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Morning Devotional...



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In our last essay on this beloved Psalm, we discussed the frightening experience of "The valley of the shadow of death." During the intervening time, some of us have walked in that dark vale. For me it was the stark reality of a beloved sister's death. For other friends, perhaps it was the discovery that a dreaded disease lurks within. Some may have suffered difficulties of a very personal sort. The heartaches which must be borne alone bring the darkest clouds and the deepest wounds.

Surely a beneficent Creator has so designed our world that the beauties of morning follow the darkness of night. The day breaks:



So it is in the spiritual sphere; when the dark clouds and chilly mists of the valley of death swallow us up we can peer through the darkness and see the warm lights of His banqueting house. By faith we can say with the Shulamite maiden:

"He brought me to the banqueting house, And His banner over me is love." (Song of Solomon 2:4).

It is surely by no mere coincidence that the Psalmist reflects on his journey through the dread valley and then in the next verse speaks of a prepared table. This is undoubtedly the banqueting table of love which the Lord Jesus Christ has prepared for His own. Here we renew and strengthen our fellowship and communion with our lovely King. In the place of His presence we enjoy the regal glory of the King of Kings. We bring joy to His heart and refreshment to our own soul when we see the King in His beauty. As we gaze upon the lovely thorn scared brow and nail pierced hands, our hearts crave to love Him more. It is here that our hearts are tuned to praise His Name.

In His banqueting house there is rest and nourishment for the tired and drooping spirit. It is there, too, that we can tell Him of the somber skies and the rugged roads we have been plodding and in His tender embrace, we learn the truth of Isaiah 40:31. "But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint."

We do not need to await the end of our sojourn in the dark land for He can "prepare a table in the wilderness", and He does this in the presence of our enemies. My! How the enemies of truth are confounded when they expect to find us overwhelmed by sorrow and fear and come upon us feasting with our lovely King Jesus and enjoying our propinquity to Him.

Finding himself in this position, David says, "You anoint my head with oil". (Psalm 23:5) This is most assuredly the same oil with which the King himself is anointed. In Psalm 45:7 it is called "The oil of gladness". The anointing of oil in ancient days was most significant for kings and priest were marked out by such a ritual. How astonishing it is to read that He has "made us kings and priests to our God, And we shall reign upon the earth." (Revelation 5:10)

Beloved friends, the blessings of our salvation are much more than an insurance policy for the next world.

"My cup runs over".   Ah, this prepared table knows no rationing. There is a great affluence of spiritual things for us to feast upon. None need go away unsatisfied. These words call to remembrance Paul's epistle to the Ephesians 1:3-7: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace."

The prepared table is the daily provision for everyone who by faith in Jesus Christ has been saved by His abundant grace.

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Jack Scott loved his Lord! He passed away on January 10, 2001 after a lengthy illness.
He is missed greatly by his family.

Ah, Pat!  Hi.  I'm sitting here listening to " "Til the storm passes by" over and over.  That tune just speaks to me.  

Earl has a good bit of swelling in his feet and ankles tonight.  I hope this doesn't spell trouble.  He said he has had a little bit for 2 days, but he didn't tell me.  
If he still has this tomorrow I will call his doctor in Amarillo.  

Welcome, Pinkie.  I was glad to see your photo.  Tell us more about yourself, where are you from?  
Again,  Welcome!!

Hello  my friends ... It is still Sunday night here on the west coast, so I will let you know that we had a wonderful time at church tonight.  As Judy B. commented, we also had a sing-along.  Usually, on Sunday evenings we have been watching the video of Acts ... This evening there were only a few members of the female persuasion present.  When I arrived with my neighbor we heard our guitar player singing some old favorites ... we joined in, and eventually all of us ended up gathered around the piano and guitar singing along ... all the old familiar favorites that seem to be pushed out of the way these days.    We had a wonderful couple hours of singing and enjoying the memories of days (and songs) past ... It was really fun!  

I will be back later ... after I get a few winks of sleep.  Y'all take care now, y'hear?      

Love y'all ....

I hope that you all have had a good and refreshing weekend. Some of you find my post this morning to be too 'heavy' and I questioned myself over and over as to whether or not I should post it. It does however dovetail in a way with Jack's opening paragraph. It may prove a blessing to just one person on this site and that will make it worth posting.

'My God, my God why hast thou forsaken me? Mark 15 Verse 34

This is a cry that no child of God should ever have to make. In reality though, it is the case when we often 'feel' forsaken of God, of His love and His favour.

God's law demanded sacrifice. Blood needed to be shed for the remission of sin. Sinful blood was of no use, therefore the sacrifice of any other man would have been in vain. It required a perfect sacrifice.

The Lamb had to be without fault or blemish. The only Person who qualified in the eyes of God was Jesus. The only begotten, beloved Son of God must be put to death in the room and place of sinners if salvation was to be purchased.

What a cost!

Satan thought that he had gained the victory by slaying Christ in front of His people. It was in the darkness and ugliness of that cross that beauty shone through. Truth met with mercy, righteousness and peace kissed mutually.

There is much mystery surrounding the cross of Jesus. Have you ever asked yourself the question, 'What would have happened had Christ listened to those who had said,' Save thyself, and come down from the cross?'' Where would we be now? What would our position be before God, had Jesus not died on the cross?

As a physical act it would have been easy for Jesus to come down from the cross. Nails could not hold the Son of God against His Will. It was however an impossibility for Him to come down. He had no other Will than to do His Father's Will and for the joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross.

What exactly did He endure? Many will cringe as they think of the brutality of the beating He suffered at the hands of the Roman soldiers. The scourges down His back, the spitting and slapping of His face.

There is no doubt in my mind that this was indeed a vicious and savage attack on an innocent man. 'His visage was so marred more than any man.'

Remember that this had followed a sleepless night and also the sweating of blood. Physicians tell us that it requires a great inward struggle using a great deal of energy for any man to sweat blood. It is however possible! We know because the Bible tells us so. Little wonder then that He had such a struggle carrying His cross.

The nailing of the hands and feet make others shudder as they contemplate such action and pain. 'For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.'

Others tell of the horrific suffocating effects that are experienced by those hung on a cross. 'I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.'

Others have experienced what it is to suffer drought and know the pains and sufferings of thirst. 'My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.'

It is hard for many of us to imagine the sufferings listed above. It is even harder for us to comprehend the true sufferings of Jesus! I am persuaded that the sufferings mentioned above are the sufferings that the majority of Christians in our day think of as being 'the sufferings of Jesus.'

Would these sufferings alone have saved us?

It is what Jesus suffered in His soul that proclaimed and assured the victory and the salvation of His people.

It was while He was still alive that He suffered the pains of Hell for His own. He was indeed forsaken of God. Yes, God forsook God! He suffered a lost eternity intensively – but not extensively – for His chosen people.

What does that mean to you and I? It means that the punishment and the suffering that was due to us as sinners – which is or would have been an eternity in hell – was suffered by Jesus while He was alive on the cross. He suffered an eternal death while still alive!

My friends, He paid the price in full. Having accomplished what He set out to do for His people, He cried, 'It is finished!' 'One of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.' 'In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and uncleanness.'

Was justice satisfied? Was God satisfied? The empty grave my friend is proof of the Father's satisfaction. You want evidence? 'Come see the place where the Lord lay' 'This is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.'

Jesus was forsaken in order that we would not be. 'I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.' Today it matters not what we 'feel'. Feelings are good and we all enjoy feeling good, however they are not to be relied upon for our salvation.

God says, 'the just shall live by faith.' Rejoice my friend this day in the assurance that this mighty sacrifice was all for you. No matter what we may suffer in this world, it is nothing compared to what Jesus suffered on behalf of His children. If you are cast down today then think for just a moment. What did it cost to save a  sinner like me?

Are you asking if He did it for you? 'I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.' 'They that are whole need not a physician, but they who are sick.' What more could He possible have done for you?

Amazing grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me,
I once was lost but now I'm found, was blind, but now I see.

Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.

Having just made my post, I decided to have a quick look at what was happening here yesterday. I am gobsmacked! How was I to know that yesterdays devotion was the same as mine today! Nothing happens by chance, nothing!!

LOL

Iaian, I said I'm not eloquent and felt unqualified to answer Mieka's question, but I wrote the way I felt. Truly your explanation is richer and fuller.

Y'all have a good day - I'm ready to prepare for work, but wanted to wish everyone good morning before I sign off.

Ruth Ann

Pat, another wonderful devotional on the 23rd Psalm.  I will certainly be sorry to see the last of those writing tomorrow but know that they can be revisited from time to time.  Iain, what a vivid picture you painted of the suffering of our Lord on the cross and why it had to be that way.  Isn't it hard to understand why anyone would elect hell over a heavenly home.  Just the description alone of what Jesus suffered leading to and on the cross makes one cringe.

Happy to say it is another beautiful day here.  Today is registration for our summer session at our computer learning center.  I am not helping with it today as it conflicts with my treatment but will run by there for a few minutes this morning to drop off a couple of things.

Jeanne Lee, so glad to read that your Mother has recovered from the shingles.  Know that is a big worry off your mind.

Good morning to everyone who has been here already or will be stopping by today.

Belated Welcome to Pinkie

Hi Pinkie!  Welcome from Colorado!  Where are you?

Iain:  I love the concept of your Romanian friends of working "in the shadows" and not pressing for praise from everyone.  Just do the work and good deeds and there is no need for telling everyone what you have done.  Do we  not all have the relative who has to narrate down to the smallest detail all the good things they are doing on earth? I always wonder if it is meant to make others feel guilty while they are trying to lift their status.  

Sonja:  Wow!  you had some hailstorm.  It could have been a tornado when the hail reaches that size.  We have seen awful looking clouds and the storms seem to go around us - so far.  I hope that Zach is feeling better.  

Jane:  How nice that you can sing for the Nursing Home residents.  They surely need the company.  

We have been so busy with cleaning outdoor windows, gutters, fighting ants and so forth.  Yesterday was the only day we could meet with three of the children.  Two have homes for sale (well , one sold in hours) and the 2nd. boy & wife put their house up for sale and had five different people through in two days so they are stressed from not being able to get anything accomplished.  Our youngest son now wants to move out of town a bit with some property but his wife won't commute to teach and will not change school districts as she dislikes interviewing so much - she is so afraid of change and we don't know how to help her - we will not interfer with this at all.  He will do as she wishes.  I have never known such a young person to be so set in their ways and so afraid of any change.  Luckily, my son is loving and understanding and doesn't mind living very close to her parents.  

The traffic was horrible and too many were driving maniacs yesterday - stopped on the freeway as it was so clogged.  It gets so hard sometimes.    

Thanks for today's devotion.  Carol

I particularly like the way this is described in Isaiah 53.

                      ISAIAH 53

Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?  
   
   Isa 53:2   For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, [there is] no beauty that we should desire him.  
   
   Isa 53:3   He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our] faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.  
   
   Isa 53:4   Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.  
   
   Isa 53:5   But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.  
   
   Isa 53:6   All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.  
   
   Isa 53:7   He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.  
   
   Isa 53:8   He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.  
   
   Isa 53:9   And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither [was any] deceit in his mouth.  
   
   Isa 53:10   Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put [him] to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see [his] seed, he shall prolong [his] days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.  
   
   Isa 53:11   He shall see of the travail of his soul, [and] shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.  
   
   Isa 53:12   Therefore will I divide him [a portion] with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.  

This has been copied from http://www.blueletterbible.org

Hi Carol I see you were posting while I was typing.

My post here was meant to go along with what Iin posted.

marilyn

Papa John ~ What a great communion worship.  God has no barriers or prejudices.  It gives me comfort to know that people of all languages worships the same Lord and Savior that I do.  

Janet ~ I know you truly enjoyed having your grandchildren.  Some day it will be the great-grandkids.  

Jeanne ~ Great to see your posts.  We miss you when you are busy.

Marilyn ~ Chinese?  Let's see.  It has been over a week since I have eaten Chinese food.  

Jen ~ It is such nice weather here now.  I love driving by parks and seeing families enjoying themselves.  

JudyB ~ Judy, there is a group of Seniors in a county near here that goes to different churches once a month.  The public is invited.  There is piano, guitar, bass fiddle, organ, violin, madolin and an MC.  They pass out notebooks with the words to the songs when you go in.  They came to our church and 45 different churches were represented in the congregation.  It was great that we all knew these songs.  The piano player was 85 years young.  Our pastor said he didn't know anyone could play our Baby Grand piano so loud and make it sound like honky-tonk.  Oh, yes!  The youngest was 79,  A great memory!

pinkie ~ We have a lot of love to give!!!!!  You are welcome!

Pat ~ Thanks for another addition to Jack's Psalm 23.

Janice ~ Sorry to hear of Earl's swelling.  Like Marilyn, take one day at a time.

Jane ~ I like those sing alongs but I am not a singer.  I sing solo...so low not one can hear me.  (I know that is an old joke but I couldn't resist!!!)  Do you play any instruments?  I tap my foot....does that count?

Iain ~ I am in a rush right now but I will read your post this aftenoon.

I am off to my Urologist today for my quarterly exam to see if I have any cancerous tumors in my bladder.  I feel that I am tumor free.  It just takes the urologist and $$$ to verify that.  

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"Life not only begins at forty--it begins to show."

Abby and I went and had our swim this morning, now she is watching Rolie Polie Olie and I'm reading CP.  Need to get us some breakfast!

Thanks for two more--no, THREE more great devotionals today.  Lots of soul food in here.

I posted some photos yesterday in the bi-weekly challenge and also the regular photos area, if you'd like to see those.  Of course, they cannot compare to the drama of Sonja's hail storm ones.  Wow!

Talk to you later!

Good morning on this bright sunny Monday morning.  I hope you all have a good day today.

I'll add my welcome to Pinkie.  Glad to have you here.

Thanks for the devotionals.

Marilyn, I like the wonderful passage in Isaiah 53.  Hundreds of years before Christ was born the prophet wrote about Jesus' death for our salvation.  Peter explained that God has revealed to us today the meaning of prophecies that they, the prophets, did not understand.
 
1 Pet 1:8-12
8   Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,
9   for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
10   Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care,
11   trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.
12   It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. (NIV)

--- Papa John              <)))><<

 

Oh I love you all, I do. Mr Iain I thank you VERY much and Mr Moak too for a very big answers to my question. I will need to read these many more times to learn this.

I have so much I wish to say from this, but I need to hurry to go to the San Diego to see my brothers today so i will not be here. Perhaps tonight if I can get me a room with a tv there and talk then.

I hope you will all have a wonderful day.

Etta Sue, it has been nice.  It's still very nice.  Nice break.  

Could you please all have a look at the prayer requests?  Thanks.  Jen.

I am back home from the Urologists.  I don't have to see here again until my next quarterly visit....September...which means...NO NEW TUMORS!!!

Thank you, God!

I'm off to see the Prayer Requests, Jen.  I'll see what you posted.


I just have to say that I agree with you, Iain, that "Nothing happens by chance!  Nothing!" and what a wonderful devotional you put in here today.  Thanks so much.


Now, for those of you on this side of the water that divides Iain from us in North America, you might wonder about the term "Gobsmacked"!  

Here's a site for you to read!


http://www.quinion.com/words/qa/qa-gob1.htm

It's great!

I'm off to the Prayer Requests...

Hello all!  Well, my life has settled back into its routine, and I am at work now.  The beach trip was a lot of fun, interesting, but fun.

I am cruising around trying to catch up.  

More later.

Oh, we're so happy to see you home, Karma!

I feel so special!

 You are!  

Welcome home Karmat!  

It is so cold here today. 50 degrees...brrrs...

I was hoping to get some pictures taken but not in this weather.  

Ohhh, I'll send you some heat, Sonja!  It's too hot today here.

Karma ~ Welcome back!!!!  We missed you.

BTW, I was looking in the 'Scripture Verses Photos' and couldn't view yours.  

Our site is down, again, so none of my pictures are showing.  ughh.

Great Pat!  I'll pay for shipping and handling.  

In that case, Sonja, how many degrees of heat do you want?  We have a big excess here!  Whew!!

I am trying to get a mailing list of all my family in order, since I am to send out the newsletters again this year.  And I am still computer challenged in so many ways!

Hello Mary Frances

We're tickled pink to see you here!

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Pat thanks again for giving us such a wonderful message from Jack's writings. These two thoughts really stood out for me.

"In His banqueting house there is rest and nourishment for the tired and drooping spirit."
"The prepared table is the daily provision for everyone who by faith in Jesus Christ has been saved by His abundant grace"

These words are so comforting and rewarding; and you might say, give one a very renewed feeling of the Spirit.

I do so enjoy coming here and hearing others tell about their lives.  There is so much sharing, kindness and love.  I know that God's Love is shinning through here.

I'll not mention everyone by name as that would make this posting too lengthily. Just know that you all bring much gladness to the lives of others.  

Hope you all are having a good day.  I'll try to drop in again tomorrow to say hello.

Hey Pat! I did not expect such a banner line greeting.  It really made me laugh.
All that for just "little memary"  

P.S. Oops, I just notice that I lost my photo.  (I guess my home web site won't allow that URL to be used any more.)  Oh, Well!  that's ok  I'm not really concerned about it.