The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment. Isaiah 1:5, 6.
There is a remedy for the sin-sick soul. That remedy is in Jesus. Precious Saviour! His grace is sufficient for the weakest; and the strongest must also have His grace or perish.
I saw how this grace could be obtained. Go to your closet, and there alone plead with God: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Be in earnest, be sincere. . . . Jacoblike, wrestle in prayer. Agonize. . . . You must make an effort. . . .
Seek the Lord with all your heart. Come with zeal, and when you sincerely feel that without the help of God you perish, when you pant after Him as the hart panteth after the water brooks, then will the Lord strengthen you speedily. Then will your peace pass all understanding. If you expect salvation, you must pray. Take time. Be not hurried and careless in your prayers. Beg of God to work in you a thorough reformation, that the fruits of His Spirit may dwell in you, and you shine as lights in the world. Be not a hindrance or curse to the cause of God; you can be a help, a blessing. Does Satan tell you that you cannot enjoy salvation full and free? Believe him not.
I saw that it is the privilege of every Christian to enjoy the deep movings of the Spirit of God. A sweet, heavenly peace will pervade the mind, and you will love to meditate upon God and heaven. You will feast upon the glorious promises of His word. . . .
If professed Christians love Jesus better than the world, they will love to speak of Him, their best Friend, in whom their highest affections are centered. He came to their aid when they felt their lost and perishing condition. When weary and heavy-laden with sin, they turned unto Him. He removed their burden of guilt and sin, . . . and turned the whole current of their affections. The things they once loved, they now hate; and the things they hated, they now love.
Has this great change taken place in you?
Maranatha p. 69
“““““““““““““
Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for the next 48 hours. So many things are happening that could affect not only my life but others’ lives as well. JT
““““““““““““““`
Dear Friends,
Lately, I’ve been going over many photos that are on my computer and deleting some that are blurry or I can do without. (I have everything backed up on an external hard drive.) As I got to the photos of a friend’s baby shower, I noticed one that made me smile. There was a beagle puppy snuggled in Ronnie Jay’s arms. Someone had brought the puppy in hopes that they could give it away. Several held her, but she felt most secure in Ronnie Jay’s arms. She knew instantly that he was gentle and loved animals.
As I was looking at the picture, I began to think about how nice it would be to feel that safe and secure no matter what I was doing, no matter where I was going. Suddenly, I realized that Jesus provides just such a shelter from the raging storms in life. With Loving Arms outstretched, He bids us, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matt 11:28-30
Think of it! Our Dear Saviour, the One Who left all the glories of Heaven to come to this world to rescue us, longs to shelter and protect us in His Loving Arms. We can trust in His leading. We can trust in His care. God’s loving watchcare is illustrated so vivdly in many of the Psalms.
Ronnie Jay’s favorite psalm to read just before going on a trip is Psalm 91. It is a psalm full of promises and conditions for protection. In these days of so much strife and scariness, it is good to claim its promises daily. “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.”
Praise God! No matter what the circumstances, no matter what the danger, no matter what the onslaughts the devil throws our way, we can have the “peace of God, which passeth all understanding” abiding in our hearts. Phil 4:7 May we pray as did David, “Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings.” Ps 61:1-4 Amen!
Rose