Be Strong! (A Poem)

        Be strong!
We are not here to play, to dream, to drift,
We have hard work to do, and loads to lift.
Shun not the struggle; face it.
‘Tis God’s gift.
        Be strong!
Say not the days are evil-who’s to blame?
And fold the hands and acquiesce-o shame!
Stand up, speak out, and bravely,
In God’s name.
        Be Strong!
It matters not how deep entrenched the wrong,
How hard the battle goes, the day how long,
Faint not, fight on!
Tomorrow comes the song.
- Maltbie D. Babcock

Daily Communion With God

Mark 1:35 NKJV

Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.

If I don't set aside time to pray and spend a moment of communion with God then I'm not set right. My morning is disrupted, uneven, compromised and a victory for the world. You can call it a "habit", a "routine", but it must be done. The essence of the day or shall I say elements of the day does not change-a day is a day. But how I interact with it and how I see God weaved throughout makes all the difference. Communion with God brings out the notion that life is a gift, it's no longer a routine, a necessity, an expected outcome as I/we go through it. So, I want to, and more importantly need to connect with God before my day begins and then be open to recognize evidence of His love throughout my day. - JSS

The King Of Glory

Psalm 24 NKJV
The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell therein.
For He has founded it upon the seas,
And established it upon the waters.

Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?
Or who may stand in His holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,
Nor sworn deceitfully.
He shall receive blessing from the Lord,
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him,
Who seek Your face. Selah

Lift up your heads, O you gates!
And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord strong and mighty,
The Lord mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O you gates!
Lift up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
He is the King of glory. Selah

For They Know Not (What They Do) (Lyrics)

V. 1 
Father, forgive them
For they know not
What they do.
For if they knew
The Savior,
Then they would
Follow You.
But sin has left
Them blinded
Where only pride
Comes through.
So, Father
Forgive them
For they know not
What they do.

Instrumental

V. 2 
I came to give
Them water
For their dry
And thirsty souls.
Sheep without
A shepherd,
Lost and far
From home.
Yes, sin has left
Them blinded
Where only pride
Comes through.
So, Father
Forgive them
For they know not
What they do.

Instrumental

V. 3 
Father, forgive us
For we know
Not what we do.
For if we knew
The Savior,
Then we would
Follow You.
But sin has left
Us blinded
Where only pride
Comes through.

Ending
So, Father
Forgive us,
For we know not
What we do.
Yes, Father
Forgive us,
For we know not
What we do.

- JSS

Son, Savior, Lord

Isaiah 9:6 NIV
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will  be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Luke 2:8-20 NIV
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

From Belief To Miracles

Mark 16:15-18 NIV
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

Miracles should follow those who place their trust in Jesus. The internal belief gives evidence externally throughout a person's life. - JSS

Proven Wisdom

Wisdom is not proven right by argument or debate. Wisdom is proven over time... Through the ages the wisdom found in God's Word has been tested and proven true. It is critical that you measure everything you hear against the scriptures. Trends in psychology and philosophy come and go, but God's Word is timeless. -  Taken from Experiencing God Day By Day by Henry T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby, pg. 324. Used with permission.

Luke 7:35 NIV
But wisdom is proved right by all her children.

Pride

Proverbs 29:23 NKJV
A man's pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.

The seed of unwarranted anger is pride. We look within ourselves and construct campaigns of destruction and emotional legions set for war. We feel we have been unjustly attacked, we have been wronged and we must retaliate, strike back and gain victory no matter the cost. At the same time our fortress is being reinforced. No one must penetrate our sanctuary. We live with the illusion that we are secure, impregnable, that we can’t be hurt if our defense is strong enough. Pride has its hold and will not let go. It comfortably sits on its throne while the war rages on. - JSS

Known But Not Glorified

Romans 1:21 NIV
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

A person can know God, even believe that He exists but if he/she does not acknowledge Him from the heart he/she is not a believer. If you truly love something or someone you will not have a problem expressing your love. It is impossible to contain it and do not consider your love a shameful thing. Honor and loyalty give a rightful place. God just doesn’t want to be known or believed that He exists for even the demons and Satan himself acknowledge Him. He wants a heart that is totally devoted to Him: one that is not ashamed, willing to declare before the whole world that He is the one true God. May His name be exalted within us and pour from us to bring light to this darkened world. - JSS

The Aroma Of Christ

2 Corinthians 2:14-16 NIV

But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?

Am I spreading “everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him?” Am I the aroma of Christ: a sweet, familiar and pervasive smell in people’s lives? Am I “Christ” in the room? Do people experience the full knowledge of Jesus when we as Christians stand in their presence? – JSS

Am I the “aroma of Christ” when I am or appear to be alone? With the Trinity present, if we are His children, are we ever alone? - JSS

My life is a continuous benediction to Him! - JSS

Praying Three Times

Last week I read about Daniel praying three times a day with/to God. This action showed the closeness he had with God and his ability to call on God on a continuous basis. This prayer discipline prompted me to do the same. I decided last week to devote some time to prayer three times a day. A theme for the week would be chosen and prayed for starting every Sunday. I believe that by devoting such times toward prayer, God will honor my prayers and draw me to an ever-increasing realization that there are greater concerns/needs outside of my own. I began by praying for the unborn and by extending it over a week I began to get a deeper understanding of what to pray for. I wasn’t going to accept surface prayers or express “generalities of concern”. I’ve had to rely on the Holy Spirit to open my mind and heart to receive guidance in this.

This week the focus is our nation. The nation is going through a lot of changes and seems to be more unstable than ever. I pray that God will guide me to properly petition for the nation’s needs. A great nation needs and can only exist with a great God. May God honor all who come to Him humbly and with thanks-giving. - JSS

Power Of The Tongue

Proverbs 18:21 NKJV

Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Words spoken in deep love or deep hate set things in motion within the human heart that can never be reversed. – Frederick Buechner

Matthew 5:22 NKJV

But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.

Isaiah 50:4 NKJV

“The Lord God has given Me

The tongue of the learned,

That I should know how to speak

A word in season to him who is weary." 

Lead Me Gently Home, Father (Lyrics)

V. 1
Lead me gently home, Father,
Lead me gently home,
When life’s toils are ended
And parting days have come;
Sin no more shall tempt me,
Ne’er from Thee I’ll roam,
If Thou’lt only lead me, Father,
Lead me gently home.

Refrain
Lead me gently home, Father,
Lead me gently
Lest I fall upon the wayside,
Lead me gently home.

V. 2
Lead me gently home, Father,
Lead me gently home,
In life’s darkest hours, Father,
When life’s troubles come;
Keep my feet from wand’ring,
Lest from Thee I roam,
Lest I fall upon the wayside,
Lead me gently home.

Refrain
Lead me gently home, Father,
Lead me gently
Lest I fall upon the wayside,
Lead me gently home.

Words & Music by Will L. Thompson, 1879
This hymn is in the Public Domain

I Am No Longer My Own

Lord, I am no longer my own, but yours. Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will. Let me be employed by you or laid aside for you. Exalted for you or brought low by you. Let me have all things, let me have nothing, I freely and heartily yield all things to your pleasure and disposal. And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are mine and I am yours. So be it. Amen. – John Wesley

No one can hinder God from carrying out His plans for your life. – Taken from Experiencing God Day By Day by Henry T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby. Used with permission.

Many people want to direct God, instead of resigning themselves to be directed by him; to show him a way, instead of passively following where he leads. 
– Madam Guyon

Whom do you serve,

God or man?

One gives life;

The other, barely stand. - JSS

Take Jesus With You

When you leave your home of safety and security and face the world, take Jesus with you. He not only wants to dwell in your abode of comfort but he wants to reside in your heart: that place where the world ridicules, brings about pain and doesn't quite understand. Your heart needs Jesus, a comforter, a friend, a Savior. And so does the world. So, take Jesus with you. Carry Him in your heart as well as in your home. The world will never be the same! - JSS

Jesus Is Lord!

1 Corinthians 12:3 NIV84
Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.

Philippians 2:10-11 NKJV
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on the earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Jesus is Lord!
Jesus is Lord!
Hallelujah and Hosanna to the Highest,
Jesus is Lord! - JSS

1 John 4:2-3 NKJV
By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God.

John 20:28 NIV84
Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"

A Broken Man (Lyrics)

V. 1
Lord, I’ve tasted

That sweet bitterness

And Lord, I’ve wanted

What the world

Wants to give.

But I’m tired of runnin’,

I wish to make a stand,

On my knees,

A broken man.

Instrumental

V. 2
I remember
What my momma
Used to say,
“Turn to Jesus,
And He’ll never,
Go away.”
So, here I am trusting,
At the cross I stand,
On my knees,
A broken man.

Instrumental bridge

V. 3
Father, heal me.
Take all my
Guilt and shame.
Turn my life over,
To bring glory
To Your name.
Please, lead me
To Heaven,
From Your altar 
I’ll stand,
On my knees,
A broken man.
Yes, on my knees,
A broken man.

- JSS

God Is With You

Genesis 21:22 NKJV
God is with you in all that you do.

If we truly consider the above statement to be as true for us as it was for Abraham, then I believe our day to day activities would radically change. It's a sobering thought. He is with us in all that we do; from the lowest common denominator of just sitting/standing and breathing to the most incredible grief that any of us can bare. Is He just standing idly by, watching us, twiddling His thumbs, wishing He was somewhere else? Is His presence marked by observation and curiosity? Or is He an active, vibrant, engaging God? Does He watch over us as a true "Father'? Do we feel that without His presence there would be no breath to even speak of or grief to even lament over?
Personally, I can only believe that He is with us at all times. He has provided not only Himself but also His Son, Jesus and the Holy Spirit as well. The Trinity can not and will not ever be seperated. His words and my experience dictate that He is constantly engaged in a Christian's life. His love is what sustains me and without it I would not exist. Furthermore, I must consider His presence in the bad as well as the good. When I sin, He is there! I must not forget that. He's not just there when I'm doing well or living righteously. Praise God that He sees the bigger picture of our lives; that He sees us as a whole, not just at those "micro moments" when we've turned away from Him or even have done an instant and short-lived "good". God is with us in all that we do...so we must do our all for Him. - JSS

Healing Faith

Matthew 14: 35-36 NIV

People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.

If only we would/could get sick and hurting people to Jesus, to touch Him, to get close enough to Him, then they would be healed. Jesus rewards faith and our willingness to help others encounter Him, receive Him unto themselves. Jesus honors the faith of others. - JSS

2 Corinthians 8:12 NIV
For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.

Whatever We Ask

In John 14:12-14 and 15:7 and 15:16, Jesus said that whatever we ask in Jesus' name it will be given to us. Of course, this puzzles me because not all prayers asked in Jesus' name are given to us. The truth may lay in this: If our heart is fixed to/on bringing about God's Kingdom and fulfilling His will in obedience then our prayers will be oriented to reflect this. Thereby, our Heavenly Father will honor our prayers and allow them to come to fruition. Our prayers, if this be true, must contain less selfish pleas, bullying through God's promises, and half-hearted attempts to be sanctimonious. We must be so in tune with the Father so as to understand His intentions within our lives so that when we pray we are merely an unhindered vessel or clear channel/conduit to bring His salvation to the world. Jesus was/is one with his Father and was in full obedience to Him and so we must be also. - JSS

Lord, Help Me To Be A Barnabas: A Prayer

Lord, help me to become a Barnabas, a "son of encouragement". Help me to encourage others in their daily walk and to point them to You. Like Barnabas did for Paul, help me to see the true character in other people, to see them the way You see them, and to believe in them when there has been a definite change in their heart. Help me to value others as Your special creation, worthy even to the point of death like Your own Son displayed on the cross.

People are hurting Lord...they need a savior. They need You! They need to feel and believe that someone believes in them. Please use me Lord to "stand in the gap" for others, to offer encouragement through the revelation and prompting of the Holy Spirit. Help me to be a Barnabas...
In Jesus name I pray, amen. - JSS

Are You Grateful?

Our world promotes [discontentment] dissatisfaction with our lives...contentment frees you to enjoy every good thing God has given you. Contentment demonstrates your belief that God loves you and has your best interest in mind. Discontentment stems from the sin of ingratitude and a lack of faith that God loves you enough to provide for all that you need. Strive to be grateful for all that God has given you. A grateful heart has no room for envy.
- Taken from Experiencing God Day By Day by Henry T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby, pg. 121. Used with permission.

God's Word (A Poem)

May Your Word, O' Lord,
trickle down
from the mountains
of my mind,
and rest in the deep
valleys
of my heart,
and finally settle
in the firm richness
of the soil
of my soul.

May roots of freedom
and truth
be planted,
sprouting praises
and thanksgivings
from my mouth.

Your Word, O' Lord,
is a gift.
It fills those places
that have only known
barrenness.
It partners with the Son
in bringing
the light of wisdom,
hope and grace.
And it stands
as a sacred
testament
of God's intense,
uncompromising
love for us.

May Your Word, O' Lord,
settle
along the edges
of my heart.
- JSS (written 07/30/09)

Keeping Promises

Don't make a vow to God unless you are going to fulfill it completely. There are sober consequences if you do not fulfill your vow or act in obedience to your promise. God upholds and honors our covenants we make to Him. Every vow, promise or covenant he has made to us He has fulfilled or will fulfill when the proper time comes. His standards are high and we must honor our relationship to Him at all times. - JSS

Lord, help me keep my promises to You and to others and in love, mercy and grace to hold others to the same standards. Thank You, Lord for placing godly people in my life to hold me accountable; to walk like Christ in obedience, faith and truth, amen - JSS

The Lord Is My Strength

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 NIV
Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

Psalm 9:9-10 NIV
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed,
   a stronghold in times of trouble.
Those who know your name trust in you,
   for you, Lord have never forsaken those who seek you.

Psalm 18:1-2 NIV
I love you, Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 34:17-19 NKJV
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the Lord delivers him out of them all.

To Not Take God's Grace For Granted: A Prayer

Dear Lord,
I believe I too often take Your grace for granted. I don't seriously consider the incredible sacrifice or price that Jesus Christ paid for me. I fall into the same old lies the devil used in the Garden Of Eden. Like Eve, I'm aware of the incredible gifts that are around me, how You have blessed me abundantly and have given me the ability to have a deep, personal relationship with You on a daily basis. I can truly walk with You in the cool of the day. Yet, when I am tempted and follow that temptation into sin, it's as if I'm listening to another voice, my flesh, possibly Satan, maybe my own inner voice of rebellion. It seems to be saying, "It's ok, it's just a little sin, you deserve it, you're a good person, God will forgive you anyway..." And the litany goes on to justify my sin. The flesh is willing and the spirit is weak seems to be the norm. Paul, in Romans 6:1-4, warns us, "What shall we say then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin, how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized in Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."
Lord, I know that if I continue to persist in leading my campaign of hidden rebellion I may potentially be fully under the control of Satan. You may decide to turn me over to a reprobate mind to receive the same fate that Paul speaks of in 1 Corinthians 10:8 toward Israel. Lord, I've realized by now that you send signals or warnings prior to my falling into sin. Often times these occur before I'm faced with a temptation. Help me Lord to heed the warnings or danger signs, to recognize the patterns more that lead to sin and have the strength to overcome before it's too late. A reoccurring sin signifies a deeper problem and struggle that can no longer be faced alone: it must be conquered by the saving blood of the Lamb.
Heavenly Father, help me not to take Your grace for granted. When I'm tempted help me to tremble with fear at the possibility of falling into sin. Lord, You deserve more from me, expect more, and long for a deeper relationship between us. Sin hinders love! Thank You Heavenly Father for Your forgiveness and grace and mercy. May my disappointments be few and my love for You become greater. I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. - JSS

Afflictions

Extraordinary afflictions are not always the punishment of extraordinary sins, but sometimes the trials of extraordinary graces. - Archbishop Leighton

Psalm 66:10 NIV84
For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver.

Psalm 60:11-12 NIV84
Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless. With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.

Whether it be in trials or temptations, we must turn them over to God to achieve victory. We cannot defeat them in our own strength. They must be totally released to Him. Laid upon the altar to be consumed in Christ's death and resurrection. - JSS

Psalm 65:3 NIV84
When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions.

Psalm 55:16-18 NIV84
But I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress and he hears my voice. He ransoms me unharmed from the battle waged against me.

Great trials must have great faith. - JSS

Thoughts On Prayer

James 5:16 NIV
The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

All that a christian does, even in eating and sleeping is prayer, when it is done in simplicity, according to the order of God, without either adding to or diminishing from it by his own choice. - John Wesley

Your life can be a continuous prayer to God; an everlasting expression of your love and devotion to Him. - JSS

Perhaps no sin of omission more frequently occasions this than the neglect of prayer. - John Wesley 



Romans 12:12 NIV
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Our prayers must be in-line with God's will. [This is the secret that unlocks effective prayer.] This requires us to be in daily communion with Him; to be in close relationship with Him; to listen deeply for His voice and trust His guidance; to join our heart with His so that they are indistinguishable: they beat as one. - JSS