change me.
If sometime I murmur and grumble, dear Lord,
About the cross I carry for Thee;
Keep it firm
on my shoulders, but hold my hand,
Change not the cross, change me.
If You change Thy ways to please me,
dear Lord,
I would soon grow cold and turn from Thee;
That You may hear my prayers, dear Lord,
Change not
Thy ways, change me.
There's a valley that I must cross,
Someday Thy face to see;
Lest I forget
what power is Thine,
Change not the valley, change me.
Author Unknown
Unless the Lord had been my help, my
soul would soon have settled in silence. If I say, "My foot slips," Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up. In the
multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul. Psalm 64:17-19
Waiting on Higher Ground Janice Trees
Many of us are waiting for something.
We're waiting for circumstances to get better for us, whether it's our health, finances, or relationships. We're
waiting for wars to end or dreams to begin. We're waiting for Christ to come.
Our family has been waiting
three years for a child. We've been trying to adopt since 2006. We were matched with a child in Jamaica
in August 2008. We've been waiting since then to bring her home.
One day I was listening to the hymn,
"Higher Ground," and I realized that if I would just keep myself closer to the cross, my situation wouldn't
seem so difficult to me. If I kept myself on higher ground, then I would be closer to the One who could help me find
a victory, no matter the outcome.
It is a great comfort to know that He is beyond the reach of space and
time, the two things that stand between me and my daughter.
CIRCUMSTANCES
Circumstances? How we pet them,
How we give them right of way!
But the Master never planned that
We should
be beneath their sway.
We who know Him walk the highway
Where the victors all have trod.
Circumstances cannot
conquer
In the presence of our God.
Paul made circumstances serve him,
Made them glorify His Lord;
Turned each trial into blessing
As he boldly preached the word.
"These things turned to my advantage"
This old warrior used to say;
"For our good they work together,"
Tho' the darkness shroud the day.
Why should Christians live beneath them,
And not walk the heights with Him?
Circumstances? We're
above them,
Though they often seem so grim.
"More than victors" ~ this the promise,
And Christ bids
us cast out fear;
For we triumph o'er all testing
With the Master ever near.
~ by
Albert Simpson Reitz
Comfort,
Oh Comfort
(Isaiah 40)By Nathan E. Quinn
We serve a powerful
God, but we also serve a God who cares about us. The Christian can find comfort in His power. Isaiah chapter 40 is specifically
intended to provide a message of comfort because of the power of God. In Isaiah 39, Isaiah warns Hezekiah of the Babylonian captivity that is soon to come. Isaiah wrote chapter 40 to
those people who would soon face that great tribulation as a message of comfort. In 40:27 we read that some of those of the
land of Judah felt as though God had not given them justice. Imagine if you were an Israelite born into slavery in a foreign
nation. You would hear the amazing stories about the nation of Israel, you were God's chosen people. It would be confusing,
and disheartening to look about at your nation's current situation. They would surely wonder if God were still up there.
Had He forgotten the people whom He had led out of Egypt? Isaiah
40:1-2 sounds out like a grand announcement: "Comfort oh comfort, My people, says your God, speak kindly to Jerusalem;
and call out to her that her warfare has ended..." As Isaiah begins this message of comfort he speaks about the Word
of God, and how it stands. Good news is on its way, a shepherd is coming to guide the flock out from this slavery (40:3-11).
It is then that Isaiah begins a description of our God that shows that God could not forget His people. "Who has measured
the waters in the Hollow of His hand" (v 12). Take a look around Florida, and all you see is water. I, being from Illinois,
have never experienced a hurricane, but I've seen tapes. Water is so vast and powerful. Water is something man can't
really control, yet our God holds all of the water in His hand. He "marked off the heavens by the
span." God can measure the sky simply by holding His hand and measuring the distance between His thumb and his pinky;
it makes your hand seem small. God sits above the earth and sees what is going on (v 22). There is no one we know who we can
compare Him with (v 25). Look into the night sky, and know that God has numbered the stars (v 26)! So you think God has left something out (v 27)? "Do you not know, have you not heard" God is so powerful,
do you think He could have left something out? Our God does not have the same limitations we do. When we don't understand,
He does; when we are tired, He isn't. If God names the stars, He certainly will not forget His people. 
Expository Files: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/4051/
. Glowing
in the Dark Dene Ward
I found a verse the
other day that intrigued me—for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking,
but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, Rom 14:17. While the meaning is obvious—in
the context of eating meats sacrificed to idols, Paul is telling them that being in the kingdom is a matter of the inner man
not the outer man—I still wondered why those three things were chosen among the many traits describing Christians.
Before
much longer I found Romans 5:1-3. Those three things are not three separate items, as if they can be chosen
one without the other, they are a chain reaction. I am justified (made righteous), and as a result
have peace with God, and that creates joy in my life.
Keep
reading down to verse 5 in Romans 5, then add 12:12 and 15:13 to the mix and you see that joy is inextricably bound with hope.
The Greeks did not use “hope” the way we use it, a wish for something that could go either way, but as
a confident assurance or, as Keith likes to say, “a vision of a certain future.” Along
with the apostle John in 1 John 5:13, I should be able to say, “I know I am saved; I know I have been
forgiven; I know I have a relationship with God; I know I am going to Heaven.” Is
there anything that should inspire any greater joy? Being joyful does not mean we may not face
sad times; it does not mean we must not ever grieve in a trial. What it does mean is that we will bounce
back from those times because joy is the foundation for our lives. If, instead, I come through a trial
with an attitude only toward myself, what I have endured, and what I believe others should be doing for me because of it,
my joy has turned into bitterness. In fact, I have not successfully endured that trial at all. Whenever
I allow something to smother my joy, in at least that much I have allowed that thing to be more important to me than my relationship
with God.
Whenever I allow something to
smother my joy, in at least that much I have allowed that thing to be more important to me than my relationship with God.
This is easier
said than done. I used to wonder how to have this joy that everyone kept telling me I was supposed to have.
God does not leave us without direction. Col 1:9-14 gives us several techniques for having joy.
Be filled with the knowledge of Him; walk worthily of the Lord; bear fruit in every good work; give thanks for our
salvation. Do you know what that boils down to? Focus on the good things and stay busy
serving others. Joy is like a glow-in-the-dark toy.
The more I focus on what God has done for me and what he expects me to do for others, the longer I sit in the light
and the stronger my glow will be. But if I sit too long in the shadow of sadness and grief, focusing too
long on myself, my joy will begin to fade until eventually it is gone altogether.
If
you find yourself alone in the dark today, it’s time to come back into the light before your joy disappears, along with
the hope that reinforces it. This is a choice you make, one that has nothing to do with what happens
today or what anyone does to you, but with the path you choose to take regardless.
That the proof of your faith, more precious than gold that perishes though
it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ: whom
not having seen you love; on whom, though now you see him not, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and
full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:7-9.
Today is something of a milestone
for me. This is the longest I have been without a surgery in the past four and a half years, and it is
still less than a year since the last one. In fact, in that time I have had six major surgeries and twelve
minor procedures, many of them even more painful than the big ones. When I realized what this poor body has been through,
plus the fact that I have also gotten exactly that many years older, I felt better about myself. No wonder
it doesn’t take much to wear me out. No wonder my resistance is low and my endurance minimal.
You might think otherwise, but it was an uplifting moment. A couple of summers ago things were
really bad. The major surgery had not gone well. Complications had set in within twenty-four
hours. I saw the doctor fourteen times in one month and had six more minor surgeries, each one taking more
and more out of me. I was about ready to give up. We all know where this is heading,
and these surgeries do nothing more than push that time a little further down the road—maybe. When
the doctor once again patted my shoulder and said, “We need to do some more,” I nearly said, “No.
No more. It’s not worth all this pain. It won’t fix the problem anyway,
so why bother?”
George Orwell once said, “The quickest way to end a war is to lose it,” (Polemic, May 1946, “Second
Thoughts on James Burnham”). Do you ever feel that way about life?
With all the things happening to him, even Job said, “My soul is weary of my life,” (10:1).
We all experience those feelings. Illness, financial misfortune, family problems—all these
things can sometimes seem insurmountable. Then, when you are completely exhausted, both physically and
emotionally, the temptation is to end the war by simply surrendering.
Don’t do it. This war has already been won. All we have to do is finish
it--do the mop up work, so to speak. The problem too often is that we
try to go it alone, refusing to turn our problems over to the Lord. If we insist on that, we have already
lost. We are not alone in this fight. We have a Savior who understands everything we
are going through and who will share our loads. Look how far you have already come with his help.
Yes, you may be tired, and you may well have good reason to be, but be encouraged by your accomplishments through the
abundant help you have been given. My grace is sufficient for you, 2 Cor 12:9.
Let Jesus carry those burdens for you. He has already borne the biggest one, the sin that would
have damned you for eternity. Surely he can handle the others, things which may seem huge to you now, but
which eternal perspective will prove small. Some days you may feel like you are just plugging along, but
that is all right too, so long as you don’t give up.
Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light, Matt 11:28-30.
Why Suffering “Troubles
are often the tools by which God fashions us for better things.” Henry
Ward Beecher 1. To teach us to listen to God
(Psalm 119:71). 2. To show us our frailty (2 Corinthians
12:7-10). 3. To drive out unruliness and bring
order to our lives (Jeremiah 31:18). 4. To help
us avoid being condemned with the world (1 Peter 4:1-2). 5. To bring fire into our hearts (Malachi 3:2-5). 6. To help us develop perseverance and maturity (James 1:2-4). 7. To help us be victorious (Romans 8:37-39). 8.
To help us enter fully into Christ’s example (1 Peter 2:19-25). 9. To help us long for a better country (Hebrews 11:13-16). 10. To bring glory to God (John 9:3).
Anonymous/http://lawofliberty.com
Psalm 19 Joanne Beckley When I read Psalm 19, I picture the writer of this psalm awakening early, coming
out of his tent into a cold morning. As he watches the sun rise over the mountain tops, follows the light creeping toward
him, warming him, he feels the fresh hope for the new day. He rejoices in the sun’s heat, God’s gift, declaring
God wondrous glory. As he muses on this warmth, his mind
turns to reflect on how the laws of God offer the same restoration, not of his body, but of his heart–sustenance for
his life. Perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, true, and enduring forever. He thinks of how the words of God are like something
else he values and is life sustaining – gold! And yes, honey! Then his musing takes a sharp turn–inwards, toward the imperfections he knows are within himself. The sin of
presumption prompted by pride that rules over him, that affect his heart, his mouth, and his actions. He falls to his knees
and his reflections become a prayer in supplication, speaking of the warning God’s laws give concerning sin, their extent
and depth, and pleads earnestly that he might be cleansed even from secret sins. . . . “Be acceptable in Thy sight,
O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.” A wealth
of lessons can be drawn just from this psalm alone. - Creation
that speaks of God and is His wordless voice (Rom 1:20; Job 12:7; Jer 5:21).
- The law of the Lord that is powerful and can discern the soul, turning us from sin to righteousness, warning
us, condemning us, and cleansing us (Eph 6:17; Jam 1:21-25).
- The
writer reminds us that meditation should be paramount in our lives, and that these heart-thoughts be pure and acceptable (Gen
24:63; Jos 1:8; Psa 1:2; 4:4;1Tim 4:13-15. Notice 1 Chr 16:9 and its connection to meditation!).
God is indeed our rock and our Redeemer. The Heavens are telling of the glory of God. Today we are bombarded with evolution being taught as provable fact when in actuality
it is a philosophy that cannot prove its own existence, a religion that requires no accountability. We are living within a
society that is galloping down the wide road of self, “I am God”. Marriage laws are changing, crime and greed
are in our face, and AIDS is next door. Yet God continues
to give the world light and warmth from the sun morning after morning after morning! The innumerable stars shine for us, there
to be read. Indeed, the proof of His existence is in front of us in every breath we take. Just by observation David was lead
to conclude that God’s hand created our amazing world. And here we stand, 3000 years later, able to explore with absolute
amazement the intricacies of the single cell and the outer reaches of the Universe! One of the most useful exercises we might
make is to learn yet more and more about our amazing world (video, photos, documents). Read the scriptures, one right after
the other, that describe this gift of God for mankind, giving absolute prove of His deity: Genesis 1; Job 12:7-10; Job 38-39;
Psalm 19:1-6; Psalm 8; Acts 14:17. Can you think of others? Let
us not be a foolish and senseless people, “Who have eyes, but see not, who have ears, but hear not”. Jeremiah
5:21 thus brings us right back to the psalmist’s meditation concerning the law of the Lord. The law of the Lord is perfect. Verses 7-9 create
a wonderful comparison with a rich source of meaning to dwell on when we meditate at the close of the day, in the night watches,
or whenever we sit in quietness. Try this excellent exercise: Draw a box with four columns. Label each column: subject, description,
action, and what the law acts upon. Fill in the boxes and then take each item and define/describe it. | The Law of the Lord | is perfect | restoring | the soul | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The Word
of God is to be more desirable than gold or honey– precious gifts from God. For when we understand the sharp sword of
the Lord’s words, we will understand the true value of His law. God could have withheld His words that can warn and
heal. He could have destroyed us without hope. But His righteousness demands justice, both of Himself and from us. The wonder
of fearing the Lord. Acquit me of hidden
faults. And so we examine ourselves.
We allow life’s temptations and trials to test us in order to see if we really are “in the faith”
(2 Cor 13:5). Do we have the humility to recognize when we step past what God has allowed? Is pride ruling our thoughts, words
and actions? Think of examples in the Bible of men and women who spoke or acted without divine permission, or supposed that
God would not judge their sin, or acted like they were righteous. There is even a warning not to make plans without God. Truly,
our pride can bring us down. Humility is a strange animal.
For when we claim to be humble, we have just lost it! Truly, it is ONLY through constant study and appreciation of God and
His gift of the law, and an admiration of the power of His creation, that we can keep ourselves in our rightful place before
Him. Of course, as I write and subsequently teach this
lesson, I, of all students, must fight presumptuous sin.
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I waited patiently for the LORD;
And
He inclined to me,
And heard my cry.
He also brought
me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay,
And
set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps.
He has put a new song in my mouth—
Praise to our
God;
Many will see it and fear,
And
will trust in the LORD.
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We must wait patiently. God has heard out cry. He will help and
will put a new song in our heart.
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Blessed is that man who makes the LORD his trust,
And
does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works
Which You have done;
And
Your thoughts toward us
Cannot be recounted to You in order;
If I would declare and speak of them,
They
are more than can be numbered.
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God does not want empty works without faith, but rather faith that delights
in doing His will.
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Sacrifice and offering You did not desire;
My ears
You have opened.
Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require.
Then I said, “Behold, I come;
In the scroll of the
book it is written of me.
I delight to do Your will, O my God,
And
Your law is within my heart.”
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We must trust in the Lord by remembering all the wonderful works He has
done for us.
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I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness
In
the great assembly;
Indeed, I do not restrain my lips,
O
LORD, You Yourself know.
I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart;
I
have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation;
I have not
concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth
From the great assembly
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Our delight in the will of the Lord should spill over into our speech,
proclaiming God's lovingkindness, faithfulness, salvation and truth.
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Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O LORD;
Let
Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve me.
For innumerable evils have surrounded me;
My
iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up;
They
are more than the hairs of my head;
Therefore my heart fails me.
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When we are persecuted because of man's sins or if guilt is pressing
deep into our conscience, we must remember and petition for God's lovingkindness and mercy He provides for tender, repentant
hearts.
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Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me;
O LORD, make
haste to help me!
Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion
Who
seek to destroy my life;
Let them be driven backward and brought
to dishonor
Who wish me evil.
Let them be confounded
because of their shame,
Who say to me, “Aha, aha!”
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When others hurt us, the first thing we must remember to do is to go
to God in prayer. Trust in God to help with the problem, rather than use our own judgment and actions which, so often, is
based on emotion.
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Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
Let
such as love Your salvation say continually,
“The LORD be
magnified!”
But I am poor and needy;
Yet
the LORD thinks upon me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
Do not delay, O my God.
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Let us all humble ourselves and magnify the Lord, being glad and
rejoicing in His help and salvation He so kindly bestows on us!
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. introducing KATHEY FREEMAN It is, with pleasure, that
I introduce Kathey Freeman, who has agreed to take care of the Comfort in Affliction page. This page is going back to the
old format of dealing with comfort and encouragement for any type of trials, not just illness. I've put the Chronic Illness and ICI page back on and that page will deal with various illnesses as well as illness in general. I met Kathey over 25 years ago when her husband was stationed at Homestead Air Force Base in south
Florida. We soon developed a close relationship and she became a trustworthy friend. Her humble, quiet demeanor
and her love for God's word always made an impression on me and, through her example, I was encouraged and strengthened. As you scroll down you'll see a comment box where you can write Kathey if you have any questions
or comments. Here's Kathey's introduction:
. Introduction by Kathey Freeman  I am 54 years old, and I live in San Antonio, Texas. My husband, Doug, was in the United States
Air Force for 29 years before retiring 2 ½ years ago. Moving with the Air Force was very difficult for me, physically,
but we have traveled to many places and have been so blessed by the Christians that came into our lives along the way.
We moved back to San Antonio shortly before Doug retired, and we worship with the West Ave. church of Christ in San Antonio.
We have two wonderful children.
Our son, Joshua, is 20 years old and is a junior at Texas A & M University in College Station. Our daughter, Elizabeth,
is 18 and will soon be a freshman at A & M. I used to agonize over the fact that they had never known what it was
like to have a mother who wasn’t sick, but they have been such blessings in my life. I have not had diabetes as long, but I have lived with
lupus and fibromyalgia for a long time. It is my hope that any coping skills that I have learned can be a benefit to
others.
It is hard to realize sometimes that chronic
illness has been a part of my life for over twenty years. The symptoms were starting even before that, but it took my
pregnancy with my first child, Joshua, to “bring on” the hormonal changes that caused me to develop lupus.
Of course, like virtually everyone
who lives with chronic illness, my diagnosis did not come quickly. When I was pregnant, I was told that it was “just
pregnancy” (even though severe joint pain did not seem to me to be a very common symptom of pregnancy). Then after
Joshua was born, I was told that “of course you’re tired - you have a baby”. The overwhelming fatigue
was far more than just being tired, but it was still nine months after Josh was born before any lab work was done. The
results came back immediately indicating systemic lupus, but I would not have a firm diagnosis until a year and a half later
when I was pregnant with my daughter, Elizabeth.
“Fibromyalgia syndrome” first started being mentioned when I would go to the doctor with severe pain and fatigue,
but the lab work would not indicate that I was in a lupus flare. I now know that about 50% of lupus patients end up
with fibromyalgia, but in those days, many doctors believed that fibromyalgia symptoms were just “all in people’s
heads”.
I have a family
history of diabetes, but my sister has hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), and my lab results had always been good so I
let myself be lulled into a false sense of security. Two years ago, I started having very severe headaches, and I once
again started thinking that I was in a lupus flare although this time the symptoms did not feel quite the same.
I went in for the obligatory lab work and was surprised when there was a message a few hours later on our answering machine
that I needed to call the doctor immediately. Although it really
should not have been a surprise, the diagnosis came that I never expected: diabetes.
Of course, now I am in the all too familiar “vicious circle”. Because
of lupus, I have a weakened immune system, but when I am sick with flu, viruses, etc. my blood sugar gets out of control.
I wish that I could say that I always handled this well,
but the truth is that there were far too many times that I was bitter and overwhelmed. As a Christian, I had definite
ideas (and still do) of what a good wife and mother should be, but, as incredulous as it sounds, it had never occurred
to me what would happen if I physically could not do the things that I thought I needed to do for my family. I have
learned, of course, that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). My
chronic illness has not changed, but, hopefully, my acceptance of it and dependence on the Lord has grown. I know the
frustration and bitterness that can come when a body doesn’t do what you want it to do. I also know the blessings
and peace that can come through Christ and His Word.
Isn’t
this a wonderful promise? “And
God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There
shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Rev. 21:4
. Burned Biscuits author unknown
When I was a little boy, my mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night
in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. On that evening so long ago, my mom placed a plate
of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my
dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that
night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that biscuit and eat every bite!
When I got up
from the table that evening, I remember hearing my mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget
what he said: "Baby, I love burned biscuits."
Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I
asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your Mamma put in a hard day at
work today and she's real tired. And besides - a little burnt biscuit never hurt anyone!"
You know, life is
full of imperfect things.....and imperfect people. I'm not the best housekeeper or cook. What I've learned over the years
is that learning to accept each other's faults - and choosing to celebrate each other's differences - is one of the most important
keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.
And that's my prayer for you today. That you will
learn to take the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of your life and lay them at the feet of God. Because in the end, He's
the only One who will be able to give you a relationship where a burnt biscuit isn't a deal-breaker! We could extend this
to any relationship in fact - as understanding is the basis of any relationship, be it a husband-wife or parent-child or friendship! .
. Victory in Jesus Kathey Freeman
“Le Tour de France”. For cycling enthusiasts,
“the tour” is the ultimate achievement. The annual ride covers a distance of more than 2,000 miles over
a three week period of time (actually 23 days) through some of the most difficult terrain in the world. It is
really hard, and a rider can’t just decide he is going to go ride in the “tour de France” and sign up:
he has to be selected by a team and, even then, only certain teams can participate. I would not normally have ever sat down and watched a bicycle race on television.
My husband, Doug, started riding about 12 years ago when he decided that he enjoyed riding a bicycle a lot more than he liked
running in order to stay physically fit for the Air Force.
When I first started watching “the tour” with Doug, my first thought was “this is really boring”.
As the years have passed, however, I have forged a vicarious bond with some of the riders, and I find myself cheering for
specific individuals that I really hope will be able to endure. For me, the Tour de France has become a metaphor for
overcoming obstacles in life, and there are spiritual lessons that can be learned from it. (1) The course is rough. There are flat areas
where the riders can go very fast without a lot of effort, but there are also very difficult mountainous areas with steep
climbs and dangerous curves.
That’s a little like life isn’t it? I don’t know of anyone who wants more obstacles to come into their
life. What we are told in God’s word, though, is: “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace
with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice
in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces
perseverance; and perseverance, character, and character, hope.” (Romans 5:1-4) (2) The tour is easily the most physically challenging athletic
event in the world. While every rider hopes to have that coveted “yellow jersey,” it is such an honor to be in
the “Tour de France,” that even finishing last is a wonderful achievement– because the rider made it and
was able to endure to the end.
I often contemplate that such an encouraging letter was written while Paul was in prison, but he knew the prize that would
be waiting for him when he said, “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting
those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize
of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14) (3) No one can win “the tour,” or even one of the stages, without
teamwork. Teammates are responsible for helping each other set the pace, and the rider who they expect to win doesn’t
ride out front for most of each stage. Someone (or more than one) rides in front so there is less air drag for the person
behind, and they can set the pace for the rest of the riders. That way, the rider doesn’t use up all of his energy
trying to stay out front. Or, worst of all – not be able to finish. Something happened in this year’s race that I thought was deeply touching. There
were two brothers, Frank and Andy Schleck from Luxembourg, who were close to winning the second and third spots on the
winner’s podium. In the end, Andy was in second place and Frank was in fifth place, but Frank did win the 17th
stage of the tour which covered 105 miles through the Alps. He did so with the help of his younger brother, Andy, who
“rode his heart out” to set the pace and help his brother stay in front. Andy was in front so much of the
way that he could have easily (it seemed to me) pressed on and taken the first place position himself, but he worked hard
so that his brother would win that stage.
I don’t believe that God intended for us to try to get to heaven without taking others with us. While some seem
to get more than their fair share of problems, we all face difficulties in our lives that can drag us down if we are not careful.,
but we don’t have to endure it alone. Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and
I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find
rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
Do you not
know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 1
Cor. 9:24
. God is Love Kathey
Freeman
One of our members here at West Ave. recently lost her
mother after a lengthy illness, and that evening her husband got up to lead a song during our monthly song service.
When I saw that he would be leading “It Is Well With My Soul,” I thought to myself, “well he’s a lot
stronger than I would be since, even under normal conditions, sometimes I can’t sing that song without crying.” As he began to lead the song, it became clear that he
would not be able to lead it without being overcome by emotion. By the time that he tried to lead the second verse,
one of our other song leaders stepped out, went to the front, and took over for him. Although our “theme”
for the evening was “fruit of the spirit,” I believe that in a very short period of time we had a wonderful lesson
on “comfort in affliction”.
(1) The family sought God and being with His children during their time of sorrow. “Therefore humble
yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for
you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7)
(2) When there was an immediate need, a Christian brother did not hesitate to step up and lend a hand. “By
this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”
(1 John 3:16) (3) It
doesn’t have to be an elaborate grand gesture to touch someone’s heart. “Let the word of
Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing
with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving
thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:16-17) (4) My children, Josh and Elizabeth, were deeply touched, as we all were, and the
godly example that was set that night will be remembered long after we may have forgotten which songs were led.
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He
who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8)
. It is Well With My Soul Phillip P. Bliss When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has
taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul. Though
Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless
estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul. My sin,
oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it
no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! For
me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death
as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul. But,
Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh trump of the angel! Oh
voice of the Lord!
Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul! And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump
shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul. It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
H. G Spafford
The history of this hymn is no secret, but it is a deeply
moving story that is worth remembering. Horatio G. Spafford was a successful Chicago lawyer who invested heavily in
real estate around the Lake Michigan area. The Chicago fire of 1871 ruined him financially, and the tragedy was compounded
by the fact that he had lost his son shortly before that. Two years following the fire, Spafford planned to take his
wife and four daughters to Europe, but at the last minute he had a business transaction and sent them on ahead intending to
join them a few days later. Their ship was struck by another vessel, and Spafford’s four daughters were lost at
sea. He received a cable from his wife with the two simple words, “saved alone”, and he wrote the words
to “It Is Well With My Soul” as he traveled to meet up with his wife. Phillip P. Bliss was so impressed with H.G. Spafford’s experience and words that he
wrote the music that together with Spafford’s text became the hymn “It Is Well With My Soul”.
. Are You Praying? Kathey Freeman
In 2 Peter 1:2-4, Peter tells us that “Grace and peace
be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain
to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly
great and precious promises….”
Being sick, or injured, or grieving or ANYTHING that causes us to feel alone can also help to separate us from
God. I do not believe it is an accident that some of the most beautiful and comforting words that we have recorded in
the Bible were expressed by men such as the apostle Paul when he was in prison (Philippians) and David after he fled for his
life from his enemies. God has given us what we need to know that pertains to life and godliness. He doesn’t
need us to pray to Him; we need Him and we need to demonstrate our dependence on Him. That is not the American way, though. Americans, especially, like to believe we are
in charge of our own destinies. It is, I believe, the reason that we often, even among Christians, have a hard time
dealing with adversities in our lives.
I put myself in that same category because, as a young person, I had tried very hard to live the life that I thought God wanted
me to live. I sort of laugh to myself now when I hear people talk about their “five year plans” because
I have had many times over the years when I could not plan five minutes much less five years. Doug and I had been married almost eleven years before Joshua was born so I had etched into
my brain the “perfect” little life that was awaiting me with this child that I had wanted for so long. Of course,
that is when Satan came roaring in, and not only did I get sick, Josh had to have surgery when he was a month old which I
was not physically able to handle. By the time we finally got to go home from the hospital, I was mentally and physically
exhausted. I knew, without a doubt, that Josh was my gift from God. So why was all of this happening to me? Well…why
not? I believe in the
power of prayer, and I do not hesitate to pray for others and to ask others to pray for anyone that I know is in need of petitions
to God. So, you can imagine my surprise when I recently read a verse I have no memory of noticing before.
The words jumped off of the page at me, and I have been thinking about them ever since. “And in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his
malady was severe; yet in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but the physicians. So Asa rested with his fathers;
he died in the forty-first year of his reign.” (2 Chronicles 16:12-13) Asa was not one of the “bad”
kings; in fact, at least in part of his life, it is recorded that “Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as
did his father David.” (1 Kings 15:11) In the end, however, there is every indication that he died in misery
because he “did not seek the Lord”.
That passage brought to my mind an incident that happened to me a number of years ago. I had to have an IVP with contrast
, which is a test, basically, of kidney function. I have had them before, but I have previously had a bad reaction to
the contrast, and I absolutely was not wanting to have that test, even though I knew I had no choice. Whenever I have
to go through unpleasant medical tests, I try to do two things: (1) I think about others who have had to have much worse medical
procedures than I have had, and (2) I pray. As the technician was getting the IV ready, I was laying there with my eyes
closed, and she said, “are you praying?” At first, I was startled that she asked that, but I answered,
“well, yes, as a matter of fact, I am”. She then asked, “are you a Christian?” Again,
I responded, “yes”. The technician then said, “well, I am going to pray for you, too”, and she
proceeded to pray before starting the test. At first, I was somewhat speechless, but it was the most comforting
experience that I have ever had during a medical procedure.
I would like to think that I have always depended on the Lord like I should have, but there have been times in my life
when I have felt overwhelmed and alone. Yet, even when I felt that way, I was not alone and others were praying for
me. Ever since I read 2 Chronicles 16 and was reminded about Asa and how he did not seek the Lord for his disease, I
am trying to remind myself every day, “are you praying?”. Paul told us what to do when he wrote (in prison) to the Philippians to “Be anxious
for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and
the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians
4:8) That is our comfort. Are you praying?
, Count Them One by One
Perhaps we have
not counted
All our blessings one by one;
Perhaps we have not bothered
To remember whence they come;
And
maybe we have taken
Just for granted all the things
That the good Lord has created
And the gifts that nature
brings.
The autumn hills in glory robed,
A golden field of grain,
A sunset's dazzling splendor
Or the
Milky Way's great plain,
The starry sky's sublimity,
The ocean's mighty power,
The wonder of creation
In
the petal of a flower.
And so if we have failed to show
By word or act or deed
That we are thankful unto Him
Who fills our daily need,
May this day show we're grateful
When we add up all the sum
Of the blessings we
remember,
As we count them one by one.
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