All Things New

My favorite season is Fall for the beautiful colors and the cooler temperatures after a long, hot summer! But I love Spring, too, for the newness of life and the warmer temperatures after the cold, dull and dead of Winter.

Spring reminds me of the new mercies God has for me every day. But it also reminds me that He made all things new in my life when He called me and made me His child! (2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”). So many things are new, or should be new…..the way I think, the way I act, the things I do, the things I say, the people I enjoy being with, the places I go…..all the things! All Things Are New in Christ!

I wish I could say all things are perfect! But, that won’t happen until I reach my heavenly home! My temporary, earthly home is cursed! We all struggle daily to keep our focus on Christ and not be drawn away “of our own lusts.” Here are some good verses to remind you and me that, because of Christ, we have All Things New (click on the link to read the verses that came up in ESV on my search and click the verse reference to read it in a different version than shown). I was blessed anew to read them and be reminded of all that I have in Christ:

100 Bible Verses aboutNewness Of Life In Jesus Christ

Love to all,
MOM/Vicky

Pity the Man

Last night at church, Pastor Bobby brought to memory an old song that I thought I remembered from my teens. But, according to the internet, it was released in 1980. It was written by Joel Hemphill. You can listen to it HERE. Following are the lyrics to “Pity the Man.”

I guess we should pity the man in this world,
Who must use the earth for a bit.
And I guess we should pity the man who must toil,
From dawn to dusk for his bread.
But these can be rich if they have contentment,
And share in God’s salvation plan.
But if you know any who though they have plenty,
Are lost, then pity the man.

Pity the man who has treasures to hold.
And holds not the pearl of great price,
Pity the man though he lives long on earth,
Yet he knows not the Giver of life.
Doctor, or lawyer, traveler, or merchant,
Or builder who builds on the sand.
Pauper or king to be saved is the thing,
If he’s lost then pity the man.

And I guess there are those who pity the saved,
As though we were missing life’s best.
Oh, they’re forgetting the treasures of earth
Pass away,
And heaven is the place to invest.
Their meanwhile esteeming, the man who is
Scheming.
To hold all the wealth that he can.
But if while he’s living, to God he’s not giving
His soul, then pity the man.

Pauper or king to be saved is the thing,
If he’s lost then pity the man.

The riches of this world are going to pass away. The people who hold those riches are going to pass away. What then? Those riches will vanish. But the people are going to live on in eternity. There’s only one of two places they will be living. Heaven or Hell. The thing is, the preparation begins on Earth. People are not going to get to the doors of eternity and have to choose door #1 or door #2. No! People have to choose while they are living and breathing here on earth. Who have you chosen to spend eternity with? Jesus or Satan?

People joke about joining their friends in hell and having a big party. No, my friend! I’m afraid if that is what you think you are going to be sorely disappointed. The only music you are going to hear are the echos of those telling you about Jesus dying on the cross, inviting you to come to Him, trusting His sacrifice was for you…..dying to pay for your sins so you could be presented to God as righteous. And you are going to hear the flames of hell crackling around you for ever and ever and ever……….you are going to “weep and gnash (grind) your teeth!” Jesus gives many warnings in the Word of God. Read the scriptures before the following verses:

“Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 22:13, KJV

“The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 24:50-51, KJV

“And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 25:30, KJV

“There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.” Luke 13:28, KJV

Oh! My friends and loved ones! If you have not…..why not come to Him now! Admit you are a sinner, believe that Jesus died for your sins and confess your sins to God.

Why Do You Wait? (Why Not?)
by George F. Root

1. Why do you wait, dear brother,
   Oh, why do you tarry so long?
   Your Savior is waiting to give you
   A place in His sanctified throng.
   • Refrain:
     Why not? Why not?
     Why not come to Him now?
     Why not? Why not?
     Why not come to Him now?
2. What do you hope, dear brother,
   To gain by a further delay?
   There’s no one to save you but Jesus,
   There’s no other way but His way.
3. Do you not feel, dear brother,
   His Spirit now striving within?
   Oh, why not accept His salvation,
   And throw off your bondage to sin?
4. Why do you wait, dear brother?
   The harvest is passing away;
   Your Savior is longing to bless you,
   There’s danger and death in delay.

Don’t wait! NOW is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2)! Don’t be a Fan! Be a Follower!

Love to all,
MOM/Vicky

It is I

by Octavius Winslow (1808 – 1878), “Christ’s Sympathy to Weary Pilgrims”

“Take courage! It is I! Do not be afraid!” Mark 6:50

Listen then, to the voice of Jesus in the storm!

It is I who raised the tempest in your soul—and will control it. 

It is I who sent your affliction—and will be with you in it.

It is I who kindled the furnace—and will watch the flames, and bring you through it. 

It is I who formed your burden, who carved your cross—and who will strengthen you to bear it. 

It is I who mixed your cup of grief—and will enable you to drink it with meek submission to your Father’s will. 

It is I who took from you worldly substance, who bereft you of your child, of the wife of your bosom, of the husband of your youth—and will be infinitely better to you than husband, wife, or child. 

It is I who has done it ALL!

I make the clouds My chariot—and clothe Myself with the tempest as with a garment. The night hour is My time of coming; and the dark, surging waves are the pavement upon which I walk. Take courage! It is I! Do not be afraid. 

It is I, your Friend, your Brother, your Savior! 

I am causing all the circumstances of your life to work together for your good! 

It is I who permitted . . .
  the enemy to assail you,
  the slander to blast you,
  the unkindness to wound you,
  the need to press you! 
Your affliction did not spring out of the ground, but came down from above, a heaven-sent blessing disguised as an angel of light, clad in a robe of ebony.

I have sent all in love! 

This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God. 

This bereavement shall not always bow you to the earth, nor drape in changeless gloom your life. It is I who ordered, arranged, and controlled it all! 

In every stormy wind, 
in every darksome night, 
in every lonesome hour, 
in every rising fear, 
the voice of Jesus shall be heard, saying, 
“Take courage! It is I! Do not be afraid!”

This message speaks entirely of God’s sovereign leading in our lives. It is easy to forget this fact when we are in the thick of it! We try to determine what lesson God is trying to teach us or if there is unconfessed sin in our life when it is probably just that God is working His plan for our good and His glory!

Lord, help me to be ever mindful of Your rule over my life. Father, because I am Your child, I know that You are working all things in my life for my good and Your glory! Thank You, Jesus, for being willing to die on the cross to save this poor, wretched sinner! I love you, Lord!

I love you, Lord
And I lift my voice
To worship you
Oh my soul rejoice
Take joy, my king
In what you hear
May it be a sweet sweet sound
In your ear

Please pray for me as I need to make a decision on the treatments the DEXA doctor and my PCP are recommending for my osteoporosis. The possible side effects are scarey, including heart attack and kidney failure to name a few. I am also looking into holistic options, but I don’t know if my pocketbook can handle this option since insurance is not accepted. Pray I follow the Lord’s leading!

Love to all,
MOM/Vicky