'Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus

 -Josh Atkinson, Marietta, Ohio

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'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus

Just to take Him at His Word

Just to rest upon His promise

Just to know, "Thus saith the Lord"

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!

How I've proved Him o'er and o'er

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!

Oh, for grace to trust Him more

Lord oh, for grace to trust You more

-Louisa Stead

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God's Grace

-Autumn on the Mississippi 

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"The person who knows how to wait has grown to an exceptional degree in God's grace."

-unknown

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Joyful Garden -Joyful Words!

 -internet

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Ephesians 3

"...For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you; that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief.

By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power.

To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.

This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.

Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."

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Glorify the LORD with your life!

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Ephesians 2:8-9

Precious and Magnificent Promises

2 Peter 1

"To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;

seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.

For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.

Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.

For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.

Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;

for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you.

I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.

And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind.

For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.

For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, 

“This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased”— 

and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.

But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God."

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The LORD alone is our Refuge from Treachery and Oppression

Psalm 62

"My soul waits in silence for God only;

From Him is my salvation.

He only is my rock and my salvation,


My stronghold; 

I shall not be greatly shaken.

How long will you assail a man,


That you may murder him, 

all of you,


Like a leaning wall, 

like a tottering fence?

They have counseled only to thrust him down from his high position;


They delight in falsehood;


They bless with their mouth,


But inwardly they curse. 

 

My soul, 

wait in silence for God only,


For my hope is from Him.

He only is my rock and my salvation,


My stronghold;

I shall not be shaken.

On God my salvation and my glory rest;


The rock of my strength, 

my refuge is in God.

Trust in Him at all times, O people;


Pour out your heart before Him;


God is a refuge for us.

Men of low degree are only vanity 

and men of rank are a lie;


In the balances they go up;


They are together lighter than breath.

Do not trust in oppression


And do not vainly hope in robbery;


If riches increase, 

do not set your heart upon them.

Once God has spoken;


Twice I have heard this:


That power belongs to God;

And lovingkindness is Yours, O Lord,


For You recompense a man according to his work."

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A Different Life

 ~internet photo

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I have such fond memories of my grandparents. Precious times, precious stories, sweet times of love.

It seems even those times are so far off. Simple days, slower paced, easy times to talk and share.

Since they went to be with the LORD I have thought of so many questions I should have asked them about their lives, growing up, being young adults, living in the country, and then in the big city--

I am thankful I at least had them in my life into young adulthood.

Sweet, precious times...

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As a Mother...

"When you have a child, 

you decide to have your heart 

living a lifetime 

outside your body."

~Unknown

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Never Give Up

"We mothers put up such a good fight--

--But we don't always win."

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The one thing we do have--

The LORD GOD is on our side

and He never gives up.

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Ingratitude, Meanness, Anger, Bitterness, Hatred, Favoritism, and Lashing out...

 Galatians 5:7-26

..."You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?!!

This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you.

A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.

I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view; but the one who is disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is.

But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? 

Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished.

I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves.

For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, 

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: 

immorality, 

impurity, 

sensuality,

idolatry, 

sorcery, 

enmities, 

strife, 

jealousy, 

outbursts of anger, 

disputes, 

dissensions, 

factions, 

envying, 

drunkenness, 

carousing, 

and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is 

love, 

joy, 

peace, 

patience, 

kindness, 

goodness, 

faithfulness,

gentleness, 

self-control; 

against such things there is no law.

Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

Let us not become boastful, 

challenging one another, 

envying one another."

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Are you wondering where all the "Prayers for Prodigals" posts, by B. J. Reinhard, are?!

1

https://fromthepiperswife.blogspot.com/2011/12/prayers-for-prodigals-by-bj-reinhard-1.html

2

https://fromthepiperswife.blogspot.com/2011/12/prayers-for-prodigals-by-bj-reinhard-2.html

3

https://fromthepiperswife.blogspot.com/2011/12/prayers-for-prodigals-by-bj-reinhard-3.html

4

https://fromthepiperswife.blogspot.com/2011/12/prayers-for-prodigals-by-bj-reinhard-4.html

5

https://fromthepiperswife.blogspot.com/2011/12/prayers-for-prodigals-by-bj-reinhard-5.html

6

https://fromthepiperswife.blogspot.com/2011/12/prayers-for-prodigals-by-bj-reinhard-6.html

7

https://fromthepiperswife.blogspot.com/2011/12/prayers-for-prodigals-by-bj-reinhard-7.html

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*thank you, "anonymous", for asking :o)

**thank you, to my computer staff for your help :o)

"Don't 'fit in'...Do what's right!"

-My title to this meme came from a precious person in my life when I asked his advice.

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Mother's Day is Every Day in Prayer

A Mother’s Blanket of Prayer 

When you were young

And it was cold outside

With a blanket

I covered you with care. 

Now that you are older

And the world is much colder,

I now cover you with

A blanket of prayer. 

~Author unknown

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Words

"The saddest words 

are those that are left unspoken."

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Love is in the Air: Love the Ones you know

1 Thessalonians 4:9-11

..."Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;

for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. 

But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need."...

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The Joys of Motherhood

The joys and struggles of motherhood. 

We go from saying: 

"Aren't they sweet?!"  

to, 

"Why can't I keep them in a row anymore!?"

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Praying for Prodigals

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Oh, My Love, My Darling

Oh, my love, my darling

I've hungered for your touch

A long, lonely time

Time goes by so slowly

And time can do so much

Are you still mine?

I need your love

I need your love

God speed your love to me

Lonely rivers flow

To the sea, to the sea

To the open arms of the sea

Lonely rivers cry

Wait for me, wait for me

I'll be coming home, wait for me

Oh, my love, my darling

I've hungered for your touch

A long, lonely time

I need your love

I need your love

God speed your love to me

-Alex North, Hy Zaret

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Mark 10:6-9

..."from the beginning of creation, 

God made them male and female.

For this reason a man shall leave 

his father and mother, 

and the two shall become one flesh; 

so they are no longer two, 

but one flesh.

What therefore God has joined together, 

let no man separate.”...

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When Real Love Really Lasts

Ephesians 5:25-33

..."Husbands, love your wives, 

just as Christ also loved the church 

and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her,

 having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 

that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, 

having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; 

but that she would be holy and blameless.

So husbands ought also to love their own wives 

as their own bodies. 

He who loves his own wife loves himself; 

for no one ever hated his own flesh, 

but nourishes and cherishes it, 

just as Christ also does the church, 

because we are members of His body. 

For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother 

and shall be joined to his wife, 

and the two shall become one flesh. 

This mystery is great; 

but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. 

Nevertheless, each individual among you 

also is to love his own wife even as himself, 

and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband."

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Here's Looking at You

What is with that guy? 

Have you ever wondered about your neighbors? 

It's "either/or", right?

They are either unsaved and desperately in need of the Savior or they are saved by God's grace and live their life for Jesus. Right? 

-What about the ones who claim Jesus's name, but their demeanor and actions just don't show it? 

This one neighbor is who baffles me. I just can't understand a person who claims Jesus's name in His salvation, but his actions toward me, at least, are gruff to ignoring. 

They have never accepted an offer to come over (they never offered one either), and they are rather snubby. 

I live my life calmly, keeping our home and yard neat.  Meanwhile, through the years, I have seen him pick up trash, dead animals, and yard debris and merely, pitch it in our yard. 

What's with that? This week I found a chunk of concrete and rock right next to it.

Through the years huge storms barrel through with damages throughout our neighborhood. These are the only times he actually speaks to me. I often wonder, does he know he is speaking to me?! 

The last damaging storm was terrifying. As we were out helping people, he came right into our backyard to see our damage. After he made his comment, he just left. No helping us. No helping anyone else.

Well...It is not like I always obsess about this guy, but just this week I was out there picking up sticks and raking so - ah - I can say there was no concrete pieces there nor that rock in the middle of the grass area.

So once again I run to the LORD in repentance! I already have many sinful thoughts to repent of with the LORD, plus my own disappointing thoughts of my neighbor. 

So what if I have to pick up after him??

  

I am not him. 

I am me. I live and do for the LORD and I do it to glorify His Name. 

You can do this also no matter what is happening to you if you have given your life to the LORD through Jesus Christ our Savior! 

Philippians 4:4-13

..."Rejoice in the Lord always; 

again I will say, rejoice!

Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. 

The Lord is near.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything 

by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving 

let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, 

which surpasses all comprehension, 

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, 

whatever is honorable, 

whatever is right, 

whatever is pure, 

whatever is lovely, 

whatever is of good repute, 

if there is any excellence 

and if anything worthy of praise, 

dwell on these things.

The things you have learned and 

received and heard and seen in me, 

practice these things, 

and the God of peace will be with you.

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, 

that now at last you have revived 

your concern for me; 

indeed, you were concerned before, 

but you lacked opportunity.

Not that I speak from want, 

for I have learned to be content 

in whatever circumstances I am.

I know how to get along with humble means, 

and I also know how to live in prosperity; 

in any and every circumstance I have learned 

the secret of being filled and going hungry, 

both of having abundance and suffering need.

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."...

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Glory to God!

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As a Child of God you are Precious in His Sight

Because the LORD loves you, do for others!

Smile

Love 

Help

Care

You will make a difference.

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2 Thessalonians 3:1-8

"Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you;and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith.

But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command.

May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ."...