A SONG FOR THE BURDENED HEART!

 

Saturday, July 12, 2025

 

A SONG FOR THE BURDENED HEART!

 

Ps 61:1-4

61 Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.

2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. 4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.

 

          I often sense the burdens that others are carrying. It is a part of the shepherd’s assignment and can’t be denied though I try. Sometimes I can help but often I feel somewhat helpless. It can be overwhelming to deal with the overwhelmed.

 

          The word “overwhelmed” is from a word that means “to cover over” like a thick blanket. There is darkness, confusion, and a heavy weight that covers and conceals the victim.

 

          David needed a rock or military high ground. He needed to be able to see far and clearly. He needed to be out of the reach of trouble. He needed peace, safety, and comfort. That rock is Christ (1 Cor. 10:4).

 

          Jesus promised, in John 14:18, “ I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” The word “comfortless” is the Greek orphanos and, of course, means “to be orphaned.”

 

Dear Rock of my Salvation, thank you for not leaving me an orphan. Thank you for safety, peace, and comfort. AMEN

 

HOW TO MAKE A GODLY DECISION!

 

Friday, July 11, 2025

 

HOW TO MAKE A GODLY DECISION!

 

Prov 2:11-13

11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:

12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;

13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;

 

          Consider the consequences. Remember that decisions produce consequences. Often the consequences define the decision as either wise or foolish. That is why it is essential to consider the consequences first.

 

          Check the record. Is there a parallel in Scripture? Many issues we are forced to deal with on a daily basis are not mentioned specifically in Scripture. Complicated situations arise, and there seems to be no biblical parallel to use as a guide. In these situations we are to turn to wisdom. We are to ask, "What is the wise thing to do?"

 

          Move to the center! Try to get as close to the center of God’s will and wisdom as possible. Don’t play around the edge. In other words, do what you absolutely know to be right. Don’t dabble in questionable actions and decisions.

 

          Watch for warnings! If it doesn’t “feel right” it probably isn’t. God has given us the Holy Spirit to “guide us into all truth” (John 16:13). Don’t ignore His warnings.

 

          Ask: “How would this look on the front page?” Warren Buffet says that he can afford to lose money but he can’t afford to lose his reputation. My momma said: “If you stir in it you’ll get it on you!” To put it another way, Always dress your decisions in your Sunday best and don’t play in the mud.

 

          Wisdom, as described in Proverbs, is like a spiritual sixth sense. It enables you to evaluate circumstances and people and make the right decisions in life. -Warren Wiersbe

 

Dear Lord, today I will be presented with many opportunities to choose. Guide me into godly choices. AMEN

 

HE GIVES POWER TO THE FAINT!

 

Thursday, July 10, 2025

 

HE GIVES POWER TO THE FAINT!

 

Isa 40:28-31

28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord , the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.

29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:

31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

 

          The deterioration of our culture and the fearful march to world conflict seems to have arrived at an inconvenient time. Everything seems to be uphill and further away than I remember it. My reach is shorter than my grasp. If you are young, then this paragraph will only be a puzzle to you but if you wait long enough you will understand.

 

          Paul, at the end of his life, was able to declare that he had “run a good race” (2 Timothy 4:6-8). He had kept faithfully and energetically the assignment given to him. In a dungeon and awaiting death, Paul passed the baton to his young protégé Timothy who would finish the last leg of the relay for him. Life, and especially the Christian life, is a battle. There will be casualties. All decisions have consequences, and some have horrific consequences yet we may continue the race although hamstrung and limping along. 

 

          Dr. Charles Stanley said: “God doesn't require our lives to be perfect to finish strong. We can live life fully and be ready to meet our Maker by surrendering, walking victoriously with Christ, and serving others. If Jesus called you home today, would you--like Paul--be confident that you lived well until the end?”

 

   Lord, hear our prayer for those who, growing old

   Feel that their time of usefulness is told.

   Let them still find some little part to play,

   Nor feel unwanted at the close of day.

 

Dear Lord, for me and for my growing-older friends, let us find your purpose and your strength for today. AMEN