Day 8 – The Clamourous Woman

Posted on September 29, 2006 by Kate

Prov. 9:13 “A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.”

Proverbs is such a great book – full of instruction and wisdom! Why, then, is its wise counsel not heeded? I think each of us knows someone who fits the description of the lady of Proverbs 9:13. I know I do!

I looked up clamorous in Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary and I must say that it was more than what I thought it meant, which was noisy!

CLAMOROUS, a. Speaking and repeating loud words; noisy; vociferous; loud; turbulent.

Now that it’s put that way, can you imagine living with someone like this? Better yet, are you that someone?

Someone I know quite well is exactly like this. A dear friend of mine lives next door to someone who fits this description perfectly. These women probably have no clue that they are this way – or they probably don’t care. Solomon says that these women are not only loud but repetitious! That means they are naggers and complainers and they do it loudly! I don’t know about you but I truly do not want to be known as a clamorous woman! Nor do I think a man would want to live with one either.

Solomon goes on to say that the clamorous woman is simple and knows nothing. Why do you think he said that? I’m sure it had nothing to do with how smart she was. Noah Webster defined “simple” as being weak in intellect. In fact, the lady I personally know is quite intelligent. However, I believe Solomon means that the clamorous woman is simple in the Word of God. You can “know” an instruction but it does not mean that you have applied it to your life. Any believer who spends daily time in the Word seeking the Holy Spirit’s will is going to be convicted of sin in their lives. So, obviously, this woman does not make the Word part of her daily life. If she does, then she is most certainly quenching the Holy Spirit.

I surely feel badly for the man who is married to such a woman. I think of another Proverb, “It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.” (Pro 25:24) How sad it is when a women is so prideful that she does not allow the Holy Spirit to work in her life.

The Lord has much reward in store for the woman who can be taught. Let’s look at the flip side of Proverb 9:13 – the exact opposite “A prudent woman is quiet: she is wise, and knoweth the will of God.” Are you this woman? Or, instead, are you the Proverbs 9:13 woman? Why would you want to be known as a clamorous woman? Won’t you allow the Holy Spirit to teach you?

Dear God…
Help me to see myself as You do
Each wicked sin and weakness reveal
Show me in Your Word and please grow me
So my broken spirit will be healed

Day 7 – How Firm a Foundation

Posted on September 28, 2006 by Kate

Prov. 9:1 “Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars”

Anyone with even a bit of imagination can visualize the building of a house. It is especially interesting to pull together the verses which deal with this topic. I love to see the “big picture” that God is trying to paint when He refers to our spiritual lives.

Amuse me a bit as I take you along my mental project of house building. I’ve never built a house, but I have watched many a home improvement program to know the process. One of the important factors is having a solid piece of land to lay the foundation on. There’s no sense in laying a foundation on sand – no matter how strong that foundation is, it will crack. A good solid ground, yes even a good solid Rock, will hold up the foundation. This is the starting point. A word search on the word foundation blessed my heart so much.

As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation. (Pro 10:25)Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. (Isa 28:16)

He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. (Luk 6:48)

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1Co 3:11)

Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; (1Co 3:12)

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (Eph 2:20)

Here we see that Christ is the Chief Corner stone (the strongest stone used in a foundation because it unites two sides) of the foundation. The apostles and prophets (the Word of God) make up the rest of the foundation. As we read through these verses, we see that the saved’s foundation is eternal because it is the foundation of Jesus Christ. The building materials reflect our spiritual homes as they are built upon the foundation (gold, silver, precious stones or wood, hay and stubble). We should take a moment here to compare this to the quality of building supplies you use in building your earthly home… do you use cheap insulation or did you go with the good stuff? When the cold winter winds blow, do you see your curtains moving and drafts coming out of all the cracks? Your house will reflect the time and money you put into building it. What about your spiritual house?

The shell of the house is next – putting up pillars (if that’s your design) – solid load-bearing walls, insulation, drywall, etc. We see that Wisdom’s house in Proverb 9:1 had seven pillars! The number seven in the Bible depicts completion. Creation was finished and God rested on the seventh day. There are seven days in the week. There are seven churches referenced in Revelation, etc. Seven is known as God’s perfect number – the number for completion. Wisdom has seven pillars on her house. The house is perfectly solid – it is complete.

Why would God use this application for wisdom? Everyone knows what it’s like to start a new job. Oh the feeling of insecurity we have because we don’t know all the “ins and outs” of that position just yet. Our manager can teach us the various tasks and we can take thorough notes, but until we actually perform those tasks ourselves, we do not have that warm fuzzy feeling of comfort. Each day, we become more and more experienced with the day-to-day tasks at hand. Eventually, we can perform those same tasks with our eyes closed.

This simple example can be applied to our own spiritual lives. When we are saved, we now have the foundation of our spiritual homes. The more we are in the Word of God and apply and practice His teachings in our lives, we are constructing our spiritual homes upon the foundation. If our building materials are weak, we will not weather the storms of life and the devil’s attacks – our house will be shaken. However, we can start over and rebuild using those materials which are everlasting. Those same storms can come, but this time our house will stand strong and firm!

Let’s apply wisdom in our spiritual lives and building upon Christ’s solid foundation. In so doing, we will have precious building materials in our spiritual house which will fair the storms of life.

How Firm a Foundation
By John RipponHow firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
You, who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?

In every condition, in sickness, in health;
In poverty’s vale, or abounding in wealth;
At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea,
As thy days may demand, shall thy strength ever be.

Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

Even down to old age all My people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.

The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.

Day 6 – Wise or Brutish

Posted on September 27, 2006 by Kate

Prov. 12:1 “Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.”Prov. 15:32 “He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.”

As I was reading Proverbs this morning, I noticed in Prov. 12:1 that the Lord says that the person who hates to be corrected is brutish. I had a mental picture of what brutish meant but found Noah Webster’s definition quite interesting.

BRU’TISH, a. Like a brute or beast; as a brutish form.

1. Insensible; stupid; as brutish men.

2. Unfeeling; savage; ferocious; brutal.

3. Gross; carnal; bestial.

4. Ignorant; uncivilized; untaught.

When we refuse spiritual correction, we are being insensible, stupid, unfeeling, carnal, ignorant and untaught! Ouch! We do not totally realize what we do when we refuse correction or “buck” against it. God knows, however. He is quite clear in His Word.

Another Proverb that hit me between the eyes was Proverb 15:32. God says that we hate our own soul if we refuse instruction. Those are not comforting words at all. These words should get the Christian stirred up.

Do we interfere with the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives by being brutish? Are we hating our own souls by refusing instruction? Why in the world would we want to be classified amongst those that are? Instead, the Lord promises knowledge and understanding if we heed instruction and reproof!

In the yielding of our hearts to the Spirit’s teaching, His fruit becomes evident in our lives. The Word builds our faith and with that faith we put forth fruits of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance!

More Like Jesus Would I BeMore like Jesus would I be, let my Savior dwell with me;
Fill my soul with peace and love—make me gentle as a dove;
More like Jesus, while I go, pilgrim in this world below;
Poor in spirit would I be; let my Savior dwell in me.

If He hears the raven’s cry, if His ever watchful eye
Marks the sparrows when they fall, surely He will hear my call:
He will teach me how to live, all my sinful thoughts forgive;
Pure in heart I still would be—let my Savior dwell in me.

More like Jesus when I pray, more like Jesus day by day,
May I rest me by His side, where the tranquil waters glide.
Born of Him through grace renewed, by His love my will subdued,
Rich in faith I still would be—let my Savior dwell in me.

Day 5 – The Light of the Word

Posted on September 26, 2006 by Kate

Prov. 6:23 “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life”

Some of us who are older can recollect being spanked by our parents. (It’s a sad state of affairs today where children threaten their parents with reporting them to Social Services if they spank them!) With each spanking I received as a child, I learned that what I did was wrong – sometimes I learned quickly and other times not so quickly. But the key here is that I learned from each spanking.

So it is with our Christian walk. Instead of parents, however, we have the Word and our Heavenly Father. God has given us the Word to intruct us. I love the way Proverbs 6:23 says that the Word is a lamp and a light for us. It is not a deep dark secret with hidden messages only to be interpreted by a priest or rabbi. It is a light to the one who is seeking God’s will. We all can know what the Bible has to say without depending on another for intepretation. I find it interesting that the Holy Spirit impressed upon Peter to pen the following verses:

2 Peter 1:20-21, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. (20) For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (21)

It is not man’s interpretations that we should be seeking. We should be seeking the Holy Spirit’s interpretation because He wrote the Bible using men who submitted themselves to be used by Him. This is not the way I was raised as a catholic. In fact, not once was I encouraged to read the Bible from the time I could reason to the age of 25. Not once… instead I was told to listen and obey my parish priest blindly. I was told that this was true faith. Now that I am born again and can read and understand God’s Word on my own, I say that this was not true faith but sheer stupidity on my part. Only I will be accountable before God for my actions – not anyone else but me! So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. (Rom 14:12) No one can stand before me in a court of law today and give an account and take my punishment for breaking a law in the United States. No one! Why should it be different before God – the Lover of righteousness? I cannot blame my actions on anyone else.

The second thing I noticed in this Proverb was that reproofs of instruction were a way of life for the believer. Daniel Webster defines reproof as:

1. Blame expressed to the face; censure for a fault; reprehension.Those best can bear reproof, who merit praise.

He that hateth reproof is brutish. Prov 12.

2. Blame cast; censure directed to a person.

Why would God include this immediately after stating that the Word was a lamp and light to us? Clearly the Word has been given to us to teach us the right way to go. When we get off the right path and disobey that instruction, God then corrects us and sometimes must chastise us. For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. (Pro 3:12) For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. (Heb 12:6)

Don’t follow man’s teaching blindly – no matter who that man is. It is good to listen to good preaching but it does not remove your responsibility as a born again child of God to make sure that what you are hearing is in line with God’s Word.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2Ti 3:16) When a man (or “church”) teaches something contrary to God’s Word, you must search it out for yourself. We will each be accountable to God for what we did in life. We won’t be able to blame another when we stand before God and give an account for believing what “the church” or “the preacher” taught us. The Word was given to each of us as a lamp and a light – it is clear that this is not a case of the blind leading the blind – the blind see no light. The born again believer is no longer blind!

Therefore, God makes it quite clear that His Word shines brightly with His teachings and doctrine. For the believer, this is very encouraging because we are not left alone to our own devices. Rom 1:21-22, “But to the unsaved, you are without excuse. Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (21) Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (22) Dont’ be a fool today. Let the light of the Word shine in your heart and draw you to the cross where your burdens may be lifted!

Dear God…
Your Word lightens my way
No more in darkness I hide
Desperately seeking I find
Your Precious bleeding side

Day 4 – To Speak or Not to Speak

Posted on September 25, 2006 by Kate

Prov.17:28, “Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.”

There are not too many verses in Scriptures which say that the fool can actually do something “right”! This is one verse that says even a fool can do something right – and it has to do with keeping his mouth shut! Even the “spiritual” christian struggles with holding his tongue.

The Book of James has four verses dedicated to man holding his tongue:

If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. (Jam 1:26)Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! (Jam 3:5)

And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. (Jam 3:6)

But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. (Jam 3:8)

I know that we have all heard the verses on holding one’s tongue. We have also heard many messages on the same topic. But if the fool can be counted wise when he holds his tongue, how much more the believer? What testimony do we have if we witness to someone and that same person hears gossip or cursing coming out of the same mouth that witnessed to him?

The believer has the ability to conquer the tongue. We have the Holy Spirit residing within us. It is His fruit that we display. If we would be displaying His fruit, we would not have the need to be bridling our tongue.

The believer who has fruits of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance would not be struggling with his tongue. The believer would not be struggling with blessing God in one breath and then cursing someone in the next breath. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. (Jam 3:10)

Do not be a wise fool but we a wise christian who displays the fruit of the Spirit. It is accounted unto this fool that he is wise for holding his tongue. All the more responsibility do we have as believers to hold our own tongues.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Col 3:16)

Dear God…
May my words be a blessing to those
Who are filled with dismay and strife
Let my words encourage the weak
And lead them to the Fountain of Life

Day 3 – The Fools from Proverbs

Posted on September 22, 2006 by Kate

Prov. 10:21 “The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.”

Ahhh, the lips of the righteous feed many. What a beautiful picture that is indeed. I think of kind words, encouraging words, exhorting words, comforting words, wise words, words that teach, words that preach, and uplifting words. There are so many ways we can feed another person.

But the fool does not have these words to feed. In fact, the fool is dying to have wisdom. Noah Webster has interesting definitions for the word fool.

3. In scripture, fool is often used for a wicked or depraved person; one who acts contrary to sound wisdom in his moral deportment; one who follows his own inclinations, who prefers trifling and temporary pleasures to the service of God and eternal happiness.

The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God. Psa 14.

4. A weak christian; a godly person who has much remaining sin and unbelief.

O fools, and slow of heart to believe all the prophets have written. Luke 24.

So the fool does not necessarily have to be an unbeliever but can be a weak christian as well.

Haven’t you ever heard an unbeliever or a weak christian make a comment over a situation that just seemed void of wisdom? I think of new believers who come into our churches and have not grown in the Lord yet. Older christians make unwise comments about the way they dress or look or smell or whatever. The new believer is offended and never steps foot in that church again. How sad that the lips of the righteous were not the first words that new believer heard in that church. That new believer could have been feeding that babe in Christ. Instead, the fool spewed forth words which showed his foolishness. How sad is that?

As christians, we are encouraged to ask God for wisdom and He promises to give it to us liberally, nor will He reprove us for asking Him for it. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (Jam 1:5)

How are your words today? Do they feed those around you or do you show your lack of wisdom? Are you the type of person that people come to for counsel? Or do you keep going to others for counsel? God promises to give you wisdom if you ask. There are 54 occurences in 53 verses of the word wisdom in the Bible. It is an excellent study. The person who is wise is gentle and longsuffering with others, knowing that everyone must grow in grace.

Fruit of the Spirit:

Love
Joy
Peace
Longsuffering
Gentleness
Goodness
Faith
Meekness
Temperance

Fruit of the Fool:

Hate
Sadness
Turmoil
Impatient
Harshness
Badness
Disbelief
Assertiveness
Over indulgent

The wise person displays these fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). The fool displays fruit, but a totally different kind. This kind of fruit would cause anyone to die!

Dear Lord, for wisdom we do pray
So our words are used to feed
Those needing to see Your love
And to Your side we need to lead

Day 2 – The Teachings of Humility in Proverbs

Posted on September 21, 2006 by Kate

Prov. 6:3 “Do this now, my son, deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.”Prov. 15:33 “The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.”

Prov. 18:12 “Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.”

According to Noah Webster, the word humility in this context means:

In theology, humility consists in lowliness of mind; a deep sense of one’s own unworthiness in the sight of God, self-abasement, penitence for sin, and submission to the divine will.

If Christians today practice even 10% of this definition in their humility, there would not be many fighting Christians in churches today. Each Christian has been given a gift from the Holy Spirit to use within the church body. When each believer uses his gift according to the will of God, we make a whole body and function as one in our church.

When one or more stop using their gifts, the body no longer functions as a whole body but in bits and pieces. That body has become disfunctional. How can you tell? Look around you and see if the fruits of the Spirit are evident! Galations 5:22-23 list the fruits of the Spirit:

love
joy
peace
longsuffering
gentleness
goodness
faith
meekness
temperance

One who is humble and practices humility is one who displays some of the fruits of the Spirit listed above. Can one be humble if he has no joy, gentleness, meekness or temperance residing within! Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? (Jam 3:11)

I love to take teachings such as these and relate them to how the Holy Spirit equips us to fulfill the will of God through those same teachings. There are so many that are applicable and we will visit these over the next month. I pray you will be blessed!

More Like The Master
Charles H. GabrielMore like the Master I would ever be,
More of His meekness, more humility;
More zeal to labor, more courage to be true,
More consecration for work He bids me do.

Refrain

Take Thou my heart, I would be Thine alone;
Take Thou my heart, and make it all Thine own.
Purge me from sin, O Lord, I now implore,
Wash me and keep me Thine forevermore.

More like the Master is my daily prayer;
More strength to carry crosses I must bear;
More earnest effort to bring His kingdom in;
More of His Spirit, the wanderer to win.

Refrain

More like the Master I would live and grow;
More of His love to others I would show;
More self denial, like His in Galilee,
More like the Master I long to ever be.

Refrain

Day 1 – What Fruit Are You Bearing?

Posted on September 20, 2006 by Kate

Proverbs 1:29-31, “For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: (29) They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. (30) Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. (31)Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (22) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (23)

It does not take a rocket scientist to see a person’s spiritual fruit. You are either producing good fruit or evil fruit. Your life speaks volumes and also reveals from where your fruit is coming, my friend.

Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Which one are you today? Are you a wise son or a foolish one? Do you hate it when the Pastor preaches on a subject matter that you just can’t stand? Do you cross your arms in a defensive stance when the message he’s preaching is about something that you are guilty of doing?

Whether spiritual warnings are from your Pastor, the Word of God or a dear friend, the way you respond will determine the condition of your heart. It will also determine what type of fruit you will be bearing.

If you hate what you are hearing and have a “He won’t tell me what to do!” attitude, then you will be eating of the fruit of your own way, according to Proverbs 1:29-31. Your desires are not to stop sinning at all – in fact, your desire is to continue in your sin with no shame or remorse. When you despise being taught God’s Word and what is right, you are a fool, according to Proverbs 1:7.

I love Galatians 5:22-23 because it clearly outlines the type of fruit that a child of God bears when they are growing in Christ. Yes, the child of God will undoubtedly sin, but the desire to continue in sin won’t be there. This same child will be quick to repent and to get back on the path of righteousness. There is nothing more beautiful than to see a born-again Christian displaying the fruit of the Spirit. How can one be a bad testimony to the unsaved world if he has the fruits of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance?

You can park here and do a study on these nine fruits and walk away with many golden nuggets. But the bottom line is this: What kind of tree are you and what fruit are you bearing? I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (John 15:5) If you are saved, you should be producing fruit. If you’re not, why not?

A tree bears more fruit when it is pruned. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. (John 15:2)What areas of your life are hindering your fruit from growing? Don’t be a fool. Allow the preaching and reading of the Word to convict your heart. Take that conviction and heed it – repent and be rid of that sin. Immediately, you will receive the fruit of joy and peace – the others will soon follow if you maintain and allow the Lord to prune those areas which hinder the growth of your spiritual fruit.

The Man Is Ever Blessed
by Isaac WattsThe man is ever bless’d
Who shuns the sinners’ ways,
Among their councils never stands,
Nor takes the scorner’s place;

But makes the law of God
His study and delight,
Amidst the labors of the day,
And watches of the night.

He like a tree shall thrive,
With waters near the root;
Fresh as the leaf his name shall live;
His works are heav’nly fruit.

Not so th’ungodly race,
They no such blessings find;
Their hopes shall flee, like empty chaff
Before the driving wind.

How will they bear to stand
Before that judgment seat,
Where all the saints, at Christ’s right hand,
In full assembly meet!

He knows, and He approves
The way the righteous go;
But sinners and their works shall meet
A dreadful overthrow.

Encouragement – Day 30 – God Cares for You

Posted on September 19, 2006 by Kate

A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year. (Deu 11:12)

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (1 Pe 5:7)

I searched for the word “careth” in the King James Bible and found it is used six times. Only twice is it used in reference to God. In Deuteronomy, God tells Israel that He cares for their land and that His eyes are always upon it – every day throughout the year. The Word says in 1 Peter 5 that we are to cast all our cares upon the Lord because He cares for us!

The God of yesterday is the God of today and the God who holds tomorrow! What greater comfort can a believer have then to know that this same God who told Israel He had His eye on them 24/7 cares for our needs today? What greater comfort can a believer have than to know that this same God is aware of every detail of our future. His eyes are on us 24/7 and He never sleeps! In fact, while we sleep, He is taking care of us! I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety. (Psa 4:8

What encouragement and comfort we are privileged to have when we are born-again children of the King! Worry should not even be in our vocabulary! Rejoice, oh Christian! Your Father never sleeps and is looking out for you, ready to guide you and protect you! Thank You Lord!

Come With Rejoicing
Fanny Crosby

Come with rejoicing, come with delight,
Nature in waking, glad and bright;
Hearts overflowing gather today,
Fill us with rapture, Lord we pray.

Refrain

Praise our Redeemer, tell of His love,
Praise our Redeemer, God above;
Tell of His mercy, boundless and free,
None can protect us, Lord, like Thee;
Tell of His mercy, boundless and free,
None can protect us, Lord, like Thee.

Guarded from danger, sheltered and blest,
Under His banner, calm, we rest,
Come we before Him, come with a song,
Tell how He leads us all day long.

Refrain

Oh! what a Savior, gracious to all,
Oh! how His blessings round us fall,
Gently to comfort, kindly to cheer,
Sleeping or waking, God is near.

Refrain

Still may His mercy tenderly flow,
Still may He guide us here below;
Then when our journey safely is past,
May we be gathered home at last.

Encouragement – Day 29 – Great Is Thy Faithfulness!

Posted on September 18, 2006 by Kate

Lamentations 3:19-23, “Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. (19) My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. (20) This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. (21) It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. (22) They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (23)”

Oh Christian, as we near the end of our 30-day series on discouragement and encouragement, I want to emphasize where our encouragement comes from – our Source is the one and only Word of God! Happiness is achieved from tangible things or circumstances in our lives. But true joy comes from the Lord Himself.

Meditate on the trials of your past as Jeremiah did. This weeping prophet said in verse 20 that these afflictions were still in his memory. He did not forget because in those memories, he had hope! He had hope that his God would not leave him alone through the trials. Jeremiah had hope because he knew that the Lord’s compassions did not fail (verse 22). He had hope because the Lord’s compassions were new to him every morning (verse 23). Jeremiah had hope because he praised the One who was faithful! He did not forget to praise and thank the One who showered him with mercy!

My friend, have you praised God today? Is thankfulness and gratitude at the bottom of your list in your prayer life? The Creator of heaven and earth and Redeemer of your soul deserves to hear from your lips how grateful you are. This same faithful God filled with compassion is there daily providing us with new mercies! Oh, thank You Lord!! My heart is overflowing with gratitude today! A heart filled with gratitude does not have room for discouragement!

Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Thomas O. Chisholm

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Refrain

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Refrain

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Refrain

Maranatha!

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Ps. 119:105

Monthly Archives: September 2006

Day 8 – The Clamourous Woman

Day 7 – How Firm a Foundation

Day 6 – Wise or Brutish

Day 5 – The Light of the Word

Day 4 – To Speak or Not to Speak

Day 3 – The Fools from Proverbs

Day 2 – The Teachings of Humility in Proverbs

Day 1 – What Fruit Are You Bearing?

Encouragement – Day 30 – God Cares for You

Encouragement – Day 29 – Great Is Thy Faithfulness!

September 2006
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