Taught of God

 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. 

 ~Psalms 25:5~

The need of the world is the same as it has always been: more of God's Word, less of man's. ~Unknown

Beatitudes #9

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and 
persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against
you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great 
is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they
the prophets which were before you. 

Matthew 5:11-12

Beatitudes #8

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

Matthew 5:10

Beatitudes #7

  

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall 

be called the children of God. 

Matthew 5:9

Beatitudes #6

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 

Matthew 5:8

Beatitudes #5

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 

Matthew 5:7

Beatitudes: #4

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 
Matthew 5:6

Beatitudes: #3

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 

Matthew 5:5

More verses on meekness:

  The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever. ~Psalm 22:26

The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. ~Psalm 25:9

But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. Psalms 37:11
The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground. Psalms 147:6

For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. ~Psalms 149:4

 Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger. ~Zephaniah 2:3

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. ~Matthew 11:29

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 
 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 1 Timothy 6:10-11
 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;  But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. ~1 Peter 3:3-4

Beatitudes: #2

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 

Matthew 5:4

"Blessed are they that mourn..." The first reference is to that initial mourning which 
ever precedes a genuine conversion, for there must be a real sense of sin before the 
remedy for it will even be desired. Thousands acknowledge that they are sinners, 
who have never mourned over the fact. .... [also]....The fact is that the closer the Christian
lives to God, the more will he mourn over all that dishonours Him: 
with the Psalmist he will say, "Horror hath taken hold upon me because 
of the wicked that forsake thy law." ~A.P. 

Beatitudes #1

  And He opened His mouth, and taught them, saying, 

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:2-3

Are We Obeying God's Word?

 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. ~1 Chronicles 7:14

Are we each truly seeking the Lord to  "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." (Psa. 139:23-24)? Not: search my neighbor, relative or friend...but ME. Is there anything in MY life that is displeasing the Lord? May God be merciful to grant each of us a true heart of seeking His face, and turning from any sin. 

Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 

And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. ~Joel 2:12-13

Some things God tells us to consider

 

Deuteronomy 4:39   Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.

1 Samuel 12:24   Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.

Ecclesiastes 7:13   Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?

Haggai 1:5   Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.

Luke 12:27   Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Luke 12:24   Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?

Hebrews 10:24   And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Thankful for...

;

:: summer days with bright blue skies dotted with clouds ::

:: unique striped Petunias that came up on their own 

in our flower bed from last year ::

:: tall grass in the woods ::

:: trees ::

:: sunlight and shadows on the green leaves ::

:: green grass ::

:: mint plants ::

And the list goes on.....

I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 

Psalm 34:1

According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy 

right hand is full of righteousness. 

Psalm 48:10

O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice 

of His praise to be heard:

Psalm 66:8

Beware

 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 

Colossians 2:8

Praise Him!

  Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights. 

 Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. 

   Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. 

  Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. 

Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created. 

Psalms 148:1-5

Draw Me Nearer

 I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,

And it told Thy love to me,
 But I long to rise in the arms of faith,
 And be closer drawn to Thee. 

 Chorus: 

 Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
 To the cross where Thou hast died; 

  Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, 

  To Thy precious, bleeding side. 

 Consecrate me now to Thy service Lord, 

  By the pow'r of grace divine; 

   Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope, 

   And my will be lost in Thine.
 (Chorus)

O, the pure delight of a single hour 

That before Thy throne I spend, 

 When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God, 

 I commune as friend with friend!

(Chorus)

There are depths of love that I cannot know

Till I cross the narrow sea; 

 There are heights of joy that I may not reach 

Till I rest in peace with Thee. 

 Chorus:

   Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord, 

  To the cross where Thou hast died; 

      Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord, 

       To Thy precious bleeding side. 

          Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, 

        having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, 

   and our bodies washed with pure water. 

~Hebrews 10:22

Happy Fourth of July!

Take my life, and let it be...

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. 

Psalms 139:23-24

Order my steps in Thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. 

Psalms 119:13

Fear not

   

It is said that the Word of God contains enough “fear nots” or the equivalent to give us a new one for each day of the year. Why are there so many? Is it not because fear is so common among God’s people? It is indeed good to be able to say, “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid,” but there are times, many of them, when we need His Word to “fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.” Our Lord wants us to have peace in our hearts at all times and under all circumstances, and peace is the opposite of fear and worry. He said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you. … Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” It is His never-changing presence with us that calms our fears. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee,” so “I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me.” He has said that “My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest,” and, “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

“I will fear no evil” or hurt, For “Thou art with me” each hour, Leading “in paths of righteousness,” And keeping me by Thy power.

Isaiah 41:13 ~ Isaiah 12:2 ~ Isaiah 41:10 ~ John 14:27 ~Psalm 23:4 ~ Exodus 33:14 ~ Joshua 1:9 (From Comfort of the Scriptures)

All the Way My Saviour Leads Me

 All the way my Saviour leads me; 

What have I to ask beside?

Can I doubt His tender mercy,

Who through life has been my Guide? 

Heav'nly peace, divinest comfort,

Here by faith in Him to dwell! 

For I know whate'er befall me, 

Jesus doeth all things well;

For I know whate'er befall me,

Jesus doeth all things well. 

All the way my Saviour leads me; 

Cheers each winding path I tread; 

Gives me grace for every trial, 

Feeds me with the Living Bread;

Though my weary steps may falter,

And my soul athirst may be, 

Gushing from the rock before me,

Lo! a spring of joy I see, 

Gushing from a rock before me, 

Lo! a spring of joy I see. 

 All the way my Saviour leads me;

O the fullness of His love!

Perfect rest to me is promised 

In my Father's house above;

When my spirit, clothed immortal,

Wings its flight to realms of day,

This my song through endless ages, 

Jesus led me all the way. 

This my song through endless ages,

Jesus led me all the way. 

 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 

Psalm 23:3

A Tiny Turtle

 One of my brothers discovered this little turtle making its way across our yard today. 

It had been awhile since I'd seen one this small, and we thought it looked so tiny and cute. :)

 Thankfully it was noticed before someone accidentally stepped on it!

 It could move surprisingly fast for its size. So much for the old saying about moving 

slowly at a turtle's pace. :)

 And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

 ~Genesis 1:25

 Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD. 

~Psalms 135:1

A Quick Project

Yesterday I had a request on my Etsy shop to take this hymn art print 

and add a light watercolor wash in the background behind the letters.

It only took a short time to do, and it has made me want to work more 

with adding some color to some other art prints that I have. I probably wouldn't 

have chosen to do it this way myself (only in the background), but I like the idea of 

having some color added to it. 

**********

My hope is built on nothing less

 Than Jesus' blood and righteousness; 

I dare not trust the sweetest frame, 

But wholly lean on Jesus' name. 

On Christ the solid Rock, I stand; 

All other ground is sinking sand. 

 For other foundation can no man lay than 

that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 

1 Corinthians 3:11

Psalm 119:64

   The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy:

 teach me thy statutes.

Psalms 119:64

"Come and See"

If there is anyone reading this who does not know the Lord Jesus Christ, 

I pray that you, too, will "come and see" as Philip once said to Nathanael. 

And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing 

come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. 

John 1:46

Oh friend, I'd like to tell you

Of One so dear to me.

He is the only Saviour;

Oh, won't you "come and see"?

I cannot taste for you

Forgiveness full and free;

But, Oh! I'd like to urge you,

My friend, to "come and see"!

You'll find in Him a Refuge

If you will only seek

With all your heart and mind and soul

The Shepherd of the sheep.

Don't linger at the portals

But flee to Him Who died!

He rose again, and now you'll find

A Refuge in His side.

His blood was shed, the debt to pay

For all those who believe;

Each one of those who comes to Him

Eternal life receives.

Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb Pie

 I remember when I was small my mom making this delicious dessert...we all loved it! 
We recently for the first time in many years were able to plant some rhubarb plants of our 
own, and I'm looking forward to being able to have this delicious dessert again 
sometime, Lord willing! 

 Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb Pie

1  eggs

1 cup sugar

2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 pound fresh rhubarb, cut into 1/2 inch pieces (about 3 cups)

1 pint fresh strawberries, halved

1 unbaked pie shell (9 inches)

TOPPING:

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup quick-cooking or rolled oats

1/2 cup butter

In a mixing bowl, beat egg. Beat in sugar, flour and vanilla; mix well. Gently fold in rhubarb and strawberries. Pour into pie shell. For topping, combine flour, brown sugar and oats in a small bowl; cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over filling. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes, reduce heat to 350 and bake for about 35 minutes more, or until golden and bubbly. Enjoy!

Psalm 25:8-9

 Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he
teach sinners in the way.  The meek will he guide in

 judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. 

Psalms 25:8-9

Teach me, Lord

"Teach me, Lord,

When to speak, and when to be silent;

When to be still, and when to move forward;

When I must rest, and when I must labor;

Please guide me each step of the way!"

 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy Spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. Psalms 143:10

 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Psalms 25:4

Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. Psalms 86:11

Crochet Projects

 I recently made this doily for my mom, as her previous one

that she liked had been crocheted a little too loosely, and consequently

had gotten stretched out over time.  It had been awhile since I had 

worked with such a small crochet hook and yarn, so it took a little 

bit to get used to it again. :) 

 And this baby blanket (destined for my Etsy shop) 

is another project I just completed this past week. 

Now I just need to take the time to get some good 

photos taken of it so I can get it listed on there! :)

My Saviour First of All

Fanny Crosby's hymns are among my favorites, and this one 

in particular has often brightened my day by it's encouraging words. 

I hope and pray that it might cheer you today as well as you reflect on the wonderful 

coming day when we who are His children shall see our Saviour, face to face! 

My Saviour First of All

By Fanny Crosby

When my life work is ended and I cross the swelling tide, 

When the bright and glorious morning I shall see, 

I shall know my Redeemer when I reach the other side, 

And His smile will be the first to welcome me. 

Refrain:

I shall know Him, I shall know Him, 

And redeemed by His side I shall stand! 

I shall know Him, I shall know Him

By the print of the nails in His hands. 

O the soul thrilling rapture when I view His blessed face

And the luster of His kindly beaming eye; 

How my full heart will praise Him for His mercy, love and grace

That prepare for me a mansion in the sky. 

(Refrain)

Thro' the gates to the city in a robe of spotless white, 

He will lead me where no tears will ever fall; 

In the glad song of ages I shall mingle with delight--

But I long to meet my Saviour first of all. 

(Refrain)