Category Archives: Jesus

Make Me A Captive, Lord ~ Hymn

Make Me A Captive, Lord

Make me a captive, Lord,
And then I shall be free.
Force me to render up my sword,
And I shall conqueror be.
I sink in life’s alarms
When by myself I stand;
Imprison me within Thine arms,
And strong shall be my hand.

My heart is weak and poor
Until it master find;
It has no spring of action sure,
It varies with the wind.
It cannot freely move
Till Thou has wrought its chain;
Enslave it with Thy matchless love,
And deathless it shall reign.

My power is faint and low
Till I have learned to serve;
It lacks the needed fire to glow,
It lacks the breeze to nerve.
It cannot drive the world
Until itself be driven;
Its flag can only be unfurled
When Thou shalt breathe from Heaven.

My will is not my own
Till Thou hast made it Thine;
If it would reach a monarch’s
Throne, it must its crown resign.
It only stands unbent
Amid the clashing strife,
When on Thy bosom it has leant,
And found in Thee its life.

Words: George Matheson, 1890.

Truth for Today #57

Thursday May 25th

On Thursdays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during the week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s dig deep in God’s Truth again this year! 

Psalm 103:8-13

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.

From Vera:

‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭8‬:‭56‬-‭61‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“Blessed be the LORD who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. Not one word has failed of all his good promise, which he spoke by Moses his servant. The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers. May he not leave us or forsake us, that he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his rules, which he commanded our fathers. Let these words of mine, with which I have pleaded before the LORD, be near to the LORD our God day and night, and may he maintain the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel, as each day requires, that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God; there is no other. Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the LORD our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandments, as at this day.”

From Karen:

Psalm 113:3

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’s name is to be praised.
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He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother…

Me and my baby brother in 2020. Since today is National Brother’s Day, Joyce has included some questions about brothers for this weeks Wednesday Hodgepodge.

1. May 24th is National Brother’s Day.

Do you have a brother?

yes

Older or younger?

I have one older brother and three younger brothers. The photo above is of all my siblings in order of birth. I’m in the middle with the orange dress. This was taken twenty years ago. Our youngest siblings are twins and we were celebrating their 40th birthday with a Luau. Soon we’ll be celebrating their 60th birthday in Texas at a ranch.

I have a good relationship with all my siblings but one. Our older brother and his family do not associate with any of us anymore. I haven’t seen him or talked to him since July of 2009. Totally his choice and not ours. 

My brothers with our Pop at our Mom’s funeral in 2013.

Did you raise brothers?

Yes, our first born and second born are boys so we did raise brothers.

Tell us something about your brother or tell us something about your own children who are brothers.

Our sons are exactly two years apart in age. They love each other and are great friends despite some rough patches growing up. I’m thankful to God for their love for each other and how they watch out for each other. They are faithful brothers and friends.

In 2011 another brother was added to our family when our daughter married Andrew!

He’s been a wonderful addition to our lives.

2. A great book you’ve read or movie you enjoy that features brothers? 

The Chronicles of Narnia, Peter and Edmund. Sisters play a role, too.

3. Something you think is overrated?

Self-esteem

Something you think is underrated? 

Fidelity in marriage.

4. How much does your past shape you? What parts have shaped you the most? 

God has shaped my past with the family he put me in and the experiences and relationships He allowed in my life.  His calling on my life and my response of believing on the Lord Jesus Christ transformed my life.  Following Christ as the Word of God instructs is still shaping me.

“But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”

Ephesians 4:20-24 NASB

5. What’s your favorite simple pleasure? 

Watching British murder mysteries like Morse, Inspector Lewis, Endeavour, Midsomer Murders and Vera.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

The yard is greening and growing and the Peonies are blooming here at our country bungalow. Happy to say things survived the epic thunder, lightning, hail storms we had over the weekend into Monday.

We are expecting some overnight company next week and we are looking forward to that. Memorial Day dinner is planned and company invited. Hope you all have a good Memorial Day weekend. We remember those who died to make our freedom possible.

Truth for Today #56

Thursday May 18th

On Thursdays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during the week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s dig deep in God’s Truth again this year! 

Psalm 9:9-10

The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for  you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.

Isaiah 26:3-4

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.

From Vera:

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭9‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

From Leonard:

Exodus 34:6-7

“And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.” 

From Karen:

Psalms 146:5

Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:
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Souls of Men, Why Will Ye Scatter ~ Hymn

Souls of Men, Why Will Ye Scatter

Souls of men, why will ye scatter
Like a crowd of frightened sheep?
Foolish hearts, why will ye wander
From a love so true and deep?

Was there ever kinder shepherd
Half so gentle, half so sweet,
As the Savior who would have us
Come and gather round His feet?

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy,
Like the wideness of the sea;
There’s a kindness in His justice,
Which is more than liberty.

There is no place where earth’s sorrows
Are more felt than up in Heaven;
There is no place where earth’s failings
Have such kindly judgment given.

There is plentiful redemption
In the blood that has been shed;
There is joy for all the members
In the sorrows of the Head.

For the love of God is broader
Than the measure of man’s mind.
And the heart of the Eternal
Is most wonderfully kind.

Pining souls! come nearer Jesus,
And oh! come not doubting thus,
But with faith that trusts more bravely
His huge tenderness for us.

If our love were but more simple,
We should take Him at His word;
And our lives would all be sunshine
In the sweetness of our Lord.

Words: Frederick William Faber, 1854.

Truth for Today #55

Thursday May 11th

On Thursdays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during the week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s dig deep in God’s Truth again this year! 

Psalm 3:3

But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.

Psalm 18:2

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 

Psalm 28:7

The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults and with my song I give thanks to him.

and this verse in Russian;

Господь–крепость моя и щит мой; на Него уповало сердце мое, и Он помог мне, и возрадовалось сердце мое; и я прославлю Его песнью моею.

From Vera:

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.”

From Anneliese:

Psalm 65:8

“You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy.”

I Know Whom I Have Believed ~ Hymn

I Know Whom I Have Believed

I know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.

Refrain

But I know whom I have believèd,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.

I know not how this saving faith
To me He did impart,
Nor how believing in His Word
Wrought peace within my heart.

Refrain

I know not how the Spirit moves,
Convincing us of sin,
Revealing Jesus through the Word,
Creating faith in Him.

Refrain

I know not what of good or ill
May be reserved for me,
Of weary ways or golden days,
Before His face I see.

Refrain

I know not when my Lord may come,
At night or noonday fair,
Nor if I walk the vale with Him,
Or meet Him in the air.

Refrain

Words: Daniel W. Whittle, 1883.

Truth for Today #54

Thursday May 4th

On Thursdays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during the week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s dig deep in God’s Truth again this year!

Isaiah 43:25

“I, I am he
who blots out your transgressions for my own sake,
and I will not remember your sins.

Isaiah 54:10

For the mountains may depart
and the hills be removed,
but my steadfast love shall not depart from you,
and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,”
says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Zechariah 1:3

Therefore say to them, Thus declares the Lord of hosts: Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts.

Isaiah 54:7

For a brief moment I deserted you,
but with great compassion I will gather you.

Psalm 119:49

Remember your word to your servant,
in which you have made me hope.

From Vera:

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭31‬-‭39‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
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Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus! ~ Hymn

 

Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus!

Hail, Thou once despisèd Jesus!
Hail, Thou Galilean King!
Thou didst suffer to release us;
Thou didst free salvation bring.
Hail, Thou universal Savior,
Who hast borne our sin and shame!
By Thy merits we find favor;
Life is given through Thy name.

Paschal Lamb, by God appointed,
All our sins on Thee were laid;
By almighty love anointed,
Thou hast full atonement made.
Every sin may be forgiven
Through the virtue of Thy blood;
Opened is the gate of Heaven,
Reconciled are we with God.

Jesus, hail! enthroned in glory,
There forever to abide;
All the heavenly hosts adore Thee,
Seated at Thy Father’s side.
There for sinners Thou art pleading;
There Thou dost our place prepare;
Thou for saints art interceding
Till in glory they appear.

Worship, honor, power and blessing
Christ is worthy to receive;
Loudest praises, without ceasing,
Right it is for us to give.
Help, ye bright angelic spirits,
Bring your sweetest, noblest lays;
Help to sing of Jesus’ merits,
Help to chant Emmanuel’s

Words: John Bakewell, 1757.

Truth for Today #53

Thursday April 27th

On Thursdays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during the week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s dig deep in God’s Truth again this year!

Hosea 6:3

Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.

Ecclesiastes 7:5

It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools.

Ecclesiastes 9:17-18

The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.

From Sandi:

Matthew 23:12

“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” 

From Vera:

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭56‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me. In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭56‬:‭8‬-‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

From Karen:

Hebrews 13:2
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.