At Harvest Time

When the world is radiant,

Rich with summer hours,

Wood and field and garden

Gemmed with brightest flowers;

When the wheat is golden,

Gleaming in the sun,

And the scythe and sickle

Harvest have begun.

He who in the winter

Clad the ground with snow,

He who lit the springtime,

Caused the seed to grow;

He who sent the showers,

And the dew at morn,

Then the sunny hours,

Ripening fruit and corn—

May our thoughts turn often,

In our gratitude,

To the Lord of harvest—

Giver of all good.

He is Lord of harvest,

And to Him we raise

Songs of sweetest measure,

Thankful songs of praise.

George Weatherly

Psalm 104:10-14 He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills. They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst. By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches. He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works. He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;

Proverbs 25:13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.

Jeremiah 8:20 The harvest is past, the summer is ended...

Evening Song - I'm A Soldier

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 

2 Timothy 2:3-4 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 

Ephesians 6:11-13 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 

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Worth Repeating - Hard Questions - Should We Power Through?

Photo by Mike Van Nattan

1 Peter 1:24-25 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

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.

Are you weary of hearing that we should just "power through" or "push through?"

Got pain or chronic illness? Power through.
Going through hard times? Power through.
Grieving? Power through.
Financially destroyed? Power through.
Depressed? Power through.

What an utterly hopeless answer.

I wonder what people really think we are, or what they think they are themselves. God clearly says that ...all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. He also tells us our life is but ...a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. (James 4:14)  

It is true that all power is given unto Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18), and we ...can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth... us (Philippians 4:13).

But, does that justify "powering through" in every situation? 

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Evening Song - He Is A Faithful God

Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 

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Evening Song - He Leadeth Me

Psalm 23:1-3 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

John 10:2-3 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 

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Tennessee Memories - A Touch of Green

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 

Everlasting Glory Unto Jesus Be

 

Everlasting Glory unto Jesus Be

Everlasting glory

Unto Jesus be!

Sing aloud the story

Of His victory!

How He left the splendor

Of His home on high,

Came in love so tender,

On the cross to die.

Yes! He came from heaven,

Suffered in our stead;

Praise to Him be given,

“Firstborn from the dead!”

Jesus, meek and lowly,

Came the lost to save;

He, the Victim holy,

Triumphed o'er the grave.

Christ is Lord of glory,

Sing we now today;

Tell abroad the story;

Own His rightful sway!

Sing aloud; and never

Cease to spread His fame;

Triumph, now and ever,

In the Savior's Name.

Hannah K. Burlingham

 

Colossians 1:12-20 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

Evening Song - Sweet Hour of Prayer

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

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Evening Song - The Great Redeemer

Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 

Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 

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Texas Memories - That Cloudy Evening

Psalm 113:3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name is to be praised. 

Oil of Joy for Mourning - by Martha Snell Nicholson

 

Oil of Joy for Mourning

When mother gave me medicine

She always used to say,

"Here is a lump of sugar, dear,

To take the taste away."

Through all my life the LORD has poured

His oil of joy for me

Until my cup was running o'er,

So bountiful was He.

When I must drink some bitter draft

Of sorrow or of pain,

How quickly to my lips He puts

His cup of joy again!

Martha Snell Nicholson

Isaiah 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

Evening Song - Good Old Gospel Singing

Colossians 3:16 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. 

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Evening Song - Victory In Jesus

1 Corinthians 15:55-58 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 

1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us. 

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Short Thought - Are We Given What We Can Handle?

 

2 Corinthians 5:7  (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

I'm tired of seeing and hearing people put forth the idea that "God only gives us what we can handle." That's a lie. If we only ever got what we could handle where would the "living by faith" come in? Being given more than we can handle kind of is the whole point. It drives us to cast ourselves upon the power and strength of the Lord. Life will always be more than we can handle in some ways.

God gives us more than we can handle so that we will learn to cast our burden on Him. 

Psalm 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

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

Jesus told us that we would have tribulation and conflict in this life.

John 16:33  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Matthew 10:34-36  Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. 

Our trials and weaknesses and sorrows are opportunities for God to show us how much strength and comfort He has and wants to give to us if we will let Him.

Romans 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10  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. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Apart - A poem by Hannah K. Burlingham

 

Apart

Ps. 25:12

LORD Jesus, 'tis exceeding gain

If but Thyself I know;

I thank Thee thus for hours of pain

That come to pay below:

The message Thou art pleased to send,

In mercy from above,

Appoints the silent hours I spend,

Reposing in Thy love.

I leave awhile the thronging crowd

To be apart with Thee;

I hear not now the strivings loud

That vex the distant sea:

The heavings of its restless tide

Sound faintly on mine ear,

And from Thy Haven fair and wide

I see my Home so near.

I know not what may be in store;

The charge is This to keep:

Perchance my bark need never more

Launch forth upon the deep;

But whether toward the golden strand

Be set the vessel's prow,

Or whether sailing far from land,

Doth not concern me now.

Thou art Thyself, O precious LORD,

My one eternal gain;

Thou art my solace and reward

Alike in ease and pain.

Because Thy love enfoldeth me

No ill can e'er befall;

'Tis perfect peace to rest in Thee,

My LORD, my all in all.

Hannah K. Burlingham

Psalm 25:12-13 What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. His soul shall dwell at ease...

Mark 6:31-32 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. And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.

Ship painting by Carl Rasmussan (from rawpixel.com)

Evening Song - Praise His Name

Revelation 5:12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 

Philippians 1:10-11 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. 

1 Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 

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. 

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Worth Repeating - Sexual Abuse In the Church - Warn, Report, Resist

Acts 20:29-32 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

1 Peter 5:8-9a Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith...

Due to the recent events involving the pastor and popular IFB youth conference speaker, Kenny Baldwin, I thought this particular article was worth repeating. This article relates to an extensive expose that was done by the Star-Telegram of Fort Worth, Texas in 2018. That expose is more pertinent than ever at this point. My own thoughts are on the subject of what you can do, and what are the proper responses to these situations.

Excerpt:

We have been lectured, warned, rebuked, and admonished about gossip for so long that it is intimidating to cross that boundary and actually speak up. I know. I also believe that this has been done on purpose by some men in order to squelch any accountability and to avoid having to address unpleasant situations. The church (not just IFB) has made it hard to do the right thing in these cases with its strong and uncompromising definitions of "gossip." But, when someone is behaving in a suspicious or even obviously ungodly manner in this area, it is necessary to speak up.

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Evening Song - Zion's Hill

Hebrews 12:22-24 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. 

Hebrews 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 

Revelation 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion...

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Word of the Day - Deep - Part 2

Genesis 2:20-22 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

Genesis 15:12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.

Daniel 10:8-10 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground. And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.

Acts 20:9-11 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.

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Evening Song - It Is Well with My Soul

Jeremiah 38:20 But Jeremiah said, They shall not deliver thee. Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the LORD, which I speak unto thee: so it shall be well unto thee, and thy soul shall live. 

Hebrews 13:12-15 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 

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