Evening Song - Take Time to Be Holy

 
1 Peter 1:16-21 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 

Mark 6:31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. 

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Note: I do not know where the idea came from that our experiences in this life are making us "fit" to serve God in heaven. I cannot think of any scripture that indicates that, especially in New Testament teaching. Always weigh the words of songs, hymns, and spiritual songs carefully against the word of God. They are not holy scripture and should not be treated as such. If they don't agree with the word of God, they are simply wrong in that instance. In one church my dad pastored years ago, if the words did not agree with scripture, we chose to either change the words to be more biblical, or, in extreme cases, we simply didn't sing those songs any more.

The Thousand Word Project - Pink Forth

Eastern red bud.

Words of Warning - The Idol of Health and Fitness

 

One of the idols that has come into a major role in more recent times has been the idol of health and fitness.

A lot of the chatter and shaming on this subject centers around "honoring your temple," meaning your body. Somehow this flows into the idea that if you are taking care of your body - eating "right," exercising, lifting weights, etc. that God will honor that because you are allegedly "taking better care of His temple."

One of the first I ran across that really got my attention was a Christian vegan page on Facebook years back. The woman who was running it was boasting that being a Christian is hard enough, and being a vegan is hard, but being a Christian vegan was so difficult that apparently it was making them into some kind of super Christians because they were so spiritual in their drive to subdue the flesh.

This is where the problem really settles. The people who deny the flesh by eating and exercising a certain way believe that they are doing fleshly things that will make them "extra spiritual" and super "victorious" Christians. This is the exact wrong thinking that the Apostle Paul was writing about to the church at Colosse: Colossians 2:20-23 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

Denying the flesh feels very spiritual and tempts people to think more highly of themselves than they ought. There is a show of wisdom - in other words, it looks wise because perhaps there are even benefits on the surface, and it seems humble to subdue your own will and not satisfy the flesh. However, he calls these the commandments and doctrines of men. He asks, "Why are you being subject to these things - don't touch it, don't eat it, don't handle it - when you are supposed to be dead with Christ to the rudiments of the world?" In other words, these carnal things shouldn't be your focus. You're supposed to be dead to them.

We see why as the letter continues: Colossians 3:1-3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

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Evening Song - He Giveth More Grace

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 

James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 

2 Corinthians 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 

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He Giveth More Grace

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercy;
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father's full giving is only begun.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

His love has no limit; His grace has no measure.
His pow'r has no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!

Annie Johnson Flint

2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

The Thousand Word Project - Indoor Lovelies

Quiet beauty,

Gentle joys,

Calms the spirit,
Rests the soul.

African violets.
St. Paulia.

Evening Song - Fairest Lord Jesus

 
Psalm 45:1-8 My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever. Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty. And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee. Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad. 

This particular version is taken from a record by Helen Barth that was for children. Hence the opening comment.

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The Thousand Word Project - Pink Fringes

 

Red bud tree. Texas.

Evening Song - Praise to the Lord the Almighty

Psalm 9:1-2 I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. 

Psalm 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 

Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. 

Psalm 150:6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. 

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The Thousand Word Project - Hopes of Spring

Isaiah 61:11 For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. 

Word of the Day - Ship

Mark 6:47-51 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.

There is many a storm on the Jesus-way,
Many a storm I see,
When black is the cloud and the wind is loud
And the waves go over me.
But the Lord Himself is in my little ship
And the storm obeys His will;
At the word He hath said - "Be not afraid"
My heart and the sea grow still.

- Annie Johnson Flint -

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Evening Song - The Beggar and the King

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

Revelation 21:6-7 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 

Romans 15:17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God. 

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