Just A Closer Walk With You

  Have You Been With Jesus? Someone once posed a great question, which I will ask here: If you were tried in a court of law for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? Court is now in session... Acts 6:15  And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. Stephen was a deacon of the church of Jerusalem. He was a man full of faith and wisdom (see Acts 6:3, 8). He was also a man full of the Holy Ghost. The word  full  means "controlled by; influenced by." Stephen was a man who was led by the Holy Spirit. He was a Christian who had spent some time with the Lord Jesus Christ and let that time transform his life and daily walk. When he was faced with a false trial to persecute him, and confronted with the very real possibility of his own martyrdom, his faith shone forth.  It was obvious to others that he had been with Jesus!  His face was beaming with a spiritual glow, the glow...

  Open My Eyes That I May See (Hymn by Clara H. Scott) 1 Open my eyes that I may see Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me; Place in my hands the wonderful key That shall unclasp and set me free. Silently now I wait for Thee, Ready, my God, Thy will to see; Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine! 2 Open my ears that I may hear Voice of truth Thou sendest clear, And while the wave notes fall on my ear, Ev’rything false will disappear. Silently now I wait for Thee, Ready, my God, Thy will to see. Open my ears, illumine me, Spirit divine! 3 Open my mouth and let me bear Gladly the warm truth ev’rywhere. Open my heart and let me prepare Love with Thy children thus to share. Silently now I wait for Thee, Ready, my God, Thy will to see. Open my mouth, illumine me, Spirit divine! 4 Open my mind that I may read More of Thy love in word and deed. What shall I fear while yet Thou dost lead? Only for light from Thee I plead. Silently now I wait for Thee, Ready, my God, Thy will to see. Open my...

 To hear this poem presented in church with an introduction and devotional challenge, please click on the title of this poem: In The Presence Of The Lord In the presence of the Lord Is where I long to be. Living each moment in His tender care, My God communing with me. Teaching me wonders from His law, Filling my life with His love, Finding delight in serving Him, Jehovah who reigns above. Living each day before Christ, Fearfully aware of each move that I make. Did I glorify God, were my motives pure, Is upholding His Truth the risk that I take? Is my life a living and holy sacrifice, Or has my focus faded again? I won’t be conformed to this world, I pray my Father restores me to Him. I want to obey when I hear my Lord speak, As His Spirit and His Word command me. But sometimes, inside, I feel so weak, Still Jesus says, “Take up your cross and follow Me.” Sometimes this life can seem so hard, It’s only with eyes of faith that I can see. I know it’s in the presence of the Lord, That...

The Alabaster Box (Mark 14:1-9) She did it; she broke it, there was no turning back. It was all or nothing; now the box was forever cracked. The ointment was poured forth, diffused throughout the room. Jesus’ body had been anointed, prepared for burial in the tomb. It was an offering of love and devotion to her Lord, But He remembered it forever, recorded in His Word. It wasn’t broken for show, only Jesus knew her heart. But as the spikenard flowed out, the aroma filled every part. The good work has been done, but there’s a lesson to learn: In all of life’s opportunities, now it’s my turn. The alabaster box of my heart was broken one day. On the altar of service, there the precious ointment lay. Dedicated to my Lord – fervent and sincere. I gave it all to Him, and the cost was dear. The sacrifice was offered, well-pleasing to God. I presented it with tears, and a soul that was awed. Thank You, Lord, for Your plan that includes even me. And in reasonable service, my life is broken for T...

Himself Once it was the blessing, now it is the Lord; Once it was the feeling, now it is His Word; Once His gifts I wanted, now the Giver own; Once I sought for healing, now Himself alone. Once 'twas painful trying, now 'tis perfect trust; Once a half salvation, now the uttermost; Once 'twas ceaseless holding, now He holds me fast; Once 'twas constant drifting, now my anchor's cast. Once 'twas busy planning, now 'tis trustful prayer; Once 'twas anxious caring, now He has the care; Once 'twas what I wanted, now what Jesus says; Once 'twas constant asking, now 'tis ceaseless praise. Once it was my working, His it hence shall be; Once I tried to use Him, now He uses me; Once the power I wanted, now the Mighty One; Once for self I labored, now for Him alone. ~A.B. Simpson~

Searching For Truth I’m searching for answers from a heart that’s distraught, Wondering at the truth of all I have been taught; Does it line up with God’s Word – is it right after all? So afraid of confusion and the danger I’ll fall. Praying for wisdom, for perfect peace in my mind; Tangled up by these threads, wanting them to unwind; Desiring to do Your will, determined in my heart – From Your Word, I can tell that’s the only place to start. In the fear of the Lord, I have examined my way; Vowing to seek Your wisdom at the start of each day; Faced with all these choices, knowing I am but a youth; I’m set apart for Your glory – I WILL buy the truth! Walking in Jesus’ footsteps, clinging wholly to Your Word; I want to be drawn ever closer to You, my Lord. Searching the Scriptures daily, taking what applies to me; Knowing that I have Your promise: the truth will make me free. From my heart, I lift this earnest prayer up to You, Lord: Grant me Your wisdom, that we may both be in one accor...

I had an opportunity to preach last night. My sermon was called Arise, And Come Away, based mostly on Song Of Solomon 2:8-17. If you are interested in watching the sermon on Youtube, here is the link: Sermon On Youtube The preaching starts at about the 19 minute mark. I think it went ok for my first time preaching in a long time, but the audio is not very loud. Feel free to leave input in the comment section - as long as it is constructive criticism. If you are interested in reading the original study that I adapted and added to last night instead, here is the link for that: Arise, And Come Away

The hymn for you today is an excellent song with a wonderful message. When I read or sing it, in my heart that is my prayer as well: More Like The Master (Charles H. Gabriel) More like the Master I would ever be, More of His meekness, more humility; More zeal to labor, more courage to be true, More consecration for work He bids me do. Chorus: Take Thou my heart, I would be Thine alone; Take Thou my heart, and make it all Thine own. Purge me from sin, O Lord, I now implore, Wash me and keep me Thine forevermore. More like the Master is my daily prayer; More strength to carry crosses I must bear; More earnest effort to bring His kingdom in; More of His Spirit, the wanderer to win. More like the Master I would live and grow; More of His love to others I would show; More self denial, like His in Galilee, More like the Master I long to ever be. Luke 6:40  The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master. The mature believer will be like Christ, ...