..."Why must I go about mourning?"...

-Rural Skyscraper hidden in the Woods

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" Why..." Psalm 42:9

"Dear Believer, can you answer the above question? 

Can you find any reason why you are so often mourning instead of rejoicing? 

Why do you allow your mind to dwell on gloomy thoughts? 

Who told you that night will never end in day?

Who told you that the winter of your discontent 

would continue from frost to frost and from snow, ice, and hail to even deeper snow and stronger storms of despair?

Don't you know that day dawns after night, showers displace drought, and spring and summer follow winter?

Then, have hope!

Hope forever, for God will not fail you!

-Charles H. Spurgeon

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Psalm 8

O Lord, our Lord,


How majestic is Your name in all the earth,


Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!


From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established strength
Because of Your adversaries,
To make the enemy and the revengeful cease.

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,


The moon and the stars, which You have ordained;


What is man that You take thought of him,


And the son of man that You care for him?


Yet You have made him a little lower than God,


And You crown him with glory and majesty!


You make him to rule over the works of Your hands;


You have put all things under his feet,


All sheep and oxen,


And also the beasts of the field,


The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea,


Whatever passes through the paths of the seas.

O Lord, our Lord,


How majestic is Your name in all the earth!

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Fiery Ordeals, Rejoicing in Exaltations in Faithfulness

-Scotland FB 

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1Peter 4:12-13

..."Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation"...

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Waiting on God and abiding in His will is to know Him in "the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings" 

Philippians 3:10

..."that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death"...

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and "to be conformed to the likeness of his Son"

Romans 8:29

..."For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren"...

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Therefore if God's desire is to enlarge your capacity for spiritual understanding, do not be frightened by the greater realm of suffering that awaits you.

The Lord's capacity for sympathy is greater still, for the breath of the Holy Spirit into His new creation never makes a heart hard and insensitive, but affectionate, tender, and true."

1Timothy 1:12

 ..."I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service"...

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-3/19 Streams in the Desert

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We are Weary and Heavy Ladened

-internet photo

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Matthew 11:28-30

"...[Jesus says] 

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” 

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Weary ones... let us learn to run to Jesus, rest in Jesus, trust in Jesus.  

He is our only hope. 

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Blessed be the LORD God for Jesus!

-Kinsman

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1 Peter 1:3-5

..."Blessed be the God and Father 

of our Lord Jesus Christ,

 

who according to His great mercy 

has caused us to be born again 

to a living hope through the resurrection 

of Jesus Christ from the dead, 

to obtain an inheritance which is 

imperishable and undefiled 

and will not fade away,

 

reserved in heaven for you,

who are protected by the power 

of God through faith for a salvation 

ready to be revealed in the last time."...

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Perseverance, Encouragement, Trusting

 Romans 15:4-6, 13

..."For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ...

...Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."...

Romans 8:24-39

..."For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?

But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

What then shall we say to these things? 

If God is for us, who is against us?

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?

Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? 

God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? 

Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

Who will separate us from the love of Christ? 

Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Just as it is written,

“For Your sake we are being put to death all day long;
We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

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"A Manner in Time"

-PLUGGERS

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We are blessed to live in an area where many, many people have grown up around here learning to live and act with good manners.

Joy!

We were raised with manners also even though in a different state so learning manners can happen with lots of people which is really a good thing! :o)

When people, young or old, behave badly around others we all know: 

#1 they did not grow up here

and/or 

#2 they were never taught proper manners

'Tis a real shame and a sorrowful one. Life has been becoming more rude and mean. 

Our only hope is in Jesus!

2 Timothy 4:1-5

"I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:

preach the word; 

be ready in season and out of season; 

reprove, 

rebuke, 

exhort, 

with great patience and instruction.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; 

but wanting to have their ears tickled, 

they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 

and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. 

But you, 

be sober in all things, 

endure hardship, 

do the work of an evangelist, 

fulfill your ministry."...

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The Torch that Lights Time's Thickest Gloom

-Yellowstone FB

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Go, labor on; spend, and be spent;

  Thy joy to do the Father’s will;

It is the way the Master went;

  Should not the servant tread it still?

Go, labor on: ’tis not for nought;

  Thy earthly loss is heav’nly gain;

Men heed thee, love thee, praise thee not;

  The Master praises, what are men?

Go, labor on; your hands are weak,

  Your knees are faint, your souls cast down;

Yet falter not; the prize you seek

  Is near, a kingdom and a crown.

Go, labor on while it is day,

  The world’s dark night is hastening on;

Speed, speed thy work, cast sloth away,

  It is not thus that souls are won.

 

Men die in darkness at your side,

  Without a hope to cheer the tomb;

Take up the torch and wave it wide,

  The torch that lights time’s thickest gloom.

Press on, faint not, keep watch and pray;

  Be wise the erring soul to win;

Go forth into the world’s highway,

  Compel the wanderer to come in.

Press on, and in thy work rejoice;

  For work comes rest, the prize thus won;

Soon shalt thou hear the Master’s voice,

  The midnight cry, Behold, I come!

-Horatius Bonar

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According to His Great Mercy

~ Yellowstone FB

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1 Peter 1:3-9

..."Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls."...

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Be Anxious for Nothing

 ~ROSE is ROSE

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Philippians 4:4-7

..."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."...

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In Christ Alone

~Yellowstone FB

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In Christ alone, my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This Cornerstone, this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My Comforter, my All in All

Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh

Fullness of God in helpless babe

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones He came to save

'Til on that cross as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied

For every sin on Him was laid

Here in the death of Christ I live, I live

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious Day

Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me

For I am His and He is mine

Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From life's first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His hand

Till He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

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Dependent on Your Grace!

O great God of highest heav'n

Occupy my lowly heart

Own it all and reign supreme

Conquer every rebel power

Let no vice or sin remain

That resists Your holy war

You have loved and purchased me

Make me Yours forevermore

I was blinded by my sin

Had no ears to hear Your voice

Did not know Your love within

Had no taste for heaven's joys

Then Your Spirit gave me life

Opened up Your Word to me

Through the gospel of Your Son

Give me endless hope and peace

Help me now to live a life

That's dependent on Your grace

Keep my heart and guard my soul

From the evils that I face

You are worthy to be praised

With my every thought and deed

O great God of highest heaven

Glorify Your Name through me

~Kauflin

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The Uncontrolled Dogs

What do dogs symbolize in the Bible?

Metaphorically speaking, the dog signifies worthlessness and offense. 

Revelation 22:15

..."Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying."...

Psalm 59

Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;


Set me securely on high away from those who rise up against me.


Deliver me from those who do iniquity


And save me from men of bloodshed.


For behold, they have set an ambush for my life;


Fierce men launch an attack against me,


Not for my transgression nor for my sin, O Lord,


For no guilt of mine, they run and set themselves against me.


Arouse Yourself to help me, and see!


You, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel,


Awake to punish all the nations;


Do not be gracious to any who are treacherous in iniquity.

They return at evening, they howl like a dog,


And go around the city.


Behold, they belch forth with their mouth;


Swords are in their lips,


For, they say, “Who hears?”


But You, O Lord, laugh at them;


You scoff at all the nations.

Because of His strength I will watch for You,


For God is my stronghold.


My God in His lovingkindness will meet me;


God will let me look triumphantly upon my foes.


Do not slay them, or my people will forget;


Scatter them by Your power, and bring them down,


O Lord, our shield.


On account of the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips,


Let them even be caught in their pride,

And on account of curses and lies which they utter.


Destroy them in wrath, destroy them that they may be no more;


That men may know that God rules in Jacob


To the ends of the earth.

They return at evening, they howl like a dog,


And go around the city.

They wander about for food


And growl if they are not satisfied.

But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength;


Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning,


For You have been my stronghold


And a refuge in the day of my distress.


O my strength, I will sing praises to You;


For God is my stronghold, the God who shows me lovingkindness."

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My Unexpected Joy

This world is full of woes...

Ecclesiastes 8:11

..."When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people’s hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong."...

No matter who you are there are sorrows and troubles in your life or around you. 

The difference in each person is if they trust the LORD with Jesus as their Savior. Believers see life here differently; we see it in God's perspective.

The BIGGEST difference ever.

John 11:33

..."These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. 

In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

Those of us who trust in Jesus with their lives have just as many, maybe more sorrows, heart aches...but we remember the LORD to whom we belong, and if we falter we eventually remember and cry out to the One and Only who can help us through our sorrows.

1 Peter:12-13

..."Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation."...

Some day we will be with the LORD.

John 1:18 

..."No one has ever seen God.
The One and Only Son—
the One who is at the Father’s side—
He has revealed Him."...

This will be our triumph because of Jesus and it will be all Joy!

Until this certain time we can certainly find His Joy even among our many and saddest sorrows. 

Among our sadnesses in this world we can find...

Unexpected Joy!

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We Can Rejoice And Be Glad...even in today...

 

A Most Expensive Liquid

The LORD knows your sorrows; 

He knows your heartaches; 

He knows your agonies; 

He understands your groans...

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Psalm 56

"Be gracious to me, O God, 

for man has trampled upon me;


Fighting all day long he oppresses me.




My foes have trampled upon me all day long,


For they are many who fight proudly against me.


When I am afraid,


I will put my trust in You.


In God, whose word I praise,


In God I have put my trust;


I shall not be afraid.


What can mere man do to me?


All day long they distort my words;


All their thoughts are against me for evil.


They attack, they lurk,


They watch my steps,


As they have waited to take my life.


Because of wickedness, cast them forth,


In anger put down the peoples, O God!

You have taken account of my wanderings;


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 have put my trust, 

I shall not be afraid.


What can man do to me?


Your vows are binding upon me, O God;


I will render thank offerings to You.


For You have delivered my soul from death,


Indeed my feet from stumbling,


So that I may walk before God


In the light of the living."

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We Live in a Precarious Life

We know what it is like to have a cat think we have bent over just for them to sit on us.  

This is may be what has happened with this photographer - he has a great photo to take and then his cat takes advantage of his owner for a nice sit down.

In this life what can we do when life is tough?  

Where can we go when life is precarious?

PRECARIOUS:

adjective

-Dangerously lacking in security or stability.

-Subject to chance or unknown conditions.

-Based on uncertain, unwarranted, or unproved premises.

A Precarious Life in the Scriptures:

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

..."Therefore we do not lose heart, 

but though our outer man is decaying, 

yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.

For momentary, light affliction is producing 

for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond 

all comparison, while we look not at the things 

which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; 

for the things which are seen are temporal, 

but the things which are not seen are eternal."

Romans 5:-1-11

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, 

we have peace with God through 

our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also 

we have obtained our introduction by faith 

into this grace in which we stand; 

and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

And not only this, but we also exult in our 

tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings 

about perseverance; and perseverance, 

proven character; and proven character, 

hope; and hope does not disappoint, 

because the love of God has been poured out 

within our hearts through the Holy Spirit 

who was given to us.

For while we were still helpless, at the right 

time Christ died for the ungodly.

For one will hardly die for a righteous man; 

though perhaps for the good man someone 

would dare even to die.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, 

in that while we were yet sinners, 

Christ died for us.

Much more then, having now been justified 

by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath 

of God through Him.

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled 

to God through the death of His Son, much more, 

having been reconciled, we shall be saved 

by His life.

And not only this, but we also exult in God through 

our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have 

now received the reconciliation...."

Romans 12:9-13

"...Let love be without hypocrisy. 

Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; 

give preference to one another in honor;

not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, 

serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering 

in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to 

the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality."...

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More scriptures to help lift your head and remind you who holds onto you no matter what is happening in this life. 

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