“Moment by moment I’m kept in His love… Moment by moment I’ve life from above.”
-Andrew Murray, “Absolute Surrender”
Category Archives: Faith
“A New Day!”
If life seems at its lowest ebb, because a day’s gone wrong,
Let not your heart be troubled, for a new day soon will dawn.
And we can never be quite sure, just what it has in store,
Since each one is so different, than the one just gone before.
As it penetrates the darkness, with its soft and tranquil beams,
It calms even the most restless soul, and brings new hopes and dreams.
So when a day’s been troubled, and the night is dark and long,
Lift up your fallen spirits, for a new day soon will dawn.
-Anonymous
“Our God, Maker of Heaven and Earth”
“O God, Our Help in ages past,
Our Hope for years to come.
Our Shelter from the stormy blast,
And our Eternal Home!
Under the shadow of Thy throne
Still may we dwell secure
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.
Before the hills in order stood
Or earth received its frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.
O God, our Help in ages past,
Our Hope for years to come,
Be Thou our Guide while life shall last,
And our Eternal Home.”
From Hymn – “O God Our Help In Ages Past” – By Isaac Watts
“Be Not Conformed to This World…”
Should Believers in Christ Do Yoga?
“…Come out from among them and be separate, says ADONAI. Touch no unclean thing. Then I will take you in. I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says ADONAI- Tzva’ot.”
– 2 Corinthians 6:17-18
Click Below
ALSO: https://biblereasons.com/yoga/
“If you died with Messiah to the basic principles of the world, why – as though living in the world – do you subject yourselves to their rules? Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”
Colossians 2:20-21
The Peace of God
“God, who loves peace, makes peace, and breathes peace, will be with us.”
“If the God of peace be with us, we shall enjoy the peace of God, which passes all understanding, even though outward circumstances should threaten to disturb.”
– Charles Spurgeon, “Faith’s Checkbook”
“You will keep in perfect peace one whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”
-Isaiah 26:3 TLV
“Wait on the Lord…”
“Wait! Wait!
Let your waiting be on the Lord! He is worth waiting for.
He never disappoints the waiting soul.
While waiting, keep up your spirits.
Expect a great deliverance, and be ready to praise God for it.
“He shall strengthen your heart”
– Charles Spurgeon
“Wait on the LORD; and be of good courage, and He will strengthen your heart;
wait, I say, on the LORD.”
– Psalm 27:14
Seasons Change
“The seasons change and you change, but the LORD abides evermore the same,
and the streams of His love are as deep, as broad, and as full as ever.”
– Charles Spurgeon
Fixed on Jesus
“My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed…” – Psalm 57:7
“Fixed” by definition means, fastened securely in position, predetermined and not subject to or able to be changed…
“Locked-in”
“Fix your faith on Jesus and He’ll fix everything else.”
“Just One Drop”
Today is my 10 year anniversary of Faithrises on WordPress, and in celebrating this, here’s a story that I posted several years ago, back in 2012. I love to think back on this story. It reminds me of God’s miracle working power, and how He hears and answers when we pray. I hope that it will be a blessing for you today too!
My youngest sister was getting married, and the wedding took place just before I was scheduled to have surgery. It was a beautiful wedding, and one of the special moments was watching my sister’s soon-to-be mother in law, walk down the aisle to be seated. She entered gingerly, because she had been very ill, and had traveled a long way in order to attend. I’m not sure what her illness was but you could see in her eyes the love that she had for her son, and how determined she was to be a part of this very special day. She leaned heavily on the arm of the usher who was escorting her in, and slowly made it to her seat. After the wedding, I had a chance to sit and talk with her.
It was my very first time meeting her, so I introduced myself and told her that I was so glad that she was able to come. I asked her how she was feeling and she told me a little about her condition. She mentioned how the Lord had blessed her, and that without Him she couldn’t have made it. She spoke of some sort of blood disorder, I’m not sure of the details, but what she said next would have a great impact on me. She said that she prayed that Jesus would bless her with “just one drop of His blood”, because she knew that by His stripes we were healed. “Just one drop” she said, and she would be fine. I told her about my upcoming surgery and, being a woman of great faith, she encouraged me, and told me to trust in the sacrifice that Jesus has already paid for us.
The day of surgery arrived and I got up early to spend some time in prayer. I rehearsed in my mind all of the verses which had given me peace as this day approached, then I asked the Lord for something specific… I was told that there was a good chance that I would lose a lot of blood during this surgery, and my doctor told me that I’d have to make an appointment to donate my own blood at the blood bank in advance, as a precaution, in case I needed a blood transfusion during the surgery. But I didn’t want to have a blood transfusion, so I prayed. I remembered the testimony and I prayed,” Lord, I ask that You would bless me with “ just one drop of Your blood”, so that I would not have to have a blood transfusion.”
After this I felt very calm and at peace.
We left for the hospital that morning and as we drove along, our two children, now 10 and 8 years old, were in the backseat. Although it was morning, it was still dark out and the kids were a little sleepy. Their faces were sad and solemn. They didn’t want me to have surgery and were very worried. I started happily singing praise worship songs and they listened in. Their faces brightened slightly, but they couldn’t bring themselves to sing along with me. I felt their love and concern for me, it warmed my heart, and I understood.
The surgery went well. I awakened to see all of my family, including my mom gazing down at me. I was still a little groggy, but so relieved and happy that the surgery was all over! The next morning the doctor came in and said that there were actually 18 tumors that needed to be removed instead, of the 2 or 3 that he had anticipated, and that I had lost a lot of blood. “Eighteen tumors?” I said. “No wonder I was in so much pain!” Then he said that although I had lost a great deal of blood, he decided not to give me a transfusion right then, and decided instead to watch me and wait until morning. He went on to say with some excitement and surprise that my blood count was now actually back up to normal! It was a miracle. I didn’t need more blood after all. I thought to myself, “Thank you Jesus!” because I hadn’t mentioned to my family or my doctor that I really didn’t want a blood transfusion in the first place. This prayer was just between me and the Lord, and He did it!
“Just one drop”…Just like I asked! It’s like the Scripture says:
“Ask, and it shall be given to you. Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it shall be opened.“ – Matthew 7:7-8 TLV
The Lord had given me just what I prayed for! Quietly, I closed my eyes, exhaled, and felt a great big smile, deep down inside. :)
“A New Thing”
“Do not remember the former things,
nor consider things of the past.
Here I am,
doing a new thing;
Now it is springing up…”
– Isaiah 43:18 TLV
“Thanksgiving and Praise”
“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before His presence with singing.
Know ye that the LORD He is God: it is He that has made us, and not we ourselves;
we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise:
be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.
For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endures to all generations.”
-Psalm 100
“His Love Endures Forever”
“Praise the God of gods for His lovingkindness endures forever.”
Psalm 136:2
“Dancing”
” You have turned for me my mourning into dancing:
You have put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness.
To the end that my glory may sing praise to You, and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.”
Psalm 30:11-12
“In Everything Give Thanks”
“In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
– Thessalonians 5:18
Thanks Be To God!
” …Thanks be to God who keeps giving us the victory through our Lord Yeshua the Messiah!”
– 1 Corinthians 15:57
“Eternal Life, Eternal Joy!”
“Look, He is coming in the clouds and every eye shall see Him…” -Revelation 1:7
“Jesus is all the world to me;
I want no better friend.
I trust Him now; I’ll trust Him when
Life’s fleeting days shall end.
Beautiful life with such a Friend;
Beautiful life that has no end!
Eternal life, eternal joy,
He’s my Friend.”
Hymn – “Jesus Is All The World To Me” by Will Lamartine Thompson
“True To Him I’ll Be”
“Jesus is all the world to me;
And true to Him I”ll be.
Oh, how could I this Friend deny
When He’s so true to me?
Following Him I know I’m right;
He watches o’er me day and night.
Following Him by day and night,
He’s my Friend.”
Hymn – “Jesus Is All The World To Me” by Will Lamartine Thompson
“He’s My Friend”
“Jesus is all the world to me;
My friend in trials sore.
I go to Him for blessings, and
He gives them o’er and o’er.
He sends the sunshine and the rain;
He sends the harvest’s golden grain:
Sunshine and rain, harvest of grain–
He’s my Friend.”
Hymn- “Jesus Is All The Word To Me” by Will Lamartine Thompson
“Jesus Is All The World To Me”
“Jesus is all the world to me;
My life, my joy, my all.
He is my strength from day to day;
Without Him I would fall.
When I am sad, to Him I go;
No other one can cheer me so.
When I am sad, He makes me glad;
He’s my Friend.”
-Hymn -“Jesus is All The World to Me” by Will Lamartine Thompson
With Thanksgiving
“O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms.
For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
In His hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is His also.
The sea is His… He made it: and His Hands formed the dry land.
O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.”
Psalm 95:1-6
Total Makeover
“The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
Arise, and go down to the potter’s house,…
there I will cause thee to hear my words.
Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.
Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD.”
“Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand...”
Jeremiah 18:1-6
“His Way Is Perfect”
“As for God, His way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried:
He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him.
For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?
It is God that girdes me with strength, and makes my way perfect.
He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places.
He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up,
… thy gentleness hath made me great.”
Psalm 18:30-35
The Peace of God
Be anxious for nothing, but in all things by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
“Write the Vision, Watch it Happen”
“Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, so he may run that reads it.
For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie:
though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not delay.”
Habakkuk 2:2-3
“Seasons Change…”
“… but the word of our God will stand forever.”
– Isaiah 40:8
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.
“Never Once”
Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did you leave us on our own
You are faithful, God You are faithful.
Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
You are faithful, God You are faithful
Carried by Your constant grace
Held within Your perfect peace
Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God you are faithful”
From Song Lyrics – “Never Once” by Matt Redman, Jason Ingram, Tim Wanstall
“Sometimes… You Gotta Fight!”
“…Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”
“Put on the whole armor of God, so that you are able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”
“…Buckle the belt of truth around your waist, and
Put on the breastplate of righteousness.
Strap up your feet in readiness with the Good News of shalom.
Above all, take up the shield of faith with which you will be able
to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
And take the helmet of salvation
And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
_ Ephesians 6:10-17
“Because I Love You…”
“My son, do not take lightly the discipline of ADONAI or lose heart when you are corrected by Him, because ADONAI disciplines the one He loves, and punishes every son He accepts.”
“It is for discipline that you endure, God is treating you as sons– for what son does a father not discipline?”
“Besides, we are used to having human fathers as instructors– and we respect them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?” …He does so for our benefit, so that we may share in His holiness.”
“Now all discipline seems painful at the moment–not joyful. But later it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
– Hebrews 12:5-11 TLV
“All The Way, Along The Way”
“…Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid;
Do not be discouraged, or dismayed,
for the LORD your God will be with you
wherever you go.”
– Joshua 1:9
“Beloved”
“I will call those who were not My people, “My people,”
and I will call her who was not beloved “Beloved.”
and it shall be that in the place where it was said to them,
“You are not My people,”
There they shall be called sons of the living God.”
“…Yes, I have loved you
with an everlasting love…”
Romans 9:25-26 and Jeremiah 31:2
“Trees of God”
“The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.” – Psalm 92:12
“Palms and Cedars are “trees of the Lord,” and it is by His care that they flourish. So it is with the saints of the Lord: they are His own care.
These trees are evergreen and are beautiful in all seasons. Believers are not sometimes holy and sometimes ungodly; they stand in the beauty of the Lord under all weathers. The followers of Jesus are the observed of all observers; like a city set on a hill, they cannot be hid.
The child of God flourishes like a palm tree, which pushes all its strength upward.
It has no growth to the right or left, but sends all its force heavenward and bears its fruit as near the sky as possible.
The cedar braves all storms and grows near the eternal snows, the Lord Himself filling it with a sap that keeps its heart warm and its bough strong.
Lord, so let it be with me.”
-Charles Spurgeon
Jesus Paid It All
“Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.”
Elvina M. Hall
“Sins Washed Away, Once For All”
“For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”
“By His will we have been made holy through the offering of the body of Messiah Yeshua
once for all.”
Hebrews 10:4,10 TLV
Awesome Savior!
“…You did awesome things that we were not expecting,
You came down–
the mountains shook at Your presence!
For from days of old no one has heard, no ear perceived,
no eyes has seen God,
except You,
who acts on behalf of the one
waiting for Him.”
Isaiah 64:2
Because I Love You…
“Fear not for I have redeemed you,
I have called you by name,
you are Mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you,
or through the rivers,
they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned,
nor will the flame burn you.
For I am ADONAI your God,
the Holy one of Israel,
your Savior…
you are precious in My eyes,
honored,
because I love you…”
Isaiah 43:1-4 TLV
“Be Still My Soul”
Be still, my soul — the LORD is on your side!
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to you God to order and provide.
In every change God faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul–Your best, your heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways, leads to a joyful end.
Be still my soul! Your God will undertake,
To guide the future as in ages past.
Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious will be bright at last.
Be still my soul!
The waves and winds still know,
The Christ who ruled them while He dwelt below.
“Be still my soul…”
Hymn by- Katharina von Schlegel and Jean Sibelius
“Be still and know that I am God”
– Psalms 46:10 KJV, Psalms 46:11 TLV
“I Am In Awe”
“I am now, and will forever and eternally be, in awe of God, “Blessed be His Name”, who has been so personally close and near to me, while at the same time being the GREAT GOD of all creation; greater than anyone, anything, anytime, anywhere… in and outside of time, forever and ever… Only God is Awesome”
WHO IS LIKE THE LORD!?
“Who is like the LORD?….. NOBODY!
Who is like the LORD?…..No- no-no-no-no- NOBODY!
If God is for us?
Who can be against us?
He will keep His promise.
There’s nobody like Him, NOBODY LIKE HIM!
What can separate us from the love of Jesus?
He will keep His promise!
There’s nobody like Him, NOBODY LIKE HIM!
There is none in heaven or earth like You. There is none in heaven or earth like You!
Lord we declare, who can compare?
Who would even dare?
THERE IS NO ONE LIKE YOU!!!!!
Who is like the LORD?
No-no-no-no-no NOBODY!”
Praise and Worship Song, “Who is Like The Lord” -by Israel Houghton
“And I say “Hallelujah!!! and Amen!!!” to that.
Trouble In The World
“Yeshua answered…”
“These things have I spoken to you,
so that in Me you may have shalom.
In the world you will have trouble,
but take heart!
I have overcome the world!”
-John 16:33 TLV
“Hope Beyond Hope”
Abraham…
In hope beyond hope, he trusted…
He did not waver in unbelief concerning the promise of God…
…Strengthened in faith, giving glory to God
He was fully convinced
that what God has promised, He also is able to do”
(Excerpt from, Romans 4:16-21 TLV)
“Only For God”
“My soul, wait in stillness, only for God —
For from Him comes my expectation.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
My strong tower —
I will never be moved…
My refuge is in God
Trust in Him at all times, you people.
Pour out your heart in His presence.
God is our refuge.” “Selah.” – (which means, pause and think about it. 😊 🍁)
-Psalm 62:6,3,9 TLV
“Will the True Worshippers Of God, Please Stand Up?”
“…An hour is coming — it is here now– when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such people as His worshippers. – John 4:23
“It is clear who are the children of God and who are the children of the devil by this– Anyone who does not act righteously, or love his brother, is not of God.”
“For this is the message you have heard from the beginning– we should love one another.”- 1 John 3:10-11
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day. ‘Lord, didn’t we prophesy in Your Name, and drive out demons in Your Name, and perform many miracles in your Name?’ Then I will declare to them, “I never knew you. Get away from Me, you workers of iniquity!” – Matthew 7:22
“Loved ones, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God.
For many false prophets have gone out into the world.”- 1 John 4:1
“He Stills The Storm”
“So they cried out to ADONAI in their distress,
and He brought them out of their troubles.
He stilled the storm to a whisper —
the waves were hushed.
They were glad when it became calm
And He led them to their desired haven.”
-Psalm 107:28-30 TLV
The Trumpet Shall Sound
“O, Happy Thought!”
“For the Lord Himself shall come down from heaven with a commanding shout,
with the voice of the archangel and with the blast of God’s shofar
and the dead in Messiah shall rise first.
Then we who are alive, who are left behind, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air —
and so shall we always be with the Lord.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 TLV
Like a Watered Garden
Languish Defined
“To lose vitality… to grow weak or feeble… to suffer from being forced to remain in an unpleasant place or situation.”
“Their life will be like a watered garden,
and they will never languish again.
For I will turn their mourning into joy
And I will comfort them,
And make them rejoice out of their sorrow…
My people will be satisfied with My goodness…”
“The LORD will guide you continually,
and satisfy your needs in parched places,
and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water,
whose waters never fail.”
Jeremiah 31:11 and Isaiah 58:11
“Hope Beyond Hope”
“In hope beyond hope, he trusted …
And without becoming weak in faith… he did not waver in unbelief concerning the promise of God.
Rather, he was strengthened in faith,
giving glory to God.
He was fully convinced that what God had promised,
He was also able to do.”
Romans 4:18-22
“Planted, Rooted, and Grounded”
“Your Word, O LORD, is like air to my lungs, and water to my soul.”
“Let Your precious Word be like my bones, like my very skeleton, which is my framework, which strengthens me and enables me to stand.
And like the blood, coursing through my veins, empowering me at every point with life, health, and healing, so let Your Word course through my veins reaching every cell, tissue, and organ.
And as the life of the body is in the blood, manufactured in the marrow, let Your Word be as a seed planted within my very marrow, life springing forth as a great tree, reaching to the heavens, bearing much fruit in my life, to Your Glory and for our good.”
“In Yeshua’s Name, I pray. Amen.”
“From Night into Day”
“It is not hard for the LORD to turn night into day. He who sends the clouds can just as easily clear the skies.” – Charles Spurgeon
“To Everything A Season”
“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:”
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and A time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and A time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and A time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.”
-Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 TLV
“By Trusting”
“By trusting you are being protected by God’s power for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
You rejoice in this greatly, even though for now for a little while… you have been distressed by various trials.
These trials are so that the “true metal” of your faith… may come to light in praise and honor and glory at the revelation of Yeshua Messiah.
Though you have not seen Him, you love Him.
And even though you don’t see Him now, you trust Him…”
– 1 Peter 1:5-8 TLV
“Do You Trust Him?”
“WE HAVE A BIG GOD. WE HAVE A WONDERFUL JESUS.
WE HAVE A GLORIOUS COMFORTER.
GOD’S CANOPY IS OVER YOU AND WILL COVER YOU AT ALL TIMES,
PRESERVING YOU FROM EVIL.
UNDER HIS WINGS SHALL YOU TRUST.
THE WORD OF GOD IS LIVING AND POWERFUL, AND IN IT’S TREASURES YOU WILL FIND ETERNAL LIFE.
IF YOU DARE TRUST THIS WONDERFUL LORD, THIS LORD OF LIFE, YOU WILL FIND IN HIM EVERYTHING YOU NEED.”
– Smith Wigglesworth
Even In The Storm
Yet Will I Trust Him
“Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him…” – Job 13:15
“LORD, I trust You. No matter what.
In every situation I give You thanks.”
“Come What May, Still I Rejoice”
In All Things, At All Times, I Will Rejoice In You, LORD
“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall there be fruit on the vines..”
“Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”
Habakkuk 3:17-18
“Why Things Happen As They Do”
“Why things happen as they do
we do not always know,
And we cannot always fathom
why our spirits sink so low.
We flounder in our dark distress,
we are wavering and unstable,
But when we’re most inadequate,
the Lord God’s always able-
For though we are incapable,
God is powerful and great,
And there’s no darkness of the mind that
God can’t penetrate…
And while He may not instantly
unravel all the strands
Of tangled thoughts that trouble us,
He completely understands-
And in His time, if we have faith,
He will gradually restore
The brightness to our spirits
that we’ve been longing for.
So remember there’s no cloud too dark
for God’s light to penetrate
If we just keep on believing
and have faith enough to wait.”
-Helen Steiner Rice
Take Courage
Look ahead
with courage
Trust God
and
Be strong
Joy
comes in the morning
and
Again will come
the dawn.
“O Grave, Where Is Your Victory?”
“Christ The Lord is Risen Indeed!”
“Death, where is your sting? Grave, where is your victory?”
“…Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
1 Corinthians 15:55-56
“It Is Finished”
Good Friday “The Seven Words”
“Remember Me”
“And He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.” Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” Luke 22:19-20
There are many traditions, holidays, and ceremonies, that we observe and hold in remembrance, and many of them in the name of Christianity. We celebrate birthdays, and Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter, and that’s fine, they are special days, and it’s good to celebrate, but there is one thing that the Lord has asked us to observe, in remembrance of Him, and the sacrifice that He made to redeem us, saying, “Do this as oft as you will, in remembrance of me.” II Corinthians 11:25
As we remember the last supper today, we are also reminded of Christ’s sacrificial love for all of us…We are reminded of His tremendous suffering, and the price that He paid to save us, and that by His grace, through faith, we are saved.
Thank you, Lord Jesus.
“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
“Hosanna, Please Save!”
It’s very timely, and interesting too, to know that the Hebrew word for Hosanna is Hoshiana which means “Please save!”
And so, this Palm Sunday, as we remember what Christ has done for us, we can again say:
“LORD please save!”
“Hosanna in the Highest!”
“Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the LORD!”
Matthew 21:9
God Will Take Care Of You
“Be not dismayed whatever betide,
God will take care of you.
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.”
“He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings will you find refuge. His faithfulness is body armor and shield.” – Psalm 91:4
Hymn- “God Will Take Care Of You”- by C. Martin and W.S. Martin
God Is Our Refuge
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
“ADONAI is good as a refuge in the day of distress and He knows those who
take refuge in Him.”
Psalm 46:1, Nahum 1:7
“Look and Live”
“Look unto Me and be saved all the ends of the earth.
For I am God and there is no other.”
Who foretold this from ancient time?
Who declared it of old?
Is it not I, ADONAI?
There is no other God and a Savior–
There is none beside Me!
Turn to Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth.
For I am God — There is no other.”
Isaiah 45:20-22
Winter is Past
“See! The winter is past… the season of singing is here.” ~ Song of Solomon 2:11,12
Peace… Be Still
“The voice of the LORD is over the waters…”
“…He arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” and the wind ceased and there was a great calm.”
-Psalm 29:3, Mark 4:39
“You Called My Name”
“I was buried beneath my shame… Who could carry that kind of weight?
It was my tomb
‘Til I met You.
I was breathing but not alive… All my failures I tried to hide.
It was my tomb
‘Til I met You.
You called my name
And I ran out of that grave
Out of the darkness
Into Your glorious day!
Now Your mercy has saved my soul…Now Your freedom is all that I know.
The old made new, Jesus, when I met You!
You called my name, and I ran out of that grave.
Out of the darkness,
Into Your glorious day!
Praise Worship Song- “Glorious Day” by Passion
“Suit Up”
Put on the Armor of God
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
Put on the full armor of God, so that you are able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the worldly forces of this darkness, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places.
Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist when the times are evil, and after you have done everything, to stand firm.
Stand firm then!
Buckle the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness.
Strap up your feet in readiness with the Good News of shalom (peace).
Above all, take up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray in the Ruach (Spirit) on every occasion, with all kinds of prayers and requests.
With this in mind, keep alert with perseverance and supplication for all the kedoshim (saints).”
Ephesians 6:10-18 – (TLV) Tree of Life Version
Standing Firm Through The Storm
“To learn strong faith, is to endure great trials. I have learned my faith by standing firm amid severe testings.”
– George Mueller
From a Need to be Accepted
From the love of my own comfort
From the fear of having nothing
From a life of worldly passions
Deliver me O God,
From the need to be understood
And from a need to be accepted
From the fear of being lonely
Deliver me O God,
Deliver me O God,
And I shall not want, no I shall not want
When I taste Your goodness, I shall not want
When I taste Your goodness, I shall not want
From the fear of serving others
Oh, and from the fear of death or trial
And from the fear of humility
Deliver me O God,
And I shall not want
Song Lyrics from “I Shall Not Want” – by Audrey Assad
“My Times Are In Your Hands”
“My times are in Your hands…” – Psalm 31:16 TLV
My times are in Your hands,
Whatever they may be,
pleasing, painful,
dark , or bright,
As best may seem to Thee.
– from sermon by Charles Spurgeon, “In Thy Hand”
Choose To Trust
Every penny bears the reminder, “In God We Trust” but for Job it was personal.
Job said, ” Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” – Job 15:13
Meaning, “Even if He kills me, I will die trusting in Him.” Proof of the trust in God that was rooted in Job.
No matter what. I choose to trust.
Trust in God.
What We Hope For
“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
– Hebrews 11:1
Everyday.
“…They received the message with goodwill, searching the Scriptures each day to see whether these things were true.” – Acts 17:11
I Trust in God
I trust in God,
I know He cares for me,
On mountain bleak
Or on the stormy sea;
Tho’ billows roll,
He keeps my soul,
My heav’nly Father watches over me.
Hymn- “My Father Watches Over Me” by C.H. Gabriel and W.C. Martin
Then Jesus Came
“One sat alone beside the highway, begging,
His eyes were blind, the light he could not see;
He clutched his old rags, and shivered in the shadows,
Then Jesus came, and bade his darkness flee.
When Jesus comes, the tempter’s power is broken;
When Jesus comes, the tears are wiped away.
For He takes the gloom, and fills the life with glory,
And all is changed, when Jesus comes to stay.”
Hymn- “Then Jesus Came”, by Oswald Smith
Still
“Be still ,my soul; the LORD is on your side! Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to your God to order and provide… In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; your Best, your heavenly Friend,
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul; your God will undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and wind still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.”
“Be Still My Soul”- hymn by J. Sibelius and K. Schlegel
Be Not Dismayed
Be not dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you.
God will take care of you,
Through every day,
O’er all the way;
He will take care of you,
God will take care of you.
No matter what may be the test, God will take care of you;
Lean weary one upon His breast, God will take care of you.
Hymn- “God Will Take Care of You” by Walter and Civilla Martin
Solved
No Problem That God Can’t Solve
“He had the solution before you had the problem.”
-“Just Haven’t Seen It Yet” song by Danny Gokey
Storm Proof
“Great faith is the product of great fights. Great testimonies are the outcome of great tests. Great triumphs can only come out of great trials.“
– Smith Wigglesworth
One Day at a Time
“The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time.”
– Abraham Lincoln
Your Mercy Remains
“A thousand times I’ve failed; still Your mercy remains…”
“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
His mercies are new every morning”
– Lamentations 3:22-23🌼
Lyrics excerpt- “From the Inside Out”- by Hillsong United
When You Just Don’t Understand
“When you can’t see God’s plan,
And you don’t understand,
Trust in His Word…
Hold tight to His Hand.”
Sweep Over My Spirit
Peace! Peace! Wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above,
Sweep over my spirit
Forever I pray
In fathomless billows of love.
I am resting tonight
In this wonderful peace,
Resting sweetly in Jesus’ control
For I’m kept from all danger
By night and by day,
And His glory is flooding my soul.
Peace! Peace! Wonderful Peace,
Coming down from the Father above,
Sweep over my spirit
Forever I pray
In fathomless billows of love.
Hymn- “Wonderful Peace”
W. Cooper and W. Cornell
Microwave Treatment
Sometimes it’s hard to wait when you’re praying for something special to happen, and I know what that feels like…
Once, while I was waiting for my miracle, I had a dream. It had been about 6 months since I had surgery and I was growing more and more impatient about having a baby. I thought I’d get pregnant right away. But that’s not what happened.
One night, I had a very interesting dream
There were two parts to this dream. First, I dreamt that we were visiting some friends for dinner and I sat in the kitchen while the food was being prepared. I was shocked to see that my friend was spooning raw, runny, red, hamburger meat, into taco shells and placing them in the microwave to be cooked. “YUCK!” I thought to myself, and when she had finished cooking, she topped them with all the trimmings, but I just couldn’t bring myself to eat any, because I saw the way that they were prepared with raw meat, and this really grossed me out!
In the second part of my dream, I was in a meat shop, and I was trying to buy a beef roast which was turning slowly on a spit. I was in a hurry, and I told the man cooking the meat that I had been waiting a long time, and was ready to go. He looked at me and said “I’m sorry ma’am but it’s not ready yet. I said “Are you sure? It looks like it’s done.” then he pulled out a long sharp-pointed thing, and pierced through the meat, and all of this red, runny, gook came pouring out. He was right. The meat was not ready… It was as if both parts of the dream had the same meaning.
When I woke up, I thought that maybe this dream had something to do with my healing from surgery, and how I was not yet healed up enough on the inside.
A few days later, I was sitting in the park, watching my son and daughter at soccer practice, when I saw a friend from church. She asked me how I was recovering from the surgery. I told her that I was doing fine, but that I was really ready to have another baby, “After all”, I said “I’m 35 years old!”…She was nearly 50, and told me that I was still young enough to have another baby. “God’s timing is perfect… Just be patient!..I had my last baby when I was 40 years old. ” she said. I smiled, shrugged my shoulders, and said, “But I’ve been waiting so long already.” Then she said, ” Faith, you just had surgery… You need time to heal.” She laughed and said jokingly, .. “What you want is the Microwave Treatment!!”
When she said this, I knew that it was a confirmation of the dream that I’d had a few days earlier… “The Microwave Treatment”… It was true! I didn’t want to wait any longer.. I wanted my miracle,and I wanted it now! This instant… In fact, I wanted it yesterday!!
I was reminded by this incident, that God is in control, and I accepted that He knows best. I would just have to be patient and wait…
Three years later, I realized my miracle, and was expecting our little girl.
“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage…”
Psalm 27:14
Quiet Rest
There is a place of quiet rest,
Near to the heart of God,
A place where sin cannot molest,
Near to the heart of God.
There is a place of comfort sweet,
Near to the heart of God,
A place where we our Savior meet,
Near to the heart of God.
There is a place of full release,
Near to the heart of God,
A place where all is joy and peace,
Near to the heart of God.
O Jesus, blest redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God,
Hold us who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart God.
Hymn- “Near to the Heart of God”
By Cleland B. McAfee
Letting Go Is Key
“Let go of the past, so that God can open the door to your future.”
-Fritz Chery
Only a Prayer Away
I asked the Lord to comfort me
When things weren’t going my way,
He said to me, “I’ll comfort you,
And lift your cares away.”
I asked the Lord to walk with me,
When darkness was all that I knew
He said to me, “Never be afraid,
For I will see you through.”
I didn’t ask for riches,
He gave me wealth untold,
The moon, the stars, the sun the sky,
And gave me eyes to behold.
I thank the Lord for everything,
And I count my blessings each day,
He came to me when I needed Him,
I only had to pray,
And He’ll come to you
If you ask Him to,
He’ only a prayer away.
“I Asked the Lord”- Hymn by
Duncan & Lange
Consolations
“When the cares of my heart are many, Your consolations cheer my soul.”
Psalm 94:19
Wounded… Mended!
How many times can one heart break?
It was never supposed to be this way.
You look in the mirror, but there you find,
Someone you never thought you’d be.
Oh, but I still recognize,
The one I love,
In your tear stained eyes.
You see your worst mistake,
But I see the price I paid.
But I see the price I paid.
You see the scars from where you fell,
But I see the stories they will tell.
But I see the stories they will tell.
You see worthless,
I see priceless.
You see pain,
You see pain,
I see purpose.
You see unworthy, undeserving,
But I see you through eyes of mercy.
I’m making all things new!
And I will make a miracle in you.
And I will make a miracle in you.
When you see broken beyond repair,
I see healing beyond belief.
When you see too far gone,
I see one step away from home.
When you see nothing but damaged goods,
I see something in the making.
I see something in the making.
I’m not finished yet.
When you see wounded, I see mended.
Excerpt from: “You See Wounded, I See Mended”
by Matthew West
Power of Prayer & Fasting: My Story
“…This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting...” Matthew 17:21
I was praying for a miracle, and there were many times that I would get discouraged, and sometimes even depressed, because it seemed like nothing was happening…
There were only a few people during that time, that I could talk to, who actually believed with me, encouraged me, and listened patiently. My grandmother was one of these people. She was the first one to pray for me when the doctors said that I would never be able to have a baby.
She told me, way back then, at the beginning of my journey, that I would be a mother, and she laid her hands on my tummy and prayed for me. She had great faith. I often called her during my lowest times and she would say to me,
“God will do it. He is faithful and there is nothing too hard for Him.”
She told me that what I needed to do, was to pray and fast. She told me to always pray and fast whenever I could. Not just once, but periodically, along with my prayers, as I waited for God to do as He promised.
When the struggle and the waiting became the most unbearable, I remembered my grandmother’s words and followed her advice, and even though she passed away, during the 10 year period of praying for my third little miracle, and had gone home to be with Jesus, her sweet voice remained in my heart, always reminding me of the power and importance of prayer and fasting.
Sometimes when we’ve been praying for something for a very long time, it feels like an uphill battle…
It’s a fight, yes, but, II Corinthians 10:4 says that, ” … the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty, through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” Prayer and fasting are two of those mighty weapons…
Armed with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, we press through the battle with prayer and fasting, trusting Jesus for the victory and a miracle realized.
Stronger
“The comeback is often stronger than the setback.”
– Anonymous
Afflictions, Not in Vain
“Afflictions make the heart more deep,
more experimental, more knowing, and
more profound, and so; more able
to hold, to contain, to beat more.”
– John Bunyan
Another Day☀️
“Thank You, LORD, for a fresh new day.
Another day and another chance to experience Your love and mercy.
Another day to try and “get it right”
and another day to learn more of Your grace.”
“This I recall to my heart– therefore I have hope:
Because of the mercies of ADONAI we will not be consumed,
for His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning!
Great is Your faithfulness.
“ADONAI is my portion,” says my soul,
therefore I will hope in Him.“
Lamentations 3:23-24 TLV
Mud Pies😊
“We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition
when infinite joy is offered us;
like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in dirty streets
because he can’t imagine what’s meant by the offer of a holiday at the beach.”
“We are far too easily pleased.”
– C. S. Lewis
Dominion and Awe
“He knows the way I take…
I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.
He is unchangeable, and who can change Him?
Whatever His soul desires, He does…
Dominion and awe are with Him…”
Job 23:10,12,13 and 25:2
Truly Valuable
“It is my practice, to determine the value of something,
by imagining my life without it.”
– Herb Kelleher
Satisfied
“God is most glorified in us,
When we,
Are most satisfied,
In Him.”
– John Piper
Faith Under the Palm Tree
Welcome to My New Podcast!!!
“Faith Under the Palm Tree” is my new blog site. It’s an interactive Podcast/Bible Study where you can tune in, listen to a study from God’s Word.
A study outline is provided for each episode and questions or topic requests, are encouraged and always welcome!
Click HERE to find out more.
Looking forward to meeting you there!
Smiles and Blessings,
– Faith🏝
New Heart ❤️
“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you…”
“I the LORD build the ruined places, and plant that which was desolate:
I the LORD have spoken it, and I will do it.”
Ezekiel 36:26 and 36
Happy New Year!🎊
“A Very Happy New Year to you all!!!”❤️
Smiles and Blessings – Faith
All The Way
All the way my Savior leads me-
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who thru life has been my guide?
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know what-e’re befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know what-e’re befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.
All the way my Savior leads me-
Cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for every trial,
Feeds me with the living bread.
Tho my weary steps may falter
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! a spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! a spring of joy I see.
All the way my Savior leads me-
O the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father’s house above.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
Wings in flight to realms of day,
This my song thru endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way;
This my song thru endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way.
Hymn- “All the Way My Savior Leads Me” – by R.Lowry and Fanny Crosby
Trusting You Lord Jesus
“I am trusting You, Lord Jesus-
Trusting only You;
Trusting You for full salvation,
Great and true.
I am trusting You to guide me-
You alone will lead,
Every day and hour supplying
All my need.
I am trusting You for power-
Yours can never fail;
Words which You Yourself shall give me
Must prevail.
I am trusting You, Lord Jesus-
Never let me fall;
I am trusting You forever,
And for all.”
Hymn- “I Am Trusting Thee, Lord Jesus”
By E.W. Bullinger and F.R. Havergal
Room for Jesus?
“… She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped Him in strips of cloth
and set Him down in a manger, since
there was no room for them in the inn.”
– Luke 2:7
Wise Men, Gifts, and a Star
God rest ye merry gentlemen; Let nothing you dismay,
Remember Christ our Savior, was born upon this day!
To save us all from satan’s power, when we were gone astray.
Oh- O, tidings of comfort and joy.
Comfort and joy!
Oh- O, tidings of comfort and joy.
We three kings of Orient are. Bearing gifts, we traverse afar.
Field and fountain, moor, and mountain,
Following yonder Star!
Oh- O, Star of wonder, Star of night, Star with royal beauty bright!
Westward leading still proceeding, Guide us to thy Perfect Light.
Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain, Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never, Over us all to reign.
Frankincense to offer have I, Incense owns a Deity nigh
Prayer and praising, All men raising, Worship Him, God on High.
Myrrh is mine, it’s bitter perfume, Breathes a life of gathering gloom,
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying
Sealed in the cold stone tomb.
Glorious now, behold Him arise, King and God and Sacrifice.
Alleluia!!! Alleluia!!!
Peals thru the earth and skies.
Oh- O Star of wonder Star of night, Star with Royal beauty bright!
Westward leading, Still proceeding
Guide us to thy Perfect Light.
-William Hone/John Hopkins
From: “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”, and “We Three Kings”
Bethlehem “House of Bread”
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, least among the clans of Judah- from you will come out to Me One to be ruler in Israel,
One whose going forth are from of old, from days of eternity.”
Micah 5:2
The prophet Micah announced the birthplace of the Messiah in Bethlehem,
which means “House of Bread”
Centuries before Christ was born in Bethlehem,
Naomi and her family left Bethlehem due to a famine.
Sadly, returning 10 years later, after the loss of her husband and two sons,
Naomi had gained a devoted and loving daughter in Ruth, the Moabitess.
Together they returned to Bethlehem.
They returned to the “House of Bread”, and from their story, “The Bread of Life”, came to us, a Wonderful Savior!
I Love This Story! Please Read It
There was once a man who didn’t believe in God, and he didn’t hesitate to let others know how he felt about religious holidays like Christmas. His wife however, did believe, and she raised their children to also have faith in God and, His Son, Jesus, The Christ, despite her husband’s disparaging comments…
One snowy Christmas Eve, his wife was taking their children to a Christmas Eve service in the farm community in which they lived. She asked him to come, but he refused. “That story is nonsense!” he said. “Why would God lower Himself to come to earth as a man? That’s ridiculous!” So she and the children left, and he stayed home.
A while later, the winds grew stronger and the snow turned into a blizzard. As the man looked out the window, all he saw was a blinding snowstorm. He sat down to relax before the fire for the evening. Then he heard a loud thump. Something had hit the window. Then another thump. He looked out, but couldn’t see more than a few feet. When the snow let up a little, he ventured outside to see what could have been beating on his window. In the field near his house he saw a flock of wild geese.
Apparently they had been flying south for the winter when they got caught in the snowstorm and couldn’t go on. They were lost and stranded on his farm, with no food or shelter. They just flapped their wings and flew around the field in low circles, blindly and aimlessly. A couple of them had flown into his window, it seemed.
The man felt sorry for the geese and wanted to help them. The barn would be a great place for them to stay, he thought. It’s warm and safe; surely they could spend the night and wait out the storm. So he walked over to the barn and opened the doors wide, then watched and waited, hoping they would notice the open barn and go inside. But the geese just fluttered around aimlessly and didn’t seem to notice the barn or realize what it could mean for them. The man tried to get their attention, but that just seemed to scare them and they moved further away. He went into the house and came with some bread, broke it up, and made a breadcrumb trail leading to the barn. They still didn’t catch on.
Now he was getting frustrated. He got behind them and tried to shoo them toward the barn, but they only got more scared and scattered in every direction except toward the barn. Nothing he did could get them to go into the barn where they would be warm and safe.
“Why don’t they follow me?!” he exclaimed. “Can’t they see this is the only place where they can survive the storm?” He thought for a moment and realized that they just wouldn’t follow a human. “If only I were a goose, then I could save them,” he said out loud.
Then he had an idea. He went into barn, got one of his own geese, and carried it in his arms as he circled around behind the flock of wild geese. He then released it. His goose flew through the flock and straight into the barn–and one by one the other geese followed it to safety.
He stood silently for a moment as the words he had spoken a few minutes earlier replayed in his mind: “If only I were a goose, then I could save them!” Then he thought about what he had said to his wife earlier. “Why would God want to be like us? That’s ridiculous!”
Suddenly it all made sense. That is what God had done. We were like the geese–blind, lost, perishing. God had His Son Jesus, to become like us so He could show us the way and save us. That was the meaning of Christmas, he realized.
As the winds and blinding snow died down, his soul became quiet and pondered this wonderful thought. Suddenly he understood what Christmas was all about, why Christ, the Messiah had come. Years of doubt and disbelief vanished like the passing storm. He fell to his knees in the snow, and prayed his first prayer: “Thank You, Jesus, for coming in human form to get me out of the storm!”
Author Unknown
Jesus
“…Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given:…and His Name shall be called
Wonderful,
Counselor,
The mighty God,
The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6
Clinging Close
“Just to be close,… and cling to You, ADONAI, is enough.” -F.C.
O God Our Help in Ages Past
O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home.
Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
to endless years the same.
Isaac Watts
Grace Internal
“Internal grace from God, empowers us for success in external endeavors.”
Faithrises 