The Morning Watch

We praise Thee, O God! For the Son of Thy love, For Jesus Who died, And is now gone above. Refrain: Hallelujah! Thine the glory. Hallelujah! Amen. Hallelujah! Thine the glory. Revive us again. We praise Thee, O God! For Thy Spirit of light, Who hath shown us our Savior, And scattered our night. All glory and praise To the Lamb that was slain, Who hath borne all our sins, And hath cleansed every stain. All glory and praise To the God of all grace, Who hast brought us, and sought us, And guided our ways. Revive us again; Fill each heart with Thy love; May each soul be rekindled With fire from above. William P. Mackay

Charles Spurgeon known as, “the Prince of Preachers,” once wrote: “When I surrendered myself to my Savior, I gave him my body, my soul, my spirit; I gave him all I had, and all I shall have for time and for eternity. I gave him all my talents, my powers, my faculties, my eyes, my ears, my limbs, my emotions, my judgment, my whole manhood, and all  that  could come of it.”  True surrender!  “All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give! I would ever love and serve Him, in His presence daily live!” 🙏🏻

In 1 Samuel 30:6, David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.  I love that last phrase there! “David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.”  When everything was against him, he knew he could run to God!  Where do we run in times of trouble?  In Psalm 142, David was hiding from his enemies in a cave, and he prayed these words,  “I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.  I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.” That word portion there means, “highest prized treasure.” Is God our highest prized treasure? He longs to be!

Studying in Nehemiah tonight. There’s an enemy out there my friends, seeking to oppose and devour us! His opposition can be personal, persistent, and use propaganda. It can come through deception, and even from your own people. Stand guard. Nehemiah was being discouraged by the enemy from building God’s house. The enemy tried using fear. That’s a big one. Fear can disengage and disable you. Fear is a liar. God has not given His children a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7) Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17) The just shall live by faith. (Habakkuk 2:4) Nehemiah knew where to turn when his faith wavered. He prayed these words, “Now oh God, strengthen my hands.” (Nehemiah 6:9) Do your hands need strengthening today? Reach out in faith to the One who created you, and spoke this world into existence. You will not be disappointed!  When he told you you're not good e...

Wow, it’s been a hard week! Three funerals (all of whom were fully trusting in the finished work of Christ on the cross for their salvation) news of an upcoming surgery, and other heartaches in between. God remains faithful. I was reading in Psalm 34:18, that the Lord is near to those who have a broken heart. Maybe you are passing through some deep waters too? The Lord promises to be WITH YOU. To NEVER LEAVE YOU or forsake you. (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5)  “Living below, in this old sinful world Hardly a comfort can afford Striving alone, to face temptation's sore Where could I go but to the Lord? Where could I go, oh where could I go? Seeking a refuge for my soul Needing a friend, to help me in the end Where could I go, but to the Lord?” “What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!” 🎵