Black Friday

We were “in the red“, and Jesus put us “in the black.”

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.

George Bernard

Rest Assured

To trust in God means that He is our confidence; our minds are at rest, as we rely on His word, His integrity, His veracity, His faithfulness, and His unfailing love.

We don’t often hear stories about King Hezekiah, but he is one of my favorite examples of trusting in God. II Kings 18:5, says that Hezekiah trusted God like no other king before or after him.. What a wonderful way to be remembered, as someone who truly trusted in God. In the face of danger, at the threat of war from Sennacherib, king of Assyria, and even after the prophet Isaiah warned him that he would soon die, Hezekiah prayed to God, trusted Him to hear and answer, and God delivered him every time!

King Hezekiah’s sincere, unshakable, trust in God, serves as a great encouragement and example for us today, as we face life’s trials and difficulties. Like him, we too can be assured, that God cares, He hears our prayers,He sees our tears, and will not fail to deliver us, as we place our trust in Him.

I Will Carry You

“Through the fire, Through the storm, Through the valley, Through the desert, Through it all.”

Through the Fire:”When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”

Isaiah 43:2

Through the Storm:“And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm…He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.”

Mark 4:39 and Psalm 107:29

Through the Valley: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for  Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.”

Psalm 23:4

Through the Desert: “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth ; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. “

Isaiah 43:19

Through it All:

 “Even to your old age, I am He, And even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you.”

Isaiah 46:4

Trusting God

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart;

and lean not unto your own understanding

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He shall direct your paths.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

Inseparable

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life,

nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers,

nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature,

shall be able to separate us

from the love of God,

which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:38-39

Quietness

“In quietness and confidence is your strength.”  Isaiah 30:15

He’s Sweet, I Know


He’s sweet I know
He’s sweet I know
Storm clouds may rise
And strong winds may blow
But, I’ll tell the world
Wherever I go
That I have found a Savior
And He’s sweet I know

Mahalia Jackson

My Strength, My Shield, My Song

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoices; and with my song will I praise Him.”

Psalm 28:7

Waiting on God

“Truly my soul waits upon God: from Him comes my salvation.

He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.

How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence.

They only consult to cast Him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.

My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him.

He only is my rock and my salvation: He is my defence; I shall not be moved.

In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.

Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.

God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.

Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.”

Psalm 62

Out of Many Waters

“He reached down from heaven, and rescued me;

 He drew me out of many waters.”

 Psalm 18:16