Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."
James 3:17 "The wisdom that is from above 'is first pure."
MB24 "Into the city of God, there will enter nothing that defiles. All who are to be dwellers there will here have become pure in heart. In one who is learning of Jesus, there will be a manifest distaste for careless manners, unseemly language, and coarse thought. When Christ abides in the heart there will be purity and refinement of thought and manner.
But the words of Jesus, 'Blessed are the pure in heart,' have a deeper meaning--not merely pure in the sense in which the world understands purity, free from that which is sensual, pure from lust, but true in the hidden purposes and motives of the soul, free from pride and self-seeking, humble, unselfish, childlike."
This is a wonderful way to live, don't you think. I want to be free from pride, self-seeking, humble, unselfish, and childlike. I am sure that you want to be ready to spend eternity with Jesus. It is a wonderful goal to have, so let's strive to be there, then I can meet you face to face. I dream of that day. Grandma Joan
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
For The Good of Others
Proverbs 11:25 "The soul of blessing shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered himself also."
MB23 "The merciful, 'shall obtain mercy', there is sweet peace for the compassionate spirit, a blessed satisfaction in the life of self-forgetful service for the good others. The Holy spirit that abides in the soul and is manifest in the life will soften our hearts and awaken sympathy and tenderness. You will reap that which you sow. "Blessed is he that considereth the poor....The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and Thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. The Lord will strengthen him on the bed of languishing: Thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness." Psalms 41:1-3.
He who has given his life in ministry to His children is linked with Him who has all the resources of the universe at His command. His life is bound up by the golden chain of the immutable promises with the life of God. The Lord will not fail him in the hour of suffering and need. "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19. And in the hour of final need, the merciful shall find refuge in the mercy of the compassionate Savior and shall be received into everlasting habitations."
We use to do street work on skid row in Portland, Or. It was so rewarding and we made many friends on the street. It was an experience I will never forget. I would love to do it again. Matthew 26:11 says we will have the poor with us always. So there will always be work to do for the poor. I want to serve the poor again as soon as I can. It is such a blessing to them and more so to me. Grandma Joan.
MB23 "The merciful, 'shall obtain mercy', there is sweet peace for the compassionate spirit, a blessed satisfaction in the life of self-forgetful service for the good others. The Holy spirit that abides in the soul and is manifest in the life will soften our hearts and awaken sympathy and tenderness. You will reap that which you sow. "Blessed is he that considereth the poor....The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and Thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. The Lord will strengthen him on the bed of languishing: Thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness." Psalms 41:1-3.
He who has given his life in ministry to His children is linked with Him who has all the resources of the universe at His command. His life is bound up by the golden chain of the immutable promises with the life of God. The Lord will not fail him in the hour of suffering and need. "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19. And in the hour of final need, the merciful shall find refuge in the mercy of the compassionate Savior and shall be received into everlasting habitations."
We use to do street work on skid row in Portland, Or. It was so rewarding and we made many friends on the street. It was an experience I will never forget. I would love to do it again. Matthew 26:11 says we will have the poor with us always. So there will always be work to do for the poor. I want to serve the poor again as soon as I can. It is such a blessing to them and more so to me. Grandma Joan.
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Exchange Weakness For Power
Who wouldn't want to make this exchange, I do, without Jesus I am so very weak.
Isaiah 40:28,29 "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength."
2 Corinthians 12:9 "And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."
Commentary "Only those whose weakness and insecurity have been completely submerged in the blessed will of God know what it is to possess true power."
When we are weak, then it is that we are made strong by the everlasting God. He does not fail us.
Grandma Joan
Isaiah 40:28,29 "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength."
2 Corinthians 12:9 "And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."
Commentary "Only those whose weakness and insecurity have been completely submerged in the blessed will of God know what it is to possess true power."
When we are weak, then it is that we are made strong by the everlasting God. He does not fail us.
Grandma Joan
Monday, May 26, 2014
God Sooooo Loved
Have you ever loved someone sooooo much? I grew up without a lot of love and attention and so when I met my husband and fell in love with him, I loved him soooo much, there were times when I hated what he did or said, but I still loved him soooo much I could over look the faults. That's the way God is except He cannot overlook our faults so He did something that no one else could do. He sent His Son to save us from them.
John 3:16 "For God soooo loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
SC 14 "None but the Son of God could accomplish our redemption; for only He who was in the bosom of the Father could declare Him. Only He who knew the height and depth of the love of God could make it manifest. Nothing less than the infinite sacrifice made by Christ in behalf of fallen men could express the Father's love to lost humanity.
God soooo loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son." He gave Him not only to live among men, to bear their sins, and die their sacrifice. He gave Him to the fallen race. Christ was to identify Himself with the interests and needs of humanity. He who was one with God has linked Himself with the children of men by ties that are never to be broken. Jesus is 'not ashamed to call them brethren'. Hebrews 2:11.
He is our Sacrifice, our Advocate, our Brother, bearing our human form before the Father's throne, and through eternal ages one with the race He has redeemed--the Son of man. And all this that man might be uplifted from the ruin and degradation of sin that he might reflect the love of God and share the joy of holiness."
What love, we don't understand that kind of love, but if we let it sink into our hearts, it WILL change our lives. Yes it will. Grandma Joan
John 3:16 "For God soooo loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
SC 14 "None but the Son of God could accomplish our redemption; for only He who was in the bosom of the Father could declare Him. Only He who knew the height and depth of the love of God could make it manifest. Nothing less than the infinite sacrifice made by Christ in behalf of fallen men could express the Father's love to lost humanity.
God soooo loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son." He gave Him not only to live among men, to bear their sins, and die their sacrifice. He gave Him to the fallen race. Christ was to identify Himself with the interests and needs of humanity. He who was one with God has linked Himself with the children of men by ties that are never to be broken. Jesus is 'not ashamed to call them brethren'. Hebrews 2:11.
He is our Sacrifice, our Advocate, our Brother, bearing our human form before the Father's throne, and through eternal ages one with the race He has redeemed--the Son of man. And all this that man might be uplifted from the ruin and degradation of sin that he might reflect the love of God and share the joy of holiness."
What love, we don't understand that kind of love, but if we let it sink into our hearts, it WILL change our lives. Yes it will. Grandma Joan
Sunday, May 25, 2014
An Impossible Task
There are some things that are impossible for us to accomplish and there is one that is more impossible than any other. This subject is so important for us to realize, I hope it blesses your heart, it was such a relief when I learned this.
Job 14:4 "Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? No one."
Romans 8:7 "The carnal mind is enmity against God; for is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be."
SC 16 "It is impossible for us, of ourselves, to escape from the pit of sin in which we are sunken. Our hearts are evil, and we cannot change them. (the previous verses tell us that) Education, culture, the exercise of the will, human effort, all have their proper sphere, but here they are powerless. They may produce an outward correctness of behavior, but they cannot change the heart; they cannot purify the springs of life. There must be a power working from within, a new life from above, before men can be changed from sin to holiness. That power is Christ. His grace alone can quicken the lifeless faculties of the soul, and attract it to God, to holiness.
When I found this out, I was overwhelmed with the intents of my own heart of trying to be good, of trying to overcome in my own power. What a relief to find out that staying in the presence of God and inviting Him in to change my heart was the way of eternal life. I have been so blessed by this knowledge! Grandma Joan
Job 14:4 "Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? No one."
Romans 8:7 "The carnal mind is enmity against God; for is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be."
SC 16 "It is impossible for us, of ourselves, to escape from the pit of sin in which we are sunken. Our hearts are evil, and we cannot change them. (the previous verses tell us that) Education, culture, the exercise of the will, human effort, all have their proper sphere, but here they are powerless. They may produce an outward correctness of behavior, but they cannot change the heart; they cannot purify the springs of life. There must be a power working from within, a new life from above, before men can be changed from sin to holiness. That power is Christ. His grace alone can quicken the lifeless faculties of the soul, and attract it to God, to holiness.
When I found this out, I was overwhelmed with the intents of my own heart of trying to be good, of trying to overcome in my own power. What a relief to find out that staying in the presence of God and inviting Him in to change my heart was the way of eternal life. I have been so blessed by this knowledge! Grandma Joan
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Are there Benefits in Trusting God?
Most people are looking for benefits. Health benefits, salary raises, vacation time, sick leave and probably others too. But through my ordeal lately on trusting God I was impressed to look up the benefits that are there in trusting God. I found lots of them and I want to share them with you, if you don't mind and while I am doing this I will be blessed as well. We can always count on God!!! He never let's us down, sometimes it seems that He is but it always turns out for the best if we put ALL our trust in Him. Not in relatives or friends, but in God. Benefits? Let's see what they are.
Psalms 5:11 "But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You." The first benefit I found was joy and I never found one that says it brings peace of mind but I know there is one, just didn't find it but I know how much peace I have had since I prayed for more trust in Him. It actually is a miracle to me how much peace I have and joy. He also defends us. Now that is a great benefit too, isn't it?
Psalms 22:4,5 "Our Fathers trusted in You; they trusted and You delivered them. They cried to You, and were delivered; They trusted in You, and were not ashamed." Are we ashamed to put all our trust in God. Are we ashamed to let others know how much we trust Him and how much He loves us and praise Him for His deliverance. We should always be so thankful for His deliverance that we shout it from the roof tops, so to speak. Don't be ashamed of your faith in Him.
This should be our prayer: Psalms 25:2,3 "O my God, I trust in You, let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me. Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause." Being ashamed of God or our trust in Him must be something that is not rare because otherwise why would it be brought up like that. I think it is more prevalent than we imagine.
Who is our biggest enemy? Satan, of course, but he does use people to discourage us so don't let Satan or his helpers discourage you or me in our praising God for His help in our time of troubles.
Psalms 31:19 "Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You." He has laid up His goodness and it is already prepared for us if we trust in Him and reverence Him. He is prepared for our trials and struggles. How wonderful that is.
Psalms 40:4 "Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies." We will be blessed when we make the Lord our trust and not man. I have been guilty of trusting another person when God is whom I should put my trust. Are you guilty too. Many are, I know.
Psalms 56:3,4 "Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God I will praise His word, In God I have put my trust; I will not fear, what can flesh do to me?" What can people do to me? Nothing. if I put my trust in God and I will praise Him for the benefits He has given me for trusting in Him.
Psalms 73:28 "But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works." My trials have been good for me because they have drawn me closer to God and I am not ashamed to tell of His wondrous help to me. It has been a miracle of peace and confidence.
Guidance is a benefit He gives us too, in Proverbs 3:5,6 I will let you look that one up but it is good in these stressful times we are living in.
Isaiah 57:13 last part, "But he who puts his trust in Me shall possess the land, and shall inherit My holy mountain." The Bible teaches us that our land of Canaan and His holy mountain is the New Earth that He will make new for those who love Him and trust Him. That's not only a benefit, it is an inheritance.
See what our trusting in God does for us. It's not a dream or a worthless thought, it is forever sure and we can count on His promises and we can trust Him implicitly. This has been so good for me just now as I am facing some tests and I now know that He is for sure watching over me and guiding my life according to His will and not mine. There are a lot of lessons for me to learn in the short time I have left and I am for sure trying to learn them, one after another, but do you know? I am not discouraged over them, I trust in God all the more today because of this little study. I hope it has helped you as well. Thank you for joining me this morning. Grandma Joan
Psalms 5:11 "But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You." The first benefit I found was joy and I never found one that says it brings peace of mind but I know there is one, just didn't find it but I know how much peace I have had since I prayed for more trust in Him. It actually is a miracle to me how much peace I have and joy. He also defends us. Now that is a great benefit too, isn't it?
Psalms 22:4,5 "Our Fathers trusted in You; they trusted and You delivered them. They cried to You, and were delivered; They trusted in You, and were not ashamed." Are we ashamed to put all our trust in God. Are we ashamed to let others know how much we trust Him and how much He loves us and praise Him for His deliverance. We should always be so thankful for His deliverance that we shout it from the roof tops, so to speak. Don't be ashamed of your faith in Him.
This should be our prayer: Psalms 25:2,3 "O my God, I trust in You, let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me. Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause." Being ashamed of God or our trust in Him must be something that is not rare because otherwise why would it be brought up like that. I think it is more prevalent than we imagine.
Who is our biggest enemy? Satan, of course, but he does use people to discourage us so don't let Satan or his helpers discourage you or me in our praising God for His help in our time of troubles.
Psalms 31:19 "Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You." He has laid up His goodness and it is already prepared for us if we trust in Him and reverence Him. He is prepared for our trials and struggles. How wonderful that is.
Psalms 40:4 "Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies." We will be blessed when we make the Lord our trust and not man. I have been guilty of trusting another person when God is whom I should put my trust. Are you guilty too. Many are, I know.
Psalms 56:3,4 "Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God I will praise His word, In God I have put my trust; I will not fear, what can flesh do to me?" What can people do to me? Nothing. if I put my trust in God and I will praise Him for the benefits He has given me for trusting in Him.
Psalms 73:28 "But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works." My trials have been good for me because they have drawn me closer to God and I am not ashamed to tell of His wondrous help to me. It has been a miracle of peace and confidence.
Guidance is a benefit He gives us too, in Proverbs 3:5,6 I will let you look that one up but it is good in these stressful times we are living in.
Isaiah 57:13 last part, "But he who puts his trust in Me shall possess the land, and shall inherit My holy mountain." The Bible teaches us that our land of Canaan and His holy mountain is the New Earth that He will make new for those who love Him and trust Him. That's not only a benefit, it is an inheritance.
See what our trusting in God does for us. It's not a dream or a worthless thought, it is forever sure and we can count on His promises and we can trust Him implicitly. This has been so good for me just now as I am facing some tests and I now know that He is for sure watching over me and guiding my life according to His will and not mine. There are a lot of lessons for me to learn in the short time I have left and I am for sure trying to learn them, one after another, but do you know? I am not discouraged over them, I trust in God all the more today because of this little study. I hope it has helped you as well. Thank you for joining me this morning. Grandma Joan
Friday, May 23, 2014
A Successful Life
Everyone wants to be successful but not everyone is. Do you know that the Bible has some instruction for a successful life. It's very interesting. I wish I had read these things many years ago, and I probably did but we get a little wiser with age and our understanding gets a little better too.
Matthew 6:32,33 "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." That's pretty self explanatory.
Joshua 1:7 "Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go." That's very self explanatory too.
Philippians 3:13,14 "Brethren, I do not count myself as apprehended, (arrested) 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." It looks like from this verse that we need a goal. I think a goal is a good thing to have and it's good to have challenges to reach those goals and challenges make us better people and makes character.
Galatians 6:9 "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." So don't give up, keep on keeping on as one pastor says.
I challenge you today to have a goal and reach for it with all your heart and put God first and you will succeed. Grandma Joan
Matthew 6:32,33 "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." That's pretty self explanatory.
Joshua 1:7 "Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go." That's very self explanatory too.
Philippians 3:13,14 "Brethren, I do not count myself as apprehended, (arrested) 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." It looks like from this verse that we need a goal. I think a goal is a good thing to have and it's good to have challenges to reach those goals and challenges make us better people and makes character.
Galatians 6:9 "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." So don't give up, keep on keeping on as one pastor says.
I challenge you today to have a goal and reach for it with all your heart and put God first and you will succeed. Grandma Joan
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