SEARCH ME, O GOD

 

   Lois J. Stucky- The changeover into a new year is an appropriate time for us to spend time with the Lord to examine ourselves on how we are doing spiritually. 
(Examining yourself)

Like the psalmist, we need to make it our sincere and serious prayer:

   "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Ps. 139:23-24).

   How personal this is, with six uses of "me" or "my." God speaks also through Jeremiah of His attention to every one of us individually:

   "I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings" (Jer. 17:10).

   Scripture lets me know I have responsibility, along with trusting for God's almighty help, to "examine" myself and to "keep" myself. "let a man examine himself" at the time the Lord's Supper is taken, instructed the Apostle Paul, lest anyone partake unworthily 
(1 Cor. 11:28). 

   The Apostle John tells us, ". . . he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not." (1 John 5:18). Again John said, ". . . keep yourselves from idols: (1 John 5:21), from anything that is put ahead of God. Jude exhorts us to "keep yourselves in the love of God" (v. 21).

   Perhaps the Spirit of God has already been working to bring conviction of our need to seek higher ground spiritually. Our putting it off may mean we'll neglect it too long and perhaps forget it altogether! As God's ways and character are perfect, He longs for us to stirve to be like Him.

   We dare not take it lightly whatever God is dealing with us about, lest we pass a deadline known only to Him. NOW is the time to humbly and honestly open our hearts and give heed to the voice. —Lois J. Stucky. (Adapted in a past issue of Herald of His Coming newspaper)

Let's pray-

     Father, as the new year has begun, help us take time to spend with You to examine ourselves on how we're doing spiritually. Like the psalmist, we need to make it our sincere and serious prayer:

   "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Ps. 139:23-24).

    How personal this is, as God speaks also through Jeremiah of His attention to every one of us individually: "I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings" (Jer. 17:10). This Scripture lets me know I have responsibility, along with trusting for God's almighty help, to "examine" myself and to "keep" myself. 

   "Let a man examine himself" at the time the Lord's Supper is taken, instructed the Apostle Paul, lest anyone partake unworthily" (1 Cor. 11:28). We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen!

 Our Quote today- from Joyce Meyer's book, (pg. x)  

HOW TO AGE WITHOUT GETTING OLD

 

“KEYS TO JOY AT ANY AGE:

 LIVE SIMPLY.

  GIVE GENEROUSLY.

  RECEIVE GRACIOUSLY.

 STAY GRATEFUL.”

1396-1400 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted- 
 

1396-  Is. 33:5a "The LORD is exalted."

1397-  Ps. 126:5a "Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue 

           with singing." 

1398- Jer. 19:2b "Proclaim there the words that I shall tell thee." 

1399-  Is. 50:4a "The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should                 know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary."

1400-  Is. 8:10b   "For God is with us."

    #74 Hymn- Search Me, O God

The information about this song,  is taken from the book by

 Robert J. Morgan, THEN SINGS MY SOUL  (p. 295)

In a requested appointment with Dr. Edwin Orr, the composer of this song, he said in answer to my question, "Dr. Orr, besides praying for revival, what can I do to help bring it about?" He said "You can let it begin with you." 

"That is the exact point of this hymn written years before, in 1936, during an intense springtime revival convention in the town of Ngaruawahia, on the North Island of New Zealand. There had been an attitude of unusual expectancy about the meetings, and prayer meetings proliferated across the city. Many students were coming to Christ, and the area began overflowing with the testimonies of those being saved and renewed in Christ.

While this is a wonderful hymn to sing, it is a 'dangerous' prayer to offer. We all have sins within us of which we're unaware, for the heart is deceitful above all things. But as we submit ourselves to the searchlight of God's Spirit, we can discover the habits that need to be confessed and the attitudes that need to be changed. As God cleanses us, the result will be . . . revival, one that begins with us."

  Some encouraging words-

   Prayer is powerful for only one reason. It is the means whereby we avail ourselves of the power of God. He is the only legitimate source of Power, as all other powers are human or devilish. Prayer is powerful because God is powerful. He channels life through our prayers and is to be glorified for it.

   Who among us hasn't felt the need "to bathe' when the "dirt and grime" of life have clung to us? When we're stained by selfish thoughts or actions that harm ourselves or others and rob us of peace with God? Ps. 51 is the cry of David when temptation had triumphed in his life.

Church Notes: 

     WALK, STAND, SIT

We are a covenant people, so everything we do is an opportunity to show God's way.

We're on a progressive Journey, learnig how to live godly lives.

We're not to walk with wicked people, as they'll distract us from God's way.

Our lives belong to Jesus, so we need to be ready to declair truth and to say "No" to false ways. 

God calls us to walk, stand and sit in His ways. Were to slow down and meditate on God's Word, carefully listening to its counsel, as well as to some godly counsel when needed.

We need to be under God's authority at all times and in every situation, as He will take care of us! 

Upcoming posts:

 

3/1-    PRICELESS RESULTS - Alyson Kieda

8th-    GOD WILL ANSWER- Patricia Paydon

15th-  WHEN IS IT UNLIKELY that YOU'LL MISS GOD'S WILL? -  Wesley L Duewel

Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts)

Pages  

Prayer for salvation

For God Seekers- Healing Thoughts and Prayers 

Samples of Jean's crafts

 

The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,

located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,

broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15

You can view past services too.

Sermon listing:https://www.cfconline.org/sermon-library 

MINISTRY OF THORNS

 

   Becky White- "God has given me a ministry of thorns. He has graciously taken all the pain of my life—self-inflicted, other-inflicted, or just the ache of real life—and given me the great honor of using it all for His glory.

   This truth was brought home to me as I stood in front of a podium at a correctional facility before several hundred ladies. I have no great skill as an orator or any degree on the wall or social station that would open such doors. My thorns provided the invitation, and thorns were what I spoke of. 

   Oh, I called them by their real names: regret, abuse, addiction, grief, betrayal, depression, divorce, hopelessness. But I wrapped up the talk with God’s promise that He can cause all things to work together for our good and His glory for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

   God did not take away Paul’s thorn; He did better. He mastered that thorn and made it his servant. The ministry of thorns has often been a greater ministry than the ministry of thrones. 

   When I authentically share the thorns of my life, I free others to share theirs as well, releasing them from the formality, pretense, and self-protective stance that often shrouds our lives. It’s then, when the pain is on the table, that the Great Physician can begin His work.

   God may or may not remove the thorns of real life, but He is entirely faithful to use them. That’s what I desperately wanted those precious ladies to know that night. If placed in His hands, He will use our thorns for His glory. He may even grant us a ministry with those thorns.

   We have a choice. The same heat that melts wax hardens clay. And the same thorn that pushes us to lean hard into God may cause another to run from Him. Don’t miss your chance to use your thorns for God’s glory."

"My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV

#73 Testimony of a preacher:

   A minister had a weakness he couldn't control, no matter how hard he tried. Finally he ended up in prison convicted of forgery. The minister was a "born-again Christian." He was crushed by his own failure, and sincerely repented of his sin.

 

   He was able to believe that God had forgiven him, but he was convinced that God could never again use him to preach the Good News.

   One day a friend sent him Merlin Carother's book, Prison to Praise.  There he read that God uses everything, even our mistakes, for our good. With new hope he dared to thank God for his own mistake and imprisonment. He wrote:

   "Praise God, my life has changed completely. The old regrets, guilt, and remorse that held me bound are gone. I can praise and thank God for every detail of my life, just as it is. I never before understood the depth of God's mercy.

   I once thought of myself as 'good' enough to be used of Him. What a joy it is to die to my old prideful self so that Christ and nothing but Christ can live in me!"

   The minister's cell soon became a temple of praise, and other prisoners were drawn to acept Christ!

1391-1395 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted- 
 

1391- Song of Solomon 2:1 "I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys."

1392- Ps. 72:15b "Prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall 

          he be praised."

1393- Zech. 4:6b "Not by might, or by power, but by my spirit saith the LORD of hosts."

1394- Is. 1:18a "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD."

1395- Jer. 2:4a "Hear ye the word of the LORD."

 #73  Hymn- When the Storms of Life are Raging

 The origins of the song go back to the early 1900s, as King was inspired to update the traditional gospel song “Stand by Me Father,” which was written by composer and Methodist minister, Charles Albert Tindley and released in 1905.

Some encouraging words-

When you don't know what to do, Praise the Lord! 

  When fear takes hold, Praise the Lord! 

    When you find yourself alone, Praise the Lord! 

      When you need to make a decision, Praise the Lord! 

Praise makes you available to God, and He, available to you!

Church notes:

   We are to stand true to Jesus, using His armor (Eph. 6:16-18). The devil's darts are to destroy our faith. Pray for your church leaders and each other. It's not flesh and blood we fight, but the devil uses them! Our warfare is on our knees!

 Some encouraging words-

   Above all, let us cultivate a sensitive intimacy with the Holy Spirit. Let us listen to Him, let us talk to Him, let us consult Him in all the changing seasons of the coming days in the new year, and let us greedily receive his preoffered gifts of enlightenment and grace. He will be our all-sufficiency and we will move about in the endowment of Penticostal power.

Upcoming posts:

2/22- SEARCH ME, O GOD- Lois J Stucky

3/1-   PRICELESS RESULTS- Alyson Kieda

8th-   GOD WILL ANSWER- Patricia Raybon

Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts)

Pages  

Prayer for salvation

For God Seekers- Healing Thoughts and Prayers 

Samples of Jean's crafts

 

The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,

located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,

broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15

You can view past services too.

Sermon listing:https://www.cfconline.org/sermon-library 

COMPASSION IN ACTION

 

   Patricia Raybon- Building benches isn't James Warren's job. He started building them, however, when he noticed a woman in Denver sitting in the dirt while waiting for a bus.

   That's "undignified," Warren worried. So, the twenty-eight-year-old workforce consultant found some scrap wood, built a bench, and placed it at the bus stop. 

   It quickly got used. Realizing many of the nine thousand bus stops in his city lacked seating, he made another bench, then several more, inscribing "Be Kind" on each one.

   His goal? "to make people's lives just a little bit better, in any way I can,' Warren said.

   Compassion is another way of describing such action. As practiced by Jesus;
compassion is a feeling so strong that it leads us to take action to meet another's need.

   When crowds of desperate people pursued Jesus, "he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd" (Mark 6:34) He turned that compassion into action by healing their sick (Matthew 14:14).

   We too should "clothe [ourselves] with compassion," Paul urged (Co. 3:12). The benefits? As Warren says, "It fills me up. It's air in my tires."

   All around us are needs, and God will bring them to our attention. Those needs can motivate us to put our compassion into action, and those actions will encourage others as we show them the love of Christ.

Let's pray-

     Father, seeing what James did, may we be inspired to look for ways to be kind to others, and help to supply their need. As James' goal was to make people's lives just a little bit better, may we also look for creative ways to help others.

     Jesus had compassion on people He saw, and went into action by healing their sick! As we clothe ourselves with compassion, it will also fill us up with His blessings. He'll enable us to find ways to bless others. We see needs all around us, so when the Lord brings somthing to our attention, may we be compassionate and show our love by our actions!

 

#72  Quote from Joyce Meyer's book, HOW TO AGE WITHOUT GETTING OLD  

(pg.11) 

“I would encourage younger people to remember these things as they age:

• Make time with God a daily priority.

• Take good care of your body and love yourself the way God made you.

• Learn to laugh at yourself.

• Pray always, turning things over to God and trusting Him.

• Slow down and take time for the little things, because the days pass quickly.

• Make dinner or meal time special as your family sits down together and shares their day.

• Try to keep up with technology and use it to your advantage.

• You may have aches and pains, but don’t dwell on them or burden others by complaining. They come with age!”  

1386-1390 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted- 
 

1386- Is. 58:1a "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet."

1387- Ps. 86:16b "O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength 

          unto thy servant."

1388- Ps. 101:6 "Mine eyes shalll be upon the faithful of the land, that they may 

          dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me."

1389- Pro. 20:27 "The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the 

          inward parts of the belly."

1390- Pro. 3:21b "Keep sound wisdom and discretion."

 #72 Hymn-   Onward Christian Soldiers

"Onward, Christian Soldiers" is a 19th-century English hymn. The words were written by Sabine Baring-Gould in 1865, and the music was composed by Arthur Sullivan in 1871. Sullivan named the tune "St Gertrude," after the wife of his friend Ernest Clay Ker Seymer, at whose country home he composed the tune.The Salvation Army adopted the hymn as its favoured processional. The piece became Sullivan's most popular hymn.

 Some encouraging words-

   Heaven is still full of spiritual blessings. God sitll delights to give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him. Prayer is still the appointed measure for drawing closer to Him to receive His blessings for the work of ministering. Praying for the Holy Blood of Jesus to enable us to receive this Gift, is the Father's will.

Church notes:  Embrace your legacy!

 Zachariah spoke prophetic words to son, John. Simon spoke prophetic words over Jesus. They both grew strong in their life's purpose. 

   We're to seek clarity for our life's purpose!

   What makes us tick? 

   What fruits are evident? 

   What problems are evident?

   We're to see ourselves separate from others, and find how we can serve the church.

   Conflict produces maturity, if the Lord's involved.

   Commuity of family and friends strengthens.

   Over time, we learn that God's building our lives.

   We're to set some goals for 2025!

   When we see we've made a wrong decision, we're to go back and make an informed       choice.

   We're to stop, pace ourselves, look at people and not get discouraged.

   Our taking quality time to give energy to plans, will be pleasurable and attainable.

Upcoming posts:

 2/15-   MINISTRY OF THORNS- Becky White

22nd-  SEARCH ME, O GOD- Lois J Stucky

3/1st.-  PRICELESS RESULTS- Alyson Kieda

Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts)

Pages  

Prayer for salvation

For God Seekers- Healing Thoughts and Prayers 

Samples of Jean's crafts

 

The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,

located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,

broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15

You can view past services too.

Sermon listing:https://www.cfconline.org/sermon-library 

 

A SHARING OF FRIENDSHIP

 

A Sharing of Friendship

"Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7 NLT

Anita van der Elst- "Lunchtime approached as we ran errands.

'Where do you want to go to eat?' my husband asked.

Weighing a few options, we settled on a favorite restaurant close to our route. As we enjoyed our food, the attendant escorted three people and a baby past our table to the courtyard beyond. The older woman caught my eye.

'She looks familiar,' I said. 'I think we went to the same church, but I can’t remember her name.'

My husband didn’t think it could be her. After all, it had been at least twelve years prior, in another state, and 1,200 miles away.

But the more I watched, the stronger became the sense that it was my friend.

When I finally remembered her name, I said, 'It will bug me forever if I don’t check.'

Although not something I easily do, I went to her table.

'Excuse me,' I said, 'Is your name Iris?'

She looked at me wide-eyed and said, 'Is that you, Anita?'

We had a wonderful chat. She had moved to help her daughter and son-in-law with their baby.

'Since I don’t know anyone else here, I have been praying that the Lord would help me find friends, and here He brought you right to my table.'

Why did we all choose to go to that restaurant at that time? The table they were seated at could’ve been in a different section or my view in the opposite direction. I didn’t realize God was leading my husband and me that day. We’ve remarked many times since then about how the Lord does His work. Sometimes it is behind the scenes. He places us in significant roles without us even knowing.

Iris and I believe God orchestrated our meeting. She prayed, the Holy Spirit heard and directed, and God met her need for local friendship. It is a delight to be in Bible studies again with this dear lady and to enjoy our fellowship.

No matter your need, you can make your request known to the Lord. He delights to meet it."

Let's pray:

     Father, there will be times when we will see things happen that are unexpected. Our reactions will vary, but when we realize that You have brought someone near, that we used to know, may we respond with a tender reaction to them.

   This woman was drawn to the woman who looked like a long-lost friend, and was pleasantly surprised that it was her, and that she had been asking You to give her some friends in this new town, where she had come to help her daughter and son-in-law with their new baby. They could see that You had placed them there without them even knowing the reason.

  Thank You for answering her and our prayers in Jesus' name. Amen!

#71 Testimony-  George Mueller

   "The stops of a good man, as well as his steps, are ordered by the Lord. Bona Fleming had to change trains in Cincinnati and St. Louis to reach his evangelistic engagement in Oklahoma. As he waited in the Cinicinnati train station, an inner voice impressed him, "Don't take that train." Fleming argued in hs mind, "This is the only train sure to make connections for the westbound train." 

   Again the inner voice spoke, so clearly that Fleming turned around to see who had said. "Don't take the 9:30 train." No one had spoken. He began to sense impending danger.

   Just before the 9:30 train was announced, Fleming thought "I must get there in time for that meeting. I do not want to disappoint the people" "Leave that to me,"came another clear impression. Fleming paused a bit, then doubting his impressions he started up a third time. Again the clear impression came, "Don't take that train!" Fleming went back to his seat. As he waited he felt an abiding sense of peace.

   Fleming boarded the noon train. Ninety miles out of Cincinati, the train stopped. There on the siding they saw the wreckage of the 9:30 train. When Fleming reached St. Louis, he made the proper connections and reached his Oklahoma engagement on time.

   Some of God's restraints in your life may be dramatic and may involve major decisions. Others may be built into your life so naturally that you are as unconscious of them as you are of some of God's touches of prompting. Both can become as normal in your spiritual life as eating or exercising are in your physical life." George Mueller 

1381-1385 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted- 
 

1381- 2 Chron. 25:9b "The LORD is able to give thee much more than this."

1382- Ps. 35:22b "O Lord, be not far from me."

1383- Ecc. 2:24a "There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink,

          and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour."

1384- Pro. 21:3 "To do justice and judgement is more acceptable to the LORD than                    sacrifice."

1385- Is. 24:14a "They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the

          LORD."

 #71  Hymn- My Country, 'Tis of Thee

The information about this song,  is taken from the book by Robert J. Morgan, THEN SINGS MY SOUL    (p. 105)

    This patriotic hymn was written by Samuel Francis Smith, a native Bostonian, born on October 21, 1808. After attending Boston Latin School, he enrolled in Harvard, then attended Andover Seminary. While there, Samuel became fascinated by the work of Adoniram Judson, America's first missionary, and he developed a lifelong passion for world evangelism. 

   He has always been most revered for this patriotic hymn he wrote as a 23-year-old student.

   

 Church Notes:  HOLD FAST!

   Christ learned obedience by what He went through. He persevered to accomplish the Father's will for Him, for us. We're not to fear, but live in such a way that we will obtain the promises through faith and obedience. 

   Our High Priest is behind the Veil in heaven, interceding for us now. We are to trust in God's trustworthiness to save us, just as He said He would. We're to believe in Christ as our Savior, giving Him our all, being determined to follow and obey what He tells us in and through His Word, the Bible, with the help of the Holy Spirit living within us.

   God made an oath, using Himself as guarentee, that Jesus was our Savior. We're to hold onto what Jesus did with confidence, as He's our Anchor in heaven!

 Some encouraging words-

   What a joy it is to obey the Lord, who provides us with His Spirit to counsel and empowers us, and who ensures that everything that happens to us, even the cyclone that brings nothing but distruction, has come through the hedge of His love before it reaches us.

A Message on Prayer:

“The prayer warrior stands between the authority and power of heaven and the darkness and power of hell between the Lamb on the throne and Satan, the great dragon. Christ has delegated to the prayer warrior His authority, the right to use His name and plead His blood, and He has armed the warrior for spiritual conquest; the prayer warrior is to enforce the victory of Calvary on the battlefield of earth.”

(Pg. 235 of MIGHTY PREVAILING PRAYER by Wesley L. Duewel

Posts from INTERCESSORY PRAYERS, by Dutch Sheets

Upcoming posts:

 2/8-   COMPASSION IN ACTION- Patricia Paydon

15th-  MINISTRY OF THRORNS- Becky White

22nd- SEARCH ME, O GOD- Jois J Stucky

Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts)

Pages  

Prayer for salvation

For God Seekers- Healing Thoughts and Prayers 

Samples of Jean's crafts

 

The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,

located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,

broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15

You can view past services too.

Sermon listing:https://www.cfconline.org/sermon-library