Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Longing to Reflect His Image

Proverbs 22:11  "He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the King shall be his friend."

MB 26  "By faith we behold Him here and now.  In our daily experience we discern His goodness and compassion in the manifestation of His providence.  We recognize Him in the character of His Son.  The Holy Spirit takes the truth concerning God and Him whom He hath sent, and opens it to the understanding and to the heart.  The pure in heart see God in a new and endearing relation, as their Redeemer;  and while they discern the purity and loveliness of his character, they long to reflect His image.  They see Him as a father longing to embrace a repenting son, and their hearts are filled with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

I long to be like Him so much and feel like I have a very long way to go to fulfill my longing.  Is that the way you feel.  We really can't base our Christian growth on feelings because Satan is always trying to interfere in our life and make us feel bad towards God and that God doesn't love us and help us in our great time of need.  But we all know that Satan is a liar and an accuser, so we just trust the promises of God and not listen to Satan's promptings.  Isn't that right. We must train ourselves to trust in God in all things.  Grandma Joan

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Blessed Are The Mourners.

Matthew 5:4  "Blessed are the mourners; for they shall be comforted."

MB 9  "The mourning here brought to view is true heart sorrow for sin.  Jesus says, 'I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.'  John 12:32.  And as one is drawn to behold Jesus uplifted on the cross, he discerns the sinfulness of humanity.  He sees that it is sin which scourged and crucified the Lord of glory.  He sees that, while he has been loved with unspeakable tenderness, his life has been a continual scene of ingratitude and rebellion.  He has forsaken his best Friend and abused heaven's most precious gift.  He has crucified to himself the Son of God afresh and pierced anew that bleeding and stricken heart.  He is separated from God by a gulf of sin that is broad and black and deep, and he mourns in brokenness of heart.
      Such mourning  'shall be comforted'.  God reveals to us our guilt that we may flee to Christ, and
  through Him be set free from the bondage of sin, and rejoice in the liberty of the sons of God.  In true contrition we may come to the foot of the cross, and there leave our burdens."

Shall we leave our burdens there at the cross with Him?  It is such a relief to know that we have been forgiven and cleansed from all our guilt and sin.  Will you join me there?  Grandma Joan

Monday, April 28, 2014

Our Daily Needs

All creation has needs, we have needs, the animals have needs, so do the birds, and vegetation needs food and water too.  Some needs are greater than others, but a need is a need great or small.

Psalms 145:15,16  "The eyes of all wait upon Thee; And Thou givest them their meat in due season.  Thou openest Thine hand, and satifiest the desire of every living thing."


SC 9  "Nature and revelation alike testify of God's love.  Our Father in heaven is the source of life, of wisdom , and of joy.  Look at the wonderful and beautiful things of nature.  Think of their marvelous adaptation to the needs and happiness, not only of man, but of all living creatures.  The sunshine and the rain, that gladden and refresh the earth, the hills and seas and plains, all speak to us of the Creator's love.  It is God who supplies the daily needs of all His creatures.

Don't you just love all nature, the birds, I love the birds and animals, even fish.  I love goldfish and Koi, they are so beautiful.  My favorite spot is outdoors in God's beauty.  We can beautify our homes but God's beauty surpasses everything in my opinion.Then there are the trees, shrubs, flowers, gardens.  So much and it all comes from our Creator.  Let's not forget to thank Him for all He does for us.  Grandma Joan

Sunday, April 27, 2014

The Pharisee's Prayer

Luke 18:10-12  "Two men went up to the temple to pray one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men--extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.  I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess."

MB 6  "In the days of Christ the religious leaders of the people felt that they were rich in spiritual treasure.  The prayer of the Pharisee, "God, I thank Thee, that I am not as the rest of men.'  Luke 18:11, expressed the feeling of his class and, to a great degree, of the whole nation.  But in the throng that surrounded Jesus there were some who had a sense of their spiritual poverty.  When in the miraculous draft of fishes the divine power of Christ was revealed, Peter fell at the Saviour's feet, exclaiming, 'Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.  Luke 5:8; so in the multitude gathered upon the mount there were souls who, in the presence of His purity, felt that they were 'wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked' Revelation 3:17; and they longed for 'the grace of God that bringeth salvation' Titus 2:11.  In these souls, Christ's words of greeting awakened hope; they saw that their lives were under the benediction of God."

There is hope in Jesus for all of us.  We need to feel our need of a Savior and He accepts us as sons and daughters.  I want to be in his family, don't you?  Grandma Joan

Saturday, April 26, 2014

The Merciful

Matthew 5:7  "Blessed are the Merciful for they shall obtain mercy."

MB 21,22  "The heart of man is by nature cold and dark and unloving; whenever one manifests a spirit of mercy and forgiveness, he does it not of himself, but through the influence of the divine Spirit moving upon his heart. 'We love because He first loved us.' 1 John 4:19.
     God is Himself the source of all mercy.  His name is  'merciful and gracious'.  Exodus 34:6.  He does not treat us according to our desert.  He does not ask if we are worthy of His love, but He pours upon us the riches of His love, to make us worthy.  He is not vindictive.  He seeks not to punish, but to redeem.  Even the severity which He manifests through His providences is manifested for the salvation of the wayward.  He yearns with intense desire to relieve the woes of men and to apply His balsam to their wounds.  It is true that God 'will by no means clear the guilty'  Exodus 34:7, but He would take away the guilt."

Can you imagine all our guilt wiped away?  What a relief that would be, never to suffer guilt again.  But that is just what He wants to do for us.  Why not let Him wipe away our guilt and be free from it forever.  Sounds good to me, how about you?  Grandma Joan

Friday, April 25, 2014

A Spring that Never Runs Dry

Micah 6:8  "He has shown thee O man what is good, and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God."

MB22  "The merciful are 'partakers of the divine nature', and in them the compassionate love of God finds expression.  All whose hearts are in sympathy with the heart of Infinite Love will seek to reclaim and not condemn.  Christ dwelling in the soul is a spring that never runs dry.  Where He abides there will be an overflowing of beneficence.
     To the appeal of the erring, the tempted, the wretched victims of want and sin, the Christian does not ask, Are they worthy? but, how can I benefit them?  In the most wretched, the most debased, he sees souls whom Christ died to save and for whom God has given to His children the ministry of reconciliation."

When you see people, do you see souls for whom Christ died for?  We need to be merciful and partakers of the divine nature and a spring that never runs dry.  I want to be like that, don't you?  Grandma Joan












Thursday, April 24, 2014

Bread From Heaven

MB 18,19  "No human agent can supply that which will satisfy the hunger and thirst of the soul.  But Jesus says,
Revelation 3:20  "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:  if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me."

John 6:35  "I  am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst."
    As we need food to sustain our physical strength, so do we need Christ, the Bread from heaven, to sustain our spiritual life and impart strength to work the works of God.  As the body is continually receiving the nourishment that sustains life and vigor, so the soul must be constantly communing with Christ, submitting to Him and depending wholly upon Him.
     As the weary traveler seeks the spring in the desert and, finding it, quenches his burning thirst, so will the Christian thirst for and obtain the pure water of life, of which Christ is the fountain."

Don't you want to drink at that fountain of Living Water which is Christ, and never thirst again.  I do and I need Him more and more as the days go by and life's problems come upon me. I pray for you each day and ask you to pray for me.  Grandma Joan

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Who Is Worthy?

Matthew 11:28 "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest."

MB 8  "All who have a sense of their deep soul poverty, who feel that they have nothing good in themselves, may find righteousness and strength by looking unto Jesus.  He says, 'Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden.'  Matthew 11:28.  He bids you exchange your poverty for the riches of His grace.  We are not worthy of God's love, but Christ our surety, is worthy, and is abundantly able to save all who shall come unto Him.  Whatever may have been your past experience, however discouraging your present circumstances, if you will come to Jesus just as you are, weak, helpless, and despairing, our compassionate Saviour will meet you a great way off, and will throw about you His arms of love and His robe of righteousness.  He presents us to the Father clothed in white raiment of His own character.  He pleads before God in our behalf, saying; 'I have taken the sinner's place.  Look not upon this wayward child, but look on Me.  Does Satan plead loudly against our souls, accusing of sin, and claiming us as his prey, the blood of Christ pleads with greater power."

What a privilege we have in Jesus who goes to the Father in our place, pleading our cause before Him and telling Him that He has taken our place.  And He did take our place so that we could be saved eternally with Him.  What a Savior!!!  Grandma Joan

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

It Is For Our Profit.

Hebrews 12:10  "For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He (God) for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness."

MB 10  "The savior's words have a message of comfort to those also who are suffering affliction or bereavement.  Our sorrows do not spring out of the ground.  God 'doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.'  Lamentations 3:33.  When He permits trials and afflictions, it is 'for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness.'  Hebrews 12:10.  If receive in faith, the trial that seems so bitter and hard to bear will prove a blessing.  The cruel blow that blights the joys of earth will be the means of turning our eyes to heaven.  How many there are who would never have known Jesus had not sorrow led them to seek comfort in Him!
     The trials of life are God's workmen, to remove the impurities and roughness from our character.  Their hewing, squaring, and chiseling, their burnishing and polishing, is a painful process; it is hard to be pressed down to the grinding wheel.  But the stone is brought forth prepared to fill its place in the heavenly temple.  Upon no useless material does the Master bestow such careful, thorough work.  Only His precious stones are polished after the similitude of a palace."

I want to be one of His precious stones, don't you? Grandma Joan
   

Monday, April 21, 2014

Is It The Enemy?

Job 5:17-19  "Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; therefore do  not despise the chastening of the Almighty.  For He bruises, but He binds up; He wounds, but His hands make whole.  He shall deliver you in six troubles, yes, in seven no evil shall touch you."

MB 11  "When tribulation comes upon us, how many of us are like Jacob!  We think it is the hand of an enemy; and in the darkness we wrestle blindly until our strength is spent, and we find no comfort or deliverance.  To Jacob the divine touch at break of day revealed the One with whom he had been contending--the Angel of the covenant ; and, weeping and helpless he fell upon the breast of infinite love, to receive the blessing for which his soul longed.  We also need to learn that trials mean benefit, and not to despise the chastening of the Lord nor faint when we are rebuked of Him."

There comes a time of healing from the Lord as Jacob found out and when it comes it is such a relief we usually fall on our knees and thank Him for seeing us through and thank Him that it was He who was chastening us and not the enemy.  Let's remember to accept the chastening of the Lord, even though it seems hard at the time.  Keep your faith built up in Him.  Grandma Joan

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Keep Looking Up And Beholding.

2 Corinthians 3:18  "But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."

MB 12  "God would not have us remain pressed down by sorrow, with sore and breaking hearts.  He would have us look up and behold His dear face of love.  The blessed Savior stands by many whose eyes are so blinded by tears that they do not discern Him in simple faith, permitting Him to guide us.  His heart is open to our griefs, our sorrows, and our trials.  He has loved us with an everlasting love and with loving kindness compassed us about.  We may keep the heart stayed upon Him and meditate upon His loving kindness all the day.  He will lift the soul above the daily sorrow and perplexity, into a realm of peace.
    Think of this children of suffering and sorrow, and rejoice in hope.  'This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.'  1 John 5:4"

I hope that these last few blogs have helped anyone suffering under sorrow, pain and trials.  It has helped me a lot.  It's been two years yesterday that my husband passed away and I have healed so much lately, it's hard to believe how much I have overcome my sorrow and look forward in faith to the first resurrection to see him again.  God is so good and true to His promises  We should all love Him sooooo much.  Grandma Joan


Saturday, April 19, 2014

Self supremacy

Galatians 2:20  "I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

MB 15  "He who beholds Christ in His self-denial, His lowliness of heart, will be constrained to say, as did Daniel, when he beheld One like the sons of men, 'My comeliness was turned in me into corruption.' Daniel 10:8.  The independence and self-supremacy in which we glory are seen in their true vileness as tokens of servitude to Satan.  Human nature is ever struggling for expression, ready for contest; but he who learns of Christ is emptied of self, of pride, of love of supremacy, and there is silence in the soul.  Self is yielded to the disposal of the Holy Spirit.  Then we are not anxious to have the highest place.  We have no ambition to crowd, and elbow ourselves into notice, but we feel that our highest place is at the feet of our Savior.  We wait for Jesus, waiting for His hand to lead, listening for His voice to guide.  The Apostle Paul had this experience when he quoted the above verse.

This is the experience that each one of us need, to be happy and at peace with God and with ourselves.
Grandma Joan

Friday, April 18, 2014

Love Is The Way

1 Corinthians 13:4-8  "Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil, rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.  Love never faileth."

MB 16  "It is love of self that destroys our peace.  While self is all alive, we stand ready continually to guard it from mortification and insult; but when we are dead, and our life is hid with Christ in God, we shall not take neglects or slights to heart.  We shall be dead to reproach and blind to scorn and insult.
    Happiness drawn from earthly sources is as variable as circumstances can make it; but the peace of Christ is a constant abiding peace.  It does not depend upon any circumstances in life, on the amount of worldly goods or the number of earthly friends.  Christ is the fountain of living water, and happiness drawn from Him can never fail."

Now we know where the source of true happiness comes from and sorrow, depression and grief can flee away.  Isn't that a wonderful thing for all of us?  I love that thought and trust that is exactly what He will do for us when we give it to Him.  Grandma Joan

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Not By Painful Struggles

Matthew 5:6  "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled."

MB 18  "Righteousness is love, and love is the light and the life of God.  The righteousess of God is embodied in Christ.  We receive righteousness by receiving Him.
      Not by painful struggles or wearisome toil, not by gift or sacrifice, is righteousness obtained, but it is freely given for every soul who hungers and thirsts to receive it.  'Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye buy, and eat....without money and without price.'  'Their righteousness is of Me, saith the Lord.' and, 'This is His name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.'  Isaiah 55:1; 54:17; Jeremiah 23:6.

Aren't you glad you don't have to struggle painfully to receive Christ's righteousness, it is freely given to all those who hunger and   thirsts to receive it.  I so long to be like Him, and yet sometimes I feel like I am far from that, other times I feel like I am growing in His love.  That's why we cannot go on our feelings, they fool us a lot.  If we pray to receive His righteousness, and we are sincere in wanting it, we will receive it because He has promised.  That's all we need is His promise.  What a loving God we serve.  Grandma Joan

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Meekness and Humility

Matthew 5:5  "Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth."

MB 14  "Patience and gentleness under wrong were not characteristics prized by the heathen or by the Jews.  The statement made by Moses under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that he was the meekest man upon the earth, would not have been regarded by the people of his time as a commendation; it would rather have excited pity or contempt.  But Jesus places meekness among the first qualifications for His Kingdom.  In His own life and character the divine beauty of this precious grace is revealed.          
     Jesus the brightness of the Father's glory, 'thought it not a thing to be grasped to be on an equality with God, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant.' Philippians 2: 6,7.  Through all the lowly experiences of life He consented to pass, walking among the children of men, not as a king, to demand homage, but as one whose mission it was to serve others. There was in His manner not taint of bigotry, no cold austerity.  The world's Redeemer had a greater than angelic nature, yet united with his divine majesty were meekness and humility that attracted all to Himself."

Meekness is a wonderful attribute in the eyes of God.  He has said the meek will inherit the earth.  I want to inherit the new earth, don't you.  It sounds wonderful where no sorrow, pain or tears will be there.
Grandma Joan

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Poor In Spirit

Matthew 5:2,3  "He opened His mouth, and taught them, saying.  'Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

MB in my references refers to the little book 'The Mount of Blessing'.  In the Bible it is Matthew 5.

MB 7 "Jesus had presented the cup of blessing to those who felt that they were 'rich, and increased with goods' (Revelation 3:17), and had need of nothing, and they had turned with scorn from the gracious gift.  He who feels whole, who thinks that he is reasonably good, and is contented with his condition, does not seek to become a partaker of the grace and righteousness of Christ.  Pride feels no need, and so it closes the heart against Christ and the infinite blessings He came to give.  There is no room for Jesus in the heart of such a person.  Those who are rich and honorable in their own eyes do not ask in faith, and receive the blessing of God.  They feel that they are full, therefore they go away empty.  Those who know that they cannot possibly save themselves, or of themselves do any righteous action, are the ones who appreciate the help that Christ can bestow.  They are the poor in spirit, whom He declares to be blessed."

I have tried to do righteous works on my own and it avails nothing.  We just can't help ourselves when it
comes to saving ourselves with our own good works.  It is Christ that works in us to do His works instead of us trying to do them.  You can wear out pretty fast in your Christian experience trying and never succeeding. He wants us to depend on Him, it is His joy to dwell in His people by His Spirit.  Grandma Joan

Monday, April 14, 2014

Living Waters

John 1:16  "Of His fullness have all we received, and grace for grace."

MB 20  "Give, and it shall be given unto you;" Luke 6:38. for the word of God is 'a fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams of Lebanon' Song of Solomon 4:15.  The heart that has once tasted the love of Christ, cries out continually for a deeper draft, and as you impart, you will receive in richer and more abundant measure.  Every revelation of God to the soul increases the capacity to know and to love.  The continual cry of the heart is 'More of Thee,' and ever the Spirit's answer is, 'Much more.' Romans 5:9,10.  For our God delights to do 'exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.' Ephesians 3:20.  To Jesus who emptied Himself for the salvation of lost humanity, the Holy Spirit was given without measure.  So it will be given to every follower of Christ when the whole heart is surrendered for His indwelling.  Our Lord Himself has given the command, 'Be filled with the Spirit' Ephesians 5:18 and this command is also a promise of it's fulfillment.  It was the good pleasure of the Father that in Christ should 'all the fullness dwell,' and 'in Him ye are made full.' Colossians 1:19 and 2:10.

Thank you Jesus for filling us with Your Holy Spirit, You are so full of love for us and we are so unworthy, but through You we can become worthy as you are worthy.  Help us to love you more and more each day.  Grandma Joan

Sunday, April 13, 2014

The Solution

Don't we all love good solutions to problems, well, I have one for you today, a very, very good one.

Matthew 11:29,30  "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."

Commentary  "If you will seek the Lord and be converted every day; if you will of your own spiritual choice be free and joyous in God; if with gladsome consent of heart to His gracious call, you come wearing the yoke of Christ, - the yoke of obedience and service, - all your murmurings will be stilled, all your difficulties will be removed, all the perplexing problems that now confront you will be solved."

What a thought, but if you think about it, it is true, when we yoke up with Him, His yoke is easy and His burden is light and then everything else comes into place.  I love this comment and it has helped me a lot through the years to do my best to keep on track. And when I learned when we yoke up with Christ, He carries the load if we will give it to Him, it makes life a lot easier. Try it!!!  It's great!!!  Grandma Joan

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Beholding

Remember my blog has changed to text and comment, I do hope you enjoy them.

Text:  John 3:14,15  "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."

Commentary  "It is only as we behold Jesus that we desire to be like Him, only as we view His righteousness that we hunger and thirst to possess it; and it is only as we ask in earnest prayer, that God will grant us our hearts desire."

This is so true, at least for me, please try beholding Him on the cross for a little while each morning and see what it does for you.  Read John chapter 18 - 21, each day until you  get the picture ingrained in your heart and mind and see if it doesn't change your life and go back and read yesterday's blog.  It is so amazing to me what it can do for you if you let it.  Grandma Joan

Friday, April 11, 2014

God's Promises Never Fail

I love to read the promises of God, they give me hope and assurance that he is in control of my life and I need not worry about the future.

2 Peter 1:2-4  "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, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."

Commentary  "God has given us His promises, which are more firm and immovable then the rocky heights.  If we would look to God for help as steadfastly as these rocky barren mountains point to the heavens above them, we should never be moved from our faith in Him."

Cling to Jesus and his promises, that is our hope in this day and age.  Grandma Joan

Thursday, April 10, 2014

It Is Peace That You Need

We all need peace of mind.  Everyone needs it, it seems a rare thing now days to be in total peace.

Isaiah 26:3  "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You."

Commentary  "It is peace that you need, money cannot buy it, intellect cannot procure it, wisdom cannot attain to it...But God offers it to you as a gift."

"Words cannot describe the peace and joy possessed by him who takes God at His word....Day by day his duties may become more taxing, his temptations stronger, his trials more severe; but he does not falter; for he receives strength equal to his need."

How true that is.  I have been going through some pretty tough trials lately and God is always there to encourage me and meet my needs.  I couldn't live without Him.  I just praise His name for His peace and care over me.  Grandma Joan

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

God Reveals His Character

Micah 7:18,19  "Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage?  He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy.  He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities, and will cast all our sins into the depeths of the sea."

SC 10  "The word of God reveals His character. He Himself has declared His infinite love and pity.  When Moses prayed, 'show me Thy glory,'  The Lord answered, 'I will make all My goodness pass before thee.'  Exodus 33:18,19.  This is His glory.  The Lord passed before Moses, and proclaimed, 'The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.'  Exodus 34:6,7  He is slow to anger, and of great kindness, because He delighteth in mercy.'  Jonah 4:2

This describes God's character to the point that there should be no question about it.  It is so wonderful I want to repeat it, if you don't mind.  Just the adjectives, merciful, gracious, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.  Slow to anger and of great kindness and delighteth in mercy.  Is there anything missing in His character?  I think not.  I want to have a character like that don't you?   Grandma Joan

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Christ Will Lift Us Up

James 4:19  "Humble yourself in the the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up."

MB 11  "Our heavenly Father is never unmindful of those whom sorrow has touched.  When David went up the Mount Olivet, 'and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot'  2 Samuel 2:15, the Lord was looking pityingly upon him.  David was clothed in sackcloth, and his conscience was scourging him.  The outward signs of humiliation testified of his contrition.  In tearful, heartbroken utterances he presented his case to God, and the Lord did not forsake His servant.  Never was David dearer to the heart of the Infinite Love than when, conscience smitten, he fled for his life from his enemies, who had been stirred to rebellion by his own son.  The Lord says, 'As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore, and repent.'   Revelation 3:19.  Christ lifts up the contrite heart and refines the mourning soul until it becomes His abode."

It's so good to know that God is mindful of our sorrow and is touched by it.  He has lifted me up out of my sorrow and refined my mourning until it becomes His abode.  I pray that He is abiding in me.  I just trust Him one day at a time.  I love that song, 'One Day at a Time.  I wish I had a recording of it.  Music is such a soothing thing for a troubled soul.  Grandma Joan

Monday, April 7, 2014

The Price Has Been Paid

What an Awesome price, the Son of God.  Who can fathom it, not me.  I am trying to understand how it can be that He would sacrifice His Son for me.

Ephesians 5:2  "And walk in love as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma."

SC 15  "The price paid for our redemption, the infinite sacrifice of our heavenly Father in giving His Son to die for us, should give us exalted conceptions of what we may become through Christ.  As the inspired apostle John beheld the height, the depth, the breadth of the Father's love toward the perishing race, he was filled with adoration and reverence; and failing to find suitable language in which to express the greatness and tenderness of this love, he called upon the world to behold it.  "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God." 1 John 3:1.  What a value this places upon man!  Through transgression the sons of man become subjects of Satan.  Through faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ the sons of Adam may become the sons of God.  By assuming human nature, Christ elevates humanity.  Fallen men are placed where, through connection with Christ, they may indeed become worthy of the name 'sons of God'"

Have you thought yourself worthless, think that way no longer.  It cost the life of the Son of God to elevate you to be a son or daughter of God.  God is our Father indeed and we can be so proud to have a Father that is King of the universe, we should tell everyone how valuable they are in the sight of God.  This is the theme for the most profound meditation!  The matchless love of God for a world that did not love Him.
Grandma Joan

Sunday, April 6, 2014

The Healing Jesus

I'm so sorry I have missed the last two days, please forgive.  I have been moving out of my home into a motorhome and just so busy I forgot to post.  Thank you all for your patience and love through all this.

One of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard is entitled 'The Healing Jesus'.  I would love to have it on my ipod.  Not sure where to find it.  Anyway, I found the most beautiful description of The Healing Jesus and want to share that with you.

Matthew 4:23,24  "And Jesus went about all Gallilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing  all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.  Then His fame went through out all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon possessed, epileptics, and paralytics and He healed them.

SC 11 "In describing His earthly mission, Jesus said, 'The Lord hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.'  Luke 4:18.  This was His work.  He went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by Satan.  There were whole villages where there was not a moan of sickness in any house, for He had passed through them and healed all their sick.  His work gave evidence of His divine anointing.  Love, mercy, and compassion were revealed in every act of His life.  His heart went out in tender sympathy to the children of men.  He took man's nature, that He might reach man;s wants.  The poorest and humblest were not afraid to approach Him.  Even little children were attracted to Him.  They loved to climb upon His knees and gaze into the pensive face, benignant with love."

Wouldn't you have loved to have been there?  I would.  But we can have His presence with us even now if we so decide.  It is up to us whether we spend time with Him or not, isn't that right?  I hope you decide it is worth it all.  I have. I have been touched by the Healing Jesus more than once and I would love to be touched again.  How about you?   Grandma Joan

Saturday, April 5, 2014

God's Love For Man

Have you every questioned God's love for you?  Some people have been so horribly abused, they don't think God loves them, that's why the abuse.  A lot of people, especially children think that it's all their fault when they are abused.  They think they deserve it.  They haven't been taught that God is love and that sin is what has caused all their pain and heartache, it isn't God.

 1 John 4:8,16  "He who does not love, does not know God, for God is love.  We have known and believed the love that God has for us.  God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him."

Those who abuse others, do not know God, because God is love and he who abides in love, abides in God.

SC 9,10  "God made man perfectly holy and happy; and the fair earth, as it came from the Creator's hand, bore no blight of decay or shadow of the curse.  It is transgression of God's law, the law of love that has brought woe and death.  Yet even amid the suffering that results from sin, God's love is revealed.  It is written that God cursed the ground for man's sake,Genesis 3:17.  The thorn and the thistle, the difficulties and trials that make his life one of toil and care, were appointed for his good as a part of the training needful in God's plan for his uplifting from the ruin and degradation that sin has wrought.  The world, though fallen, is not all sorrow and misery.  In nature itself are messages of hope and comfort.  There are flowers upon the thistles, and the thorns are covered with roses.
       "God is love" is written upon every opening bud, upon every spire of springing grass.  The lovely birds making the air vocal with their happy songs, the delicately tinted flowers in their perfection perfuming the air, the lofty trees of the forest with their rich foliage of living green, all testify to the tender, fatherly care of our God and to His desire to make His children happy."

Aren't you glad God loves you, I am, I love nature. In heaven, I think I will just live outside for a long time.
The flowers will never die, no death, sorrow or tears or sickness any more.  God loves us all and wants us to be with Him eternally.  Grandma Joan

Friday, April 4, 2014

Your Joys and Sorrows, Your Wants and Fears

Bring them all to Jesus.

Isaiah 51:11  "So the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing.  With everlasting joy on their heads.  They shall obtain joy and gladness;  Sorrow and sighing shall flee away."

Commentary  "Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares and your fears before God.  You cannot burden Him.  His heart of love is touched by our sorrows and even by our utterance of them. Nothing is too great for Him to bear, for He holds up worlds, He rules over all the affairs of the universe.  Nothing that in any way concerns our peace is too small for Him to notice."

Proverbs 16:20  "...whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he."  Trusting in Him is the true secret to happiness and overcoming sorrows, cares and fears.  It is what has brought me this far.  Grandma Joan

Thursday, April 3, 2014

There Is Always A Tomorrow

But tomorrow never comes, isn't that right.  Here is some good advice concerning tomorrow.

Matthew 6:34  "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.
Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

Commentary  "Grace for tomorrow you do not need.  You should feel that you have only to do with today.  Overcome for today; deny self for today; watch and pray for today; obtain victories in God for today."

That takes all the worries for the future away.  Can you handle that?  I think I can.  What a relief to know that we don't have to worry about anything if we will just trust in Him.  Grandma Joan

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Radiating Light

I want to radiate light, don't you?  It seems normal for a Christian to want his or her face to shine with the love of Jesus, that is what I want, to be a shining light for Him.  Let's check it out.

John 15:4,5  "Abide in Me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine; neither can you, unless you abide in Me.  I am the vine, you are the branches.  He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."

Commentary  "By contemplating the lofty ideal He has place before you, you will be uplifted into a pure and holy atmosphere, even the presence of God.  When you abide here, there goes forth from you a light which radiates all who are connected with you."

The fruit that Jesus is talking about here is found in Galatians 5:22,23.  This is some reading for you to do on your own, a good study for you to do.  Grandma Joan

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Changing My Blog -Looking to Christ

This morning I decided with God's help and direction, to change my blogging to 'Favorite Texts' and 'Favorite Commentaries'.  So from now you will read my favorite text that I love and a commentary that goes along with it.  It will be just one text and one commentary.  They will probably be a lot shorter but for the busy person that will fit in.  This will make the texts come to life for you as it does me and I have noticed that I do that a lot in my study and it helps me so much I was impressed to share these texts and thoughts with you.  I do hope you will enjoy this new idea of study and if you feel so inclined, memorize the ones that really help you.  That's what I am doing, it keeps me focused on my goal.  Let's start this day with a text from;
John 12:32 Jesus speaking of His crucifixion;  "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself."

Commentary from a little book called Gospel Workers.  "Habitually dwelling upon Christ, His exalted character and the all-sufficient merits of His sacrifice, increases faith, sharpens the imaginative powers, strengthens the longing desire to be like Him, increases holy earnestness in prayer that makes it efficacious."

We can all use our faith strengthened, it will help us to imagine just what Christ went through for us, all the pain and torture and His sacrifice was all-sufficient to cover all our sins when we repent of them, and it will increase the earnestness of our prayer life and efficacious means 'the power to bring about the desired result.
Let Him draw you to Himself that this promise will become a reality in your life.  Grandma Joan