August 31st, 2014

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge 

of God! How unsearchable are his judgments 

and how inscrutable his ways! 

- Romans 11:33 ESV

August 30th, 2014

"Careful For Nothing"

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7

Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.  1 Peter 5:7

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.  Isaiah 26:3

"Careful for nothing," 'tis the Shepherd's voice, "Be of good cheer," "forevermore rejoice,'' Precious the truth this message doth impart, Comforts, encourages, and cheers the heart. "Careful for nothing," wondrous love is shown, In His desire expressed thus for His own; Seeking to give them through life's pathway here Freedom from worry, care, or doubt, or fear. "Careful for nothing," for His love would share Every perplexity and every care; "In everything," whate'er the problem be, "Let your requests be made known" unto Me. Bringing thy burden then in simple prayer, Commit it all unto a Father's care; Trusting His love, from doubt and worry cease, For He desires to give thee perfect peace. Peace, rest, and joy, He giveth day by day, His perfect peace, which nought can take away: Peace, that the world can never understand, Peace, that comes only from a Father's hand. What richer portion could one ever find, Than perfect peace of heart, and rest of mind? And 'tis His promise, He will safely keep, Throughout life's pathway, every single sheep. "Careful for nothing," to be then content, All He allows is for thy blessing sent; "In everything give thanks" unto the Lord,— All will work out for good; it is His Word. "Careful for nothing," what is there to fear Since He has promised to be ever near? "Careful for nothing," what-so-e'er betide, Peace is thy portion, with Him at thy side.       —Lois Beckwith

August 29th, 2014

August 27th, 2014

1. God moves in a mysterious way
   His wonders to perform;
   He plants His footsteps in the sea
   And rides upon the storm.
2. Deep in unfathomable mines
   Of never failing skill
   He treasures up His bright designs
   And works His sov’reign will.
3. Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
   The clouds ye so much dread
   Are big with mercy and shall break
   In blessings on your head.
4. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
   But trust Him for His grace;
   Behind a frowning providence
   He hides a smiling face.
5. His purposes will ripen fast,
   Unfolding every hour;
   The bud may have a bitter taste,
   But sweet will be the flow’r.
6. Blind unbelief is sure to err
   And scan His work in vain;
   God is His own interpreter,
   And He will make it plain.
7. -William Cowper

August 26th, 2014

IS any thing too hard for the LORD? Gen. 18:14)

God wants us to ask Him for the impossible!  God can do things that man cannot do.  He would not be God if this were not so.  That is why He has graciously made prayer a law of life.  "If ye shall ask...I will do"  This inviting promise from the Lord means that He will do for us what we cannot do for ourselves; He will do for others what we cannot do for them--if we but ask Him.  How little do we avail ourselves of this immense privilege!

Someone spoke this searching word at Edinburgh in 1910: "We have lost the eternal youthfulness of Christianity, and have aged into calculating manhood.  We seldom pray in earnest for the extraordinary, the limitless, the glorious.  We seldom pray with any confidence, for any good to the realization of which we cannot imagine a way.  And yet, we suppose ourselves to believe in an Infinite Father."  The natural man calculates results.  Calculations have no place in our relation with God.

  That matter which has been so burdening us just now, and with which we can see no way of dealing, how are we praying about it?  In anxiety, or with thanksgiving? Worrying prayer defeats its own answer; rejoicing prayer gets through.  "In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."  Then will come the answer "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think."
The more we are cut off from human help, the greater claim we can make on Divine help.  The more impossible a thing is to human or mortal power, the more at peace can we be when we look to Him for deliverance.  "Only those who see the invisible can do the impossible!"

-From Springs in the Valley by Mrs Charles Cowman

August 25th, 2014

August 24th, 2014