Lord's Day Devotional - Devotional Prayer - Our NEW SONG

  

Praise the name of the Lord our Protector!  Father, You protected Your children of Israel through so many years of their history and I believe even now.  Those who bless them, You bless  Those who curse them, You curse.

Jesus came to change the curses to blessing and we bless You for that.  He even blesses those who curse Him.  He blesses with rain, sunshine, vistas of Your Creation and of salvation for their souls.

He died so that He could "collect" souls for You!  Living souls.  He heaps coals of fire upon them emotionally and spiritually with His goodness, kindness, mercy and love.  Praise the Lord.  They become a 'new creation' when they accept Jesus as Savior through faith; thereby storing up 'treasure in Heaven' for You.

Now we all Who come to You through Jesus can sing a new song.  You have put a new song into our minds, hearts, and mouths.  Those new songs of "Hallelujah" can be sung right out through sanctified lips that may even had spewed forth curses or foul language.

Let one and all be glad in their Savior.  Let us sing and be glad through our 'vocal' instruments, guitars, cajons, homemade shakers; whatever, wherever.  Humbly we sing and bow at Your feet in adoration, praise and thanksgiving.

You have protected us against the wiles of the devil; thwarted his collection of our souls to eternal damnation.  Oh Father God!  Thank-You!!  We exult in Your glory through our Savior, Jesus.  We even sing Your praises of joy upon our beds of insomnia or as "lullabys" en route to Slumberland, sometimes making the songs up as we go.  The "praise-of-the-day" song of how your protection shielded us; of how we have learned something more about You, the work of Your hands or of some guidance and direction You gave us that day.

Bind up the "kings", "nobles"; that is, the demons, actually, of Satan -- those spiritual forces that would hinder our growth in Jesus.  Bind up all those evil forces, execute Your judgement upon them and send them to wherever Jesus tells them to go.

This is the priviledge and honor Your godly ones, in Jesus, have.  Jesus, the name that is "love" upon our lips.  Jesus, the New Song in our hearts.  It is an honor, privilege and responsibilty to be in Your family, Father God, through Your Son Jesus.

This Lord's Day, we remember Jesus in His death; rejoice in Him, sing praises to Him, give our heartfelt thanks to Him.  All of these, as we pass the broken bread one to another, partaking of it.  All of these too, as we then give thanks and drink from the cup of wine together with others of Your children.

Praise the Lord!  Thank-You, Jesus!  You are our "New Song".  In Jesus, name we praise.

                                                         ~ERC  July 2021~

Based on Psalm 149:1-9 (ESV)

Sing, He Keeps me Singing, along with Bill & Gloria Gaither & Jake Hess.

Prayer - Because of Jesus' Resurrection

 O Lord our God, we will sing Your praises today and for endless days to come because of Jesus' resurrection.  That gives us the sure hope we too will rise to be among those who join You in the heavenly realms of glory in time to come.  We do not fear being left behind when You call.

Your steadfast love is the pillar of strength that upholds us through all the trouble-filled days of our lives.  If You did not help us and give us this hope, where would we be?!  We could not withstand.  We could not stand with Your dignity when proud, wicked men assailed us with false accusations; arrogant words afflicting.

You do see and hear it all Father.  That is our comfort.  You know the thoughts and deeds of man.  You will rebuke, You will bring justice in Your good time.

May the upright follow Your heart and know You do not forsake; You do not abandon, Your children.  This, even when the accusers 

"band together against the life of the righteous to condem the innocent" (Psalm 94:21 ESV).

Father God, we cling on to You for You have 

"become our stronghold and...rock of my refuge" (Psalm 94:22 ESV).

We hold tight to You as did the psalmist.  Thank - You!  Then sings our souls because He lives and we can face tomorrow.  And in our tomorrows with You we can learn to sing Your praises forevermore in the land of Light that has no night; all because of Jesus' resurrection, knowing He lives.

                                                      ~ERC  March 2021~

Based on Psalm 94:1-23 ESV

Sing, Because He Lives, along with Guy Penrod from Gaither Vocal Band

Book Review - Studio of the South - By Martin Bailey - Publish Date 6 July 2021

This is a most marvelous of books.  Here's a peek...

Some of the most pleasant of days of Vincent Van Gogh's life were spent in the "Studio of the South" (1888-1889 in Arles).  It was a most idyllic time for him despite its being short-lived.  When the canvas of good times rolled up, however, the highways and byways that once comforted and inspired him to paint a prolific plethora of paintings as seasons morphed into each other, became his crucible.   His works were considered of little worth at the time, especially by the inhabitants of "the South,"  and sadly, those folks eventually came to think little of the man himself, as well.  

Nowadays, these same paintings have had a momentus transformation of perspective from art collectors and enthusiaists the world over, and now command the great respect and honor they deserve.  It's a far cry from those days of mean things to his worth and work's value, today.

The book, Studio of the South, written by Martin Bailey, paints a word picture of Van Gogh's life and masterpieces, as encapsulated above.  Those unfamiliar with Van Gogh and his work will gain much insight and be impressed by the abundance of his work colorfully portrayed within the book's pages.  Most, if not all the paintings are explained as to: of what they are composed, or why Van Gogh was madly spurred on to their creation (as much as can be concluded from collaboration from letters, documents and so on, to which the author had had access).  

Those readers already familiar with Van Gogh's work will be delighted once again, especially since there are some "first-time-to-be-seen" works included among those of which they may already admire.  It's quite possible these readers would learn new things about the man and his work,  and in their eyes, propel Van Gogh to further 'in-Vincent-ability' and posterity.

Anyone who would purchase or be gifted this comprehensive biography with its outlay of paintings generously pictured, will not be disappointed.  Slowly turn the pages, drink them in, savor the moods and seasons, and realize, especially, what it must have meant to the man behind the brush and palette.

Enjoy your  'virtual' "visite de museum du Vincent Van Gogh".

                                            ~Eunice C. - Reviewer/Blogger~

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the review copy I recieved from the publishers. (Eunice C.)

Prayer - Strength, Majesty, Holiness

 

Father God, You are so strong, mighty and majestic and completely holy.  In fact, the psalmist said You are "robed" with the former and Your house is "adorned" with the latter and that for "endless days".  If only our homes were so well "decorated" and the inhabitants so clothed! 

 Father, we often hear the Sunday School song,

"Our God is so big, so strong and so mighty,

There's nothing our God cannot do..."*

It's a very joyful song.  Make its words and especially the words of Psalm 93 penetrate, not just our minds, but our hearts as well.

Shatter our doubts and skepticisims that you are so strong and mighty.  There are times in the toils and troubles of life when we question, "If You are so big and strong, then how come we can't get out of the "valley of death"?!"  Instead, may this psalm be upon our lips and to sing with confidence, of Your stength and might and holiness.  May we gain our confidence in You to depend upon Your strength and mejesty.  

You have imparted Your holiness to those who have received Jesus Christ as Savior.  That is what You see:  Your righteousness and holiness because of the blood of Jesus Christ that cleansed us from all sin.  Yet, Father, we confess we do not always make Jesus, LORD of our lives and therein our sanctification holiness is lacking.  May we be holy as You are holy.

May our homes too be clothed in holiness as we live before You in the "fear of God" and then continue to sing joyfully of Your established throne which is from eternity to eternity, and that is full of strength, might, majesty and holiness.

We worship Your Majesty with holy living.  We worship with praises from our lips:  singing of You and Your firm, established ways and Being.

Thank-You in Jesus' Name.

                                                   ~ERC  March 2021~

Based on Psalm 93:1-5 NIV

Sing, Majesty, Worship His Majesty, along with Maranatha Music

*Ruth Harms Calkin, author of My God is so Big...

Book Review - Deadly Coincidence

Excitement mounts and curiosity stirs, luring you to keep turning the pages of Deadly Coincidence, authored by Keith Finney, to keep pace with Anna and co-"amateur sleuth" Eddie as they traverse and scour the Norfolk regions' lanes for clues and murderers. This is a good clean detective story, which gets your heart ticking faster. Tensions are eased with humor even as suspense builds.


                                       ~Eunice C. Reviewer/Blogger - July 2021~

Book slated to be published 15 July 2021.

Prayer - Home Sweet Home

 

"Home Sweet Home," the plaque on the foyer wall read.  You could see it first thing when stepping through the front door.  It was comforting.  Satisfying, and rarely failed to bring a smile to one's weariness at the end of a day.

It created a wake of relaxation; permeating the mood as one walked through the house, discarding car keys, hats, coats, gloves, books, shoes, work clothes, etc in the hunt for family and food.  Ah-h-h.

Then to put ones feet up before a crackling fire, nice cuppa tea, coffee or hot cocoa in hand; or to scout out the cooler inner sanctums of the favorite family room and enjoy gleeful moments of rumpus with chidren and welcome hugs, kisses and smiles from one's spouse.  This is home, sweet home.

It is the shelter and shadow; the refuge and fortress established by husband and wife or parents.  This is your "dwelling place".  It feels invincible and you the "reigning protector" with "shield and buckler", so to speak, and encased by walls and roof and truth from God's word.

This is what the psalmist of Psaslm 91 calls Almighty God, the God most High.  He who dwells there in the Almighty's shadow and shelter.  He recommended it, in psalm song for whoever sang it and heard it sung.  This God in whom he had placed his trust.

Trust well-placed and protected from the "snare of fowler",  and "from the deadly pestilence".  Oh, we all who have been living through the years, from end of 2019 all the way to this year of 2021 AD, know this one well.  We've been sheltering under our Heavenly Father's wings.   We can't do much else.

The terrors and fears of the COVID-19 virus and even of the supposed vaccine antidote; of all the unrest and demonstrations gone awry; of natural disaster after natural disaster; of wars: these "arrows which fly by day".

From our shelter, nestled in the "dwelling place" of our LORD and His love, we too, need not fear.  These are big, bold words.  Heavenly Father, You are teaching us to trust You.  We can trust that You are in control throughout all the circumstances of life that do bring us a plethora of fears.  

Let us press on to the hope in Him each day of our lives.  Father God, in You we put our trust.  May we overcome and have joy in You through Jesus.  It is in Him we abide, for He is our ...

"Home Sweet Home"!

In Jesus' name we pray, praise and trust.

                                                  ~ERC  March 2021~

Based on Psalm 90:1-16 ESV.

Prayer - As Meek As Moses

 Isn't this an odd thing to pray?

"Make us glad for as many days as You have afflicted us"?!

Or, how about this one,

"...for as many years as we have seen evil"?!

It seems very odd to me but that is exactly what Moses, the man of God, prayed!  You can read it for yourself in Psalm 90 verse 15 (ESV).

Can you imagine being glad for not just "days" - which is bad enough - but "years" as well, of encountering affliction and evil?  It certainly isn't on my bucket list of future joys and likely not yours either!

Whatever was Moses thinking?!

Verses 16 and 17 of this same Psalm give us a clue and it is kind of the scenario that John exclaimed in regards to Jesus, 

"He must increase but I must decrease" (John 3:30 KJV).

When we are weak, then God can come in and we, the servants of the Lord God Most High, can show us His glorious power and favor.  If we think we are so good and strong on our own, and don't need any help, how will we ever know how much better and able He can work in our lives?

Moses had ample opportunity to experience this day in and day out, year after year, as y'all well know from reading Exodus.  Those times of leading the recalcitrant children of Israel out of Egypt and through the wilderness to the Promised land.  It originally was only supposed to be three days of worship in the wilderness but it burgeoned into a forty year trek!  Moses KNEW what he was talking about and valued the LORD's continual input.  He valued it and absolutely NEEDED it!

May affliction and evil that besets us automatically turn us to the One who Moses valued.  May it make us glad, not just for "many days" but "many years" as well.  Focus on the Lord and not on the affliction and evil.

By the time we get to reading the book of James in the New Testament we see the same "odd" refrain,

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds" (James 1:2 NIV).

Is James out of his mind, too?  No.  He, too, realizes what Moses did.  The trials have potential to produce in us that which is needful:  perseverance, maturity, completeness, and wisdom that only God can give.  This "testing of our faith" is painful but productive (James 1:2-5 NIV).  When we cast our eyes, minds and hearts on the end result, that which the Lord wants to shape and mold within us, think "joy" and "gladness".  It is Christ in you, showing forth through the Holy Spirit's work and our submission to that work and to Him.

It would not be called, "affliction," "evil," "trials" and "testing" if it were "easy".  God's Word acknowledges that it is not.  When we become "as meek as Moses" through our perseverance for days, weeks and years on end, our Heavenly Father will have joy too as He sees us becoming "mature" and "complete" in Jesus.

Abba Father, You want Your children to "grow up," to become mature in Your Son, Jesus Christ.  Help us to submit to You, to be as meek as Moses, to the hard slog and training and upbringing You customize to each one of us.  We can tell You, for sure, it is not "fun" but we NEED You to aid and abet us to overcome all those days and years of affliction and evil as described by Moses and James.  They knew what they were talking about and didn't flippantly mix in and couple the trials with the words, "glad" and "pure joy," for kicks.

To our earthly mindset -- that is a vey odd thing to do, but we will learn to trust You and the help You give us, to be able to say the same.  Others may think we've gone bonkers, but You, oh Lord, will know the secret of our saneness, and we can be glad and rejoice together with You.

In Jesus' name we praise, pray and are glad of heart through it all.

                                                      ~ERC March 2021~

Based on Psalm 90:15-17 (ESV).

Here's a mini testimony and a song, Through It All, by the late Andrae Crouch.